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Posts from the culture category.
Day 1 — Maa ShailaputriIn our home dolls we lovingly collectMaa Shailaputri descends to protectWith lotus and Trishul in her handWhich she weaves like magic wandGranting purity devotion strengthBlessing all at lengthDay 2 — Maa BrahmachariniMaa Brahmacharini descends in whiteShe is the calm in our quiet nightHolding a Rudraksha Mala and water potShe comes home and takes her spotTeaching us patienc...
There’s a certain discomfort that doesn’t leave you when you close a true crime book.Not fear.Not shock.Something quieter.Almost like you’ve just walked past a crime scene long after the crowd has disappeared… but the silence is still holding on to something.That’s the space this book pulled me into.Desi Crime: 20 True Stories of Killers, Kidnappers and Other Sinister Criminals by Aishwarya Singh ...
This is the story of two women (one mother, other mother-in-law of the author) from different cultural backgrounds who brought their families together through - food!One represents Tamil tradition, known for simple and balanced South Indian flavours. Tamil cuisine developed from agrarian practices and temple culture, with rice, lentils, coconut, tamarind, and spices forming its base. The other rep...
There is a particular kind of love that does not begin with conversation. It begins with watching.While reading Heart Overruled — A Bengali-Tamil Romance by Debanjana Mukherjee, I kept returning to the image of a sixteen-year-old girl at her sister’s wedding, standing amidst marigold garlands and ritual chants, quietly memorising the face of a man who barely registers her presence. That first enco...
“Ekad baa”..I called my daughter “come this side” as she was strolling all over in the train to explore it. I was calling her repeatedly and this word stuck in my head. Me being an over thinker, the thoughts lingered for no reason.Ekad Ba - in Kannada ( north slang) - come this side Ee kadea Ba - in Kannada ( Bangalore / south slang ) come this side Eekade Yeaa - in Marathi- ( come this side)Ika...
I remember the first time I curled up beside my grandmother on a chilly winter evening, the aroma of simmering kahwa filling the room, as she spun tales that danced between the real and the magical. There was always a hush in the air, punctuated by the crackle of the fireplace and the occasional shiver of delight or fear. Opening Dadi, Dantkatha and the Djinns by Avanti Sopory felt like stepping b...
The word ‘modak’ comes from Sanskrit, approximately meaning “a small portion of bliss.”Having lived for almost 20 years in the eastern side of Maharashtra, the Ganapati festival we celebrated at home—thanks to my mom’s unending enthusiasm—always had ‘fried modaks’ as offerings.I don’t remember tasting ‘steamed modaks’ in those years. Each time we ate the fried ones, my mom would mention the steame...
Death is one of those subjects we instinctively tiptoe around. We talk about it in hushed tones, if at all. Yet in India, where faiths, customs, and communities are so diverse, the way we say goodbye to our loved ones is as telling as the way we live. Minakshi Dewan’s The Final Farewell pulls back the curtain on these final journeys — not with gloom, but with empathy, curiosity, and a deep respect...
Every year, the rhythmic beats of the dhol-tasha, the aroma of freshly made modaks, and the chants of Ganpati Bappa Morya fill the streets of India. Ganeshotsav, the festival dedicated to Lord Ganesha, is not just a religious occasion—it’s an emotion that unites millions.Celebrated with grandeur, especially in Maharashtra, the festival marks the arrival of Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles an...
Lately, the language politics in our country have been disturbing. But in the midst of it all, there are still people who live across states, languages, and cultures — happily and harmoniously.The hosts are warm and welcoming.The guests are curious, open to learning new languages, ideas, and customs — without burden or resistance. 🌍💛 Today’s story is about how she found connection beyond words w...
