Stories

Phad painting, an ancient art form dating back 700 years, originates from Shahpura, near Bhilwara, Rajasthan. This traditional scroll painting uniquely blends visual art with performance, narrating the sacred tales of local deities through intricate and colorful illustrations. The Joshi family, belonging to the Chipa caste of Rajasthan, has been the sole custodian of this vibrant tradition, ensuring its legacy continues uninterrupted for centuries. The essence of Phad lies not only in its visual appeal but also in its dynamic storytelling. The paintings are not mere static images; they come alive through the performances of Bhopa, the priest-singers, and their wives, Bhopi. These performances are accompanied by the hauntingly beautiful strains of the Ravanhatta, an ancient bowed instrument. As dusk falls, these portable temples are unfurled, and the tales of deities such as Devnarayanji, a reincarnation of Vishnu, and the valiant local hero Pabuji, are narrated, captivating audiences t...

  Introduction A number of religious communities all over the world today have conceptualised ideas like the conformation of the cosmos, planetary positions, astronomical significance, and worlds existing within our own, by means of their beliefs, scriptural sources, and mythologies, and Karmic influx, one’s actions, good and bad deeds, destiny, and the sequence of one’s life are often believed to be attune with these cosmological reflections. Within the existence of these notions, comes one which has functioned as the balance scale of Karma, and added to the connotations of death and the afterlife: Heaven and Hell. Mythologies have their own vision of Heaven and Hell, the former denoting purity, goodness, and liberation, with the latter representing punishment, evil, and torment and how one is atoned for their sins or remunerated for their virtues in each, respectively. For example, according to the Christian culture, Heaven and Hell are consequents of the kind of life one liv...

  ব'হগ মাথোঁ এটি ঋতু নহয় নহয় ব'হাগ এটি মাহ অসমীয়া জাতিৰ ই আয়ুস ৰেখা গণ জীৱনৰ ই সাহ গণ জীৱনৰ ই সাহ গণ জীৱনৰ ই সাহ   Translation     Bohag is not just a season it is a month. It is the lifeline of the Assamese nation. It is the courage of mass life. It is the courage of mass life. It is the courage of mass life. (The above-mentioned lines are from the song ‘Bohag Mathu Rhitu Nohoi’ by the legendary Dr. Bhupen Hazarika.) Introduction Assam, the land of Red River and Blue Hills crafted by the veins of the Brahmaputra is a mosaic of cultural diversity. The diverse traditions, customs and languages in the region converge to create a kaleidoscope of culture. Central to the cultural landscape of the region is Bihu which reflects the myriad of traditions. Bihu has been integral to the cultural landscape of Assam since time immemorial. Bihu not only involves feasting and dancing but also signifies the transition of seasons. There are three distinct Bihu which are celebrated i...

  INTRODUCTION :  Odisha is a state of rich culture and horary traditions . From Ancient time onwards ,Odisha had been a major center for different episodes of events . Whether it's the Great Kalinga war of Ashoka or the emergence of different forms of Brahmanical worship , Odisha has always played a major role in the synthesis. It's the home of Dravidians , Aryans and Tribal people making the culture of the state diversified and vibrant . Earlier , Odisha was known as "Utkal" which stands out as ‘The Land of Exciting Cultures',  thus justifying the vivid and affluent nature of the state . All the archaeological and historical evidence shows that the state came into the frame almost during the mid of 3rd CE BCE . So the antiquity of the state goes back to the time period of Mahajan padas and Maurya which shows that the state also had been actively involved in the field of trade and politics. All these features make it a prime zone for the development of multiple c...