daily news analysis | Art and Culture

Naiyandi Melam

A naiyandi melam is a type of percussion instrument that is unique to Tamil Nadu, Kerala and parts of South India. It is performed by artistes of different communities. The word, naiyandi, means making fun. Naiyandi melam follows a set of tunes, beginning with ‘thooku’.

06 February, 2024 Art and Culture
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Biswanath Ghat

Biswanath Ghat is a village in Assam, located on the banks of the Brahmaputra River and is known as "Gupta Kashi". The name "Gupta Kashi" is a comparison to Kashi during the Gupta Empire era. The village is named after the ancient Biswanath temple, a prominent religious site for centuries. Biswanath Ghat is also known for its ghat, island, and temple built by the Ahom king.

03 February, 2024 Historical sites
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Veerbhadra Temple

The temple is dedicated to the deity Veerabhadra, the fiery form of Lord Shiva. The temple is closely associated with the Ramayana. Top of Form It was built during the 16th century, the architectural features of the temple are in the Vijayanagara style with profusion of carvings and paintings. The Veerabhadra Swamy temple and the Nandi statue in Lepakshi, India were added to UNESCO's tentative list of world heritage sites in 2022.

02 February, 2024 Temples
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Practice of Veli

In a fishing village of Andhra Pradesh, the practice of social boycott among the Vaddi community has adverse social and economic consequences. Veli is the practice of social boycott. Those subjected to social ostracisation are not allowed to speak to other villagers and in some cases, compelled to abandon their homes and seek refuge elsewhere. Many times, the veli is motivated by politics, caste, or economics. An informal grama peddalu (village elders), also called a kula (cast

05 February, 2024 Art and Culture
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Somnath Temple

Prime Minister will inaugurate the Ram temple in Ayodhya, 73 years ago; the President of India inaugurated another temple in a grand ceremony. Located in - Prabhas Patan, Veraval, in Gujarat. Significance - It is the holy place of the first Aadi Jyotirling Shree Somnath Mahadev, among the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva. It is also the place where Lord Shri Krishna took his last journey. Built by - In 1782, Maratha queen Ahalyabai Holkar built a small temple

04 February, 2024 Temples
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Nagara style- RAM MANDIR

The Ram temple in Ayodhya will be inaugurated on January 22. The complex is in the Nagara style of temple architecture, designed by 81-year-old Chandrakant Sompura and his 51-year-old son Ashish. Nagara style Nagara architecture is a classical architecture of temple design in northern India, contrasted with Dravida architecture in southern India. Nagara temples have a shikhara (mountain peak) over the garbha griha (sanctum sanctorum), a circumambulatory

31 January, 2024 Temples
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Prehistoric Rock Paintings in Tamil Nadu

The Tamil Nadu government has planned to declare the entire hillocks of Alampadi, Melvalai, and Sethavarai a protected monument. All 3 sites are located in Villupuram district of Tamil Nadu. Melvalai – A nondescript village whose paintings dates back to 3000 B.C. and majority of etchings was in red ochre. The word, Rattapparai, has become synonymous with the rock art painted in red ochre. There are 4 sets of paintings that inc

29 January, 2024 Paintings
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Asian Buddhist Conference for Peace

The Indian Vice President recently inaugurated the 12th General Assembly of the Asian Buddhist Conference for Peace in New Delhi. Asian Buddhist Conference for Peace (ABCP) It was founded in 1970 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, as a voluntary movement of followers of Buddhism with both monastic (monks) and lay members. Its aim is to bring together the efforts of Buddhists in support of consolidating universal peace, harmony, and cooperation among people in Asia. It is

25 January, 2024 Buddhism
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Pakke Paga Hornbill Festival

The 9th edition of the Pakke Paga Hornbill Festival (PPHF), a state festival of Arunachal Pradesh, will take place at Seijosa in the Pakke Kessang district from January 18-20, 2024. Pakke Paga Hornbill Festival The first-ever PPHF was held in 2015. The aim was to recognise the role played by the Nyishi tribal group in conserving hornbills in Pakke Tiger Reserve (PTR). Other objectives were to raise alternative sources of income for the region and to create awareness i

24 January, 2024 Festivals
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Soligas & Yeravas – Indigenous people

A recent book has looked into the diets of Soligas and Yeravas communities, who have been living in the Cauvery Basin and the surrounding hills of peninsular India for thousands of years. The book Forgotten Trails: Foraging Wild Edibles was authored by Malemleima Ningombi and Harisha RP. Soligas – They are an indigenous tribe of Biligiri Rangan Hills (B.R. Hills) in Karnataka who have been dependent on the forests for their livelihood traditionally.They are also called