Category: Culture

“The seed of cultural harmony lies not in the culture you are born in but in the recognition of the sweetness of other cultures.”

Culture

Shops Without Shopkeepers | Mizoram

Hidden from the world’s eye in between Bhutan, Bangladesh, China, and Myanmar, the North Eastern region of India seems detached from the rest of the nation — even on the map. Inside the deep jungles of Mizoram, just two to three hours from the state capital Aizawl, the local Mizo community practices a unique tradition: nghah loh dawr or shops without shopkeepers. The people of Mizoram are true role-models for us to be inspired from. We should all aspire to reach their collective sense of honesty and integrity. Continue reading Shops Without Shopkeepers | Mizoram

Indrajit RoyChoudhury13 Comments
Culture

Durga Puja, Varanasi, 2008

The festival season in India means bright colours, lights, giant floats, ceremonies and excitement. The major Indian celebration is Durga Puja (Puja meaning worship). The Hindu Goddess Durga is the goddess of Shakti (power). Magic may be the only word that best describes the pageantry and fanfare that revolves around Durga Puja. While going through some old pictures yesterday, I came across the photographs of … Continue reading Durga Puja, Varanasi, 2008

Indrajit RoyChoudhury7 Comments
Culture

The Culture of Impatience & Instant Gratification

We were today discussing in our group of old school buddies on the new developing culture of impatience and instant gratification. We all are working in different sectors but had a common view that as younger generations getting accustomed to immediate feedback, the erosion of their patience is leading to serious problems. The millennials and the youth have the “gotta have it right now” mindset. … Continue reading The Culture of Impatience & Instant Gratification

Indrajit RoyChoudhury22 Comments
Culture

Durga Puja in Kolkata | Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity

Kolkata’s Durga Puja is India’s official nomination for the 2020 edition of the UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Durga Puja is not only a religious festival, it is the most significant socio-cultural event in Bengal. Though predominantly originated in the Hindu ritual and legends, the Durga Puja celebration cross cuts the communal divide in many of its attributes. It is an epitome of harmony across caste, class, creed and religion. Continue reading Durga Puja in Kolkata | Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity

Indrajit RoyChoudhury16 Comments
Culture

Shahi Snan, Kumbh Mela, Prayagraj, 2019

The Kumbh Mela — the largest congregation in the world — sees world gathering of saints, pilgrims, devotees to take holy dips in the sacred confluence of the Ganga, the Yamuna, and the mystical Saraswati. Bathing in these rivers is thought to cleanse and purify ones’ soul of all sins. Recognized by UNESCO as India’s ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity’, Kumbh Mela never ceases to amaze and its amazement is always felt in the grandeur of it being the largest religious-cultural festival in the world.  Continue reading Shahi Snan, Kumbh Mela, Prayagraj, 2019

Judhajit Roychoudhury23 Comments
Culture

Significance of Rituals

The act of ritual is a common thread that has linked humanity throughout the ages, regardless of ethnicity, culture or religion. Through ritual we build families and community, we make transitions and mark important events in our lives, we express ourselves in joy and sorrow, and perhaps, most importantly, we create and sustain identity. Our ancient ancestors used the bond of ritual to create ties of kinship necessary for survival in a world rife with dangers. Continue reading Significance of Rituals

Indrajit RoyChoudhury7 Comments
Culture

The Baghdad Peace Festival, 2018

Baghdad was founded by the Abbasid caliph al-Mansur in 762 CE. When he founded a completely new city for his capital, he chose the name Medina al-Salaam or The City of Peace. This was the official name on coins, weights, and other official usage, although the common people continued to use the old name. Baghdad soon became the home to pioneering scientists, astronomers, poets, mathematicians, musicians, historians, legalists and philosophers. The Baghdad Peace Festival was started in 2011 to remind people of that history. Continue reading The Baghdad Peace Festival, 2018

Indrajit RoyChoudhury20 Comments
Culture

Shahbandar Café | Traditional Adda Centre in Baghdad

Shahbandar café is one of Bagh­dad’s few remaining traditional cultural cafés. Since opening its doors, Shahbandar café had become a hub of Baghdad’s intellectual life, drawing poets and politicians to its wooden benches and photo-lined walls.  The café still stands, a testament to the resilience of the country and the capital, Baghdad, even if so much has happened here. From British rule to modern-day Iraq, Shahbandar has lived through the birth of a nation, the toppling of its monarchy, decades of domination by Saddam Hussein, the drama of the US-led invasion and the bloody chaos that followed. Continue reading Shahbandar Café | Traditional Adda Centre in Baghdad

Indrajit RoyChoudhury38 Comments
Culture

For the times they are a-changin’

Instead of going around exchanging festive hugs, jadoo ki jhuppi, we shifted to mobile phones and now to social media and greetings is just a click. Life today is turning into a constant inorganic celebration. No wonder the festivals are losing its sheen, as we remembered it. Today a child can’t differentiate between a Diwali, Christmas or New Year and might enjoy a Halloween more. Continue reading For the times they are a-changin’

Indrajit RoyChoudhury24 Comments