Showing posts with label culture. Show all posts
Showing posts with label culture. Show all posts

Monday, November 23, 2009

Cultural Heritage Of Kerala

Located in southwestern India Kerala have a unique culture that has made itself a popular tourists place around the world. Formed in the year 1956, Kerala has 14 districts and Thiruvananthapuram is it's capital.

Cultural Heritage Of Kerala

Most of the dance forms in Kerala are performed in connection with harvests, festivals etc. There are more than 50 well-known folk dances in Kerela. Some of the most popular ones are Kaliyattom, Mudiyettu, Kolam Thullal, Padayani, Kolkali, Parichamuttukali, Thappukali, Kuravarkali and Thiruvathirakali.

The festivals of Kerala have a big traditional history behind them. Onam, Vishu, Navaratri, Aaranmula Boat Race, Cochin Carnival, Sabarimala Festival , Malabar Mahotsavam, Aarattu, Jagannatha Festival, Thirunakara Festival , Vettukadu Perunal are some of the popular festivals of Kerala.

Cultural heritage of Kerala can be very well revealed with it's massive forts, temples, mosques, churches etc. The massive forts that showcase the fine architecture of Kerala are Pallippuram Fort, Palakkad Fort, St. Angelo's Fort, Bakel Fort, Dutch Palace.

Kerala also came in close contact with Islam. The mosques in the state are generally covered structure, with walls constructed of laterite blocks, that comprises of a large prayer hall in the centre with covered verandhas on all the sides. Charachira Jama Masjid, Nainar Mosque, Kanjiramattom Mosque, Cheraman Jama Masjid, Odathil Mosque, Malik Dinar Mosque attract pilgrims from all over the country.

St. Mary's Church, Cheriapalli, St. Mary's Church, Manarcad, St. George's Church, Puthupalli, St. Thomas Mount, St. Joseph's Monastery, Mannanam are few of the famous churches of Kerala.

The exotic cuisine of Kerala offers the most delicious and mouth watering foods on earth. Kerala is rich in coconut and fish. Chillies, curry leaf, mustard seed, tamarind and asafoetida are important ingredients for every dish.

This tranquil state is a tropical paradise of waving palms and wide sandy beaches with rich cultural heritage.

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Friday, November 13, 2009

Cultural heritage of Silicon Valley of India

Bangalore or Bengaluru is very well known for it's rich cultural heritage and industrial accomplishments. Bangalore which has already acquired the status of the IT Capital has a fusion of the old and the new culture.

Arts and Crafts consists of elite bungalows and impressive palaces. The interiors of these bungalows are adorned with arts and crafts, whose beauty cannot be described in words.

 Silicon Valley of India

Bangalore languages comprise of all the languages spoken in the state of Karnataka. The major launguage of Bangaloreans is Kannad. Apart from Kannad, English is also quite widely spoken here.

People belonging to various religions, castes and communities live here. Hinduism is one of the major religions of Bangalore. The major economic hub and the fastest growing major metropolis in India, Bangalore enjoys a moderate type of climate throughout the year.

Visit the Silicon Valley of India and explore more about it's cultural heritage.

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Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Classical dances reveals the cultural heritage of India

Classical dances quiet clearly reveals the cultural heritage of India. In India each dance form will have its own specialty and grace, along with a set pattern of costumes and make-up.

These different form of classical dances set the true meaning to the glory of India.

Bharatanatyam is the most popular of Indian dances and belongs to the South Indian state of Tamil nadu.

Bharatanatyam

It is believed that Chakiarkoothu dance was introduced to Kerala and is performed only by the members of the Chakiar caste. This is a highly orthodox type of dance which is staged inside temples only.

The Chhau dancer very well communicates the inner emotions and themes through cadences of body flexions, movements and kinetic suggestions.

Another classical dance form is Kathak where the themes of Krishna, Radha, Shiva, Parvati and mythological characters find a exact place.

Kathakali is a story play or a dance drama. Kathakali is limited to decorative dance movements.

Koodiyattam is the oldest surviving link with ancient Sanskrit theatre that is practised in Kerala. This dance form consists of some popular Sanskrit dramas like Ascharyachudamani of Shaktibadra, Subhadradhananjeyan of Kulasekara Varman, Abhisekha Nataka and Swapnavasavadatta of Bhasa, Kalyana Saugandhikam of Mahendra Vikrama and Bhagavadajjukiyam of Bodhayana.

Krishnattam presents eight successive nights that reveals the entire story of Lord Krishna, and the dance style is almost alike Kathakali.

Kuchipudi, like Kathakali is also a dance-drama tradition which derived it's name from the vilage of Kuchipudi in the Southern State of Andra Pradesh. The female roles are also enacted by men till date.



Manipuri dances are a part of the daily life of the Manipuri people. This dance is presented as a group dance with gorgeous, colourful costumes with soft movements.

Mohini Attam as a dance form has developed in Kerala. This dance form is performed by women. Mohini Attam follows the Bharatanatyam dance form.

Odissi is considered as the oldest classical Indian dance on the basis of archival evidence.

Ottan Thullal is performed solo and it is also known as the poor man's Kathakali.

Yaksha Gana belongs to Karnataka which has a rural origin. Its heart lies in Gana meaning music. It is about 400 years old.


Every part of a dance conveys some meaning in the graceful motion of a dancer. The various dance forms have also developed a particular form of make-up for the performance, which is a skill by itself. Each dance form and style have their own traditional patterns set down.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Rich Indian cultural heritage of art and architecture

India is endowed with a rich cultural legacy of art and architecture. The numerous beautiful temples and other monuments bear testimony to the rich Indian cultural heritage of art and architecture.


heritage


The Ajanta and Ellora caves in Maharashtra, the Khajuraho temples in Madhya Pradesh, Konark Temple in Puri, Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu and the Taj Mahal in Agra are some of the beautiful monuments that reflect the rich architectural heritage of India. Indian Handicraft is another of form of art that has made a mark among tourists in India.

Indian art and craft has a number of different aspects to it. The art and crafts of India includes painting, sculptures and handicrafts. Indian paintings can be divided into two main categories as the murals and miniatures.

Some of the popular painting forms include the Tanjore Painting of Tamil Nadu, Madhubani Painting of Bihar, Kalamkari Painting of Andhra Pradesh and Pithoro Painting of Gujarat.

The sculptures in various places in India reflect the talent and creativity of Indian artisans. The rock cut art of sculpting was believed to be perfected by the Buddhists and followed by Hindu rulers. The sculptures that we see in many temples and other historic places are made of granite and terracotta.

Handicraft is another feature of the rich Indian art. Some of the handicrafts items that are popular in India are carpets, marble table tops, hand made leather items and hand block printed items, blue pottery, semi-precious stones and Kundan jewellery.

Monday, May 18, 2009

Forts And Palaces of Rajasthan- Relics of The Past

jaigarh fort
For centuries, if not millennia, the Rajput fortresses, the defensive castles, the composite havelis - were the abode of chivalry where hospitality was a way of life. Visitors, guests, even strangers were welcomed in a tradition that was a part of the lifestyles. Even enemies, should they have come calling, were treated with utmost respect "Aao Sa". And an extensive network of matrimonial alliances amongst the warring clans ensured that all battles ended on the field. It would not be an extravagant quote to say, that if the Rajputs had not been so humble to their enemies as to let them in, the colossal forts might never had been conquered! Take a royal fort and palace tours of Rajasthan to see the historical evidences.

The Forts That Stood The Test of Time

The forts in Rajasthan are no doubt the best manuscripts that spell the saga of the audacious Rajput clans. Believe it, these colossal structures are more experienced than you and me. They have seen sandstorms lash the towns in summer, trees being bent by fierce winds while they stood with their spirits high assenting the valor and intransigency of the mighty Rajputs. They have seen a 20th-century princess who fell in love with a man candidly, without regarding that he traces his family tree all the way back to monkeys, and married him in the face of medieval defiance, portraying true love amidst the desolate deserts. Above all the forts have witnessed mass immolations by thousands of graceful Rajput women, charging to their deaths in ash and saffron, endorsing the devotion and amour that these glitterati had locked in the secret archives of their heart for long. They grabbed the horns of destiny and changed its course of journey...enough to leave a foreign tourist mesmerized.

The famous forts and palace attractions of Rajasthan in India are eloquent of the bygone era. The chivalry and gallantry of the warrior fraternity is reflected in the architecture of the feudal homes. Everytime you buzz the bell, after jaunting through the barren grasslands (because the forts were usually built atop a hill), you will be greeted with a colossal entrance; carved impeccebly enough to brake your eyeshot, if you try to peep into the voluminous courtyards disfavoring the grand architecture above you. Once inside you will be captivated to see the prodigious contours of the forts; lavishly spacious to accommodate 2-3 football grounds.

There were separate viewing galleries for women, and the ladies of the zenana regulated their own durbars and maneuvered considerable power from behind the purdah. Walk along the interspersed corridors while keeping an eye open for the beautifully embellished jaalis akin to intricate filigree, displayed on the mammoth parkotas of the coliseum on your sides. Some of the eminent forts also houses appalling chattels such as the Jaigarh Fort, which boasts of the largest cannon in the world, the Jaivan. Take a tour of the royal forts and palaces of Rajasthan to enjoy a historic holiday.
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