Category: Art & Culture

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Art & Culture Trivia

Bastille Day

  • Every year on July 14, France celebrates its National Day, also known as Bastille Day.
  • The day, known as La Fete Nationale or Le 14 Juillet in French, is marked by fireworks and a parade.
  • One of the most significant days in French history, it commemorates the fall of the Bastille, a military castle and political jail that was once seen as a symbol of the monarchy and armoury.

A Quick Recap of the French Revolution

  • The French Revolution, which lasted from 1789 until 1799, was an era of significant social and political change in France.
  • The French monarchy was overthrown, a republic was established, and thousands of people, including King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette, were executed (guillotined) during the revolution.

The Bastille’s Fall

  • Symbolism & Discontent: The Bastille, located near Paris, represents the monarchy’s despotic reign and abuse of power.
  • Increasing Unrest: On July 14, 1789, Parisians assembled at the Bastille to protest King Louis XVI’s rule.
  • Confrontation and Demands: The mob demanded the release of political prisoners as well as access to the fortress’s armaments. The Governor refused, resulting in a violent confrontation.
  • Storming of the Bastille: The citadel fell after hours of struggle as the people of Paris overwhelmed its defenders.

Significance of the Event

  • The fall of the Bastille represented the people’s victory against the monarchy and the end of the tyrannical old regime.
  • Catalyst for Change: This event triggered a period of tremendous violence and instability, allowing revolutionaries to grab power and build a new order.
  • The French Revolution resulted in the elimination of feudalism, the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen, and the founding of the First French Republic.
  • Ideological Impact: The revolutionary ideas of liberty, equality, and fraternity have left an indelible mark on global political and social movements.

The collapse of the Bastille Inspired Other Nations:

  • The collapse of the Bastille inspired other nations to struggle for their own rights and independence.
  • Spreading Revolutionary Ideals: The values of the French Revolution echoed around the world, influencing future revolutionary movements throughout history.
  • Rise of Democracy: The revolution’s emphasis on individual rights, democratic governance, and social equality impacted the global political and social scene.
Source: https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/coming-to-france/france-facts/symbols-of-the-republic/article/the-14th-of-july-bastille-day
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Art & Culture Culture of India

Kanwar Yatra

  • The Kanwar Yatra, a major annual pilgrimage, began on July 4 and will go until July 15.
  • Millions of devotees, known as Kanwariyas or Kriyas, embark on this trip to collect water from the Ganga River and dedicate it to Lord Shiva.
  • The Kanwar Yatra is an act of trust and devotion that symbolises the unbreakable tie between followers and Lord Shiva.

Kanwar Yatra’s legendary Origins Samudra Manthan:

  • Kanwar Yatra is thought to have started from the legendary account of Samudra Manthan, in which Lord Shiva ingested poison to rescue the world. To relieve the symptoms of the poison, all the gods poured Ganga River water on Lord Shiva.
  • Another account claims that the Kanwar Yatra ritual began when King Ram brought water from the Ganga to a statue of Lord Shiva (shivalinga) in an earthen pot.

Rituals and customs Ganga Water Collection:

  • Devotees clothed in saffron apparel set out on foot to collect water from the Ganga River at Haridwar, Gomukh, and Gangotri. They balance two earthen pots filled with water on their shoulders, which are suspended on a decorated bamboo stick.
  • Purity is important to devotees because it prevents the pots from contacting the ground or becoming polluted by dust, which could dirty the sacred water.
  • The Kanwariyas walk the yatra barefoot, travelling great miles in difficult terrain and terrible weather conditions.
Source: https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/astro/religion-rituals/festivals-and-fasts/kanwar-yatra-katha-and-history-know-how-kanwar-yatra-tradition-started/articleshow/101486930.cms
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Art & Culture History

Alluri Sitarama Raju

  • Draupadi Murmu, the President of India, saluted independence warrior Alluri Sitarama Raju during the closing ceremony of his 125th birth anniversary festivities in Hyderabad.
  • The President emphasised Raju’s struggle against injustice and exploitation in India’s freedom movement.
  • Raju is thought to have been born in Andhra Pradesh in 1897 or 1898.
  • At the age of 18, he became a sanyasi (ascetic), and his austerity, knowledge of astrology and medicine, and ability to tame wild animals earned him a mythical aura among the hill and tribal people.

Activities that are revolutionary

  • Raju organised the hill people’s anger in Ganjam, Visakhapatnam, and Godavari into effective guerilla resistance against the British.
  • The Forest Act of 1882, among other colonial policies, threatened native podu agriculture and drove people to work.
  • In August 1922, tribals and muttadars (village headmen) affected by the British government’s limitation of their rights banded together in armed resistance against colonial rule.

Contribution to the Liberation Struggle

  • The Rampa or Manyam Rebellion, Raju’s guerrilla campaign, lasted until May 1924.
  • The insurrection took place at the same time as Mahatma Gandhi’s Non-Cooperation Movement.
  • Raju admired Gandhi and advocated for him to wear khadi (homespun cloth) and abstain from drinking.
  • However, Raju believed that India could only be liberated by the use of force, which contradicted Gandhi’s nonviolent ideal.

Detection and Execution

  • Raju’s resistance ended when he was apprehended by the British in May 1924.
  • He was executed for his participation in the uprising.
  • Raju became renowned as the ‘Manyam Veerudu,’ or Hero of the Jungle, and his contributions to India’s freedom war remain honoured.

Conclusion

Overall, Alluri Sitharama Raju was instrumental in spearheading a guerilla rebellion against British colonial control, battling for tribal communities’ rights, and lobbying for India’s independence through coercive means.

Source: http://indianculture.gov.in/node/2796629
Categories
Art & Culture Trivia

GI Tag is applied to seven UP products

  • The Geographical Indications Registry in Chennai has awarded Geographical Indication (GI) tags to seven different Uttar Pradesh products.
  • These items represent the region’s rich heritage and workmanship.

What is GI Tag?

  • A geographical indication (GI) is a symbol used on items that have a specific geographical origin and have traits or a reputation that are due to that origin.
  • Nodal Agency: Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry In September 2003, India adopted the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 as a member of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
  • GIs are defined in Article 22 (1) of the World Trade Organization’s Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS).
  • The tag is good for ten years.

GI tags awarded in UP

(1) Amroha Dholak – A Musical Masterpiece

  • The Amroha Dholak is a natural wood musical instrument made with a preference for mango, jackfruit, and teakwood.
  • Carving Method: Skilled artisans carve multiple-sized hollow blocks out of mango and sheesham wood, which are then fitted with animal skin, primarily goatskin, to construct the instrument.

(2) Baghpat Home Furnishings – Timeless Handloom Artistry

  • For years, Baghpat and Meerut have been known for their exclusive handloom house furnishings and running fabrics made from cotton yarn.
  • Traditional Weaving: In the handloom weaving process, skilled weavers in the region use only cotton yarn, ensuring the authenticity and quality of the products.

(3) Barabanki Handloom Product – A Heritage of Weaving

  • Barabanki and its neighbouring territories are home to over 50,000 weavers and 20,000 looms, demonstrating the importance of handloom weaving.
  • Weaving Tradition: The region has a strong tradition of handloom weaving, with experienced craftsmen contributing to Barabanki’s thriving textile sector.

(4) Kalpi Handmade Paper – Time-Honored Craftsmanship

  • Kalpi is well-known for its handmade paper, which was introduced by Gandhian Munnalal ‘Khaddari’ in the 1940s.
  • Craftsmanship Legacy: The handmade paper-making cluster in Kalpi employs over 5,000 craftspeople and around 200 units, sustaining the fine paper-making history.

(5) Mahoba Gaura Patthar Hastashlip – Crafted Elegance

  • Mahoba Gaura Patthar Hastashlip represents the region’s stone workmanship, made from the rare and soft ‘Pyro Flight Stone.’
  • Radiant White Stone: The craft makes use of radiant white-colored stone that is commonly available in the area to create magnificent craft goods.

(6) Mainpuri Tarkashi – Artistry in Brass Wire Inlay

  • Tarkashi, an art form featuring brass wire inlay work on wood, is well-known in Mainpuri.
  • Tarkashi was traditionally used to make khadaous (wooden sandals) as a family requirement, replacing leather owing to cultural reasons.

(7) Sambhal Horn Craft – Unique Handmade Art

  • Sambhal Horn Craft uses raw materials taken from deceased animals and rigorous handcrafting methods.
  • Artisanal Creation: Skilled artisans transform raw materials into stunning handcrafted items that highlight the uniqueness of Sambhal’s horn craft.
Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/gi-tag-for-7-indigenous-products-of-ukhand/articleshow/86623486.cms
Categories
Art & Culture Culture of India

Puri Rath Yatra

  • Millions of travellers from all over the world flock to Puri, Odisha, for the Rath Yatra (Chariot Procession).
  • The significance and main features of the Rath Yatra Festival are discussed in this article.

What exactly is Rath Yatra?

  • Sacred pilgrimage: According to legend, Lord Jagannath travels with his siblings for nine days to his birthplace, the Gundicha Temple.
  • The deities, Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra, will remain at the Gundicha Temple till the “Bahuda Yatra” (returning car festival) on June 28.
  • Procession: On the second day of the Odia month of Ashadha Shukla Tithi, the Rath Yatra takes place. The deities are paraded from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple.

The main attractions

  • Chariots with specific colours, dimensions, wooden horses, guardian deities, and charioteers: The three giant chariots, Taladhwaja Rath for Lord Balabhadra, Darpadalan Rath for Goddess Subhadra, and Nandighosa Rath for Lord Jagannath, are made with unique colours, dimensions, wooden horses, guardian deities, and charioteers. These chariots are built by skilled artisans using ancient techniques.
  • Ritual of Chhera Panhara: The scion of the former Puri royal family performs the Chhera Panhara ceremony before the chariots are drawn. With a golden broom, the king washes the chariot floors, emphasising the dignity of labour and equality before the Lord.
  • The Chhera Panhara ritual has been performed by Puri’s (ceremonial) king, Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb, since 1971, demonstrating the long-standing tradition.

The importance of the festival

  • Participation of devotees: The Rath Yatra attracts a large throng, including foreigners, who flock to see the great spectacle.
  • Touching the chariot ropes: Devotees attempt to touch the chariot ropes since it is believed that the Lord bestows favours on those who pull the chariots.

Bahuda Yatra and Suna Besha Bahuda Yatra:

  • The return celebration is held on Ashadha Shukla Dasami. Before returning to the Jagannath Temple, the deities are given a special cake called “Poda Pitha” at the Mausimaa Temple.
  • Suna Besha: The deities are decorated with gold jewellery during the Suna Besha festival, which follows the Bahuda Yatra. Devotees go to see this spectacle, in which the lords are lavishly decked in gold.
  • Homecoming: Niladri Bije marks the end of the Rath Yatra and represents the deities’ return to the Jagannath Temple.
  • Offering to Goddess Laxmi: On behalf of Lord Jagannath, devotees offer Rasagola, a sweet delicacy made of cheese. This rite is intended to appease the goddess, who is said to be angry about not being taken on the chariots.
Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-culture/rath-yatra-in-puri-significance-of-the-deities-journey-to-their-aunts-place-8685726/
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Art & Culture

Gita Press will be awarded the Gandhi Peace Prize

  • Gita Press, based in Gorakhpur, has been received the coveted Gandhi Peace Prize for the year 2021.
  • Gita Press was overwhelmingly chosen for this honour by the panel, which was led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The  International Gandhi Peace Prize
Establishment1995
Award DetailsCash prize of ₹1 crore (US$130,000), which can be converted into any currency worldwide Includes a plaque and a citation
Jury compositionPM (Chair), Leader of the Opposition, Chief Justice, Speaker, and Eminent person
EvaluationEvaluation based on contributions to non-violence and Gandhian methods Nominees are considered from competent individuals Award can be withheld if no deserving candidate is found
Recent laureatesSheikh Mujibur Rahman (Bangladesh Founder) was posthumously awarded in 2020

Significance of the prize

  • Translation work: Because the organisation desired an authoritative translation and commentary on the Bhagavad Gita, Gita Press was founded.
  • Gita Press rose to prominence with the publication of its monthly magazine, Kalyan, in 1926.
  • It has around 1,850 religious publications in 15 languages and has sold nearly 93 crore copies.

The Press has done groundbreaking work

  • Hindi promotion: It was critical in the establishment of Hindi as a popular language.
  • Bridging Divides: Gita Press purposefully concentrated on emotional growth rather than exposing divisions amongst Hindu sects, creating Hindu community unity.
  • Translation work: Because the organisation desired an authoritative translation and commentary on the Bhagavad Gita, Gita Press was founded.
  • Gita Press rose to prominence with the publication of its monthly magazine, Kalyan, in 1926.
  • It has around 1,850 religious publications in 15 languages and has sold nearly 93 crore copies.

The Press has done groundbreaking work.

  • Hindi promotion: It was critical in the establishment of Hindi as a popular language.
  • Bridging Divides: Gita Press purposefully concentrated on emotional growth rather than exposing divisions amongst Hindu sects, creating Hindu community unity.
Source: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/gita-press-rejects-cash-price-after-being-awarded-gandhi-peace-prize/articleshow/101105669.cms#:~:text=Gita%20Press%2C%20the%20world's%20largest,receiving%20any%20kind%20of%20donations.
Categories
Art & Culture

The Prime Ministers Museum and Library Society is making headlines

  • The renaming of the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library (NMML) Society has sparked political debate.
  • The institution will be known as the ‘Prime Ministers Museum and Library Society’ from now on.
  • The controversy echoes the continuing discussion in India over dynastic politics.

The Nehru Memorial Museum and Library (NMML) (formerly)

  • The National Museum of Modern Art (NMML) in New Delhi is an autonomous organisation under the Ministry of Culture.
  • It is a significant information centre on Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister.
  • It was founded in 1964 and includes substantial archives, including Mahatma Gandhi’s writings and the personal papers of important figures like as Swami Sahajanand Saraswati, C. Rajagopalachari, and Sarojini Naidu.
  • It is housed in the magnificent Teen Murti House, the official residence of India’s first Prime Minister.
  • It consists of four primary components: a Memorial Museum, a modern India library, a Centre for Contemporary Studies, and the Nehru Planetarium.

Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya (the Prime Minister’s Museum)

  • The NMML will open the Museum in April 2022 as a new addition to the institution.
  • It is an homage to every Prime Minister of India since independence, highlighting their contributions to the growth of the country during the previous 75 years.

Why change its name now?

  • The conference praised all former and present Prime Ministers’ achievements and stated the Society’s aim to safeguard India’s democratic path and legacy.
  • It was decided that renaming the institution would better accord with its mission.
Source: https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/nmml-renamed-prime-ministers-museum-and-library-society-nehru-dropped-123061600417_1.html
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Art & Culture Culture of India

News about festivals: Pandharpur Wari

The Sant Tukaram and Sant Dyaneshwar Palkhi processions began their three-week treks in Pune’s temple towns of Dehu and Alandi.

Pandharpur Wari

  • Tradition: The Wari tradition is an 800-year-old pilgrimage in Maharashtra, where devotees, known as Warkaris, undertake a foot journey to the Vithoba temple (Incarnation of Vishnu) in Pandharpur.
  • Largest walking event: The event is said to be one of the world’s largest and oldest movements, with thousands gathering on one day each year to walk approximately 250 kilometres.
  • Guinness World Records: The Wari has been designated as “one of the most visited places in a day” by the Guinness Book of World Records.
  • Wakari Panth Essence: The Wari is a ritualistic practise and a distinguishing component of Maharashtrian culture, embodying the essence of the Wakari Panth, a Bhakti sect.
  • Four Procedures: The Wari takes place over the course of four months: Chaitra, Ashadh, Kartik, and Magh. The Ashadhi Ekadashi Wari is the most well-known and important of these processions.

Historical Evolution

  • The Wari procession has changed over time, with different practises, accompanying tales, and unique organisational and managerial structures.
  • Sant Dyaneshwar’s Influence: The Wari tradition can be traced back to Sant Dyaneshwar, the father of Sant Dyaneshwar, who was instrumental in establishing the pilgrimage to Pandharpur.
  • Sant Namdev’s Legacy: A contemporary of Sant Dyaneshwar, Sant Namdev (whose verses are mentioned in Guru Granth Sahib), maintained the tradition and produced devotional works showing his devotion to Lord Vitthala.

Rituals and Cultural Factors

  • Dindi and Musical Fervour: Dindis, or groups of devotees, sing, chant, and dance alongside the palkis during the Wari. Musical instruments such as the veena and mridangam add to the spiritual atmosphere.
  • Seva Dindis and Social Initiatives: Along the Wari path, Seva Dindis provide selfless service like as annadana (food donation), medical support, and rural infrastructure development.
  • The Wari has been used as a platform for social messaging and initiatives such as encouraging cleanliness through the ‘Nirmal Wari’ campaign and women-centric programmes such as ‘Wari Nari Shakti’ concentrating on menstrual hygiene.
Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/pandharpur-wari
Categories
Art & Culture

Ahmednagar in Maharashtra will be renamed Ahilyanagar

  • Ahmednagar district was called after Punyashlok Ahilya Devi Holkar, a government decision.
  • authorities’ support: Government authorities express gratitude and believe it improves district honour.
  • Previous discussions: Maharashtra Education Minister planned to rename the city ‘Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Nagar’.

Ahmednagar’s Origins & History

  • Ahmednagar was referenced in connection to the Mauryan Emperor Ashok (240 BC).
  • Rashtrakuta Dynasty, Western Chalukyas, and Delhi Sultanate ruled major kingdoms.
  • Revolt led to the foundation of the Bahmani monarchy, with Ahmednagar as one of the five autonomous kingdoms.

Malik Ahmad Nizam Shah and Ahmednagar

  • Malik Ahmad Nizam Shah became Prime Minister of the Bahmani Sultanate in 1486.
  • Victory and city foundation: In 1494, Ahmednagar was built after defeating the monarch of the Bahmani kingdom.
  • Bringing communities together: Muslims, Maratha peasants, and warriors all sided with him.

Ahilyabai Holkar’s Childhood and Marriage

  • A remarkable upbringing: Ahilyabai was born in Chondi village and received an uncommon education.
  • Malhar Rao Holkar arranged Ahilyabai’s marriage to Khande Rao after being charmed by her devotion.

Administration and Temple Construction

  • After her husband’s death in 1754, Ahilyabai assumed authority of Malwa.
  • Effective governance: excelling in administration and military plans under the tutelage of her father-in-law.
  • Temple restoration: Significant efforts in rebuilding Hindu temples earned him credit as a capable king.

Ahilyabai Holkar’s Legacies

  • Recognising accomplishments: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s opening of the Samudra Darshan Path and the Somnath Exhibition Gallery.
  • Somnath temple, erected by Ahilyabai Holkar in 1783, represents the triumph of truth and faith. 
Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/ahmednagar-in-maharashtra-renamed-ahilyanagar-maratha-queen-eknath-shinde-2387055-2023-05-31#:~:text=Maharashtra%20Chief%20Minister%20Eknath%20Shinde,queen%20of%20the%20Maratha%20Empire.
Categories
Art & Culture

The historic ‘Sengol’ will be installed in the new Parliament

The Prime Minister plans to install the ‘Sengol,’ a historical sceptre from Tamil Nadu, in the new Parliament building, which is due to open on May 28, 2023.

What is Sengol?

  • Sengol is a mediaeval sceptre with cultural and historical significance in Tamil Nadu.
  • Sengol, derived from the Tamil word “Semmai,” which means “Righteousness,” is a symbol of justice and good administration.
  • The passing of power from one monarch to another was sanctified in the Chola era, with the sceptre being handed over as a symbol of authority and the responsibility to rule with fairness and justice.
  • It rose to prominence during the transition of power from the British to the Indian people following India’s independence.

History: Traditional Chola Practice and Symbolism

  • The Sengol is presented in accordance with a traditional Chola practise in which Samayacharyas (spiritual teachers) led the coronation of kings, sanctifying the transfer of power and symbolically recognising the ruler.
  • The Sengol, a symbol of justice and fair administration, has cultural significance as recounted in ancient Tamil scriptures such as Silapathikaram and Manimekalai.

Sengol’s Recent Context and Creation

  • Lord Mountbatten’s Question: Prior to India’s independence, Lord Mountbatten, the country’s last Viceroy, inquired about the event that would mark the transfer of sovereignty.
  • Inspiration from the Chola Dynasty: Rajagopalachari, India’s last Governor-General, proposed a Chola dynasty-style rite in which the transfer of power was sanctified and blessed by high priests.
  • Rajagopalachari approached Thiruvaduthurai Atheenam, a renowned Shaivite mutt in Tamil Nadu’s Tanjore region, which commissioned the Sengol from Chennai-based jewellers “Vummidi Bangaru Chetty.”
  • Vummidi Ethirajulu and Vummidi Sudhakar expertly sculpted the five-foot-long Sengol, which features a symbolic ‘Nandi’ bull representing justice.

The Meaning of the ‘Sengol’

  • Symbolic significance: The ‘Sengol,’ derived from the Tamil word “Semmai,” which means “Righteousness,” is a major historical symbol of independence.
  • Pandit Nehru, the first Prime Minister, received the ‘Sengol’ from the Adhinam of Tamil Nadu on August 14, 1947, signalling the transfer of sovereignty from the British to the Indian people.

The Handover Ceremony

  • Arrival of the Sengol: Three people, including the Adheenam’s deputy high priest, a Nadaswaram player, and an Oduvar (singer), delivered the newly manufactured Sengol from Tamil Nadu.
  • The Procession: The Sengol was handed over to Lord Mountbatten during a procession on August 14, 1947, and was afterwards carried to Jawaharlal Nehru’s house, where it was officially presented to him.
  • Attendees & Sacred Song: The event was accompanied by a unique hymn created by the 7th-century Tamil saint Tirugnana Sambandar, as requested by the high priest. Dr. Rajendra Prasad, India’s first president, and other dignitaries were in attendance.

Tamil Traditions and Ceremonial Procession

  • Magnificent parade: The Sengol will be carried to the House in a magnificent parade.
  • Traditional Nadaswaram musicians will lead the parade, playing Tamil Nadu’s famous instrument, and PM Modi is anticipated to walk alongside them, honouring Tamil culture.
  • Adheenams and Sanctification: Adheenams will be present at the Lok Sabha’s Well, who are priests from Shaivite mutts in Tamil Nadu. In keeping with Tamil customs, they will purify the Sengol with holy water after Prime Minister Modi greets them.
  • Oduvars and Sacred Recitation: Oduvars, or Tamil temple singers, will recite the “Kolaru Padhigam” eloquently, while Nadaswaram musicians will captivate with their soulful music.

@the end

  • The Sengol is still regarded as a symbol of Indian freedom and a tangible reminder of the country’s rich cultural heritage and the principles it promotes.
  • Its placement in the new Parliament Building emphasises its significance and seeks to educate and inspire people about this historical event and the ideas it represents.
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/inspired-by-cholas-handed-over-by-british-to-nehru-historic-sengol-to-be-installed-in-new-parliament-building/article66888185.ece#:~:text=Prime%20Minister%20Narendra%20Modi%20will,Amit%20Shah%20said%20on%20Wednesday.
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