A friendly guide to Gamakas: a simple, no‑jargon companion to understanding Carnatic Note Movement
If you’ve ever wondered how Carnatic singers manage to make a single note feel alive, bending, sliding, wobbling, and moving
indian music
indian music
The Carnatic wobble in the Jana Gana Mana anthem
We sang the Jana Gana Mana every morning in school. Some students sang with full gusto. Some mumbled. Some moved
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indian culture
Why Amar Chitra Katha never traumatized us, and yet why it feels different when we hand it to our kids
There’s a question that has been sitting at the back of my mind for years, tugging at me each time
indian music
Ayyagiri Nandini: The Ancient Hymn That Sounds So… Modern
There are hymns you listen to, and then there are hymns that feel like they’re propelling you forward. Ayyagiri Nandini
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indian music
More Than Just Hymns: A Musical Journey Through India’s Sacred Songs
Cassette tapes were everywhere in our house—devotional, light music, MS, Bombay Sisters, random. Most of the time, I ignored them
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indian culture tamil
What Thirukural has to say about ethics
Here are five couplets from the Thirukural that focus on ethics, along with transliterations and translations in English: 1. Tamil:
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culture literature tamil
Do you remember the Thirukkural?
Yes, Thirukkural is one of the most celebrated works in Tamil literature. It’s an ancient Tamil text attributed to the
Do you remember the Thirukkural? Read Post »
indian culture
Scriptures and Shastras in Hinduism
In the context of Hinduism (and many other religions), the term “scriptures” refers to sacred writings that are revered as
Scriptures and Shastras in Hinduism Read Post »
indian culture
Shruti (revealed texts) and Smriti (remembered texts)
In Hinduism, the distinction between shruti (revealed texts) and smriti (remembered texts) is based on how these texts are believed
Shruti (revealed texts) and Smriti (remembered texts) Read Post »