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How America Celebrated Diwali 2021 Posted by Nicole Herbert Dean on Nov 10, 2021
Last week, Hindus in America celebrated Diwali, the Hindu festival त्यौहार of lights. At one time this would have seemed far-fetched. But, this year I was surprised विस्मित to read a Target ad on Diwali! Then, as the week went by I saw more and more news समाचार about the festival on television. I also…
10 Podcasts to Learn Hindi Posted by Nicole Herbert Dean on Nov 8, 2021
Introduction There are numerous बहुत ways to learn Hindi today – apps, CD’s if you are still into retro, movies चलचित्र and songs. Watching the news समाचार and Netflix shows is another way. But podcasts are the ‘it’ thing now! The proliferation प्रसार of podcasts is indicative of its popularity. Benefits Listening to a podcast…
Is it Urdu or Hindi? Posted by Nicole Herbert Dean on Oct 29, 2021
Why the controversy? If you look at the news from India today, it seems like everyone is up in arms about the use of vocabulary. As a nation and culture, why this sudden war over words? If you take a deep dive into the languages of India, especially Hindi and Urdu, you can see that…
Hindi Lineage and the Family Tree Posted by Nicole Herbert Dean on Oct 26, 2021
Family Tree Hindi has an interesting दिलचस्प position in its family tree. The Indo-European family begot the Indo-Iranian family which begot the Indo-Aryan family who begot Hindi. Therefore, ironically विडम्बना से, it begs the question, is the Hindi we speak today begotten from Urdu? That would cause a minor अवयस्क uproar in itself given the…
Hindi and Urdu – Siblings in Crisis Posted by Nicole Herbert Dean on Oct 21, 2021
This week Urdu caused an uproar कोलाहल on social media. She was in an ad that called for the celebration कोलाहल of Diwali using the phrase, Jashn-e-Riwaaz, which means ‘celebration of rituals and traditions’. The ad written in English was for a clothing and housewares brand called Fabindia. The retailer खुदरा withdrew the advertisement in…
What is Vastu Shastra? Posted by Nicole Herbert Dean on Oct 13, 2021
China has its ancient practice प्राचीन प्रथा of Feng Shui. India has the Vastu Shastra. Origins The word Vastu – comes from the root word, Vas – meaning to live, dwell, stay or reside. Shastra means teaching or doctrine. So, Vastu Shastra is the science or doctrine of dwelling आवास. We live most of our…
What is the Manasollasa? Posted by Nicole Herbert Dean on Oct 12, 2021
Have you ever wondered what medieval मध्ययुगीन kings ate? Some movies depict large abundantly filled tables with fruit, goblets प्याला, massive roasted meat भुना हुआ मांस, etc. But seriously, what did they eat? During the research on Malik Ambar’s life, I thought about what people in the Deccan Plateau दक्कन का पठार, at that time…