Archive for 'Culture'
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…
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…
Mandarin, French, Spanish or Sanskrit? Posted by Nicole Herbert Dean on Oct 7, 2021
Ask any student छात्र in Delhi, what language they want to learn and they will answer, Chinese, French or Spanish. So, why don’t school kids choose चुनें the ‘mother‘ of all languages so to speak? From the gypsies of the Thar desert to the African immigrants आप्रवासी of the Deccan Plateau, many languages in India…
Rajasthan’s Kalbeliya Gypsies Posted by Nicole Herbert Dean on Sep 24, 2021
Rajasthan’s Thar desert is known for its scorching जलानेवाला sand and rugged बीहड़ terrain filled with snakes and other venomous creatures. This is where the Kalbeliya Gypsies कंजर जाति choose to live. Kalbeliya is from the word ‘kal’ meaning death मौत. The word Kalbeliya connotes victory विजय over poisonous snakes and death. Snake charmers, Shepherds…
India’s Africans – Notable Indian Siddis Posted by Nicole Herbert Dean on Sep 22, 2021
The Siddis are a small tribal जनजातीय community of approximately 50, 000 people residing in the states of Karnataka, Gujarat and surrounding आस – पास का areas. These tribes came to India in the 5th or 6th century as slaves. Portuguese and Arab traders व्यापारी picked them from the Bantu tribes of Ethiopia, Somalia, and…