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Archive for 'Culture'

India’s Africans – Siddis of Karnataka Posted by on Sep 20, 2021

Yellapur is a district in Karnataka known for its forests जंगल, waterfalls झरने and beautiful lakes झीलें. The Siddi community, which are a group of people in India their home for many years, live deep in the forests of Yellapur. Descendents of the Ubuntu tribe from African countries such as Ethiopia and Kenya.  Portuguese and  Arab traders brought their ancestors पूर्वज,when they needed…

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India’s Africans – Siddis of Gujurat Posted by on Sep 17, 2021

Deep in the forests वन of Gujarat you will hear the sounds of African drums signaling a dance was occurring. As you walk in the direction of the sounds आवाज़ you will begin to see people that do not look like your average Gujarati. They do look more like people from across the Arabian Sea…

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Bombay Duck only in Bombay Posted by on Aug 20, 2021

I am a proud Bombayite. I still refer to my city as Bombay and not Mumbai as it is now known. As with many cities, Bombay has its eccentricities. May I say beloved eccentricities? I along with many who have left the shores of Bombay, decades ago, still get nostalgic when we hear certain food…

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Deconstructing Indian Food Words Posted by on Aug 18, 2021

Have you ever gone to and Indian restaurant and are stumped looking at the menu? Many of the words are difficult कठिन to pronounce let alone comprehend what they represent? Besides not wanting to look foolish मूर्ख in front of friends or the waitstaff, you may genuinely want to know what you are eating, right?…

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What is it about street food? Posted by on Aug 14, 2021

Mention samosas in a gathering जनसमूह of non-Hindi language speakers and there are smiles मुस्कान all around! Mention bhajjias and hot sweet chai in a gathering of Hindi language भाषा: हिन्दी speakers and the beams light up the room! What is it about food खाना that is a cohesive जोड़नेवाला component of relationships!? When it…

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The Transformation of Hindi Films Posted by on Jul 23, 2021

While growing up in Bollywood, literally सचमुच, I did not watch Bollywood movies. That’s because theaters were usually packed with men, yelling चिल्ला, whistling, and catcalling at the screen. For my safety’s sake, I refrained परहेज from going to movie theaters that showed Hindi movies. However, I did watch the occasional प्रासंगिक movie that was…

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When Language Hurts – Gharwapsi Posted by on Jul 13, 2021

Yard Sign

A few years ago, someone posted a sign at Nagpur Airport, with the words, “Your Christianity is a Samasya समस्या (problem), So our mission is Gharwapsi”. It went on to read, ” No Christianity, Only Hindutva, No Bible, Only Bhagvad Gita. Either convert धर्मांतरित or else leave our Hindurashtra (Hindu State) soon. Will erase Christianity…

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