Hindi has the official language status in multiple states in India, it is the fourth most spoken …
Hindi has the official language status in multiple states in India, it is the fourth most spoken language in the world and a direct descendant of Vedic Sanskrit, Hindi incorporates elements of Persian, English, and Arabic in its present form.
Here are seven words in Hindi and their meaning that are beautiful and ooze magic every time you use them.
The spiritual meaning of namaste conveys that “the divine in me respectfully recognizes the divine in you.” Namaste invokes the feeling of spiritual oneness of heart and mind, with the person one is greeting. The gesture involves pressing both the hands together and gently bowing your head.
Also known as mukti, moksha is a spiritual term in Hinduism and Jainism which in simple terms means freedom or liberation. Moksha is equivalent to Nirvana in Buddhism. It is a state of eternal bliss freedom.
Sundar means beautiful. The term is used to describe a person, place, object, etc. that is beautiful, attractive, elegant, or captivating.
The literal translation of Rimjhim would be the tip-tap sound of a light shower or drizzle and, the figurative meaning would be the happiness and joy that rain brings. You can find this word often used in Hindi songs and poems.
Apart from existence, this beautiful word can also be used for actuality, occurrence, life, being, living, survival, and existential.
Mother’s love can never be described in words. But there’s a word in Hindi that beautifully captures the essence. Vatsalya is one of the five bhavas (feelings, moods, or attitudes) of bhakti (devotion) that is usually allied with Yashoda, the foster mother of Lord Krishna, who loved him as her own child.
Derived from the Sanskrit word Sandhya, Saanjh means evening. To be precise Saanjh is used for dusk or the twilight time of evening. It is an important time of the day in Hindu culture as it is believed to be the auspicious hour to worship God.
It is that time of the year again 🪔
The air is filled with the vibrant spirit of Deepawali. …
It is that time of the year again 🪔
The air is filled with the vibrant spirit of Deepawali. Our homes are lit up with joy and celebrations. As we prepare for the upcoming festivities, we've received some heartwarming emails from our curious learners, pondering upon the nuances of the festival. They wonder about the difference between Deepawali and Diwali, and the most authentic way to extend their well wishes. Today, we are delighted to bring you some insights and the cultural significance behind these beautiful traditions.
In the heart of this festival lies a story that resonates through the ages. When Sri Ram, the revered hero of the sacred Hindu epic Ramayana, was returning to Ayodhya with his beloved Devi Sita and loyal brother Lakshman after defeating the demon king Ravan, his subjects realized that his return would be amidst the dark of the night on Amavasya. It was a night with no moon to guide their way. In a beautiful gesture of love and respect for their beloved Ram and Sita, the citizens illuminated their paths. They adorned the roads, terraces, and rooftops with earthern oil lamps, casting a warm, welcoming glow to guide them home.
This enchanting display of lights became known as Deepawali, a Sanskrit term that signifies 'a row of lamps.'
Deepawali is the original and etymologically correct name of the festival. It is the name still cherished and celebrated in the southern parts of India.
As time passed, languages in North India underwent changes. The beautiful word "Deepawali" transformed into the shorter, easier to say and hence more widely used name, Diwali. Unlike Deepawali, the word "Diwali" by itself does not carry a specific meaning in Sanskrit. It carried more of a local flavour. To elaborate, in Marathi, दिवा / diwa is the lamp and आळी / aali is row. It has the same meaning in Gujarati. Perhaps it is from here that the word travelled all over Northern India?
One can use any word they like but those wanting to embrace the festival's original essence, can use the term "Deepavali."
To extend your warmest greetings on this auspicious festival, you can say, "Deepawali ki shubhkamnayen" - meaning "Auspicious greetings for Deepawali." This phrase beautifully encapsulates the spirit of the festival, and it's a wonderful way to convey your warm wishes to your loved ones. Or you could say. "Shubh Deepawali" which means an auspicious Deepawali to you. The words, "shubh" and "Deepawali" contain the original meaning and essence of the festival. Using "Deepawali" will help revive and preserve the authenticity and the profound meaning behind the festival.
For a more casual wish you could say, "Happy Diwali"! :)
We extend our heartfelt wishes to you. May this Deepawali fill your life with the radiance of joy, the warmth of togetherness, and the sweet glow of love. We hope your celebrations are filled with laughter, delicious sweets, and the company of those who matter most.
May we always have the wisdom and courage to destroy the evil within and also around us.
Namaste, and a Shubh Deepawali to each and every one of you.
Team Language Curry!
Ahoi Ashtami is the special day that channels one of the most powerful forces on Earth, a …
Ahoi Ashtami is the special day that channels one of the most powerful forces on Earth, a mother's love
Ahoi Ashtami is a Hindu festival celebrated by mothers for the well-being and longevity of their children. This unique observance holds a special place in the hearts of Indian families, as it demonstrates the deep bond between mothers and their offspring. The festival is also called Ahoi Aathe (aath means 8) because fasting for Ahoi Ashtami is done on the Ashtami Tithi which is the eighth day of the lunar month.
Though Ahoi Ashtami is primarily celebrated in Northern India, especially in states like Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan, it is also seen widely observed in Gujarat, Maharashtra and other Southern Indian states. The festival typically falls on the krishna paksha ashtami of Kartik (the eighth day of the waning phase of the moon in Kartik month of Hindu calendar), which usually occurs in October or November. "Ahoi" refers to "Ahoi Mata" (Mata means mother), who is none other than Godess Lakshmi.
This festival is centered around maternal love and protection. Mothers observe this day to protect their offspring and pray for their good health, happiness, and prosperity.
Preparations: Ahoi Ashtami preparations begin a few days in advance. Mothers clean their homes and adorn them with traditional decorations. A special corner, typically near the altar, is dedicated to the Ahoi Mata image. The image is drawn on a clean surface, such as a wall or a piece of paper, along with the image of an owl, which is the vehicle of Ahoi Mata.
Humble yet special offerings are made to Ahoi Mata, which include including fruits, grains, and sweets. These offerings symbolize the mother's gratitude and devotion to the deity.
The Upvas and Vrata:
On Ahoi Ashtami, mothers observe a day-long upvas / vrata (fasting with sacred dedication and pledge). This fast is quite strict, and no food or water is consumed until the stars (or in some cases moon) sighting.
Mothers break their fast with various traditional foods like jaggery, ghee, and fried sweets. The entire family partakes in the delightful meal together.
Storytelling:
Children love stories, and this festival has many for them. As evening approaches, mothers gather with their children for a storytelling session. They narrate the Ahoi Ashtami Katha , which recounts the significance of the festival and the power of a mother's love. They share the miracles the generous Mata Ahoi has performed for her beloved devotees.
Community Celebration:
Ahoi Ashtami is an endearing family celebration but is also celebrated within the community. Neighbors and relatives come together to share their experiences and engage in collective prayers.
Ahoi Ashtami is a beautiful reminder of the love, devotion, and selflessness that mothers. The children see their mothers observe the day with such devotion and feel themselves wrapped in a cozy and secure blanket of love, added to which are delicious treats and Kathavachan (story time). The festival's customs and rituals bring families together and reflect the rich traditions that make Indian culture both, deep and elevated.
Read this article in English
ಪ.ರಾ.ಶಾಸ್ತ್ರಿ - ಬರವಣಿಗೆಯ ಮೌಲ್ಯ ಹೆಚ್ಚಿಸಿದ ಬರಹಗಾರ
ಕನ್ನಡ ನಾಡಿನ …
ಕನ್ನಡ ನಾಡಿನ ವಿವಿಧ ಪತ್ರಿಕೆಗಳಿಗೆ ಹನ್ನೆರೆಡು ಸಾವಿರಕ್ಕೂ ಅಧಿಕ ಲೇಖನಗಳನ್ನು ನೀಡಿ, ನೂರಕ್ಕೂ ಅಧಿಕ ಕೃತಿಗಳಿಗೆ ಕರ್ತೃವೆನಿಸಿ, ಸತತವಾಗಿ ಆರು ದಶಕಗಳ ಕಾಲ ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯ ಸೇವೆಗೈದಿರುವ ನಾಡಿನ ಜೀವಂತ ಜ್ಞಾನ ಭಂಡಾರ ಶ್ರೀ ಪ.ರಾಮಕೃಷ್ಣ ಶಾಸ್ತ್ರಿ ಎನ್ನಬಹುದು. ತಮ್ಮ ಬದುಕಿನುದ್ದಕ್ಕೂ ಕಾಯಕತೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಸ್ಪಷ್ಟತೆ ಮತ್ತು ನಿರಂತರತೆಯನ್ನು ಕಾಯ್ದುಕೊಂಡು ಹೋಗಿರುವ ಅವರು, ಇಂದಿಗೂ ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯ ಸೇವಾ ತತ್ಪರರಾಗಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಬದುಕಿನ ಆರಂಭದಿಂದಲೂ ನಿಸರ್ಗದೊಟ್ಟಿಗೆ, ಸ್ಥಳೀಯ ಕೃಷಿ ಸಂಸ್ಕೃತಿಯೊಟ್ಟಿಗೆ ತಮ್ಮ ಅನುಬಂಧವನ್ನು ಅಷ್ಟೇ ಧೃಢವಾಗಿಟ್ಟುಕೊಂಡಿರುವ ಅವರಿಗೆ ವಿಷಯಕೊರತೆಯೆಂಬುದು ಎಂದಿಗೂ ಕಂಡುಬರಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಒಂದೆಡೆ ಬಾಲ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಓದಿದ್ದ ಪತ್ರಿಕೆಗಳು, ಪುರಾಣ ಕಥೆಗಳು, ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯ ಮನದಲ್ಲಿದ್ದರೆ ಬಾಳಿನಲ್ಲೆದುರಾಗುವ ಪ್ರತೀ ಹಂತದಲ್ಲೂ ಪ್ರಾಯೋಗಿಕವಾಗಿ ತಮ್ಮ ಜ್ಞಾನವನ್ನು ಪರಿಸ್ಥಿತಿಯೊಡನೆ ಅನುಸಂಧಾನ ಮಾಡಬಲ್ಲ ಸಾಮರ್ಥ್ಯ ಅವರಿಗೆ ದೈವದತ್ತವಾಗಿ ಒದಗಿ ಬಂದಿದೆ. ಹೀಗಾಗಿಯೇ ಎಂತಹ ಸಂದಿಗ್ಧ ಸನ್ನಿವೇಶದಲ್ಲೂ ಅವರು ಎದೆಗುಂದಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಬರಹಗಾರನೋರ್ವನ ಬರಹಕ್ಕೆ ತೂಕ ಬರುವುದೇ ಅದರಲ್ಲಿನ ವಿಚಾರಗಳ ಅನುಷ್ಠಾನದಲ್ಲಿ. ಪ.ರಾ. ಶಾಸ್ತ್ರೀಯವರು ತಮ್ಮ ಬರವಣಿಗೆಯ ಯಾನದುದ್ದಕ್ಕೂ ಕೃಷಿ ಸಂಬಂಧಿತ ವಿಚಾರಗಳ, ಸಮಸ್ಯೆಯ ಉಲ್ಲೇಖವನ್ನು ಮಾಡುತ್ತಾ, ಸಂಬಂಧಪಟ್ಟ ವ್ಯಕ್ತಿಗಳಿಗೆ ವಿಷಯವನ್ನು ಮುಟ್ಟಿಸುತ್ತ, ಅದರ ಪರಿಣಾಮವನ್ನು ಸಂಪೂರ್ಣವಾಗಿ ಕಾಣದ ಹೊರತು ಸುಮ್ಮನಿದ್ದವರಲ್ಲ ಎಂದು ತೋರುತ್ತದೆ. ಧರ್ಮಸ್ಥಳ ಗ್ರಾಮಾಭಿವೃದ್ಧಿ ಯೋಜನೆಯ ಯಶಸ್ಸಿನಲ್ಲಿ ತಾವೂ ಪಾಲ್ಗೊಂಡಿರುವ ಸಂತಸವನ್ನು ಅವರಲ್ಲಿ ಇಂದಿಗೂ ಕಾಣಬಹುದಾಗಿದೆ.
ಅವರೇ ಹಂಚಿಕೊಂಡಿರುವ ಅವರ ಬದುಕಿನ ಅಮೂಲ್ಯ ಕ್ಷಣಗಳು ಇಂತಿವೆ.
ಅವರು ಬರೆದಿದ್ದ ಮೂವತ್ತೇಳು ಪೈಸೆ ಎಂಬ ಕಥೆ ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು ಆಕಾಶವಾಣಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರಸಾರಕ್ಕೆ ಆಯ್ಕೆಯಾದಾಗ ಅವರ ಮನೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ರೇಡಿಯೋ ಇರಲಿಲ್ಲವಂತೆ. ಆಗ ಪಕ್ಕದ ಮನೆಯವರ ಬಳಿ ಇರುವ ಟ್ರಾನ್ಸ್ಸಿಸ್ಟೆರ್ ತಂದು ಮನೆಯವರಿಗೆಲ್ಲ ಕೇಳಿಸುವ ಸಂಭ್ರಮದಲ್ಲಿದ್ದ ಅವರಿಗೆ ಪಕ್ಕದಮನೆಯವರ ಸಹಕಾರ ದೊರೆಯಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಇವರ ಮೇಲಿನ ಈರ್ಷ್ಯೆಯ ಕಾರಣದಿಂದ ಸಹಾಯ ಮಾಡಿರಲಿಲ್ಲವಂತೆ. ಆದರೂ ಛಲಬಿಡದೆ ಮುಂದೊಮ್ಮೆ ಲಾಟರಿ ಟಿಕೆಟ್ ನಲ್ಲಿಯಾದರೂ ರೇಡಿಯೋ ಭಾಗ್ಯ ಲಭಿಸಬಹುದೇ ಎಂದು ಪ್ರಯತ್ನಿಸಿದರು. ಆಗಲೂ ಅವರ ಅದೃಷ್ಟ ಫಲ ನೀಡಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಕೊನೆಗೆ ತಾವೇ ದುಡಿದ ಹಣದಿಂದ ಮುಂದೊಮ್ಮೆ ರೇಡಿಯೋ ಕೊಂಡಾಗ ಅವರಿಗಾದ ಸಂಭ್ರಮಕ್ಕೆ ಪಾರವೇ ಇರಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಹೀಗಾಗಿಯೇ ನಿರಂತರ ಪ್ರಯತ್ನದಲ್ಲಿ ಪರಮಾರ್ಥವನ್ನು ಕಂಡವರೆನ್ನಬಹುದು.
ಮೊಟ್ಟಮೊದಲ ಬಾರಿ ಕ್ಯಾಮೆರಾ ಕೊಂಡಾಗ ದೇವಸ್ಥಾನಗಳ ಕುರಿತು ಬರೆಯಬಹುದೆಂದು ಅವರಿಗೆ ಅನ್ನಿಸಿತ್ತು. ಹೇಗೋ 48 ರೂಪಾಯಿ ಹೊಂದಿಸಿ, ಕ್ಯಾಮೆರಾ ತಂದರೂ ಹೆಚ್ಚಿನ ಫೋಟೋಗಳು ಅಲುಗಾಟದಿಂದ ನಿಷ್ಫಲವಾಗುತ್ತಿದ್ದವಂತೆ. ಒಂದೆರೆಡು ಬಾರಿ ರೀಲಿನ ಮೇಲೆ ಸೂರ್ಯನ ಬೆಳಕು ಬಿದ್ದು ವ್ಯರ್ಥವಾಯಿತಂತೆ. ಕೊನೆಗೆ ಒಂದೇ ಒಂದು ಉಪ್ಪಿನಂಗಡಿಯ ದೇಗುಲದ ಫೋಟೋ ವಿಕ್ರಮ ವಾರ ಪತ್ರಿಕೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರಕಟವಾಯಿತಂತೆ. ತದನಂತರ ಅನಿವಾರ್ಯವಾಗಿ ಅಂಗಡಿಯವರಿಗೆ ತಲುಪಿಸಬೇಕಿದ್ದ 25 ರೂಪಾಯಿಯಷ್ಟು ಹಣ ತಮ್ಮಲ್ಲಿ ಇಲ್ಲದ ಕಾರಣ ಕ್ಯಾಮೆರಾ ನೀಡಿಯೇ ಹಣ ಚುಕ್ತಾ ಮಾಡಿದ್ದರಂತೆ. ಒಂದೊಮ್ಮೆ ಜೆ.ಪಿ.ರಾಜರತ್ನಂ ಅವರನ್ನು ಭೇಟಿ ಮಾಡಲು ಸಿಕ್ಕ ಅವಕಾಶವನ್ನು ತಮ್ಮ ಜೀವನದ ಅತ್ಯಮೂಲ್ಯ ಕ್ಷಣಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಒಂದೆಂದು ಅವರು ಹೇಳುವರು.
ಈಗ ಅವರಿಗೆ 70 ರ ಸಂಭ್ರಮ. ತಮ್ಮ ಹನ್ನೊಂದನೇ ವಯಸ್ಸಿನಲ್ಲೇ ಬರವಣಿಗೆಯ ಲೋಕಕ್ಕೆ ಪಾದಾರ್ಪಣೆ ಮಾಡಿದ್ದ ಅವರು 'ಆಡು ಮುಟ್ಟದ ಗಿಡವಿಲ್ಲ' ಎಂಬಂತೆ ಎಲ್ಲ ರೀತಿಯ ವಿಷಯಗಳನ್ನು ತಮ್ಮ ಲೇಖನದ ಲೋಕದಲ್ಲಿಳಿಸಿ ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯ ತೋರಣ ಕಟ್ಟಿದ್ದಾರೆ. 21 ನೇ ಶತಮಾನದ ಕಂಪ್ಯೂಟರ್ ಮತ್ತು ಇಂಟರ್ನೆಟ್ ಕುರಿತಾದ ಕಾಲ್ಪನಿಕ ಕಥೆಗಳನ್ನು ತಮ್ಮ ಬಾಲ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಕೇಳುತ್ತಿದ್ದ ಅವರಿಗೆ, ಆ ಕಲ್ಪನೆಯೇ ನೈಜವಾದಾಗಲೂ ವಿಚಲಿತರಾಗದೆ ನಿರಂತರ ಕಲಿಕೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ತಮ್ಮನ್ನು ತಾವು ತೊಡಗಿಸಿಕೊಂಡರು.
ಮುಂದಿನ ದಶಕಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಕನ್ನಡ ಭಾಷೆಗೆ ಎದುರಾಗಬಹುದಾದ ಸವಾಲುಗಳ ಕುರಿತು ಸ್ಪಷ್ಟ ಅರಿವಿರುವ ಅವರು, ಭಾಷೆ ನಶಿಸಿದಲ್ಲಿ ಅದರಲ್ಲಿನ ಸಂಪೂರ್ಣ ಜ್ಞಾನವೂ ಮರೆಯಾಗುತ್ತದೆ. ಹೀಗಾಗದಿರಲು ನವಗಾಲದ ಪಾಲಕರು ತಮ್ಮ ಮಕ್ಕಳನ್ನು ಬೆಳೆಸುವ ಪರಿ, ಭಾಷೆಯೆಡೆಗೆ ಗೌರವ ನೀಡುತ ಕಲಿಸುವ ತಮ್ಮ ಶೈಲಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಬದಲಾವಣೆಯನ್ನು ಮಾಡಿಕೊಳ್ಳಬೇಕಿದೆ. ಹೊಸಕಾಲದ ಓದುಗರನ್ನು ಹುಟ್ಟುಹಾಕುವ ಹೊಣೆ ಇಂದಿನ ಪೀಳಿಗೆಯ ಮೇಲಿದೆ ಎನ್ನುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಇಂತಹ ಅಪರೂಪದ ಪ್ರತಿಭೆಯ ಮಾತಿಗೆ ಇಂದಿನ ಪೀಳಿಗೆ ಮನ್ನಣೆ ನೀಡಬೇಕಿದೆ. ಈ ನಾಡಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಇಂತಹ ಮತ್ತಷ್ಟು ವ್ಯಕ್ತಿತ್ವಗಳುದಿಸಲಿ, ತಾಯಿ ಭುವನೇಶ್ವರಿಗೆ ಶ್ರೇಯತರಲಿ.
P. R. Shastri is a writer who elevated the value of writing
Sri P. Ramakrishna Shastri has worked for the literature for six decades and has written more than one hundred books in addition to more than twelve thousand articles for Kannada Newspapers and Magazines. Throughout his life, he has kept his writing consistent and clear, and he is continuously engaged in literary service. From the beginning, his connection with nature and regional agriculture had always been strong, and he had never experienced a lack of contentment. He was endowed with the capacity to effectively apply his knowledge to the circumstances at every stage of his life. Thus, he never gave up in the face of adversity.
The quality of a writer's writing is determined by how it will actually affect society. His literary career has included discussions on agricultural topics and ideas. He actively participated in the "Dharmasthala Village Development Project" and made a significant contribution to raising awareness through his writings in order to improve the living conditions of farmers.
These are the priceless times in his life that he shared.
Once, Bengaluru Akashavani chose to air his story, "Moovattelu Paise." He did not, however, have a radio in his house. He therefore made an effort to ask his neighbours to lend him their radio. They refused to share the radio out of jealousy. Later, he tried to purchase a lottery ticket. His good fortune was useless even then. Later, he bought one radio with his own hard-earned money. He therefore advises everyone to make their own money rather than taking on debt.
He wanted to write about temples when he first got a camera. Even with the new camera, most of the pictures were shaky. The sunlight wasted a few times when it hit the reel. After many attempts one picture of an Uppinangadi temple came out well and got published in Vikrama Vara Patrike. Unfortunately, he was once short of 25 rupees that had to be delivered to the shopkeeper, and had to give the camera in its place.
Currently, he is celebrating his 70th birthday. Since he began writing when he was eleven years old, he has created a literary persona by incorporating a wide range of elements into his articles. When he was younger, he used to read some fictional stories about computers and emerging technology. He has now seen the same emerge as part of reality. He was fascinated and decided to learn to use computers and all modern technology in order to write articles.
He is aware of the alarming challenges that the Kannada language may face in the coming decades. If the language perishes, the entire knowledge in it will also disappear. In order to prevent this from happening, today's parents need to change their style of raising their children, and must give respect to their mother tongue and teaching it to them. The responsibility of creating new-age readers is on the present generation. Today's generation owes credit to such a rare talent.
Let there be more such personalities in Kannada Bhumi (Karnataka), who credit to Tayi Bhuvaneswari (Devi Bhuvaneshwari).
Do you have an article to share? Send it to aarti@languagecurry.com
Karnataka, a state in South India, boasts a rich and diverse natural landscape that includes lush …
Karnataka, a state in South India, boasts a rich and diverse natural landscape that includes lush forests, picturesque hills, and a network of rivers that crisscross the region. These rivers have played a vital role in shaping the history, culture, and economy of Karnataka over the centuries. In this article, we will delve into some of the prominent rivers of Karnataka and explore their historical significance.
The Cauvery River, often referred to as the "Ganga of the South," is one of the most important rivers in Karnataka. Its historical significance dates back to ancient times when it was known as the "Dakshina Ganga" or the Southern Ganges. The river has been mentioned in numerous ancient texts, including the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.
The Cauvery River has been a lifeline for the people of Karnataka, providing water for agriculture and drinking, and supporting the growth of rich and fertile plains in the region. It played a pivotal role in the development of the Chola dynasty, which flourished in South India during the medieval period. The Cholas built a vast irrigation network using the waters of the Cauvery, transforming the region into a prosperous agricultural hub.
The Tungabhadra River, a major tributary of the Krishna River, flows through the northern parts of Karnataka. It is closely associated with the history of the Vijayanagara Empire, one of the most powerful and influential empires in South India. The Tungabhadra River was crucial for the sustenance of the empire, as it provided water for agriculture, enabling the empire to thrive and support a burgeoning population.
Hampi, the former capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, is situated on the banks of the Tungabhadra River. The city's ruins are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and offer a glimpse into the empire's grandeur and architectural prowess. The river also played a role in trade and transportation during the empire's heyday.
The Sharavathi River, located in the Western Ghats of Karnataka, is famous for its picturesque waterfalls, including the Jog Falls, one of the tallest waterfalls in India. Apart from its natural beauty, the Sharavathi River has historical significance in the context of the British colonial period.
During British rule, the Sharavathi River was harnessed for its hydropower potential. The construction of the Jog Falls Hydroelectric Power Station in the early 20th century marked a significant development in the region. This project not only supplied electricity to Bangalore but also played a role in the industrialization of the state.
The Krishna River, one of India's major rivers, flows through the northern part of Karnataka. It has been an important waterway for trade and commerce, connecting the interior regions of Karnataka to the coastal areas. The river has been mentioned in various historical texts and played a role in the history of the region's dynasties and empires.
The Krishna River also holds religious significance, with numerous temples and pilgrimage sites situated along its banks. It has been a source of inspiration for poets and writers, contributing to the cultural heritage of Karnataka.
The rivers of Karnataka have not only shaped the geography and ecology of the state but also played a crucial role in its history and culture. From the agricultural prosperity facilitated by the Cauvery to the grandeur of the Vijayanagara Empire along the Tungabhadra, and the industrialization powered by the Sharavathi, these rivers have been integral to the state's development. Exploring their historical significance offers a glimpse into the rich tapestry of Karnataka's past and its enduring connection with its waterways.
cover image: Sri Sangameshwar Temple along Krishna River, Bagalkot, Karnataka, India
What is Tulsidas Jayanti?
Tulsidas Jayanti commemorates the birth anniversary of the …
Tulsidas Jayanti commemorates the birth anniversary of the renowned saint and poet, Goswami Tulsidas. His most known and loved work is the great Hindu epic, the Shri Ramcharitmanas, which is based on the life and teachings of Shri Rama, one of the most revered deities for Hindus. The work is written in Awadhi language.
According to the Hindu calendar, Tulsidas was born on the Saptami (seventh day) of the shukla paksha (the dark fortnight of the moon) in the month of Shravan. This day usually falls in the July or August month of the Gregorian calendar. In 2023, Tulsidas Jayanti will fall on Wednesday, 23rd of August.
On this day, the Ramayan of Sage Tulsidas is read and worshipped with great reverence by devotees.
The Ramcharitmanas is not a word by word translation of the Valmiki Ramayana. While retaining the main incidents in the life of Shri Ram,Tulsidas has written his version with the liberty that only a true devotee can take. That is why it is said that if you want to observe bhakti bhavna (pure devotion), then one must read the Shri Ramcharitmanas. (From the itihas (history) point of view, the Ramayan written by Maharshi Valmiki is studied).
This day gives every devotee of Shri Ram and Hanuman ji an opportunity to express their gratitude towards the writer who wrote the beautiful Epic on their favourite, Shri Ram. Though Awadhi is not understood much today when it was written, Awadhi was the language of many and hence the Ramayana reached many people. The Ramcharitmanas written by Tulsidas gave the most emphasis on bhakti (selfless devotion) towards Ishwar, and hence resonated deeply.
Tulsidas Jayanti is also a time of reflection, celebration, and spiritual growth for followers of Shri Rama. It reminds devotees of the values and teachings embodied in the Ramcharitmanas and fosters a deeper connection with the divine through the path of bhakti. As devotees read and recite the verses from the epic, they are inspired to lead a life of righteousness, devotion, and love, following in the footsteps of Shri Rama, as beautifully depicted by Goswami Tulsidas.
What is Narali Pournima?
Narali Pournima, also known as Narial Purnima or Coconut Day, is a …
Narali Pournima, also known as Narial Purnima or Coconut Day, is a significant Hindu festival celebrated in the Indian state of Maharashtra and some coastal regions of India. This festival falls on the full moon day in the month of Shravan (July-August) according to the Hindu calendar. The term "Narali" refers to coconut, and "Pournima" denotes the full moon day.
Narali Pournima is primarily celebrated in the Indian state of Maharashtra and the Konkan coast of India.
Narali Pournima holds great cultural and religious importance, especially for fishing communities and people living along the coastal regions. The festival primarily celebrates the significance of coconuts in the lives of these communities. Coconut is considered a symbol of purity, fertility, and prosperity in Hinduism. It is also an essential element in various religious rituals and offerings.
Narali Pournima is closely associated with the commencement of the fishing season. Before the monsoon season, fishermen refrain from fishing due to the turbulent sea conditions. As the seas calm down after the monsoon, fishermen perform special rituals and ceremonies on this day to seek blessings for a successful and safe fishing season ahead. They offer coconuts to the sea as a thanksgiving gesture to Lord Varuna, the Vedic deity of the oceans, and seek his protection and benevolence for their endeavors.
The central ritual of Narali Pournima is the offering of coconuts to the sea. People gather on the beaches or near water bodies in the early morning, often before sunrise. Each person carries a coconut with them, which they offer to the sea by placing it in the water. The coconuts are tied together with a sacred thread, and sometimes flowers and other offerings are also attached to the bundle.
During the coconut offering ceremony, priests or elder members of the community recite Vedic mantras and prayers to seek blessings from Lord Varuna and other deities associated with the sea and water bodies. The atmosphere is filled with devotion and reverence.
Narali Pournima includes various cultural events and celebrations as well. People dress up in traditional attire and participate in community gatherings, dances, and music performances. Koli folk dances are commonly seen during these celebrations. Delicious Delicacies: Like most Indian festivals, Narali Pournima also involves delicious traditional food. Various coconut-based dishes like Naral Bhaat (coconut rice), Naralachi Vadi (coconut barfi), and sweets are prepared and shared among family and friends.
The festivals of Narali Pournima and Rakshabandhan, both fall on the same day that is the Shravan Pournima.
Narali Pournima is a sacred a religious festival that strengthens community bonds, given them an opportunity to express gratitude, and invoke blessings for a prosperous and safe livelihood. The festival's essence lies in its reverence for nature and the deep connection between the fishing community and the sea, which sustains their lives and livelihoods.
There are several reasons why learning Punjabi can be beneficial and rewarding. Here are a few: …
There are several reasons why learning Punjabi can be beneficial and rewarding. Here are a few:
Cultural Connection: Punjabi is the native language of the Punjabi people, who have a rich cultural heritage. Learning Punjabi can help you connect with and understand Punjabi traditions, customs, music, dance forms (such as Bhangra), festivals (like Vaisakhi), and literature. It allows you to engage more deeply with Punjabi art, films, and literature, fostering a greater appreciation for the culture.
Johan Gustavsson from Sweeden recollects, "During my visit to Punjab, India, I had the opportunity to attend a Punjabi wedding. As the vibrant beats of the dhol (traditional drum) echoed through the air and the guests danced to the energetic Bhangra music, I realized that knowing Punjabi allowed me to fully immerse myself in the joyous celebration. It was a truly unforgettable experience that highlighted the cultural richness and warmth of the Punjabi community."
Communication and family: Yes, Punjabi's themselves are learning Punjabi! Why is that? Well it is because they were born and brought up outside Punjab and feel the need to connect with their roots and culture.
"I recall a heartwarming encounter at a Punjabi cultural event where I met a young Punjabi diaspora member who had recently started learning the language. She shared how her decision to learn Punjabi not only strengthened her bond with her grandparents but also empowered her to delve deeper into her heritage. Witnessing her enthusiasm and determination reinforced the transformative power of language learning" recalls Gurpreet Singh, a resident of Ontario, Canada. If you have Punjabi-speaking family members, friends, or colleagues, learning Punjabi can enhance your ability to communicate with them more effectively. It enables you to build stronger relationships, have meaningful conversations, and understand their perspectives and experiences on a deeper level.
Career Opportunities: Punjabi is spoken by millions of people worldwide. Learning Punjabi can open up career opportunities in various fields, such as translation, interpretation, teaching, journalism, international business, and tourism. It can be particularly advantageous if you plan to work or do business in regions where Punjabi is widely spoken, such as Punjab in India and Pakistan.
Personal Growth: Learning a new language, including Punjabi, expands your horizons and challenges your cognitive abilities. It enhances memory, problem-solving skills, and multitasking abilities. Additionally, learning Punjabi can boost your self-confidence, provide a sense of achievement, and foster a greater appreciation for linguistic and cultural diversity.
Travel and Exploration: If you plan to visit Punjab or Punjabi-speaking regions, knowing Punjabi can significantly enhance your travel experience. It allows you to communicate with locals, navigate through places more easily, and immerse yourself in the local culture. Locals often appreciate and connect more with visitors who make an effort to learn and speak their language.
Remember, the decision to learn Punjabi ultimately depends on your personal interests, goals, and circumstances. Whether it's for cultural enrichment, personal connections, career prospects, or travel, learning Punjabi can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience.
Did you know that you can learn spoken Punjabi from the comfort of your home? Are you aware that you hold a classroom in your palm? Yes, you can learn fluent Punjabi, just like the locals by learning from Language Curry App. Download it asap and start your journey. Install the Language Curry App on your phone and get started. Here are the links for App Store and Google Play.
☕Tea, Chai, Cha; call it what you may, but one thing is for sure, it is the elixir of life for …
☕Tea, Chai, Cha; call it what you may, but one thing is for sure, it is the elixir of life for most Indians. It is a drink that is consumed at all times of the day, whether it be morning, noon, or night. But have you ever wondered why Indians love tea so much?
Here are a few reasons why:
Move over, lassi and nimbu paani, chai is our national drink. It is the one beverage that is consumed in every corner of the country. It's almost as if it's a part of our DNA. And what's better than sipping on a hot cup of chai while reading the morning newspaper?
Feeling cold? Have some chai. Feeling hot? Have some chai. Tired? Chai. Happy? Chai. Sad? Chai. Headache? Chai. Basically, chai is our answer to everything. It's like our version of the fountain of youth.
Indians love to socialize, and chai is the perfect accompaniment to any social gathering. From catching up with friends to discussing politics, chai is the perfect conversation starter. And if you're meeting someone for the first time, a cup of chai can break the ice like nothing else.
Indians are known for their hospitality, and chai is an integral part of it. No matter what time of the day it is, if you visit an Indian household, you will be offered a cup of chai. It's a way of making guests feel at home and comfortable.
Life in India can be stressful, and chai is the perfect stress buster. There's something about sipping on a hot cup of chai that instantly relaxes you. It's like a warm hug in a cup.
Indians are hard workers, and chai is the perfect energy booster. Whether you're a student studying for exams or a corporate employee working long hours, chai can give you the energy boost you need to keep going.
The hard working Indians are known for their love of breaks as well! Whether it's the mid-morning break or the afternoon siesta, we love taking breaks. And what's better than taking a break with a cup of chai? It's the perfect excuse to take a few minutes off and relax.
☕☕ So there you have it, folks - a few humorous reasons why Indians love chai so much. Whether it's the taste, the aroma, or the social aspect, chai is an integral part of Indian culture. So the next time you visit India, don't forget to sip on a hot cup of chai and experience the magic for yourself ☕☕
śaṃkaraṃ śaṃkarācāryaṃ keśavaṃ bādarāyaṇam । sūtrabhāṣyakṛtau vande bhagavantau punaḥ punaḥ …
śaṃkaraṃ śaṃkarācāryaṃ keśavaṃ bādarāyaṇam । sūtrabhāṣyakṛtau vande bhagavantau punaḥ punaḥ ॥
शंकरं शंकराचार्यं केशवं बादरायणम् । सूत्रभाष्यकृतौ वन्दे भगवन्तौ पुनः पुनः ॥
I offer obeisances again and again to shri Veda Vyasa, the author of the Brahma sutras, who is none other than Bhagavan Vishnu, and Shri Shankaracharya, the commentator on those sutras, who is none other than Bhagavan Shiva.
Adi Shankaracharya, was a philosopher, theologian, and teacher who lived in India during the 8th century CE. He is one of the most influential figures in the promotion of Hinduism, and his teachings have had a profound impact on the religion and culture of India. Shankaracharya was born in Kerala in 788 CE**. He was a prodigious student, and by the age of 16, he had already mastered the Vedas, Upanishads, and other sacred texts of Hinduism. He then traveled throughout India, engaging in debates and discussions with scholars and teachers from various traditions!
In his mid-twenties, Shankarachayra established four monasteries, or mathas, one each in Badrinath, Dwarka, Puri and Sringeri in India. He propagated the philosophy of Advaita Vedanta which advocates that there is only one reality and that all difference is an illusion.
आप्तोक्तिं खननं तथोपरिशिलाद्युत्कर्षणं स्वीकृतिं निक्षेपः समपेक्षते नहि बहिः शब्दैस्तु निर्गच्छति । तद्वद्ब्रह्मविदोपदेशमननध्यानादिभिर्लभ्यते मायाकार्यतिरोहितं स्वममलं तत्त्वं न दुर्युक्तिभिः ॥
A buried treasure will not come out just by calling it, but needs a good map, digging, removal of obstructing stones and so on to get at it. In the same way the pure reality, hidden by the effects of Maya, cannot be achieved by just abusing it, but by instruction from a knower of Brahman, reflection, meditation and so on. ~ Viveka Chudamani of Sankaracharya (verses 55-56, 60-66)
Shankara's teachings emphasized the unity of all existence and the ultimate reality of Brahman, the divine essence that underlies all things. He argued that the true nature of the self is identical to Brahman, and that the goal of spiritual practice is to realize this truth through the practice of self-inquiry and meditation. Shankaracharya's influence extended beyond the realm of philosophy and theology. He remains one of the most important figures in the recent history of Hindu philosophy. Adiguru Shankaracharya consolidated the doctrine of ‘Advaita Vedanta’ and played a pivotal role in the revival of Hinduism. He also played a key role in establishing the tradition of the Shankaracharya, or the head of a monastery, which has continued to the present day. He also wrote extensively, producing commentaries on the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, and other texts, as well as original works such as the Vivekachudamani and the Upadesha Sahasri.
Shankaracharya passed away at the young age of 32, but his legacy has endured. His teachings have inspired generations of scholars, seekers, and devotees, and his influence can be seen in the ongoing development of Hinduism and Indian culture. Today, Shankaracharya is widely revered as a saint and a scholar, and his life and teachings continue to be celebrated and studied by people around the world. His life and legacy serve as a testament to the enduring power of wisdom, compassion, and spiritual insight.
** As per scholar, author and chronologist Shri Ved Veer Arya; as per astrological calculations and study of various manuscripts and archeological studies (as mentioned in detail in his book The Chronology of India), Adiguru Shankaracharya predates Common Era and his correct timeline is 568-536 BCE.
cover image: Wallpaper cave
Akshaya Tritiya, one of the most revered and auspicious days in the Hindu calendar, is celebrated …
Akshaya Tritiya, one of the most revered and auspicious days in the Hindu calendar, is celebrated with great devotion and enthusiasm by Hindus across the world. It is believed that any good karma performed on this day will bring eternal benefits and fortune. The word "Akshaya" means "eternal" or "indestructible," while "Tritiya" refers to the third day of the Shukla Paksha, in the Hindu month of Vaishakha.
Akshaya Tritiya has a significant place in various events and incidents:
While buying gold has become a popular tradition associated with Akshaya Tritiya in recent times, the 'real and original' reason for celebrating this day is to perform good karma and attain eternal benefits.
In Jainism, Akshaya Tritiya is celebrated to commemorate Bhagwaan Adinatha.
It was the end of Dwapara Yuga. One day King Pareekshita saw Rishi Shameeka in the forest and asked him a question. The Rishi did not answer as he was observing a vow of silence. Pareekshit had been traveling for a long time and was exhausted, hungry, and thirsty. Offended, Pareekshit in a temporary lapse of judgment due to hunger and exhaustion, put a dead snake around the Rishi's shoulders and left. Later, when the Rishi's son Shrungi found out about this, enraged he cursed Raja Pareekshita to die of the bite of Takshak Naag (snake), within seven days.
When back in his palace, Pareekshit realized his blunder and woefully repented. He accepted the curse with humility and used the last seven days of his life to listen to Bhagavatam and attain Moksha. This is why 'Bhagavata Saptaahas' is still done to this day. If we listen to Bhagavatam with as much bhakti (devotion) as King Pareekshita, then perhaps, we too can attain Moksha like him!
Note: later versions of the above incident mention Kaliyug influencing Raja Pareekshit, via his gold crown, to disrespect the Rishi. Thus discouraging some people to enjoy and celebrated the festival fully. However, no such thing is mentioned in the Ved Vyas Mahabharata, which is given the status of itihas (history) by our ancient sages. Hence one can and must celebrate with aplomb and buy gold without any fear on this auspicious day. #myth
On Akshaya Tritiya, we must focus on performing good deeds, such as seva and daan. Seva refers to serving those who are needy or those who are sages. Daan is often confused with charity but they are not the same. Daan is done of something that you hold dear and is precious to you. So precious that that it might even hurt to part ways with. It does not refer to getting rid of old, used discarded items. While that might help the needy in some way, it is more of a way for one to get rid of things (like kabadi) and does not qualify as daan.
Daan needs sankalpa (pledge), bhakti (devotion), and humility as well. Akshaya Tritiya is a day to remember that seva and daan are sources of eternal benefits and fortune.
At the same time the significance of buying gold and other precious metals cannot be set aside, there is great significance of that as well. In Hindu culture, gold is symbolic of wealth and prosperity and it is considered pure and auspicious. Doing good karma on this day multiplies the benefits, whether it is seva, daan, or prayer. The same applies to the purchase of gold.
Overall, buying gold on Akshaya Tritiya is seen as a way of combining religious, cultural, and investment values, which makes it a highly significant and auspicious day in Indian culture. On this day people purchase silver, books, and utensils as well.
Akshaya Tritiya is a significant day that reminds us of the importance of performing good deeds to attain eternal benefits and fortune. Buying gold is a popular and exciting tradition of this day, the day also celebrates good karma and the eternal benefits they bring.
संस्कृत: विश्व को भारत की अमूल्य देन
संस्कृत यानी वह भाषा जिसमें कोई त्रुटि नहीं। जो स्वयं में …
संस्कृत यानी वह भाषा जिसमें कोई त्रुटि नहीं। जो स्वयं में इतनी सशक्त है, कि उसके सामने कोई भी अन्य भाषा इतनी प्रभावोत्पादक नहीं हो पाती, मनुष्य के अंतराल की सच्चाइयों को इतनी स्पष्टता से प्रकट नहीं कर सकती। अन्य भाषाओं में उन्हें बनाने वालों के संस्कार होते हैं, परंतु संस्कृत में संस्कार नहीं मात्र विशुद्ध ऊर्जा है, जो मनुष्य के स्वभाव और उसकी चिंतनशैली के लिए परिवर्तनकारी है। संस्कृत वेदों की भाषा है, और वेद इस धरती पर ज्ञान की प्रथम धारा का नाम है। वे आए चेतना की विशुद्धतम् स्तिथि से थे, उनका जन्म चेतना के उर्धवगमन के लिए हुआ था।
संस्कृत महान गौरवशाली है, इसमें संसार के सर्वोत्कृष्ट काव्य, कथा साहित्य, उद्धरण भरे पड़े हैं, विश्व के सबसे श्रेष्ठ चिंतकों जिनमें हमारे ऋषि सर्वप्रथम आते हैं, इसे अपनी प्रेरणा को मनुष्य समुदाय के समक्ष रखने का माध्यम बनाते हैं। कोई भी मनुष्य पूर्ण रूप से परिपक्व नहीं, शुद्ध नहीं, पवित्र नहीं परंतु संस्कृत और उससे जुड़ी हमारी संस्कृति हर प्रकार से परिपूर्ण है, अपने में एक दैवीय आदेश को लिए है, और मनुष्य समुदाय के कल्याण की भावना से उद्भूत हुई है। इसे इसके महान प्रयोजन से पहचाना जाए। यह तथ्य-तर्क से ऊपर अनुभूति और आत्मविकास का आधार लिए हुए है।
सुसंस्कारिता के अभिवर्धन हेतु हमें जन-जन को संस्कृत की महिमा से परिचित कराना चाहिए। इसे एक नैतिक-सामाजिक जिम्मेदारी बनाना चाहिए कि हम संस्कृत सीखेंगे और अपनी संस्कृति से परिचित होंगे, जो कि मानव में देवत्व की पक्षधर है। जो किसी प्रकार के मानव जनित दोषों से परे, इस विश्व के समग्र कल्याण की द्योतक है। उसे उसकी गरिमा अनुरूप समाज में स्थान मिले, इसी प्रयोजन से यह लेख भी लिखा जा रहा है।
संस्कृत वैज्ञानिकों के परीक्षण में खरी उतरती है। यह उस केंद्रीय तत्व की ओर उनकी दृष्टि को उन्मुख करती है जिसे वह पदार्थ की प्रणालियों में परिभाषित तो करना चाहते हैं परंतु उत्तर उन्हें चेतना के क्षेत्र में ही मिलता दिखाई दे रहा है। संस्कृत ब्रह्मांडीय ऊर्जा के कार्यान्वयन की नीति व्यवस्था को स्पष्ट करती है, इसे उसी निमित्त प्रयोग में लाया गया था। सृष्टि के गूढ़तम् रहस्यों पर प्रकाश डालती ऋषियों की यह अतिप्राचीन भाषा, किसी प्रकार के प्रमाणीकरण की आवश्यकता से परे है, पर फिर भी चेतना और ब्रह्मांड से जुड़ी जिन बातों को इसके मंत्रों में निरूपित किया गया, उन्हें वैज्ञानिक कसौटियों पर खरा उतरते पाया गया है।
वैज्ञानिकों का यह कहना है कि संस्कृत उनके प्रयोग-परीक्षण के लिए एक अनुकूल भाषा ठहरती है, यह गणितीय सूत्रों की व्याख्या जिस अचूकता से करती है, उसे देख कर यही लगता है कि सृष्टिकर्ता ने इसी की तारतम्यता में सृष्टि का सृजन किया है। यह सृष्टि की उत्पत्ति, निर्माण और अंतत: ध्वंस को एक चेतनात्मक दृष्टि से निरूपित करती है, जिसमें समस्त ब्रह्मांड के गतिचक्र को चेतना का अवलंबन लेकर समझाया गया है। ऋषियों की दृष्टि में ग्रह नक्षत्र पदार्थ के पिंड भर नहीं, एक व्यापक समायोजन के जीवंत प्रतीक थे, उन्हें देव शक्तियों के रूप में उपमाएँ दी गईं।
क्योंकि यह भाषा समस्त जड़ चेतन को एक सूत्र में पिरो देती है, इसलिए इसकी उपयोगिता यज्ञ-कर्मकांडों में विशेष महत्व की हो जाती है। इसके द्वारा उच्चारित मंत्रों में सूक्ष्म जगत को कंपित, स्पंदित, आलोकित करने की क्षमता है। तभी ऋषियों ने अपने विशिष्ट प्रयोजनों के लिए, किसी आत्यंतिक समस्या के समाधनार्थ इसे उपयोग में लाया था। वे इसकी दिव्य संचार क्षमता से परिचित थे, इसलिए इसके द्वारा सूक्ष्म प्रयोग-परीक्षण का उन्होंने सफल प्रयास किया और इसी का परिणाम है कि हम एक महान संस्कृति के अंशधर बने, यह देश उनके अनुदानों से अनुग्रहीत हुआ विश्व का पालनहार, ज्ञानदाता कहलाया, सुसभ्यता का उन्नायक और संस्कृतियों का उद्गम स्थल बना।
Sanskrit, language in which there is no error. A language which is so powerful in itself; no other language can be as effective in revealing the truths of human being so clearly. In other languages, those who make them have rituals, but in Sanskrit, there is no rituals, only pure energy, which is transformative for the nature of man and his thinking style. Sanskrit is the language of the Vedas, and Vedas are the name of the first stream of knowledge on this earth. Sanskrit came from the purest state of consciousness, and was born for the upward movement of consciousness.
Sanskrit is a great glory, it is full of the world's best poetry, fiction, quotes. Our sages who were among the world's best thinkers, made Sanskrit a medium to keep their inspiration in front of all humanity. No human being is perfect and pure, but Sanskrit and our culture associated with it is perfect in every way, carrying a divine mandate in itself, and originated from the spirit of welfare of the human community. Let it be recognized by its great purpose. It has taken the basis of experience and self-development above facts and logic.
For the promotion of good culture, we should make people familiar with the glory of Sanskrit. It should be made an ethical-social responsibility that we learn Sanskrit and become familiar with our culture, which celebrates divinity in human beings. Which signifies the overall welfare of this world, beyond any kind of man-made defects. This article is also being written for the purpose of giving him a place in the society according to his dignity.
Sanskrit stands true in the test of scientists. It directs his vision towards the central element which he seeks to define in the systems of matter but the answer seems to be found in the field of consciousness itself. Sanskrit explains the policy system for the implementation of cosmic energy, it was used for the same purpose.
This age-old language of sages shedding light on the deepest secrets of creation stands beyond the need of any kind of authentication- yet the things related to consciousness and the universe that have been formulated in its mantras have been found to meet the scientific criteria .
Scientists say that Sanskrit is a favorable language for their experiments and tests, looking at the accuracy with which it interprets mathematical formulas, it seems that the creator has created the universe in its harmony. It represents the origin, creation and eventual destruction of the universe from a conscious point of view, in which the dynamic cycle of the entire universe is explained with the support of consciousness. In the view of the sages, the planets and constellations were not just bodies of matter, but living symbols of a comprehensive adjustment, they were given analogies in the form of divine powers.
Because this language weaves all the inert consciousness into one formula, hence its usefulness becomes of special importance in Yagya-rituals. The mantras chanted by it have the ability to vibrate, vibrate, illuminate the subtle world.
Only then did the sages use it for their specific purposes, to solve some ultimate problem. They were familiar with its divine communication ability. They made a successful attempts to test and experiment with it. As a result, we became a part of a great culture, and this country hence is full of gratitude to them - it is called nurturer of the world, caregiver and it became the originator of a wonderful civilisation and culture.
Indian languages that do not have their own script
India, a country with a rich linguistic …
India, a country with a rich linguistic diversity, has over 19,500 languages and dialects spoken across the country. While many of these languages have their own scripts, there are also some Indian languages that do not have their own scripts. In this article, we will explore some of the Indian languages that do not have their own scripts.
Konkani: Konkani is spoken in the Western coast of India, primarily in the states of Goa, Karnataka, and Maharashtra. Historically, Konkani was written in the Devanagari, Kannada, and Roman scripts, but it does not have its own unique script.
Khasi: Khasi is a language spoken in the northeastern state of Meghalaya. Khasi has traditionally been an oral language, and while it has been written using the Roman script, efforts are being made to develop a unique script for the language.
Meitei: Meitei is a language spoken in the northeastern state of Manipur. Meitei has traditionally been written in the Meitei Mayek script, but with the adoption of the Bengali script during the colonial period, the use of the Meitei Mayek script declined. Efforts are now being made to revive the use of the Meitei Mayek script.
Garo: Garo is a language spoken in the northeastern states of Meghalaya and Assam. Garo has traditionally been an oral language, and while it has been written using the Roman script, efforts are being made to develop a unique script for the language.
Bodo: Bodo is a language spoken in the northeastern states of Assam, West Bengal, and Meghalaya. Bodo has traditionally been an oral language, and while it has been written using the Roman script, efforts are being made to develop a unique script for the language.
Haryanavi: Haryanvi, also referred to as Bangru, is primarily used in the northern Indian state of Haryana. It is classified as a part of the Western Hindi dialect group, which also encompasses Khariboli and Braj. The script most commonly used to write Haryanvi is Devanagari.
Pahari: Pahari, also known as Mahasui, Kiūnthali, Pahari or Himachali, is spoken in the northern regions of India, predominantly in the Shimla and Solan districts of Himachal Pradesh, and also in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand state. The language has approximately 1 million speakers as of 2002. The language has two primary dialects: Lower Mahasu Pahari and Upper Mahasu Pahari. Mahasu Pahari has historically been written in a version of the Takri script called Kōchi. However, it is currently written using the Devanagari script. The language is still used to a limited extent in newspapers and on the radio.
India has rich linguistic diversity, and while many of its languages have their own unique scripts, there are also some languages that do not. Efforts are being made to help preserve their linguistic heritage and promote literacy in these languages.
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संस्कृत भाषा की विशेषता को समझिए आप। यह साधारण भाषा नहीं है, बल्कि …
संस्कृत भाषा की विशेषता को समझिए आप। यह साधारण भाषा नहीं है, बल्कि देव वाणी है, जिसमें एक-एक अक्षर मनुष्य की वृत्तियों को संस्कारित करने हेतु बनाया गया है। संस्कृत का जन्म जिन ऋषियों ने अपने आत्मानुसंधान में किया था, वे इसकी अलौकिक शक्ति सामर्थ्य से परिचित थे। उन्हे ज्ञात था कि इसमें अदृश्य रूप से मनुष्य के संस्कारों को परिशोधित करने की क्षमता उपस्थित है। वे इसे लौकिक नहीं पारमार्थिक दृष्टि से उपयोग में लाने के इच्छुक थे। इसी कारण उन्होंने चेतना के उच्चतम् शिखरों की परिगाथा संस्कृत भाषा एवं इसकी दिव्य शब्दावली में उपस्थित ऊर्जा संचरण क्षमता को निरूपित किया। वे इसे देवत्व को उभारने का माध्यम बनाना चाहते थे, बस इस सरल सी इच्छा ने उन्हें इसके निर्माण की प्रेरणा दी और वे अपने इस प्रयोजन में सफल भी हुए।
संस्कृत में उल्लिखित मंत्र दैवीय आदेश का प्रतिवहन करते हैं, उनमें मनुष्य के मन को एकाग्र करने की अद्भुत क्षमता विद्यमान है। मन बना ही प्राण के संवेगों से है और मंत्रों में शरीर की प्राण ऊर्जा को संग्रहीत करने, नियंत्रित करने, निर्दिष्ट दिशा में प्रेरित करने की क्षमता है। इस कारण चाहे-अनचाहे मनुष्य में इन मंत्रों के उच्चारणक्रम में देव प्रवृत्तियाँ उभर ही आती हैं। यह आश्चर्यजनक है कि कितनी गूढ़ता से ऋषियों ने संस्कृत का एक-एक अक्षर उत्कीलित किया, क्योंकि इन अक्षरों का निरूपण चेतना के उच्चतम् कोटि के परिष्कार से ही संभव बन पड़ता, इनमें सन्निहित दिव्य ऊर्जा तभी अपना प्रभाव छोड़ती, जब मंत्रदृष्टा ऋषि उन्हें अपनी सर्वोच्च पात्रता का आधार देते।
संस्कृत के दिव्य शब्द किसी वैज्ञानिक विमर्श का कारण बने या न बने परंतु जिस चेतना विज्ञान को समझा जाना चाहिए, उसे तर्क- वितर्कणाओं में धूमिल न किया जाए। वह वास्तविकता तक आपको ले जाएगा, बशर्ते आप इसके लिए तैयार हों। उपनिषदों में शब्द की जिन चार अवस्थाओं का वर्णन आता है- बैखरी, मध्यमा, पश्यन्ती, परा वे यही बताती है कि हर पदार्थ , हर वस्तु का स्वरूप देखने में स्थूल लगने पर भी, सूक्ष्मतर है, वह पदार्थ अपनी स्वरूपात्मकता से, अपनी वास्तविकता से निश्चित ही आपको परिचित कराएगा यदि आप उसके साथ ताल मेल बिठाना सीख जाएं तो। इसी तादात्म्य की स्थापना के लिए संस्कृत का निर्माण हुआ है जो मात्र भाषा नहीं अस्तित्व की एकता की परिचायक है। यह इस सुनिश्चित आधार पर टिकी है कि संसार की कोई भी वस्तु चेतनाविहीन नहीं, और यदि हम उस चेतना को सभी पदार्थों में स्वीकारते हैं, तो हमें यह भी स्वीकार लेना चाहिए कि यज्ञ-कर्मकांड में देव शक्तियों के आवाहनक्रम में हम उस चेतना का ही पूजन-अर्चन कर रहे हैं, उसे ही पदार्थ में मौजूद दिव्य-सत्ता को उभारने, जगाने, और अपना विस्तार करने को प्रेरित कर रहे हैं।
तभी तो 'वसुधैव कुटुंबकम्' लोगों के लिए ही नहीं, समस्त संसार की सभी प्रकार की विभिन्नताओं, पशु पक्षी, वृक्ष उपवन, नदी, पर्वत, पठार, ग्रह नक्षत्र, आकाशगंगाओं, महासूर्य आदि सभी के लिए प्रयुक्त हुआ है। इसे साधारण बोल-चाल का परिवार न मान लीजिएगा, बल्कि आत्मा इसका केंद्रीय तत्व है।
अब जब हम इतना कुछ जान ही चुके हैं फिर हमें यह भी समझ लेना चाहिए कि आज विश्व में जो उपद्रव मचे हुए हैं, मनुष्य का मनुष्य के प्रति बैर भाव इस हद तक बढ़ गया है कि वह समूची मानवता के लिए ही खतरे का कारण बन गया है, राष्ट्रों के आपसी तनाव विकट रूप ले रहे हैं, बढ़ती जनसंख्या और उसमें संसाधनों की आपूर्ति का संकट, विनाशकारी परिस्थितियों को आमंत्रित करते मनुष्य के पर्यावरण विरोधी प्रकल्प, सचेत होने के स्थान पर मनुष्य का आडंबरयुक्त और संवेदनविहीन जीवनयापन आदि आदि वे बातें हैं जो सचेत करती हैं कि हमें समय की गरज को भांप कदम बढ़ाने चाहिए, यदि अब भी न सुधरे तो विनाश का भागी सबको बनना होगा, और यदि आत्मचेतना जाग गई, सही गलत का भेद जीवन दृष्टि में स्पष्ट हो गया फिर संभावना है कि हम धरती के कल्याणकारी भविष्य का निर्माण कर के रहेंगे, अपनी आहुति इस विश्व-यज्ञ में देकर रहेंगे, युग परिवर्तनकारी परिस्तिथियाँ निर्मित करेंगे।
इसी परिप्रेक्ष्य में संस्कृत और उससे जुड़ी हमारी संस्कृति का यहाॅं उल्लेख हो आया, जो मात्र बोलने की नहीं, दिखावट की नहीं एक महान गौरवशाली इतिहास और गरिमापूर्ण विरासत की अभिगामिनी, संसार की सर्वोत्कृष्ट कृति है। उसे ही संरक्षित करना, पुनर्जीवित करना हम सभी का उत्तरदायित्व है। इसीलिए उपरोक्त शब्द कुछ इस प्रकार आ पड़े कि लिखने वाले को बिना संकोच के इतना सब कुछ लिखा दिया। लेकिन लिखाया उस प्रेरणा ने एक ही कारण से है कि आप चेतना की उच्चतम् संभावनाओं को जाग्रत कर इस जीवन को धन्य बनाएँ।
Understand the uniqueness of Sanskrit language. This is not an ordinary language, but God's speech, in which each and every letter has been made to cultivate human instincts. The sages who originated Sanskrit in their self-research, were aware of its supernatural potential, they knew that it has the ability to refine man's rituals. They wanted to use it from a spiritual point of view, not worldly. For this reason, they narrated the story of the highest peaks of consciousness in the Sanskrit language and its divine vocabulary, representing the power of transmission of energy. They wanted to make it a medium to raise the divinity, just this simple desire inspired him to build it and he was successful in his purpose.
The mantras mentioned in Sanskrit convey the divine order, as they have amazing ability to concentrate the human mind. The mind is made up of the impulses of prana and mantras have the ability to store, control, and propel the prana energy of the body in a specified direction. For this reason, whether or not desired, God's tendencies emerge in man during the chanting of these mantras. It is amazing how intricately the Rishis engraved each and every letter of Sanskrit, because the representation of these letters would have been possible only with the highest degree of sophistication of consciousness, the divine energy contained in them would have exerted its effect only when the seer sages had given them their highest form. Giving the basis of eligibility.
The divine words of Sanskrit may or may not become the reason for any scientific discussion, but the science of consciousness which should be understood, should not be tangled in arguments. They will lead you to reality, if you are ready for it. In the Upanishads, the description of the four stages of the word- Baikhari, Madhyama, Pashyanti, Para, they tell that every substance, even though it looks gross in appearance, it is more subtle, that substance is more subtle by its form, by its reality. Will definitely introduce you if you learn to adjust with it. Sanskrit has been created for the establishment of this identity, which is not just a language but a sign of the unity of existence. It rests on the sure foundation that nothing in the world is devoid of consciousness, and if we accept that consciousness in all things, then we must also accept that in the process of invoking the Divine Powers in the sacrificial rituals, we must also accept that consciousness. We are worshiping, we are motivating him to raise, awaken, and expand the divine power present in the matter.
That's why 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' has been used not only for people, but for all kinds of variations in the whole world, animals, birds, tree groves, rivers, mountains, plateaus, planets, constellations, galaxies, great sun etc. Don't consider it a family of ordinary speech, but the soul is its central element.
Now that we have come to know so much, then we should also understand that the disturbances that are taking place in the world today, the enmity of man towards man has increased to such an extent that it becomes a cause of danger for the entire humanity. The tensions between the nations are taking an acute form, the increasing population and the crisis of supply of resources in it, the anti-environmental projects of man inviting destructive situations, instead of being conscious, the ostentatious and insensitive living of man, etc., are the things that alert. It is our belief that we should step forward realizing the need of the hour, if it does not improve even now then everyone will have to become a part of the destruction. If self-consciousness wakes up, the difference between right and wrong becomes clear in the vision of life, then there is a possibility that we will continue to build a welfare future of the earth, keep sacrificing ourselves in this world-sacrifice, create epoch-changing conditions.
It is in this context that Sanskrit and our culture related to it are mentioned here; the langugae sof Sanskrit is not just of speaking, and it is definitely not for showing off, instead its a great glorious history and dignified heritage, it is the best work of the world. It is the responsibility of all of us to preserve and revive it. That's why the above words flowed so effortlessly, that the writer wrote so much without any hesitation. The inspiration for this writing was so that you make this life blessed, by awakening the highest possibilities of consciousness.
India is a country that is home to a diverse range of languages and scripts. While many of these …
India is a country that is home to a diverse range of languages and scripts. While many of these scripts are well-known and widely used today, there are also several forgotten scripts of Indian languages that have been lost to history. These scripts were once used by different communities in India to write their languages, but over time, they were gradually replaced by other scripts, and today, they are all but forgotten. In this blog, we will explore some of these forgotten scripts and their history.
One of the most famous forgotten scripts of Indian languages is the Indus script. This script was used during the Indus Valley Civilization, which flourished from around 2600 BCE to 1900 BCE in the northwestern regions of the Indian subcontinent. The Indus script is one of the oldest scripts in the world, and it has been found on seals and tablets made of various materials such as terracotta, steatite, and copper. However, despite the efforts of many linguists and scholars, the Indus script has not yet been deciphered, and much of its meaning remains a mystery.
Another forgotten script of Indian languages is the Kharosthi script. This script was used to write the Gandhari language, which was spoken in the region that is now Pakistan and Afghanistan. The Kharosthi script was also used to write other languages such as Sanskrit and Prakrit. The script was written from right to left, and it was used from the 3rd century BCE to the 4th century CE. Today, very few examples of this script survive, and it is mostly known from inscriptions found in ancient Buddhist stupas and rock-cut caves.
The Tamil-Brahmi script is another forgotten script of Indian languages. This script was used to write the Tamil language, and it was used from around the 3rd century BCE to the 6th century CE. The Tamil-Brahmi script was based on the Brahmi script, which was used to write many Indian languages. However, the Tamil-Brahmi script had some unique features that were specific to the Tamil language. Today, very few examples of this script survive, and it is mostly known from inscriptions found on cave walls and pottery.
The Sharada script is another forgotten script of Indian languages. This script was used to write the Kashmiri language, which is spoken in the region that is now Jammu and Kashmir. The Sharada script was used from around the 9th century CE to the 14th century CE. It was written from left to right, and it was similar in structure to the Devanagari script. Today, the Sharada script is no longer in use, and very few examples of it survive.
The Modi script, also known as the Moḍī script, was a script that was used to write the Marathi language. It was developed in the 13th century CE by the saint and poet Namdev. The script was widely used in the regions that are now Maharashtra and parts of Karnataka, and it continued to be used until the 20th century. The Modi script was written from left to right and had 46 letters. The letters were cursive and were often written in a flowing manner, with some letters being written above or below the line. The Modi script was derived from the Brahmi script and had similarities with the Gujarati script.
The Dogri language traditionally used the Takri script for writing, which is a script used primarily in the Northwestern region of India. Takri script was mainly used by the Dogri-speaking community of the Jammu region of present-day Jammu and Kashmir state and the state of Himachal Pradesh in India. However, with the advent of the modern Devanagari script, most of the Dogri literature is now written in the Devanagari script. The Takri script is still used in some parts of the region for ceremonial purposes, but it is no longer in common use for daily writing and reading.
India is a country that has a rich linguistic heritage, with many languages and scripts that have evolved over time. While some of these scripts are well-known and widely used today, there are also several forgotten scripts of Indian languages that have been lost to history. These scripts were once used by different communities in India to write their languages, but over time, they were gradually replaced by other scripts. Despite the loss of these scripts, they are still a part of India's cultural heritage and offer insights into the country's rich linguistic history.
Ayurveda the traditional Indian system of medicine
Ayurveda is a traditional Indian …
Ayurveda is a traditional Indian system of medicine that emphasizes the interconnection between the body, mind, and spirit to promote health and prevent disease.
The principles of Ayurveda are based on the idea that each individual is unique and requires personalized treatment based on their constitution, or "dosha," which is determined by their physical, mental, and emotional characteristics.
Ayurveda is based on the concept of five elements - space, air, fire, water, and earth - that make up everything in the universe, including the human body. Space is associated with the hollow spaces in the body, air is associated with movement, fire is associated with digestion, water is associated with fluidity, and earth is associated with structure and stability.
Ayurveda identifies three primary doshas or energies that govern the body's functioning - Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Vata is associated with creativity, Pitta is associated with ambition, and Kapha is associated with stability. Each individual has a unique combination of these doshas, which determine their physical and mental characteristics, and influence their health. Hence, there is importance of personalized diagnosis to determine an individual's unique dosha balance and customize treatment accordingly.
Ayurveda emphasizes the importance of maintaining a balance between the doshas to promote health and prevent disease. Imbalances in the doshas are believed to cause disease.
Ayurveda takes a holistic approach to health, considering not only the physical body but also the mind and spirit. It recognizes the interconnection between the individual and the environment, and how lifestyle factors can impact health.
Ayurveda utilizes natural remedies, including herbs, spices, and dietary changes, to maintain balance and promote healing.
Ayurveda emphasizes the importance of making lifestyle changes to promote health, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, and stress management techniques.
Ayurveda places a strong emphasis on disease prevention through healthy living and regular maintenance of the body and mind.
Overall, the principles of Ayurveda emphasize the importance of maintaining balance and harmony within the body, mind, and spirit, and taking a holistic approach to health and wellness. Ayurveda is truly a manual for the human body. At the same time, the role of the practitioner must not be overlooked as they are the ones who guide an individual's treatment plan and provide advice on lifestyle changes.
The Kannada cinema Industry witnessed its golden era during the period of Dr.Rajkumar, Dr. …
The Kannada cinema Industry witnessed its golden era during the period of Dr.Rajkumar, Dr. Vishnuvardhan, and Shankarnag. Irrespective of generation, the Huttidare Kannada Nadalli Huttabeku song of the movie Akasmika 1993, directed by TS Nagabharana, with music and lyrics by Hamsalekha and sung by Dr. Rajkumar himself will remain an all-time favorite of Kannadiga pride.
I like these stanzas of the song.
Huttidare Kannada Naadal Huttabeku..
If you want to be born, take birth in Kannada Bhumi (Land)
Mettidare Kannada Manna Mettabeku..
If you want to step on, step on Kannada soil
Badukidu Jataka Bandi.. Idu Vidhiyodisuva Bandi..
Life is like a bullock cart ride, it is a journey driven by the ichha of vidhi (wishes of fate)
Badukidu Jataka Bandi.. Vidhi Aledaadisuva Bandi..
Life is like a bullock cart ride, where fate makes us wander
Huttidare Kannada Naadal Huttabeku..
If you want to be born, take birth in Kannada bhumi
Mettidare Kannada Manna Mettabeku..
If you want to step on, step on Kannada soil
Kasheeli Snaana Maadu.. Kaashmeera Sutthi Nodu..
Take a bath in Kashi Punyakshetra, see the beauty of Kashmira
Jogada Gundi Odeya Naanendu Koogi Haadu..
Scream that you are the owner of Jog Falls
Ajantha Ellorana Baalalli Omme Nodu..
Visit Ajantha Ellora once in your lifetime
Baadami Aiholeya Chandaa Na Thooka Maadu..
Weigh the beauty of Badami Aihole
Kaliyoke Koti Baashe Aadoke Ondhe Baashe..
There might be crores of languages to learn, but only one language to speak
Kannada Kannada Kasturi Kannadaaa….
Kannada Kannada...Kasturi Kannada
Baalina Bennu Hatti.. Nooraaru Ooru Sutthi..
Running behind the life, After seeing numerous places
Yeneno Kanda Melu.. Nammoore Namage Melu..
After seeing many things, our place is great for us
Kailaasan Kanda Namage.. Kailaasa Yaake Beku..
When we have seen Kailasam, why do we need Kailas?
Daasara Kanda Namage.. Vaikunta Yaake Beku..
When have seen Dasa Parampara, why do we need Vaikunth?
Mundina Nanna Janma.. Baradittananthe Brahma..
My next life, Brahma has written
Illiye Illiye Yendigu Naan Illiye…
It is here, it is here... Forever and ever, I will be here in Kannada Bhumi (land).
These lines always speak about the greatness of Kannada Bhumi. Karnataka is the land for dhyana, heaven for prema (love), and peetham of gnana ( center of knowledge). Our Itihasa is proof of it. This is why very proudly we say If you want to be born, take birth in Kannada bhumi!
The eyes are one of the most expressive features of the human face. They convey emotions, …
The eyes are one of the most expressive features of the human face. They convey emotions, thoughts, and feelings without the need for words. In Sanskrit, the language of ancient India, there are many words to describe different types of eyes.
These are just a few of the many words in Sanskrit which qualify the eyes. Each word captures a unique aspect of the eyes and their expressions. We have used the word netra here. but one can use the other words for eyes given above in place of netra. For example, one can use sunayana, or sulocana or tryambaka etc. Next time you see someone with beautiful eyes, you can impress them with your knowledge of Sanskrit by calling them "sunetra" or "padmanetra".
The Sanskrit language is one of the oldest and richest languages in the world. It is often …
The Sanskrit language is one of the oldest and richest languages in the world. It is often considered the mother of many languages and has a vast vocabulary. One of the interesting aspects of the Sanskrit language is the usage of descriptive words for different objects, which includes basic shapes. When ancient Indians could create impossible architectural marvels centuries ago, obviously they did so with the knowledge of advanced geometry, mathematics, and science. In this blog, we will explore the:
Nowruz greetings to all! Nowruz is a two-week celebration that marks the beginning of the New …
Nowruz greetings to all! Nowruz is a two-week celebration that marks the beginning of the New Year in Iran as per its official Solar Hijri calendar.
In the 8th century, the Parsis migrated to India from Persia (now Iran) to escape religious persecution by rabid Islamists. Zoroastrians, who followed the ancient Persian religion of Zoroastrianism, were being persecuted and were facing forced conversion to Islam. The Parsis found refuge in India and have since established a small but vibrant minority community. Here, they continue to thrive and celebrate their own unique culture and traditions. In India, Nowruz is celebrated by the Parsi community. They celebrate by visiting the synagogue to worship Khorshed and Meher, the two deities who rule over the sun and moon, respectively.
Nowruz celebrations must include seven main items known as the Haft Sin. The Haft Sin is an arrangement of seven symbolic items whose names start with the letter "س," which is the 15th letter of the Persian alphabet. It is pronounced as "seen." The word "haft" (هفت) is Persian for "seven." Earlier the items used to be placed on the floor but these days many people place the items on a table.
Some additional items that may be found with the seven main items of the Haft Sin are:
The festival marks the beginning of spring 🌻🌻 in the Northern Hemisphere. It is interesting to note that the Parsi (Zoroastrian) New year fall around the same time as the various regional New Year's celebrated across around India. For example; Ugadi (Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka), Gudi Padhwa (Maharashtra, Goa), Navreh (Kashmir), Nutan Varsh (Gujarat), Sankrant and Vaisakhi (Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttrakhand, Kumaon), Pana Sankranti (Odisha), Mithila DIvas (Bihar), Puthandu (Tamil Nadu), Vishu (Kerala), Bisu Parba (Tulu Nadu), Pahela Baisakh (West Bengal) and so on.
This is not surprising as Zoroastrianism is also an ancient religion like the Indic religion, they celebrate new years with the onset of life, renewal, regeneration, blooming of flowers, and the end of winter. Let's celebrate the onset of spring and the new year with Nowruz and the numerous new year celebrations across India!
Happy Nowruz to all!
There are many reasons why Odisha is understood to be a truly beautiful and unique place. Let us …
There are many reasons why Odisha is understood to be a truly beautiful and unique place. Let us discover them today on 1st April, Odisha Foundation Day.
Odisha is known for its rich cultural heritage dating back thousands of years. The state is home to some of the most magnificent temples in India, such as the famous Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar, the Konark Sun Temple, and the Jagannath Temple in Puri. These temples are sacred religious sites for the Hindus and they reflect upon the advanced architectural achievements of ancient India as well. Each mandir is an architectural marvel.
Visiting Odisha? Here are some useful phrases in Odia language
Odisha is home to some of the most pristine and gorgeous beaches of India; Puri Beach, Chandrabhaga Beach, Gopalpur-on-Sea Beach, and Konark Beach to name a few. Just like other beaches, they are wonderful for a day spent out with friends and family and for water sports. But, they are also famous for sand art and the adorable Olive Ridley turtles.
How can we miss out on the exquisite handicrafts of Odisha, which are made using traditional techniques, and passed down from generation to generation? Pattachitra paintings, the silver filigree work, and palm leaf engravings are not just beautiful but also serve as a testament to the state's rich cultural heritage.
Odisha's cuisine is a delicious blend of spices and flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. Some of the most popular dishes include Chhena Poda (a sweet made from cottage cheese), Dalma (a lentil and vegetable stew), and Machha Besara (a fish curry made with mustard paste). The state is also famous for its street food, such as the mouth-watering Bara Ghugni, which is made with lentil patties and spicy chickpea curry. The Dahi Bengan is a must-try dish!
Odisha is abundantly blessed with natural resources and has several national parks and wildlife sanctuaries that make it a great destination for wildlife enthusiasts. Among these, the Simlipal National Park and the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary are particularly popular. Moreover, the state is home to the Chilika Lake, which is the largest brackish water lake in Asia and serves as a sanctuary for a variety of migratory birds and marine life.
Odisha is known for its vibrant and rich festivals. The most popular and significant of them is the Jagannath Rath Yatra, Puri. It is the nine days festival celebrating the return of Bhagwan Jagannath to his birthplace. There are festivals celebrated by the tribal communities, like the three-day Chhau festival which entails nonstop dance, music, fasting and of course prayer.
The Kalinga Stadium, located in Bhubaneswar, as a seating capacity of over 15,000 and boasts state-of-the-art facilities. Nandankanan Zoological Park, known for its natural beauty and variety of animals and birds, is designed to resemble the natural habitat of the animals, making it a unique and beautiful attraction. The architecture of Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) is modern and innovative, with several buildings designed in a unique way to promote sustainability and energy efficiency. There are others as well like International Convention Centre and the Odisha State Secretariat. How can we miss the Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium? Named after the freedom fighter Birsa Munda, it has a capacity of 20,000 seats! It has been recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest fully seated hockey arena in the world.
Odisha is a beautiful and unique land; from its rich cultural heritage and stunning beaches to its exquisite handicrafts and delicious cuisine, there is no shortage of things to see and experience in this wonderful state. Odisha is one for the bucket list!
The rise of Hindi: attaining worldwide recognition
Hindi is one of the most extensively …
Hindi is one of the most extensively spoken languages in India and is steadily gaining popularity globally as well. A report published by Business Today states that Hindi is among the top 10 languages being learned on Duolingo, the language learning platform. And as per a report by Economic Times Hindi is the "second most used language on Google Assistant" globally. It's worth noting that Hindi is also the most adored and studied language on Language Curry.
Over the past few years, an increasing number of people in India have gained access to mobile phones and the internet. The increased demand for Hindi content thus generated, prompted the creation of an extensive range of material in Hindi, encompassing blogs, news articles, and social media posts. According to a report from Trak.in, the consumption of Hindi content in India has escalated by more than 94% since 2011.
Google too recognized the increasing importance of Hindi and has hence been working on improving its Hindi language capabilities. The search giant has launched several initiatives to attract Hindi speakers and to encourage them to use Hindi on the internet. One of the major measures is: adding Hindi support to its voice-based virtual assistant, Google Assistant. This effort has borne Google sweet fruits as a report by Economic Times states that Hindi is the second most used assistant language globally on Google Assistant.
The popularity of Hindi can also be observed in the education sector. At present, there are 176 universities globally that provide courses in the Hindi language. It is noteworthy that Hindi is spoken in as many as twenty countries beyond the borders of India.
Furthermore, the Indian government has implemented various initiatives to encourage the utilization of Hindi. One such initiative is the Hindi Diwas, which is celebrated on September 14 every year to celebrate the use of Hindi, which is also the official language of India.
Given the significant role played by technology and the internet in driving this expansion, it is probable that Hindi will continue to grow in prominence in the coming years.
References: Times Now, Business Today, Tech Gig, India Today, Economic Times 1, Economic Times 2, Trak.In
The Importance of Learning the Local Language When Traveling
Traveling to a new place can be …
The Importance of Learning the Local Language When Traveling
Traveling to a new place can be exciting and exhilarating, but it can also be intimidating, especially if you don't speak the local language. While English may be spoken in many places across India, there are still many places where communication becomes a challenge. That's why it's important to make an effort to learn the local language when you travel. Here are some more reasons to do so:
When you speak the local language, you open yourself up to a world of new experiences. You can communicate with locals, learn about their culture, and gain a deeper understanding of their way of life. You'll be able to read signs and menus, navigate public transportation, and get directions without relying on others. Knowing the local language and popular phrases can also help you make friends and connections faster. Imagine saying to a Kannadiga salesman, 'bombat' when you find something excellent; how surprised he would be. Or respond with a 'chak de phatte' when in Punjab!
When you make an effort to learn the local language, you show respect to the locals. You're saying, "I value your culture, and I want to learn more about it." If you begin a conversation with someone using greetings such as "Vannakkam" (in Tamilnadu), "Sat Sri Akal" (in Punjab), or simply "Namaste" in India, you will likely elicit a sense of warmth and a desire to be helpful from the person you are speaking to. This can go a long way in establishing positive relationships with the people you meet. It shows that you're not just a tourist passing through, but someone genuinely interested in their way of life.
Did you ever imagine that learning a new language could be good for your brain? Yes! It improves cognitive function, memory, and concentration. (Cognitive function refers to mental processes such as perception, memory, and reasoning.) Language learning can also delay the onset of dementia and other age-related cognitive decline. Hence, by learning a language not only will you be upskilling, and enhancing your travel experience, but you'll also be doing something good for your brain.
When you don't speak the local language, traveling can be a tad stressful. You may find yourself lost or confused, and you may have trouble communicating with others. But when you learn the local language, you'll be able to navigate your way around with a little ease. Even if you pick up broken language, you'll still feel more confident and more in control. Having knowledge of common travel phrases such as "When will the train arrive?", "Where is the bus stop?", "How much does this cost?", "That's too expensive", and "I'm hungry" in the local language can be incredibly beneficial during travel. Just practicing up to three to four levels of a language in the Language Curry App can get you the confidence to speak to any stranger in a new place in India.
Learning a new language can be an exciting experience. You'll be able to challenge yourself, learn something new, and have fun in the process. You'll also be able to show off your new language skills to friends and family back home.
Learning the local language when you travel can prove to e beneficial for many reasons. It enhances your travel experience, endears you to the locals, improves cognitive function, makes traveling easier, and is just plain fun. So the next time you plan a trip, consider learning a few phrases in the local language. It is easy. Like mentioned above just download Language Curry and learn the language you want to learn. You'll be glad you did.
What is common between Hindi, Marathi, Nepali, and Sanskrit? Is it the words? The grammar? Or the …
What is common between Hindi, Marathi, Nepali, and Sanskrit? Is it the words? The grammar? Or the syntax? The most common feature of these languages is that currently, they all use the Devanagari script for their written form. The Devnagari script is ancient and is known for being able to spell almost any sound. As per Encyclopedia Britanica today, over six hundred million people use Devanagari script. Let's see how many of these features of the Devanagari script you are familiar with:
The Devanagari is a smart little script. It's a syllabic alphabet. In English, the alphabet L is called El, but it doesn't give the El sound, it gives the l sound. The alphabet S is called Es but it gives the ss sound. C is pronounced see and K and it could give any of the two sounds. W is called double-you and it gives the V sound. But in Devanagari, each alphabet is named as per its sound, the name of an alphabet or akshar is not different to its sound. क ख ग घ will always sound ka kha ga gha. This is extremely helpful to learners of Devanagri as it makes the understanding of the sound, pronunciation, writing, and reading of Devanagri quite precise and confusion-free.
It's written from left to right, just like English and many other languages, making it a breeze for those who are familiar with left-to-right scripts to pick up reading and writing in Devanagari.
Devanagari has 48 characters (34 consonants, 10 vowels, and 4 diphthongs) that consist of vowels, consonants, and diacritic marks which render the Devanagari script great versatility and enable its use for transcribing a broad spectrum of sounds.
Diacritic marks placed above or below the consonant are employed in Devanagari to indicate vowels, which simplifies the process of reading and writing words with multiple vowels.
The Devanagari script features an exceptional ligature system, permitting the amalgamation of two or more characters into one character, aiding in conserving space and increasing the script's efficiency.
Dating back to the 7th century AD, the Devanagari script boasts a fascinating history and has been employed to transcribe some of the world's most renowned literary works, such as the Mahabharata and the Ramayana.
Not only is the Devanagari script an intricate writing system, but it also holds significant cultural value. It frequently appears in religious texts and is revered as a sacred script in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism.
In conclusion, the Devanagari script is a distinctive and adaptable writing system that has been employed for centuries to transcribe several languages. Its distinct attributes make it uncomplicated to read and write, and it boasts a fascinating history and cultural importance. At Language Curry, you can study numerous languages employing the Devanagari script. Nonetheless, if you are unable to read Devanagari, you can still learn Indian languages via English by downloading Language Curry, which offers the joys of gamified language learning.
Kannada, the official language of the Indian state of Karnataka, is a rich and expressive …
Kannada, the official language of the Indian state of Karnataka, is a rich and expressive language with a long history and cultural heritage. Like most other languages, Kannada has a distinct collection of informal words and slang words and phrases that are utilized in casual discussions. Slang words are an essential part of the language and add a unique flavor to the conversations. Were you aware that although South Karnataka, North Karnataka, and Coastal Karnataka all speak Kannada, there are slight variations in language and dialect? This is why we are presenting you with slang words from all three regions.
Hodiri Halagi - This concise expression refers to playing the drum. It is employed when someone has recieved some positive news.
Namaskaari Savkara / Sharanri - These phrases are utilized as greetings, similar to how individuals say "namaste" or "Ram-Ram."
Bhaal Chalo Aiti / Chand aiti - this phrase is used when one is praising something that they find really good.
Hengadir pa is a casual way to ask, 'How are you Man'.
Kajjaya -"Kajjaya" is a colloquial term used to refer to a foolish or stupid person. Typically, it is employed in a playful or amicable context, hence people donot take offence to it.
Jugaad - Jugaad is a slang word that means finding a quick and cheap solution to a problem. Interestingly, this term is frequently employed in a favorable manner to depict a person who is clever or inventive. (Although this is a common Hindi word, it is also widely used by young individuals in Mysuru and Bangalore!)
Ond Kelsa Madi - "Ond Kelsa Madi" is a phrase that one is likely to hear when asking an auto driver for directions or requesting assistance from a pedestrian. The phrase, which roughly translates to "do one thing," is often used as a friendly precursor to a sentence offering guidance or aid of any kind.
Beka - This word means "Do you want?" or "Do you need?" In casual conversations, it is commonly employed as a means of asking someone if they require anything.
Bombat - Bombat is a slang word for something that is excellent or awesome. This term is frequently used to portray an individual, location, or object as remarkable or impressive.
ncha Ullare (Tulu) (Like in Kannada one says Hegidira) - This friendly phrase simply means, 'How are you'.
Dada Maraya (Tulu) (Like in Kannada we say En Maraya) - This means, 'What Man'?
Enchina Soukhyana (Tulu) (Like how in Kannada we say Enu arama): It means, 'How are you'?
Dane bokka (Tulu) (Like when we say Yen mate in Kannada). It means, 'Whats up'?
These are just a few examples of the Kannada slang words that are commonly used in everyday conversation. Native speakers often use these words to express themselves more freely and to add color to their conversations. Kannada slang words are an essential part of the language and culture of Karnataka. They add flavor and character to the language, and are an important tool for native speakers to express themselves more freely.
Whether you are a native speaker or a learner, it is important to understand these slang words to better understand the language and the people who speak it. However there is no substitute to learning the language itself, which you can learn free of cost by downloading Language Curry.
Introducing Aneesha Jyoti: Non-Resident Indian who returned to her motherland.
Her journey …
Introducing Aneesha Jyoti: Non-Resident Indian who returned to her motherland.
Her journey with language learning started when she moved from Delhi to Gujarat and struggled to pass her Gujarati language tests. It was only when she started speaking the language that she began to improve. After immigrating to Canada with her family, Aneesha noticed a growing need for NRIs and Canadians to connect with India and its rich culture. This realization, combined with her own experiences, led her to create Language Curry, a platform dedicated to promoting and preserving Indian languages and culture.
Aside from running Language Curry, Aneesha has her hands full with two kids and a passion for cooking. These pursuits keep her busy, excited, and sometimes exhausted, but she wouldn't have it any other way. Her story of language learning and cultural preservation can pique anyone’s interest.
Introducing Vatsala Sharma: the Chartered Accountant whose heart lies with the arts.
While she sharpened her financial acumen in her Corporate Banking days at Standard Chartered Bank; the hours spent providing training for SCB's volunteer arm is what she truly loved. The entrepreneurial spark soon flickered, and in 2015, she embarked on a journey to impart training to CAs, MBAs, and Corporates through her own L&D firm.
Vatsala is a tapestry of hues - an avid reader, an amateur painter, and a champion of culture and the arts. At Language Curry, she steers the ship of Finance & Operations, firmly anchored to the platform's mission; which is close to her personal story. Having grown up in Delhi, she was unable to pick up Marwari, her mother tongue. As a mother now, she wishes that she could speak Marwari fluently to pass it on to her children.
Let us get to know them better:
Why did you create Language Curry instead of pursuing another prestigious job, (given your qualifications and work experiences)?
Aneesha: The idea of Language Curry had been brewing in my mind for many years, and it became increasingly difficult for me to resist pursuing it. However, once I had the support and belief of my loved ones, there was no turning back. When one is truly passionate about something and wholeheartedly believes in a larger vision, letting go of a stable job becomes a minor obstacle.
Why did you decide to integrate 'culture' into the Learning Management System?
Vatsala: Language learning can be motivated by two broad reasons - learning one's mother tongue and learning a new language due to relocation or travel. However, both reasons are fueled by a sense of 'curiosity' - curiosity about people, their lives, their customs, and their perspectives. Language Curry seamlessly combines language and culture, providing learners not only with the ability to speak a language but also offering a window into the rich cultural tapestry of the people who speak it. From the festivals of Kerala to the dances of Punjab and the lingos of Karnataka, Language Curry offers a comprehensive exploration of the diverse cultural landscape of India.
What were the biggest challenges when you started and how are they different from the ones that you face today?
Aneesha: Initially very few people believed that there was a market large enough for learning Indian languages. We had to release our MVP and demonstrate traction based on limited marketing and social media spends. Once we overcame this hurdle, the journey has been both exciting and challenging. Today, our challenges include building a sustainable business model and ensuring continued engagement for our learners.
What keeps you motivated on the bad days?
Aneesha - Happy learner feedbacks that magically pour in on the toughest days, I consider it a sign from God to keep going on.
Vatsala - Ditto. Feedbacks are our life force. They give direction, course correct when required, and motivate us on a rainy day.
How do you select your team members?
Vatsala: Culture (again) is the key factor in our team selection process. In addition to technical skills, we seek out colleagues who are either multilingual or passionate about Indian culture. We once had to decline a talented content developer who claimed that there was nothing exciting about his home state, Kerala! Our team is a delightful blend of talent from various parts of India, all of whom are dedicated to our mission. We also do away with designations and instead focus on roles.
Is it possible to have a family life when running a start-up? What about social life?
Aneesha: Family will be your constant no matter what. Of course, they are your punching bags for all tough days and the first people you would hug to celebrate a win! There are financial challenges and risks that as a family you have to take but as Harshad Mehta's iconic quote goes "Risk hai to ishq hai" - to be an entrepreneur you have to be in love with both ishq and risk!
As for my social life, with two young children, my time is limited. My best buddies are mostly the awesome team I work with!
Since being an entrepreneur is a 24/7 commitment, how do you manage your health and fitness?
Vatsala: As an entrepreneur, I have come to realize that managing one's health and fitness is critical. Initially, I struggled with this as I was pregnant when Language Curry started and subsequently had to handle both my babies and the business, my third baby. During the pandemic, things got worse as I was functioning on about four hours of sleep and a lot of caffeine.
However, my bout with COVID-19 changed my perspective, and I began to take my health more seriously. I discovered the healing powers of pranayama, and we even started a global free pranayama program, which helped many people recover faster. I now understand that as women juggling multiple roles, we can only take care of our families and work if we prioritize our own health. So, health and fitness have become essential parts of my self-care routine.
What advice would you give to women who aspire to start their own businesses or pursue their passions?
Aneesha: If you believe in your dream, then go for it! Yes, there will be challenges, but these challenges will only make you stronger and more resilient.
Vatsala: Don't let the fear of failure hold you back. Failure is an inevitable part of any journey, but it does not define your worth or your potential. Instead, view it as a learning opportunity and a chance to grow. Also, don't be afraid to seek out mentors and support networks, particularly other women who have been where you are and can offer valuable insights and guidance.
As we wrap up this conversation, what are your hopes for the future of Language Curry?
Aneesha: My hope is that Language Curry becomes a global platform for promoting and preserving Indian languages and culture. I hope that we can continue to expand our offerings and reach new learners from all corners of the world.
Vatsala: I share Aneesha's vision for the future of Language Curry. Additionally, I hope that we can play a role in bridging cultural divides and fostering greater understanding and appreciation for the rich diversity of India and its people.
Aneesha and Vatsala’s stories are a true inspiration. They’re women who embraced the challenges of preserving and promoting the Indian languages and culture with grit and determination. Their story reassures us that in this rapidly changing world, there are still some people who value our roots, cherish our traditions and work hard to keep them alive.
If you're visiting Karnataka, one of the best ways to get around is by taking a rickshaw. …
If you're visiting Karnataka, one of the best ways to get around is by taking a rickshaw. Rickshaws are three-wheeled vehicles that are used for short trips within cities and towns, by the way they are called as “auto” colloquially. However, communicating with the rickshaw drivers can be challenging if you're not familiar with the local language. Here are some tips on how to converse with them when you reach your destination.
Kannada is the primary language spoken in Karnataka, and while many people in urban areas speak English, it's always helpful to know a few basic phrases in Kannada. For example, you can say "Namaskara" to greet the driver. Also, in Kannada, "yes" is said either as "sari" or "haudu" and "no" is said either as "illa" or "alla", depending on the context and the words around them.
He may ask you, "nimge Kannada barutta?" – which means, “Do you speak Kannada”?
And you can tell him, “illa”, continuing in the same breath, ask him, "nimage hindi athava ingleesh swalpa barutta?" - Do you know a little Hindi/English?
You get the drift? Let’s find below some more useful phrases:
"naanu ____________ ge hogbeku" - I need to go to ____________ (insert the name of your destination)
"idu ___________ (destination) kadegey hogthaa?" - Is this the way to ___________ (insert the name of your destination)?
"nimma hesaru enu?" - What is your name?
"nimma phone number kodi" - Can you give me your phone number?
"nimma sahaaya beku" - I need your help.
"illi inda eega estu doora idey?" - How far is it from here?
"tindi (breakfast) athava oota (lunch/dinner) elli siguttey?" another variant is “tinnodikke enaadaru elli siguttey?”- Where can I buy food?
"illi hattaradalli ellaadaru hotel ideya?" - Is there a restaurant close by?
"ee angadi innoo estu hottu tegediruttey?" or “ee angadi elliya varege tegediruttey?” - How long is this shop open?
"naavu samayakke sariyaagi hogteevaa?" - Will we reach on time?
"dayavittu nidhaanavaagi hOgi" - Please drive slower.
"dayavittu bEga hOgi" - Please drive faster.
"illi nillisi" - Stop here.
It's always a good idea to practice the pronunciation of these phrases before using them to ensure that you're being understood. Remember to be polite and respectful, and the rickshaw driver will be happy to assist you on your journey.
Make sure you have the address of your destination handy, either written down or saved on your phone. Showing the address to the driver can help avoid confusion and ensure that you reach your destination safely.
It's always a good idea to negotiate the fare with the driver before starting the trip. You can ask the driver, "estu togOtira?" to ask for the final cost of the commute. It's also helpful to know the approximate distance and time it would take to reach your destination so that you can negotiate a fair price.
Having a map or GPS handy is always helpful, especially if you're not familiar with the area. You can use it to track your route and ensure that you're heading in the right direction.
Communicating with rickshaw drivers in Karnataka can be a fun and rewarding experience, provided you follow these tips. And of course, you always have the Language Curry App to learn Kannada before you actually go there. (Fun fact: Kannada is the most popular South Indian language on our App!). This way with just a little bit of effort, you can enhance your travel experience to Karnataka.
Ldumra, also known as Nubra Valley, is located in the centre of Ladakh and is a wonderland of …
Ldumra, also known as Nubra Valley, is located in the centre of Ladakh and is a wonderland of flowers in a variety of colours, rich vegetation, and stunning scenery. The valley is blessed with a special climate that promotes the growth of a vast diversity of plant life. It is located at an altitude of 10,000 feet above sea level.
High season
As wildflowers and shrubs bloom in the summer, the valley comes to life with a riot of colours. Purple, yellow, white, and pink blossoms cover the hills, resulting in an unreal and almost poetic environment that appears to be taken directly from a fairy tale. In the Nubra Valley, the flowering season typically begins in June and lasts through September. The valley is a well-liked destination for photographers and others who enjoy the outdoors because of the magnificent array of vibrant blossoms that cover it.
There are many different types of flowers in the valley, including wild roses, poppies, iris, daisies, and buttercups. When so many butterflies, bees, and other pollinators are drawn to the aromatic blooms, the valley becomes a hive of movement and life.
The valley is home to several rare and endangered plant species, including the apricot and sea buckthorn, in addition to its floral delights. Particularly the sea buckthorn is renowned for its therapeutic benefits and is used to cure a variety of illnesses.
Moreover, Ldumra is renowned for its distinct culture and way of life. The Dard people, who have a lengthy history and unique culture that have been preserved over time, live in the valley. Both nature lovers and adventure seekers like visiting this paradise of colour, beauty, and culture.
If you ever get the chance to visit Ladakh, be sure to take a detour to this enchanting valley and lose yourself in its surreal and almost poetic beauty.
Amidst the rugged terrain and harsh climate of Nubra Valley, this paradise of wildflowers and lush greenery reminds us what can be achieved with resilience even in the toughest of circumstances. The valley of flowers is not just a sight to behold, but also a symbol of hope and inspiration, encouraging us to learn from the strength that is exhibited in nature, all around us. We see here, how life thrives in the harshest of environs. As one explores the valleys and breathes in the fresh mountain air, one reflects on the miracles that can arise when we learn to persevere, adapt, and thrive, just like the flowers of Nubra Valley.
The Tesu flower
Also known as Palash, Tesu is a beautiful flower that is native to India. Its …
Also known as Palash, Tesu is a beautiful flower that is native to India. Its vibrant orange-red color makes it a popular choice for the Holi festival, which is celebrated in March every year. Holi marks the arrival of spring and the triumph of good over evil. The Tesu flower is particularly significant during the festival because it is dried and ground to make natural colors for the celebration. These colors, known as 'gulal', are smeared on each other's faces and clothes.
Apart from its use during Holi, the Tesu flower has many other uses. It is a medicinal plant and is used to treat various ailments, including fever and respiratory infections. The flower is also used in many religious rituals and ceremonies in India.
The Tesu flower blooms for only a few days each year, usually in late February or early March, just in time for the Holi festival. Despite its short lifespan, it brings immense joy and beauty to the festival. The bright orange-red color of the flower is hence symbolic of the vibrancy of spring and the joy of the festival. Despite its short lifespan, Tesu brings immense joy and beauty to the festival, elucidating to us that even fleeting things can bring happiness.
Tume kenekua aasa?
Tume Kemon accho?
Tume kemiti acha?
The three almost identical …
Tume kenekua aasa?
Tume Kemon accho?
Tume kemiti acha?
The three almost identical sentences above, say the same thing in Assamese, Bengali, and Odia respectively: They ask, 'how are you'?
A native speaker of any of the three languages will understand what is spoken in the other two tongues; and could be misled to believe that he can effortlessly learn them! Languages, however, involve a lot of intricacies, and learning another, even a similar sounding one, is often easier said than done.
A non-speaker of any of the three languages is unlikely to make out which one of the three is spoken, as the words are so similar.
Apart from the geographical proximity, the populace speaking these three languages of the eastern part of India- share a lot in terms of culture, rituals and festivities, and food habits.
They all owe their roots to Sanskrit. The scripts of the Assamese and Bengali languages are similar (only two alphabets are different). Odia script belongs to a different lineage.
Seasonal festivals are celebrated similarly across the three states, albeit with different names: the yearly harvest festival is celebrated as Magh Bihu in Assam, Poush Sankranti in Bengal, and Makar Sankranti in Odisha and similarly the start of the respective New Year is celebrated as Pahela Baishakh in Bengal, Pana Sankranti in Odisha and Rongali Bihu in Assam. Durga Puja is celebrated with the same gaiety by the speakers of the three languages.
Rice with fish curry is devoured zealously by all three linguistic groups. So intertwined are the cultures of the place that the dessert Rosogulla (also Rasgulla) might set off tempers between the Bengali and Odia folks. The Bengalis say that it was invented by a Kolkata-based confectioner. The Odia claims that they have been used as an offering at the sacred Jagannath Puri temple since time immemorial.
Despite the similarities, the three languages have their own flavour of art, culture, and literature thus making the Indian culture more varied and unique. Rabindra Sangeet (the songs based on the poems written by Nobel laureate Tagore) is ingrained in Bengali culture. Baul Sangeet embodies the folk culture of the Bengalis, and Kirtan is a devotional dance form. The Bihu dance form in Assam evokes joy and melody and the traditional song known as husori - accompanying the dance, is unique to the Assamese culture. The Odissi dance form of Odisha is known all over India, and Geet Kudia is a popular folk music in Odisha.
Asha koru aapuni posondo korise?
Asha kori aapni pochondo korechen?
Asha Karuchi aapana pasand karithibe?
Wondering what the above three lines mean? They ask the same question in Assamese, Bengali, and Odia: Hope you liked it?
Assamese, Bengali, and Odia languages,
Make a wonderful-delightful package
They sound alike and yet hold their own,
Gracefully adorning the Indian Language throne.
They belong to the Eastern land
with rivers and valleys and mountains grand
You master one, and the other seems easy,
Learning them though, might not be as breezy.
The three have unmissable chemistry,
Though who invented Rosogulla is still a big mystery,
They seem so much like the other,
Perhaps as they all have the same mother!
Are you hoping to learn one of them today?
Language Curry can show you the way!
Indian languages curated for you,
Come and learn and bring your friends along too.
Continuing their efforts to promote and celebrate all Indian languages, Language Curry has now …
Continuing their efforts to promote and celebrate all Indian languages, Language Curry has now partnered with GONA; Gujaratis of North America. As the name suggests, Guajarati's of North America is a non-profit organization based in the USA that has benefited over 100 schools in South Gujarat, India. Their vision statement is to create, 'A united Gujarati community that supports our youth in realizing their potential, promotes Gujarati culture and help each other in dark times'.
In their collaboration with Language Curry, they will be conducting online Gujarati classes for the children of the Gujarati diaspora. The USP of Language Curry is to provide luxurious servings of culture along with language so the children will be exposed to the delights of their roots and culture along the way.
Language Curry Co-Founder Aneesha Jyoti said about the development, 'we are delighted to be part of this initiative. Ensuring that children know their mother tongues and cultural values is the only way to preserve our roots. Along with GONA we look forward to spreading the rich Gujarati culture and language among young learners'.
We interviewed the Founder and CEO of Gujaratis of North America, Mr. Pramod Mistry. Here is what he said.
What is GONA? What is the mission and passion behind GONA?
Gujaratis of North America is a nonprofit organization created to keep Gujarati culture alive for our 2nd and 3rd generation's children by teaching them their mother tongue Create a speaker series to give them knowledge about our festivals and religion in a language they understand.
Why is the mother tongue so important to the Indian diaspora?
It is vital for our children to know their mother tongue It helps to keep our roots alive. India is country with vibrant history and culture. Knowing your mother tongue will keep our children near our religion.
How does GONA plan to support the preservation of Gujarati culture amongst the Indian Diaspora?
Our 1st step is to teach them our mother tongue. After 2 years of research, Gonausa found Language Curry. Gonausa made deal with them to teach Gujarati on Zoom classes. GONAUSA will be paying all the expenses for these classes as well. Donation from like-minded individuals has made this program a reality.
Gonausa is planning to start a SPEAKER SERIES, where top-notch speakers will talk about our religion, festivals, and history in English.
Our 3rd phase is to start a YOUTH EXCHANGE PROGRAM with help of the Gujarat government.
What made you partner with Language Curry? What do you envision from this partnership?
After going through a lot of research and after talking to many institutes we found language curry most efficient to fulfill our needs. We are starting our classes with two batches with 42 students. Our goal is to involve 500 children in the next 6 months. Language curry has a good team and good teachers to make this possible.
Lastly, what is your message to the Gujaratis residing in North America?
I, Pramod Mistry, Founder, and President GONA would like to request all the parents and grandparents to encourage your children to join this class. Your feedback and suggestions are most welcome. Also, our organization is non-profit and runs on your donations. Hence please vouch $10 to $25 per month or sponsor the whole session. For any information write to pramod@gonausa.org
#nri #Indiansabroad #culture
Garden city Bengaluru: the anandalahari of mandirs!
Bendakalur, (present Bengaluru) was built …
Garden city Bengaluru: the anandalahari of mandirs!
Bendakalur, (present Bengaluru) was built by our Nada (Deva of the land) Prabhu Kempegowda. The city has adapted to continual changes over time and become the Bengaluru of today. Donning the title of Silicon City, it has been expanding over the past hundred years and today provides employment to lakhs of professionals.
Bengalurians refer to everything dear to them as namma, which means ours. namma is not just a word, it is a passion and you can sense it when you hear Bengalureans say namma RCB squad or namma Metro.
In contrast, we just get blank stares when we ask Bengaluru's current generation about the history of the city. The city has a rich past that spans more than 1200 years. The name of a person by the name of Kittayya is referenced in an ancient Kannada inscription from the 7th century that was found in the city of Hebbal (in Today’s Bengaluru). Kittayya was known as the first citizen of Bengaluru city to get recognized in the inscription. It also notes that Hebbal was formerly known as Perbola Nadu. This inscription is thought to be from the Ganga era.
Today’s leaders are in control of the lands that were previously run by the Cholas, Gangas, Rashtrakutas, Marathas, Hoysalas, Kadambas, Karnataka Samrajya (Presently known as Vijayanagara Samrajya because of its capital city Vijayanagara), Chalukyas, and the Maharajas of Mysore.
Often overlooked are the city's historic mandirs when the city's most important places that have contributed to the cultural legacy of Bengaluru are thought of. One remember modern places like Independence Park, Vidhan Sabha, Bengaluru Palace, Tipu Palace and Fort, Town Hall, Corporation Building, Mayo Hall, Sheshadri Iyer Memorial Hall, Aero India, Fun World, and Snow City.
There is a kagga (Poem) by a well-known writer and philosopher from Karnataka, D.V Gundappa. His Mankutimmana Kagga (Philosophical Book) is recognized as a Kannada Bhagavadgeeta. He used Marula Muniya as a pen name for his poems.
In one of his poems, he says:
Sri Majjaganmukura Vistaradolar Tanna
Maimeya Pratibimba Chitragalannu Nodu
Ttamodabadutihano Aatanadidaavareya
Naamarasuvam Baro
The poet asks us to seek the lotus feet of the creator of this richly endowed ephemeral world, in his magnificence, he is relishing taking in the sights and sounds of its mirage-like image (reflection).
I believe that the person is residing in the mandirs of Namma Bengaluru.
Let’s take a look at some of the mandirs in Bengaluru:
The Nandi Mandir of Basavanagudi built in the sixteenth century – which also consists of Sri Dodda Ganapati Mandir in its premises
The Sri Someswara Mandir of the 10th century period is located in Halasuru
The Sri Narasimha Swamy Mandir also known as Vaikuntha Kshetra built around 400 years ago. It is located near Roopena Agrahara
The Sri Venugopalaswamy Mandir which is constructed like Vijayanagara style of architecture is located near Devanahalli
The Nageswara Swamy Mandir of the 9th century near Begur
The Pandurangaswamy Mandirs of Yalahanka, Sri Vasantha Vallabharayaswamy Mandir of Vasantpura is also considered as Chikka Tirupati (Mini Tirupati Mandir of Bengaluru)
Dravidian and Vijayanagara style 'Kote Venkataramana' Swamy Mandir of 17th century in KR Market
The Ranganathswamy Mandir and the Sri Kailasa Vaikuntha Mahakshetra of Rajajinagar have a legacy of 300 years
Sri Rajarajeshwari Mandir of Sri Rajarajeshwari Nagara is located at the place where once river Cauvery and Vrishabhavati used to flow
The Ragigudda Prasanna Anjaneya Swamy Mandir located near Jayanagara. Here one can seek darshan of the dashavataras of Vishnu.
There are numerous mandirs hidden from view, blooming like golden lotuses throughout Bengaluru, quietly emitting the aroma of culture. Our Garden City is truly the anandalahari (waves of happiness) of Mandirs. It is not just the City of IT-BT Companies and Concrete Buildings.
Maharashtra was under the rule of the Adilshahi Sultanate of Bijapur and many other Mughal rulers …
Maharashtra was under the rule of the Adilshahi Sultanate of Bijapur and many other Mughal rulers who constantly threatened the safety of women and the Hindu people. In the Bhonsle-Maratha clan, a son was born to Shahaji Raje Bhosale and his mother Jijabai on February 19, 1630, in the fort of Shivneri in Pune, Maharashtra. The young boy was named Shivaji and was tutored by his mother and guru Dadaji Kondadev in the field of public administration, artillery, finance, guerilla tactics, and good governance. Shivaji was officially enthroned as ‘Chhatrapati’ in the year 1674 at the Raigad fort. The Maratha ruler envisioned the concept of ‘Hindavi Swarajya’ (self-rule of Hindu people and independence from foreign rule) during this time.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was not only a capable administrator but also a shrewd ruler who kept a strict and vigilant eye on all his commanders from turning traitors against the Maratha ruler. A man with swift and nimble feet, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was well-known to scale his well-built forts surrounded by the densely populated jungles of the Sahyadri forests infested with wild animals. Known for his visionary attributes and futuristic acumen, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj has also been given the title, ‘Father of the Indian Navy’ as he established forts and built the Konkan coastline of Maharashtra. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj left a lasting legacy in the history of India when started gaining prominence as a ‘Pro-Nationalist’ during the British rule in India and Indian independence leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhai Patel, and Lokmanya Tilak hailed him as a ‘Hero of the Hindus.’
He is loved all over India, especially in Maharashtra, where he is omnipresent. Numerous mothers name their children Shivaji. Buildings of significance are named after him like the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus. There is also the popular public park in Dadar, Mumbai named Shivaji Park where young Sachin Tendulkar practiced for years. And there is the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Museum.
The deepest impact of the Chhatrapati Maharaj is seen in the celebration of Deepawali in Maharashtra. Children all over get together and build Shivajinche Kille, which means Shivaji forts. The forts are symbols of his valour, courage, and brilliance. They continue to inspire generations after he is gone. The great Maratha ruler breathed his last on April 3rd1680 at the age of fifty. He left behind a rich legacy to cherish and preserve for generations to come and every year on his birth anniversary, the people of Maharashtra celebrate with a lot of love and grandeur.
Years after he is gone, children across Maharashtra build killas (Forts) to remember Shivaji on …
Years after he is gone, children across Maharashtra build killas (Forts) to remember Shivaji on Deepawali. The excitement begins weeks in advance.
'Even when exams would be on we would start preparing for building the killa (replicas of Shivaji's fort). As soon as exams would end we would build the fort and grow grass on its roof'. That's how crazy we were for building Shivaji forts for Deepawali', said Pooja Sarnayakar a postgraduate student.
'I made a large fort last year as I was visiting my grandparents in Nagpur and they have space in the house. We love our Chhatrapati Maharaj. I build these forts only because I love him. He is a symbol of courage for us. We learn to never give up. Plus he had a heart of gold. He achieved the impossible in his lifetime. How can we not love and cherish him? I have seen even slum children build the forts in the little area they have'? says 19 years old Sharang Bhide.
'Shivaji forts are an intrinsic and inseparable part of Maharashtrian and Indian history. Shivaji was one of the greatest kings to walk on Earth. When we build miniatures of his forts we don't just remember him, we renew our faith in courage and dharma. It is the perfect way to celebrate Deepawali, a festival that celebrates the victory of Shri Ram over Ravan', says 27 years old Shreyas Gurav.
Shivaji was born when brutal Islamic rule was at its peak in India under the tyrant Aurangzeb. It was under Aurangzeb that a large part of India was under Islamic rule for the first time. Otherwise, it was restricted to Delhi and North-Central India. Born in Shivneri Fort, the humble hill boy Shivaji grew up to become Aurangzeb's worst nightmare. Even though untrained and alone, Shivaji raised a little army from simple hill boys, who rode the small hill horses. Just with that, he managed to defeat trained and armed armies of the numerous established kingdoms around him, including that of Aurangzeb.
Raised on luxurious doses of lessons from Ramayana and Mahabharata, young Shivaji understood the essence of dharma along with the importance of wit, strategy, and strength. He captured his first three forts as a young lad with just a handful of boys beside him. Not a drop of blood was shed. So brilliant was he. Armies that would come to capture him would find that Shivaji has taken off with their treasures and horses, as they slept! A General who came to capture him found himself in the lady's chamber with his fingers cut off, he lived the ordeal to face a lifetime of disgrace. So slippery was Shivaji that when unable to catch him, they declared him to be a ghost. Shivaji went on to have over 370 forts! Aurangzeb was quite frustrated and called Shivaji a 'hill rat'!
Right under the noses of his evil enemies, Shivaji planted his proud saffron standard, a declaration of his fight for Hindavi Swaraj (self-rule). In 1674, Shivaji was crowned Chhatrapati in his Raigarh Fort. The genesis of the Maratha Kingdom was carved out of the declining Adilshahi sultanate of Bijapur. By the 18th century, the Maratha Empire came to cover most of the Indian subcontinent.
The arrival of Shivaji injected new hope into the lives of native Indians who had after 600 years of resistance begun to give up. Eyes that were dead had a new light in them. Deepawali was now celebrated with heartfelt joy. Hope was currency again.
Making a #Killa or a fort out of mud and bricks and decorating it with clay figurines of Shivaji Maharaj and his army is a quaint #Diwali tradition in Maharashtra. This is our #Killa of last Diwali, complete with a chopper ready for Maharaj to fly out at a moment's notice! pic.twitter.com/HNH3mRh19q — Shefali Vaidya. 🇮🇳 (@ShefVaidya) October 25, 2018
Years later when India was writhing under rapacious colonial rule, the beloved People's King, Shivaji Maharaj would be invoked, in a special way.
For Deepawali, children began building miniatures of his impenetrable forts. The thought behind this was to remind oneself that- if a single hill boy could spark the fire of Hindavi Swaraj during the most barbaric times, surely we Indians can overthrow the brutal colonial rule today. During peak Islamic rule, Shivaji had become a symbol of and reason for swarajya. He could do the same now.
*cover image: Pratapgarh Fort, Pune
I have always been fascinated by Kathak. Whether it is the graceful movements, the flowing …
I have always been fascinated by Kathak. Whether it is the graceful movements, the flowing Angrakha style anarkali kurta, or the stunning makeup. What captivated me the most were the electrifying sounds of ghungroo (anklet bells) when someone danced.
About two years ago, at the age of 8, I began taking Kathak classes. Kathak is one of India's eight classical dance forms and it originated in North India. The word Kathak comes from the Hindi word katha, meaning story. It is said that ‘katha kahe so kathak kahave’, which means that those who relate kathas (stories) are called kathakaar (storytellers). Kathak dancers dance to tell the stories of the ancient periods using different hand and foot movements with expressions. Kathak is not an easy dance, but with patience, passion, practice, and perseverance, one can definitely learn to do so.
Everything in Kathak dance, from bol (lyrics) to mudra (hand’s gesture) to bhaav (expression), must be performed with utter precision. It may sound strict but under the guidance of my firm but sweet Guru (teacher), I am gradually improving. The process involves years of training and exams.
I have realised that Kathak teaches not only dance lessons but also life lessons. As a Kathak student, let me share what I have learned so far:
Be a good listener: Kathak's first lesson is 'kaan taiyaar karna', (literal translation: preparing the ears). This means learning how to listen to each and every beat. It only takes one missed beat to spoil your performance.
Teamwork: A Kathak performance involves live music with instruments, sometimes with a group. To make a performance successful, everyone must give their utmost effort in coordination.
Discipline: Sticking to the class schedule, dress code, and dancing in sync with my classmates are all part of the experience. We cannot forget that regular abhyaas (practice) is a must regardless of whether we have classes that day or not!
It’s OK to make mistakes: Yes! learning kathak taught me that mistakes are a part of our learning journey. What matters is to keep calm and pass through the phase with a smile. With abhyaas, we can surely overcome our weaknesses. Perseverance is the key to success. The whole experience is an exercise that can build inner resolve and strength.
There’s always scope for improvement: Regardless of how well we performed or how much appreciation we receive from elders, there is always room for improvement. A lot of room. So we must always remain grounded and open to learning.
Through Kathak, I am able to gain a deeper understanding of Indian culture. A Kathak dancer narrates stories through his or her dance. Radha Krishna's stories are my favourite. I love incidents like Radha ka matki pakadna, (when Radha carries her earthen pot), Kanha ka matki phodna (when Kanha breaks the earthen pot), Krishna ka bansuri bajana (when Kanha plays the flute). All these beautiful Kathas come to me through Kathak. I may not have heard them all or understood their essence otherwise. Moreover, the theory of Kathak includes definitions of terms like kathak, lay, taal, taali, different types of mudras, etc. They are in Sanskrit and Hindi. This allows me to better understand and come closer to the languages.
I love Kathak. It brings me happiness. It gives me artistic expression. I truly enjoy the joyous moment when I execute the intricate footwork, padhant (process of reciting syllables bound by a rhythmic time cycle), and bol in sync. This is my experience of Kathak and I have experienced Kathak this way.
Odia Weddings
Duhiṭā and Bara Poṣāka: attire of the Odia bride and groom
(posākā ପୋଷIକ: …
Duhiṭā and Bara Poṣāka: attire of the Odia bride and groom
(posākā ପୋଷIକ: attire)
Minimalism is one word that best describes Bāhāghara, a traditional Odia wedding.
The wedding ceremonies take place in simple yet rich and elegant clothing. The ଦୁହିତା duhiṭā or kaniā କନିଆ (Odia bride) is traditionally adorned in a yellow saree with a red border known as baula pāṭa ବଉଳ ପାଟ. Her wedding attire also includes dupattas, or uttariya ଉତ୍ତରୀୟ, which is used to cover the head. Featuring lavish artwork such as Zari, embroidery, and prints, the attire is complemented by a variety of eye-catching accessories such as sinthi ସିନ୍ଥି (maang tika/ornament headband), kundala or pendi phoola ପେଣ୍ଡି ଫୁଲ (drop earrings), shaṅkhā ଶଙ୍ଖା (red conch bangles), cuḍi ଚୁଡ଼ି (gold bangles with intricate designs), and jhuṇṭiā ଝୁଣ୍ଟିଆ (toe rings).
The ବର ବର (Odia groom) traditionally wear white cotton or silk Dhoti with a simple and demure border, paired with a cotton shirt or a kurta. What makes the bara and kaniā appearance special is the colourful, glittering crowns made of Shola or Cork Pith. These crowns enhance the entire attire of the couple reflecting the vibrancy and richness of Odia culture.
Weddings are the time to enjoy the various customs and rituals. Each ritual leading up to the sacred union is a celebration in itself. An Odia marriage happens in three major rituals, nirbandha ନିର୍ବନ୍ଧ (fixing the marriage), bāhāghara ବାହାଘର (wedding) and cāuthī ଚଉଠି (chaturthi) (consummation). After the marriage is fixed, both bride and groom side start preparing for pre-wedding rituals that includes jāi anukūl̤a ଜାଇ ଅନୁକୂଳ (the distribution of wedding cards begins with Lord Jagannath receiving the first card), mangana ମଂଗନ (haldi), jāi ragar̤ā ଜାଇରଗଡା anukūl̤a ଅନୁକୂଳ (lighting the holy flame till all the wedding rituals are completed), diaṃ maṅgul̤ā pūjā ଦିଅଁ ମଙ୍ଗୁଳା ପୂଜା (praying at local temple), and nandīmūkhī ନାନ୍ଦୀମୁଖୀ (praying to ancestors).
The wedding day rituals includes barayātrī ବରଯାତ୍ରୀ (groom's wedding procession), Baadua Pani Gadhua ବାଡ଼ୁଅ ପାଣି ଗାଧୁଆ (bride’s ceremonial bath), kanẏādāna କନ୍ୟାଦାନ (bride’s father hands over her hand in groom’s hand), hāta gaṇṭhi phitā ହାତ ଗଣ୍ଠି ଫିଟା (untieing the knot put to join the hands of the bride and the groom), saptapadi ସପ୍ତପଦି (seven rounds around holy fire), lājāhoma ଲାଜାହୋମ (offering the puffed rice into the sacred fire given to the bride by her brother), salā bidhā ଶଳା ବିଧା (bride’s brother punches the groom lightly on the back) and lastly the sindūra dāna ସିନ୍ଦୂର ଦାନ (groom applies vermillion powder to the bride’s hair parting). The wedding is considered to be complete after this ritual.
Post wedding rituals includes kaüḍi khel̤a କଉଡି ଖେଳ (fun game), śāśu dahi pakhāl̤a khiā ଶାଶୁ ଦହି ପଖାଳ ଖିଆ (bride’s mother invites groom to have cooked rice soaked in curd), bāhunā ବାହୁନା (bride’s farewell from paternal house), gṛhaprabeśa ଗୃହପ୍ରବେଶ (bride’s welcome at groom’s home), caüṭhi rāti ଚଉଠି ରାତି (wedding night), and ashṭha maṅgal̤ā ଅଷ୍ଟ ମଙ୍ଗଳା (bride’s visit to her mother’s house on the eighth day of wedding).
A crucial aspect of any marriage ceremony is its cuisine, and Odia weddings are no different. Odia marriage is not complete without Bhoji, the grand feast, that includes an assortment of Odia vegetarian and non-vegetarian food items. The food here is not insanely oily or spicy. Being a coastal state, fish and seafood definitely dominate the menu. You can gorge on a variety of seafood delicacies like maccha besara, maccha mahura, chingudi ghanta, and chinchada with different rice specialties. They also serve dalma with other curries, including aloo rosso, dahi baingan, chatu rai, ambula rai, kadai manja rai, and santula. You also have several types of chutneys as a great side dish. Then you have desserts like pana, rabidi, kheeri, jilapi, and pheni to name a few. It is a treat to taste the food served at Odia weddings. A wedding feast reflects the rich and diverse heritage of the country, with its distinct flavours and delicacies from each community and region.
Visiting Odisha? Here are some useful phrases in the Odia language
Whenever you visit a new …
Visiting Odisha? Here are some useful phrases in the Odia language
Whenever you visit a new state, the first problem that you encounter is the language barrier. Trying to survive in a foreign land without knowing the local language is difficult. It is therefore imperative to memorize or keep a small note of the common phrases in the native language of the place you are visiting. The same holds true for Odisha tourists also. The land of temples and tribes, Odisha is located on the coast of the Bay of Bengal. Odia is the official language spoken by the majority of the population. If you are planning to visit Odisha for whatever reason, and are concerned about not knowing the Odia language, then don’t worry! Here we come up with some useful phrases that will help you get along well with the locals.
Welcome!
Hello! (General greeting)
What’s your name?
My name is Richa
How are you?
Where are you from?
I am from Odisha
Pleased to meet you!
Where is this place?
I don’t know
Do you speak English or Hindi?
Do you speak Odia?
Yes, a little! (Reply to ‘do you speak Odia?’)
How much is this?
Did you have your lunch?
Thank you!
Finding joy in the simple pleasures of life, the Odia people are down-to-earth. With humble and open arms, the state welcomes any guest as its own. Humane, kind, and helpful - you may not speak the same language but you are sure to feel at home.
Cover image: Sand Art by Sudarshan Patnaik. The art depicts the chakra of the Sun Temple at Konark, the face of an Odissi dancer and that of an Odia tribal lady.
Uttarayan is the first festival in the Gujarati new year. It is celebrated with great enthusiasm …
Uttarayan is the first festival in the Gujarati new year. It is celebrated with great enthusiasm in Gujarat and the preparations are quite detailed. A harvest festival signalling the end of winter, it is celebrated by flying kites and partaking of delicious festival foods. It is a holiday in Gujarat and people of all ages and backgrounds come together as a community to celebrate. They flock to their rooftops where they remain from from dusk to dawn. Weeks before the day, one finds the streets of Gujarat decorated with colourful kites for sale!
It is common to hear dhabo saaf karvano (clean the terrace) and system sarkhi kar (making sure the music system is working) in the exciting lead-up to the main day!
Pavan kai baju che: checking the direction of the wind
Patang - kite
Charkha - the barrel-like wooden drum with handles on both sides. The thread that is used to fly the kite is wound around it.
Kai po che - I have cut your kite
Lapet - lapet literally means, to wind. Once someone's kite is cut, they have to wind their leftover thread.
Dhil aap - literally means 'let it go' or 'let it slip'. Usually, when someone is flying a kite, his or her 'charkha' is held by a friend. When the kite flyers want their kite go higher into the sky, they ask the charkha holder to release more thread, that’s when they say, 'dhil aap'!
Kinya bandh- means tying the thread vertically in the centre of the kite. This serves as the hook on which the thread holds the kite.
Chaap aap - this refers to the act of holding the kite with two hands, taking it over your head and then pressing it on your head by pulling your hand down. This helps the kite to balance.
Kandil chadhao - kandil means small lamps made of paper. As the night approaches, the kite flyers tie little paper lamps (with candles in them) on the thread of their kites at equal distances… it looks like the kite is flying on a string of lights. A truly magical sight.
Undhiyu: a delicacy made of all the season vegetables mixed together in special masala (spices)
Jalebi: it’s a popular, juicy sweet
Sherdi: sugarcane
Bor: Indian jujube
Til ni chikki: it’s a sweet made of jaggery and sesame seeds
People get on their terraces early in the morning with sugarcane, chikki and various food items. They check the wind direction. The smallest kite goes up first. As the day progresses, the size of the kite sent up increases. One cannot take Garba out of a Gujarati! Hence, even in Uttarayan, people play the Garba in the evenings. The night is concluded with flying paper lamps on kites, lighting paper balloons and bursting crackers.
Riddles and puzzles have fascinated the young and old alike since time immemorial. Solving a …
Riddles and puzzles have fascinated the young and old alike since time immemorial. Solving a puzzle alone is a satisfying and rewarding experience for many. Puzzles challenge one's brain and help channel one's creativity. They can be addictive and yet a healthy use of one's time and mind. When solved together they can bring people closer too.
We're sure you have solved many puzzles and riddles. But have you ever solved Sanskrit riddles? Let's try them out now!
न तस्यादिर्न तस्यान्तः मध्ये यस्तस्य तिष्ठति।
तवाप्यस्ति ममाप्यस्ति यदि जानासि तद्वद॥
na tasyādirna tasyāntaḥ madhye yastasya tiṣṭhati.
tavāpyasti mamāpyasti yadi jānāsi tadvada..
This is a riddle which says: what is that which has no beginning, no end and that which stands in the middle, you have it, so do I; do you know what it is? This is the general meaning.
But when it is understood as: What is that which has ‘न na’ in the beginning and ‘न na’ at the end and ‘य ya’ in the middle. Did you guess? If not, the answer is ‘नयन nayana ’ which, in Sanskrit means eye.
Interesting… isn’t it!
हनुमति हतारामे वानराः हर्षनिर्भराः।
रुदन्ति राक्षसाः सर्वे हा हारामो हतो हतः॥
hanumati hatārāme vānarāḥ harṣanirbharāḥ.
rudanti rākṣasāḥ sarve hā hārāmo hato hataḥ..
The straightforward meaning of the verse may give the sense as: When Hanuman killed Rama, the monkeys were happy. All the rakshasas wept and exclaimed, alas! alas! Rama has been killed.
How is that possible? Is there something wrong? Not really. What is intended here is not the killing of Rama but the destruction of ‘ārāma’ which means a pleasure garden.
So the verse actually means: when Hanuman destroyed the pleasure garden (hata+ārāme) the monkeys (vānarāḥ) were delighted (harṣanirbharāḥ) but the Rakshasas (rākṣasāḥ) started weeping (rudanti) and exclaimed alas! alas! (hā hā) the garden (ārāma) is destroyed (hato hatah).
Each of the following lines is a question and the answer to each is hidden in the question itself.
कं संजघान कृष्णः kaṃ saṃjaghāna kṛṣṇaḥ?
Question: Whom (kaṃ) did Krishna kill (kṛṣṇaḥ saṃjaghāna) ?
Answer : If you join the (kaṃ) with (saṃ) and read (jaghāna) separately, it becomes kaṃsaṃ jaghāna kṛṣṇaḥ which means Krishna killed Kamsa.
In Sanskrit saṃjaghāna and jaghāna would mean the same.
Question: Which (kā) is the cooling (śītalavāhinī) Ganga?
Answer: Here if you join ‘kā’ with ‘śītalavāhinī’ and read the sentence as ‘kāśītalavāhinī gaṅgā’ then you get the answer that the Ganga flowing (vāhinī) in Kashi (kāśītala) is the cooling Ganga.
Question: Who is that strong man (balabantaṃ) whom (kaṃ) winter (śītam) does not affect (na bādhate)?
Answer : When you join the word ‘kaṃ’ with ‘balabantaṃ’ it becomes ‘kambalabantaṃ’ which means the man with a blanket (kaṃbala) is not affected by winter.
अस्थि नास्ति शिरो नास्ति बाहुरस्ति निरङ्गुलिः।
नास्ति पादद्वयं तस्य गाढमालिङ्गति स्वयम्॥
asthi nāsti śiro nāsti bāhurasti niraṅguliḥ.
nāsti pādadvayaṃ tasya gāḍhamāliṅgati svayam..
No bone it has (asthi nāsti), nor any head (śiro nāsti)
It has arms (bāhurasti) but no fingers (niraṅguliḥ)
Nor too it has any leg (nāsti pādadvayaṃ tasya), but
It gives a warm embrace (gāḍhamāliṅgati).
Do you know the answer to this? Any guess! No? It’s your ‘shirt’. Got it?
apado dūragāmī ca sākṣaro na ca paṇḍitaḥ.
amukhaḥ sphuṭavaktā ca yo jānāti sa paṇḍitaḥ..
It goes afar (dūragāmī) but has no legs (apada)
It is literate (sākṣara) but not wise (paṇḍita)
It speaks clearly (sphuṭavaktā) but has no mouth (amukha)
He who knows (yo jānāti) “what it is” is wise (sa paṇḍitaḥ).
Not that easy to guess… Isn’t it? We have now completely forgotten about it. It’s ‘a letter’ that we post that goes far of places carrying our words and on reaching it speaks all that is written on it to the person for whom it is meant.
kṛṣṇamukhī na mārjārī dvijihvā na ca sarpiṇī.
pañcabhartrī na pāñcālī yo jānāti sa paṇḍitaḥ..
It is not a cat (mārjārī) but has a black face (kṛṣṇamukhī)
It is not a snake (sarpiṇī) but has two tongues (dvijihvā)
It is not Draupadi (pāñcālī) but has five masters (pañcabhartrī)
He who knows (yo jānāti) “what it is”, is wise (sa paṇḍitaḥ).
Again something that we rarely use nowadays. It’s a 'fountain pen’ with two tongues and a black mouth. The five fingers are its five masters or controllers.
vṛkṣāgravāsī na ca pakṣīrājaḥ
trinetradhārī na ca śūlapāniḥ.
tvagvastradhārī na ca siddhayogī
jalaṃ ca bibhran na ghaṭo na meghaḥ..
It is not a bird (pakṣīrāja) but lives atop the tree (vṛkṣāgravāsī)
It is not lord Shiva (śūlapāniḥ) but has three eyes (trinetradhārī)
It is bark-clothed (tvagvastradhārī) but not an accomplished Yogi (siddhayogī)
It is not a pot (ghaṭa), nor a cloud (megha), though holds water within (jalaṃ ca bibhran).
It’s ‘Coconut’. Do you agree with me?
jātyā vihaṅgo na paraṃ sapakṣaḥ
śabdāyamāno gagane vihārī.
yuddhānukūlo na gajo na cāśvaḥ
vivicya nāmnā vada kiṃ tadetat..
It belongs to bird family (jātyā vihaṅgaḥ), has wings (sapakṣaḥ) but no feathers (na param)
It moves in the sky (gagane vihārī) and makes sound (śabdāyamānaḥ)
Fit for war (yuddhānukūlaḥ) but not an elephant (na gajaḥ) nor a horse (na ca aśvaḥ)
Think carefully (vivicya) and tell me (vada) “what it is” (kiṃ tadetat)
This must be easy for you guess. No? It’s ‘aeroplane’.
Did you enjoy reading this? If yes, then do like and share with others.
Also have you checked out Sanskrit is FUN Part 1 yet?
पुनर्दर्शनाय
punardarśanāya
You can download Language Curry to start learning Sanskrit right away! Here are the links to download: APP store Android
Sanskrit is Fun
I find Sanskrit to be a beautiful and wonderful language. One of the unique …
Sanskrit is Fun
I find Sanskrit to be a beautiful and wonderful language. One of the unique aspects of this language is that it has a very large vocabulary, which it facilitates all kinds of expressions — from simple to most complicated. Known as ‘Devabhasha’ or ‘a Divine language’, it is admired greatly by scholars from all over the world. Its very name means ‘refined’ or ‘sculpted to perfection’. In Sanskrit, we observe excellence in many aspects — the quality of its grammar, the wealth of its wisdom and values, the number of interesting and wonderful facts that border on the unbelievable, and the enchanting richness and beauty of its words which read and sound like poems. It has been revered for centuries as a sacred medium for expressing spiritual truths and experiences as well as a source of upliftment and enlightenment and many interesting and amazing creations.
The purpose of this write up is to present a few funny verses compiled from the the Sanskrit tradition in order to reveal some wonders of the language. Everyone can find something of interest in this presentation, whether one is a scholar of Sanskrit deeply immersed in certain subject matter or one has had no previous exposure to it.
Take a look and have fun!
Why TEA is called चाय cāya in Sanskrit
चीयते चित्तविस्फूर्तिः चीयते कायिकं बलम्।
चीयते पटुता वाचि तस्मात् चाय इति प्रथा॥
cīyate cittavisphūrtiḥ cīyate kāyikaṃ balam.
cīyate paṭutā vāci tasmāt cāya iti prathā..
A tea-lover poet expresses his view on why tea is called ‘cāya’ in Sanskrit. He derives the word from the root ‘chi’ which means ‘to increase, to enhance, to boost’. So he says this is called chaaya because it enhances the freshness of mind (cittavisphūrti), physical strength (kāyikaṃ balam) and brings excellence in speech (paṭutā vāci).
चितां प्रज्वलितां दृष्ट्वा वैद्यः विस्मयमागतः।
नाहं गतो न मे भ्राता कस्येदं हस्तलाघवम्॥
citāṃ prajvalitāṃ dṛṣṭvā vaidyaḥ vismayamāgataḥ.
nāhaṃ gato na me bhrātā kasyedaṃ hastalāghavam..
A funny physician, seeing (dṛṣṭvā) the funeral fire (prajvalitāṃ citāṃ), stops by the graveyard and exclaims (vismayamāgataḥ): I have not attended this patient (nāhaṃ gataḥ), neither my brother (na me bhrātā) has interfered, whose hand’s sleight (hastalāghavam) it might be!
भर्जितैरिल्लीशखण्डैः भवति हि पञ्चेन्द्रियामोदः।
स्वादुनि मृदुनि रूपिणि सुगन्धिनि किञ्चिन्मुचुमुचुध्वनिनि॥
bharjitairillīśakhaṇḍaiḥ bhavati hi pañcendriyāmodaḥ.
svāduni mṛduni rūpiṇi sugandhini kiñcinmucumucudhvanini..
A fish-loving poet from West Bengal licks his palate while singing the glory of Hilsa fish: with a piece of fried (bharjita) Hilsa fish (illīśa) all the five senses (pañcendriya) are delighted: it’s delicious (svādu), it’s extremely soft (mṛdu), it’s beautiful to look at (rūpin), it smells great (sugandhin) and while munching it makes soft sounds like ‘muchu muchu’ (mucumucudhvanin).
पीठाः कच्छपवत् तरन्ति सलिले सम्मार्जनी मीनवत्
दर्वी सर्पविचेष्टितं च कुरुते सन्त्रासयन्ती शिशून्।
शूर्पार्धावृतमस्तका च गृहिणी भित्तिः प्रपातोन्मुखी
रात्रौ पूर्णतडागसन्निभमभूत् राजन् मदीयं गृहम्॥
pīṭhāḥ kacchapavat taranti salile sammārjanī mīnavat
darvī sarpaviceṣṭitaṃ ca kurute santrāsayantī śiśūn.
śūrpārdhāvṛtamastakā ca gṛhiṇī bhittiḥ prapātonmukhī
rātrau pūrṇataḍāgasannibhamabhūt rājan madīyaṃ gṛham..
Once in a city, there was heavy rain at night. In the morning the king of the place went to sympathize with the flood-affected people. A poet in that city always lived a life of poverty. When the king approached him and asked him about his well being he said:
Sir, what should I say, at night (rātrau) yesterday my house (madīyaṃ gṛham) became like a pond brimming with water (pūrṇa-taḍāga-sannibham) in which the wooden seats (pīṭhāḥ) started swimming (taranti) like the tortoise (kacchapa-vat) and brooms (sammārjanī) like the fishes (mīna-vat); the long wooden ladles (darvī) looking like the snakes (sarpa-vat) were frightening (santrāsayantī) my children (śiśūn); my wife (gṛhiṇī) covering her head half by a winnowing fan (śūrpa-ardha-āvṛta-mastakā) was feeling insecure as the wall (bhittiḥ) was about to fall (prapātonmukhī); this is what, your honour (rājan), was my condition at night.
नवनीतं यदि नीतं किं नीतं तेन नीतेन।
आतपतापितभूमौ माधव मा धाव मा धाव॥
navanītaṃ yadi nītaṃ kiṃ nītaṃ tena nītena.
ātapatāpitabhūmau mādhava mā dhāva mā dhāva..
Once after stealing butter when Krishna was trying to run away, a Gopi saw it and told him: If (yadi) you have taken/stolen (nītam) butter (navanītam), what (kim) have you taken (nītam) by taking (nītena) that (tena); don’t worry, O Madhava, stop running/ don’t run (mā dhāva mā dhāva) on the heated ground (ātapa-tāpita-bhūmau).
प्रातः प्रातः समुत्थाय द्वौ मुनी च कमण्डलू।
अत्र क्रियापदं गुप्तं यो जानाति स पण्डितः॥
prātaḥ prātaḥ samutthāya dvau munī ca kamaṇḍalū.
atra kriyāpadaṃ guptaṃ yo jānāti sa paṇḍitaḥ..
When someone looks at this verse it appears to mean: Early in the morning (prātaḥ prātaḥ) two sages got up and their water jugs. What? Is there a typo in the sentence? Not really! Where is the verb then? It’s there but you don’t easily recognize it.
A careful observation discloses that out of two times ‘prātaḥ’ one is a verbal form. One ‘prātaḥ’ is the dual form of third person singular in present tense derived from the root ‘prā’ meaning ‘to fill’. As one gets paṭhati in singular and paṭhataḥ in dual, one gets prāti in singular and prātaḥ in dual. So the verse will mean: two sages (dvau munī) after having got up (samutthāya) in the morning (prātaḥ) fill (prātaḥ) their two water jugs (kamaṇḍalū).
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पुनर्दर्शनाय
punardarśanāya
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Read this article in Kannada
Today's Kannada family was once known as the Kannannir race …
Our Kannada land is the land with the most unique geographical, cultural, and historical base in Bharatakhand, that too in the Dravidian region. To turn the pages of Karnataka's history, one has to go straight into Mohenjodaro and the Harappa civilization. A seal found during Mohenjodaro shows signs of bull, elephant, gandhabherunda, and Varaha swami. These speak of the proximity of Karunad and Mohenjodaro.
It is said in the Mahabharata that Nakula conquered the five clans of Karnataka. That's why there are references to Karnataka in Mahabharata's Bhishma Parva. Kishkinde of Ramayana is also in our country. Karnataka is also mentioned in Varahamihira's Brihat Samhita.
It is now known that Kannada is one of the eighteen lipi (scripts) created by Bramhi based on the Jain heritage. The Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans also maintained close trading relations with the Kannadigas. As proof of this, 163 coins were found in Yashwantpur during the excavation in our state capital Bangalore. They are known to date from Augustus Ty, Berius, and Claudius. Similarly, when excavated near Chandravalli in Chitradurga, brass coins of the time of Han Vaiti, a Chinese ruler belonging to the 2nd century BC were found.
There is a story of a Greek beauty who may have been a princess being brought to the capital of Bharatakhand Samrajya, that too of present Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka. It is mentioned in one of the scriptures found in South Egypt called Oxy Rincus. The relatives of that Greek beauty came to Bharatakhand and took her to their country. This conversation is written in Greek but has Kannada words in it.
In the book of Greek Geography, Ptolemy mentions many cities of Kannada Nadu like, Aluru, Raichur, Badami, Paithana, Banavasi, Brahmapuri, Venugrama, Brahmagiri, Ichidi, Kaladagi, Konnur, Mangalore, Malpe, Mudagallu, Dhangunda, Aihole, Pattadakallu, Hanagallu, Punnata, Sravanabelagola, Savadatti, Tegur and Siddhapur. Aurangabad region of present-day Maharashtra was earlier known as Paithana Nagara. Which was under the rule of Karnataka kings.
During the 7th century AD, Jain poet Pradyotana Suri said in his work Kuvalaya Mala that “what Yan Chwang called Maharashtra was actually Karnataka. The cave temples of Ajanta and Ellora were in the territories under the Pulikesi kingdom. The river Narmada was the northern boundary of the Chalukyas. In ancient times the entire region below the Vindhyas was known as Karu (high land), Karnataka. At that time, Karnataka itself was known as Maharashtra. Apart from Tamil and Sanskrit, Kannada is probably the only Indian language with the longest history. According to the information of a recent study, which seems to prove that the first inscription of Kannada was not Halmidi, it can be traced much before it.
And even the Rashtrakuta emperor Nripatunga of the 9th century AD in his 'Kaviraja Marga' states that Karnataka is extended from Kaveri to the Great Godavari. A Bengali researcher named Durgasimha tells the fact that there were Kannada mansions all over Bengal in the 10th-11th centuries. The president of the Central Sahitya Akademi, Dr Sunithikumar Chatterjee had said once that the Sena community of current Bengal is a migrated community of Karnataka. In addition to all this, Kannadigas were called Kannannir during the Harappa-Mohenjodaro period. It means people with high vision. People on the hill can have a better vision than the people of lower regions.
Kannadigas have a great legacy behind them. Isn’t it the responsibility of the current generation to protect and nourish it?
Kannannir: race of high vision
ಉನ್ನತ ದೃಷ್ಟಿಯನ್ನುಳ್ಳ ಕಣ್ಣನ್ನಿರ್ ಜನಾಂಗವೇ ಇಂದಿನ ಕನ್ನಡ ಕುಟುಂಬ!
ಭರತಖಂಡದಲ್ಲಿ, ಅದೂ ದ್ರಾವಿಡ ಪ್ರದೇಶದಲ್ಲಿ ಬರುವ ಅತ್ಯಂತ ವಿಶೇಷವಾದ ಭೌಗೋಳಿಕ, ಸಾಂಸ್ಕೃತಿಕ, ಐತಿಹಾಸಿಕ ಮತ್ತು ಚಾರಿತ್ರಿಕ ನೆಲೆಗಟ್ಟನ್ನು ಹೊಂದಿರುವ ಭೂಮಿಯೇ ನಮ್ಮ ಕನ್ನಡ ನೆಲ. ಕರ್ನಾಟಕದ ಚರಿತ್ರೆಯ ಪುಟಗಳನ್ನು ತಿರುವುತ್ತಾ ಹೋದರೆ, ನೇರವಾಗಿ ಮೊಹೆಂಜೋದಾರೋ ಮತ್ತು ಹರಪ್ಪಾ ನಾಗರೀಕತೆಯ ಸನಿಹ ತೆರಳಬೇಕಾಗುತ್ತದೆ. ಮೊಹೆಂಜೋದಾರೋ ಕಾಲದಲ್ಲಿ ಸಿಕ್ಕ ಒಂದು ಮುದ್ರೆಯ ಮೇಲೆ ಹೋರಿ, ಆನೆ, ಗಂಢಭೇರುಂಡ ಮತ್ತು ವರಾಹ ಸ್ವಾಮಿಯ ಚಿಹ್ನೆಗಳು ಸಿಕ್ಕಿವೆಯಂತೆ. ಇವು ಕರುನಾಡಿಗೂ ಮತ್ತು ಮೊಹೆಂಜೋದಾರೋಕ್ಕೂ ಇರಬಲ್ಲ ಸಾಮೀಪ್ಯತೆಯ ಕುರಿತು ನುಡಿಯುತ್ತವೆ.
ಇನ್ನು ಕರ್ನಾಟಕದ ಐದು ಕುಲಗಳನ್ನು ನಕುಲನು ಗೆದ್ದನೆಂದು ಮಹಾಭಾರತದಲ್ಲಿ ಹೇಳಲಾಗಿದೆ. ಅಷ್ಟೇ ಏಕೆ, ಮಹಾಭಾರತದ ಭೀಷ್ಮ ಪರ್ವದಲ್ಲಿಯೂ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕದ ಕುರಿತು ಉಲ್ಲೇಖಗಳಿವೆ. ರಾಮಾಯಣದ ಕಿಷ್ಕಿಂದೆಯೂ ನಮ್ಮ ನಾಡಿನಲ್ಲಿದೆ. ವರಾಹಮಿಹಿರನ ಬೃಹತ್ ಸಂಹಿತೆಯಲ್ಲಿಯೂ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕದ ಪ್ರಸ್ತಾಪ ಬರುತ್ತದೆ. ಇನ್ನು ಜೈನ ಪರಂಪರೆಯ ಮೇರೆಗೆ ಬ್ರಾಂಹೀ ನಿರ್ಮಿಸಿದ ಹದಿನೆಂಟು ವರ್ಣಮಾಲೆಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಕನ್ನಡವೂ ಒಂದೆಂದು ತಿಳಿದು ಬಂದಿದೆ.
ಈಜಿಪ್ಟ್ ನವರು, ಗ್ರೀಕ್ ಮತ್ತು ರೋಮನ್ನಿನವರೂ ಸಹ ಕನ್ನಡಿಗರೊಂದಿಗೆ ಆಪ್ತ ವ್ಯಾಪಾರಿ ಸಂಬಂಧವನ್ನು ಇಟ್ಟುಕೊಂಡಿದ್ದರಂತೆ. ಇದಕ್ಕೆ ಪುರಾವೆಯಾಗಿ ನಮ್ಮ ರಾಜ್ಯರಾಜಧಾನಿ ಬೆಂಗಳೂರಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಉತ್ಖನನ ನಡೆಸುವ ಸಂದರ್ಭದಲ್ಲಿ ಯಶವಂತಪುರದಲ್ಲಿ ೧೬೩ ನಾಣ್ಯಗಳು ಲಭಿಸಿದ್ದವು. ಅವು ಅಗಸ್ಟಸ್ ಟೈ, ಬೀರಿಯಸ್ ಮತ್ತು ಕ್ಲಾಡಿಯಸ್ ಕಾಲದವುಗಳೆಂದು ತಿಳಿಯಲ್ಪಟ್ಟಿವೆ. ಅದೇ ರೀತಿ ಚಿತ್ರದುರ್ಗದ ಚಂದ್ರವಳ್ಳಿಯ ಬಳಿ ಅಗೆತ ಮಾಡಿದಾಗ, ಕ್ರಿಸ್ತಪೂರ್ವ ೨ನೇ ಶತಮಾನಕ್ಕೆ ಸೇರಿದ ಚೀನಿ ದೊರೆಯಾದ ಹ್ಯಾನ್ ವೈತಿ ಎಂಬಾತನ ಕಾಲದ ಹಿತ್ತಾಳೆ ನಾಣ್ಯಗಳು ಸಿಕ್ಕಿವೆ.
ಇನ್ನು ದಕ್ಷಿಣ ಈಜೀಪ್ಟ್ನಲ್ಲಿ ಆಕ್ಸಿ ರಿಂಕಸ್ ಎಂಬ ಕಡೆ ಸಿಕ್ಕ ಗ್ರಂಥದ ಖಂಡವೊಂದರಲ್ಲಿ ರಾಜಕುಮಾರಿ ಆಗಿರಬಹುದಾದ ಒಬ್ಬ ಗ್ರೀಕ್ ಸುಂದರಿಯನ್ನು ಭರತಖಂಡದ, ದಕ್ಷಿಣ ಕನ್ನಡ ಜಿಲ್ಲೆಯ ಅರಸನೊಬ್ಬನು ತನ್ನ ರಾಜಧಾನಿಗೆ ಹೊತ್ತುಕೊಂಡು ಬಂದ ಕಥೆಯಿದೆ. ಆ ಗ್ರೀಕ್ ಸುಂದರಿಯ ಬಂಧುಗಳು ಭರತಖಂಡಕ್ಕೆ ಬಂದು, ಅರಸನಿಗೆ ಮಧುಪಾನ ಮಾಡಿಸಿ, ಆಕೆಯನ್ನು ಬಿಡಿಸಿಕೊಂಡು ತಮ್ಮ ದೇಶಕ್ಕೆ ಕರೆದುಕೊಂಡು ಹೋದರು. ಈ ಪ್ರಹಸನ ಗ್ರೀಕ್ ಭಾಷೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಬರೆಯಲ್ಪಟ್ಟಿದೆಯಾದರೂ ಅದರಲ್ಲಿ ಕನ್ನಡದ ಮಾತುಗಳಿವೆ. ಗ್ರೀಕ್ ಭೌಗೋಳಿಕ ಟಾಲೇಮಿನ ಪುಸ್ತಕದಲ್ಲಿ ಕನ್ನಡನಾಡಿನ ನಗರಗಳಾದ ''ಆಲೂರು, ರಾಯಚೂರು, ಬಾದಾಮಿ, ಪೈಠಣ, ಬನವಾಸಿ, ಬ್ರಹ್ಮಪುರಿ, ವೇಣುಗ್ರಾಮ, ಬ್ರಹ್ಮಗಿರಿ, ಇಚಿಡಿ, ಕಲಾದಗಿ, ಕೊಣ್ಣೂರು, ಮಂಗಳೂರು, ಮಲ್ಪೆ, ಮುದಗಲ್ಲು, ಮುಳುಗುಂದ, ಐಹೊಳೆ, ಪಟ್ಟದಕಲ್ಲು, ಹಾನಗಲ್ಲು, ಪುನ್ನಾಟ, ಶ್ರವಣಬೆಳಗೊಳ, ಸವದತ್ತಿ, ತೇಗೂರು, ಸಿದ್ಧಾಪುರ ಇತ್ಯಾದಿ ಪ್ರದೇಶಗಳ ಹೆಸರು ಉಲ್ಲೇಖವಾಗಿದೆ. ಈಗಿನ ಮಹಾರಾಷ್ಟಾದ ಔರಂಗಾಬಾದ್ ಪ್ರದೇಶವೇ ಹಿಂದಿನ ಪೈಠಣ ನಗರ. ಕ್ರಿ.ಶಕ. ೭ನೇಯ ಶತಮಾನದಲ್ಲಿದ್ದ ಪ್ರದ್ಯೋತನ ಸೂರಿ ಎಂಬ ಜೈನ ಕವಿಯು ತನ್ನ 'ಕುವಲಯ ಮಾಲಾ' ಎಂಬ ಕೃತಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಹೇಳಿರುವಂತೆ ''ಯಾನ್ ಛ್ವಾಂಗ್'' ಯಾವುದನ್ನು ಮಹಾರಾಷ್ಟ್ರವೆಂದು ಕರೆದನೋ ಅದು ಕರ್ನಾಟಕವೇ ಆಗಿದ್ದಿತು. ಅಜಂತಾ, ಎಲ್ಲೋರಾ ಗುಹಾ ದೇವಾಲಯಗಳು ಪುಲಿಕೇಶೀ ರಾಜ್ಯಕ್ಕೆ ಒಳಪಟ್ಟ ಪ್ರದೇಶಗಳಲ್ಲಿಯೇ ಇದ್ದವು. ನರ್ಮದಾ ನದಿಯು ಚಾಲುಕ್ಯರ ಉತ್ತರದ ಗಡಿಯಾಗಿತ್ತು.
ಪ್ರಾಚೀನ ಕಾಲದಲ್ಲಿ ವಿಂಧ್ಯದ ಕೆಳಗಿನ ಪ್ರದೇಶಕ್ಕೆಲ್ಲ ಕರು(ಎತ್ತರದ ನಾಡು) , ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಎಂಬ ಹೆಸರಿದ್ದಿತು. ಆಗ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕವೇ ಮಹಾರಾಷ್ಟ್ರವೆನಿಸಿದ್ದಿತು. ತಮಿಳು ಮತ್ತು ಸಂಸ್ಕೃತ ಭಾಷೆಯನ್ನು ಬಿಟ್ಟರೆ ಅತೀ ಹೆಚ್ಚು ಇತಿಹಾಸವನ್ನು ಹೊಂದಿರುವ ಮಗದೊಂದು ಭಾರತೀಯ ಭಾಷೆಯೇ ಕನ್ನಡವೆನ್ನಬಹುದು. ಇತ್ತೀಚಿಗೆ ಬಂದ ಮಗದೊಂದು ಮಾಹಿತಿಯ ಪ್ರಕಾರ ಕನ್ನಡದ ಪ್ರಥಮ ಶಾಸನ ಹಲ್ಮಿಡಿಗೂ ಪೂರ್ವದಲ್ಲಿತ್ತೆಂಬುದನ್ನು ಸಾಬೀತು ಪಡಿಸುವಂತಿದೆಯಂತೆ!
ಇನ್ನು ಕ್ರಿಸ್ತಶಕ ೯ನೇ ಶತಮಾನದ ರಾಷ್ಟ್ರಕೂಟ ಚಕ್ರವರ್ತಿ ನೃಪತುಂಗನು ತನ್ನ 'ಕವಿರಾಜ ಮಾರ್ಗದಲ್ಲಿ' ಕರ್ನಾಟಕವು ಕಾವೇರಿಯಿಂದ ಮಹಾ ಗೋದಾವರಿಯವರೆಗೆ ಹಬ್ಬಿತ್ತೆಂದು ತಿಳಿಸುತ್ತಾನೆ. ಇನ್ನು ಬಂಗಾಲಿ ಸಂಶೋಧಕ ದುರ್ಗಸಿಂಹ ಎಂಬಾತನು, ೧೦ -೧೧ನೇಯ ಶತಮಾನಗಳಷ್ಟು ಹಿಂದೆ ಬಂಗಾಲದ ತುಂಬೆಲ್ಲ ಕನ್ನಡದ ಭವನಗಳು ಇದ್ದವು ಎಂಬ ಸಂಗತಿಯನ್ನು ತಿಳಿಸುತ್ತಾನೆ. ಬಂಗಾಲದ ಸೇನರು ಕರ್ನಾಟಕದಿಂದ ಬಂದರೆನ್ನುವ ಸೋಜಿಗದ ಸಂಗತಿಯನ್ನು ಕೇಂದ್ರ ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯ ಅಕಾಡೆಮಿಯ ಅಧ್ಯಕ್ಷರಾಗಿದ್ದ ಡಾ|| ಸುನೀತಿಕುಮಾರ್ ಚಟರ್ಜಿಯವರು ತಿಳಿಸಿದ್ದರು. ಇದೆಲ್ಲಕ್ಕಿಂತ ಮಿಗಿಲಾಗಿ ಹರಪ್ಪ- ಮೊಹೆಂಜೋದಾರೋ ಕಾಲದಲ್ಲಿ ಕನ್ನಡಿಗರಿಗೆ ಕಣ್ಣನ್ನಿರ್ ಎಂದು ಕರೆಯುತ್ತಿದ್ದರಂತೆ. ಅದರರ್ಥ ಉನ್ನತ ದೃಷ್ಟಿಯುಳ್ಳ ಜನ. ಬೆಟ್ಟದ ಮೇಲಿರುವ ಜನರು ಕೊಳ್ಳದಲ್ಲಿ ಇರುವ ಜನರಿಗಿಂತಲೂ ಹೆಚ್ಚು ದೂರ ನೋಡಬಲ್ಲರೆಂದು ಇದರರ್ಥವಾಗಿದೆ. ಇಷ್ಟೆಲ್ಲಾ ವಿಶೇಷತೆಗಳ ಐತಿಹಾಸಿಕ ನೆಲೆಗಟ್ಟನ್ನು ಹೊಂದಿರುವ ಕನ್ನಡಿಗರು ಈ ಭಾಷೆ ಮತ್ತು ಸಂಸ್ಕೃತಿಯನ್ನು ಹಿಂದಿನ ಪೀಳಿಗೆಗಳಂತೆಯೇ ಕಾಪಾಡಿಕೊಂಡು ಹೋಗಬೇಕಾಗಿದೆ. ಅಲ್ಲವೇ?
Gujarati proverbs for all situations
‘A proverb deceives not; the heavens fall not’
So true …
So true the saying is! Cultures around the globe have a massive collection of proverbs, yet their meaning has universality; that everyone can relate to in some way and on some level. Proverbs are short, simple and wise sayings that give life lessons. They are usually regarded as being infused with ancestral wisdom that has been passed down from generation to generation. Often, it's easier to understand a small proverb rather than a comprehensive lecture as they impart knowledge in an easy-to-understand manner. In Gujarati culture also, simple life lessons are passed on through proverbs known as ‘kahevat’.
Below are some of the most profound Gujarati proverbs with their meanings:
jāgyā tyāmthī savāra
It is never too late to start doing the right thing.
chora pakadaya, katum pakadāya, pana khotā bolu nā pakadāya
You can catch a thief; you can catch a selfish person but you cannot catch a liar.
adhūro ghado chalakāya
Empty vessels make more noise, small rain will lay a great dust, a little pot is soon hot.
Lakṣmī cāndalō karavā āvē tyārē kapala dhōvā nā javā
When Maa Laxmi comes to put Kumkum on your forehead, you should not go to wash the forehead. (When opportunity knocks on your door, just grab it and not wait for anything)
abhimāna to rājā rāvananum pana na rahyum
Even the Ravana’s pride didn’t last (Pride is an ill horse to ride)
Utāvalē ambā nā pākē
Fruits don’t ripe in hurry, one must wait
alpajñāna, ati hāna
A little learning is a dangerous thing
āmdhal̤āmām kāno rājā
A heron is a king among crows (Something is better than Nothing)
āga lāge tyāre kūvo khodavā na javāya
It is too late to dig a well when the house is on fire (to shut the stable door when the horse is stolen)
Hisāba kōdīnō nē baksīsa lākha nī
One should not mix business and personal expenses
ūjal̤um eṭalum dūdha nahi
All that glitters is not gold
eka pamtha do kāja
To kill two birds with one stone
be hātha vagara tāl̤ī na padee
It needs two to tango
nā bolavā mām nava guna
Silence is golden.
tīpe tīpe sarovara bamdhāya, kāmkare kāmkare pāda bamdhāya
Rome was not built in a day.
kadavo līmbado ane kaḍavā enā bīja, bīja vāvatā pana mīthā nā thāya
As you sow so shall you reap.
kapatī mitra karatām dāno duśmana sāro
False friends are worse than open enemies
Bhes bhaagole, ane chhash chhaagole
Counting the chickens before they are hatched
samaya varte sāvadhāna
Better late than never
adharmīnā adhī divasa
Liars have short wings
sabūrīnām phal̤a mīṭhām
Patience is bitter but its fruits are sweet
varanī mā varane vakhāne
Every potter, praises his own pots
bhagata bhaye lekina dānata būrī
A honey tongue, a heart of gall
paga pramāne pichodi tānavī
Stretch your legs according to your coverlet
Bakaru kadhatā unṭa pēthu.
While driving out a goat, a big camel steps in. (out of the frying pan, into the fire)
From the lowest of lows to the most mundane situations, there’s always a good Gujarati proverb to knock some sense into you. Let’s add these proverbs to our day-to-day language to sound more native, and linguistically flourished.
Swami Vivekananda once compared the human personality to a glass globe to illustrate the concepts …
Swami Vivekananda once compared the human personality to a glass globe to illustrate the concepts of atman, freedom, bliss and God.
To get to that we need to first understand a few concepts from Sanskrit and Hinduism.
The physical human body which we can see is called the sthula sharira (pronounced sthūla śarīra) in Sanskrit. It is perceptable by the five senses. The main function of the physical body is to gain truth and to enjoy the bliss of finding God.
The sukshma sharira (pronounced sūkṣma śarīra) is the mental body. At the risk of oversimplifying, the sukshma sharira is the mind and intelligence. It is the sukhsma sharira where we hoard emotions like love, attachment, greed, ego, hate, anger, jealousy etc.
But can sthula sharira or sukshma sharira be called an ansh (part) of who we call God, the one who 'sees' all? No... they cannot.
The real manifester and the real seer in Sanskrit is called the atman. The atman is the real self of the man.
The body (sthula sharira) dies. The mind (sukshma sharira) changes. The Atman, however, is indestructible.
Freedom is only possible when one is free from external influences, laws and changes. The unchangeable alone can be free.
Beyond the temporary shelter of the sthula sharira and the sukshma sharira is the Atman. It is the atman that is indestructible and a part of the divine in all of us. Only the atman is free. It is the deathless, peace and the bliss of the divine that shines within us.
The atman is the divine light that resides within each one of us. It is surrounded by the sukshma and sthula sharira which could be compared to a glass globe. The glass around it being of different thicknesses and colours permits diverse ways for the light within to percolate out. The central flame is the same in all. The differences lie only in the imperfections in the globe that surrounds it. As one rises higher in the scale of 'being', the glass becomes clearer and clearer; allowing the Divine light to be visible to all.
Life is an opportunity for each human to cleanse the 'glass globe' that surrounds us and to become one with the divine.
Read: Building personality: Seven Lessons for today's youth from Swami Vivekananda
"Be moral. Be brave. The secret of religion is not in theories but in practice. Read the …
"Be moral. Be brave. The secret of religion is not in theories but in practice. Read the Gita every day to the best of your ability". - Swami Vivekananda
Swami Vivekananda was a Hindu monk, philosopher and author. He was a disciple of Guru Ramakrishna and has been credited for bringing Hinduism to the world stage. His speech at the Parliament of Religions in Chicago was so powerful and impactful that an American paper described him as "an orator by divine right and undoubtedly the greatest figure at the Parliament". He was born on 12th January and his birthday is celebrated annually in India as National Youth Day. His words inspire us decades after he is gone. His philosophical, religious and practical teachings motivate the youth to lead the nation and take it to great heights.
Swamiji said, 'Go on doing good, thinking holy thoughts continuously, that is the only way to suppress base impressions...'. By doing so we invoke our inner divinity, squash defeatest thoughts and build character. It is a sin, as per Swamiji, to think of self or someone else as 'weak'.
Each experience and thought that we have left an impression on our mind. At any point in time, we are a product of the sum of past impressions. Swami Vivekananda says that, that is what is character. If good impressions prevail the character is good; and if angry, hateful, vicious impressions prevail, the character is not good. The character influences future thoughts and actions.
If musical instruments in a room have been tuned alike then when one is struck, the others also vibrate with the same note. That is how our minds work as well. All minds with the same 'tuning' will be affected similarly by an occurrence. The influence of that occurrence on the mind will depend upon the factors like environment and distance but the mind will be open to influence. One indulging in an evil act will be in a certain vibration of mind. All minds of similar vibrations have the possibility of being affected by it. Someone indulging in elevated actions will be in another state of vibrations and will be able to connect with those with similar elevated vibrations.
The waves of similar tension already present in the atmosphere will attempt to enter our minds. This is why those doing evil keep on doing evil and those who do good continue to do more and more good. This way our actions magnify and multiply with the power of our thoughts.
Swami Vivekananda tells us to keep trying! He emphasised that it is better to fail a thousand times than to lead an inert existence like a wall. Time is infinite, so do not let failure scare you. You can be successful the next time, the next attempt. Be steady and don't be restless for immediate success.
This is one of the most empowering messages from Swamiji. 'We are responsible for what we are, and whatever we wish ourselves to be, we have the power to make ourselves'. Swami Ji says, "Say, 'This misery that I am suffering is of my own doing, and that very thing proves that it will have to be undone by me alone'". This makes one understand that I can surely destroy what I created. I have all the agency to do so. I will bury the past and the infinite future is within my grasp.
What is the goal of education? Swamiji said that the 'personality of a person is two-thirds and his intellect/words the balance one-third'. Hence all education and training must be channelled towards strengthening the personality - 'What use is polishing up the outside when there is no inside'?
Once some ships were caught in a cyclone in the South Sea Islands. All except one vessel were wrecked. The men in the ship had been all along cheering those steering their ship through the storm. They did not let fear win and did not blame fate.
Swami Ji says to be like those men. Banish fear and stamp upon it till it dies.
It is the coward and the fools who says, 'This is fate' - so says the Sanskrit proverb. But it is the strong man who stands up and says, 'I will make my fate'.
Mahakavi Kalidasa wrote the following shloka in Kumarasambhavam in the 4th CE:
शरीरमाद्यं खलु धर्मसाधनम् // śarīramādyaṃ khalu dharmasādhanam
- The human body is the first instrument for treading the path of dharma.
Vivekananda says, be strong and fit. Play football to understand the Gita better. Swami Ji said, 'Bold words, but I have to say them as I love you. I know where the shoe pinches. I have gained a little experience. You will understand the Gita better with your biceps, your muscles a little stronger. You will understand the mighty genius and the mighty strength of Krishna better with a little of strong blood in you. You will understand the Upanishads better and the glory of the Atman when your body stands firm upon your feet, and you feel yourselves as men.'
Swami Vivekananda had faith in one inherent and potential divinity. Faith in God came only after faith in self. For the divine is within each of us.
The Gurugram-based language learning startup Language Curry has signed a partnership with …
The Gurugram-based language learning startup Language Curry has signed a partnership with the Government of India’s Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) to help IAS and IFS probationers learn diverse Indian languages. Language Curry bagged the pilot project after pitching to more than 20 state level officers competing with the Government of India’s own language learning app.
Aneesha Jyoti, Co-founder, Language Curry, said, “Government of India is serious about multilingualism, specially for the administrative officers such as IAS officers who communicate with people at grassroot level. Knowing the local language helps develop a connection with the community and makes work more productive. We were elated when the Director of the institute called us to help them with the language training. It is a matter of pride that Language Curry is enabling the next set of leaders of India to work better and integrate with the local culture.”
Chhavi Bhardwaj, Deputy Director at LBSNAA, Mussoorie, said: “Language Learning is essential for LBSNAA Trainees as they prepare for their roles in various states, this aids in efficiency and higher trust as they work with local authorities and citizens. We found Language Curry apt as it will make regional language learning easy for trainees, and provides them with essential tools to learn at their pace with the relevant content.”
Founded in 2017, Language Curry offers courses in 12 Indian languages, including Sanskrit, Hindi, Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Punjabi, Gujarati, Bengali, Marathi, and Assamese. Odia language will be launched soon. The app recently crossed 2 million downloads across 185 countries during Deepawali and registered a considerable organic traffic from outside India.
Language is culture
'Language is culture' is the tag line of language Curry and they are true to it. The startup’s USP lies in providing a holistic experience by combining lessons in language with cultural insights. For instance, learners are introduced to folk dances, local cuisines, festivals of the region when they learn a language.
Recently, for Deepawali, the app ran short reads on the significance of each day in the five-day Mahotsav, highlighting each region’s special way of celebrating it.
Dr. Akshita Gupta (IAS 2021), who is using the Language Curry App to study Punjabi as part of the pilot project, said: “Language Curry is an amazing initiative to learn and update a new language. With a varied scope, this app is now being used by IAS officer trainees to get hold of the language of their respective cadres and even beyond. Pronunciation add ons along with frequently used sentences help to familiarize myself with daily conversations.”
About Language Curry
Language Curry is on a mission to make the world vocal with local Indian languages and culture. With 2 million downloads from 185 countries, Language Curry app is emerging as the most loved Indian languages learning app. Language Curry offers 12 Indian languages - Sanskrit, Hindi, Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Punjabi, Gujarati, Bengali, Marathi, and Assamese. It was named one of the Top 10 Language Learning Apps by Telegraph India, and identified among 21 startups in Google for Startups Accelerator India cohort. Recently they have crossed 2 million downloads across 185 countries. Language Curry was recognized as one of the 21 high potential startups as part of the Google for Startups Accelerator India cohort.
Some of their notable learners include actor Juhi Chawla and Indian-American author Deepak Chopra, among others.
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Was Sanjay with Dhritarashtra when the war in Kurukshetra began …
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There has been a general understanding that Sanjaya was there with Dhritarashtra right from the beginning of the war in Kurukshetra and was reporting to him all the details about the war. But is that how it happened?
Let us look at the information given in the Vyas Mahabharata with regard to the gift of divine vision to Sanjaya by Vyasadeva. There are many verses that shed light on the subject.
When Vyasadeva offered a divine vision to Dhritarashtra so that he can see the developments on the battlefield directly[1], Dhritarashtra expressed his unwillingness to accept the boon.[2] Instead, he expressed, that he would love to hear about all that was happening on the battlefield.
Vyasadeva then offered the boon to Sanjaya.[3] He explained that with the boon, Sanjaya would not miss anything that happened on the battlefield, whether during the day or night. He would be able to hear the unspoken words and read the minds of others. No weapon would touch Sanjaya. He would not tire of moving in and through the battlefield continuously, and he would come out of the battlefield alive. No one would be able to kill him.[4]
The chapter begins with the words of Vaishampayana where he says that Sanjaya came back from the battlefield after Bhishma was put into the bed of arrows and reported about it to Dhritarashtra.[5]
Also, we read in the first verse of the Gita Dhritarashtra asked Sanjaya ‘what did my children and the children of Pandu do?’.[6] Please note Dhritarashtra asked this using a past tense form, kim akurvata.
All the above make it crystal clear that Sanjaya was not with Dhritarashtra right from the beginning of the battle. In fact, he was at the battle field, observing everything first hand. He came back from the battle field to meet Dhritarashtra after Bhishma’s decline.
Here is a beautiful quote from Sri Aurobindo on Sanjaya’s gift of divine vision:
“There is a power of subtle vision beyond the gross physical sense organ, in a subtle organ through which we can bring within our ken objects and knowledge inaccessible to the gross organs of sense can have vision of subtle things, can listen to subtle sounds, smell imperceptible smells, touch subtle physical objects, and have taste of subtle foods. The utmost development of subtle sight is what is called divine vision, through its power objects that are at a distance, secret objects or those belonging to another world come within the scope of our knowledge. We see no reason to disbelieve that the great sage Vyasa possessing supreme Yogic powers was capable of imparting this divine vision to Sanjaya. If we are not incredulous about the wonderful power of Western hypnosis, why should we be incredulous about the power of the great Vyasa with his incomparable knowledge? In every, page of history and in every activity of human life there is available ample evidence that a powerful man can impart his power to another. Heroic men of action like Napoleon and Ito prepared collaborators in their work by imparting their own power to fit recipients. Even a very ordinary Yogin having obtained some special power can impart his power to another for a little while or for a special purpose, what to speak of the great Vyasa who was the world's most accomplished genius and a man of extraordinary Yogic realisation.” (Sri Aurobindo, Bengali writings)
[1] यदि चेच्छसि संग्रामं द्रुष्टुमेनं विशांपते ।
चक्षुर्ददानि ते पुत्र युद्धमेतन्निशामय ॥ (Mahabharata, Bhishmaparva, Chapter 2, verse 6)
[2] न रोचये ज्ञातिवधं द्रष्टुं ब्रह्मर्षिसत्तम।
युद्धमेतत्त्वशेषेण श्रृणुयां तव तेजसा ॥ (Mahabharata, Bhishmaparva, Chapter 2, verse 7)
[3] तस्मिन्ननिच्छति द्रष्टुं संग्रामं श्रोतुमिच्छति ।
वराणामीश्वरो व्यासः संजयाय वरं ददौ ॥ (Mahabharata, Bhishmaparva, Chapter 2, verse 8)
[4] एष ते संजयो राजन्युद्धमेतद्वदिष्यति ।
एतस्य सर्वं संग्रामे न परोक्षं भविष्यति ॥
चक्षुषा संजयो राजन्दिव्येनैव समन्वितः ।
कथयिष्यति ते युद्धं सर्वज्ञश्च भविष्यति ॥
प्रकाशं वाऽप्रकाशं वा दिवा वा यदि वा निशि ।
मनसा चिन्तितमपि सर्वं वेत्स्यति संजयः ॥
नैनं शस्त्राणि भेत्स्यन्ति नैनं बाधिष्यते श्रमः ।
गावल्गणिरयं जीवन्युद्धादस्माद्विमोक्ष्यते ॥
अहं तु कीर्तिमेतेषां कुरूणां भरतर्षभ ।
पाण्डवानां च सर्वेषां प्रथयिष्यामि मा शुचः ॥ (Mahabharata, Bhishmaparva, Chapter 2, verses 9-13)
[5] कथं कुरूणामृषभो हतो भीष्मः शिखण्डिना ।
कथं रथात्स न्यपतत्पिता मे वासवोपमः ॥
कथमाचक्ष्व मे योधा हीना भीष्मेण संजय ।
बलिना देवकल्पेन गुर्वर्थे ब्रह्मचारिणा ॥
तस्मिन्हते महाप्राज्ञे महेष्वासे महाबले ।
महासत्वे नरव्याघ्रे किमु आसीन्मनस्तव ॥ (Mahabharata, Bhishmaparva, Chapter 14, verses 1-3)
[6] धर्मक्षेत्रे कुरुक्षेत्रे समवेता युयुत्सवः ।
मामकाः पाण्डवाश्चैव किमकुर्वत सञ्जय ॥ (Srimadbhagavadgita, 1.1)
Shabd-Vichaar: Etymology
A group of meaningful sounds made by combining letters is called …
A group of meaningful sounds made by combining letters is called a word. Etymology (शब्द विचार) is the study of words’ history, their origins as well as modification in their forms and meanings. Ever wondered, where the words that we speak or write come from? What were their origins? How were they formed? Well, to answer this, we can say that there are some words which are borrowed from Sanskrit and other foreign languages and some came into existence through vernacular use.
Here we will focus on the classification of Hindi words based on their meaning, origin and construction.
On the basis of meaning, words can be categorized as:
Saarthak Shabd सार्थक शब्द (meaningful words) - Words which have a definite meaning are called meaningful words.
Example: पर्वत (mountain), बगीचा (garden)
Meaningful words can be divided into many parts like synonyms, antonyms, singular, plural etc.
Nirarthak Shabd निरर्थक शब्द (meaningless words) - Words which have no meaning are called meaningless words like धोती-वोती (dhoti-voti), रोटी- शोटी (roti-shoti).
Here voti, shoti have no meaning. Hence, they are ‘meaningless’ words
On the basis of origin there are five different types of words:
Tatsam shabd तत्सम शब्द (Similar words/Derived words) - words derived from the Sanskrit language and are used in their original form.
Example: दुग्ध (milk), पुष्प (flower)
Tadbhav Shabd तद्भव शब्द (modified words) - words which were originally from the Sanskrit language but are used in a modified form.
Example: दुग्ध से दूध (milk), अग्नि से आग (fire)
Deshaj Shabd देशज शब्द (Indeginous words) - words adopted in Hindi language from local dialects. These words came into existence through vernacular use.
Example: झाड़ू (broom), पगड़ी (turban)
Videshi Shabd विदेशी शब्द (Foreign words) - Those words which have foreign origins and used in Hindi as loan words.
Example: school, doctor, machine, pencil (from English language)
kaagaz, khoon, hazaar, bazaar (from Arabic-Persian language)
almirah, godaam, saabun, paadri (from Portuguese language)
Check our blog ‘Hindi words of foreign origin’ to know more about loanwords.
Sankar Shabd संकर शब्द (Hybrid words) - New words formed by combining two different languages are called hybrid words.
Example: लाठी (Hindi)+ चार्ज (English) = लाठीचार्ज, छाया (Hindi)+ दार (Persian) = छायादार
There are three distinctions of words on the basis of construction
Roodh shabd रूढ़ शब्द (Elementary words) - Those words which become famous for a certain meaning are called elementary words. These words cannot be divided and if divided will not make any sense.
Example: घोडा (horse), लड़का (boy), सूर्य (sun)
Yaugik Shabd यौगिक शब्द (Compound words) - words which are made of one or more than one words are known as compound words.
Example: देशभक्ति (patriotism) = देश + भक्ति, भोजनालय (restaurant) = भोजन + आलय
Yogroodh Shabd योगरूढ़ शब्द (Combined words) - These words consist of two or more words, but their meanings deviate from their literal meaning and represent a person or thing from a common culture.
Example: गिरिधर (Lord Krishna) = गिरि (Mountain) + धर (Carrier)
The storm originating from the Southern movie industry is unlikely to ebb anytime soon!
Every …
The storm originating from the Southern movie industry is unlikely to ebb anytime soon!
Every now and then, it brings something new to the table, sweeping the audience off their feet. The latest chartbuster, Kantara has also hit the bull’s eye.
After making 400 crores, this film which was made on a shoestring budget is now released on an OTT platform in four languages.
Kantara is picturized in scenic coastal Karnataka and is themed around elements local Kannadiga culture. The story revolves around a festival dance performance called the ‘bhoota kola’ where the forest deity interacts with the villagers through the performer. Who would have imagined that exactly this hyper-localness is what would bring it universal relatability? Rishab was correct when he said that the film is universal as it is hyper-local.
#Kantara Divine 𝟓𝟎𝐃𝐚𝐲𝐬 & 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 In USA - A Dream Run For A Kannada Movie - 2nd Kannada Movie To Achieve This Feet In USA 🔥🔥#DivineBlockbusterKantara @shetty_rishab @gowda_sapthami @VKiragandur @hombalefilms pic.twitter.com/8CiT4qcSo9
— CINEMY (@cinemytweets) November 18, 2022
The name of the movie roughly translates to a mysterious jungle and true to its name, the film revolves around the inhabitants of a jungle and the ecosystem. It is a take on the never-ending battle between man versus nature: is it for the benefit of the human species to preserve nature, or should nature be exploited to satisfy the insatiable greed of mankind? The story sprouted from a real-life incident of a clash between a staunch agriculturist and an upright forest official: both undeterred in their conviction. Assertive characters with firm, conflicting views - how many wonderful stories have they driven? Eventually more characters; some with conflictual views, some with comical roles- come into existence. Some interesting facts (are you aware that India possibly got its first lady forest guard in 2004?) also were woven into the plot.
The story is intertwined with Indian culture and sacred practices and this, possibly, should rest as the biggest acclaim of the storyteller.
The story is intertwined with Indian culture and sacred practices and this, possibly, should rest as the biggest acclaim of the storyteller. The heritage and folklore of this ancient land of ours, are shown in their full glory and displayed with authenticity. Bonus features include the film’s mass appeal with its action sequence, comedy, eye-grabbing visuals and even romance.
The original movie in Kannada and the subsequently dubbed ones are receiving full houses across the nation and the world. Some awestruck viewers claimed to be under the spell of the movie even after having exited the theatres. The soulful theme song Varaharoopam continues to play on a loop in the mind. The film is a modern-day parable made from divine blessings.
A certain quality might be noticed in the movies from the South. They have been authentic and unapologetic in bringing forward Indian culture and history with all its splendour. Their efforts have received global recognition and love. If we do not take pride in something that is intrinsic to our existence -who else would?
Has Bollywood got something to learn?
Gita Jayanti is one that holds huge significance and importance. It is the day Shri Krishna …
Gita Jayanti is one that holds huge significance and importance. It is the day Shri Krishna revealed Himself to Arjuna on the Kurukshetra battlefield. Before the Kurukshetra battle began, the brave warrior Arjuna was overwhelmed by the thought of fighting those he loved. There was Bheeshma Pitamah who had raised and mentored him since childhood. There were his Gurus, Guru Dronacharya and Guru Kripacharya. How could he raise his weapons against them? When Arjuna was distraught his friend Shri Krishna revealed to him his true magnificent form and imparted divine knowledge to him. To commemorate the sacred day when Shri Krishna imparted these teachings to his dear Arjuna, people celebrate Gita Jayanti. It is celebrated on Shukla Ekadashi, (meaning the 11th day of the waxing moon) of the Margashirsha (Agrahayan) month of the Hindu calendar.
The knowledge is saved in 700 Sanskrit verses distributed in 18 chapters known as the Bhagavad Gita. They hold the essence of the four Vedas. The Shrimad Bhagavad-Gita is one of the most sacred scriptures of the Hindus. It comprises political, spiritual, psychological, practical and philosophical values; in short, it is also a handbook for life.
The Bhagwad Gita teaches us to perform our duty (karma) but to not be attached to the fruits of our efforts. Our dharma is to focus on karma and not our success. Karma is explained to be of three types: prarabdha, sanchita, and kriyamana / agami. Prarabdha karma is experienced through the present body and is only a part of sanchita karma which is the sum of one's past karmas, and agami karma is the result of current decisions and actions.
The Gita Mahotsav is also known as Gita Jayanti, Gita Utsav, and Mokshada Ekadashi.. People across the world for centuries have been besotted by the teachings of the Mahabharata and the Bhagavad Gita and the text has been translated into over eighty languages.
Einstein said about the scripture, "When I read the Bhagavad-Gita and reflect about how God created this universe everything else seems so superfluous."
Henry David Thoreau said, "In the morning I bathe my intellect in the stupendous and cosmogonal philosophy of the Bhagavad-Gita, in comparison with which our modern world and its literature seems puny and trivial."
Swami Vivekananda said, "The secret of karma yoga which is to perform actions without any fruitive desires is taught by Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad-Gita."
On the auspicious day of Gita Mahotsav, devotees recite or chant the entire scripture, which is followed by discussions and seminars by eminent scholars and Hindu priests - to throw light upon the various facets of the holy book and its perennial influence on humankind for generations.
>> Watch this space! Language Curry is launching a brand new course on the Bhagavad Gita!
It is party time! Popti Party!
Popti is a winter delicacy from North Konkan (Maharashtra, …
Popti is a winter delicacy from North Konkan (Maharashtra, India). What sets this dish apart is the fascinating manner in which it is cooked, which is in an inverted clay pot... inside a pit in the ground!
A clay pot is first lined with banana leaves and bhamburdi leaves (a herb that has high water content).
Placed inside are seasonal vegetables like:
val papdi / वाल पापडी (broad beans),
vangi / वांगी (brinjal),
shevaga/ शेवगा (drumsticks),
ola khobra ओलं खोबरं (grated coconut)
kothimbeer कोथिंबीर (coriander)
- along with with various tubers like batate / बटाटे (potato),
ratale / रताळं (sweet potato),
suran सुरण (yam)
konphal कोनफळ (purple yam)
They are rubbed with seasoning and mixed together in the pot. As you can guess, this is a dish that celebrates the fresh harvest! Soaked and seasoned peanuts are tied in banana leaves and added to the mixture. The pot is topped up with some more banana and bhamburdi leaves and then sealed with banana leaves.
Meanwhile, a pit in the ground is prepared and filled with some grass and wood. The sealed pot is placed inside and the wood is set on fire. The mixture is allowed to cook for around an hour.
The open fire and the bhamburdi juice bring a wonderful flavour to the popti. For those who like non-vegetarian meals, this dish can also be prepared with eggs, chicken and mutton. The dish works just as well as a winter campfire dish.
Around the end of November, people start getting invites to the upcoming Popti parties and events, and everyone looks forward to them with enthusiasm! Understandably it is a much-loved winter special in Maharashtra.
Birds have fascinated us since time immemorial. They have found a prize position in our sacred …
Birds have fascinated us since time immemorial. They have found a prize position in our sacred texts, fairy tales and pop culture.
Perhaps the reason for this obsession is that birds can do something that we humans have aspired to do for millenniums. They can fly and soar across the sky!
Today, let's learn the Sanskrit names of our aerial friends!
मीनरङ्कः mīnaraṅkaḥ kingfisher
हंसः haṃsaḥ duck
शल्कः śalkaḥ penguin
प्लवः plavaḥ waterfowl
नीलगिरि-पारावतः nīlagiri-pārāvataḥ blue rock pigeon
शङ्खचिल्लः śaṅkhacillaḥ brahmini kite
शार्ङ्गकः śārṅgakaḥ bee eater
वन-लटूषकः vana-laṭūṣakaḥ wood shrike
राजशुकः rājaśukaḥ Alexandrian parakeet
टुण्टुकः ṭuṇṭukaḥ tailor bird
पुत्रप्रियः putrapriyaḥ hoopoe
कारण्डवः kāraṇḍavaḥ coot
टिट्टिभकः ṭiṭṭibhakaḥ lapwing
Here is a happy song 'पंछी बनूँ उड़ती फिरू मस्त गगन मे Panchhi Banoo Udti Phiroon' (I turn into a bird and fly everyhwere) from a 1956 film, Chori Chori.
How many of us find maths either boring or extremely tough - simply because basic concepts were …
How many of us find maths either boring or extremely tough - simply because basic concepts were not explained to us properly?
In 1887 a boy was born in Erode, Tamil Nadu (India) who was such a prodigy that he never needed any teacher to teach him mathematics. On the contrary... he was way ahead of his time. He wass none other than the great Indian mathematician Srinivasa Iyengar Ramanujan or simply ‘Ramanujan.’
At the tender age of 12, despite lacking a formal education, he excelled at trigonometry and developed many theorems for himself. Though he did not excel in other subjects, at the age of 14 he ran away and enrolled at Pachaiyappa’s College in Madras.
He garnered awards and accolades for his immense contribution towards the growth of maths. The budding mathematician was soon noticed in Chennai’s mathematics circles and in 1912, Ramaswamy Iyer, Founder of the Indian Mathematics Society, took him under his wings and gave him the job of a clerk at Madras Port Trust. Little did one know then, that the boy would be making enormous headway in areas like mathematical analysis, infinite series, number theory, and continued fractions, including solutions to mathematical problems, thought to be unsolvable.
He began sending his theorems to British Mathematicians and received a breakthrough in 1913 when Prof GH Hardy invited him to the University of Cambridge, England to pursue his research work.
A devout Hindu Brahmin, Ramanujan was an ardent devotee of his family deity, Goddess Nammagiri Amman (mother Goddess). He often attributed his original ideas to the Goddess he prayed to so devotedly. In his own words, he says, “An equation has no meaning unless it expresses a thought of God.”
During his short stint at the University of Cambridge, he independently compiled 3900 identities and equations. Many of them were original and highly unconventional and unique such as the Ramanujan Prime, Ramanujan Theta Function, partition formulae and much more.
Professor Hardy and Ramanujan struck a friendly cord and worked on many ground-breaking theories which gave highly advanced results. Ramanujan was elected to the London Mathematical Society as its member and also as the Fellow of the Royal Society in 1918 – the youngest member.
The Ramanujan - Hardy Number 1729
Ramanujan was ill and was admitted to a hospital in Putney in England. Prof Hardy travelled by a cab with the number plate 1729 on it. GH Hardy remarked to Ramanujan that the cab number was a rather dull one and Ramanujan immediately replied, “It is a very interesting number. It is the smallest number expressible as the sum of two cubes in two different ways.” Such was his brilliance.
The mathematical genius passed away at the young age of thirty-two years in 1920. Every year his birthday, December 22nd is celebrated as National Mathematics Day.
recognising the divinity in small children
Children have always had a special place in India. …
recognising the divinity in small children
Children have always had a special place in India. From being called a 'bhagwaan ka roop' (a form of God themself) they have not just been loved and celebrated but also the divine in them has been recognised. From Devi to Bhairon to Baal Krishna many roops of God have been visualised in small children. And of course, we have a lot of cute names to address children as well!
cute Indian nicknames
We all have a legal name but so many more names of love and fondness were given to us as kids! The beauty of Indian languages is just this! These names bring a smile and lovely memories of childhood don't they?
We tried to compile some cute and lovely names from various languages but do let us know in the comments if we missed some.
What was your favourite cuddle-worthy name given to you by your family? Happy Children's Day!
Kashmiri
When using generic words to call children affectionately, Kashmiri's tend to often use:
Gobbur = kiddo/baby/child
Sonn' Gobbur = (sonn' = golden) kiddo/baby/child
Ryeddh' = beloved
Soosh = (soosh literally means Lungs) but here beloved
Krehna maaz = (literally means liver) beloved/dear
Hindi
Many nicknames are shorter versions of real names. But we have a lot of cute names like raja beta or rani berti which mean king-like son and queen like daughter. Gudda / Guddi mean cute like a doll.
Punjabi
Aww these Punjabi nicknames are super cute. Nikka actually means younger or smaller one and we can see how it became a term of enderment! Ronaka means the light in our life.
Gujarati
Did you know that Gujarati nicknames are soo cute! Basically they use a suffix with the real names to make them pet names. For example:
Pinky - pinkudi
Maya- mayudi
Paresh - parya
Assamese
And here is a cute list of names of our adorable little Assamese friends!
Manipuri
Manipuri nicknames are on the go!!! Why do we say that? Its because so many of them end with 'go'! Maago and Sonago!
Marathi
Chakuli, babdi, pintya and sonya... these names make such a wonderful group of friends. We want to go out and play with them!
Bengali
The sweet language has to have sweet nicknames. One of them is mishti, which means sweets themselves!
Telugu
Telugu is a language that Tagore himself found the sweetest! He asked if it is a language or music!? The nicknames in Telugu are sweet as well. We want to meet bangaram!
Tamil
We're sure you know atleast one cute tamil child by the name of ammu.
Kannada
Children are known by many many different names in Kannada. Chinna, bangaara, putaani, putta and chinnu are names for both boys and girls.
Ten desi (traditional) Indian games that will take you back to your childhood
The Dhanu constellation
(धनुर्मास)
The Sun enters the constellation Dhanu (Sagittarius) …
(धनुर्मास)
The Sun enters the constellation Dhanu (Sagittarius) around mid-December. Thus this solar month when the Sun is in the Dhanu constellation is called Dhanurmas.
In this month, people gather together early in temples for Kakad Aarti. Along with this early morning aarti, various religious programs like keertan (singing religious songs with gaiety and devotion) are arranged in the villages.
Being winter solstice, this is a cold season, when one gets hungry early in the morning. Thus we have this vrat (pious observance) called Dhundhurmas vrat, which is to be followed all month long. In this period, ‘lunch’ is prepared before sunrise. After offering the fresh hot food to the Sun, the whole family, and sometimes even the whole village comes together for this early morning lunch party.
Seasonal vegetables like carrots, brinjal, various beans, peas, tubers like yam, purple yam, sweet potato, and bajra rotis (pearl millet rotis) are a staple in this lunch.
The lunar month of Paush comes around the same time. In this month, no religious ceremonies like wedding, pooja are performed.
Speak your native language to your children or watch it die within the next 20 years. Looking …
Speak your native language to your children or watch it die within the next 20 years. Looking down on your relatives who speak your native tongue because you speak perfect English is stupid. It is like being proud of borrowed clothes.
The above lines by Nigerian author, Reno Omokri resonated with many in India. Indians are increasingly expressing sentiments like the ones mentioned above. The effects of language attrition are no longer inconspicuous. They're in our faces.
Most of us grew up believing that knowing English made us superior and was a passport to success. Perhaps it was. But speaking and even knowing one's mother tongue was considered inferior and uncultured. The deep-rooted colonised minds remained tightly shackled even decades after gaining independence. Today a stage has arrived where many of us who speak enviable and fluent English, stutter and falter when trying to string a simple sentence together in our native tongues. Too many young children (from the middle and upper middle class) who go to English medium schools are speaking and thinking only in English. Meanwhile, they're struggling with the basics of their mother tongue.
One of the cruellest outcome of this are the barriers built between grandparents and grandchildren. What should have been effortless bonds of love companionship and a safe retreat for both turn into distressing experiences requiring daily effort to understand the other, (in the short time one is visiting the other). How would bedtime gupshup (chats) happen? How would tales of great-grandparents, cousins, parents' childhood, or folklore be passed on? How would grandparents know what happened at school or why the children like Japanese Anime or Korean Pop?
The affliction continues in homes where the problem has not been detected yet. Both parents speak to the child exclusively in English. The child goes to an English medium school. There. In one generation the child is cut off from his mother tongue, and culture. He will always have to rely on a secondary source to connect to the wisdom of his ancestors as he doesn't understand their language. He will never feel the warm embrace of his culture as it unravels to him, page after page. There would always be the 'take' of a translator in the way. The connect with centuries of art, literature, lessons, and sacred religious epics - everything wiped out in one generation. It leaves us with an Indian-looking generation who are not Indian in any way. The deracination that follows could leave one utterly rootless, confused and as is often the case with Indians - full of self-loathing.
Many studies have proven that children can learn many languages simultaneously. At the very least they can be effortlessly bilingual. In the race for English what was the need to wipe out mother tongues?
The Chinese speak Chinese. The Korean speak Korean. The Japanese speak Japanese. The Arabs speak Arabic. The Germans speak German. None of these nations have got left behind just because they didn't speak English. Do they even think about English? Do they preen if they speak English with an Oxbridge accent? No. Only we carry pride in that.
The angst is not against the English language, which is quite delightful. The gripe is against the burden of self-loathing and the inferiority complex that we carried for so long- that now it has come to this.
But fortunately, things are changing... so slowly that one can barely see the worm turn but turn, it surely is. People are finding pride in raw Indian rootedness. Boys can be seen in dhotis and tilak. Saree is trendy again. Youth are flocking to films like RRR and Kantara where the hero is a paradigm change from the smooth NRI dude to a desi dhoti-wearing, man of the land, deeply entrenched in native Indian values. The Kannadigas would obviously be proud of these films, but the whole of India connects to them because they are deeply Indian in their soul. Where earlier people flaunted foreign accents, today people are discussing how they find Indian dialects musical to their ears. Have you heard a Himachali speak Pahari or Dogri? Have you heard the raw Hariyanavi accent? Have you ever heard a Telugu poem? Have you heard someone speak Odia? All are music to the heart and soul.
There is another shift, albeit a small one yet. Indians have begun to show interest in Indian languages. Which was unimaginable a few years ago. Numerous NRI parents ask if Language Curry conducts Hindi lessons for NRI children. Sanskrit of course is being learnt globally here. But the data collected from Language Curry reveals that 37% (over five lakh) of their language learners are learning Hindi. And the learners come from Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala. The next popular languages on the App are Tamil, Kannada and Telugu! They are being learnt by those who moved to those states and by those living in North Indian states.
Perhaps, just perhaps, the tipping point has been reached and Indians are saying no more turning away from our roots, language and culture. Perhaps we will make the effort to keep our children connected to our mother tongues. Perhaps we will pressurise governments to do the same. And just perhaps… as Indians embrace the other Indian languages... we do both, connect with our roots and come together as a people.
Read this article in English
'छठ करना है'।
माँ की तबियत ठीक नहीं रहती। सुबह शाम तिल के तेल …
माँ की तबियत ठीक नहीं रहती। सुबह शाम तिल के तेल की मालिश जब तक मेरे हाथों से ना हो, उनको आराम कहां।
'तुम्हारे हाथों से ही ठीक होता है। किसी और की मालिश नही चाहिए। लेकिन छठ करना है'।
'उपवास रख लेंगे। तुम साथ में रहना सब हो जायेगा'।
महापर्व है हमारा छठ। केवल इसलिए नहीं कि इसमें ईश्वर के लिए आस्था है... इसलिए भी क्योंकि इसमें अपनों पर विश्वास है... अटूट।
मिट्टी का चूल्हा नहीं जल पाया तो बेटी जला देगी। ठेकुआ के लिए आटा बहू-बेटी मिल के गूंध लेगी। दौउरा बेटा बेटी मिल के उठा लेंगे । सब हैं साथ में। सबकुछ हो जायेगा।
माँ मेरी जानती हैं कि वो कोई काम अपने दम पर नहीं कर पाएंगी। लेकिन उनको ये भी विश्वास है की उनके सारे काम हो जायेंगे।
कर्म और धर्म दोनो ही हमारी पहचान है। ईश्वर हमें दोनो पूरी आस्था के साथ निभाने की शक्ति दे।
माँ की लाल साड़ी सूती है। हवन के सुगंध में लिपटी हुई। माँ मेरी इस में और छठ महापर्व के पवित्र वातावरण में और भी सुंदर लग रही।
आप सबको प्रणाम और छठी मैया का आशीर्वाद।
'I want to do the Chhath puja' said Ma.
My mother doesn't keep the best of health. She does not find relief without the morning - evening sesame oil massages that I give her.
'Only your hands can cure my pains. I don't want anyone else's massages.'
'But I want to keep Chhath. I will keep upvaas (fast with resolution). You stay with me, we'll manage everything.'
Chhath is a maha-parv (mega festival) for us. Not only because we have a deep devotion to Ishwar (God) but also because we have trust in those who are ours... unbreakable trust.
If I cannot light the chulha (earthen stove), then my daughter will light it. If I cannot knead the dough for thekua (delicious sweet made from wheat flour, jaggery and ghee for Chhath) then my daughter and daughter-in-law together will do it. The daura (a bamboo basket full of prashaad which is carried by the vratti/person keeping upvas) my son and daughter can pick up together. Everybody is with me. Everything will be done.
Ma is aware that her health will not allow her to do it by herself. Yet, she has faith that all her work will be done.
Karma and dharma, both are our introductions. May Ishwar give us the strength to execute both with full devotion.
Ma wore a simple red suti (cotton) saree. She was wrapped in the fragrances of the hawan (ancient Hindu sacred fire ritual). In the saree and in the sacred environment of Chhath Mahaparv, she looked so beautiful.
My pranaam to all of you. May Chhathi Maiyya (Mother) bless you all.
Read also: The sacred chhath puja: Our annual family get-together and spiritual connect
All images are representative
Interesting facts about Marathi
⚫ Marathi is the third most spoken language in India following …
⚫ Marathi is the third most spoken language in India following Hindi and Bengali with approximately 90 million speakers. Marathi is the fifteenth most spoken language in the world.
⚫ Marathi is believed to be about thousand to thirteen hundred years old!
⚫ Marathi has 42 different dialects like Ahirani, Khandeshi, Varhadi/Vaidarbhi, Zadi Boli, Malvani, and Tanjour Marathi!
⚫ Though it is written in the Deonagri script today, Marathi also has its own script, called the Modi script.
No no! Not a Modi Ji script!
The ancient script Modi! To preserve the script a stamp was issued by the government of India under India Post's scheme named 'My stamp'. Check it out, the word 'Marathi' is written here in the Modi script. The earliest found Marathi texts are from the 11th century. They are inscriptions on copper and stone plates and in the Modi script.
⚫ Marathi derives its syntax and grammar from Prakrit and Pali. The Marathi that we speak and hear today has gone through changes over various centuries. Some of the older names of Marathi include Maharashtri, Marhatti and Mahratti.
The Marathi Bhasha Din is a day marked to celebrate the heritage of Marathi. It is celebrated on the birth anniversary of noted Marathi playwright and poet VV Shirwadkar who is popularly known by his pen name Kusumāgraj/ कुसुमाग्रज. He has been conferred numerous awards including the Padma Bhushan in 1991. Many of his poems were replete with veer ras and uplifted those who read them.
Also read: 10 Most Used Marathi Slang Words Everyone Should Know
As per Adhyatma Ramayana, after the deliverance of Ahalya, Rishi Vishvamitra led Rama and …
As per Adhyatma Ramayana, after the deliverance of Ahalya, Rishi Vishvamitra led Rama and Lakshmana to Mithila ruled by Janaka of that period. There they approached a kevat (boatman) for crossing the river. The kevat said that without washing Rama’s feet he would not allow him on his boat.
A rumour had reached his ears. The very dust of Rama's feet had turned a stone into a woman. If the same dust turned his boat into a woman then he would have no means of taking care of his family! He hence requested to wash Rama’s feet. Rama extended his feet to kevat who with all the love in him, began to wash them. The very touch of the feet of Rama fills him with divine joy and peace. This moving episode has been depicted in the following stanzas.
क्षालयामि तव पादपङ्कजं नाथ दारुदृषदोः किमन्तरम् ।
मानुषीकरणचूर्णमस्ति ते पादयोरिति कथा प्रथीयसी ॥
पादाम्बुजं ते विमलं हि कृत्वा पश्चात्परं तीरमहं नयामि ।
नो चेत्तरी सद्युवती मलेन स्याच्चेद्विभो विद्धि कुटुम्बहानिः ॥
kṣālayāmi tava pādapaṅkajaṃ nātha dārudṛṣadoḥ kimantaram .
mānuṣīkaraṇacūrṇamasti te pādayoriti kathā prathīyasī ..
pādāmbujaṃ te vimalaṃ hi kṛtvā paścātparaṃ tīramahaṃ nayāmi .
no cettarī sadyuvatī malena syāccedvibho viddhi kuṭumbahāniḥ ..
- Adhyatma Ramayana Balakanda, 6, 3-4
O Bhagavan, let me wash your lotus-feet. What difference indeed is there between stone and wood? The dust from your feet having the miraculous power to convert anything into a human being is well-known. Therefore, only after cleaning your feet, I will allow you to get into the boat for crossing the river. Or else my boat might turn into a woman and this will bring great loss to my family.
The purpose of this write-up is to show how beautifully Kavi Samrat Upendra Bhanja of Odisha has crafted the above episode from Adhyatma Ramayana in his epic poem ‘Vaideheesha Vilaasa’. He depicts the story of Rama in an elegant and unique style.
Note: Though the story of Ahalya turning into a stone is not to be found in the Valmiki Ramayana yet the story is made famous all over in the popular retelling of the legend in the later literary works. Also, Shri Ramcharitmanas mentions the meeting of Rama with the boatman occurring during his vanvaas. However, in the Adhyatma Ramayana, the episode is mentioned right after Rama meets Ahalya.
Kavi Samrat Upendra Bhanja
Upendra Bhanja was a renowned 17 century Odia poet and one of the greatest Odissi music composers of all time. He has composed around 52 books of which only 22 are survive today. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upendra_Bhanja)
Perhaps one of the brightest among the galaxy of world poets, his compositions are rich in all poetic elements. They fill the heart and mind with a grandeur that one finds in the works of great Sanskrit poets like Magha, Bharavi, Kalidasa and others. The master poet that he is, he like the Sanskrit poet Magha, has exhausted all vocabularies in his single composition Vaideheesha Vilaasa - the life story of Rama. This is the magnum opus of Kavi Samrat has 52 cantos and 2724 stanzas all beginning with the sound 'ba' (in Odia both va and ba are represented by ‘ba’).
Kavi Samrat Upendra Bhanja referred to the ferryman as dheevara (dhee - intellect, vara - great) as he knew who Rama was. So, he deliberately did not ‘hear’ Rama when he requested to take them to the other side of Ganga.
The way Upendra Bhanja narrates this scene is extraordinarily beautiful and captivating. The first stanza of Upendra Bhanja is as follows:
ବିଷ୍ଣୁ ପଦୀ ବିଷ୍ଣୁ ପଦ ଇକାର ଭେଦ ଶବଦ
ତରଣିରେ ଗତାଗତ ତହିଁ ଉଚିତ
ବିଶାରଦ ସେ ସାମନ୍ତ ମତ୍ତରେ ଦାସ ସେବିତ
ଡ଼ାକୁ ନ ଶୁଣନ୍ତେ ରଘୁନାଥ କଥିତ,
ବିଷଧର ପ୍ରାୟେକ ତୁହି
ବେଳେ ନେତ୍ର ଢାଳି ଶୁଣ ଉଦାର ନୋହି ।
biṣṇu padī biṣṇu pada ikāra bheda śabada
taraṇire gatāgata tahim̐ ucita
biśārada se sāmanta mattare dāsa sebita
r̤āku na śuṇante raghunātha kathita,
biṣadhara prāẏeka tuhi
bel̤e netra ḍhāl̤i śuṇa udāra nohi .
Ganga is known as Vishnupadi as it emerges from the feet of Vishnu. The sky is called Vishnupada as in his Vamana avatara (incarnation), the entire sky was covered by one of his feet (when Bali gave him the sky in daanam).
The difference between the two (Vishnupadi and Vishnupada) is just an 'i' maatraa. Both in Ganga and in the sky move 'tarani' : referring to a boat and the sun respectively. And now the situation is such that Vishnu himself in his Rama avatara needs to use a boat to cross the Ganga that has emerged from his own feet.
When Vishvamitra, Rama and Lakshmana reached the bank of Ganga, the ferryman dheevara (one with great intellect) knowingly did not pay any attention to the request of Rama. This is where Rama says to 'dheevara' gently- ‘Are you deaf? Are you without ears like that of a snake? If so then do look at us and use your eyes to understand what we say like that of a snake who listens through eyes only."
To this the dheevara replied by saying the following words:
ବଧିର ନୁହଇ ବୀର ବୋଇଲା ତହୁଁ ଧୀବର
ଶୁଣିଲିଣି ପଥରେ ପଥର ଅବଳା
ବାଲି ପଡ଼ି ତୋ ଚରଣୁ ଆଶଙ୍କା ଉପୁଜେ ଏଣୁ
ନଉକା ନାୟିକା ହେଲେ ବୁଡିବ ଭେଳା
ବୃତ୍ତି ଏ ମୋ ପୋଷେ କୁଟୁମ୍ବ
ବସାଇ ନ ଦେବି ପାଦ ନ ଧୋଇ ନାବ ।
badhira nuhaï bīra boilā tahum̐ dhībara
śuṇiliṇi pathare pathara abal̤ā
bāli par̤i to caraṇu āśaṅkā upuje eṇu
naükā nāẏikā hele buḍiba bhel̤ā
bṛtti e mo poṣe kuṭumba
basāi na debi pāda na dhoi nāba .
"O courageous one, I am not deaf. I have heard that a piece of rock got transformed into a woman by the mere touch of the dust from your feet. I am afraid, if my boat turns to a woman by the very touch of the dust from your feet, then how will I take care of my family? It is with this in mind that I am sitting quietly and thinking not to allow you to step into the boat without first washing your feet."
Do we think that the kevat really believed that his boat would turn into a woman? Of course not. He knew the greatness of Rama… How could he then miss this golden opportunity of washing his feet?
Even Brahma, Rudra Indra and all other gods look forward to having a touch of his feet. The yogis and tapasvis spend lives after lives doing sadhana to have a darshan of him who now is just standing before the ferryman. Could any wise man (dhee-vara) miss this?
ବଢାଇ ଦେଲେ ପୟର ଭାବଗ୍ରାହୀ ରଘୁବୀର
ପୟରେ କ୍ଷାଳିତ କରି ବସନେ ପୋଛି
ବ୍ରହ୍ମାରେ ଧୌତ ଯେ ପଦ ନୋହିଛି ଶିବେ ବିଷାଦ
ନ ପାଇ ଚରଣାମୃତ ପାନକୁ ଇଛି
ବିଜ୍ଞାନୀ କୈବର୍ତ୍ତ ଧୋଇଲା
ବିଶ୍ଵେ ପତିତପାବନ ନାମ ରହିଲା।
baḍhāi dele paẏara bhābagrāhī raghubīra
paẏare kṣāl̤ita kari basane pochi
brahmāre dhauta ye pada nohichi śibe biṣāda
na pāi caraṇāmṛta pānaku ichi
bijñānī kaibartta dhoilā
biśve patitapābana nāma rahilā.
The bhaavagraahi Rama, the warrior-hero of the Raghu dynasty who knows the heart and mind of all, had sensed the bhaava (emotions and devotion) of the ferryman and with all his compassion extended his feet. He then wiped the wet feet with the cloth that he had on his shoulder. The feet which Brahma once washed, and Shiva wishes to do so but felt sad for not getting the opportunity, those lotus-like feet were washed by the ferryman. The wish of the ferryman for receiving the charanaamrita (the water touched by the feet of God) was fulfilled. The dheevara now has become vijnaani, the one who got the touch of the supreme Divinity and experienced the supreme divine consciousness.
Rama is indeed patita-paavana - the protector of the fallen and of those who have taken refuge in him. He never fails the one who with all sincerity seeks to be in his presence.
Like the rock transformed to Ahalya by the touch of Rama, the same way the two stanzas of Adhyatma Ramayana gained more beauty and charm by the touch of Upendra Bhanja's grand poetic spirit and were transformed into greater poetic delight. This is rare in any other literature dealing with the same topic. In the hand of Kavi Samrat, the scene is made into an immortal example of intense devotion and transformation. Anytime one reads or sings these stanzas or looks at an Odishi dance performance of this scene, they’re transported into a meditative state of pure devotion.
Let me conclude with a Sanskrit verse composed by Late Jayakrishna Mishra who pays homage to Kavi Samrat Upendra Bhanja in which he says:
हे जन्मभूमिवरभूषण भञ्जवीर
साहित्यनन्दनवनोज्ज्वलपारिजात।
वागर्थशुद्धसुरसान्वितसद्विभा ते
मोहान्धतामसमिहाशु निराकरोतु॥
he janmabhūmivarabhūṣaṇa bhañjavīra
sāhityanandanavanojjvalapārijāta.
vāgarthaśuddhasurasānvitasadvibhā te
mohāndhatāmasamihāśu nirākarotu..
Hail O Kavi Samrat! You greatly adorn this land of your birth. You are the celestial flowering tree (parijata) in the divine grove (nandanavana) of poetry. May your brilliance endowed with the pure and elegant combination of word and sense, dispel the darkness and delusion covering the beauty and charm of poetry.
– – – –
View the true story of Devi Ahalya and when Shri Rama bowed to her.
Following the prayer traditions of the Chhath Puja are not simple and only the most devoted can …
Following the prayer traditions of the Chhath Puja are not simple and only the most devoted can perform them. It is a 36-hour nirjal (waterless) upwaas (fast with a sankalp/resolution). Only one member of a family keeps it at a time and for the length of the fast, they remain barefoot, sleep on the ground and immerse themselves in work and prayer.
The four-day ancient Hindu festival of Chhath Puja is celebrated in the holy Kartik month to worship the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya (who is said to be the sister of God Surya). It is observed mostly in Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and in Nepal.
This festival comes six days after Deepawali (chhath stands for 6th).
Till my paternal grandmother, dadi, was alive it was she who did it on behalf of the whole family. It is a huge deal if someone observes this tradition and so all family members come from near and far to witness it. Dadi’s Chhatt puja was the grand-annual family get-together for us for as long as she lived! We children had the responsibility of selecting the best wheat in our farms for the various offerings to be made to God and our favourite mithai (sweet) was thekua!
On the first day of the preparation, the family people would nahaye khaye which literally means, to bathe and eat. The main menu for the day includes the famous dal-chawal-kaddu (pulse-rice-pumpkin) combo! On the second day would be Kharna where Dadi would begin her upvas and she wouldn't consume even a drop of water. But she would prepare dinner and gur kheer (a dessert made from rice milk and jaggery) for the whole family!
After that, she would do her prayers and rituals in solitary confinement without any disturbance from anyone. On this day one prays to the benevolent Goddess Chhatti Maiyya and to the respective Kul Devi (Clan Goddess) of the people. She would break her fast now and leave some food on her plate as that is considered the blessing of God. Children fight over those leftovers to eat them! We always did!
After this meal dadi would resume her upvas which would last 36 hours. The third day is Sandhya Araghya and baskets of prasaad are put together to be taken to the riverside. We children would select spots by the river with a good view and then clean them nicely. We would sleep early and then wake up at two am!!
At 2 a.m. we’d bathe, wear new clothes, reach the riverside and sit on our selected spots. Then we would wait for our dadi to arrive. It would be dark and chilly in the morning. We’d search for our dadi and then we would spot her. She would arrive walking, (still barefoot). As soon as the first rays of the sun would appear, she would begin her prayers.
It would be a beautiful sight, to see a sea of people entering the river to pray. The atmosphere at the river side on that early morning would have divine energy that even we children felt. If we didn't know better we'd have believed that we were in Rishikesh or Haridwar.
After the prayers were done, the basket would be opened and prasaad distributed to all. Then dadi would wear a new saree and walk back home… On the way, she worshipped the fields as they were our sustenance and life.
Yes, Chhath Puja is a significant festival for us Biharis. We wait for it eagerly each year. Many people perform Hawan (ancient Hindu practice of making offerings to deities through fire) also during this time. The crackers left over from Deepawali are burst during Chhath Puja.
Chhath is celebrated in Mumbai as well.
This festival brings families and communities closer and is a treasured spiritual practice for us. Understandably, we celebrate Chhath Puja with great reverence, enthusiasm and humility.
As told to Team Language Curry by Utkarsh Jha.
Love has a way of entering our lives. Most often it catches us unaware and changes our lives …
Love has a way of entering our lives. Most often it catches us unaware and changes our lives forever. Love can happen anytime and anyplace and with anyone. Also with the world turning into a global village, falling in love with anyone has become a norm.
If you are someone who has fallen in love with an Assamese girl, here are a few phrases (to be followed by action!) you can use to impress your Assamese girlfriend. Everyone has an affinity to their mother tongue. And if you can learn these few phrases in Assamese, your girlfriend will be impressed, for sure.
Let us help you.
Assamese: Tumi emaan dhuniya (Tumi is Tum in Hindi)
Translation: You are very beautiful.
Assamese: Moi tumak bhaal paau.
Translation: I love you.
Assamese: Aaji moi tumar karone khuwa bonaam.
Translation: Today, I will cook for you.
Assamese: Tumi hahilei baxanta.
Translation: Anytime you smile, Spring arrives.
Assamese: Tumi mur jeewonor puhar.
Translation: You are the light of my life.
Assamese: Tumar suli kusa jen kola megh.
Translation: Your hair resembles the dark clouds.
Assamese: Tumi mur jeewonoloi eman xukh loi aaha.
Translation: You bring so much of happiness to my life.
Assamese: Tumak dekhile he mur raati puwaai
Translation: My day starts when I see you.
Assamese: Tumi emaan morom loga.
Translation: You are so sweet.
Assamese: Muk biya patiba ne?
Translation: Will you marry me?
#celebratinglove
So, if you are a beginner trying to impress your Assamese girlfriend, the above simple phrases should do the trick.
If you really want to learn the language fluently, stay tuned to Language Curry #Assamese coming soon to our app! Watch this space!
10 common phrases in Assamese language that visitors will find useful
If you ever decide …
If you ever decide to travel to the North Eastern States of India, you will have to come to Guwahati, Assam. Assam paves as a gateway to North East, India. Nestled between mountains and rivers, Assam is as fascinating as folklore. As you keep exploring the state, you will cross forests, tea gardens, and fascinating cuisines. The most wonderful thing about Assam is the people. Warm, kind, and generous. Most people speak Assamese, which is the language of the people of Assam. The Assamese language is simple and easier on the tongue.
So, if you plan to visit Assam and be our guest, here are a few phrases that you can use to mingle well with the local people. Language and food make stays and travels pleasant, isn’t it?
Nomoskar (both formal and informal)
English translation: Hello.
Mur Naam XYZ, Apunar? (formal)
Mur naam XYZ, Tumar? (informal)
English translation: My name is XYZ. May I know yours?
Bhaal ne apunar? (formal)
Bhaal ne tumar? (informal)
English Translation: How are you?
Note: Apuni is Aap in Hindi, Tumi is Tum in Hindi
Ei jegah tu kot baaru? (Both formal and informal)
English translation: Where is this place?
Moi nejanu (Both formal and informal)
English translation: I don’t know?
Bhaat Khale? (formal)
Bhaat Khala? (informal)
English translation: Did you have your dinner/lunch?
Note: In Assam mostly in dinners and lunches the staple food is rice. Bhaat means rice.
Eiyat gaari, rickshaw, auto, bus, restaurant, ATM kot paam? (Both formal and Informal)
English Translation: Where can I find a car, rickshaw, auto, restaurant, bus, or an ATM here?
Apunak log paai bhaal lagil (Formal)
Tumak log paai bhaal lagil (Informal)
English translation: It was a pleasure meeting you.
Aapunar phone number tu paam ni baaru? (Formal)
Tumaar phone number tu paam ni baaru? (Informal)
English translation: Can I have your phone number?
Dhonyobaad (Both formal and informal)
English Translation: Thank you.
So, these are some basic phrases, that can make your stay in Assam a tad bit comfortable and easier.
It’s always nice to have visitors who would want to know a little more about the people and the land, rather than just making reels and those Instagram-worthy images. Not that we resent that, but Assam is beyond an image and a 30-second reels with beautiful backgrounds.
Are you aware that you can learn Indian languages from the comfort of your home and at the press of a button? Have you downloaded Language Curry? Download Language Curry now! It is the world's only language learning app for 'Indian languages'! Links below!
Does language fascinate you? India is home to so many languages. So many dialects. If we start …
Does language fascinate you? India is home to so many languages. So many dialects. If we start talking about the history of each Indian language, recognised by the constitution or otherwise, it will take us more than a lifetime. If you are here on this site, I am more than sure you are looking to learn an Indian language or curious about one. How about starting with the Assamese language- the state language of Assam? Let’s talk about some interesting facts about the Assamese language.
1) Assamese is an Indo-Aryan language spoken in the state of Assam and some parts of North Eastern States, like Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.
2) The Assamese script constitutes of 12 vowel graphemes and 52 consonant graphemes.
3) There was a time when Magadhi Prakrit was the spoken language in the whole of eastern India. Magadhi Script is one of the various Prakrit languages that originated from Sanskrit. Slowly, Magadhi Prakrit took the form of Magadhi Apabhransha. Before the 10th century, due to the geographical differences, Assamese in Assam, Bengali in Bengal, and Odiya in Orissa - these three languages started to take their form.
4) It was in the 13th century that a very clear form of Assamese literature came into being, when Hema Saraswati composed the poem, “Prahlad Charitra,” at the courts of the Kamata Kingdom.
5) It was the Vaishnava Saint Srimanta Sankardeva who triggered the renaissance of the Assamese language in the 15th century.
6) In 1960, Assamese was recognised as the official state language of Assam.
7) Assamese uses the Assamese script, which is a variant of the Eastern Nagari Script.
8) It’s the natives of Assam like the Bodos and Kacharis who have influenced the Assamese language's vocabulary, phonology, and grammar.
9) Over 23 million people speak the Assamese language.
10) The first book to be printed in Assamese was the Bible by Atmaram Sarma at the initiative of the Baptist Missionary, William Carey, in 1813.
So these are some of the interesting facts about the Assamese language. If you know a few more, write in the comment sections.
And if languages interest you, keep visiting us for more information, knowledge and learning at Language Curry.
The Thirty-two names of Mother Durgā
श्रीदुर्गा-द्वात्रिंश-नाममाला
…
श्रीदुर्गा-द्वात्रिंश-नाममाला
śrīdurgā-dvātriṃśa-nāmamālā
Mother Durgā is the goddess of wisdom, protection and glory. She blesses the devotees with the wisdom of Maheshvari and the protective strength of the Mahakali. Difficult to understand her ways and attain her Grace. Thus she is called Durgā - the one difficult to be gained.
In this short write up the thirty-two names of Mother Durgā are explained with their etymological meanings. Understanding the inner significance of these names is necessary for holding her in thought and meditation while reciting the names.
Before attempting to comprehend the 32 names of the all-encompassing Mother Goddess we must understand the word ‘durga’. It refers to that which is difficult (duh) to attain or reach (ga). Without practicing selfless bhakti, cleanliness, routine and ritual it is not possible to have the Grace of the goddess. It also means that all that is necessary to to be practiced in order to receive her Grace is also difficult to do durgama.
And now we understand through the 32 names below that just anyone cannot be blessed with boons and blessings by Mother Durgā. They must be earned with tapas. Only a true sādhaka with pure heart and mind can earn her blessing and darshan. She is the terrific destroyer of all that is evil in the physical and other worlds. Let’s learn the meaning of the thirty-names with their inner significances.
दुर्गा durgā
The divine mother who is invincible and unassailable. The goddess whose blessings can be received with much rigorous sādhanā.
दुर्गार्तिशमनी durgārtiśamanī
The one who brings an end to anything that brings painful difficulties to us.
दुर्गापद्विनिवारिणी durgāpadvinivāriṇī
The one who dispels all ‘āpadā’ that is danger and problems; the mother Goddess who is the dispeller of adversities. She gives absolute protection to her sincere devotees and saves them from all known or unknown dangers.
दुर्गमच्छेदिनी durgamacchedinī
The one who cleaves off all kinds of physical and spiritual challenges obstructing the path of her true devotees.
दुर्गसाधिनी durgasādhinī
The one who gets all difficult things accomplished for her sādhaka.
दुर्गनाशिनी durganāśinī
She, who destroys the ‘durga’ or forts that confine us mentally or metaphorically and liberates us from all bondages and limitations.
दुर्गतोद्धारिणी durgatoddhāriṇī
The magnanimous one who delivers her sādhaka from all formidable difficulties.
दुर्गनिहन्त्री durganihantrī
The one who destroys all terrible components troubling her devotees.
दुर्गमापहा durgamāpahā
The one who dispels all durgama-s or difficulties, miseries, afflictions, sufferings etc.
दुर्गमज्ञानदा durgamajñānadā
The one who imparts the jñāna or knowledge which is not easily attainable.
दुर्गदैत्यलोकदवानला durgadaityalokadavānalā
The one who, like a terrible forest fire, destroys the world of the divisive forces.
दुर्गमा durgamā
The one whose domain is not easy to enter.
दुर्गमालोका durgamālokā
The one who brings to the fore, all that is unknown and is hidden and difficult to attain. The mother who illuminates our mind and senses by bringing forth concealed knowledge.
दुर्गमात्मस्वरूपिणी durgamātmasvarūpiṇī
She who is embodiment of the self that cannot be realised easily, like atma-jñāna. She is ātma-jñāna herself.
दुर्गमार्गप्रदा durgamārgapradā
The one who gives guidance and who handholds her devotees in the difficult path he treads.
दुर्गमविद्या durgamavidyā
She herself is the knowledge difficult to attain. She is the most subtle, most sublime knowledge. She is the source of all vidya and art forms.
दुर्गमाश्रिता durgamāśritā
She is the one whose support is not easy to receive. It must be earned with strict and devotional austerity.
दुर्गमज्ञानसंस्थाना durgamajñānasaṃsthānā
The one who is the source and foundation of all knowledge that is unattainable. She who is the bearer and dispenser of the highest, supreme and sacred knowledge.
दुर्गमध्यानभासिनी durgamadhyānabhāsinī
(bhaas means to appear/shine). The one who appears in dhyana (meditation).
We cannot manifest the Mother Goddess through ordinary meditation. Only those who can perform intense dhyana along with purity of thought and action can earn the blessing of the Divine Mother appearing in and illuminating in meditation.
दुर्गमोहा durgamohā
(moh means delusion) When the Divine Mother used maya and moh on the demon Mahishasur, he could not comprehend what hit him. He was confused, disoriented and destroyed.
Durgamoha is the one who is unfathomable and incomprehensible. She is enigmatic. Only a saadhak with complete awareness can do so.
दुर्गमगा durgamagā
She is the one who can make the unattainable, attainable.
दुर्गमार्थस्वरूपिणी durgamārthasvarūpiṇī
She, the one who holds in her artha, the meaning the purpose of all that one finds incomprehensible.
दुर्गमासुरसंहन्त्री durgamāsurasaṃhantrī
All adverse forces that can destroy one at an individual or collective level can be destroyed by her. She who is the annihilator of asuric (negative) and adverse forces which are unassailable.
दुर्गमायुधधारिणी durgamāyudhadhāriṇī
She who is the bearer of the most powerful weapons which cannot be handled by others.
दुर्गमाङ्गी durgamāṅgī
She, whose form is complex and indiscernible.
दुर्गमता durgamatā
(durgama = difficult). She who is the epitome of all difficulties as she has power to bring them under control.
दुर्गम्या durgamyā
The one who is not easily attainable or understood.
दुर्गमेश्वरी durgameśvarī
She who is the ruler, the controller, the master, the ishwari - of all difficult situations. She rules over all impossible situations and has the power to keep them under control or destroy them completely.
दुर्गभीमा durgabhīmā
(bheema = terrible) She, the one who is terrifying to all those who create complications and obstacles.
दुर्गभामा durgabhāmā
(bhama = shining) She who shines or appears when there are obstacles (as her devotees need her then).
दुर्गभा durgabhā
She who illuminates and radiates as she annihilates negative forces.
दुर्गदारिणी durgadāriṇī
She is the one who slices and slashes all obstacles and hindrances and shatters them.
दुर्गा दुर्गार्तिशमनी दुर्गापद्विनिवारिणी।
दुर्गमच्छेदिनी दुर्गसाधिनी दुर्गनाशिनी॥
दुर्गतोद्धारिणी दुर्गानिहन्त्री दुर्गमापहा।
दुर्गमज्ञानदा दुर्गदैत्यलोकदवानला॥
दुर्गमा दुर्गमालोका दुर्गमात्मस्वरुपिणी।
दुर्गमार्गप्रदा दुर्गमविद्या दुर्गमाश्रिता॥
दुर्गमज्ञानसंस्थाना दुर्गमध्यानभासिनी।
दुर्गमोहा दुर्गमगा दुर्गमार्थस्वरुपिणी॥
दुर्गमासुरसंहन्त्री दुर्गमायुधधारिणी।
दुर्गमाङ्गी दुर्गमता दुर्गम्या दुर्गमेश्वरी॥
दुर्गभीमा दुर्गभामा दुर्गभा दुर्गदारिणी।
नामावलिमिमां यस्तु दुर्गाया मम मानवः।
पठेत् सर्वभयान्मुक्तो भविष्यति न संशयः॥
॥इति दुर्गा-द्वात्रिंशन्नाम-माला समाप्ता॥
durgā durgārtiśamanī durgāpadvinivāriṇī।
durgamacchedinī durgasādhinī durganāśinī॥
durgatoddhāriṇī durgānihatry durgamāpahā।
durgamajñānadā durgadaityalokadavānalā॥
durgamā durgamālokā durgamātmasvarūpiṇī।
durgamārgapradā durgamavidyā durgamāśritā॥
durgamajñānasaṁsthānā durgamadhyānabhāsinī।
durgamohā durgamagā durgamārthasvarūpiṇī॥
durgamāsurasanhantrī durgamāyudhadhāriṇī।
durgamāṅgī durgamatā durgamyā durgameśvarī॥
durgabhīmā durgabhāmā durgabhā durgadāriṇī।
nāmāvalimimāṁ yastu durgāyā mama mānavaḥ।
pathe sarvabhayānmukto bhaviṣyati na saṁśayaḥ॥
||iti durgā-dvātriṁśannāma-mālā samāptā||
Please check the following link for the sadhana of the above 32 names of the Divine Mother.
I was 10 when I was introduced to Garba. My best friend Isha taught me the dance in her garden, …
I was 10 when I was introduced to Garba. My best friend Isha taught me the dance in her garden, at that time I had no clue how addictive this dance form could be. 20 years later I am writing about Garba because it continues to be one of the happiest experiences of my life.
A decorated stadium, cool and lightly watered soft mud, colours all around, heavenly live music and the stars and moon above. Yes, that's what a Garba ground feels like and the vibe and the energy takes to you another world. Garba is the purest form of trance that there could be. Every dancer or non-dancer who has witnessed Garba in Gujarat would agree that it's a sight to please the mind and soul.
When you dance the Garba you dance for yourself, it is like a meditative state achieved in the most non-meditative atmosphere. You dance with thousands of people yet you dance in solitude, you repeat the same step for hours yet you find new in every beat, you go past random people yet you connect with all and most importantly you connect with the divine !
Scroll down to read this article in English
सर्वमंगल मांगल्ये शिवे सर्वार्थसाधिके।
शरण्ये …
सर्वमंगल मांगल्ये शिवे सर्वार्थसाधिके।
शरण्ये त्र्यंबके गौरि नारायणि नमोऽस्तुते।।
आज से हिंदू आस्था का पर्व नवरात्र का प्रारंभ हो रहा है। प्रत्येक वर्ष पूरे देश में यह पर्व हर्षोल्लास के साथ मनाया जाता है। वर्ष में चार बार नवरात्र का आगमन होता है किन्तु मनीषियों ने मुख्यतः दो बार ही नवरात्र आराधना का विधान बनाया है। प्रथम है चैत्र नवरात्र तथा द्वितीय है शारदीय नवरात्र। ‘नवरात्र’ शब्द से उन विशेष दिनों का ज्ञान होता है जिसमें शक्ति के नव रूपों की आराधना की जाती है। मनुष्य नवरात्रि के नौ रातों में तीन महादेवीयों मां दुर्गा, मां लक्ष्मी और मां सरस्वती के ही नौ रूपों की पूजा करते हैं। ये नौ रूप हैं क्रमशः-
प्रथमं शैलपुत्री च द्वितीयं ब्रह्मचारिणी।
तृतीयं चन्द्रघण्टेति कूष्माण्डेति चतुर्थकम्
पञ्चमं स्कन्दमातेति षष्ठं कात्यायनीति च।
सप्तमं कालरात्रीति महागौरीति चाष्टमम्
नवमं सिद्धिदात्री च नवदुर्गाः प्रकीर्तिताः।
शैलपुत्री, ब्रह्मचारिणी, चंद्रघण्टा, कूष्माण्डा, स्कंदमाता, कात्यायनी, कालरात्री, महागौरी तथा सिद्धिदात्री।
नवरात्रि शक्ति आराधना का पर्व है।
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु शक्ति-रूपेण संस्थिता।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥
(जो देवी सभी प्राणियों में शक्ति के रूप में विद्यमान है उसे नमस्कार है,नमस्कार है बारंबार नमस्कार है)
इन नवरात्रों में देवी के ५१ शक्ति पीठों पर भक्तगणों का समूह बड़े ही उत्साह के साथ पहुंचकर शक्ति उपासना करता है किन्तु जो भक्त नहीं जा पाते वो अपने घरों मे ही मां के प्रतीकस्वरूप कलश की स्थापना करते हैं।
नवरात्रि में लोग स्वयं का मानसिक एवं आध्यात्मिक संयम बनाए रखने के लिए नौ दिनों तक मां की पूजा, आराधना, यज्ञ, हवन, व्रत इत्यादि करके माँ को प्रसन्न करते हैं। नवरात्रि विशेषकर असत्य पर सत्य की, बुराई पर अच्छाई की, आसुरिक शक्तियों पर दैविक शक्तियों के विजय का प्रतीक है इसीलिए भक्त पूरी श्रद्धा और भक्ति द्वारा माँ दुर्गा का आवाहन करते है और उनसे प्रार्थना करते हुए कहते हैं-
“हे जगद्जननी मां अम्बे ! हमारे अंदर स्थित आसुरिक वृत्तियों का नाश करो। हमें उत्तम गुणों से युक्त करके हमारा आध्यात्मिक मार्ग प्रशस्त करो”। भक्त नौ दिनों तक पूर्णतया सात्विक जीवन का पालन करते हुए देवी आराधना में लीन रहते हैं।
नवरात्रि में कन्या पूजन का भी विधान है, लोग छोटी-छोटी कन्याओं को मां का स्वरूप मानकर उनकी पूजा करते हैं तथा उनसे आशीर्वाद प्राप्त करते हैं। इन दिनों भक्त दुर्गा सप्तशती का नियमित पाठ व श्रवण करते हैं। किंतु किसी कारणवश पाठ नहीं हो पाता तो उसके स्थान पर सिद्धकुंजिका स्तोत्र के पाठ का भी विधान है। यह दुर्गा सप्तशती पाठ के ही समान फल प्रदान करने वाला स्तोत्र है। इसके अतिरिक्त मां दुर्गा के 32 नामों का सच्चे हृदय और शुद्ध मन से 108 बार जाप करने से मनुष्य की सारी मनोकामना पूर्ण हो जाती है ऐसा शास्त्रों में भी विदित है।
मां दुर्गा के 32 नाम इस प्रकार हैं-
1. ॐ दुर्गा,
2. दुर्गार्तिशमनी,
3. दुर्गापद्विनिवारिणी,
4. दुर्गमच्छेदनी,
5. दुर्गसाधिनी,
6. दुर्गनाशिनी,
7. दुर्गतोद्धारिणी,
8. दुर्गनिहन्त्री,
9. दुर्गमापहा,
10. दुर्गमज्ञानदा,
11. दुर्गदैत्यलोकदवानला,
12. दुर्गमा,
13. दुर्गमालोका,
14. दुर्गमात्मस्वरुपिणी,
15. दुर्गमार्गप्रदा,
16. दुर्गम विद्या,
17. दुर्गमाश्रिता,
18. दुर्गमज्ञान संस्थाना,
19. दुर्गमध्यान भासिनी,
20. दुर्गमोहा,
21. दुर्गमगा,
22. दुर्गमार्थस्वरुपिणी,
23. दुर्गमासुर संहंत्रि,
24. दुर्गमायुध धारिणी,
25. दुर्गमांगी,
26. दुर्गमता,
27. दुर्गम्या,
28. दुर्गमेश्वरी,
29. दुर्गभीमा,
30. दुर्गभामा,
31. दुर्गमो,
32. दुर्गोद्धारिणी।
मां जगदम्बे सर्वदा अपनी संतानों पर दयादृष्टि बनाए रखें तथा उनकी उन्नति का मार्ग प्रकाशित करें इसी कामना के साथ अपनी लेखनी को विराम देती हूँ।
शारदीय नवरात्रि की हार्दिक शुभकामना
Significance of Navaratra and the thirty-two names of Goddess Durga
sarvamaṃgala māṃgalye śive sarvārthasādhike.
śaraṇye tryaṃbake gauri nārāyaṇi namo'stute.
The Hindu the festival of Navratri is starting from today. Every year this festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm all over the country. Navratri arrives four times in a year, but the sages have made the law of worshiping Navratri mainly twice. The first is Chaitra Navratri and the second is Shardiya Navratri.
The word 'Navratra' refers to the special days in which new forms of Shakti are worshipped. On the nine nights of Navratri, human beings worship the nine forms of the three Mahadevi, Maa Durga, Maa Lakshmi and Maa Saraswati. These nine forms are respectively-
Shailputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandmata, Katyayani, Kalratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri.
(Salutations to the Goddess who is present in the form of Shakti in all beings, Namaskar, Namaskar repeatedly)
In these Navratras, a group of devotees reach the 51 Shakti Peethas of the Goddess with great enthusiasm and worship Shakti, but the devotees who are unable to go, they establish the Kalash as a symbol of the mother in their own homes. In Navratri, people please the mother by worshipping, praying, yajna, havan, fasting, etc., for nine days to maintain their mental and spiritual restraint.
Navratri especially symbolizes the victory of truth over untruth, good over evil, divine powers over demonic forces, that is why devotees invoke Goddess Durga with full devotion and pray to her says- “O Jagadjanani mother Ambe! Destroy the demonic tendencies within us. Pave our spiritual path by equipping us with good qualities”.
Devotees remain absorbed in worshipping the Goddess for nine days following a completely sattvik life. There is also a beautiful ritual of worship of young girls during Navratri, people worship small girls as the form of mother and get blessings from them. On these days devotees regularly recite and listen to Durga Saptashati. But if the recitation is not possible for some reason, then there is a law to recite Siddhakunjika Stotra in its place. This is a stotra that gives the same results as the Durga Saptashati text.
Apart from this, by chanting the 32 names of Maa Durga 108 times with a pure heart and pure mind, all the wishes of a human being are fulfilled, it is also known in the scriptures.
May Mother Jagdambe always have compassionate eyes on her children and illuminate the path of their progress, with this wish I stop my writing.
Happy sharadiya navratri.
World Heritage Day
Today we explore the Brihadeshwar Mandir of Thanjavur …
Today we explore the Brihadeshwar Mandir of Thanjavur
The Brihadeeswara Mandir of Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu is a 1012 years old divine Hindu temple dedicated to God Shiva. It is one of the three Brihadeeswara Mandirs; the other two are - the Brihadeeshvar Mandir at Gangaikondacholisvaram and the Airavatesvara Mandir at Darasuram.
A mighty and prosperous Chola Empire existed in the Southern Bharat from the 8th to 11th Century. The devout visionary Chola Raja Kutumb of Tamizha Naad built these 3 mandirs which have lasted 1012 years now. While many ancient marvels were destroyed by barbaric invaders over a thousand years, these mandirs were among those that survived and remained well protected by the Hindus from across Bhaarat. They even survived six earthquakes. This temple is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site 'Great Living Chola Temples' and even today they are a fully functioning spaces with daily Pooja conducted.
(Pooja - worshipping a Deity, meditating on a Deity’s Image with a set of actions).
The temple complex extends over 240 by 120 meters. Axial and symmetrical geometry has been used in the construction of the Hindu Shiv temple. The architecture used is the interlock method and hence cement, plaster or other adhesives were not used to bind the stones. The five mainsections of the temple incluse the Sri Vimana (main structure), the Nandi Mandap, mukhamandap (main community hall), the mahamandap (large gathering hall) and a pavillion. The Sri Vimana is built out of heavy stone and it is a whopping 210 feet tall and still stands erect. A total of 1.3 lakh ton of granite was used. Such a feat requires a high scientific temper involving creativity, mathematics, geology, science and of course bhakti (devotion).
#ChiyaanVikram explains about the history of Tanjore big temple and Pride of our Indian culture 👌😍🔥
His speech 👏👏#PonniyinSelvan #PS1FromSep30th#ps1#ARRahman pic.twitter.com/LeJq9LUwsF
— kannan (@kannan12033748) September 25, 2022
On visiting the Breehad Ishwar Mandir one feels that time had stood still. The temple stones sing the songs of the intense human abilities that went into creating them. They inspire us to achieve our full potential, to blossom, to shine as bright as we can.
The Brihadeeshvar mandir is a timeless work of art and one of the finest architectural marvels ever built. In another 1000 years, ten generations may live and perish, and modern buildings may rise and fall but this magnificent abode of the Gods, the Breehad Ishwara Mandiram will still exist. Namaskar to the Brihadeeshvars.
🙏🏻ॐ नमः शिवाय 🙏🏻
FunFact: The International Union of Architects created World Architect Day to “remind the world of its responsibility for the future of the human habitat". It is celebrated on the first Monday of October, to acknowledge the great architectural marvels of ancient and modern times.
We all have heard the famous film song from Loveyatri. Let's familiarise ourselves with the …
We all have heard the famous film song from Loveyatri. Let's familiarise ourselves with the original folk song that it had been taken from.
The beautiful timeless garba, He Ranglo! was originally written by Shri Avinash Vyas in the 1960s.
About the author it is written in MOVIES aur MUSIC that Shri Avinash Vyas was, ‘an extremely erudite and knowledgeable musician, Vyas was a stalwart of Indian film music. Though he did compose for Hindi films, it was the Gujarati film landscape on which he left his colossal imprint. One of my favourite Hindi songs of Vyas is from Kailashpati (1962), written by Madan Bharti and sung by Lata Mangeshkar - the reverb effect is ethereal. It is based in raag Pahadi.’
Garbas are written like a poem... in the sense that for certain words the poets and authors take poetic liberty. So it doesn’t exactly have to have the same spelling or pronunciation as the actual word. Sometimes if something is in rhyme they add it. For example 'tane barke tari Yashoda ma' which means, your mother Yashoda is calling you. 'Barke' here means 'calling' but there is no exact word like barke. The word ranglo basically means an actor.
There is a traditional Gujarati theatre show called bhavai wherein a male actor called ranglo and a female actor called rangli play host and enact different roles. But in this garba, ranglo is used for may be 'a set up or a preparation' or a form of garba. Now that we have the rudimentary understanding of garba lyrics let's decode the meaning of this beloved composition 'He ranglo! Chhogala thara' without which no garba celebration is complete!
He Ranglo! He Ranglo jaamyo kalindi ne ghat
Chhogala tara, o chhabila tara, rangeela tara, rangbheru juve tari vaat.
The set up is ready on the banks of river Kalindi.
(Chhogala - is the one who has tassels in his turban, like the one Shri Krishna had.) So hey turban bearer, lover, one with colourful personality, your fellow mates (friends) are waiting for you.
He haly haly haly
vahi jaay raat vaat maa ne, mathe padse re prabhat
Come soon Krishna, the night is ending soon , it will soon be morning while we keep talking.
He rangrasiya! He rangrasiya taro rahdo mandi ne gaam ne chevade betha
kana tari goplie tare hatu toh kaam badha melya hetha
he tane barke tari Jashoda maat
Chhogala tara, o chhabila tara, rangeela tara, rangbheru juve tari vaat.
Hey rang rasiya (colourful personality), we are waiting out the outskirts of the village, the Gopi’s have left all the household chores and come for you. Your Yashoda ma is calling you.
Do you want to hear the absolute original version of Chhogala Thara as created by Shri Avinash Vyas: Enjoy this electric creation that still has the capacity to give you the chills, make your feet sway to its beats and take you to a distant charming world from decades before.
Why is Hindi Diwas celebrated?
Hindi Diwas is celebrated each year on the 14th September …
Hindi Diwas is celebrated each year on the 14th September to mark the adoption of Hindi as an official language of India. Every year on Hindi Diwas, the President of India presents the Rajbhasha (national language) Award to people for their contribution to the language.
Hindi is one of the most widely spoken languages of India, with most of North India celebrating the language as their mother tongue. As per the 2011 census, almost 53 crore people which is about 43.6 % of Indians speak Hindi.
Hindi is one of the best-sculpted languages. It originated from Sanskrit, and is the fourth most spoken language in the world! Hindi language learners are often amazed by its phonetics, sounds and words.
Bonus benefit: Learning Hindi has an added benefit as knowing it helps one understand bits of Punjabi, Gujarati, Bengali, Marwari, Urdu etc as well!
Have you heard this fun Hindi diwas anthem and rap song created by our team?
Apne papa ki umar zara Hindi me batana
Dhobi kapde kitne laya zara Hindi me ginana!
English ki hamein jo itni aadat ho gayi hai
Hindi dimag ke loye aafat ho gayi hai!
Jab puri duniya kar rahi Namaste mere yaar,
Toh Hello-Hi bol kar kyo milna har baar?
Aray 'yaar' bolne me jo maza ayega
woh 'dude' ya 'buddy' me nahi mil payega!
'Hey whats up bola to ladka apna 'yo man!' hain
HIndi me poocha to Gajani ka amir khan hai!
ABC ko ratne wala tera jo dimag hai
Yaad rakhle jeetay, Hindi hi asli aag hai!
Hindi ke baaray kuch batein aisi bataounga,
Hindi kitni khaas hai yeh tumhe samjhaounga!
Yeh bhasha jo jaisi hai waisi hi likhti batati hai
Yeh bhasha jo bees se zyaada deshon me boli jaati hai
Yeh bhaasha jo vaigyanik hai, prasangik hai, itihasik hai
Yeh Hindi bhasha jo hamein Hindustani bananti hai!
Ek baat poochlena dil pe fir se rakh ke haath
woh sab to theek hai par...
Hindi aati hai ?
Mahabali- The King Who Bowed in Humility!
The wise and just King of Kerala Raja Bali had been …
Mahabali- The King Who Bowed in Humility!
The wise and just King of Kerala Raja Bali had been doing intense tapasya and conducting numerous yagyas… One day Bhagwan Vishnu appeared in front of him as Vaaman (a dwarf Brahman) and asked him for land – enclosing just three of his steps. When Bali agreed, Vishnu assumed his divine form. With one step he covered Swarg. With the second he covered Earth. By this time Bali understood that he was in the presence of his beloved Bhagwan Vishnu himself. For the third step, he offered his own head. When Vishnu placed his foot on it he reached Suthal Lok (one of the Pataal lok).
Bali then said to Vishnu, 'Ishwar now I have offered everything to you, please stay here with me'. Bhagwan Vishnu was not one to let his devotee down and agreed. He also made Bali the King of Suthal Lok where he would rule till the end of Kaliyug.
Later when Goddess Lakshmi came, she made Raja Bali her brother and asked for her husband back. Mahabali could not refuse the Goddess. As Bhagwan Vishnu left, he promised Bali that he would return to him each year. But what about the praja of Kerala who missed their beloved Raja Bali? Raja Bali promised them that would visit them every year. And that is why the festival is celebrated each year. To pray to their deity, Thrikkakara Appan or Bhagwan Vishnu and to invite their beloved King Mahabali to their homes.
Onam is a much-awaited festival every year. During this festival Keralite Hindus worship and install an image of Thrikkakara Appan or Onatthappan, that is Bhagwan Vishnu in the form of Vamana. The much-loved demon King Mahabali is invited to all homes. Though this is a Hindu festival one finds people of all religions take part in it with a full heart and lots of love.
On the first day of Onam, preparations on a grand scale start at the Vamanamoorthy Thirrikara Temple in Kochi, where a grand procession is held called Athachamayam. The first layer of Pookalam is laid with yellow petals.
On the second day of the Onam festivities, another layer of flowers is added to the Pookalam that was designed on the first day. These flowers are usually orange and creamy yellow in colour. Lamps are lit on all the nights.
Happiness and festivities continue to gain momentum. On this day people buy new clothes and gift each other as well. Third layer of flowers is added to the Pookalam.
On this day the women of the house go to buy groceries, cooking essentials and spices. All the special ingredients required to make the delicacies for the festivals are purchased fresh.
The Snake boat race or the Vallamkali is flagged-off on the Pambam River. The race is the annual celebration of Sri Parthasarathy Temple. The race is a much-awaited and loved the event and a sacred ritual. Over 25 palliyodams or snake boats, with around 100 rowers, 15 helmsmen and 25 singers participate! By this day the Pookalam (flower rangoli) grows even bigger.
The joy and festivities increase manifold as fresh flowers are added to the Pookalam. On this day families visit their ancestral homes and spend time with their relatives, parents and grandparents, uncles and aunts. And there is the exciting exchange of gifts as well.
On the fifth-day temples start offering Onasadhya to the devotees and poor people are fed. Every family prepares a simple feast at home. The entire state gets a festive look and bustles with activity. The two famous dance forms Pulikali and Kaikottukali are performed at various places in Kerala.
Onam begins tentatively on this day, the eighth day when all the other preparations have reached a zenith. Murtis of Mahabali and Lord Vamana are installed in the centre of the Pookalam which is by now bigger and more beautiful. The two statues symbolise an invitation to King Mahabali to come and visit each house.
As the first Onam begins on the ninth day while all the other preparations are in full swing. The devotees are prepared to receive King Mahabali the following day. The Uthradam is the ninth day and also the eve of Onam. People are busy with their final shopping and other preparations like cleaning their houses.
The Thiruvonam Onam is the main day of the festival. According to traditional beliefs, Mahabali arrives on this day. People apply rice flour batter designs on the threshold of their homes to welcome King Mahabali for Onasadhya, a sumptuous meal served on banana leaves. The festival is about family and togetherness and celebration- A celebration of life and spirit.
Varna-Vichaar
Phonology
Hindi is the 4th most widely spoken language in the world. It …
Hindi is the 4th most widely spoken language in the world. It has deep historical roots and is connected to almost every language today, making it an exciting language to learn. Knowing grammar is essential for fluency in any language. And grammar begins with an introduction to the alphabet!
Hindi grammar begins with learning the Hindi alphabet or Varnamala. Those fundamental and subtlest forms of sounds which cannot be further divided are called Varnas and their sequential order is called Varnamala. The verbal form of the alphabet is called Dhwani (sound) and the written form is called Varna (letter). Hindi is written in the Devanagari script.
Because Hindi is highly phonetic, you can predict a word’s pronunciation from its written form. There are 52 varnas in the Hindi Varnamala, each with its unique, independent sound that is pronounced exactly the same way it is written. The Varnas are broadly classified into Swar (vowels) and Vyanjan (consonants). Let us learn more about them in this post.
Those letters which are pronounced independently without the help of any other letter are called swar. A Hindi Varnamala consists of 13 swars:
अ, आ, इ, ई, उ, ऊ, ए, ऐ, ओ, औ, ऋ, अं, अः
(a, ā, i, ī, u, ū, e, ai, o, au, ṛ, aṃ, aḥ)
Out of these 13, 10 are known as swar, 1 is ardh swar and 2 are called anuswar.
Swar: अ, आ, इ, ई, उ, ऊ, ए, ऐ, ओ, औ (a, ā, i, ī, u, ū, e, ai, o, au)
Ardh-swar: ऋ (ṛ)
Anuswar: अं, अः (aṃ, aḥ)
Types of Swar based on pronunciation:
· ह्रस्व स्वर (Hrasva swar): These swar are also called mool swar (root vowels). It takes a certain amount of time to pronounce them. Like अ, इ, उ
· दीर्घ स्वर (Dirgh swar)– They are long sound swar. Their pronunciation takes twice as long as the root vowel. Like आ, ई, ऊ, ए, ऐ, ओ, औ
· प्लुत स्वर (Plut swar)- The pronunciation of the plut vowel takes three times as long as the root vowel. Like रा ऽ-ऽ ऽ म, ओउम्।
Vyanjan is a letter that cannot be pronounced without the help of a vowel sound. In Hindi Varnamala, there are 39 vyanjan. They can be classified as:
स्पर्श व्यंजन (Sparsh vyanjan): Sparsh vyanjan are those consonants whose pronunciation is performed with the tongue touching the original pronunciation places (larynx, palate, pharynx, teeth, lips). The first five groups of vyanjan (25) fall in the category of Sparsh vyanjan.
· कवर्ग: क, ख, ग, घ, ङ (ka, kha, ga, gha, ṅa)
· चवर्ग: च, छ, ज, झ, ञ (ca, cha, ja, jha, ña)
· टवर्ग: ट, ठ, ड, ढ, ण (ṭa, ṭha, ḍa, ḍha, ṇa)
· तवर्ग: त, थ, द, ध, न (ta, tha, da, dha, na)
· पवर्ग: प, फ, ब, भ, म (pa, pha, ba, bha, ma)
अंतःस्थव्यंजन (Antahstha vyanjan): Antah means 'within'. The consonants that do not touch any part of the mouth when they are pronounced, that is, they are pronounced from inside the mouth, are called Antahstha vyanjan. There are 4 Antahstha vyanjan य, र, ल, व् (ya, ra, la, v)
ऊष्म व्यंजन (Ushma vyanjan)- Consonants that produce heat while being pronounced are referred to as ushma vyanjan. They are also 4 in number श, ष, स, ह (śa, ṣa, sa, ha).
संयुक्त व्यंजन (Sanyukt vyanjan)- The consonants which are formed by the combination of two consonants are called sanyukt vyanjan.
क्ष (क् + ष) kṣa (k + ṣa)
Dependent Vowels
In Hindi, the vowels have a dependent form called matra (मात्रा). Each swar has a definite symbol called Matra (मात्रा). They cannot be written alone and have to be accompanied by a consonant.
आ (ा), इ (ि), ई (ी), उ (ु), ऊ (ू), ऋ (ृ), ए (े), ऐ (ै), ओ (ो), औ (ौ)
Languages throughout the world have their own alphabets. Literature in any language is based on this foundation. Ensure that you memorize the entire Hindi Varnamala so that you can better understand the grammar.
West meets South!
I am a Sindhi, born and brought up in Mumbai, and married to a Tamil …
I am a Sindhi, born and brought up in Mumbai, and married to a Tamil Brahmin. West Meets South. There is a vast difference between the two states Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. There are many differences in the culture, traditions, festivals, the way they dress up, speak, and more. The major difference is the language, which is a tongue twister! But now after 22 years of marriage, I can communicate with a vegetable vendor and bargain too!
I was so confused initially when the festivals were celebrated. I searched for something similar, something in between…
Finally, I found one. It was the Golu festival. It is celebrated in the South the way Sindhis celebrate Deepawali.
Let me put some light on it. During Deepawali, Sindhi people display clay or resin figurines on a decorative base and perform puja for three full days. To my joy, during Navratri, the Tamilians too display clay figurines or dolls on steps and perform puja for nine days. I had found a wonderful similarity and was overwhelmed with joy by it.
This festival is very popular here in the South. It is called “Golu”. Resin figurines/clay idols/small utensils/clay vegetables etc. are displayed on steps.
There are many varieties of Golu. These delicate things are made of soft earth and glow with glaze, gold, pigments, colours, motifs and designs. The dolls of any Golu are a combination of religious symbols, deities and regular day to day characters. Animals and plants for a part of the Golu too. Sometimes scenes from sacred epics are recreated as well.
The top tiers of a Golu are reserved exclusively for figurines of Gods and Goddesses like the Dasavataram dolls, Murugan or Karitkay, Asthalakshmi or eight Goddesses who are hugely popular. Then there are also a large number of dolls of shopkeepers, merchants like the Chettiar and Chettitchi dolls, a wedding procession, a cricket team playing in a field, pretty vegetable sellers, farmers, flower sellers etc. The odd nationalist figures like Gandhi and Nehru too can be spotted standing somewhere on the steps.
Then there is Talai Aat Bommai, a doll with a moving head. It is a flexible doll made of four parts and you have to assemble it so that if you touch any part of the body, it starts to dance sideways or forward and backwards. At the bottom step of the floor, you will find human figurines and more dolls like the Talai Aat Bommai. Each household decides how many steps they would like to display. These steps are stacked in odd numbers, starting from 3,5,7,9 and so on. But the sky is the limit. Most houses display up to 11 steps.
As per scriptures, the story behind the festival is that, when Maa Durga wanted to kill an evil demon Mahisasur, she didn’t have enough strength to face him alone. So she asked all the Gods and Goddesses for strength. They transferred their strength to her and stood still like statues till she succeeded in killing the demon Mahisasur. Hence Golu is celebrated as an acknowledgement for the unity of and sacrifice that the Gods and Goddesses made in the fight against adharma. The figurines displayed are mostly of Hindu Gods and Goddesses as this is a Hindu festival.
Every year during Navratri people buy at least one new figurine to add to their collection. They decorate their home… the steps are first covered with a beautiful cloth then decorated with flowers and serial lights. The entrance and open yards are adorned with rangoli and lamps. Pooja is performed daily and different prasad is offered to God. The prasad is mostly savoury (for which nine different lentils are soaked each day, boiled, and seasoned with mustard seeds, asafoetida, curry leaves and a hint of grated coconut).
In the evenings, a Kuthuvilakku (traditional brass lamp with five or 7 sides to light) is lit in the middle of the rangoli made in front of the Golu. Devotional hymns and shlokas are chanted. After performing the pooja, the prasad that has been prepared is offered to the Gods and Goddesses and then distributed amongst the family members and people present there.
During this festival, people love to visit each other’s homes and admire the colourful rangolis and the Golu displays. It is a chance for everybody to mingle with their neighbours. They exchange haldi-kumkum, sweets, fruits, flowers, bangles etc.
On the ninth day, a special pooja is offered to Goddess Saraswati. She is the divine Goddess of wisdom and enlightenment. To get her blessings, children’s school books, identity cards and passports of all family members are placed on one of the steps. That day at night all the figurines and dolls are placed in a lying down position. The next day they are taken and neatly wrapped in newspaper to be safely stored. They are then secured in a box so that they are not damaged and can be displayed next year too.
Next time when you are in Tamil Nadu, make sure to visit one of the houses, I am sure they will welcome you with great warmth and give you a return gift too. These are given only to girls and married women. This festival is known as Golu/Kolu in Tamil Nadu, Bombe Habba in Karnataka and Bommala Kolivu in Andhra Pradesh.
Shlokas that help us understand our beloved Ganpatibappa better
Ganesh, Ganapati or Vighnaharta is a much beloved God from the Hindu pantheon. Praying to …
पार्वतीनन्दनायैव देवानां पालकाय ते।
Bengali like most other Indian languages is rich and diverse. It is the primary language spoken …
Bengali like most other Indian languages is rich and diverse. It is the primary language spoken in the Indian state of West Bengal and also is the national language of Bangladesh. A whopping 228 million people across the world speak Bengali as a first language, making it the seventh most spoken language in the world. Bengali and Assamese use the same script which is the Eastern Nagari script. Bengali is the grandchild of Sanskrit and Magadhi Prakrit. Listed below are some interesting facts about Bengali which tell us why people are fascinated with Bengali.
Learning Bengali is also an opportunity to venture into the deeply enriching world of Bengali literature, music and cinema. Wouldn't it be a pleasure to read Tagore in Bengali or watch Satyajit Ray's films without subtitles? Do you know that the Indian national anthem, 'Jan Gan Man' is composed in Bengali?
Many of them have their origins in things that are integral to Bengali culture. The saying 'karor poush maash, karor sorbonash' means 'someone's happiness is someone's sadness. It is used across dialects and your chances of hearing it on the streets of Kolkata are quite high! Winters are charming in Bengal, and the Bengali month of Poush is a month full of festivities. In this saying, 'poush mash' stands for the month of poush — a reason for happiness as opposed to 'sorbonaash' which implies, 'everything destroyed). Isn't it fascinating? Baro maashe, tyaron parbon Also, have you heard this saying about Bengal. ‘baro maashe, tyaron parbon’! It means 12 months and 13 festivals! Bengal is known for its year-round festivals and so this saying came about.
India was under British rule for almost 200 years — which led to the inclusion of many English words in our local languages. However, the exchange of vocabulary was not just in one direction. Like other Indian languages, several Bengali words became a part of English and were later included in the Oxford English Dictionary!
The word 'dinghy' for example is an integral part of the English vocabulary but it is actually a Bengali word that denotes a specific type of boat.
The word 'bhadralok', which means 'rich, successful or educated people' actually came from the English-educated Bengali middle class in the 19th century!
Actually, Retroflex sounds are viewed as harsh and tough. These sounds are avoided by Bangla thereby making it sound soft and free-flowing. Also, at a UNESCO Survey, Bangla has been voted by people as the sweetest language in the world, ranking Spanish and Dutch as the second and third sweet tongues. So as it really does turn out, the language from the land of Bengal sweets was also voted the sweetest!
Bengali slang words are super cool. You can check them out here. One famous slang word is aatel marka - This word is used for people who feel they are too out of this world or artistic with deep thoughts which are better than the thoughts of all other people. Basically, one who thinks of self as an 'intellectual'! The person is said to ateel marka and it's meant to be a taunt!
Famous Hindi poets of India
Samuel Taylor Coleridge once said, “Poetry is the best words in …
Samuel Taylor Coleridge once said, “Poetry is the best words in the best order”. So true, isn’t it? The beauty of words and the elegance with which they come together are what makes poetry so special to us as poetry lovers. In all parts of the world, great poets and writers have left behind writings that are still loved, read, and appreciated. India, too, is blessed with exceptional gems who have contributed greatly to literature and have created some of the most admired, exceptional and valuable compositions.
The roots of Indian poetry can be traced back to Vedic times. The texts were written in many languages, including Vedic and Classical Sanskrit, Hindi, Odia, Maithili, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Bengali, and Urdu. Hindi literature forms a major part of India’s literary wealth. There are four major styles of Hindi literature, depending on the period of production, or kals:
Aadi kal/ Veer Gatha kal: It was a period when court poets created couplets that praised brave warriors.
Bhakti kal was a time when poetry was composed in praise of God.
Reeti kal/ Shringar kal: Poetry during this period celebrated love and beauty.
Adhunik kal: The modern period.
Different prominent poets emerged during the different kals. A few of the greatest Hindi poets from different eras are:
Chand Bardai (Aadi kaal)
One of the greatest Hindi poets of Aadi kal, Chand Bardai was the court poet for Prithviraj Chauhan. He is recognised as one of the first Indian Hindi poets who composed Prithviraj Raso, an epic poem in Brajbhasa about the life of the Chauhan king Prithviraj Chauhan. Chand Bardai had the authority of punctuation, writing, soothsaying, prosody, and the Puranas. Some other creations of this unique Hindi Poet are Padmavati, tan tej tarni jyo ghana opp, and kuch chhand.
Amir Khusro (Aadi kaal)
A member of the Delhi Sultanate, Amir Khusro Dehlavi was an Indo-Persian Sufi singer, a great Hindi poet, musician, and scholar. In his compositions, Khusro used local dialects, such as Khadi Bol, Braj Bhasha, and Hindawi, as well as court languages, such as Persian, Arabic, and Turkish. A Persian poetry expert, he is credited with introducing the 'qawwali' and 'ghazals' to the Indian subcontinent. Known as the ‘Tuti-e-Hind’ (Parrot of India), he was also regarded as ‘the Father of Urdu Literature as well. Some of his major works include Wast al-Hayat (The middle of life), Miftah ul-futuh (Key to the victories), Nuh Sipihr (Nine Skies), and Nihayat ul-Kamaal (The Zenith of Perfection).
Meerabai (Bhakti kal)
Meerabai was a 16th-century Hindu mystic poet and passionate Krishna devotee born into a royal family in Rajasthan. A number of devotional hymns praising Krishna are attributed to Meerabai in Indian tradition and many poems were composed later and attributed to her by her admirers. Meera Bai's compositions are still sung in India today, mostly as bhajans (devotional songs). One of her most popular compositions is 'Paayoji Maine Ram Ratan dhan paayo' (I have been blessed by the Lord's name). In Indian literature, her poems are considered highly influential and prominent in setting a tone or a poetic flow because of the different paths she took on divinity, mysticism, and love.
Tulsidas (Bhakti kal)
A great devotee of Lord Shri Ram, Goswami Tulsidas, was a famous Hindi poet and a prominent philosopher from the Ramanandi Sampradaya. A number of his works allude to Hindu deities, but his Ramcharitmanas take his writing to a whole new level. It is a retelling of the Sanskrit epic Ramayana in the Awadhi dialect of Hindi through several beautiful 'Chaupai' (quadruped/meter of four syllables) solely devoted to Lord Rama. He is also well known for his works in the Braja dialect of Hindi, like Krishnavali and Gitavali.
Kabirdas (Bhakti kal)
Popularly known as Sant Kabir, Kabir was a ‘mystic poet’ of the 15th century, whose writings had a major influence on the Bhakti movement. He questioned the necessity of religion in his dohas, and shlokas and criticized all existing religions such as Hinduism, Islam, and Buddhism. In his poetry, he borrowed dialects from both the Awadhi and Braj versions of Hindi. Most of his compositions are two-line couplets, referred to as ‘Kabir Ke Dohe’. His major work includes Bijak (the seedling), Kabir Parachai, Sakhi Granth, Adi Granth (Sikh), and Kabir Granthawali. You can read more about this in our blog ‘Dohe by Sant Kabir that guide us on life, from birth to death’.
Makhanlal Chaturvedi (Shringar kal)
Born on 4th April 1889 in Hoshangabad District of Madhya Pradesh, Pandit Makhanlal Chaturvedi was an incredible Hindi poet, writer, essayist, playwright, and journalist who played a prominent role in the Indian National Struggle and contributed greatly to the Chhayavaad of the Neo-Romantic movement of Hindi Literature. His work titled ‘Him Tarangini’ was the first to win a Sahitya Akademy Award. Samarpan, Yug Charan, Dip se Dip Jale, Sahitya Devta, Kaisa Chand Bana Deti Hai, and Pushp Ki Abhilasa are among his other famous works.
Malik Muhammad Jayasi (Shringar kal)
A great deal of information about Malik Muhammad Jayasi comes from legends, and his date and place of birth are uncertain. His writing basically includes the Awadhi dialect, but he also used the Persian script Nasta liq. One of his most famous works is Padmavat, based on Alauddin Khalji's siege of Chittor after learning about the beauty of Rani Padmavati of Chittor. His other works include Akhrawat, Akhiri Kalaam and Krishna-inspired Kanhavat.
Mahadevi Verma (Adhunik kal)
Known as ‘Modern Meera’, Mahadevi Verma was an eminent Hindi poet, writer, and novelist born in Farrukhabad, Uttar Pradesh, in 1907. During the Chayavad era, she was one of the most influential poets who worked for the welfare of Indian society, and not only her poetry but also her social and welfare initiatives among women were depicted deeply in her compositions. Her compositions infused Braj Bhasha-style softness into the Khadi Boli dialect. As a result of her contributions, Mahadevi Verma has been given many awards and honours, including the Padma Bhushan, Sahitya Akademi Fellowship, Jnanpith Award, and Padma Vibhushan. Deepshikha, Himalaya, Neerja, Nihar, Path ke Saathi, Ateet ke Chalchitra, and Rashmi Geet are some of her best-known works.
Sumitranandan Pant (Adhunik kal)
One of the most celebrated Hindi Poets of the 20th century, Sumitranandan Pant (20 May 1900 - 28 Dec 1977) is known for his romantic poetry that was inspired by nature, people, and elegance. The Chhayavadi School of Hindi Literature counts Pant as one of its most prominent poets. His work was mostly written in Sanskritized Hindi. Similes and metaphors were often used in his writing, which made them more interesting and admirable. The poem 'Chidambara' that he is most famous for won him a Padma Bhushan in 1961 and a Jnanpith Award in 1968. Aside from Pallav, Veena, Granthi, and Gunjan, his other acclaimed work is Kala aur Burha Chand, for which he received the Sahitya Academy Award.
Ramdhari Singh Dinkar (Adhunik kal)
"सच है विप्पत्ति जब आती है, कायर को ही दहलाती है"
We all must have encountered the above-mentioned line in a Hindi book during school, which is from an incredible poem by Ramdhari Singh Dinkar. Known as the greatest Hindi poet of 'Veer Rasa', Ramdhari Singh Dinkar was born on September 23, 1908, in Samaria, Bihar. Nationalist poetry he wrote before independence earned him the title of 'Rashtrakavi' (national poet). In 1972, he received the Jnanpith award for Urvashi, a love poem very different from his usual genre. Using simple words to convey deep meanings was his forte. Krishna Ki Chetavani, Parashuram ki Pratiksha, Koylaa aur Kavitva, Neem ke Patte, and Reti ke Phool are among his most famous works.
It would be impossible to list all the famous Hindi poets who have contributed so much to Hindi literature in one blog, but I hope this post on some of them was worth your time. They created several great masterpieces which are engraved in the history of Hindi literature and the hearts of their readers. Their works will forever sing the legend of their wisdom and devotion.
Co-Founder Language Curry, Vatsala Sharma speaks to medical student Sana about why …
Co-Founder Language Curry, Vatsala Sharma speaks to medical student Sana about why she learned Kannada. Sana is in her third year of MBBS and belongs to the state of Bangaluru. She took Kannada classes for daily conversation with people. She speaks Hindi, Urdu and English.
Check out the whole interview below!
V.S: Tell us about yourself and your motivation to learn a new language.
Sana: I am doing my 3rd-year MBBS. I am from Bangalore but we didn't speak much Kannada in school or college. Everybody was talking in English. In 11th and 12th, I got some friends and I started learning with them. But I was not confident in speaking with others. I was OK speaking to my friends as they understood what I was saying. It was difficult speaking to unknown people. So I wouldn't speak at all. But now in MBBS, I have to speak to patients so I wanted to learn properly. I had friends who were helping me out but I really wanted to go through the basics and learn it properly.
V.S: How did you come to know about Language Curry?
Dr Sana: I was trying to find a Kannada teacher but it is difficult for me to go for offline classes so I was searching on google and saw the APP. I tried the APP first. It was nice and interactive. Then I got to know about the one-to-one classes. I had done two or three levels in the APP. That's when I came to know about the one-to-one sessions. Then I got in touch through emails.
V.S: How did you find the Beginners Course in live classes?
3Dr Sana: Yes, I had done it with Savita ma'am, and she literally gave a large 10-15 minutes to my doubts and everything. And she actually helped me with the interactions that I have with patients. She put a lot of time into that. She said, 'whatever you ask your patients I will translate and give it to you.
V.S: Would you like to share any funny incident that made you laugh?
Dr Sana: Probably I used to mix up the female and male in every sentence and people would be staring at me! There used to be a patient and a relative over there. Once there was a lady relative accompanying a male patient. I was talking as if I were addressing a female. In the end, the man said, 'no I am the patient not her'! (laughs). I hadn't realised what happened.
V.S: How was your language learning journey?
Dr Sana: So I knew most of the words in Kannada and what they mean but forming the sentences was the hard part. I could frame the first half of the sentences but when you come to the tenses and everything .. so I would try to speak fast and skip off the ends of sentences! (laughs)
V.S: Thank you so much. Keep learning from Language Curry.
Check out the whole interview below!
Co-Founder Language Curry, Vatsala Sharma speaks to Dr Dini about why she …
Co-Founder Language Curry, Vatsala Sharma speaks to Dr Dini about why she learned Kannada.
Dr Dini belongs to Mizoram and is doing her residency in the state of Karnataka after completing her MBBS in West Bengal. She took Kannada classes to be able to converse with her patients and give them counselling.
V.S.: Why are you learning Kannada?
Doctor Dini: 'For me, I have to learn the local language to understand. I am meeting patients every day. I have to understand their complaints, even the smallest of things. Besides that, I have to be able to give them advice. Hence it was important for me to learn the local language (Kannada) to be able to communicate with the patients.
V.S.: Where have you studied?
Doctor Dini: 'Till the 12th I studied in Aizawl, Mizoram. MBBS I studied in West Bengal. I had to learn bits and pieces of Bengali at that time. Compared to doing your residency at that time too but then compared to doing your residency you don't get to talk to the patients so much. We don't have to ask them this thing and that. The conversation was a bit difficult (in West Bengal).
V.S: Did you try the new phrases with your patients?
Doctor Dini: Every day during my OPD sessions, I would try to frame a sentence; if I think that is right, I think that is right I would try to use it with the next patient. Some phrases I was getting used to but the problem is my pronunciation is not something they are familiar with. So even if I speak their language they would ask, 'Haaa? Hai'? They'd be really surprised and wouldn't understand!
V.S.: Speaking to patients in their language (instead of English or Hindi), does that affect your rapport with the patients?
Doctor Dini: 'Once the patients know that I understand what they are saying they feel much more comfortable. But the problem is that I can't talk back fluently (yet) in Kannada. I had this one patient. They told me the problems in their language. And then I tried to respond in Kannada, but I started mixing up words from English, Hindi and Kannada'! At that point the mother said, ma'am-ma'am I understand English, you can tell me in English!
V.S.: Tell us about your language learning experience.
Doctor Dini: I studied till class 12 in Aizawl (Mizoram). Hindi and Bengali were very new to me but they both are very similar. Once you get one thing in Hindi then you can get the meaning in Bengali. Only the pronunciation is different. It's not so different. But Kannada is so different. That is why I am starting from ABC. At least Hindi we learnt in classes. I know how to read and I understand some things.
V.S.: Do you have any notable anecdotes about learning Kannada?
Doctor Dini: We used to give advice to mothers, that they have to give the baby breast milk. The first thing I learned... the second time I went for rounds by myself without my teacher- I asked the Sister, how do I tell the mother to give milk or to ask 'is the baby drinking milk? But I forgot what the sister exactly told me. After that, I went from bed to bed and asked all the new mothers, 'Hālu kuḍi? 'Hālu kuḍi? 'Hālu kuḍi?' I was supposed to ask, 'hālu nīḍi' which means to give milk. But I had been asking all the mothers, 'Hālu kuḍi?' which meant drink milk! (laughs).
V.S.: Haha! But I am sure that it broke the ice. You are also taking live online Kannada classes with us. Any suggestions for us to improve there?
Doctor Dini: Actually right now I am quite satisfied. I had thought I would learn it by myself but we were getting mixed up with the past present and future tenses. Once I started the class (live sessions with Language Curry teachers) I improved a lot in that.
V.S.: Great Dini, it was lovely talking to you. Thank you so much.
The history of India is proud to have a stalwart like Dr Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan in its pages. …
The history of India is proud to have a stalwart like Dr Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan in its pages. A man of exceptional and unmatched oratorial skills, brilliant vocabulary he rose from humble beginnings and had an illustrious teaching career as a Professor of Philosophy to then become the President of India.
The protege is born
A trip down memory lane takes us to Tiruttani, a town in Chennai. On September 5th 1888, a boy was born to an Andhra Brahmin family. The child was named Sarvapalli who studied on scholarships throughout his academic years. Hailing from a financially weak background, Sarvapalli studied philosophy by chance and not by choice! A distant cousin who had graduated from college had passed on his philosophy books to Radhakrishnan. That's when he decided to pursue philosophy, research and teaching as his main career.
That he was a remarkable and astute scholar even as a young man could be gauged even in his college days. When doing his Masters's in Philosophy from Madras Christian College, the MA thesis that he chose was, ‘The ethics of Vedanta and its metaphysical presuppositions.’ Even at that young age, Dr Radhakrishnan understood the importance of and defended the Hindu Vedanta Philosophy against the Western charges that Advaita lacked ethicality. He explained in detail how the Vedanta philosophy, one of the six orthodox Indian Hindu philosophies based on the Upanishads is, as a matter of fact ethical.
Dr Sarvapalli's academic career
Over the next few years, Dr Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan had an illustrious career in teaching and writing in philosophy. His extraordinary teaching skills accompanied by impeccable oratorial eloquence were admired by professors all over the world. Professors at Cambridge and Oxford Universities had to look up dictionaries of the difficult words that he sometimes uttered during his speeches. Such was his mastery! Dr Radhakrishnan’s philosophy was grounded in the Advaita Vedanta principles expounded in the Hindu religion. He earned the reputation of being a bridge-builder between the east and the west as he was influential in shaping and understanding Hinduism and its deepest philosophies.
Dr Radhakrishnan went on to hold many distinguished posts in his illustrious career. He was a teaching faculty at Madras Christian College. He was appointed as the second ambassador of India to the Soviet Union from 1949-1952. He became the fourth Vice-Chancellor of Benaras Hindu University from 1939- 1948. Being one of the most distinguished teachers of comparative religion and philosophies, during Dr Radhakrishnan’s unparalleled teaching career, he held the King George V Chair of Mental and Moral Science at the University of Calcutta from 1921 to 1932 and the Spalding Chair of Eastern Religion and Ethics at University of Oxford from 1936 to 1952.
Dr Radhakrishnan has been showered with innumerable awards and accolades in his lifetime, including a knighthood by the British Empire, and a Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award. He became India’s first Vice- President from 1952-1962 and later the second President of India from 1962-1967. It is noteworthy that once India got Independence from colonial rule, Dr Radhakrishnan dropped the title of Knighthood and resumed his academic title of Dr.
There is an interesting anecdote from the life of Dr Radhakrishnan when a group of students went to him to ask him how he wanted to celebrate his birthday to which he said, ‘Instead of celebrating my birthday, it would be my proud privilege if September 5th is observed as Teachers' Day' to pay homage to all the great teachers of India. He believed teachers were the best minds in the country. Hence each year on his birthday, September 5th is celebrated Teacher’s Day is celebrated. Let us remember this great personality with a lot of respect and reverence on his birthday.
Rajamouli's film RRR: Rise Roar Revolt has Risen, Roared and Revolted
What’s …
Rajamouli's film RRR: Rise Roar Revolt has Risen, Roared and Revolted
What’s happening?
An Indian film is getting unprecedented love not just in India but by global audiences and critics alike. They even want it to win the Oscars! RRR is getting praised for many things, its cinematography, story-telling and representations of human relationships. The audiences worldwide sat amazed through three hours of cinematic event. Let us share with you a few glimpses of this phenomenon. Later we will delve into what exactly worked for the film.
Here are some youtube reviews and reactions by influencers world over as they watched RRR:
Americans largely got emotionally invested in Bheem and Ram's Story within few minutes. As you can see in the video, they are literally crying, shocked, laughing, excited... feeling a range of emotions throughout. An American female Youtuber Miss SlientNinja was left shocked and shivering just three minutes into RRR remaining invested right till the end.
Below: Scream Queens Podcast : 'We watch RRR (2022) for the FIRST TIME! REACTION! COMMENTARY'!
RRR was able to captivate its audience within minutes and retain their interest and attention throughout with many left deeply moved by the events therein.
Far-off cultures were brought together by visual media. A lot of us have been inspired by K-dramas and K-pop. Similarly, Koreans too found themselves relate intensely to this Indian Telugu , even though they were reading subtitles.
RRR team is working fast for dubbing the film to Japanese for its October release in Japan. They have already begun making popular art for RRR and even before seeing the film many are already big fans of Ram Charan. They are eagerly waiting for the release of the film and the current hysteria suggests that this could be one of the highest-grossing Indian films in Japan!
Three-hour action epic #RRR is the biggest film in India's history. @ByClaytonDavis weighs the movie's chances at this year's #AcademyAwards. | Variety The Take presented by @AppleTV https://t.co/x7D5VnuwBk pic.twitter.com/R6gkDohMqS
— Variety (@Variety) August 19, 2022
Variety Meda Entertainment News agency - Clayton Davis Senior Awards Editor from Variety has recently spoken about RRR and wishes that Indian Oscar juries would send RRR as its submission to the Oscars from India. Else they would themselves add RRR to some categories to get it awards!
ScreenCrush News ranked RRR at the Top 2 Spot among Western Audiences.
Ruso Brothers, the directors of the Famed Marvel Avengers praised Rajamouli (Director RRR) and declared that they would like to be the producers for Rajamouli's future ventures, offering Hollywood-level Budgets, clearly depicting their high regard for the RRR director!
Going by the people’s love for RRR across the Globe, Google has launched a doodle animation when anyone searches RRR in Google! We see a horse and motorcycle racing each other in our search. It symbolises the refreshing friendship of lead characters that have captivated audiences worldwide.
🏍 🐎
Thank you @Google for surprising us and acknowledging the GLOBAL PHENOMENON & Popularity of RRR !! 🤩❤️
Search for RRR in google and post screenshot/video to us with #RRRTakeOver #RRRMovie pic.twitter.com/1f509prJJU
— RRR Movie (@RRRMovie) August 13, 2022
Emotions - Range of emotions which felt sincere. But how did a Bharatiya movie’s emotions make a connection with foreigners? That's because it leveraged universal emotions like the mother-child bond, friendship, brotherhood, trust, the human ability to recognise right and wrong and the courage to fight for justice.
The plot: A child is separated from her mother, snatched brutally away by a British lady to keep in her castle. A community leader from the village pledges to bring the girl back. This humble bow and arrow-wielding forest dweller was up against the British empire and all its might! The story moves ahead to deep friendships being formed. There is another man's promise to his village folk. We see the men follow the vows without compromise. There is respect for all life, even that of animals. The fight against colonisers remains the core theme all through.
Some refreshing changes: Foreign audience applauded how masculinity was not downgraded or hated upon in any way. Some foreign audiences have felt that lately, Hollywood had been pushing femininity not by celebrating it for its many virtues, but instead by insulting men and masculinity. The overkill of the trend, got the audiences sick of it and RRR appeared as a refreshing change. Audiences also felt that many Hollywood movies were indulging in unnecessary preaching and moral policing, often pushing agendas- all the while tossing aside the main reason people watch films, for entertainment! Which RRR provided in good measure.
Suspense: RRR gloriously ran on the shoulders of two masculine heroes. The first being Junior NTR as Bheem, a simple, innocent man of the forest, with iron willpower. The other is Ram Charan as Raju, a police officer who is laser-focused on his service to the British. He is a one-man army. He keeps the audience baffled and in a dilemma. No one can make out his intentions. His introduction itself was one where is shown fighting his own people mercilessly. Who is he really and what does he want? Will Bheem be successful in completing the Bhagirathi task he pledged upon himself? A few parallel suspense themes kept the viewer glued to their seats.
Clean film: the story is clean with no unnecessary innuendos or sexual experiments, which is extremely rare today.
Encore: Foreigners demanded to watch it again in theatres, and so RRR is still running in the US, and UK in select theatres! Many moviegoers confessed to watching this multiple times, one person said she was watching RRR in the theatre for the 14th time! Another person declared that it was his 20th time. RRR has allowed the audience to experience a wide range of pure human emotions: from motherhood, innocence, friendship, romance, suspense, dance battles, betrayal, injustice, failures and ultimately the relief and joy to see the triumph of justice and truth in this epic ride.
The victory of good over evil: Another aspect was its historical connection and highlighting of Colonial oppressors and their grave injustices. Audiences were made aware of some of the evil acts performed by the colonial rulers, their greed and their spite for the local people of India.
The Nacho Nacho Song has a fan base of its own! Junior NTR is a classically trained Kuchipudi dancer and Ram Charan also has some good moves! These actors are megastars of the Telugu Film Industry with the capabilities of delivering a triumvirate of super acting, dancing and fighting!
RRR is still going strong and the Hollywood industry has taken notice of it. In fact, the film has put the Telugu Film Industry on the world map, with many correcting each other that this is not a 'Bollywood film' its Telugu! This is a 'Tollywood' film. Wishing many more successes to RRR which has opened up Indian cinema to the World! And immense gratitude to the legendary Rajamouli and his father Sri Vijeyandra Prasadi, the writer for RRR and the Baahubali movies!
Do you suffer from the accent morphing syndrome?
My accent never changed when I lived in the …
My accent never changed when I lived in the US, I clung to my urban-Indian accent throughout. You might hear a sprinkling of a Marathi accent on it; not like "my pen is not wHorkeeeeng" like the Marathis say, but if you listened closely, I'd sound Bombay/Pune.
It's funny. One second they are full desi accent + sentence structure, like "Where to go only, yaar!" and the next second they turn to an American, they layer a twisted accent on top of being desi, like "Suuuureee. I wanna Staaap beckause I kin drive vayrey FAYY-st".
I cringed at Indians who morphed their accent when they spoke to Americans. It sounded terrible to me-like nails on a chalkboard, or worthy of rolling your eyes. I used to think it's because they are insecure- but slowly- my close friends turned out to have the accent-morphing syndrome and they were confident secure people!
I had an American roommate once, and she asked me quietly "Why do Indians change their accent when they talk to Americans?". Americans actually appreciate the original accent. And because I used my full-blown Indian "convented" English accent in the US, I'd have colleagues tell me "I LOVE your accent"!
Once I even got a "if I had your accent, I'd be a billionaire".
I wish!
Having established I ain't gonna change my accent, I will admit I've taken a hypocrites oath, coz there is one accent I would love to adopt: the British accent.
Even curse words sound royal in British English! If I had a British accent I think I'd make more friends and have a cult following ;). For now, I've changed my iPhone to speak British English to me.
The accent war has a real winner :)
Proverbs represent the oldest and multigenerational collective wisdom packed in a few words …
Proverbs represent the oldest and multigenerational collective wisdom packed in a few words arranged to rhyme, and sometimes poetically, figuratively and some other times quite literally.
Like any other spoken language known to us, Kannada too has a massive collection of proverbs. One would hear these proverbs being used as well as accepted facts by the native speakers, which mostly describe human behaviour and human frailty, thereby keeping the statements concise and insightful. To highlight the weight, such proverbs carry for the native speaker, one need not venture farther than picking an oft-repeated proverb in Kannada -
ವೇದ ಸುಳ್ಳಾದರು ಗಾದೆ ಸುಳ್ಳಾಗುವುದಿಲ್ಲ (veda suḷḷādaru gādĕ suḷḷāguvudilla) which means 'proverbs never go wrong, but scriptures might'!
I have collected some of the commonly used proverbs below. While translating these proverbs I have tried my best to use the equivalent proverb in English and when there was none, I have tried to bring forth the meaning of it.
kaṭṭuvudu kaṭhiṇa kĕḍahuvuḍadu sulabha
To construct is difficult, but to destruct is easy.
ati āsĕ gati kĕḍisitu
Greed for more never helps.
ūṭaballavanigĕ rogavilla; mātu jagaḷavilla
One who knows how to eat is never afflicted by disease; similarly, the one who knows what to speak doesn’t get into a quarrel.
mātĕ mṛtyu-mātĕ muttu
Words have the potential to bring death or wealth.
satyakkĕ sāvilla suḷḷigĕ sukhavilla
Truth never dies, with a lie one never prospers.
hĕttatāyi hŏttanāḍu svargakkintalū migilu / janani janma bhūmiśca svargādapi garīyasī
Mother and motherland are way superior to the heaven above
uppiginta ruciyilla; tāyiginta bandhuvilla
Nothing tastes good without salt, and no one gives better solace than mother.
śaktiginta yukti melu
Brains are better than brawn.
bĕkkigĕ āṭa iligĕ prāṇa saṅkaṭa
Fun for one might be critical for the other.
aramanĕgintalū nĕrĕmanĕ lesu
One in hand is better than two in the bush.
māḍidduṇṇo maharāya
What you sow is what you reap.
giḍavāgi baggaddu maravāgi baggītĕ
Catch them young.
tumbida kŏḍa tuḷukuvudilla
Empty vessels make more noise.
ci0tĕ illadavanigĕ sa0tĕyallū niddĕ
One who isn’t worried can sleep in the middle of a marketplace.
hittala giḍa maddalla
The grass is green on the other side of the fence.
mantrakkĕ māvinakāyi udurutye
Right device gets the right result.
kai kĕsarādarĕ bāyi mŏsaru
Hard work always pays.
kuri kāyodakkĕ toḷanannu kaḷisidantĕ
Like appointing a habitual thief to defend the treasures.
mukha noḍi maṇĕ hāku
Treating people differently based on their appearance.
hāsigĕ iddaṣtu kālu cācu
Spend what you have and not what you hope to have.
jaṭṭi kĕḷagĕ biddarū mīsĕ maṇṇāgalilla ĕnda
Claiming moral victory after having lost the argument.
a0gai huṇṇigĕ kannaḍi bekĕ
You don’t need anyone to know your own flaws.
kŏṭṭavanu koḍaṅgi iskŏṇḍavanu īrabhadhra
Lending without knowing the antecedents leads to obvious loss.
ಎತ್ತಿಗೆ ಜ್ವರ ಬ೦ದರೆ ಎಮ್ಮೆಗೆ ಬರೆ ಎಳೆದರ೦ತೆ
ĕttigĕ jvara ba0darĕ ĕmmĕgĕ barĕ ĕḷĕdara0tĕ
One pays for the mistakes of the other.
maneli ili, bīdīli huli
Making tall claims when the audience is favourable.
ku0baḷakāyi kaḷḷa a0darĕ hĕgalu muṭṭi nodikŏ0ḍana0tĕ.
Reacting to statements as if one is specifically blamed.
kāryāvāsi kattĕkālu hiḍi
Getting things by hook or crook.
hŏṭṭĕgĕ hiṭṭilla, juṭṭigĕ malligĕ hūvu.
Spending on things only to show-off.
bĕṭṭa agĕdu ili hiḍida hāgĕ
All commotion for nothing.
aḍikĕgĕ hoda māna ānĕ kŏṭṭarū bāradu
Choose your battles wisely.
aḍḍagoḍĕmelĕ dīpa iṭṭa hāgĕ
To be very indecisive.
akki melĕ āsĕ, nĕ0ṭara melū prīti
You can’t have the cake and eat it too.
ajjigĕ arivĕ ci0tĕ, magaḷigĕ ga0ḍana ci0tĕ
Vested interests surpass everything.
alpanigĕ aiśvarya ba0darĕ ardharātrīli kŏḍĕ hiḍidana0tĕ
Nouveau riche are often very kitschy.
attĕgŏ0du kāla sŏsĕgŏ0du kāla
Every dog has his day.
Read this article in English
दिव्यवाणी संस्कृत
ज्ञान पिपासुयों के लिए ये शोध का विषय …
दिव्यवाणी संस्कृत
ज्ञान पिपासुयों के लिए ये शोध का विषय रहा है कि संस्कृत का हमारे जीवन में क्या महत्व है? हम संस्कृत क्यों जाने, क्यों पढे, उससे भी बढ़कर संस्कृतमय जीवन क्यों आवश्यक है| इन सारे प्रश्नों का उत्तर प्राप्त करने के लिए ये जानना अतिआवश्यक है कि संस्कृत है क्या? क्या ये केवल एक भाषा है?
नहीं |
संस्कृत एक सेतु है, स्वयं को उस परम चैतन्य से जोड़ने का, एक माध्यम है उस परमानन्द रूप श्रीकृष्ण के मुरली की प्रेमधुन में लीन हो जाने का| वो धुन जिसमे सम्पूर्ण ब्रम्हांड ‘मैं’ को भूलकर एक ही लय में नृत्य करने लगता है और पूर्णतया कृष्णमय हो जाता है | यहाँ पर ये प्रश्न उठता है कि बचपन से ही संस्कृतमय जीवन क्यों अपनाना चाहिए| हम अन्य विषयों की तरह भी तो संस्कृत का ज्ञान प्राप्त कर सकते हैं, परंतु क्या केवल ज्ञान प्राप्त करना ही पर्याप्त होगा?
नहीं|
हमें केवल ज्ञान प्राप्ति तक स्वयं को नहीं समेटना है| हमे उस ज्ञान को अपने जीवन में उतारना है| वो मूल तत्व जो हमें अचेतन से चैतन्य की ओर स्वयं हाथ पकड़कर ले जाता है| अंधकार से उजाले की ओर ले जाता है| और उस प्रकाश में हम अपने वास्तविक स्वरूप को देख पाते हैं जो कृष्णमय है| हम हमेशा कहते हैं कि बच्चें ईश्वर का रूप होतें हैं क्यों, क्योंकि उनके और उस परमेश्वर के मध्य कोई आवरण नहीं होता | ईश्वर जो स्वयं प्रेममय है उसी प्रेम का संचार सीधा बच्चों में होता है और बच्चें सर्वत्र उसी अलौकिक प्रेम को प्रसारित करते हैं, किन्तु जैसे-जैसे आयु बढ़ती जाती है आवरण बढ़ता जाता है और वही बच्चा ‘मैं’ बन जाता है |
‘मैं करता हूँ’, ‘मैंने किया’, ‘मैं करूंगा’ |
वो भूल जाता है कि करने वाला तो एक ही है वो परमेश्वर,मानव तो निमित्त मात्र है| इसी सत्य को भूलकर भौतिक प्रगति करने की दौड़ मे लग जाता और इसी प्रगति को ही वास्तविक प्रगति मानता है जबकि उसी क्षण उसकी आंतरिक प्रगति का ह्रास होता जाता है, क्योंकि उसने स्वयं को उस चैतन्य से दूर कर लिया है जो उसकी आंतरिक प्रगति का स्रोत है| अब प्रश्न ये उत्पन्न होता है कि कैसे हम अपना सर्वांगीण विकास करें| हम उस परमचैतन्य से स्वयं को जोड़ते हुए प्रगति के मार्ग पर कैसे आगे बढ़े?
संस्कृत हमारी इसमें कैसे सहायता कर सकती है? यदि हम अपनी अमूल्य धरोहर वेदों को पढ़ेंगे तो जान सकते हैं कि हमारे मंत्रद्रष्टा ऋषियों ने बहुत ही स्पष्ट शब्दों में हमारा मार्गदर्शन किया है| यहाँ एक मंत्र को उदाहरण स्वरूप रख रही हूँ-
अग्निमीले पुरोहितं यज्ञस्य देवम् ऋत्विजम् होतारं रत्नधातमम् | ऋग्वेदः 1.1.1.
वेदों में जहाँ भी अग्नि की स्तुति की गई है, अग्नि को दो रूपों मे देखा गया है- एक बाह्य अग्नि जिसमे वैदिक मंत्रों के द्वारा आहुति दी जाती है, एक आत्मा रूपी आंतरिक अग्नि| प्रस्तुत मंत्र मे इसी आंतरिक अग्नि की स्तुति करते हुए ऋषि कहते हैं-
“हे अग्नि! आप हमारे अंदर प्रज्ज्वलित हों, इस जीवनरूपी यज्ञ के आप ही पुरोहित हैं, हमारे जीवन का संचालन करें| आप पूर्णपरमेश्वर हैं, आप ही उचित समय को जानने वाले हैं| दिव्यस्वरूप देवताओं का आवाहन आपके माध्यम से होता है तथा परमानन्द का अनुभव आपके द्वारा ही संभव है| मैं अपने मन, कर्म, विचार,सब आपको समर्पित करता हूँ| आप हमें उस चैतन्य से जोड़कर मुझ अपूर्ण को पूर्णता प्रदान कीजिए| आप हमारा मार्ग प्रशस्त करें जिससे ईश्वर और मेरे बीच के सारे आवरण हट जाएं और मैं अपने वास्तविक स्वरूप को कृष्णमय है,प्रेममय है उसमे लीन हो सकूँ|” मुक्ति/ मोक्ष प्राप्त कर सकूँ| वास्तविक मुक्ति क्या है? इस पर प्रकाश डालने का छोटा सा प्रयास किया है इसके लिए श्रीमदभगवतगीता श्लोक को उदाहरण स्वरूप रख रही हूँ-
मन्मना भव मद्भक्तो मद्याजी मां नमस्कुरु।
मामेवैष्यसि सत्यं ते प्रतिजाने प्रियोSसि मे ।।18/65
अर्जुन तू मुझमें ही अपना अटूट चित्त लगा, मेरा भजन कर, मेरा पूजन कर, तू मेरा प्रिय है, मैं विश्वास दिलाता हूँ कि तू मुझे प्राप्त कर लेगा अर्थात मोक्ष को प्राप्त कर लेगा | यहाँ पर मोक्ष प्राप्त करने से तात्पर्य जीवन से मुक्ति नहीं है,बल्कि उस परमानन्द श्रीकृष्ण में अंतर्निहित होकर स्वयं कृष्णमय ही जाना ही मुक्ति है और ये ही हमारे जीवन का परम लक्ष्य है| इसके लिए आपको देहत्याग की आवश्यकता नहीं है | स्वयं को श्रीकृष्ण को सौंप दें और ये प्रार्थना करें कि हे मधुसूदन! एक ऐसा बाण चलाओ जो मेरे और तुम्हारे बीच सारे आवरणों को भेद दे और मैं तुम्हें पा सकूँ, हे मुरलीधर! मुरली की वो तान छेड़ो जिसका चुंबकीय आकर्षण मुझे तुमसे ऐसा जोड़े कि पुनः पृथक होने की संभावना लेशमात्र भी ना हो ये ही मेरी मुक्ति है| श्रीमदभगवतगीता मे इसी को साधर्म मुक्ति कहा गया है | अपने धर्म का पालन करते हुए उस परमानन्द श्रीकृष्णा को पा लेना ही वास्तविक मुक्ति है, मोक्ष है ,अमरत्व है| जो भी कार्य करो उस कृष्णा को समर्पित करते हुए करो, हमने हर क्षण हर विचार, हर भाव तुम्हारे श्रीचरणों मे डाल दिया है अब तुम जैसे चाहो मेरे जीवन को संचालित करो| मेरी नाव के तुम ही खेवैया हो जिधर चाहो ले चलो
इस प्रकार “मैं” के भाव को त्याग कर कृष्ण के प्रेम में लीन होकर कृष्णमय हो जाना ही परमानन्द है, जिसको ही अमरत्व माना गया है, मोक्ष कहा गया है|
ये परमानन्द अमृतसदृश ज्ञान क्या दिव्यवाणी संस्कृत के अलावा कहीं और से प्रवाहित हो सकती है? नहीं,संस्कृत स्वयं में अमूल्य धरोहर है|
धन्यवाद |
It has been a matter of research for knowledge seekers that what is the importance of Sanskrit in our life. Why we should know Sanskrit, why study Sanskrit, and why is it important to live a Sanskritic life? To get the answer to all these questions, it is vital to understand what is Sanskrit. Is it just a language? No.
Sanskrit is a bridge that connects oneself with that supreme consciousness. It is a medium to get absorbed in the love of the blissful form of Shri Krishna's murli. That tune in which the whole universe forgets the 'I' and starts dancing in one rhythm and becomes completely Krishna. Here the question arises that why should one adopt Sanskritic life from childhood. We can acquire knowledge of Sanskrit like other subjects, but will it be enough to acquire knowledge alone? No.
No, we do not have to restrict ourselves to mere attainment of knowledge. We have to apply that knowledge in our life. That fundamental element which takes us from the unconscious to the consciousness by holding our hands leads us from darkness to light and in that light, we can see our true Krishnamaya nature. We always say that children are the form of God because there is no cover between them and God. God, Himself is loving, the same love is transmitted directly to children and children spread the same supernatural love everywhere, but as their age increases, the cover grows and that child becomes 'I'.
'I do', 'I did', 'I will'.
He forgets that there is only one doer, and that is God, man is only an instrument. Forgetting this truth, he starts in the race to make material progress and considers this progress only as real progress, while at the same moment his inner progress gets diminished because he has distanced himself from the consciousness which is the source of his inner progress. Now the question arises that how do we make our all-round development. How do we proceed on the path of progress connecting ourselves to that supreme consciousness? How can Sanskrit help us in this?
If we read the Vedas, our invaluable heritage, then we will learn that our sages have guided us in very clear words. Here I am placing a mantra as an example-
Agnimile Purohitam Yagyasya Devam Ritvijam
Hotaram Ratnadhatamam | Rigveda: 1.1.1.
Wherever Agni is praised in the Vedas, Agni is seen in two forms – an outer fire in which the sacrifice is made through Vedic mantras, an inner fire in thand e form of a soul. Praising this inner fire in the present mantra, the sage says-
‘O fire! You are ignited in us, you are the priest of this life-like sacrifice, conduct our lives.’
You are the Supreme Lord, you are the one who knows the right time. The invocation of the gods in the divine form is through you and the experience of ecstasy is possible only through you. I dedicate my mind, deeds, thoughts, and everything to you. By connecting us with that Chaitanya (awareness), give completeness to my being. You pave the way for us so that all the veils between God and me are removed and I can merge into my true nature, which is Krishna-loving.
I can attain liberation/moksha. What is real salvation? A small effort has been made to throw light on this, for this I am taking the Shloka of Shrimad Bhagwat Geeta as an example-
Manmana bhava madbhakto madyaji mother namaskuru.
Mamevaishyasi satyam te pratijane priyosi mein... 18/65
Arjun, you put your mind totally in me, sing my bhajans, worship me, you are my beloved, I assure that you will achieve me, that is, you will attain salvation. To attain moksha in this context does not mean freedom from life, but to become immersed in that ecstasy that is Shri Krishna. To become Krishna-may itself is liberation and this is the ultimate goal of our life. You don't need to die for this. Surrender yourself to Shri Krishna and pray that O Madhusudan! Shoot an arrow that will pierce all the veils between me and you and I may find you, O Murlidhar! Tear that tone of the flute whose magnetic attraction connects me with you in such a way that there is no possibility of separation again, this is my salvation. In Shrimad Bhagwat Geeta, this is called religious liberation. To attain that ecstasy Sri Krishna while following your dharma is the real liberation, salvation, and immortality. Whatever work you do, do it by dedicating it to Krishna, we have put every thought, every emotion at your feet, and now operate my life as you wish. Krishna, you are the boatman of my boat, take me wherever you want
Thus renouncing the feeling of "I" and becoming absorbed in the love of Krishna, it is bliss to become Krishna, which is considered immortality and is called salvation.
Can this divine nectar-like knowledge flow from anywhere other than Sanskrit? No, Sanskrit itself is an invaluable heritage.
The 44th International Chess Olympiad
It is not quite often that India gets to host a …
It is not quite often that India gets to host a world sporting event. Thus, the world’s biggest chess event – the 44th International Chess Olympiad – to be held in India is rousing a lot of interest and curiosity.
From July 28 to the 10th of August, the Poonjeri Village in Mamallapuram, (a UNESCO heritage site, located about 50 kilometres from Chennai, Tamil Nadu), will be the hotbed of all activities that accompany global sporting events of such nature. Around 2000 participants are expected.
Video above: In Chennai, the Chess capital of India: Napier Bridge painted like a chess board.
The ongoing Russia-Ukraine war compelled the International Chess Federation (FIDE) to look for new bidders, as Russia that was originally hosting the event was now deemed unsuitable to do so. What should make every Indian proud is the fact that among all the bidding nations, India was considered the most suitable destination to host the high-profile event for the first time.
Mamallapuram, also known as Mahabalipuram, the heritage village accommodating the event is also well known for its historical sites and monuments. The Shore temple, Butter Ball, Cave Temples, Mahabalipuram Lighthouse, and Dakshinachitra Museum are a few spots worth a visit. It is noteworthy that Vishwanathan Anand, the first chess grandmaster from India, also hails from the Indian state of Tamil Nadu where the grand event is taking place. The Prime Minister of India, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, and other special invitees and dignitaries will attend the inaugural ceremony at Nehru Indoor Stadium on July 28.
All required arrangements are made to make this event a huge success. A 24/7 control room is also in place to assist the participants, guests and the public. The accommodation and other facilities such as parking, water and power supply, road facilities, etc are being taken care of. The event is also appropriately publicised. The Tamil Nadu tourism department would be providing a free bus service for the event. Rules and regulations are set to be followed by the participants and chess enthusiasts attending the event.
The tryst and fascination of India with the sixty-four square board indoor game involving sixteen pieces each of two competing players could be traced long back in our history and across time.
References to the game are found in our epics - Mahabharat and Ramayan. Broken pieces of Chess have been discovered in excavations in Dimapur, Nagaland. The game of chess was popular here. It is believed that the Pandava brother, Bheem used to play chess with his wife, Hidimba and their son, Ghatotkacha. A pre-historic version of the game, namely Chaturanga, which was a virtual war indoor game involving soldiers, a king, infantry, horses, and chariots was known to be played in this part of the world.
Both the demon king Ravan and his wife, Mandodari, are believed to have been involved in the invention of the game like chess and playing it.
The great Indian saint, philosopher, and spiritual guide- Swami Vivekananda- revered for his intelligence, wisdom, memory, and wit- was known to be a great player and enthusiast of this fascinating game.
Chess also is a part of Indian literature, art, and culture.
The world-renowned Indian filmmaker, Satyajit Ray, had based one of his movies on a story written by famous Hindi novelist, Munshi Premchand. The movie, and the book alike, was titled Shatranj Ke Khiladi and quite in keeping with the name, it was based on the game of chess. The addictive nature of the game and how it continued to captivate the folks from this part of the world was hilariously portrayed and two kings were shown engrossed in the game of chess when their respective kingdoms were under attack! The backdrop of the movie was British India, and the widely acclaimed movie was released in 1977.
A historical Lord Shiva temple located in the Tiruvarur district, Tamil Nadu, namely Sathuranga Vallabhanathar, is gaining attention ahead of the chess mega event. The word Sathuranga implies the game of chess in Tamil. Lord Shiva in disguise assumed the name as that of the temple and outwitted the princess, Rajarajeswari (a manifestation of goddess Parvati) in the game of chess. The princess was undefeated in the game till then. Archaeological studies suggest that chess was played in Tamil Nadu as early as 1,500 years ago.
The Kalyani Devi temple, a 1500-year-old Hindu shrine located in the heart of Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh draws devotees from all over the world, among them are some chess players. The tradition started a few decades ago. The late Pandit Ramji Pathak who was the main priest was a chess fanatic and the love for the game is inherited by his son, Pandit Shyamji Pathak. This temple has catapulted many well-known chess players from the nation. The game is discussed, encouraged, and promoted by the pandits and here one gets to hear the names of legends like Anand, Kasparov, Karpov, and Bobby Fischer! The pandits coach many players for tournaments!
As we conclude, let us wish great success to the upcoming 44th International Chess Olympiad- let us celebrate the great sports, let it be played in the right spirit, and may the best win!
But how? Because together they have queen, king, knight and a castle. Each of which are represented thus:
1) Queen (British music group- Queen; lead singer – Freddie Mercury of Indian origin)
2) King (Stephen King - American writer of ghosts/ supernatural)
3) Knight (Knight Rider- an American action crime Television series)
4) Castling/castle (castling is a move in chess, and a Japanese animated fantasy film is named "Howl's Moving Castle")
Learning to play a musical instrument helps destress and helps express emotions as well. The …
Learning to play a musical instrument helps destress and helps express emotions as well. The practise of playing an instrument helps one improve cognitive memory as well as muscle memory. Children specifically benefit exceptionally well from it. Being able to play well helps boost confidence and provides a sense of achievement as well. And who can deny, it is fun! Music uplifts the spirit and mood. brings satisfaction and can live up to any day!
A Sanskrit shlok from the neeti shatak 12 says:
साहित्यसङ्गीतकलाविहीनः साक्षात्पशुः पुच्छविषाणहीनः।
तृणं न खादन्नपि जीवमानः तद्भागधेयं परमं पशूनाम्॥
sāhityasaṅgītakalāvihīnaḥ sākṣātpaśuḥ pucchaviṣāṇahīnaḥ| tṛṇaṃ na khādannapi jīvamānaḥ tadbhāgadheyaṃ paramaṃ paśūnām||
The shlok says, 'A person who is devoid of literature, music and art is just an animal without a tail and horns. Such a person lives without eating grass, which is the animals' great fortune! The importance of music is explained with such strong words in ancient Indian texts!
India has had numerous musical instruments from ancient times. Other parts of the world too have contributed some beautiful instruments to the world of music. Let's discover the names of some of them in Sanskrit!
Kavitrayam ~ the trinity of poets
The great Hindu epic of ancient India, Mahabharata was …
The great Hindu epic of ancient India, Mahabharata was originally available in Sanskrit. The main story of Mahabharata revolves around the progeny of two brothers Dhritarashtra and Pandu, respectively called the Pandavas and Kauravas. The story leads up to the Kurukshetra War and the battle for the throne of Hastinapura.
The battle was not just a war over a Kingdom but it was a war to establish Dharma. It was a Dharma yudh. Interwoven all through are side-stories of thousands of people of the era. The most important part of the Mahabharata is the Bhagvat Geeta's learnings. The Geeta is a collection of 700 sacred verses. They were recited by Shri Krishna for Arjun. It is a text holy to Hindus and is considered a handbook for life and for achieving moksha.
It is understandable why Telugu scholars would want to translate it to Telugu as well. But the process to do so was not easy, in fact, it was exceptionally remarkable and must be shared. To know about it, one must know about Kavitrayam, the trinity of poets.
Mahabharata was translated into Telugu over several centuries. It took three poets a lifetime of their effort. Those three poets are namely Nannayya, Tikkana, and Yerrapragada.
Nannaya was an 11th-century AD poet. Though there was some Telugu literature written before him, it is he who has been bestowed with the title of Adhikavi (first poet). He revived the Telugu language by adding a few alphabets from Sanskrit. He wrote two and a half chapters.
Tikkana was a 13th-century Telugu poet. He translated the final 15 chapters but did not undertake to translate the half-finished Aranya Parvamu (The forest chapter).
Yeranna was a 14th-century Telugu poet. He translated the remaining half - of the Aranya Parvam (The forest chapter). This trinity of poets put their efforts to deliver the epic in Telugu as well.
Because of their dedication and creative work, it wasn’t just a translation but also their version of Mahabharata in Telugu. So treasured the Mahabharata is here that there is a saying in Telugu, ‘tinte garelu tinali, vinte bharatam vinali’ which means if you want to eat, eat vadas if you want to listen, listen to the Bharatam (Mahabharat).
Are you aware that you can learn Telugu for free from Language Curry? Download the app now to learn Telugu with help of the learner-friendly chapters and the audio guide.
Learn these seven Telugu slang words to surprise your Telugu speaking friends
Punjabi Slang words!
Learning a new language usually stems from a reason: business …
Learning a new language usually stems from a reason: business opportunities, curiosity, fun, academic achievements, or something else. Whatever the reason, all of us want the same thing at the end of the day. We want to be able to communicate with native speakers with ease and confidence. We just don’t want to speak the language but to speak like natives and fit into the group. And here is when ‘Slang’ comes into the picture. Simply put, slang will help you get a hold of the soul of the language.
Slang words are the ingredients used to spice up the language ‘curry’!
However, the use of slang is limited to informal or casual situations; it does not belong in formal settings.
All cultures are capable enough of imbibing this slight linguistic deviation from the formal version. There's no doubt that Punjabi is a language that can grab anyone's attention, whether you're from the North, South, East, or the West. Not just because the language is abundant in our country, but also because it is amusing in its own right. The Punjabi slang would appeal to your sense of humour and arouse interest and curiosity.
Think of how many conversations you could end up having if you had a vast knowledge of Punjabi slang. Let's face it, that's going to be epic. Here, we've compiled some amazing Punjabi slang for anyone interested in learning or just slaying in general.
Khair chaddo hun, mitti pao
This famous slang means “to leave it, bury it”. It is similar to the English usage of ‘let bygones be bygones.’
Chak de phatte
Known far and wide, this famous slang signifies "Come on, and keep it up!" It's Punjabi's way of cheering and wishing you all the best.
Thand rakh yaar!
A simple phrase mostly used to tell the person to ‘keep calm’ or ‘don't worry’.
Phitte muh tere
It is used to show disgust towards a person. But with time, it is now used in a humorous way to show the feeling that things are going bad way. It’s just like ‘oh sheet’!
Hor ki chalda?
It’s just the Punjabi way of asking, ‘what’s happening.’
Haan vi! Kiddan?
It refers to how we ask for and greets our companions in general. Usually, it means, "How have you been?".
Main tere chittar maarne ae
When someone behaves messy, Punjabi moms often utter this slang phrase. Chittar roughly translates to chappal in Hindi and sleepers in English. Simply put, it means ‘behave or I'll slap you'.
Haayo rabba!
Mommy's typical dramatic moment! Extreme reactions to your actions. The slang means ‘Oh god’!
Saanu ki?
An ultimate expression after many gossips which means ‘well as if we care’.
Tu rehen de Kakka
It literally means, ‘you just leave it boy’. Commonly used by the elders when they see the younger ones not able to complete a task to their expectations.
Chal hat paray
It just means ‘get out of my way’. It is used when someone is not coming to the point and is just beating around the bush.
Siyappa!
This well-known slang literally means trouble. You use it to describe any messed-up situation.
Patola
The phrase implies ‘a hot and fancy Punjabi girl.’ But be mindful to use it.
Gabroo
Used for young and well-built Punjabi boys.
Raula pe gaya
If some nuisance is created, then it is referred to as 'raula pe gaya'.
Gedi
Literally translates to ‘going on a car drive’. It is equivalent to ‘tafri maarna’ (wandering aimlessly) in Hindi.
O balle balle!
It’s the expression of extreme enjoyment.
Punjabi slangs have endured the test of time, and keep recurring in the culture. Many of these slangs are so appealing that they can't be avoided in daily conversation. By incorporating these slang terms into your daily vocabulary, you'll appear more interesting. Plus, it would make communication much more enjoyable. However, don't limit your Punjabi language learning to slangs, instead learn more with the Language Curry App that offers free beginner-friendly content. Check out our blog, 'How to learn the Punjabi language with Language curry', for more information.
Happy Learning!!!!
Traditional Games of India
India has a wonderful blend of dialects, cultures, and traditions …
India has a wonderful blend of dialects, cultures, and traditions that makes it unique in the world. The same holds for sports and games. Most people are unaware of how amazing Indian traditional games are. But with technological advancements, the current generation is glued to screens, finding entertainment in gadgets and technology. My mind wanders back to my childhood when there were no fancy gadgets, but we were never bored. It was the traditional games that occupied a significant portion of our time. They gave us a childhood that shaped our lives forever. So, it's a good idea to bring back our traditional Indian games and introduce them to this generation. Those who think the games are too old-fashioned for today's generation should think again since they provide the following benefits:
Physical activity: Children today lack physical activity, something most of these games promote.
Team-spirit: The games encourage children to play together, often in a team, which improves their social skills.
Cultural values: Children can connect with their culture and to their parents' childhoods through these games.
Cost-saving: There is rarely any expense associated with these games, as they require little to no equipment.
So, which are these traditional games that we are talking about? In what ways do they win over the Candy Crushes of today? Let's explore 10 such traditional games in India that have defined childhood for generations.
Played with cute little marbles, Kancha or lakhoti is played by children all over the country. Also known as golli or goti, this game is believed to have originated during the Harappan age. The game is about striking a particular marble amidst many, using another marble. Though the game doesn’t include much physical movement, it helps increase focus and attention.
Surely everyone’s favourite, this traditional game is also known as Nondi and kith kith. There is a kind of grid ladder drawn on the ground with numbers written on it. Then a stone is thrown on the numbers and the player has to hop to the numbered block without touching any other blocks or edges. In addition to being a good physical exercise, this game also helps to maintain balance and coordination.
Okay, Gilli danda is one of the most popular traditional games in India, synonymous with playing on the streets. Using the Danda, a big stick, a small oval-shaped stick called Gilli is flicked up from the ground and then struck while still in the air. Right after hitting the Danda, the player needs to run to a certain point before the Gilli is caught by the opponent. Games like this are good for strengthening eye-hand coordination. It inspired western games like cricket, baseball and softball.
Chaupar, also known as Pachisi is a board game that translates to ‘twenty-five’. It is quite similar to modern-day Ludo but is a bit more complex. The game has mention in the Mahabharata and is famous among Mughal kings. It is played by four players and requires a special cross-shaped board made of fabric. The counters or pawns are usually cowrie shells. The centre of the board is considered ‘Home’ and each player has to ensure that all his or her pawns reach home before the others. This game involves a good deal of strategy and planning.
Lattoo or the spinning top is the game of wrapping a rope around a top and then pulling the rope to make it spin for as long as possible. It is made from clay and wood.
Gutte more commonly known as five stones has many variations across the country. The game involves five stones, preferably with a smooth surface. The objective of the game is to pick up all the stones while spinning one in the air. It involves a good deal of hand-eye coordination, concentration, speed and reflexes. The game gets challenging as it progresses, and also a lot more fun!
You must have heard this game by the name of Sitoliya, pitthoo, lingocha or seven stones/tiles. All you need is a stack of stones and a ball to play this game. The game is played in teams, and each team gets three turns to knock down the pile of stones. Team members must try to put the stack together before getting hit by the ball. This is a fun game that truly celebrates team spirit and encourages bonding within the team.
Blind Man's Buff is basically Aankh Micholi. In this game, a player is blindfolded and has to catch the other players who run around him. As other players move around, they sometimes yell, making the blindfolded player even more confused! It is excellent for developing sensory skills and focus as well as for strengthening spatial and directional skills.
The list of traditional games would not be complete without mentioning the game which originated in India during prehistoric times. It is played by two teams without any equipment. During the match, each team tries to break into the opposing team's area and touch as many players as possible while holding their breath and reciting ‘kabaddi-kabaddi’ continuously. Players who are 'touched' are out. A test of strength and agility as well as strategy, this game keeps everyone focused.
Kho-Kho is a popular team game played in schools and at large gatherings. This game is an Indian variant of 'Run Chase', in which players have to run behind another player in order to touch them. Players are divided into two teams and the first team sits on the ground alternately facing opposite directions. In an attempt to avoid being touched by the opponent, the other team runs around this group.
Did some of these games bring back memories of your childhood? Mine certainly did. There were many others that we played in classrooms like Raja Mantri Chor Sipahi, crosses and naughts, FLAMES, name place animal thing. In the lunch break there was chain-chain, piththu, four corners crocodile-crocodile and so on. Do children today play these games? Fortunately many do and good samaratians across India are promoting fitness and health the desi way!
These traditional games have a rustic and local flair to the techniques and methods. The names and the style of playing are heavily influenced by the local, regional, and cultural nuances of its surroundings. Hence, these games often become more than mere time passers. They become means of building teams, building characters, building strategies, and understanding true core values more deeply.
Words. Words are one of the most important things in our day-to-day life. One of a child’s first …
Words. Words are one of the most important things in our day-to-day life. One of a child’s first milestones is when they say their first word.
Words are so essential for survival because they are the easiest method of communication, we can get our thoughts across, express our needs, convey ideas, commands etc., to other people without much trouble. Humans learn words as a part of the millions of languages that exist even today. Each language has words that are exclusive to its dictionary.
Hindi (along with English) is the official language of our country and the fourth most spoken language in the world, with more than a billion speakers worldwide. Most Indians get acquainted with Hindi, by birth. We grow up listening to Hindi usually the most commonly spoken language in our house, along with English.
So when I was first introduced to French in 6th grade as a third language, it was a new and thrilling experience. The initial few months of learning the language were hard, with so many new words and concepts to learn. French uses the same alphabet as English, so that was a plus point. Whenever I spoke French, I first thought of what I wanted to say in my head in English, and then translated it into French.
However, not long after learning the linguistic basics, I slowly started to realize how similar French was, not only to English but also to Hindi.
The first time I felt this was in class when our teacher taught us about accents. In French, accents are used over particular letters of words to further elaborate on the sound of it. Adding an accent to a letter, more often than not (not- silent accents), changes how the word is pronounced. There are five main French accents, aigu, grave, cedille, noel and circonflexe. To teach us those accents, our teachers reminded us of ‘matraen’ in Hindi, like aa, ee, oo, uu etc. For example, accent aigu (é) is the sound “aiy”, similar to the Hindi matra “ े, ए”. Accent grave (è) is the sound “ae”, which is similar to the Hindi matra, “ै, ऐ”. That is one of the biggest similarities between Hindi and French. Although the meaning of the words remains the same, with or without accents, accents play a key role in pronunciation and define exactly how specific words must sound, making it easy for new learners of the language to speak it more effortlessly. These accents are absent in English, which makes for a more liberal approach to the language in terms of speaking it. These various similarities between these languages are not just co-incidences.
Apart from the conspicuous, apparent relation between English and French, even Hindi and English, and Hindi and French have a common origin: The Indo-European languages. These languages are a group of several hundred related languages not only from India but also from Europe, Iran and South Asia. As time passed, this group branched out into several other groups, now making up almost 150 present-day languages, still widely in use.
Subject - Object - Verb placement
This mutual origin has remained the basis of a large number of the 150 languages that exist today. The grammatical structure, and the use of verbs, pronouns, subjects, objects etc., are hence similar in many languages, like Hindi and French.
For instance, the subject-object placement is again the same in Hindi and French in some cases, where the verb used is not a verb of preference and it is a simple subject-object-one verb sentence.
Learning new languages is always an enlightening experience. Each new language introduces you to a whole new world from the perspective of the people who know and speak that language. Languages are a gateway to the diverse cultures, traditions and beliefs of the people speaking that language. I already feel extremely satisfied, being well-versed in English, a universal language and Hindi, my mother tongue, and now, French. I hope to delve further into this plethora of words and immerse myself in many languages in the years to come.
“If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head.
If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart”
~ Nelson Mandela
16 year old Reva Lawate shares Fun Marathi proverbs with animals!
Read this article in English
करुणा की तू मूर्ति है, हिये स्नेह अपार।
जिस पर तेरी हो कृपा, …
करुणा की तू मूर्ति है, हिये स्नेह अपार।
जिस पर तेरी हो कृपा, वो हो भवसागर पार।।
रवि सम दिव्य तेज है, ज्ञान का भंडार।
गुरु चरणों की वंदना, है जीवन का आधार। (स्वरचित)
नमस्कार
आज गुरु पूर्णिमा के दिव्य अवसर पर अपने मन के उद्गार व्यक्त करते हुए उन सभी आदरणीय गुरुजनों के चरणों मे श्रद्धा सुमन अर्पित करती हूँ जिन्होंने सही मायनों में गुरु शब्द को सार्थक किया। अज्ञानता के गहन अंधकार में डूबे हुए मनुष्य को हाथ पकड़कर ज्ञान के उजाले में ले जाने वाले गुरुजनों को परिभाषित करते हुए स्कन्द पुराण में लिखा है-
‘गु’ शब्द का अर्थ है अंधकार (अज्ञान) और ‘रु’ शब्द का अर्थ है प्रकाश (ज्ञान) | अज्ञान को नष्ट करने वाले ब्रह्मरूप जो प्रकाश है वह गुरु है | इसमें कोई संशय नहीं है। गुरु शिष्य परंपरा तो सदियों से चली आ रही है। गुरु वो दीपक है जो स्वयं जलकर अपने शिष्य के मार्ग को प्रकाशित करता है। गुरु के द्वारा हमें केवल ज्ञान प्राप्ति नहीं होती अपितु उस ज्ञान को अपने जीवन में उतारकर कैसे अपनी आत्मिक उन्नति का मार्ग प्रशस्त करें यह ज्ञान भी हम गुरु द्वारा ही प्राप्त करते हैं। गुरु के माहात्म्य को शब्दों में बांधना कितना दुरूह कार्य है ये कबीरदास विरचित पंक्तियों के माध्यम से जाना जा सकता हैं-
सारी धरती को कागज,सारे वनों को लेखनी,सातों समुद्र को स्याही बनाकर भी गुरु का महिमामंडन नहीं किया जा सकता है। गुरु के अलौकिक स्वरूप को शब्दों मे समेटना उतना ही कठिन है जितना नीर को मुट्ठी में बन्द करना। गुरु वो समुद्र है जिसमे गुणरूपी बहुमूल्य रत्न भरे पड़े हैं। अगर हमें उन रत्नों को प्राप्त करना है तो बस आवश्यकता मात्र इतनी है हृदय में सच्ची श्रद्धा हो और ज्ञान प्राप्ति की ललक हो। सभी संशयों का त्याग करते हुए निर्विकार भाव से गुरु चरणों मे स्वयं को समर्पित करें।
हमारे ध्यान के केंद्र में गुरु की मूर्ति है,गुरु चरणों का वंदन ही हमारी पूजा है,गुरु वाक्य ही हमारे लिए मंत्र है,गुरु कृपा द्वारा ही हम अज्ञानता के बंधन से मुक्त होकर अपने वास्तविक स्वरूप को पहचान कर मोक्ष प्राप्त कर सकेंगे। अगर स्वयं को जानना है तो गुरु चरणामृत का पान ही एकमात्र उपाय है जो हमारी सभी कमियों को दूर करके हमें खरे सोने सा शुद्ध कर देता है।
गुरु वंदन के साथ मैं अब अपनी लेखनी को विराम देती हूँ। सभी पाठकों को गुरु पूर्णिमा की हार्दिक शुभकामनायें। धन्यवाद।
'You are a murti of compassion, my love for you is immense.
The one on whom your grace is there,can sail through the bhavsaagar.
Like the sun is your divine radiance, you're the storehouse of knowledge.
The worship of Guru's feet is the basis of life.'
(Poem by Dr Seema translated to English)
Today, on the divine occasion of Guru Purnima, I am expressing the words in my mind, I pay my respects at the feet of all those respected gurus who made the word Guru meaningful in the true sense. Defining a guru as one who leads one from the darkness of ignorance to the light of realisation the Skanda Purana says-
gukāraścāndhakāro hi rukārasteja ucyate | ajñānagrāsakaṃ brahma gurureva na saṃśayaḥ ||
The word 'gu' means darkness (ignorance) and the word 'ru' means light (knowledge). The one who destroys ignorance, the light of Brahman, is the Guru. There's no doubt about it. The Guru Shishya tradition has been going on for centuries. Guru is the lamp which burns itself and illuminates the path of his disciple.We not only get knowledge through Guru, but we also get knowledge through a Guru only. How difficult it is to bind the greatness of the Guru in words, this can be known through these lines composed by Kabirdas:
saba dharatī kāgaja karūm̐ lekhanī saba vanarāja। sāta samudra kī masi karūm̐, guru guṇa likhā na jāya ।।
The correct celebrations and glorification of a Guru cannot be done even by turning the whole earth into paper, all the forests into a pen and the seven seas, the ink. To summarise the supernatural form of the Guru in words is as difficult as it to hold water in a fist. A Guru is that ocean which is full of the precious gems of virtue. If we want to get those gems, then all that we need to do is to have true faith in our heart and have yearning to attain knowledge. Casting all doubts aside, one must surrender oneself to the Guru's feet.
dhyānamūlaṃ gurormūrtiḥ pūjāmūlaṃ guroḥ padam। mantramūlaṃ gurorvākyaṃ mokṣamūlaṃ guroḥ kṛpā ।।
The murti of the Guru is the center of our meditation, the worship of the feet of our Guru is our worship, the Guru's sentence is a mantra for us. It is by the grace of the Guru, we will be able to get rid of the bondage of ignorance by recognizing our true nature and attain moksha. If you want to know yourself, then drinking Guru charanamrit is the only solution, which removes all our shortcomings and purifies us like pure gold.
Ace cricketer Kapil Dev, during one of his interviews, spoke about his friendship with his …
Ace cricketer Kapil Dev, during one of his interviews, spoke about his friendship with his 83 World Cup-winning teammate, Roger Binny. Kapil said they were good friends, even though they did not understand each other’s language. Kapil hardly spoke English those days and Roger was not familiar with Hindi.
The interviewer Gaurav Kapur was instantly reminded of the movie Ek Duje Ke Liye. It was a love story between a Tamil boy Vasu and his Hindi-speaking neighbour Sapna and the superhit film ran for months. As the film progressed, one would observe that it was not just the language barrier, the cultural differences, or even the North-South divide that would factor in against the union of the young couple... there would be a slew of other typical filmy villains as well!
Released in 1981, the movie became such a rage that whenever there was even a slight wind of romance or even friendship between two individuals who spoke different languages, the first comment would be: yeh toh Ek Duje Ke Liye story hein (this is the Ek duje ke liye story)! The songs of the film became super hits and remain so even today.
This story of young love was played by Kamal Hassan and Rati Agnihotri in the lead and it was a remake of a Tamil movie by the same director K. Balachander.
In the movie, two neighbouring families squabble over various trivial matters and those are hilariously portrayed. The Tamil family is often referred to as madrassi – a term often used in Bollywood to refer to everyone hailing from Southern India. As the strain between the two families increases, love blossoms between their grown up children, Vasu and Sapna. They go on a lot of secret dates across scenic spots across Goa. Over time they try to learn each other's languages. Vasu is shown reading a book titled Learn Hindi in 30 days and Sapna is also shown picking up Tamil by reading some books. Those were the days with no mobile phones and how I wished they had an Indian Language app like Language Curry to assist them in their language learning journey!
When the families find out about their affair they do not agree to their marriage and make the young couple agree to an agreement. The couple is to prove their love by staying separately and with no communication for a year. If even after a year, they want to, the respective families would consent to the marriage.
Vasu and Sapna are thus separated. But they thrive in each other’s thoughts and memories. Both continue their language learning journey. Sapna reads and searches the library for books to learn Tamil. Vasu picks up Hindi quite well and writes letters and poems for Sapna in Hindi! He looks forward to sharing them all with Sapna when they meet again at the end of the forced separation.
When the year of separation got over, and Vasu visits Sapna’s house. She was not at home but Vasu impresses her family with his proficiency in various dialects of Hindi – Brajbhasha, Bhojpuri, Punjabi, and even Urdu! One would expect a happy endingat around this point, but...
The film has the typical 80s Bollywood drama and masala all through and specifically in the climax. There is the jealous man, some goons, a rapist, misunderstandings, and the mandatory fight sequences - all of which completely take over from the initial and far mellower problem of a simple language barrier! After a lot of bizarre and cruel twists and turns, the battered lovers unite atop a cliff by the seaside in Goa. Feeling defeated by their circumstances, they embrace each other and jumped together to their deaths. As the waves slap around their corpses, winds fly Vasu's love letters ominously across the sky.
The narrator's voice then takes over and says, those lovers who win, get married and those who lose, give their lives for one another... and become immortal. If there is one film that captured the imagination of the youth to believe that 'suicide' is a solution, it was this. The film's suicide scene is often listed among the top Bollywood suicide scenes.
Many young lovers, who were unable to marry each other, ended their lives by jumping from the same rock as the leading pair in the movie did! The cliff is known as the Ek Duje Ke Liye Suicide Point in Goa. The gruesome and unfortunate incidences of suicide became so frequent that the ministry had to ask the film director to change the climax of the movie! Which he did. But what remains firmly etched forever in the public memory, even four decades later, is the tragic end of the movie and the doomed love of Sapna and Vasu.
The human hands are an important part of the body. They aide in everyday tasks like eating, …
The human hands are an important part of the body. They aide in everyday tasks like eating, drinking, writing, picking up things... A hand is made up of 27 bones and 12 different muscles which give the hand the immense dexterity and precision needed for all kinds of varied activities.
A very popular quote that one reads is, 'a man who works with his hands is a laborer; a man who works with his hands and his brain is a craftsman; but a man who works with his hands and his brain and his heart is an artist'. The use of hand is vital for all three. The labourer, craftsman and the artist.
It is through our hands that our minds are revealed.
Our hands are our karma.
An ancient Sanskrit shlok explaines just how valuable our hands are and makes us think that we mustn't take our hands or our abilities for granted. They have divine blessings for us to be able to do great good.
karāgre vasate lakṣmīḥ karamadhye sarasvatī ।
karamūle tu govindaḥ prabhāte karadarśanam ॥
Devi Lakshmi resides at the top of the hand.
Mother Saraswati resides in the middle.
Shri Bhagwan Govind resides in the lower part of the hand.
Each morning we must look at and seek darshan of our hands.
English |
Sanskrit |
संस्कृत |
thumb |
aṅguṣṭhaḥ |
अङ्गुष्ठः |
index finger |
tarjanī |
तर्जनी |
middle finger |
madhyamā |
मध्यमा |
ring finger |
anāmikā |
अनामिका |
little finger |
kaniṣṭhikā |
कनिष्ठिका |
palm |
karatalam |
करतलम् |
wrist |
maṇibandhaḥ |
मणिबन्धः |
#AuroSamskritam #learnSamskritam
Is it possible to use Sanskrit for daily use? What words and phrases would one even use? Read Sanskrit for daily use!
Wise sayings in Sanskrit that you can start using from today
🐅 Over the ages, it has served as a symbol of grace, strength, agility, and enormous power, and …
🐅 Over the ages, it has served as a symbol of grace, strength, agility, and enormous power, and has been associated with bravery and valour. This combination has earned the tiger its pride of place as the national animal of India. 🐅
India’s association with the tiger dates back to the 25th century BCE when it was carved on the Pashupati seal of the Indus Valley Civilization. As seen in seals engraved on Mohenjodaro, Shiva, the Hindu God, always had a tiger beside him. In medieval history, it was the royal symbol of the Chola Empire (300CE-1279CE). Sacred Hindu scriptures also attribute a special place to the tiger, which serves as the vehicle of the goddess Durga. In the modern world, it has been featured in Indian currency notes as well as postage stamps.
Despite tigers' abundance throughout Southeast Asia and China, India remains the most prolific home of these magnificent animals, boasting the highest number of tigers. The thrill of spotting one of these rare and elusive predators in their natural habitat is simply unmatched, without which a visit to India is incomplete. Here we present you with 5 tiger reserves in India for your daring jungle expedition so that you can sense the goosebumps when the big cat comes around your jungle safari jeep:
This popular Tiger Reserve situated in the Vindhya Hills of Madhya Pradesh's Umaria district has the highest population of tigers in India. The area is also home to leopard, jackal, deer, rhesus monkey, hyena, and 22 more, including rare species of migratory birds making it a paradise for wildlife photographers. The park is divided into three primary zones: Tala, Magdi, and Bamera. There is a high chance of spotting tigers in Tala, making it the most popular spot for tourists. Though it is open for visitors from October to June, the best time to visit this Tiger reserve is from November to February. Well-connected via air and railway, Bandhavgarh national Park deserves to be visited for a rich biodiversity experience.
Ever heard of the most photographed tiger in the world, Machhali? Ranthambore was home to this world-famous tiger queen for good 19 years. Located between the Aravalli and Vindhyanchal ranges in the Sawai Madhopur district of Rajasthan, this majestic tiger reserve is a picture of natural beauty. Leopards, crocodiles, sloth bears, jackals, Indian foxes, hyenas, and a variety of bird species can also be seen in this adventurous jungle. The park is a dwell of multiple lakes, old forts, and one of India’s largest Banyan trees. For amazing glimpses of tigers, the park offers jeep and canter safaris. Those interested in wildlife, nature photography, or even history can enjoy Ranthambore. Well-connected to major cities of the country, the park is open for tourists from October to June.
Jim Corbett, a picturesque national park nestled in the foothills of Himalaya in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand, is entitled the ‘first National Park of India’. The Park, renowned for tigers, majestic leopards, and elephants, is also the adobe of many rare species of mammals, birds, and reptiles. The park's panoramic biodiversity is primarily due to the abundance of hills, river belts, muddy depressions, grasslands, and a large lake. If you are seeking to experience living in the jungle, Jim Corbett provides accommodation inside the park with prior booking. Due to its temperate climate, Jim Corbett National Park can be visited all year round, however, the best time to visit is between November and February, when all the zones are open, and most wildlife can be seen.
Notably Maharashtra's oldest and largest National Park, the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve is located in the Chandrapur district of Maharashtra. The park is also called the ‘Jewel of Vidarbha’. The national park has a tiger reserve that houses many tigers. It is also home to panthers, jackals, wild dogs, hyenas, bison, and deer. Diverse flora and fauna, dense forests, grasslands, and sprawling valley are its major attractions, ensuring an unmatched wildlife experience. The reserve is divided into three zones: Moharli, Tadoba, and Kolsa. The Moharli zone is known for the best tiger spotting. Easily accessible from major cities of the country, it is open from December to May.
Home of the Royal Bengal Tiger, Sundarbans is listed in UNESCO’s world heritage site list with the world’s largest delta having dense mangrove forests. The reserve is a heaven of wonderful rivers like Muriganga, and Saptamukhi making it accessible by motorboat rides. It is the only mangrove forest in the world that is the home of the Tigers. You can explore the other wildlife of Sundarbans that beholds Jungle Cats, Fishing Cats, Axis Deer, Wild Boar, Rhesus Monkeys, Olive Ridley Sea turtle, Pythons, King Cobra, Chequered Kill back, Salvatore Lizards and the largest Estuarine Crocodiles in the world. The best time to visit here is from September to May.
Besides the above stated national Parks, other major Tiger Reserves include Sariska Tiger Reserve (Rajasthan), Panna National Park (Madhya Pradesh), Periyar Tiger Reserve (Kerala), Bandipur National Park (Karnataka), Nagarhole National Park (Karnataka), Pench National Park (Madhya Pradesh), and Annamalai Tiger Reserve, Tamil Nadu.
The National Parks offer an unrivalled experience because even being so close to nature in their wilderness, you achieve a deep sense of peace and tranquillity. It is so humbling to realize you are but one of the many creatures created by the creator. So, don’t wait! Plan a trip soon!
The poaching of tigers and the hunting of them have always been considered royal activities, despite the fact they are inhumane. This royal hobby brought the world to the point where tigers were going extinct rapidly with time. In 1973, India launched Project Tiger, an unprecedented initiative to save its national symbol from extinction, with only about 1,700 Bengal tigers alive in the country at that time. The Indian government banned tiger hunting for a time in 1972, and Project Tiger was created to protect tiger habitats and create special tiger reserves. There are 53 such reserves today in India, carved around existing national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. India's tiger counts, conducted every four years, play an important role in its conservation efforts. These efforts paid off and India is now home to nearly 3,000 tigers according to the latest tiger census. Tiger is the national animal of India, hence, the national pride too. Remember, these big cats are everyone’s wealth but no one’s possession!
(all images from the net)
🐅 🐯 🐅 🐯 🐅 🐯🐅 🐯 🐅 🐯 🐅 🐅 🐯 🐅 🐯 🐅 🐯🐅 🐯 🐅 🐯 🐅
Proverbs carry with them wisdom, beliefs, traditions, and knowledge through centuries and …
Proverbs carry with them wisdom, beliefs, traditions, and knowledge through centuries and millenniums. These short pithy sentences state a general truth learned with experience.
Marathi is a language that is full of wisdom. The proverbs in Marathi which came to be in the past hundreds of years, still remain relevant today. These proverbs have been made more interesting by adding references to animals. Here are some of them:
'Ms. Crocodile, your back is so soft'. This proverb is used ironically because crocodiles have really sharp and scaly backs. It shows how people use flattery to get what they want.
‘God protects a blind man’s cow.’ This proverb states that when God closes a door, he opens a window. It tells us that when we lose something we also gain something back.
‘A burning branch in the hands of a monkey.’ This proverb cautions us against people who are notorious. After all, a burning branch in the hands of a monkey does more harm than good.
‘A donkey doesn’t know the taste of jaggery.’ This proverb says that a foolish person does not or cannot understand the value of something valuable.
‘One should not kill a calf because another killed his cow.’ This proverb warns us against the idea of revenge. It tells us that if we take revenge, we are starting a vicious cycle of harm.
‘Make a mountain out of a molehill.’ This proverb means making a huge deal of something which is in fact very insignificant.
‘A dog’s tail will never be straight.’ This proverb tells us that a crooked person will never mend their ways, no matter how much others try to make them.
These are just some of the many pearls of wisdom that Marathi has to offer. While proverbs are an essential part of the language, they also teach us how to deal with the ups and downs of our lives. They have much to teach us if we take a moment to appreciate them.
Do you want to learn Marathi?Here in the Language Curry App you can learn Marathi through Hindi or English. it is super easy and fun with its beginner-friendly content, without spending a penny. You can 'tap to listen' to understand the correct pronunciation AND you can 'Repeat' the word so that the Language Curry App can check your diction!
Invest 5 minutes of your time each day, read lessons, solve exercises and voila, you will soon be able to interact with your Marathi neighbours and local vendors and can impress your friends.
Maga tumhī kaśācī vāṭa pāhata āhāta? Phakta surū karā!!!! (So, what are you waiting for? Just get started!!!! Download now :)
You have heard some of these words before and maybe even used s few of them! But today let's …
You have heard some of these words before and maybe even used s few of them! But today let's learn the meaning of these fun Malayali slang words.
Aiyyo: This word we all would have heard and known already and it made it to the top position on the list! Aiyyo means Oh No!
Hope you enjoyed reading about these words! Have we missed any? Please let us know in the comments section and we'll be happy to add them to our list.
Are you aware that you can Learn Malayalam for free in 30 days? Download the Language Curry App now to try it out. It's got over a million downloads already! Why are people learning Malayalam? Find out here!
Let’s learn proverbs in Bangla!
Learning languages is always exciting! This episode of …
Learning languages is always exciting! This episode of Language Curry brings you a super exciting edition on proverbs in Bangla which are called probad in Bangla.
Proverbs as we know are generally used in our day-to-day communications, be it oral or written. They not only enhance the beauty of the language but also strengthen the message.
Gache kanthal gonfe tel The proverb literally means Jack Fruit in the tree and oil in the moustache. It is used to imply counting chickens even before they hatch.
Taila mathaye tel daye Means it is unreasonable/unnecessary to oil an oily scalp or to pour water in a filled jar.
Oti bhokti chor er lokkhon being too courteous or using sugar-coated words is the identification of a greedy thief!
Nei mama che kana mama bhalo means it is certainly better to have someone or something than to have no one or nothing.
Oti Sundori na paye bor, oti ghoroni na paye ghor The proverb is about a beautiful woman with poor married life and how an overly organized person finds things messy. It basically is used for saying that excess of anything is just useless.
Asarer tarjan garaj e nei shar This proverb means empty vessels make much more noise.
Ghugu dekeche, phand dekheni It expresses only the bird has been eyed and not the cage. One must not view things with half an eye.
Nachte na janle uthun byanka This proverb says a bad workman blames his tools.
Shoja angule ghee othena This proverb literally means that a straight finger cannot pull out ghee from the container. It implies that is impossible to achieve much by simply being nice.
Bhat chorale kaker obhabh hoy na This proverb actually says that if you feed the crows with rice, they will surely come in gathering. The teaching from it is that he who spends/flaunts his wealth attracts a huge number of friends!
Bobar kono shotru nei The proverb means he who seldom speaks will have no enemies.
Adhik sanyasite gajan noshto This proverb is the Bengali counterpart of too many cooks spoil the meal.
Oti lobhe tanti noshto Which means too much greed is devastating.
Chorer maa er boro gola This proverb says that the thief blasts his tonsils to defend himself while trying to conceal all his lies!
Kana gorur bhinna path This proverb actually expresses that a blind cow has no path to follow or walk on. This means someone without a vision is bound to get lost.
Chor e chor e mashtuto bhai The literal meaning is that thieves are 'first cousins' implying that birds of a feather flock together.
Sukher payra howa sohoj This proverb says it is easier to be a fair-weather friend.
Thakur gor e ke re ami to kola khayini This proverb says that the nervous gesture of a thief gives him away. It is quite like the Hindi proverb, ‘chor ki daree mein tinka’!
Adhinta appekha mrityu shrey Even death is preferable to bondage.
Sobor e mewa fole This proverb means the fruit of patience is sweet.
Sanpe bor howa It means misfortune turns into a blessing.
Kukur er pete ghee shoyena The literal meaning is that dogs can never digest ghee. Which means, Habit is the second nature of all humankind.
Hawar golayae dori diye jhogra kora Which means to have insignificant and illogical arguments with someone.
Moron kale e hori naam It expresses the meaning of remembering God at the time of death. Which means to take action or finish a task at the last moment.
Aapni banchle baper naam Means self –preservation is the first law of nature.
Bap ka bet Which means like father like son.
Nana Muni nana mot This one means many minds will produce many opinions.
Paanch kan paanch para howa Means a matter known amongst many people.
This is how we see that the proverbs in Bangla are related to not only body organs, people, time duration, nature, animals, feelings, or beauty however it carries a reverberation of happenings, whether in the present or near future, and a kind of warning which clearly reveals truths or learnings in simple words.
Read also: Bengali slang words
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Vachana Sahitya ವಚನ ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯ
Vacana (ವಚನ) literature is perhaps unique to the Kannada-speaking …
Vacana (ವಚನ) literature is perhaps unique to the Kannada-speaking regions of India. The style of this literature is poetic and at the same time prose that is written in a language that is easy to grasp and relate to. This style evolved in the 11th century and flourished in the 12th century. Patrons of this style were the Shaivite proponents as part of the Sharana (ಶರಣ) / bhakti movement prevalent in the region during the same period. Some 800 people, identified as sharana-s, are known to have contributed to the rich collection of poetry. Madara Chennaiah (ಮಾದರ ಚೆನ್ನಯ್ಯ) is said to be the father of this style, who was a cobbler by occupation.
Vacana-s consisted of words of wisdom and knowledge refined from the Vedas and the Upanishads suitably narrated in a language that could be easily understood by the common people. This literature also went on to be used in the day-to-day songs by the womenfolk and folk songs of the period were imbued with couplets from this vast repertoire of vacana literature.
Basaveshwara (ಬಸವೇಶ್ವರ), colloquially known as Basavanna (ಬಸವಣ್ಣ), was a 12th-century statesman, philosopher, poet during the reign of Kalyani Chalukya-s (ಕಲ್ಯಾಣಿ ಚಾಳುಕ್ಯ). He was the Chief Minister of the Kalachuri Dynasty (ಕಲಚೂರಿ ಸಾಮ್ರಾಜ್ಯ) king Bijjala II (ಇಮ್ಮಡಿ ಬಿಜ್ಜಳ), a vassal to the Chalukya king Vikramaditya VI. Basavanna is known to be the founder of Lingayatism (ಲಿಂಗಾಯತ). As the chief minister of his kingdom, he introduced new public institutions such as the Anubhava Mantapa (ಅನುಭವ ಮಂಟಪ) or the "hall of spiritual experience", which welcomed men and women from all socio-economic backgrounds to discuss spiritual and mundane questions of life, in open. He revived the prevalent tradition of vacana Sahitya and encouraged many of his contemporary vacanakAra-s (ವಚನಕಾರ) to join the debates at the hall of spirituality. He is fondly known as Bhaktibhandari (ಭಕ್ತಿಭಂಡಾರಿ) literally, the treasurer of devotion. Basava grew up in Kudalasangama (ಕೂಡಲಸಂಗಮ) northwest Karnataka, near the banks of rivers Krishna and its tributary Malaprabha and he ends all his vacana-s with attribution to kooDalasaMgamadEva (ಕೂಡಲಸಂಗಮದೇವ) as a tribute to the confluence of rivers found in that area. Here are two of the many of his vacana-s
ಉಳ್ಳವರು ಶಿವಾಲಯ ಮಾಡಿಹರು,
ನಾನೇನ ಮಾಡುವೆ ಬಡವನಯ್ಯಾ.
ಎನ್ನ ಕಾಲೇ ಕಂಬ, ದೇಹವೇ ದೇಗುಲ,
ಶಿರ ಹೊನ್ನ ಕಲಶವಯ್ಯಾ.
ಕೂಡಲಸಂಗಮದೇವಾ, ಕೇಳಯ್ಯಾ
ಸ್ಥಾವರಕ್ಕಳಿವುಂಟು, ಜಂಗಮಕ್ಕಳಿವಿಲ್ಲ.
Loosely translated as -
Wealthy construct temples, impoverished like me cannot;
My legs are the pillars, my body is the temple, my head is the cupola of gold;
Oh! Lord of the river confluence, structures are perishable, consciousness is perpetual.
ಅಯ್ಯಾ, ನೀನು ನಿರಾಕಾರವಾಗಿರ್ದಲ್ಲಿ ನಾನು ಜ್ನಾನವೆಂಬ ವಾಹನವಾಗಿರ್ದೆ, ಕಾಣಾ
ಅಯ್ಯಾ, ನೀನು ನಾಟ್ಯಕ್ಕೆ ನಿಂದಲ್ಲಿ ನಾನು ಚೈತನ್ಯವೆಂಬ ವಾಹನವಾಗಿರ್ದೆ, ಕಾಣಾ
ಅಯ್ಯಾ, ನೀನು ಆಕಾರವಾಗಿರ್ದಲ್ಲಿ ನಾನು ವೃಶ್ಹಭನೆಂಬ ವಾಹನವಾಗಿರ್ದೆ ಕಾಣಾ
ಅಯ್ಯಾ ನೀನೆನ್ನ ಭವದ ಕೊಂದಿಹೆನೆಂದು ಜಂಗಮ ಲಾಂಚ್ಹನನಾಗಿ ಬಂದಲ್ಲಿ ನಾನು ಭಕ್ತನೆಂಬ ವಾಹನವಾಗಿರ್ದೆ ಕಾಣಾ ಕೂಡಲಸಂಗಮದೇವಾ
Loosely translated as -
Oh! Lord, I am the vessel of knowledge to recognize that you are formless;
Oh! Lord, I am the consciousness to engender your dance;
Oh! Lord, I am the carrier of your embodiment;
Oh! Lord, when you manifest as the perpetual consciousness, eliminate my being,
Oh! Lord of the river confluence, I become your disciple.
Akka Mahadevi (ಅಕ್ಕಮಹಾದೇವಿ) belongs to the bhakti movement poets of the 12th century, who was the daughter of Nirmala Shetty (ನಿರ್ಮಲಶೆಟ್ಟಿ) and Sumati (ಸುಮತಿ). Although, her antecedents are contested by scholars, what is accepted is her contribution to the bhakti literature of her times. She became a renunciate soon after her marriage. She was a great devotee of Shiva in his form named Chennamallikaarjuna (ಚೆನ್ನಮಲ್ಲಿಕಾರ್ಜುನ), who she believed she was wedded to. She too, like others associated with the bhakti movement during her time, wrote in a poetic style that conveyed her ideas in an emotionally charged language. 434 poems are credited to her, however other writings, although believed to be written by her like, yOgAMga trividhi (ಯೋಗಾಂಗ ತ್ರಿವಿಧಿ), sRShTiya vacan (ಸೃಷ್ಟಿಯ ವಚನ), maMtragOpya (ಮಂತ್ರಗೋಪ್ಯ) are not similar in style. Akka Mahadevi’s vacana-s (ವಚನ) end with attribution to Chennamallikaarjuna, her idol. Here is one of her vacana-s
ಅಗ್ನಿ ಸರ್ವವ್ಯಾಪಕನಾಗಿರುವಂತೆ,
ಚಿದ್ವಹ್ನಿರೂಪನಾದ ಶಿವನು ಸರ್ವವ್ಯಾಪಕನಾಗಿರ್ಪನು.
ಹೃದಯಕಮಲವು ಮುಕುರದೋಪಾದಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರಕಾಶಿಸುತಿರ್ದಪುದು.
ಆ ಕನ್ನಡಿಯೋಪಾದಿಯ ಹೃದಯಕಮಲದಲ್ಲಿ ವ್ಯಾಪಕನಾದ ಶಿವನು,
ಆತ್ಮನೆನಿಸಿಕೊಂಡು ಪ್ರತಿಬಿಂಬಿಸುತಿರ್ದಪನು.
ವೇದೋಪನಿಷದ್ಗಾಯತ್ರಿ ಪ್ರಸಿದ್ಧವಾದೀ ರಹಸ್ಯವ ಗುರೂಪದೇಶದಿಂ ತಿಳಿವುದಯ್ಯ
ಶ್ರೀ ಚೆನ್ನಮಲ್ಲಿಕಾರ್ಜುನದೇವಾ. ||
Loosely translated as -
Like the spark of consciousness is omnipresent, so is shiva;
Like the glow of the heart, his image is radiating in the heart’s mirror as consciousness;
Oh! Chennamallikaarjuna, this secret hidden in Vedas and Upanishads,
Only a profound guru like you can reveal.
Born in Balligavi (ಬಳ್ಳಿಗಾವಿ), in today’s Shimoga district of Karnataka, around the period 1160 CE, Allama Prabhu’s antecedents are not known, and the names of his parents are either poetically narrated by other authors or obscure. He is known to be married to one kAmalate (ಕಾಮಲತೆ), who due to severe illness died soon after their marriage. The distraught Allama Prabhu meaning to kill himself entered a grotto where he found the blessings of his idol guhEshvara (ಗುಹೇಶ್ವರ). He travelled around the country debating and discussing the principles of consciousness with other gurus and learned men and finally came to kalyANa (ಕಲ್ಯಾಣ), where he became the leader of anubhava maMtapa (ಅನುಭವ ಮಂಟಪ). 1,670 of his vacana-s have been found until now. His vacana-s end with attribution to guhEshvara (ಗುಹೇಶ್ವರ). There are many similarities both in terms of geographic origins of and ideas and ideals of Allama Prabhu and Akka Mahadevi. Renowned poet da rA beMdre (ದರಾ ಬೇಂದ್ರೆ) has named Allama Prabhu as one of the four leading lights of Kannada culture. The mainstay of his poems is mysticism and philosophy, which he portrays using unusual word combinations and striking metaphors. Here is one of his vacana-s
ಅಡವಿಯಲೊಂದು ಮನೆಯ ಮಾಡಿ,
ಆಶ್ರಯವಿಲ್ಲದಂತಾಯಿತ್ತು.
ನಡುನೀರಿನ ಜ್ಯೋತಿಯ, ವಾಯುವಿನ ಕೈಯಲ್ಲಿ ಕೊಟ್ಟಂತಾಯಿತ್ತು.
ಗುಹೇಶ್ವರಾ ನಿಮ್ಮ ಶರಣರು ಎರವಿನ ಲಿಂಗ ಮೂರು ಲೋಕಕ್ಕೆ!
Loosely translated to:
Akin to being homeless despite a house in the forest;
Clinging to the lamp afloat, hanging on to the flame in the winds;
Without your grace, oh! guhEshvara, your disciples are confined to the three worlds!
Devanahalli Venkataramanaiah Gundappa, fondly known in Karnataka by one and all as DVG, was a Kannada writer, poet, and philosopher, who is among the stalwarts of modern Kannada literature. His works and his life need a full blog article, which by themselves are an interesting read. However, the philosophical content of his poems in his magnum opus – maMkutimmana kagga (ಮಂಕುತಿಮ್ಮನ ಕಗ್ಗ) published in 1943 – are no less than the enlightening vacana-s. It is, therefore, quite fitting to include one of his poems here that reflects the common theme and cultural zeitgeist across many centuries in Karnataka and generally across India. The poems in this collection of poems always end with the word ಮಂಕುತಿಮ್ಮ, which literally means the ignoramus (or dumb, foolish, naïve) named thimma, hinting to the fact that is the way we all are continuously in dire need of saintly advice throughout our lives. Here is one of the best-known poems from ಮಂಕುತಿಮ್ಮನ ಕಗ್ಗ that advises how to lead one’s life.
ಹುಲ್ಲಾಗು ಬೆಟ್ಟದಡಿ; ಮನೆಗೆ ಮಲ್ಲಿಗೆಯಾಗು |
ಕಲ್ಲಾಗು ಕಷ್ಟಗಳ ಮಳೆಯ ವಿಧಿ ಸುರಿಯೆ ||
ಬೆಲ್ಲ ಸಕ್ಕರೆಯಾಗು ದೀನದುರ್ಬಲರಿಂಗೆ |
ಎಲ್ಲರೊಳಗೊಂದಾಗು – ಮಂಕುತಿಮ್ಮ ||
Loosely translated as -
Be the comforting grass at the foothills, be the calming flower at home;
Be the resolve when problems rain upon you;
Be the soothing sweet to the people in dire straits;
Be inconspicuous among the countless, oh! naïve thimma.
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Can modern sports be described in Sanskrit words? Is it possible for a student of Sasnkrit to …
Can modern sports be described in Sanskrit words? Is it possible for a student of Sasnkrit to speak about his or her day on the ground and describe it in Sanskrit? It definitely is. Read below Sanskrit words for the sports ground!
āskandaḥ आस्कन्दः athletics
dhāvanikā धावनिका race
dūradhāvanam दूरधावनम् long distance race
hrasvadhāvanam ह्रस्वधावनम् short distance race
śatamānadhāvanam शतमानधावनम् 100 meter run
mārgadhāvanam मार्गधावनम् road race
paridhāvanam परिधावनम् circuit race
adhyaṅkam अध्यङ्कम् on your mark
udyatam उद्यतम् get set
yāta यात go
ārambharekhā आरम्भरेखा starting mark
समाप्तिरेखा finishing mark
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The Bhakti saints
Sant Dnyaneshwar, Sant Namdev, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Rahim, Meera Bai, and …
Sant Dnyaneshwar, Sant Namdev, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Rahim, Meera Bai, and Kabirdas were bhakti saints. They spent hours singing hymns in praise of God, they wrote beautiful poems for them, they had risen above the sticky web of maya that debilitates all of us.
It is bhakti that makes a devotee feel bliss even in pain. It is bhakti that drives many to follow strict discipline. It is bhakti that makes sacred rituals so joyous and satisfying.
From birth to death we are surrounded by greed, ego, lethargy, and self. Bhakti sounds easy to have. But developing it is not simple. Only when we rid ourselves of our evils and empty ourselves of ego, can we make place for bhakti.
On birth and karma
ऊँचे कुल का जनमिया, करनी ऊँची न होय। सुवर्ण कलश सुरा भरा, साधू निंदा होय।
ūm̐ce kula kā janamiyā, karanī ūm̐cī na hoya. suvarṇa kalaśa surā bharā, sādhū niṃdā hoya.
भावार्थ: कबीर दास जी कहते हैं कि ऊँचे कुल में जन्म तो ले लिया लेकिन अगर कर्म ऊँचे नहीं है तो ये तो वही बात हुई जैसे सोने के लोटे में मद्य भरा हो, इसकी चारों ओर निंदा ही होती है।
Kabirdas says, you have taken birth in a family with high position, but remember to keep your actions high as well. Else you will be like the gold pot that carries liquor and is disliked by all.
On respect for truth and saints
जिन घर साधू न पुजिये, घर की सेवा नाही। ते घर मरघट जानिए, भुत बसे तिन माही।
jina ghara sādhū na pujiye, ghara kī sevā nāhī. te ghara maraghaṭa jānie, bhuta base tina māhī.
भावार्थ: कबीर दास जी कहते हैं कि जिस घर में साधु और सत्य की पूजा नहीं होती, उस घर में पाप बसता है। ऐसा घर तो मरघट के समान है जहाँ दिन में ही भूत प्रेत बसते हैं।
Kabir says, only sin can reside in a house where truth and sadhu (holy men) are not respected. Such a house is like a graveyard where only ghosts reside.
On wealth and life
कबीर सो धन संचे, जो आगे को होय। सीस चढ़ाए पोटली, ले जात न देख्यो कोय।
kabīra so dhana saṃce, jo āge ko hoya. sīsa car̤hāe poṭalī, le jāta na dekhyo koya.
भावार्थ: कबीर कहते हैं कि उस धन को इकट्ठा करो जो भविष्य में काम आए। सर पर धन की गठरी बाँध कर ले जाते तो किसी को नहीं देखा।
Kabir das says, collect enough wealth that it comes in handy to you in future, but remember... no one carries wealth to the next life.
On life, satisfaction and respect for saintly people
साईं इतना दीजिये, जामे कुटुंब समाये । मैं भी भूखा न रहूँ, साधू न भूखा जाए ।
sāīṃ itanā dījiye, jāme kuṭuṃba samāye. maiṃ bhī bhūkhā na rahūm̐, sādhū na bhūkhā jāe .
भावार्थ: कबीर दास जी कहते हैं कि हे प्रभु मुझे अधिक धन और संपत्ति नहीं चाहिए, मुझे केवल इतना चाहिए जिसमें मेरा परिवार अच्छे से खा सके। मैं भी भूखा ना रहूं और मेरे घर से कोई साधु भूखा ना जाये।
Kabirdas prays, O God, give me just enough to keep my family comfortable, such that I don’t sleep hungry and the saints and sadhus seeking alms at my door also don’t leave hungry.
On Bhakti
रात गंवाई सोय के, दिवस गंवाया खाय । हीरा जन्म अमोल सा, कोड़ी बदले जाय ।
rāta gaṃvāī soya ke, divasa gaṃvāyā khāya. hīrā janma amola sā, kor̤ī badale jāya.
भावार्थ: कबीर दास जी कहते हैं कि रात को सोते हुए गँवा दिया और दिन खाते खाते गँवा दिया। आपको जो ये अनमोल जीवन मिला है वो कोड़ियों में बदला जा रहा है।
Kabir das says, the nights were spent is sleep and days on eating. This precious life more costly than diamonds was wasted like sea shells.
लुट सके तो लुट ले, राम नाम की लुट । अंत समय पछतायेगा, जब प्राण जायेगे छुट ।
luṭa sake to luṭa le, rāma nāma kī luṭa. aṃta samaya pachatāyegā, jaba prāṇa jāyege chuṭa.
भावार्थ: कबीर दास जी कहते हैं कि ये संसार ज्ञान से भरा पड़ा है, हर जगह राम बसे हैं। अभी समय है राम की भक्ति करो, नहीं तो जब अंत समय आएगा तो पछताना पड़ेगा।
Kabirdas says, The world is full of the treasure of the name of Shri Ram, chant his name everywhere while you still have time. Else you’ll regret before dying.
On conducting oneself
अति का भला न बोलना, अति की भली न चूप । अति का भला न बरसना, अति की भली न धूप ।
ati kā bhalā na bolanā, ati kī bhalī na cūpa, ati kā bhalā na barasanā, ati kī bhalī na dhūpa
भावार्थ: कबीरदास जी कहते हैं कि ज्यादा बोलना अच्छा नहीं है और ना ही ज्यादा चुप रहना भी अच्छा है जैसे ज्यादा बारिश अच्छी नहीं होती लेकिन बहुत ज्यादा धूप भी अच्छी नहीं है।
Kabirdas says, speaking too much isn’t good. Speaking too little is not good either. Just like too much rain and too much sunshine is not good.
On critics
निंदक नियरे राखिए, ऑंगन कुटी छवाय, बिन पानी, साबुन बिना, निर्मल करे सुभाय।
niṃdaka niyare rākhie, ôṃgana kuṭī chavāya, bina pānī, sābuna binā, nirmala kare subhāya.
भावार्थ: जो हमारी निंदा करता है, उसे अपने अधिकाधिक पास ही रखना चाहिए। वह तो बिना साबुन और पानी के हमारी कमियां बता कर हमारे स्वभाव को साफ़ करता है।
Keep your critics close. They tell us our faults and keep us soft (humble) without soap and water.
On ego and bhakti
जब मैं था तब हरी नहीं, अब हरी है मैं नाही । सब अँधियारा मिट गया, दीपक देखा माही ।
jaba maiṃ thā taba harī nahīṃ, aba harī hai maiṃ nāhī. saba am̐dhiyārā miṭa gayā, dīpaka dekhā māhī.
भावार्थ: जब मैं अपने अहंकार में डूबा था – तब प्रभु को न देख पाता था – लेकिन जब गुरु ने ज्ञान का दीपक मेरे भीतर प्रकाशित किया तब अज्ञान का सब अन्धकार मिट गया – ज्ञान की ज्योति से अहंकार जाता रहा और ज्ञान के आलोक में प्रभु को पाया।
When I was full of arrogance and pride I couldn’t see God. When I shed my pride I found him. My Guru, by giving me knowledge, removed all darkness from my path ahead.
On the significance of the company of saadhus, enlightened beings
राम बुलावा भेजिया, दिया कबीरा रोय । जो सुख साधू संग में, सो बैकुंठ न होय ।
rāma bulāvā bhejiyā, diyā kabīrā roya. jo sukha sādhū saṃga meṃ, so baikuṃṭha na hoya .
भावार्थ: जब मृत्यु का समय नजदीक आया और राम के दूतों का बुलावा आया तो कबीर दास जी रो पड़े क्यूंकि जो आनंद संत और सज्जनों की संगति में है उतना आनंद तो स्वर्ग में भी नहीं होगा।
Kabira weeps when death is near and the messengers of Shri Ram at the at the door to take me away, as even swarg (heaven) will not give me the kind of joy I receive from the company of sadhus (enlightened holy men) here.
On death
हाड़ जलै ज्यूं लाकड़ी, केस जलै ज्यूं घास। सब तन जलता देखि करि, भया कबीर उदास।
hār̤a jalai jyūṃ lākar̤ī, kesa jalai jyūṃ ghāsa. saba tana jalatā dekhi kari, bhayā kabīra udāsa.
भावार्थ: यह नश्वर मानव देह अंत समय में लकड़ी की तरह जलती है और केश घास की तरह जल उठते हैं। सम्पूर्ण शरीर को इस तरह जलता देख, इस अंत पर कबीर का मन उदासी से भर जाता है।
This destructible human body burns away like wood. The hair burns awaylike grass. Seeing the body turn to ashes brings me sadness…
♦ Seeing death always makes one think of life and its purpose. It makes us wonder if are truly living life to its true worth. If the decisions we make and the motives that guide us are correct.
Hindi slang! Ten Hindi slang words which are part of the Oxford dictionary
Sacred Hindi words from Hindu philosophies added to the Oxford English dictionary
Hindi words that can't be translated!
Want to learn Hindi? Download Language Curry Now! Links below:
Retreat to the Hills in the Monsoons!
The monsoons have arrived! Every year the monsoon …
Retreat to the Hills in the Monsoons!
The monsoons have arrived! Every year the monsoon season in India offers respite from the harsh summer months of March-April-May and there are a lot of reasons, to celebrate the rainy season. India is home to many such beautiful hill stations, which offer a variety of lush green scenic beauty and the rugged mountains, beckon the wanderlust traveller. In this blog let’s explore the top five cherry-picked hilly destinations during the rainy season.
Mesmerizing Mahabaleshwar!
Mahabaleshwar is truly hypnotizing. A scenic hill station, nestled among the five hills of the Sahyadri mountain ranges in the Satara district, in the state of Maharashtra; it is the perfect destination for a monsoon getaway. Most of the hilly retreats in India were discovered by the Britishers, who once ruled India. A walk through the scenic woods of Mahabaleshwar is dotted with old colonial bungalows.
Mahabaleshwar has a truly enchanting lake, Lake Venna. The colourful hill station has many tourist spots that are worth visiting during the rainy season. During the monsoon season the trickling Lingamala waterfalls; comes alive after a long spell of the dry months of summer. The gushing waterfalls are a sight to cherish and capture for posterity. The Lingamala waterfalls are a sight to behold during the monsoons as its crystal clear water falls from a height of 600 metres and cascades into the Lake Venna. The panoramic and breathtaking view of the waterfalls is simply awe-inspiring. Believed to be a source of the river Krishna, the Krishnabai temple is built on a hilltop overlooking the Krishna valley. The temple houses a murti of Lord Krishna and a Shiv ling. It provides tourists with the most enchanting view of the river.
Kodaikanal-The Princess of Hill Stations
The months of July-September see an influx of visitors due to the monsoons. If you are a tourist who enjoys peace and solitude retreat to the Princess of Hill Stations- Kodaikanal. You can enjoy a quiet rainy evening on your balcony with a cup of steaming hot coffee or chocolate as you watch the rains pouring though not heavily but in a melodious way of their own.
Tourists can also enjoy board and card games while the rain pours outside silently. The mist-laden mountains and valleys beckon you as the calming scent from the eucalyptus trees engulf you and fragrances the air. Trekking is not advisable during the monsoons but a walk through the heavily wooded forests is certainly a tourist’s delight as one can breathe the fresh unpolluted and clean air. An overall enjoyable monsoon vacation for all lovers of rain and misty mountains that sets the mood not only for the holiday but for years of fond memories and nostalgia that come with it. So visit Kodaikanal in the monsoons, but be sure to equip yourself with monsoon gear and a pair of powerful lenses; to capture the sweetest memories that will last a lifetime.
Shillong- ‘Abode Of The Clouds’
Shillong, the hill station capital of Meghalaya a northeastern state in India is home to pristine waterfalls and placid mountains. The rolling hills in the middle of the town reminded the Britishers of Scotland and therefore Shillong is also known as ‘Scotland of the East.’ The East Khasi Hills district headquarters comes under Shillong. The monsoons arrive in Shillong in early June and stay up to the end of October. As a tourist, if you love the monsoon season then Shillong is the place to visit. For the avid hikers, there is the David Scott trail, which is 16kms long and can be covered in 4 hours. The track was used formerly as a horse trail by a British administrator David Scott but has now become a hiking trail for hiking and nature enthusiasts.
While sightseeing can be daunting during the monsoons, the nearby cafes and restaurants offer spectacular views of the clouds descending on the mountain tops. Be sure to carry your camera to capture the best views possible. Don’t forget to return home with a Khasi - hand-woven colourful shawl to spice up your wardrobe!
Ranikhet- Walk through the Picturesque Meadows!
Ranikhet, a hill station located in the Kumaon region of the Himalayas is also a cantonment area with a Military Hospital and both the Naga and the Kumaon Regiment in full authority. The monsoon seasons are moderate to heavy rainfall but worth a visit as the area is lush green with pine trees and dense forests. Though there are many interesting and beautiful places to visit in Ranikhet but due to the rains movement will be restricted, however a visit to the Bhalu Dam. Far away from the hustle-bustle of city life, the lake is nestled in the lap of large mountains, deep forests and beautiful valleys. Ideal for trekkers and adventure enthusiasts who would like to trek to the lake despite the rains. For all the shutterbugs out there carrying your camera will add to all your memories spent in a beautiful hill station and they are certainly priceless!
Mount Abu- A Religious, Yet A Picturesque Hill Station
Instead of feeling cooped up living in our own overcrowded cities, well heading to the hills for a cool and refreshing break is not a bad idea, head straight to Mount Abu. The scenic hill station is a nature lover’s delight as it offers many interesting places to visit. The monsoons are not very heavy in Mount Abu and sightseeing is usually a pleasure. It’s a perfect time to enjoy the lush greenery at this time. The sky is clear and the evenings are pleasant. For some, the call of natural surroundings entices them to visit this mountain retreat.
A walk through the wooded forests during the wet season is truly refreshing as it brings you close to nature. Nature enthusiasts seeking the simple pleasures of mountain life can stroll through the densely wooded mountains and forests. Evenings are pleasant for a boat ride which is breathtaking on the man-made Nakki Lake which was created at a height of 1200 metres above sea level. The mountain mist and lush greenery are a source of solace and calm for the tourists visiting the place during the monsoon season.
Read also -> Ten best places to visit in India in Summer
DO you know these Sacred Hindi words from Hindu philosophies added to the Oxford English dictionary
It is June 21st again… another wonderful morning for everyone and me. It is International Yoga …
It is June 21st again… another wonderful morning for everyone and me. It is International Yoga Day.
I opened my Whatsapp and saw everyone posting aasanas picture as their status. I felt pressured to do the same as I teach Yoga and philosophy. Usually, I wake up with the sunrise, and today was no different. So I started my morning practice as usual. Today, however, I wanted to motivate the world and myself with 108 Suryanamaskaara, which I always do with a team of yogis for International Yoga Day.
But this year, the enthusiasm in me was much more than in previous years, yet I felt incomplete, lacking in showing my love for yoga. What was it? I just sat on my mat under the sky, focussing on my breath and relaxing with each exhale.
It came to me that asana practice alone is not yoga, nor is doing a 108 Suryanamaskaars. Simply working on breathing is yoga too ❤. Breathing mindfully or 'pranayama', living in each moment with the self, builds the connection between the subtle and physical energy systems.
And so I simply focussed on my breath and continued till I felt complete.
Soon after, I started drafting my experience and understanding the meaning of yoga. Even now writing this article is yoga as I’m completely mindful of myself. How many of us are aware of our breath while we brush our teeth/take showers or are mindful when we eat? Isn't it time to tune our awareness of self with each and every breath we take and nurture ourselves with its numerous benefits?
This moment, let us all take a sankalpa of living every moment of every day 200%. To observe every change and make this a habit... a ritual. Let's align our routine with the sun🌞. Throw in a nature walk or asana practice for a mere 15 minutes - followed by some breathwork. You will see the difference for yourself. Why not celebrate yoga day every day and build ourselves and our health system!
How the yoga journey began
My personal yoga journey started unexpectedly at school. It was the year 2000 and the Kendriya Vidhyalaya where I studied conducted some Yoga workshops. We learned discipline and many asanas. The workshops got over soon but that experience and how yoga made me feel, stayed with me for years. Practicing yoga regularly kept me focussed on my own studies and in a good mood. It left me feeling energetic and made me more creative and supportive of others. So motivated a child I became, that I would motivate other students and friends to study and be disciplined!
Life moved on and I found myself embracing yoga next when I was studying engineering in college. I was in extreme discomfort due to asthma, the reconnection with yog cured my condition to about 95%. My connection with it was now more dynamic. By 2010 I was practicing dhyana and meditations and counting my Suryanamaskaars, all under the able guidance of the Art of Living. From then till now, yoga has been my breath.
Staying motivated
There were some moments when I used to fall back in my practice, but each time I realised I really do need to hit the mat again and resume the routine with regular follow-up sessions with a group of yogis and a guru. With determination, I was able to devote time to this interest every day. My hard work and tapasya helped me tide through the numerous ups and downs that were written on my path. Due to yog sadhana, the roller coaster rides I experienced in life, I was able to handle and could manifest the best things possible from it - which included an understanding of the self.
I then wanted to share the knowledge that I had gained and to make the benefits reach far and wide. I wanted to give this knowledge to the world, till my last breath, and it was then that I launched 'Swadhyaaya' where I teach one of the knowledge systems of Patanjali Yoga Sutras - which builds to connect the system of self with breath through self-study. Over the years my practice has taken me on solo trips across various rivers, the holy Ganga, Bhagirathi, Alaknandha, Zanskar, Krishana, Kaveri, Sharvati, Tungabhadra, and to numerous mountains in Haridwar, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttharakhand, Auli, Himachal Pradesh, Leh-Ladakh, ShimlaCoastal Karnataka... The experiences were spiritual and empowering. My goal has always been to discover myself more and more.
Breathe
I go back to where I started. The breath. The one big thing that I have realised is that everything is connected with breath. We truly can win the world with the right breathing pattern if we practice the correct yogic practices taught by great gurus.
We all spend hours shopping, partying, working at the office, or simply procrastinating. Why don't we all put aside a little time, perhaps just thirty minutes a day for yoga and pranayama? My vision is to see the world with a happy state of mind and healthy body which has a natural healing ability with its own breath; and for everyone to live every moment with joy 🤩!
I leave you with a Sanskrit shloka that I love:
योगस्थः कुरु कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा धनञ्जय ।
सिद्ध्यसिद्ध्योः समो भूत्वा समत्वं योग उच्यते ।।
yogasthaḥ kuru karmāṇi saṅgaṃ tyaktvā dhanañjaya।
siddhyasiddhyoḥ samo bhūtvā samatvaṃ yoga ucyate॥
Be steadfast in the performance of your duty, O Arjun, abandoning attachment to success and failure. Such equanimity is called Yog.
हे धनञ्जय तू आसक्तिका त्याग करके सिद्धिअसिद्धिमें सम होकर योगमें स्थित हुआ कर्मोंको कर क्योंकि समत्व ही योग कहा जाता है।
Wishing everyone a wonderful Yoga Day!
🧘♀️ 🕉 🧘♀️
My experience with slang words
Bengaluru, the IT city of India, is host to millions of dreams. …
Bengaluru, the IT city of India, is host to millions of dreams. Being a rank outsider, I struggled miserably with Kannada- the local language- when I shifted here for a job. At the time there was no Indian language app to my recollection.
One fine morning, after a rather difficult project meeting following a client escalation, my teammates who were speaking about our manager, kept saying dabba. I noticed it many times later too.
The word dabba meant only a tiffin box to me so I thought maybe my colleagues talk about the food that our boss brings! One day, I happened to have lunch with my manager and saw that his food is like our simple lemon rice, curry, chapatti, and curd rice.
I was intrigued.
That evening I asked a colleague, ‘You guys often refer to our manager’s dabba, but there is nothing special in his tiffin box!’ My colleague took a few seconds to register my question and then broke out laughing. He explained ‘Dabba is a slang commonly used in this city and it means a useless person- so we call our boss that.’ Thus, the mystery of dabba came to a close!
Welcome to the world of slang! Soon, I learnt another swanky slang from Kannada – Bombat, which translates to awesome, something that the Bengali slang fatafati conveys. How does slang affect language? I guess it is more fashionable to use slang – if we could -rather than a traditional word or phrase.
As we come to appreciate how slang affects language, and in keeping with the popular Indian adage - the water changes every two miles, and the tongue changes every four- the slang changes more frequently: with every language, dialect, even city or town!
Consequently, slang is used to convey something intrinsic to the place where it is used, or in the dialect or language in which it is used.
A parallel vocabulary and language: Slangs can be thought of as informal language. One could claim to know a language only if the person can communicate through it with a vast populace of its speaker. Slangs are mostly used in spoken form and are prevalent in daily use.
The culture angle: Slangs are deep-rooted in culture, so speaking the slang makes the listener acknowledge you as their own and blesses you with a sense of belonging.
The Omnipresence of slangs: Slangs are all over- in conversation between friends and family, they're found in songs and music, movies, dramas, art, and culture. Knowing slang furthers your journey into the language and brings one closer to what the language has to offer.
Slangs fasten the learning process. The more slang one is acquainted with, the more is one likely to make use of it. And more use of the language invariably leads to quick learning.
⚠️Proceed with caution: Some slang may seem offensive, but they are usually an expression in banter and evoked in good humour. So, knowing slang help in alleviating misunderstanding. Be careful while using slang. Once, when I adventurously said to my senior of ten years – ‘Aaraamaagiru Maga’ which deciphers to ‘just chill buddy’ in Kannada. He smiled back, and I could feel it was not of amusement. I learnt my lesson! if you are addressing someone as yaar (in Hindi) or maga (in Kannada), ensure they are not too senior to you. These words are for friends, not seniors.
Or you could well be restrained by a Dogri slang introduced to me by a yaar (buddy) from Himachal: Oyi Gayi Chol (keep quiet or stay away).
The best way to learn slang would be to listen carefully to the local people speaking or to listen to their latest popular songs, films and even memes! (You could also check out the Language Curry App and blogs for them! Slangs are there in many languages; Hindi, Telugu, Marathi, Tamil, Bengali and more! Some Indian slangs even made it into the Oxford English Dictionary!
🗣 Slangs are meant to be informal.
In written form, they are not normal,
They’re intrinsic, to a dialect or to a place,
You learn the slang, and you are an ace!
🗣 Slangs are but to be carefully used,
Make sure the listener is always amused,
A misplaced slang could well bounce back,
And you may find yourself out of track.
🗣 Bombat, Fatafati, Jhakaas, Bindaas,
All belong to the Indian slang class,
Slangs are catchy, often intended for a pun,
Learning the Indian language through slang is fun!
🗣 As you take to a new language with a bang,
Get your hands dirty with also the slang,
Are you looking to get 'local pe vocal'?
Language Curry is the choice univocal! 🥇
Wise sayings in Sanskrit that you can start using from today!
Today as Sanskrit is gaining more and more interest among people across the world, more so among …
Today as Sanskrit is gaining more and more interest among people across the world, more so among the Indians in India and across the world, they are seeking the Sanskrit words for daily use. Looking to introduce Sanskrit to your kitchen? Here are some cooking and kitchen-related words in Sanskrit:
There are many myths about the devabhasha Sanskrit. Read here to how to bust them! Sanskrit: debunking top myths about the devabhasha
Today Sanskrit has broken away from the shackles and reemerged as a relevant and thriving language. Even if it is not being taught in many schools and universities, people are finding ways to study it themselves. Google said, that the highest number of requests that they received for translations was for Sanskrit. Language Curry, the only app in the world teaching Indian languages has the maximum number of downloads for Sanskrit. The students are from across the globe. Sanskrit can be learned in contemporary form too! Have you checked out this fun article we did a few days ago? Learn Sanskrit through emojis!
Meaning of the term Shaman
The term Shaman has been taken from the Siberian Tungus word Saman …
The term Shaman has been taken from the Siberian Tungus word Saman which implies a person who has a direct experience of the secrets of ‘life and the universe’. The Shamans are often considered reservoirs of ancient knowledge and spiritual practices that have been handed over from one generation to the next. Anthropologists have extensively used the term Shaman to refer to certain groups of spiritual healers in varied cultures that are known by different names such as witcdoctorsor, sorcerer, medicine men, seers, and magicians.
However, interacting with this young and educated Shaman added a new dimension to my understanding of Shamanism. Manthan is a Shaman from the Limbu community and according to him, there are three kinds of Shamans namely Phadangma a medicine man who usually performs household rituals like ancestral poojas. Samba/Samma Shaman who performs auspicious ceremonies as well as natural death rituals and finally a Yeba/Yema a Shaman who performs inauspicious ceremonies for unnatural or accidental deaths.
Manthan is a Yeba and when asked how he came to know that he was a Shaman or if there any process of becoming a Shaman, he said that the process of becoming a Shaman is called Thanchongma where a senior Shaman identifies you as the chosen one based on what you utter when in trance. Once one is declared a Shaman they usually fall sick and it is strange that medical treatment of the illness further makes it worst. During Thanchongma, Manthan would vomit continuously. It is believed that this is one way of purging the body from any kind of impurity.
Manthan's process of becoming a Shaman started at the tender age of 7 when he started showing signs of becoming a Shaman and it was only after 16 years he began performing rituals as a Yeba. He had to work as an apprentice under a senior Shaman. He says becoming a Shaman is not easy as during the initiation process he had to take a total of 36 vows and during each vow he had to consume 36 burning wicks which was quite a discomforting experience. Talking to him sparked a curiosity in me if one could differentiate Yeba amongst the three Shamans based on one's physical appearance. He says that a Yeba always wears a bag made of Cowrie shells called Aplasep, unlike other Shamans. However, what I found intriguing is the legend behind Aplasep. It is believed that during a full moon these beads cling and make a sound on their own. Unbelievable yet true!
According to the young Yeba, a shaman has been assigned three roles a healer, a performer of ceremony and rituals, and a storyteller. The Mundhum is the medium through which a Shaman narrates stories of the past that have been handed over from one generation to the other. He believes that the Limbu Mundhum although oral follows a chronology that talks about the origin of mankind, the first story of unnatural death, and many more. He shares with us the story of two plants where Muktu (Elephant grass) is considered the oldest plant and Sagi (Sting Nettle) the youngest.
The death ritual that a Yeba performs is always pre-planned. It begins after all the family members of the deceased have eaten their dinner. The Yeba dances and they also sing the story of origin for about 3 to 4 hours and also narrate the story of the first unnatural death. Thereafter, the spirit of the dead is called upon. The ritual finally ends the next morning with Nahenthokma- a ritual to ward off jealousy rather than evil spirits since the Limbu consider jealousy to be even more harmful than evil spirits.
Manthan talks about the paradoxical nature of being a Shaman. Shamanism now mostly has become an unbelievable activity, especially in urban households unlike in villages where people still have faith in Shamanistic practice. An increase in literacy and advancement in science and technology may be one of the reasons for this. Manthan himself being a Shaman who is well educated considers some of the practices rather illogical and irrational. Yet at the same time, he feels fortunate that he can pass on their ancestral knowledge and oral history. His experience clearly sums up the ambiguity of being a modern-day Shaman.
The influence of Shamanism is felt far and wide today. As per a Times of India report, 'it is becoming a fairly routine experience for many. People from different professions — students, businessmen, housewives, even former army men are turning to shamanism, an ancient spiritual practice where the practitioner communes with “spirit guides” to gain access to information and healing'. The report mentions, businessman Gurpreet Singh and a marketing Executive named Harnam Sidhu, 46 who took up Shamanism full-time. A woman from Austria, Dr Kosima Klinger Paul has opened up a school of Shamanism! Those who have benefitted from Shamanism healing, swear by it. And one can find numerous Shaman-Yoga healing centres across the globe today!
Telling Time in Tamil
Time is an integral part of human life. Imagine a world without time and …
Time is an integral part of human life. Imagine a world without time and its management. What utter chaos? Whether it is waking or sleeping our daily schedule centres around time.
Regardless of region, culture, country or people the learner of any new language has to know how to converse in the language of that place. To learn to tell the time in the regional language, knowing the basics of telling the time, is important so that conversing with the locals becomes comprehendible.
Tamil Nadu is a state full of temples and steeped in religious tradition and culture. Whether you are visiting Tamil Nadu for a vacation or for a business meeting the place has a lot to offer you in terms of food, culture and music. To help you learn the basics of time we have created the Tamil time telling guide and here it goes.
Time-related vocabulary and phrases
English Tamil
time Nēram
hour Maṇi
O'clock Maṇi
morning Kālai
afternoon Matiyam
evening Cāyaṅkālam
what time is it? Maṇi Eṉṉa?
what's the time Eṉṉa nēram
ENGLISH TAMIL
It’s one o’clock- Mani onnu (one) ākiviṭṭatu.
It’s two o’clock - Mani rendu (two) ākiviṭṭatu.
It’s three o’clock - Mani moonu (three) ākiviṭṭatu.
It’s four o’clock - Mani naalu (four) ākiviṭṭatu.
It’s five o’clock - Mani aanjee (five) ākiviṭṭatu.
It’s six o’clock - Mani aaru (six) ākiviṭṭatu.
It’s seven 0’clock - Mani yelu (seven) ākiviṭṭatu.
It’s eight o’clock - Mani yettu (eight) ākiviṭṭatu.
It’s nine o’clock - Mani vombadu (nine) ākiviṭṭatu.
It’s ten o’clock - Mani patthu (ten) ākiviṭṭatu.
It’s eleven o’clock - Mani paddhinonu (eleven) ākiviṭṭatu.
It’s twelve o’clock - Mani panandu (twelve) ākiviṭṭatu.
If dealing with the first half of the Hour like 9:05, we will say 9:05 Pōṉṟa maṇinērattiṉ mutal pātiyaik kaiyāḷvatu eṉṟāl, nām kūṟuvōm
If dealing with the second half of the Hour like 3.55, we will say 3.55 Pōṉṟa maṇiyiṉ iraṇṭām pātiyaik kaiyāḷvatu eṉṟāl, nām colvōm
Half- past means arrai (half)
So for e.g. 1.30 means vondu (one) arrai mani
3.30 means moond (three) arrai mani
5.30 means aanjai (five) arrai mani
Quarter past
For e.g. 1.15 means onne kaal mani
2.25 means rende kaal mani
3.15 means moonai kaal mani
5.15 means aanjai kaal mani
Quarter to means mukkaal mani
For e.g. 1.45 means onnai mukkaal mani
2.45 means rende mukkaal mani
3.45 means moonai mukkaal mani
6.45 means aar mukkaal mani
There is an exception for saying 1.30 and 2.30 in (Tamil). For 1.30 we use onu arrai maṇi and for 2.30 we use the term rendu arrai maṇi.
The Twelve-Hour Clock – Due to the prevalence of the twelve-hour clock in India rather than the twenty-four-hour clock, (Tamil) as well use the phase of the day to describe the hour rather than am or pm. For instance:
5 p.m. would be expressed as Mālai 5 maṇi (மாலை 5 மணி)
6 a.m. would be expressed as Kālai 6 maṇi (காலை 6 மணி)
2 p.m. would be expressed as Matiyam 2 maṇi (மதியம் 2 மணி)
To become fluent in Tamil knowing how to tell the time alone is not enough. It is important that you have the complete learning plan with the vocabulary, simple grammar explanations speaking practice and Language Curry offers you all this under one learning umbrella!
Language Curry is an app you can trust for language learning. It provides the most relevant Tamil words and phrases voiced out by native speakers, so you won't have to waste time learning unimportant ones. The "Time" and “Number and Denomination” tab in the Vocab section will help you gain a better understanding of how to tell the time in Tamil by giving you phrases and examples. Most of all, learn conveniently because, with Language Curry App, you don't have to be worried about strict schedules. You can learn anywhere and anytime you want.
cover image: Balancing Rock at Mahabalipuram
Read more blogs on Tamil:
Sanskrit and decolonisation
What are the lesser-known advantages of learning and speaking …
What are the lesser-known advantages of learning and speaking Sanskrit?
Sanskrit, by default, decolonizes the mind. It's necessary for the people of a nation to learn and preserve its language that has given expression to the vision of its life. Sanskrit, indeed, is the very Atman - आत्मन् of भारत bhArata - India.
Decolonisation अनुपनिवेशनम्, निर्धूतोपनिवेशनम्, निर्मुक्तोपनिवेशनम्. विगतोपनिवेशनम्
anupaniveśanam, nirdhūtopaniveśanam, nirmuktopaniveśanam. vigatopaniveśanam
Colonization उपनिवेशनम् upaniveśanam
Do you have some basic knowledge of Sanskrit? Why don't you attempt this small passage with the help of the clues given below?
अधुना अहम् वदामि । सः अधुना पाठं पठति । सा अधुना यानं चालयति। त्वम् अधुना किं करोषि ? अहम् अधुना खेलामि । मम पिता अधुना पूजयति। तस्य अनुजः अधुना निद्राति । किं तव माता अधुना गायति? न मम माता अधुना लिखति। मम अग्रजः अधुना स्नाति । त्वम् अधुना कुत्र गच्छसि ?
adhunā aham vadāmi . saḥ adhunā pāṭhaṃ paṭhati . sā adhunā yānaṃ cālayati. tvam adhunā kiṃ karoṣi ? aham adhunā khelāmi . mama pitā adhunā pūjayati. tasya anujaḥ adhunā nidrāti . kiṃ tava mātā adhunā gāyati? na mama mātā adhunā likhati. mama agrajaḥ adhunā snāti . tvam adhunā kutra gacchasi ?
Clues: अधुना - now वदामि - am speaking पाठं पठति - reading lessons यानं चालयति - driving vehicle किं करोषि - what are you doing? खेलामि - am playing पूजयति- is worshiping निद्राति - is sleeping गायति - singing लिखति - is writing स्नाति - is taking bath गच्छसि - you are going
adhunā - now vadāmi - am speaking pāṭhaṃ paṭhati - reading lessons yānaṃ cālayati - driving vehicle kiṃ karoṣi - what are you doing? khelāmi - am playing pūjayati- is worshiping nidrāti - is sleeping gāyati - singing likhati - is writing snāti - is taking bath gacchasi - you are going
#LearnSamskritam
An epic timeless meme and a cult film do not come around that often.
Poster: Sathyan …
An epic timeless meme and a cult film do not come around that often.
In 1991, a Malayalam film was released that immediately shot to cult status. The film was Sandesham, a dark political satire that dealt with the political activism of Kerala at the time. The cast included Thilakan, Jayaram, and Sreenivasan as the father and his two ideologically opposed sons respectively.
The film plot
The film is set in the home of a simple middle-class Malayali man, Raghavan Nair who worked as a Station Master in the Railways. He worked hard and wanted only for his sons to settle down well. But his sons were useless profligates, indulging in political activism and living off their father’s money.
The lead up to the meme
Both the boys supported opposing political parties in Kerala. The elder one supported a socialist party and the younger one a capitalist party (read Indian National Congress). When the capitalist party won the national elections in India, an argument ensued at lunchtime in their home. The younger one started rubbing it in the face of his socialism-supporting elder brother. The elder one was not one to budge and stuck his ground in his arguments as the hapless father looked on. World Bank, devaluation, gold, the story of the working class, growth - everything was on the table!
The younger brother began to cite the major issues plaguing socialist countries and the elder brother gave examples of Vietnam and Romania. The younger one retorted, why are you giving examples from across the world instead of focussing on the problems right around you? Why can’t you accept the mandate of the people and accept defeat? (Ouch!)
Now after the Second World War, with a decline in Soviet dominance, Socialism was being ousted from most countries across the world or was breathing its last. The Polish socialist parties too lost in Poland making way for capitalism. This caused huge angst among the Communists of Kerala ☭ and was quite a sore point with them!
As the argument of one-upmanship ensued among the brothers, with the elder one still aggressively supporting socialism, the younger one – ‘brought in Poland’ into the argument’.
To which the elder one responded with the iconic one-liner, ‘Don’t utter a word about Poland’!
Why did this line gain such a cult status?
‘Don’t talk about Poland’ became the symbol of the hypocrisy that ailed Kerala and hence appealed to the youth. It showed them a mirror they wanted.
On a deeper level, despite all the high literacy rates and the favourable HDI, Kerala remained high in unemployment with youth being forced to go out to seek employment. It highlighted the high interest the Malayalis had in global issues whilst not realising the problems in their own state. The film also successfully depicts the struggle between the neo-liberals and the commie post-war.
The sentence by itself was epic as it meant, ‘don’t talk about Poland because if you do, then I lose my argument’! Since then ‘Don’t talk about Poland’ is understood to be the go-to line of the losing side!
The success of the film
The Malayalis absolutely loved the film and raised it to cult status! The performance by the entire cast was exemplary. The meme is alive and thriving even decades later! The film was a huge commercial success and today is counted among the Malayalam classics. IBN live list added it to the 100 Greatest Indian Films of All Time. It was even remade in Tamil!
Wanna watch the clip? Of course, you do! You can move straight to 4.27 minutes and hit play.
One would want to learn Malayalam properly just to be able to relish this film fully! But if you need some more reasons to learn Malayalam, read:
Do you think the film Sandesham and the subjects touched upon by it are relevant even today? Let us know in the comments.
All images: screen captures from the video clip posted above.
Surya Siddhanta
Sun God Surya portrayed in Thailand
Since time immemorial, timekeeping has …
Since time immemorial, timekeeping has been an unbroken tradition across many ancient civilisations. One of the oldest time-keeping treatises, Surya Siddhanta, talks about heavenly bodies, planetary motion and their calculations, it also can be used to calculate seasons based on lunar motion. India is a land known for its traditions and rituals; those rituals are based on lunisolar time-keeping methods. We in India have a hoary tradition of time management to conduct rituals. Since the earlier known times, knowing the correct time and hour of the day was very important to our ancestors and hence, we have had a scientific system for measuring time for many millennia.
Karnataka is the land of scholars and industrious people. As early as the beginning of the current era, in the first few centuries, scholars and mathematicians of the Jain persuasion contributed immensely towards scientific and philosophic advancement of the discussion, be it about metaphysics or about time and its nature. People in Karnataka are known to be soft-spoken and accommodating, however, they are also known to be very professional, in the modern sense of the word, and therefore, are also very conscious of the time and its value. One of the leading role models of such qualities is none other than Sir Mokshagundam Srinivasa Shastry Vishveshwarayya, popularly known as Sir MV, who was the 19th Diwan of the Mysore Kingdom. Among the many qualities that made him a statesman par excellence, he was also known for being very punctual and mindful of the time and its value.
If dealing with the first half of the Hour like 9.05, we will say ಈಗ ಸಮಯ ಒಂಬತ್ತು ಘಂಟೆ ಐದು ನಿಮಿಷ ಆಗಿದೆ Iga samaya oMbattu ghaMTe aidu nimiSha Agide.
If dealing with the second half of the Hour like 3.55, we will say ಈಗ ಸಮಯ ಮೂರು ಘಂಟೆ ಐವತ್ತೈದು ನಿಮಿಷ ಆಗಿದೆ ಅಥವಾ ನಾಲ್ಕು ಘಂಟೆಗೆ ಐದು ನಿಮಿಷಗಳಿವೆ Iga samaya mooru ghaMTe aivattaidu nimiSha Agide athavA nAlku ghaMTege aidu nimiShagaLive.
In Kannada, we use the term ವರೆ (vare) for half-past. For example, 4.30 will be ನಾಲ್ಕುವರೆ ಘಂಟೆಯಾಗಿದೆ (nAlkuvare ghaMTeyAgide).
In Kannada, we use the term ಕಾಲು (kAlu) for quarter-past. For example, 5.15 will be ಐದುಕಾಲು ಘಂಟೆಯಾಗಿದೆ (aidukAlu ghaMTeyAgide).
In Kannada, we use the term ಮುಕ್ಕಾಲು (mukhAlu) for quarter-to. For example, 6.45 will be ಆರುಮುಕ್ಕಾಲು ಘಂಟೆಯಾಗಿದೆ (ArumukkAlu ghaMTeyAgide).
There is no exception for saying 1.30 and 2.30 in Kannada unlike Hindi or other northern Indian languages. For example, for both 1.30 and for 2.30 we either use the term ವರೆ (vare) or say the numbers, as in ಮುವತ್ತು (muvattu). That is, ಒಂದುವರೆ or ಎರಡುವರೆ (oMduvare or eraDuvare) or ಒಂದು ಘಂಟೆ ಮುವತ್ತು ನಿಮಿಷ (oMdu ghaMTe muvattu nimiSha) or ಎರಡು ಘಂಟೆ ಮುವತ್ತು ನಿಮಿಷ (eraDu ghaMTe muvattu nimiSha).
The Twelve-Hour Clock – Due to the prevalence of the twelve-hour clock in India rather than the twenty-four-hour clock, Kannada as well uses the phrase of the day to describe the hour rather than am or pm. For instance:
5 p.m. would be expressed as ಸಾಯಂಕಾಲ / ಸಂಜೆ ಐದು ಘಂಟೆ (sAyaMkAla / saMje aidu ghaMTe)
6 a.m. would be expressed as ಮುಂಜಾನೆ / ಬೆಳಿಗ್ಗೆ ಆರು ಘಂಟೆ (muMjAne / beLigge Aru ghaMTe)
2 p.m. would be expressed as ಮಧ್ಯಾಹ್ನ ಎರಡು ಘಂಟೆ (madhyAhna eraDu ghaMTe)
Knowing the right terms and words while speaking any language provides you with the mastery over the language that is often expected of you by native speakers. At the same time, using them appropriately opens many doors to the hearts of the native speakers too. While doing that, if you can show that you are punctual and take time seriously, you endear yourself to the speakers of that language. Happy learning.
If the rainbow had 122 shades, each shade had a variety of sub-shades, and few among the shades …
If the rainbow had 122 shades, each shade had a variety of sub-shades, and few among the shades were better recognised than the other, then the rainbow could well imitate the Indian language.
With 122 spoken varieties, more than 19,500 dialects, and 22 recognised by the constitution, the Indian language is a rainbow that could glitter in the darkest sky.
Learning a new Indian language brings one closer to India. It endears one to India’s culture and region. Besides, it is largely believed that learning a new language keeps the brain agile and helps prevents the occurrence of dementia or other mental ailments at an advanced age.
Let me share a fun personal experience first. My first job took me to Pune, Maharashtra. We were a batch of hundred new joiners undergoing training. A friend of mine from Rajasthan was head over heels in love with one of our Maharashtrian lady batch mates. But my lovestruck friend was finding the road bumpy.
Sometimes courage let him down, and sometimes the language barrier failed him (the love interest was from an orthodox Maharashtrian family).
He attempted to learn Marathi and his initial forays met with ridicule. His pronunciation and diction were all over the place. He was, however, a decent guitarist and had a knack for music.
The new joiner’s welcome celebration was round the corner, and he practiced diligently and performed a very romantic Marathi song to the delight of the audience and the surprise of many!
His prospect in Marathi drastically improved, and soon the matters of heart saw the light of the day!
Both my training batchmates are married for a long time now.
Surprisingly, a few of my Maharashtrian colleagues, who were audience to my friend’s performance that night, exclaimed in amazement: ‘There was no way we could have imagined that the singer was not a Marathi speaker- his pronunciation, diction, and the feeling were all about in place!”
It must have something to do with music then.
🎶Music begins where language ends🎵 - the adage never sounded truer.
Possibly, as the research would also corroborate, the tone and rhythm which accompanies a song endear the performer with the language and he derives and emotes exactly how it is meant to be.
🎵 Music is a stimulant for the brain and mood: The words or lyrics which is accompanied by the tone and rhythm of the music are much better processed and retained
🎵 Listening to songs of a new language: While we hum the lyrics of a song, we endeavour to absorb the exact sound and tone, and thus we improve on the pronunciation as we rid ourselves of our native language or mother tongue's influence
🎵 Music helps in enhancing our memory: Are we not acquainted with the fact that lullabies are hummed on the soft ears of a child introducing the alphabets of a language even before the little life had learned to speak?
🎵 Music helps us in enriching our vocabulary of a new language. The lyrics of songs are generally high on the language and terminology quotient, and music so easily finds a way to our heart and soul that its contents remain deep-seated in us
🎵 A child exposed to musical instruments early in life is known to pick up language more flawlessly and seamlessly than the rest. RUDN University linguists confirmed the same in their report Thinking Skills and Creativity. Nadine Gaab, an alumnus of Stanford University, while presenting her findings at Neuroscience’s annual meeting in Washington DC, claimed that people with musical experience found it easier than the rest to detect small differences in word syllables.
#songtime Language and music are indeed a heady mix!
Music is the language of the heart,
Such a sublime form of art!
Transcending the brain to reach the soul,
enthralls us to achieve its goal.
Yes, people communicate through a language,
written or verbal - both are in usage,
It binds us together in a strong bond,
As messages are seamlessly passed along.
Music helps in the development of the brain,
Tune and rhythm help us retain-
The intricacies of the language in place,
Thus, music helps learn a language with grace.
Are we on the language learning path?
And are we looking to make a start?
Indian Language could be learned online for free,
Install Language Curry and begin with glee! 🎵
Ten popular wise sayings in Sanskrit
सत्यम् एव जयते truth alone triumphs …
सत्यम् एव जयते truth alone triumphs
अहिंसा परमो धर्मः non-violence, the greatest dharma
लोभः पापस्य कारणम् greed, the cause of paap / sin
अति सर्वत्र गर्हितम् excess of anything is not good
धर्मो रक्षति रक्षितः protected, Dharma protects
कालस्य कुटिला गतिः time's way is crooked
योग्यं योग्येन योजयेत् link the fit with the fit
शठे शाठ्यं समाचरेत् tit for tat
विद्वान् सर्वत्र पूज्यते the wise are adored everywhere
यत्नेन लभ्यते रत्नम् anything precious is gained only by effort
Interesting, aren't they? Read Also: Sanskrit proverbs with English equivalents
Do you ❤️love Sanskrit and are hoping to read more and more of Sanskrit? Do download the Language Curry App and select 'Sanskrit'. From there click on the Learning tab and you will find at your fingertips a huge treasure trove of shubhashitas and shlokas with their meaning in both English and Hindi. Also you can hit the purple colour ►button and hear the correct pronounciation. To understand the text word by word, hit the green colour Learn More button.
Bengal: the land of festivals
Have you heard this saying about Bengal. ‘baro maashe, …
Bengal: the land of festivals
Have you heard this saying about Bengal. ‘baro maashe, tyaron parbon’! It means 12 months and 13 festivals!
The scintillating aesthetic beauty and energy of Bengali festivals mesmerizes everyone. In this episode Language Curry has brought to us the aesthetic pleasure derived from the ravishing festivals celebrated in a part of Bharat called Bengal. Many of these festivals are simultaneously celebrated with great enthusiasm in other adjacent Bengali speaking areas like Assam, Tripura, Odisha, Sikkim as well as the rest of India too.
As the clock of seasons reminds the Hindu calendar with each upcoming month there is an arrival of more than one festival. So let us see what are they?
Dol Purnima
The Hindu calendar begins with the month of Chaitra (‘Choitro’ in Bangla), it welcomes the year with a festival like Holi called Dol celebrated during Dol Purnima. These colourful occasions bring out the best colours that are spread over the entire land. People greet each other with sweets and exchange gifts while becoming absolute gourmets.
Poila Boishakh
The season of Boishakh Mash ‘Baisakh’ opens the window of fresh air to welcome the New Year in the Bangla calendar called ‘Poila Boishakh’ which means Pahela Baisakh/ or the first spring, celebrated in India along with Baisakhi in Punjab, Puthundu in Tamil Nadu, Bihu in Assam, Pana Sankranti in Odisha and Vishu in Kerala.
On this 15th day of Baisakh Kal, Bengalis wear new dresses mostly traditional and enjoy magnificent meals with their near and dear ones. There is also a vital inclusion of Tagore songs which are sung wholeheartedly, welcoming the new year ‘Eso hey boishakh esho esho’ and praying for the entire year to be gleeful, joyous and full of prosperity.
Jamai Shoshthi
The festival of Jamai Shoshthi comes knocking next, during Jyestha, in the month of (May-June). This festival is celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm with the explicit purpose of honouring the sons–in–law while extending and cherishing the warmth in relation with them. On this day the mothers-in-law prepare special meals and tie a yellow thread (dipped in turmeric) on their wrists, praying for their wellbeing and prosperity to Maa Shashti who is worshipped as a living goddess and takes care of all her children.
Rath Jatra
In the month of Ashadh (June-July), there is a festival celebrated known as Rath Jatra of Lord Jagganath which is also greatly celebrated in Odisha as well. It involves taking out the grand procession of Lord Jagannath’s chariot. People pull long ropes called ‘rosshi’ tied to the holy chariot of Lord Jagannath. Pulling this rope is considered extremely divine and auspicious. Devotees from all across the globe come to participate in the same. The festival is being celebrated with the same enthusiasm as yesteryear.
Durga Pujo
Here comes the most happening festival of Bengalis called Durga Puja. This grand festival happens to be celebrated for entire 10 days. It is believed that Maa Durga, the Supreme divine power visits her maternal home with her four children, Lord Ganesha, Lord Karthik, Goddess Saraswathi and Goddess Lakshami. People enjoy this puja and festival while wearing new clothes, arranging huge feasts, deriving pleasure from Dhak (Musical instrument called Drum) and performing Dhunuchi Naach on its beats.
The main festival starts from Shashti after the Udbodhon and Mahalaya, the days when the Idol of Goddess Durga is first worshipped as soon as the veil is lifted while chanting Chandi Path. From Shashthi to Maha Navami, people pay visits to different pandals and offer prayers called ‘Onjuli’ and Bhog Prashad.
On the 10th day is Vijaya Dashmi (Bijoya Doshumi) women play vermilion (red sindoor) while greeting each other ‘Shubho Bijoya’. As the curtain draws to the end the eyes start sobbing while immersing in the idol of Goddess Durga. Very enthusiastically people cheer loudly ‘Asche Bochchor Abar Hobe’ which means Once again in the coming year.
Lokkhi Pujo
Right after Durga Pujo arrives Lokkhi Pujo or Kojagori Lokkhi Pujo, worshipping Goddess Lakshmi (the Goddess of Wealth), on this day and her Vahanas are fed on the same day. Post which comes Jagaddhatri Pujo.
Kali Pujo/Deepawali
One of the most exciting festivals is Kali Puja where Goddess Kali is worshipped and Deepawali starts. Ma Kali is the fierce form of Shakti. She can slay the most frightful demons and brings hope to all. People light diyas everywhere to anhilate darkness and evil energies.
Bhai Phonta/Bhai Dooj
This thrilling festival is more like Raksha Bandhan where gifts are exchanged between brothers and sisters. The day marks the love and friendship between siblings and cousins. The happy memories strengthen their relationship and love for each other.
Christmas
The end of November brings the joy of Christmas in December. The Bengali Christians, though very few in number celebrate the festival wholesomely. People from all backgrounds and cultures celebrate with cakes, music, wine, candlelight dinner and exchanging gifts.
Poush Parbon
This way all around the year the wheels of festivals keep moving to embrace Poush Parbon in January which is Poush mash in the Bangla calendar. During this time every Bengali home will mandatorily have peethe puli, dudh puli, and all sorts of dairy product items as a mark of ending winter.
Saraswathi Pujo
The Bengali year ends with worshipping Goddess Saraswati in the Magh-Falgun Mash (Feb-March), Students, children, academicians, and those related to performing academia, arts, music, seek boons from the Godess to excel throughout the year.
Then there are other other communities and their festivals too. The Muslim community have their Islamic festivals and the Sikh community in Begal too celebrate their festivals with grandeur.
That is not all! The Bengalis love books and films! And hence they mark Kolkata Book Fair and Kolkata Film Festival celebrations too!
That is how it adds up to ‘baro mashe tyaron never-ending parbon’ in Bangla!
We all have learned English proverbs in school and used many of them in our daily …
We all have learned English proverbs in school and used many of them in our daily lives.
In Sanskrit, we are aware of powerful mantras, meaningful subhashitas, and enlightening shlokas. Do we know any Sanskrit proverbs?
Sanskrit Proverbs | English Equivalents
हिरण्यं नास्ति तत्सर्वं यद् यत्पीतं प्रकाश्यते। hiraṇyaṃ nāsti tatsarvaṃ yad yatpītaṃ prakāśyate । All that glitters is not gold
यन्नवे भाजने लग्नः संस्कारो नान्यथा भवेत्। yannave bhājane lagnaḥ saṃskāro nānyathā bhavet।What is learned in the cradle is carried to the grave
यथा कर्म तथा फलम्। yathā karma tathā phalam। As you sow, so you reap
जलबिन्दुनिपातेन क्रमशः पूर्यते घटः । jalabindunipātena kramaśaḥ pūryate ghaṭaḥ । Many a little makes a mickle
प्रक्षालनाद्धि पङ्कस्य दूरादस्पर्शनं वरम् । prakṣālanāddhi paṅkasya dūrādasparśanaṃ varam ।Prevention is better than cure
पण्डितोऽपि वरं शत्रुर्न मूर्खो हितकारकः । paṇḍito'pi varaṃ śatrurna mūrkho hitakārakaḥ । A wise man's frown is better than a fool's smile
Interesting, aren't they?
Do you ❤️love Sanskrit and are hoping to read more and more of Sanskrit? Do download the Language Curry App and select 'Sanskrit'. From there click on the Learning tab and you will find at your fingertips a huge treasure trove of shubhashitas and shlokas with their meaning in both English and Hindi. Also you can hit the purple colour ►button and hear the correct pronounciation. To understand the text word by word, hit the green colour Learn More button.
Telling Time in Bengali!
As the proverb goes ‘time and tide wait for none', following …
Telling Time in Bengali!
As the proverb goes ‘time and tide wait for none', following the proverb not only reminds us of the vitality of time and what’s the time however it also repeatedly warns us to be disciplined and punctual, to be organized and on time. While writing essays on ‘Importance of Time’, during our school time, often our teachers remind us that the one who does not care about time is likewise undervalued by time as well. Of course, admiration of time notifies self-admiration. He who has patience during tough times is sure to be welcomed by beautiful times in his life.
‘Somoy choliya jaye, nodir sroter praye, je jon na buje, tare dhik soto dhik' is a proverb in Bangla that means that 'time and tide waits for none and the ones who do not realize its importance should be ashamed of it'.
Bengal is not just known for being a Land of sweets, it is also a land of festivals. ‘Baro mashe tyaro parbon’ means a land where 13 festivals are celebrated within 12 months per year. The clock of seasons brings colourful times, teaching its importance while keeping lively hearts, positive attitude, and welcoming gestures.
Let’s understand how we follow time in Bangla:
ENGLISH - Bangla
Time Somoy
Hour Ghonta
Morning Sokal
Afternoon Dupur
Evening Bikal
What time is it? Ekhon koto somoy holo?
What’s the time? Ekhon kota baje?
If the time is on the hour
English to Bangla
t’s one o’clock - Ekhon Ek ta baje
It’s two o’clock - Ekhon Du to Baje
It’s three o’clock - Ekhon teen te baje
It’s four o’clock - Ekhon char te baje
It’s five o’clock - Ekhon Panch ta baje
It’s six o’clock - Ekhon Chau ta baje
It’s seven o’clock - Ekhon Sat ta baje
It’s eight o’clock - Ekhon Aath ta baje
It’s nine o’clock - Ekhon Nau ta baje
It’s ten o’clock - Ekhon Dosh ta baje
It’s eleven o’clock - Ekhon Aigaro ta baje
It’s twelve o’clock - Ekhon baro ta baje
If dealing with the first half of the Hour like 9.05, we will say ekhon Nau ta beje panch holo
If dealing with the second half of the Hour like 3.55, we will say ekhon teen te beje ponchanno baje
Quarter past is called as Soa, Quarter to is Poune and something 30 is called sare as shown below.
English time example in | example | in Bengali |
Half-past | 4.30 | Sare Char |
Quarter-past | 5.15 will be | Soa Panchta |
Quarter-to | 6.45 will be | Poune sat ta |
The exceptions are 1:30 and 2:30 and they are called derh ta and ahrahite respectively.
The First half an hour is called Shurur Aadh Ghonta and the Second half an hour will be shesher Aadh ghonta.
Points to remember
There is an exception for saying 1.30 and 2.30 in (Bengali). For 1.30 we use Der ta and for 2.30 we use the term Aah rai te The Twelve-Hour Clock – Due to the prevalence of the twelve-hour clock in India rather than the twenty-four-hour clock, (Bengali) as well use the phase of the day to describe the hour rather than am or pm.
For instance:
5 p.m. would be expressed as Bikel Panchta
6 a.m. would be expressed as Sokal Chau ta
2 p.m. would be expressed as Dupur Du to
Working perfectly on time needs practice, perseverance, and patience while knowing the time in the vernacular languages greatly helps in unfamiliar or novel places. India having geographical variations dictates the exact time as per its direction. For e.g. West Bengal, Tripura, Assam, and Sikkim being the East of the country witnesses the Sun when it is at its dawn, faster than Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan in the West, which is lucky to view the beautiful dusk post half past 6 in the evening. Hence nature might take a little longer to absorb complete darkness pan country /subcontinent but the earth rotates on its axis on time.
We observed and found the nouns are similar in Bangla to Hindi like Ek, Du, Teen, char, Panch, etc however there is an adverb added after every noun like ek (noun) ta, du (to), teen (te), panch(ta), so on and so forth. The only differences lie within pronunciation in the adjectives before the nouns like Paune sat in Hindi is Poune Sat ta in Bangla, Sawa Panch is Soa Panchta, Sare Aath is Sare Aath ta so on and so forth. So here we come with our enthusiastic approach towards learning and telling Time in Bangla.
To become fluent in Bengali knowing how to tell the time alone is not enough. It is important that you have a complete learning plan with the vocabulary, simple grammar explanations speaking practice and Language Curry offers you all this under one learning umbrella!
Language Curry is an app you can trust for language learning. It provides the most relevant Bengali words and phrases voiced out by native speakers, so you won't have to waste time learning unimportant ones. The "Time" and “Number and Denomination” tab in the Vocab section will help you gain a better understanding of how to tell the time in Tamil by giving you phrases and examples. Most of all, learn conveniently because, with Language Curry App, you don't have to be worried about strict schedules. You can learn anywhere and anytime you want!
Cover image: Town Clock, Kolkata, West Bengal
Visiting Kerela soon? and need a five-minute crash course in Malayalam?
Let's get right down …
Visiting Kerela soon? and need a five-minute crash course in Malayalam?
Let's get right down to it and start with some basic words! We are sharing with you ten Malayalam words with their meanings in English so you can start using them right away.
With these words you can start speaking Malayalam from Day 1 itself! For in-depth learning of Malayalam that too free of cost, download the Language Curry App and select the language 'Malayalam' and start learning right now from the comfort of your home!
Language Curry on Google Play Language Curry on App Store
'Ten English words that you are pronouncing incorrectly'!
'Five French brand names that …
'Ten English words that you are pronouncing incorrectly'!
'Five French brand names that we're mispronouncing'!
One of the most widely spoken languages in the world and a direct descendant of Vedic Sanskrit, the Hindi language has evolved into its present form through Prakrit and Apabhramsa languages. It is the first language of around 430 million people around the world, which makes it worth learning. Apart from India, the language is widely spoken in many other countries, including Nepal, Guyana, Trinidad, Fiji, and Mauritius.
From literature and poetry to arts, music, film, and everyday life, the Hindi language is absolutely worth exploring. Hindi is highly phonetic; this is to say that you can predict the pronunciation of a word in Hindi from its written form. Its words have a smooth, pitched sound that makes it a pleasure to hear and easy to pick up. Those familiar with the Devanagri script will endorse that Hindi is spoken exactly like it is written. But over the years some words have begun to be pronounced differently (nahi - naee), some are mispronounced (ghabraahat - ghabdaahat) and some pronunciations have got influenced due to native scripts being written in English letters.
This can confuse any new learner. So let's check out some of the words to understand why they are pronounced in different ways!
Nahi नहीं: Basically, the word नहीं (nahi) means ‘no’. Many people now pronounce it as नई (naee), which is a convenient short form and hence has become very common! This is comparable to how in English, 'I don't know' is often reduced to 'dono'.
Yah यह: This word means ‘this’ and is pronounced ‘yah’. In spoken language, however, people in hurry pronounce it as ये (ye). This pronunciation has become more common than the original one.
Namaskaar नमस्कार: When we meet someone, we traditionally greet them with the word, ‘Namaskaar’. People may sometimes pronounce it as नमश्कार (namashkaar), which may be out of over-enthusiasm!
Prasaad प्रसाद: In India, you should not refuse two things: a girl asking for help, and someone offering you food in the temple that is called Prasad. In spoken language, however, people sometimes tend to pronounce it प्रशाद (prashaad).
Ghabraahat घबराहट: Let’s admit that every time we go for an exam, an interview, or meet someone special, we experience butterflies in our stomachs. This mixed feeling is known as Ghabraahat in Hindi. But while speaking people often mispronounce it as घबडाहट (ghabdaahat).
Dhakelna धकेलना: This word basically means to push someone on something. But the word is usually mispronounced as ढकेलना (Dhhakelna - with a heavy Dh) rather than धकेलना (dhakelna - with a soft dh).
बादाम: Almost every Indian household swears by almonds as a brain booster. In Hindi, it is known as बादाम (baadaam) but is often mispronounced as बदाम (badaam).
रामायण: The Ramayan is one of the most sacred Hindu epics. In Hindi and Sanskrit, it is pronounced and known as रामायण Ramayan. This word is very commonly mispronounced as रामयणा Ramayana by bilingual Indian people - because of the final 'a' in its English spelling. But whatever language you are speaking, the pronunciation will always be रामायण (Ramayan). The same goes with महाभारत (Mahabharat), बुद्ध (Buddha), अर्जुन (Arjun), etc.
So, how do you pronounce thse words? Tell us in the comments!
Learning a new language and speaking it how the locals speak it is not easy unless you have friends to speak it with. But, you can do that now in the Language Curry app. The app enables you to 'tap and listen' to hear the pronunciation and 'repeat' the word so that it can check your own diction and pronunciation as well. The best part is that you don't have to spend a dime!
So, what are you waiting for? Just get started! Use correct Hindi words in your conversation and steal the limelight.
Do you know of the commonly mispronounced Gujarati words or Marathi words? Do check them out too!
Happy Learning!!!!
Ever wondered how are Telugu and Tamil mutually intelligible? Is it perhaps as …
Have you ever thought 'How hard would it be to learn the Telugu language being a Tamilian or vice-versa'.Telugu and Tamil are like sisters as they are descended from an ancient Dravidian dialect. Through these years the journey and connection between these two languages are beyond our imagination. Chennai, The capital of Tamilnadu was taken from the word 'Chennapatnam'. Which is named after a Telugu ruler 'Chennappa Nayakudu'.[1][2] Whereas the most revered shrines in India, Tirumala Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh has Tamil inscriptions on the temple walls[3]. Bhajans,keerthanas, and chantings of gods almost sounded similar in Andhra Pradesh & Tamilnadu.
There is innumerable evidence in literature & vocabulary, Which convinces us to a point that these two languages are connected so deeply and flourished with each other. Until a separate state formed for Telugu people, Telugu and Tamil speaking people stayed together as a Madras presidency under British rule. Back then it was common to Converse in both languages within the region.
Probably, The charm of conversing in these two languages has almost vanished. Apparently, the culture of conversing in two languages is sustained in the border areas of both states.
Post-independence, We as Indians focused on English with the influence of westernization. Currently, we are on the verge of globalization, and now as everyone is looking for a path to coming back to our roots. It’s high time to learn our neighboring languages to overcome geographical barriers and communicate ideas effectively-being swadeshi.
It is recommended to learn both languages not just because of the neighborhood. but because of the mutual intelligibility of these two languages. For the sake of learning, let's just ignore the history and origin of these languages. Though written representations look quite different but inherently share the similarity between them. Languages have evolved over the years and if we try to establish concrete relationships among them it would become easy to develop linguistic treasure.
Coming to sentence formation, both these languages follow similar sentence structures. As lately stated, Telugu and Tamil are Dravidian languages. A significant amount of vocabulary holds some sort of sounding swap keeping the original phonetics base as it is. Subsequently, the sentence structure is the same for active voice conversation is SOV (Subject-Object-Verb).
However, Passive sentence structure is a bit complicated to compare. Let’s see an example with active voice sentence formation. Though both languages allow free sentence formation, it's the active voice that is normally used.
Language: Subject - Object-Verb
English: I will open the box
Telugu: Nēnu peṭṭe-nu terustānu
Tamil:Nān - peṭṭi-yai - tiṟa-pp-ēn
With phonetic similarities in pronunciation, difficulty in learning the languages disappear. As generic subject and object words used are few and the phonetics in both languages are almost similar. let's have a look at the list below.
Subject & Objects:
English - Telugu-Tamil
I- Nēnu - Nān
You- Nuvvu-Nī
He - Athanu - Avan
She - Aame - Aval
It - Adhi- Adhu
Me - Nannu -Ennai
Myself - Nene -Nane
We-Memu -Nankal
They - Vallu-Avargal
Them- Vatini- Avarkalaku
Him- ataniki-avanuku
Her-āmeku- avaluku
By observing the above list, it is evident. The root for the word is the same and just the sounds are being changed. Try to look at more of these sound shifts, while learning the vocabulary. This enables us to guess and grasp the language quickly.
Further, conversations are merely questions and answers filled with some anecdotes. In any language that exists, the generic question words play a critical part in a conversation. Like subject and object, let’s see the similarities in the question words below.
English- Telugu-Tamil
What - Yenti - Yenna
Which - Yedhi- Yendha
Who- Yevaru-Yaru
Where- Yekkada-Yenge
Why - Yenduku-Yen
When -Yeppudu– Yeppolutu
How - Yela-Yeppadi
Whose –Yevaridhi-Yarudaiya
Apparently, there is no explanation needed for the above list. However, generic vocabulary for conversion is also similar, for instance, check the following.
English-Telugu-Tamil
Day- Dinam/Roju- Dinam
week-Vaaram-vaaram
Month-Masam/Nela-Masam
Year-Varsham/Samvathsaram-Varsham
Okay- sare- sari
Yes- Avunu - Aama
Climb - yekku - yeru
Still - Iṅkā -Innum
Even the numbers and relationships are also almost similar except for a few minor sounding differences. Hence, the similarity between these two languages makes it easy to learn Tamil and Telugu for a Telugite and Tamilian respectively.
Earlier in the article, subject and object were discussed but the verb forms are not mentioned and of course, we need to consider the fact that there will be no correlation for some of the vocabulary required. You can guess and understand what that word means from the context of speech. However, confirmation from a known person is what we seek. That's where the app 'Language curry' appears as a replacement for a person. It is the best app to learn Telugu online and other Indian languages. As rest of the stuff shall come only if you constantly listen and practice. Learn Telugu in 30 days using the app. There are verb forms that are similar sounding, however, the same can be found on your own by learning and comparing yourself using the Language Curry app.
[1] Etymology: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chennai
[3] Epigraphical records: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Tirumala_Venkateswara_Temple
We’re enthusiastic about bringing this one to you! The word enth which literally translates to …
We’re enthusiastic about bringing this one to you! The word enth which literally translates to 'what' in English is one of the most commonly used words in Malayalam. In fact, a mallu conversation is incomplete without the use of this word.
Enth aayi? (what happened?)
Enth undu vishesham? (How’s it going?)
Even the meaning of the word varies based on the context and tone of the conversation.
Enth?!! expresses surprise and disbelief. Why the word is loved is due to its numerous variants. Enna, Enthua, Ennada, Enthonu, Enthootu, Enthiru are some of the different variants. The word gets transformed into fascinating variants depending on the place or region where it is spoken in Kerala!
Let’s explore some regional variations of the word enth:
Enthua ninte prashanam? What is your problem - Kottayam region
Enthootu kannikunnu? What are you showing? - Trissur region
And hence even when you randomly talk to a stranger, and the person uses one of these words, you can make out from which part of the state he is from.
Manasilaayo? (understood?!)
Do you want to share interesting facts about your mother tongue? Or do you want to share your language learning experience? If yes, please send your writeups to aarti@languagecurry.com. The Ed team will go through your submissions and if your article passes muster, we'll be happy to give you a platform!
Must-read Novels/Books that will help Hindi learners learn Hindi!
Learning language through …
Nothing is better than a great book. And, if it is a book in a foreign language or a language that you are learning, even better! Because then you get to put to test and challenge what you have learnt thus far and get inspired to learn more!
A language is not only grammar and vocabulary but goes beyond - by providing a completely different lens to see the world. When you read a book in another language, it gives you a brand new vision. Due to its rich history, anyone looking to learn Hindi can go through millions of Hindi writing, poetry and literature to understand the language in a more refined way. In this blog, we offer suggestions for books that help to grasp the Hindi language more effectively in an entertaining way. But before we proceed, let me take you through the Hindi language and why you should consider learning it.
Hindi is the 4th most widely spoken language in the world. This Indo-Aryan language has deep historical roots and has connections to virtually every language in existence today. Hindi is one of India's official languages and is spoken in numerous dialects in the northern half of the country. Hindi is also a lingua franca in several states of India, making it a handy language to learn when traveling to the country!
Over 390 million people speak Hindi around the world - why not add to that number? Hindi and Indian cultures are intertwined. A certain level of knowledge of Hindi will be required to gain a better understanding of age-old Indian traditions, culture, literature, history, and cuisine. Also, Bollywood movies and music are something that the entire world is crazy about and if you are fluent in Hindi, you can enjoy great content. Check out Language curry’s article 10 reasons to learn Hindi which elaborates why many people are considering learning Hindi as a potential language to learn.
The vast world of books has something for everyone.
Hindi translation of Sudha Murthy’s books
Sudha Murthy is one of the most beloved authors of children's books. Her works have been translated into many Indian languages, including Hindi. She is highly recommended for Hindi learners due to her simple, yet profound writing style.
Munshi Premchand’s short stories
Munshi Premchand, the doyen of Hindi literature, was a master at writing down value-based content in very plain and simple terms. In his short stories such as 'Shatranj ke khiladi' (The chess players), 'poos ki ek raat' (A winter's night), etc., he captures life in simple and genial terms. Having a better understanding of the content may be enhanced by reading the English translation and viewing the screen adaptation. However, reading the original provides an enriching experience with an in-depth knowledge of the Hindi language.
Malgudi Days
A must-read for every Hindi language learner is the timeless classic, Malgudi days, by the amazing RK Narayana. Taking place in a fictional village called Malgudi, the story revolves around Swami, an endearing little boy. Its innocent story and simple language make you feel as though you’re there in the village yourself surrounded by Swami and his friends.
Stories from Mahabharata
With its valuable life lessons, this short story series keeps the readers captivated. Mahabharata is an epic about two cousins; the Kauravas and the Pandavas. The Hindi translations broken up into numerous small stories are a joy to read as well. Its simple language and great content make it the perfect introduction to both Hindi language and Indian culture.
Panchatantra tales
Panchatantra was written thousands of years ago by Pandit Vishnu Sharma. The Panchatantra moral stories are one of the most popular collections of animal-based fables. The fables’ intriguing content and narration in simple and fun-filled language make it a great choice for reading Hindi books at a beginner’s level.
With all these possibilities, there is nothing standing in the way of learning the Hindi language. But if you stumble and get discouraged, the Language Curry app is there to help. Practicing Hindi phrases, asking questions, evaluating yourself, and understanding the cultural background of the country will help you become more aware of the language.
So, what are you waiting for? Start your Hindi reading journey now. Read to see how the language fits together, read to see how the language flows, read for punctuation, read for vocabulary, read for style, read for content, read to fall in love with the language that gave the world words like veranda, jungle, bungalow.
* All images from Amazon
Do you want to share interesting facts about your mother tongue? Or do you want to share you language learning experience? If yes, please send your writeups to aarti@languagecurry.com. The Ed team will go through your submissions and if your article passes muster, we'll be happy to give you a platform!
Names of colors in Sanskrit
White śvetavarṇaḥ श्वेतवर्णः
Eg: …
White śvetavarṇaḥ श्वेतवर्णः
Eg: swan 🦢 haṃsaḥ हंसः
Yellow pītavarṇaḥ पीतवर्णः
Eg: turmeric 🟨 haridrā हरिद्रा
Blue nīlavarṇaḥ नीलवर्णः
Eg: sky 🟦 ākāśaḥ आकाशः
Red śoṇavarṇaḥ शोणवर्णः
Eg: blood 🟥 raktam रक्तम्
Pink pāṭalavarṇaḥ पाटलवर्णः
Eg: lotus 🌷 padmam पद्मम्
Green haritavarṇaḥ हरितवर्णः
Eg: parrot gg śukaḥ शुकः
Black kālavarṇaḥ कालवर्णः
Eg bear ⬛ bhallūkaḥ भल्लूकः
Grey dhūmravarṇaḥ धूम्रवर्णः
Eg: smoke .... dhūmraḥ धूम्रः
Orange nāraṅgavarṇaḥ नारङ्गवर्णः
Eg: orange 🍊 nāraṅgam नारङ्गम्
Brown dhūsaravarṇaḥ धूसरवर्णः
Eg: dust 🟫 dhūliḥ धूलिः
Purple jambuvarṇaḥ जम्बुवर्णः
Eg: plum (jamun) 🟪 - jambuphalam जम्बुफलम्
#LearnSamskritam #aurosamskritam Did we miss any colours? Let us know in comments below!
Do you ❤️love Sanskrit and are hoping to read more and more of Sanskrit? Do download the Language Curry App and select 'Sanskrit'. From there click on the Learning tab and you will find at your fingertips a huge treasure trove of shubhashitas and shlokas with their meaning in both English and Hindi. Also you can hit the purple colour ►button and hear the correct pronounciation. To understand the text word by word, hit the green colour Learn More button.
Summers are here! ☀️
How often this realization brings dread among the folks in major …
Summers are here! ☀️
How often this realization brings dread among the folks in major parts of India. The anticipation of soaring mercury levels accompanies anxieties: scorching sun, sultry evenings, perspiring nights, unbearably hot afternoons and so on. 😎
The approaching summer brings along a lot of concerns. Are the AC and cooler working? Do we have an uninterrupted power supply? Does the ceiling fan need repair? And an expectant look towards the sky for a hint of cloud. ⛅
Could we engage ourselves with brighter thoughts, and make this summer worthwhile by planning trips across places to visit in India? Let us make this summer memorable!
It helps to have a fair idea of the tourist places to visit in India which could come as a welcome recourse this summer. The country attracts lots of visitors and places to visit in India provide ample variety.
Hill stations to sea beaches, eye-catching lakes to green mountain terrains, Historical monuments to spiritual abodes- places to visit in India are indeed many and varied. The variety and uniqueness of each region amplify the core Indian value: unity in diversity.
When you are spoilt for choices, it is an arduous task to pick up only ten from the lot. Nevertheless, here is the list of places to visit in India bringing in the best things to enjoy in India during summer.
Kashmir
No place in India Is more synonymous with chill and snowfall than this. Kashmir has plenty to offer. A houseboat cruise, or shikara ride in the Dal Lake with the cold breeze blowing across your face. Srinagar, Pahalgam and Gulmarg -all could be a part of the itinerary.
Mahabaleshwar
A famous hill station in Maharashtra, lush greenery welcomes visitors. Various viewpoints, lakes and falls are its attraction. A favourite summertime destination for many.
Manali
One of the best summer attractions in Himachal Pradesh. Rohtang pass, Buddhist monasteries, and national parks are special attractions. People with a fascination for adventure sports are in for a treat.
Nainital
The hill station in Uttarakhand has been admired as one of the summer tourist places to visit in India for a long. It serves as a quick escape from the heatwave prevailing in the north.
Shillong
North-east is probably one of the most overlooked summer retreats. Shillong is a serene hill station and the name of the state- Meghalaya-was coined by poet Rabindranath Tagore which means abode of clouds. True to its name, the state receives very high rainfall. Waterfalls and viewpoints are special.
Andaman and Nicobar Islands
The Island destination of India is a union territory comprising islands. Serenity, peace, and blue sea water meet the tourists, and it is unarguably one of the best things to enjoy in India during summer.
Ooty
The southern hill station ranks high among the places to visit in India during summers and tea plantations add flavour to this tourist place. Coonoor is another prolific hill station adjacent to it, so the tourists are in for a double surprise.
Arunachal Pradesh
Our bordering state with China is situated on the foothills of the Himalayas. Some of the most breathtaking tourist places to visit in India could be discovered here. High in altitude, low in temperature. Tawang, Ziro, Sela Pass, and Bomdila are only a few names that cross the mind out of the plenty of options available. Buddhist monasteries are also a special attraction.
Pachmarhi
This hill station in Madhya Pradesh comes with a lot of variety: waterfalls, peaks, a national park, a famous temple, and a flavour of our past. Pandava caves are the place where the five Pandava brothers, along with Draupadi, had halted during their exile.
Goa
This famous sea beach just could not be excluded from the 10 best places to visit in India this summer and summer is the time when it attracts the lesser crowd. The tourist could relax by the seaside in relative calm. Also, for the culture enthusiasts, Goa is not just for drinking and dancing. Unknown to most people, Goa has some of the most beautiful and ancient Hindu temples. You could check them out too!
As you plan to explore India this summer, are you aware of the best app for Indian language to guide you during visit? To make your travel more memorable, to get more insight into the culture of each region, and greet the natives in their way, language Curry is the best app for Indian language to guide you during visit.
Learning the language, learning the diction, learning the culture, and then exploring India would be an experience to treasure!
So, as you are planning to pack your bags, have you got the Language Curry app installed on your devices?
☀️The Summer is knocking at the door,
Heat and sunshine are all in-store! 🕶️
Coolers and ACs are to be put on,
But have we thought of anything beyond?
Let us pack our bags🎒🧳, and get hurried,
India is diverse, and options are varied,
We fix our destination, and put on our caps, 🧢👒
But have we installed the Indian language app?
Select the language of your destination,
Will it be Kem Cho, Namaste or Vanakkam! 🙏
Add this thrill to your summer vacation
and impress the locals with your pronunciation!
Whenever in India, one plans their travels,
One comes across so many Indian marvels!
Language Curry can be your travel📱 buddy,🧳
Learning as you travel is the fun kind of study! 📖
Super cool Bengali Slang words that will make you speak Bengali like a local!
Hebby
means …
Hebby
means amazing'. So if you want to tell your friend, 'you look amazing' you can also say, 'tomake hebby lagche'!
Fata fati
this is a common slang and is used when someone has done something awesome! Also said like, 'fatiye diyeche'. In Hindi is translates to 'faad diya' refers to doing something fantastically!
Uri baba
this is an exclamation and is used like, 'Oh myyy'!
Chaap
is used like a load. 'Don't take load dude' or 'don't take chaap dude'!
Dhurrr!
this word is used like in Hindi one says, 'hatt' or 'dhat'. It is used when you want to say, don't speak nonsence or I don't believe you. Quite a docile and non offensive word.
Baing er matha
This one is a favourite! It literally means a 'frog’s head'. It is used in situations when in English you'd say 'my foot' or on Hindi you'd say, 'meri jutti'.
Khyapa/khyepi
means crazy boy/girl. The word is used in an informal and funny way.
Paka buri/buro
This is another fabulous one. Paka means ripe. Paka buri/boro refers to literally ripe old man or ripe old woman. It is used for young kids/teens who act over smart or over mature! Ha ha! So apt.
nyaeka
nyaeka is used to refer to someone who is just too much drama, like a 'dramebaz' in Hindi!
aatel marka
this is another gem!!! This word is used for people who feel they are too out of this world or artistic with deep thought which are better than the thoughts of all other people. Basically one who thinks of self as an 'intellectual'! The person is said to ateel marka and its meant to be a taunt!
phajil
is used for both male n female and refers to someone who is joking around. Phajlamo means the act of joking around. When kids don’t study and they're jumping about, their mom calls them phajil.
chhatar matha
The literal meaning is 'umbrella head'. It is used when in English you'd say 'my foot' or on Hindi you'd say, 'meri jutti'. (Just like Baing er matha is used!)
lyadh khachhi
this is such a relatable word! It refers to procrastination! So if Mom asks,'what are you doing' you can say, 'I’m procrastinating' or 'ami lyad khachhi'.
khisti
means gaali/abusive words). It is not an abusive word by itself. It refers to all of them. So khisti deeshna means 'gaali mat de' or 'don't abuse'!
Ohh maa go/ oh maa go morejai
This adorable expressions, oh maaa mar gayi' / 'oh dear I am dying'. The expression is used when one has perhaps fallen down and hurt themselves!
Ae ma
this is used how we use, 'O nooo!' usually used for some mad occurance!
Aren't these Bengali words so sweet sounding? Have you ever wondered why Bengali sounds sweet? Wonder no more and read here Why does Bengali sound sweet 🍬?
Do you know that you can now download the Language Curry App to learn Bengali free of cost!
Online language learning communities
Language is essential for communication and plays a …
Language is essential for communication and plays a crucial role in shaping cultures. People decide to learn a new tongue for various reasons, and also have their own methods for learning it. Many prefer to learn it on their own and trust me, the idea is fantastic as it gives a huge advantage of learning at your own pace and comfort level. Yet, one cannot deny that sometimes it can feel a little lonely and lock the benefits of communication. However, do not be alarmed! It is not you alone to cope with such a situation, and language learning communities are there to save the day.
Language communities are groups of people who speak the same language and often come together to learn or improve it. It can either be a physical space or an online platform where users can practice language skills, share resources, talk to native speakers, gain experience and develop together.
The different language learning community approach can be broadly classified into four theoretical orientations:
Structural It believes language can be reduced to a collection of certain learnable rules and memorizing them will enable to achieve high levels of proficiency in a new language.
Cognitive Here the techniques, strategies, and even the sequence of lessons are determined by the learners rather than predetermined beforehand.
Psychological Language learning is examined here through contextual factors such as motivation, student-teacher dynamics, and stress levels.
Functional Functional approaches often emphasize spoken language over written language, and assert that language is not a set of rules, but rather a means for communication.
Language learning community Discord
Discord is a free communication app that lets you communicate with friends and communities through voice, video, and text chat. It has hundreds of millions of users, which makes it one of the most popular ways to stay connected online. Discord is used daily by people to discuss a wide range of topics, from art projects to family vacations to language learning.
a global language learning community, Italki brings together students and teachers for language lessons online. With more than 130 languages including Hindi, Sanskrit, it allows to engage with the learning community and participate in discussions.
you can also improve your language skills at Linguaholic, another language and speech community where users can communicate, discuss literature, idioms, vocabulary, and grammar, and find useful apps and resources.
with a wide number of users, Unilang has several subcommunities related to more than 50 languages. Here you can talk to other users, ask for help, get some recommendations and tips on how to improve language speaking skills, play language games, etc.
nowadays, social networks are practically integrated into every facet of life. While Facebook has been a success so far, it's underutilized when learning a language. There are hundreds of groups that cater to language learners, but finding an active and functional one could take some effort.
youTube is an amazing tool for learning languages. There are plenty of language learning courses on YouTube, and they’re all free!
Quora is a platform to ask questions and connect with people who contribute unique insights and quality answers. If you are interested in learning a new language but are stuck somewhere on your journey, you can post your question on Quora to be answered by native speakers.
Language Curry is an app that teaches Indian regional languages. It is a very handy tool for connecting with other language learners worldwide who want to learn the same language as you, eventually forming your own community of learners. Language Curry has recently introduced Forums to the app. The Forum provides the learners opportunities to ask questions, discuss language basics, interact with others, and learn a new language with many others. Its a thriving and bustling community which is very learner friendly. No question asked is silly. At Language Curry, language experts also answer learners' questions to keep that josh high! In addition, MCQs are posted daily to add some fun to your learning process. The Forums are a comfortable place where learners can discuss every simple thing without inhibition. After all isnt that what a new learner needs?
By downloading the app, you can be a part of the communities for Hindi, Sanskrit Gujarati along with other Indian regional languages. Language curry believes that human interaction and cultural sharing are the most effective ways to become fluent in any language.
Those are the seven language learning communities that are worth checking out as you will encounter fellow language learners who are effusive about their journeys and help you without expecting anything in return.
Master languages faster with one-on-one tutoring:
While language communities provide excellent opportunities for practicing, you can't likely learn an entire language just by interacting with others who speak the language (unless you are taking an immersion course). This is why one-on-one tutoring is so valuable: you get the benefit of interacting and practicing with another skilled speaker while still receiving the structured lesson plans and personalized attention of a classroom.
One such platform is the Language Curry app (which is free of cost), which has the advantage of Live sessions via group and one-on-one sessions. Language Curry App gives you the option to choose a course that matches your schedule, budget, and goals. One of its kind, it allows you to learn Indian regional languages, make friends from all over the world, attend classes, and practice and learn about culture and idioms with natives.
It's all there waiting for you, so why aren't you there yet? Come, dive in.
Happy Learning!
Top myths about Sanskrit
Sanskrit is an ancient language that was a language of …
(In 1985, NASA Associate Rick Briggs published a research paper titled 'Vedic Science- ‘Knowledge Representation in Sanskrit and Artificial Intelligence.’ The research focused on many languages and explained that Sanskrit is one of the most suitable ones for computing techniques.)
Forest dweller Hanuman spoke brilliant Sanskrit with perfect grammar. It was observed by Lakshman when they first met.
Kiranti Languages: an introduction
A Nepalese woman doing 'Namaste'
We have recently leart …
We have recently leart about the Indian language family where we read about the the Indic languages (Indo-Aryan and the Dravidian family). We also learnt about four other linguistic groups that enrich the language landscape of India. They are:
The Kiranti languages are a group of Tibeto - Burman languages spoken across Eastern Nepal and India (especially in Sikkim and Darjeeling). However, it is also assumed that all the tribes of Kiranti have not descended from Tibet and Burma and hence they have their own independent language family. It is believed that most of the Kiranti languages have less than 10,000 speakers and are on the verge of extinction.
One of the reasons for this is the influence of Nepali language on the Kiranti language. This language shift to Nepali -the language of education and literacy is gradually happening in most places. The main surviving Kiranti languages are Bantawa, Chamling,Kulung,Thulung, Sampang, Dumi, Khaling, Nambuley, Bahing, Koyu, Yamphu, Chiling, Lohorung, Nowahang, Tilung,Zerong, Dungmali, Linkhim,Sam, Limbu, Sunuwar, Puma and Yakkha.
Among the various form of Kiranti languages the most widely spoken is the Bantawa language. It is spoken in Eastern Nepal and Sikkim and Darjeeling District in West Bengal and in south-western Bhutan. The Bantawa language is the lingua franca amongst the Rais in Eastern Nepal as well as North-eastern India (Bradley 1996). In the year 1996 Bantawa was recognized as one of the 11official state languages of Sikkim.
The dialectical division formulated by Eppele (2003) is the most widely accepted division of the Bantawa language. According to him there are four main dialects of the Bantawa language based on the idea of thums ie kingdoms. They are Hatuwali, Amchoke, Dilpali, and Dhankuta. The earliest linguistic account of Bantawa language is found in Hodgson(1975). He uses the term Bantawa to connote a group of languages rather than treating it as a single linguistic unit. Thus, it was not until 1953 that the term Bantawa began to be used as a glottonym of a single linguistic unit.
The term Bantawa is presently used as a glottonym as well as and an ethnonym.
Glottonym is a linguistic term that refers to a single language and ethnonym designates an ethnic group or tribe. There is no definite etymology for the term “Bantawa”. However, I have tried to provide the etymology of the Bantawa word based on its folklore.
The original word for Bantawa was Buntawa which is made of three meaningful units of words ie bun +ta+wa. The meaning of “bun” is source of water that could be a river, sea, lake or glacier. The meaning of the second word “ta” has been taken from the verb “tama” which means “to come”, “to reach” and the third word “wa” is man, people, race or tribe. Therefore, the term Bantawa means people who came from the source of water.
Sunday | Namlen |
Monday | ladiplen |
Tuesday | khamlen |
Wednesday | sәkmulen |
Thursday | parulen |
Friday | ruwalen |
Saturday | sawalen |
Mundum is the oral tradition of passing information through speech, as was the case for centuries in Ancient India. Mundum is also considered ancestral knowledge that has been transmitted orally through generations. However, the language used in rituals for addressing deities and ancestors is different and such mundum is considered as classical language. The Rai priest called Mangpa uses such language while performing rituals and this is the reason why a single word has two different terms:
English | Bantawa general | Bantawa Classical |
Ginger | bechuk | subi |
Rice | cajuŋ | watapmaca |
Maize | sanŋca | paruca |
Wheat | nukca | chumaca |
Millet | carima | sumnica |
The Bantawa language is taught as an optional language in some of the primary schools of Nepal and India. An attempt has been made to develop Bantawa course books separately in both countries. However, many of the schools discontinued teaching Bantawa due to no or minimal government support. At present only about ten schools are still conducting Bantawa classes.
The Bantawa language has been written in two different scripts namely a modified Devanagiri in Nepal and Kripa Salyan Script in Sikkim. ‘Bungwakha’ a monthly language magazine in Bantawa has been frequently published since 2005 in Nepal and in Sikkim a monthly state magazine is also routinely published. Folk stories, dictionaries as well as glossaries in Bantawa language too have been written and published. Thus it can be seen that although attempts have been made to promote Bantawa yet there has been a rapid decline in the usage of Bantawa language.
Source:
1) A linguistic history of Bantawa by Kwang Chu Cho (2020)
2) The Sino-Tibetan languages by Graham Thurgood and Randy J.Lapolla (2003)
3) Bantawa: A Sociolinguistic Survey by John William Eppele (2003) Unpublished Manuscript.
4) Bantawa Rai as a lingua franca by David Bradley (1996)
5) Comparative vocabulary of the several languages (dialects) of the celebrated people called Kirantis by Brian Houghton Hodgson 1857 ( Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal 26(5). 333-371)
Formation of Karnataka
Seal of Karnataka
India got its freedom from its colonial …
India got its freedom from its colonial rulers on 15th of August 1947 and became a republic on 26th January 1950. However, federal states as we know them and see them today were not all formed on that day or immediately after. Some of the states were formed, based on the predominant language spoken in those regions, later in the evolution of the young republic. Karnataka was one of the states that was formed on linguistic basis on 1st November 1956 with Bangalore, now Bengaluru, as its political capital. You would be mistaken to think the official language of the region, Kannada, unlike the newly formed political federal state, lacks antiquity. In fact, the region itself boasts of native kingdoms and rulers going back to early first half of the first millennium. But that’s another write-up for another time. I want to introduce you to several interesting facts about Kannada language in this blog post.
First off, the language is called and pronounced as [kah-nuh-duh, kan-uh-]1 and written as ಕನ್ನಡ. Of course, like many Indian languages, Kannada also has its own script. It has been derived from Brahmi script and there are 52 letters in the alphabet. As an aside, word endings in Kannada normally have a full vowel sound whereas in Hindi many words end with half-vowel sounds and that’s where the confusion of pronouncing its name stems from.
To know the antiquity of the language, one of the palm-leaf manuscripts, thought to belong to the fourth century before current era (4 BCE), has been found that uses a Kannada word.
A few Kannada sentences have found their way to Greece and made a mark to be found in a second century (2 CE) Greek play named ‘Charition Mime’ too.
One of the earliest known dictionaries of Kannada - English was produced in 1894 by Reverend Ferdinand Kittel, who came to India from Germany and whose grave can be found in Tübingen, a town near Stuttgart.
The tradition of producing complete literature in Kannada language goes back to at least between eight and ninth century (8-9 CE). However, the earliest inscription found in the village Halmidi dates to 450 CE. There has been a long list of authors who have enriched the language since earliest times.
‘Kaviraajamaarga’ (ಕವಿರಾಜಮಾರ್ಗ) was written in the ninth century (circa 808 – 880 CE) by Srivijaya (ಶ್ರೀವಿಜಯ) in the praise of his patron Nrupatunga (ನೃಪತುಂಗ) - king of Raashtrakoota dynasty. Its poetry is said to be a commentary on the earlier work ‘Kaavydarsha’ (ಕಾವ್ಯದರ್ಶ) written between sixth and seventh century (6-7 CE) by Dandi (ದಂಡಿ).
Between seventh and eleventh centuries (7-11 CE) many dynasties and kingdoms like Calukyas (ಚಾಲುಕ್ಯರು), Pallavas (ಪಲ್ಲವರು), Raashtrakootas (ರಾಷ್ಟ್ರಕೂಟರು) and Gangas (ಗಂಗರು) patronised great litterateurs and poets encouraging them to produce literature mostly focused on valiant stories and during later years of the period the works were created either with ideas borrowed from Sanskrit epics or were based on the life and times of Jain saints. This is the period when Kannada was strongly influenced by Sanskrit both in terms of its structure and grammar as well as words and phraseology.
Later between fourteenth and twentieth centuries (14-20 CE) kingdoms like Vijayanagara (ವಿಜಯನಗರ), Wadiyar (ಒಡೆಯರ್) and various Nayakas (ನಾಯಕರು) also encouraged others and, while themselves being good poets and writers, helped make the language a literary goldmine. The influence of Sanskrit lasted well into the better part of the twentieth century (20 CE).
During the intervening period between ninth and twentieth centuries Kannada as a language has undergone many changes in style, words, phraseology and grammar due to cultural as well as political influences during that period. The language has taken various forms and styles until now and they can be mainly classified as old Kannada, middle Kannada and modern Kannada.
As a testament to the richness of the literature produced in the language, Kannada literature and its authors have been honoured the most, 8 times until now, with Jnanapeetha Awards, making it the recipient of the highest number of awards among all the regional languages.
For a comprehensive understanding of the language, one needs to spend a lot more time reading up the hoary past of the land that we today know as Karnataka. I hope this short tour into the past of the language gives as peek at the tip of the linguistic iceberg we lovingly call as Kannada.
5 most mispronounced words in the Gujarati language!
Gujarati is one of the 22 official …
5 most mispronounced words in the Gujarati language!
Gujarati is one of the 22 official languages of India. In addition to Gujarat, it is widely spoken in the nearby Union territories of Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli. Despite their primary habitation in Gujarat, Gujaratis have a large diaspora around the world. Gujarati is also widely spoken in the United States, Canada, South Africa, and Pakistan and because of the large population of individuals who speak this language, Gujarati is the 26th most spoken language in the world. It is a member of the Indo-Aryan language family, descended from Sanskrit and Prakrit. Gujarati script is very similar to Devanagari, except without the line above the letter.
Its proximity to Hindi makes it a relatively easy language to learn. Being a sound-based language, learning the Gujarati language is a breeze. Having a better understanding of Gujarati helps you to appreciate the customs, traditions, art, literature, and history of Gujarat and the Gujarati community, helping you to feel more connected to them.
In order to become proficient in the Gujarati language, it is important to learn how to pronounce words. There are different dialects of Gujarati spoken in different parts of the state of Gujarat, which can lead to mispronunciation of words both by native Gujaratis and by non-Gujaratis.
Commonly mispronounced Gujarati words
See how even a difference of one syllable can change the meaning of the word completely. Get online and try the Language Curry App if you don't want to commit such silly mistakes on your journey to learning this language.
In order to help you master the pronunciation, the app features commonly used Gujarati phrases pronounced by native speakers. As a bonus, the app also offers a glimpse into the cultural background of the region, which makes students eager to access the next chapter as soon as possible.
Tō, tamē śēnī rāha jō'ī rahyā chō? Basa śaru karō! (So, what are you waiting for? Just get started!!!!)
Happy Learning!
Sacred Indian words from Hindu philosophy in the Oxford Dictionary
Philosophy is the study of …
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental questions, such as those about existence, reason, knowledge, values, mind and language. Philosophy and Sanskrit have an everlasting bond. And most of those words have carried on into Hindi.
Today fundamental philosophical words in different languages are communicated across the globe using their Hindi counterparts. Be it words used to symbolise Yog or our spiritual self, the Hindi words have remained as the preferred language of communication irrespective of who uses them when and where.
Yoga a Hindu philosophy that teaches you how to control your body and mind in the belief that you can become united with the spirit of the universe
Namaskar a way of greeting somebody in which the hands are placed together as in prayer and the head is bent forward
Swami a Hindu religious teacher
Guru a person who is an expert on a particular subject
Pundit a person who knows a lot about a particular subject and who often talks about it in public
Mantra a word, phrase or sound repeated again and again during prayer or meditation
Nirvana the state of peace and happiness that a person achieves after giving up all personal desires
Karma the sum of someone’s good and bad actions in one of their lives, believed to decide what will happen to them in the next life.
Mahatma a holy person in South Asia respected by many people
Sadhana time spent in serious and regular practice or learning especially in religion or music
Sadhu a Hindu holy man , especially one who lives away from people and society
Prana the force that keeps all life in existence
Each of the above word from Hindu thought is not just fundamental to philosophy and mediation, it also reflects the basic framework of words that one cannot refrain from using, while talking on the subject.
The OED panel responsible for deciding upon the final list of these philosophical words to be incorporated have been of the unanimous opinion that Indians have a highly specific vocabulary with no direct equivalent in English. Hundreds of Indian words are today in the OED, including some slang words. You can check them out here!
(The meanings of the Indian words written above are as mentioned in the OED).
Do you ❤️love Sanskrit and are hoping to read more and more of Sanskrit? Do download the Language Curry App and select 'Sanskrit'. From there click on the Learning tab and you will find at your fingertips a huge treasure trove of shubhashitas and shlokas with their meaning in both English and Hindi. Also you can hit the purple colour ►button and hear the correct pronounciation. To understand the text word by word, hit the green colour Learn More button.
Bengali Language
Bengali is an officially recognized language in Constitution of …
Bengali is an officially recognized language in Constitution of India. It evolved from Magadhi Prakrit in the 10th Century AD. It happens to be the 6th most spoken language in the world and 2nd most spoken language in India. However, there exists more than a single kind of Bengali. Bengali dialects are found all over Bengal and Bangladesh e.g. Sylleheti Bangla, spoken in Bangladesh or Standard /Kolkata Bangla, Manbhumi dialect, Rangpuri dialect, Rarhi dialect, Sunderbani dialect, Varendri dialect and so on. Bengali is spoken as a mother tongue and a state language all over India especially in West Bengal, Assam, Bangladesh, Odisha and Andaman and Nicobar Island.
Bengali has couple of literary styles: one is called Shadhubhôsha (সাধুভাষা - elegant language) and the other Cholithobhasha চলিতভাষা (current language). The former is the traditional literary style based on Middle Bengali of the sixteenth century, while the latter is a 20th century creation and is based on the speech of educated people in Calcutta. The differences between the two styles are not huge and involve mainly forms of pronouns and verb conjugations.
Let’s have a glance to understand the difference between Standard Bangla Language and Sylleheti Bangla. Standard Bangla is commonly spoken in Kolkata whereas Syllheti Bangla is spoken over primarily in the Sylhet Division of Bangladesh, the Barak Valley and Hojai district of Assam, and North Tripura and Unakoti district of Tripura, India.
Standard Bangla versus Sylleheti Bangla
How are you' is 'kemon acho' in standard Bangla and 'bhalo aso' in Sylleheti Bangla
Similarly 'what are you doing' is 'ki koro' and 'kita Koro' respectively; and 'I love you' becomes 'ami tomake bhalobashi' and 'ami tomare bhalo pai'.
There is Chittagongian Bangla also. It is an Indo-Aryan language spoken in parts of the Chittagong Division in Bangladesh. Its speakers identify with Bengali culture and the Bengali language, but Chittagonian and Bengali are not actually mutually intelligible. In Chittagonian 'I love you' is said as 'ante toare beshi gaum lage'.
Where are you goin in standard Bangla is 'tumi kothaye jaccho' and in Chittagonian it becomes 'tuin honde jaunr'?
India our Pride, is known for being multicultural and multilingual. While every language spoken here has its beauty, have you ever wondered why people say that Bengali sounds so sweet?
“Ra” is a retroflex in Bangla along with ण ड़ ढ़ consonants in Hindi, and are pronounced softly as র Ra. Whereas in Bengali the consonant ण is pronounced with retroflex of Na that sounds न as in Hindi.
Since Retroflex sounds are viewed as harsh and tough, by avoiding these Bangla sounds softer and free-flowing.
श, ष, स, sound sha shha and sa in Hindi. However the corresponding শ, ষ, স in Bangla all sound Sha.
Bengali script was derived out of Siddham Script as some words are pronounced accordingly. In time, other scripts, particularly Devnagari, replaced Siddhaṃ in India, while Siddhaṃ's northeaster derivative called Gaudi evolved to become Assamese, Bengali, Tirhuta, Odia and also the Nepalese scripts in the eastern and Northeastersn regions of South Asia, leaving East Asia as the only region where Siddhaṃ is still used. Siddham is offspring of Brahmi which is the origin of all languages due to which Bengali language has 12 vowels and 37 consonants. ‘A’ is pronounced as ‘O’ in Bangla like Jal in Hindi is Jol in Bangla, Antar is pronounced as Ontor and so on. Also words having alphabets sh become kh, for example:
Lakshmi - Lokkhi
Akshay - Okkhoye
Bhiksha - Bhikkha
Bhisma - Bhissho
Daksha - Dokkho
Diksha - Dikkha
Pariksha - Porikkha
Bengalis keep Consonant + Vowel structure and do not follow Consonant - Consonant pair. In Bengali, the pronunciation is O or “au” is abundant.
For E.g.- Vasant is Bosonto , Jal is Jol and Ant is onto, Antar is Ontor etc.
Bangla is surrounded by Oriya, Magadhi and Maithili to the West and Assamese on the East, It is flanked by various Languages like –Santhali, Mundari, Khasi, and Sino Tibetan languages like Kacchari, Boro, Garo,Tripuri each of them encroaching at times on the Bangla speaking area.
In the early stage of medieval Bangla, the half vowel (i) and (u) started weakening. Nasal aspirates lost aspiration. Nasalized Vowel Consonant started replacing Nasal Sound + Consonant.
For example, the nasalized vowel is transcribed as [ɑ̃]. As we have seen, nasalization of vowels typically occurs when the vowel immediately precedes, or follows, a nasal consonant /m, n, ŋ/, as in words such as man [mæ̃n], now [naʊ̃ː] and wing [wɪ̃ŋ]. Hing , Neoa/Newa .
Recently found, as the UNESCO Survey, Bangla has been voted by people as the sweetest language in the world, ranking Spanish and Dutch as second and third sweet tongue. So as it really does turn out that, the language from the land of Bengal sweets is also the sweetest!
Which are the other sweet Indian languages? Can you guess which other Indian language is called sweet 🍬? In fact none other than the Bengali icon Rabindranath Tagore himself called it the 'sweetest Indian language'. Do you know what language that is? Let us know in comments below.
Telling Time in Gujarati
અરે ભાઈ શું સમય થયો!
Our daily lives are centred around telling …
અરે ભાઈ શું સમય થયો!
Our daily lives are centred around telling the time. It allows us to figure out if we are running late or if we have plenty of time to spare, assist us in making it to train, bus, or flight on time, and allow us to be on time for an important event. The learner of a new language should know that it is an essential skill to learn how to tell the time in a regional language, regardless of the reason they are learning the language.
Gujarat is well known for its culture, cuisine, universities, and business opportunities around the world. Whether you are in Gujarat for studies, a job, or simply to have fun, knowing how to ask for and tell the time in Gujarati will be essential. To help you learn the key vocabulary about the time you need for Gujarati speaking, we have created this Gujarati time-telling guide for you. So, here we go:
Time સમય (Samaya)
Hour કલાક (Kalāka)
O’clock વાગ્યો (vāgyo)
Morning સવાર (Savāra)
Afternoon બપોર (Bapōra)
Evening સાંજ (Sān̄ja)
What time is it? સમય શું છે? (Samay shuṁchhe?)
What’s the time? કેટલા વાગ્યા છે? (Keṭlā vāgyā chhe?)
If the time is on the hour
Ione o’clock
એક વાગ્યો છે ek vāgyo chhe
two o’clock
- બે વાગ્યા છે Bē vāgyā chē
three o’clock
- ત્રણ વાગ્યા છે Traṇa vāgyā chē
four o’clock
ચાર વાગ્યા છે Cāra vāgyā chē
five o’clock
- પાંચ વાગ્યા છે Pān̄ca vāgyā chē
Isix o’clock
- છ વાગ્યા છે Cha vāgyā chē
seven o’clock
– સાત વાગ્યા છે sāt vāgyā chhe
eight o’clock
- આઠ વાગ્યા છે Āṭha vāgyā chē
nine o’clock
- નવ વાગ્યા છે Nava vāgyā chē
ten o’clock
- દસ વાગ્યા છે Dasa vāgyā chē
eleven o’clock
- અગિયાર વાગ્યા છે Agiyāra vāgyā chē
twelve o’clock
- બાર વાગ્યા છે Bāra vāgyā chē
Hours and minutes in Gujarati
Use of half-past, quarter-past and quarter to in gujarati
Half-past – In Gujarati, we use the term સાડા (sāḍā) for half-past. For example, 4.30 will be સાડા ચાર વાગ્યા છે (Sāḍā cāra vāgyā chhe).
However, there is an exception for saying 1.30 and 2.30 in Gujarati. For 1.30 we use દોઢ વાગ્યો છે (dodh vāgyo chhe) and for 2.30 we use the term અઢી વાગ્યા છે (adhī vāgyā chhe).
Quarter to - In Gujarati, we use the term પોણા (Ponā) for the quarter to. For example, 6.45 will be પોણા સાત વાગ્યા છે (ponā sāt vāgyā chhe).
Quarter past - In Gujarati, we use the term સવા (savā) for quarter past. For example, 5.15 will be સવા પાંચ વાગ્યા છે (savā paṁch vāgyā chhe).
Points to remember
The twelve hour clock – Due to the prevalence of the twelve-hour clock in India rather than the twenty-four-hour clock, Gujaratis as well use the phase of the day to describe the hour rather than am or pm. For instance:
5 p.m. would be expressed as સાંજના પાંચ વાગ્યા છે (Sān̄janā pān̄ca vāgyā chē)
6 a.m. would be expressed as સવારના છ વાગ્યા છે (Savāranā cha vāgyā chē)
2 p.m. would be expressed as બપોરના બે વાગ્યા છે (Bapōranā bē vāgyā chē)
Hopefully, you now have a much better understanding of asking for and giving time in Gujarati. Of course, to become fluent in Gujarati, you need to learn more than just telling the time. It is therefore imperative that you have a complete learning plan with useful vocabulary, simple grammar explanations and speaking practice. Luckily, Language Curry offers all of this.
Language Curry is an app you can trust for language learning. It provides the most relevant Gujarati words and phrases voiced out by native speakers, so you won't have to waste time learning unimportant ones. The "Time" and “Number and Denomination” tab in the Vocab section will help you gain a better understanding of how to tell the time in Gujarati by giving you phrases and examples. Most of all, learn conveniently because, with Language Curry App, you don't have to be worried about strict schedules. You can learn anywhere and anytime you want.
With language Curry App in hand, you are in safe hands!!! Happy Learning!!!
There aren't many authors whose writing appeals with such passion to readers across ages and over …
There aren't many authors whose writing appeals with such passion to readers across ages and over so many decades. The pride of our nation, Rabindranath Tagore was born on 7th May 1861. He would grow up to forever change the landscape of Bengali literature and inspire generations, for years.
Though known across the world as Tagore (due to British influence), many Bengalis continue to know him by his original name, 'Rabindranath Thakur'.
'জোড়াসাঁকো ঠাকুরবাড়ি' or Jōṛāsām̐kō ṭhākurabāṛi means, 'ancestral home of the Thakurs' and that is what is written on the main gate of his residence till date. In Bengal, his birthday is celebrated by the Hindu calendar as per tithi, and this year it falls on the 9th of May.
A hundred authors today cannot sit together and conceive the masterpieces created by him then. His mammoth collection covered a huge range of subjects like love, womanhood, desire, mystery, religion, patriotism, courage, and more. Also, thrilling to read, are the nuances of couple relationships and those within a joint family at that time. 'Naukadoobi' can keep even today's teens on the edge with each unfolding page.
The Bengali polymath along with being a poet, novelist, and playwright was also a painter, philosopher, and composer. His works have stirred thought and emotion in minds for generations.
On his birth anniversary, we are revisiting one of his most fiery poems, one that can raise a hundred uprisings, one that can breathe passion into those who felt they have lost all hope, and one that injects courage into those gripped with fear.
We revisit Ekalā calo
yadi tora ḍāka śune keu nā āse tabe ekalā calo re
tabe ekalā calo, ekalā calo, ekalā calo, ekalā calo re
yadi tora ḍāka śune keu nā āse tabe ekalā calo re
if nobody responds to your call, then move forward alone
walk alone, move ahead alone, carry on alone, march forward alone
if nobody responds to your call, then carry on ahead alone
yadi keu kathā nā kaẏa, ore ore o abhāgā keu kathā nā kaẏa
yadi sabāi thāke mukha phirāẏe sabāi kare bhaẏa,
tabe parāna khule, o tui mukha phuṭe tora manera kathā ekalā balo re,
yadi tora ḍāka śune keu nā āse tabe ekalā calo re.
if everyone remains quiet, O’ my unlucky friend…
no one dares to speak up and everyone turns the other way in fear…
then with an open heart, and as loud as you can, you speak your mind freely
if nobody responds to your call, then you move forward alone
yadi sabāi phire yāẏa, ore ore o abhāgā sabāi phire yāẏa
yadi gahana pathe yābāra kāle keu phire nā cāẏa,
tabe pathera kām̐ṭā
o tui raktamākhā caraṇatale ekalā dalo re,
yadi tora ḍāka śune keu nā āse tabe ekalā calo re.
if everyone turns away, O ill-fated one, if everyone flees
and while walking down the difficult path, no one turns back to accompany you
then despite thorns on the path, you march ahead alone
trampling the thorns under your blood-soaked feet
if nobody responds to your call, then you move forward alone
yadi ālo nā dhare, ore ore o abhāgā ālo nā dhare
yadi jhar̤a-bādale ām̐dhāra rāte duẏāra deẏa ghare, tabe bajrānale
āpana bukera pām̐jara jbāliẏe niẏe ekalā jbalo re,
yadi tora ḍāka śune keu nā āse tabe ekalā calo re.
if nobody holds up the light, O unfortunate, if no one shows you the light
if everyone shut their doors upon you in the dark night of the thunderstorm,
then by the very lightening set your ribs on fire
and keep lightening the path alone
if nobody responds to your call, then you move forward alone.
🥭‘Every day in summer is a fun and mango-nificient day!!!!’🥭
🥭It's not just bright May …
🥭‘Every day in summer is a fun and mango-nificient day!!!!’🥭
🥭It's not just bright May afternoons in India that remind us of summer, but also the mango trees in the garden resonating with cuckoo calls. Even if nothing else, summers tend to evoke a bit of nostalgia. Surely, it is not just the summer vacations, but the sweet, soft, and juicy fruit, mango, that can bring a slice of sunshine ☀️ to any table. Nothing makes life more worthwhile than sucking the life out of mangoes.
🥭It is no wonder that mangoes are known as the 👑'King of the Fruits’👑, and why shouldn’t they be? There is nothing more refreshing, delicious and silky-smooth as a bite of mango. However, the taste isn't the only reason mangoes deserve such a status. In addition to being delicious, this nature's bounty offers innumerable health benefits and nutritional advantages. Mangoes are loaded with vitamin C and other nutrients, including vitamin A, B, fibre, and minerals such as copper, potassium, and magnesium, which might help reduce the risk of age-related diseases. Surely, they deserve to be crowned as the ultimate king of all fruits by mango lovers. 🥭
Did you know, mango is not just the national fruit of India but of Pakistan and Philippines as well? India is rightly known as the land of mangoes with some 1500 varieties cultivated in different parts of the country. Each has a distinct taste, shape and colour. While Alphanso remains the most popular, India’s various corners boast many other types of Mangoes. Sadly, we couldn’t mention all, but here are the 15 most adored and well-known types of mangoes that you need to try: 🥭
Alphonso: Native to the Ratnagiri and Devgad region of Maharashtra, Alphonso or Hapus is said to be the most consumed and expensive variety of mango. Available from start of May till mid June, they are loved for their unique aroma and deliciousness.
Kesar: The Girnar hills of the Junagarh region of Gujarat are known for their Kesar mangoes. They get this name because of their saffron appearance and scent. It dominates the Indian market from May to July for its heavenly taste.
Dasheri: The land of Nawabs, Lucknow, is also famous for its Dasheri mango which is available from mid-May to late August. The green colour peel distinguishes it from other mangoes.
Langra: Famous for their lemon-yellow skin and awesome taste, Langra mangoes are found in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. These are mostly available in June and July.
Chausa: Hardoi region in Uttar Pradesh is famous for its Chausa variety of Mangoes. This aromatic, yellow-coloured, sucking variety is available in the months of July and August.
Himsagar: It is from Murshidabad city of West Bengal and is mostly harvested from May to early June.
Badami: North Karnataka is famous for its Badami mangoes which are available from May to July. They are also known as Karnataka-Alphonso due to their aroma and taste.
Totapuri: The Silicon Valley of India, Bengaluru, is also equally famous for its Totapuri mangoes. Its unique taste, shape (looks like a parrot’s beak) and aroma make them a significant variety of mangoes in India and are generally available from May to July.
Safeda: Often called as King of mangoes in Southern India, Safeda mangoes are found predominantly in several regions of Andhra Pradesh.
Neelam: Although, Neelam mangoes are grown in all parts of the country, the best variety comes from Andhra Pradesh. Its orange colour and sweet fragrance makes them unique. One can enjoy them from May till July.
Bombay Green: Punjab is known for its Bombay Green mangoes, which dominate the market from May to July.
Malgoa: Known for its round shape and thick skin, it is grown basically in the Salem region of Tamil Nādu. Available in July and August, it is considered one of the best varieties of mangoes.
Kilichundan: Generally used to make pickles, Kalichundan mangoes are grown in different parts of Kerala.
Gulab Khaas: Due to its rosy flavour, it is commonly used in desserts and given the name Gulab Khaas. It is grown in different regions of Bihar but is famous throughout the country.
Sindhura: This variety of mango comes from Tamil Nādu and is loved for its unique sweet and tangy taste at the same time. Its pulp is mostly used to make shakes due to its yellow colour.
🥭In addition to the above varieties, Neelam, Malda, Pairi, Lakshman Bhog, Rumani, Himsagar, Amrapali, Imam Pasand, and Mallika are equally popular among mango lovers. However, alphonso mango continues to be the most popular variety of mango worldwide and people’s love for alphonso mango remains unsurpassed. To know the reason, keep reading! 🥭
🥭Despite being a seasonal fruit around the globe, in Indian homes mangoes are available throughout the year in the form of Aam ka Achaar (mango pickle)!! 🥭 Also, find below an awesome video we made for you on the history of mangoes in India! 🥭
🥭So, this summer, enjoy the royal fruit of India- the mango and do let us know your favourite one in the comment box below. 🥭
From Kashmir to Kanya Kumari, wisdom attained in India wasn’t only written in books. It was …
From Kashmir to Kanya Kumari, wisdom attained in India wasn’t only written in books. It was passed on from generation to generation, through memory.
Have you heard of Vemana, or Yogi Vemana, the beloved Indian saint-poet from the 17th century? He was a simpleton as a child and it is believed that one day Vemana's teacher told him to write the name of 'Ram' on a rock, till he returned. The teacher was at an important appointment and meanwhile Vemana's chalk ran out. How would Vemana write now? He couldn't disobey his beloved Guru and so Vemana continued to write the name of 'Rama' with his finger. By the time the Guru could get away from his appointment, Vemana has rubbed his finger away! 'Oh! What have I done to you' the Guru cried in grief... but his sincere tapasya bore him fruit. It is said that after that day he turned into a poet and an enlightened being, and lived as such. He had no attachment to worldly things, he even abandoned clothes and began to live in a cave. He immersed himself in bhakti and writing. There would be few homes in Telugu speaking lands that have not heard of him or that do not hum his poems. Centuries later, this Vedic scholar is remembered even today for his writings on spirituality, wisdom and yog.
During 1820’s. A civilian officer called C P Brown was appointed to accomplish the duties for the British government from Telugu speaking region (currently Andhra Pradesh and Telangana). As per the orders, he went to the place and learnt Telugu over ten years for the ease of knowing the people and the place.
One day, while walking across a street, he come across a beggar singing a Telugu poem / padyam ‘పద్యం' from Vemana Satakam (collection of hundred poems by Vemana). After listening to and understanding the poem, Mr. Brown was drawn to the philosophy in the poem. He saved the poem in writing. As he explored the place more, he discovered that there were numerous poems being carrying forward with the Indian oral tradition. They were not written anywhere. Yet, they reverberated in homes and streets as people sang them and recited them everywhere.
Entire literatures in India had survived for generations this way. But India was not what it used to be earlier and how long would the oral traditions keep the literature alive for posterity? Brown felt that, such a beautiful philosophy with its soothing language shall not fade with time
and so decided to take the matter in his own hands, and collect them all on paper.
He spent a lot of time, money and effort to get the poems printed (among a whole lot of other Telugu literature). To us, the future generations, it is a precious gift as we know how much we have lost to invasions and colonisers over centuries. And yet here we had C P Brown, an Anglo-Indian, who loved Telugu language and dedicated himself to it. It is heartening. We are indebted to him for the services to the Telugu language.
అల్పుడెపుడు బల్కు నాడంబరముగాను
సజ్జనుండు పలుకు చల్లగాను
కంచు మ్రోగునట్లు కనకంబు మ్రోగునా
విశ్వదాభిరామ వినురవేమ
Alpudepudu balku aadambaramugaanu
sajjanundu paluku challaganu
kanchu mroginatlu kanakambu mrogunaa
vishwadhabhirama vinura vema.
Bhavam (meaning): Hey lover of the universe dear Vema, will gold ever make a sound equivalent to the sound of bronze? Similarly a good man always behaves with humility and decency. Where as an inefficient man always brags. Mere sounds are never the measure of a person.
ఆత్మశుద్ధి లేని ఆచార మదియేల
భాండ శుద్ధి లేని పాకమేల
చిత్తశుద్ధి లేని శివపూజయేలరా
విశ్వదాభిరామ వినురవేమ
Athmashuddileni aachara madhiyela
bhanda shudhi leni paakamela
chittashudhi leni shivapujayelara
vishwadhabhirama vinura vema.
Bhavam: Hey lover of the universe dear Vema, is there any use of special dishes cooked in a dirty vessel? Is there any use of practicing rituals and customs without being pure at heart? What is the use of worshipping God without purity of mind?
ఇనుము విరిగెనేని ఇరుమారుముమ్మారు
కాల్చీ అతుకవచ్చు క్రమముగాను
మనసువిరిగెనేని మరియంట నేర్చునా
విశ్వదాభిరామ వినురవేమ
Inumu virigeneni irumaru mummaru
kalchi athukavachu kramamuganu
manasu virigeneni mariyanta nerchuna
vishwadhabhirama vinuravema.
Bhavam: Hey lover of the universe dear Vema, if an iron piece brakes into pieces multiple number of times, it can be joined together any number of times. But once if the heart broken, it’s not possible to bring back to its normal state.
పట్టుపట్టరాదు పట్టి విడువరాదు
పట్టెనేని బిగియ పట్టవలయు
పట్టు వీడుటకన్నా పడి చచ్చుటెమేలు
విశ్వదాభి రామ వినురవేమ
paattu pattaradhu patti viduvaradhu
patteynenu bigiya pattavalayu
pattu veedutakanna padi chachutey melu
vishwadhabhirama vinura vema.
Bhavam: Hey lover of the universe dear Vema, one must not aim for something casually. After aiming, one must target the aim with utmost determination. Instead of giving up on the goal it’s better to be a deadbody.
అణువుగానిచోట నధికుల మనరాదు
కొంచెముండు టెల్ల కొదువగాదు
కొండ అద్దమందు కొంచెమై ఉండదా
విశ్వదాభిరామ వినురవేమ
Anuvuganichota nadhikulamanaradhu
konchemundu tella kodhuva gaadhu
konda adhamandhu konchemai undadha
vishwadhabhirama vinura vema.
Bhavam: Hey lover of the universe dear Vema, one must not tell about his greatness at wrong place. Look in the mirror, notice how the mountains fit a mirror. In a similar way, being humble never makes anybody less than what they truly are.
అనగ ననగ రాగ మతిశయిల్లుచు నుండు
తినగ తినగ వేము తీయనుండు
సాధనమున పనులు సమకూరు ధరలోన
విశ్వదాభిరామ వినురవేమ
anaga nanaga raga mathishayillu chundu
tinagatinagavemu teeyanundu
sadhanamun panulu samajuru dharalona
vishwadhabhirama vinura vema.
Bhavam: Hey lover of the universe dear Vema, through practicing countless number of times, one can improve their singing. After eating neem leaves every day, they will taste sweet. Similarly by practicing one can better things.
చిప్పలోన బడ్డ చినుకు ముత్యంబయ్యే
నీటబడ్డ చినుకు నీటగలిసె
ప్రాప్తి గల్గు చోట ఫలమేల దప్పురా
విశ్వదాభిరామ వినురవేమ
chippalona badda chinuku muthyambuayyey
nitabadda chinuku nitagalisey
prapthi galgu chota phalamela dhappura
vishwadhabhirama vinura vema.
Bhavam: Hey lover of the universe dear Vema, the rain drop that find the place in oyster turns out to be a pearl. The rain drop that find the place in water remains as water. Similarly, in fertile place the result will never be less than expected.
In Telugu literature, the collection of hundred poems is known as satakam. The fourth line in the stanza is known as signature line of the poet. Which is commonly used by all the poets in satakam form of poetry. Here for example the signature line from vemana satakam, ‘Viswadaabhi Raama Vinura vema’ means ‘Lover of the universe, dear Vema listen’. There do exist multiple interpretations of the line.
Know much more interesting stuff related to Telugu and other regional languages of India in the “Language Curry” App. It’s a platform where you can learn many Indian Languages with ease without any subscription charges.
Have a look at the adjoining picture, it tells us about traditional dish of Andhra pradesh, Mamidikaya Pulihora at the start of chapter 3.
Don't delay, download the app from the store and check out the amazing content for language learning.
Ganpati Bappa Morya!
🐘A better way to begin this write-up did not occur to me. Because the …
Ganpati Bappa Morya!
🐘A better way to begin this write-up did not occur to me. Because the elephant-headed deity, fondly called Ganesha or Ganpati, is invoked before any new venture is undertaken in the Indian culture. He is known as ‘Vighnaharta’ meaning one who removes obstacles. Thus, I started with a prayer to the cutest deity in the hope of luck being kind to me with this piece.🐘
Before I delve into why the ‘haathi’ is the mascot at Language Curry, I want to share a personal anecdote from my childhood.
Tezpur, in Assam, is a scenic town on the banks of the river Brahmaputra. During one monsoon afternoon in the nineties, when many parts of the state were submerged, we noticed a huge commotion near the bank of the river from our residence on the hilltop. A wild elephant had swum across from the Kaziranga National Park! Was he a mast haathi out of all control? Speculations were rife. The wise elderly few in the crowd tried to calm the panic-ridden ones shouting at the top of their voice; ‘do not disturb him, he has come here for a purpose!’
Fortunately, no one troubled him and the gigantic haathi disappeared uneventfully from our sight. After about half an hour, as we stood, still alarmed and with petrifying speculations, we watched the elephant retracing his path back to the river, eventually swimming back to its abode.
How much destruction had it caused in the jungles that it had visited? Did it trample anyone under its feet? Did it break anyone’s house? The thoughts got murkier. But the mystery that unfolded left me and those around me amazed. In fact, the incident seeded a devotional admiration in me for the Haathi and Lord Ganpati.
We learned soon that every monsoon, the same elephant, swims across the Brahmaputra and visits an unassuming Ganesha mandir situated half a kilometer from the river banks. He rings the bell of the temple, walks around the deity, and then spends a few minutes at the temple premises. The temple was quite old - neither well maintained nor renovated - and the locality is named Ganeshghat after the temple. The elephant remembers its exact trajectory-to and fro- across the river and on the land, as it pays a visit to its deity year after year. What made an elephant visit the mandir each year? Does it tell us something about the intelligence of elephants?
The Bengalis celebrate Durga Puja every year.
This is apart from celebrating the Goddesses’ victory over Mahishasur- marks the occasion when Maa Durga descends from Kailash and visits her maiden house. If Maa Durga makes her journey atop the elephant, it is considered to bring prosperity among the masses and is said to be the most auspicious.
Indians have been fascinated by elephants since time immemorial.
Elephants have always held a special place in the hearts and minds of Indians for ages. These majestic royal beasts have also been important cultural symbols. They took our warriors to wars. They guarded the portals of forts. They were part of prayer and sacred rituals, and remain so today.
They were found aplenty in Hindu temples, when Hindu temples existed in their full glory with enough land to sustain not just cattle but everyone from small birds, to pathshaalas, medicine, art, science, festivals, cultural events, and elephants.
Language Curry
Those readers who are familiar with the Language Curry app have invariably come across the image of an elephant with its trunk raised. An elephant raises its trunk in a gesture of welcome. Our journey with Language curry could not have had a more promising start with this auspicious creation of God beckoning us!
Haathi is the only animal in the world that can distinguish human languages. Biologists Karen McComb and Graeme Shannon of the University of Sussex in Brighton, UK, researched 47 elephant family groups at Amboseli National Park in Kenya and monitored the animals' behaviour.
The research used audio recordings to prove this. Human words uttered were played in front of the elephants from a friendly voice (forest dwellers who do not harm elephants) and a non-friendly voice (a tribe that is known to kill elephants for ivory poaching- deplorable!). They remained calm upon hearing the friendly voice; but as soon as the non-friendly voice was played, they immediately grouped and ran for cover! It can also distinguish a female or child’s voice from that of a grown-up man.
I share below my poem as my tribute to the beautiful mammal.
You are big, yet not without grace,
Quiet and composed- you glide at your pace,
Elegance in your walk, calmness in your face,
Winning without even being in the race,
You bring Durga Maa and give us hope,
Prosperity and success- you bring all in scope.
You symbolize Ganpati- majestic and sublime,
You defended our forts, for a long time.
You recognise the language, you identify voice,
How can you not be Language Curry’s sole choice?
You welcome folks into Language Curry,
With you, as a mascot - it'll be a success story!
🐘
Broadly speaking, a well-organized group of words, from which some specific meaning emerges …
Broadly speaking, a well-organized group of words, from which some specific meaning emerges characteristically and sometimes euphemistically, is called a Muhavara in Hindi. Sometimes it is sarcastic, sometimes even funny if tried to be interpreted literally.
Muhavaras make one’s language strong, dynamic and interesting. Their use brings wonderful pictoriality to the language. They add a punch to a statement that would otherwise sound dull and lifeless.
Interpreted literally it would mean to let one sit upon our head and eyes! Funny, isn’t it? However, this muhavara is used to communicate that we love someone dearly with all our heart and soul.
Sweets bursting within our heart is what the English translation would be. But it is used to ideally express the extreme elation and joyous feelings one experiences when something great happens in our lives.
Literally, it means you can’t make a clapping sound with one hand meaning it takes two to make things work or alternatively it takes two to quarrel. We cannot simply blame or credit one person for something.
The English translation means ‘to have a snake swirl on one’s chest’ which is quite petrifying to picturize, but the entire idea of using such extreme imagination is to express the very feeling that envy and jealousy can give you. The discomfort and negativity one feels is no less had there been a snake on one’s chest.
Literally it means 'rocks sitting on one's head'! This muhavara is used to convey that one has acted with extreme foolishness. It means that the person’s capability to think and act rationally has gone for a toss. Literally again, it is a funny interpretation of having a rock upon one’s head.
Literally it means, carrying your life in your palm'. At times when one acts with great bravery and courage, not bothering about the various risks that come along with an action, he is lauded with this phrase meaning that the person has done something that was equivalent to him keeping his heart in his palm. Literally or otherwise, it is a phrase that depicts the bravery of a person.
The literal meaning of this Hindi muhavara is to 'hit your own foot with an axe!’ Now that sounds horrifying and painful.
Metaphorically it is used to convey that one has done something to cause themselves great damage and loss. An interesting way to express, I must say !
This is all the more amusing as it literally means to have a ghost sitting on one’s head. This muhavara means that one has lost all sense and sanity and our actions are no less than the kinds that reflect some madness.
All five fingers dipped in ghee. Picturized it literally?
This muhavara is used to express the great luck and good fortune one is experiencing presently. Definitely a pleasant interpretation this!
As you shall have noted all the 8 Muhavares tend to confuse those unfamiliar with them, and one needs to understand their true meanings to get a hold of their true intended.
Going through all these Hindi muhavares, one common factor that you shall have noticed is the use of one or the other bodily part in each one of them. Hindi Muhavares are of six types. One of the categories are based around the human body, like the ones mentioned above.
One can infer that it is done to strongly pass on the message that one intends, since the pain and feelings of happiness associated with our body can be comprehended more effectively. Also, one learns that the figurative meaning of each of these muhavares is different from their literal meaning. Whatever meaning they communicate, each muhavara is effective in conveying their meaning to a sentence which otherwise could have ended up being boring, lengthy and partly as effective as these are!
An interesting way of expression for sure! Do you have a favourite Hindi Muhavara? Tell us in the comments below.
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Their stories leave us inspired to do our bit too. No outrage. No preaching. No accusing. No …
Their stories leave us inspired to do our bit too. No outrage. No preaching. No accusing. No screaming. When people truly love, and genuinely care, they get down to do the work.
Quietly and often alone.
To such leaders to showed us how to do things the Indian way,
Our Pranaam.
Before knowing how to tell time in Telugu, have you ever wondered why clocks or watches are set …
Before knowing how to tell time in Telugu, have you ever wondered why clocks or watches are set to 10:10 by default? Is there any reason behind it?
Find out at the end of the article.
The moment we came on to the earth, we started counting time with our age. The moment we wake up daily, we check hours to match our schedules. The precious moments in one’s life journey are dated in history. Anything and everything in our lives can’t be termed without the reference of time. Time is such an important thing in our lives. Without referring to it, it’s impossible to sustain. Maybe that’s why it is the easiest thing to convey in any language.
సమయం ఎంత అయింది samayaṃ ĕṃta ayiṃdi
What’s the time now?
This is how people enquire about time in Telugu. Don’t wait; the time will never be just right. As it never stops, why should you have to stop when you have this article with you? Go through and become a master of telling time in Telugu.
Ages back, when there are no clocks available, we have the oldest way to find what time it is. Based on the position of the sun & the shadow. It's the ‘sundial’. In Telugu, it is known as ‘Podhu’, which means the position of the sun. From here the word for the sunflower originated as ‘Podhu tirugudu puvvu’. Coming to the topic, time has been said only in terms of hours those days. And the day completes after sunset, Night time wasn’t measured. Day starts again with a cock crowing. In modern days, how do you tell the time in Telugu? This article will help you. So, let’s check it out.
The native speakers commonly used words for 'time' are samayamu (సమయము), kālaṃ (కాలం) and pŏddu (పొద్దు). But, due to westernization these days everybody is using the English word “Time” rather than using these three words mentioned above. However, if you say these words it will be a shock to them and it is a great way to impress with a simple thing.
These three words convey different meanings of time based on context.
Example:
1. Podhu potundi paduko (పొద్దు పోతుంది పడుకో) - ‘it’s getting late. Go to bed’
podhu - the indication of sun position.
Pothundi – Moving away
Paduko – sleep
2. Kaalam marindi (కాలం మారింది)– ‘the times have changed’
Kaalam – Era
Maarindhi – Changed.
3. Samayam yentha (సమయం ఎంత?)– ‘What’s the time’
Samayam – Time; Here Yentha means what. (Not necessarily in all contexts).
Numbers: Though there is a separate Telugu number system. Telugu states also follow Hindu-Arabic numerals. The same shall be used even in Telugu states. Telugu numerals can be found in Telugu calendars and RTC bus number plates.
1) Okati ‘ఒకటి’
2) Rendu ‘రెండు’
3) Mudu ‘మూడు’
4) Nalugu ‘నాలుగు‘
5) AIdhu ‘ఐదు’
6) Aaru ’ఆరు’
7) Yedu ‘ఏడు’
8) Yenimidhi ‘ఏనిమిది’
9) Thommidhi ‘తొమ్మిది’
10) Padhi ‘పది’
11) Padhakondu ‘పదకొండు’
12) Pannendu ‘పన్నెండు’
Hour
In Telugu is known as ganta ‘గంట’. The plural form, gantalu ’గంటలు’
O’ Clock – ayyiṃdi ‘అయ్యింది’
Example : if we say 9 O’Clock, Then we have to say Thommidi Ayyindhi. in Telugu There is no need to mention the hours in particular, by default it’s considered as a count of hours.
Parts of the day
Morning – udayaṃ ‘ఉదయం’ ; termed between 4am -11am
Afternoon – madhyāhnaṃ ‘మధ్యాహ్నం’ termed between 12pm - 3pm
Evening – sāyaṃtraṃ ‘సాయంత్రం’ termed between 4 pm- 6pm
Night – rātri ‘రాత్రి ’ termed between 7pm-3am
Note: Mentioning the above is optional.
For instance: have a look at the following picture.
4 a.m. would be expressed as “Udayam Nalugu Ayyindhi”
5 a.m. would be expressed as “Udayam Aidhu Ayyindhi”
Note:It goes similarly, only numbers need to be changed.
12 p.m. would be expressed as “Madhyannam Pannendu ayyindhi”
1 p.m. would be expressed as “Madhyannam Okati ayyindhi”
Note: It goes similarly, only numbers need to be changed.
4 p.m. would be expressed as “Sayantram Nalugu ayyindhi”
5 p.m. would be expressed as “Sayantram Aidhu ayyindhi”
6 p.m. would be expressed as “Sayantram Aaru ayyindhi”
7 p.m. would be expressed as “Ratri Yedu ayyindhi”
8 p.m. would be expressed as “Ratri Yenimidi ayyindhi”
Note: It goes similarly, only numbers need to be changed.
Half-past – In Telugu, we use the term Ara (అర) for half-past.
For example, if the time is 4.30, we use Nalugunnara (Nalugu+Ara) It’s half past 4.
Quarter to - In Telugu, we use the term Muppavu (ముప్పావు) for the quarter to.
For example, if the time is 4.45, we use Pavu takkuva ayyidhi. (It’s quarter to 5) or Nalugu Muppavu. ( Muppavu means 3/4th).
Quarter past- In Telugu, we use the term Pavu (పావు) for quarter past.
For example, if the time is 4.15, we use Nalugu+Pavu ( Nalugumpavu). (It’s quarter past 4).
‘Minute’ in Telugu is pronounced as Nimisham (నిమిషం) and ‘Second’ in Telugu is pronounced as Secanu (సెకను).
If you're dealing with the first three quarters of the hour, then the rule is (the hour)
Ghantala + Nimishalu ayyindhi.
6.35, will be 6 gantala 35 nimishalu ayyindhi.
3.8 will be 3 gantala 8 nimishalu (8 minutes past 3).
If you're dealing with the Last Quarter of the hour, then the rule is (the coming hour) avvadaniki (number of minutes remaining until the next hour) undi.
3.56 will be 4 gantalu avvadaniki 4 nimishalu undi (4 minutes to 4).
12.55 wil be 1 ganta avvadaniki 5 nimishalu undi (five minutes to 1)
Hopefully, you are now confident enough for asking and giving time in Telugu.
We never know the time we have, but we can always use it to learn a language. If you want to learn Telugu, try the Language Curry App. With this app learning Telugu is just like a cakewalk. Join our platform if you haven't done yet and get access to the best Telugu lessons without any subscription charges. The 'Time' and 'Numbers & Denomination' tab in the Vocab section will help you gain a better understanding by giving you practice phrases and examples.
Why are the clocks and watches set to 10:10? Enough of waiting, let’s check out. It’s aesthetic look, sufficient space to showcase the Brand on the dial and moreover, it represents a smiling face, which is attractive to watch at a watch round the clock.
Hindi slang words in the Oxford dictionary with their meanings!
No matter how rude or polite …
Hindi slang words in the Oxford dictionary with their meanings!
No matter how rude or polite the fundamental scriptures of a particular language are, they will always end up having certain improvisations to their dialect based on the local diction, area, age and even an exclusive group. Slangs are such words that are used while conversing informally in a spoken language. They are ever changing and present in every subculture around the world.
In its earliest attested usage, slangs were referred to a rather low or disreputable vocabulary of a particular language. Therefore, it is amusing when even the HIndi slang words find their way to the Oxford Dictionary.
used as a rude way of telling somebody to stop talking
an exclamation used to express an emotion of surprise, doubt and joy
meaning a fundamental principle
a local word to denote one's father
Indian drama or dramatic act (as a slang it is used to refer to 'too much drama!'
meaning friend or mate
meaning bullying behaviour
meaning an obsequious person (literal meaning is a spoon but in slang it refers to a lackey)
meaning helping someone to pass time
meaning the use of skill and imagination to find a solution to a problem
Bonus two more words below!
used to show that something is horrible or unpleasant
meaning a blocked road in protest
The panel responsible for deciding which Hindi slang words make it to the oxford dictionary have been quoted saying that every member in the panel was unanimous to the thought that the Hindi vocabulary is a highly specific vocabulary with no direct equivalent of their words in English and this is why they need to be incorporated in the OED as and when the need arises.
To sum it up this simply reflects the influence, popularity and dominance of Hindi as a language, even when it comes to accepting the language’s most casual and informal words- namely Hindi slangs!
(The meanings of all the Indian words in the English dictionary mentioned are exactly as explained in the OED).
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‘भाऊ किती वाजता?
Brother! What time?
Have you ever wondered how our lives …
‘भाऊ किती वाजता?
Brother! What time?
Have you ever wondered how our lives would be different if we didn't have the concept of time? Fortunately, we do have it and apart from the difference in time zones, everything else is relatively the same across the globe.
Being able to ask questions and talk about time is fundamental to speaking any language, and that’s also true if you’re a beginner learning Marathi. So instead of simply saying the numbers that you see on the clock, you can sound like a native by using the same phrases and terms that most Marathi speakers do.
From asking what time it is to the key vocabulary you need for speaking in Marathi about hours, and minutes, this blog will guide you through everything you need to know.
चला तर मग सुरुवात करूया Calā tara maga suruvāta karūyā (So, let’s get started)!
ENGLISH |
MARATHI |
Time |
वेळ -vel |
Hour |
तास -Tāsa |
O’clock |
वाजले -vājalē |
Morning |
सकाळी -Sakāḷī |
Afternoon |
दुपारी -Dupārī |
Evening | संध्याकाळ -Sandhyākāḷa |
Basics of Marathi time telling
Here’s how to tell the time in Marathi if the time is on the hour:
Here’s how to tell the time in Marathi if the time is on the hour: The Twelve-Hour Clock
Since, the twelve-hour clock is more common in India than the twenty-four-hour clock, Marathis too, describe the hour depending upon the phase of the day rather than using the terms am or pm.
For instance:
5 p.m. would be expressed as संध्याकाळचे ५ वाजले आहेत - Sandhyākāḷacē 5 vājalē āhēta’
6 a.m. would be expressed as सकाळचे ६ वाजले आहेत - Sakāḷacē 6 vājalē āhēta
2 p.m. would be expressed as दुपारचे २ वाजले आहेत - Dupāracē 2 vājalē āhēta’
‘What time is it?’ becomes किती वाजले आहेत? - Kitī vājalē āhēta?
‘At what time?’ becomes कोणत्या वेळी - Kōṇatyā vēḷī.
Now, the time is not always on the hour. So how do you say “half past”, “quarter past” and “quarter to” in Marathi? Let’s check it out:
Half-past – In Marathi, we use the term साडे / saade for half-past.
For example, if the time is 4.30, we say साडे चार वाजले आहेत. -Sāḍē cāra vājalē āhēta .
However, there is an exception for 1:30 or 2:30. We use the term दीड वाजले -Dīḍa vājalē for 1.30 and अडीच वाजले -Aḍīca vājalē for 2.30.
Quarter to - In Marathi, we use the term पावणे / paavne for the quarter to. For example, if the time is 2.45, we use पावणे तीन. -It’s quarter to 3.
Quarter past- In Marathi, we use the term सव्वा / savva for quarter past. For example, if the time is 3.15, we use सव्वा तीन. -It’s quarter past 3.
Want to be a little more specific? Here’s how Marathi time works when you need to indicate the exact number of minutes that have passed from the hour or are remaining in an hour.
For instance, if you're dealing with the first half of the hour:
3.12 then we will say तीन वाजून 12 मिनिटे tīna vājūna 12 miniṭē
And if you're dealing with the second half of the hour:
2.40 then we will say तीन वाजून वीस मिनिटे झाली आहेत tīna vājūna vīsa miniṭē jhālī āhēta
And that is how you tell time in Marathi. Hope you're all sorted!
Hopefully, you now have a much better understanding of asking for and giving time in the Marathi language. Who would have thought that learning the Marathi language could be so much fun yet meaningful? Well, you're lucky because Language Curry App will do its magic for you. Master the concept of telling time in Marathi with the "Time" and “Number and Denomination” tab in the Vocab section. Language Curry App has a lot of topics to choose from, and you can learn it like you are just playing a game. Practice with translations, audio recordings, and self-evaluation. Most of all, learn conveniently because, with Language Curry App, you don't have to be worried about strict schedules. You can learn anywhere and anytime you want.
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A doha is a couplet in lyrical verse-format which was extensively used by poets and …
A doha is a couplet in lyrical verse-format which was extensively used by poets and saints of North India probably since the beginning of the 6th century AD.
Dohas of Kabir, Tulsidas, Rahim and the dohas of Nanak (called sakhis) are loved across the world and dohas are composed even today. They are a very old ‘verse-format’ of Indian poetry. They are independent verses, in couplets, the meaning of which is complete in itself.
The famous Hindi dohas were written with a poetic touch giving them a hint of melody. They are diverse in nature. Topics in this literature include eroticism, valour, quietude, morality, common life, eventful scenes, of nature, sayings and proverbs.
Let us have a look at some famous Hindi dohas by various poets that can keep our spirits high at times when we feel down and out.
~ saṃta vṛṃda
करत करत अभ्यास के जड़मति होत सुजान; रसरी आवत जात ते सिल पर परत निसान
~ संत वृंद
Meaning: Just as the rope tied to the corner of the well is able to abrade even the hard stone surface it is pulled at everyday while drawing water, in the same way an unintelligent person can become learned if he keeps working hard and learning without giving up.
~ saṃta kabīra
धीरे धीरे रे मना, धीरे सब कुछ होय। माली सींचे सौ घडा, ऋतू आए फल होए।।
~ संत कबीर
Meaning: Everything happens at its own pace. Just as the farmer has to water his crop with 100s of litres of water, but reaps the fruit only when it is the season to harvest. Hence one needs to be patient in life and wait for the right time to reap the benefits of our hard work.
~ saṃta rahīṃma
कहि ‘रहीम’ संपति सगे, बनत बहुत बहु रीति। बिपति-कसौटी जे कसे, सोई सांचे मीत॥
~ संत रहींम
Meaning: Life will give you lots of friends in your good happy times, it is instead the testing and tough times you face that reveal who are your true friends.
~ saṃta kabīra
बड़ा हुआ तो क्या हुआ, जैसे पेड़ खजूर । पंथी को छाया नहीं, फल लागे अति दूर ।।
~ संत कबीर
Meaning: What is the benefit of growing as big as a date palm tree, when it cannot provide any shade to those passing by, even its fruits are inaccessible. Hence, if life has given us affluence, we should put it to use to benefit others.
~ saṃta rahīṃma
रहिमन धागा प्रेम का, मत तोड़ो चटकाय। टूटे से फिर ना जुड़े, जुड़े गाँठ परि जाय॥
~ संत रहींम
Meaning: Relationships of the heart are fragile like a thread. Once broken, there shall always remain a knot at the place where you retie it. It will never have the same smoothness to it. Hence we should always treat our close relationships with lots of care and be wary of our actions.
~ saṃta kabīra
चिंता ऐसी डाकिनी, काटि करेजा खाए। वैद्य बिचारा क्या करे, कहां तक दवा खवाय॥
~ संत कबीर
Meaning: Anxiety is such a dacoit, it eats away at the heart. Even a doctor is helpless against it as he remains limited to prescribing medicines to ease pains. Hence, we should try to keep worry at bay when we are faced with challenges. Rather we should try to find a solution and work on it.
~ saṃta kabīra
माया तजे तो क्या हुआ, मान तजा ना जाय ॥ मान बडे मुनिवर गये, मान सबन को खाय ॥
~ संत कबीर
Meaning: It is easy to give up wealth. Giving up our ego is the real task. Even the greatest men have fallen prey to it as the ego ends one and all. Hence we should keep our egos in check and not let it take over our ability to think rationally.
As you must have noticed by now, all the above famous Hindi Dohas are insightful, expressing a perceived truth based on experience. It is an interesting way of putting down a great learning of life in a small verse. Such is the power of these sayings that one can’t help but give a thought to the truth it bestows upon us, the moment we hear one!
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The importance of slang words
One can talk in any language by learning. But have you wondered …
One can talk in any language by learning. But have you wondered how to speak like natives? There is something that every language assimilates in itself, which makes it unique and gives certain emotions the exact expression. Isn’t it? This article is all about that particular secret ingredient. Nah, I’m not getting into the zone of grammar, parts of speech, figure of speech. Nope! I am speaking about:
Slang words! Slang words! Slang words!
Yes, Slang words are the secret. While we talk to people have you ever put a count on the informal words that are common in speech and never appear in writing? Try it and you will see the omnipresence of the slang words in every friendly conversation.
Slang words come out of our own originality and living style. Hence, these words induce the feeling of closeness to the person, with whom you are speaking to.
Just imagine saying, “Hey Anand, I’ll also come with you” versus “Hey buddy, let me join you”. Here, the slang word buddy does the magic. So, let’s check it out some Telugu slang words that just bring you more close to the Telugu language. And as a bonus we’re throwing in some synonyms of the slangs as well!
Meaning: a fool (works for male and female).
Usage: It's a casual word to call a close friend in a funny way. It never works with a serious tone!
Slang synonyms: jeffa Boy, jeffa Girl, yedava
Meaning: Grove- a small plant/wood that comes out of soil against all the odds.
Usage: this word is used when a person does something unthinkable.
Slang Synonyms: Turumu, Pailwan, Undalsina Vadivi/Undalsina dhanivi.
Meaning: Awesome, but the literal meaning is ‘a shout’.
Usage: When something is ‘screamingly’ awesome.
That movie was keka (awesome)!
Slang Synonyms: kevvu, adirindhi, arupuru.
Meaning: Nagging continuously (never use this while attending to serious matters).
Literal meaning is ‘don’t beat me to death’.
Usage: this word is used when someone is continuously after you to do something. We use this word to express our feelings.
Slang Synonyms: saampaku, aaputava
Meaning: Greeting by joining hand together in Indian style _/\_ (never works for serious matters).
Usage: when fed up with some one, this word is used to bid adieu.
Slang Synonyms: navalla kadu, apeyroy / apeyvey
Meaning: It’s a kind of nuance; Literal meaning is not clearly defined.
Usage: to give a reaction of ‘enough of buildup’ without saying it actually.
Your friend: says something nonsensical
Slang Synonyms: aha, atlana,vellira
Meaning: Lolli – Irritating behaviour
Usage: The word is used with the Telugu word aapu, which means stop. Lolli aapu means ‘stop irritating’.
Slang Synonym: aaputava, inka chalu
Formal words are only for books. Formality is only for guests. Slangs are informal and we use them when communicating with those close to us. Use a bit of slang to win the hearts of the Telugu people with this secret ingredient. Let them wonder, how you improved your Telugu and how you become the natu (one from the masses!)
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The word language is derived from the French word Langue and Latin word Lingua both meaning …
The word language is derived from the French word Langue and Latin word Lingua both meaning tongue. The word language can still be used interchangeably with tongue- to suggest the spoken medium- but it has now enlarged it's dimension to also include the written means of communication, besides verbal. So, language now stands to denote the acceptable and acknowledged means of communication in words , and in words forming sentences, in both written and spoken format.
Thus, the deceptively simple term ‘Indian language’ is too complicated to be summarized in a few words. It comprises over 122 spoken languages, 19500 dialects, 22 recognised by the Constitution, 2 official, 66 recorded scripts, 14 written scripts, 6 of them having classical status based on their enriched heritage- and so possibly, picking up a single national language was a task best avoided!
The magnitude and diversity of the Indian Language could overwhelm the best linguist.
Which is the best language to learn of the lot? This answer to this might be debatable one, instead, why not admire the variety and richness of Indian Language, to begin with!
The set of Indian Languages broadly comes under the following two families:
The two above are grouped together as Indic languages.
Besides, the other Indian languages- albeit spoken by a very minor percentage of the populace- owe their origin to the following families:
This is what is India’s language family about.
Sanskrit is the base of the Indo-Aryan clan. One of the most beautiful and scientific languages the world has ever produced, Sanskrit, written in Devanagari script, is the parent to most of the languages spoken in the North, West, Central, East of India. The major Indian scriptures and epics are written in it and its semblance could be majorly traced in all its inherited languages. But does it mean Sanskrit has ceased to exist in day-to-day life among the masses? Most hearteningly, in the ‘Mattur’ village of the Shimoga District, Karnataka, Sanskrit is still the medium of communication among its inhabitants.
Tamil is the oldest of the Dravidian languages. The other three Dravidian languages are Kannada, Telugu and Malayalam. The Dravidian family has around 80 dialects. Surprisingly, a language that is a descendent of the Dravidian tree, namely Brahui, is even spoken in Pakistan and Afghanistan by a minor chunk of the population.
With a reasonably big and vast language family, with its civilisation rooted in times immemorial, the acceptance of multiple cultures among the masses, with diverse geography to boast of- it should be anyone’s guess that the number of languages and dialects spoken in India is quite vast. The number of spoken languages in India stands at a staggering -122 (and counting!)
Hindi, of the Indo-Aryan clan, is not only the most widely used in India but also one of the most spoken languages in the world. Bengali, Marathi, Telugu, Tamil and Gujarati are not too far behind either.
Sanskrit is recognised and revered as one of the most beautiful and logical languages in the world. Tamil has one of the oldest registered literature and sign of existence.
Have we ever familiarized ourselves with an Indian language app? OK, let us stop beating around the bushes: did we hear of ‘Language Curry’?
The ‘Language Curry’ app could be our gateway to learning Indian languages. Let us endeavour to learn Indian Language, and learn Indian languages online free, so let us download and install the ‘Language Curry’ app free from the Google store and familiarize ourselves and learn the Indian language app.
So, why wait? Having armed ourselves now with the diving gear- the Language Curry app- let us take deep dives into the sea of Indian Language.
We stay in society, we speak and hear,
We travel along- far and near,
We need a medium to pass on the message,
And thus takes the birth of a language.
A country with a vast geographical spread,
With many dialects spoken, and many scripts read,
And a civilization that is rooted in the Bronze age,
All contribute to defining the Indian Language.
The languages are many, its speakers spread wide,
Hindi, Punjabi, Gujarati, many more- on one side,
Tamil, Telegu, Malayalam, Kannada garnish the Dravidian slate,
We are almost ready to serve the Indian Language plate!
The Indian language is a sea very deep,
Do we have a language app for keeps?
Let’s have ‘Language Curry’ by our side,
As we get ready to take the deep dive!
The ancient language family!
A land of diversity, India is home to several cultures. This is …
The ancient language family!
A land of diversity, India is home to several cultures. This is demonstrated by the vast number of languages spoken here. It’s a land where traveling a few miles in any direction can expose one to a new language, making India one of the most linguistically diverse country in the world. 22 of these languages have been referred to as officially recognized languages. Furthermore, languages like Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Sanskrit, and Odia are classified as classical languages because of their long history.
Precisely, Indian languages can be classified into four groups based on their language structure: Dravidian, Indo-Aryan, Austroasiatic, Sino- Tibetan or Tibeto Burman, Tai Kadai.
Out of these, Dravidian languages are considered the most ancient languages.
To gain a broader understanding of India’s ancient language's culture, let's take a closer look at the facts about the Dravidian languages:
Dravidian languages are a family of languages spoken mostly in the Southern India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Nearly 70 languages are part of the Dravidian family with almost 215 million speakers. Did you know that the Dravidian languages are closely related to the rest of the languages spoken in other parts of India at a root level.
Though the origin of Dravidian languages is still a mystery, it is believed to be associated with the Indus Valley civilization and dates back to atleast the 2nd millennium BCE.
The Dravidian languages are divided into South, South-Central, Central and North groups which are further organized into 24 subgroups. The four major languages of the Dravidian family in use are Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, and Malayalam. These are all official state languages of India and have a long well-documented history. Many Linguistics opine that there existed an old Dravidian language, “Adi Dravid Bhasha”, common to all these main languages.
Besides the above-stated languages, the major Dravidian languages spoken in India are Tulu, Toda, Kota, Irula, Kurumba, Kodagu, Gondi, Konda, Kui, Kuvi, Kolami, Naiki, Parji, Ollari, Gadaba, Kurukh, Bage, Bellari, Kaanikkaran, Kurumba, Maltho, Kuraku, Chenchu, Savara, Holiya, Kudiya, Kodava, Kurichiya, Paliyan, Pengo and Malankuravan.
‘Brahui’ is the only Dravidian language that is not spoken in India and is widely used by the people in Baluchistan (westernmost province of Pakistan) and Afghanistan.
It may interest you to know that Tamil is the oldest language of the Dravidian family and also the oldest living language of the Indian subcontinent.
Apart from Tamil Nādu, a state in southern India, it is also the official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore.
You'll be surprised to learn that there is a temple dedicated to this language, the Tamil Thai Temple in Karaikudi, Tamil Nādu.
The Kannada language has the second oldest written tradition in India after Tamil.
The languages of the Dravidian family have a great history that shows how the languages struggle to keep themselves alive and that too in their purest form.
If these facts fascinate you and motivate you to learn major Dravidian languages, then without further delay download the Language Curry App and take a step forward towards your learning journey.
Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, and Malayalam, the four major languages of the Dravidian family, are available on the app and can be accessed at any time, from anywhere.
Bhaisaab time kya hua? (Brother, what is the time?)
'What time is the flight?', 'When is the …
Bhaisaab time kya hua? (Brother, what is the time?)
'What time is the flight?', 'When is the meeting scheduled?', 'Arre bhai aur kitna time lagega?' (oh brother! How much longer will it take?)
'Remember time and tide wait for no one.'
Time is such an essential part of our lives. Even in the most mundane tasks of daily life, such as waking up on time, catching a flight, going to a movie with friends, or rushing to that important interview, the importance of time cannot be underestimated.
If you don't know how to tell time, you can't do anything properly anywhere in the world. Have you ever wondered how to tell the time in Hindi, an Indo-Aryan language spoken in India, Fiji, and several other countries?
If you are planning to land in India or to be more specific, any Hindi-speaking state, you will need to learn to tell the time in Hindi and become familiar with time expressions in Hindi.
We have therefore brought you this Hindi time-telling guide. This guide teaches you how to tell the time in Hindi, as well as how to ask “What time is it?” in Hindi. So, let’s get started:
Time - The two most common words the native speakers use for 'time' are samay (समय) in Hindi and waqt (वक़्त) in Urdu.
For example:
Samay par so jana - 'go to bed on time'.
Dawa Lene kaa vaqt ho gaya hai - it’s time for your medicine'.
Hour – 'Hour' in Hindi is known as घंटा (ghanta). The plural form, 'hours', can be translated as घंटे (ghante).
O’clock - For the term “o’clock,” the common Hindi word is बजे (baje/ba-jay). For example, if we say, it’s 10 o’clock, then we will say 10 baje hai.
Fun fact - One important thing to remember is that in Hindi, “hours” and “o’clock” are not interchangeable. They actually mean two different things.
Let’s learn the difference with the help of an example sentence.
'Train chaar ghante der se aayegi' - 'the train is late by four hours'
'Train chaar baje aayegi' - 'the train will arrive at four o’clock'
As you can see, the word ghante or hours stands for the duration; the word baje or o’clock refers to the time on the clock.
The Twelve-Hour Clock - The twelve-hour clock is more common in India than the twenty-four-hour clock. Adding to that, Indians don’t typically use the terms a.m. and p.m., but rather the hours are usually described depending upon the phase of the day.
For instance:
4 p.m. would be expressed as “shaam ke chaar baje” (shaam = evening)
7 a.m. would be expressed as “subah ke saat baje” (subah = morning)
2 p.m. would be expressed as “dopahar ke do baje” (dopahar = afternoon)
Telling the time in Hindi would be so boring if all we did was use digits!
Minutes and Seconds
“Minute” in Hindi is pronounced as मिनट (minat) and “Second” in Hindi is pronounced as सेकेंड (Sekend).
6.20, will be 6 bajkar 20 minat hue hai.
3.8 will be 3 bajkar 8 minat (8 minutes past 3).
3.56 will be 4 bajne me 4 minat baki hai (4 minutes to 4).
12.55 wil be 1 bajne me 5 minute (five minutes to 1)
Half-past – In Hindi, we use the term साढे (saadhe) for half-past. For example, if the time is 4.30, we use saadhe chaar baje hai. (It’s half past 4).
However, there is an exception to saying 1:30 or 2:30 in Hindi. We use the term डेढ बजे (dedh baje) for 1.30 and ढाई बजे (dhai baje) for 2.30
Quarter to - In Hindi, we use the term पौने (paune) for the quarter to. For example, if the time is 4.45, we use paune paanch baje hai. (It’s quarter to 5).
Quarter past- In Hindi, we use the term सवा (sawa) for quarter past. For example, if the time is 4.15, we use sawa chaar baje hai. (It’s quarter past 4).
When setting up the time for a plan, it’s pretty common for us to ask each other “at what time.” Translate in Hindi and it becomes कितने बजे (kitne baje).
Needless to say, it’s one of the most frequently used phrases when talking about time.
Whoa! Although this has been a comprehensive lesson, isn't it worth your time? Hopefully, you now have a much better understanding of asking for and giving time in Hindi.
Language Curry is an app that makes learning Hindi such an enjoyable experience that learners can't get enough of it. Join our platform if you haven't done so already and get free access to the best Hindi lessons. The 'Time' and 'Numbers & Denomination' tab in the Vocab section will help you gain a better understanding of how to tell the time in Hindi by giving you phrases and examples. So why wait, when these incredible Hindi resources are free to explore?
With language Curry App in hand, you are in safe hands!!! Happy Learning!!!
An experience to remember
The benefits of learning or knowing multiple Indian regional …
An experience to remember
The benefits of learning or knowing multiple Indian regional languages dawned on me through a rather unpleasant experience. Today, remembering the incident, I can see the funny side of it and cannot stop laughing at myself!
Born and brought up in the eastern part of India, I was exposed to only Hindi, Bengali and Assamese. Later, I had to relocate to the South for a job. A gracious colleague from Andhra Pradesh, offered to treat me with a Telegu movie on his Birthday. I was never a movie buff and besides, I didn't know a word of Telugu. But it would have been impolite of me to turn down the whole-hearted offer.
Thus, one Saturday evening, I found myself seated in a theatre full of movie enthusiasts who had arrived to see the favourite superstar- Nagarjuna.
Half an hour into the show- and myself not understanding a word that was spoken on the big screen- the audience broke out in a fit of laughter at some jokes cracked by the comedian in the movie. Not to be left behind, I joined the bandwagon in a few seconds and laughed out. My colleague who was seated beside me, looked at me, his eyebrows raised in admiration:
“You are enjoying it!” His look said.
I felt quite smug!
Another few minutes into the movie, I could now see the comedian making similar gestures. I thought he was cracking a joke again. To impress my friend I started chuckling.
Immediately, to my panic, I could see angry faces from nearby seats staring at me!
My colleague gestured to me to keep shut. I sensed the seriousness of the situation and sat still. I was also scared and embarrassed.
“It was a quite emotional scene which was enacted... and you were laughing!” my colleague explained gravely after a minute.
I was poker-faced for the rest of the movie and on way home. Relieved, however, to have returned home unhurt!
I hope readers would never have to go through a similar experience to comprehend the benefits of learning multiple Indian languages!
The benefits of knowing multiple languages are many, but one of the reasons (as I learned that evening) is that it should be learned is to avoid an awkward, or even as in my case, potentially threatening situations!
Every region breeds multiple languages and manifold dialects. The importance of language in India could be probably gauged from the glow and smile that is inspired once we greet or speak with a person in their language, and with a certain degree of authenticity.
So why not learn the Indian language online? It is unarguably the best medium to learn. Or are you in search of an Indian regional languages’ app? If so, then the Language Curry app is the answer.
Besides the one narrated at the beginning of this write-up, the following are possibly the other benefits of knowing Indian regional languages:
And many more….
Imbibing a new language is no mean feat, so it is always helpful to know the shortcuts, the unique way which makes learning easy, the learning process which never allows you to forget once you have learned it, proper illustration and learning it the authentic way – which would also mean pronouncing words and sentences just like a native speaker would do.
Language Curry is the Indian regional languages app that ticks all the boxes.
Get Language curry and learn Indian languages online
Have you been in a tricky state of affairs,
And been subjected to angry - stern stares,
Because you were unaware of the language spoken,
And suffered humiliation that left you broken?
Have you wanted to make new friends around,
But the language barrier continued to hound,
Have you always wished to be good and nice,
But somehow you could never break the ice!
So are you ready to walk the extra mile?
Looking to learn the Indian language in style?
And greet everyone in their way,
And across the nation you hold sway.
Language curry is your helping hand,
Making your learning experience so grand!
Across India, you'll make many a friend,
With the Indian languages App, by your end.
The abundance in our world
Our world is abundant. Abundant with people, cultures, flora, fauna …
The abundance in our world
Our world is abundant. Abundant with people, cultures, flora, fauna and abundant with languages. Languages are based out of geographies, religion, cultures and even the comparatively new trend of a “lingo” shared by the generation Z across the globe.
India, Indians and Hindi
India is the second most populous country and Hindi is the fourth most spoken language in the world with more than 615 million people conversing in it.
Indians have excelled globally in numerous fields be it for better education, business opportunities or work. They are everywhere and from centuries ago, Indians have made a mark in any field they set their hands upon. Such is their influence, that Hindi has had a lasting impression in countries where Indians have found an effective presence. It is interesting to note that Hindi has a substantial presence in countries like the USA, the UK, Trinidad, Tobago, Nepal, Uganda, New Zealand, Germany and Singapore. Not just these, it is also among the top three official languages in South Africa and the UAE while almost being native to Mauritius.
The Hindi movie industry being among the world’s top favorites and the largest in terms of the number of films produced each year too has had a major role in popularizing the Hindi language around the world.
Hence it is not surprising that the tenth edition of the OED printed in 2020 now has 384 Indian/Hindi words in it. Let us take a look at a few.
Aadhar
the system of issuing a unique identification number to every individual residing in India
Chawl
a large building divided into many separate apartments offering cheap accommodation
Dabba
a container with a meal
Hartal
an occasion when all shops are closed as a protest
Shaadi
a wedding or marriage
Jodhpurs
trousers that are loose above the knee and tight from the knee to the ankle
Bungalow
a small house
Verandah
a platform with an open front and a roof
Godown
a warehouse
Shawl
a large piece of cloth worn by a woman around the head
Tiffin
an old fashioned small meal especially lunch
Bangle
a piece of jewellery in the form of a large ring
Loot
to steal things from a shop or building after a fire, riot etc
Jungle
an area of tropical forest where trees and plants grow very thickly
Pyjamas
loose jacket and trousers worn in bed
Oxford Languages chose ‘Atmanirbharta’ which means self-reliance, as their ‘Hindi Word of the Year-2020’ as it "validated the day-to-day achievements of the countless Indians who dealt with and survived the perils of a pandemic”. The 'Hindi Word of the Year' that are chosen reflect the ethos and essense of the passing year, as they could become terms or phrases of lasting cultural significance.
The 'Hindi Word of the Year' 2019 was 'Samvidhan' which means constitution.
The OED panel behind this award has been of the unanimous opinion that Indians have a highly specific vocabulary with no direct equivalent in English and hence it is rather the need of the English speaking community to validate such words and make them one of their own.
In the words of one of the OED panelists for shortlisting such words, ‘The four centuries that the English were present in India have left an indelible mark on the language. It is clear that the shared history between Britain and India has left behind a legacy of loanwords that have greatly enriched the English word stock.’
(The meanings of all the Indian words in the English dictionary mentioned are exactly as explained in the OED).
India the land of Diversity
India is one of the few countries in the world that can boast such …
India the land of Diversity
India is one of the few countries in the world that can boast such a marvellous cluster of dialects, each shaped by centuries of native culture and evolution. Indeed, the diversity of India’s languages and cultures lends the country a sense of mystique.
There are several reasons why you may want to learn a language: you may be planning a trip and need to learn the local language, you may be studying or working in another state, you may want to learn the authentic cuisine of the state, or you might fall in love with someone who speaks a different regional language.
Whatever the case may be, it's important to understand that learning any language involves four major aspects: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. And one of the main aspects of speaking a language is the correct pronunciation. Since almost all regional languages are related to each other at the root level, some words in different languages seem similar to one another. This often leads to mispronunciation of certain words.
Marathi shares close proximity to the Hindi language. Many Marathi words seem similar to Hindi words, but the diction and pronunciation are different. Due to this, non-Marathi speakers often mispronounce several Marathi words. Marathi has several words that have become vernacular, however, some of them are mispronounced or misunderstood when they are spoken or heard.
Here are some popular words in the Marathi language which are generally mispronounced and how they should be pronounced:
Fun fact: Doorchitravani is the correct word for television in Marathi. But people often called it Doordarshan. However, Doordarshan is a T.V. channel and not the Marathi word for Television.
Marathi is one of the 22 officially recognised languages that add flavour to India’s diverse language map. It is a member of the Indo-Aryan language family, derived from Sanskrit and Prakrit. It is predominantly spoken in Maharashtra and Goa states of Western India. With over 90 million speakers in India, it is the third most spoken native language after Hindi and Bengali.
It is one of the easiest regional languages to learn since it is closely related to Hindi. By learning the Devanagari script, you will be able to read and write Marathi. Knowing Marathi can give you a deeper understanding of the customs, traditions, art, literature, and history of Maharashtra and the Marathi community, ultimately making you more connected to them.
Well, when it is so much you can avail from the language then why not learn Marathi to speak like a native.
Having decided that it is time to learn Marathi without making any pronunciation mistakes and as fast as possible, you realized that learning a new language can be anything but fast. However, the task could be simplified if the learner selects the correct platform and medium of learning.Here the Language Curry app comes in handy. It just not only allows you to learn Marathi through Hindi or English but is super easy and fun with its beginner-friendly content, without spending a penny. You can 'tap to listen' to understand the correct pronunciation AND you can 'Repeat' the word so that the Language Curry App can check your diction! Check out below, page 4/17 of chapter 1 of the Marathi lesson on the App.
Invest 5 minutes of your time each day, read lessons, solve exercises and voila, you will soon be able to interact with your Marathi neighbours and local vendors and can impress your friends.
Maga tumhī kaśācī vāṭa pāhata āhāta? Phakta surū karā!!!! (So, what are you waiting for? Just get started!!!!) Download now :)
Happy Learning!!!!
Flora Lewis believes that “Learning another language is not only learning different words for the …
Flora Lewis believes that “Learning another language is not only learning different words for the same things but learning another way to think about things”! and we can’t agree more.
In an increasingly interconnected and interdependent world, proficiency in other languages allows you to engage with the world on a deeper, more meaningful level, whether you are in your own neighborhood or thousands of miles away while enabling you to compete more effectively in the global economy.
It is undeniable that learning different languages has many cognitive benefits. People who speak more than one language have improved memory, better problem-solving skills, enhanced concentration, better multitasking abilities, and better listening abilities.
Learning a new language simplifies the communication, makes travel experiences wow, strengthens the bond with the culture, could boost your self-esteem and confidence anddd could even open the door for better career opportunities!
Punjabi is an Indo-Aryan language and is native to India and Pakistan. One might think why someone should learn Punjabi. The answers to the following questions might help you:
If you answered yes to any of the above questions, then you are on the right page and you should begin your Punjabi language learning journey immediately.
When it comes to choosing how to get started learning a new language, one comes across many different ways and methodologies. Everyone learns best in their own way and it is very important to figure out which study methods and resources best suit you.
For those who enjoy the traditional classroom setting, language classes are much more effective but at the same time, they can be time-consuming and costly too.
Some prefer to learn a new language through reading and writing. With so many books on language learning along with audio CD are readily available on the market, some find it best to learn at a reasonable price.
For some, interacting with the person who speaks their target language is more convenient but seems more time-consuming.
Thanks to technology, we now have easy access to apps that teaches Indian languages without spending a penny and with little investment of time. Smartphones are nearly always at hand, so when you have a few free minutes while waiting for your cab, or you have some time in your hand before attending another class or meeting, you can easily scroll down to practice some vocabulary or try out some of your lessons. Language Curry is one such app that teaches Indian languages and is accessible anytime and anywhere. Once you hop on you'll surely have a great ride!
Traditional language lessons can be boring or dull. Luckily, learning the Punjabi language is not as hard and expensive as before. You can learn Punjabi from the comfort of your home and without spending a penny with the Language Curry app that teaches Punjabi speaking through English. Language curry makes learning languages easy, and fun with its beginner-friendly content. The app features the Punjabi alphabet and also the commonly used Punjabi phrases voiced by native speakers to help you perfect the pronunciation. Question Answer sessions help you to achieve perfection.
Not only does the app provide interesting content, but it also gives a brief insight into the cultural background of the state which makes learners curious to unlock the next chapter as soon as possible.
Why are you still waiting? Anyone looking to impress their Simran, or Simran looking to impress Raj, should start learning Punjabi. So, install the Language Curry App on your phone and get started. Here are the links for App Store and Google Play.
Read more > Beautiful Kashmiri words and their meanings
Do modern words have Sanskrit names?
Sanskrit is said to be the oldest language in the world, …
Sanskrit is said to be the oldest language in the world, which is in practice till date ! While the most ancient of scriptures are found to be written in Sanskrit, do you know that there is no dearth of words of Sanskrit names for contemporary objects? For example Sanganaka for computer 💻, antarjaala for internet and chitragrahaka for camera 📷 !
Being a Devabhasha i.e. the language of Gods doesn't stop the common man from conversing fluently in Sanskrit. Today increasingly, the language is loved by scholars and laymen alike! On one hand, we observe that Mahakavyas (epic poetries) have been written in Sanskrit and on the other we observe that even the latest fad of making memes can also be practiced in Sanskrit. We're sure you've seen the viral meme of Kim Jong-Un.
Question:
tava nāma kim? तव नाम किम्?
Kim:
mama nāma kim? मम नाम किम्?
mama nāma kim। मम नाम किम्।
Sanskrit has short words like 'na' meaning 'no' and long words like ‘ujjwalakanakashrinkhalarachitarashmikalapakalitaya’* meaning ‘tied with the lustre of a bright golden chain’. Poetic isn't it? I am sure you want to jump at the opportunity of learning Sanskrit and discover more and more treasures hidden within the language.
'Namo namah! Namaskarah!' This is how you greet someone in sanskrit.
But what next? How do you carry the conversation further in Sanskrit? In India, the conversation is carried forward by a question regarding general wellbeing.
This means is everything good? This is a general way of asking anyone if everything good. This can be asked to one person, or many people at once and to all genders.
Both the above mean, 'are you doing good? Here bhavaan भवान् refers to the person being addressed being a male and bhavatee भवती refers to the person being referred to being a female. to you (feminine). भवान् and भवती are used when we want to be formal and are using the 'formal you' that is api.
Both the above sentences mean 'how are you', where bhavaan - भवान् and bhavatee भवती refer to male and female respectively.
Here is a question with 'informal you' which is twam - त्वम् in the sentence. It also means ‘how are you?’
While writing letters in Sanskrit, this phrase is often used to enquire about general wellbeing. It means, 'all is well here, may it be the same there'.
Wasn't that easy? So, why stop? Hop on to Language Curry App and begin a wonderful journey of learning Sanskrit through various sections of the App which include 'Subhashitas', 'Vocabulary' and 'Saptavarna' (online sanskrit monthly magazine for kids and beginners) and ofcourse the entire course material - all for free!
While in India, you will hear varied dialects of a language across the country. Here are some …
While in India, you will hear varied dialects of a language across the country. Here are some slang words that are most commonly used in the Hindi speaking cities. These words will help you better assimilate while travelling in India.
Jugaad
It usually means creative/innovative idea or getting out of a complex situation. It is used in context when you want an out of the box, low cost solution to problems. It is similar to the word like ‘hack’.
Colloquially, it means setting. It’s more like where there is a will there is a way and represents the never give up spirit of Indians. Did you check out this bicycle with a steering wheel?
Jhand
When something goes against your expectations. The exaggerated meaning is when your expectations are ruined or destroyed.
Scenario: Ask a friend about his issues in life
Reply: Bhai, zindagi toh jhand hai.
Translation: Brother, my life is ruined.
Faadu
It literally means to tear. When used as a slang, it is used as a word to express their exciting happiness about someone or something appealing wonderful to them.
Eg. Faadu movie tha
Translation: The movie was awesome.
Maal
This is one versatile slang and stnds for a whole bunch of words! The word maal actually means 'material' but can be used to talk about drugs, alcohol money or even drugs!
Vella
Someone who is lazy or doesn't do anything.
Scenario: when you ask a friend to do a task when he/she is busy...
Eg: Hum velle behtein hai kya?
Translation: Am I jobless?
Fattu
The word 'fattu' is used to refer to someone who is always scared or doesn't have any guts!
Chakkar
It literally means dizziness. As a slang it is used as word to explain problematic social situation.
Eg: Kis chakkar mein padh gaya mein.
Translation: What have I gotten myself into.
Also, do you know that, in Hindi, you won’t be made a 'fool'... in stead you´ll be made an “owl” -ullu !
To learn more such funny slangs and homophones (words that sound the same but are different in meaning) in Indian languages download the Language Curry App now!
If we were to be dared by someone into learning any language in 30 days - or, possibly – …
If we were to be dared by someone into learning any language in 30 days - or, possibly – learn the Hindi language in 30 days, a viable option would be to retreat: sounds safe? A language to be learned, in entirety or with a certain degree of proficiency, is nearly an improbable task to be accomplished in a short duration.
But imagine you have an app handy that guides you through the nitty-gritty of the language, where the contents are sequenced appropriately, where audios and visuals are available for illustrations, interactive Live sessions, fun games to keep you motivated, where you could monitor your progress effectively -then is it tough to learn the Hindi language in 30 days? Let us explore.
Hindi belongs to the Indo-Aryan language clan and is widely spoken and understood all over India: North, Central, East, West and partly in South India. It is also the fourth most widely spoken language in the world and the most spoken one in India among 121 languages.
Hindi being rooted in Sanskrit and having evolved subsequently due to the impact of multiple cultures, unsurprisingly has many dialects or forms: in fact, it has 48 officially recognised tongues spread across India and even beyond! Thus, learning Hindi would also mean we have a fair understanding of the spoken languages encompassing a significant landscape and populace. So, we could well fathom the thought process behind recognising Hindi as an official language in India, besides English, by the makers of our Constitution?
Yet pondering why to learn the Hindi language? Well, in this age of globalisation, it is no longer one-way traffic: not only do Indians land on foreign shores for work but vice-versa is also true. So having a basic knowledge of Hindi would certainly stand the non-natives in great stead besides endearing them to the natives. The same holds for the tons of tourists that India attracts from abroad and within.
Also, the Indian diaspora is across the globe. Many are settled abroad for generations, and they want the next generation to be connected to their roots and often seek the best way to learn Hindi online.
Also, Hindi follows Devanagari script like multiple other Indian languages. So, learning and reading Hindi scripts could serve as a gateway to other languages. The learner is gradually exposed to the great literature and invaluable spiritual scriptures written in Hindi.
So why not take the plunge- why not attempt to learn the Hindi language in 30 days?
Presumably, learning any language in a short span is an uphill task. But this could be less daunting if the learner can select a language (possibly one’s mother tongue) as the medium of learning. If you are wondering-
Language Curry is the one-stop destination. It provides the facility to choose the medium of learning, rather than restricting to English only.
It is soon getting more exciting with ‘Language Curry’: learn Hindi through English, learn Hindi through Tamil, learn Hindi through Telugu!
With our home becoming an extension of the office, meetings becoming synonymous with video or audio conferencing, just arrange the basic furniture at home-your classroom is set!
The best way to learn Hindi online would be through a language app and ‘Language Curry’ precisely fits the bill.
Indus river was formerly Sindhu,
Sindhu came to be pronounced as Hindu
The inhabitants were recognized as Sindhi
And the language spoken was coined Hindi.
Hindi has an Indo-Aryan root,
Intermixing of cultures bore its fruit.
It is a direct descendent of Sanskrit,
And expressed in the 'Devanagri' script.
Its dialects have reached wherever the winds have carried,
To the Indian culture, it has been long married,
If it must be learned, let’s find all ways-
Ready to learn the Hindi in just 30 days?
Learning any language is a tough task,
How to learn it? – is the first ask,
Have you heard of the ‘Language Curry’ app?
Install it now and just follow the map!
Tamil, Telugu, English- as a medium is fine,
It is the best way to learn Hindi online!
Learn the Hindi language in a flutter,
It'll be as easy as a duck takes to water!
Everyone knows what emojis are. They are an important part of instant messaging and add much …
Everyone knows what emojis are. They are an important part of instant messaging and add much needed colour and thrill to texts. Also known as 'emoticons' their names are derived from the word 'emotion'. Today not just emotions; but fruits, vegetables, buildings, trees, animals and much more have found a place for themselves in the emoji roster! In fact emojis are a language by themselves!
Learning Sanskrit is a lot of fun and today we will learn about emojis in Sanskrit! We casually call them smiley face, angry face, thinking emoji and so on. Let's find out today what these emojis would be called in Sanskrit.
हसति / laughs
hasati
रोदिति / cries
roditi
कुप्यति / gets angry
kupyati
ध्यायति / meditates
dhyāyati
स्वपिति / sleeps
svapiti
उल्लसति / Overjoyed
ullasati
चिन्तयति / thinks
chintayati
विस्मयो भवति / surprised
vismayo bhavati
Did we miss your favourite emoji? Please let us know and we'll have a Part 2 covering what we missed.
You can follow AUROSAMSKRITAM on Twitter.
Kashmiri is spoken in the picturesque Kashmir Valley, parts of Jammu and by the …
Kashmiri is spoken in the picturesque Kashmir Valley, parts of Jammu and by the Kashmiri diaspora across India and the world. The language used to be written in the Sharda script and even today the script is used for prayer and religious ceremonies. Today, Kashmiri is written in both Devnagari script and Urdu. It has about 5.4 million speakers in India and about 5.6 million worldwide. (2001 census)
As we explore the Kashmiri language, we discover that it is a treasure of beautiful words, thoughts and sounds. In fact, the language is sheer poetry.
~
- Bronth ब्रोंथ ~ When u see an unknown person and mistake the person for someone you think you know!
- this is possibly the most fun Kashmiri word and we have all needed it at some time! P.S it must not to be confused with deja-vu ♦
~
This beautiful language has been spoken for centuries but it was only recently, in 2020, that a bill was passed to make it one of the official languages of Kashmir. And some Kashmiri youth have even taken upon themselves to protect and revive the langauge by starting a #revivesharda movement. Understandibly so as Kashmiri language is an important element of Kashmiri culture.
Which is your favourite Kashmiri word and will you start using it in your daily conversation?
Orzu Dorkoth!
A nation with more than a hundred spoken languages and thousands of dialects; where the same word …
A nation with more than a hundred spoken languages and thousands of dialects; where the same word is pronounced differently or even the same word might have a different meaning altogether; where each festival is celebrated with gaiety alike across the nation, but each region still retains its flavour; where we dress uniformly whilst representing one unit but prefer to dress in the regional outfit for a cultural event. This is diversity personified- this is India!
Each region is India, and India is in each region. So, exploring India truly necessitates learning Indian regional languages, or at least getting a hang of it.
The essence of verbal or written communication is often lost in translation. The meaning, tone, empathy, or any similar underlying emotions of a piece of communication is often not retained in the translated language. If we could pronounce a word or phrase with the authenticity of a particular region, establishing the connection is much easier. The Indian regional languages are an assembly of the puzzle worth solving.
A few word-of-mouth jokes, which have been doing the round for a long and show how we could get confounded between two Indian regional languages, might have us in splits.
An instance is cited: a certain person from Uttar Pradesh visits a tea stall in Assam and orders:” Paani lao” (bring me water i.e., Paani). This prompts the stall boy to think the customer is in the wrong place and retorts “Paanilao nahin hein.” (‘Paanilao’ translates to ‘bottle gourd’ in Assamese and the boy replies that it is not available and thinks the customer should find a vegetable shop!).
Such puns are in plenty, and we would do better to avoid those sorts of muddles. Tips to learn Indian regional languages would help avoid such situations.
Indian regional languages originated from different linguistic families, but they could be broadly clustered into two: the Indo-Aryan languages spoken in the North, Middle, West and East of India; and the Dravidian languages spoken in the four South Indian states. Most of the Indian regional languages owe their origin to Sanskrit-the language in which the ancient Indian scriptures are predominantly written.
To gain the essence of India, to learn the culture of each region, to think in every language and imbibe the vibes within, a certain degree of knowledge of the regional language is imperative. Benefits of the Indian regional language could be derived while we explore a diverse nation like ours.
The above is how we say ‘Hello’ in ten Indian regional languages. Each language, of course, has its way of expressing thankfulness or addressing a person formally or informally, and a few typical commonly exchanged words as part of greeting.
We might want to seek tips to learn Indian regional languages but are you aware that we have a platform where we can learn Indian regional languages free! Yes, we indeed have an Indian languages app that could be downloaded from the Google Play store for free, namely, Language Curry.
Currently, it supports ten Indian languages. The Language Curry app is designed to make the journey of learning the Indian regional languages a smooth and pleasant experience. The learner must go through different levels of learning and subsequent level in the learning course cannot be accessed unless the desired competency is achieved in the preceding level. It not only provides the word or phrases in use but also has assisting audios to explain how the word is pronounced. It also provides insight into the culture of a specific region as we go deeper into the course material.
Kashmir is in the north, and Kanyakumari is the Southern tip,
From rustic Shikara boat rides to sturdy majestic ships!
Gujarat on the West and the seven sisters in the East,
Traversing across my motherland, for the mind and heart is a feast.
Each region is unique here, and each state with a beauty of its own,
We are the land of diversity, and this is how we are known.
We have many languages, and even more dialects that we speak,
We flourish as one unit, and peace and harmony are what we seek.
To know this nation better- know the languages of the soil,
As I let out a secret now- you could spare yourself much toil.
Learn the languages at your fingertips, and learn them in a flurry,
Open the Google play store and look for the ‘Language Curry’.
The contents are all for you, chapters containing each level,
Reap the benefits of the app, whilst across the country you travel.
Our nation speaks diverse tongues, yet as a single nation we thrive,
It is always helpful thus, to have the Indian languages app as a guide.
The Sanskrit language and script is one of the three earliest ancient documented languages that …
The Sanskrit language and script is one of the three earliest ancient documented languages that dates back to at least 5000 years. Ancient languages such as Latin and Greek find similarities to the Sanskrit phonetics, grammar and script. Over time many Sanskrit words have been adopted and put into use across various geographies and their respective languages. Let's get to some of them that found themselves embedded in the English dictionary!
English words that comprise the structure of a family
Interesting isn't it ? This list of words of Sanskrit origin more or less covers the entire Family! Moving on to numbers we have:
From family and numbers we move on to English names of food items that also find their origin in Sanskrit.
The Flora and Fauna can definitely not be missed finding a mention here. English words with Sanskrit origin in this genre are:
The next category to have a handful of English words with Sanskrit origin belongs to the human body:
Moving on from the human body to an extensive list of english words with sanskrit origin related to our mind, emotions and the higher order.
The list above isn’t exhaustive and a few more are listed below to keep you hooked !
And there are more! It is worth noting that any language during its peak time of usage as a spoken language will have its words imported into other languages prevalent at that time. Right from 1CE to 1000CE India remained a global superpower accounting for 33% of the world’s GDP. (IMF, Angus Maddison). Indian products were loved, highly sought after and exported all across the globe. Such was the lasting impact of the flourishing Indian trade that it extended to Sanskrit words being adopted and remaining prevalent even today across other geographies.
Not only is Sanskrit taught in eighteen universities across India today, but it is also as a subject taught in across innumerable schools in various nations around the world. As slowly the language is seeing much welcome revival in interest we're not surprised that we had been speaking its words in so many other languages all along!
India is a land of diversity – diverse landforms, climates, vegetation, culture, costume, …
India is a land of diversity – diverse landforms, climates, vegetation, culture, costume, cuisine, tradition, and languages. “Kos kos pe badle paani, chaar kos pe bani” (at every three kilometers the taste of water changes and every twelve kilometers the accent changes) is an eccentric feature of the country. No wonder, there are approximately 121 languages spoken in India. People in each state, people in different localities often speak in their local dialects. As of now, as laid down by the Constitution of India, there are 22 officially recognized, or scheduled languages in India.
With the English and Hindi language being the lingua franca (a shared language of communication used by people who are speakers of different languages), many people think it’s not necessary to learn any other Indian language. Well, that isn’t true!! Learning the Indian language never go to waste. Maybe you need to learn a local language so that you can speak it on an upcoming trip, or you may land up in a different state for your studies or job, or maybe you want to read your favorite novel in the language it was initially written or you may fall in love with someone from a different language. Whatever may be the reason, all you want is to learn it as fast as you can, but honestly, learning a new language can be anything but fast.
Though learning any language depends upon the desire, willingness, ability, and determination of the person who wants to learn that language but following the right strategy can make the learning journey exciting.
Focus on exactly ‘why’ you want to learn the new language
Start by finding out all the reasons why you would like to learn your target language and how far it will help you to achieve your long-term endeavors. Knowing your ‘why’ will help you to be engrossed and keep you motivated throughout your learning journey.
Make realistic and specific goals
So, now that you decided to learn a new Indian language, the first and foremost thing to do is to set a clear and attainable goal as it adds focus and structure to your language learning journey. It allows you to plot an actionable roadmap to your success destination.
Let’s say, for example, your goal is to be fluent in Marathi. That’s great and the feeling is wildly optimistic but at the beginning, this is certainly not the best idea. Rather why not set yourself a target that is approachable like interacting with the doodhwala bhaiya (milk vendor) or the autowala bhaiya (rickshaw driver) in Marathi to sound more native.
Goal setting also does wonders for motivation. There is no better feeling than accomplishing your goal.
Learn the ‘right’ Vocabulary
To gain proficiency in any language, one has to learn a lot of words. The good news is that you don’t have to learn all the words. Start by learning the most-frequently-used words in your target language. Focus has to be on the words and phrases that are relevant to you, your job and your interests. Gradually add more complex words to your vocabulary as you continue on your language learning journey.
Find the right study method and resources
It is very important to figure out which study methods and resources best suit you. For some, a traditional classroom setting works wonder and for others who doesn’t have much time prefers online courses. Thanks to technology, we now have easy access to apps that teaches Indian languages without spending a penny and with little investment of time, that too from the comfort of your home. Language curry is one such app that teaches Indian languages and is accessible anytime and anywhere.
Make new friends
Yes! Making friends not only adds flavor to your social life but also helps you to learn a different language. If you meet someone who speaks your target language, try to be friends with them. Casual chats often build a strong foundation of the language. This is one of the easiest ways to get comfortable with the slang, intonation and mannerism and the best part is that it will help a daily practicing without any fear.
Watch a movie
If you want to learn the Indian language from the comfort of your home, then simply put on regional movies on your TV screen. Yes! watching regional cinemas (obviously with subtitles) can help a lot, not only in adding to the vocabulary but it gives an insight into the language’s culture as well. (And believe me, our regional movies have great content).
Explore interesting content
Pick any Indian language and it will take you to a whole new world of literature and music. Learning through topics that fascinate you can make the learning journey so much easier and more enjoyable. Check apps like language curry that allow you to learn through interesting content along with an insight into the cultural background of the state.
So, these are a few useful things that one should commit while learning any Indian language. And with the Language Curry app, learning Indian languages become even easier. So, when are you beginning your journey to learn an Indian language?
Rang Panchami in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, Dhuleti in Gujarat, Yaosang in Manipur, Dol …
Rang Panchami in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, Dhuleti in Gujarat, Yaosang in Manipur, Dol Jatra or Basant Utsav in Bengal, Phakuwah or Phaguwa in Bihar and Assam, Shigmo in Goa, Hola Mohalla in Punjab, Manjal Kuli in Kerala: celebrations might assume various name across the diverse Indian landscape, but they all come under one colourful umbrella: Holi in India.
... occupies an enviable place and as the nation braces itself to revel in the festivity, we attempt to delve deeper into its origin.
A major Indian festival, Holi is a springtime celebration and is also popularly known as India's festival of colours, festival of love and also festival of spring. The festival of Holi is mentioned in numerous ancient Indian scriptures and the rituals for celebrating them are rooted in ayurvedic practices.
As per the Bhagvat Puran, Hiranyakashyap who was a demon king had a special boon from 'Shristi-karta' Brahamadev. The unusual blessing protected him from being killed by any of the life created by Brahma on Earth; it shielded him from being slain at day or night, no weapons could cause his death, nor could he be assassinated inside or outside his residence - either in the air or on the ground.
Emboldened by such a boon, he was convinced of his immortality and commanded that he be worshipped as God himself. His own son, Prahalad, however, was an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu and never followed his father’s diktat. Hiranyakashyap used all his power to frighten and subdue the little boy, but young Prahalad was not to succumb. His faith was unshakeable and he continued his tapasya (penance). Having failed in all his attempts, Hiranyakashyap approached his sister, Holika, who was immune to fire to sit on a lit pyre, with Prahalad on her lap. She was to escape unhurt and prahalad was to be burnt alive. But the fire turned Holika into ashes and Prahalad escaped unscathed. This incident is celebrated for the victory of good over evil, of dharma over adharma.
The origin of Holi is intertwined also, with the eternal love of Lord Krishna and his Radha Rani. Krishna used to often ask his mother why his colour is different from Radha Rani’s (who was fair complexioned). One day, Yashoda Maiyya, in a lighter vein, suggested that his son smear himself and Radha Rani’s face with the same colour to end the dissimilarity. Krishana liked the idea and so began the festival of Holi!
As per the sacred Purans, once when Lord Shiva was immersed in meditation, a distressed Kamdev (God of Love) wished to seek his attention to prevent the destruction unleashed by a demon, who could only be defeated by a child born from the union of Mahadev and Devi Parvati. Shiva’s meditation had to be disturbed and only Kamdev could do so. Thus woken, Shiva’s third eye opened and instantly turned Kamdev into ashes, leaving his wife, Rati distraught. Rati began a severe penance and on the fortieth day, Shiva forgave Kamdev and restored him to life reuniting the couple of Kamadev and Rati. Kamdev now was without body which signified that love must transcend the body and reach the mind and heart. Kamdev, the God of Love, danced with joy and the day is celebrated as Holi!
Rubbing colour on one another and dancing to music is the biggest charm of the festival. Another important aspect of Holi celebration is the lighting of the bonfire, or burning an effigy of Holika. It represents the burning of evil in society, both within and without. Cow dung cakes and sacred substances are offered to this fire. No Indian festival is complete without the consumption of delicacies. Sweet and savoury dishes are made and offered to deities. Laddoo, gujiya, puranpoli and firni to name a few sweets and of course some thandai to keep cool!
The celebration of Holi in India though is one of its kind, each region has its unique culture and their own traditions of celebrating it. It is known as Rang Panchami in the state of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh where pyres are lit to signify the victory of virtuous forces over the evil (remembering the end of Holika when she tried to kill Prahlad). Uttar Pradesh has an unusual celebration known as Lathmar Holi where two ' rivals' clash: the womenfolk attacks with sticks and canes and the menfolk defends themselves while trying to immerse the other in colour. Songs and chants devoted to Radha Krishna are sung gaily. In Punjab, it is called 'Holla Mohalla' where tribute is paid to the brave warriors of the land. The folk songs and dances take prominence in 'Shigmo' celebrated in Goa and as a part of the rituals in this costal region, fishermen decorate their boats to mark the occasion. Holi in Rajasthan is a royal affair and the tradition is kept alive by the Royal family of Mewar. Kumoni Holi in Uttarakhand is celebrated more with music and dance than with colours and lasts around two months. In Kerala, it is Manjal Kuli and the celebration is usually restricted to temples and prayers followed by festivities.
The ancient Indian festival of Holi is celebrated even in Nepal and by the Indian diaspora across the world. It is a happy festival that celebrates spring, life and love and also reminds us that a devotee on the side of dharma will always find Ishwar (God) by his side; just like young Prahalad did.
Happy Holi to All! ॐ
On a lighter note, here are some Bollywood songs on Holi with their meanings explained:-
Here are some interesting facts about Punjabi!
In the world of globalization, each …
In the world of globalization, each language has a vital role to play. Connecting with the people in regional areas using their native language is the need of the hour. The Punjabi language is one of the widely spoken languages around the world. The name Punjabi is actually Persian, literally translates to “Five Waters” referring to the five tributaries of the Indus River defining the ancient Punjab region (presently split between India and Pakistan).
There is more to this language than what is shown in Bollywood movies which I bet, most of you are not aware of. In this blog, we will go through some interesting facts about the Punjabi language which support why one should consider Punjabi as a potential language to learn:
Punjabi: the connecting language
The Punjabi language is the tenth most widely spoken language in the world. It has around 125 million native speakers. More people speak Punjabi as their mother tongue than German, Korean or French. There are also sizable communities of Punjabi speakers in the United Kingdom and Canada. It is the third-most spoken language in the United Kingdom and the fourth most spoken language in Canada. So, to connect with large audiences, the Punjabi language is worth learning.
Where is Punjabi from?
From the name, most of you guessed Punjab, right? But to your surprise, it is not so. Pakistan has more speakers of this language than we have in India. In fact, it’s a common saying that Punjabis and potatoes are the most found things in Pakistan. But it is indeed disturbing that it is not recognized very well there. Neither it’s been given an official status nor is it being taught to children in school.
Origin of Punjabi
Punjabi is a descendent of “Shauraseni Prakrit”, the chief language of north Indian during the medieval period. It is also believed that it developed from
“Shauraseni Apabhramsha”, around the 11th century.
Synchronic Digraphia (the coexistence of two or more writing systems for the same language):
There are very few languages in the world that can be written in more than one script and Punjabi is one of them. The Punjabi language uses two different scripts, the Shahmukhi and the Gurmukhi. The Gurmukhi script is widely used in India whereas the Shahmukhi is predominant in the Pakistan region.
Punjabi is a tonal language
One of the features of the Punjabi language that makes it unique is to have a lexical tone. In a layman’s language, we can say that it is a tonal language where you understand the meaning even with the alteration in pitch and tone of the words. Various tones are used to differentiate the words which otherwise appear similar.
So, if you are someone who enjoys popular peppy Punjabi songs but sings them mindlessly without understanding their lyrics, or has a Punjabi friend whose slang you love and wants to learn, or as a part of your new year resolution, you decided to learn a new Indian language, consider learning Punjabi. You can use the Language Curry App to learn Punjabi through English. The app has commonly used Punjabi phrases voiced out by native speakers.
Check out this video for a short lesson in Punjabi!
This women's day we are celebrating women who have devoted their lives to promoting and …
This women's day we are celebrating women who have devoted their lives to promoting and preserving Indian art and culture. From practicing Indian classical dance to saving intricate embroidery from vanishing; from devotedly scrubbing the ghats of Ganga by hand to being national multilingual leaders, these women have done it all! Also, we have so many woman authors who have written stories that have reached far and wide, or that spoke for those who couldn't. Some wrote so wonderfully that they kept sacred Indian epics, glorious legends, and ancient sciences thriving even today. We have women who worked selflessly for those who had nothing, and due to their work found themselves being revered as Ma or Devi. They truly are a treasure and today we take the time to celebrate them and thank them for inspiring us. Happy womens day to them, to us and to womanhood.
Sushma Swaraj- multi-faceted Leader and an Astute Linguist (1952 – 2019)
A seasoned politician, Supreme Court lawyer, and a senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Sushma Swaraj has many firsts to her credit. She is the second woman to become an External Affairs Minister in the Union Cabinet after Indira Gandhi. And she was quite a loved EAM!
Known for her fiery speeches and a feisty spirit, Sushma Swaraj was a graduate in Sanskrit and Political Science, Punjab University where her oratory skills won her the best Hindi Speaker award for three consecutive years.. She has impressedmanyon national and international podiums with her fluent accent and diction in Sanskrit. At one time she learnt Kannadda within a week to deliver a speech in Bellary. Her tweet from 1999, ‘I am proud of all Indian languages. I speak some of them fluently,’ tells of her loving and all embracing nature so true to the Indic spirit.. She was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, posthumously in 2020, for her exceptional contributions to public service.
Meet the prolific Sudha Murty
With her humble, witty and spirited persona, Sudha Murty is the quintessential lady next door.Her stories about the urban as well as the rural India have regaled readers of all ages. Wife of Infosys founder N.R.Narayanamurthy, she has carved a name for herself as a beloved author. Her numerous short stories, novels and children’s books are based upon the lives of people across India and they highlight the cultural ethos across the diverse land. Her language is simple, making her work reach far and wide. Some of her memorable works of fiction are Dollar Bahu, How I taught my Grandmother to read, Three Thousand Stitches and many more in her wonderful collection. As Chairperson of Infosys foundation she has invested hugely towards poverty alleviation, health and education, promotion of art and culture and women empowerment. For her mammoth service, she was conferred the Padmashri in 2004.
Mallika Sarabhai-Danseuse Extraordinaire
Daughter of illustrious parents, the late scientist and founder of ISRO, Vikram Sarabhai and dancer Mrinalini Sarabhai has had to live it up to the name of her famous parents. Following in her mother’s footsteps Mallika Sarabhai has successfully carved herself a niche in the field of dancing namely Bharatnatyam and Kuchipudi. She has been instrumental in bringing both the classical dance forms for social change and transformation. She has completed her education in MBA from IIM Ahmedabad and a doctorate in organizational behavior from Gujarat University. She started writing when she produced and performed at her own dance show Shakti: The Power of Women. Since then she has gone on to script many successful shows, TV serials for ISRO’s educational TV program in Madhya Pradesh. Mallika Sarabhai is also the recipient of the Padma Bhushan by the Government of India.
Durga Bhagwat- A Woman Par Excellence
A woman of true grit and determination, Durga Bhagwat is a popular name on the literary and cultural scenario in Maharashtra. She spent her time in the jungles of Madhya Pradesh, to study tribal life and their difficulties and devoted her life to writing about them. Some of her notable works are Vyas Parva, Pais, Rutuchakra. She was an embodiment of simplicity and intellect She chose to remain single in a male dominated society at that time. She was conferred the Jnanpith and the Padmashri awards but she had declined them.. Durga Bhagwat was arguably one of the foremost writers in Marathi literature. She was also elected President of the 51st Marathi Sammelan held in Karad in 1975. Bhagwat also wrote many books on cooking and crafts and was called 'Marathi Saraswatachi Saraswati'(Goddess Saraswati of the Marathi People).
Lakshmikutty 'Vanamuthassi' - Grandmother of the Jungle
Lakshmikutty, a member of the Kani community, lives in the Kallar forest area at Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala and has received the Padma Shri Award for her breakthrough in practicing traditional medicine. Poison Healer and herbal medicine maker, she is known for her ability to prepare 500 herbal medicines out of memory. Over the years, she has cured thousands of people from snake bites and other diseases. She attributes her knowledge of herbal remedies to her mother who was a midwife. She is invited to deliver lectures on natural medicine at various institutions throughout Southern India.
Well versed in Sanskrit, she loves to write plays and poems and is also a teacher at Kerala Folklore Academy. Her love for the jungle has earned her the affectionate title ‘Vanamuthassi’ (Grandmother of the Jungle in Malayalam). Her struggle-saga is an inspiration and we salute her love of nature as well as her passion for taking care of precious lives.
Author Roopa Pai
A renowned children’s book author, Roopa Pai rose to fame after the release of India’s first-ever fantasy adventure series titled ‘Taranauts’. This Bangalore-based author is an engineer by qualification but chose to pursue a writing career instead. She has over 25 published books for children, ranging from picture books to chapter books and fiction to non-fiction, on themes as varied as sci-fi fantasy, popular science, maths, history, economics, Indian philosophy, life skills, and most recently, medicine. Many of her books are bestsellers including the award-winning ‘The Gita for Children’. Roopa firmly believes that it is important for everyone to be familiar with the values, ideas, and philosophy in the ancient texts of their own culture that leads her to break the complexities of Gita, Vedas, and Upanishads and make it accessible to the children. Her work is enjoyed as much by adults as by children.
Master craftsperson Latika Vakil
An award-winning master craftsperson of the Chamba district, Latika Vakil has constantly been working to conserve and revive the traditional art form of the district, Chamba Rumal (Chamba Handkerchief). It is an embroidered handicraft that was once promoted by the formal rulers of the Chamba Kingdom.
Using her expertise, she has been training the younger generation for the past five decades, creating gainful employment for them while simultaneously promoting the art globally.
Traditionally, Chamba Rumal embroidery was only done on muslin cloth but Latika Vakil has created new designs on silk and tussar fabrics. Her blend of traditional and contemporary designs brought new life to a dying art form. She has exhibited the artform in numerous exhibitions around the world to preserve and promote this intricate and beautiful embroidery style. For her relentless efforts that spanned over five decades, she was conferred with the Padma Shri.
Temsutula Imsong - The Naga Warrior of Varanasi
One of the most inspiring champions of the Swacch Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Movement) initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has to beTemsutula Imsong who took upon herself the task of cleaning Prabhu Ghat and Babua Pandey Ghat in Varanasi. No one could have imagined how the ghat full of dirt, defecation and debri would, due to her efforts, be so clean one day.
Temsutula Imsong is a cleanliness activist who belongs to the Ungma village of Mokochung district in Nagaland and a co-founder of Sakaar Seva Samiti. Imsong along with her team has been successfully battling to clean up the ghats and lanes of Kashi (another name for holy city Varanasi). About her efforts to clean she says, ‘the ghats belong to all of us and we all should clean and maintain. That we should not dirty it because ‘Ganga ji Hamari hai’. ‘
She rose to fame in 2015 after the Prime Minister tweeted about her organization Sakaar’s effort for cleaning up Varanasi’s ghats. The efforts of this young lady are now focused on waste management and have been actively working towards it by educating people about composition and waste management. We salute her!
Our Forever Nightingale Shrimati Lata Mangeshkar (28 September 1929 - 6 February 2022)
Lata Mangeshkar was considered to have been one of the greatest and the most influential singers in the country. In a career span of over seven decades, her contributions to the Indian music industry gained her many honorific titles such as "Queen of Melody", "Nightingale of India", and "Voice of the Millennium".
The singer lent her voice to the actors in not only Hindi and Marathi movies but in languages as diverse as Bangla (she sang nearly 200 songs in Bangla), Assamese, Gujarati, Tamil, Kannada, Maithili, Konkani, and Telugu among others. She is known to have recorded songs in over thirty-six different Indian languages.
Recipient of several awards and honors including the Bharat Ratna (India’s highest civilian award) and the Officer of the National Order of the Legion of Honour (France’s highest civilian award), Lata Mangeshkar was truly an icon. Her contribution to the rich legacy of the music industry will always be remembered.
The cultural, artistic and socioeconomic efforts of these women have made our world a richer place and have left us inspired to do the same and for that we celebrate them today and forever.
There’s a famous Chinese proverb that states that “to learn a language is to have one more window …
There’s a famous Chinese proverb that states that “to learn a language is to have one more window from which to look at the world”. Isn’t it true? Learning a new language not only adds to your vocab but also provides a different vision of life. But, honestly is learning a new language is easy? Well, the answer to the question varies from individual to individual. No language is harder. Learning any language depends upon the desire, willingness, ability and determination of the person who wants to learn that language. Learning an alien language requires some effort and practice. Learning Tamil is no exception. Many times, being North Indians, we didn’t even give learning a try as we are under the clouds of many myths related to the language.
Here we are trying to bust some myths about the Tamil language so that you can take a step ahead to learn this ancient Dravidian language:
It is a myth that Tamil has complex grammar. But actually, in Tamil, vowels and consonants are 12+18. In Tamil there are no joint letters, half letter, midpoint combination of letters, shortfall of one letter over the other in the top, middle and at the bottom as we find in Hindi. Tamil rather has simple grammar.
In Hindi, even non-living things are classified as masculine and feminine genders, but in Tamil, it is not so. There are no such gender rules in Tamil that make it easy to learn.
Tamil pronunciation may seem complicated and hard to any Hindi speaker. Apparently, it seems true but if one makes effort to listen carefully to whatever they are speaking then you’ll find that it’s not that hard. Watching Tamil movies (obviously with subtitles) can help a lot. (And believe me, the movies have great content).
The way beginners speak Tamil is no less than a comic scene from movies. But, still, no one gets offended and enjoys and encourages them to speak more and more.
So, if you are a North Indian and happen to be in Tamil Nādu for your studies, job or even for travel, consider learning Tamil. Moreover, learning Tamil is now easier than ever as Language Curry introduced Tamil in its app to make learning Tamil fun and easy. So, what are you waiting for? Download the app, start your learning journey, and as we know, with languages we are at home anywhere.
Indian Cinema has been greatly influential in our society ever since its evolution. Be it fashion …
Indian Cinema has been greatly influential in our society ever since its evolution. Be it fashion trends, larger-than-life wedding set-ups, family gatherings or even general perceptions, Bollywood has shaped our thinking and way to look out at things.
It is said that our films are the reflection of our society. Unconsciously, over the years, Bollywood has succeeded to fool our minds into believing certain stereotypes that still reside in our minds. From ‘Masterji’ in Padosan to SRK eating Noodles and curd, Bollywood has often stereotyped south Indians and never bothers to do some research.
Here is some stereotypical portrayal of South Indians by our Bollywood movies:
Bollywood mainly showcases South India Men in a lungi (a garment wrapped around the waist and extending to the ankles) with a white horizontal tilak on the forehead. Makers tend to confuse with ‘Veshtis’, a more formal type of cultural wear commonly worn at weddings.
If Bollywood to be believed, all South Indian women only wear heavy Kanjivaram saree with jasmine flowers pinned in their long braids and of course, the tilak is omnipresent on their forehead too. But in reality, they lead lifestyles no different from the women in the North and are styled in modern clothing too.
Think Mithun Chakrabarti’s cringeworthy accent in the movie ‘Agneepath’ or Deepika Padukone's accent in the movie ‘Chennai Express’. Why couldn’t any of South Indian characters speak the proper language? Rather, South Indian states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu are among the highest-ranking English-speaking states in India. So, Bollywood please stop faking the accent!! nobody in their right mind would say "Yenna Rascala"
Eating non-vegetarian food is made a big deal of in Bollywood movies as shown in the movie “Meenakshi Sundareshwar”. South Indian cuisine is not only about idli, sambar, dosa or, vada. Why doesn’t anyone ever mention Pongal or poriyal or even chicken 65? Yes!! South Indians are fond of non-veg too.
Every South Indian character in Bollywood would have a last name like Iyyer or Ayenger! that doesn't mean that all of them are Brahmins! It’s high time, one should refresh their Geography knowledge and should know that there are five separate states in South India, each speaking a different language. Not to mention, Bollywood has always chosen to portray the ‘Upper caste’ but there is more in the region. Not all are “Brahmins”.
Stop making Rajinikanth references all the time, not every South Indian is obsessed with him. This is the most ridiculous stereotype Bollywood movies think that people from South India keep a photo of Rajinikanth along with the deities in the house temple.
Pick any South Indian-centred movie, one can surely find Carnatic music played in the background. Please, there is more to music in the South than just one tune and people equally admire modern music.
Though one would love to be called so, not all people from South India can pull off a perfectly choreographed Bharatanatyam or a Kuchipudi dance. In fact, Bharatanatyam is considered a sacred form of dance, whose dancers were patronized by temples in ancient times! it required years of training. Some of us are just not patient and hard-working enough to learn Bharatanatyam.
Now! this stereotype is something that makes every southerner swell with pride! but trust me, it's not always true. Even though South India has some best universities, believe us, it is quite easy to find someone here who cares a lot more about movies, fashion, and bikes than exams. But Bollywood is always interested in showcasing all South Indians as serious and over-smart. Contrary to your deep-rooted belief, All of us are not genius like Ramanujam, So stop asking us about the concept of infinity and the theory of relativity.
As per Bollywood, every South Indian utters words like ‘amma’, ‘appa’, ‘ayyo’ ‘murugana’ etc at least once in a sentence. Please don’t believe this. It’s not true and there is no such phrase in any South Indian language.
The South Indian culture refers to the culture of the states of Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Telangana. So, imagine the diversity of culture, customs and cuisine. And people must understand that South India is a generic term and they all are not the same, just as all North Indians are not the same. I think it's high time for Bollywood to stop stereotyping South Indians because what they portray has nothing to do with real life.
Gujarati is an Indo-Aryan language. It is an official language of Gujarat as well as in …
Gujarati is an Indo-Aryan language. It is an official language of Gujarat as well as in Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu. Gujaratis live all over the world and are well-known for propagating the Gujarati language and culture wherever they go. Gujarati is therefore widely spoken in the United States, Canada, South Africa, and Pakistan as well. They say, learning a new language is a journey that leads to beautiful destinations. Here are 5 reasons that will push you to learn Gujarati as soon as possible:
Indo-Aryan Language: Gujarati is an Indo-Aryan language, derived from Sanskrit. Its proximity to the Hindi language makes it one of the easiest regional languages to learn. Gujarati being a phonetic language makes it even easier to learn this sweet language.
Culture: The most immediate link to culture and civilization is language. Being able to speak Gujarati allows you to get an insight into the customs, traditions, art, literature, and history of Gujarat and the Gujarati community, eventually deepening your connection to Gujarati culture. It's surely a rewarding experience to get to know Gujarati culture closely, a culture of the state that adores their non-violence and their Asiatic lions equally!
Cuisine: Fafda, Handava, and Khakhra anyone? these cute little things may sound like missiles but Gujarat is well-known across the globe for its delectable cuisine and trusts me; it's more than sweet dal and dhokla! Gujarati cuisine is timeless and one can enjoy it from any corner of the world by just learning the language.
Career: Learning Gujarati opens up a vast world of job opportunities. We all know, Gujarat is well known for its manufacturing sector. If you happen to be in Gujarat for the job, knowing the local language will make it easy to work. If you are planning a career in heavy industries in the future, you must start learning Gujarati.
Travel: Gujarat offers a wide array of tourism choices, be it hills, ghats, beaches, forts, heritage sites, pilgrimage, or sanctuaries. Knowledge of the local language can ease your travel plans and makes your trip a memorable one. Gujaratis themselves are avid travelers and have been traveling well before it became a rage! From teenage to retirement, the Youth Hostel gives them cheap and exciting travel prospects all year round. YHAI even advertises in Gujarat. In fact, the community is so huge that until it opened online bookings, every Youth Hostel trip had Gujaratis only! yup, go and book your tickets now!
You can even impress your Gujarati date by reciting love poems in Gujarati. Am sure you must get motivated to learn this beautiful language, so without further delay join Language Curry and take your first step towards learning Gujarati.
India is a land of diverse cultures and communities. Many times, we stereotyped communities for …
India is a land of diverse cultures and communities. Many times, we stereotyped communities for some of their eccentric features and behaviors. While some are acceptable, some are not so welcoming. Loud, loving, and full of life, Punjabis personifies fun. But certain things annoy even the coolest Punjabis. Here is a list of some things that Punjabis are tired of hearing:
Breaking News: being Punjabi is not equal to being Sikh!! Try to understand that there are Sikh Punjabi, there are Hindu Punjabi and Cut Surd bhi hote hai (here are cut surd too!!). Wearing a turban is all about Sikh Punjabis. Also, the 5K’s (kesh, kanga, kirpan. Kada, and kachcha) are meant for Sikhs and not for all Punjabis. So, stop asking this question.
Yes, we are Punjabi and love our larger-than-life cuisine but we equally relish other cuisine and we just don’t eat paranthas or chole kulche or butter naan the whole day.
Punjabis love Punjabi songs but not all are Yo Yo Honey Singh fans. Even Punjabis have a taste for serene and deeply meaningful songs and we equally admire Gurdas Mann and Jagjit Singh.
Why do you expect every Punjabi to do only Bhangra in any event? Firstly, mere dancing on the beats of “bolo ta ra ra” is not bhangra and not every Punjabi is comfortable doing it.
Seriously! Does this even make any sense? Drinking or not drinking is an individual choice and it has nothing to do with being Punjabi.
To be honest, every Punjabi dream to land in a foreign land, some or other day. To live a life of better opportunities in no crime and like every other youth, Punjabis too have this dream. What’s wrong with it!! So, stop irritating by asking this question again and again.
“Yes! I am a Punjabi but that does not mean I’m always LOUD!” This is the only thought that strikes every Punjabi's mind when they heard this nerd Phrase.
Honestly, Punjabis are the most fun-loving persons, and what’s wrong if it reflects in our name. It’s our nickname, and you better keep your business till our formal names.
In our country, no humor is complete without cracking this lame joke about sardarjis getting crazy at 12. But what people don’t know is the history behind this phrase. It is associated with the bravery act of the Punjabi community and shouldn’t be cracked as a joke.
Though Punjabis are not annoyed easily and have a kind of expertise in keeping their calm with “saanu ki” (who cares) type attitude. But in case you succeed in doing so, be ready to face the consequences. After all, they are rightly named PUN Jabi (an otherwise calm person ready to give a strong PUNch if triggered the wrong way). So, a piece of advice: “whenever you do that, do it at your own risk”!!!!
'Hello' is undoubtedly the most appropriate word from the dictionary, when starting a …
'Hello' is undoubtedly the most appropriate word from the dictionary, when starting a conversation, meeting friends after a long time, or perhaps welcoming people, but do you realize that 'hello' is not simply a greeting word? It also conveys the kind of relationship and feelings you have with the person you are exchanging greetings with. For this reason, we have different ways of saying hello to parents, family members, elderly people, friends, and strangers. In other words, it's more than just a word. And if you greet someone in their mother tongue, it's the cherry on top.
One of the sweetest Indian languages, Gujarati has a special emphasis on words, which makes it even more endearing to speak. So, let me take you through some ways to say ‘hello’ or greet people in the Gujarati language:
Let's start with this one, which recently has become a global tradition due to the ongoing pandemic. Gujarat is a land of culture and traditions and shares high respect for its mother tongue. Respecting others is an eccentric feature of Gujaratis. If one has to greet elderly people then the most used phrase is “Namaste” just like in Hindi.
“Kem chho” in Gujarati literally means ‘how are you' but is widely used as a way of saying hello or greeting people just like we say “what’s up” in English. Similarly, "Kem chhe" is an informal way to greet your friends.
As Gujarat is the land of Dwarkadhish Lord Shri Krishna, people usually greet each other with Jai Shri Krishna. Most Gujaratis like to start conversations with God's name. In the Kathiawadi region of Gujarat, people also greet one another with "Ram Ram" or "Radhe Radhe".
When meeting your pals at your favorite ‘adda’ (a regular meeting spot of friends) then you can begin your conversation with the phrase “Su chale chhe!!” meaning ‘what’s up’ or ‘what’s happening’. But be mindful to use it strictly among friends, not in front of elders.
Whenever someone visits a home or shop or office, the first word they say is "Aavo" or "Aavo Padharo" which means "welcome" in English or "aaiye" in Hindi.
These are some Gujarati ways of saying hello. So, what are you waiting for? Add these phrases to your word bank and whenever you are in Gujarat or meet a Gujarati, greet them with these phrases and win over their hearts. Saras ne!!! (isn’t it great?)
We love Gujjus and everything about them! Remember Hansa Ben and Praful from the famous TV …
We love Gujjus and everything about them! Remember Hansa Ben and Praful from the famous TV show Khichdi or Jethalal from Taarak Mehta ka Ooltah Chashma? These Gujarati characters brought us a lot of rib-tickling laughter. If you are a Gujarati or if you ever had a Gujju friend, then you can surely relate to their love for fafdas, dhoklas, and theplas! There is something unique about Gujju English pronunciation too! it's entertaining and borderline funny! Few expressions/words are just not good enough in any other language but Gujarati. Here are some tope-of-the-line (as a Gujju would say) Gujju jokes that will add some fun to your day. However, please take these jokes in the right spirit, they do not intend to be offensive.
Lesson 1: Singular and Plural Nouns
Singular: Gujju
Plural: Garba
Me: What if Justin Bieber was born a Gujju?
Gujju Friend : Tab to sau takka uska naam Jignesh hota!!!
(100% his parents would name him Jignesh)
Me: Do you read the Times of India?
Gujju Guy: No! it is full of aids…
Me: Aids????
Gujju Guy: Yes, matrimony aids, tender aids, service aids…
Me: oh, you mean ads
Gujju Guy : yes, saim to saim…
Boyfriend: Darling, mere Kaan me kuchh Halka sa, kuchh naram sa,
kuchh meetha sa Kaho na… (Darling please whisper something sweet, soft, and light into my ears).
Gujju Girlfriend: Dhokla!!
What does it mean to date a Gujju guy?
Oh simple! It’s Love, Sev, and Dhokla!!
(in the USA)
Teacher: “Who was the greatest man that ever lived?” Students to give the correct answer will be awarded a $50 prize.
American girl: I think George Washington.
Teacher: Well, that’s a good answer but this is not the answer I am looking for.
American Boy: I think Abraham Lincoln.
Teacher: Well, that’s again a good answer but this is not the one I am looking for.
Gujju boy Jignesh: I think Jesus Christ.
Teacher: Perfect!! (While awarding him the prize money)
I know you are a Hindu, so why did you say, ‘Jesus Christ’?
Jignesh: I know in my heart it’s Krishna, but for
JIGNESS BIJNESS IS BIJNESS.
(For Jignesh, business is business)
P.S.: How much we comment on their love for food or their English pronunciation, let’s face that Gujjus are the coolest people the world knows and are admired around the globe for their culture, cuisine, business ideas, and generosity.
It is very important for a language to constantly evolve, and to survive it often borrows a word …
It is very important for a language to constantly evolve, and to survive it often borrows a word from other languages. Hindi too is no exception. Here we come up with a few words that are an integral part of our daily conversation in Hindi but are loanwords (Words borrowed from other languages) …
So now when you know this, don’t keep it with yourself. Share with your friends, flaunt your knowledge and steal the limelight!!!
Though every language is beautiful on its own but being Indian, Hindi is close to my heart. It …
Though every language is beautiful on its own but being Indian, Hindi is close to my heart. It has a plethora of mellifluous words that can’t be translated into English, no matter how much you try. We can only describe the meaning of the word but exact replacement is not possible.
Let me take you through such words which are used as it is in English:
So, what are you waiting for? Add these words in your vocab and flaunt your Hindi in front of your Angrez dost!!! (Non-Indian friends)
Kem Cho? Majja ma? Gujarat! – a land of colors, trade and traditions! The sweetness of Gujarati …
Kem Cho? Majja ma? Gujarat! – a land of colors, trade and traditions! The sweetness of Gujarati people, the richness of their delectable vegetarian cuisine and the hand woven exquisite Patola sarees – all can be experienced in fun filled Gujarati wedding.
The traditional Gujarati wedding is a roller coaster ride of three or four days, replete with customs but still enjoyable. Traditional Dhoti Kurta in radiant colors with a Bandhni dupatta and Pagdi, gorgeous Chaniya Cholis and Panetar sarees...you know it's a Gujarati Wedding when you see a palette of colors everywhere. Many pre-wedding and pre-engagements rituals are carried before the union is formally announced within the community. So let’s dive in the colorful world of Gujarati weddings
It’s all started with Chandlo Maatli! 'Chandlo' is a Gujarati word which means red vermillion dot on the head and Maatli means money. Bride's male family memebers visit groom's family and her father applies tika aka Chandlo on the forehead of male members of groom’s family. The groom is presented with some token money aka Maatli as a sign of good omen. The formal union or 'Rishta' is then considered acceptable by both the families and announcement is made in the community. Thus begin the long string of celebration of fun filled Gujarati Wedding!
The tradition of Gol dhana is similar to the ‘Roka’ tradition of northern India. Gol means jaggery and Dhana means coriander seeds. The ceremony takes place at the groom’s house where the bride and groom exchange rings. Coriander seeds and jaggery is then distributed among the guest as a sign of divine blessings and good omen. The ceremonies of Gol Dhana and Chandlo Maatli are generally conducted on the same day itself.
Mehandi ceremony takes place two or three days prior to the wedding. The beautiful intricate designs of henna is applied on bride’s hands and sometimes even on her feet. Mehandi is an integral part of Gujarati wedding. Generally women folks of both the families take part in this ritual which involves lots of dancing and Music.
Graba Nights or Sangeet Sandhya is another fun-filled event unique to Gujarati weddings. Instead of traditional Sangeet ceremony like north India, Gujarati weddings have Garba nights. It usually takes place on the eve of the wedding day. The groom and his family come to the bride’s house for Garba night along with friends and relatives. From Garba to Dandiya and modern pop songs, all can be found on Garba nights! The celebration of Garba night can last way up till mid night. The best way to enjoy it is with Dhokla and piping hot fafda!
Very similar to Marwari tradition of ‘Mahira Dastoor’, the ritual of Mosadu involves a visit from bride’s maternal family headed by her ‘mama’ – maternal uncle. The maternal relatives of bride would gift her with sarees, jewelry, Bengals and sweets etc.
This ritual of Grah Shanti takes place at both the households. This is basically a pooja offered to Lord Ganesha where parents from both the sides pray for removing any obstacles in their children’s wedding. The Pooja is also offer to Mother Earth before the construction of ‘Mandap’- the venue of the wedding. This ceremony is known as ‘Thambhali Poojan’ which is considered the part of Grah Shanti ritual.
The ceremony of Grah Shanti and Mosadu is followed by the ritual of Pithi, similar to the north Indian ‘Haldi’ ceremony that involves applying turmeric paste on a Bride’s face but bit different. Instead of just turmeric paste, a paste of turmeric, sandalwood, rose water and perfume is applied on bride’s face, feet and hands. It’s more associated with bride side but not unusual for grooms as well. The ceremony is generally started by ‘Kaki’ or paternal aunt of the bride by applying the paste on her cheeks.
Now that you have learned all about the pre-wedding festivities of Gujaati wedding, are you excited to attain one? Do let us know!
Malayalam! It's an official language of Kerala, Lakshadweep and Pondicherry. The word …
Malayalam! It's an official language of Kerala, Lakshadweep and Pondicherry. The word “Malayalam” literally means “the mountain region”. It is spoken by 2.88% of the total Indian Population. Although most Malayalam speakers are found in these three states, one can find Malayalis in every part of the world, as it is spoken by more than 34 million people worldwide. Many minorities in South India speak different versions of the language, especially in places such as the Kodagu and Dakshina Kannada districts of Karnataka, and Nilgiris and Kanyakumari, districts of Tamil Nadu.
One of the major languages of Dravidian language family, Malayalam is also known as one of the “Classical Languages of India” as it has a rich literary heritage that was not borrowed from any other language and has a history of over two thousand years. Malayalam is also known by other names such as Alealum, Malayalani, Malayali, Malabari, Malean, Maliyad, Mallealle, and Kerala Bhasha. Malayalam is said to have been derived from both Dravidian roots as well as Sanskrit roots and although Tamil is said to be its closest relative, Malayalam has a distinct accent that stands out from any other South Indian language.
We have come up with 4 ultimate reasons why Malayalum should be taken up as a new language!
1. A Beautiful Language! - The first major reason that anyone needs to learn Malayalam is the beauty of the language! The uniqueness of the language makes it a little hard to grasp initially but after some time it becomes very interesting and rather easy to learn. Also because of the complexity of the language, once a person conquers this language, they will find learning any other language pretty easier. Malayalam is a unique blend of ancient Dravidian languages with significant influence of Sanskrit. Malayalam is a phonetic language with intricate script and a grammar that boasts Tamilian roots as well as Sanskritic roots!
2. Movies! - Malayalam movies are known for their technical superiority and gripping plots. They are not only watched by locals but by people around the country. Some of the most loved and cult classic comedy movies of Bollywood like Hera Pheri, Hungama and Bhul Bhulaiya were remakes of successful Malayali movies. When it comes to comedy, Malayali cinema is the best! The only problem for the non-speakers is that they need to rely on the subtitles to make sure they understand the plot and that sometimes can be very irritating. Translation could be very misleading and confusing. The only way to tackle this problem is to learn Malayalam and understand the movies just the way they were intended. A little patience and practice will help you a great deal.
3. HUGE Diaspora! - The Malayalis have always been a entrepreneurial bunch with strong presence in many parts of the world, especially in the gulf countries! Chances of running into a Malayali in your hometown is quite high and it might take the migrant some time to be able to converse in the local language. In times like this, it would be very helpful to speak to them in Malayalam as it makes them feel welcomed. You might also go to God’s own place Kerala at some point, be it for pleasure or professional purposes and knowing the local language will help a lot. After all, Elaneer Payasam always tastes sweeter when enjoyed with locals in magical backwaters of Kerala!
4. Travel! - One might also travel to Kerala due to its rich cultural heritage and ancient temples. Knowing the language will help you to truly understand the essence of the Malabar culture and traditions. As one of India’s Classical languages, Malayalam also boasts of some splendid literary heritage catchy folk songs, known as Naadan paattukal.
So to sum it up, you can learn Malayalam for a variety of reasons which might be mentioned above or not, but the truth is no matter what reason you learn it for, it helps gain a different perspective and learns a lot of new things about a very beautiful culture and people.
It is common to make mistakes while learning a new language. However, as a beginner, it can prove …
It is common to make mistakes while learning a new language. However, as a beginner, it can prove to be useful to know the pitfalls beforehand. Here are the five most common mistakes to avoid during your journey to learn Hindi.
Before delving yourself into the learning process, make sure that you have your priorities straighten out. Base on your reason to learn Hindi decide your ultimate goal, which is if you want to learn Hindi to speak, read, write, or all of them.
There are many reasons to learn a particular language - for business, travel, interacting with colleagues, shifting to a new city, etc. Whatever your reason may be, you simply need to be clear about what they are and what corresponding aspects of language learning (speaking, reading, writing, or all of them) need to be emphasized to achieve that goal.
The gender rule should be given the utmost attention while learning Hindi. All nouns, objects, places, and people, have a gender - masculine or feminine. Make sure to use the correct gender as the gender of Hindi nouns is vital for proper grammar and communication.
Protip: Words that end with the vowel आ (aa) are usually masculine and words that end with the vowel ई (ee) are usually feminine. Apply this rule to determine the gender for a noun.
However, keep in mind there are many exceptions to this rule. Learn the gender of all nouns by memorizing them and practice using them in Hindi phrases and sentences.
While learning a new language, focus on vocabulary that is relevant to you. For example, if you are learning the language for business, don’t waste time learning types of food, which you should otherwise do if you are planning to shift to that city.
Protip: Learn a few greeting sentences such as hello, how are you, goodbye, etc. in Hindi before starting the learning course so that you will already know some basic words, and it will make the grasping process quicker.
First Language Interference occurs when rules from your native language affect your second language. Positive interference is when rules from your first language line up correctly with the rules of your second language, which can help make the learning process faster.
Negative interference is when the rules from your first language don’t apply to the language you are learning. This interference can be seen when speak and write. They can affect your correct sentence structure formation, grammatical gender, and tenses.
Bonus Tip: Google Translate is a good source to help you with your pronunciation but not translation. Avoid Google Translate unless translating single words or phrases, as it does not use the correct grammar.
Lastly, don’t be conscious of how you speak, sound, or making errors. You’re bound to make mistakes and so does everyone while learning something new. Aim for progress, not perfection at your initial learning stage. And don’t forget to have fun in the process!
Want to learn a new language? Make it easy and fun with Language Curry. Download the app now to know how!
We live in the era of the internet where people are more connected than ever. Everything from …
We live in the era of the internet where people are more connected than ever. Everything from communication, entertainment, to business is available in just a few clicks. The advancement of technology has resulted in opening doors to a hospitable business environment and exciting new business opportunities in India.
In a country with 22 official languages, knowing the local language is vital if you want your business to reach a much wider spectrum of audience. Here are the top five languages you need to know to do business in India.
Hindi is the most commonly spoken language in India. Hindi has the official language status in multiple states, it is also the official language of the Central Government along with English, and it is the fourth most spoken language in the world. Hindi is without a doubt the topmost essential language to know for business in India.
Kannada is the official language of the state of Karnataka in southern India. The city of Bengaluru, the capital of Karnataka, is popularly known as the Silicon Valley of India due to its’ dominance in the field of information technology. Home to major tech start-ups and popular companies such as Infosys, Flipkart, etc, Kannada can be a very useful language to know.
Marathi is the third most spoken language in India and the 10th most spoken language in the World. From the filmmaking industry in Mumbai to the IT parks in Pune, knowing Marathi will make you a part of 83 million natives who excel in entertainment media, international trade, and manufacturing.
Tamil is spoken in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. Tamil is also largely spoken in countries including, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Mauritius, and Singapore. Chennai, the capital city of the state is one of the fastest developing cities in terms of technology and business with multiple international companies and manufacturing industries. Knowing Tamil can prove to be an asset in increasing your business opportunities.
Gujarat is a state in the western part of India, known for its textile mills and the IT parks in their state capital of Ahmedabad. Gujarati is the common tongue in this part of the country and is also used by certain parts of the population in the state of Maharashtra.
No matter your business, knowing multiple local languages even the basics can help you reach and connect with people from different states, areas, and regions. It will help your business to reach a large number of people and build the trust factor. So gear up and start your journey of learning a new language today!
Planning to learn a new local language? Learn Indian languages on the Language Curry app and take your business to new heights. Download the Language Curry app now!
What is it like to date a Tamil girl? How do you impress a Tamil girl? Well, here are few tips to …
What is it like to date a Tamil girl? How do you impress a Tamil girl? Well, here are few tips to impress a Tamil girl in the best ways possible.
When you try to speak in Tamil with basic words such as “Vanga”, “Saapteengala?” your girl is obviously impressed by the efforts you take. Even if you can’t learn and speak Tamil, “Tanglish” which is a mix of Tamil and English will always do the trick for you.
A Tamil girl is definitely into Tamil movies. Doing a little research about her favorite movies or her favorite hero will help a lot in striking a conversation with her. After all, art is one of the best ways to impress a Tamil girl. Don’t forget to know about Superstar Rajinikanth, Kamal Hassan, and our very own Thala and Thalapathy i.e Vijay and Ajith.
Tamil culture is so much about food and all Tamilians are in-borne foodies. You can impress your girl by sharing your love for Filter Kaapi, Ambur Biriyani, Chettinad chicken, and much more. Even better, if you try cooking them for a romantic date night. Sounds fantastic, right?
Tamil people have a high emotional quotient and are known to be some of the very sensitive and kindest crowds in the world. Love and care would obviously impress any person, and your Tamil girl is not an exception. So, in order to impress a Tamil girl, do show some love and care.
We are pretty sure that you will win her heart forever if you keep in mind these tips and tricks! If you are planning to learn Tamil then download the Language Curry app today and impress your girl with your Tamil vocab skills.
Tamil is an interesting language to learn. Apart from being an interesting language, there are …
Tamil is an interesting language to learn. Apart from being an interesting language, there are some amazing facts about Tamil which would be mind-boggling for you. Here are some Tamil facts that will make you want to learn Tamil.
Tamil is one of the oldest surviving languages in the world. It is a Dravidian language spoken in Tamil Nadu, India, and in many countries of the world such as Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, etc. It has officially acquired the classical language status in October 2004 by the government of India. It is the first language to acquire the status in Indian history. Tamil also stands as one of the seven classical languages of the world along with Greek, Latin, Sanskrit, Hebrew, Chinese, and Arabic.
Tamil belongs to the southern branch of the Dravidian languages, a family of around 26 languages native to the Indian subcontinent. The closest major relative of Tamil is Malayalam; the two began diverging around the 9th century AD. Although many of the differences between Tamil and Malayalam demonstrate a pre-historic split of the western dialect, the process of separation into a distinct language, Malayalam, was not completed until sometime in the 13th or 14th century. The other major languages of the Dravidian family include Malayalam, Kannada, and Telugu.
Tamil speaking population is found in India, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Burma, Vietnam, and Indonesia. Many in Réunion, Guyana, Fiji, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago have Tamil origins. If you are interested to visit any of these countries, then learning Tamil might come in handy!
Do you know that Tamil is not “Tamil” but “Tamizh”? There are three different letters of “la” in Tamil, and each of them has a significant different pronunciation. Amongst them, “zha” stands as the most special one. This is because Tamil is the only language to have a letter with such a pronunciation. It is pronounced by rolling the tongue upwards and giving a forceful push to the upper jaw. This “zha” comes across as one of the most amazing facts about the Tamil language.
Thus, learn Tamil online to explore the interesting facts about Tamil culture and amazing facts about the Tamil language. Make learning Tamil fun and easy with Language Curry. Download the app now!
If you’re interested in learning Marathi, a good way to start is by familiarizing yourself with …
If you’re interested in learning Marathi, a good way to start is by familiarizing yourself with simple words, phrases, and grammatical structures. You can then strengthen your understanding of the language by reading Marathi texts, watching movies and TV shows in Marathi, and engaging in casual conversation with a native speaker.
You will find some interesting ways to greet people as a conversation beginner in Maharashtra. Here are five ways to say hello in Marathi.
Usually in Marathi ‘hello’ is said “Namaskar” नमस्कार. Then the conversation begins. Namaskar is said with folding and joining two hands. It is also a sign to recognize a Marathi Man or Woman, all over the world, because we begin our greetings with that word only.
In Mumbai, usually the dialog begins with Hi or Hello but if the conversation is between two Maharashtrians, they say “Kasa kay Dada?” कसं काय दादा? (Hello, how are you brother?). Dada is usually addressed to any random man, be it an autorickshaw driver or vegetable vendor. But remember, young boys may feel bad after a pretty girl approaches and says कसं काय दादा?
In some areas of Maharashtra, people greet each other with Baray ka Tatya? बरंय का तात्या? (Hi, how are you, Uncle?), This is usually found in villages or small towns, where those people have their way to say Hello in Marathi.
This expression is usually used in Pune, that too in a city where proper Puneri Eccentric People are staying for generations. Also, youngsters use this way in conversation.
काय राव? कसं काय? It's like starting your conversation with Hey, how’s it going, man?
If we consider the village type Marathi, they said “namaskar mandali” or “ram ram”. नमस्कार मंडळी(namaskar mandali) can be considered as Hello People!, which is also another way many Marathi anchors prefer while beginning any cultural program.
राम राम is something found very commonly in villages of Maharashtra, They say, Ram Ram Paavna!! राम राम पाव्हनं! (Hello Mate/Hello gentlemen). Here, पाव्हनं is a slang used in villages for the Marathi word पाहुणा which means guest. So, if you visit a village, this is how they welcome and say Ram Ram with the same pose as Namaskar.
So, start learning our beautiful language with basics. As any conversation in English begins with Hi! or Hello!, just like in French we can say Bonjour! or Salut!, start with Marathi and surprise people with your love for our language and our people.
Wait no further! Get set to learn the Marathi language! We are happy to let you know that Language Curry will soon be introducing Marathi on the app in a fun and easy to learn the language. To get an update drop a line at info@languagecurry.com or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
Marathi is probably the only language in which you can swear to your heart's content and then …
Marathi is probably the only language in which you can swear to your heart's content and then suddenly revert to being polite, graceful, and romantic. Although it may sound crude or even impolite to someone who’s a visitor or a new resident of the city, it sure is fun and very useful in a lot of situations.
The following are some slangs from cities of Mumbai – Pune – Nagpur and Kolhapur!
The meaning is I/we’re screwed! Which is used by many youngsters especially during exams.
The meaning of the word is a question. Since Mumbaikars are a special breed of people, we use this for agreeing with someone.
The meaning of खाली(Khali) is either empty or below/down/under and फुकट(Fukat) means free. But it is used, when you're annoyed at a friend for ditching you after commuting all the way to meet him/her.
It means impossible and is used to describe a variety of things ranging from boredom to enjoyment.
For all those Kite lovers... It is used when another person is telling a lie but still it’s interesting so you agree and tell him/her to go on because you enjoy it.
It is the term used specifically while expressing pathos... but it may have multiple uses. It may also be used to show mild respect. It is with the feelings behind how it is said that only a Punekar can express it and only a Punekar can understand the feelings behind.
It Means Yes! On a scale of 1 to 10 being Nagpurkar – Using Hao is 15! You are NOT a True Nagpuri if you don’t say HAO NA!
In the Rest of the world, you ask people – what are you doing? They say - chilling! But in Nagpuri people don’t chill – It’s about being fitiyaal! Fitiyali is the art of doing absolutely nothing.
Basically, नाद(Naad) means sound and खुळा(Khula) means craziness. But its meaning is BRILLIANT!! It is used to give compliments.
It is something that's really crazy or which brings you the feeling of awww! It is usually used when you eat the super spicy misal from Kolhapur!
Each city in Maharashtra has its own Marathi Lingo and so just bag pack and meet our Bindass and Zakaas People, Try Tarri Poha or Mastani at least once, and start exploring…!
Soon you'll be able to learn Marathi on Language Curry. For an update drop a line at info@languagecurry.com or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
How do you say hello in Tamil? This is one of the common questions every beginner who is willing …
How do you say hello in Tamil? This is one of the common questions every beginner who is willing to learn Tamil asks. The Tamil language is known for its art of treating guests called “Virundhombal”. However, there is no exact word in Tamil that is the equivalent translation of “Hello”.
So, here is how you say hello in the Tamil language in five different ways.
“Vanakkam” is the most relevant and close to the translation of “Hello” in the Tamil language. In order to maximize the effects of your warm welcome, you should join hands, palms touching and fingers pointing upwards.
“Vanakkam” comes from the word “Vanangudal” which translates to “To bow down.” This is one of the best ways to say “hello” in Tamil.
“Namaskaram” is another commonly used word to say “Hello”. It is a Sanskrit word but popularly used in most parts of India. How to say “hello” in Tamil can be answered with “Namaskaram” as well.
How to say hello in the Tamil language reaches a new height when you say, “Vanga! Vanga!”. It does not mean “Hello”. But it is a popular greeting which literally translates to “Welcome! Welcome!”
“Vanga!Vanga!” is the perfect welcome note to impress your guests in the Tamil language.
“Vandanam” is another alternative word used in place of “Vanakkam” in the Tamil language. This word delivers the meaning that “You are pleased by their presence and happy to serve them”.
So, “Vandanam”, occurs as one of the best ways to say “Hello” in the Tamil language with such depth.
“Varaverkirom” stands for “We welcome you”. It is one of the formal ways of saying “Hello” in Tamil. When “Varaverkirom” is told in the traditional style by wearing a smile and joining hands together, it becomes the perfect flawless greeting of guests in Tamil culture.
So, we hope you learned many different ways to say “Hello” in the Tamil language. What is your favorite way of saying “Hello” in Tamil? Mention in the comment section below. Soon you'll be able to learn Tamil on Language Curry. For an update drop a line at info@languagecurry.com or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
There could be many reasons to learn a language. You might want to travel to a place, study or …
There could be many reasons to learn a language. You might want to travel to a place, study or converse in that language, or simply learn it for your interests and hobbies. What can be the reasons to learn Tamil? Well, there are many.
There are several ways to learn Tamil online and there are several Tamil learning apps available on the market that makes it easy for you to learn the Tamil language. Here, we give you the top five reasons to learn Tamil.
Do you know that there are more than 80 million speakers of Tamil language in the world? The Tamil language is largely spoken in India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Mauritius, Singapore, Canada, and many countries across the globe.
If you have a business that wants to reach heights in international trade, then you should learn Tamil using the various sources lie Tamil learning apps, websites, etc.
Tamil is one of the ancient classical languages with an estimated history of more than 3000 years! Many international universities have included Tamil as part of their curriculum. If someone is planning to move from any other state to Tamil Nadu knowledge of Tamil will keep them in good stead. Hence, it stands as one of the reasons to learn the basic Tamil language.
The Tamil culture and Tamil language are inseparably gummed with each other. To understand the Tamil culture you must learn the language, which is true for any language and culture around the world. Learning any new language is a lot of fun. It is challenging, too. To learn Tamil you will have to put in a little bit of effort but it is worth it.
Knowledge of the language also opens you to a vast amount of work such as literature, music, and drama with which the Tamil language is rich and abundant. Historical works are almost entirely written in the Tamil language.
If you are a person interested in history or literature, then learn the Tamil language to not miss such fascinating literature and history.
What’s not fun about learning a new language? I mean yeah, the hundreds of letters might take a while to memorize, but it will be worth the effort. Learning a language is a great asset to the cognitive process. The brain of a bilingual person operates differently, compared to that of a single language speaker. Who wouldn’t want to be a bit smarter? And if you’re not the type to be persuaded by the thought of mental work, how about all the great Tamil movies and songs you could understand?
So, what are you waiting for? Get set to learn the Tamil language! We are happy to let you know that Language Curry will soon be introducing Tamil on the app in a fun and easy to learn the language. To get an update drop a line at info@languagecurry.com or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
Nandri!
Translation plays an important role in the success of any business. Companies are well aware that …
Translation plays an important role in the success of any business. Companies are well aware that the world is a huge marketplace. It can be difficult to know where to begin. How can you be certain you’ll receive professional, high-quality translation services?
Here are essential factors to keep in mind before hiring a translation company:
The kind of translations you are looking for, be it legal, IT, medical, technical, or literature, proper research should be done by just Google. Also, if you are looking for other services like interpretation, subtitling, dubbing, or voice-overs, one must choose smartly where everything is under one roof.
Command over languages is required but along with that clear idea and in-depth knowledge about a particular domain like Advertising & PR, Tourism or Business is a must thing to check. Detailed information about the expertise in a specific field should be given at the beginning.
Before hiring a company, their experience in this field is a mandatory thing because along with the huge payment made, proper services should be provided. Authentic written terms matter than just mouth publicity.
If the translation agency is accredited with some professional body in this field, chances for fraud are comparatively less. But in case of no accreditation, quality of work or list of prior clients can help in making a decision.
The quality of translation matters a lot especially while dealing with overseas clients. Your first impression is the last! So, try to give your best in the first attempt; it doesn’t matter if you have to pay more fees to the professional translator.
The number of languages a translation bureau offers can help you in deciding your yes or no, especially if your work is on a global scale, handling various matters in different languages. Also, cultural awareness should be checked earlier.
Nowadays, along with human translators, we use tools as help and for references. Computer-aided translation (CAT) tools help translators to work quicker and store content. Advanced technical equipment can also be an advantage.
When it comes to hiring a translation company that is abroad, time zones and deadlines should be discussed where the required speed for the work should be known. Also, agencies should have a strict professional front in an ethical and reliable manner.
The cost of the translations is also an important factor that you must consider before choosing. First, you must get quoted prices from different translators and compare their experiences. And choose the best suitable translator according to the requirement of the company.
For some businesses, using a translation company in another country is no problem at all. But if you need your translation provider to be available when your office is open, there’s no point hiring a translation company on the other side of the world.
Everything can be interpreted or misinterpreted so make sure they don’t just translate your words but translate your ideas!
Translation is not a matter of whole words only; it is a matter of making intelligible a whole …
Translation is not a matter of whole words only; it is a matter of making intelligible a whole culture – Anthony Burgess
Your vocabulary and the changes that come with time are reflections of your culture and the changes it has undergone over the years. The relationship between language, translation, and culture is a key aspect of communication.
Translation has a major role in understanding and expressing the culture, which has to be kept in mind by the professionals. Because one doesn’t just translate the documents, rather the gist should be given perfectly.
The translations can be up to the mark not only when with the proper vocabulary. Culture is the way in which people behave. It is a pattern in which we analyze the behavior, social habits, beliefs, traditions, and customs. Reflection of culture matters!
Because culture gives birth to language, translation, and culture are intimately connected. For every translated sentence, the translator must be able to decide on the importance of its cultural context, what the phrase really means, not necessarily what it literally means, and convey that meaning in a way which makes sense not only in the target language but also in the context of the target culture.
Deeply held taboos in one culture can be completely different in another culture. Translation must be sensitive to the moral, spiritual values to the words and symbols in the language to find meaning equivalents. We have some fantastic examples regarding US and Russian political scenarios which show the need for knowledge of cultural differences!
The importance of translation in culture and language is high because it pushes the wheel ahead for better communication between two parties. The relationship between culture and translation help bridge the gaps that different languages might create.
Cultural translation is the practice of translation while respecting and showing cultural differences. This kind of translation deals with topics, such as dialects, food, or architecture. Indeed, translation studies are not only based on language issues, but also on cultural contexts between people.
With the excess travel and high speed of the internet, the disciplined translations are supposed to be made. Even in the case of India, which is home to so many languages and cultures, our responsibility is to connect with everyone.
After all, words travel worlds and translators are the drivers!
From the French perfume to Belgian chocolates and from K –Dramas to Arabic Songs, are you aware …
From the French perfume to Belgian chocolates and from K –Dramas to Arabic Songs, are you aware that everything around you is translated in your language? It’s a small world after all!
If you have a talent for languages and seeking opportunities making your lives richer then nothing seems better than utilizing the talent as an opportunity to earn a living. Let’s get lost in translation!
Here are the seven reasons why you should choose a career as a Translator:
You can sit in your comfy clothes all day while working. You can just relax wherever you want while being paid for it. The flexibility in working hours and the deadlines are always the cherry on the top. And as a freelance or an independent translator, you can be your own boss!
Being a translator, you come across covering different kinds of topics. From being a copywriter – translator to providing subtitles in a particular language for a series or a film, it covers everything from medical to marketing!
Knowledge of languages can bring so many opportunities that it becomes difficult to choose, be it work in the tourism sector or work in the UN, translation will change your career graph and you can make your collar tight!
In areas such as business, politics, or diplomacy, translators who can produce excellent work are in high demand and are thus able to command high levels of pay. It just depends on the language you choose, so be smart!
Along with a promising career in translation, it helps make you more creative especially in areas like writing, caricaturing and your love & understanding of fields like advertising, cinema and literature will rise. The best part is you learn how to Design Your Day!
There is always room for improvement and that improvement ranges from learning new languages & genres to dealing with people. In other words, you have to see your job as a continuous process of learning and choose what you love and you will never work a day!
To keep your dreams alive, the translation industry gives you the freedom to fly high. Being a translator, you not just get a chance to roam around but also get an opportunity to form a network that would prove out to be beneficial to you.
A career in translation always has a bright future. Unlike many jobs disappearing due to technological advances, it’s a job that requires a human. So why worry when All the world's a stage!
The internet has made the huge world shrunk and fit the size of our palms. Anything and …
The internet has made the huge world shrunk and fit the size of our palms. Anything and everything is available on the internet. There are several businesses that are blooming online. The number of online e-commerce sites is increasing rapidly. The competition in the market is also increasing rapidly along with the numbers.
A multi-lingual e-commerce platform for your site can be an effective strategy to win over your competitors. It has several other benefits as well. What are the benefits of having a multi-lingual eCommerce site? Let’s discuss.
A multi-lingual e-commerce website gives you the advantage of reaching a wide range of customers. Having your e-commerce platform to be readable by millions and billions of people from all over the world is surely going to make your business settle on the top-notch.
A multi-lingual e-commerce platform increases your prospects and multiplies your sales in no time.
One very obvious benefit of having a multi-lingual e-commerce website is the multiplication of your international sales. It is a time-saving strategy to increase your sales and reach the maximum number of customers as well.
A multi-lingual e-commerce site is easier to acquire customer trust. Personalization and user-friendliness are paramount in today’s competition-rich world of business. Customers are more comfortable when purchasing in their native language than in English.
Multi-lingual e-commerce provides much-needed trust and meaningful relationships with customers even in the virtual world.
Do you know that having a multi-lingual e-commerce site will shoot up your internet visibility multiple folds? It serves as a cost-effective promotion strategy instead of spending resources on social media marketing.
A multi-lingual e-commerce platform helps to improve your rankings on key phrases and terms on major search engines, depending on the number of languages your e-commerce site is offering. Moreover, the cost of a multi-lingual e-commerce site is more or less the same because you don’t need a different site for every different language.
One of the key benefits of having a multi-lingual e-commerce platform is that your business expands in the international market giving you an edge over your competitors. There are monetary benefits of expanding your site to a multi-lingual e-commerce site as well.
It increases sales and visibility, serves as a cost-effective promotion. More of all, Customers welcome your business with great trust and comfort over your competitors.
There are a lot of benefits of creating a multi-lingual e-commerce platform for your business. It is the kind of upgrade that will make your site more attractive and accessible and ultimately profitable in the long run. Multi-lingual e-commerce is the best strategy to achieve great success in today’s competitive business world.
Translation is an essential tool for communication. It is used in businesses, companies and their …
Translation is an essential tool for communication. It is used in businesses, companies and their customers, different organizations, and in different countries too. These days, translation is easily accessible and available because of various technological tools that serve as machine translators. It is one of the advanced developments in the language industry. But, what about the age-old and prominent human translators? Human translation or machine translation is a dilemma in the language industry since the beginning of the machine translators. The difference between human translation and machine translation needs to be understood to pick the right one.
This article deals with some valid arguments on human translation vs machine translation.
Machine translation began around 1949 and has evolved from a tool to keep tabs on pesky Russian operations. Machine translation has originated before 70 years approximately. It is an easily accessible tool for the public. Many businesses, language specialists, translation agencies make use of machine translation to reduce cost and increase productivity.
There are several machine translators available such as Google Translate, Microsoft Translator, DeepL Translator, and Yandex Translate. Many of these translators are free for public use.
Human translation has a long history. The need for migration amongst human beings must be the start of translation requirements and learning different languages. There are a lot of advantages of human translation even in the era of machine translation and artificial intelligence.
The debate on machine translation vs human translation goes on endlessly. There are so many advantages and disadvantages as well. While there are massive improvements in machine translation like NMT, machine translation can curb its’ disadvantages in the future. But, it is up to an individual to choose what works best for him/her. If you are still confused about human translation or machine translation, then human-aided machine translation might be the right choice.
Translation might look easy at first, but its world is much more diverse than you think. …
Translation might look easy at first, but its world is much more diverse than you think. There are different types of content translations, and even more different types of translation services that cater to them.
In this fast-paced global world, distance is shrinking. This makes language translation a vital part of the business for brands, companies, and content creators for various reasons. Their content is different and requires quite different types of translation services. The relationship between content and translations depends on the nature of the content. Content can be classified in various kinds, making content translation services easier to explain.
Here are five different types of content translations that decide the tone and features of your translation.
In Literary translation, the target is not only to translate the content into the target language. Here, wordplay, literary style, rhythm, and meter must be kept in mind. Literary translation has to capture the uniqueness of the text. Its presentation, its language is not directly translated into the target language. The translator must find ways to replicate its style while not damaging its content.
Content for legal translations includes summons, warrants, and legal papers of documentation. There are other forms of translations in legal translation like Judicial and Juridical translation. The judicial translation is for content that documents the proceedings of the judiciary. Juridical translation, on the other hand, translates legally binding content. These could include the laws and policies of the judiciary or contracts and licenses. If as a client, you are looking for these content translation services, ensure your contractor has an informed legal background. Laws and policies need to be effectively translated into the target language as much of legality is the interpretation of what is written down.
One can find examples of technical translation every time you pick up a user manual. Technical translation includes instructions or an explanation of how something works. It can also have administrative documents, such as financial reports and meeting minutes.
As the name suggests, Scientific translation deals with the field of science. Here scholarly articles, research papers, theses are translated. Scientific translation ensures your work reaching a wider audience, bridging gaps in knowledge. The language barrier is effectively tackled using this type of translation service.
Businesses are expanding around the world in search of a new horde of consumers, and translation helps them go a long way. Brands or companies can translate their website and information about their business while they set up in a new place. Translating to the area’s language makes them much more accessible to their new demographic.
The different types of content translations can be overwhelming. However, Language Curry can make your quest simpler! Language curry is your one-stop-shop for content translation services in India. Language Curry is one of the leading language translation companies in India, offering services in many Indian languages. It doesn’t matter if you’re an author looking to translate your book into Hindi or a fashion brand branching out to India! Head to Language Curry to find a content translation service that suits you. You can find a quote for our translation services here.
Businesses are expanding globally, and catering to global customers will yield good results for …
Businesses are expanding globally, and catering to global customers will yield good results for your business. Your website is an important communication channel. It is your asset when it comes to a significant online presence. Website translation and localization are great investments to improve your audience reach and business image.
Website translation is an essential part of your business going online. Businesses today attract attention from consumers all around the world. Harnessing such resources through website translation will prove to be vital for your business.
Here are five reasons why website translation service is for you.
Our communication networks have successfully shrunk our world. Today we are as connected as ever. And although the largest number of internet users speak English, we cannot dismiss other languages that come close. In a global setting Spanish, Chinese and Arabic are close in numbers with English speakers. Each language has about over 100 million internet users.
In India, however, English speaking internet users dominated the statistics around the early 2010s. In the 2020s, India is estimated to have around 536 million Indian language internet users. The numbers are only expected to rise. Website translation and localization help reach these new Indian language speaking audiences. Which language you choose to translate your website to can be determined by checking your website analytics. An effective website translation service can assist you with that.
Merely translating your website content is not enough. You need to localize your website and your brand/business’s ideals to match the cultural backgrounds of the target language. This helps you build trust and loyalty among your new audiences.
As a business, you’ll find that the best way to beat the competition is to have the upper hand. When it comes to website translation, your upper hand could be an early start. Do some research about the competition your business has, and what they are doing to attract the same audiences.
Gain a jumpstart into a new market by having your website translated before your competitors ever consider it. Beat the competition by being the competition.
If your business is selling products or services online that is attracting overseas consumers, get your website translated as soon as possible. This is your opportunity to increase sales and expand to overseas customers.
Overseas customers are much more likely to shop on your website if the currency and other instructions about shopping, delivery, tracking, and product details are in their language of choice. Currency conversion is a great way to attract new customers from different countries! This shows the customer you are equipped to cater to their country and are a trustworthy shop.
For businesses online, ranking wars are real; and SEO is the only tool we have to fight the battle. Understand your website analytics and incorporate multilingual SEO into your content. Website translation services are your key to better multilingual SEO. This will improve your online ranking and visibility as well.
These are just some reasons why website translation is a great option to level up your business. Change up the game by consulting a website translation service to help you in this journey. India’s growing native language internet users are an untapped demographic for many businesses.
Language Curry offers website translation services for your business in these Indian languages. Ranked among the very best translation services in India, Language Curry will help you and your business reach greater heights in the Indian markets!
In this age of the internet, people from different regions are consuming content in various forms …
In this age of the internet, people from different regions are consuming content in various forms and from multiple platforms. Language plays a pivotal role in this process. If someone is looking for information but a particular platform doesn’t provide it in the language they are comfortable with, they will most definitely switch onto another. It is important for a company that provides services to consumers in India to cater to them in various languages for better reach and engagement.
If you have decided to translate your business you may face many hindrances. To avoid hassle the best way is to leave matters to get the best results from a Language Translation Company. Now, if you are wondering which translation company would be perfect for your company, then look no further. You are already at the right place! Read on to find out why Language Curry is exactly the translation company you need.
We have a 4D Philosophy and we are committed towards it. Here’s what they are.
To understand the cultural and linguistic aspect of content to be translated, a native speaker isn’t enough. Only experts in the language are reliable for quality translation. At Language Curry, we have expert translators handling the accuracy to make sure your consumers connect with you.
When it comes to quality we settle for nothing less than excellence. And our strict procedures involving detailed editing, proofreading, and revision help us achieve that perfection. Our quality approach meets and exceeds our clients’ expectations, and also ensures appropriate compliance.
We understand the importance of cultural sensitivity and consumer behavior, and that’s why we believe that the best way to put across your message to your audience that doesn’t speak your language is by translating it in utmost accuracy without losing the essence of the content.
We not only understand the value of time but we also believe in being consistent. After all, time is money! We keep punctuality on the top of our list which made Language Curry one of the most reliable and trustworthy translation service companies in India.
Translation is a key to reach out to the audience from different corners of India. Language Curry will help you in coming closer to your consumers by breaking the language barrier. Moreover, we do not believe in just translating your content but we localize it for your intended audience.
We handle different types of projects and believe in building a long-term association with our clients. So, if you are looking for a reliable, quick, and efficient Translation Service Company, then the Language Curry team would love to hear from you!
Whether it’s a small or big business, or belong to the public or private sector, the aim is to …
Whether it’s a small or big business, or belong to the public or private sector, the aim is to attain as many customers in order to profit. You can provide your products or services to any part of India, but to convert your audience to customers you need to connect with them in their native language.
That’s where Translation Services come into the picture! Translation is vital for any company wanting to do business in India. And a country that speaks more than 1K languages, it’s safe to say that Hindi and English are not enough if you want your business to reach a much wider spectrum of audience.
There’s are many reasons why translation services are important for businesses. Read on to find out the top five.
A company’s business potential is determined by the number of customers. To attain more customers you need to reach out to more and more people. People are skeptical about content they don’t understand. For example, on your website, if a viewer is not able to understand the item’s details, he/she might switch over to a website in a language they are familiar with. To make sure the consumer group is able to understand and connect with your service you have to break the language barrier.
Lost in translation, many brands have made some blunders over the years. For example, Pepsi translated its tagline ‘Come alive with Pepsi’ to ‘Pepsi can bring ancestors back from the dead!’ in China. HSBC bank made a big translation goof-up, their tagline ‘assume nothing’ was translated as ‘do nothing’ in various languages. KFC’s tagline ‘Finger-Lickin’ Good’ in China came out to mean ‘We’ll eat your finger off’. Careless translation can lead to a bad reputation and negative trolling, or worse like long legal battles.
More often than not it becomes necessary to communicate directly with the customers. If they are not too comfortable with Hindi or English, your message might not be rightly received. If you cater to customers’ issues and queries in a language they speak, they will feel more comfortable and invested.
Adaptive marketing is delivering content and recommendations and delivering the right message at the right time leading to better engagement and conversions. Every region has its culture-specific behaviors, so the content not only needs to be translated but also adapted to that specific market.
If a business provides customers not only what they need but also speaks in a language they are most comfortable in, then customers are most likely to trust and form a long time association with the business. A trustable brand image is the only way a business can prosper.
It is crucial for a business to connect with customers on a personal level. Therefore, businesses need translation services that will understand the customers’ language, culture, and behaviors, and effectively help to put the right message across. Language friendly content helps in more customer reach and engagement, and ultimately prove profitable for your business.
India has one of the fastest-growing economies. As India progresses in fields like education, …
India has one of the fastest-growing economies. As India progresses in fields like education, tourism, religion, trade, business, science, and technology, etc. the need for translation has diversified. Despite the fact, that Hindi has a wide reach in India, but there’s even a wider range of people that do not speak Hindi. In order for your audience to connect, it’s essential to cater to them in their native language.
Language translation increases the scope of reaching more and more people. For example, if you are providing your services in Mumbai, you will be able to make an impact in Marathi. Similarly, for the people living in Gujarat, you would reach and attract more audiences in Gujarati.
The Translation Industry in India is rising in demand as more and more people want to consume information in their native language. Both global and local companies have switched their content strategies to include regional content, creating a need for content in multiple languages, bringing a rise in the translation industry in India.
Not only the global and local companies, industries like film, music, tourism, etc have hugely benefited from translation. Translated and subtitled films today generate more revenue than ever for both the Indian and International global film industry. Moreover, translating music, films, literature, and various other art forms allows artists to gain more audience and popularity.
Localization is commonly defined as adapting a product or service to a specific market or audience, and translation plays a major part in the localization process. The translation industry in India involves – Content Creation, Repurposing, website translation, IT localization, etc. Among these, translation and localization are the most happening fields with more and more MNCs entering in this market.
A recent addition to the list is the Chinese mobile phone maker – Xiaomi. Its Indian subsidiary Xiaomi Technology India Private Limited has localized its popular products, especially mobile phone UI, popularly known as MIUI, to 10 Indian languages.
We live in a world that is becoming more digitalized day by day. This has paved the way forward for people from different parts of the country to come closer personally and professionally. The growth of the Internet and communication technologies have abled businesses to connect with their audience.
International companies like Google, Microsoft, Facebook, and many more are flourishing in India because they are using language translation services to reach their audience in different parts of India.
With 22 official spoken languages and more than 1000 native languages and dialects in India, the importance of translation multidimensional. As more people in India gain access to the internet, the demand for content in local languages is growing. To reach a wider audience and gain popularity and loyalty, it is vital to break the language barrier and address their needs in the language they can connect in.
Who doesn’t love watching movies? They’re fun, entertaining, and a great way to spend time with …
Who doesn’t love watching movies? They’re fun, entertaining, and a great way to spend time with loved ones. But what if we told you that watching movies is a great way to learn a new language?
You can enrich your Kannada learning experience by watching a few popular Kannada movies! Watching Kannada movies can improve your Kannada speaking and listening skills. And while you’re at it, why not some of the best Kannada movies Sandalwood has to offer? Here are the five best Kannada movies you can watch online!
This horror movie will have you on the edge of your seat! It is one of the most popular Kannada movies as well. It’s a psychological thriller/horror movie that involves the story of a wronged courtesan seeking revenge. She haunts a beautiful house and soon wreaks havoc throughout.
Bonus: This movie has been remade into several Indian Languages. You can find the same film in Malayalam, Hindi, and even Telugu!
Galipata is a popular romantic comedy that captured many Kannadiga’s hearts. It features some of Sandalwood’s favorite heartthrobs as well. It’s a lighthearted comedy that’ll bring some laughter into your Kannada learning journey!
This is a wholesome, heartwarming Kannada film that will melt your heart. It explores a father-daughter relationship as the child grows up! Excellent acting with some great humor, this movie is a must-watch!
If you want to explore plurals in the Kannada language, this is the movie for you! Pancharangi is a fun, lighthearted film that has brilliant dialogue. It’s a favorite among many Kannadigas. The movie’s protagonist speaks in a distinct, lyrical manner incorporating many words. This film is sure to increase your vocabulary!
One of the most popular Kannada movies of all time, Mungaru Male is a heartwarming love story that has a great soundtrack too! The film is a fun experience that features some excellent dialogue writing as well.
Keep in mind to switch the subtitles on while watching movies in a language you’re trying to learn. Sometimes, watching movies in a foreign language gets tiring. When you hit fatigue, don’t push yourself. Instead, take a break and later return to it.
The best way to learn Kannada is to learn from a dedicated module while watching Kannada movies and learning about Kannada culture. There’s plenty of Kannada movies you can watch online! You can find Kannada movies for streaming and download on streaming services like Youtube, Amazon Prime, Netflix, etc.… Sandalwood produces a lot of movies in different genres. So, it’s guaranteed you will find something you like! Don’t forget to enjoy yourself in the process!
Download Language Curry to learn from modules made by language experts and native Kannada speakers. The Language Curry App is available for download on IOS and Play Store.
Sanskrit is an ancient Indian language, that is a huge part of India's culture. Sanskrit is …
Sanskrit is an ancient Indian language, that is a huge part of India's culture. Sanskrit is centuries old, with similarities to old Latin and Norse languages as well! However, unlike these languages, Sanskrit is very much alive today. This ancient Indian language has proven to be of use to us time and time again. There is a lot to uncover when it comes to the Sanskrit language. The benefits of learning Sanskrit are many, but we've listed the top five for you!
The ancient Sanskrit language holds much knowledge about society and the universe. Several subject matters are written in-depth in the language. The importance of learning Sanskrit can be discussed with the amount of knowledge the language has to offer. From botany, biology, grammar to religion and astronomy – the language has texts written in a horde of subjects.
It is a myth that most texts written in the Sanskrit language are religious. In fact, there's actually a lot more non-religious texts written in every subject you can possibly imagine!
The Sanskrit language has a range of words to express a single object. There are over 200 words to signify just 'water'! Sanskrit words are made of root words that have meanings of their own. Due to this, one could quickly grasp the surface meaning of the words in seconds, but take years to deduce the layers of meanings a few words hold may take ages. Similarly, a combination of root words and sounds can make up infinite words with stable meanings. This just means unlimited space for free, clear expression.
The benefits of learning Sanskrit are multiple! Here's a neat trick -reciting out the Sanskrit alphabet can be beneficial for your health! The way this works is, reciting the Sanskrit alphabet results in you rhythmically using minimal and maximal breath, contraction, and expansion in your breathing efforts. This system is a pranayama practice in itself. It aids in balancing and calming the mind. We bet no other language could do that!
Sanskrit is incredibly easy to learn. Learning most languages, including English, requires you to learn the correct words first, and then stress over sentence construction. However, Sanskrit the sentence 'The boy ate dinner' makes as much sense as 'Dinner the ate boy'. Words can be mashed up in any order you desire to make a coherent sentence.
A lot of Indian languages like Hindi, Gujarati, and even Punjabi share root words with Sanskrit. Therefore, learning Sanskrit will make learning a whole bunch of Indian languages much easier! Sanskrit is an ancient language that shares a relation with Latin, Old Norse, and a lot of other Indo-Aryan languages. This is why it is also called the 'Mother of all languages. The Sanskrit language is the gateway to learning other Indian languages.
Shed all your misconceptions about Sanskrit behind! Start unlocking the key to ancient and future knowledge by learning Sanskrit. Language Curry's Sanskrit module teaches you language alongside the culture associated with it! The app also hosts regular group and one-to-one sessions with top Sanskrit tutors from the country. Start learning and experience all the benefits of learning Sanskrit yourself! The Language Curry app is available on the ioS and Play Store.
Here, we look at some commonly held misconceptions about Marathi people. चला तर मग! (Let’s …
Here, we look at some commonly held misconceptions about Marathi people. चला तर मग! (Let’s go then!)
Everyone from Maharashtra is from Mumbai
Marathi people are not just residing in Mumbai but there are cities like Pune, Nagpur, Nashik, Kolhapur in Maharashtra where residents prefer to settle in.
Marathi and Hindi People are the same
The biggest misconception is killing our language and culture. It is not the same. In fact, many people are bilingual; they speak Marathi and other languages like Kannada, Telugu, or Gujarati depending on geographical conditions.
All Marathis speak fluent Hindi
Not all. Only those living in Mumbai and Pune, that too depends from person to person. In Mumbai its Bambaiya Hindi, Not the authentic Northern one!
Marathi people speak terrible English
The constitution of India was crafted by a Marathi manoos. Lokmanya Tilak spoke the language well enough for the British to exile him to Burma and don’t you know about Shobhaa De, Bharat Dabholkar, and Vikram Pandit?
All Marathis are ghaati
The word ghaati literally means a person hailing from the ghats, or hilly regions but no, everyone is not from that particular area.
Dhotar Topi is Marathi Dress for Men
Dhotar topi is not just used in Maharashtra for clothing but it is used by North Karnataka and in Telangana.
Marathi people are terrible businessmen and so they only look for government jobs
Look at Kirloskars, Dandekar(Camlin), Dani(force motors)! They are some of the major names in the business industry.
Maharashtrians don`t like to be out of Maharashtra
Thanjavur, Indore, Vadodara, Gwalior, all these cities have more than 30% Marathi. The Maharashtra Mandal at London has completed almost 100 years while they exist in New York, Sydney, Auckland, New Jersey, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, etc.
All Marathis support at least one Thackeray
No! There are people who don’t support any member from the Thackeray family.
Most Marathi men are drivers/peons while most Marathi women are kaamwali bai
Blame the TV serials for stereotyping, but not everyone is a peon or maid. And who doesn’t know about Madhuri Dixit, Lata Mangeshkar, and Sachin Tendulkar!
Being Marathi is just like they Show TV in Pavitra Rishta and movies
What does looking like a Marathi mean? Like, they portray the families in serials and Bollywood films? Being a Maharashtrian is much more than wearing a 9-yard saree and performing Lavani.
Maharashtra is our land where science meets spirituality; we welcome everyone with open arms. Because we believe अतिथी देवो भव:! Soon you'll be able to learn Marathi on Language Curry. For an update drop a line at info@languagecurry.com or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
Are you learning Tamil or keen to learn Tamil? Well, here are some interesting Tamil slang words …
Are you learning Tamil or keen to learn Tamil? Well, here are some interesting Tamil slang words that might interest you. These seven Tamil slangs will help your Tamil vocabulary and you can proudly show off your language skills.
The word “semma” is often used by Tamilians to denote great, awesome, wonderful, etc. In other words, it is hands down an all-fit adjective for positivity and encouragement. If you loved the filter coffee, just say, “semmaya iruku”. It is one of the trending words in Tamil and can be considered as one of the best Tamil slang words.
“Periya Paruppu” literally means, “Huge lentil” in English. But the Tamil slang “Periya Paruppu” means, “A big shot” and also the “G-spot in females”. It is often used as a funny word in Tamil to denote someone who pretends to be great. It is one of the funny Tamil slangs used.
“Jujube” is a popular Tamil slang word which means simple, easy, tiny, minuscule, depending on the context. This trending word in Tamil originated from a sugar-candy called “Jub Jub”. It is a funny Tamil slang word used by the majority of Tamil people.
One of the best Tamil slangs is the term, “Capmaari”. Capmaari literally translates to “Like a cap”. But the actual Tamil slang word means a fraud. It is one of the funny Tamil slangs which is used by the Tamil youth.
“Goyyala” easily comes under one of the best Tamil slangs, simply because of how funny it is and how easily it can be pronounced. “Goyyala” simply means idiot/stupid. It has its origin from the fruit Guava called “Goyya” in Tamil.
“Sappa” is another trending Tamil words for its ease of use and pronunciation. “Sappa” is used to denote something very easy or not so interesting depending on the context. “Hey, Adhu Sappu matter!” means, “Hey! It’s an easy thing!”. It is one of the best Tamil slangs and also, widely used.
This Tamil popular lingo “Vetti officers” literally means “Jobless officers”. The word, “Vetti” means “Have nothing to do”.It is one of the funny Tamil slang words which is also one of the trending words in Tamil.
These are some of the popular Tamil slangs every Indian should know. There are so many funny slangs in Tamil that one can learn. Soon you'll be able to learn Tamil on Language Curry. For an update drop a line at info@languagecurry.com or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
Nothing thrills us more than having a happy learner and user of Language Curry. We constantly …
Nothing thrills us more than having a happy learner and user of Language Curry. We constantly strive towards upgrading ourselves in every possible way to give our users the best learning experience. And when we come across learners like Laura Abecasis, we feel our efforts, time, and hard work are all worth it!
We are so happy to share Laura’s story with everyone. Here’s what she has to say about her experience learning Kannada with Language Curry.
“Namaskara!
I am Laura Abecasis, a 38-year-old woman from France, near Switzerland, but I live in Ireland. I speak fluently French, Spanish, and English.
I am learning Hindi, Irish and Welsh, and have started Arabic (in relation to Hindi/Urdu) during the lockdown and, finally, I jumped on the opportunity when I saw Language Curry was launching a Kannada course.
Why Kannada? I have a passion for India in the first place and spent some time in the North, working as a Volunteer Teacher in the Slums and living with a local family which was a lifechanging experience.
Then I have a friend who is from Bangalore, and last time I went traveling in India, my partner and I landed in Bengaluru to spend some time with him and his wife. They took us to the Nandi Hills and showed us Bangalore city too.
It was my first flavor of South India, and I was amazed when I had my first meal served on a leaf, as it was typical of that part of the country for me! Seeing a place with the locals is usually what makes me fall in love with a place.
The year after I had the opportunity to go with my work to provide training in Bangalore for 2 weeks, and of course, I volunteered to go and do it. I would have the opportunity to see my friends, have a chance to see more of the city, get to know the South Indian Culture a bit better, explore and talk to the locals!
I even looked at evening Kannada classes in Bangalore and sent a few emails but never got a reply.
My Bangalore colleagues (who had spent 6 weeks with us on training in Ireland) have been incredibly welcoming and kind to us. They knew about my love for India, and invited me for lunch with them, while my 3 other colleagues from Ireland were not really socializing with them, so I benefitted from a total immersion with the locals which I really enjoyed.
I was wearing Indian clothes every day, and I remember my colleague Puttaraju teasing our colleague Lakshmi who was wearing jeans, saying I was more of an Indian girl than her, which I took obviously as a compliment!
The last few days heading to Bagmane Tech Park, I felt nostalgia invading me and I knew I would leave a piece of my heart here in Bengaluru. So when I saw the Kannada course advertised I felt it would be a way for me to stay connected with the place.
When I told my colleagues, they were amazed and felt proud of my interest in their native language, and I feel it brought us together even more. When I watched my first Kannada language film, they were interested in which one I had watched, and what I managed to understand.
I have always said that learning the language of a place is the best way to know the culture of that place, because, in its native language, we get the information first hand, as some of the things lose their meaning by being translated.
Laura – Dublin, Ireland ”
We would like to thank you for sharing your story, Laura. We are delighted and beyond grateful to you for being a part of our family. You could have chosen any other app, but we appreciate that you settled on us. We hope you keep learning more Indian languages and continue sharing your experiences with us!
Singer, actress, composer, entrepreneur, speaker, songwriter, and environmental activist, this …
Singer, actress, composer, entrepreneur, speaker, songwriter, and environmental activist, this vivacious Monsoon Wedding actor wears many hats, very well! Meet the multi-faceted, multi-lingual personality known for her skill in both the film and music industries in India - Vasundhara Das.
Vasundhara and her partner Roberto Narain run Drumjam, an organization that has pioneered the use of drum circles for corporate training, team building, and community building at corporations, communities, schools, and colleges in India. Vasundhara is one of 16 International Trainers in Europe and Australasia who constitute the Village Music Circles Global Trainer Team. The Drumjam VMC India Playshop has so far trained around 160 facilitators from diverse backgrounds from all across India.
In her association with Language Curry, she has given us some insightful anecdotes on the Sanskrit Language, one of the many languages that she speaks. Discover more about her in this exclusive interview.
How many languages do you know?
Like most other Indians, I speak my mother tongue Tamil, the language of the state Karnataka where I was born and grew up – Kannada, I also speak fluent Hindi & English since we learned those languages in school and out of interest, I took Sanskrit during high school and all through college and continued my pursuit of Sanskrit studies even after graduating from college. I also speak some basic Spanish. But I can sing in Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese. I’ve also sung in Marathi, Telugu & Malayalam.
What set you on the path to learning so many languages?
I think I may be one of those people who has a natural affinity to languages. Growing up in Bangalore, which has always been very cosmopolitan, exposes you to multiple languages. Since the time I was very young, we had the Bangalore branch of the Vivekananda Yoga Kendra next door. I heard resonant Sanskrit chanting every morning from 6 am to 8 am. Looking back at that, I remember the sounds of that time.
Our neighbors below the Yoga Kendra were a Marathi speaking family and I am familiar with Marathi by just having listened to them for many years during childhood. Also, one of my aunts married a wonderful Nepali gentleman and whenever they visited us from Kathmandu every year, I would be in the presence of the Nepali Language. I began to understand some of the words they spoke. My cousin lived with our common grandmother above us and I heard Nepali a lot because of him. You could say that a deep appreciation of languages began unconsciously for me by the fact that I was surrounded by such a rich tapestry of languages from a young age.
Going to school in India also opens your mind to learning multiple languages. When I was in school, from 1st Standard, students started studying English as a first language (if you’re in an English medium school) and there were options of Hindi or the State language as the 2nd language. My parents opted for me to learn Kannada as my 2nd language in primary school. Then when students got to middle school, a 3rd language is added. When I got to that point, I switched it up and took Hindi as my 2nd language and Kannada as my 3rd language. As a result, I had a good grasp of grammar in both Hindi and Kannada.
In high school, I changed schools and went to a school that offered Sanskrit as the 1st language and English as the 2nd language. For the next 3 years, I was able to get a good foundation in Sanskrit as well. Learning Sanskrit opened my ears to all languages. I could assimilate them in a very different way after I started learning Sanskrit. When I was in my 2nd year of Bachelor’s Degree, I started learning Spanish from an expat who lived in Bangalore. This was triggered by a chance meeting and collaboration with Afro-Columbian Jazz musicians from Bogota. This was followed by multiple trips to Spain in search of encounters of the musical kind, but all worked toward enhancing my love for languages further.
How did being a multi-lingual helped in your singing and acting career?
There are now researches that show how learning many languages aids in better development of the brain in children. But this was life for me…something I totally took for granted. If you’re multi-lingual and respectful of all languages, your mind accepts them easily. And you begin to be able to identify different languages and slowly start understanding those most commonly spoken around you.
After starting my Sanskrit studies, I truly felt that I was very open auditorily. I could identify root words from Sanskrit in many Indian languages that I heard and that way, I was able to have a gist of what was being spoken around me. It especially helped me when I got opportunities to sing in multiple Indian languages – in being quick to get the words and correct pronunciation and also to quickly understand the meaning of the words and add emotion to what I was singing, even if I wasn’t exposed much to the language. I worked in two movies in Malayalam as an actress and the roles I played sometimes had monologues that were pages long. I was not very exposed to Malayalam before my work in these movies and I found great comfort in the fact that Malayalam is based heavily on Sanskrit. It greatly helped me in my process of getting deeper into the role I was playing and delivering strong and emotional performances.
Which language particularly was the hardest for you to learn and why? Please share your experience.
I don’t think that it is harder to learn some languages and easier to learn some others…I think its more to do with our state of mind. When we are younger, all our energy and focus is geared towards learning. That’s why we learn things as children and don’t forget them even in our adulthood.
As we grow older, our focus and concentration are being pulled in so many different directions, we have other worries and concerns and that’s why we may find it harder to learn languages later on in life. If we are able to find a space to have single-minded focused attention on anything we are learning at a later age, we may find that it becomes easier for us again.
What compelled you to take such a keen interest in Sanskrit?
At first, it was the age-old concept of being able to score higher marks in Sanskrit than other languages. But as I started learning it, I started to really appreciate and love it. A lot of credit must be given to all my teachers who taught with such passion. My neighborhood tuition teacher Mrs. Godha, my school Sanskrit teacher Ms. Suguna, my college Sanskrit teacher Mrs. Lakshmi Warrier, and last but not the least, Dr. Sampadananda Mishra whose courses I attend in Puducheri, and Ms. Samita Rathor who is currently teaching me the Yoga Sutras – all of them have laid a strong foundation of the language within me and now, I feel this amazing liberation and am able to think logically and connect the many worlds that I traverse, to all these learnings.
How has knowing Sanskrit helped you professionally, personally, and spiritually?
I look at Sanskrit, first and foremost, as a scientific language. It has more to do with the physics of vibration than with religion for me. I am a spiritual person but not a religious one. And I like to have logic and reasoning behind my beliefs. The vibrational aspect of Sanskrit and the chanting of ancient Vedic texts has the possibility to bring about deep healing on a mental and subsequently on a physical level.
And this is of great interest to me as I turn a new corner in my profession – into the world of Sound Healing, carrying with me so many experiences with voice and vibration as a singer.
Personally, it brings me great peace of mind when I listen to myself chant. And this combination of voice, vibration, sounding, chanting, and singing – takes me to a very spiritual place where I truly feel one with Prakriti, where all other thoughts disappear.
In which language did you enjoy singing the most?
I enjoy singing in all languages. Have you heard of the saying that Music is the Universal Language?
According to you, how important it is for a person to be multi-lingual?
It’s a personal choice. I personally feel that my life is more enriched with this multi-lingual exposure and I further feel that people are really touched when you care to know their language and then the experiences and relationships you share with them are deeper and more meaningful.
What do you have to say about the opinion that it is hard to learn a new language after a certain age?
Like I said before, it’s not about the age itself…it is more about our attention, focus, and ability to get away from our work, worries, and other fleeting thoughts. I believe we can re-train our brain to focus better and then our learning abilities re-appear like before.
Do you plan on learning any new languages or have you developed an interest in any particular language lately?
I’ve been exposed a lot more to Italian over the last decade since my husband and his parents speak fluent Italian. I find myself understanding conversations in Italian now and involuntarily nodding my head and reacting to people speaking it around me…surprising myself and others. I’m open.
Lastly, a piece of advice you would want to give to Language Curry users.
The fact that they have sought out your platform to learn a new language is a brave first step. I would encourage them to stay curious and open to new learning.
India is a multi-lingual, secular, sovereign country. It is home to diverse cultures and …
India is a multi-lingual, secular, sovereign country. It is home to diverse cultures and languages. While this is such a pride, there are a lot of misconceptions about these cultures and languages as well. This article will serve as a guide to not provoke the anger of Tamilians in Delhi or any other place for that matter.
Here are a few things you should never ask a Tamilian.
This question holds the highest record of annoying Tamils in Delhi, out of all the questions to never ask a Tamilian. Tamilians are not Madrassis. Madras is the old name of Chennai and there is no such term called “Madrasi”. South India has five states namely- Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.
Tamils would be glad to expand their answer if you as “Are you a south Indian?” instead.
Come on. Lungi dance is very popular. But that doesn’t mean Tamils wear lungi all the time. This is another top-rated thing amongst things you should never say to a Tamilian. Lungi, of course, is a very comfortable, convenient, attractive, and affordable piece of fabric.
But we don’t wear them all the time. There is a nobler cousin of Lungi called “Veshti”. A veshti is a white-silk version of Lungi worn on special occasions. Inquiries about lungi are some of the questions you should never ask a Tamilian.
Okay. First of all, he is RAJINIKANTH. Yes, he is our “Superstar”, “Thalaiva” and we celebrate his existence. But, like #notallmen, you should understand #notallTamilians. Tamil people love Rajinikanth and his movies. But expecting everybody to be a die-hard fan is not so realistic, right?
So, asking if everybody is a Rajini fan is one of the annoying questions that you should never ask a Tamilian any day.
Honestly, NO! It is because, we don’t eat only rice, idli, and dosa. We love our Idli, Dosa, Rice, and Vada. But the Tamil cuisine is larger and accommodates each and every craving of our taste buds. Also, please note that “Sambar” is not our “water”. You need to taste authentic Tamil food to know what we eat and what food means to us. We love our food and we love to serve food as well.
These, are some of the things you should never say to a Tamilian apart from questions about how dark or fair they look. If you find any interesting questions that you should never ask a Tamilian, comment in the box below.
We would like to let you know that soon you'll be able to learn Tamil on Language Curry. For an update drop a line at info@languagecurry.com or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
If you are curious about India and its people, learning about the different cultures is the best …
If you are curious about India and its people, learning about the different cultures is the best way to explore. Language is the gateway to a new culture and without it, you will be lost in India and it might be difficult to connect. The culture of Maharashtra is known to be one of the most intriguing ones and to enjoy the most of it learning Marathi is a must!
More than 83 million people in India speak Marathi, making it the third most spoken native language after Hindi and Bengali and the 10th most spoken language in the World. Marathi has some of the oldest literature dated from the 1st Century AD.
And that’s not it, we have more reasons why you most definitely consider learning Marathi. चला तर आता सुरुवात करूया (Let’s begin now)
Marathi is one of the easiest Indian languages to learn as is written exactly the way it is spoken. You will also pick up Hindi and Sanskrit along with it. All you have to do is just twist some words and learn a little syntax. Learn the Devanagari script and you know the language much more than you think.
It is also the lingua franca of Mumbai city, the global economic hub. The financial capital of India has headquarters of almost all companies. Pune, the IT and educational hub, is another major city. Marathi is the language majority of the people speak here.
Whether you are a journalist in Nashik or negotiating with hundreds of people in Kolhapur, your business requires deep trust and loyalty from your customers. If you don’t speak the local language then you are not the main actor on the stage.
Difficulty in reading signboards? Have to wait for the English announcements on Railway platforms? Breakaway all these daily hassles. Learn Marathi and royally behave making your life comfortable!
Learning Marathi opens you to a new culture altogether and Maharashtra is a culturally rich part of India with Literature, Cinema, Theatre, Music, Food, and History, waiting to be explored.
Language helps you understand its traditions, festivals, and people. You have heard “ Tilgul Ghya ani God God Bola“ but always wonder what it actually means. As you learn the language, you can interact with interesting people and make new friends.
Whether with new friends, or an employer. Knowing another language shows style and intelligence. It definitely makes you stand out from others. Who knows your romantic Marathi lines from a movie or a play can bring a smile on his/her face and melt that heart………..forever.
Maharashtra is a destination and a delight for travel lovers. Hills, Ghats, Sanctuaries, Beaches, Forts, Caves, Temples-and whatnot. Learn Marathi and enhance your travel experience.
Learning languages will take you to Beautiful destinations, as they say – It is all about Courage and going into the unknown!
We are happy to let you know that Language Curry will soon be introducing Marathi to make it fun and easy to learn. To get an update drop a line at info@languagecurry.com or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
Is Tamil difficult to learn? Well, the answer is quite complicated. Learning Tamil is very …
Is Tamil difficult to learn? Well, the answer is quite complicated. Learning Tamil is very subjective to the person who is learning. Tamil can be a hard language to learn or it might be easier than expected.
Here are some essential factors beginners need to know.
Tamil has a very simplified and structured grammar compared to many other languages of the world. Tamil for beginners can be very easy with these simple grammar formulas. Learning Tamil will not be hard considering these grammar rules.
The use of gender in Tamil is also very defined. Learning the basics of gender rules gives you a grip to learn Tamil. For example, in Tamil, verb structures remain gender-neutral for the first and second person. Only for the third person, verb structures change according to the gender used.
In the Tamil language, the pronunciations of certain letters are difficult for beginners. There are different variations of the same letter and they might be confusing. For example, the pronunciation of “zh” might be difficult for beginners.
Native English Speakers might find the grammatical features of Tamil to be confusing. It is because of the difference in sentence structure and grammar between English and Tamil. Tamil for beginners, especially native English speakers can be easy only if they learn it as a new language instead of trying to seek examples, comparison with English.
The written and spoken forms of Tamil are very different from each other. Although this is a common trait of major Indian languages, it makes it difficult for beginners to learn Tamil. The written form when spoken might sound very old-fashioned and pretentious.
These are the major points you need to know before learning Tamil. What do you feel? Share with us in the comments below.
We are happy to let you know that Language Curry will soon be introducing Tamil to make it fun and easy to learn. To get an update drop a line at info@languagecurry.com or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
As one of the largest cinema hubs in the world, the Indian film industry is renowned for its …
As one of the largest cinema hubs in the world, the Indian film industry is renowned for its glitz, vibrancy, and drama. Every year more than 1800 films get produced in various languages in India.
The film industry is segmented by many Indian languages. Read on to find out the different film industries in India.
The city of Mumbai, previously called Bombay, is especially relevant in this context as the birthplace and namesake of Bollywood where mainly the language is Hindi. The term is a portmanteau of "Bombay" and "Hollywood".
The cinema of West Bengal, known as Tollywood, refers to the Bengali film industry based in the Tollygunge, Kolkata appreciated for art films. From Satyajit Ray to Rituparno Ghosh, this film industry has contributed to shaping parallel cinema.
Bhojwood or Bhojiwood refers to the Indian Bhojpuri language film industry based in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar which is a 2000 crore industry having viewership in North America, Europe, and Asia.
Our beloved Punjabi Cinema is referred to as Pollywood based in Punjab where artists and films have huge popularity in the USA, Canada, and the UK too due to the residence of the Punjabi community.
Then comes another crowd favorite, the South Indian film industry. It mainly encompasses four film cultures: Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada. The Kannada film industry also referred to as Sandalwood, is based in Bangalore is known for its narration, artists, and literary adaptations.
Tamil Cinema is known as Kollywood, which is another film industry influencing a global presence known for mythological adaptations and music. Legends like Rajanikanth and Kamal Hassan are Superstars. And everybody knows about the Mozart of Madras – A.R. Rahman! Telugu Cinema, primarily based in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, is famous for its directors, fan followers of actors, and grandeur with dance and songs. The combined revenue of the Tamil and Telugu film industries represent 36%.
Telugu cinema, also known as Tollywood, is the segment of Indian cinema dedicated to the production of motion pictures in the Telugu language, widely spoken in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. It is based in Hyderabad. Known for its directors, fan followers of actors, and grandeur with dance and songs.
The Malayalam industry goes by the name Mollywood, is India's fourth-largest, and based in Kerala. The films produced here are known for their cinematography, story-driven, and realistic plots.
The Marathi Film Industry has produced some amazing movies over the years and is known for the authenticity of the storyline and characterization. The Marathi film Harishchandrachi Factory became India’s Oscar Entry in 2009.
Informally referred to as Dhollywood or Gollywood, is the Gujarati language film industry. It is one of the major regional film industries in India. One of the major regional and vernacular film industries of the cinema of India, having produced more than one thousand films since its inception.
Known by the sobriquet Ollywood, the Odia language film industry operates in Orissa. In 1974, the Government of Odisha declared film making and construction of cinema theatres as an industry in the state, and in 1976 it established the Odisha Film Development Corporation in Cuttack.
Assamese cinema, also known as Jollywood cinemas, is the cinema in the Assamese language, watched primarily in Assam, known for artistic success and content.
So, If you are learning a new Indian language, the best way to learn is to watch films in the language you are learning, enjoy music, and dance like crazy! Seize the day my friend!
Lucky are those who have Gujarati friends. From bringing the most lip-smacking food to the table …
Lucky are those who have Gujarati friends. From bringing the most lip-smacking food to the table to telling most rib-tickling jokes, they sure are the most wonderful and entertaining ones. They also have a unique vocabulary that sometimes helps express your emotion like no other language.
Here are ten Gujarati words and phrases that you should learn from your Gujju friend.
‘Tope Class’ is the highest degree of compliment you can get from your Gujju friend.
“Plan saav tope class che”
It usually referred to someone or something so silly that it is funny.
“Tu Saav babuchak che”
Used by your friend when he/she is most annoyed.
“Sue kare che, gadhedo?”
If you happen to have a Gujju girlfriend/boyfriend they will most definitely call you a babo or babi.
“Maro babo ketlo saras lage che”
Chapli is used a female and Chaplo for a male. It can also mean ‘dedh shaana or shaani’ or someone being over-smart.
“Oye Chaplo, kya jaye che?”
The most common phrase used by almost every Gujarati.
“Akho diwas amatha amatha baat kare che”
Usually used when someone who is creating chaos or troubling or getting angry unnecessarily.
“Su vaat itna ghamagham kare che?”
This is one of the most favourites words of Gujarati. ‘Nakammo’ or ‘Nikkama’ in Hindi is used to refer to someone who is lazy or completely useless.
“Nakammo manas che saav.”
Barabar che is the Gujju way to give a thumbs up or go ahead.
“Rishikesh this weekend?”
“Barabar che”
Now the list would have been incomplete without the F word right? This phrase is usually used to express disapproval or to ask someone to get lost.
“Kapaad taru, itne sawaal nai puch.”
Learning a new language can be exciting, fun, and enjoyable! You discover travel destinations, …
Learning a new language can be exciting, fun, and enjoyable! You discover travel destinations, cultures, cuisine, people, new movies & music, a wide array of books and literature, and of course, new career opportunities in languages!
It can be tricky and challenging sometimes, but don’t give up! Certain feelings, ideas can only be expressed in a specific language, so the more you learn, the more you fall in love, and there are tons of advantages associated with it.
Check out the ten amazing benefits of learning a new language.
Learning a language draws attention to details like grammar, vocab, and conjugation with usage, and thus automatically, you will become an effective communicator.
Those who speak more than one language, develop problem-solving skills, and it improves memory too.
One of the significant advantages of learning a language includes developing all four communication skills, which ultimately helps you become smarter.
Language skills are among the top 10 skills required of all occupations, and the demand is rising for bilingual or multilingual individuals every day. You can translate, interpret, or teach, and the list is endless!
It’s not just about money! Learning new languages will give you pure joy, and you can create something beautiful, be it in writing or music or dance or painting, the world is your oyster!
The more languages you speak, the more lifelong relationships you make, and these friends can provide you with one of the best things – You have a couch to sleep on in every part of the world!
Being able to communicate in another language exposes us to an appreciation for the traditions, religions, arts, and history of the people associated with that language, and this cultural diversity will attract you to interesting people.
That’s cool and amazing, right! You know so much, and it gives you the confidence that it becomes a never-ending process for you.
What are you waiting for? Go trekking in the Alps, Try Tai-Chi, and you have stories to tell and life to live!
Everyone fell in love with Kabir Thapar A.K.A. Bunny from YJHD, who wouldn't love traveling to different cities, so learn languages, and they will take you to places you have never been and people you have never met!
शुभस्य शीघ्रम्!
Be it for professional or personal reasons, or just because a particular dialect caught your …
Be it for professional or personal reasons, or just because a particular dialect caught your fancy if you are planning on learning a new language, you sure want to learn it fast.
Contrary to popular opinion, learning a new language isn’t a slow or tedious process. And it might seem like a far-fetched idea, but you can learn a language of choice within weeks. All you need are these simple five simple ways that will help you master that new language quicker than you imagined.
Let’s get started!
While planning to learn a new language, you should consider setting a goal as it will help you to be clear about what you want to achieve, narrows down your focus, and also keeps track of how far you have made and need to go.
For positive outcomes, set detailed goals. For example, “I will learn the counting from 1-50 in Kannada this week.” While your ultimate goal is to ace the language, but having a short term goal keeps you motivated.
While learning a new language, focus on vocabulary that is relevant to you. For example, if you are learning the language for business, don’t waste time learning types of food, which you should otherwise do if you are planning to shift to that city.
Learn a few greeting sentences such as hello, how are you, goodbye, etc. before learning the alphabet so that you will already know some basic words, and it will make the grasping process quicker.
Listen to music in your chosen language or watch movies without the subtitles. If it is difficult to understand with the subtitles yet, try this instead. For example, take a Bengali movie that you have seen the Hindi or English dubbed version of, now watch the Bengali version without the subtitles. Your brain will automatically try to decipher the words and phrases as you are already familiar with the plot.
Also, make a habit that whatever you learn, make sure you write it down. This process will help you remember things for a longer period. Speak, read, write, watch, and listen as much as you can. It might be a little overwhelming at first, but it will soon seem normal.
Now this one without a doubt is the most efficient and easy way to learn a new language. Speaking with a real person will make the process very effective. Connect with a friend who speaks the language you are learning. If you don’t have a friend, you can join conversation clubs or connect with a native speaker in order to get some real-life practice.
This process will help in bettering your pronunciations and enunciations. Make sure you practice or converse with them regularly.
There are plenty of apps available on Android and iOS that can help you learn any language of your choice. These apps allow users to memorize words and phrases using flashcards, memory tricks, images, and other useful tools, making it a fun and quick way to learn a new language.
During the course of developing Language Curry we deep dived into what motivates people to learn …
During the course of developing Language Curry we deep dived into what motivates people to learn languages? In the age of instant translation and language globalization(English), why do people across the world spend time and money to learn a new language?
The Obvious Reasons
Just as we peel onions, the outer reasons unraveled themselves. People are travelling more for work and studies, spreading their roots in new countries and towns. Marriage infact has been one of the larger reasons of migration for women in India! Our generation has become more comfortable in marrying outside 'perceived' regional boundaries. And hence the need for picking up a new language.
And then it gets deeper!
But then isn't English the 'unifier' we asked? "Everyone speaks and understands English", we prodded. And then we got to the aha! moment. A very sweet Japanese lady told me, "You know, when we speak in English, everyone understands us. But when we speak in Hindi, there is a wonderful smile that reaches their eyes". Now how to do you explain that to (number crunching) experts!
Connections
After you peel away the outer layers(practical -work/study/marriage), and spend more time talking to people, the real reasons came up. The desire to form connections and understand (new) culture. To leave a lasting impression, to not make an unintentional mistake. We are driven by both, a desire to impress and the fear of being rude, to pick up learning the language of our colleagues/bosses/employers/neighbours. To play soccer with new buddies in a new state, to exchange parenting tips with fellow parents, or to even impress the 'sasu ma'!
On a different note, as a Hindi speaking young woman, I remember my first fumbling attempts at speaking Bangla quite a few years ago, 'Kemon Accho(aap kaise hain)' I would say, only to be told 'Kemon Acche(tum kaise ho)' can be used for elders too! What a liberating feeling it was, to be free from the tum, tu, aap conundrum!
Maybe you’re bored at home because the pandemic has shut off the social world or maybe you’re …
Maybe you’re bored at home because the pandemic has shut off the social world or maybe you’re trying new things or maybe you are finally getting to fulfill your New Year’s resolution to learn a new language! Here are some reasons why you should turn your attention to learning an Indian language.
India has over 22 major languages, and thousands of dialects spoken in the various parts of the country. Some Indian languages have a history of over 4000 years old (like Sanskrit).Daunting as it may seem to monolinguals, it is actually not hard to pick up an Indian language. In fact, picking up a basic understanding of one language will pave the path to learning a whole bunch of others!
If you’re looking forward to learning Hindi or other Indian languages after this list, head to Language Curry to fulfill all those needs. Language Curry teaches you Indian languages while simultaneously providing a peek into its culture as well
You can be proficient in a language foreign to you and still be lacking something. Vocabulary, …
You can be proficient in a language foreign to you and still be lacking something. Vocabulary, grammar and correct pronunciations are important pillars of a language, but the often ignored fourth, and most important element is culture. Culture provides one context for a language.
Language allows us to convey our thoughts, feelings and needs to others around us. This code system is based on a shared understanding. Therefore, when we learn a new language, understanding the language’s culture allows us to delve into this shared understanding and know the language better.
A learner can familiarize themselves with the language’s culture while learning the language itself. There are many ways to do this. First, there is the obvious one --- immersing yourself in movies, songs, and other media of the language you want to learn. The internet has brought the world to our living room. Hundreds of videos and articles about life in other countries is presented to you for peruse at your leisure. Then, there’s the more expensive option of immersing yourself with native speakers while learning the language. However, it’s a tad expensive to travel abroad, innit? This could help you understand the lifestyle of the natives from first-hand experience. There’s also the added benefit of touring a new place, and indulging yourself in new cuisine.
However, the third option is much easier and will help you understand the language much more deeply and give you a glimpse of its culture as well. This would require you to look for little clues while learning a foreign language.
A language reflects the beliefs and ideas of its speakers. Certain pronouns, availability of a certain range of words should help you create a vision of what the language’s culture is like.
For example, how Indian languages have a whole list of words to refer to different familial relations reflecting their values of joint family living. For another example we can consider how Korea’s collectivist culture is reflected in the use of their ‘we’ pronoun where an individual is referred to.
You’ll sure achieve your goal by learning a language alone, but something will still seem missing. It’d be like visiting India, but not trying any of its delightful food! Now, that wouldn’t be a fulfilling trip, would it?
At Language Curry, language is taught in fun modules that are designed around a language’s culture. A learner is given a glimpse of the language’s culture through the course trajectory. For a memorable language learning experience, join us at Language Curry!
Hindi is one of the world’s most popular languages that will open up world of possibilities for …
Hindi is one of the world’s most popular languages that will open up world of possibilities for its learners. But what are these possibilities exactly? Here are 10 reasons why you should consider learning Hindi:
If you’re looking forward to learning Hindi or other Indian languages after this list, head to Language Curry to fulfill all those needs. Language Curry teaches you Indian languages while simultaneously providing a peek into its culture as well.
Sanskrit is one of the oldest languages in the world. It has been used to pen vast amounts of …
Sanskrit is one of the oldest languages in the world. It has been used to pen vast amounts of literature from the ancient times – epics, mantras and scientific knowledge. Here are some reasons why learning Sanskrit can be beneficial for you
Whatever your reason are to learn such an ancient language like Sanskrit, head to Language Curry to start! Language Curry teaches Sanskrit while also giving you a glimpse of the culture, thus making your learning experience much deeper and meaningful.