A large number of British landscape artists started coming to Kolkata during the last quarter of 18th century with the increasing involvement and political dominance of East India Company in Indian affairs. Minimal financial prospects of landscape painters in Britain, the stories of easily-won fortunes
The state of Indian widows during colonial times was pathetic. They were often forced to commit ‘sati’ immediately after their husband's death. They were strictly prohibited from participating in any social or religious ceremonies and considered ominous. They were barred from eating with other family
Guptipara is a small ancient town, some 80 kilometers from Kolkata (Calcutta), on the Bandel-Katwa railway line. Guptipara sits beside the Bhagirathi river and was once a citadel of Vaishnavite culture. Even today, residents observe Ras, Dol and Ratha-Yatra, which is Guptipara’s greatest festival. It
According to Merriam-Webster’s Encyclopedia of World Religions, Hindutva is a concept of ‘Indian cultural, national, and religious identity.’ The term ‘conflates a geographically based religious, cultural, and national identity: ‘A true Indian is one who partakes of this Hindu-ness.’ Although India’s Constitution proclaims secularism, the country
‘Posto’ (poppy seeds), a Bengali favourite around the world, remains untouched by modern culinary experiments. In Bengal, the white poppy seeds are much loved, and used in plenty of preparations. Synonymous today with a perfect ‘Bengali’ meal, especially when teamed with biuli or urad dal,
Picture this: an early autumn or winter morning at New Jalpaiguri (NJP), steaming cups of tea, and the prospect of a drive through some truly spectacular scenery to one of West Bengal’s best kept tourism secrets – Lepchajagat. There are cars aplenty for hire in NJP,
Atiśa Dīpankara Śrījñāna, (982–1054) , the renowned Buddhist religious leader and master from Bengal was one of the major figures in the spread of 11th century Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism in Asia and inspired Buddhist thought from Tibet to Sumatra. He is recognised as one
Amid the aggressive COVID- 19 outbreak, the Indian government’s Ministry of Science and Technology has unleashed a barrage of initiatives in the fight against COVID-19. Recently, the National Innovation Foundation (NIF), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Science & Technology organised the ‘Challenge Covid-
This year Durga Puja has been different. In all senses. Even the Calcutta High Court judgement barred rituals like Sindoor Khela and Pushpanjali that for centuries have been a part of Durga Puja. However, if one goes deeper into the context of Sindoor Khela, one
When your Puja ends, theirs start. This is Khadimpur village, 12 km away from Raiganj town in North Dinajpur district. The village starts their traditional Balaichandi Durga Puja on the night of Vijaya Dashami. Around 7,500 members of 1,500 families living in the village start