Nalanda

Nalanda is an ancient city of early era of Hindu kings, founded in the 5th century AD. It is famous as the ancient seat of learning. The decline of Nalanda and its university is associated with the decline of Buddhism in India. When Hiuen Tsang travelled the length and breadth of India in the 7th century, he observed that his religion was in slow decay and even had ominous premonitions of Nalanda's forthcoming demise. Buddhism had steadily lost popularity with the laity and thrived, thanks to royal patronage, only in the monasteries of Bihar and Bengal. By the time of the Pala Dynasty, the traditional Mahayana Buddhism and Hinayana Buddhism forms of Buddhism were imbued with Tantric practices involving secret rituals and magic. The rise of Hindu philosophies in the subcontinent and the waning of the Buddhist Pala dynasty after the 11th century meant that Buddhism was hemmed in on multiple fronts, political, philosophical and moral. The final blow of Nalanda University was delivered when its still-flourishing monasteries, the last visible symbols of its existence in India, were overrun during the Muslim invasion that swept across Northern India at the turn of the 13th century.  

History of Nalanda
Hieun Tsang stayed here in the 7th century AD and left detailed description of the excellence of education system and purity of monastic life practiced in Nalanda. He also gave a vivid account of both the ambiance and architecture of this unique university of ancient times. In this first residential international university of the world, 2,000 teachers and 10,000 monks students from all over Buddhist world lived and studied here. The Gupta kings patronized these monasteries, built in old Kushan architectural style, in a row of cells around a courtyard. Emperor Ashoka and Harshavardhana were some of its most celebrated patrons who built temples, monasteries and viharas here. Recent excavations have unearthed elaborate structures here. To know more read:

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Paheli, the Indian film

The Indian film, 'Paheli' is directed by Amol Palekar and is produced by Shah Rukh Khan's production house Red Chillies EntertainmentThe film 'Paheli' is a sort of fairy tale. The sandscape of rural Rajasthan, the vibrantly colorful dresses of its denizens, the rustic ambience, all of it transports the viewers into a mirage-like world. The director Amol Palekar has adopted a simple and thought provoking folktale onto celluloid for this unforgettable cinematic experience called 'Paheli'. This Indian film is a beautiful riddle that provides its own answer. It is the story of a woman who longs for love of her husband. It is the story of a ghost who reciprocates her love by assuming the form of her husband. This is based on the short story of Vijayadan Detha's 'Duvidha'. 

The Indian movie 'Paheli' tells the story of a wife played by Rani Mukerji who is left by her husband played by Shahrukh Khan. The wife is visited by a ghost, disguised as her husband, who is in love with her and takes her husband's place as well. 

The whole movie is recounted by two puppets. This is voiced by Naseeruddin Shah and his Ratna Pathak Shah. Lachchi played by Rani Mukerji is to be married to Kishen played by Shahrukh Khan. Kishen is the son of Bhanwarlal played by Anupam Kher. He is a rich businessman. Kishen is very much interested in making money. So he and his father decide that Kishen will go to other business and earn some more money. The day for his going is decided just after the wedding ceremony. On their first night, Kishen does not look to his wife. In the early morning he sets off on a business trip for five years. Lachchi is devastated and nothing to say to her husband. Gajrobai played by Juhi Chawla is her husband's sister-in-law. She consoles her and says that Gajrobai's husband played by Sunil Shetty has also disappeared. When Kishen is going to his business place one ghost see him going and decides to come Kishen's home in place of him. The very next day, that ghost comes. The ghost takes Kishen's shape and also his voice. Lachchi becomes happy and starts living a happy life with that ghost. She experiences her husband in a new way. The ghost says Kishen's father that someone will give a gold coin everyday and thus Bhanwarlal becomes happy and does not say a single word. The time goes on and after four years Lachchi becomes pregnant. Everyone is happy. On the other hand the real Kishen realizes that he needs to go to his house as because he misses his wife. He returns bak to his home. Kishen's family becomes confused and cannot identify the real Kishen as the ghost refuses to agree with the allegation. All the villagers decide to visit the king in order to find out the real Kishen. To know more read:

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Playing Card in India

Playing card in India is a popular sport. The history of playing cards dates back to 9th century China after the invention of paper although the exact origin is still not clear. According to some scholars its origin can be traced to the Middle East. Playing Cards came into India from Persia also. It is also known as "Ganjifa" Playing Cards was not known when the game arrived from Persia. They may have been acquired through trade in the Silk Road or brought by the Mongol conquerors in the 13th century. 

Origin of Playing Cards
The Indian origin of playing cards is traced from the resemblance of symbols on some early European cards like ring, sword, cup and baton depicted in the four hands of Indian statues. There is also conventional saying that the cards are being played in India since time immemorial and the Brahmins invented them. According to some historians, playing card in India was derived from the game chess.

The earlier days playing cards had a similarity to our modern cards. There were total 52 cards of four suits, which had swords, cups, coins and polo-sticks. It also had numerics from one to ten. It is near about in 1480, the modern day cards of spades, hearts, diamonds and clubs appeared first. 

Ganjifa and Playing Cards
Persian cards, known as "Ganjafa", have eight suits. The Mughal conquerors brought these cards to India in the early 16th century where they are called "Ganjifa". In India, current packs used for play have eight, ten, or twelve suits though as many as 32 suits once existed. The Indians also converted the original rectangular cards to circular ones. A card game is played by using playing cards which can be a piece of specifically designed heavy paper or thin card, decorated with particular motifs. To know more read:

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West Indian Dances

West Indian Dances are detailed and rich in style and its appearance is set in the traditional pattern. The folk dances of the western region, however, have their beginning in the rural village and at present, they are equal to the culture of the Indian masses. These regional dances of western India reflect a vast cultural diversity of the region and are considered to be the higher form of art.

The music, as well as dance of this region, is loaded with a field of various influences. The states lying in the western part of the country boasts of innumerable dance forms which have a mixture of the expressions of folk and tribal dance forms. Each dance form has a specialty of its particular region. Furthermore, the dance forms of the western region are lively and colourful.

Following are the Different West Indian Dances:

Dandiya Dance: Among the vibrant West Indian Dances, ‘Dandiya’ is one of the mesmerizing folk dances of Gujarat which has earned recognition from all over the country as well as abroad for its rhythmic tunes and captivating movements. The dance is known for its exciting flow of colours and brightness whereas the enriching illustration of the dance crowns it as one of the renowned dances of India.

Garba Dance: The Garba Dance is immensely popular in Gujarat. It is performed as an honour of Mother Divine, the goddess ‘Kali’ or ‘Durga’ who is sacred in Gujarat as ‘Amba Mata’ or ‘Mataji’. Garba Dance is basically a women’s dance but it is common in men also. It is performed at numerous favourable occasions and social events. 

Lezim Dance: ‘Lezim’ dance is presented during the ‘Ganesh Chaturthi’ festival. The activities of ‘Lezim’ dance look like movements of martial art in source. A variety of formations are created in the dance. Sometimes this dance is accompanied by a ‘dhol’ (drum). To know more read:

http://www.indianetzone.com/40/west_indian_dances.htm

Basketball in India

Basketball in India began its journey during the first half of the twentieth century and is considered as one of the widely played sports in the country. 

Concept of Basketball
The term "Basketball" actually refers to the large round ball and the basket, used in this game. Basketball in India is played in most of the high schools, colleges and universities and especially the younger generation like to lay this game. India is one of those first few countries in the history of Basketball that adopted the game, within a few years of its inception. This is actually a ball game where two teams consisting of five players each, play against each other. This fast-paced game requires a great quality of fitness and athleticism on behalf of the players. Invested by the famous Athletic Director from Canada, Dr. James Naismith, Basketball is played on a court with standard dimensions. The teams can earn points only by shooting a round inflated ball through a raised metal hoop and net at the opponent's end of the court. 

History of Basket Ball
Basketball in India started its journey in 1930 when it was played for the first time. The first Indian National Championship for men was conducted in the year 1934 in New Delhi. The Basketball Federation of India (BFI) controls the game in India and was formed in the year 1950. Throughout history, Indians learned to appreciate the game because of its fast scoring and intense activity from the beginning until the end. Nowadays, it is considered as one of the widely played sports in India. India is one those first few countries in the history of basketball that adopted the game within a few years of its inception and its teams actually consisted of five players on the court. To know more read:

http://www.indianetzone.com/5/basketball.htm