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Tuesday, 30 November 2021

Prithvi Theatre

  

Prithvi TheatrePrithvi Theatre, one of famous theatres in the Indian cities of Mumbai, belongs to the Kapoor family, one of the most influential actor/director families in Bollywood. This theatre is dedicated to the legendary Prithviraj Kapoor, as a great respect to his dream for Indian theatre. Subsidiary of this inimitable actor, this theatre was set up as a token of memoir, for all the theatre lovers of this nation. Established by Shashi Kapoor (the youngest son of Prithviraj Kapoor) and his wife Jennifer Kendel, both sharing a passion for theatre, they decided to go ahead and make this dream into a reality.

His career in Bollywood had spanned more than 40 illustrious years, but his passion for drama and theatre was something undying, very extraordinary and he cherished it forever. In 1927 Prithviraj left Edwards College, Peshawar, to pursue a career as an actor. He came to Bombay and joined the Imperial Studio Company, where he was selected to play the lead in a silent film "Cinema Girl" starring Ermelene, the screen goddess of her time. In 1931 he joined an English actor-manager's travelling theatre group. In this group, he went ahead to perform many roles.

Prithviraj Kapoor, keeping this experience as a base, in 1944 he established his own Prithvi Theatres, which was a travelling theatre company. It consisted of about 150 members, the dedicated actors, stagehands, cooks, writers and technicians, performing plays throughout the country. The Prithvi Theatres maiden production was Kalidasa's classic "Shakuntala", after which many famous plays were performed all over India and became immensely popular. These plays were written specifically for Prithvi Theatres and Prithviraj played the lead in all the productions. The Prithvi Theatres was one of the first professional Hindi theatre groups with a permanent staff, which worked on actively developing and nurturing a modern theatre movement.

The company visited 112 towns all over notching up an astonishing 2,662 shows in 5,982 days. Prithviraj Kapoor played the lead in every single show which meant an average of a show every third day. The company travelled third class and this included Prithviraj himself, even during the years when he was entitled to air or first class travel as a nominated Member of Parliament. Performance venues were mostly cinema halls, though some theatre halls did exist, as they were cheaper to rent. Electric fans were not allowed; instead each audience member was given a hand fan.

The acting style was very different from the high-emotion exaggerated melodrama of the commercial theatre. Though often declamatory, the dialogue delivery and overall production design aimed at being as realistic as possible. Prithviraj Kapoor strove for authenticity and hardcore reality. His idea of acting was based on minute observation and resolute training.

Prithvi TheatreAround this time Prithviraj felt the need for a theatre space, which would provide amateur theatre groups with professional facilities. With this in mind he leased out a plot of land in Juhu, Mumbai with the hope of some day building a theatre on it. Unfortunately before his dream could be pursued, he succumbed to death leaving behind a rich cultural legacy and a vision for Indian theatre. After the demise of Prithviraj Kapoor, Shashi Kapoor and Jennifer Kapoordecided to buy the land and set up a Trust in Shri Prithviraj's memory with the intention of building a theatre to promote the performing arts and even helping the amateur theatre actors.

They realized the great need for a unique theatre space, in order to rediscover the intimate actor-audience relationship. They also built a cafe attached to the theatre, which would be a meeting place for artists and art lovers. With a sincere dedication and realising Prithviraj's dream, Shashi and Jennifer Kapoor inaugurated the Prithvi Theatre on the 5th of November, 1978. G.P. Deshpande inaugurated The Prithvi Theatre with the drama "Majma's Udhwashth Dharamshala". Currently, Prithvi Theatre hosts over 400 performances a year, by over 40 groups.

Dedicated to encouraging professional theatre, Prithvi Theatre has made a conscious decision to keep its theatre rent down. Since that time, the Prithvi Theatre has endeavoured to act as a catalyst to nurture and develop Indian theatre over the years. Prithvi has presented a variety of different events and programmes like the famous Prithvi Festival, most of which have become part of the regular calendar of events of the Mumbaiaudience

Monday, 29 November 2021

Diseases in Ayurveda

  

Diseases in AyurvedaDiseases in Ayurvedaare the state of body and mind in which a person experiences discomfort, pain and injury. The fundamental cause of disease is the imbalance of the Tridoshas – VataPitta and Kapha. When the three doshasare balanced, the body experiences ‘Health’ and the state of imbalance or disequilibrium is ‘Disease’ or ‘Vyadhi’ in Sanskrit. The imbalance may be due to an increase or decrease in one, two or all the three doshas. The individual is out of harmony both internally and with relation to the environment and experiences unpleasant sensations and misery in some form.

Ayurvedic Concept of Disease
The Ayurvedic concept of disease explains pathological condition in terms of doshas, dhatus and malas. The Ayurvedic concept of disease defines two terms, Vikruti and Prakruti. Vikruti is the abnormal or diseased condition of the body while Prakruti refers to the normal physiological and mental state.

Causative Factors of a Disease According to Ashtanga Ayurveda, the causative factors of a disease are an imbalance in any or more of the Tridoshas, the seven dhatus, agni and the three malas. The imbalance may be caused by the following conditions: Asatmendriyarth Samyog, Aama, Pradnyaparadha and Parinama.Diseases in Ayurveda

  • "Asatmendriyarth Samyog" stands for improper or too much exploitation of the sense organs of vision, sound, smell, sense and touch.
  • Aama is considered as the foremost cause of all disorders of human body. It develops from the undigested harmful materials, which block the various channels in the human body.
  • "Parinama" refers to abrupt environmental changes, which makes the body vulnerable to disease.
  • "Pradnyaparadha" is the improper use of intellect or wisdom that makes the body vulnerable to ailments.


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    Friday, 26 November 2021

    Beaches in Karnataka

      

    Beaches in KarnatakaBeaches in Karnataka attract tourists from all over the world. The western part of the land lies close to Arabian Sea. The beaches in Karnataka spans for 3 districts Dakshina KannadaUdupi and Uttara Kannada. Heavy rainfall, dense forest vegetation and paddy fields are common sights here. The coastline of Karnataka stretches for around 320 km and is known as the Karavali, it is located between Mangalore in Dakshina Kannada District and Karwar in Uttara Kannada District. The main centre is in Bhatkal with 8 popular beaches. Listed below are some of the important beaches of Karnataka:

    Karwar BeachUttara Kannada District
    The Karwar Beach is a collection of beaches in the city of Karwar. It occupies the region between the Sahyadris along the coastline of the Arabian Sea. The entire Karwar coastline is a set of 5 beaches - Devbagh Beach, Binaga Beach, Karwar Beach, Majali Beach and the Tilmatti Beach. The tranquil ambience and picturesque location of this beach makes it a popular tourist attraction.

    Kurumgad BeachUttar Kannada District
    Kurumgad Beach is located in Uttar Kannada district. Kurumgad is famous for its Narasimha Temple. The scenic beauty of this island remains unparallel to this day. Tourists can indulge into several water sports like sailingsnorkeling and others. This is one of the sea beaches in Karnataka that is an embodiment of history, charm and spirituality.

    Beaches in KarnatakaGokarna Beach, Uttara Kannada District
    Gokarna literally means 'cow's ear.' Such a name has its roots in legends. It is a village that is formed by the ear shaped confluence of 2 rivers. Having its roots in mythology, one of the beaches here has been named ‘Om’, reminding one of Lord Shiva. Gokarna, Kudle, Half Moon and Paradise are the other beaches here. Gokarna is famous worldwide for all these five beaches. Its proximity to the Western Ghats has also made it popular as an adventure spot where people can go for rock climbing.

    Maravanthe BeachKodachari Hills
    It is a seaside town. On its one side lies the Kodachari hills and on the other side is the West Coast Highway that runs alongside the Arabian Sea. Saurparnika River is also a part of its landscape. The beautiful view of the sunrises and sunsets, the wide expanse of the seawater, the golden grains of the sand and the quietude of this beach in Karnataka has made it a popular destination of the tourists.

    Beaches in KarnatakaSt. Mary's Island BeachUdupi District
    The name of this island is said to be given by Vasco da Gama. Steeped in history this sea beach is also well known for its charming sights. This island is one of the many islands that are accessible from Malpe harbor. The cool shades of the palm trees and the isolated look is perfect for people who want a break from their busy schedule.

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    Thursday, 25 November 2021

    Football Tournaments in India

      

    Football Tournaments in IndiaFootball tournaments in India have the importance at international and national level before Indian Super League. Indian Super League is the newest addition in international based football tournaments organized by Indians.

    Being considered as one of the most popular and extensively played games in India, the game of Football has brought a lot of glory to the nation, so far. Indian Football players have earned considerable amount of recognition and reputation in the international circuit so far.

    Importance of All India Football Federation
    Football Tournaments in IndiaThe national governing body of Football in India, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and various state football associations organise a number of football tournaments in India. The Indian Football tournaments are organised every year in various levels, like district, regional, state or national. The Indian Football tournaments can also be classified as the senior level tournaments and junior level tournaments or the Women's Football tournaments.

    Among all the tournaments, the Indian regional Football tournaments play probably the most important role in bringing up new talents to the national level. Indian Football tournaments act as the backbone of Indian Football, as they provide a solid platform to the young and talented players to show their skills and get noticed.Football Tournaments in India

    Regional Football Tournaments in India
    There are a number of regional Football tournaments organised in India every year. Some of the major tournaments include the Buladi Tribal Football Championship, Buladi State League, Khadim's -Trades Challenge Cup, Milo-Bankim Cup Inter School Football Tournament, Anandamela -Dabur Glucose -D Energy Cup, Peerless Nursery Football League, Vidyasagar Trophy Inter University Football Knockout Tournament and Elegant Under-19 Football League.

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    Indian Hockey Tournaments

      

    Indian Hockey TournamentsIndian Hockey tournaments have acclaimed the international accreditation after Independence of India 1947.

    Hockey is the national game of India and Indian Hockey Tournaments have been organised at the district level, state level, and national level. Hockey has a glorious history in India. Since the last decade of the nineteenth century, several hockey tournaments are organised in India on a regular basis.

    They are also organised at junior and senior levels, for both men and women hockey players. The tournaments play an important role in bringing out new talents for Indian hockey, from the grass route levels. Apart from the domestic tournaments, India also organises many regional and international tournaments at regular intervals. The Indian hockey tournaments are famous around the world for their high standard of playing.

    Early Indian Hockey Tournaments
    The Beighton Cup was the first hockey tournament organised in India. It was organised in Kolkata in the year 1895. Another tournament, the Aga Khan Cup was incepted in the following year, 1896 and was organised in Mumbai. The Senior National Hockey Championship for Men started its journey in the year 1928. The United Province became the champions of the inter-state tournament's first edition. The Senior National Hockey Championship for Women was instituted in 1947-48 and is organised regularly since then. While most of the Indian hockey tournaments are organised by the hockey governing bodies like Indian Hockey Federation and the state Hockey associations, there are a few that are organised by the corporate houses. Many teams including the state teams and club teams participate in the Indian hockey tournaments.

    Major Indian Hockey Tournaments
    Indian Hockey TournamentsThe major Indian hockey tournaments played at the national level include the All India MCC Murugappa Gold Cup Hockey Tournament, Chennai; the All India Gurmit Memorial Hockey Tournament; the IndianOil Surjit Hockey Tournament, Jalandhar; the All India Chhatrapati Shivaji Hockey Tournament, Delhi; the All India Bombay Gold Cup Hockey Tournament, Mumbai; the All India Obaidullah Khan Gold Cup Hockey Tournament, Bhopal, etc. Besides these, the tournaments like All India Lal Bahadur Shastri Hockey Tournament, Delhi; the All India K D Singh Babu Memorial Invitational Prize Money Hockey Tournament, Lucknow; the All India Ramesh Chander Memorial Hockey Tournament, Jalandhar; the All India Liberals Hockey Tournament, Nabha; the All India Indira Gold Cup Hockey Tournament, Jammu; the All India Beighton Cup Hockey Tournament, Kolkata etc. are also organised regularly.

    Premier Hockey League
    However, a newly introduced tournament named the Premier Hockey League (PHL) has been making waves in Indian hockey in the recent years. The PHL is organised by the Indian Hockey Federation in association with various corporate houses and it has brought a professional approach in Indian hockey.

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    Wednesday, 24 November 2021

    Nakshatras in Astrology

      

    Nakshatras in AstrologyNakshatras in Astrology are the 27 constellations forming a belt, against backdrop of which the zodiacs are considered. Geographically, these Nakshatras are 300 to 400 light years away from earth. Nakshatras in Astrology have exclusive system of prediction which is based on the position of the moon in a given constellation in Vedic Astrology.

    Since ancient times, the Moon was looked for calculating time and connecting to the stars. In the Vedic system of Astrology, the 27 constellations are the key to understanding celestial influences on the planet. These 27 constellations are actually the 27 Nakshatras. Vedic or Hindu astrology offers a most powerful analytical technique which is based on the Nakshatra of a person at the time of birth. The zodiac is divided into 12 signs and 27 constellations. Each covers 13 degrees and 20 minutes of the zodiac. Each Nakshatra is defined as the head of a specific group of stars.

    Etymology of Nakshatras
    The term "Nakshatra" means ‘Sky Map’ due to ‘naks’ meaning ‘sky’ and ‘kshetra’ meaning ‘region’. Another translation is derived by using a different analysis; it says ‘Naksha’ is ‘map’ and ‘Tara’ is ‘star’ and so ‘Nakshatra’ means ‘Star Map’. Both these meanings clearly bring out the significance of the 27 Nakshatras and constellations. ‘Nakshatras’ is the name that is given to the constellations or mansions of the Moon, as the Moon resides in each of these constellations for one day.

    Concept of Nakshatras
    In Vedic astrology, Nakshatras are considered to be essential. The system of constellations is very ancient and dated back about more than 5,000 years. Its reference is found in the ancient Vedic scriptures. The concept of Nakshatra is known to give more accurate results. Nakshatras are also considered the backbone of astrology and interestingly they are considered throughout the astrological analysis. According to the saints, Nakshatras in Astrology represent the abodes into which the fruits of labour or Karma is transferred and stored. Thus, Nakshatras distribute the outgrowth of Karma according to Hindu scriptures.

    Mythological Significance of Nakshatras
    Several interesting legends are associated with Nakshatras in Astrology. As per the Hindu mythology, Chandra or Moon had married all 27 daughters of King Daksha, who are the star constellations in the sky. He used to spend more time with his beloved queen Rohini and because of this reason his other wives complained to their father. In spite of the repeated interference of King Daksha, Moon did not change his habit. Finally the king lost his cool and cursed the Moon. As a result, the size of Moon started diminishing. All the gods intervened and requested the king to withdraw the curse. King Daksha then assured that if Moon visits all his wives, he would recover his lost strength for half a month. Thus, this is stated as the reason why Moon visits all the 27 constellations during a month.

    Classification of Nakshatras
    Nakshatras are classified in several ways and the classification is made according to basic attribute. The primary motivation is Kama - sensual desires; Artha - material desires; Dharma - living life based on spiritual principles; Moksha - liberation from birth and death, sex, caste, species and so on. They are primarily revealed by their presiding deities, ruling planets and their symbolic form.

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    Tuesday, 23 November 2021

    Recipes in Vedic Period

      

    Recipes in Vedic Period, Food in Vedic PeriodIndian recipes have been influenced by environmental, social, religious and political factors during the ancient period of Indian history. The recipes are as old as time, yet each recipe may have its own heritage and origin. In modern India, the history of Indian food mainly carried the traditional trends of Indian cuisines including the Hindu vegetarian food, Mughal delicacies, Chinese and other foreign delicacies.

    History of Indian Food
    The history of Indian food can be traced back to the ancient days when the culture of preparing food with proper methods was introduced by the two ancient Indian civilizations - The Harappa and the Mohenjodaro. The first preparation of food included a number of cereals and pulses. Gradually, the ancient Indian civilization moved towards perfection. This was noticed during the Vedic period, which defined better forms of cooking with innovative recipes. In this period of time, a regular diet consisted of vegetablesfruits, grains, meat, honey, dairy productsbeverages and special kind of spices.

    Various Influences on Indian Cuisine
    The Aryans who traveled from Central Asia introduced a number of cuisines, which complemented the Vedic food culture. Food in ancient India further faced massive changes during the rule of Maurya and Gupta Empires. During these periods of time, the consumption of meat was strictly condemned due to sacred beliefs. Most of the people remained vegetarian due to the influence of religion.

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    Monday, 22 November 2021

    Orissa Temple Festivals

      

    Orissa Temple FestivalsOrissa Temple Festivals are compelling in their raw energy, spiritual dedication and a splash of colours juxtaposed with rhythms that differ from district to district and tribe to tribe. The Festivals reflect the religious flow of all origin and purposes of the Oriya people. They unite in the festivals and fairs in a harmony of dances, music and Jatras. Enamoured with temples across its landscape, Orissa boasts a number of temple festivals especially related to Lord Jagannath at Puri including the world famous "Rath Yatra" or the Chariot Festival.

    Chandan Jatra
    Chandan Jatra or Gandhalepana Jatra is a popular Temple Festival of Orissa that is celebrated from Baisakh Shukla Tritiya to Jyestha Shukla Astami. This festival is a cruise in Narendra Pond and carries different reflections of Sri Jagannath, namely Madanmohon, Rama Krishna, LakshmiSaraswati and five Shivas, i.e. Sri Lokanath, Sri Yameshwar, Sri Kapalamachana, Sri Markandaeswara, Sri Nilakantheswar in different palanquins. At the Chandan Mandap inside the pond the deities engage themselves in water sport in the specially arranged vats of sandal paste water.

    Niladri Mahodaya
    This is observed on the 8th day of the bright fortnight of Baisakh. One hundred and eight pots of sacred water are offered to the deities and other rituals are performed. "Nursingha Janma" is celebrated and on the 14th day of the bright fortnight the icon of Nursingha is taken in a procession to Jagannathaballava and a ceremony is performed.

    Sital Sasthi
    Sital Sasthi is another Orissa Temple Festival which is observed on the 16th day of the bright fortnight of Jyestha. The images of Dolagovinda and Pancha Pandav Shiva are taken to the temple of Lakshmi where a ceremony is performed. "Rajendravisheka" is the 10th day of the bright fortnight of Jyestha. Lord Jagannath has his "Avishek" and the suggestion of his marriage with Rukmini is raised. On the 11th day of the bright fortnight of Jyestha, "Rukmini Harana" is celebrated when the representative deity of Jagannath, elopes Rukmini from the temple of Shri Bimala while she is offering worship and then the marriage is performed.

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