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Friday, October 29, 2010
Indian
In a country as diverse and complex as India, it is not surprising to find that people here reflect the rich glories of the past, the culture, traditions and values relative to geographic locations and the numerous distinctive manners, habits and food that will always remain truly Indian. According to five thousand years of recorded history.
From the eternal snows of the Himalayas to the cultivated peninsula of far South, from the deserts of the West to the humid deltas of the East, from the dry heat and cold of the Central Plateau to the cool forest foothills, Indian lifestyles clearly glorify the geography. The food, clothing and habits of an Indian differ in accordance to the place of origin.
Indians believe in sharing happiness and sorrow. A festival or a celebration is never constrained to a family or a home. The whole community or neighbourhood is involved in bringing liveliness to an occasion. A lot of festivals like Diwali, Holi, Id, Christmas, Mahaveer Jayanthi are all celebrated by sharing sweets and pleasantries with family, neighbours and friends. An Indian wedding is an occasion that calls for participation of the family and friends. Similarly, neighbours and friends always help out a family in times of need.
Ethnically Indians speak different languages, follow different religions, eat the most diverse varieties of food all of which add to the rich Indian culture.The beauty of the Indian people lies in the spirit of tolerance, give-and-take and a composition of cultures that can be compared to a garden of flowers of various colours and shades of which, while maintaining their own entity, lend harmony and beauty to the garden - India!
From the eternal snows of the Himalayas to the cultivated peninsula of far South, from the deserts of the West to the humid deltas of the East, from the dry heat and cold of the Central Plateau to the cool forest foothills, Indian lifestyles clearly glorify the geography. The food, clothing and habits of an Indian differ in accordance to the place of origin.
Indians believe in sharing happiness and sorrow. A festival or a celebration is never constrained to a family or a home. The whole community or neighbourhood is involved in bringing liveliness to an occasion. A lot of festivals like Diwali, Holi, Id, Christmas, Mahaveer Jayanthi are all celebrated by sharing sweets and pleasantries with family, neighbours and friends. An Indian wedding is an occasion that calls for participation of the family and friends. Similarly, neighbours and friends always help out a family in times of need.
Ethnically Indians speak different languages, follow different religions, eat the most diverse varieties of food all of which add to the rich Indian culture.The beauty of the Indian people lies in the spirit of tolerance, give-and-take and a composition of cultures that can be compared to a garden of flowers of various colours and shades of which, while maintaining their own entity, lend harmony and beauty to the garden - India!
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Namaste: Indian Greeting Gesture
Namaste is a common spoken greeting or salutation originating from India and Nepal.
When spoken to another person, it is commonly accompanied by a slight bow made with hands pressed together, palms touching and fingers pointed upwards, in front of the chest. This gesture, called Añjali Mudrā, can also be performed wordlessly and carries the same meaning.
When spoken to another person, it is commonly accompanied by a slight bow made with hands pressed together, palms touching and fingers pointed upwards, in front of the chest. This gesture, called Añjali Mudrā, can also be performed wordlessly and carries the same meaning.
Pronunciation and etymology
It is written नमस्ते in devangari script, and pronounced [nʌmʌsˈteː] in Hindustani.
The word is formed from external sandhi (coalescence) between the Sanskrit namaḥ, to bow, to give obeisance or reverential salutation, and te, "to you."[1] Also common is a polite form using the imperative astu meaning "let there be": namo: stu te literally meaning "let there be a salutation to you."[
It is written नमस्ते in devangari script, and pronounced [nʌmʌsˈteː] in Hindustani.
The word is formed from external sandhi (coalescence) between the Sanskrit namaḥ, to bow, to give obeisance or reverential salutation, and te, "to you."[1] Also common is a polite form using the imperative astu meaning "let there be": namo: stu te literally meaning "let there be a salutation to you."[
Uses
In Sikh scripture Namaste, Namastung or Namastvung is referenced as salutation to the Primal being, the One God. The salutation is followed by an attribute respecting a quality of the creator of all religions, Akal.
In Nepalese culture, namaste is performed when a younger family member meets older relatives. It also varies depending upon social status and prestige: The person with lower status or prestige performs namaste first to show respect for the higher station the other person has achieved.
Namaste is also used as a friendly greeting in written communication, or generally between people when they meet. When used at funerals to greet the guests, the verbal part is usually omitted. When the hand position is higher, it usually means reverence and/or worship. The expression with hands placed on top of one's head is usually the sign of utmost reverence or respect. When the gesture is performed with hands in front of the chest, it is usually considered as aayushman.
The aayushman gesture is also a cultural symbol of Sri Lanka and Sri Lankan hospitality.
In Sindh, Pakistan, the gesture of namaste, though extremely rare, is still maintained even by Sindhi Muslims.
The cabin crew ("air hostesses") of Air India, Sri Lankan Airways – and Air France and Virgin Atlantic on their flights to India – use namaste to greet passengers as well as in other hospitality settings.
Meanings and interpretation
Namaste is one of a small list of Sanskrit words commonly recognized by Non-Hindi speakers.
* "I honor the Spirit in you which is also in me." -- attributed to but not claimed by author Deepak Chopra
* "I honor the place in you in which the entire Universe dwells, I honor the place in you which is of Love, of Integrity, of Wisdom and of Peace. When you are in that place in you, and I am in that place in me, we are One."
* "Your spirit and my spirit are ONE." -- attributed to Lilias Folan's shared teachings from her journeys to India.[citation needed]
* "That which is of God in me greets that which is of God in you."
* "The Divinity within me perceives and adores the Divinity within you.
In Sikh scripture Namaste, Namastung or Namastvung is referenced as salutation to the Primal being, the One God. The salutation is followed by an attribute respecting a quality of the creator of all religions, Akal.
In Nepalese culture, namaste is performed when a younger family member meets older relatives. It also varies depending upon social status and prestige: The person with lower status or prestige performs namaste first to show respect for the higher station the other person has achieved.
Namaste is also used as a friendly greeting in written communication, or generally between people when they meet. When used at funerals to greet the guests, the verbal part is usually omitted. When the hand position is higher, it usually means reverence and/or worship. The expression with hands placed on top of one's head is usually the sign of utmost reverence or respect. When the gesture is performed with hands in front of the chest, it is usually considered as aayushman.
The aayushman gesture is also a cultural symbol of Sri Lanka and Sri Lankan hospitality.
In Sindh, Pakistan, the gesture of namaste, though extremely rare, is still maintained even by Sindhi Muslims.
The cabin crew ("air hostesses") of Air India, Sri Lankan Airways – and Air France and Virgin Atlantic on their flights to India – use namaste to greet passengers as well as in other hospitality settings.
Meanings and interpretation
Namaste is one of a small list of Sanskrit words commonly recognized by Non-Hindi speakers.
* "I honor the Spirit in you which is also in me." -- attributed to but not claimed by author Deepak Chopra
* "I honor the place in you in which the entire Universe dwells, I honor the place in you which is of Love, of Integrity, of Wisdom and of Peace. When you are in that place in you, and I am in that place in me, we are One."
* "Your spirit and my spirit are ONE." -- attributed to Lilias Folan's shared teachings from her journeys to India.[citation needed]
* "That which is of God in me greets that which is of God in you."
* "The Divinity within me perceives and adores the Divinity within you.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Diwali - Indian Festival of Lights - Corner View
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| Diyas in SWASTIK Sign |
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| Panchdeep |
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| Chakri - Swirling Lights |
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| Celebrating Lights |
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| A Greeting on Diwali |
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| A Wish to celebrate |
Monday, October 25, 2010
Sunday, October 24, 2010
The Ankh Sanctury
The Ankh, symbol of life or eternal life was associated with water, the sustainer of all life. One theory suggests it originated from the loop of a sandal strap, another that the loop represents the sunrise over the horizon (crossbar). Many believe the loop to be the female sexual organ while the vertical part of the cross is the male organ, but this is not accepted by scholars. Egyptian gods are typically shown carrying ankhs.
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