Airports in Tamil Nadu

 Airports in Tamil Nadu have been established to connect this state with other parts of India and the world via airways.

The state of Tamil Nadu is located in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula. This state has religious sites like Hindu temples of Tamil architecture, hill stations, beach resorts, multi-religious pilgrimage sites and eight world heritage sites. They have not only beautified this state but have also made Tamil Nadu one of the famous tourist destinations in India. To reach Tamil Nadu, domestic as well as international airports have been established in the state.

Chennai International Airport
Chennai International Airport is located in Chennai. This public airport is owned by the Airports Authority of India and links Chennai Metropolitan Area to other parts of India and the world. It became the first airport in India to have international and domestic terminals located adjacent to each other. The airport is well equipped with 70 parking bays, one of which can accommodate the super-jumbo Airbus A380.

Tungabhadra River

 Tungabhadra River is a major river in the south Indian peninsula which is a chief confluent of the Krishna River. The Hindus consider this river sacred and there is a mention of the river in Ramayana where it is referred to as Pampa. Tungabhadra River flows through the states of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. The river has a catchment area of 27,574 square miles. The tributaries of the Tungabhadra are Varada River and Hagari (Vedathy) River. In modern India, a huge dam and hydroelectric project is constructed across Tungabhadra River.

An important feature of the Tungabhadra River bank is the flood protection walls all along the river, constructed between 1525 and 1527 AD. It starts at Sringeri and ends at Kurnool, just few kilometres from its mouth. They are stone constructions which are still intact.

Chalukya Dynasty

 

Chalukya Dynasty was a powerful Indian dynasty that reigned over extensive parts of southern and central India between the period of 6th and the 12th centuries. They had ruled their dominions as three individual yet related dynasties. The first one was the Badami dynasty who ruled from Vatapi. Then came the Eastern Chalukyas who ruled over Deccan. The Western Chalukyas ruled from Kalyani. The Badami Chalukyas became prominent during the rule of Pulakesin II After his death the Eastern Chalukyas emerged as an independent kingdom and ruled eastern Deccan. In the western India, their descendents Western Chalukyas ruled in the late 10th century and reigned from Kalyani which is the present day Basavakalyan.

The rule of the Chalukyas was a milestone in the history of South India. The political atmosphere changed from small empires to large ones with the arrival of Badami Chalukyas. Efficient administration, overseas trade and commerce and the development of new style of architecture, all these were witnessed during the rule of the Chalukya dynasty. Kannada and Telugu literature received patronage from Western and Eastern Chalukyas respectively.

Ravi River

 The Ravi River rises in the majestic Himalayas in the Indian State of Himachal Pradesh and flows north-west past the Chamba River and continuing by turning southwest at the Jammu and Kashmir border. The Ravi River flows in both India and Pakistan and is among the five rivers, which give Punjab its name. It arises in Bara Banghal, a branch of the Dhauladhar Range of Himalayas in the Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh. Flowing southwest and crossing Dalhousie, it cuts another gorge across the Dhauladhar Ranges before entering Punjab near Pathankot and Madhopur.

The river then flows into Pakistan and after running a course of 50 miles enters the Punjab province past Lahore and turning west at Kamalia. Finally, Ravi River empties itself into Chenab River at the southern part of Ahmedpur Sial with a total course of 450 miles (725 km). It is also called 'The river of Lahore' since that great city is situated on its eastern bank. On its western bank is located the famous town of Shahdara with the tomb of Jahangir and the Tomb of Noor Jahan.

The Ravi River, a trans-boundary river of India and Pakistan, is an integral part of the Indus River Basin and forms the headwaters of the Indus basin. The waters of the Ravi River drain into the Indian Ocean through the Indus River in Pakistan.

Performance in the Kathakali Dance

 Kathakali Dance performance is a major social event. They generally start at dusk and go through out the night. Kathakali is usually performed only by men. Female characters are portrayed by men dressed in women’s costume. However, in recent years, women have started to become Kathakali dancers. Kathakali performance mostly takes place on a temple premises or at the house of a local landlord. The Kathakali tradition dates back to the 17th century.

Like all other dance forms Kathakali has also undergone changes over the time. In Kathakali emphasis is given more on “Aharya Abhinaya”, the use of costumes, ornaments and facial make-up. It is interesting to note that Kathakali is the only Indian dance form in which the entire body, both skeleton and muscles, down to even the smallest facial muscle are used to portray emotion. When Kathakali dance is being performed the text of the drama or the story is sung for the dancer and is the baseline for his or her interpretation.

Indian Parrot

 The Indian Parrot is a great talker that makes them an attractive species of bird. Indian Parrots natively reside in Asia - mainly India and Pakistan. They are forest dwelling animals that will occasionally forage for food on the ground. Indian Parrot, also known as the “Ring-Necked Parakeet”, is a gregarious tropical Afro-Asian parakeet species that has an extremely large range. The Indian Parrot originates from southern India. Indian Parrots natively reside in Asia – mainly India and Pakistan. They are forest dwelling animals that will occasionally forage for food on the ground. The parrots are a broad order of more than 350 birds. Macaws, Amazons, lorikeets, lovebirds, cockatoos and many others are all considered parrots. Parrots are found in warm climates all over most of the world. As a popular pet species, escaped birds have colonized a number of cities around the world.

Parrot, term applied to a large group of gaudy, raucous birds of the family Psittacidae. Parrot also is used in reference to any member of a larger bird group, order Psittaciformes, which includes cockatoos (family Cacatuidae) as well. Parrots have been kept as cage birds since ancient times, and they have always been popular because they are amusing, intelligent, and often affectionate. Several are astonishingly imitative of many sounds, including human speech.

Programmes Broadcast by Star Plus

 Owned by the Fox Network Groups under Star India, Star Plus is an entertainment channel equipped with tons of diverse shows. Its programming comprises a variety of shows that appeal to a wide and varied audience base. The list of programmes broadcast by Star Plus include a mix of family dramas, comedies, reality shows, crime thrillers and telefilms.

List of Programmes Broadcast by Star Plus
The early 2000s are behind us when there would be a plethora of shows like Shararat, Son Pari, Hatim, Akkad Bakkad Bambey Bo, or sitcoms like Khichdi, Tu Tu Main Main, or the infamous drama series like Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki, Kaahin Kisi Roz, Kasautii Zindagii Kay, etc. With time, the list of programmes broadcast by Star Plus has shortened by quite a bit. The content of the shows has been condensed and instead of producing more than 10 shows under one category, show runners has opted to produce 1 or 2 programmes under each category or genre and has started to value quality over quantity. Genre-wise discussed below is the list of programmes broadcast by Star Plus:

Drama Series: In Indian film and television, drama is a genre of narrative fiction or semi-fiction, which is intended to be serious. There are various sub-genres to this like crime-drama, historical period drama, teen drama, comedy-drama also known as dramedy, etc. Out of the list of programmes broadcast by Star Plus, shows like Ishqbaaaz, Mariam Khan-Reporting Live, Kullfi Kumarr Bajewala, which is a musical drama and the mythological period drama Karn Sangini are good examples.

Balaji Baji Rao

 The eldest son of Baji Rao, named, Balaji or popular as Nana Saheb and Balaji Baji Rao, was entrusted with the office of the Peshwa , after Baji Rao. Balaji Baji Rao was not exactly the shadow of his illustrious father. He indulged in plentitude of pleasures and a happy-go-lucky attitude. Still he held a candle to his father's innate dictatorship abilities.

Shahu, on the eve of his death in 1749, left a deed attesting the Peshwa as the guardian of the new Raja in the post-Shahu period. Shahu by this treaty was required to protect the high-esteem,the splendor and the elegance of the blue-blood of Shivaji, perpetuated by the descendants of Tara Bai. He should also recognize the independence of the state of Kolhapur and be aware of the existing rights of the Jagirdars. Together with these Jagirdars , he was supposed to exercise a concerted effort for aggrandizing Hindu authority and for the security of not only the Hindu temples, the peasants of the soil, and whatever was holy and useful.

The new Peshwa soon, found himself in dire straits being shaken by the united antipathy of Tara Bai and Damaji Gawaikwar, who threw the Raja into confinement, to abort the Peshwas rise to power. But the dexterous Peshwa quelled his harmful haters. The Raja could taste no power, whereas the Peshwa became the actual leader of the Maratha Confederacy.

Peshwa Balaji introduced changes in the structure of military-administration , that had prevailed almost as the same since the days of Shivaji. He imported Western warfare techniques through the non-Maratha mercenaries he recruited to upgrade the military skills.The army losing the uniqueness of a national character, got deprived of the essential discipline factor.

Ved Vyas- Sanatan Dharma’s first and greatest Acharya

Ved Vyas was the first and greatest Acharya of Sanatan Dharma and the author of the great epic Mahabharata. He is responsible for classifying the 4 Vedas, wrote 18 Puranas and recited the great Mahabharata. In fact, the Mahabharata is often called as the 5th Veda. The most important and the most glorified section is the "Bhagwad Gita", the lesson recited to Arjuna by Lord Krishna on the battlefield. Apart from the Mahabharata, he also wrote the "Brahma Sutra", one of his shortest theologies on Hindu philosophy. It is said that Ved Vyas is immortal and he never died. The life of Ved Vyas is an example to all in the modern times on how to be selfless and devote oneself entirely to Lord in order to attain Nirvana.

Personal Life of Ved Vyas
Ved Vyas is also known as ‘Krishna Dvaipayana’. Around some 5000 years ago, he was born on an island in the holy river Yamuna in Damauli of Tanahi district, which is presently in Nepal. His father was Rishi Parashar, a sage and his mother was Satyavati. He taught the Vedas to his pupils with ardent devotion and dedication. It is said that Mahabharata is the 18th Puran that was written by Ved Vyas. He fathered four famous sons, Pandu, Dhritarashtra, Vidur and Sukhdev. Ved Vyas received knowledge from great sages like Vasudeva and Sanakadik.

Pravin Joshi and Sarita Joshi

 

Pravin Joshi and Sarita Joshi are the leading Gujarati husband-and-wife acting duo.

Pravin Joshi, born in 1936, was a young enthusiastic actor in Bombay. He attracted attention at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan's one-act competitions in the mid-1950s. Joining the prosperous Indian National Theatre (INT) under Damu Jhaveri, he acted and directed IN their most popular adaptations like Mogarana sap in 'Snake in the Jasmine' in 1963, from Frederick Knott's Dial M for Murder, Manju Manju in 1965, from Jean Kens Mary Mary, Chandarvo i.e. 'Colourful Canopy' in 1966, from Merry-go-round by Albert Maitz and George Sklar, Santu rangili i.e. 'Enchanting Santu' in 1974, from Shaw's Pygmalion, and Mosam chhalake i.e. 'Pleasant Times' in 1978, from Bernard Slade's Same Time Next Year. Pravin successfully directed two original Gujarati plays, Ramji Vania's Moti veranan chokman i.e. 'Pearls Scattered in the Yard' in 1969 and Madhu Rye's Kumarni agasi translated as The Terrace in 1972.

 In this play he acted alongside Sarita Joshi. She was a fine, sensitive actress, whom he later married. Pravin Joshi had a keen sense of space on stage, set design, lighting, and use of body and voice, and knew the pulse of the middle and upper middle-class Gujaratis of Bombay and urban Gujarat. As an actor-manager, he is considered a symbol of commercial Gujarati theatre in the 1960s and 1970s, along with Kami Madia. His untimely accidental death in 1980 took away a sensible theatre person.

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Acacia Tree in India

 

In the Indian subcontinent one of the species of acacia called Acacia Catechu is known as 'Khair'. It is a medium sized deciduous tree with crooked and forked truck. Its growth can be traced in both natural and plantation forms in most parts of the nation up to an elevation of 1300 meters above sea level. In India the Acacia Catechu is categorized mainly into three divisions: Catechu, Catechuoides and Sundra. In India the Acacia Catechu is widely found in Uttar Pradesh, Jammu, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa and Andhra Pradesh. The other species known as Acacia Catechuoides is found in the terrain region of Sikkim, West Bengal and Assam whereas the third variety also known as the 'red catechu' or 'lal khair' is prevalent in Gujarat, the Deccan, Rajasthan and southern parts of Maharashtra.

Functional uses

• Fodder: Not widely used as fodder, but in India 1-year-old plantations are browsed by cattle. Apiculture: The flowers are a source of pollen for honey production.
• Fuel: A major source of firewood, its dense wood and high energy (calorific value of 4,500–4,900 kilocalories per kilogram (2,000–2,200 kcal/lb)) contribute to its popularity. It provides very good charcoal that glows well with little smoke and does not spark.
• Fibre: The wood is extensively used for paper pulp. Plantation-grown trees have been found promising for the production of unbleached kraft pulp and high-quality, neutral, sulphite semi-chemical pulp. Large-scale plantations have already been established, as in Kerala, India, for the production of pulp.
• Timber: The sapwood is yellow; the heartwood light brown to dark red, straight grained and reasonably durable. The wood has a high basic density (500–650 kilograms per cubic metre (31–41 lb/cu ft)), is fine-grained, often attractively figured and finishes well. It is excellent for turnery articles, toys, carom coins,

West Indian States

 Part of the western region of India comprises of three large states, one small state and two minuscule Union Territories. These include Gujarat, Goa, Maharashra, and some parts of Rajasthan. The union territories in this region are Dadar and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.

West Indian states are developed and industrialization helps to boost the economy with a large urban population of Pune, Mumbai, Thane and Panaji. The Western India states are bounded by the Thar Desert in the north-western part, the Vindhya Mountain Range in the north and the Arabian Sea in the west. A major portion of Western India shares the Deccan Plateau with South India.

History of West Indian States
Parts of Gujarat and Rajasthan in western India trace their history back to the Indus valley civilization. Lothal, Surkotada, and the region around Ghaggar river in Rajasthan are notable areas of excavation showing human inhabitance from 3300 BCE to 1300 BCE. Later the region was ruled by Rashtrakutas, Mauryas, Guptas, Rajputs, Satavahanas, Western Satraps, and Kadambas.

Vishwakarma Caste

Vishwakarma Caste describes a Brahmin Caste of India who claims to be descendants of Lord Vishwakarma. They are a caste of priests, engineers, architects, sculptors, temple builders and artists. The term is applied to five sub-castes; blacksmiths, carpenters, coppersmiths, goldsmiths and sculptors. Vishwakarma Caste is also known as Vishwabrahmin or Dhiman Brahmins or Jangid Brahmins. The Vishwakarma Caste also claim to have been the spiritual guides and priests and their position in the society survives in the saying the ‘Vishwabrahmana is guru to the world’.

The five subgroups of Vishwakarma caste have unmatched and marveling architectural and artistic skills in several important occupations. Therefore, the Vishwakarma community could contribute in volumes to the rich heritage and history of Indian continent. Let us know more about these subgroups and their occupations.

Kammari (Blacksmith)

The first occupation of the Vishwakarma’s professions is blacksmith (Lohaar). 

Vadrangi (Carpenter)

The second profession among the five. The carpenter who makes goods with wood (wood/timber). 

Kanchari (Bronzesmith)

The third profession among the five. Bronzesmith (artisans) works on the brass, copper and bronze metals.

Shilpi (Stonemasons)

The forth profession among the five. Sculptor does not mean one who makes stones into idols

Swarnakaari (Goldsmith)

The fifth profession among the five. A goldsmith who collects raw gold and extracts into real gold.

Rain Tree

  Rain tree is a very large tree of India that can very easily be identified. It has a wide shelter of evergreen, soft foliage and also the drafts of pink flowers. 'Samanea Saman' is the scientific name of this tree. The rain tree belongs to the family of Leguminosae and the name of the sub family is 'Mimoseae'. In Hindi and Bengali languages this tree is called as Belaiti Siris. Tamil speaking people call it Enal-vakai; and in Malayalam language, this tree is called as Plavu.

In spite of having widespread twists, the shape of the tree is very much balanced and this is the main reason why this is being planted in groups frequently. Generally, it grows till the height of 27 metres and it has the characteristics of being very tough and having long spreading branches. The bark of the tree is dark grey in colour and bear horizontal weal. It is a suitable tree to be grown as host for ornamental epiphytes. The green cover remains dotted all over with pink and white colours during the period starting from the month of March to May and also towards the end of the year. Usually only a few flowers can be found during the rest of the year. The flowers of the tree appear like encircled and silken bunches. However, each flower stalk bears one central and a surrounding crown of florets that goes up to 20 in number. The flowers have a tube-shaped calyx and a little, yellow-lobed, cherry trumpet. The half pink and half white bunch of long stamens stick out from each flower.

KATHIAWAR - GUJARAT PENINSULA

 

Kathiawar, also called Saurashtra Peninsula is bounded by the Little Rann (marsh) of Kachchh (Kutch) to the north, the Gulf of Khambhat to the east, the Arabian Sea to the southwest, and the Gulf of Kutch to the northwest. From the northeast an ancient sandstone formation extends into the peninsula, which has an area of 23,000 square miles (60,000 square km). Most of the sandstone, however, is masked by lavas. The coastal regions are flanked west and east by clays and limestones and south by alluvium and miliolite, a wind-deposited sand concretion known as Porbandar stone and widely used for building material. Bhavnagar is the principal port and city in Kathiawar.

Some historians suggest that the Kathi people are basically Scythians who migrated to Surashtra (referred to as Saraostus as well, by Greeks) around second century B.C.

Kati is the name of an ancient tribe, which in Afghanistan has given its name to the Katawaz district of Ghazni ; they are the same people, apparently, as the Kathi of the Punjab, whose ancestors opposed Alexander, and whose posterity afterwards spread southwards and gave their name to an extensive country, the modern  Kathiawar. 

Indian Poetry

 

Indian Poetry reflects different spiritual traditions within India.

India has a long tradition of arts and poetry from ages. It is also in this very context of the historical evolution of Indian poetry, that the significant phases of maturing in verse can be witnessed. The much discussed germination is divided into the periods, comprising: Indian Epic Poetry and Indian Medieval Poetry. Both these ages, with the advancement of Sanskrit and additional Islamic development of Urdu in ‘darbars’ (the king's court), had induced Indian poetry to travel to majestic and subliminal heights. The Epic Age was predominated by the Sanskrit language and its tremendous reach, whereas, Medieval Period was overridden by the overwhelming of Urdu and poets penning for the said language.

The oldest epic poetry is the Indian Sanskrit epics Ramayana and Mahabharata in India. Indian poetry and Indian literature go back to Vedas times. Various Indian languages, including Vedic Sanskrit, Classical Sanskrit, Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, Odia, Maithili, Bengali, Assamese, Urdu, and Hindi, show signs of ancient poetry in India. Indian poetry reflects diverse spiritual traditions.

Traditional Dress of Maharashtra

 Traditional dress of Maharashtra comprises of a 9 yard saree as the traditional costume for the women, and dhoti and shirt as the traditional costume of the men folk. Maharashtra, being one of the largest and most populous states of India, demonstrates an array of costumes, which suits the purpose of any occasion, as well as weather conditions.

Dhoti is a single piece of cloth that is tucked around the waist and covers the entire leg till ankles. Dhoti cloth is usually of cream and white color and is extremely comfortable and good looking when added with a nice pair shirt. It is usually preferred by old people and it has different styles of waring in different cities.

Not only in Maharashtra but all over India saree is the traditional dress for most women.  It is about 8 meters in length, beautifully wrapped around the lower and upper body and then tucked in. In Maharashtra, this type is called Lugade. Other than this there are also many other variations to wear saree like some can wear it in a skirt manner, open pallu and close pallu, etc but the 8 meter saree is traditional in Maharashtra which women wear mainly at special occasions.

Paithani saree has been named after Paithan town of Aurangabad in Maharashtra. Paithani saree is characterised by borders of an oblique square design, and a pallu with a Peacock design. Both plain and spotted designs are available. Silk is woven to constitute the body of the royal Paithani silks. And into this rich silk texture, pure Zari made of gold and silver threads are interwoven to give the Saree the ornamented get-up

Devadasis -Indian women

The Devadasi system that is hindu religious ritual offers prepubescent females to gods for marriage. When Devadasis reach adolescence, they are ceremonially compelled to perform sexual duty as servants decreed by the deities. Their virginity is sold, and if they are compensated at all, it is a pittance.Devadasi translates to "Servant of God." These ladies are devoted to God and are regarded as God's wives, hence they are not allowed to marry any "mortal." 

The history of Devadasi culture may be traced back to the 7th century, mainly in southern India during the Chola, Chera, and Pandya dynasties. Plainly put,  Devadasis are nothing more than child sex workers or sex slaves.

The modern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana are mostly where one can still find Devadasis. In Maharashtra, they are known as Mathangis, while in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, they go by the names Jozinis or Mathamma, Devadasis in Karnataka, and Mathammas in Tamilnadu.

Devadasis, as a community, developed distinct customs, practices and traditions that were best suited to enable them to live as artists without suppressing their physical and emotional needs. This professional community was controlled by women and was matriarchal. Following the demise of the great Hindu kingdoms the practice degenerated. Originally Devadasis were celibate all their life. Though they had a glorious past, later these girls were forced into a life of poverty, misery and in some cases were also further degraded.

Festivals of Himachal Pradesh

The festivals of Himachal Pradesh are different from the other states. Himachal Pradesh festivals are associated with religion, trade, season and sports. There is much tradition connected with the opening of every celebration.

The land of majestic landscape and spectacular vistas, Himachal Pradesh is also a place of diverse and multiple colourful fairs and festivals. The people of this state celebrate its rich culture, social diversity and tradition with great pomp and show and pay immense gratitude for its rich natural beauty, and seek the blessings of the almighty for prosperity. The diversity keeps the state’s year calendar quite busy with celebrations. Apart from the major Hindu population, Himachal is also home to a fair amount of Buddhist, Muslims and few tribes like Gaddis, Kinnars, Jadun, Tanolis, Gujjars, Pangawals and Lahaulis, each has a festival or two of their own.

Himachalis also welcome each season with great joy and offer prayers to the gods and hold celebrations. The spring season marks the blossoming of flowers in the Kullu Valley. To celebrate its arrival, the Doongri Fair is organized at the Hadimba Temple in Kullu. Celebrated to bring happiness and prosperity to the region, the Chet Festival is organized on the first day of the first month of the lunar year. This festival is widely celebrated in the areas of Kangra, Hamirpur and Bilaspur.