Storyteller, Quizzer, Marcom Pro.
Storyteller, Quizzer, Marcom Pro.
Carnatic, the classical musical tradition of South India, derives its name not directly from the state of Karnataka, but from the word “Karnāṭaka Sangītam”. In Sanskrit, Karnāṭaka means “traditional” or “well-structured.” The term was used in medieval musicological texts to…
Koil Alwar Thirumanjanam is a purification ceremony undertaken at the Lord Venkateswara Temple in Tirumala. The term literally means “cleaning of the holy shrine” in Tamil, with Koil signifying holy shrine, Alwar meaning devotee/sanctified ones, and Thirumanjanam referring to an…
Madurai Shanmukhavadivu Subbulakshmi, popularly known as M. S. Subbulakshmi, was born on September 16, 1916, in Madurai. Her mother, Shanmukhavadivu, was a veena player, and their home often hosted musicians who shaped young Subbulakshmi’s musical instincts. She gave her first…
The word “diaspora” refers to people living outside their ancestral or native land, and the communities formed by such people. It also describes the scattering or movement of a population from its original homeland, often through migration, exile, or displacement. The word comes from…
Stoicism is an ancient Greek philosophy that teaches self-mastery, fortitude, and the pursuit of virtue. It was founded in the 3rd century BCE by Zeno of Citium, whose journey to philosophy began after a major personal loss. Historical accounts suggest…
Did you know Agartala, the capital of Tripura, derives its name from the aromatic agarwood trees (Aquilaria malaccensis) that once grew abundantly across the region? The name comes from two Sanskrit words: agar—the valuable tree known for its fragrant heartwood—and…
The pink-colored bottles seen in Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) traps may look ordinary, but they play a crucial role in scientifically proving bribery. Before a raid, the ACB dusts the marked currency notes with phenolphthalein powder, an invisible compound. When the…
Two ancient symbols are often associated with medicine: the Rod of Asclepius and the Caduceus. The Rod of Asclepius, a single serpent entwined around a staff, comes from Greek mythology. Asclepius, the god of healing, was linked with snakes, which…
The Kailasa Temple at Ellora in Maharashtra is one of the most extraordinary achievements of ancient Indian architecture. Designated as Cave 16 within the Ellora complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this massive rock-cut shrine is dedicated to Lord Shiva.…
During Ganesh Chaturthi/Vinayaka Chavithi, devotees bring home or install Lord Ganesha’s idol and worship him for ten days, marking his symbolic presence on earth. The worship culminates with the immersion or Visarjan, which has a spiritual and cultural meaning. According…