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Showing posts from August 10, 2021


Jathiswaram – Meaning – Bharatanatyam

Jathiswaram is a part of nritta in a Bharatanatyam recital. It is executed to the tune of a combination of swaras (sol-fa notes), set to a particular raga (melody) and tala (cycle of beats). It is not a proper song. The notes are woven in round melodic lines conforming to a particular raga or melody. The Jathiswaram generally comes second or third in the usual order of presentation in a Bharatanatyam concert, and is danced for the drum syllables recited by the nattuvanar (conductor of the dance). Jathiswaram commences with a jati (rhythmic piece) and the jati ends with a muktayi or a finale. It is fast-composed piece normally set to a quadruple movement (catusra gati). Based on this movement, jatis are grouped in tisra (three), khanda (four), misra (seven) and sankirna (nine beats). Jathiswaram includes a pallavi (melodic line), which is followed by four or five segments called carana. The pallavi is repeated after the completion of every carana. The caranas expand from a single

Act Of Moving Belly In Indian Classical Dance – Jathara Krama

 Jathara Krama is the act of moving the belly in Indian classical dance. Bharata, the author of Natyashastra, the oldest available Hindu text on dramaturgy and histrionics, describes isolated movements of various parts of the body. These are divided into pratyanga (minor limbs) and anga (major limbs). Pratyanga consists of arms, neck, shanks, elbows, thighs and knees. Jathara (belly) is one of the prayangas. There are various kinds of karmas (movements) mentioned in ancient texts on Indian dance. Jaya Senapati, the author of Nritta Ratnavali, discusses subtle variations and purposes of belly movements. Sangita Ratnakara, written by Sarangadeva (13 th century CE) discusses three movements executed by dancers with special reference to the belly. Natyashastra discusses the physical attributes of a belly: Kshama is the shape of a belly that is drawn inwards, while holding the breath, especially done while laughing or weeping. Khalva is the belly that is crouching or bent due to a pe

Jataka Parijata – Vaidyanatha Dikshita – Hindu Astrology Treatise

Jataka Parijata is a treatise on Hindu astrology by Vaidyanatha Dikshita. It is a simplified version based on classical works. Its verses are easier and simpler to remember than the terse aphorisms of the original texts. Jataka Parijata consists of eighteen chapters, dealing with details of rashis, grahas, adhan, balavasta, longevity, raja yoga and its cancellation, non-luminous sub-plants, ashtaka varga, bhava results, female horoscope, kalachakra and ududasas. The sadbalas (six strengths of planetary position) have been dealt with. Simple rules for calculating the strength of each planet according to rashi, bhava, day, time, etc., have been given. Grahas (planets) have been described in an unambiguous way. Inauspicious effects of native asterisms are described in detail. There is a detailed discussion on kalachakra based on nakshatra pada (the position of asterism) in the wheel of time, clockwise as well as counter-clockwise, along with that of gulika (the auspicious period).

State Of Consciousness In Hindu Religion – Jagrat

Jagrat means being awake and, in the context of Hindu philosophy, denote a subjective state. Here is a look at the state of consciousness in Hindu religion. Prashna Upanishad, Mandukya Upanishad and Brihadaranyaka Upanishad speak of three states of the baddha jiva (embodied self). These are jagrat avastha (waking state), swapna avastha (dream state) and susupta avastha (dreamless sleep state). Added later was a fourth state, turiya avastha (consciousness of man’s pure self existence). During jagrat avastha, the jiva experiences the objects of the external world through the mind and the sense organs. Its activities and enjoyments pertain to the sthula (gross) level. At the macrocosmic level, Mandukya Upanishad speaks of catushpata (four quarters or forms) of Brahman. After propounding that the atma is the same as Brahman, Upanishad explains that this self has four forms – Vaisva, Taijasa, Prajna and Turiya. Of the four forms, Vaisva, also known as vaisvanara, refers to the waking

Parassinikadavu Muthappan Temple Festival - Parassinikadavu Muthappan Madappura Puthari Thiruvappana

Parassinikadavu Muthappan Temple is located at Parassinikadavu in Kannur district, Kerala. Parassinikadavu Muthappan temple festival 2023 date is December 2 and December 3. The main festival in the temple is held on Vrischikam 16 and Vrishchikam 17. This is known as Puthari Thiruvappana. Another important festival is observed on Thulam 9. This is known as Puthari Vellattu. Puthari Thiruvappana is the festival associated with harvest season of the region. The festival starts with the customary rituals at Madamana Illam, on 16th of Malayalam month of Vrischikam. Rituals like Muthappan Vellattam (evening) and Kalasam Ezhunnallathu (night) are held during the festival. Muthappan Thiruvappana is held on the second day and this includes colorful processions, traditional percussion and cultural programs During the festival, devotees and farmers offer freshly harvested rice crops (puthari) to the Madappura. A grand ceremonial feast is prepared using freshly harvested offerings. Parassini

Venisamhara of Bhatta Narayana

Venisamhara is the only known work of Bhatta Narayana. But there are reasons to believe that he must have written other works as well. Bhatta Narayana belonged to the 6th or the 7th century CE. The plot of Venisamhara (Binding of Hair) is based mainly on the episode in the Mahabharata of Bhima taking a vow that he would tie up the tresses of Draupadi with the blood drawn from the thighs of Duryodhana. The playwright takes liberties with the original episode in maturing omissions, additions and variation. The play consists of six acts. Composed in six acts, the work dramatizes the incidents of Yudhishthira losing Draupadi in the game of dice; Dushasana insulting Draupadi in the presence of elders and attempting to disrobe her, through without success; and the Pandava hero Bhima swearing to braid Draupadi’s hair (veni) with his own hands with Duryodhana’s blood. The vira-rasa (heroic statement), mixed with fury and violence, is delineated in this drama. The entire Mahabharata war is s

Chamakkavu Devi Temple – Vellur – Kannur - Theyyam Kaliyattam Festival

Chamakkavu Devi temple is located at Vellur on the Payyanur – Nileshwaram road in Kannur district, Kerala. The shrine is dedicated to Goddess Bhadrakali. The temple is one among the 108 Durga temples in Kerala. The shrine is known as Vellur in Durga Kshetra Stotra Namavali. The annual theyyam thira kaliyattam festival is held in Malayalam Makara Masam (January 27 to January 31). The temple is located inside a 10 acre kavu (grove). The darshanam of Vellur Chamakkavu Devi is towards east. The Upa Devatas worshipped in the temple are Vettakkorumakan, Bhagavathy, Mahavishnu and Panchuruli. The annual festival in the temple is held from Makaram 13 - 17 (last week of January). The theyyams performed here as part of the annual festival are Thiruvirakkattu Bhagavathy, Vettakkorumakan, Kelamkulangara Bhagavathy, Panchuruli, Paramakali, Kaavil Theyyam. Thidambu Nritham is also part of the festival.

Meaningful Life Beyond Sense-Bound Existence

To make our life fulfilled, we have to live a meaningful life, an ideal life, going beyond the sense-bound existence. If life loses its meaning we waste it in so many ways, as we waste valueless objects. There are several ways of wasting one’s life. Aimless wandering without apparent purpose is one such thing. Taking some work as a pretext, that may not be unavoidable, people move about. Some people undertake travelling in the name of pilgrimage. Some waste their life by extravagant talk. Some remain always busy with some work being unable to sit quiet. And yet others waste their life being addicted to something. Nowadays, because of the television, the Internet, mobile phones, and the like; there are a number of alluring opportunities to waste one’s life. There are some people who, finding no fulfilment in spiritual life, spend their time in preaching others what they could not accomplish themselves. The search for meaning is the most important urge in man, says Victor E Fr

Kashmir Shaivism View On Living Beings – Jiva

In many aspects, the concept of a living self in Kashmir Shaivism comes very close to that of Vedanta. According to the Pratyabhijna (recognition) school, the bound self is infinite consciousness, even though it experiences certain limitations due to maya (illusion) and its five veils (pancha kancucka). In order to be liberated, the self should ‘recognize’ itself as the Supreme Lord. In a parable by Utpaladeva, the self is likened to a woman who is already in love with Ishwara even before meeting him directly; for quite some time Ishwara comes to visit   the self secretly as her lover, but she can only attain bliss, can only partake of his freedom, when he is ultimately recognized. Then self-awareness manifests itself as a shimmering, pulsating radiance, as a sparkling, scintillating rhythm of perception, or – in some Kashmir schools – as the essential nature of Universal Speech.

17 August 2021 Tithi – Panchang – Hindu Calendar – Good Time – Nakshatra – Rashi

Tithi in Panchang – Hindu Calendar on Tuesday, 17 August 2021 – It is Shukla Paksha Dashami tithi or the tenth day during the waxing or light phase of moon in Hindu calendar and Panchang in most regions. It is Shukla Paksha Navami tithi or the ninth day during the waxing or light phase of moon till 4:29 AM on August 17. Then onward it is Shukla Paksha Dashami tithi or the tenth day during the waxing or light phase of moon till 2:04 AM on August 18. (Time applicable in all north, south and eastern parts of India. All time based on India Standard Time.  Good – Auspicious time on August 17, 2021 as per Hindu Calendar – There is no good and auspicious time on the entire day.  Nakshatra  – Anuradha or Anusham or Anizham nakshatra till 3:08 AM on August 17. Then onward it is Jyeshta or Kettai or Triketta nakshatra till 1:30 AM on August 18 . (Time applicable in north, south and eastern parts of India).  In western parts of India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, north Karnataka and