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Friday, March 08, 2024

The feminist god



Today is International Women’s Day and Maha Shivratri both. This doesn’t have to be mutually exclusive.

I think Lord Shiva is one of the best feminist allies in Hindu mythology. He loves his wife, is loyal to her. So much so that he starts tandav after her death.

Married Hindu women often fast on the day of Shivratri and worship him to seek blessings for their families and the longevity of their spouse’s lives. Unmarried women fast to get a husband like Shiva.

I asked my aunt once - Why do women want a husband like Lord Shiva?

I don’t remember what she replied, but I think it is because he treats Parvati as his equal. Together, they represent the harmony of masculine and feminine energy, often depicted as halves fusing as one—the Ardhanarishvara.

I am not very religious, but I find Hindu religious mythology quite fascinating. I am about to do a Lord Shiva in a meditative mood. Maybe it is the pensiveness before the tandav. Maybe it is the responsibility of the universe on his shoulders.

What I find most intriguing is that he is one of the most powerful Hindu Gods, yet he prefers to live the life of an ascetic, far away from the riches of a palace, on Mount Kailash.

To have the power to destroy the world and yet remain sooo detached. 

Supreme being in my books. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻


Saturday, March 02, 2024

অনুগল্প: ব্যাধ ও তিন পাখি

এক ডালেতে তিন পাখি থাকে- দোয়েল,কোয়েল, আর ওয়েল ।  তারা  কিচিরমিচির করে গান গায়,  একসঙ্গে চারা খায়। কিন্তু প্রত্যেকেই মনে মনে ভাবে  যে অপর দুজনকে যদি  ধাক্কা মেরে ফেলে দিতে পারতাম, তাহলে সবাই শুধু আমার গানটাই শুনত ! আর আমি আরো আরো প্রশংসা পেতাম  !

সেই ভেবে ওরা পরিকল্পনা করতে থাকে কি করে  অপরকে ডাল থেকে ফেলে দেওয়া যায় ।  

সেই জঙ্গলে এক অত্যন্ত অভিজ্ঞ ব্যাধ থাকে।  সে জানে যে পাখিগুলোর প্রকৃতি এরকম । নিজেদের মধ্যে ঝগড়া বিবাদ করেই দিন কাটায় । তাই সে সুযোগের অপেক্ষায় জাল নিয়ে বসে থাকে । একদিন এমনি ঝগড়াঝাটি মারামারি করতে করতে যখন পাখিগুলো বেসামাল হয়ে  ডাল থেকে পড়ে যায়,  তখন তারা আবার উড়ে যাওয়ার আগেই ব্যাধ তাদের নিজের জালে ধরে ফেলে।

জালে ধরা পড়ে তিন পাখি খুব কিচিরমিচির চেঁচামেচি করে ।  কিন্তু কোন লাভ হয় না । 

ব্যাধ তার বউকে নিয়ে পাখিগুলো দেয় । আর ব্যাধের বউ সেগুলো রান্না করে তার সঙ্গে খুব আনন্দ করে খায়।  পাখিগুলো ব্যাধের পেটে গিয়ে ভাবে – “ইস যদি একটু মিলেমিশে থাকতে পারতাম!”


Ami sei meye by Subho Dasgupta

Monday, February 26, 2024

TRIPTI Saraswati Pujo 2024

The legacy of Tripura continues in the heart of Silicon Valley, California.

Tripti, an organization based in the Bay Area, California, diligently upholds our state's traditions, culture, and customs even in the United States of America.

      With most of the attendees in this group picture  PC: Rajat Naha

For the fourth time since 2019, over 100+ Tripti members (connected to Tripura either by birth or through marriage) congregated to observe Saraswati Puja at Centerville Community Center, Fremont, in February 2024. 

In the shadow of today’s humdrum, many traditional rituals have faded. Still, our customs have endured across time and distance, and even after thousands of miles of migration, our roots remain strong. This is also an effort for the parents to expose the next generation to the culture we grew up in and to remember where we came from because we believe that the stronger the roots, the higher the tree will be.


Our MVP (Most Valuable Purohit) Tirtha

The celebration also included traditional puja by our in-house purohit, art exhibitions of rare photos depicting the history of Tagore and Tripura, craft booths manned by children teaching their origami skills to other children, and an open mic for children and adults. And, of course, khichuri bhog, makha prasad, and other offerings from the members.



Vintage Banner design by me

 
Srila di, our Program Director, sharing credits for those who helped us materialize this


Participants at the end of our program. The rehearsals have been a great bonding exercise.

During this year’s celebration of Baag Devi Saraswati, we presented a musical showcase with an amalgamation of song-dance-narration-recitation titled "Chiro Shakhyota," symbolizing the timeless connection between Gurudeb Rabindranath Tagore and Tripura.

Our beloved Maharaja Birchandra Manikya of Tripura, a connoisseur of literature, found inspiration in Tagore's verses. Tagore's visit to Tripura and his creation of literature and songs inspired by the landscapes and history of Tripura were an integral part of the program. Tripti members have worked tirelessly to honor this historical legacy. 

Today, Tripura's children around the globe actively engage in preserving our heritage, history, and culture. Our future is in good hands.

There was also an open-mic hosted by me

Tuesday, January 09, 2024

Cottage industry in Tripura

Tripura, a state in northeastern India, where I was born, has a rich tradition of cottage industry that plays a crucial role in its economic and social fabric. It is diverse, encompassing various traditional crafts, handloom weaving, bamboo and cane crafts, sericulture, and food processing.



Handloom Weaving:

Artisans producie various traditional and contemporary textile products. The state is known for its unique handwoven fabrics, including cotton and silk, with intricate designs and vibrant colors. The traditional items produced include Risa and Riha. 

In fact, it was a pre-requisite for every tribal girl to know how to weave. Otherwise, she should not be considered as a potential bride. (source : Tripura Tourism)

Bamboo and Cane Crafts:

Tripura has a vast bamboo forest cover, and the state is known for its bamboo and cane crafts. Artisans create a wide range of products using bamboo and cane, including furniture, decorative items,  table mats, floor mats, room dividers, decorated wall panels, and traditional household articles.

This bamboo peacock used to be a common decorative item placed on the TV in most houses




We also had room dividers to set up privacy

Sericulture:

Sericulture, or silk farming, is another critical cottage industry in Tripura. The state produces mulberry and non-mulberry silk, with sericulturists rearing silkworms and producing silk yarn.

Food Processing:

Cottage industries in Tripura also include food processing units, where local communities engage in pickling, jam-making, and traditional food preparation activities. The production of bamboo shoot-based products is also a notable aspect of food processing.

Art and Handicrafts:

Various art and handicrafts, including traditional paintings, wood carving, and pottery, contribute to the rich cultural heritage of Tripura by showcasing the ethnic diversity of the state and its indigenous communities.

Khadi and Village Industries:

Khadi and village industries have been promoted to provide employment opportunities and to preserve and promote traditional skills. Various products like khadi garments, handmade paper, and herbal products are produced in these industries.

The state government, along with various agencies and NGOs, has been working towards promoting and developing these cottage industries. Initiatives include training, financial assistance, and marketing support to the artisans and entrepreneurs involved in these sectors. Additionally, efforts have been made to link these cottage industries with national and international markets to enhance their visibility and market reach.

Note: You may buy from handicraft items from Purbasha, the Tripura Government Handicrafts Emporium in West Tripura.

Wednesday, October 25, 2023

সৃষ্টি সংলাপ

শুভ বিজয়া সকলকে । 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

আপনাদের জন্য একটা বিশেষ উপহার নিয়ে এসেছি বন্ধুদের সঙ্গে মিলে, আশা করি আপনাদের ভাল লাগবে।

বাঙালি সাহিত্য প্রেমীদের জন্য তৈরি বিনামূল্যে ম্যাগাজিন। আমার ব্লগে আপনার পছন্দের লেখা নিয়ে আপনার মতামত অবশ্যই জানাবেন।

 "সৃষ্টি সংলাপ" or "A Dialogue in Creations" is a heartfelt endeavor, carefully compiled and gathered directly from budding Bengali writers.

Indulge in this complimentary magazine designed for Bengali literature enthusiasts. 

Please share your feedback on my blog about your favorite writers. 

I promise you that your comments will be relayed to them.

Google Drive link




Thursday, October 19, 2023