Traditions Citizen Matters, Blogs

Rangoli on Ganesha Chathurthi

September 13, 2018 Deepa Mohan

Instead of the stock Ganesha Puja photo, I thought I’d click some of the beautiful rangolis that I saw on my morning walk. So much art on our roads and footpaths, I felt like documenting

They wait, in their toxic colours in swathed in plastic, these un-green Ganeshas…a miniscule mimority tries to make green idols, much older people remember a time when a little pinch of mud or turmeric was

Lakes in the limelight

June 23, 2015 Arathi Manay Yajaman

A summary of some key “Bangalore lake” news Encroachments – eviction and regularisation Encroachments on government land, including lakes, shot into front page news with the demolition drive at Sarakki Lake in JP Nagar 7th

Janapada Suggi at Allalasandra Lake entrance

February 25, 2015 Arathi Manay Yajaman

The Department of Information and Public Relations, Government of Karnataka along with Yelahanka United Environment Association (YUVA) is organizing ‘Janapada Suggi’ an initiative to promote the rural folk culture of Karnataka. The program will take place

Koley Basava

December 29, 2014 Deepa Mohan

It’s called “koley basava” in Karnataka, and in Tamil Nadu, it’s called the “boom-boom mAdu”…boom-boom, probably because of the sound produced by the drum the man carries and rubs with a stick. He also usually

SJR Verity leads the way by celebrating a green Deepavali

October 27, 2014 Sujata Nanda

It all started with an idea to celebrate Deepavali by saying NO to crackers. Noble enough? Perhaps, if you think that the atmosphere is the only thing which makes up the environment. However, the environment

On the divine and the rain

October 8, 2014 Usha Rajagopalan

If Dussehra 2013 was unique for PNLIT with a South City resident replicating Puttenahalli Lake in her Golu, this year it was a lady from Brigade Millennium who took us by surprise. Mrs. Anjana Shivakumar wanted

After Ganesha goes

September 3, 2014 Arathi Manay Yajaman

With the 5th day of Ganesha Chaturthi (2nd September) past us, the festival in Bangalore has more-or-less ended for the year. Government departments and citizen groups that are closely associated with lakes must be reviewing

Ganesha idols are part of streetlife in Bengaluru: a photoessay

August 31, 2014 Kiran Keswani

I was on my way to a temple in Dodda Mavalli because it was Gowri Ganesh and I had been told it would be a day when devotees would come both to the Maramman temple

An eco-friendly Ganesh Chaturthi could win you a prize!

August 23, 2014 Arathi Manay Yajaman

My Bhumi, a Bangalore-based NGO, in conjunction with the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) is working to promote an eco-friendly Ganesh Chaturthi celebration this year. Supported by Friends of Lakes, RR Nagar Cares, One

Cycle Day @ Yelahanka, Allalasandra Lake

July 1, 2014 Arathi Manay Yajaman

Over the last few months, several jobs related to the rejuvenation of Allalasandra Lake have progressed. Yelahanka United Environment Association (YUVA), the association that has been working closely with the BBMP for this lake has

The Avenue road of ancient shrines, snake stones & peepul trees

April 8, 2014 Kiran Keswani

An INTACH walk took some of us to Avenue road last Saturday with Lathasshree KS, an archaeologist who unearthed for us the Avenue road of old times. We saw that morning a beautiful past that

“Lattu”: Traditional tops

April 1, 2014 Deepa Mohan

Playing with tops ia a boys’ sport and pastime in India. This is not a sexist statement, it quite simply is so; I have not seen girls playing with tops, from my childhood, till date.

Cow’s urine on one’s face and other such injustices

March 26, 2014 Claire Graham

Ultimately, I have cow’s urine on my face. There is no getting away from this true fact. Worse still, I am filming an interview and short of halting filming to announce this piece of information

Kali and the patriarchal fears

October 17, 2013 Shweta Taneja

She’s naked, covered with ashes, her hair matted with snakes in them, a garland of skulls and freshly cut heads around her neck. She laughs like madness herself, dancing to the chaotic rhythm of death,