Unwrap Indian Culture by Abstract Scriber

Credit: Abstract Scriber                                             Watched Piku today again and I have to write this blog. Some dialogues carry so much weight but I’m seriously not such a good writer to pen it down in words with that much grace. Still trying my best to do so. Another thing; It's not a movie review blog, so if you're here for the review; you will just get the response 'Please Go and Watch’ It's one of those films that stays with you after the movie is over. The connection between Piku, and her father, so beautifully brought to life. It showed a breath of love, frustration, and humour all mixed into the same place. In many ways, the film shows the difficult effort of looking after an ageing parent, which has its share of battles and delights too. With a road trip thrown in for good measure, it’s got a little bit of everything. Be it heart, humour,...

Credit: Abstract Scriber Lights, camera, action! Indian cinema, often lovingly called Bollywood, is not just entertainment. It’s an emotion, a fever that grips millions with its charm. It’s where dreams unfold against technicolour skies, love stories are written in the rain, and every heartbreak comes with a soulful melody. With its emotional storytelling, unforgettable music, and characters who feel larger than life yet deeply relatable, Indian cinema is a spectacle indeed. From its humble beginnings with the black-and-white frames of Raja Harishchandra to the grandeur of Baahubali, Indian cinema has grown into a cultural juggernaut. It’s a tale of passion, where the hero always finds a way, the villain meets poetic justice, and the audience is left clapping, crying, and cheering for more. This is not just an industry; it’s a living, breathing drama that mirrors the chaos, colour, and charm of India itself.  “Zindagi ek film hai, aur film ka hero kabhi haar nahi maan...

On the eastern shores of India lies a temple town steeped in divine energy, where every stone and every breath hums with ancient stories. Puri is the sacred soil of Lord Jagannath, more than a destination; rather, it lives and testifies to faith, inclusivity, and culture bending with time. The Jagannath Sanskriti - this spiritual tradition harnessed from devotion to the deity - is deep in weaving together history, mythology, and human devotion into a tapestry that inspires the whole world to this very day. The Divine Origin Long, long ago, during the aristocratic rule of King Indradyumna, a celestial vision was born. Taking immense pity on the king, Lord Vishnu declared to him that he should erect a temple where he would enshrine his most extraordinary and universal form. Inspired by that divine command, the heart of King Indradyumna's desire began to fulfil the wishes of the gods. The holy deities Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra were carved out from the holy log of t...

                  India has a diverse range of cultures and ethnicities, with indigenous peoples, sometimes known as Adivasis, playing an important role. According to the 2011 Census, India has about 104 million Scheduled Tribes (STs), accounting for around 8.6% of the population. Despite their important contributions to India's cultural heritage and environmental care, indigenous groups confront various social issues. These are the major societal concerns confronting Adivasis in India , and they give insight into potential solutions for empowering these communities. What are the major challenges faced by Indigenous people in India? 1. Marginalization and Displacement One of the most pressing issues for India's indigenous people is displacement due to development projects. Mining, infrastructure development, and large-scale industries often encroach upon their ancestral lands. Many Adivasis depend on forests for their livelihood...

Terrorism had been a curse for many nations, and India, with its diverse people, strategic location, and all-historical complexities, was most uniquely targeted by these forces. India has witnessed attacks upon attacks over the past decades number of which have just gotten worse and worse than the last, with the nation still bearing the scar on people's collective memory. This reminds us of the horrific destruction that terrorism brings, and it would be one with the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai.  However, to understand the issue properly, we must place it within the context of terrorism in India and how it has shaped the security landscape of this nation. When Terrorism started in India Terrorism in India owes its roots to a series of factors—political, religious, and ideological. The Kashmir insurgency, partly because of the separatist movements there and partly because of some external support during the late 20th century, became one of the main sources of terrorism in I...

India's festivals are not only a kaleidoscope of tradition, love, and spirituality, but Odisha's Prathamastami is no small exception. This unique celebration is for the firstborn child in a family: the beautiful weaving of filial love with cultural rituals. Prayers, good food, and cherished traditions-Prathamastami displays the rich fabric of Odia heritage. In this blog post, we delve deeper into the historical roots, the importance of the festival to the culture, and the essential rituals on Prathamastami, thinking it all up in the light of its relevance to today's times. Historical Perspective: An Ancient Celebration of Legacy Prathamastami is a festival whose roots date back centuries to Odisha's glorious history when festivals were very much a part of life. Celebrated on the Ashtami, the eighth day of the waning moon in the Hindu month of Margashira, corresponding to November-December, has its origin in agrarian traditions. Initially, it was a thanksgivi...

India's journey in space with ISRO has been phenomenal, with paths that can be called phenominally exiting. From launching path-breaking missions of satellites to leading interplanetary exploration, ISRO has emerged as the beacon of innovation and has been an invaluable contributor to the global space ambitions. One of the major achievements of ISRO was in its satellite launch cost effectiveness. The PSLV is known famously as the "workhorse of ISRO." It has successfully launched over 50 satellites. The reliability it has demonstrated has led to the launching of more than 300 foreign clients' satellites by ISRO. ISRO has also played a role in delivering these fundamental communication, navigation, and Earth observing capabilities through its satellite systems:  INSAT/GSAT Series: Improving global communications and meteorological services.  NAVIC System: Providing accurate navigation data from transport sectors to agriculture.  Cartosat Series: Delivering ...

In recent years, India has seen a fascinating cultural shift, where Western festivals, holidays, and customs have found a strong foothold among young people and urbanites. From Halloween parties in Delhi to Thanksgiving dinners in Bangalore, the influence of Western cultures on India is undeniable. This fusion of traditions has created a dynamic blend of old and new, where the global and the local coexist, shaping a modern Indian identity that’s uniquely diverse and ever-evolving. Western festival celebrations in India The Increasing Popularity of Halloween Halloween is a festival that starts in the West but has popularity in the urban Indian cities, especially among millennials and Gen Z. Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru have been known to host Halloween parties with costumes, haunted houses, and trick-or-treating events. In addition, retail stores sell costumes and Halloween-themed decor, and nightclubs and cafes offer special themed parties where people can dress up as th...

                        Baliyatra is just a plain term "voyage to Bali." It is an elaborate festival whose theme is the celebration of Odisha's rich maritime heritage and trade links with Southeast Asia, especially Indonesia. The colorful festival, conducted every year in Cuttack, Odisha, is more than a cultural extravaganza. This is a tribute to the ancient mariners venturing out into the high seas to establish trade and cultural exchanges. Baliyatra is believed to be one of the greatest outdoor fairs in India and incorporates the combination of history, culture, and merriment that attracts worldwide audiences.    Origin and History  Baliyatra is an Odia word that evokes memories of the maritime voyages undertaken by the ancient Odia seafaring community known as the Sadhabas. According to Odia tradition, each year on Karthika Purnima-in November-the Sadhabas would embark in huge wooden vessels ...