Category Archives: Arts, Culture & Entertainment

NATIONAL: GI Tags / ASSETS : Over 60 products from across India earn GI tags

More States are filing applications to get a GI tag for some of their traditional and historic products.

Over 60 products from across India, including the famous Banaras Thandai, have been given the Geographical Indication (GI) tag. This is the first time such a large number of GI tags have been given at a go, a senior official from the Geographical Indications registry said. He also said that more States were coming forward and filing applications to get a GI tag for some of their traditional and historic products.

Six traditional crafts from Assam — Asharikandi terracotta craft, Pani Meteka craft, Sarthebari metal craft, Jaapi (bamboo headgear of rural Assam), Mishing handloom products, and the Bihu dhol — have bagged the GI tag.

Thirteen other products from Assam have been given tags, including the Bodo Dokhona, the traditional attire of Bodo women; and Bodo Eri silk, referred to as the fabric of peace or ahimsa (non-violence), which comes from the silkworm Samia ricini that feeds mostly on the leaves of the castor plant (Ricinus communis), and cassava. Bodo Jwmgra (a traditional scarf), Bodo Gamsa (traditional dress of Bodo men), Bodo Thorkha (a musical instrument), and Bodo Sifung (a long flute) are also on the list.

Himanta Biswa Sarma, Chief Minister of Assam, said it was a big win for Assam’s heritage in a post on social media platform X. “Six prestigious GI Tags have been granted to traditional crafts with support from NABARD, RO Guwahati, and facilitated by Padma Shri Dr. Rajani Kant, GI Expert. This includes iconic items like Assam Bihu Dhol, Japi, Sarthebari Metal Craft, and more. These products, deeply rooted in history, support nearly one lakh people directly,” he posted.

The famous Banaras Thandai, a drink made by blending milk with a nutritious mix of nuts, seeds and spices, also got the tag. Details in the GI filing mentioned that on any given evening, in the heart of the city, in areas such as Gaudaulia Chowk, Lahurabir, and the old lane of Pakka Mahal, traditional Banaras Thandai shops attract large crowds. The drink was first introduced many centuries ago as an offering to the Shri Kashi Vishwanath deity on the occasion of Mahashivaratri, Rangbhari Ekadasi, and Holi. The Banaras Tabla, Banaras Shehnai, Banaras Lal Bharwamirch and Banaras Lal Peda are among the products that walked away with GI tags in this region.

The Tripura region secured two tags — one for the Pachra-Rignai, which is a traditional dress worn on special occasions, and the other for the Matabari Peda, a sweet preparation. Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha also took to X to laud the self-help groups for putting the State on the global map.

‘Meghalaya Garo Textile’ weaving, which is linked to socio-cultural and religious rituals, and the ‘Meghalaya Lyrnai Pottery’ and ‘Meghalaya Chubitchi’, have also secured GI tags.

The Geographical Indication is awarded to products that have a specific geographical origin, and that have characteristics related to a particular location. Till date, around 635 products in India have been given the GI tag. The first GI tag in the country was given two decades ago to the famous Darjeeling tea.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

GLOBAL: ARTS & CULTURE / MUSIC: Kerala woman Suchetha Satish Creates Guinness World Record, sings in over 140 languages

A Kerala woman has created a world record by singing in 140 languages in a Dubai concert on 24 November 2023. She shared the video on her Instagram handle.

Kerala women created a Guinness World Record after singing in over 100 languages. Suchetha Satish performed in a total of 140 languages in a Dubai concert on November 24, 2023. The concert is titled Concert for Climate. The video of her performance was shared on Instagram. She could be seen singing melodious songs, and it was a complete treat to ears.

Ms Satish shared the news on her Instagram handle. She captioned, “Happy to share the news that by God’s grace, I have set a new Guinness World Record by singing in 140 languages in 9 hours, on Nov 24th 2023, during my concert by climate. Thank you all for your wishes and support.”

According to the official Guinness World Records page, Ms Satish broke the record by performing 140 languages raising awareness about climate change at the Indian Consulate Auditorium in Dubai. There are over 140 representing over 140 nations attending the COP 28 summit in Dubai.

The stage was set for the 75th anniversary celebrations of India’s independence and the 50th formation of the UAE.

Suchetha Satish is a 16-year-old who attempted the feat during ‘Music Beyond Borders’ in Dubai on August 19 and broke the record of another Indian who sang in 76 languages in 2008.

Ms Satish sang in 29 Indian languages and 91 international languages. She attempted at 12 oms and with a rendition of a Sanskrit song called “Janki Jane” from Dhwani which is a Malayalam movie. She ended her streak with a Hindi song which is written by her mother, Sumitha Ayilliath, and composed by Bollywood composer Monty Sharma.

Many users commented on her post and applauded her for creating this record. 

One of the users,  “Congratulations Suchetha. Incredible! A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step. I am proud to be part of this beautiful journey. Well done.”

Another user wrote, “Glorious achievement. May you have many more such achievements in the years to come. Kudos.”

One of the users praised Sucheta and commented, “That achievement was incredible. The entire mankind would be proud of you Suchetha. My hearty congratulations.”

source/content: business-standard.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: FOOD : India’s Ras Malai ranked ‘2nd Best Cheese Dessert’ Globally by Taste Atlas.

Indian delicacy Ras Malai has been ranked as the second best cheese dessert in the world by experiential food guide Taste Atlas.

Ras Malai, an iconic Indian dessert, has been ranked second in the ‘Top 10 Best Cheese Desserts’ list released by Taste Atlas, a renowned experiential food guide. This delicacy, known for its delicate cheese dumplings soaked in saffron-infused milk syrup, originates from West Bengal.

The dessert is crafted from simple ingredients like white cream, sugar, milk, and chenna, a type of paneer cheese with a subtle cardamom flavour. It is often garnished with saffron, cashews, and almonds, and is best enjoyed during festive occasions like Holi, Durga Puja, or Diwali.

The dessert, which is crafted from simple ingredients like white cream, sugar, and milk, has been recognised for its delicate cheese dumplings soaked in saffron-infused milk syrup. The best ras malai in India can be had at Mumbai’s Farzi Cafe, as per Taste Atlas. 

The list was topped by Poland’s Sernik, a dessert made with twarog, a special type of curd cheese, eggs, and sugar, often enjoyed with fruits and jellies. The third position was held by Greece’s Sfakianopita, a pie dish filled with creamy local cheese, served with honey and cinnamon.

Other cheese desserts that made it to the top 10 are New York-style cheesecake (USA), Japanese cheesecake (Japan), Basque cheesecake (Spain), Rakoczi turos (Hungary), Melopita (Greece), Kasekuchen (Germany), and Misa rezy (Czech Republic).

Other cheese desserts that made it to Taste Atlas’ catalogue of best rated desserts are Kalitsounia (Greece), Cartola (Brazil), Romeu e Julieta (Brazil), Quesada pasiega (Spain) Mel i mato (Spain), Kohupiimakreem (Estonia), Placinta cu urda (Romania), Paskha (Russia), Halawat el-jeben (Syria), Martin Fierro (Uruguay), Topfentorte (Austria), Fiadone (France), Ostkaka (Sweden), Hosmerim (Turkiye), and Postre vigilante (Argentina). 

source/content: businesstoday.in (headline edited)

NATIONAL: ARTS & CULTURE: President gives away Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards for 2022 and 2023

President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday conferred the Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards for the years 2022 and 2023 to eminent artists in the field of performing arts, including music, dance, drama, folk and tribal arts.

Besides the Akademi Awards, the President of India also bestowed the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship to 6 eminent artists.

The Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship or “Akademi Ratna” is the highest honour given to eminent artists in the field of performing arts for his or her exceptional contribution to performing art form. It is restricted to 40 at any given time.

On Wednesday, folklorist from Goa Vinayak Khedekar, Veena virutoso from Karnataka R. Visweswaran, Kathak exponent Sunayana Hazarilal, famous Kuchipudi dancers Raja and Radha Reddy, theatre artists Dulal Roy and D.P. Sinha were bestowed with Akademi fellowships.

Twelve people from the field of music, and equal number from dance, 9 from the field of theatre and 11 from folk and tribal arts have received the Akademi awards for 2023.

Some notable artists include Carnatic vocalist Bombay Jayashri Ramnath from Tamil Nadu, Neyveli Narayanan from Tamil Nadu for Carnatic Instrumental (Mridangam), Urmila Sathyanarayanan, from Tamil Nadu for Bharatanatyam and Pallavi Krishnan from Kerala for Mohiniattam.

The Akademi Awards have been conferred since 1952.

While the honour of Akademi Fellow carries a purse money of ₹3,00,000, the Akademi Award carries a purse money of ₹1,00,000.

While giving away the awards, the President said that art is not just for the sake of art, it also has social purpose.

There are many such examples in history, when artists used their art for social welfare. Artists have been contributing to awakening of society through their creations. Indian art is the best example of India’s soft-power, she added.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: ARTS & CULTURE / MUSIC: GRAMMYS: ‘I felt extremely proud of my instrument, the bansuri’: Flautist Rakesh Chaurasia on winning two Grammys

“The West likes the sound of this instrument as it gels well with almost any kind of music, be it jazz, rock or even divine music.”

Flautist Rakesh Chaurasia—nephew of legendary flute player Hariprasad Chaurasia — featured with Béla Fleck, Edgar Meyer & Zakir Hussain in the album As We Speak, which won two Grammy awards in Best Contemporary Instrumental Album and Best Global Music Performance categories. Chaurasia was in the city recently for the concert Uttar Dakshin held at JNAFAU. CE speaks with him to learn about the Grammy, his musical journey and more

Excerpts from the interview:

What was your initial reaction when you heard your name for Grammy?

Initially, we thought we might get it because big names like Ustad Zakir Hussain, Béla Fleck and Edgar Meyer were part of it. When the nominations were announced, the categories had such good entries that we felt a little nervous about it. But then our names were called out and my reaction was just, wow! Most importantly, I felt that I was taking something for India and felt extremely proud of my instrument, bansuri or the Indian bamboo flute.

The award puts Indian classical music on the global map, especially for the younger generations. How do you view it?

Initially, it was quite difficult to understand the different genres of music and what I could do with my instrument. We had to figure out how to keep everything fluid. The West likes the sound of this instrument as it gels well with almost any kind of music, be it jazz, rock or even divine music. For young people who never thought of playing live classical music in flute, this award is a big encouragement and proves that they can also reach this stage. Provided they work hard and go in the right direction.

Could you tell us about the album that won two grammy awards?

The album is called ‘As We Speak’. Three to four years back, we started touring in the US, Dubai, India and Bangladesh. We started recording some of these performances. What’s special about this album is that it has all live music. It took us two to three days to listen to different versions of these live performancesand select which ones to keep for the album, and got the final 12 songs. Last year, we started to cut the album and then the Grammy happened.

How do you see your journey as a musician?

It was nice and pleasant. From the age of five, I started playing with this instrument, as in, it was my only toy. I took to this instrument because I liked the sound of it. I heard my guru, Hariprasad Chaurasiya ji playing it and practising all day long. I was fascinated when I heard him. I also think it is blessed as it is an instrument of Lord Krishna. It attracts the ears and eyes of the people. I am happy to have been associated with it and the maestros playing it. You get to learn a lot from them. It was challenging also, at the same time. Once you get the confidence, you start enjoying it. You wonder what else you can do from your end to make that piece more beautiful. For a musician, continuous growth is important. One cannot say you have finished your curriculum, and now exams are over. There is always scope for improvisation and for us, the exams’ results are received when people applaud and come to us with appreciation.

You mentioned your guru, Hariprasad Chaurasiya. Could you tell us about your memorable moments with him?

Every second of every day spent with him is memorable for me, be it off stage or on-stage. The behaviour, the way he used to keep himself calm, not getting angry. That is also something to learn because if you are not happy on the day of the performance, it shows in your music. He would be very calm and practice all day long. No wonder, even while watching a film, the flute would be in his hand. He has touched 85 now and has an amazing thought process and power. Whenever we go up to him to learn, he serves us with something new each time.

Carrying forward his legacy—does that feel heavy on your shoulders at times?

Yes, indeed. People have that expectation of listening to something as remarkable as his music, which is all over the world. I don’t think any village or city is left where his music hasn’t reached. In one way, it helps also because people know what they’re going to get. But on other hand, it’s also very intimidating as I have to meet people’s expectations and keep his legacy up to the mark. People might think what else can we do in this field since he has done so much already but there is so much more to explore. We also keep researching on his work. I try to take it in a positive manner.

What comes to mind when you think of Hyderabad?

The first thing that comes to mind is, biryani. The cuisine of Hyderabad. In my earlier days when I went to Charminar, I used to buy a lot of pickles. The city has always been very well known for its pickles. I went to the shop and was surprised to see around 300-400 different kind of them. Then there is Kubani ka meetha, mirchi ka salan, and other amazing things. The next best thing is the audience. The way people appreciate and understand music , is commendable.

How do you see the interest of young generations in classical music?

Nowadays, I see many young people getting attracted to classical music because a lot of things are available on the net. Before coming to the concert or booking a ticket, they do a small research with the artiste’s name and everything is available. They like the sound of the instrument or the chemistry we have on stage with other musicians. What triggers them, we don’t know. But I see lot of young people interested. If your foundation is strong, you can do any kind of music. Legends like Mohammad Rafi sahab, Lata Mangeshkar or Asha Bhonsle ji, they all had a very strong foundation which allowed them to do different things.

Do you also see the same dedication in them as it has been yours towards your music?

It’s a little lacking because of the gadgets. At times, when I see them playing, they tend to get distracted by the notifications on their phones. What happens is that once you get distracted, whatever you have done until then gets wasted. Your mind gets diverted. For music, I think, little dedication and focus is essential.

How do you see the influence of technology and do you think it actually helps music?

In the lockdowns, it really helped. We were doing a lot of virtual concerts. For practice also, we have a lot of apps now, like for tanpura or tabla. These things were not available for musicians earlier. Definitely, it has a very big impact and it’s useful if you use only in the right way.

What advice would you give to somebody who does not have a great background, but wants to learn?

You don’t have to. Music came in our family from Hari ji. My grandfather was a wrestler. If you know god is watching you, you will not be left behind. It is true for any field, not just music.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: GI Tag – Silver Filigree : Odisha, Cuttack’s famed 13th century Chandi Tarakasi (Silver Filigree) gets Geographical Indication (GI) tag

The Odisha State Cooperative Handicrafts Corporation Ltd. (UTKALIKA) had filed an application, seeking GI tag for the famed silver filigree, on July 1, 2021.

Cuttack’s famous ‘Chandi Tarakasi’ or silver filigree has been granted the Geographical Indication (GI) tag, officials said.

The Odisha State Cooperative Handicrafts Corporation Ltd. (UTKALIKA) had filed an application, seeking GI tag for the famed silver filigree, on July 1, 2021.

“It is a matter of honour for Odisha to get the GI tag for Cuttack’s Silver Filigree (#ChandiTarakasi). The centuries-old sophisticated craft practiced in the Silver City of #Cuttack gives a distinct identity to our state for its intricate workmanship. On the occasion, I extend my best wishes to the people of Odisha, especially Cuttack and the district administration,” Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said on X.

The district administration had traced its origins to the 13th century to show historical linkage of the art to the region.

In Odia, ‘Tarakasi’ is a combination of two words — ‘Tara’ (wire) and ‘Kasi’ (design).

During Durga Puja, artisans of Cuttack also create ‘medhas’ (tableaus) with intricate filigree patterns, the officials said.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

GLOBAL: FIRST / TIME : PM unveils World’s 1st Vedic Clock in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. Opens Rs 17K cr projects in MP

Virtually inaugurating the first-of-its-kind Vedic clock, the PM said, “This proves that our government works on vikas (development) and virasat (heritage) simultaneously.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday virtually inaugurated the world’s first Vedic clock installed on an 85-ft high tower at the Jantar Mantar in Madhya Pradesh’s religious city Ujjain.

The clock will display time according to ancient Vedic Hindu panchang (almanac). Besides planetary positions, muhurat, astrological calculations, and predictions, the clock will also display the Indian Standard Time (IST) and Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and operate on the time system based on one sunrise to another.

Virtually inaugurating the first-of-its-kind Vedic clock, the PM said, “This proves that our government works on vikas (development) and virasat (heritage) simultaneously. The city of Baba Mahakal (Ujjain) was once the centre of time calculation, but its importance was forgotten. Now we’ve established the world’s first Vikramaditya Vedic clock. It will not just render an opportunity to remember our rich heritage, but will also be witness to that Kalchakra (time cycle) which will turn India into a developed nation.”

PM Modi also launched the Cyber Tehsil system for all 55 districts to help in land related issues.

As part of unveiling and laying foundation of development projects across the country ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, the PM virtually unveiled and laid foundation stone of 37 development projects worth Rs 17,500 crore in MP at the ‘Viksit Bharat Viksit Madhya Pradesh’ which was attended by 15 lakh people across 200 locations in the state.

The projects pertained to variegated sectors, including irrigation, power, rail, road, water supply, coal, industry, among others. Addressing virtually the mega event which was attended by MP Governor Mangubhai C Patel, CM Mohan Yadav, his cabinet colleagues and state BJP chief VD Sharma at Bhopal’s Lal Parade Ground, the PM said, “Currently there is just one slogan ‘Abki Baar 400 Paar’ all around.

This isn’t BJP’s slogan, but actually a slogan given by the people of the country. For the first time, the people of the country are popularizing a slogan for the return of their loved and trusted government again.” “We’re not contesting polls just to form our government for the third time, but to form the government the third time to make India the world’s third largest economy.” Reaching out to the youth and first time voters, Modi said, “I assure the youth, that the BJP government will leave no stone unturned for creating opportunities for them.”

‘Vedic Hindu almanac’

The clock will display time according to ancient Vedic Hindu panchang (almanac). Besides planetary positions, muhurat, astrological calculations, and predictions, the clock will also display the Indian Standard Time (IST) and Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and operate on the time system based on one sunrise to another.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited0

GLOBAL RECORDS: AMAZING CHILD: Andhra’s four-month-old baby Kaivalya is now ‘World First 4-month Baby to Identify 100+ Flash Cards ‘

The baby’s family recorded a video showcasing Kaivalya’s abilities and sent it to Noble World Records.

A four-month-old child in Andhra Pradesh’s Nadigama has got her name registered in Noble Book of World Records. The baby named Kaivalya is able to identify 120 different things, from birds and vegetables to animals and also photographs, highlighting her early cognitive abilities, reported India Today.

Kaivalya has been recognised as the ” World’s first four months baby to identify 100+ flashcards”. In a viral video, she was able to recognise and identify 120 flashcards which consisted of 12 flowers, 27 fruits, 27 vegetables, 27 animals and 27 birds. The world record was set on February 3, 2024.

Kaivalya’s ability was noticed by her mother, Hema. The baby’s family recorded a video showcasing her abilities and sent it to Noble World Records.

The team at Noble World Records, reviewed the video and tested Kaivalya’s special talent. They have given her a special certificate, making her a world record holder at the tender age of just four months.

A video of Kaivalya with her family, posing with a recognition medal around her neck, has been shared on social media.

The baby’s parents have expressed tremendous joy for her achievement. They thanked everyone for the support and expressed hope that Kaivalya’s story would inspire other parents to discover and cherish the surreal talent their children may possess.

source/content: hindustantimes.com (headlines edited)

GLOBAL: ARTS & CULTURE / MUSIC: Grammy Awards 2024: India takes centre-stage at the 66th Grammy Awards 2024 as Shankar Mahadevan, Zakir Hussain Win Laurels

In a post on X, Indian music composer Ricky Kej said that this is a great year for India at the Grammys.

The most coveted award ceremony of all time, the Grammys, is here. And currently, we see Indian talent shining on the prestigious platform. Our homeland took centre-stage at the 66th Grammy Awards in Los Angeles after Zakir Hussain was named the Best Global Music Performance for his work in Pashto alongside Bela Fleck and Edgar Meyer, featuring Rakesh Chaurasia.

Shankar Mahadevan also took home the award for Best Global Music Album at the Grammys for This Moment. Taking to X, Grammys shared the post and wrote: “Congrats Best Global Music Album winner – ‘This Moment’ Shakti. #GRAMMYs.”

In his acceptance speech, Mahadevan said, “Thank you boys. Thank you God, family, friends, and India. India, we are proud of you…Last but not the least, I would like to dedicate this award to my wife whom every note of my music is dedicated to.” 

In a post on X, Indian music composer Ricky Kej said that this is a great year for India at the Grammys. He wrote: “Ustad Zakhir Hussain, the living legend creates history by winning 3 Grammys in one night!!! Rakesh Chaurasia wins 2!! .. and I am blessed to witness it.”

Kej added, “SHAKTI wins a GRAMMY! Through this album 4 brilliant Indian musicians win Grammys!! Just amazing. India is shining in every direction. Shankar Mahadevan, Selvaganesh Vinayakram, Ganesh Rajagopalan, Ustad Zakhir Hussain. Ustad Zakhir Hussain won a second Grammy along with virtuoso flute player Rakesh Chaurasia. Brilliant!”

The artistes mentioned were nominated for the Grammy Awards alongside others such as Susana Baca, Bokante, Burna Boy, and Davido.

source/content: indulgexpress.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: PARLIAMENT – Firsts : Sengol added to Ceremonial Procession to Welcome President to Parliament

PM Modi had installed the Sengol in the new Parliament building on the day of its inauguration.

For the first time in the history of Parliament, the Sengol (sceptre), considered a symbol of power of monarchs, was added to the ceremonial procession welcoming the President to the House.

Rajeev Sharma, a senior marshal in the Lok Sabha, who was dressed in traditional attire with scarf and a turban, carried the Sengol in his hand and accompanied President Droupadi Murmu, Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Speaker Om Birla during the parade.

It was kept in front of the Speaker’s podium during the President’s Address to the Joint Session of Parliament.

Mr Modi had installed the Sengol in the new Parliament building on the day of its inauguration.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said last year, before the inauguration of the new building, that on the night of August 14, 1947, India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, received the Sengol  from the priests of the Thiruvavaduthurai Adheenam in Tamil Nadu.

“It was precisely the moment in which power was transferred by the British into the hands of Indians. What we are celebrating as independence is actually marked by the very moment of handing over the ‘Sengol’,” Mr. Shah had said.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)