Being Persian

Persians are complex, in an admirable way. This Iranian author’s observations - Being called an Arab is an insult by Persians whom in the face of foreign invasions have learned to hide such assets but at the same time and over the years have felt touched and moved by their own actions and consequently … Continue reading Being Persian →

You must go to Berlin

"You must go to Berlin" is a refrain we heard from Oslo to Budapest. Travelers and vagabonds swore by it. The itinerant European indicated a promise of a unique experience. The returning Israeli soldier insisted on how Berlin suited his travel (how its spirit suited him) in Europe hitting back after every leap … Continue reading You must go to Berlin →

Not sexy enough! Cultural encounters on the cricket field

As long as IPL was about a new format of cricket, entertainment and advertising, it was predictable and of minor interest to me. But I was hooked yesterday when I saw this fascinating encounter of the regular pompom wielding cheer girls of Chennai Super Kings with the elegantly attired (and beautiful) girls performing bharatanatyam-lavani blend ! That is a new battle field opening up … Continue reading Not sexy enough! Cultural encounters on the cricket field →

Holy cow, armchair anthropology & attraction of the ‘exotic’

A paper I recently read and which I had never known about (although some argue that it has been one of the most well known papers on culture & ecology) amazes me in its method and for the art of stating the obvious. Marvin Harris' paper The Cultural Ecology of India's Sacred Cattle 'attempts' to talks of … Continue reading Holy cow, armchair anthropology & attraction of the ‘exotic’ →

Kikkli Kaleer Di : On cultural revival

This is a hasty thought, as I listen to this latest bollywood song Kikkli Kaleer Di . This is from Punjabi folklore sung in jest (probably) by children who play this game of holding hands together and swirl around. Kikkli refers to the game and kaleer means 'a little girl'. The next line goes as pag … Continue reading Kikkli Kaleer Di : On cultural revival →