Indian miniature paintings are small-scale, highly detailed paintings. They take place on a very small scale, using tiny brushes. They originated in India around 750 AD, during the rule of the Pala Empire. Originally painted on palm leaves, miniature paintings had to be made small enough to fit them! These paintings often illustrated religious texts such as the Holy Quran, as well as ancient myths. The paint brushes were mostly made from squirrel hair, which is small enough to capture fine detail. Originally, miniature painters used colors from natural sources like vegetables, precious stones, and gold and silver. Each color had a special purpose. Black was used to provide depth, red for celebration, green for nature, blue for small details and gold leaf for armor, or to mark the head of a divine figure. The most common theme used in the miniature paintings of India comprises the Ragas or a pattern of musical notes, and religious and mythological stories. They are a living tradition with many contemporary artists still pursuing the art form. 

History and Evolution

When miniature paintings originated in India , the religious teachings of the Buddha were written on palm leaves and were accompanied by his images.  As these paintings were done on palm leaves, they had to be miniature in nature because of space constraints. Around 960 A.D, similar paintings portraying religious themes were introduced in the western parts of India by the rulers of the Chalukya Dynasty. The rise of the Mughal Empire brought with it an insane surge in the popularity of miniature paintings. Akbar’s love for art led to the development of an extraordinary combination of Indian miniature paintings with elements of Persian style of painting. This gave rise to the Mughal style of painting which further evolved with the influence of European paintings in the Mughal court.

Famous Schools of Miniature

Pala School, dating back to the 8th century A.D. has the earliest miniature paintings. This school of painting emphasized on the symbolic use of colors and the themes were often taken from the Buddhist tantric rituals. The Orissa School of miniature painting flourished during the 17th century A.D. They displayed the love stories of Radha and Krishna and also stories from ‘Krishna Leela’ and ‘Gita Govinda’.

The Jain School of painting being one of the oldest, gained prominence in the 11th century A.D when religious texts like ‘Kalpa Sutra’ and ‘Kalkacharya Katha’ were portrayed in the form of miniature paintings. It portrayed enlarged eyes, square shaped hands and stylish figures.

The coming together of Indian paintings and Persian miniature paintings gave rise to the Mughal School of miniature painting. The Mughal style of painting flourished under the reign of Akbar and majorly depicted scenes from the royal court, hunting expeditions, wildlife and battles.

Rajasthani School of painting was further divided into various schools. Each Rajputana kingdom had its own distinct style with a few common features. From depicting stories from the Ramayana and the royal lifestyle of kings and queens to portraying the legacy of present and past rulers, they had it all.

Pahari School of miniature painting emerged in the 17th century A.D. These paintings originated in the kingdoms of North India, in the Himalayan region. The portrayal of gods and goddesses is one of the most common features of the Pahari School of miniature painting. The scenic beauty of the Himalayas was also often depicted in these paintings.

The Deccan School of miniature painting flourished in places like Ahmednagar, Golconda, Tanjore, Hyderabad and Bijapur from 16th to 19th century A.D. The Deccan School of miniature painting was largely influenced by the rich traditions of the Deccan and the religious beliefs of Turkey, Persia and Iran.

Miniature Paintings Now

Even after the decline of the Mughal Empire, miniature paintings and artists were patronized by the Rajput rulers of Rajasthan. Most of these miniature paintings depicted the lifestyle of kings and queens, the  mythological stories of Lord Krishna and Radha and also narrated tales of bravery. Though most of the miniature paintings were anonymous, there were a few remarkable artists who left behind a name. Some renowned artists included Mir Sayyid Ali, Nainsukh, Manaku and Miskin. Today, a lot of miniature paintings are preserved in museums and in old Rajasthani forts. The art is kept alive in a few regions in India under the patronage of royal families. Miniature paintings hold an unparalleled place in Indian history, glorifying the culture of India, its essence will always prevail.

“India is a land of diverse cultures”- The first line in every Environmental Science (EVS) book, and it’s rightly so. People in India have their differences owing to their different cultural upbringings but are united by the same differences that divide them. From food to music to clothes the variety you will encounter as you move from one end of India to another will leave you shell-shocked for days.

Amidst this array of cultures, there is one such state which lives in a world of its own and teaches people the true meaning of “doing it at your own pace”. Yes, we are talking about Odisha. Located in the eastern part of the country Odia people are the masters of marching to the beat of their drums.

Imagine it’s one of those annoyingly hot summer days and you have a craving to eat rice, but it’s piping hot, what do you do? Odia solution: Pour water over it! 

Pakhala: A Delight

It won’t be surprising if you have scrunched up your nose in disgust at the above-mentioned solution. Hate it or love it, that’s how they do it in Odisha (although we would suggest don’t hate it before you try it). Pakhala is close to every Odia as Idli is to Tamils, as Chole is to Punjabis, and as Dhokla is to Gujratis. It’s everything that makes one authentically Odia.

And rightly so. Requiring just 3 ingredients, i.e., cooked rice, water, and salt, Pakhala is a sight for sour eyes for every Odia. During the extremely hot days of Indian summer, Pakhala not only fills your tummy but also rehydrates you with salt and water. Now now, before you start making assumptions about how can one actually like rice submerged in water with salt, let’s get to the lip-smacking part!

The Way of Pakhala

The traditional way does include just adding water to cooked rice and consuming it with salt but that doesn’t mean that’s the only way you can eat it. Many people prefer adding some curd (Dahi Pakhala), fried cumin with curry leaves (Jira Pakhala), lemon water, ginger (Ada Pakhala), etc. The most common way Pakhala is eaten is either Saja (adding water to freshly made rice) or Basi (adding water to rice and leaving it overnight to ferment). We highly recommend the Basi one but if you’re someone who doesn’t like a sour taste then better to stick with Saja.

The best part about Pakhala is that it tries to take the backstage during any meal time. It’s the side dishes that accompany it from fried fish and sukhua poda (dry fish fried), to saga bhaja (water spinach stirfry), badi chura (sun-dried lentil dumpling crushed and mixed with finely chopped onion, garlic and chillies) and aloo bhaja (stirfried potatoes), the side dishes always steal the show. But when you’re panting from biting onto a piece of chilli in the badi chura, or from the heat of the fried fish, it’s Torani (the water used in Pakhala) that saves the day.

Pakhala Divas

Did you know that there’s a day dedicated to this delicacy? Yes, you read it right, Pakhala Divas or Pakhala Dibasa is celebrated every year on 20^th March. It is unknown when Pakhala became a part of the Odia diet but it was included in the recipe of Lord Jagannath Temple of Puri circa the 10th century. 

Many parts of India do enjoy this delicacy but with different names, such as; ‘Panta Bhat’ in West Bengal, ‘Poita Bhat’ in Assam, ‘Paani Bhat’ in Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand, and ‘Pazhaya Sadam’ in Tamil Nadu. 

Afterword

No matter what you call it Pakhala is that simple diamond that will shine the brightest among any other dish during a hot summer day, or on days when you’re just lazy and want to enjoy a simple meal. There’s no one way to eat Pakhala as you can tailor it and its side dishes to cater better to your taste buds. But fair warning, never try to eat Pakhala with a spoon in front of an Odia, it’s as shocking as eating Biryani with a spoon or Panipuri with a spoon, the horror is real!

Veganism is a lifestyle movement that has taken over the world in recent times. It is a concept termed by Donald Watson, an English man. But Indians have followed this diet for ages. One state in particular that stands out for its vegan diet is Odisha. Odias thrive on a diverse cuisine that is almost always easy to make. They have some lip-smacking non-vegetarian dishes but their vegan game is not a joke either. Fun- fact many Odias that I personally interacted with were not even aware that their regular diet has a name, i.e., Veganism!   

What Exactly is Veganism?

Before we delve further into the delicious cuisine that Odia people thrive on, let’s get the basics out of the way. Veganism in dietary terms means abstaining from eating any products derived from animals (yes that includes cheese, milk and other dairy products as well). Although veganism does go beyond just food habits and is an entire lifestyle in itself, here we will focus on just the food part. 

What comes to your mind when I utter the words Indian food? There is a high chance that your answer is either, chole, biriyani or paneer, or idli and dosa. There’s no way that Dalma or Santula will invade your thoughts unless as a kid you dreaded it will show up for every dinner but have started yearning for it day and night as you have grown up.

Elixir of Odia Cuisine

I am pretty sure many people are still trying to understand what in the world are Dalma and Santula. A new cooking technique? A utensil? Probably some indigenous vegetable? An exotic dish maybe? No, no, somewhat yes and NO. 

Dalma and Santula are two such dishes that are so diverse that it will make you question whether they really are Odia dishes or not. They include some indigenous vegetables but the dishes are so open-minded that they won’t mind a bit if you switched out the quintessential veggies with the ones sitting in your fridge. 

Apart from Dalma and Santula the must-try Odia delicacies we also have Ghanta, and just like the previous two dishes, Ghanta is open to any change you want to bring in. And guess what all these three are super nutritious. Packed with just veggies and lentils they are the perfect pair for anything, be it rice or bread, they will never disappoint. 

Drool-Worthy Vegan Odia Snacks

When it comes to Odia cuisine all you ever need is the right blend of spices and the rest just falls in place. As much as we love healthy nutritious food there is always a part of us that does wish to indulge in those greasy sinfully delicious street food. Proper main course worthy food being vegan makes sense but street food being vegan is unimaginable… or is it? And what if I tell you that these vegan delicacies are even devoured by non-vegetarians with the utmost glee?

From Chaula Bara and Ghugni to Thunka Puri (a seasonal delicacy made specially during Bali Jatra, one of the most awaited fairs for Odias) and Aloo Matar Chaat (does include curd as a topping but it’s optional) these are just a few dishes that make every Odia salivate with contentment. 

For all those vegans who have a sweet tooth worry not, for Kakara Pitha, Manda Pitha, Podo Pitha, and an assortment of many other sweet Pithas are there to cater to your taste buds. Traditionally all these sweet Pithas are made using Ghee but nowadays many people prefer using oil making it totally vegan-friendly. After all this eating how about washing it down with some Bela Pana? A refreshing vegan drink made using Bael on the occasion of Odia new year or Pana Sankranti.

The Vitamin B12 Crisis

The best thing about many of these Odia vegan dishes is that they solve the no. 1 crisis of any vegan, i.e., acquiring Vitamin B12 from natural sources. From eating different kinds of Saga Bhaja to indulging in different variants of Ghanta depending on the vegetables available in your fridge at the moment, an Odia meal is well balanced for any vegan, plus no veggie gets wasted! Ever!  

Afterword

There’s a reason an Odia is never jealous of any other cuisine, if they choose to be a non-vegetarian they have an array of dishes to choose from, want to switch to being vegetarian, will still have a lot of options, thinking of being a vegan, well don’t think, go for it! Odia cuisine has got your back! Still conflicted about Odia cuisine, give it a try and see it for yourself! 

Thiruvalluvar, or just known as Valluvar, was a Tamil poet, philosopher and sage, a person who transformed a life from rags to riches. He lived during the Sangam age of the Tamil culture, or more specifically, the Sangam period. Even though born some two thousand years ago, his works, teachings and insights still hold grave value even today. Valluvar has talked extensively on subjective human topics and aspects like love, justice, life, good and evil, wisdom, etc. On Thiruvalluvar day, let’s have a look at the poet’s personal life and upbringing along with some of must read written words.

Valluvar: Personal Life And His Philosophy

The exact dates and particulars of Valluvar’s life remain unknown. According to historians, Valluvar was born in the 1st century CE in a village near modern-day Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, or also called the city of Madurai. The name ‘Thiruvalluvar’ translates to ‘the devotee of the Valluva caste’. He married at a young age to a woman named Vasuki, who was described as a “chaste and devoted lady, an ideal wife, who never disobeyed the orders of her husband, but always carried them out implicitly.” The couple had a daughter together.

As stated above, not much is known of Valluvar’s personal life, yet it is speculated that during his earlier years, he worked as a weaver, while other scholars speculate that he was most probably a government official in a district near Madurai. Later, he lived in recluse near Kanchipuram, where he penned his most prominent works ever, ‘Thirukkural‘.

Thiruvalluvar’s philosophy circled around living a divine life of sanctity. While major sages and philosophers suggested leaving the family behind and becoming a Sannyasin, Valluvar on the other hand, offered an alternative. He suggested and fostered the idea of attaining a balance between living a life of a householder and that of a sanctified divine and pure human being. He recorded these musings in his book, ‘Thirukkural‘.

Excerpts From Thirukkural And Other Writings Of Thiruvalluvar

In ‘Thirukkural‘, the poet preaches the goodness of honesty, humility and compassion. To lead a meaningful life, one must know the importance of self-discipline, education and economic independence. His central virtue, and according to him, the foundation of all lives, was love and compassion for others. He truly believed that our attitude and behaviour for others must always rest on kindness and goodwill. Such a tenets and virtues would promise a fulfilling life.

Some of the couples from ‘Thirukkural‘ are:

“The wound that’s made by fire will heal, But the wound that’s made by tongue will never heal.”

“Just as the alphabet ‘A’ is the beginning of all letters, so also, God is the beginning for this universe.”

“Learn the Shastras completely and then act according to their injunctions.”

“The Anicha flower will fade by smelling, but guests are more sensitive if the hosts turn their faces a bit.”

“There is no greater wealth than Virtue, and no greater loss than to forget it.”

“The lotus’ stem is as long as the depth of water, So men’s height is just as great as their inner strength.”

“Death is like sleeping in the burial ground; birth is like waking in the morning.”

‘Thirukkural‘ is still a prominent book in Tamil literature, read and taught in the state. It is considered as the universal Bible. For his wise words and universalistic and timeless knowledge, Thiruvalluvar is honoured everyday in Tamil Nadu on the 15th or 16th of January.

So many of us have had the privilege of good night stories narrated by our grandparents. These night time stories were often filled with interesting myths and morals, and were a treat to the ears, weren’t they? Folktales and storytelling have been with us since forever. They were a major part of our childhood while growing up. Have you ever thought about the origins of folklores and storytelling in the Indian culture and their significance? The most basic understanding of the ‘folk’ that we’ve is that they’re related to ‘traditional’ and ‘native’, and sometimes ‘rural’. However, folklores and storytelling have a more nuanced and diverse background to them, especially in the Indian context, considering that the country is rife with so many different traditions, lifestyles, and art.

Folklores And Storytelling: The Oral Traditions

Folklores and storytelling were oral traditions but thanks to literature, most of these folktales and stories are now recorded in written formats. Years and years of ancient myths, dramas, and rituals in the form of prose narratives have been preserved and carried forward from generations to generations. The posterity of India’s rich oral tradition could only be preserved because of all the scholars, saints and writers who wrote down these stories.

One of the widely read, known and loved tales we all must have read sometime in our childhood are the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, Jataka tales of Buddhism, Panchatantras and Hitopadesha. These moralistic tales are built around expressions of strong self-reflections, righteousness, socio-political realities and deep insights. While these are the most famous and well known collection of tales, India, in fact, has diverse origins of stories and folktales, from distinct communities and tribes.

The Many Indian States And Their Many Legends

India is one of the most diverse countries in the world. Its regions have produced numerous stories revolving around a vast and broad array of themes, myths, rituals, and cultures. Most pertinent is the link between folktales and culture, which is very strong since stories from these culture form the very essence of their heritage and identities. Of course the tales from the north India have a different origin and cultural angles. Let’s take a look at some of folklores from different regions of India.

The folklores from Uttar Pradesh, for instance, were around the wisdom and wise words of maulvi sahbs. Meanwhile, Kerala folklores are a celebration of its origin, religion, festivities and temples. The legends of ‘Mahabali’ and ‘Parasurama’ are two of the most read stories from Kerala’s lands. The folktales of Andhra Pradesh are even more profound and interesting since they’re centred around family, and how the family create certain roles for the two genders: male and female. Most of these stories depict a heavy emphasis on women as the primary decision makers of the household. West Bengal, a state which has produced several artists, writers and painters, is of course a land filled with tales of faraway lands, of the kings and queens, demons, the evil and good, with most of these aimed at imparting a moral lesson.

When it comes to North East India, one must remember the geographical location of the seven states. These states are the home to pristine nature, tribal communities, biodiversity, and its socio-political girth. Naturally, North Eastern states have had a close relation with its surrounding nature, and a large number of these folktales are in fact a reflection of this interdependence of humans on its environment. These communities, through their legends and tales, communicate their wisdom on the conservation of nature, on livelihood, and culture.

Preserving Cultures And Traditions Through Folklores

As mentioned earlier, folktales have been preserved over time through oral traditions. They were passed down from generations to generations through vocal narrating from the mouth. Understandably, ‘listening’ became one of the core activities of the folktales tradition. This imparting of stories, myths, legends, rituals, was an attempt at entertainment, of course, but more importantly strengthening the core values of their culture, history and heritage. The stories shared amidst a community resolved to create a shared sense of common history and traditions.

It’s not even the stories or the legends they narrate but the way they narrate these stories. For instance, ‘Kathakalakshepam’, which are stories with anecdotes, mostly in Sanskrit, Hindi and Tamil, are narrated along with music and dance. In Andhra Pradesh, folktales are narrated along with beating a drum. This drum is called a ‘Burra’, and, hence, the folk narratives in the state are referred to as ‘Burra Katha’. Meanwhile in Tamil Nadu, storytelling has always been accompanied with a bow-like stringed instrument. This holistic expression of art forms through music and dance is also what constitutes a major chunk of a community’s culture.

Folktales are the connecting thread between the palatial past and the boundless present. A lot of campaigns and efforts have been rolled out to preserve folklores through other mediums other than written records. UNESCO categorized ‘Folklores’ as Intangible Heritage Culture under category of oral history in 2003. Folklores have been adapted into numerous performing arts like folkdances, folk paintings and murals, to maintain this ancient oral tradition in a more nuanced way. Kalbelia folk songs and dances of Rajasthan, Mudiyettu, ritual theatre and dance drama of Kerala, or the Chhau dance, based on tales of Mahabharata and Ramayana, performed by tribal population of Jharkhand and West Bengal, are some of the IHC categories through which the myths and legends of the past have still been kept alive.