There is no other sound except crunching of snow under their feet and tinkling of sleigh bells tied around their neck. I am cozily snuggled in … Read the rest
Tag: culture
Cantonese Opera in Macau
We return to the main island after our jaunts across the Taipa island, known for its glitzy brand new casinos, charming village in the quaint Coloane, the southernmost island of Macau. Of course not before tasting the mouthwatering egg-tarts and a sumptuous dinner in Miramar.
We can’t believe that … Read the rest
Naropa Festival 2016
Naropa & His legacy
A thousand years ago, a child was born named Naropada (Tibetan name Naropa) who grew to be an excellent scholar at Nalanda but left his materialistic world and his family to the path of enlightenment. At the age of forty he met his Guru Talopa and the next twelve years were the most introspective and spiritual learning period for him that led his attaining enlightenment.
At this moment … Read the rest
A peek into Minangkabau culture
Where the men rule but women call the shots!
There can’t be a more contradictory sentence than the one above but it strikes true everytime in West Sumatra.
It was late afternoon but still bright when I stepped out of Padang Airport in West Sumatra (Sumatra Barat). A designated guide received me and we started walking toward the parking lot. By force of habit I always look back to see how things looked like. I did so this time too and I stopped!
In front was the beautiful … Read the rest
A Dance Drama called Barong
A Dance Drama called Barong
If I am asked to choose one dance of Indonesia, I’ll probably take more time than expected. Almost all dance forms are expressive and vie for the first spot. However, for me, Barong is probably the most prominent of them all. There is a great richness of styles and eloquent drama involved. This was also the first dance performance we saw.
Barong is a story telling dance narrating the fight between good and evil. This dance is a classic example of … Read the rest
Sand Art in Jordan
Sand art in Jordan
He puts a little sand of beige color, which acts as a background, in a small bottle and then slowly adds another colored sand. His skilled fingers are at work! He adds every new color with a thin stick or a funnel. Meticulously he ‘paints’ the parts of that color in the picture, only occasionally glancing at it.
While the silent fingers … Read the rest
Evocative Bali Craft
Evocative Bali Craft
One of the aspects of our short but interesting tour of Indonesia, which is forever etched in my mind, is the many types of handicrafts in vogue there. The crafty carvers of Bali have indeed carved a place in our hearts. From painting to sculpture to other forms, the craft magic was enchanting and wove us into its spell. I will talk about some of them here.
1. Stone Carving… Read the rest