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Showing posts from November, 2011

Endangering Indian Manuscripts

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I while reading an article about manuscripts, recollected my grandmother’s narratives of interesting stories, riddles, puzzles, sayings in Tamil called Pazhramuzhi and also about Palm leaf writings. She was a genius, intelligent and of course woman with extraordinary memory. Infact, she learnt or gained knowledge only by listening as she was illiterate. She wanted to go to school and learn but as it was a taboo in those days, especially for girls. In order to please her, her father presented her with a palm leaf written OM on it. She preserved it for long. Her father that is my great grandfather use to recite Ramayam and other Maha kavyam all inscription written on palm leaf. These palm leaf were bundled up and was called a book in those days. The past of Indian culture can be traced in the ancient manuscripts. These manuscripts are the simple historical evidence that have great research value. It is estimated that India possesses more than five million manuscripts. Our ancesto...

Significance of Tulasi marriage or Tulasi Vivah

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Significance of Tulasi marriage or Tulasi Vivah Tulasi well known as holy basil in English is also known as Manjari, Krishna Tulsi, Trittavu, Tulshi and Thulsi. The 'tulsi' plant or Indian basil is an important symbol in the Hindu religious tradition. The name 'tulsi' means "the unmatched one". Tulsi is a respected plant and Hindus worship it in the morning and evening. Tulsi grows wild in the tropics and warm regions. A Hindu household is considered imperfect without a tulsi plant in the courtyard. Many families have the tulsi planted in a specially built structure, which has images of deities installed on all four sides, and a bay for a small earthen oil lamp. Some even have up to a dozen tulsi plants like a garden forming a "tulsi-van" or "tulsivrindavan”. Tulasi Vivah or Marriage This story of Tulsi forwarded by one of my friends--- Tulasi was devoted to Lord Krishna and wanted to marry him. Unaware of her curse by Lord Ganesha sh...

Oh! My sole Betrayer!

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I trusted you more than self, I believed you more than self, I considered you more than self, You betrayed me oh! Betrayer! I look around, find every one betraying. Betraying each other, betraying each other. A cow that ran to rescue herself, From wolf fell into the hands of a butcher, Oh! Butcher the betrayer! I look around, find every one betraying. Betraying each other, betraying each other. Ran to save myself from thunder, Took shelter under a ruin temple, Temple collapsed upon, Oh! Temple the betrayer! I look around, find every one betraying. Betraying each other, betraying each other. In a boat rowing to the other side of the shore, Wild wind blowing high, Feared and held boat man, He shook his hand and I fell in the water, Oh! Boatman the betrayer! I look around, find every one betraying. Betraying each other, betraying each other http:/www.poemhunter.com/sphoorthi theatre