Symbols created by historic, religious or cultural perceptions, events or experiences exist in every culture. Traditions and language play an important role in developing, maintaining and over a period of time even transforming cultural symbolism. These days it is not unusual to witness hard-hitting debates about cultural appropriation through the expropriation of “cultural symbols”. The …
Traditionally speaking
Two major festivals have come up recently – the colorful and vibrant Holi was enjoyed on March 2 while Vaisakhi is being celebrated today, April 14th. Vaisakhi is a harvest linked festival that has long been celebrated in the Punjab across both sides of the India-Pakistan border. It achieved greater significance among the Sikhs in …
Son et lumière
Son et lumière was a novel concept when first introduced in 1965 at the historic Lal Quila (literally, Red Fort) in Delhi; it was promoted as “the cultural event of the year.” Just as the name suggests, spectacular Sound and Light effects were used to highlight two hundred or so years of the Red Fort …
Let me in
A few weeks ago, our one-and-a-half years old grandson recovered from the usual cough and cold afflicting most people this season, before returning to his daycare that he loves. On this morning however, as his father prepared to drop him off young R bawled his eyes out and refused to go in. The reason became …
