By Desis, for Desis and Everyone Else!!
What’s a Desi?
The term “desi” is a term that is commonly used by people from the Indian subcontinent to refer to themselves or other people (origin or ancestry) from the region.
The word “Desi” is derived from the Sanskrit word “desh,” which means “country” or “region” or “homeland”. (‘Sanskrit’ word ‘Desh’? What is Sanskrit?)
Did you ever wonder:
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Interesting facts about India you didn’t know about!
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Desi people can come from countries such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, and Maldives. The term can also be used to describe aspects of Indian origin culture, including food, clothing, music, and art.
Spirituality in India
Ancient Indian Spirituality and Philosophy
India is a land of ancient wisdom and spirituality which evolved in the search for eternal truths. For centuries, Indian philosophers have been exploring the nature of reality, the meaning of life, and the path to liberation. Their insights have had a profound impact on the world, influencing religions such as Buddhism and Jainism, as well as Western thought and philosophies.
Ancient Indian spirituality and philosophy have something to offer everyone – The key aspect of the ancient wisdom is to be a seeker of knowledge – always!
Whether you are a seasoned practitioner or a curious newcomer, there is always something new to learn.
We hope you will join us on this journey of discovery!
Onam
Summary
Nestled in the southwestern corner of India lies the enchanting state of Kerala, a land renowned for its natural beauty, cultural richness, and vibrant festivals – often referred to as God’s own land. One such celebration that captivates the hearts of people of Kerala and visitors alike is Onam, a ten-day harvest festival that brings together tales of kings, Gods, cultural traditions, and a sumptuous feast that reflects the essence of Kerala’s spirit.
About Kerala
Kerala is a state in the southwest of India. It is located on the Malabar coast, which is bordered by the Arabian Sea to the west, Karnataka to the north and northeast, and Tamil Nadu to the east. The capital of Kerala is Thiruvananthapuram.
Kerala is known for its ecotourism initiatives, beautiful backwaters, and unique culture and traditions. It is also known as “God’s own Country”.
Kerala is a small state, making up only about 1 percent of India’s total area. It has a population of 30 million and a surface area of 38,900 km2. The majority language is Malayalam.
King Mahabali and Lord Vamana
At the heart of Onam lies the legend of King Mahabali and Lord Vamana (an avatar of Lord Vishnu). Mahabali, known for his just rule and devotion, attracted the attention of Lord Vishnu, who took the form of Vamana, a learned man but who is of a very small stature. Seeking alms, Vamana asked for three paces of land from the generous King Bali . The King grants his request. Vamana then grows to a giant and with his first two strides, he covered the earth and heavens. As there was no place for the third step, Mahabali offered his head and Vamana places his foot and pushes the king to the nether worlds. Impressed by his selflessness, Vamana granted him a boon to visit his kingdom once a year, a celebration that came to be known as Onam.
Ten Days of Onam
Onam spans ten days, each marked by unique rituals and festivities:
Onam: A Festival of 10 Days
Onam, the vibrant harvest festival of Kerala, unfolds over ten days, each brimming with its unique traditions, rituals, and cultural significance.
Day 1 – Atham
The festival commences with Atham, marked by the creation of a simple floral arrangement, “Pookkalam,” at the entrance of homes. It symbolizes the start of the festivities and encourages creativity and community engagement. This is a day of preparation. People clean their homes and decorate them with flowers. They also buy new clothes and food for the festival. This marks King Mahabali’s preparations to journey from Heaven to his earthly kingdom.
Day 2 – Chithira
Chithira signifies the essence of unity and the spirit of togetherness. The creation of Onam Pookkalam, a floral carpet, symbolizes this day’s festivities.Homes come alive with color as people contribute to the floral patterns. Pookkalam are made by women and children, and they are placed in front of homes and temples.
Day 3 – Chodhi
Another layer of flowers is added to the carpet, employing an assortment of four to five flower types. Families prepare for the days ahead by engaging in collective activities. This is a day of fasting and prayer. People pray for the well-being of their families and friends.
Day 4 – Vishakam
Vishakam sees the Pookkalam taking a more intricate form. The day holds a special significance as it marks the start of many cultural performances and events that continue throughout Onam. This is a day of celebration. People feast on traditional Onam dishes and enjoy cultural performances. This day launches various tournaments as part of the celebration.
Day 5 – Anizham
On Anizham, the Pookkalam continues to flourish with more complex designs. The festivities gain momentum, and various art forms like traditional dances and music performances grace the stages. On this day, people visit temples and offer prayers. Preparations for the grand boat race take place on this fifth day.
Day 6 – Thriketa
Thriketa witnesses a heightened enthusiasm as the Pookkalam becomes even more intricate and captivating. It’s a day of joy and excitement, as the community comes together to celebrate their shared cultural heritage. Festive celebrations are ignited on this day.
Day 7 – Moolam
As Moolam dawns, the Pookkalam reaches its zenith, showcasing the mastery of floral artistry. Traditional rituals and prayers are performed, reflecting the spiritual essence of Onam. Temples come alive with special pujas and rituals.
Day 8 – Pooradam
On Pooradam or Pooram, the excitement builds as families prepare for the upcoming boat races, “Vallamkali.” The highlight of the day is a grand procession of elephants and dancers. Idols of Vamana and King Mahabali are raised in homes to commemorate this day.
Day 9 – Uthradom
Uthradom, the penultimate day, is marked by intense preparations for the grand feast, “Onam Sadya.” Homes are cleaned, and ingredients are gathered for the culinary extravaganza. Mahabali’s symbolic entry into Kerala is observed. This is a day of homecoming. People believe that King Mahabali returns to Kerala on this day. They welcome him with a feast and prayers.
Day 10 – Thiru Onam
The pinnacle of Onam arrives with Thiru Onam or Thiruvonam. Homes are adorned with grand Pookkalams, and families don traditional attire. The day commences with rituals and prayers, followed by the grand Onam Sadya feast, where families and communities gather to savor the diverse flavors of Kerala’s cuisine. Cultural performances, games, and festivities mark the day, reminding everyone of the cultural unity and harmony that Onam symbolizes. The pinnacle of the celebration, this day sees the warm and reverential welcome of King Mahabali by the people of Kerala.
Onam Traditions
Pookkalam
This is a floral carpet made of fresh flowers arranged in intricate patterns on the floor. People start making pookkalam from Atham onwards, and add a new layer every day until Thiruvonam. The pookkalam symbolizes the welcome to King Mahabali and also showcases the artistic talent of the people.
Vallamkali
On the Pampa River, traditional boat races called “Vallamkali” are held, reflecting Kerala’s maritime heritage and unity. This boat race takes place on the backwaters of Kerala. The boats are long and narrow, and can accommodate up to 100 rowers.
The rowers wear white mundu (a traditional garment) and colorful turbans, and sing songs to synchronize their movements. The boat race is a spectacle of speed, skill, and teamwork.
Onakalikal
Traditional games such as tug-of-war, archery, and martial arts competitions engage participants and spectators.
Kayyikali is one of the famous sport – where the opponents use fists. This is quite brutal but popular. Usually has two teams. Read more here.
Sadya
This is a grand feast served on a banana leaf, consisting of various vegetarian dishes – including “Avial” (mixed vegetable stew), “Sambhar” (lentil stew with seasonal vegetables and spices), “Parippu” (lentil dish), rice, pickles, papadum, and payasam (a sweet dessert). Sadya is usually eaten with hands, and is considered a highlight of Onam. People invite their friends and relatives for sadya, and enjoy the food and company. The harmonious blend of flavors mirrors Kerala’s multicultural landscape.
Thiruvathirakali
This is a dance performed by women, dressed in white sarees with golden borders. They form a circle around a lamp or a floral decoration, and sway gracefully to the rhythm of a song. The dance is dedicated to Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati, and expresses the love and devotion of women towards their husbands.
PuliKali
This is a folk art that involves men painting their bodies as tigers and leopards, and dancing to the beats of drums. The performers wear masks and costumes, and mimic the movements of wild animals. The pulikali is a fun and colorful way to entertain the crowds.
Onathappan
This is a clay pyramid that represents King Mahabali or Lord Vishnu. It is placed in the center of the pookalam, and worshipped with flowers, fruits, and incense. On Thiruvonam day, the onathappan is immersed in water, as a farewell to King Mahabali.
Onam’s Cultural Significance
Onam symbolizes the spirit of unity and togetherness, across all classes of society. The festival underscores Kerala’s agrarian roots, where the harvest is celebrated as a community effort. People from all walks of life come together to partake in the festivities, reinforcing the essence of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” the world as one family.
Onam Beyond Kerala
As the Indian diaspora spreads across the world, so does the spirit of Onam. Indians of Kerala origin living outside the state organize celebrations that bring a taste of Kerala’s traditions and flavors to distant shores.
Onam, with its legends, intricate floral carpets, boat races, and grand feasts, offers a window into Kerala’s cultural ethos. It encapsulates the colorful tapestry of this enchanting land and serves as a testament to unity, harmony, and the enduring ties that bind its people.
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Languages!
India is a linguistically diverse country with over 1.3 billion people speaking more than 19,500 languages and dialects. However, according to the 2011 Census of India, the total number of mother tongues spoken in the country is 1,369. Out of these, the top 10 most widely spoken languages in India are:
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- Hindi – 41% of the population
- Bengali – 8.1% of the population
- Telugu – 7.9% of the population
- Marathi – 7.9% of the population
- Tamil – 6.7% of the population
- Gujarati – 4.6% of the population
- Urdu – 4.2% of the population
- Kannada – 3.6% of the population
- Odia – 3.1% of the population
- Punjabi – 2.9% of the population
Distribution of Language speakers
Below is the sentence “What is your name?” translated into the scripts of the top 10 Indian languages with their English transliteration:
- Hindi: Devanagari script: आपका नाम क्या है?
- How to say it: Āpkā nām kyā hai?
- Bengali: Bengali script: তোমার নাম কি?
- How to say it: Tomar nam ki?
- Telugu: Telugu script: మీ పేరు ఏమిటి?
- How to say it: Mī pēru ēmiṭi?
- Marathi: Devanagari script: तुमचं नाव काय आहे?
- How to say it: Tumacha nāv kāy āhe?
- Tamil: Tamil script: உங்கள் பெயர் என்ன?
- How to say it: Ungaḷ peyar enna?
- Gujarati: Gujarati script: તમારૂં નામ શું છે?
- How to say it: Tamārūṃ nām shuṃ che?
- Urdu: Perso-Arabic script: آپ کا نام کیا ہے؟
- How to say it: Aap ka naam kya hai?
- Kannada: Kannada script: ನಿಮ್ಮ ಹೆಸರು ಯಾವುದು?
- How to say it: Nimma hesaru yavudu?
- Oriya: Odia script: ତୁଙ୍କ ନାମ କେଉଁଠିକ?
- How to say it: Tunka nāma keuthik?
- Punjabi: Gurmukhi script: ਤੁਹਾਡਾ ਨਾਮ ਕੀ ਹੈ?
- How to say it: Tuhāḍā nām kī hai?
The age of these languages varies widely. For example, Tamil is one of the oldest surviving classical languages in the world, with a history dating back over 2,000 years. On the other hand, Hindi is a relatively modern language that emerged in the 19th century.
Most of the major languages in India have their own scripts. For example, Hindi and Marathi use the Devanagari script, while Tamil has its own script known as Tamil script. However, there are some languages that do not have their own script and use the script of another language. For example, Urdu uses the Arabic script, while Konkani and some other languages use the Roman script.
Many Indian languages have their own works of famous literature. For example, the Sanskrit epic poem, the Ramayana, is one of the most famous works of literature in India and has been translated into many Indian languages. Other notable works include the Tamil epic poem, the Silappatikaram, and the Bengali novel, Devdas.
India has a wide variety of dialects in addition to its languages.
For example, Hindi has several dialects, including Bhojpuri, Braj, and Haryanvi. Tamil has several dialects, including Madras Tamil, Coimbatore Tamil, and Tirunelveli Tamil. Other examples of dialects in India include Punjabi, Bengali, and Marathi.
To get an idea about how widely dialects vary – let’s look at Telugu, #3 on the list above – since it’s widely spoken but in a smaller geographic area:
Telugu has several dialects that are spoken in different regions of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Some of the major dialects of Telugu include:
- Andhra dialect: This dialect is spoken in the coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh, including Krishna, Guntur, and East Godavari. It is considered to be the standard dialect of Telugu.
- Rayalaseema dialect: This dialect is spoken in the Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh, which includes the districts of Anantapur, Kadapa, Kurnool, and Chittoor. It is characterized by its distinctive pronunciation and vocabulary.
- Telangana dialect: This dialect is spoken in the Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh, which includes the districts of Hyderabad, Rangareddy, and Medak. It has a unique vocabulary and pronunciation that sets it apart from other Telugu dialects.
- Vadaga dialect: This dialect is spoken in the border areas between Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. It has been heavily influenced by Tamil and has a distinct vocabulary and pronunciation.
Overall, Telugu is a rich and diverse language with a long history and cultural significance. It is the third most spoken language in India and is widely used in literature, films, and music.
In addition to the top four most widely spoken languages listed above (Hindi, Bengali, Telugu, and Marathi), some other notable Indian languages and their dialects include:
- Tamil – dialects include Madras Tamil, Coimbatore Tamil, and Tirunelveli Tamil
- Gujarati – dialects include Kachchi, Surati, and Kathiawadi
- Kannada – dialects include Mysore Kannada, Mangalore Kannada, and Gulbarga Kannada
- Malayalam – dialects include Travancore Malayalam, Cochin Malayalam, and Palakkad Malayalam.
The term Desi can refer to people of Indian subcontinent origin or ancestry, or it can refer to the cultural practices and products of the region.
Desi food, will include dishes such as biryani, Pongal, samosas, Dosa, Idli, Parantha, Chawal and dal, while Desi fashion may feature traditional clothing styles like sarees, salwar kameez, Dhoti, and kurta pajama.
Desi music may include traditional folk music (dozens of styles), classical music (also several distinct schools), traditional dance (several traditional and ancient styles) and popular movie or music genres like Bollywood, Tollywood, Kollywood, Mollywood (all different regional language film industry names – a play on the word Hollywood).
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