Tag: modern indian history

The Ellora caves are a group of 34 caves. The caves are datable from circa 6th - 7th century A.D. to 11th - 12th century A.D. These caves dedicated to Hindu, Buddhist and Jaina faith. The Hindu caves are the most dramatic in design, and the Buddhist caves contain the simplest ornamentation. Ellora served as a group of monasteries (viharas) and temples (chaityas).

Mudiyettu is a theatre form found in Kerala. It is celebrated in the month of Vrischikam (November-December) and is usually performed only in Kali temples. It depicts the triumph of goddess Bhadrakali over asura Darika.

Tholu Bommalata is the shadow puppet theatre tradition of the state of Andhra Pradesh in India. The puppets are large in size and have joints. They are coloured on both sides. The music is dominantly influenced by the classical music of the region and the theme of the puppet plays are drawn from the Ramayana, Mahabharata and Puranas.

A geographical indication (GI) is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin (e.g. a town, region or a country) and possess qualities, attributes or a reputation that are due to that origin. A GI right enables those who have the right to use the indication to prevent its use by a third party whose product does not conform to the applicable standards. Darjeeling Tea was the first Indian product to get the geographical indication tag. In 2004, the famous beverage got the recognition.

The earliest reference to the art of puppetry is found in Tamil classic Silappadikaaram written around the 1st or 2nd cent B.C. It was written by Jain-poet, Ilango Adigal. The excavation sites at Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro have yielded puppets with sockets attached to them, which suggest the presence of puppetry as an art form then.

The Kalpasutra and Kalakacharya –Katha are two popular Jaina texts illustrated with paintings. Kalpasutra is a manual of Hindu religious practice, a number of which emerged within the different schools of the Veda. It mainly explains in detail the varied rituals, sacrifices, judicial laws and the religious and cultural obligations.

Pankhida - sung by peasants in Rajasthan.