India entered a period of mourning when it was reported that Indian playback singer Lata Mangeshkar passed on Sunday the 6th of February. A playback singer is a singer whose voice is recorded for use in films – the actor or actress essentially lip-sync the words, so that the singers voice can be dubbed over.Continue reading “Lata Mangeshkar and the Evolution of the Bollywood Song”
Tag Archives: South Asian
Lohri: A Brief History
As Lohri was last week I bet lots of you have asked this question since: What is the festival really about? Well, like many festivals, Lohri draws on lots of different ideas and customs. The festival always falls on January 13th, which differs from other festivals that have an everchanging date, like Diwali. Lohri isContinue reading “Lohri: A Brief History”
Diwali: A Brief History
Diwali is the ‘festival of lights,’ and is celebrated by Sikhs, Hindus and Jains. Although the date of the festival changes every year, it usually falls in October or November and lasts for five days. Many celebrate the festival in honour of the goddess Lakshmi, the wife of Vishnu and the goddess of wealth. ItContinue reading “Diwali: A Brief History”
Raksha Bandhan: A Brief History
Raksha Bandhan is a Hindu festival that takes place every year. Although the date changes each year, traditionally the festival falls in August. This is because the festival occurs on the last day of the Hindu lunar calendar month of Shraavana. Although traditionally Hindu, the festival has been absorbed in the culture of India andContinue reading “Raksha Bandhan: A Brief History”
Vaisakhi: A Brief History
Vaisakhi is a festival observed by both Sikhs and Hindus in the Panjab. The festival is usually celebrated on the 13th of April, although in some years it has been celebrated on the 14th. Vaisakhi is a harvest festival for the people of Northern India, and for Hindus, Vaisakhi marks the beginning of the solarContinue reading “Vaisakhi: A Brief History”
The influence of scripture, tradition and law on the abolition of Sati
‘Women become sites upon which various versions of scripture, tradition and law are elaborated’ – Lata Mani. Mani’s sentiment rings true, as scripture, tradition and law were used to address Sati, an issue that primarily concerned women. Women therefore did become sites upon which versions of these three sources were elaborated and developed. Although theseContinue reading “The influence of scripture, tradition and law on the abolition of Sati”
Bhangra: A Brief History
It is undisputed that Bhangra originates from the Panjab, a province in northern India. ‘Panjab’ means ‘the land of the five rivers.’ Bhangra itself has been around for over five hundred years. What is more disputed, and difficult to define, is the word ‘Bhangra’ itself. In general terms, Bhangra describes a traditional folk dance, usuallyContinue reading “Bhangra: A Brief History”
What was the significance of policing inter-racial sexual liaisons in late eighteenth century India?
The significance of the policing of interracial sexual liaisons in the 1790s cannot be realised without understanding Britain’s previous activities in India. Since its conception in the seventeenth century, the East India Trading Company’s primary function was the building and maintaining of trade links with India as a whole.[1] This holistic focus began to narrowContinue reading “What was the significance of policing inter-racial sexual liaisons in late eighteenth century India?”
To what extent did women exercise political power within the Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal Dynasties?
Within the Ottoman, Safavid and Mughal empires, it is a common belief that women were subject to ‘widespread oppression and subordination.’[1] However, this view can be deemed reductive It is within the dynastic setting that women were able to exercise a degree of political power even if they did not always have full autonomy. ByContinue reading “To what extent did women exercise political power within the Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal Dynasties?”
How did Britain gain control of India?
The complicated relationship between Britain and India began with the formation of the East India Company in 1600, by the command of Elizabeth I. the intention of the company was to explore and to compete with other powers in the East Indies. Britain was not successful here, so turned her attention to India. In 1640,Continue reading “How did Britain gain control of India?”
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