Posts from April 2009

Guru

Posted by kunthra 2 Comments
Apr 29 2009

Sometime in your life you’ve probably heard the word guru (गुरु) used to refer to someone who is an expert in something. In Hindi the word guru (गुरु) is used to describe someone who is an authority figure in a particular field (like yoga) or someone who has much wisdom (like a teacher).

There is some debate as to how the word guru (गुरु) came about. Some say that the word guru (गुरु) means heavy as in someone who is heavy with knowledge. Others say that the word guru (गुरु) means dark and light in Sanskrit, and that this is meant to indicate a person who removes darkness (ignorance) and brings in light (enlightenment).

In Indian society, the guru-shishaya relationship is very important. A shishaya (शिष्य ) is a student. Basically a guru (गुरु) becomes a mentor to the shishaya (शिष्य ). The guru (गुरु) bestows knowledge and instruction upon the student and in return the student promises to uphold the precepts of the guru’s (गुरु) teachings. Some teacher-student relationships are so close the student lives with the guru (गुरु) at the guru’s (गुरु) residence as a family member. In some societies, the deep personal connection between the guru (गुरु) and the shishaya (शिष्य ) may be frowned upon, but I think I should mention that just because a guru (गुरु) lives with his/her student doesn’t mean he/she’s having an affair with the student.

Paramparaa (परम्परा ) is used to describe the process where knowledge is passed from the guru (गुरु) to the student. When this happens, the relationship comes full circle and the student who now possesses the knowledge of the guru (गुरु) becomes a mentor to another student.

In the West, the word guru (गुरु) has received some scrutiny. Some people believe that some gurus (गुरु) use their power to control or brainwash followers into doing the guru’s will. Like any teacher-student relationship, there may be an abuse of power by the teacher. Like in any other profession, there are always people who are going to fraud other people. Unfortunately, the teaching profession is not immune to this fact. So be careful who you decide to take advice from!

Yoga

Posted by kunthra No Comments
Apr 26 2009

Namaste (नमस्ते)!

Even if you haven’t ever tried yoga (योग), you’ve probably heard or seen something about it on tv. Yoga (योग) is a form of exercise to help you not only to get in shape, but to unload any stress that you may be repressing. It’s a mind-body form of exercise that can be as simple as controlling your breathing to doing more acrobatic feats like head stands. Yoga (योग) is not only a form of exercise, but it’s a complete philosophy as well. The philosophy and the exercise go hand in hand.

Some of the most important concepts are :

  1. Yama (यम) literally means death, or rather killing your worldly desires. Hard core followers will often abstain from eating meat. Gluttony is to be avoided, so followers will often control their portion sizes as well. Many followers also live a simple life. Having possession of too many worldly goods is seen as entrapment. Many followers of this belief believe that freedom can only come about by letting go of unnecessary desires.

  2. Asana (आसन) has to do with meditation. In your yoga (योग) class, you’ve probably been instructed to sit down with your legs crossed and eyes closed. Your thumb and pointer finger were probably touching. This would be a meditation exercise. Whenever I feel like I’m losing my mind with deadlines, I find that this posture helps me to refocus and stay relaxed.

  3. Praanaayaama (प्राणायाम ) has to do with controlled breathing. There are studies that show that taking ten minutes each day to do controlled breathing exercises can help reduce stress and anxiety. Controlled breathing is easy to do. Just exhale and inhale, holding your breath as you do it.

  4. Dhaaranaa (धारणा ) has to do with concentration. Concentration exercises have to do with ignoring external stimuli like the music on the radio, or the cold wind, and focusing on a single target, like your breathing. I do these exercises when my head is spinning from all the things I have to do. It’s a great way to refocus and put your mind at ease.

In today’s busy world, I find that yoga (योग) is a wonderful way to wind down. All these exercises can be done in the comfort of your own home, which is a nice way to refuel your energy after a long day.

Gudhi Padwa

Posted by kunthra No Comments
Apr 24 2009

Gudhi Padwa (गुढीपाडवा ) celebrates Raama’s (राम ) return to Ayodhyaa (अयोध्या ) after killing Raavana (रावण ). Raama (राम ) is a legendary king of Ayodhyaa (अयोध्या ) who fights Raavana (रावण ) the king of Lankaa (लंका). According to the legend Raavana (रावण ) holds Raama’s (राम ) wife Siitaa (सीता) captive and Raama (राम ) tries to rescue his wife by battling his enemy Raavana (रावण ).

Gudhi Padwa (गुढीपाडवा ) is a huge holiday in the Maharashtra region. Maharashtra is an Indian state west of India. Late March or early April on the solar calendar is the beginning of the year on the Indian lunar calendar. Gudhi Padwa (गुढीपाडवा ) also marks the beginning of the rabi (रबी) season. Rabi (रबी) is a time when the crops are harvested and it marks the beginning of the spring season.

To prepare for Gudhi Padwa (गुढीपाडवा ) people sweep the floors in addition to a full spring cleaning of the house. In some villages fresh cow dung is plastered on the mud hut cracks and roofs are thatched. You’ll also see gold brocaded yellow, green and other colored scarves called zari (ज़री ). The zari (ज़री ) is tied to a stick with a pot placed over the zari (ज़री ). Small flowers and twigs are sometimes tied to the stick as well.

The whole getup with the zari (ज़री ) and the pot is called gudhi (गुढी). The gudhi (गुढी) is like a home made flag celebrating Raama’s (राम ) victory over Raavana (रावण ). The gudhi (गुढी) is placed on the right side of the entrance of the home. It’s thought that the right side will bring good luck and stave off any evil.

Bollywood

Posted by kunthra 1 Comment
Apr 22 2009

Namaste (नमस्ते )!

We’re going to talk about the Indian film industry. You’ve probably heard this word somewhere. I’ll give you a hint: it rhymes with the word Hollywood. The Indian version of Hollywood is Bollywood (बॉलीवूड ). Bollywood (बॉलीवूड ) takes its name from the city of Bombay, which is present day Mumbai. Like Hollywood, the city of Mumbai is the largest producers of Indiam film and cinema.

Bollywood (बॉलीवूड ) movies are unique from Hollywood movies in that Bollywood (बॉलीवूड ) movies are more like Broadway musicals with dialogue interspersed between songs. I have such a great respect for Indian actors and actresses. Over the span of their entire career, most actors and actresses will learn many dances and lip sing to the beat of many different songs. Indian actors and actresses are so talented and they get paid a lot less than what American actors and actresses get.

That might change in the future. If you’ve kept up to date with Oscar news, you’ll know that Slumdog Millionaire wiped out many American film contenders. Slumdog Millionaire is a movie that has the Bollywood (बॉलीवूड ) elements of song and dance. If you want a taste of Bollywood (बॉलीवूड ), check out Slumdog Millionaire at your local video rental store.

Some interesting themes that you’ll see in Indian films are about family, love, good guy versus bad guy and of course, Hollywood remakes. One thing about a lot of Bollywood (बॉलीवूड ) movies is that hardcore and graphic sex and kiss scenes are rare. Sex and desire in Indian movies are expressed through song, dance, and dialogue, but rarely “acted out” if you know what I mean. What’s important in Indian films is the suggestion of sex. Seduction plays a big role in Indian films. You might think this is unusual, but when you think about it, sometimes Hollywood movies contain many gratuitous sex scenes. It makes you wonder, now what did that have to do with the plot of the movie?

Half Consonants Continued

Posted by kunthra No Comments
Apr 20 2009

Namaste (नमस्ते )!

We’re gonna continue with the rest of the half consonants. Remember that part of being able to understand Hindi is to hear it. Try the Hindi Byki. You’ll be able to hear the sounds and make visual connections to Hindi words.

d – ड, ड् : हड्डी (haddii) bone

n – ण, ण् : डण्डा (dandaa) stick

t – त, त् : सत्कार (satkaara) honor

th – थ, थ् : तथ्य (tathya) diet

dh – ध, ध् : ध्यान (dhyaana) meditation

n – न, न् : धन्यवाद (dhanyavaad) thanks

p – प, प् : प्यार (pyaar) love

ph, f – फ, फ् : फ्लावर (flaawar) flower

b – ब, ब् : ब्याह (byaaha) wedding

bh – भ, भ् : सभ्य (sabhya) gentle

m – म, म् : अम्मा (ammaa) mother

y – य, य् : शय्या (sayyaa) bed

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