CLASSICAL DANCE FORMS: FINE ARTS BY RUCHISMITA CHAKRABORTY

 Dance is an ancient and celebrated cultural tradition in India. Folk dances abound all across the country, and huge crowds of people can be found dancing at festivals and weddings. Dance and song features heavily in Indian cinema (so-called “Bollywood” films), too. But where does Indian dance draw its roots from? Here are six of the most important classical dance forms of India.

BHARATNATYAM

Bharatanatyam is a dance of Tamil Nadu in southern India. It traces its origins back to the Natyashastra, an ancient treatise on theatre written by the mythic priest Bharata. Originally a temple dance for women, Bharatanatyam often is used to express Hindu religious stories and devotions. It was not commonly seen on the public stage until the 20th century. The dance movements are characterized by bent legs, while feet keep rhythm. Hands may be used in a series of mudras, or symbolic hand gestures, to tell a story.

KATHAKALI

Kathakali comes from southwestern India, around the state of Kerala. Like bharatanatyam, kathakali is a religious dance. It draws inspiration from the Ramayana and stories from Shaiva traditions. Kathakali is traditionally performed by boys and men, even for female roles. The costumes and makeup are especially elaborate, with faces made to look like painted masks and enormous headdresses.

KATHAK

A dance of northern India, Kathak is often a dance of love. It is performed by both men and women. The movements include intricate footwork accented by bells worn around the ankles and stylized gestures adapted from normal body language. It was originated by Kathakas, professional storytellers who used a mixture of dance, song, and drama. Like other Indian dances it began as a temple dance, but soon moved into the courts of ruling houses.

MANIPURI

Manipuri comes from Manipur in northeastern India. It has its roots in that state’s folk traditions and rituals, and often depicts scenes from the life of the god Krishna. Unlike some of the other, more rhythmic dances, Manipuri is characterized by smooth and graceful movements. Female roles are especially fluid in the arms and hands, while male roles tend to have more forceful movements. The dance may be accompanied by narrative chanting and choral singing.

KUCHIPUDI

Unlike the other styles mentioned, kuchipudi requires talent in both dancing and singing. This dance, from the state of Andhra Pradesh in southeastern India, is highly ritualized, with a formalized song-and-dance introduction, sprinkling of holy water, and burning of incense, along with invocations of goddesses. Traditionally the dance was performed by men, even the female roles, although now it is predominantly performed by women.

ODISSI

Odissi is indigenous to Orissa in eastern India. It is predominantly a dance for women, with postures that replicate those found in temple sculptures. Based on archaeological findings, odissi is belived to be the oldest of the surviving Indian classical dances. Odissi is a very complex and expressive dance, with over fifty mudras (symbolic hand gestures) commonly used.

SUNNY SEASIDE GOA: GOA FOOD BLOG by Samhitashis Majumder

Since Goa is located on the west coast of India, along the shore of the Arabian Sea, Goan cuisine is dominated by spices and flavours. The staple food of Goa is rice and fish curry. Most of the dishes incorporate coconuts, rice, fish, pork, meat and local spices like kokum. The cuisine of Goa is mostly dominated by seafood which includes shark, tuna, pomfret, and mackerel fish. Goa was a Portuguese colony prior to 1961, and hence, the Portuguese influenced most of their food.

Here is a list of 18 Must-Try Dishes That Exemplify Food of Goa

1. Goan Fish Curry

Goan fish curry or the Xitti Kodi is the staple diet of every Goan making it a famous food of Goa. The Goan fish curry is loaded with various spices along with coconut. Raw mango is also used to give the dish a tangy flavour. The main ingredients of the dish are a decent-sized Pomfret and raw mango. Instead of Pomfret, Kingfish may also be used. This Goan dish is served along with rice.

2. Chicken Cafreal

Cafreal chicken is a spicy green coloured dish that will leave your mouth watering. Grinding green chillies, herbs and various spices together make the masala for the chicken. Then, the chicken is mixed with this masala and fried. This Goan dish does not require anything on the side but it may be served with salads.

3. Goan Pork Vindaloo

'Vin' comes from the word vinegar and 'ahlo' means garlic in Portuguese. It is said that this Goan food was previously called Vindahlo but because of the use of potatoes, folks started calling it Vindaloo (aloo means potatoes). The dish consists of pork, onions, chillies, garlic along with Vinegar and other spices. Masala is prepared using the chillies and other ingredients and is then mixed with meat and vinegar. This mixture is stored overnight. The dish is then friend using onions and other herbs.

4. Chicken Xacuti

Chicken Xacuti consists of poppy seeds and Kashmiri red chillies. This is yet another Portuguese influenced famous Goan food. The Goan curry consists of chicken, potatoes, onions, coconuts, chillies, and other spices. Kashmiri chillies are specifically used as they give intense hot flavour and also give colour to the dish. This is one of the most popular Goan Food.

5. Shark Ambot Tik

Ambot Tik is a Portuguese influenced Goan food. 'Ambot' means sour and 'tik' means spicy. Red chillies (Kashmiri) are used to add spice to the dish and Kokum (Garcinia indicia) is used to make the dish taste sour. Shark fish is diced and tossed with onions, tomatoes and masala.

6. Sorpotel

'Soro' is a Konkani word that translates to alcohol or liquor. Sorpotel (also known as sarapatel) is a famous food of Goa. Pork and beef or mutton liver are used for this dish. The meat is parboiled and the fat is fried. Onions, garlic and the masala prepared are added along with other spices and herbs. Sorpotel can be consumed any time of the day, however, some people prefer it to have it for breakfast.

7. Feijoada

This dish is a stew of red beans and pork. Goan feijoada is a Portuguese influenced recipe. Salted pork, masala and red beans are combined and fried to prepare this dish. Coconut milk may be added instead of water for the gravy as coconut milk will add a unique flavour and give a thicker consistency. Goan feijoada is served with rice or pois.

8. Sorak

Sorak is a simple vegetarian curry made especially during the monsoon season in Goa. Curry consists of spicy masala with onions and tomatoes. Sorak is best enjoyed with hot steaming rice or dry fish.

9. Samarachi Kodi

Samarachi Kodi is a dish prepared during the monsoons. It is a dry prawn curry. Dry prawns, onion, coconut, tamarind and tomatoes are the main ingredients which a friend with a spicy, tangy masala. Coconut milk is added to give it the typical flavour and texture. Some also use Bombay ducks instead of prawns. Samarachi Kodi is served best with hot rice and pickle. 

10. Prawns Xeque Xeque

Prawns Xeque Xeque is a classic Goan dish of prawns, coconut milk, tomatoes, green chillies and onions. The masala is mixed with prawns and added to sauteed onions, garlic and tomatoes. The coconut milk is added gradually. This Goan dish can be accompanied with Sannas, dosas or fugias.

11. Patolea

Pronounced as 'pathayo', Patolea is a sweet dish that may also be consumed along with tea. For the dish, Goan red rice is used with tamarind leaves (Haldi ka patta). A filling of coconut, Goan jaggery, and cardamom is made and stuffed inside the leaves (that have been lined with rice paste)  and the leaves are then folded or wrapped and steamed for 20 minutes.

12. Crab Xacuti

Crab Xacuti is a famous dish of Goan Food. The preparation of this dish is similar to that of Chicken Xacuti. But the claws of the crab need to be carefully removed and the crabs are then to be boiled for 15 minutes before proceeding. Eggs may be added to the curry to make it thicker and fluffy in consistency.

13. Bebinca

Bebinca is one of the most famous and loved dessert of Goa. It is a multilayered cake that is prepared using coconut milk, sugar, eggs and flour. The batter is poured into the pan and backed layer bay layer before lining it. The dish uses caramelised sugar and not just normal sugar giving the dessert a rich flavour.

14. Fish Recheado

'Recheado' means 'stuffed' in Portuguese. Another Portuguese influenced dish, this dish consists of pomfret stuffed with tangy masala and onions. This dish may be served with warm Goan bread. 

15. Goan Khatkhate

Goan Khatkhate is a Goan vegetable stew. Toor dal and Channa dal are mixed with various vegetables like carrots, potatoes, green beans and drumsticks. Spicy coconut paste made out of Kashmiri red chillies and grated coconut is added along with other spices. The dish is famous among the Konkani community in Goa. The stew is served with rice after adding ghee on top of it.

16. Sannas

Sannas are the Goan idlis. These idlis are different from normal idlis as these idlis have a sweet coconut flavour and are made from Goan rice. Sannas compliment most of the Goan dishes.

SUNNY SIDE GOA : GOA BEYOND BEACHES : Travel Blog By Samhitashis Majumder

 

Tropical Goa is the smallest state in India but also the most laid back and the most popular with tourists, both from India and all over the world. Most tourists flock here in the Winter months to enjoy sunny days, blissful beaches, fresh seafood, spicy curries, vibrant markets, wild nightlife and much more, all infused with the special and captivating blend of Portuguese and Indian cultures .There are really is something for everyone in Goa, from luxury hotels and world class fine dining restaurants to mellow yoga retreats, to adventure sports to wild all night beach parties, to cheap and cheerful beach huts and hippie markets.

Although Goa is the most westernized and touristy state in India, there is still so much to explore and love, and the best parts are usually away from the main tourist hot spots like Baga and Calangute zipping through paddy fields and colorful villages fringed with palm trees past white washed Portuguese churches and discovering quieter beaches.

Goa’s Capital Panjim (Panaji)

Goa’s capital is a pleasant, colourful and historic city, probably the most pleasant capital city in India. Panjim is now called Panaji, but most people still call it the old name Panjim. There are so many things to do in Panjim including iconic landmarks, heritage walks, churches, temples, beaches, museums, Goan restaurants and colourful Portuguese backstreets.

Panjim also makes a great base from which to explore the other amazing cultural and natural heritage sites of Central Goa including the UNESCO listed churches at Old Goa, the spice plantations, wildlife sanctuaries and waterfalls  all of these are easy day trips from Panjim. Staying in Panjim will also give you a glimpse of a very different Goa away from the crowded and touristy beaches. 

Aguada Fort

Although it doesn’t have the glory or grandeur of the bygone times, the hilltop fort of Aguada is one of the best places to visit in Goa. 

Its magnificent architecture as well as the breath-taking views it offers of the Arabian Sea come together to make it a top tourist attraction in the region. It is also a great spot to watch sunsets while in the Party Capital of India. One of the most luxurious hotels in Goa, namely the Taj Fort Aguada Resort and Spa, is also housed within the fort walls.

Currently, the fort houses a statue dedicated to the freedom fighters of Goa. Every year on 18th June, a ceremony is observed within the fort premises to remember and honor those brave souls who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of Goa.

Dudhsagar Falls

Dudhsagar waterfalls is a four-tired, iconic attraction located in the state of Goa in India. It is considered as India’s most beautiful natural marvels. Located in the Bhagwan Mahavir Sanctuary in Mollen National Park, this is a crown jewel of the Western Ghats. Because of its dazzling natural beauty, Dudhsagar is one of Goa's most visited location.

The literal translation of Dudhsagar is “Sea of Milk”. The milky white waters of the fall truly justify the name. The period between October to March is an ideal time to visit. The monsoon is a rough time as the rocks get slippery and the fall is more aggressive as well. 

ADVENTURE SPORTS: Bungee Jumping 

Goa isn’t just about alluring seashores and dazzling beaches. Goa today is fast becoming one of the top destinations for adventure sports in India. Bungee jumping is one sport that can give extremely high adrenaline rush and goose bumps to even a highly seasoned adventure sport enthusiast. Bungee jumping in goa  is the latest entry to the list of stunning high end adventure sports that one can engage in. What sets apart the electrifying experience of Bungee jumping in Goa is the serenity and picturesque beauty of the impressive locations of Bungee jumping spots. Most of them are near the beach fronts and are simply unmatchable with the experience one can have in any other city.

Jumpin Heights is one of the most popular names for Bunjee Jumping in India. Made popular by its titillating Bungee Jumping spot in Rishikesh its spot in Goa is its second in the country. Situated at exquisite peaceful surrounding of Mayem lake this is a perfect place to experience a spine tingling bungee adventure.

NIGHTLIFE IN GOA

Hill Top Goa

Situated in Vagator Beach, Hill Top is a popular party place that makes Goa’s nightlife more colourful. This palm grove is popular across the globe for its psychedelic parties. The place is most sought after during Christmas and New Year’s celebrations as DJ's from around the world perform here. With quality trance music, delicious seafood, and fine drinks, this place makes for an ideal option to spend a colorful evening.

Club Cabana

Club Cabana is among the most popular places where travellers can witness the liveliness of Goa’s nightlife scene. Also famous as the ‘Night Club in the Sky’, it is known for its great music and crowd. The club regularly hosts performances and theme parties giving its visitors an unforgettable time under a star-studded sky.

Sinq Night Club

Sinq Night Club is one of the prominent places to visit in Goa to experience the state’s nightlife at its best. It offers a good lounge-club experience where people can party with their friends, laze around at the lounge or beat the heat in the pool. Further, the club’s contemporary Goan tavern serves some of the best local and European delicacies. The poolside deck specializes in barbeque dishes and wood-fired pizzas.

Curlies Beach Shack

Located on the South Anjuna beach, Curlies Beach Shack is a famous local restaurant and bar. Counted among the popular Goa shacks, it serves a wide variety of food and an inventive selection of beverages. Besides authentic Goan food, visitors can order specialties from Indian, Italian and Continental cuisines. Its pleasant ambience, all-night beach parties, stunning sunset views, and interesting music make Curlies a perfect place to relax.

             SHOPPING IN GOA

 

Anjuna Flea Market

Anjuna Flea Market is one of the popular and great places of shopping in Goa. Hosted every Wednesday at Anjuna Beach, this flea market is a paradise place for real shopaholics. You will find hundreds of stores selling jewelries, clothes, wooden crafts, footwear, handicrafts, hammocks, bed sheets, trinkets, and wall hangings. This market experiences great footfalls of Indians as well as foreigners.

Panaji Market

This is the best market to experience the real flavors of traditional Goan shopping, You can buy here spices, pickles, fruits, vegetables, fresh fish, cashew nuts, port wine, and curry pastes. However, you can also look for textiles, clothing, jewelry and other items at a reasonable price.

Mackie’s Night Bazaar

A perfect place for every enthusiastic shopper, Mackie’s Night Bazaar is organized every Saturday from afternoon till midnight on Baga Beach. It features over hundred shopping outlets selling souvenirs, handicrafts, clothes, jewelry and antiques, etc. There are many eateries as well as party places where you can have lots of fun while having great shopping experiences.

Night Market in Arpora 

Arpora market begins in the evening and lasts till late at night. The market is full of local tourists and foreigners buying souvenirs. You will find here a variety of food stalls, cloth sellers and knickknack vendors, selling a diverse range of minute items. The area that surrounds the market is full of clubs with adequate parking space. You can first go to these bars, have unlimited fun and then continue your shopping.

HOLLY-BOLLY-TOLLY - WORLD OF BACKGROUND SCORE BY Sayan Guin

Source: Wikimedia Commons

"A good score should have a point of view all of its own. It should transcend all that has gone before, stand on its own two feet and still serve the movie. A great soundtrack is all about communicating with the audience, but we all try to bring something extra to the movie that is not entirely evident on screen." - Hans Zimmer

Every music has a story. You can never find a music that doesn't evoke any kind of emotional response from its listeners. A background score enhances a film by adding an extra dimension to it. A film’s score helps to reflect the themes and the tone of the film itself, which in turn makes people think that they are part of the presentation. They act as the backbone of a film giving it emotional strength, narrative as well as something more than just good acting and storytelling.

It is very important for a music composer to keep up the music with the pace of the film and make sure that a score goes with a particular scene. Arguably, one of the greatest pieces of score in the world is of Star Wars. John Williams, regarded as one of the greatest composers gave us this memorable soundtrack that can bring people together. When someone hears the name Star Wars, instantly the iconic and sudden main theme comes to mind. Whenever you hear the Imperial March playing you instantly think about Darth Vader's heavy breath and his black suit. 

Now, there are thousands of classic critically acclaimed soundtracks like of Star Wars, made by great composers. And you cannot talk about the world of background score and not mention its greatest teacher, Hans Zimmer. 

Hans Zimmer
Source: Wikimedia Commons

Hans Zimmer is an icon. The German-born composer has composed some of the most legendary film scores in cinema history. If we talk about the achievements of Hans Zimmer, the soundtrack that has gone on to achieve legendary status for Zimmer is of Gladiator. The melodic and beautiful 'Elysium' is just an example of his magic in the film, where he uses a simple but great melody throughout his score, making Gladiator one of those movies whose music is a vital part of its success. 

                        

Another one of Zimmer's masterpieces is the soundtracks for the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. The score is magic and happening. Listeners laugh their heart out when they hear the happy violin in “He’s a Pirate” while watching Jack Sparrow doing his crazy antics on screen. The rushing bass, slowly growing louder and faster, announcing the Black Pearl makes listeners feel tensed and apprehensive as they see the black ship appear on screen. When listened closely, the music flows from slow to fast then back to slow, mimicking the way ocean flows. These notes give the film the extra punch, and makes it memorable for the audience. 

Remember those classic childhood Disney songs? They include both types of scoring: instrumental as well as vocal. Who can forget the "Circle of Life in The Lion King? Without it the movie just wouldn’t be the same. 

“I Just Can’t Wait to be King” is a fun song which involves all the major characters who express their emotions musically. This kind of music allows the audience to enjoy two very different worlds of scoring, which creates masterpieces when used together Now who doesn't know "Hakuna Matata"? 

The world of background score is huge with no ends. Here, i talked about few famed examples but there are thousands of iconic soundtracks which are no less than the other. A few more examples of great score are, "Lord of the rings", "Jurassic Park", "Jaws", "Inception", "Dark Knight", and mannyyyyyyy more. Scoring is now imperative to modern cinema and for a society that is bombarded with flashy information all the time, it is one of the major factors in keeping audiences interested and emotionally invested in the films themselves. They give the audience the chance to delve deeper into the world that is presented and in turn help films to entrap its audience to have a higher chance of success. Most importantly, they give the feeling of ultimate satisfaction the moment the credit starts to roll. 

HOLLY-BOLLY-TOLLY - MOVIE REVIEW by Sayan Guin

 

A Horrifyingly Thrilling Sequel Worth The Wait

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John Krasinski’s much awaited sequel to 2018's A Quiet Place is a scary hell of a ride. His box office hit, A Quiet Place (co-written with Scott Beck and Bryan Woods) went out of only caring about characters trying to survive in the deadly silence—it taught uneasy and claustrophobic audiences to fill the theater with silences and with momentary screams. No moviegoer wants to relive the uneasy feeling of the last movie and wants Krasinski to repeat this terror exactly for a sequel, but the clever and brash changes are thrilling as the film is bigger, faster, louder, and more typical for the horror blockbuster genre. “Part II” has got double the amount of dialogue and its horror is far more horrifying, literal and straightforward.

Krasinski has once again proved his intelligence and his straightforward priorities when it comes to being a horror genre director. He also shows his keen talent at planning tense life-or-death scenes with a flow of slow and fast, which bring a great flow to the picture. In its best moments, “A Quiet Place Part II” in a way, is more like Steven Spielberg's "The Lost World: Jurassic Park", where the director cut loose letting the beasts rampage in a new setting which made the world building significant. Though the Jurassic Park 2 was nowhere near the original, I still wanted a part 3.

Souce : Paramount Pictures

While people can think Part II means the opening directly takes us to the events after the climax of the first movie, but John Krasinski craft fully gives us a detour to the events before the alien attack. There we see the true horror of the alien invasion unfold. People will already be clenching every muscle (even though they know the Abbotts survive) even before the title appears on screen.

The movie then jumps from Day 1 of the apocalypse to Day 474, the instant after Evelyn killed the first alien. The house is damaged after the events of the last night, so Evelyn is forced to head out into the unknown with Regan (Millicent Simmonds), Marcus (Noah Jupe) and her newborn baby. Soon they come across old family friend Emmett (Cillian Murphy), who reluctantly helps them and gives them shelter.

Emily Blunt(Left) and Noah Jupe(Right)
playing Evelyn and Marcus Abbot respectively
Source: The Guardian

It's not just the bigger set pieces that make A Quiet Place Part II such an expansive sequel as Krasinski avoids grounding the family in another single location like the last movie. He cleverly branches out the story into three different plots, overlapping each other to create a tension among the audience. 

Emmett played by Cillian Murphy
Source: IMDb

Regan's journey with Emmett is by far the movie's strongest point. Millicent Simmonds can be said as the lead of the sequel as she rises to the occasion with an emotional and powerful performance.

It's through her performance that the movie manages to land emotional beats compensating for the heart wrenching terror of the set pieces. The first movie gave us a gut punch with the loss of Lee (Krasinski's character), and Regan ensures that we feel that loss as heavily as she does. 

Regan Abbott played by Millicent Abbott
Source: Paramount Pictures

After all the delay due to the pandemic we at last got the movie and more importantly it's in the theatres. But I think you just can't replicate the absolute silence at home as you don't really need to hear the incredible sound designs as they are not as effective in comparison. 

A Quiet Place Part II matches the horror, terror and tension of the first movie and does a great job in expanding the world. If you had any doubts about the movie, it will be met with satisfaction. 

SUNNY SEA SIDE - GOA- FASHION - BY KIRTIKA SHARMA

 The culture of Goa is unique and is in stark contrast to the Indian culture. Goa is an extremely secular place, which harmoniously blends the culture of East and West. Unlike the rest of India, Goa is free from extreme traditionalism and conservatism.

Traditional Dresses of Goa :

The pristine and romantic beaches of Goa are immensely popular among the domestic as well as international tourists. The fusion of the eastern and western culture is aptly reflected in the dressing style of the Goans. The various dresses of the Goans are as follows:

o   Nav-Vari – A 9 yard saree, which is worn along with attractive accessories.

o   Pano Bhaju- A traditional dress worn by women.

o   Valkal- A string of beads and leafy loincloths , which is still prevalent in the tribal life

o   Kashti - A traditional attire worn by the Dhangar, Gauda, Kunbi, Velip and Zalmi tribes along with Kunbi Palloo or the tied knot and saree

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o   The fishermen of Koli wear brightly colored shirts, half pants and bamboo hats. This dress has become very popular as a signature Goa dress and is worn by numerous tourists.

o   The Goa Carnival is very popular for the colorful exhibition of dresses it showcases. The vividly colored costumes and props, which are based on theme are very famous.

Goa known for its exotic locales and vibrant culture is also known for its colourful accessories and eye catching jewellery. Being a tourist centre, traders sell trinkets and baubles to visitors who would like to take them away as souveniers. 

Magnificent terracotta and colorful beaded necklaces available have popular markets such as markets in the Anjuna, Calangute and Mapusa.

o   Precious and semi-precious stone studded bracelets, bangles and necklaces.

o   Traders from all over the world display their jewelry and merchandise in the beach markets of Goa.