Did You Know?, by Jyotsna Vinayak
1.) India is home to some of the world’s most ancient art forms. Indian classical dance forms include: Bharatnatyam from Tamil Nadu, Kathak from Uttar Pradesh, Kathakali from Kerala, Kuchipudi from Andhra Pradesh, Manipuri from Manipur, Mohiniattam from Kerala, and Odissi from Orissa.
2.) In addition to the many Indian classical dance forms, India is also known for its cultural folk dances which vary from region to region. Some of these include: the Chauu dance of Bihar, Garba of Gujarat, Bhangra of Punjab, and Banjara of Andhra Pradesh.
3.) Indian classical music originated from the Vedas. Classical music is based on seven notes: Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni Sa. These notes are sung with different melodies, known as ragas, and set to different rhythms ,known as talas.
4.) Music in North India is referred to as Hindustani classical music, whereas music most popular in South Indian is known as Carnatic music.
5.) Instruments typically used in Hindustani music include the sitar, sarod, tanpura, bansuri, shehnai, sarangi, and tabla. Instruments typically used in Carnatic music include flute, gottuvadyam, veena, mridangam, kanjira, ghatam and violin.
6.) Since ancient times, India has been an active contributor in the field of Science and Technology. Indian sci-entists and Rishis have developed theories in the fields of mathematics, astronomy, physics, chemis-try, medical science, fine arts, mechanical and civil engineering and architecture, shipbuilding, and navigation.
7.) Indian Vedic literature includes descriptions of the concepts of zero, algebra, and algorithm, calcu-lus, square roots, and cube roots. It is believed that these texts were written many centuries before Newton and other Mathematicians were born.
8.) The value of “pi” was first calculated by the Indian Mathematician Budhayana. He also introduced the concept of the Pythagorean Theorem.
9.) India’s advanced technology in the field of civil engineering & architecture can be seen with the remnants of Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa. Both these settlements are known for their grid-like layout and the advanced architecture of the buildings which were made with bricks made with mud and burnt wood.
10.) Charaka began Ayurveda over 2500 years ago which is the earliest school of medi-cine. Sushruta is regarded as the father of surgery. Over 2600 Indians are known to have conducted complicated surgeries such as cataract, artificial limbs, cesareans, fractures, uri-nary stones and also plastic and brain surgeries.
Jyotsna is an undergraduate student at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, studying Biology and Biotechnology. Her interests include Bharatanatyam, Carnatic Music, traveling, and volunteering.
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September 1st, 2008 13:19
Great points — nice reminders of the past.
I watched a hindi movie (I think name is swadesh) sometime back. It is a story about a NRI retruning home and noticing how disfunctional his home town and country. When ppl take great about Indian heritage and redicule from where he comes.. he has very nice dialogue. - India is great in past.. but today what is it?
All the things your article talks about are also same. some hundreds of centuries back …. what is it today?
Unlike the movie dialogue we do have lots of things to share.Indian IT companies today rule the world. It is Indian nationals or Immigrats that are moving the world forward. Our Democracy is the largest in world. With less then 10-15% paying taxes our gov is able to run a nation of billion people. - imagine the wealth we posses. A so called middle-income group in India can afford the luxury of home servants to pretty much do anything. In these advanced western worlds we either rely on machine or do on our own. So who is really rich? Who has to comfort and luxury of life? - why are’nt we proud about that?
My request is please start looking into today. Stop talking about past. Old heritage is great. But furture is what we need. Today ppl avoid talking about current India bcz they either think it is terrible or ashamed. They only look it thru the eyes of media. - the drive by media. they paint a picture of corruption, and drity politics. India and its people are way beyond that.
Look the reality. Today USA is looking towards strengthening relations with India. - and there is a reason for that. Why don’t we recognize and publish that?
- just a few rambling thoughts….
Not to downgrade your points, but suggesting to add todays india too.
September 2nd, 2008 09:42
A very nice article from Jyotsana and a very nice response by Ron A. My humble submission is that while it is very much necessary to take note of the present it is more important to remember the past because it is the past which people have a normal tendency to forget. It gives you a boost when you came to know the heritage you belong to. Todays India and Indian making the world to wonder on what can be achieved with limited resources and strong commitment.
September 3rd, 2008 07:53
learn more about indian music from Sangeetpedia: Multimedia Encyclopedia of Indian music - http://www.sangeetpedia.com
September 3rd, 2008 23:01
Hari Krishna Hari Krishna Krishna Krishna Hari Hari
My thirst hath not quenched ; nor my hunger satiated by the earthen clay…
Having wondered from thought to thought, place to place, heart to heart, person to person, door to door to seek divine love,my spirit of life, at last perches within the delight of Hari Krishna’s beauty divine. Sorrows mute as I hear the flute of Govinda melodiously draws nearer and nearer to my heart’s chord. No fear surmounts anymore and life shudders with a strange felicity. All pause, all for this one delightful moment throbs into fusion of million delights as the purple light of Shre Shree Krishna radiantly touched in a clasp at the darkest hour of the night, to thunderously light the entire teeming vast sky with spark so brilliant! Capering to 16,109 divine lights of delight, the grace of Sri sri Radhika divinely showers her love upon the earthen clay, as Meerabai played to quell all night with her trinkets…..a beacon to derelict our soul divine onto divine love the soul embodiment of all, fathomless transcendental crown of Hari. Aum Shree Krishna; a pure golden hue, woven into the universal light and splendour, radiates shimmering in the darkest hour of the midnight with purple light of cosmic delight to the whole entire vast world of existence at large!
Written and composed by Jyotikar Pattni Sunday 24-August 08′
Jaya Shree Krushna Hari Krishna
Going to India is a Spiritual pilgrimage.
The fifth untold, unspoken Vedic scripture “NATYA VEDA” has been delineated to be the most sacred Vedic scripture that exhibits excellence of three forms of dancing namely the natya, the nritya and the nritta developing and blossoming into colourful tandav and divine raas-leela, kathaka, and Bharat natyam all of which embeds brilliance of sheer divinity of love, passion, and spiritual delight.In music, dance, song, poetry, and artistic talent, India has given immense inspiration, delight and light of hope to every corners of the world with great enthusiasm, great spirit, and great enchanting performances. May the greatness of our MOTHER India continue to spread light of inspiration to the human world!
Jaya Hind