Vetiver is the root of Chrysopogon zizanioides, a perennial grass which gets its name from the south Indian language, Tamil (veti=cut, ver=root). Besides its place of origin in India, Vetiver is extensively grown in Indonesia, Haiti, Brazil, China and Reunion. Read More…
Visiting Bali
One is never quite prepared for the reality of Bali. Emerald hillsides curving spectacularly against azure skies, satin-ribbon beaches, the sensual fragrance of frangipani and jasmine, timeless temples and a culture of slow grace… for a very small island, Bali packs a huge punch as a travel destination. Read More…
What is the meaning & Origin of Namaste ?
The word Namaste is a combination of two Sanskrit terms: Namah (I bow respectfully to you) and Aste (let there be). Read More…
Marble Art from India
Culture rich India has several forms of stone artwork from different regions. Brilliantly painted marble from Rajasthan is one of best examples of such stone artwork and can best be described as ‘poetry in stone.’ Read More…
Kanji
Think you have a knack for foreign languages? Try picking up Japanese – all 2,000 characters of it! Read More…
The Peacock in Indian Legends
India’s national bird, the peacock, is woven into the country’s cultural fabric, a symbol of beauty, love and fertility. Read More…
Bali’s Barong
Long before Hinduism reached Bali’s shores, the island had its own, animism-based mythology. Read More…
A Whole New World of Entertainment
17.2 million square feet of world culture, out of this world shopping, around the world food and of course fun for everyone; that’s the Global Village in Dubai. Read More…
A Thousand Stories through A Hundred Objects
The BBC has launched a mammoth of a series in collaboration with the British Museum Read More…
The Thing to Wear In Japan
The word kimono literally means ‘thing to wear’. Read More…
Happiness is a Good Rice Pot
With a history spanning 10,000 years, rice is an important cultural tradition for half the world’s population. Read More…
Over The Top Footwork : The Flamenco Dancers of Spain
Dancing has been an essential element in the Spanish culture. From simple birthday parties to social charity events, dancing can always be observed. Read More…
The Mughal Empire in India
Introduction
Babur, descendent of the famous Mongol warriors Timur and Ghengis Khan, swept across the Khyber Pass in 1526 and established the Mughal Empire in India. For the next 200 years, the Mughals ruled most of the Indian subcontinent. Read More…