Happy Diwali everyone...!

For north and south Indians its Ram wali Diwali.

For East and west Indians its Krishna wali Diwali.

And, Happy New Year too from west India.

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Diwali isn't just about Rama's return from Lanka to Ayodhya in UP.

It is also about the Pandavas ending exile and adnyatvas in Haryana, Mahavira attaining nirvana in Bihar, Dwarakadhish Krishna defeating Narakasura in Assam, release of Guru Hargobind Singh from Gwalior fort jail (MP) back to Punjab, and traders opening new ledgers under Lakshmi's blessings across India.

Today morning, at India Gate, the heart of Lutyen's Green Delhi, the day was started with 500 AQI. Even inside homes there is discomfort in breathing now.

Every Diwali, Delhi’s skies glow—and then suffocate. What begins as the Festival of Lights ends with an air crisis of staggering proportions.

Firecrackers contribute nearly 25% of Delhi’s particulate pollution during Diwali week, exacerbating emissions from vehicles (39%), industry (18%), and stubble burning (22%).

Delhi people should stop blaming their neighbours for their own deeds. Pehle apne karam sudhare, fir idhar-udhar ungli dikhaye.

In Indian philosophy, there is a term called Karm-Vipak. This is the karm-vipak of Delhiites. Only problem is, the philosophy talks about karm vipak of an individual. In Delhi, its a collective suffering. Everyone has to suffer.

Is this how cities die?

I am sure this is not the ranking index which we want to top on the world.

A very good insightful analysis. Its a common sense, yes, but its being played on publicly in India today. To save a city. To save India's IT capital. The civil society, industry leaders, scholars and artists are very vocal in asking the state govt to do its duty. And the govt is angry for that...!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iL_uvt1lsZ4

At least, people are vocal in Bangalore. In Delhi, our elites are silent or sold or sheep. Every city needs to speak up.

That is why one should be able to read the original sources. Never trust the translators and interpreters if you are a real historian.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQPhwKQn7zo

While Dakshina Kali is benevolent and auspicious, this one is a Bama Kali. She is destructive, fierce and ferocious. She puts Shiva under her feet. She is worshiped by Tantriks.

Look at this ferocious magnificence.

Bengali Lyrics (the song above):
Ekbar-Nacho Nacho Go Shyama
Nacho Temon Kore
Ekbar Nacho Maa
Tumi Jemon Kore Nechechile
Maa Joshodar Ghore
Ekbar Nacho Maa Ekbar Nacho Maa

English Translation:
Dance once, dance, O Shyama,
Dance in that wondrous way!
Dance once, O Mother,
As You once danced
In Mother Yashoda’s home.
O Mother, dance once again, dance once again!

The song is about Kali (Shyama). But when did Kali dance in Yashoda’s house? I don't recall any such story...

In 19th-century Bengal, Bhakti poets spoke of both Krishna (Shyam) and Kali (Shyama) are one dark, loving, and playful divinity, the same divine essence in both mother and child. Thus, “Shyama danced in Yashoda’s house” symbolically unites Krishna’s leela with Kali’s cosmic dance.

This Shyam–Shyama connection is a fusion of Vaishnava and Shakta traditions.

Speaking of syncretism in India... Who knew...!!

It is true. I used to make such Killa every year....! It was so much fun... Such a great tradition.

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https://youtu.be/uvs51HPz55s

The video is live again. We had to take it off for some reason but now it's back.

Do watch the discussion. A history of India from linguistic perspective. Its very revealing. May it be about Harappans or Buddha or Hindi-Urdu. Insightful.

Nikhil

https://youtu.be/JKueG7SnuWk?si=5z3WtWiH69b-YdKd

Piyush Pandey, the greatest Ad Man that India produced, has passed away. I think after Alyque Padamsee, it is Piyush Pandey's work that has been most memorable in the post Independence era.

Fevicol ka jod, kuchh khass Cadbury, chal meri Luna, Kinetic as freedom, har ghar kuchh kehta hai for Asian Paint, Googly woogly woosh Ponds, m-seal....

Along with serving the Congress era campaigns like Mile Sur Mera Tumhara (original), Pulse Polio campaign, and Cancer campaign, later he also produced some campaigns for BJP. It included Khushbu Gujarat ki for Gujarat tourism, and Abki Baar Modi Sarkar. I suspect as the Chief of Oglivy, his company also designed the famous logo of Op Sindoor.

All of his campaigns have been extremely memorable, powerful. In a way he contributed in creation of modern Indian culture.

Salute to his lifetime work. Watch Mile Sur Mera Tumhara video as a homage to a great adman India produced.

- Nikhil

Indravardhan Sarabhai has passed away. Om Shanti.

I am not sure of Gen Z still connects with Sarabhai vs Sarabhai. In the satirical social commentary genre, which is very rare in India, I think this is one of the cult masterpieces ever made on Indian TV.

If you have seen and liked the series, give thumbs up. If you have not seen or not liked it, give thumbs down.