By Aruna Mallya Gupta, Toronto, Canada Growing up in India, one often willingly or unwillingly got drawn into or witnessed, endless rounds of Yagnas, poojas and homas of which one seldom understood the significance. Scoop rice, throw rice, pour ghee, pluck the tulsi, … . Of course, one has to partially blame oneself for not [...]
Filed under: Festivals, Karnataka, Spiritual | Tagged: Karnataka, Nagadoshas, Nagas, Sanatana Dharma | Leave a Comment »
cross-posted from my post here. Those who have ridden the Konkan Railway can attest, the emerald green fields and the rural countryside is mesmerizing. I think of an early retirement in a village, a small house and running a school. To share the genesis of this madness, I recorded the view. Here is a 67 [...]
Filed under: Karnataka, Kumta, Travel, Video | Tagged: Konkan, konkan Railway, Konkani, Kumta | Leave a Comment »
cross-posted from my post here. During recent travels, I was visiting relatives in Honavar, Karnataka – a sleepy coastal town south of Kumta (see google map below). I had stopped by a family store to add money to my pre-paid cell phone. There, this older gentleman was weaving these delicate pink buds called jaaii-che kaLo. [...]
Filed under: Flowers, Honavar, Karnataka, Konkani, Kumta, Video | Tagged: Flowers, Honavar, Konkan, Konkani, Kumta, Rural India | 2 Comments »
The following article is meant to encourage the younger generation to research and write about their own family history. As families become more diverse and dispersed all over the planet, it becomes even more important that children (and even adults) know about their ancestors. A Tribute to My Role Models by Nimmu Bangalore (nee Koppikar) [...]
Filed under: Family, Karnataka, Konkani | Tagged: Belgaum, Koppikar, Swami | 3 Comments »
In 2007, the Shanbhag School in Kumta (and their parent, the Konkan Education Trust), started to provide lunch for all their students. In the midst of a long day, the students had previously rushed home during their lunch hour. There are no cafeterias or restaurants near the school. The school made a significant investment in [...]
Filed under: Food, Karnataka, Kids, Konkani, Kumta, Shanbhag School | Tagged: lunch, meals, school lunch, students | Leave a Comment »
I have previously written about the Shanbhag School, an academic beacon in Kumta and surrounding villages. The Shanbhag High School, managed by the Konkan Education Trust does not receive any governmental aid. But it follows the state determined academic syllabus and guidelines. While we attract many students who can afford fees, our family wanted to [...]
Filed under: India, Karnataka, Kids, Konkani, Kumta, Shanbhag School | Tagged: Rural India, Scholarships | Leave a Comment »
Phovu (flattened rice) freshly mixed with a few spices is a staple of Konkanis. Growing up, we’d eat tambdo phovu (tambdo – red) nearly every day for breakfast. If not for the main dish, at least as a side. I prefer it sprinkled with a little sev, or served on the side (see pic below). [...]
Filed under: Food, Karnataka, Konkani, Kumta, Recipes | Tagged: breakfast, phovu, vegan, vegetarian | Leave a Comment »
Hanuman offering a tribute to Shri Rama, Lakshman and Devi Sita; A carving from the Vijayanagar period on a boulder on Hemakuta, Hampi. (see more from Hampi below) shri ramachandracharanau manasa smaraami shri ramachandracharanau vachasa gruNaami shri ramachandracharanau SHirasa namaami shri ramachandracharanau SHaranam prapadhyae On Rama’s feet I meditate With words I praise With lowered [...]
Filed under: Festivals, Hinduism, India, Karnataka, Prarthana, Sanatana Dharma, Temples | 3 Comments »
It was a blazing hot summer afternoon in Hampi. As I walked out of the magnificent Vithala Temple, I was beyond thirsty. Even the sweat had dried in this arid Northern Karnataka summer. The sight of this woman under a bright red umbrella and tending a cooler with drinks was an oasis of bliss to [...]
Filed under: Arts, Devi, Karnataka, Spiritual | 10 Comments »
Looking for new recipes, you have likely browsed Aayi’s Recipes the uber popular food blog hosted by Shilpa. This is M’s favorite “go-to” site anytime she needs inspiration for her cooking. During my travels to India, I look forward to visiting our ancestral town of Kumta – Jewel of the Konkan in coastal Karnataka. And [...]
Filed under: Food, India, Karnataka, Konkani, Kumta | 25 Comments »
