Not Just Konkani ... Its India , Konkani, the Konkan, Goa, our History and More...

Country of Immigrants?? Country of Racists??? Country of Shame - Australia... Oz.. Aussies... Aussie Hate...

2009-05-30T12:50:00.000-07:00

For a country settled by immigrants and having an ethnic native population which is different to the settlers one would think australians would learn to live together and share the bounty of nature.

Unfortunately these islanders do not have a heart as big as their country. They are stuck in the ways of the 16th century and continue racist attacks on people of Indian origin.

On helpless students who come to their country to learn. Students of south asian ethnicity, Indian from India, Britain, Malaysia, Singapore, Europe are all potential targets and the Aussie authorities ask the INDIANS to keep a low profile.

I cannot imagine that this first world country cannot look after its residents who look different. Is this OK??? Are there no Australians who find this as offensive as I do??

Prejudice comes in all forms and it behoves on us all to make sure that at least they system is not racist. I think in Australia IT IS !!!

When you have the chief of police asking Indians to keep a low profile !!! What is that??? Should Native Australians, African Australians and Indian Australians look 'white' and Blend in ??? Should they 'conform'? Should we get rid of Chinatowns or little Indias.. all those things that make life and places special???

For God's sake Aussies Grow UP and learn to live in a multicultural world !!!!!

SHAME!!!

Shame !!! Australia Shame !!! Racist Australia Shame, Oz shame, Aussie shame !!!

2009-05-30T12:32:00.000-07:00

What a shame. Attacks on Indian students in Australia is not OK !!! There have been more than 20 attacks in the last month !!!Australians it is time to grow up. You live in a multicultural world as do us all and Indians are part of it. There are Australian Indians, British Indians, Indian Americans, African Indians and New Zealand Indians ....

I think it is shameful that you have not learnt the concept of living together with different communities of different colours.

What is really sad is the Australian authorities asking Indians to keep a low profile !!! What a shame. Instead of keeping their racist cohorts at bay you are asking the victims to change their legal ways!!!

Perhaps Indians should Boycott Australia. Indians visit Australia, about 100,000 Indians study in australia spending millions of Dollars. I think they should be denied all those Dollars.

I think Australians of Indian Origin should write to their MPs, and authorities to make sure ethnic Indians are protected.

I think right minded australians of whatever colour should also make their presence felt.

Such a state of affairs is NOT ACCEPTABLE. Indians will not be soft targets!

I am appauled at the Australian authorities and hope they take strict action to save whatever credibility they have left.

Slumdog millionaire

2009-01-18T01:34:00.000-08:00

Must watch this good film.
5***** RATING

Mumbai - Bombay

2009-01-18T01:08:00.000-08:00

This is what some people think about Mumbai

The Lonely Planet guide to Mumbai

Measure out: one part Hollywood; six parts traffic; a bunch of rich power-moguls; stir in half a dozen colonial relics (use big ones); pour in six heaped cups of poverty; add a smattering of swish bars and restaurants (don’t skimp on quality here for best results); equal parts of mayhem and order; as many ancient bazaars as you have lying around; a handful of Hinduism; a dash of Islam; fold in your mixture with equal parts India; throw it all in a blender on high (adding generous helpings of pollution to taste) and presto: Mumbai.
An inebriating mix of all the above and more, this mass of humanity is a frantic melange of India’s extremes. It is the country’s financial powerhouse and its vogue centre of fashion, film and after-dark frolics. Glistening skyscrapers and malls mushroom amid slums and grinding poverty, and Mumbai slowly marches towards a brave new (air-conditioned) world. But not everyone made the guest list: more than half of the population lives in slums, and religious-based social unrest tugs at the skirt of Mumbai’s financial excess.
Only once the initial shell shock of Mumbai’s chaos subsides, can one start to appreciate the city’s allure: a wealth of Art Deco and grand colonial relics; cacophonic temples; warrens of bazaars; and the odd spiritual bastion of tranquillity. In Mumbai you can dine at some of the finest restaurants in the country, and work off the appetite gyrating at ultrachic bars alongside Bollywood starlets and wannabes. With a pinch of gumption, a dash of adventure, an open wallet and a running start, there’s no excuse not to dive into the Mumbai madness head-first.

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/india/mumbai-bombay

An Englishman from Newcastle

2009-01-16T22:47:00.000-08:00

What can you tell about this man whose picture was taken in 1889 in Newcastle, England.

Perhaps his hat, his dress gives more information???

Did he have a good life?

Did he have a lot of money?

Where do his progeny live today?

Would love to have comments from readers....

Imperial crown of India

2009-01-16T22:33:00.000-08:00

The Imperial crown of India.

India the jewel of the crown.

Pakistan - You need a reality check!

2009-01-16T22:19:00.000-08:00

We are at the crossroads of humanity. Terrorism , the kiling of innocent people to justify any cause is wrong. To qualify such sickness of the mind with social causes and movements is absolutely absurd.

David Miliband the foreign secretary on his visit to New Delhi and Islamabad vaguely linked terrorism to solving the Kashmir issue.

I think this is absolutely wrong. Kashmir, secessionism, islam have nothing to do with terrorism. The terrorists are simply wrong and deserve to be tried by the law enforcing agencies of the land. Of course social problems need to be solved but they have nothing to do with terrorism. Terrorists are inhuman pieces of S***.

Pakistanis need to have a reality check. They need to understand that terrorism is a cancer and if they do not amputate this rotting limb they risk death for themselves before their neighbours are affected.
Islam like any other religion is open to interpretation and is used by many for their own ends.

Therefore for the sake of humanity the Pakistanis need to have a reality check.

Pakistanis are intelligent people. I am sure they want to live in a peaceful environment with freedom of thought and want their kids to grow in a place where their full potential may bloom.

I hope they pick up the gauntlett and get rid of the terrorists. For their own good.

2009

2009-01-05T14:39:00.000-08:00

It's here. I hope it brings in good tidings for all. I hope the monetory credit crisis settles. I hope there are more discoveries in the health sector. I hope there is less poverty in 2009.

Here's to good times...2009... for all...

P.S. Thanks to Abhijit for the wonderful photo. Cheers

New Year 2009

2008-12-28T13:56:00.000-08:00

Wishing everyone a wonderful New Year 2009.
May this bring happiness and joy to everyone.

Mumbai - Lonely Planet Description

2008-12-28T13:48:00.000-08:00

An inebriating mix of all the above and more, this mass of humanity is a frantic melange of India’s extremes. It is the country’s financial powerhouse and its vogue centre of fashion, film and after-dark frolics. Glistening skyscrapers and malls mushroom amid slums and grinding poverty, and Mumbai slowly marches towards a brave new (air-conditioned) world. But not everyone made the guest list: more than half of the population lives in slums, and religious-based social unrest tugs at the skirt of Mumbai’s financial excess.
Only once the initial shell shock of Mumbai’s chaos subsides, can one start to appreciate the city’s allure: a wealth of Art Deco and grand colonial relics; cacophonic temples; warrens of bazaars; and the odd spiritual bastion of tranquillity. In Mumbai you can dine at some of the finest restaurants in the country, and work off the appetite gyrating at ultrachic bars alongside Bollywood starlets and wannabes. With a pinch of gumption, a dash of adventure, an open wallet and a running start, there’s no excuse not to dive into the Mumbai madness head-first

Agni

2008-12-23T13:20:00.000-08:00

Romesh Chunder Dutt (1848-1909)
Agni, or the Fire

Lighted Agni flames forth high,
Flings a radiance on the sky,
And his lustre, glorious, bright,
Mingles with the morning light.
And Visvavârâ chants her holy prayer,
Faces the east, and brings her gifts to Fire!

Lord of Eternity! Lord of skies!
Presiding Lord of sacrifice!
Agni! Whoso worships thee,
By him with thy blessings be!
Whose blazing altar sacred Agni lights, --
Affluence dwells with him and pious rites.

Agni! On the altar shine,
Flames and radiance bright be thine!
Grant us wealth with thy red flame,
Quell our foes, increase our fame!
Invest our homes with blessings from above,
And link our men and wives in bonds of love!

Agni! On the altar shine,
Flames and radiance bright be thine!
And I lift my pious hymn
To thy bright effulgent beam!
Bounteous god! Red lustre e'er be thine,
Flame on our altar, glorious and divine!

With pious hands we light thy flame,
With pious lips we chant thy name!
Invoke unto our sacrifice
The glorious bright gods of the skies!
For thou art Priest in every pious rite,
And makest gifts to gods with radiance bright!

Then let us unto Agni pray,
And he our offerings will convey!
And let us unto Agni sing,
And he the radiant gods will bring!
Priest and God! to thee we humbly pray,
Our pious offerings to the gods convey!
Notes
1] "Rig Veda, V. 28" (Dutt's note.)"Agni is the god of Fire; the Ignis of the Latins, the Ogni of the Sclavonians." -- Muir's Sanscrit Texts."All the names of the Fire and the Fire-gods were carried away by the Western Aryans; and we have Prometheus answering to Pramantha, Phoronus to Bharanyu, and the Latin Vulcanus to the Sanscrit Ulka." -- Cox's Mythology of Aryan Nations.The hymn translated below is one of peculiar interest, because it is said to have been composed by a pious lady, Visvavârâ." (Dutt's notes.)
29] "`As no sacrifice could be performed without fire, Agni, or fire, was called the invoker of the gods.' -- Civilisation in Ancient India, vol. i. p. 85." (Dutt's note.)

To India - Sarojini Naidu

2008-12-23T13:10:00.000-08:00

To India

O YOUNG through all thy immemorial years!

Rise, Mother, rise, regenerate from thy gloom,

And, like a bride high-mated with the spheres,

Beget new glories from thine ageless womb!

The nations that in fettered darkness weep

Crave thee to lead them where great mornings break . . . .

Mother, O Mother, wherefore dost thou sleep?

Arise and answer for thy children's sake!

Thy Future calls thee with a manifold sound

To crescent honours, splendours, victories vast;

Waken, O slumbering Mother and be crowned,

Who once wert empress of the sovereign Past.

Sarojini Naidu

गायत्री मंत्र - The Gayatri -The Holiest Mantra of them all...

2008-12-21T13:01:00.001-08:00

॥ ॐ भूर्भुवः स्वः तत् सवितुर्वरेण्यं भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात् ॥

The essence of the scriptures...the holiest of holys... thekey to the universe... the great purifier...the gayatri mantra.

As scientific as I am and agnostic as i truly maybe, even an atheist at times... I feel the gayati mantra is the key to the spiritual wisdom of the ancients.

It has been passed down to us through the mists of time and has been the pillar of faith and strength for millions.

"May we meditate on the glory of Him who has created the earth, the nether world and the heavens (i.e. the universe), and may He guide our intellect"

Winter Solstice - Uttarayan- उत्तरायण

2008-12-21T12:41:00.000-08:00

Yeah It's Winter Solstice the longest night of the year. The smallest day is done and the days will only increase in length from now on... until the summer solstice that is..

Uttarayan has begun.

The Maha Mrutyunjay mantra

॥ ॐ त्रयम्बकं यजामहे सुगंधिम पुषटीवरधनम उर्वारुकमीव बंधनाम मॄर्तयोर मोक्षीय मामृतात ॥

\\\\ konkani क्रिसमस विशेस \\\\

2008-12-20T13:32:00.000-08:00

ॐ
नाताळाचो शुभिच्छा ।
कोंकणीन्तु बरयता आनी तुम्मी सरवांक हांव नातालाचों सुभिच्छा दित्ता ।
देवू तुमका बरें कोरों।
आम्चीगेलांन्तुं आम्मी उल्लेयलॅरी आन॒नी बरय्लॅरी आम्मी कोंकणीक चड वाडोचाक जात्ता ।
जय हिंद ।

East Pakistan Embankments- Philatelic History

2008-12-19T17:36:00.000-08:00

East Pakistan dissappeared into oblivion on the 16th of December 1971.

The Mukti Bahini and the Indian forces liberated Bangladesh -The Land of the Banglas.

West Pakistan and its Punjabi establishments had gone into overdrive to show that its erstwhile eastern wing was still a part of the Pakistan federation and so many stamps, first day covers and bank noted were issued in Bengali and Urdu.

Inspite of all these superficial efforts there was no warmth in the heart of the west Pakistanis for the eastern wingers.

Our west bengal was flooded with Refugees and Indira Gandhi decisively stepped in and when West Pakistan attacked us we respeonded tooth and Nail and helped the Mukti Bahini to liberate themselves to form the New state of Bangladesh.

This First day cover is therefore part of the philatelic history of a country which showed that religion alone cannot bind people.

Gandhi & Churchill- The epic rivalry that destroyed an empire and forged our age- Arthur Herman

2008-12-19T17:17:00.000-08:00

Book Review.

Gandhi & Churchill The epic rivalry that destroyed an empire and forged our age.

Arthur Herman.

This book focuses on the alledeged extensive rivalry between Gandhiji and Churchill. I supose it should be the rivarly between Churchill and Gandhi!

Churchill was surely given the run for his money by Dear ol' Gandhiji.

Anyway the book is a nice flick through for its snippets of history and a British perspective of Gandhiji. It has great pictures of Gandhi and Churchill andother leaders of our Independence movement.

£25

Publisher : Hutchinson London

ISBN 9780091797164 (Hardback)

ISBN 9780091921323 (trade paperback)

Huchinson

Best wishes for a happy Christmas

2008-12-17T14:36:00.000-08:00

Especially Wishing all our Christian Konkani friends and all other konkanis and everyone else a wonderful Christmas and a very happy new year.

Our father in Konkani for you....

Churchgate, Bombay, India

2008-12-17T14:29:00.001-08:00

This is a picture of the old Church-gate. The gate facing St Thomas' church in the ex- walled city of Bombay. The walls came down in 1862 as the city was growing and most of the mainland territory was under british rule and hence the threat of attack was less.

The only part of the walls of bombay that still survive is a small part on the back side of the St George's hospital. This obscure bit of Bombay's history is sometimes hidden by a few hutments.

A tribute to the people of Bombay, Mumbaikars over the generations....

Good Morning... This is the Taj Mahal hotel.....

2008-12-16T15:23:00.000-08:00

I heard this story on NDTV and it goes straight to the heart.

On November the 27th at 3 am when the terrorists were causing mayhem and the Taj was in flames a relative of someone in the Taj who could not get through to his relative on the mobile called the reception desk at the taj.

Inspite of all the bullets and chaos... a lady picked up and said good morning this is the Taj mahal hotel...

Wow... Hats off to the sense of duty this person has. In the midst of life threatening mayhem she continued to do her duty.

India I am proud of you.

STUPID PAKISTANIS

2008-12-12T08:20:00.001-08:00

It might sound like a cliche that an indian like me is criticising Pakistanis but read on ...

Do these terrorists not understand that while they are out to kill the Hindus and Jews their own country has some of the worst infant mortality rate, one of the poorest literacy rates a very bad per capita income.

Where as 2.6 babies dies in every 1000 in Singapore, 69 die in Pakistan (Worse than Zimbabwe 55 and the Sudan 64!). India does 55!

The adult literacy rate in Pakistan is 49.9 percent! 50 percent of pakistanis, one in two is illiterate!!!! It is 161 st in the list of literacy. India is 145.

40 innocent Indian Muslims, and 130 other non muslim innocent people died in the November 26th attacks.

Conspiracy theories about Hindus and Jews abound in Pakistan.

The monoculture of Islam alone had left these pakistanis with no exposure to people with varying beliefs and hence those who are non muslim are ALL suspect of pogroms against Islam.

If they are so good in collecting money for terrorism, I wish they would use thier money to save those 69/1000 muslim childen who die in Pakistan. I wish they would understand their inhumanness and their sheer stupidity.

I wish ordinary Pakistanis would stop these conspiracy theories about Hindus and Jews as seens in the letters to the editors in Newspapers such as Dawn.

I wish the Pakistani establishment would stop asking for proof before acting and putting these stupid, inhuman terrorists into jail.

This is not for India but for their own self first.

I hope some miracle happens and these STUPID pakistanis get some buddhi (Sense) and use their laws to crack down on these terrorists.

If they do believe in Islam then there is a God above watching!!!!

It is the Infant mortality rate that needs to be sorted ... the terrorists should be in Jail.

Excerpt from 'Geetanjali' - Rabindra Nath Tagore

2008-12-06T04:06:00.000-08:00

Where the mind is without fear and the head held high;

Where knowledge is free;

Where the world has not been broken up into fragments by narrow domestic walls;

Where words come out from the depth of truth;

Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection;

Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way into the dreary desert sand of dead habit;

Where the mind is led forward by Thee into ever-widening thought and action;

Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake.
by Rabindranath Tagore

Aou Ben Adam- A poem I loved in School- Leigh Hunt

2008-12-06T04:04:00.001-08:00

Abou ben Adam

Abou ben Adam (may his tribe increase!)
awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,
And saw, within the moonlight of his room,
Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom,
an angel, writing in a book of of gold.
Exceeding peace had made Ben Adam bold,
And to the Prescence in the room he said:
"What writest thou?" The vision raised its head,
And, with a look made of all sweet accord,
Answered, "The names of those who love the Lord."
"And is mine one?"said Abou, "Nay, not so,"
Replied the angel. Abou spoke more low,
But cheerily still, and said, "I pray thee, then,
Write me as one who loves his fellow men."
The angel wrote, and vanished. The next night
It came again, with a great awakening light,
And showed the names whom love of God had blest,
And lo! Ben adam's name led all the rest.

- Leigh Hunt

Bangle sellers - Sarojini Naidu

2008-12-06T04:00:00.000-08:00

The Bangle Sellers

Bangle sellers are we who bear
Our shining loads to the temple fair...
Who will buy these delicate, bright
Rainbow-tinted circles of light?
Lustrous tokens of radiant lives,
For happy daughters and happy wives.
Some are meet for a maiden's wrist,
Silver and blue as the mountain mist,
Some are flushed like the buds that dream
On the tranquil brow of a woodland stream,
Some are aglow wth the bloom that cleaves
To the limpid glory of new born leaves
Some are like fields of sunlit corn,
Meet for a bride on her bridal morn,
Some, like the flame of her marriage fire,
Or, rich with the hue of her heart's desire,
Tinkling, luminous, tender, and clear,
Like her bridal laughter and bridal tear.
Some are purple and gold flecked grey
For she who has journeyed through life midway,
Whose hands have cherished, whose love has blest,
And cradled fair sons on her faithful breast,
And serves her household in fruitful pride,
And worships the gods at her husband's side.
Sarojini Naidu

Urbs Primis In Indis - BOMBAY

2008-12-06T03:36:00.001-08:00

India's First City- Mumbai

WELCOME TO BOMBAY- A 40s Leaflet

2008-12-04T14:19:00.000-08:00

An Interesting leaflet welcoming visitors to Bombay issued by the Hospitality committee.

I think this immediately post independence. This is because one of the roads on the Bombay Map is named Mahatma Gandhi Road. All the rest including the bit on Indian money seems to be of the Raj era.

Some fantasic snippets

Avoid fraternising with low class people :) Does that mean the natives....?

Also "Do not give alms to beggars some of them are diseased"

Also the prices of Taxis, Gharries (Horse carts?), apples , tea and clothes ....

Enjoy viewing...

Blessed are the peacemakers...

2008-12-04T12:03:00.000-08:00

Seek peace, and pursue it - Psalms 34:14

As soon as we lose the moral basis, we cease to be religious. There is no such thing as religion over-riding morality. Man, for instance, cannot be untruthful, cruel or incontinent and claim to have God on his side. - Gandhi

"By thy grace, may there be peace and goodwill among all people everywhere."- Sikh Scriptures

"Recognize all humanity as one race, one brotherhood." - Sikh scriptures

Ahimsa Paramo Dharmah- Nonviolence is the greatest Dharma(Duty/faith) - Jain Proverb.

Om dyauhu shantih antariksham shantih prithivi shantih apaha shantihoshadayah shantih vanashpatayah shantih vishvedevah shantihbrahma shantih sarvam shantih shantir eva shantih sa ma shantir edhi

Om shantih shantih shantih

There is peace in the sky, there is peace on earth. There is peace in the heavans, there is peace in this world. There is peace in the waters, there is peace on land. There is peace within the plants, animals, flowers, insects and herbs. There is peace with men, and peace with women and children. There is peace with the Gods and peace with the Goddesses. May this all-pervading peace enter into us and permeate us to the very core of our beings.

Om peace, peace, peace. - Rig Ved,Hindu Scripture.

Mumbai 26/11 ; Damn the terrorists

2008-12-01T13:01:00.000-08:00

I cannot forgive those who have attempted to harm my city of Mumbai.

I cannot express my grief for my fellow citizens of Mumbai and for our guests, visitors to my fair city of Mumbai who have also suffered immensely.

I hope these people who have perpetrated these crimes are brought to justice. I wish they are damned from the community of humankind. I wish when they need human help they are denied this.

I also wish to give my deepest condolences to the people of Israel, United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Netherlands, Japan, Singapore,Greece,Canada, Mexico, Malaysia,Italy, Jordan ,France, Mauritius for those who lost their lives in my Mumbai. May they be at peace.

I wish to especially wish my solidarity with the Jewish Community of India who have been targeted for perhaps the first time in the Long History of the subcontinent. This is completely against the pluralistic mosiac of my country where in every community has been a pillar for the secular republic. My hearfelt condolences .

I also wish to thank the NSG , The Indian Army, Indian Navy, the MARCOS and the other security forces who have helped us defeat this act of terror. May they be truly blessed.

To my pakistani neighbours. I think you need to see the whole picture. Drawing room chat against Hindus and India eventually becomes terrorism. We have no options but to live together. Please see to it that there is a consensus against terror. If this is not forthcoming the forces of good, the forces of living together will overcome the forces of division and evil. Satyamev Jayate.

To my fellow Indians of all hues, shades,religions,castes,languages and regions. I hope the Indian blood which runs through our veins makes us feel for each other. I hope none of our people ever give any support to these dastardly terrorists. I hope we are an Island of peace and peaceful cohabitation in a troubled area if the world. I hope we NEVER become like Pakistan. We are a secular country. India needs all its Muslim, Hindu, Christian, Jain, Sikh, Jewish, Buddhist citizens to remain as India. We cannot exclude any group or allow anyone to exclude any group. Long live our human bond.

To the politicians of India: Please wake up. Please put the country first. We have great precedence. Look at our freedom fighters. Do not make rubbish comments which are not worthy of the nation of India.

Again my thoughts are with the brilliant people of the India .

To visitors to India: Please come to my country. You are always welcome. We are passing through a difficult phase. Please Stand by us. Terrorism will win if you keep away. Indians are pluralistic and very welcoming and will go out of their way to make you feel at home and share whatever we have with you.

Long live tolerance and Long live the secualr spirit of India.

Jai Hind.

William IIII - King of England -Half Silver Rupee, India

2008-11-15T17:12:00.001-08:00

Half Rupee 1835- Quite Rare I understand. 1st Indian Coin with a portrait of a british Monarch

Our Lady of Peace

2008-11-15T17:03:00.000-08:00

Pictures of Shree ShantaDurga - The Indian 'Our Lady of Peace'.

Bombay Anna. Anna of- The King and I - An original History -By Susan Morgan

2008-11-15T16:55:00.000-08:00

Just saw this book on line... About Anna, the real person who went as s governess to Siam portrayed in the movie in the King and I. Wonder of anybody has read the book and would not mind telling me a little bit about it. There was apassing reference that Anna was from Bombay in the movie but no one knows more. This book should tell us all...

Star of India - British India's Emblem. Moto :"Heaven's Light Our Guide"

2008-11-15T16:17:00.000-08:00

The star of India was British India's emblem. It was emblazened on the Union Jack and converted into the flag of India.

It was also later used as a medallion for all the King Emperors of India.

India's Old flag was part of the Union Jack themed flags of the commonwealth countries, then parts of the Empire where the sun never set.

The Indian Tricolour replaced the Star of India and the Ancient Three Lions Ashoka Pillar replacing the Star as Modern India's emblem. Emperor Ashoka of the 4 th Century BC was a great ruler and very tolerant to all faiths. He embraced Buddhism and denounced unecessary violence. Pakistan,on the other hand, an Inheritor of Ancient Indi's Lands, became a decidedly Muslim country and their flag had the crescent and star emblem of Islam on a green background, again a colour of Islam. The white band is deemed to represent the minorities in Pakistan and unfortunately the colour is as bland as the celebration of minority religions in that aggressively Muslim country

The Tricolour at Wagah, India's Border with Pakistan

Quote from the Buddha - Gautam Buddha

2008-11-09T07:17:00.000-08:00

" Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it. "- The Buddha

Koot - A mixed vegetable Konkani curry- Onion free- saatvik- Jain

2008-11-08T13:04:00.000-08:00

This curry is onion and garlic free and hence can be eaten on auspicious days. This can also be eaten by jains using the relevant vegetables.

While koot is the type of curry like vindaloo or madras or dopyaza. it can be eaten with your choice of veggies,

Koot (Konkani mixed vegetable curry)

Boiled potato and raw tomato is one combination.
Cauliflower, potatoes, boiled peas, tomatoes cut into large pieces is another combination.

Masala (Grind the ingredients given below to make a paste)

Coconut (2 cups fresh) or 1 ½ cup desiccated coconut.
8 Roasted red chillies
1 Teaspoon coriander seeds – roasted
Methi (Fenugreek seeds) 1/3 teaspoon roasted
Hing (Asofoetida)- ½ teaspoon roasted.
Mustard seed- 1 pinch roasted
1 teaspoon roasted chanadaal (Chikpea- dry)
Tamarind 1 teaspoon of paste or ½ inch ball of fresh tamarind.

For the Tadka (Tempering)
Mustard seeds- pinch
Hing –Pinch
Chilli – one red.
½ teaspoon kadipatta

In a large wok/kadhai boil the potatoes and other vegetables (Except tomatoes). When cooked add the tomatoes. Boil for 1 minute.

Add the ground masala, salt and boil till you get required consistency. In a smaller wok (Kadhai) add 2 teaspoons of oil, heat- add some mustard seeds, hing, ½ teaspoon kadipatta and red chilli. Add this the tadka(Or Phann in Konkani) to the main curry and allow to simmer.

Vatana Golo ( Konkani Pea and potato dry curry)

2008-11-08T12:59:00.000-08:00

1 cup peas
2 medium sized potatoes- cut into small cubes .

Masala (Grind coarsely)
1 fresh coconut grated. Or 1 cup of dessicated coconut soaked in warm water.
4 green chillies (Roasted in 1 teaspoon oil)
½ teaspoon pepper corns.
Pinch of turmeric powder.

Boil the peas and potatoes. Temper the peas and potatoes in a pan with 2 tablespoons of hot oil with mustard seeds sputtering and kadi patta (Karbev Pallo).
Add salt to taste and the Masala.

Boil and stir until dry. This is a dry curry. Serve with Hot dalitoy and rice and koshambir.

Ragda for Ragda Pattice.

2008-11-08T12:55:00.000-08:00

Ragda Pattice is a savoury snack which is a favourite at the Mumbai beaches. The pattices are potato pattices while the ragda is this fantastic spicy white pea curry which coverts the pattice.
The curry is served over the pattice and this is garnished with chopped onions and coriander leaves.

Recipe for Ragda.

¼ Kg White dried Peas (Soak for 6 hours and pressure cook until soft)
One can also used tinned marrow fat peas.

Boil the peas. Add ½ Teaspoon tumeric ; 1 teaspoon Dhania (Coriander) powder ; ½ teaspoon Jeera (Cumin) powder ; 1 ½ teaspoon chilli powder and boil until the consistence is quite thick. Add about 5 teaspoons of tamarind water or 2 teaspoons of ready made tamarind paste (adjust according to the level of tartness that one wises)
Add 2 heaped teaspoons of Garam masala Powder , salt to taste and boil on slow heat till the require thick consistency is reached.

Green Peas Barfi - Sweet Pea fudge try this it will surprise you

2008-11-08T12:52:00.000-08:00

Green Peas Burfi

This is a fantastic green pea sweet. The sweetness can be reduced if one does not like it very sweet as Indians do :)

300 gms Green Peas
¼ Kg Mava (or Condensed milk if mava is not available)
½ Kg Sugar
2 Desert Spoon of Ghee
Badam , Pista, Elaichi Powder, Silver Foil

Grind the peas to a paste with a little milk. Take the Ghee. Fry the pea paste. When half done add the mava (Or Condensed milk if mava is not available) and fry until the oil separates. Allow it to cool completely.
Take the sugar and a cup of water and heat them together to make a syrup. Add the pea mix and stir continuously till the mix leaves the side of the pan and becomes thick.

Pour in a greased tray. Decorate with the Badam and Pista and silver foil. Cut it into rectangular pieces as it cools.

Shiv Parvati.12th Century Eastern India-British Museum

2008-11-05T15:35:00.000-08:00

This beautiful fine statue was carved in India in the 11th Century, Eastern India.

It is rare to find fine carved statues of Shiva as Shiva is traditionally represented bu just the Linga . A beautiful example of the Linga is on the Blog heading.

Here however the sculptor has personified the Lord of destruction in a traditional statue along with Parvati his consort. Parvati is the daugter of Himavan and her name literally means daughter of the Mountains whereas Himavan means snow topped....

Om Namah Shivaya...

Saraswati , Goddess of Knowledge, Jain

2008-11-05T15:29:00.001-08:00

Saraswati the Goddess of Knowledge was worshipped by all the subcontinental people of all faiths upto the 11th century.

The above statue is a statue of the Goddess Saraswati from a Jain Temple. This is now in the British Museum.

Saraswati, the Goddess of Knowledge, Open our eyes ....

Buddha - Buddhism the ideal world religion....

2008-11-05T15:13:00.000-08:00

Some simple yet profound quotes of the buddha ...

Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense. - Buddha

Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love; this is the eternal rule. -Buddha

No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path.- Buddha

Peace comes from within.Do not seek it without. - Buddha

If God is indeed the creator of all living things, then all things here should submit to His power unquestioningly. Like the vessels produced by a potter, they should remain without any individuality of their own. If that is so, how can there be an opportunity for any one to practice virtue?

If this world is indeed created by God, then there should be no sorrow or calamity or evil in this world, for all deeds, both pure and impure, must come from Him.

If it is not so, then there must be some other cause besides God which is behind Him, in which case He would not be self-existent. -Buddha

Shree Ganeshaya Namah - Obeisance to Lord Ganesha

2008-11-05T15:08:00.000-08:00

This is a wonderful image of Lord Ganesha. The statue is in the British Museum and is made of Schist. This has been made in the 12 Century in Eastern India.

Mahisasurmardini

2008-11-05T15:01:00.000-08:00

Hail the Goddess, the very force of the Universe

Victory to Thee

Hail the Goddess, Who destroyed the Evil Buffalo demon Mahisasur

Victory, Victory, Victory, Victory unto thee....

Air India

2008-10-27T14:47:00.000-07:00

Air India Flight

All resting after a good spicy meal.

Very Informal and relaxing atmosphere.

Strongly recommend- I had a good time. Air India has changed for the better....

This is what the Air India wing looks like through the window.

Jet Airways is fantastic too. Strongly recommend Jet Airways (India) ...

Bon Voyage

Mumbai- The Island City

2008-10-27T14:38:00.000-07:00

Mumbai the powerhouse of India, an Island city, looks beautiful from space.

Home to 16 million people and full of character this Island city never sleeps. It is a microcosm of India. Hindus Muslims Sikhs Parsees Buddhists Jains Atheists Christians and the non religious live here.

Mumbai is the soul of India. Let us keep her cosmopolitan. Let us accept all who live in Mumbai, the rich and the poor, the Biharis and the marathis, the Hindus and the muslims, the christians and the atheists.

Delhi is Beautiful and old, Calcutta is full of culture, Madras smells of jasmine blossoms but Bombay alone shines 24/7

Mumbai, our city of dreams.....

Shree Mahalakshmi Prasanna

2008-10-26T16:01:00.000-07:00

Picture of Mool Murthi of Devi from Verna, Goa, taken to safety in Kerala by the Konkanis in 1565 AD

Hail MahaLakshmi Goddess of Prosperity. May you bless us all.

Prayers to Lakshmi, the Goddess of Fortune
These are Prayers to all of the qualities of the Goddess and the blessings that She gives.
The First is the Lakshmi-Stuti, from Vishnu Purana, 7.9.116-138,
The Second is the Sri Suktam.
This Stuti eulogy of Lakshmi, which was spoken by Lord Indra, is the source of all opulence. In this world, poverty never dwells among those who recite this stuti daily.
indra uvacha
namasye sarva-lokanam
jananim abja-sambhavam
Shriyam unnidra-padmaksim
vishnor vakshah-sthala-sthitam

Indra [the demigod king of heaven] said, "I offer my obeisances unto the lotus-born mother of all beings, unto Sri [the Goddess of fortune], having full-blown lotus-like eyes, and reposing in the bosom of Vishnu."
padmalayam padmakaram
padma patra-nibheksanam
vande padma-mukhim devim
padma-nabha-priyam aham

"I offer my obeisances unto the Goddess who is the abode of lotuses, who holds the lotus, whose eyes resemble the petals of a lotus, whose face is a lotus, and who is dear to the Lord who has a lotus navel."

tvam siddhis tvam svadha svaha
sudha tvam loka-pavani
sandhya ratrihi prabha bhutir
medha sraddha sarasvati

"You are siddhi, nectar, Svaha and Svadha, O purifier of the worlds. You are twilight, night, effulgence, opulence, intelligence, faith and Sarasvati."

yajna-vidya maha-vidya
guhya-vidya cha shobhane
atma-vidya cha devi tvam
vimukti-phala-dayini

"You are the knowledge of sacrifice, the worship of the universal form, and occult learning, O beauteous one. You are the knowledge of Brahman, O goddess, and the bestower of the fruit of liberation."

anvikshiki trayi varta
danda-nitis tvam eva cha
saumyasaumyair jagad rupais
tvayaitad devi puritam

"You are the science of dialectics, the three Vedas, Varta, the knowledge of chastisement. O goddess, this universe is filled with your gentle and terrifying forms."

ka tv anya tvam rte devi
sarva-yajna-mayam vapuhu
adhyaste deva-devasya
yogi cintyam gada-bhritaha

"O goddess, who except you can dwell in the person of that God of gods, who consists of all forbearance, the bearer of the mace, who is contemplated by the yogis?"

tvayi devi parityaktam
sakalam bhuvana-trayam
vinashta-prayam abhavat
tvaye danim samedhitam

"O goddess, the three worlds, having been abandoned by you, were on the verge of destruction--because of you, they have again recovered their position."

dara-putras tatha garam
suhrid-dhanya dhanadikam
bhavaty etan maha-bhage
nityam tvad-vikshanam nrinam

"O exalted one, men are endowed with wives, sons, houses, friends, grain and wealth due to your constant glance."

sharirarogyam aishvaryam
ari-paksa-ksayam sukham
devi-tvad-drishti-drishtanam
purushanam na durlabham

"O goddess, freedom from bodily ailments, riches, destruction of enemies, and happiness are not difficult to attain for persons who view your glances."

tvam mata sarva-bhutanam
deva-devo harih pita
tvayaitad vishnuma chadya
jagad vyaptam-characharam

"You are the mother of all creatures, as that God of gods, Hari, is their father. And this universe, consisting of moving and nonmoving entities, is presently permeated by you, as well as Vishnu."

ma nah kosham tatha goshtham
ma griham ma paricchadam
ma sariram kalatram cha
tyajethaha sarva-pavani

"O purifier of all, if you forsake us, neither our treasures, nor our cows, nor our houses, nor our possessions, nor our bodies, nor our wives, are secure."

ma putram ma suhrid-vargam
ma pashun ma vibhushanam
tyajetha mama devasya
vishnor vaksah-sthalalaye

"O you whose abode is the chest of Vishnu, if you forsake me, neither sons, nor friends, nor animals, nor ornaments can be mine."

sattvena satya-shaucabhyam
chatha shiladibhir gunaih
tyajante te narah sadyaha
sansyakto ye tvayamale

"O spotless one, men who are forsaken by you are also forsaken by goodness, truth, purity, good character and other virtues."

tvayavico kitah sadyaha
shiladyair akhilair gunaih
kulaishvaryaish cha muhyante
purusha nirguna api

"And those who are glanced upon by you, although devoid of any good qualities, are infatuated by all good qualities, such as good character, lineage, wealth, etc."

sa shlaghyah sa guni dhanyaha
sa kulinaha sa biddhinam
sa shurah sa cha vikranto
yas tvaya devi vikshitaha

"O goddess, he who is glanced upon by you, is praiseworthy, accomplished, fortunate, intelligent, high-born, heroic and possessed of power."

sadyo vaingunyam ayanti
shiladyah sakala gunaha
paranmukhi jaga-dhatri
yasya tvam vishnu-vallabhe

"O nurse of the universe, O beloved of Vishnu, all virtues, character, etc., immediately abandon him from whom you turn away."

na te varnayitum shakta
gunan jihvapi vedhasaha
prasida devi padmakshi
masmams tyakshih kadachana

"Even the tongue of Brahma is incapable of describing your qualities. O lotus-eyed one, be auspicious unto me. Please do not abandon me."
[Thus ends the Lakshmi-stuti]
Sri [the Goddess of Fortune] said: "I shall never turn my face from one who praises me every morning and evening with this hymn."

Konkani speakers parking only

2008-10-26T15:50:00.001-07:00

Hey this sign is being sold on ebay from Miami Florida...

Cool N'est ce pas!!!

Wishing you all a very Happy Diwali

Happy Diwali

2008-10-25T17:48:00.000-07:00

Wishing everyone a very happy Diwali and a prosperous new year. Let us all go from darkness unto light.

Mahalakshmi of Kolhapur

2008-10-25T17:37:00.000-07:00

On the eve of Deepawali, I have found this fantastic picture of Shree Mahalakshmi.of Kolhapur. The revered Ambabai in all her regalia.

HAPPY DIWALI EVERYONE

Old Map of Konkan - Bellin

2008-10-25T17:33:00.000-07:00

Here Bellin , in the latter half of the 18th century made some brilliant maps of the western Indian coast. Of course he made maps of loads of places in the world too.

Bhagvat Gita XII 13,14 "Hate no one"

2008-10-25T17:17:00.000-07:00

He who hates no one, Is friendly and compasionate to all,
free from ego , equal and alike in Joy and Sorrow, Ever forgiving

Ever content,self controlled, of firm resolve- such is he, having surrendered his mind and heart to Me, the devotee dear to me.

Katol - a fantastic Gujrati bean curry

2008-10-25T17:00:00.000-07:00

Katol

1 Cup black eyes bean- Soak overnight and cook in a pressure cooker
2 Medium sized tomatoes- Chopped into small pieces.
1/2 inch ball of tamrind or 1 tespoon tamrind concentrate
4 green chilies slit
1 teaspoon coriander seed (Dhaniya) powder
1/2 teaspoon Cumin (Jeera) powder
1/2 teaspoon haldi
1/2 teaspoon hing powder
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 tsp garam masala
1/2 inch piece jaggery
Few curry leaves.

For the phaaN (baghaar/tempering)
2 tsp oil
1 teaspoon mustard seeds
1 red chilli

In a pan add the soaked and boiled beans.Add the tomatoes, green chilies, haldi, dhaniya powder, jeera powder, garam masala, hing, chili powder,. Boil. Add salt. Add the tamrind concentrate or soaked tamrind ball. Continue simmering. Add the jaggery. In a small pan heat the oil. add the hing, the kadipatta,mustard, chilli and after 2 minutes and some spluttering pour over the simmering beans. cover and let simmer for a few minutes. Add chopped coriander ;leaves as a garnish.

Ajinkyatara - The impenetrable fortress

2008-10-05T13:36:00.000-07:00

Satara , one of the most beautiful towns of Maharashtra is surrounded by 7 mountains or the saat taaras(Seven stars) and hence called satara.

One of the mountains is a fortress called as Ajinkyatara or the impenetrable fortress.

It has the television tower on the fortress which looks very beautiful. It can be seen from everywhere in the city of Satara.

I will try to put more pictures of the city of satara but here are two pictures of the famous AJINKYATARA

Kolhapur Ambabai temple.

2008-10-04T03:00:00.000-07:00

The Bhawani Mandap in Kolhapur holds the ancient and revered temple of Mahalakshmi, lovingly called as Ambabai.

Initially Built in the 7 th Century AD and then re built on several occasions especially by the Shilaharas of western India this temple of Black granite is trult beautiful. It has a wooden Mandap , perhaps built in the 18th century.

Pictures say it better than words and hence I put up some pictures of the Bhawani Mandap and the Ambabai temple.

Sahyadrikand - History of Goa

2008-08-02T12:08:00.000-07:00

The Sahyadrikand mentions Goa as Konkan Kashi as the Kashi of the Konkan

Kairas - Peanut and Capsicum curry Saraswat style

2008-07-21T17:07:00.000-07:00

This is a fantastic Masol(Coconut gravy based) curry traditional cooked by Chitrapur Saraswat Brahmins (Bhanaps).

Its mildly sweet and savoury tasteis kind of like a thai curry but with a very Indian flavour.

Masala to grind:
1/2 Coconut
1 teaspoon Coriander seeds
1/3 teaspoon Methi (Fenugrek) seeds
1 Pinch mustard seeds
3/4 Teaspoon Hing(Asofoetida)
3/4 Tablespoon Chanadaal
3/4 Tablespoon Til(Sesame)
8 red chilies Dried (Bedgi Variety if poosible)
1/2 Inch ball of Tamarind or 1 teaspoon of readymade tamarind syrup
1 small 1/2 inch size piece of Jaggery or Molasses or 2/3 teaspoon of brown sugar
2/3 cup Peanuts-Soak for 8 hours in water and cook (In a pressure cooker if possible) until tender.
3 Medium sized capsicum diced into 1 inch size pieces
Temper (Phann)with 1 tsp Mustard;1/4 teaspoon Hing;Kadipatta(curry leaves)and 1 red chili in 2 tablespoons of hot oil.
Grind the paste. Add the peanuts and Capsicum, let cook for a few minutes(Not too long or the capsicum gets squishy). Temper with the oil and the above ingredients and add salt to taste.
Really tastes fantastic hot with steamed rice....

Mother's recipe Fresh Mushroom Curry

2008-07-21T13:52:00.003-07:00

Ingredients
250 gms Fresh Mushrooms
2 Cardomoms
2 Bay Leaves
3 Cloves
1/2 Tsp Garam Masala
1/2 Tsp Chili Powder
1 Tsp Finely Chopped Ginger
2 Chopped Green Chilies
1 Teacup Beaten Curds(Yogurt)
1/2 teacup chopped Coriander leaves
4 Tbsp Ghee(or Olive Oil)
Salt to taste
Paste
2 Onions
6 Cloves Garlic
1/2 Inch Piece Ginger
3 Tbsp Cashewnuts
For the Paste
Boil the onions in 1 cup water until soft.Add the Ginger, garlicand cashewnuts and make a paste.
For the curry
Slice the Mushrooms, blanche them in hot water for 2 minutes and drain.
Heat the Ghee/Olive Oil -fry the cardomom, bay leaves, Cloves for a few seconds and then add the paste. Fry for 2-3 minutes. Add the Garam Masala, ginger green chilies and fry again for 1 minute.
Take the vessel off the flame and add the curds(Yogurt).Mix well. Put the vessel on a slow flame and keep mixing. Add the mushroom, coriander leaves and cook for a few minutes
Serve Hot.

Australian Pound

2008-07-21T12:21:00.000-07:00

Hey, I never knew the Aussies used pounds till I found this!!!!!

More Quotes Galileo Galilei, Stephen Roberts, Voltaire, Gandhi etc

2008-07-21T12:09:00.000-07:00

I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, intellect has intended us to forego their use - Galileo Galilei

I contend that we are both Atheists. I just belive in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours- Stephen Roberts

Which is more dangerous Fanaticiss or Atheism? Fanaticism is a thousand times more deadly; for Atheism inspires no bloody passion whereas fanaticism does; Atheism is opposed to crime and and fanaticism causes crimes to be committed. - Voltaire

I really don't think this is the time to be making new enemies- Voltaire on his deathbed, after a priest asked him to renounce Satan.

Honest disagreement is often a good sign of progress.- Gandhi

We must respect other religions, even as we respect our own. Mere tolerance thereof is not enough.- Gandhi.

Francis Xavier - Mixed Blessings....

2008-07-08T16:09:00.000-07:00

Francis Xavier was a missionary who came to Goa. He was unhappy that the local populace were not christians as he thought this was the only correct way to salvation.

He did not know the language of the people and perhaps truly believed he was doing good. His letters have sadly shown how he hated the customs of the Local Hindus. Idol worship was not his cup of tea whereas for Hindus it was quite normal to have a sagun (With form) aspect of the Paramatman (Supreme Soul=God) along with a Nirgun (Without attributes) paramatman for worship.
Hindus do not see Idol worship as negative in any way. Muslims use symbols, they go round the kabba, kiss the quran, Christians have statues, crosses, and elaborate icons as symbols of the almighty yet they are vehemently iconoclasts in principle.
Francis Xavier did some good charitable work for the Local people but his attitude towards Hindus and Hinduism was sad.
These very converts made idols of Francis xavier (Above right) which were worshipped just as Hindus do their Idols (Above Centre).
Catholics and their churches in Goa venerate Francis Xavier as a saint(Above left).
Hinduism thrives in Goa today and Hindus form the majority. The Goan christians practice a christian faithfar removed from the faith practiced in the dark ages when Hindus were banished and Hindu temples were knocked down as part of the christian state policy.
Hindus and christians overwhelmingly live in peace and take part in each others worship and feasts. Perhaps if Francis Xavier lived today and could speak our tongue he may have relished reading the Bhagvat Gita and its philosophy. Idol worship would not seem so abominable to him.
But those were dark days and he did think he was doing the right thing...
Are we, today, enlightened enough to understand the misadventures of the past and move on as friends??? I hope so!

The Konkan Coast - A Tourist's delight: Goa, Mumbai, the Canara coast and kerala

2008-07-07T12:58:00.000-07:00

The Konkan coast is the narrow strip of Land to the west of the western Ghats, reclaimed by Lord Parshuram by asking Lord Varuna, God of the seas to receed to allow the Konkanis to settle.

Why Mythology is an integral part ofour culture, on a scientific note, the Konkan was perhaps inhabited by aboriginal tribes who migrated into India many thousands of years ago. The Aryans from central asia settled in the 2nd century BC. While the aboriginal peoples were aryanised the aryans themselves were enculturated in the aboriginal traditions.

The worship of Shiva, the worship of Santeri or Shantadurga forms an amalgamation of the aryan and the pre aryan traditions of the Konkan.

The Land was separated from the ghats and the Desh or inland by the mighty Western Ghats.

The whole of the western coast of India is now connected by the Konkan railway. From Thane in North Maharashtra to Kerala, the Konkan coast is extremely beautiful. The states of Goa and Kerala are major tourist destinations for Indians as well as foreign tourists.

A map of the western Indian coast in the 1880s is shown above. Then Goa was under portuguese rule, India was under the British and large princely states such as Hyderabad and Mysore had Maharajas and Nizams who earned millions.

Amchigela - an endonym for Konkani

2008-07-06T16:20:00.000-07:00

Most communities have an endonym (A name they use for themselves) and an ectonym 9 a aname used by other to call the particular community) . Many places have these too.

Amongst konkanis specially saraswats the word amchigela/Amchigele is an endonym. Konknno is perhaps an ectonym. I have put in the emblem of the amchigele UAE samaj as an example :)

Amchi means 'ours' and gela means language. Therefore all konkanis call themselves 'people speaking our language' or amchigela/amchigelo!!! Konkani itself is also known as amchigela or our tongue!!!

Bharat is an endonym whereas Indos, India, Inde are all ecotnyms.

Cymru is an Endonym and Wales is an ectonym.

Eire an Endonym and Ireland an ectonym.

Goem is an endonym whereas Goa is an ectonym.

Mumbai is an endonym whereas Bombay was an ectonym for many'
Some of the aimiable names for other indian communities include... All ectonyms... Gujju for gujrati, Mallu for Malayali, Bong for Bengali.

So next time you meat an amchi -i.e. Konkani chap, ask him/her do you speak amchigela? :)

Dalitoy - a fantastic accompaniment to steamed rice- Konkani style lentil curry.

2008-07-06T16:07:00.000-07:00

Dalitoy and Xit (Sheath)- Rice and Dal
The perfect couple.

Most Konkanis would have dalitoy xit as their basic meal with accompaniments such as a cocount based curry.

Dal is lentil, usually toor dal and certainly toor or tori dali for dalitoy and toy or rather tauy is from the sanskrit word for water i.e. toyam. Therefore dalitoy is basically a thin dal soup. Most saraswats, especially gowd saraswats or dorkas (Because they follow the vaishnavite tradition or the dwarka tradition) would never eat patal or dilute dalitoy. They would rather enjoy a daat dalitoy or thick dalitoy= DDT !!!

Tori dal, Tuvar Dal- Soak in water for at tleast 2 hours.
Oil 2 tablespoons
Kadi pata/ curry leaves fresh a few.
Hing/ asofoetida powder 2 pinches.
Mustard seeds
Green chilies a few
Red chilies a few
Salt to taste

Method

Boil the tori dal. Some prefer to pressure cook it until it is a good mash.
Add the green chilies after they are split into half.
Add the salt.
Some people also add a bit of turmeric powder for some colour (Or the Dalitoy looks anemic!)
Heat the oil in a small vessel, add the mustard seeds, the asofoetida, the redchillies and the kadi patta to the hot oil.
Temper the boiling dal with this sputtering oil and spice mix (the tempering is Called Phann in Konkani)
Add salt to taste
Stir well and serve with Hot steamed rice.

Many Konkanis like to eat this with a spoonfull of warm ghee. Well - ghee is full of saturates so I wouldnt recommend it though it does add to the flavour.

Great Konkani Book - Konkani MahaBharat Adi Parv- Krishnadas Shama

2008-07-05T10:35:00.000-07:00

These were the days when the portuguese had landed on the sacred shores of the Konkan Kashi or Goa. They were keen to caputire the land for the King of Portugal and capture the souls for their God. Many so called saints and priests came from portuguese shores to convert the Hindus to the new faith of Christianity. To convert Hindus they had to first understand their language and their mythology and literature. It was in their interest to do so.

The Portuguese Jesuits set about writing down the literature of the Konkani Hindus. This book is a modern transliteration by Dr P Naik of the Thomas Stevens Konkani Kendra in Goa. Krishnadas Shama was a konkani saraswat brahmin from Kushasthali, saxti(Salcette), Goa who was well versed with Konkani Hindu folklore. He was proficient in Konkani, Marathi and Sanskrit and perhaps even Kannada. He gave an oration of the Mahabharat Adi Parv in Chaste Saraswat Konkani and this was written down by the Jesuits in Roman script. This happened just before the Hindu Holocaust in Goa in the middle of the 16th century.

The transliterated konkani mahabharat was filed away in the libraries in portugal when some Goans discovered them. Dr Naik, himself a jesuit priest transliterated this in the common devnagri script used by many Konkanis today and the TSKK published the same.

The preface thanks the jesuit priests who saved this piece of literature! Shouldnt they be blamed for the almost complete annhilation of the Hindu Konkani culture, temples, literature from Goa??? Wouldn't this be a living tradition if it were not for the portuguese and Jesuits iconoclasts who destroyed all the Goan temples in the province of Saxti (salcette).

There also a mention of Konkani being only an oral language before the Jesuits began to write it in the roman script . Unfortunately the then konkani literature, temples and culture was almost completely annhilated in the 1540s to 1560s to make sure that the Hindu religion never recovers and all the people were forcibly converted to catholicism.

However the mentioned book is a beautiful read for all the lovers of Konkani and makes one comprehend and lament the insurrmountable loss , the Konkani literature, culture and religion has has to suffer under the portuguese and jesuits.

Hindus and Catholics live peacefully in Goa today with a great deal of understanding. We have learnt our lessons from the past (At least we hope so).

Hindus form a majority in Goa today. Hindu temples are booming. Beautiful churches have also been built (some unfortunately on the graves of previous temples). These portuguese religious fanatics who wanted Goa to be cleansed of the Hindu faith are unfortunately not here to see that the Hindus have built a temple in Lisbon.

Do read the book.

Solavya Shekdantle Konknni Mhabharat Adi Parv

Published by the TSKK

Goa- 1990

By a kind donation of Rs 20,000 by the Kuwait Konkani Kendra.

Batata Humman- A potato Curry Konkani style Recipe

2008-07-04T17:21:00.000-07:00

Use Small New potatoes or dice potatoes into one inch cubes.
Fresh Coconut- grated
Tamarind paste
Red chili- Kashmiri and regular
Hing (Asofoetida)
Oil to temper.
Salt

The grated coconut, red chilies and tamarind paste may br ground to a pulp using a food processor.
Boil this paste.
Cook the potatoes until properly done (Boil or microwave)
Add the potatoes to the coconut chili tamarind paste
Heat 2 tablespoons of oil and add the asoefoetida(Only a pinch)
Let it heat for 2 minutes and add this hot oil to the potato curry.
Add salt and allow to simmer for a few minutes

Batata humman

Wicked Women of the Raj - Coralie Younger : A review

2008-07-04T17:01:00.000-07:00

Very Interesting book.

Coralie younger has given us true stories of White women who married Indian princes. Unfortunately it was the 19th and early 20th century and soceity was not ready for mixed race marriages. Money could never completely mask the lonliness that these women and their spuses faced.Great read.

Wicked women of the Raj- Coralie Younger

Publishers Harper Collins India in Joint venture with the India Today group
New Delhi

2003

ISBN 81-7223-454-6

NonFiction/History

Star of India

2008-07-04T16:30:00.000-07:00

The Star of India was India's emblem in the days of the British Raj. The above picture is taken from a cigarette packet insert. The Star of India was added to the Union Jack in the centre and formed India's flag.

The Moto was "Heaven's Light Our Guide"

The star of India was also added on to the Red and Blue British Ensigns and were flown on Civilian and Naval occasions.

Hyderabadi Baghara Baingan - recipe

2008-07-04T14:40:00.000-07:00

The Charminar

A very very good recipe from the southern Indian city of Hyderabad....

1kg brinjal( small Aubergines/egg plants)
Tamrind about 2 oz by weight
1/2 cup oil
2 tablespoons Til (Sesame) seeds
2 Tablespoons coconut
2 Tablespoons Raw Peanuts
1 teaspoon puree of ginger
1 teaspoon puree of garlic
1 onion
1/4 teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon Chili powder (Cayenne)
1/4 teaspoon onion seeds (kalaunji/nigella)
1/4 teaspoon methi (Fenugreek)
1 teaspoon ground dhaniya (coriander seeds)
1 teaspoon ground Jeera (cumin)
1/4 teasppon mustard seeds
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 stems of fresh Kadi patta (curry leaves)
3 green chilis
Green coriander one cup

Soak the tamarind in 3/4 cup warm water(Or use readly available tamarind paste juice appropriately) Roast the sesame seeds, coconut,peanuts and finely chopped onion, until brown but not too dark-stirring contantly to avoid burning.
Grind in a blender with some water and leave aside-(Masala Paste)
Slice the eggplants lengthwise and again side wise to for a cruciate cut about 2/3 rd the length of the eggplant.
Heat the oil in a pan, toss in the mustard seeds, fenugreek, nigella and cook for 2 minutes.
Add the egg plants to this and saute for a couple of minutes and save the oil.
Add the turmeric, chilli powder, curry leaves, ginger, garlic and salt to the previously ground masala paste. Slowly saute the masala in the oil over a medium heat until the uncooked smell goes away. Add the tamarind water,egg plant, sliced green chillies and a fistful of coriander leaves and simmer slowly. Coriander to garnish on the top.

Mahalakshmi

2008-07-01T14:18:00.001-07:00

Mahalakshmi of Kolhapur

The Mahalakshmi temple of Kolhapur was built in the 7th Century AD by the Chalukyas.

A shakti peeth, the Amba-bai temple is very pretty.

The Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of prosperity is worshipedd and seen in her ful revelery here in the picture.

Ganapati

2008-07-01T14:03:00.000-07:00

The Gowd Saraswat Brahmin Ganeshutsav in Mumbai is a mega event for the konkani community in Mumbai.

The huge pandal has a humungous murti of Ganpati and there are million Pujas and archanas going on. There is also a stall wherein Batata wadas, Biscut ambado , bajos and other modern stuff such as spring rolls are sold. Many come for the food :)

Konkani Books

2008-06-28T14:34:00.000-07:00

Some good Konkani Books in Konkani

Konkani Chalval- Paulo Moraes

Konkani Sanstha

2003

St Aloysius College

Mangalore

575003

Printers-Brilliant printers pvt ltd. Bangalore

This One by Paulo Moraes is about the History of Konkani , its usage and its ups and downs; Its very very good.

Mahakavi Kalidas Vicharit Raghuvansh Maha Kavyam- Konkani Bhavanuvad

P Vaman Prabhu

March 1997

Codeword Process and Printers

Falnir, Mangalore

Phone 428218;421418

The Raghuvansh Katha in Konkani is perhaps only for the academics. P Vaman Prabhu tries a lot to makes the verses rhyme and perhaps the 'fun' is missing.

Nevertheless A good attempt.

Hey Its no bad thing to have in your konkani library you konkani fanatics :)

Devaki Krishna ; Madonna and child

2008-06-28T10:19:00.001-07:00

Konkani people do not see much difference between Gods and religions. This is all very academic to them. It is their faith which makes them see the Devaki Krishna in Madonna and Christ.

Dev Borem Korum
May God Bless

Devnagri Manuscripts ,Hindu? Jain?

2008-06-28T07:45:00.000-07:00

Devnagri Manuscripts -food for thought

2008-06-26T15:36:00.000-07:00

Some manuscript pages. Very beautiful. Perahps from the 18th or 19th century

The Coffee-House of Surat -Leo Tolstoy

2008-06-24T15:20:00.000-07:00

In the town of Surat, in India was a coffee-house where many travellers and foreigners from all parts of the world met and conversed.
One day a learned Persian theologian visited this coffee-house. Hewas a man who had spent his life studying the nature of the Deity,and reading and writing books upon the subject. He had thought,read, and written so much about God, that eventually he lost hiswits, became quite confused, and ceased even to believe in theexistence of a God. The Shah, hearing of this, had banished himfrom Persia.
After having argued all his life about the First Cause, thisunfortunate theologian had ended by quite perplexing himself, andinstead of understanding that he had lost his own reason, he beganto think that there was no higher Reason controlling the universe.
This man had an African slave who followed him everywhere. When thetheologian entered the coffee-house, the slave remained outside, nearthe door, sitting on a stone in the glare of the sun, and drivingaway the flies that buzzed around him. The Persian having settleddown on a divan in the coffee-house, ordered himself a cup of opium.When he had drunk it and the opium had begun to quicken the workingsof his brain, he addressed his slave through the open door:
"Tell me, wretched slave," said he, "do you think there is a God, or not?"
"Of course there is," said the slave, and immediately drew from underhis girdle a small idol of wood.
"There," said he, "that is the God who has guarded me from the dayof my birth. Every one in our country worships the fetish tree,from the wood of which this God was made."
This conversation between the theologian and his slave was listenedto with surprise by the other guests in the coffee-house. Theywere astonished at the master's question, and yet more so at theslave's reply.
One of them, a Brahmin, on hearing the words spoken by the slave,turned to him and said:
"Miserable fool! Is it possible you believe that God can be carriedunder a man's girdle? There is one God--Brahma, and he is greaterthan the whole world, for he created it. Brahma is the One, themighty God, and in His honour are built the temples on the Ganges'banks, where his true priests, the Brahmins, worship him. They knowthe true God, and none but they. A thousand score of years havepassed, and yet through revolution after revolution these priestshave held their sway, because Brahma, the one true God, hasprotected them."
So spoke the Brahmin, thinking to convince every one; but a Jewishbroker who was present replied to him, and said:
"No! the temple of the true God is not in India. Neither does Godprotect the Brahmin caste. The true God is not the God of theBrahmins, but of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. None does He protectbut His chosen people, the Israelites. From the commencement of theworld, our nation has been beloved of Him, and ours alone. If weare now scattered over the whole earth, it is but to try us; for Godhas promised that He will one day gather His people together inJerusalem. Then, with the Temple of Jerusalem--the wonder of the ancient world--restored to its splendor, shall Israel be established a ruler over all nations."
So spoke the Jew, and burst into tears. He wished to say more, butan Italian missionary who was there interrupted him.
"What you are saying is untrue," said he to the Jew. "You attributeinjustice to God. He cannot love your nation above the rest. Nayrather, even if it be true that of old He favored the Israelites, itis now nineteen hundred years since they angered Him, and caused Himto destroy their nation and scatter them over the earth, so thattheir faith makes no converts and has died out except here andthere. God shows preference to no nation, but calls all who wish tobe saved to the bosom of the Catholic Church of Rome, the one outsidewhose borders no salvation can be found."
So spoke the Italian. But a Protestant minister, who happened to bepresent, growing pale, turned to the Catholic missionary and exclaimed:
"How can you say that salvation belongs to your religion? Those onlywill be saved, who serve God according to the Gospel, in spirit andin truth, as bidden by the word of Christ."
Then a Turk, an office-holder in the custom-house at Surat, who wassitting in the coffee-house smoking a pipe, turned with an air ofsuperiority to both the Christians.
"Your belief in your Roman religion is vain," said he. "It wassuperseded twelve hundred years ago by the true faith: that ofMohammed! You cannot but observe how the true Mohammed faithcontinues to spread both in Europe and Asia, and even in theenlightened country of China. You say yourselves that God hasrejected the Jews; and, as a proof, you quote the fact that the Jewsare humiliated and their faith does not spread. Confess then thetruth of Mohammedanism, for it is triumphant and spreads far andwide. None will be saved but the followers of Mohammed, God'slatest prophet; and of them, only the followers of Omar, and not ofAli, for the latter are false to the faith."
To this the Persian theologian, who was of the sect of Ali, wishedto reply; but by this time a great dispute had arisen among all thestrangers of different faiths and creeds present. There wereAbyssinian Christians, Llamas from Thibet, Ismailians andFireworshippers. They all argued about the nature of God, and howHe should be worshipped. Each of them asserted that in his countryalone was the true God known and rightly worshipped.
Every one argued and shouted, except a Chinaman, a student ofConfucius, who sat quietly in one corner of the coffee-house, notjoining in the dispute. He sat there drinking tea and listening towhat the others said, but did not speak himself.
The Turk noticed him sitting there, and appealed to him, saying:
"You can confirm what I say, my good Chinaman. You hold your peace, butif you spoke I know you would uphold my opinion. Traders from yourcountry, who come to me for assistance, tell me that though many religionshave been introduced into China, you Chinese consider Mohammedanism thebest of all, and adopt it willingly. Confirm, then, my words, and tellus your opinion of the true God and of His prophet."
"Yes, yes," said the rest, turning to the Chinaman, "let us hear whatyou think on the subject."
The Chinaman, the student of Confucius, closed his eyes, and thoughta while. Then he opened them again, and drawing his hands out ofthe wide sleeves of his garment, and folding them on his breast, hespoke as follows, in a calm and quiet voice.
Sirs, it seems to me that it is chiefly pride that prevents menagreeing with one another on matters of faith. If you care tolisten to me, I will tell you a story which will explain this by anexample.
I came here from China on an English steamer which had been round theworld. We stopped for fresh water, and landed on the east coast of theisland of Sumatra. It was midday, and some of us, having landed, satin the shade of some cocoanut palms by the seashore, not far from anative village. We were a party of men of different nationalities.
As we sat there, a blind man approached us. We learned afterwardsthat he had gone blind from gazing too long and too persistently atthe sun, trying to find out what it is, in order to seize its light.
He strove a long time to accomplish this, constantly looking at thesun; but the only result was that his eyes were injured by itsbrightness, and he became blind.
Then he said to himself:
"The light of the sun is not a liquid; for if it were a liquid itwould be possible to pour it from one vessel into another, and itwould be moved, like water, by the wind. Neither is it fire; for ifit were fire, water would extinguish it. Neither is light a spirit,for it is seen by the eye; nor is it matter, for it cannot be moved.Therefore, as the light of the sun is neither liquid, nor fire, norspirit, nor matter, it is--nothing!"
So he argued, and, as a result of always looking at the sun andalways thinking about it, he lost both his sight and his reason.And when he went quite blind, he became fully convinced that the sundid not exist.
With this blind man came a slave, who after placing his master inthe shade of a cocoanut tree, picked up a cocoanut from the ground,and began making it into a night-light. He twisted a wick from thefibre of the cocoanut: squeezed oil from the nut in the shell, andsoaked the wick in it.
As the slave sat doing this, the blind man sighed and said to him:
"Well, slave, was I not right when I told you there is no sun? Doyou not see how dark it is? Yet people say there is a sun. . . . Butif so, what is it?"
"I do not know what the sun is," said the slave. "That is nobusiness of mine. But I know what light is. Here I have made anight-light, by the help of which I can serve you and find anythingI want in the hut."
And the slave picked up the cocoanut shell, saying:
"This is my sun."
A lame man with crutches, who was sitting near by, heard thesewords, and laughed:
"You have evidently been blind all your life," said he to the blindman, "not to know what the sun is. I will tell you what it is. Thesun is a ball of fire, which rises every morning out of the sea andgoes down again among the mountains of our island each evening. Wehave all seen this, and if you had had your eyesight you too wouldhave seen it."
A fisherman, who had been listening to the conversation said:
"It is plain enough that you have never been beyond your own island.If you were not lame, and if you had been out as I have in afishing-boat, you would know that the sun does not set among themountains of our island, but as it rises from the ocean everymorning so it sets again in the sea every night. What I am tellingyou is true, for I see it every day with my own eyes."
Then an Indian who was of our party, interrupted him by saying:
"I am astonished that a reasonable man should talk such nonsense.How can a ball of fire possibly descend into the water and not beextinguished? The sun is not a ball of fire at all, it is the Deitynamed Deva, who rides for ever in a chariot round the goldenmountain, Meru. Sometimes the evil serpents Ragu and Ketu attackDeva and swallow him: and then the earth is dark. But our priestspray that the Deity may be released, and then he is set free. Onlysuch ignorant men as you, who have never been beyond their ownisland, can imagine that the sun shines for their country alone."
Then the master of an Egyptian vessel, who was present, spoke in his turn.
"No," said he, "you also are wrong. The sun is not a Deity, and doesnot move only round India and its golden mountain. I have sailed muchon the Black Sea, and along the coasts of Arabia, and have been toMadagascar and to the Philippines. The sun lights the whole earth,and not India alone. It does not circle round one mountain, but risesfar in the East, beyond the Isles of Japan, and sets far, far away inthe West, beyond the islands of England. That is why the Japanese calltheir country 'Nippon,' that is, 'the birth of the sun.' I know thiswell, for I have myself seen much, and heard more from my grandfather,who sailed to the very ends of the sea."
He would have gone on, but an English sailor from our shipinterrupted him.
"There is no country," he said "where people know so much about thesun's movements as in England. The sun, as every one in Englandknows, rises nowhere and sets nowhere. It is always moving roundthe earth. We can be sure of this for we have just been round theworld ourselves, and nowhere knocked up against the sun. Whereverwe went, the sun showed itself in the morning and hid itself atnight, just as it does here."
And the Englishman took a stick and, drawing circles on the sand,tried to explain how the sun moves in the heavens and goes round theworld. But he was unable to explain it clearly, and pointing to theship's pilot said:
"This man knows more about it than I do. He can explain it properly."
The pilot, who was an intelligent man, had listened in silence tothe talk till he was asked to speak. Now every one turned to him,and he said:
"You are all misleading one another, and are yourselves deceived.The sun does not go round the earth, but the earth goes round thesun, revolving as it goes, and turning towards the sun in the courseof each twenty-four hours, not only Japan, and the Philippines, andSumatra where we now are, but Africa, and Europe, and America, andmany lands besides. The sun does not shine for some one mountain,or for some one island, or for some one sea, nor even for one earthalone, but for other planets as well as our earth. If you wouldonly look up at the heavens, instead of at the ground beneath yourown feet, you might all understand this, and would then no longersuppose that the sun shines for you, or for your country alone."
Thus spoke the wise pilot, who had voyaged much about the world, andhad gazed much upon the heavens above.
"So on matters of faith," continued the Chinaman, the student ofConfucius, "it is pride that causes error and discord among men. Aswith the sun, so it is with God. Each man wants to have a specialGod of his own, or at least a special God for his native land. Eachnation wishes to confine in its own temples Him, whom the worldcannot contain.
"Can any temple compare with that which God Himself has built tounite all men in one faith and one religion?
"All human temples are built on the model of this temple, which isGod's own world. Every temple has its fonts, its vaulted roof, itslamps, its pictures or sculptures, its inscriptions, its books ofthe law, its offerings, its altars and its priests. But in whattemple is there such a font as the ocean; such a vault as that ofthe heavens; such lamps as the sun, moon, and stars; or any figuresto be compared with living, loving, mutually-helpful men? Where arethere any records of God's goodness so easy to understand as theblessings which God has strewn abroad for man's happiness? Where isthere any book of the law so clear to each man as that written inhis heart? What sacrifices equal the self-denials which loving menand women make for one another? And what altar can be compared withthe heart of a good man, on which God Himself accepts the sacrifice?
"The higher a man's conception of God, the better will he know Him.And the better he knows God, the nearer will he draw to Him,imitating His goodness, His mercy, and His love of man.
"Therefore, let him who sees the sun's whole light filling the world,refrain from blaming or despising the superstitious man, who in his ownidol sees one ray of that same light. Let him not despise even theunbeliever who is blind and cannot see the sun at all."
So spoke the Chinaman, the student of Confucius; and all who werepresent in the coffee-house were silent, and disputed no more as towhose faith was the best.

Goa A Daughter's story - Maria Aurora Couto

2008-06-22T06:53:00.000-07:00

I must recommend this fantastic book for all people who are interested in Konkani History and Heritage.

Ms Maria Aurora Couto (In Picture) has written this beautifully and this book is a good keepsake. A pleasure to read , well researched and very informative

Goa A daughter's Story - Maria Aurora Couto

ISBN 0-14-303343-3

Penguin Books India

I thank Frederick Norohna for the Image of Ms Couto. He own's the copyright.

Saving our souls..... Really????

2008-06-22T04:29:00.000-07:00

When the portuguese came to Goa they thought they were bringing culture and the 'true' religion of chrisitianity to the natives.

Hinduism was banned. Hindu practices and rituals were forbidden. All forms of Hindu worship were denied.

Hindu temples were razed and laws were passed so that only christians could own land.

Many Hindus converted. Sometimes whole villages coverted to christianity en masse. Most thought this was a phase which would end soon and they would be able to go back to their routine and old ways again. Many Hindus fled the islands of Goa onto the mainland with their deities into the forests of Antruz, now called Ponda which was then under the rule of the Hindu Sonde rayas.

The people who stayed on had their Shendys (Ritual tufts of hair signifying their Hindu heritage)cut, their Janve's (Sacred thread worn over their left shoulder) taken off. Perhaps understanding the strict shuddhi (Purity) laws these people were forced to eat beef and pork thereby making sure they would never be accepted back into the Hindu fold. The orthodox Hindus who wanted to preserve their faith went into a cocoon mode and continued their worship in private on the mainland. There are acoounts of christians sitting with Hindus for wedding meals and therefore the whole wedding party losing their shuddhi. Pork and beef were also thrown by the portuguese in all the wells. There was therefore no option but to drink this water for the few who were left behind. Many were reconciled to the new situation and accepted christianity.

Hinduism was however in the core of these neo-converts and inspite of the Inquisition to stop these practices Christians of Goan origin still practice a chrisitianity which has an abundance of Hindu customs.

Over a period of time the Hindus rebuilt their temples outside the portuguese territories. These became thriving centres of the old religion. Many christians continue to worship at their ancestral temples and give offerings to their family deities.

Hindus form almost 65% of the population of Goa. Goan Hindus have also migrated all along the western coast of India and even beyond India's shore and continue to uphold their age old traditions.

Christians and Hindus have lived together for many generations. Christianity has become a way of life and a source of spiritual sustenance for many. Hinduism has continued to thrive. Hinduism's tradition of syncretism continues and many Hindus now accept the divinity in Christ as part of the overall divinity. Hindus and Christians worshipping together in temples and churches in not uncommon.

The shuddhi laws have almost completely disappeared and it is no longer taboo to co-dine with christians. Indeed inter religious marriages are getting more common. It is this spirit of co-existence which keeps India moving.

Inspite of hiccups of intolerance by and large Hindus, Christians and Muslims peacefully share their state of Goa and their country India.

Indian Devnagri Manuscript.

2008-06-21T13:10:00.000-07:00

Devnagri manuscripts. Unknown date. Perhaps from the late 19th century or Early 20th century. From Ajmer, Rajasthan.

Can somebody help with the contents....

Ivory carving of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden - Goa (AD-1850)

2008-06-08T13:46:00.000-07:00

Ivory Plaque - Garden of Eden- Goa- 1850- Liverpool City Museum-England

Goan Konkani artists were adept over millenia in the use of ivory, wood and stone in carving Hindu figures and Hindu mythical lore . After their coversion they continued to carve their new christian mythical lore incorporating their skill. Note the perfectly carved Indian Elephant in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve are carved by Goans in this Ivory plaque currently in the Liverpool City Museum.
Also note the presence of the tortoise and the mongoose all features of an Indian Jungle. The apple trees also look more like mango trees.

The six blind men of Hindustan

2008-06-01T03:49:00.000-07:00

It was six men of Hindustan to learning much inclined,
Who went to see the elephant, though all of them were blind,
That each by observation might satisfy his mind.

The first approached the elephant and happening to fall
against his broad and sturdy side at once began to bawl,
God bless me, the elephant is very like a wall.

The second, feeling of the tusk cried, Ho! What have we here,
so very round and smooth and sharp? To me it’s mighty clear
This wonder of an elephant is very like a spear.

The third approached the animal and happening to take
The squirming trunk within his hands, thus boldly up and spake,
I see, quoth he, the elephant is very like a snake.

The fourth reached out an eager hand, felt about the knee.
What most this wondrous beast is like is mighty plain, quoth he.
‘Tis clear enough the elephant is very like a tree.

The fifth who chanced to touch the ear said even the blindest man
Can tell what this resembles most. Deny the fact, who can,
This marvel of an elephant is very like a fan.

The sixth no sooner had begun about the beast to grope
Than seizing on the swinging tail that fell within his scope
I see, quoth he, the elephant is very like a rope.

And so these men of Hindustan disputed loud and long,
Each in his own opinion exceeding stiff and strong.
Though each was partly in the right and all were in the wrong.

Author Unknown

Quotes on faith

2008-05-29T17:09:00.000-07:00

“Faith... Must be enforced by reason...When faith becomes blind it dies.” - Gandhi

"I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use." - Galileo Galilei

"As to the gods, I have no means of knowing either that they exist or do not exist." - Plato's Theaetetus

"God is a comedian playing on an audience too afraid to laugh."
-Voltaire

"Call on God but row away from the rocks." - Indian Proverb

“It is the test of a good religion whether you can joke about it.”- G.K.Chesterton

“Religion stills a thinking mind”- Greg Erwin

“Religion is what keeps the poor man from murdering the rich”- Napolean Bonaparte

Shree Shantadurga the Mother Goddess ....

2008-05-28T12:25:00.000-07:00

Shree Shantadurga Vijayatam

The Goddess Shree Shantadurga, Santeri, Saibini the ancient mother Goddess of all the Konkani people.

The first tribes that settled in Goa many millenia ago prayed to the great Mother Earth Goddess in the form of anthills. The tribes of people who settled later also incorporated the worship of the mother Goddess in Her various forms. The aryans who followed incorporated her with the great Shakti and looked upon Her as the peaceful form of Goddess Durga. Anthills were the site of small grottos for the Saibini or Mai Santeri.

After Christianisation of the Old conquests of Goa for the lay Goan the saibini or the mother-goddess was still venerated. Only her form changed to the Mother of Christ or Mother Mary. The distinction between the Catholic Saibini and Hindu Saibini is only a matter of debate for the poles of the religious spectrum. The vast majority of Hindus and Catholics look upon her as Saibini.

Shree Shantadurga Vijayatam

Not Just Konkani ... Its India , Konkani, the Konkan, Goa, our History and More...

Country of Immigrants?? Country of Racists??? Country of Shame - Australia... Oz.. Aussies... Aussie Hate...

Shame !!! Australia Shame !!! Racist Australia Shame, Oz shame, Aussie shame !!!

Slumdog millionaire

Mumbai - Bombay

An Englishman from Newcastle

Imperial crown of India

Pakistan - You need a reality check!

2009

New Year 2009

Mumbai - Lonely Planet Description

Agni

To India - Sarojini Naidu

गायत्री मंत्र - The Gayatri -The Holiest Mantra of them all...

Winter Solstice - Uttarayan- उत्तरायण

\\*\\ konkani क्रिसमस विशेस \\*\\

East Pakistan Embankments- Philatelic History

Gandhi & Churchill- The epic rivalry that destroyed an empire and forged our age- Arthur Herman

Best wishes for a happy Christmas

Churchgate, Bombay, India

Good Morning... This is the Taj Mahal hotel.....

STUPID PAKISTANIS

Excerpt from 'Geetanjali' - Rabindra Nath Tagore

Aou Ben Adam- A poem I loved in School- Leigh Hunt

Bangle sellers - Sarojini Naidu

Urbs Primis In Indis - BOMBAY

WELCOME TO BOMBAY- A 40s Leaflet

Blessed are the peacemakers...

Mumbai 26/11 ; Damn the terrorists

William IIII - King of England -Half Silver Rupee, India

Our Lady of Peace

Bombay Anna. Anna of- The King and I - An original History -By Susan Morgan

Star of India - British India's Emblem. Moto :"Heaven's Light Our Guide"

Quote from the Buddha - Gautam Buddha

Koot - A mixed vegetable Konkani curry- Onion free- saatvik- Jain

Vatana Golo ( Konkani Pea and potato dry curry)

Ragda for Ragda Pattice.

Green Peas Barfi - Sweet Pea fudge try this it will surprise you

Shiv Parvati.12th Century Eastern India-British Museum

Saraswati , Goddess of Knowledge, Jain

Buddha - Buddhism the ideal world religion....

Shree Ganeshaya Namah - Obeisance to Lord Ganesha

Mahisasurmardini

Air India

Mumbai- The Island City

Shree Mahalakshmi Prasanna

Konkani speakers parking only

Happy Diwali

Mahalakshmi of Kolhapur

Old Map of Konkan - Bellin

Bhagvat Gita XII 13,14 "Hate no one"

Katol - a fantastic Gujrati bean curry

Ajinkyatara - The impenetrable fortress

Kolhapur Ambabai temple.

Sahyadrikand - History of Goa

Kairas - Peanut and Capsicum curry Saraswat style

Mother's recipe Fresh Mushroom Curry

Australian Pound

More Quotes Galileo Galilei, Stephen Roberts, Voltaire, Gandhi etc

Francis Xavier - Mixed Blessings....

The Konkan Coast - A Tourist's delight: Goa, Mumbai, the Canara coast and kerala

Amchigela - an endonym for Konkani

Dalitoy - a fantastic accompaniment to steamed rice- Konkani style lentil curry.

Great Konkani Book - Konkani MahaBharat Adi Parv- Krishnadas Shama

Batata Humman- A potato Curry Konkani style Recipe

Wicked Women of the Raj - Coralie Younger : A review

Star of India

Hyderabadi Baghara Baingan - recipe

Mahalakshmi

Ganapati

Konkani Books

Devaki Krishna ; Madonna and child

Devnagri Manuscripts ,Hindu? Jain?

Devnagri Manuscripts -food for thought

The Coffee-House of Surat -Leo Tolstoy

Goa A Daughter's story - Maria Aurora Couto

Saving our souls..... Really????

Indian Devnagri Manuscript.

Ivory carving of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden - Goa (AD-1850)

The six blind men of Hindustan

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