Artist Focus

Madhvi Parekh

BY CSMI STAFF WRITER One of India’s most celebrated modern artists, self-taught painter and printmaker Madhvi Parekh creates joyful scenes of rural life incorporating folk stories, local legends, and childhood memories. Inspired by Paul Klee and Joan Miró, her paintings have a surreal, dreamlike quality. The New Delhi–based artist began painting in the 1960s with encouragement from her husband, artist Manu Parekh. They are the … Continue reading Madhvi Parekh

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recipe

Gujiya

Ingredients For the pastry 275g flour 35g ghee, melted and cooled sunflower oil, for kneading and deep-frying For the filling 1 litre whole milk (we used Jersey milk) 125g caster sugar 200g frozen grated coconut, defrosted 50g blanched almonds, finely chopped 50g raisins ½ tsp ground cardamom ¼ tsp grated nutmeg Method STEP 1 First, make the filling. Pour the milk into a pan set over a medium heat and boil for about 25-30 mins until reduced to a … Continue reading Gujiya

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Sunday Blessing

My Happiness is in Prayer

“Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds”, Allah will say, “My slave has praised Me.” When the slave says, “Most Gracious, Most Merciful”, Allah will say, “My slave has lauded Me.” When the slave says, “Master of the Day of Judgment”, Allah will say, “My slave has glorified Me.” When the slave says, “Thee do we worship, and Thine aid we … Continue reading My Happiness is in Prayer

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recipe

Sabzi

Ingredients 2 tbsp sunflower oil 1 tsp nigella seeds thumb-sized piece ginger , grated 2 garlic cloves , grated 200g pumpkin or butternut squash, peeled and chopped into 1-2cm cubes 200g cabbage , chopped (sweetheart or pointed cabbage works well) 1 tsp turmeric 1 tsp ground coriander 1 tsp ground cumin 1 tsp chilli flakes 2 tsp lime juice dhal , chutney and rice or roti to serve (optional) Method STEP 1 Heat the oil in a frying pan and add the nigella seeds. … Continue reading Sabzi

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Sunday Blessing

Prayer for Healing

Maha Mrityunjaya mantra has been proved to be healing and life-saving since ages in Hinduism. This mantra should be chanted with Yagya or Hawan which purifies your inner self and air of all the unwanted germs and energies. It is called the Maha Mrityunjaya mantra, the Great Death-Conquering mantra. Aum Haum Juum Sah. Aum Bhuurbhuvah Svah. Aum Tryam‍bakam Yajaamahe, Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam Urvaarukamiva ban‍dhanaan, Mrit‍yurmokshiya Maamrataat. … Continue reading Prayer for Healing

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Opinion

Tolkien Reduced to Woke

BY DANIEL JUPP It’s actually heart-warming to read through the comments on an Amazon Prime ad for their Lord of the Rings (The Rings of Power) series. People are ripping the piss out of it. The ad features what I suppose is meant to be either a wizard or a hobbit, maybe Gandalf, maybe Bilbo’s great grandfather. It’s hard to tell because the actor is black and sort of half bald, … Continue reading Tolkien Reduced to Woke

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recipe

Boondi Raita

Ingredients 300g natural yogurt ¼ tsp ground cumin, plus a pinch 60g boondi (available in many Indian supermarkets or online) a few mint leaves, ½ finely chopped, ½ left whole Method STEP 1 Whisk the yogurt with 100ml water until smooth. Whisk in the cumin, ¼ tsp salt and a pinch of ground black pepper. STEP 2 Add the boondi and mix well to combine. Leave to stand for 10 mins or … Continue reading Boondi Raita

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