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
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
“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
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
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
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
Nature’s beauty is an art of God. Let us feel the touch of God’s invisible hands in everything beautiful. By the first touch of His hand rivers throb and ripple. When He smiles the sun shines, the moon glimmers, the stars twinkle, the flowers bloom. By the first rays of the rising sun, the universe is stirred; the shining gold is sprinkled on the smiling … Continue reading Nature’s Beauty
BY MEG LEE CHIN There comes a moment when something you only understood intellectually becomes something more tangible. This understanding surpasses the intellect. It becomes something you know in your soul. Prior to the siege of the US Capitol, The idea of human extinction was something I was aware of intellectually. But afterward, I knew in my bones it would one day be inevitable. Trump … Continue reading Is Human Extinction Inevitable?
BY KAUSTAV BHATTACHARYYA Recently I had the good fortune of serendipitously coming across a book chronicling the life, work, passions and oeuvre of the eminent film actor and cultural personality of the thespian Soumitra Chatterjee in a vintage bookstore titled ‘Soumitra Chatterjee: A life in Cinema, Theatre, Poetry & Painting’ authored by the duo, Arjun Sengupta and Partha Mukherjee. My mind drifted in a momentary … Continue reading Soumitra Chatterjee – Towering Thespian with a Poignant Appeal
BY CSMI STAFF WRITER Sheela Gowda is an artist living and working in Bangalore, India. She began painting in her early career but started to make three-dimensional work in the 1990s in reaction to the rapid progress of economic and cultural development in India. Now she is known for producing large-scale installation art in which she transforms everyday materials through hand-worked processes. The emphasis on … Continue reading Gowda
COUNTRY SQUIRE INDIA 