The Cultural Kaleidoscope ----- by ABHAY PANDEY

  Awadhi: The Forgotten Melody of India’s  Literary Past                       BY ABHAY PANDEY                      " कवन सो काज कठिन जग माहीं। जो नहिं होइ तात तुम पाहीं॥ "   (“What task in the world is too difficult for you, dear Hanuman, that cannot  be accomplished by your grace?”) These timeless words from Tulsidas’ Ramcharitmanas echo across centuries, a testament to the enduring strength found in devotion, language, and culture. Just as Hanuman’s unwavering faith surmounts the impossible, the Awadhi language, which once carried the weight of India’s greatest epics and folklore, still lingers waiting for rediscovery and revival. Awadhi, the language of Ramcharitmanas , Padmavat , and countless folk songs, served as a cultural and literary beacon during medieval India. It connected people through stories of valor, love, and spiritua...

  Bihar: From Glory to Struggles and the Path to Reclaiming Its Future               By Abhay Pandey   Let's talk about a state whose regional festival has spread across the whole country, inspiring people not only on social media but also in real life. This is Chhath Puja, the integral festival of Bihar. The festival's presence on social media has sparked my curiosity to learn more about Bihar and understand how a state with such a glorious history has come to be known for underdevelopment, corruption, and violence. What sort of developments did occurred which turn the term "Bihari" as an insult?   A Legacy of Power, Wisdom, and Spirituality Can we imagine the history of India without mentioning the state of Bihar? It's hard to ignore this land that was once home to powerful empires like the Mauryas, Nandas, Guptas, and Pala dynasties. Bihar played a crucial role in India's golden age, particularly under the Gupta Empire, which is known...

From Mahabharata to Mobile Apps: The Rise of Gambling in India                    by Abhay Pandey  A Story as Old as Time: The Gambling Dilemma in Indian Culture The story of the Mahabharata, in which the Pandavas lost everything—their wealth, property, kingdom, and even themselves, including their common wife Draupadi—in a game of dice, is well known. This event ultimately led to the great battle of the Mahabharata. This tale is familiar in every household, and the values in our society view gambling as unholy, a destroyer of happiness and a stable life.  However, while our society is aware of these values, many choose not to follow them. As a result, advertisements for gambling and fantasy games are everywhere. News headlines about people losing lakhs of rupees and even teenagers taking extreme steps due to gambling losses have sadly become commonplace. In this blog, I will try to shed some light on the gambling network that...

Cinema, control and censor - navigating the politics of films  The recent uproar surrounding the web series 'IC 814' by Anubhav Sinha and the film 'Emergency' by Kangana Ranaut brings to light the intricate relationship between politics and cinema. The controversy over the 'Emergency' trailer, which eventually landed at the censor board and stopped from securing certificate, highlights the ongoing issue of censorship.  This raises important questions about how cinema, as a form of artistic expression, is often shaped or restricted by political agendas. The censorship process, rather than being an impartial gatekeeper, frequently mirrors the political climate of the time. This dynamic, in turn, affects the content that reaches audiences, shaping public discourse and perspectives. Through this lens, we see how deeply intertwined cinema, politics, and censorship truly are. Cinema as a Mirror : Reflecting societal issues  Cinema mirrors social, political, economic,...

Unraveling the Brahmin Genes Controversy: Media, Stereotypes, and Societal Perceptions" Introduction: The Twitter Uproar Over 'Brahmin Genes' Recently, the Twitter hashtag "Brahmin Genes" shook social media to such an extent that the entire online ecosystem started sharing their opinions. Many people considered the tagline casteist, racist, and an example of what they labeled as "Brahminism at its peak." The woman behind the post likely never anticipated gaining attention at such a cost. She did nothing different from what other community members do. But what mental perceptions led to trolling a woman who merely shared a photo flexing her muscles with the simple caption "Brahmin Genes"? In the vast world of social media, it shouldn't have been seen as a big deal. The underlying issue is that societal perceptions of Brahmins have been shaped by classist stereotypes, perpetuated through manipulated art forms through cinema, music, and litera...