Maatir Blogs

If you know any Hindu gods and goddesses, you probably know Lord Ganesha with his distinctive elephant head. A little-known fact outside India is that he has a unique connection to the city of Mumbai. The Birth Story Ganesha might be known now, but how did he come into being? The story starts with the Goddess Paravi at the home she and her husband Lord Shiva share on Mt. Kailash. One day, she decides to take a bath while Shiva is away, so she tells Shiva’s bull Nandi to guard the door. When he comes home, Nandi lets him in against Paravi’s wishes. Annoyed, she decides she needs someone loyal to her above anyone else. She takes some wood and the turmeric she was using to bathe with and makes a statue of a boy. She breathes life into this statue, names him Ganesha, and declares him her son. The Elephant Head But, wait! If Ganesha was a boy, why does he have an elephant’s head? Well, yet again, Paravi wants to take a bath in peace. She sends Ganesha out to guard the door. When Shiva comes...

  Who doesn’t love a play running wild with drama and intense emotions? Welcome to the world of Kathakali where dramas are enacted through dance. Immerse yourself in a show in Kochi, Kerala, the birthplace of Kathakali. What is Kathakali? Katha means story and kali means to play or perform in Sanskrit. Kathakali is a performative religious dance that originated in the south of India. It is a classical art form that became its own distinct genre in the 16th and 17th centuries. Interestingly enough, though it has religious undertones, Kathakali was actually created with the stage in mind. It was developed in courts and theatres and aims to tell a story. Behind the Scenes Kathakali is probably so well-recognized around the world because of its vivid makeup, face masks, and costumes. Typically, the dancers that perform are men or young boys, playing both male and female roles.  A traditional Kathakali performance could start as early as dusk and last until dawn. They would also be...