Maatir Blogs

Whether you depend on your morning cup of coffee or can’t relax without a cup of tea, your habits speak volumes about you. Even things as small as your perfect mug for the occasion. A Brief History An Islamic saint by the name of Baba Budan is credited with bringing coffee to India. He is said to have gone on a pilgrimage to Mecca. On his return journey, he smuggled seven coffee beans into India. He planted them in the hills of Karnataka, in southern India. Since then, India has been cultivating the seeds in the south. During British rule, coffee plantations thrived. South India Very simply put: South Indians are accustomed to drinking filter coffee (or kaapi as it is pronounced in the South). But not just any filter will do. It is called a tumbler and dabarah. It is a metal filter consisting of two nesting cups. The upper cup, the dabarah, holds the ground coffee and has holes to let the liquid drip down. The lower one catches the brewed coffee. Milk and sugar are then boiled together...

Masala chai is probably the most iconic and popular Indian drink. Indians take their tea seriously- it’s not the national drink for no reason. You can find it on every street corner and even on the trains. The Chai Spot If there is one area of Mumbai in particular known for its chai, it would be Ballard Estate. It is primarily a Parsi area, and they opened several restaurants and cafes. In Mumbai’s early days, Ballard Estate was the business district. Chai quickly became intertwined with the culture here as people could have meetings or simply relax over some tea. It was actually easier to get a cup of chai than a cup of coffee! There are many great spots to grab a hot cup of chai throughout Maharashtra. A famous Maharashtrian cafe is Paneri Amtuttlya. It’s known for offering chai at only 10 rupees a cup. In Nagpur, there is a tea seller known worldwide because of his viral videos. He adds his own style to making tea and always draws a crowd while he works. It’s said he makes a great c...

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...

The early morning sun filters through the window. The day ahead involves carving and sanding wood, washing long swaths of fabric, and meticulously placing block after block for hours to create a pattern. This is a day in the life of an artisan block printer in Rajasthan.  What Is Block Printing? Block printing is the process of creating a motif in a piece of wood and using it to color a piece of fabric with a repeating pattern. Rajasthan is known for this art form because the work from there is all hand-crafted.  History During the 12th century, block printing was a flourishing local trade in Rajasthan. By the 17th century, the royal Mughal court spread the art form throughout India, increasing its popularity- and demand.  The Mughal-Maratha wars also changed the course of block printing forever. Artisans were allocated lands close to other block printers. As these small villages of master craftsmen kept popping up, different styles of printing were born: Bagru and Sangan...

So you’ve found yourself in Mumbai with 24 hours to spare. Whether you are visiting for the first time or the hundredth, Mumbai will surely make you fall in love with its charms. Something is always happening in this vibrant coastal city and there is something for history buffs, foodies, and art enthusiasts alike. Popular Attractions The Gateway of India: where the King and Queen of England were famously welcomed to India. The Bombay High Court, Rajabai Clocktower, and the Oval Maidan are all part of a UNESCO Heritage Site. They mark the start of art deco buildings in Mumbai. The Oval Maidan has sports lovers leave politics and religion at the door- no rallies or functions are allowed here.  Spend some time cruising down Marine Drive. It’s part of what is known as The Queen’s Necklace and is a great spot to watch the sunset over the Arabian Sea. The Sea Link. As crazy as it is to say that a bridge with eight lanes of traffic is an attraction, it’s true. It offers great views of the...

Om. One of the most widely known symbols in the world. You might recognize it as the thing you say in a yoga class. But do you know why people use it? The reasons may surprise you. Om as a Symbol Om is a sacred symbol and syllable in Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain rituals. Three sounds come together to make the om: a-u-m. They denote many sacred trinities like the qualities of matter which are goodness, passion, and darkness. Others are: thought, speech, and action, past, present, and future, and the Rigveda, Yajurveda, and Samaveda. The last of those are the three Vedic texts from between 1500-1200 BCE. They contain the first use of the concept of om. Om as a Syllable The most common way to write om is what is known as Devanagari ligature, though there are slight variations throughout South Asia. There are two curves that look like the number three with an elongated curve protruding from the center. Above that, you will find a dot with a crescent shape underneath it. Each stroke of the syl...

There is always a story to tell and there’s no better way to tell it than with pictures. From temples to homes, kalamkari artwork has survived the test of time. It has been passed down from generation to generation staking its claim on the world art scene. Origins Named for its technique, kalamkari is a combination of two Persian words: kalam meaning pen, and kari meaning work or craftsmanship. Kalamkari artists use tamarind wood, bamboo, or date palm sticks as the pen to hand paint designs on cotton or silk. It started as a decoration in temples before getting recognition as an art form in and of itself. It was promoted in the Mughal era in what is now the state of Andhra Pradesh in the southeast of India. Story Time Many of the early pieces of kalamkari artwork were used to help tell the stories of Hindu mythology. Large swathes of fabric were painted with deities and heroes from the epics like the Mahabharata and Ramayana. When they aren’t taking inspiration from mythology, they oft...

 Whether you’re just starting your exercise journey or have many years under your belt, yoga has become a form of physical fitness for many around the world. Yoga comes from the Sanskrit word “yuj” meaning “to unite”. Originally taken to mean joining the mind to the body, yoga is also uniting people and building communities. Yoga Through the Ages Mindfulness and creating a space to live in the present moment have been around for a while. Though historians can’t name the first person to practice yoga or even when it first began, we do know that it’s at least as old the Vedic period in 1500 BC. At first, yoga was an exclusively male activity. More specifically, only the men in the highest caste were learning the practices of yoga.  The demographics started changing in the 19th C with the rise of yoga gurus. They started traveling to Europe and the US sharing yoga with anyone who wanted to listen. And people wanted to listen. The modern age of yoga was spurred on by those yogis. ...

When you go to the store to grab a handful of items, you may find yourself reaching for a plastic basket. In the days without them, artisans had to make their own baskets. This longstanding tradition of basket weaving can be seen all over world. Basketry Historians have a tough time tracking down the exact origins of basket weaving. This is because natural materials biodegrade easily over time. We do know that it is the oldest as well as the most widely spread handicraft.  The oldest recovered basket was discovered in Faiyum, Egypt. It dates back to about ten to twelve thousand years old based on carbon dating. Other evidence that people have been making baskets since the beginning of time are the imprints in the clay people used when they started making pottery.  India in particular has a very rich culture when it comes to basketry. Each region takes a slightly different material and approach to crafting their baskets. Some things they have in common is the intricacy of the ...

Taking a walk-in nature brings many of us a few moments of peace as we admire the beauty all around us. In Asia, one plant in particular has seemingly risen to a higher level than the rest. The lotus, native to India, Eastern Africa, and Southeast Asia, has been deemed sacred by many cultures. Common Symbolism The lotus flower has come to represent lots of different things. The most common tie is to the concept of spiritual enlightenment. Like the lotus, we must emerge from murky water and show the world the best of us.  Other interpretations of the symbolism are personal growth, new beginnings, and purity. Slow and steady for the win. The lotus grows one petal at a time, reminding us that reaching Enlightenment takes gradual steps. Every day really is a new day. The flowers bloom in the morning and close up at night. It shows us visually the cycle of rebirth. Lotus flowers rise from muddy waters everyday and yet they are clean. Symbolism for Hindus Hinduism specifically adds o...

There are few things that unite all Indians. One of them is cricket. Homes and stadiums everywhere on match days are filled with electric energy from fans sharing in camaraderie rooting for their favorite team. Early Cricket It is believed that cricket originated in England. When it was introduced to India, it took on a life of its own. The British East India Trading Company was the first cricket team in India created in 1721. The game was mostly played among mariners in Cambay, around 400 kilometers north of Mumbai. Later, in 1792, the Calcutta Cricket Team was created. Gaining Popularity Nearly 50 years after the Calcutta team was formed, the Parsis founded the first community cricket club in India . They intended to spread their love of cricket in the community and inspire them to do the same. In the late 1800s, cricket gained popularity across the Indian subcontinent. Part of the charm of the game is the simplicity. Two players, a ball, and a bat is sufficient for a good game o...

Curry: the great misconception about Indian food. Throughout the years, curry has been evolving and traveling around the world. Settle in for the story of how curry has come to be such a common dish all throughout India. Origin The story starts in the 1500s in Goa. The Portuguese have landed in India and they looked to the locals for food. They noticed that people were eating rice and vegetables with a thick, spiced sauce or gravy. At this time, black pepper was the spice of choice. But when the Portuguese realized that chillies were cheaper, the swap was quickly made. They also brought with them both potatoes and tomatoes. The British came to India soon after in the 18th century. They also found people eating curries, so they adapted it for their tastes. Being the travelers they are, the British had many colonies around the world.  Just as people are not stationary, neither is food. Wherever they went, the British brought curry with them. People say that the British traveled the w...

In the bustling neighborhood of Colaba in Mumbai, the Gateway of India marks one of the city's biggest tourist attractions. It’s a site for locals and tourists alike, filled with street vendors, photographers, and food stalls. The Making of a Monument The Gateway of India was built in the 20th century using Indo-Saracenic architecture. That means that this project was a collaboration of both Gujarati and Arabic styles of architecture.  The genius behind this project was Scottish architect George Wittet. The construction started in March of 1911 and the finished structure was completed in 1924. On December 4, 1924 the monument was officially inaugurated. Style  The Gateway of India is made with basalt. That was a unique choice of stone for two reasons. The first is that basalt is resistant to acidification, and being so close to the Arabian Sea, that is important. The second is that since it’s yellow, it makes for a pleasing visual experience even if you are too far away to see...

Born into his family's small kingdom, Siddhartha Guatama was given everything life had to offer. But he was unhappy living a life of royals. He saw the realities of death, sickness, and suffering and was deeply moved. So, he left his family behind in search of life’s greater meaning. His answer changed the world. Becoming Buddha The traditional story of Buddha tells us that he endured all kinds of self-torture and cut his hair to deny his royal status. When he realized he was no closer than when he began, he set off to a pipal tree to meditate until the answers revealed themselves. 49 days later he emerged victorious and Enlightened. What It Means To Be Buddha Buddha is a title adorned by the person who achieves true Enlightenment and travels the world to spread its message. It’s Sanskrit for “the one who is awake”. The concept of Enlightenment is central to Buddhism. It’s all about unconditioning yourself from the constructs of life like strong opinions, perceptions, and upbringin...

It’s hard to think of a more influential leader than Mohandas Karamchand  Gandhi. Born on October 2, 1869 in Porbandar, Gandhi was a great proponent of  change through his words, actions, and way of life until his death on January 30, 1948. Ahimsa Known to many as mahatma, or great soul, Gandhi is internationally famed for his acts of civil disobedience. His philosophy of ahimsa made its way around  the world to other activists. His methods of peaceful struggle have been followed  by many including Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, Albert Einstein, and  President Obama. Thanks to Gandhi’s efforts and those inspired by him, the philosophy of  nonviolence and civil disobedience persist even today. But peaceful protests are  only part of Gandhi’s story Media Gandhi was the world’s first political influencer. His ideas reached a level of  influence never before attained by any other country in the world.  One of his greatest assets was his...

Imagine the Taj Mahal. The lush, green gardens surrounding a rectangular pool of clear water. The white marble domes command your attention as they stand in all their glory in front of you. In the distance you can see the red sandstone mosque emerge. The Yamuna River softly rushes as it winds its way around the estate. Innovations The Taj Mahal in Agra is the greatest achievement in Indio-Islamic architecture to date. It has some unique innovations for the time that make it so special.   First up is the octagonal marble latticework. It allows for ventilation and seeing the outside without being exposed. Then, placing the tomb at the end of the garden instead of the center was unheard of.  Finally, all the buildings that make up the Taj Mahal are freestanding. Not to mention its impressive scale, standing at 73 meters tall. Influences The most prominent feature of Indian architecture is the lotus flower that is featured atop all of the domes. The symbolism in Hinduism of the lo...