Maatir Blogs

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...