Introduction to Indian food and eating habits of India

Indian food or Indian cuisine covers a wide diversity of regional cuisines indigenous to India. The cuisines differ extensively from each other because they use locally available ingredients such as herbs, fruits, spices and vegetables. These cuisines are also influence by various factors such as cultural and religious believes. Indian food uses a whole combination of flavors- sour, spicy, sweet and hot making Indian food unique and exciting. The interaction of India with various cultures and groups in the continent has led to the diversification of regional foods and flavors found in India today.

Ingredients that make up Indian food

Indian staple foods include: whole –wheat flour, rice, pearl millet (bajra), lentils such as masoor, urad, moong and toor. Pulses are also common, such as lobiya, rajma and channa.

The most commonly used and important spices include: Black mustard (sarso), cumin (scars), cardamom (elaichi), chili pepper (mirch), turmeric (haldi), garlic (lehsun), coriander (dhania), ginger (adrak), asafetida (hing) and garam masala. Rose petal essences, nutmeg, saffron and cardamon are mostly used to flavor sweet dishes.

The most regularly used leaves for flavoring Indian food include: Mint, fenugreek, coriander and bay leaves. South Indians are well known for using roots and curry leaves to flavor food.

Most Indian foods are cooked in peanut oil (in Western and Northern India), coconut oil (along the Western Coast), mustard oil (eastern India) and vegetable oil which is the most common.

Indian cuisine is divided into different regional cuisines, some of which include:

• Andaman and Nicobar Islands: Mainly consists of sea food and fruits.
• Haryana: Dairy products are widespread in this cuisine. Pakora, churma, besan masala, kadhi and badhua are some of the common dishes.
• Andhra Pradesh: The staple food is rice which is rich in spices and is eaten with a range of lentil soups and curries. Yogurt is usually taken together with the meals to counter the spiciness of the food.
• Assamese: Known for its minimal use of spices but uses herbs for flavors. Fresh or dried vegetables and fruits make a large proportion of the meal.
• Arunachal Pradesh: Rice, leafy vegetables, fish and meat are the staple foods. Rice beer is very popular in this cuisine.
• Bihari: Common dishes include dalpuri, meat saalan, litti chokha, malpua and balushahi.
• Daman and Diu: Mainly consists of sea food. Lapsee, puri, potaya and dhakanu are popular during festivities. Western foods are also available.
• Dadra and Nagar Haveli: Roti, rice, fish, crab and vegetables are the most common foods. Buttermilk, herbs and fruits also make up the diet.
• Gujurat: It is a vegetarian cuisine. Made up of a variety of vegetables; this can be spicy or sweet depending on the region.
• Chhattisgarh: Uses foods that are not available in other parts of India such as bamboo vegetable, bamboo pickle, mushrooms, and squirrels. The staple food is rice
• Goa: There are intense flavors in Goa because it has a tropical climate. Staple foods are fish and rice often served with coconut milk. Bread accompanies most of the meals.

Eating habits of India and Indians

 A healthy breakfast is regarded as a very important meal in the Indian diet. Preferences vary regionally though most Indians prefer to drink coffee or tea (chai) together with breakfast. South Indians have a preference for dosas and idlis together with various chutneys while North Indians favor parathas, roti and a vegetable dish together with pickles and some curd.

Lunch usually consists of two or more varieties of vegetables and other items such as parathas, naan or kulcha. In East and South India, rice is the main dish while whole wheat rotis is the main dish in North and West India. Desserts are also eaten after meals in some parts of India.

Dinner is deemed as the main meal. Families often come together for ‘evening breakfast’ to drink tea, eat snacks and have family conversations.

Many Indians normally eat desserts after meals to help in digestion which include: jalebi, gulab jamun, rasgulla, Kheer, chikki, barfi, mysore pak, shrikhand, sandesh, kuju katli and rabri. Most of them are made with sugar and condensed milk but the desserts vary depending on the regions. Indians lay great emphasis on eating healthy diets. It is no doubt that the Indian cuisine is intriguing and an amazing experience to those who have not tasted the Indian cuisine before.

Top 10 William Shakespeare quotes about life and love

 

Who has not heard of William Shakespeare. Everyone at school has read his plays as part of their school curriculum. He was pure literary genius. He was able to use words in a way in which showed his great talent. He even invented words some of which include dwindle, monumental, sanctimonious, castigate and frugal. Some of phrases used in his plays are used a lot in day to day spoken English and many people don’t even know about it. Some of which include A wild goose chase (Romeo and Juliet), The be-all and the end-all (Macbeth), All that glisters is not gold (The Merchant of Venice), In my heart of hearts (Hamlet), It’s Greek to me (Julius Caesar) and A heart of gold (Henry V).

 I have always liked William Shakespeare plays and some his quotes. Here’s a list of the top 10 William Shakespeare quotes about life and love.

1. All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players: They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts. (As You Like It, Act II, Scene VII)

2. Love will not be spurred to what it loathes (The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Act 5, Scene 2)

3. My bounty is as boundless as the sea, My love as deep. The more I give to thee, the more I have, for both are infinite. (Romeo and Juliet, Act 2, scene 2)

4. To be, or not to be: that is the question: Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, or to take arms against a sea of troubles, and by opposing end them. To die: to sleep. (Hamlet, Act III, Scene I)

5. Cowards die many times before their deaths; The valiant never taste of death but once. (Julius Caesar, Act II, Scene II)

6. Men at some time are masters of their fates: The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves, that we are underlings. (Julius Caesar, Act I, Scene II)

7. Be not afraid of greatness: twas well writ. Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them. (Twelfth Night: Act II, scene 4)

8. Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind, and therefore is winged Cupid painted blind. (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Act 1, scene 1)

9. My bounty is as boundless as the sea, my love as deep. The more I give to thee, the more I have, for both are infinite. (Romeo and Juliet, Act 2, scene 2).

10. The web of our life is of a mingled yarn, good and ill together. All's Well That Ends Well. (Act 4, Scene 3)

What do you think of these quotes from William Shakespeare? Did you like then? Do you have a favourite then feel free to post in the comments below?

I would challenge you to a battle of wits, but I see you are unarmed.

Antarvasna

 

I want to talk about an Indian term called Antarvasna. The world Antarvasna relates to the inner desires and feelings related to sex and sexuality. India is the country that has given birth to the 11th century Kamasutra, the book of sexuality or sexology. However there has been no mention of anatomy and physiology of different parts of reproductive organs specially the female parts in any of these literary works. However texts of the medieval period do mention the various female parts and the function of these organs in the enjoyment of sex (Rao 2004). Some of the functions, role has been mentioned in the Bhavaprakasa of ayurveda and Paururavamanasijasutra parts of the Kamasutra. The text proves that Indians actually knew about these areas of female anatomy and sexuality since the text has been shown to be from the third century A.D. Other Indian texts of sexuality include; Jayamangala, Ratirahasya, Smaradipika and Anangaranga.

The famous book of Kamasutra was introduced to teach the readers about the science of sexuality. It was supposed to induce antarvasna, the inner (antar) desires/sexuality (vasna). The word Vasna in Hindi/Sanskrit denotes inner desire for sex while antar is the inner feelings. The Kamasutra is an India book of desires. Hence the Kamasutra is all about inducing antarvasna, the inner (antar) desires to engage in sex (vasna).

The Kamasutra (Kamasutra, comprising of the word Kama, "the desire" and Sutra, "the aphorism" or literally "the aphorisms of desire" is an Indian writing between the fourth century and seventh century, attributed to Vatsyayana.

The Kamasutra is a standard treatment of the Hinduism. It has been translated for the first time in English in 1876 by Richard Francis Burton. But the book did not become legal in the United Kingdom in 1963.

The central theme of the Kamasutra

The Kamasutra provides information on privacy in ancient India. It evokes successively "the three goals of life", "the advice of common sense", "the behavior of the city", "the choice of a wife", "the duties and privileges of the wife ", " the courtesans and methods occult " in addition to all practices more directly related to sexuality. Like all pieces of the India ancient structure can also be read as an allegory of the union (yoga) to the Divine.

Often richly illustrated with miniatures, he provides seduction advice for a harmonious life in the couple, including through various intimate positions (although 64 positions have been the popularity of the work they do, however, that a chapter of book itself) to the origin to the Indian aristocracy.

The Kamasutra is not only devoted to intimacy, also a lifestyle that a person had grown to know. It covers for example the use of music, food, perfumes etc. In addition, the book also gives advice to women and couples and indicates that men were not held in the sexual relationship only, but should also control the kisses, caresses, bites and scratches. It describes a number of positions, but also the behavior to be performed by the partners in place to let their imagination. 

Besides the treatise of Vatsyayana there are other similar works on the same subject are India. These include;

1. The Ratirahasya, or secrets of love.

2. The Panchasakya, or the five arrows.

3. The Smara Pradipa, or the light of love.

4. The Ratimanjari, or the garland of love.

5. The Rasmanjari, or the sprout of love.

6. The Anunga Runga, or the stage of love; also called Kamaledhiplava, or a boat in the ocean of love.

Rao BR. 2004. Influence of Tantra on ayurveda and Kamasutra. Bull Indian Inst Hist Med Hyderabad. 34(1):41-9.

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Hinduism Made Easy: Hindu Religion, Philosophy and Concepts

India for Kids

Are you travelling to India with your kids? If yes then why not give them something to read about India before you go? This way they will get to know India better! Even better give them something to listen. My book “All about India: Introduction to India for Kids” is now available in audio format on Amazon, Audible and iTunes. The book has been narrated by theatre artist Linda Roper. I am sure they will love the soft British accent.

This book is similar to my other book “India For Kids” and covers everything that a child or any traveller to India would want to know about India. This version is however is slightly more detailed and children of advanced reading age will find it particularly useful.

Namaste world I am Diya Children’sMulticulturalism book 

Here are the topics covered in All about India: Introduction to India for Kids”

Introduction to India – A brief introduction to the book and India.

Capital of India – Detailed information about the capital of India.

People of India – This chapter covers what the people of India is about.

Ancient history of India – Introduction to the history of India.

Modern history of India – Introduction to current and modern India.

Culture of India – Introduction to the culture of India.

Religions of India – This chapter talks about Hinduism other religions of India.

Languages of India – India has lots of languages and this chapter looks at what they are.

Geography of India – Many don’t know where India is so this chapter looks at the geography of India.

India’s neighbour – The chapter looks at India’s various neighbours.

Festivals of India – India is known as the land of festivals. This chapter looks at the popular festivals of India.

Overview of Indian food – India is known for its food. This chapter looks the types of Indian food.

What do Indians eat? – The chapter talks about the types of food eaten by Indian people.

Bollywood, the Indian film industry – India makes a lot movies and this chapter talks about India’s film industry.

Basic Hindi – This chapter has some basic Hindi for children and adults to practice.

Quiz questions on India – Some questions based on this book. See how many children can remember.

 The book has lots of beautiful pictures and is a visual feast on India and its culture and food and everything else about India. Anyone of reading age and beyond will find it useful. The audio format of this book would be useful to those who find it easier to listen. Click on the link below to find out more.

All About India: Introduction to India for Kids

Maithili Language of Bihar and Nepal

Maithili is one of the 3 accents of Bihar; Maithili, Magahi, and Bhojpuri of the Bihari linguistic processess. Approximately addressing, we might allege that Maithili is best spoken northernmost of Bihar and eastward of the river Gandak. Whilst around the east - it has covered near the Ganges River and is uttered in regions of southern Bihar. Magahi also absorbs South Bihar, east of the River Son, and the northerly of the two tablelands of Chota Nagpur. Bhojpuri absorbs the southerly tableland of Chota Nagpur and the the country north and south of the Ganges River as far west as, say, Benares. Maithili is also spoken by the Madhesis of Nepal. Maithili and Magahi are a good deal more intimately affiliated to each other than either is to Bhojpuri. So, the Maithili could nearly be addressed as an isolated linguistic communication. The model anatomy of the nomenclature is that languages spoken in the Madhubani section of the Darbhanga territorial dominion, and in the adjacent part of the district of Bhagalpur. Maithili is verbalized in its most avid pureness by the Brahmanas of the north of the Darbhanga and Bhagalpur districts, and by those of western Purnea.

Maithili Language

Maithili is unmatched of the 3 accents of Bihar; Maithili, Magahi, and Bhojpuri of the Bihari linguistic processess. Approximately addressing, we might allege that Maithili is best spoken northernmost of Bihar and eastward of the river Gandak. Whilst around the east - it has covered near the GangesRiver and is uttered in regions of southern Bihar. Magahi also absorbs South Bihar, east of the River Son, and the northerly of the two tablelands of Chota Nagpur. Bhojpuri absorbs the southerly tableland of Chota Nagpur and the the country north and south of the GangesRiver as far west as, say, Benares. Maithili is also spoken by the Madhesis of Nepal.

Maithili and Magahi are a good deal more intimately affiliated to each other than either is to Bhojpuri. So, the Maithili could nearly be addressed as an isolated linguistic communication. The model anatomy of the nomenclature is that languages spoken in the Madhubani section of the Darbhanga territorial dominion, and in the adjacent part of the district of Bhagalpur. Maithili is verbalized in its most avid pureness by the Brahmanas of the north of the Darbhanga and Bhagalpur districts, and by those of western Purnea.

History of Maithili

During the British rule it is customary among western linguists to refer to Maithili as 'Bihari', a few words on this term are in order. The earliest usage of the term 'Bihari (literally, the language of Bihar) is found in some British referrals wherein the explanation offered the following reasons for adopting this name to designate three dialects - Bhojpuri, Maithili and Magadhi [Magahi]:

1. It is a local name, like the names of other languages as Bengali and Punjabi. 

2. The extension of the name to cover all the dialects of Eastern Hindustan has a parallel in the case of Marâthï, which has been extended to cover the Dakhani dialect of Berär, while it means literally only the dialect of the Maräthä country.

3. There is a historical propriety in the name, as the work Bihar is derived form the Buddhist Viharas or monasteries once so thickly spread over that region; and. Bihari in its most ancient form was the language of the early Jains and Buddhists.

4. Bihari has a prescriptive right to the dignity of assuming a general character, for the only one of all the dialects of Eastern Hindustan which possesses any literature is Maithili, a dialect of north Bihar.

That the choice was unfortunate has been felt ever since. Most modern writers on Maithili have resented it and have so indicated.

What is most interesting is that several linguists grouped Maithili and Bhojpuri together as dialects of a common Bihari while even thought they were two cultural and linguistic as well as literary traditions, and even said that Bhojpuri "belongs rather to the united Provinces than to Bihar, and all its associations and traditions point to the west and not to the east.

There never was in the past nor exists today a language called Bihari. There is no mention of it in any literature, any document or any record. There is not a single individual who speaks or writes in the Bihari language. It has no script, no literature, no actual existence. It is surely a creation of some strange mind and lives in philological works of scholars who thoughtlessly decided to copy the classification still existing today. 

The Maithili language is spoken in the state of Bihar and neighbouring country of Nepal. It is not considered as a separate language from Hindi however those who speak the language would prefer to be called a separate language from Hindi.

Maithili language is one of the former languages of India. It has the dialect of Hindi and hence many consider that it has been derived from the Hindi language. It belongs to the Indo-Aryan group just like all other Indian languages. It is spoken primarily in the state of Bihar and in the Nepal Terai region. It took a long time for this language to attain the official status in Indian languages list. This was because people did not consider it significantly different from that of Hindi. There were a lot of petitions to give an official status to help education and literature work in this language. Finally the petitions were all paid due respect and the language attained its official status in the year 2003.

The name for this language was derived from the origin of this language. This language originated in the state of Mithila, which had a great history in the literature, and epics of India. Mithila was one of the ancient continents in the world and this clearly shows how ancient the language Maithili is. The entire Mithila used the language Maithili in both written and oral form. Works rich in the languages were released and attained global familiarity. Despite the large group of speaking population, the language did not dominate North India equal to that of the Hindi language.

The most famous poet of our nation Vidyapati wrote his literature works in Maithili language. His poems and thoughts added beauty to this language and raised its power over more than what it originated to be. While oral communication was easier and poets used tunes to enhance the sweet nature of the language, written communication was in Maithili script. This is most similar to the Bengali script. Since all of the state were grouped as one in the ancient India, it is common for them to have followed the same writing script.

Maithili is often mixed with Bhojpuri and Maithili songs are made which is very popular amongst the people of Bihar. Today Maithili song concerts draw large crowds.

At present, Maithili speaking population could be sparsely found in the state of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, West Bengal, and Orissa. Since Maithili belonged to most of eastern India, it flourished better. If it had been a central Indian language then it would have been long dominated by the fast sweep of the Hindi language. Though we have not yet excavated the real branches of Maithili, many literature proofs show that Maithili had Hindi in its branches. This means that the origin of Hindi was Maithili language. Census reports show that around 22 million people speak Maithili languages in India and around 25 million people in the world.