Dubbed the ‘Festival of Festivals’, the Hornbill Festival is celebrated from December 1st to 10th every year in Nagaland. It is named after one of the most captivating birds of the state, appearing in many tribal folktales of Nagaland. The first Hornbill Festival was held in 2000. This year’s festival, although virtual, is going to be grand because it marks its 20th anniversary.
The various tribes that live in Nagaland get the opportunity to interact with each other and showcase their rich cultural heritage. The festival exhibits astounding performances that draws from this cultural legacy, including games, dances, crafts, food fairs, sports, and even religious ceremonies. There has been a considerable rise in the number of tourists visiting the state to witness this grand festival. The festival is held at Kisama, a Naga Heritage Village which is nearly 12 kilometres from Kohima.
The festival of lights brings in joy and happiness. Different states celebrate the festival in different styles. Here is a glimpse of how the main day of Diwali celebrations unfolds across the country.
In The Morning
Many parts of South India celebrate Diwali by starting the day with a scented oil bath. The oil bath is said to cleanse the body and rejuvenate the senses.
Diwali is said to bring newness and joy. Many people celebrate by wearing new clothes after their morning rituals.
Many people begin their day by preparing their homes for the new year as well. They clean their houses and decorate the area with rangoli and kolam designs.
Early evening
Kheel (puffed rice) and batasha (sugar candy) are offered to the goddess Lakshmi during Diwali. In some parts of North India, the batasha is also fashioned to resemble different animals. Called khilone, these are popular even today. In olden times, rice would be ready for harvest in time for Diwali and kheel would be the first thing offered to the goddess. Another belief is that Lakshmi likes these food items because they are white.
Diwali is a perfect opportunity to express our love and gratitude for those around us. This is most often done by exchanging lots of sweets with family, friends and neighbours.
Various parts of the country also worship Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Ganesha and Goddess Kali during the festival of Diwali.
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At Night
It’s believed that lighting up homes with diyas and keeping the doors and windows open on Diwali night beckons to Goddess Lakshmi to enter and bestow her blessings on the household.
For the people of West Bengal, Diwali is synonymous with Kali Puja. Pandals are erected all over the state and Goddess Kali is worshipped, often late into the night.
On Diwali day, some people also listen to Harikatha, an art form that weaves storytelling, poetry, music, dance, drama and philosophy into its fold. The storyteller, called a Haridasa, narrates the life story of saints and gods from Indian epics. It originated in Andhra Pradesh in the 19th century and is performed even today. Did you know that the first Harikatha singer was Narada who sang for Vishnu?
The Gadabas are an ethnic group from Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. They are one of the earliest settlers in the region. The community’s name, Gadaba, means ‘a man carrying weight on his shoulders’. This is said to be derived from their original occupation as load-bearers. Today, their main occupations are cattle-rearing, hunting, and agriculture. They speak the Austro-Asiatic language called Gutob and the Dravidian language called Ollari.
Did you know?
The women of the Gadaba tribe wear neck rings that weigh about 500 to 700 grams. These neck rings cannot be removed without the assistance of the blacksmith. As per tradition, these neck rings are only removed after their death.
Illustration: Anvita Tekriwal
The Gadaba tribe is popular for its tribal dance known as the Dhemsa. It is performed in groups on all kinds of special occasions. The tribe celebrates its joys and cope with sorrows through this folk dance. One can find a Dhemsa troupe in every Gababa village.
The dance is usually performed at night because the tribals also consider the dance as a source of entertainment and relaxation to unwind after a long day. The dance troupe forms a long human chain by standing close to each other, clutching one another’s shoulders or waists. The instruments used to play the music for this dance are as interesting as the dance form itself. The audience will be treated to the sounds of traditional instruments such as the tamak (bongo), the mahuri (a type of clarinet), the dhol (bass drum), and the changu (tambourine). The person playing the mahuri, or the mahuria, leads the music and the instrumentalists follow. The unique composition of traditional attire, rhythmic footsteps, impressive hairdos, and captivating body language is truly a sight to behold.
Tucked amidst the hilly folds of North Eastern India on one side and the densely forested and marshy regions of Bangladesh on the other, Tripura is the third smallest state in India. Being one of the oldest princely states in the country up till recent history, Tripura is home to many indigenous tribes who account for a large part of its total population and is a melting pot for ancient tribal traditions. There are many stories around its origins, one legend traces it all the way back to the Mahabharata where there have been mentions of a political state ruled by a king named Tripur who decided to collectively rule the state named Tripura along with King Yudhisthira. It is also believed that this is how the state got its name.
Image: Wikipedia | Design: ACK Design Team
Tripura’s royal lineage
At the peak of its glory, the princely state extended to modern-day Myanmar in the east, the Sunderbans near the Bay of Bengal in the south, and the Brahmaputra basin in the north-west. There have been two very significant periods in the history of Tripura, both of which have been extensively written about in the ancient Bengali poem, ‘Rajamala’. The royal chronicle narrates the extensive lineage of the 144 Maharajas of Tripura in carefully crafted verses put together by the Brahmins in the court of the famous king Dharma Manikya.
This unbroken lineage was established by its founder, a tribal chief named Maha Manikya, in the early 1400s. He took control of Tripura and its neighbouring tribes and assumed the title ‘Manikya’ to celebrate his victory over Bengal. What followed was a genealogy of 185 rulers who had achieved remarkable success through their military conquests and overall expansion of the kingdom. Amongst the prominent rulers were Dharma Manikya and Bijay Manikya. The prolonged rivalry and discord between the Manikyas and the Muslim rulers of Bengal resulted in long-drawn tension and conflict, ultimately leading to a massive Mughal invasion that brought a tragic end to this glorious kingdom.
Illustration: Divyesh Sangani
The Mughal Incursion
Towards the end of the 16th century, the decline of the Manikya dynasty had begun. King Amar Manikya was one of the dynasty’s last rulers, who fled the kingdom to take refuge on the banks of river Manu. The Mughals established a strong foothold in Chittagong taking advantage of this situation. They soon established control over who would lead the state as their agent, supervising the appointment of the future Tripuri kings. Thus, the dynasty eventually lost its sovereignty over the state. It was only under the rule of king Krishna Manikya that the capital of the kingdom was gradually shifted to Agartala.
Tripura joins the Indian Union
When the last ruling Manikya emperor Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya ascended the throne in 1923, Tripura had become a vassal state of sorts with several laws put in place by the East India Company. However, before his death in 1947, Bir ensured Tripura’s accession into a newly independent India. A new forest rule, penal code amendment act and arms rule was put into place under his leadership. He is widely regarded as the architect of Modern Tripura, because of his contribution to Tripura’s overall development at the time. However, he tragically passed away at the age of 39. After the king’s untimely death, his wife Maharani Kanchan Prava Devi ruled as the regent president and aided in the ascent of a political administration in Tripura by appointing the chief minister. Two years later, in September 1949, the Tripura merger agreement was signed, making Tripura a Part C state of sovereign India. This means that the state was henceforth to be governed by chief commissioners appointed by the President of India. Tripura became a full-fledged Indian state on January 21st, 1972.
Modern Day Tripura
Tripura continues to share a peaceful relationship with its neighbours. Its regal legacy has led to a harmonious co-existence of its indigenous people, and the advent of modern industries and technology has bridged the state with the rest of the nation. There is a certain sanctity associated with the diversity of the people of Tripura, and it is now home to a varied group of religions, customs and traditions. With its ancient temples, storied history, deep-rooted culture and unmissable attractions, Tripura offers a wonderful insight into the history of a royal kingdom that has only evolved in its charm.
One of the finest minds of the modern era, Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore beautifully stated the outcome of a good education. A good education is not one that guarantees you a career and a way to make money, it is one that teaches you empathy and kindness for all.
Rani Abbakka Chowta belonged to the Chowta dynasty who ruled over parts of coastal Karnataka. She was popular as Abhaya Rani for her fierce and feisty nature, her decisions and actions ultimately paving the way for the Indian freedom movement. Rani Abbakka was one of the earliest freedom fighters who rebelled against foreign invaders and colonialism. Determined to avenge the defeat of her mother at the hands of Portuguese, she strived hard to drive the Portuguese completely out of Mangalore. Ultimately fulfilling her dream of a free kingdom, she won the respect of her people and is held in high regard and cherished in her hometown of Ullal even today.
RANI ABBAKKA WASN’T SCARED OF ANYONE
Illustration: M.K. Basha | Script: Subba Rao
When Rani Abbakka was crowned the queen of Ullal, she decided she would completely stop paying the Portuguese the tribute that all the local rulers paid them. In 1555, a Portuguese envoy was sent to Rani Abbakka to remind her to pay up. Abbakka firmly refused to bow to their demands. The furious Portuguese army planned to capture Ullal at once. The Portuguese had built a fort in Mangalore, which gave them the military advantage against Ullal. However, inspired by their queen, the soldiers of Ullal fought bravely in the battle and ultimately captured the Mangalore fort from the Portuguese. The Portuguese ended up surrendering to the fearless soldiers and beating a hasty retreat.
In those times, the Portuguese suppressed any attempts of the rulers to have direct trade with other foreign countries. Rani Abbakka was determined to trade on her own terms for the benefit of her own people, not according to the rules set by the Portuguese. This spark of rebellion against colonialism coming from a queen not only stunned the Portuguese but also some of her own feeble ministers.
SHE LIVED LIFE ON HER OWN TERMS
Illustration: M.K. Basha | Script: Subba Rao
Rani Abbakka didn’t have a happy marriage. Her husband, the king of Bangadi, Veera Narasimha, had tried to convince her to not defy the Portuguese. He also wanted their daughter to get married to his nephew, a political alliance that would cement the relationship between Ullal and Bangadi further. Abbakka was completely against this marriage and wanted her daughter to marry a worthy husband. When her husband tried to kidnap their daughter and force her into this alliance, Abbaka rescued her and arranged her marriage to a noble prince. Enraged by her actions, her husband joined hands with the Portuguese to seek revenge for his humiliation. However, it did not matter to the principled queen; Rani Abbakka believed in her decisions and stood by them even though it meant going against her husband.
SHE DID NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF RELIGION
Illustration: M.K. Basha | Script: Subba Rao
Though Rani Abbakka followed the path of Jainism, her administration and army consisted of people from all sects and castes, including Hindus, and Muslims. Interestingly, during her rule, even men belonging to the Beary community served as seamen in her naval force. She forged alliances with the Zamorin of Calicut to strengthen her rule. When the Portuguese managed to capture the city of Ullal in 1557, she did not think twice about taking refuge in a mosque. That very same night, she gathered around two hundred of her soldiers and retaliated against the Portuguese. In the battle that ensued, Abbakka Rani won her kingdom back.
Rani Abbakka was considered the biggest threat for the Portuguese during her time and was one of the earliest torchbearers of the Indian freedom movement. Hail the feisty queen who broke all barriers and crushed the Portuguese power in India.
Read the complete life story of Rani Abbakka on the ACK Comics app, Kindle, and other major platforms.
Imagine a voice so divine that it captures the heart of the Mahatma himself. Madurai Shanmukhavadivu Subbulakshmi, fondly known as MS, was a talent whose compositions could make every Indian swoon with devotion. In the 88 years that she lived, MS Subbulakshmi proved time and again that she was not just a melodious voice, but also a pioneer and pathbreaker for women everywhere, breaking down countless barriers of a patriarchal society and paving the way for India to evolve from its orthodox ways of thinking.
BORN INTO A PERFORMER FAMILY
Born in Madurai on September 16th, 1916, and known as Kunjamma to her family, MS was born into a family belonging to the ‘Devadasi’ community. The Devadasis came from a lineage of performers who were highly skilled in music, dance and theatre. With her grandmother being a renowned violinist and her mother being an impeccable vocalist in her own right, it was only natural that this musical gene was passed on to MS right when she was born.
CONQUERED THE STAGE YOUNG
Growing up in an environment where the stage became your second home, MS naturally took the spotlight and never failed to charm her audience. Having trained under Carnatic legend, Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, she gave her very first public performance when she was just eleven years old at the Rockfort Temple in Trichy. Her major break in the performance industry happened in 1965, when she was invited to perform at the prestigious Madras Music Academy. That was just the start of her climb on the ladder of success! By the time she was 17, she had already notched up several stellar performances across the state and many more at the music academy.
CARVING OUT A CAREER FROM SCRATCH
Watching her young daughter become the talk of the town, MS Subbulakshmi’s mother was under pressure to get her married. However, the Devadasi community faced a lot of persecution from society at large, making an alliance difficult. In any case, while her mother was busy plotting ways to get her daughter married off, MS had other, brighter plans for her future. After having tasted success with her maiden performances, she only wanted to go further and further on this musical journey. She wanted to create a career in a field that not many women had ventured too deep into. So she took a leap of faith and did the unthinkable, setting out in the dead of the night and hopping onto a train to Madras. This one action of hers set in motion a whole new chapter that changed her life and ours forever!
WELCOME TO THE MOVIES!
After arriving in Madras, MS found a mentor in K. Sadasivan. Just like everyone else, he too had a strong admiration for MS’s voice and impeccable talent. Putting his strong connections to use, K. Sadasivan helped MS find her feet in the Indian film industry. MS then went on to act in numerous films in Tamil, Telugu and even Hindi! Her debut film, ‘Sevasadanam’ proved to be a turning point in Tamil film history. Her most popular role was, however, that of Mirabai in the Hindi film, ‘Meera’, which also featured a devotional song sung in her own voice and catapulted her onto the national stage.
A LIFETIME OF RECOGNITION
Illustration: Rakesh C.S.
By now, MS had become a household name across the country. While the entire nation remained in awe of her voice, MS had become a wife and a mother of two girls. Along the way, she became an unofficial cultural ambassador for India, travelling the world spreading joy through her melodies. She was the first Indian singer to perform at the United Nations Assembly in 1966. Her best-known renditions are Suprabhatam (Morning Melodies), Bhaja Govindam (Paeans to Lord Krishna) and her recitation of the Hanuman Chalisa, all evergreen classics played by millions even today! It was at this juncture that the awards and appreciations started pouring in. She won the Padma Vibhushan in 1975 and the prestigious Bharat Ratna in 1988, the only female Carnatic singer to win this honour. She is also the only Indian Carnatic singer to have also won the Ramon Magsaysay award, which is the Asian equivalent of a Nobel Prize!
The musical legend was laid to rest on December 11th, 2004, at the age of 88, leaving behind a legacy of immense power, talent and strength for Indian women everywhere. She broke innumerable barriers and obstacles set by society for women and set the stage for countless women performers to take their spot in the limelight and shine. For this and for much, much more, we bow down to her.
Amar Chitra Katha’s retelling of M.S. Subbulakshmi’s life story is now available on the ACK Comics app, Kindle and other major platforms.
Bommai Golu, also known as Bommala Koluvu, Kolu, or Gombe Habba, is a festival of colourful dolls celebrated in the South. During this festival, women in South Indian households bring out their collections of colourful dolls and set them on steps, to celebrate the nine days of Navaratri. Every house follows a different tradition based on the kind of dolls that have been collected over the years. Pride of place is given to the dolls that have been handed down for generations, from mothers to daughters. Depicted here are the popular Chebbiar Bommai dolls, an elderly couple symbolising prosperity, long married life and the wisdom of age.
An ancient mountain kingdom that sits aloft the snow-capped Himalayas, Sikkim is the perfect antidote to the wanderlust-stricken traveller, with its tall alpine forests, traditional Buddhist monasteries, and warm and welcoming people. It is also home to the third highest peak in the world; the majestic Kanchenjunga. The state, which became a part of India in 1975, has been of utmost importance to the country because of its strategic location, sharing several important international borders with countries like Tibet, Bhutan and Nepal.
Sikkim is home to a harmonious co-existence of Tibetan-Buddhism and Hinduism, two very culturally rich religions. Legends have it that the fabled Yeti is believed to have roamed the hills of this mountain kingdom. This is not surprising, given that the storied history of the region that can be traced as far back as the 13th century.
Illustration: Wikimedia | Design: ACK Design team
Chogyal Dynasty
The state’s name is derived from a Nepali expression, ‘sukhim’, which translates to happiness. The earliest known inhabitants of this land were of the Lepcha tribe who assimilated several other tribes from the neighbouring region, becoming native inhabitants of the state. Soon, a Himalayan ethnic group called the Bhutias began to migrate southwards from Tibet into Sikkim. In 1642, the Chogyal dynasty had established its rule with Phuntsog Namgyal as their king. The state was mainly ruled by spiritual tribal chiefs who propagated Buddhism. Though this kingdom maintained a largely peaceful co-existence with its neighbouring states, there were occasional bouts of violence between local tribal communities. Under the rule of the Chogyals, the kingdom saw a shift in its capital from Yuksom to Rabdentse.
Sikkim under British India
The Sikkimese have had a long drawn rivalry with the Gorkha kingdom of Nepal which only worsened upon the arrival of the British, who quickly gained the Sikkimese’s trust, allying against their common enemy. The infuriated Nepalese invaded Sikkim taking the kingdom by surprise, setting in motion the events that led to the Anglo-Nepalese War of 1814. Slowly but surely, the power of the Chogyals reduced over the region as British rule came into place. By 1890, all of Sikkim had come under British rule and it was given the title of a protectorate state. This meant that Sikkim was to act as a buffer state between China and British India, and was under the control and jurisdiction of the British government.
The East India Company went on to annex Darjeeling which was originally a part of Sikkim. This move by the British certainly did not go down well with the Sikkimese people. The Namgyal dynasty, who were the successors of the Chogyals, brought this issue up with the East India Company, and after a long drawn struggle, the British finally recognized Sikkim as a princely state under their rule. The sovereignty of the state was however still undefined, as the British continued to exercise their control over the region.
Illustration: Rajib Das
Sikkim and independent India
As India tasted freedom in 1947, many political parties began to form in Sikkim and the country decided to become an unofficial part of the newly independent nation. The state, however, had a newfound sovereign status and still continued to operate under the Namgyals. After signing the Indo-Sikkimese treaty in 1950, Sikkim agreed to become a protectorate state of India that operated under the king’s rule. However, its external affairs would be entirely handled by the Indian government.
As the last monarch of the state, Palden Thondup Namgyal, ascended the throne of Sikkim, the state was beginning to lose its royal control over its people. Newly formed political parties began to overshadow the Buddhist monarchy and clergy. As elections began to take place regularly, the royalty began to realise they were losing control over its people and eventually asked the Indian administration to take over. In 1975, Sikkim officially became the 22nd state of India, under the rule of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Sikkim became the only state in the country at the time to have a co-state special status.
Sikkim today
Today, Sikkim is a thriving tourism destination, and its capital Gangtok is constantly bustling with visitors from across the globe. The state is still a spiritual center for several Buddhists, and its traditions and cultures are prominently practised till date. Sikkim is also considered a doorway to Tibet, and has the only direct road to China through Nathu La Pass. It also happens to be an ecological hotspot in the southern Himalayan region and is constantly monitored by the forest department. The state is clean, green and has been declared as 100% organic as of 2016. With winding roads and a surreal view of the Himalayas at every turn, Sikkim is every travel enthusiast’s dream come true!
Our mind has an infinite capacity to learn, comprehend and understand, and can go beyond the confines of language, sight, hearing and experience. This quote beautifully expresses this thought.
