India’s Largest Theatre Festival Introduction Bharat Rang Mahotsav (BRM) is India’s most prominent and expansive theatre festival, organised annually by the National School of Drama (NSD). Since its inception in 1999, the festival has served as a dynamic platform for celebrating the richness and diversity of theatre in India and across the world. Genesis and […]
Background and Establishment The National School of Drama (NSD), one of the foremost theatre training institutions in the world and the only one of its kind in India, was established in 1959 as a constituent unit of the Sangeet Natak Akademi. Recognising the need for an independent institution dedicated exclusively to theatre education and practice, […]
National Flower of the Philippines The Sampaguita, the national flower of the Philippines, is a symbol of purity, humility, and strength. Known for its small white blossoms and sweet fragrance, the Sampaguita holds a special place in Filipino culture and daily life. Traditionally woven into garlands, it is widely used in religious offerings, cultural ceremonies, […]
National Flower of India The Lotus, the national flower of India, is a timeless symbol of purity, resilience, and spiritual enlightenment. Rising unsullied from muddy waters, the lotus represents the triumph of virtue over adversity and has been revered in Indian philosophy, religion, and art for thousands of years. It is closely associated with divinity […]
India–Philippines Joint Stamp: Celebrating 75 Years of Diplomatic Relations The friendship between India and the Philippines is rooted in deep historical, cultural, and civilizational connections. Sharing common values and interests, the two nations have nurtured a warm relationship that officially began with the establishment of diplomatic ties in November 1949. Over the decades, this partnership […]
Purshottamdas H. Purohit – A Life of Service, Sacrifice, and Vision The story of India’s freedom and nation-building is not only about the well-known leaders but also about the countless unsung heroes who worked quietly, with dedication and courage, for the larger good of society. Among them was Purshottamdas H. Purohit—a karmayogi, freedom fighter, visionary […]
The Vadhu Dhoni is a traditional Maldivian fishing boat that stands as a powerful symbol of the Maldives’ intimate relationship with the ocean. For centuries, island life in the Maldives has revolved around the sea, and the Vadhu Dhoni reflects this deep-rooted maritime culture, shaped by generations of fishermen, craftsmen, and seafarers. Traditionally handcrafted from […]
India’s Maritime Mastercraft from Beypore The Uru is a magnificent traditional wooden boat of India, deeply rooted in the country’s maritime history and craftsmanship. Built for centuries in the historic shipbuilding yards of Beypore, Kerala, the Uru—often referred to as the “fat boat”—is a large wooden dhow that once played a vital role in the […]
India–Maldives: A Shared Maritime Heritage The roots of India–Maldives relations stretch back centuries, shaped by history, culture, faith, and the sea. From the Giravaaru settlers from South India to the footprints of the Chola Empire’s naval campaigns in the 10th century, the Maldives and India have long shared a common heritage. Across time, this bond […]
Rani Chennabhairadevi – The Pepper Queen of Gerusoppa In the history of the Indian subcontinent, Queen Chennabhairadevi stands out as a ruler of extraordinary courage, wisdom, and resilience. Revered as Raina-Da Pimenta (the Queen of Pepper), she was one of the longest-reigning women monarchs, ruling for over five decades—between 1552 and 1606—at a time when […]