1. Thiruonam on the last day unites Keralites around the world in Onam celebrations
Tags: Festivals
Keralites around the world are celebrating "Thiruonam", the 10th and most important day of the grand Onam cultural festival.
An Overview of the News
Onam is the harvest festival of Kerala, symbolizing themes of prosperity, inclusiveness, and unity.
Regardless of religious affiliation, people in Kerala come together to honor the memory of Mahabali, the godly and mythical king, marking Onam as a time of unity.
The festival is marked by various rituals, which include a grand Onasadya feast, vibrant Pookkalam flower decorations, wearing a new dress called Onakodi, and engaging in cultural activities such as the Ujayalattam dance and Pulikalli procession.
Additionally, the vibrant Vallamkalli boat race and the heartwarming tradition of reuniting families contribute to the charm of the festival.
About Kerala
Capital - Thiruvananthapuram
Governor- Arif Mohammad Khan
Chief Minister - Pinarayi Vijayan
Origin of rivers in Kerala
Periyar River
Bharathapuzha River
Pamba River
Chaliyar River
Chalakudy River
2. Divya Kala Mela will be organised at Jaipur
Tags: Festivals State News
The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) is organizing a special event called 'Divya Kala Mela' from June 29, 2023, to July 5, 2023, at Jawahar Kala Kendra in Jaipur, Rajasthan.
An overview of the news
This event aims to showcase the products and craftsmanship of entrepreneurs and artisans with disabilities from across the country.
The 'Divya Kala Mela' will offer visitors an exciting and vibrant experience with a wide range of products from different parts of the country.
These products will include handicrafts, handlooms, embroidery works, packaged food, and more.
The event provides a unique platform for marketing and showcasing the skills and products of individuals with disabilities.
This initiative by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities is part of their efforts towards the economic empowerment of people with disabilities.
The 'Divya Kala Mela' in Jaipur, Rajasthan, is the sixth event in a series that started in 2022, with previous editions held in Delhi, Mumbai, Bhopal, Guwahati, and Indore.
Around 100 artisans, artists, and entrepreneurs with disabilities from approximately 20 states and Union Territories will participate in the event, presenting their products and skills.
The products will fall under various categories such as home decor and lifestyle, clothing, stationery and eco-friendly products, packaged food and organic products, toys and gifts, and personal accessories like jewelry and clutch bags.
3. Hemis Monastery Festival
Tags: Festivals
In Ladakh, two -day long annual Hemis Monastery Festival, known as Hemis Tseschu is being celebrated with great religious fervor and gaiety.
About Hemis Monastery Festival
It is a significant annual event celebrated in Ladakh, India.
The festival spans over two days and is observed with immense religious fervor and joyous celebrations.
The festival commemorates the birth anniversary of Guru Padma Sambhava, a revered figure in Tibetan Buddhism.
Grand prayers, sacred mask dances and thanks for mural paintings are performed on the occasion.
It holds great cultural and spiritual significance, attracting a large number of foreign tourists to Ladakh. Visitors from around the world come to witness the mesmerizing performances, immerse themselves in the vibrant atmosphere, and experience the rich traditions of the region.
With its centuries-old history, the festival has become one of the major highlights of Ladakh, captivating the attention and interest of both locals and tourists alike.
4. Agriculture festival 'Raja' organised in Odisha
Tags: Festivals
Raja or Mithun Sankranti is a three-day festival of womanhood celebrated in Odisha, India.
An Overview of the News
Duration and name of festival days
Raja Utsav is celebrated for three days.
Day 1: 'The First King'
Day 2: 'Majhi Raja' or 'Raja Sankranti' or 'Mithuna Sankranti'
Third Day: 'Bhoodah' or 'Bassi Raja' or 'Shesh Raja'
Festival of Agriculture and Worship of Mother Earth
This is a unique festival of Odisha where Mother Earth is revered.
Agricultural activities like ploughing and digging are suspended during the festival.
Like a menstruating woman, Mother Earth is given rest without any disturbance.
Significance of Raja Mahotsav in relation to monsoon
'Pahili Raja' falls on the last day of the month 'Jyestha', while 'Raja Sankranti' falls on the first day of the month 'Ashadha'.
'Raja Sankranti' marks the beginning of the rainy season.
Farmers believe that the fertility of the earth doubles with the first shower of monsoon.
The ritual of 'Basumati Snan'
The fourth day of the festival is called 'Basumati Snan'.
Women, after completing three days of symbolic menstruation, take a ceremonial bath for the grinding stone.
The grinding stone represents Mother Earth or Basumati.
About Odisha
Formation - 1 April 1936
Capital - Bhubaneswar
Governor - Ganeshi Lal
Chief minister - Naveen Patnaik
Rajya Sabha - 10 seats
Lok Sabha - 21 seats
5. First Janjatiya Khel Mahotsav
Tags: Festivals
Recently, the first Janjatiya Khel Mahotsav was organized at the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences, Bhubaneswar, in a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Culture, the Odisha Government, and KIIT University.
An overview of the news
The event brought together 5,000 tribal athletes and 1,000 officials from 26 states, showcasing the diversity and richness of indigenous sports in India.
By organizing such events and supporting the promotion of indigenous sports, the government aims to preserve and revive these traditional games, ensuring their continued relevance and encouraging the younger generation to participate and excel in them.
About Indigenous Sports
The promotion and development of indigenous sports primarily lie with the respective State/Union Territory Governments, as 'Sports' is a state subject.
However, the Union Government supports their efforts through initiatives such as the 'Khelo India – National Programme for Development of Sports' Scheme.
This scheme includes a specific component dedicated to the development and promotion of rural and indigenous/tribal games across the country.
It provided an opportunity for athletes from different states to come together, compete, and exchange their experiences, thereby promoting cultural exchange and unity.
Under this scheme, certain indigenous games have been identified for promotion, such as Mallakhamb, Kalaripayattu, Gatka, Thang-Ta, Yogasana, and Silambam.
6. Warkari community’s Palkhi festival
Tags: Festivals
Delegates attending the three-day G20 Digital Economy Working Group conference in Pune recently got a first-hand glimpse of the palanquins of the Warkari community.
About Palkhi Festival
The Palkhi festival is a tradition that dates back 1000 years and was initiated by saints from Maharashtra, India.
The Palkhi festival takes place in the month of Jyeshth (June) and lasts for a total of 22 days. It involves a journey from the departure points to Pandharpur.
It is still practiced today by their followers known as varkaris.
These varkaris are individuals who follow a vari, which is a fundamental ritual associated with the festival.
Purpose and location of the festival
The Palkhi festival is an annual pilgrimage (yatra) to Pandharpur, a town in Maharashtra that serves as the abode of the Hindu god Vithoba.
The festival is held to honor this deity and express devotion towards him.
During the festival, varkaris walk in groups, carrying palkhis or chariots.
These palkhis contain the paduka or sacred sandals of various saints, with Dnyaneshwar and Tukaram being the most prominent ones.
The Palkhi procession begins from two different locations in the Pune district of Maharashtra. Dnyaneshwar's palakhi starts from Alandi, while Tukaram's palakhi commences from Dehu.
Warkari community
This community or sect is associated with the Bhakti spiritual tradition of Hinduism and has a long history in the Indian state of Maharashtra.
It has been a prominent part of the religious fabric since the thirteenth century CE.
Saints of this community have contributed significantly to the spiritual and cultural heritage of Maharashtra.
Some of the famous saints associated with this community include Dnyaneshwar, Namdev, Chokhamela, Eknath and Tukaram.
7. Sri Lanka's National Poson Week begins
Tags: Festivals International News
In Sri Lanka, the National Poson Week began on 31 May.
An overview of the news
The Posan festival will be held till June 6 and will be centered around the holy city of Mihinthalaya, Thanthirimalaya and Anuradhapura.
The festival celebrates the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka in 236 BCE by Arhat Mahinda, the son of Emperor Ashoka.
A large number of devotees are expected to visit Anuradhapura for the festival this year and steps have been taken to provide all facilities to the devotees.
Due to economic crisis and lockdown in the last few years the festival could not be celebrated on a large scale.
Apart from this, the traffic police have implemented a special traffic plan to make travel easier in Anuradhapura.
About Poson Festival
Posan, also known as Poson Poya, is an annual festival held by Sri Lankan Buddhists celebrating the arrival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka in the 3rd century BCE.
The festival is the most important Poya (full moon) holiday of the year and the second most important Buddhist holiday of the year.
Posan is celebrated throughout the island, with Anuradhapura and Mihintale holding the most important celebrations of the festival.
The festival is held in early June, coinciding with the June full moon.
8. First Urban Climate Film Festival
Tags: Festivals State News
The first ever Urban Climate Film Festival is going to be held in New Town, Kolkata from June 3 to 5 to sensitize the audience about the environmental, social and economic impacts of climate change on urban settlements.
An overview of the news
The festival will highlight the environmental, social and economic impacts of climate change on urban settlements.
The audience will be able to see these scenarios through the film.
During this, 16 films from 12 countries will be screened.
There will also be a Q&A session with filmmakers to discuss the impact of climate-change on urban buildings.
People's views will also be invited on this subject.
It aims to encourage citizens to 'behave environmentally responsible' in line with the call of the Hon'ble Prime Minister through the U-20 Priority Sectors and Lifestyle for Environment (LIFE) Mission.
The festival will conclude with a special closing ceremony on June 5, the occasion of World Environment Day.
Organizer of the festival
Launched in New Delhi in March 2023, the film festival is being organized by the National Institute of Urban Affairs.
This is being done through the City Investments to Innovate, Integrate and Sustain (CITIIS) program under the U20 (Urban Track of the G-20) program.
The festival is supported by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, the French Development Agency (AFD), the European Union and the New Town Kolkata Green Smart City Corporation Limited.
Names of participants in the festival
Dr. Surbhi Dahiya (Professor, Indian Institute of Mass Communication)
Dr. Pranab Patar (Chief Executive, Global Foundation for Advancement of Environment)
Sabyasanchi Bharti (Deputy Director, CMS Environment)
Background
The Urban Climate Film Festival was launched on March 24 at the Alliance Francaise in New Delhi.
After the successful event in Delhi, the festival was also organized at Alliance Francis de Bombay in Mumbai.
Films sent by filmmakers from countries such as India, France, Iran and the US were screened at the festival.
9. MInister of State Dr L Murugan to lead delegation to Cannes Film Festival
Tags: Festivals International News
Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Dr L Murugan will lead the Indian delegation to the Cannes International Film Festival from May 16 to 27.
An overview of the news
They will also be joined by filmmaker Guneet Monga of The Elephant Whispers fame, Indian actresses Manushi Chhillar, Esha Gupta and acclaimed Manipuri actor Kangabam Tomba.
The India Pavilion is being conceptualised and designed by National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad with the theme - ‘Showcasing India’s Creative Economy’ to the global community.
The pavilion design has been inspired by the Saraswati Yantra, the abstract representation of goddess Saraswati.
Four Indian films,including Kanu Behl’s Agra and Anurag Kashyap’s Kennedy, have made it to the official selection in the Cannes Film Festival.
Apart from these, many Indian films will be screened in Marche du Films.
A Manipuri film ‘Ishanhou’ will be showcased in the ‘Classics’ section.
About Cannes Film Festival
The Cannes Film Festival is one of the most prestigious international film festivals held annually in Cannes, France.
History and significance
The festival was first established in 1946 and has since become a prominent event in the global film industry.
It serves as a platform for showcasing and promoting a wide range of films from different countries and cultures.
Film screenings and competitions
The festival includes various competitive sections, such as the Palme d'Or for the best film, which is one of the most coveted awards in the industry.
Impact on filmmakers and films
The Cannes Film Festival serves as a launching pad for many acclaimed films and emerging talents.
Winning an award or receiving critical acclaim at Cannes can significantly boost a filmmaker's career and bring global recognition to their work.
10. Thiruvananthapuram to host fifth Global Ayurveda Festival in December
Tags: Festivals State News
The fifth edition of the Global Ayurveda Festival (GAF 2023) will take place in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala from December 1 to December 5, 2023.
An overview of the news
The event is being organized by the Center for Innovation in Science and Social Action (CISSA) in collaboration with theMinistry of AYUSH, Government of Kerala and several Ayurveda associations.
Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs,V Muraleedharan is thechairman of the organizing committee of the event.
The event will focus on showcasing the potential of Ayurveda in addressing the health challenges of the present day world and setting up a platform for global networking of Ayurveda practitioners and stakeholders.
The theme of GAF 2023 is "Emerging Challenges in Healthcare and a Resurgent Ayurveda".
Top scientists including Nobel laureates and 7,500 delegates from 75 countries are expected to participate in the event.
The event will also explore how to effectively present Ayurveda in the tourism sector, which can contribute immensely to the development of Kerala.
About Global Ayurveda Festival
The Global Ayurveda Festival (GAF) is a biennial event that aims to showcase the potential of Ayurveda as a holistic system of medicine.
The festival provides a platform for global networking of Ayurveda practitioners and stakeholders.
The festival includes presentations of research papers, poster sessions, and exhibitions of Ayurvedic medicines, herbal products, and wellness services.
