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Learn Indian Languages

July 24th, 2010
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For a country as big as India and with a population that is just as large (it is the second most populous country in the world), it is no surprise that the spoken languages are just as varied and as large. For one who wants to learn any Indian language, the undertaking is going to be daunting because of the added task of learning the particular script form of that language.

National and state languages

Trying to learn all of them will certainly take more than a lifetime or two. Consider this: to date, the country has 15 national languages recognized by the constitution. Within this mix, there are over 1,600 dialects on record, so far.

Added to the above statistics are 18 languages recognized by the Indian constitution as state languages. These state languages are used in schools and in official transactions within their respective states. These are Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada (Kanarese), Kashmiri, Konkani, Malayalam, Meithei (Manipuri), Marathi, Nepali, Oriya, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu.

Citizens of former Indian states (and now independent countries) Pakistan and Bangladesh speak Urdu and Bengali, respectively.

Official and working languages

Today, Hindi is recognized as India’s official language. It is spoken by about 20% of the population, especially in Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. However, considering the number of languages spoken all over the country, English is the official working language.

No one common language is spoken on the Indian subcontinent, except Hindi and English which are the co-official national languages of India. Both languages are used as lingua franca all over the various linguistic regions.

For many of the educated Indians, English is virtually their first language. Most Indians, however, are multi-lingual and it is only their second language.

You can see that there’s practical value in learning more about Learn Indian. Can you think of ways to apply what’s been covered so far?

Hindi and Urdu

Hindi and Urdu are actually slightly different dialects of the same language. Their main difference lies in their vocabulary roots, scripts and religious backgrounds.

Hindi vocabulary mainly comes from Sanskrit. It is written in Devanagari (a script form) and spoken mainly by Hindus. Hindi itself has two major varieties: western and eastern Hindi. Both are spoken by more than 400 million people.

Urdu has words with Persian and Arabic origins, and written in Persian-Arabic script. Urdu is spoken by Muslims in India and in Pakistan.

All the Indian languages belong themselves to two major linguistic families: the Indo-European and Dravidian groups. The others come from Austro-Asiatic and Tibeto-Burman groups and other small isolated languages. The Indo-Aryan group (part of the Indo-European family) is spoken by about 74% of the population. The Dravidian is spoken by around 24%.

Bengali

Another major language is the Bengali. It is spoken by almost the entire population of Bangladesh, and in West Bengal. Bengali is the language of the Indian poet, the Nobel Prize winner Rabindranath Tagore. Like Hindi, it is also descended from Sanskrit and has the most extensive literature of any modern Indian language.

It has around 200 million speakers and developed as a language in the 13th century.

Punjabi

Punjabi is spoken in the Punjab region which covers parts of northeastern India and western Pakistan. It is often referred to as the language of the gurus, the founders of the Sikh religion. The secret teachings of Sikhism are in Punjabi. Punjabi is close to the Hindi language.

All in all, these are the major languages in use in India. Each one has a number of speakers that run into millions, some of them, more than the population of an average-sized country. Learning an Indian language is one intimidating work but a real satisfying one, considering that each one has a culture that is as rich as any country’s.

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By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his new GVO affiliate site: GVO

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Learn The Seeds Of Indian Language

July 21st, 2010
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Language is an important aspect of communication. It is used in order to give clear cut meanings to the thoughts and emotions of an individual, group, community, and more importantly a nation or country, the language spoken by a certain country is essential in giving it a unique and distinct identity among its peers. It is also the one thing that binds the people of the nation toward solidarity and unity in order to maintain peace, order, respect, and love. With this in mind let us venture into the Indian circles and learn how the seeds of its language came about.

The language formulated by India all these years is one true testament of the country’s diversity. The spoken communication of the Indians comes from various forms and families in linguistics. The two dominant linguistic families include, first the Indo-European languages or the Indo-Aryan which is utilized by around seventy percent of Indians across the world and, second the Dravidian languages which are used by about twenty two percent of the people from India. Other forms of Indian language are the Tibeto-Burman and Austro-Asiatic.

Now let’s talk about a little bit of history. The languages commonly employed in the northern regions of India which is associated with the Indo-European family are actually variants and are evolved forms of the ancient Indo-Aryan such as Sanskrit. This process can also be connected with two language families such as the Apabhramsa and Middle Indo-Aryan Prakrit which were prevalent during the middle ages.

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There is a common understanding that around A.D. 1000 the modern languages that were commonly present in north India came into the picture. These were the Hindi, Saraiki, Sindhi, Oriya, Punjabi, Gujarati, and Marathi. A Persian background has been identified as an influence on the formulation of the Hindi or Urdu language.

The Indian census has a different method of distinguishing the terms dialect and language. Basically it employs the use of mother tongue in place of dialect. In its method, mother tongues are readily grouped into each language where they officially belong. Actually in terms of linguistic norms mother tongues can be tagged as languages. One proof is that there are almost millions of mother tongues which are considered to be under the main language which is Hindi.
A census done in 2001 which is said to the most recent in the country shows that there are twenty nine languages having one million native users, sixty of the country’s languages have about a hundred thousand, and one hundred twenty two having native speakers reaching to ten thousands. At present the national government has recognized twenty two languages as having the official accreditation of languages of the 8th schedule. Political processes are used in order to determine if a language can be given such status.

According to Article 343, the officially recognized language of the Indian Republic is Hindi and that English can be utilized to serve purposes of official nature. Nevertheless the country’s government has made it clear to push through with efforts of boosting Hindi’s scope and network for official relevance on a steady and gradual pace. States across the country are given the chance to legally put up their own official languages which is solely based on the demographics of their linguistics. Examples of these states are Jammu and Kashmir which uses Kashmiri and Karnataka which has Kannada for its official language.

The Indian language along with its culture is very diverse but if you put your mind and heart into it you can surely learn in a very easing and enjoying manner.

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Learn Indian Dining Etiquette and Manners

July 18th, 2010
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Have you ever wondered if what you know about Learn Indian is accurate? Consider the following paragraphs and compare what you know to the latest info on Learn Indian.

Did you know that you can get literally frowned upon if you take the first bite ahead of older people in Indian dining? And that’s not the only unwritten rule when it comes to Indian dining. That’s why it’s important to learn Indian table etiquette and manners.

First rule: dress properly. Unlike in many western countries, you should NOT feel free to dress scantily when dining in India with the locals. Though almost any kind and style of clothing is allowed nowadays, it is still best to wear modest and non-revealing clothes so as not to offend anyone on the table.

Wash your hands thoroughly before eating. This is one thing that hand soap ads have been telling us since time immemorial. And you better obey it in India (along with trimming your fingernails as it is considered unhygienic). That’s because you would most probably hold your food during the meal. Breads and other finger foods are common fare in Indian cuisine. But those aren’t just the ones that you might need to eat with your hands?there’s also rice. Where people from spoon-and-fork societies find it very difficult to eat rice this way, Indians do so comfortably and efficiently.

Actually, North Indians have been using eating utensils since the 16th century because of the Roman influence. But majority of Indians would eat with their hands not only because they eat finger foods, but also because they believe that food is divine and eating is a sensual experience one should enjoy. One should not only see, smell, and taste what they eat, but also should hold and feel it. But of course, this rule gives an exception to soups and liquid dishes. Utensils should also be used to cook and distribute food.

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Another important point to remember is that you should never handle food with your left hand. The left hand is considered dirty and should not touch anything that you’d be taking. This is why drinking vessels are placed to the left of the plate.

Now, if you come from a country where people share their food with anyone on the table by transferring food from their plate to another person’s, you better remember that it isn’t done in India. Indians believe in the concept of ?jutha? (also known in different parts of India as ?ushtha,? ?engili,? ?aitha? and ?echal?). Jutha is what you have already touched, placed in your mouth, or placed in your plate. It is considered unclean and is therefore rude and unhygienic to be offered to another person. It any case, it may be eaten by an immediate family member or fed to animals.

Sitting around the table also has its rules. Don’t sit just anywhere you like, especially if you’re a guest. Wait to be told where your seat is, and then wait for the elders and those of higher status (socially and politically) to be seated before you do.

As with other countries’ etiquette and customs, Indian dining manners are traditional practices that may or may not have logical bases. So as time passes by, it’s inevitable that more and more people would find some of these practices quite too old to be followed if not unnecessary.

This, however, doesn’t mean it would do you no good to learn Indian customs and traditions as such. Why? Simply because it’s always better to know especially about customary practices that are part of the natives’ daily life. This way, you also get to avoid both offending Indians and getting offended yourself.

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Learn From The Indian Leader

July 15th, 2010
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The more you understand about any subject, the more interesting it becomes. As you read this article you’ll find that the subject of Learn Indian is certainly no exception.

You can give all the terms you can. It can be captain of the ship, the honorable president, or the field general. All of these stand for just one thing. We all look up for that one person that makes the group run like a well-oiled machine. The leader is with no doubt the glue that sticks each member of the pack in order to achieve a common goal. In lieu with this let’s take a moment to flip into ancient pages of time and learn from the Indian leader as the world knows him, Mahatma Gandhi.

Technically he is referred to as Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi but to the people of the India he the one true example of great leadership. His place in history is carved by his being the pre-eminent spiritual and political leader of the Indian nation. He was the person responsible for the birth of the Satyagraha or the fight against oppression and tyranny via the use of civil disobedience.

This principle was adhered upon the belief of ahimsa which means that conflicts can be revolved without the presence of violence. Gandhi’s works resulted into Indian independence which also transpired into various actions across the globe for the propagation of freedom and civil rights.

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Gandhi was referred into so many ways. The most famous of which is Mahatma Gandhi meaning having a great soul. He was called as such by the great poet Rabindranath Tagore. He was also known as Bapu or Father as he was recognized in every corner of India as the one true Father of the Nation. October 2, the day on which this icon of democracy is born, is noted in India as Gandhi Jayanti and is a national holiday. This day is also commemorated globally as the International Day of Non Violence.

Gandhi’s work involving civil disobedience started during his plight as an expatriate in South Africa wherein the Indian Community was plagued by issues revolving around civil rights. He returned to his homeland in 1915 to lead farmers, labourers, and peasants in an organized protest regarding the high stacks of burden given by increased discrimination and land taxation. At the onset of 1921, he assumed control of the Indian National Congress wherein his leadership focused on the improvement of India’s status particularly in areas of poverty, religious and ethnic amity, untouchability, economic self-reliance, and women’s rights.

The greatest contribution of Gandhi came in great global fashion as he sought to achieve Swaraj and rid his motherland of foreign rule and control. He was joined by his faithful wards during the Dandi Salt March in 1930 in order to express objections and protests regarding Britain’s imposition of salt tax. The march rallied on for a staggering 400 kilometers. He then launched the Quit India Movement to give more emphasis on his eagerness to give India its freedom. Due to his actions and rallies, Gandhi was imprisoned in India and even in parts of South Africa.

Even in times of despair and hardship Gandhi encouraged others to follow in his practice of ahimsa wherein a person is bound to abide of what is pure and true. He was known for a life of simplicity and humility. His love for India was even expressed by his garments which are composed of the traditional shawl and dhoti which he himself made on a charkha. He was a vegetarian who utilized fasting in long periods for purposes of self-cleansing and to express protest regarding social injustices.

Mahatma Gandhi was a great Indian leader from which you can surely learn so much about how life’s adversities can be warded off in simple terms.

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By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit this new site for my swedish customers: Billigt Webbhotell – from SEK 10:- per month!

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Learn Indian Sexual Techniques

July 12th, 2010
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To learn Indian sexual practices from the Ananga-Ranga is one of the most pleasurable ways to pass the time. The Ananga-Ranga, an erotic instruction text written a thousand years after the Kama Sutra, provides a number of ways through which a married couple can renew and even keep the excitement and thrill in their marriage.

As with all things that are done repeatedly, satiety becomes a problem. Familiarity breeds contempt, repetition breeds boredom. This is the same with love-making. When done in the same way, the same pace, the excitement and passion burns out, pleasure escapes and the sexual need becomes little more than memory.

This is basically what the Ananga-Ranga problematizes and addresses. To keep a married couple together, both must work at introducing spice into their lives, most especially into their sex life. When the novelty wears off and the flames of passion die back to a steady glow, great love manuals of the East like the Ananga-Ranga encourage men and women to perfect a variety of sexual techniques. Learning different sexual techniques is one way to keep the boredom from reaching the bedroom. Bring back that element of surprise, that sense of breathless wonder. Every time is the first time. The passion must leave both man and woman smoldering.

Kalyana Malla, author of the book, sees monotony as the primary reason for a husband or a wife to give in to temptation or for the other to be driven by jealousy. He believes it is rarely that both individuals inside a marriage love each other equally. There must always be the other one that loves more than his or her partner does. Thus, the other is always open, willing to be seduced by passion?for someone else.

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The Ananga-Ranga offers a very apt advice to our time. Knowing full well how fights and squabbles often happen, what causes them, and how some of them may be attended to, can be the first steps in curing the boredom, especially if these often spring from problems in the marital bed. By educating themselves, married couples can and will know how to give as well as receive sexual pleasure. With this, man and woman ensure that their relationship, their marriage is solid, that monotony is far from happening.

One technique is for the man to lift the girl by passing his elbows under her knees. He can enjoy her as she hangs trembling with her arms forming a garland around his neck. This coupling is called Janukurpura, the Knee Elbow.

Another technique is when the woman buries her face in the pillow and goes on all fours like an animal. The man can have sex with her from behind as though he were a wild beast. This position is Harina, the Deer.

When straightening her legs, the woman grips the man’s penis like a stallion, it is Vadavaka, the Mare. This coupling is not easily done and must be learned through practice. If lying with her face turned away, the woman offers the man her buttocks and he presses his penis into the vagina or what Malla calls the house of love. This variation is called Nagabandha, the coupling of the Cobra.

To learn Indian sexual techniques, even a few, from the Ananga-Ranga, may provide just the perfect bit of surprise, challenge and thrill missing when the couple find themselves in between the sheets.

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By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit this new site for my swedish customers: Billigt Webbhotell – from SEK 10:- per month!

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Learn Indian Cuisine

June 25th, 2010
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When I hear curry, I always think of Indian curry. And to tell you honestly, there had been a time when I thought that it’s the national food of the seventh largest country on the planet. But thanks to my job as a researcher, I’ve begun to learn Indian culture more. With over 20 states, each of which has its own sort of staple food, India sure has contributed a lot in the culinary world. And I found it fascinating that Indian food not only have curious names, which aren’t exactly easy to spell, but they also have a distinctly (for lack of a better term) ?Asian? taste.

I learned that Indian dishes and ways of cooking vary from place to place. But it can be said that generally Indian dishes are spicy. Almost every recipe, be it for a main course dish or a drink, requires at least a pinch of spices and herbs. The best example would be, of course, the Indian curry, which is often eaten with some kind of flat bread. But, hey, curry and flatbread are not all there is to Indian cuisine. So, for those like me who are familiar with Indian cuisine as much as they are with Greek, I’ve listed down some of the most common Indian food?their names as well as their descriptions.

Hyderabad biryani ? This is a dish made from basmati rice and goat meat. Though beef and pork can be used, goat meat is more popular because most Indians are Muslims and Hindus, and thus do not eat meat from cattle (considered sacred by Hindus) and pig (considered dirty by Muslims). Basmati rice is a long grain variety that is known for its distinct fragrance and taste. It’s also not that sticky compared to other rice grain varieties when cooked.

Roti and chapatti ? These are types of flat bread made from finely milled flour. They don’t have any yeast or baking powder, but they are made with a little oil or ghee (purified or clarified butter) to make them pliable just like the Mexican soft tortilla. They are usually eaten with curries and vegetables. But unlike with a tortilla, you don’t wrap it around the filling. You simply have to fold the roti or chapati such that it creates a ?scoop? at one end with which you can spoon the curry.

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Rogan josh ? Taken from a Persian phrase meaning ?cooked in oil?, this dish is just one of the many varieties of Indian curry. It includes lamb meat, oil or ghee, and different spices, such as paprika, cardamom, cumin, cinnamon, and cloves, which give the dish a red color and an exquisite spicy aroma.

Samosa ? A very popular snack in India , samosa is also eaten in many other parts of Asia and even in western countries. Samosa is what would otherwise be called fried dumpling in other parts of the world. Samosas in India , however, are usually triangular in shape. Its stuffing includes mashed potatoes, chili, onion, coriander, cumin seeds, and sometimes meat and paneer (Indian version of white cheese).

Masala dosa ? To westerners, this is crepe. Just like crepes, the masala dosa is cooked on a griddle or flat pan. The only difference is that its batter is made from rice and urad dal (a type of lentil) pastes. It may be wrapped around a filling, forming a triangle like a quesadilla, or it may be eaten with any kind of chutney (Indian sauce or salsa made from spices, herbs, fruits, and vinegar).

These are just some of the most popular Indian dishes. While they say that Indian cuisine appreciation depends on one’s taste, but I guarantee, if you learn Indian style food preparation, you’ll definitely appreciate them even more.

Now might be a good time to write down the main points covered above. The act of putting it down on paper will help you remember what’s important about Learn Indian.

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Learn Indian Diversity

June 24th, 2010
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Each nation has its own identity and mark within the confines of its regions and territories as well as that outside the gates of its lands and water areas. But this does not hinder countries from interacting and negotiating with neighboring people and cultures. In fact this mechanism of communication and agreement has been long used in order to ensure the survival and propagation of earlier civilizations and societies. One group of people that has seen its traces across the globes are the Indians. Get a bit of learning at how Indian diversity took the world by storm.

Let’s take off those old books from the Indian shelf and venture into the past to find out how Indian natives made their way into the different parts of the world. The Romani people were mainly responsible for the emigration acts of people from India. At the turn of the eleventh century, invaders from across the central part of Asia run havoc on the nation which at that time was considered as a subcontinent. This is the historical move that led to the gradual spread of Indian Natives worldwide.

The captured Indians were sent off to Afghanistan. From here on groups started to make their way to Middle Eastern part of the world particularly to Iran where they were recognized as nomadic court magicians. Then it was Europe’s turn to house these people who at that time were tagged as Gypsies because of the misconception that they were part of the Egyptian legend. In Europe these people started to embrace religions such Islam and Christianity which they incorporated with their Hindu faith and practice.

South East Asia was another particular area wherein the native form the Indian subcontinent took their chance. It was actually triggered by expeditions and ventures due to military purposes that were facilitated by Hindu and Buddhist kings from the Southern part of India.

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The part of the expeditions then began to settle within the comforts of the local areas and communities. The Chola Dynasty which hailed from South India utilized competent naval technology in order to overpower the Sumatra and Malayan Peninsula. That is why at present Bali, Indonesia is still largely influenced by the Indian culture that is has embraced for a number of centuries.

Merchants started to pour over the regions of Central Asia particularly in Persia during the middle stages of the sixteenth century and whose traces of kin have been kept for a long period that has spanned for four centuries. A colony thrived in 1610 within the cold environment of Tsardom, Russia at Astrakhan on the mouth of the Volga. Documentations state that Hindu traders roamed the streets of Moscow and St. Petersburg at the onset of the eighteenth century.
The nineteenth century saw the end of the British occupancy of the subcontinent and the transport of poor workers started towards much of the British colonies all brought about by the indenture system. Workers were brought to different places such as Mauritius, Guyana, the Caribbean, to Fiji, and parts of East Africa. The flow of emigrants continued until the twentieth century.

The Middle East then gave skilled workers from India a chance to make better ways of living during the rise of the oil industry in the 1970s. A lot of natives were brought it on contractual status due to the fact that the members of the Gulf Region did not favor policies regarding naturalization of foreign individuals.

Learning Indian is far from just knowing how to communicate with the nation’s constituents. More so, it entails having an understanding on how these people have propagated throughout history.

So now you know a little bit about Learn Indian. Even if you don’t know everything, you’ve done something worthwhile: you’ve expanded your knowledge.

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Why Learn Indian Massage

June 21st, 2010
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Massage is an important part of the Indian culture. It figures in almost every stage of life of an individual in India, especially because it has its roots in Ayurveda, India ‘s ancient science of medicine. As one of the Ayurvedic methods, massage has been used for about four thousand years to improve the health and treat different kinds of illnesses. No wonder thousands of people around the world were encouraged to learn Indian massage.

Indian massage falls under the Panchakarma aspect of Ayurveda. Panchakarma consists of five therapeutic treatments, all of which are aimed at purifying and relieving the body of toxic elements. Massage does this by working on two levels?the mental and the physical aspects of an individual.

The rubbing and pressure exerted on one’s body result in heightened blood circulation and bodily warmth. These then improve the lymphatic system and clear the blood vessels of accumulating clogs, giving the body systems a more efficient functioning. It also increases the flow of certain hormones in the body that promotes growth. And as the body is massaged, the individual gets an overall feeling of tensions getting eased, of relaxation of the physique that extends to the mental aspect or psyche of the individual.

Though massage does not have a hundred percent guarantee on its healing powers, it complements other medical methods in treating illnesses and thus hastens healing. It also helps ease pain. But for you to be able to do massage properly, you should have knowledge on the different pressure or marma points in the human body. Massage may often start on the head or on the feet. That’s because different portions of the head and foot are sort of connected with the other parts of the body.

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Pain at the back of the head and of the areas near the temples, for example, may indicate urinary infection and kidney problems. Soreness of the eyeball may indicate over acidity, while pain of the eye sockets may be a symptom of gastritis. With the parts of body being connected to each other, massage therapy can thus be used to treat or ease the pain due to arthritis, tension, back pain, high and low blood pressure, insomnia, rheumatism, and cramps.

Aside from healing and pain relief, massage is also used as an important ritual in Indian culture. Women that have just given birth are given massage daily for 40 days after giving birth. Couples that will be married are required to undergo massage therapy before the wedding ceremony. Couples are massaged with oils so they would be relaxed and look good as well as have the strength and stamina they need.

Oils are always used in Indian massage. Aside from the fact that they lessen friction and make massaging easier, they also contribute a calming effect and soothe dryness of the skin. Massage oils often used are made from sesame, mustard, jasmine, jojoba, wheat germ, and almond.

Knowing all these benefits of Indian massage, you need not ask why for thousands of years, Ayurvedic massage has been practiced by Indians and passed on from generation to generation. Now why don’t you start experiencing it for yourself and eventually learn Indian massage, so you can share it with your family and friends? That way, you won’t just be able to improve the health of the ones you love. You also get to bond and strengthen your relationships.

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Learn Indian Customs and Traditions

June 16th, 2010
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Have you ever wondered if what you know about Learn Indian is accurate? Consider the following paragraphs and compare what you know to the latest info on Learn Indian.

In caricatures and illustrations, we often identify Indians not only through their clothing and high-bridged noses, but also through the distinct dots on their foreheads. But do you know what such dots stand for? If you don’t, then it’s probably time you learn Indian customs and traditions, even just a bit. So why don’t we skim the surface of such traditions that have stood as symbols of India to the rest of the world. Here are some of the most common Indian practices.

HENNA TATTOOING

You’ve probably seen Indians, both men and women, sporting tattoos on their bodies, especially on their hand and feet. Most often, however, these tattoos are not permanent as they’re only made from henna. Henna is a kind of tree whose leaves are ground to produce a dark reddish brown sap, which is then used to tattoo the skin. This traditional way of using henna, however, is slowly getting out of mode as people can now easily buy ready to use henna powder in the local Indian markets.

Henna tattoos are applied for aesthetic purposes. Well, who wouldn’t find them beautiful with their exquisite and intricate designs? Indian tattoos are often elaborate and painstakingly done with skill and patience, which is why tattooing is considered an art. Aside from decorative purposes, however, tattoos are applied because they’re considered lucky. Thus, it’s done when celebrating happy occasions. It’s also compulsory for brides to have tattoos on their hands and feet.

NAMASTE

Namaste, meaning ?I bow to you,? is the most common Indian greeting that’s both formal and informal. They use it to greet anybody, be it a child or an elder. Emphasis on respect, however, varies through the manner of the Namaste gesture. As one says Namaste, one puts hands in the praying position in front of his chest, accompanied by a slight bowing of the head. However, if one is greeting a person of higher status, one places his hands in front of his forehead and bows. And if one is to say Namaste as a gesture of reverence to a holy person or to God, one places his hands above his head.

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KAJAL or KOHL

This is the eye makeup traditionally used by Indians to line their lower lashes or eyelids. It has been used ever since the ancient times and is believed to protect the eyes from the sun’s glare and different eye ailments. Even children are applied with kajal in their eyes, nape, and forehead to protect their vision and shield them from bad luck.

Kajal can be made at home by simply collecting the soot of a castor oil lamp and mixing the soot with ghee or clarified butter.

BINDI / TILAK / SINDOOR

Bindi, which means ?holy dot? in Hindi, is the most famous circular dot found on the foreheads of both Indian men and women. It is placed on the area between the eyebrows and may be colored yellow, red, black or dark orange. It is applied to the woman’s forehead at the end of the wedding ceremony to indicate that she is already married. However, the color and presence of bindi may vary depending on the occasion and the sect the individual belongs to. So it’s just normal to see children wearing them or even Hindu priests.

These are just few of the things that commonly represent the culturally rich country that is India. But if people would just exert effort and learn Indian culture and traditions, they would be able to appreciate such practices and symbols more than as elaborate rituals and pretty decorations.

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Learn Indian Basics Through Hindi

June 6th, 2010
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A country’s official language is very important for its growth and development. First and foremost this is the medium a large percentage of its constituents as they engage in all sorts of activities throughout the nation. It is also the very thing that distinctly takes the said country apart from its neighbors across the globe. As such it is considered an important treasure that gives every member of that nation pride and glory. Let’s take a look and learn at how the Indian language of Hindi came on top of the list.

The Hindi belt which is comprised primarily by parts of northern and central India is dominated by the usage of the country’s official language. The term Hindi is identified with the Indo-Aryan language and also with some of the dialect continuum of the language. According to the 2001 census in India around 41 percent of the native speakers within the country utilize Hindi dialects.

The Constitution of India states that Hindi is part of the two official spoken communications, English being the other form. It is main cog of the mode of communication used by the Indian federal and central government and is also one of the 22 scheduled languages as mandated in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution. According to the pages of Indian history, Hindi traces its roots from Prakrit. It is also stated in the books that at the end of the tenth century Hindi came into the picture via dialects such as Awadhi, Braj, and Khari Boli.

Hindi is the leading contender among India’s national languages as it is used to communicate in areas of states like Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh. It is also employed as an alternative language along with northern and central India languages such as Bengali, Gujarati, Marathi, and Punjabi. It is also widely accepted past the borders of India into countries like Nepal, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.

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Moving on, Hindi is written using the method of the Devanagari script which was present during the ancient times when Sanskrit was around. Sounds that are readily found in the Sanskrit are represented by the addition of dots on letters of the Devanagari that depicts the same kind of sound. The rules of grammar construction in the Hindi form are quite unorthodox. Let’s identify with them and see why.

By now you have been accustomed to the English format of subject-verb-object. In Hindi grammar the format that is followed is subject-object-verb which simply means that the verbs are commonly found at the last part of the sentence instead of being placed before the object. Hindi also employs the method of split ergativity wherein the verbs coincide with the object in the sentence instead of having more connection with the subject.

The article the is not utilized in Hindi instead the numeral one is the one that implies an indefinite singular article which is commonly the job of a/an. Postpositions are the ones present in the Hindi grammar which are like prepositions but are placed after the nouns.

There are also notable differences on the use of different tenses, variations in cases, gender, and interrogatives. Conventional punctuations are utilized like question marks, commas, and exclamation points but a vertical line is traditionally used in place of periods to signify the end of a sentence.

The Indian language of Hindi may be hard to learn but if you put your best put forward it will surely be just like your first encounter with ABCs and 123s.

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