Author Archives: rethy

What’s Cooking?

Banh Trang or rice paper wrappers are edible Vietnamese rice wrappers made from steamed rice batter. In the south and north they are known differently. Here, in the south these thin, translucent round rice papers are used to make fried spring rolls cha gio and fresh cold spring rolls goi cuon. The filling can varyContinue reading “What’s Cooking?”

Songs of Experience

” She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms” (She girds herself with strength, and strengthens her arms) proverb 31:17 A Rajasthani village woman  wearing upper armlets. These are some portraits of tribal women of Rajasthan, who would have had varied experiences which made them bold and strong. Adorned themselves with lot ofContinue reading “Songs of Experience”

The Melancholy Jaques of Hundred Acre Wood

The word Melancholy is derived from the Greek melaina chole or the black bile, one of the four elemental bodily humours. The concept of humourism or humours regulating human behaviour was adopted by the ancient Greek and Roman physicians. Hippocrates is believed to be the one who applied this idea to medicine. Human beings areContinue reading “The Melancholy Jaques of Hundred Acre Wood”

“If music be the food of love, play on…”

  ‘If music be the food of love, play on…’ (Twelfth Night) Ravanahatha can be called as a precursor of the violin. Legend has it that,  Ravana the mighty asura king used to play this instrument to please Lord Shiva. The instrument got its name from him ( hath or hasta mean hand). Ravana HastaContinue reading ““If music be the food of love, play on…””

Ye Soft Pipes, Play On…

  ” Heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard Are sweeter ; therefore, ye soft pipes, play on; “ ~ Keats-Ode on a Grecian Urn~ The orange-bearded musician is playing the wind instrument alghoza that consists of a pair of flutes. One of them produces heavy notes and the other low notes. Music experts callContinue reading “Ye Soft Pipes, Play On…”

“Boys and girls come out to play, The moon doth shine as bright as day…”

“Boys and girls come out to play The moon doth shine as bright as day; Leave your supper and leave your sleep, And come with your playfellows into the street” Come with a whoop, come with a call,Come with a good will or not at all.Up the ladder and down the wall,A halfpenny roll willContinue reading ““Boys and girls come out to play, The moon doth shine as bright as day…””

FAN`’TACHE~TIC!

Some of those  fan~’tashe~tic Rajasthani men, donning their handlebars, walrus, imperial, painter’s brush moustaches… A few clicks from my pre-covid Rajasthan trip. In India the bristling history of moustache dates back to the 16th century . Flauntinghis ‘handlebar moustache’ Imperial meesha! English ‘tache Painter’s brush       There was a Veerappan look alike too!Continue reading “FAN`’TACHE~TIC!”