Most recent blog entries

Blog Bling July 2009

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Click inside to peruse and participate in some of the interesting thoughts of Africa Expat Wives Club (A UK family settled in Kenya), Shaiju Joseph, Binny VA, Flower Girl, Aarathi, Meeru, Green Family, and others! What a great diversity of points of view!

The Kitchen Connection: Bonding with Indian Culture and People through Food

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Entering the kitchen to help a hostess was not part of my social ettiquette. Entering another's kitchen without being asked and doing 'work' would be intruding on her independance and ability to accomplish the task at hand. That is why I did not enter the kitchen in India, when I lived there, and even why it's taken me time to adjust into the Indian community lifestyle here and enter other's kitchens not only to talk, but to help!

How have I evolved this habit? What has encouraged me to question my culture and update it to something different? How has that enriched my life and helped me integrate with the Indian community? Read inside....

India - America Interfaith and Public Holidays for July 2009

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Bridging secular and spiritual calendars of two countries:India and America, click inside to see what holidays or holy-days are awaiting us in July 2009!

Is Homesickness a Good Thing?

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 05:00:00 GMT

What does homesickness mean to you?

In your culture and in your upbringing, what did it mean to you and others to be homesick? What were circumstances that created homesickness in you?

As you have gotten older has the idea of homesickness or the feelings of homesickness changed?

In this post, I share some cultural insights on homesickness, spending time away from home at different times in my life, and how my life experiences after having lived in India has changed my views on homesickness and notions of childhood independance.

The Dance of Overwhelming Joy

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 05:00:00 GMT

For them, possibly an average day. For me, the culmination of aspirations, dreams and fantasies, in other words, an experience of pure joy!

Watching these small children connect with their cultural heritage was an experience of overwhelming joy for me. It was more than watching the dance that stirred emotion in me, but the dance was the catalyst. Are you curious why? Read more, and watch the video of the cute kids performing the dance that inspired me to write this post...

Photo, right, one of the girls peeking through the curtian ready to perfom. Taken by Krishna Kumar.

Palm Sunday

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Binu shares his thoughts and experiences about Palm Sunday, the day that Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a goat, heralded in by the local villagers with the fanning of palm leaves, days before Easter.

The interview also provides links to games, crafts and songs for children, videos about Palm Sunday and links to bible scriptures that can be read on this holy day.

Photo: Fred Dawson at Flickr (used under creative commons

Alaivani Newsletter June 2009

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Globetrotting to India and across New York in present time and in sweet memories is the theme of this month's newsletter.

This month, we visited unique and beautiful places in New York (Highland Park, Lilac Festival), Lockport Caves, Olcott Beach on Lake Ontario, Sonnenberg Gardens in Canandaigua and have come half way round the globe to be with family and friends in Kochi, Trivandrum, Chennai and Kanchipuram (South India). These stories, still and moving images span the last three years. Enjoy!

Traversing Trivandrum in 2006

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Waking to Suprabatham in the distance awakens you to the fact, yes, you are in India! Even more so in South India! Here, we experienced the wonder of international television entertainment, a trip to a cliff side resort beach, traversing on film star's teritory in the film park, shopping for saris (while enjoying filter coffee and vadas....), and a heart pumping session of driving in India!

How in the world did we fit rest and relaxation into the principals residential resort into all this??

Blog Bling June 2009

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Inspiration is everywhere, it's outside and within you! That would have to be the overarching theme of the posts from this month!

Click into read some of the interesting thoughts of Jonathan Mead, BV Raman, Kaushik Chakraborty, Grace Kerina, Nitya Shanti, Danielle LaPorte, Cherian Mathew, Joann, Shaiju Joseph, Mani Karthik, Jana, Amit Agarwal, and Sharon Wilson. What a great diversity of points of view!

Enjoy!

Kerala Landing 2006

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Stepping foot into India as a married woman with my husband, staying with his family for a few weeks was an exciting and memorable trip. In this two part travel diary, I share a few days excerpt of my experiences of travelling to and enjoying the new sights and sounds of Kerala, India.

In part one, I share our transit experience. What is it like to experience an Indian airport? What is it like to be greeted by the Indian climate, culture and people? I share a few thoughts from my experience.

Photo slideshow at end of post.

Thank you for reading.

The Puranas

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Short introduction to the holy Puranas. The Puranas (of ancient times) are narratives of the history of the Universe. They are perhaps the most important or commonly used scriptural texts of the Hindus and are even today used as guide books for the whole of life and society.

Padmini shares answers to frequently asked questions about the Puranas, short summaries of a the Puranas in this post. Enjoy!

Photologue: Famous Sun Temple in Orissa India

Fri, 29 May 2009 05:00:00 GMT

The Sun Temple is an archetectural marvel in the eastern coastal state of Orissa, in India. Ajoy, a contributing author to Alaivani visited this holy and historical site last year. He has sent the photos comprising this photo diary.

Thank you for your continued support and submissions to enrich the quality of Alaivani, Ajoy.

India - America Interfaith and Public Holidays for June 2009

Wed, 27 May 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Bridging secular and spiritual calendars of two countries:India and America, click inside to see what holidays or holy-days are awaiting us in June 2009!

Elephants of all Ages in Kerala India

Mon, 25 May 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Elephants of all Ages in Kerala India

comments welcome

These series of videos of baby elephants and adult elephants showcasing their talents for humans were taken on our trip to Kerala, India in 2008. Enjoy!

Photo, right: I am standing with a cute baby elephant at Kodanad, Kerala.

Econocation – Highland Park Rochester, New York

Fri, 22 May 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Looking for an economical vacation, usually a place that can be covered in one day (a daycation) and may even be a local retreat (staycation) for some. Some of these rendezvous may also be classified as ‘freecations’ because depending on where you live maybe no fees are required to attend at all!

Rustic Rendezvous in East Africa

Wed, 20 May 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Our dream vacation awaits in Kenya and Tanzania. We wait to experience wildlife and safari in the country that still seems so exotic. In 2007, I came across the following videos by Daniel Sumarto I want to share with you today. These are three of his six videos.

These videos are inspiring. The photography is simply breathtaking and leaves an emotional imprint within me. All videos are embedded with permission from videographer, Daniel Sumarto.

From Darkness to Light

Mon, 18 May 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Padmini shares with us a timeless spiritual parable and life lesson that all can relate to. Read, enjoy and be enlightened!

Alaivani Newsletter May 2009

Sat, 09 May 2009 05:00:00 GMT

As spring blooms with excitement all over Rochester, New York, so does many projects and creative endeavors through Alaivani! Open up to find out more!

I appreciate you spending your time on Alaivani!

Photo right: Krishna Kumar

India America Cross Cultural Integration - My thoughts on YouTube Videos!

Fri, 08 May 2009 05:00:00 GMT

A few months back I recorded myself on YouTube talking about my thoughts and experiences integrating the cultures of India and America in my life here in America. The three videos total about 15 minutes. Listen at your leisure!

I would really be happy to hear your feedback on the videos. Log into this blog to leave your feedback or I have provided links under each video to the YouTube sites where you can leave your comments as well!!

I appreciate you spending your time and sharing your opinions with me!!

Alaivani Handmade Soaps Video Ad!!

Wed, 06 May 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Click in to see this ad I created for my handmade soaps. It's only about one minute!!

Thanks!!!

Photo right: Krishna Kumar

Ramayana

Mon, 04 May 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Ramanavami is the celebration of the birth of Lord Rama, the epitome of a virtuious man on earth. The festival of Rama's birth is celebrated on the day of the star Punar Poosam in the bright fortnight of the month of Chithirai or Panguni (March-April-May). Poosam is Lord Rama’s star. On this day the holy epic Ramayana is read and Rama’s virtues are extolled.

In some parts of India, Lord Rama's birthday also coincides with the last day of the spring Navarathri or Vasanta Navarathri more commonly celebrated in North India. In 2009, Vasantha Navarathri and Lord Rama's birthday, or Ramanavami have already passed.

In this article, contributing author, Padmini shares the story of Lord Rama and some common ways of celebrating Ramanavami in Tamil Nadu, South India

Blog Bling April 2009

Fri, 01 May 2009 05:00:00 GMT

South Indian recipes and culture, spiritual and personal growth, tech advice, and writing tips from bloggers all over the world!

Thank you for sharing your wisdom, experiences and creativity with the world!

India - America Interfaith and Public Holidays for May 2009

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Bridging secular and spiritual calendars of two countries:India and America, click inside to see what holidays or holy-days are awaiting us in May 2009!

Images of Alaivani

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 05:00:00 GMT

I maintain a flickr photo blog. Some of the photos from that blog are displayed here in Alaivani blog as well.

I am moved to share the top 20 photos from my photo blog at flickr here.

Photo to right, photo by Ajoy, one of the most popular photos on my blog! Thank you, Ajoy.

Alaivani

jennifer@alaivani.com — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 05:00:00 GMT

The poetry of the mingling of the words 'alai' or waves and 'vani' or sound into Alaivani, has inspired Padmini to share her very own soundwaves about Alaivani in this beautifully expressed poem!

Thank you, Padmini.