Posts Tagged ‘Women’
Hawa Mahal – Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh’s ‘Purdah’

Globally recognized as a poignant landmark, the Hawa Mahal’s architectural idiosyncrasies creates a shroud of doubt and speculation as to the real intend behind its construction and design; a need basis summer palace that counters the harsh environs and weather of Rajasthan? or Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh’s answer to the ‘purdah’ for the women in the royal harem?

Canang Sari for the Honoured ‘Guests’

With basic principles of Balinese Hinduism revolving around obtaining balance and harmony of all elements in life and afterlife; between spirits and mortals, and nature that surrounds them, the Balinese are driven to perform Canang Sari 3 times a day to show their gratitude to the one supreme spirit – sang hyang widhi wasa.

Strokes of Hope

Be it traditional tantric influenced, middle-of-the-road, or avant garde art, Tibetan artist are fiercely express their identities breaking away from ‘mystics’ and ‘ethnic’ works. External influences – social, pyschological and economic changes in the world – seems to be the driving force for most, but in some cases its purely individual expression.

The Tibetan Diaspora – 50 years on

The first exodus into India took place in 1959 in the wake of the failure of the Lhasa Uprising. Today, approximately 220,000 Tibetans are dispersed globally and Tibetan Buddhism has a following of more than the population of Tibet despite accusations of charlatanism, commercialism, power-politicking, immoral behaviour and radically different teaching across the four schools.

Mandi or Kinnauras? Greek Mythology or Evolution?

Ancient Greek myth and legend has it that the Mandi tribe that once lived in the historical kingdom located in the foothills of the Himalayas were a short-lived tribe of Indians who grew old and wrinkled almost as soon as they were born… was this woman geographically displaced or someone that has traveled through time?

Cancer Is A Bitch

More than 100 million skin cancers are diagnosed annually. However, only 3% of skin cancer cases are melanoma, which causes more than 75% of skin cancer death. Unfortunately, melanomas in Asians tends to be at advanced stages during diagnosis due to its occurance on non-exposed skin with less pigmentation.

I am HIV+

In April 2009, 6 people stood tall and proud and uttered these simple but profound words that would change their world: “I am HIV+”. Through their eyes, an educational process took shape that helped spread the message of awareness and inspired others to come forth and lead a life worth fighting for.

Women Weavers: Kully Valley

20,000 people are engaged in weaving in the Kullu Valley, majority being women affliated with cooperative society operated by women for women. With these cooperatives, women benefit not only from economies of scale but general management knowledge that cuts across the entire value-chain of the weaving industry.

A Sustainable Future for Argan Oil and Widows

Known for their medicinal, nutritional and cosmetic properties, argan pits have been processed long before the Phoenicians arrived and continues to be in demand today. Processed by widows, divorcees and unmarried single mothers in the Little Atlas Region of Morocco the formation of women cooperatives that works within a biosphere protected in UNESCO, has given a renewed lease of life for both the women and Argan trees.