Latest news with #ShivaTandava
Time of India
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
PM Modi's longest foreign tour: At 74, what keeps him going?
Barsha Nag Bhowmick has an opinion on anything and everything. A scribe for more than two decades, she writes on various topics including art, literature, relationships, lifestyle and anything that arouses her interest from time to time. When not into writing, she paints. Follow @barshanag on Twitter LESS ... MORE At 74, many people begin to slow down. Mornings get quieter, routines softer, and travel becomes less of a priority. But just last week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, now 74, wrapped up what's said to be his longest overseas trip in a decade. Five countries in eight days, from July 2 to 9. As the updates kept coming in, I realised I was barely paying attention to the official statements or policy talk. What lingered instead was something quieter, and far more personal. Again and again, I found myself drawn to one thing… his sheer stamina. Ghana, Trinidad & Tobago, Argentina, Brazil and Namibia, the itinerary read like a rush across continents. There were Shiva Tandava chants and samba beats, speeches and shawls, temple visits and trade talks, diaspora gatherings and diplomatic embraces. In Ghana, he draped a Kashmiri Pashmina shawl over the Vice-President, a gentle gesture honouring India's textile heritage. Later, in Trinidad, PM Modi stood before a large diaspora gathering in Couva with visible energy. Greeted with a vibrant Bhojpuri Chautaal welcome and warm applause, he addressed the crowd while standing, inviting cultural connection and showing no signs of slowing down. And amid all that, images of a man, sometimes tired, often smiling, always showing up. What keeps someone going like that? This isn't about agreement or admiration. It's about energy. About what drives people long after the world expects them to slow down. For some, it's power. For others, perhaps, it's purpose. More and more, I believe that what keeps people moving isn't physical stamina, it's inner clarity. I think of older people I have known, those who keep showing up, long after the world has moved on. A teacher from years ago who never took a sick day. A senior colleague who, just after retirement, set off to travel the world with his wife and still roams across India on a bike, more eager than any twenty-five-year-old. A neighbour who rises early each morning to teach underprivileged women in slum areas, quietly defying everything society expects of her age. There's something about people who don't let the years dilute their intention. They don't necessarily move fast, but they move with focus. Maybe that's what I glimpsed in those Modi tour updates… between the handshakes and the photo ops. Not a man escaping time, but someone choosing to fill it to the brim. Of course, politics has its compulsions. But even beyond the headlines, such relentless travel at that age stirs something quietly remarkable. It's not just about legacy or image, it's about still wanting to show up. Not for applause, perhaps, but for what remains unfinished. Not everyone keeps globe-trotting into their seventies. But sooner or later, many of us find ourselves wondering: when do I slow down? Or more urgently… why should I? Not all journeys are about where you go. Some are about why you still want to. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
Hans India
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Indonesia: Classical Indian dance drama 'Shiva Tandava' steals the show at Bali Festival
Jakarta: Over 400 people attended the screening of powerful Indian classical dance drama 'Shiva Tandava' at the 47th Bali Art Festival in Indonesia, on Friday. Organised by the Consulate General of India (CGI) and the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC) in Bali in collaboration with Sangamam Global Academy, the event also saw attendance of several Indonesians, including top ministers. Addressing the audience, Indian Consul General in Bali Shashank Vikram spoke about the significance of cultural exchanges and the legacy of traditional arts. "With enthusiastic attendance of over 400 audience including government officials, academicians, members of Indian diaspora, artists, students, and business personalities, the programme concluded with the distribution of certificates of appreciation to all talented Indian troupes and Balinese artists performed that evening," the Consulate General of India in Bali posted on X. The programme on Friday was inaugurated by the SVCC Director of SVCC, Naveen Meghwal, and graced by the presence of Padma Shri recipient I Wayan Dibia, representing the Bali Provincial Department of Culture. The event was followed by the first performance, the energised and vibrant fusion of Kathak and Balinese dance 'Gaaye Jaa'. Following this, the most awaited collaboration of Bharatnatyam and Kathak dance was magnificently performed, leaving the audience deeply moved. The 47th Bali Arts Festival at Taman Werdhi Budaya Art Centre in Denpasar was officially opened on June 21 by Indonesia's Minister of Culture Fadli Zon, representing Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. The festival is scheduled to run until July 19. "This is not only an annual agenda, but an important milestone in the journey of advancing culture in the country. Since it was first held in 1979, the Bali Arts Festival has become proof of Bali's consistency in maintaining its cultural ties," said Fadli. India and Indonesia share millennia-old close cultural and commercial contacts. The Hindu, Buddhist, and later Muslim faiths travelled to Indonesia from the shores of India. The stories from the great epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata form a source of Indonesian folk art and drama. The shared culture, colonial history, and post-independence goals of political sovereignty, economic self-sufficiency, and independent foreign policy are unifying factors in the bilateral relationship.
Hans India
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Koragajja: Gopi Sundar Creates New Genre
Renowned South composer Gopi Sundar revealed that the film 'Koragajja' allowed him to invent a new genre, offering a groundbreaking musical experience. The competition to acquire rights from South-based audio companies has reached new heights, signaling a promising era for the music industry. Interestingly, there is fierce competition for the audio rights of 'Koragajja', with top companies making offers that exceeded expectations, according to producer Trivikram Sapalya. Celebrated vocalists including Shreya Ghoshal, Sunidhi Chauhan, and Javed Ali reached out to Gopi Sundar, expressing genuine enthusiasm for his innovative compositions. Directed by Sahitya Akademi Award-winner Sudheer Attavar, under the banner of Trivikrama Cinemas & Success Films, 'Koragajja' tells the story of a principal deity worshipped in the Karavali (Tulu Nadu) region of Karnataka, Kerala, and parts of Mumbai. It follows an indigenous youth's transformation into the divine figure of Koragajja, over 800 years ago. Composer Gopi Sundar, collaborating closely with Sudheer Attavar, described the film as a "unique musical experience." He explained, 'Composing music for this movie required more time as I had to immerse myself in new traditions. The tunes I created came after understanding these customs, and I'm glad the director liked my work.' He added, 'The subject of 'Koragajja' allowed me to invent a new genre, exploring fresh musical territories. The film's subtle layers go beyond regular movie formats, and composing for it was both challenging and rewarding.' The film features six songs in different styles and languages, with lyrics penned by Sudheer Attavar himself. The soundtrack includes performances by powerhouse vocalists Shreya Ghoshal, Sunidhi Chauhan, Shankar Mahadevan, Javed Ali, Swaroop Khan, and Arman Malik—showcasing Gopi Sundar's genre-defying music. Gopi Sundar praised Sudheer Attavar's meticulous research in uncovering the story's essence, which breaks new ground and redefines cinematic storytelling. One of the tracks, sung by Shankar Mahadevan, masterfully blends verses from the Shiva Tandava, infusing traditional elements with a modern, compelling twist. The director emphasized that 'Koragajja' presents a storyline distinct from the film 'Kantara', shedding light on the rich cultural heritage of Karnataka and Kerala—home to nearly 5000 Daivas—while 'Kantara' focused on just one of these deities. Sudheer Attavar conducted in-depth research with the support of executive producer Vidyadhar Shetty. Set for release in multiple languages, the film features a stellar ensemble cast, including Kabir Bedi, renowned choreographers Sandip Soparrkar and Ganesh Acharya, and top South actors Bhavya and Shruthi. With an exceptional technical crew—cinematography by Manoj Pillai, editing by Jith Joshie and Vidyadhar Shetty, sound design by Bibin Dev, DI by three-time Kerala State Award winner Liju Prabhakaran, and VFX & Graphics by Lavan-Kushan—'Koragajja' is poised to revolutionize the cinematic landscape and leave audiences inspired.
