aaratrika / august 2008 1 2 aaratrika / august 2008 From the editor...
Debasmita Moulick Nair
This year Moscow’s signature golden au- wherein earlier this year, while holiday- tumn is probably brighter with the gold, ing in the Whitsunday Islands, I met a which we just bagged in the Olympics. teen group of students who were aim- We are swelling with pride. Has the gold ing to visit our City of Joy for a month rush just begun? and work with a local NGO participat- ing in a school construction and other In our changing world, our puja has been community development projects. They changing too. Now from booking puro- believed in being useful even while trav- hits online, you can also organise a puja, elling where one gets involved in the life a dedication and even goat sacri ce sit- of the local people, their activities and ting just about anywhere in the world. environment along with usual sightsee- Dhaak, Dhaaki and Dhuno still abound ing. One of them had already been to alongwith dance contests for children the cattle fair in Sonepur participating in and popular rock being belted at all similar activities. I was struggling to re- hours. Thanks to Sansui Boogie Woogie, member where Sonepur is! The attempt the hottest growth area in cultural ac- is to bring the world closer and we wel- tivities seems to be dancing. Everybody come fun travel photos and thoughts. dances on dashami, yes yes even some As they say while visiting, take nothing deedimas and mashimas. but photographs, leave nothing but foot prints. I happened to be in India during Saras- The second section is a tribute to the wati puja this year, expecting loud music 21st century, ‘From friends of Aaratrika’ blaring from speakers and the usual cul- wherein all of us being global villag- tural programme in the evening. There ers would like you to meet people you was music but it was softer in a conscious might not have heard about, as well as e ort against sound pollution. My friend those you have - those who are striving in Salt Lake had organized a concert with for a better world, in uencing and in- all the children of her neighbourhood – spiring the way we live and the way we yes all, those from slums and children of will leave this world when we are gone. dhobis, domestic helpers, milkmen and newspaperwallah. Hoping Aaratrika brings a feel of that fresh lime squeeze and a smile. Our children with their wondrous inno- Talk to us! Share a cool discovery! Tell us whatever tickles you or ticks you o about us. o tickles or ticks you you us whatever Tell discovery! a cool us! Share to Talk cence motivate us the most. This year We wish you a greener and safer world. they came up with the irresistible idea of ‘Curious Hobbies’. Enjoy! Antorik Sharod Suveccha! Aaratrika is happy to have two new sec- tions this year. ‘Travel’ as we just left our summer holidays behind and also be- cause we at Aaratrika believe that good travel in a way, keeps the doctors away! This inspiration also came from wanting to make our holidays more meaningful,
aaratrika / august 2008 3 VEDIC GROUND FOR THE WORSHIP OF MOTHER DURGA
Swami Jyotirupananda Swami Jyotirupananda has been in Moscow since 1991 and has been with us since the second Durga puja. Our very rst puja was inaugurat- ed by Swami Lokeswarananda of the Ramakrishna Order, Belur Math, India. Swami Jyotirupananda is the founder of the Ramakrishna Math centre in Moscow a liated by its Headquarters Belur Math. What he likes most about Russia? Russian people.
In vedic time sages of Taittiriya Upani- ing happiness. This happiness for which or body, senses and mind. All these are shad engaged themselves in relentless we are running for life after life is only undergoing change every moment. We, austerities to reach the deepest layer the shadow, so to say, of the eternal Bliss therefore, need something constant to of their mind in search of that mystery which is Brahman. hold on which can help us withstand which lies behind them and the uni- these changes and remain poised, so verse. Their pure mind, free from all oth- We worship divine Mother Durga. She is that our real nature Bliss that is God in er thoughts got the light of the ultimate another aspect of Brahman to us. Brah- us can manifest in its pristine glory. Our Reality. They were able to reach even be- man being formless and without attri- worship of Mother Durga is exactly to yond mind and came face to face with bute we with our mind and senses can hold on to that constant Bliss in us in Supreme Reality. They taught their dis- not make any kind of relation with It. We order to cross the strife and struggle in ciples: Seek to know that from which all need form and attribute with the help of life. beings here are born; having been born, which we can reach that goal. As Brah- by which they remain alive; and into man by the power of Its Maya could ap- which, on departing, they enter. That is pear as the universe with all beings so Brahman. also It has the power to appear as Du- They termed Brahman, the Supreme Re- rga in the form of divine Mother for the ality thus: Bliss is Brahman, for certainly devotees. In Taittiriya Aranyaka a prayer all beings here are, indeed, born from goes like this: I take refuge to Goddess Bliss; having been born they remain Durga, re-complexioned, ,giver of the alive by Bliss; and on departing, they en- result of Karma and Scorcherer of en- ter into Bliss. emies. I salute you, the saviour leading As this realm of Brahman is beyond us across the ocean of world. mind it is formless, in nite and without Goddess Durga is the Universal Energy, any attribute. It is Existence, Conscious- all pervading but can appear before ness and Bliss absolute. Instead of call- the devotees in the form of Mother. Her ing the Reality as One, it is better to call image with ten hands holding various it as Non-dual. Reaching the state be- weapons signi es various types of energy yond mind and merging into the Real- working in all directions of this universe. ity the sages experienced this Non-dual This universal energy being material it is identity. considered as her body and She Herself For us who have not reached that state is the spirit which can be compared as this in nite Brahman is our nal goal of soul in the body. Sri Ramakrishna truly life. Actually, we are every moment mov- said, Brahman and Shakti (Energy) are ing towards that goal whether we know identical, when active we call Her Shakti it or not. In the Bhagavad Gita, chapter and when inactive we call it Brahman. fourth, eleventh sloka Sri Krishna said, “ O Partha, men walk in my path in all ways.” It is natural for every living being seek- Human life is nothing but this move- ing happiness all the time. But this hap- ment towards the same goal through piness cannot remain constant when various experiences of life after life seek- we are gravitating on external objects
4 aaratrika / august 2008 aaratrika / august 2008 5 Sri Sri Durga Mahapuja from 5 to 9 October 2008
Mahasashti 5 October Sunday Puja starts at 18:00
Mahasaptami 6 October Monday Puja starts at 9:20 Pushpanjali at 11:30 Bhog & Arati at 11:50 Evening Arati 18:00
Mahaastami 7 October Tuesday Puja starts at 9:20 Pushpanjali at 11:30 Bhog & Arati at 11:50 Evening Arati at 18:30 Sandhi puja at 22:00
Mahanavami 8 October Wednesday Puja starts at 9:20 Pushpanjali at 11:30 Bhog & Arati at 11:50 Evening Arati at 18:30
Vijaya Dashami 9 October Thursday Puja from 10:00 to 11:00 Shindur Khela 11:00 to 12.00 Immersion 12:00 to 12:30 Shanti jal 12:30
Sri Sri Lakshmipuja October Puja starts at 19:00
6 aaratrika / august 2008 aaratrika / august 2008 7 From Friends of Aaratrika...
Ustad Amjad Ali Khan with Amaan Ali Khan and Ayaan Ali Khan (right) Photo Courtesy: Suvo Das The following is an excerpt from Ustadji’s postulation in Indian Express 7 September, 2008
Some power, some force has guided my whole life and actions. I have seen it over and over again. There was never a moment of ’Durga Puja is the season doubt about it as for us God plays the most important role. This was always the way in of joy and good cheer. our family. My father was quite religious, he had such faith in God. He always said, just We wish you all in Moscow practice and surrender to God and one day you will achieve your goal in life. So in our a very happy puja and pray family, two plus two never was necessarily four. Two plus two was a big question mark. for worldwide peace and It could be zero, it could be the in nite. It was therefore never about planning things and prosperity. May God bless life, but about trying to obey God. And while trying to feel that superpower, that divine force, it is important not to be led you and your family always.’ by priests of any kind. Priests are not neces- sarily the wisest people in the world. They get a salary, they are paid by religious insti- tutions. We should rather always be free to think on our own and gure out what is right and what is wrong. And this process should not happen through the intellect exclusively. In fact I believe that where the logic ends, the connection with God begins.
Third Eye: The Proust Questionnaire ‘Where logic ends, the link with the divine begins’ by Nadine Kreisberger
8 aaratrika / august 2008 Subho Bijoya to all readers of Aaratrika!
puppeteer sits at the rate we are and to stop attening far away from the our forests. THE rising seas and While it might not be possible to reduce orchestrate the disaster that climate the cars on the road overnight, it is pos- change brings in it’s wake. The politi- sible to reduce the amount of petrol cians say that buying, consuming and these cars guzzle. spewing global warming gasses will in- While it might not be possible to enjoy crease our GDP and accelerate our de- candle light conversations all the time, it velopment. Seems like a fair game right? is possible to replace all the bulbs (that Wrong! waste 90%) with CFLs or LEDs. Who bears the brunt? We do, because So in some ways climate change is an climate change does not discriminate opportunity to change; for a new begin- between its environmental refugees. ning; for a clean beginning. Climate change is an unwelcome guest What time better than Pujo to make this and we should show it the door. beginning! Greenpeace has been ghting climate change across the world. We have been Samit Aich urging governments to enforce laws; to Executive Director, make a paradigm shift in the way we use Greenpeace India energy; to stop smoking carbon dioxide
aaratrika / august 2008 9 urga Puja 'worship of Divine Mother' the festival of pomp and power is the greatest socio-religious extravaganza of the Ben- Dgali Hindus and by now it has become a global celebration witnessed in almost all the major cities of the world.
Durga Puja is a celebration of life and it is this spirit of all beings that we salute. Durga is an incarnation of power that resides in every ele- ment of universe, and once this power is unleashed for doing good to the humanity, it'll bring positive changes in every community and this calls for the younger generation, with the energy and enthusiasm of their youth, to participate in the community, and not just be fence sit- Vimlendu Jha ters.. Thus, it is imperative that all belonging to the humankind must Founder & Executive Director make sincere e orts to remove all kinds of inequality, hatred, irratio- Swechha- We for Change Foundation www.swfc.org.in nality and aim towards achieving lasting peace and progress for the www.cnn.com/bethechange mankind, starting today.
SWECHHA - We for Change Foundation, is a movement - a consensus among people about the nature of society, its problems and possible ways to work towards a posi- tive change. It was launched in the year 2000 as the 'We for Yamuna' campaign. The campaign eventually transformed into a full- edged NGO in 2001. Today, it com- prises of professionals, consultants and students from various elds such as social work, management, media and science.
Jumbo from Africa!
isa was working in a remote town in the draught stricken des- erts of Ethiopia when Aaratrika contacted her. She wishes Lhappiness and sunshine for all and conveys warm puja greet- ings to the readers of Aaratrika.
Lisa Parrott
Africa Advisor, Livelihoods, Save the Children
Save the Children The history of Save the Children is a story of positive change and people - millions of people in thousands of communities around the globe - working together to create opportunities for the world's children to live safe, healthy and ful lling lives. www.savethechildren.org
10 aaratrika / august 2008 Wishing all a Very Happy Durga Puja and Dushera!
aaratrika / august 2008 11
On Brooklyn Bridge: Summer 2008 Durga Puja: The Festive Fever
Dinesh Chakraborty During last year's puja Dinesh overheard a child ask his father, while pointing to the puja idol, “Who are they?” Dad replies, “Well that's the superwoman with ten hands and the bad guy is the one below, half out of the bu alo.” Dinesh as our knowledgeable assistant cleric decided to tell the readers of Aaratrika a bit more than that. Dinesh likes rava dosa with black co ee with sugar for breakfast.
azure sky with eecy ing, but the air is tinged with sadness the Mahisasura and to the Lion, Swan, Pea- white clouds and a day the deity is bid adieu. Perhaps this is cock, Owl and Mouse, which the divini- THEnip in the air marks because people identify more intimately ties ride on along with all the celestial the advent of autumn – the season for with the human side of the omnipotent beings like Dakinis, Joginis, and Chanda- Bengal’s most popular festival, Durga Goddess. lis that accompany Durga. Puja. Durga Puja is celebrated with cus- The ritual of drawing the eyes on the tomary pomp and fanfare twice a year The worship of Devi Durga in the month image of the goddess is called chakshu- – once in the month of March or April of Ashwin is called Akalbodhan - an un- daan, symbolizing the process of infus- (Basant) and again in September or Oc- customary time for commencement of ing the image with the power of vision; tober (Ashwin), during the moonlit fort- the worship. It is so-called because the this is done on Mahalaya, the day of the night. The Mother Goddess is venerated period of this worship di ers from the new moon. in one form or the other all over India. conventional period (during spring- Durga Puja is celebrated on a mass scale Basanta). According to the Ramayana, with puja pandals (marquees) dotting Goddess Durga, durgatinashini – the in his dire plight, Lord Rama evoked the nearly every nook and corner of West remover of all troubles, has been wor- Goddess to worship her and secure her Bengal. Thanks to a migrant Bengali shipped from time immemorial. Her blessings to defeat the demon king Ra- population, the past few years have literary references are chie y the Rama- vana, thereby worshipping Durga un- seen a rise in the number of Durga Pu- yana and Mahabharata, the epics and timely (in Akal). Hence this puja is called jas in other parts of India and abroad Puranic texts, and she is mentioned by Akalbodhan. as well. Preparations for the Puja begin name in Vedic literature. In general, Du- long before the actual day arrives. If you rga is regarded in northern India as the The main ritual of Durga Puja spans a are looking for bargains, you won’t nd gentle bride epitomizing family unity period of four days. However, in the case a better time. Publishing houses come while in southern India her warrior as- of traditional and household Pujas, the out with puja editions of magazines, just pect is more revered. But her popularity festivities last ten days. Debi-Paksha is like the Moscow Durga Puja Committee is greatest in Bengal and its adjoining the name given to the fortnight from the came up with ‘Aaratrika’, and craftsmen states where she is regarded in the form new moon till the next full moon. This is and artisans do brisk business at this of a daughter with the festivities wor- the most propitious time for performing time of the year. shipping her extending for ve days in a holy rites. distinctive style. According to tradition, the images of Lakshmi, Saraswati, Kartikeya and Ga- Dhunuchi Naach Close to the heart of almost every Ben- nesha are also separately worshipped gali is the image of Durga as the daugh- along with that of Durga. The image of ter who visits her parents annually. Her Durga is framed at the centre, and the children Lakshmi (Goddess of Wealth), background behind the whole group Saraswati (Goddess of Knowledge), Ga- is called the chaal-chitra. It is a circular nesha (God of Prosperity) and Kartikeya canvas of mat containing paintings of (The Divine Army General) accompany heavenly scenes and drawings of other her on this visit. Each year, there is great important gods and goddesses. Rever- rejoicing at the time of her homecom- ence is paid to Durga’s husband Shiva,
12 aaratrika / august 2008 During the four days of Durga Puja, Ben- tion from Ashtami to galis really let their hair down. Beside Navami. It is at this the actual Puja, most pandals organize time that Chandi, di erent kinds of competitions to regale the form of the god- the local people. It’s party time for both dess who slayed the children and adults alike as they par- demon Mahisasura, ticipate wholeheartedly in the fun and is worshipped with frolic. Local talent gets a chance to share a special o ering of the stage (a makeshift one more often lotuses and a spec- than not) with more well-known artists. tacular o ering of a And the local romeos get a chance to try hundred and eight their luck with the frolicky bevy of illus- oil lamps. trious damsels. Maha Navami (ninth The following days of Maha Saptami and day) follows with a Maha Ashtami are spent with ritual wor- special re-o ering ship of the Deities by Anjali when a dev- or Yajna. Kumari puja Sandhi Puja otee o ers prayers and owers, amidst (worship of young girls) is an old custom the chanting of mantras to the Goddess. still carried out in certain temples. It is a Kali Puja and Bhoot chaturdasi is next on Only then can one make a beeline for the cute sight to watch the saree clad girls the list. Bhoot Chaturdasi or Choti Diwali, prasad (sweetmeat o ered to the Deity). being elevated to the state of divinity. as it is referred to as in the rest of north- The Bhog, lunchtime meal is a welcome All these special ceremonies are inter- ern India, is observed with the making break for those who gather in the pan- spersed with the usual rounds of anjali, of a special dish with fourteen varieties dals and is provided to all and sundry prasad and bhog, much to the delight of saak or leafy vegetables. The evenings after the Goddess has partaken of it. of the indulgent babu-bibis. Navami are spent decorating the houses and But come evening, and the pandal be- signi es the end of Navratri. Sometimes terraces with oil lamps. It is said that Kali comes a dazzling array of new clothes, meat is served in many pandals as part puja signi es the beginning of the Pitri shiny-faced children running helter- of the bhog, but never in the temples. paksha, when the departed souls of the skelter and a spectacular display of Many people actually look forward to it ancestors descend into the mortal world lights. The rhythmic beat of the dhak as it marks the end of the ritual vegetar- to bless their families. The burning lamps (drums) adds to the mood of Bengal’s ian period. This being the penultimate are a mark of respectful welcome for the most popular festival. The Puja Pandals day of the Puja, one can feel a touch of departed souls of the revered ances- transform into a Bengali version of a New sadness that the festivities are soon go- tors. Goddess Kali is worshipped at the York Night club with dhunuchi naach (a ing to be over. dead end of the night with grandiosity. form of traditional dance with burning Dasami marks the end of the festival, The goddess of death and liberation is coconut coir) and beautiful ladies in ele- when the soul of the Goddess is bidden worshipped along with her company gant sarees and gentlemen in traditional farewell and she returns to her abode of spirits and other celestial beings in a dresses catching up with the recent para along with her family. It is marked by mostly Tantric way with the sacri ce of or neighbourhood goings-on. Bhashan or immersion of the idol in wa- live animals. Some traditional families The Maha Ashtami (eighth day) is a signif- ter, chanting of the Shanti Mantra and observe Dipanwita Lakshmi Puja on this icant day, and especially the Sandhipuja blessing all devotees with sacred water. day with no less devotion and extrava- held during the forty minutes of transi- The Sindoor khela (vermillion game) ganza and children enjoy the night with brings some gaiety back with playful ceremonial reworks. Kumari Puja activities amidst the heavy feelings. The autumn festivities not only bring a sense of brotherhood and unity for Bijoya is a special ritual when peace and all, irrespective of caste, creed, colour good relations are rea rmed. Families and religion in India but also abroad. exchange sweets and people embrace The worshipping of the three forms of each other (kolakuli), tightening social Universal energy in the form of the pro- bonds. Bijoya continues till the next tector, prosperity and destruction is a new moon, when Kali Puja is held. symbolic representation of the cycle of Inevitably, the glamorous and grand life itself; the basis of all philosophies. It Durga puja is followed by Lakshmi puja is also a sweet reminiscent nostalgia of on the next full moon. The goddess of our rich traditions and heritage. These wealth and prosperity is welcomed are the festivals that glorify the presence along with a fresh harvest of paddy. The of life itself. Panchali paths and conch-shell shrills Om Shanti ! ll the moonlit nights with a mystic feel- ing. Traditional home-made sweets like narkel nadu and moyas and the aroma of the bhogs is an absolute delight to the fasting multitude.
aaratrika / august 2008 13 Sharodiya Privet From Bandung…
Bornali Majumdar with son Arko From New Delhi…
Dr. Ranjana Banerjee Associate Professor Centre of Russian Studies Jawaharlal Nehru University New Delhi
From Mussoorie…
Adarsh & Tanu Tripathi
Hello my Moscow friends, Happy Puja to you all from me and mom! I miss you all. I miss snow too. I am studying in Wynberg- Allen School in Mussoorie. I like it and have many friends.
Adarsh Tripathi
14 aaratrika / august 2008 From Aaratrika's new friends in Calgary…
Srabani Bose with son Avik
Avik greets his Moscow friends with this delightful machranga (kingfi sher) who also seems to like fi sh!
aaratrika / august 2008 15 Down the Memory Lane
says memories speci ed day and I,(being associated sions could never be forgotten even by are short! Never, with Embassy) was on Protocol job. The the amnesiaites. Whowhen the hap- peers, like Manojda (Bhattacharya) and Having visited or participated in many penings are lively (notwithstanding the Mastermoshai (KV School) gave encour- Puja celebrations in and outside India, dull & cold weather), people are friendly agement. It was both nervousness and the experience of Moscow Durga Puja is (despite the heavy overcoats), and social excitement for Baby and the task started unique and unparallel. The strict obser- gatherings are refreshing ( bypassing very early morning. Transporting over vance of puja rituals, under the supervi- militia checks ). This possibly explains 25km on snowy roads was also not in my sion of Maharaj would convert even an why the memories of our stay in Mos- previous driving experience. But, with atheist. It’s like a ‘barir pujo’ expanded cow remain so vivid and lively, inspite of the grace of Mother Divine, it all went into a community one, without digress- the passage of time and signs of age. We, smoothly. The Maharaj, Swami Jyotiru- ing even one bit from the main task of myself and my wife, who became popu- panda ji seemed favourably disposed worshipping the Mother Durga. Person- lar as Babydi or Boudi ( Bodi, to some and we became permanent parties for ally, both of us became more motivated Southern friends ) commenced our ad- Bhog and Protocol. Subsequent Pujas and to my wife, Baby, her involvement venture in Moscow in sub-zero tempera- saw the emergence and disappearance in the Moscow Durga Puja celebration tures in November 97 and 10 years later, (dissensions!) of some key workers and and association with saintly persons like everything remains fresh and vibrant. volunteers. It was interesting to see Swami Jyotirupanda ji, was surely her We marvelled at the natural and man- many with great organising skills, while best possession of Moscow stay. Sadly, made creations of the city, the contrast some lost their cool on imsy grounds. she left us untimely this January, but she of the ‘debushkas’ and ‘babushkas’ and But the scale of the celebration grew in always had the happy memories of Mos- so many specialities. But, the celebra- size and participation. The Prasad and cow Durga Puja along with her. tion of Durga Puja that we took part in, food supply was available to everyone was simply unmatched. On the advent and my tea friend, the Baskaran family, Let the memories live forever. of the ensuing Durga Puja celebration, ensured hot tea supply throughout the the mind hovers around the happenings period (though I became known as the there and conveys heartiest greetings to Cha da). The young groups arranged the Tapan Chakraborty from Kolkata all for the occasion. cultural events during Puja and Dinner- Our rst participation in the Puja was dance celebration post-Puja. The pre- in 1998, when my wife, Baby was given Puja meetings and follow up timeless the task of preparing some Bhog on a tele-talks, with new ideas and dissen-
16 aaratrika / august 2008 aaratrika / august 2008 17 www.bangapremi.ru Wishes for the alumni We wish Pavel Bronnikov a very exciting and successful tenure with the embassy of Russian Federation in Dhaka. From left - Nastiya, Sergei, Masha, Irina Tengizovna, Denis & Lena We also welcome Most of you are already well acquainted with Dr. Irina Proko eva, the adored Bengali language lecturer of MGIMO (Moscow State Arthur Gherbst to our City Institute of International A airs). This year Aaratrika decided to quiz her of Joy. He will be joining the second year Bengali language students with the following Russian Consulate in Kolkata questions: in autumn this year. Your most challenging moment while learning Bengali? Your much-loved Bengali word would be… Your favourite chayer songe ta (chai-shai/ tea with snacks) would be… The students have sent us wonderful hand-written answers.
18 aaratrika / august 2008 aaratrika / august 2008 19 Hello friends, I am Andrews Saju. SWATI DASH I study in Class 2. I have a few hobbies you know he asked me to sing along Class 6 but yoga I like the most. I can do follow- with him? You know what? I was learning Kathak ing asanas: Shirshasana, Mayurasana, and Hip-Hop together even though Chakrasana, Baddhapadmaasana, they are very di erent. Some steps of Dhanushasana, Gokarshasana, Pad- Hip-Hop are like Punjabi Dance. Unfor- masana, Vajrasana. tunately I gave up learning Hip-Hop but I continue to learn Kathak.
Slava with parents Nadezhda & Dmitri in Ustadji's Moscow Conservatory workshop in summer 2006
SOM SHEKHAR HOTA Class 4 JOJO Choreography - I started dancing when (Sanjay Tauvy,(JoJo) is 12 and studies I was 6 years old by watching dances in the French school in Singapore). in movies. I myself choreograph my Glideboard is a sport that I discovered dances. My parents encouraged me too. this summer on the Italian coast. Similar KARTHIK P. NAIR I like dancing as it is a good exercise to a surfboard, the di erence is that one Class 6 and looks graceful. needs only a thin lm of water to ride Once, while I was ipping over the TV the board as opposed to high waves channels, I saw 2 guys playing some that the surfboard requires. sort of game. My mother told me that the game is called Lawn Tennis. I got so excited that my father bought me a small racket and I started playing when I was 5 years old. My parents encour- aged me a lot. Last year I worked hard
SLAVA POZNYAKOV Class 4 Now that I am ten years old I am learn- ing to play the oboe. I go to my musical school thrice a week. I also learn the theory of music. Before this I used to play the recorder (a kind of pple ute) and piano. Along with my parents, I often listen to sarod, shehnai and vocal Indian Classical music. My most memo- rable day - when I attended the music class with Ustad Amjad Ali Khan. Do
20 aaratrika / august 2008 Shlok Dharmendra Raval Wearing a dhoti, I look cute na?
Ayanna Chatterjee I like to walk! Aanisha Violeta Garzon Dasgupta Sailing in my boat!
Vladik Zaitsev Adarsh Mishra I like to look at the rising sun and play Hmmm, let me think… with Markiz, my cat. SWARAJ DASH & SATYARTH MISHRA
ARYA ARUNIKA HOTA Pyrotechnics is a rather controversial Class 7 topic on the net. We got attracted to I decided to learn gymnastics as my pyrotechnics after watching it on TV body is exible. Also I think gymnas- and sur ng about it on the internet. We and got promoted to the senior group. tics looks very graceful and beautiful. I mainly do experiments where extreme The world famous Andrei Cherkasov is started gymnastics since I was 8. I go to heat is involved. Safety is our top prior- our coach. This year during summer I gymnastic school where we use many ity. We keep a huge distance between went to Spain for an intensive coach- instruments. I have learnt 4 of them us and the experiment. For some ing. There were around 50 players till now. My parents and friends have experiments we set up special fuses to from all over the world including 10 always encouraged me in this. maximize safety. We also always do a children from India. I got a chance to small-scale test before the actual meet David Ferrer who is world’s No.5 experiment to be sure that it is some- in Tennis! Do you know he was playing thing which we can handle. The closest on the court next to me? The intensive to the experiment is our camera which training helped me improve my tennis we use to record everything. All our skills. In August this year I scored 5th experiments are usually carried out in a ranking in A.L.T. (Association of Tennis remote area, sometimes in the forests. Lovers) tournament and 9th ranking in We nd a good, usually wet piece Moscow summer tournament. Thanks of land to conduct our pyrotechnics to my classmates, my schoolwork never research. Currently we are working on su ers. creating thermite. It can easily melt I also collect metallic medals from a steel and is quite hard to make. Russian journal ‘Shrek’. I hope someday I will have real medals from tennis! I re- ally don’t just like Tennis, I love it. Nadal and Federer are my favourite players.
KARTHIK WITH LITTLE SISTER KAMYA Kamya is my lovely sister who is four and half years old. Her main hobby is accompanying me to my Tennis coach- ing classes and cheering me during tournaments.
aaratrika / august 2008 21 AMIT SINGH SUMIT SANYAL ALPANA DASH Extreme tourism Birder Gorodetskaya Rospis is a kind of Russian I like adrenaline rush, so in summer you I am a keen birdwatcher. During my art of painting on wood. We, a group of will nd me sailing over 100 kms in the student days I would often travel to bird 5 have been learning and practicing it dangerous currents of Volga. We choose sanctuaries and areas like Sunderban since 4 years with our talented teacher a di erent route every year and sail in which have numerous interesting spe- Mrs. Tatyana Kisilyova. We paint things boats similar to that of Peter the Great! cies. Did you know that certain birds are such as wooden gures like cutting In winter you will nd me climbing the easier to identify by ear than by eye? boards, jewellery boxes, photo frames, Cheterdak hills in Crimea. The peak is I like all birds, however my probable plates, vases which are typical for this 4000 m high, the path is very slippery favourite would be the lovely Oriental art. We use temper colours mostly. at times and the strong winds make This painting work involves some basic our climbing even more challenging! traditions and theories. We also do It takes almost whole day to get to the some fusion theme, like painting Lord peak and return to the base. Ganesha on wooden plates which has become the most popular painting of our group. Other preferred themes are the seasons, di erent types of birds, owers and churches.
Magpie Robin or doyelpakhi. SMITA SENGUPTA Collectioner I would say my photo speaks for itself. I could only add that my collection includes over 125 owls.
22 aaratrika / august 2008 Best Wishes for Durga Puja!
aaratrika / august 2008 23 Sagarika Sanyal Class 4 date palm, pomegranate etc. Actually the whole Sochi is surrounded by magnolia and banana trees. Though Dendrary is a My Summer botanical garden we saw ostrich, pea- cock, kakatua and parrot moving open- Holidays ly. After enjoying for 4 hours we came Alfred Saju Class 7 back. Next morning again in the beach With a passion for kangaroos she even and in the afternoon we visited the won the rst prize in a painting compe- Aquarium . It was also interesting with tition drawing a mother kangaroo with di erent types of sh, crocodile, pen- It happened her baby. Sagarika likes mashed potato guin, hippo, seal, snakes like cobra and with butter and all types of Russian python, etc. Next morning we went for to me salads especially vinaigrette. a ship trip on the black sea. The trip was He loves to sing and dance, read Enid for 1hour 30 minutes. We saw Dolphins Blyton and play chess. He thinks rabbit My summer holidays have started. It jumping here and there on the Black is the cutest animal. The Russian crab will run for full 1 month that is from 21st sea . It was really amazing! I enjoyed the salad is his all time favourite. June to 20th July. The whole 1 month trip a lot. Same day we also went to the sitting at home! Oh no! So we decided park "Rebero"- sparkling evening Sochi. to visit the Black sea resort "Sochi ". Wow! Spending every morning 3 hours and This happened to me when I was in the I was so excited! Though I was born in evening 2 hours in the beach was our 4th class. This is a bit embarrassing for Odessa, the Black Sea city, we left Odes- daily routine in Sochi. me still I would like to share my experi- sa when I was one year old. Again Black I really enjoyed a lot in Sochi. After ence with you. sea! So I was eagerly waiting for the day spending 2 weeks in Sochi whenever I Once, after school I saw my friends play- when we will y to Sochi. At last the day go to bed I feel that waves are still push- ing on the road near my school and I too came, it was 29th June. In Moscow it was ing me and I am oating with my life wanted to play with them. So, I kept my raining, + 15C. We reached Sochi by two vest. I felt very sad when we were leav- school-bag on the pavement and start- and a half hour ight. It was a shiny day ing Sochi. I bought many big shells and ed to participate with my heart and soul with temp + 27C. We reached our hotel, souvenirs from Sochi. in the game. We were in our own world took some rest and left for the sea beach. Hope I will go there again. till that shocking part came. While wind- Sea beach was very nearby, 7 minutes ing up the session we all said goodbye walk. Though I was exited I was afraid to each other and I went to take my bag of going inside the water. So I decided to return home. But alas! I couldn’t nd to walk along the sea shore and collect my school-bag. I felt like the earth was shells and beautiful stones. revolving around me and I was loosing Evening I saw the beautiful sunset at the land under my feet! After searching des- Black sea and came back to the hotel, perately, I found my books in an aban- had dinner and went for a deep sleep. doned way near the pavement! Now, Next morning, I had breakfast and went I realized some scavengers had taken to the sea beach. This time my mother away my school-bag and left my books bought a life vest for me to go a bit as they were of no use to them! Thank deep in the sea. Though it was a shiny God for that! I got my books back but day, it was storming in the sea. Big lost my beautiful school-bag which I big waves were coming from the sea got as a birthday gift. Infact I had used it and pushing me heavily at the sea only for 3 days. shore. I was enjoying it. This way me I came back home with great disap- and my father took bath for 3 hours pointment. My parents pointed out my . In the afternoon we took an excur- carelessness. This incident opened my sion to Dendrary - a super big botanical eyes and I learnt that I should be extra garden. There we saw di erent types of vigilant while multitasking. trees from di erent countries like palm, bamboo, magnolia with owers, banana,
24 aaratrika / august 2008 aaratrika / august 2008 25 Vivekananda Sevakendra-O-Sishu Uddyan (VSSU) aims at poverty eradication through Micro nance and believes that it is possible to accomplish community development utilizing only community resources.
The children of VSSU's Ashok Niloy (Community Development Centre located in Lokkhikan- topur, West Bengal) wishes us a very happy puja with their colourful sketches.
26 aaratrika / august 2008 aaratrika / august 2008 27 Richik’s favourite quote is that of Mao Tse-Tung “To read too many books is harmful”. He loves deepfried sausages in batter and smoked Riga sprats.
Richik Sengupta Class 11 Life
Life’s like a car, A planted bomb in its bonnet On a countdown, It shows up in different models, The ride’s assured as it holds gas within the exhaust bottle.
Grab the throttle and pull through or waddle, Own choice, There’s so much to rejoice, It’s worthless to move the foot off the pedal.
Cars speed in their game, Though they finish with no medal, And hence no winners at all, Yash Dasgupta Class 1 From those gone and who claim.
Yet everybody’s a winner, For their own sake, In their own frame.
The bomb stays the same. Shifting digits till they end, The car changes looks, From what it used to represent.
The car completes the race, in its own time, Spraying its own scent, So many check points covered, Thus there’s nothing to resent.
28 aaratrika / august 2008 aaratrika / august 2008 29 BOARD EXAMS
Shombuddha Majumdar Class 11
I am Shombuddha Majumdar, a.k.a. Arko, to the Bengali ma a com- munity in Russia. And I am 15 years old. His recent encounter with the ICSE has left a deep mark in my soul. I am now in rehab in Gandhi Memorial International School in Jakarta, where I am near my parents. I miss selling drinks during Anandamela and eating food from Devi cafe. My favourite in Russian cuisine is shashlik.
any school you go to in In- harmlessly like students remarking how dents superstitiously study surprisingly dia, during the months of many months are left till the exams or hard for this exam believing that their IN March and April, you will saying formulas and dates unintention- fate wholly depends on this one. In my always nd small pockets of disturbed ally. But it soon evolves into a full edged school there were the usual pep talks souls revising notes, debating or simply monster. Students reciting the qualities from teachers and friends. The hurried smashing things or people out of sheer of rice, where it is grown and what are way the invigilators usher the students frustration. And they are always aged its geographical requirements during into the hall some thought were a bad between 15 and 16. Yes these are the breakfast. Students scribbling notes omen. A prayer was said by all students, people or better said mindless drones on their hands. Red eyed boys wearing even some stubborn teenagers who doing the Grade 10 Board exams. A se- their shirts back to front with messy hair refused to believe in God and miracles. ries of grueling examinations which go And then the exam sheets were handed on for a month and drain you out o all out and there was a somber spooky si- your reserves of strength, calmness and lence. Kind of like the one you get in a sanity. graveyard. All of this actually starts two years before The time that I hated the most was af- the exam, and all the destroyed students ter the exam. It was the time when the you now see were happy carefree teens. headmaster, the teachers, my class- Then the teachers start by telling them and their zips open. mates, my friends and everybody I virtu- how important the exam is and how The last ve or six months are hell. It is at ally knew asked me how the exam went. it will a ect their future. To prove their this time that you start getting the tips It made me very depressed, with the fact point they give everything extra that is which are usually along the lines of how that most people want to know where possible in a students life. Extra classes, much co ee will keep you awake for they went wrong. I mean why would extra homework and everything else the whole night and chocolates make they want to know that? It’s not as if they except extra time! Soon relatives, senior you sharp. I agree this helps the Indian are going to give the exam again. The students and parents follow by giving economy by triggering mass sales of worst part was that it happened again their own lectures and restrictions. With- useless guide books, tonics which make and again for eleven times! And I have in six months even unknown people you smarter and co ee. It also has huge learnt the worst type of swear words in start lecturing the moment they come impacts on smaller economies like in the various languages during that time. Well to know you are in the 9th grade. I know boarding school I was in. Many students it’s over now but I still have nightmares people would say this is relevant for the became paupers trying to pay o the and I don’t think I will ever get rid of the student’s future. But if there was any way debts they took for buying co ee and post-exam trauma. Though the parting to check the mental pressure of these chocolates and many others had to pay shot came from one my teachers, “Don’t students, it would go o the charts. an hourly rent for iPods and other music worry guys, it’s going to happen all over Even with all this stress many students players based on the fact that listening again later”. keep calm. But there is also another to music is good while doing math. All threat that creeps like some silent killer. this and students reciting exactly how Their own classmates! I say creeping many months, days, hours and minutes because what they do does not a ect left till the exams. you directly. It stays on the victims mind Finally the exam day, this actually means slowly eating it up like a disease. It starts the rst day of the exam. Most stu-
30 aaratrika / august 2008 aaratrika / august 2008 31 BEACH MYSTERY
Jeeth Reteesh My name is Jeeth Reteesh. I study in 8th standard in KV Moscow. My hobbies are to draw, watch TV and read books of my interest. My fa- vorite subjects are sciences and mathematics. I take this opportunity to wish all the readers a very happy Durga Puja. My favorite Russian food is blini ( pan cakes) , mushroom sauce and sausages.
ne evening, mom jumped out of fright. My dad said brought to land and carried by someone I and my four that it wasn’t a good thing to open the for a short while. Suddenly the box was ONE friends went box. He advised me to put the cub in a opened, and to my surprise I saw a ti- out to the seashore. We played a water cage that belonged to my pet dog who ger!!! He locked me in the cage and left. game and nally ended up fully wet. We died two years back. I cleaned the cage Then he sent me to his friends and they were hungry and decided to have one that lied untouched on the terrace, and began to play with me. I had been a ti- chocolate ice-cream each. It was simply brought it to the garden. I put the cub ger cub in my dreams. Suddenly I woke delicious due to our hunger. Before leav- in the cage and locked its door. He was up. Then I came to know how the tiger’s ing for our homes, we decided to stand in perfect health. I felt sorry for the cub feelings are when they’re locked up in in the beach for ve minutes. Suddenly I that has been separated from his moth- the cage. That dream made me think felt something rubbing against my feet er. I couldn’t believe standing in front of twice and made me agree to the fact underwater. I called my friends to the an animal that could tear me in seconds. that the cub must be sent at the earliest. area where I was standing. Everyone But this one was so cute that even a By then it was six ‘o’ clock in the evening. gathered up around me. As that wave hunter would feel like keeping him and I waited for my friends to return. When went back, a mysterious box came on my never leaving him. By then it was time they returned each one was having a sight. It had a small hole on top. We all for me to have dinner and then sleep. I smile on their face. They thanked me grabbed it and brought it ashore. It was gave the cub, a piece of raw meet and for the wonderful experience they had extremely heavy. Everyone helped me some milk. I saw him devouring. I wished with the tiger cub and left. The cub was to bring the box to my house, and left for that the cub would have been with me looking tired and sleepy. I put him in the their homes, saying “see you tomorrow”. for a few more days…I wanted the next cage and went back home for dinner. I was really excited. But unfortunately I day to arrive as fast as possible so that I And nally next morning, the emotional could not open the box. I asked my mom can show the tiger cub to my friends, as moment came. I felt so sad that, it was to help me open the box. She advised it is a rare opportunity to touch and see time for me to say goodbye to the cub. me to take a bath rst. After a quick a tiger. The next morning, after break- I had to control my sorrow. The o cials bath, I asked her to open it. But she too fast, I went to check on the tiger cub. He came and thanked us for saving the tiger could not…now I had only one option... was awake and waiting for someone to cub. They took him and left. As soon as to wait for dad to come from o ce. unlock the cage. I unlock the cage and the cub left, I could say that I am happy, When he came, I asked him to open the opened the door. The cub ran around because I’ve done a great thing today by box. He opened it with great di culty. I the house, jumped, climbed and nally returning the cub in the safer hands and peeped into the box and saw something returned back to the cage as soon as my thus, may be in future, to its own loving covered up with a towel. It was moving friends came. They were really surprised mother! too. I brought it with me to my room. As I to see the cub. But I told them that, this checked the box, it was written “I.T.S” [In- wonder of nature would be with us only dian tiger sanctuary]. It must have fallen till the next morning. Like me, they too from a ship carrying endangered spe- wished to have the cub for a few more cies from dangerous forests in one place days. We decided that each kid gets to to a safe sanctuary in other place. I was play with the tiger for an hour. I had a terri ed when I read the word “tiger”. I small headache and decided to sleep carefully removed the towel. Suddenly, a for a short while. As soon as I closed male tiger cub jumped out. It was a cute my eyes I began to dream. It was a ter- cub with a black spot on the forehead. rible dream. In my dream I was in a box I remained silent and went pale. Sud- with a small hole for a long time, oat- denly my parents entered the room. My ing on the sea water, then I was nally
32 aaratrika / august 2008 aaratrika / august 2008 33 Sanskrit in Moscow? Yes, it is possible to learn Sanskrit in Moscow! The Vedanta Centre of Ram- krishna Mission in Moscow has been running Sanskrit classes for Russians since its inception more than sixteen years ago. Swami Jyotirupananda rst held his weekly classes at the Moscow State University for a few months. The classes were then shifted to the Prazhskaya residence and are now being held at the above address. Usually in December an announcement is placed on the Notice Board of the JNCC library at the Indian Embassy with informa- tion regarding the date of new classes which generally commence in mid January most years. Classes are free of charge and at present there are four groups of students attending their weekly classes. For more information, visit www.rkm-vedanta.ru Aaratrika was curious to know more about the Sanskrit students of Moscow. We asked them: 1) What is the rst thing that people tell you when they hear you learn Sanskrit? 2) Why did you decide to learn Sanskrit? 3) What is the most challenging factor in learning this language? 4) What do you think are some of the creative ways in which Sanskrit can be used in di erent elds of life? 5) According to you which is the most meaningful/beautiful word in Sanskrit that you have learnt so far?
These comments are from preaching and studying scriptures history and penetration of Christians in Group 1, which has been study- 5) Most beautiful word - Krishna the Malabar Coast. ing Sanskrit text and grammar 5) Prema, Sadhana Anna Metelitsa for over a year: Historian, takes keen interest in psycho- Yuri Chizyn therapeutics Healer Ekaterina Fedina 1) Practically I don’t discuss my life 2) Sanskrit is beautiful and interesting. It Web-editor and my interest with others who are will also help me in understanding the 2) I made up my mind to study the not close to me. My friends don’t get depths of poetry and in Hermeneutics – Sanskrit language for studying Sanskrit amazed about me. to interpret poetic texts. slokas. Also, I have a feeling that this 2) Main thing – I wanted very much to 5) Mahatma is the most meaningful language will be useful for me in the be a Swamiji’s student. Also I am inter- word to me future. ested in ancient languages and Indian 3) Very di cult structure of the lan- spiritual culture. Oksana Kolesnikova guage. But the most di cult thing is to 3) It was very di cult for me to get used Designer, Clothing nd a time for studying! to the script of Sanskrit (Devnagri) and 1) Always I had a desire to study this an- 4) I would use my knowledge: may be this is the reason of my di - - To sing songs and make records as culty to learn new words by heart ethnic music will be popular forever 4) When I do homework, my brain - If I have a possibility to draw I would becomes calmer and also studying use the Sanskrit script in Art Sanskrit develops assiduity and helps - It is easier to learn other languages to be more diligent. Working even with based on Devangari, such as is Hindi stray words you understand deeper the - It is possible to teach Sanskrit in tradition and also some holy texts, man- Universities for those students who are tras and bhajanas. Perhaps in the future, studying foreign languages, and would Sanskrit will help my scienti c interests be useful in comparative grammar too. Now I am researching the ancient - To make texts for beautiful ceremoni- als like yajna, to organize festivals like “Days of Indian Culture” which would include puja, yajna and we would invite people - There are a lot of religious and philo- sophical schools and movements in Russia where Sanskrit could be used for
34 aaratrika / august 2008 aaratrika / august 2008 35 cient language, but why I got this desire Well, here are my answers… 1) What is Sanskrit? I don’t know. 1) I don’t tell about my studying San- 2) To know the highest knowledge 3) Verbs and cases are very di cult. skrit to people about man’s life in the world 5) My favourite words are Atman and 2) I want to read Shruti 3) Ancient Sanskrit texts Prakriti. 3) Verbs 4) To use Sanskrit as pivot on genuine 4) It helps me in spiritual practice knowledge Anna Zagarscikh 5) Sangeetam 5) Jnanam Art-designer 1) People say – ‘What is this Sanskrit? Group 3 has been studying Group 4 is now studying Vedantasara Language? Why? It is already out-of- after learning the Bhagavad Gita and use!’ Sanskrit for over four years. the Vivekachudamani of Shankara- 2) So that I could study the ancient Other than the language, the charya. This is the senior-most group Hindu scriptures and poetry in original, students have fi nished studying which has been studying the language understand the meaning of mantras the Bhagavad Gita and are cur- for more than fi ve years: and to study Indian culture deeper rently learning the Vedantasara 3) The lack of literature and methodical Euphrosynia Sibileva enchiridions. It is necessary to read a - essence of Advaita Vedanta: Dancer lot of books in original to understand language better. Alexandr Kosenkov Video-engineer My answers to Aaratrika would be: 1) People are telling me that I am crazy 2) I like it 3) Holistic view of the world 4) The laws of life’s logic are comprised in Sanskrit 5) Krishna
Ludmila Nikiforova Geologist-engineer 2) I was brought to Sanskrit by the natu- My answers are: ral ow of my life. 1) People often exclaim ‘What is it?’ 3) The biggest challenge for me is the 4) To learn other languages based on when they hear I study Sanskrit necessity to be busy with something Devnagri such as is Hindi, to use the 2) For understanding mantras and else besides Sanskrit! Sanskrit script in Art and it may help in bhajanas 5) My favourite word in Sanskrit is Om. preaching the spiritual path of life. 3) Desire to reach the Highest Knowl- 5) Prema Parama prayojanam edge Mikhael Katrovski 4) In conversation with people, to rec- Engineer ognize inner state of man Group 2 comprises of students 2) The time and the desire came. 5) Madhuram who have been attending Text 3) The grammar and the absence of and grammar classes for over many adequate concepts in Russian Valeri Baranov language two years: Managerial system-engineer 5) Tattvamasi Om
Elena Ovsyannikova Art historian Mikhail Baklanov 2) I would like to work with Eastern Businessman museum exhibits for which Eastern languages are necessary. 3) We have to learn a lot of grammar. 5) Vandana
36 aaratrika / august 2008 aaratrika / august 2008 37 38 aaratrika / august 2008 aaratrika / august 2008 39 HAPPY TIDINGS...
RASHMI MISHRA MANISH PRABHAT Principal First Secretary HOC, Embassy of India, Embassy of India School Director JNCC
She joined the Embassy of India School He joined the Jawaharlal Nehru Cultural in March when Moscow still had some Centre (JNCC) in May this year. What he snow and spring was in the air. With the likes best about Russia is the warmth onset of summer, the greenery and the and friendly feeling with which Rus- lovely owers absolutely charmed her. sians relate to Indians. Though severe, She began exploring Moscow by visit- he loves the snowy winter in Russia as ing the museums, parks and attending it is so very di erent from winter back cultural shows. The Park Pobedi or the home. To lift his mood he would at Victory Park museum left a deep im- times listen to Alla Pugacheva’s ‘privet pression on her. She in particular likes privet poka poka’. His favourite Russian the interior of Ploshad Revolutsii metro movie - the classic soviet lm Ironia and appreciates Moscow’s infrastruc- Sudbi ili s lehkim parom. He feels there ture. Her favouite in Russian cuisine - is nothing better than a bowl of piping the salads. hot borsh in a freezing winter afternoon.
She is partial to the children’s section of He conveys heartiest Puja Greetings Aaratrika and says that puja is an ideal from JNCC! time to do something meaningful for the under priviledged children.
She wishes Subho Bijoya to all!
40 aaratrika / august 2008 aaratrika / august 2008 41 Tea at 8??
Shanti Bhattacharya Tauvy After having lived in Moscow for the last 12 years, she plans to move back to her hometown of Singapore this autumn. She is excited about being with her family there but mostly, she sees herself in the market stalls every morning having her favourite dish of coconut avoured rice with pungent prawn sauce.
ndia is truly a land lled with sur- When my brother and I were little and him sell me his ware. prises and I don’t know whether went to visit the grandparents in the vil- Car honking seems to be a national pas- I to exasperate or laugh or even cry lage, I would over hear Dadu explaining time here. How does blaring your horn sometimes. Perhaps there have been to my cousin how this family (meaning on a standstill tra c going to miracu- occasions when I have done all three at us) would dress up and powder their fac- lously create a passage way for you to one go even. If I had to pick one analogy es to go to bed. Apparently our colour- guide your car through is still a mystery to describe it, I’d say it is a jhal-mishti-tok ful clean pyjamas were good enough to to me. I once even sat in a taxi cab which chanachur where you get to avour ev- go festive partying in. had a switch for a horn – ick it down and erything in one mouthful! Asking for directions is a delicate process. it screams continuously until you ick Many years ago, my brother, father and I have learnt never to ask a bus conduc- it o . Anywhere else in the world, it is I, travel to New Delhi and stay with a tor the said question. He will get o the very shameful indeed to have someone cousin. The rst evening, we all go walk- crowded vehicle, for he is the last one in have to resort to honking at you for that ing in the market place and buy all kinds anyway, and ponder and then begin his would mean you were uncouth enough of sweets (yes, and I refuse to call them narration on how to get to my destina- to warrant it. “sweet meats” for there is nothing animal tion. Of course there will be passengers How does one gesticulate “yes”? By about a shondesh!) to be taken home to who will overhear this and vehemently nodding, of course, I would say. Well, eat. We are served this with tea at 8 pm. disagree with the conductor and get o that apparently is not the way it works A little surprised at this o ering (for tea the bus to be able to voice out their own in India. Somehow, shaking your head time was long over and so we took this opinions on the best route to take. This from left to right is “yes” and well...what to be our evening meal) but eat heart- process will take many, many minutes is “no” then? ily. Afterwards, the three of us, in fresh and I would be standing there wishing Hospitality is a huge deal in India. You pyjamas and teeth all brushed, slip into this was all a bad dream and feel totally arrive at someone’s home unannounced bed when in walks a ba ed cousin ask- responsible for holding up 200 people to see them and spend time with them ing what we were doing! Well, what did hanging from the bus railings from get- yet, a few of them will disappear to the it look like we were doing??!! Sleeping at ting on with their own journeys. No- market as soon as you arrive and when the end of a long day was not unheard body seems to mind it really – patiently they come back , the rest of them would of, even in industrious India surely. “B- waiting for the bus conductor and the disappear into the kitchen to prepare b-but dinner??” he stammers pointing fellow travellers, who by now are joined the ingredients the rst lot had brought to the dining table all laden with good- by other passers by on a heated debate. I home. By the time “nashta” is ready, you ies enough to feed a small village for a wonder if anyone would miss me if I just hurriedly eat and leave for it is already week! slipped away from here... nightfall. So much for bonding... You can take an Indian out of India but I had bought some glassware during a Trying to call a relative on the telephone you can’t take India out of an Indian. A last minute shopping trip and was fran- long distance is no short feat. You want similar incident happened to my aunt tically trying to pack it safely for it was to make it quick for long equals expen- when she had visiting friends from the late and I was leaving the next morning. sive but everyone from immediate fam- subcontinent in her hometown in Cali- Surprisingly, nobody keeps bubble wrap ily to their neighbours and their neigh- fornia once. She worked all day and handy at home. Dear cousin takes me bours’ relatives want to have a word had a young son then. Not wanting to to out to the stores to get cotton wool with you. Whatever does one say to the bother with cooking and washing up af- but by this time, it was already dark and 2-year old grandson of the people living terwards, she took the visitors out to a everyone had gone in. Not discouraged two doors away from your aunt? pasta dinner. After the meal, and upon by the locked doors, he calls out and Road expansion is very commendable arriving home, the guests calmly asked when that was not loud enough, neigh- especially since it is to elevate nasty traf- what they could do to help with cooking bours started to come out and bang on c congestion. However, not wanting to bhat. Apparently the pasta was only “jal the chosen door until they drag a very uproot a 300-year tree that stood in the khabar”. apprehensive shop keeper out to make way of progress is just as honourable so
42 aaratrika / august 2008 aaratrika / august 2008 43 cooker. These calendars would grace ment with!??) right hand and expected many a alter table and prayers would be me to put the article there. Needless o ered to the likes of Mr Ganesan, in the to say, I was taken aback for this would guise of the Devine Creator. mean that the white thread (or any I witnessed a very interesting incident thread for that matter) was as good as some years ago as I sat in front of a tem- ruined. Naturally I said this was silly and ple gate waiting. A young lady arrives, asked for her other, clean hand and she takes one slipper o and places it hap- reluctantly gave me that and the mat- hazardly on one end of a pile of slippers ter was closed. Shaking my head at already there from other visitors to the her short sightedness I walk home and temple. What surprised me was her next recount the episode to my aunt who move which was that she puts the re- explains that because the neighbour re- maining slipper not immediately next to spected me, she could only o er me her the other half of the pair but completely right hand, even though she knew that at the other extreme of the temple gate. was the last she would see of her prop- how does one get around it?? Exactly I have nally gured out how to be able erty which was better than o ending by doing that – leave the tree there and to wear my favourite pair of shoes to a me by o ering me her left hand. pave the road on the other side of it so temple now instead of having to resort There is probably enough material to now we have a bigger road but unfortu- to putting on only footwear which I can cover an entire trilogy-worth of books nately, the part on the other side of the a ord to lose. when talking about language spoken in tree is not large enough to let a car pass I was returning a spool of white thread India so instead of embarking on such so we are back to square one. Although, to a neighbour which my aunt had ear- an ambitious expedition here in Aaratri- it would be a squeeze but I suppose lier borrowed from. She was a modest ka (yes, I am told that I cannot, must not, grandpa’s bike might just be able to go woman, working away mixing what, to monopolise), I shall just touch on one through it. the untrained eye, looked like mud and peculiar example of English as spoken In the 70s, growing up in Singapore, we cement with her right hand in her yard by citizens from the sub-continent. They would be treated to Shivaji Ganesan when I arrive. When I make my inten- constantly say “ You are looking pretty” dressed up as Lord Bhrama and doing tions known, she smilingly stretches out or some other adjective following the all kinds of feats adorned in gold. All the mudcaked (umm...actually, my ol- word looking. I nd that almost half a very well except that calendars were factory senses told me this was actually compliment as if they are telling me then produced following the success of a less exciting concoction she had in her that I am not really beautiful but that I such movies and handed out free with hands and of course, why ever would merely, on a super cial level, exude a the purchase of, oh let’s say, a pressure anyone use their bare hands to mix ce- deceptive glow. For me, one is either pretty or not . Another example so often used is that of hunger, as in “I am feeling hungry”. Why not just, “I am hungry”?? Perhaps this is because of a literal trans- lation from “amar khidhe peyeche”. So whether you are feeling hungry at 8 for a hot dinner or trying to make out if you are headed in the right direction for you can never make out the yeses from the noes, whether you go to the temples and risk having to walk home barefoot or choose instead to do the thanksgiving at home in front of the colourful poster of some 70s movie star, you know that when in India, you will never come away from it indi erent. My relationship with it in my handful of visits has been one of the most potent experiences of my life.
44 aaratrika / august 2008 aaratrika / august 2008 45 Oh! Calcutta!
Kaveri Sen Menon Kaveri is an “original” Calcuttan from Sutanoti (where Fort William cur- rently is located), has not lived in Calcutta since 1995. Perhaps that is why she still refers to Kolkata as Calcutta ! A housewife who has lived in various cities in India and abroad, depending on her husband’s postings, she is now living in the hill city of Bandung in Indonesia. Her all time favourite breakfast is of course maida’r luchi and alur makha- makha tarkari. With age she has become health conscious and is very happy and sated with hot toast with melting butter, fried eggs and milk - health conscious indeed!
am not a writer by any means, but at, with the sound of the harsh caw- new friend said - for a few hours, we yes, I do like to put my feelings ing of the crows, the sound of the horn brought Calcutta to us - oh so true. I into words. Last week I was asked of the milk vans, the tinkling bells of the For me Calcutta is a place where I can to write a piece/article/story - well any- rickshaws, the clangs of the trams, the live life on my own terms. I can relate thing which makes good reading, by wailing of hawkers selling their morning to the people and nd my own comfort my recently acquired friend, Bornali, a fruits and vegetables. Amazing how the zone. As an expat, I have to follow the Bengali too, who has come from Rus- city has taken over me completely. I can norms and rules of a foreign place which sia where her husband Sudip had been understand why I feel like this, as I was does not give me a sense of belonging. working. And the best part is that we born and brought up in the city. But my Just the thought of walking down Free both hail from Calcutta . Calcutta , a city husband, who lived all his young life in School Street, browsing in the second that never lets you forget its existence Malaysia and came to Calcutta for his hand book shops, going to Southern no matter where you are. It has a way college - he too cannot think of living Avenue and having the yummiest of of welcoming you into its fold with its anywhere else but Calcutta !! He is just puchkas, eating chicken rolls in Nizams, warmth and hospitality which overpow- waiting for the day when he can put his biriyani in Shiraz, lal misti doi from Gan- ers the stench, the lth lying around feet up and retire and return to Calcutta guram - makes me go crazy with yearn- even in the important streets, its by now . As they say, the converts are more of ing and miss the city as much as I miss famous ‘bandhs’, its tra c jams, its su o- a fanatic than the originals! Calcutta my children who are away from me, liv- cating pollutions.. A dialogue in a Ben- just grows on anyone who accepts it for ing their own lives. gali lm by Rahul Bose aptly describes what it is. Yes, Calcutta can give one ulcers too what a Probasi - an expat - feels about The other day, my before mentioned - the feeling of frustration when travel- the City of Joy - you hate it and you love friend Bornali, and her husband Sudip, ling from Point A to Point B, for move- it. Oh yes, it’s so true. and a Tamilian couple, Ram and Leela, ment in the city takes forever with its The life of an expat - specially in the also from Calcutta , came over for lunch. mismanaged tra c and roads with pot South Eastern part of the world, can be As is common among Bengalis, wher- holes, the humidity level which can be a wonderful. Its the El Dorado of the East. ever we meet, we start chatting in Bong, killer and makes you feel you are soaked Some people would give up much to not bothering if the others understand in the juice of the city’s famous sweet - be in my place. But for me, its a di er- the language or not. But thankfully, that rasogolla, the laid back attitude of the ent story. I don’t seem to get the pull of particular day, everyone present knew people - assigned tasks are never com- Calcutta out of my system! The town I the language. After a typical Bengali pleted on time, and the unprofessional- am living in at present - a small quaint, lunch of luchi, begun-posto bhaja, chol- ism of the Calcuttans. And yet, when I picturesque place up in the hills, provid- ar daal, phul kpoir dalna, channar dalna, weigh all these points on a scale along ing the best of both a city and a town - is alur dum, tomator chatney and gurer with how I feel for the City and the con- truly beautiful. I wake up in the morn- payesh, one was bound to feel nostalgic. nection I feel with it, it is way, way up on ing to the sound of birds chirping, open And for what?!! For the di erent sounds the scale. Surprises me too. my eyes to see the fresh green grass in made by the hawkers on the streets of Its sad to see the old Calcuttans hav- the lawn, the mango laden tree, a vari- Calcutta ! My Tamilian friend mimicked ing to give up their ancestral homes to ety of colours in the recently bloomed brilliantly the sounds with its quaint in- builders and promoters as the joint fam- owers - oh so peaceful and refreshing. tonations of the sil-nora wallas, the knife ily syndrome is vanishing and they can- But then, once the novelty wears o - I sharpener and the paper/kabadi walls - not maintain these houses on their own. am pining for waking up in a cramped it was amazing. As the husband of my In its place multistoried ats are coming
46 aaratrika / august 2008 up a ordable to the rich only. If today you stand at the Howrah or Sealdah rail- way stations, you will see most of the original Calcuttans commuting by local trains and coming to the City to work. They have been ousted. But for Calcuttans, who still have a place to go back to - its great. Even if people return to the City after a decade, one can still pick up life where one had left!! It is that comforting. Life doesn’t change much here. Maybe visually yes, but look around the ‘golies’ and paras - you may still nd the same man, a little older now maybe, but in the same type of out t of dhoti and gamcha on his shoulder, sell- ing the same lozenges, from the same glass jars!! The only consession he has made maybe the Cadbury chocolates and Fruty juices added in the patchy, dotted glass counters. The hold the City has for me is some- thing that cannot be described - one has to feel it. My love for Calcutta has made me immune even to the exotic charm of the East!! That is Calcutta for you!
aaratrika / august 2008 47 Travel is our middle name! Rajashree Jena
was only an eight hour journey for some strange reason always comes Asians at a pri- but the di erence was a world back in the autumn. After the rst few vate party. There It apart. On one September day days of hunger, we mainly survived on was a huge up- in the mid eighties, when it was sunny bread, butter and eggs for the next few roar in society as and hot in Delhi, we arrived in a cold and weeks, but gradually we tried many the British Gov- gloomy Moscow. Temperature might other Russian eatables which are now ernment wanted have been +10 or so. Everything seemed part of our daily diet, for example black to project Britain so alien, so distant and very unknown. bread. Then we noticed the drinking as a multicultural society. Food had no smell, no taste, people habits, at the same time when Mr. Gor- I was also impressed by the lovely roads hardly smiled, and it was very cold. I had bachev had started his “perestroika” and all over the country (I mean all over, been mentally prepared for the cold, but for some years “ Sukhoi Zakon” (prohibi- even in small isolated places in Scot- the grey skies compounded my gloom! tion) was in force. Even then, once in a land). And like most tourists, I was also Imagine yourself in the not jet set world while one stumbled upon drunks in the mesmerized by the idyllic countryside of the 80’s where International travel road or near metro stations. And the of Britain. There were also the ex-in- was mostly limited to the rich, famous unbelievably long queue for Vodka! In dustrial towns like Manchester and Bir- and a handful of bureaucrats. Budget India an alcoholic is either a Diwana, as mingham, which are now transformed airlines were yet to appear, at least in in Devdas (Dilip Kumar in Bimal Roy’s to modern housing and business and our part of the world and international Devdas) or the devil in …….. Never cultural centers. And the transforma- travel for holidaying or leisure was con- mind! Then came the shock to see lib- tion is absolutely fantastic. sidered a luxury. A letter from Moscow eral world’s public display of love in the Still there were some surprises along to India usually took 2 weeks to reach streets of Moscow! Wasn’t it supposed the way; here are some of the funniest its destination and that too through the to happen only behind the bush, as per ones in my view diplomatic post. Yes guys, there was no Bollywood movies of course? (I am still 1. Here was my rst shock on the bus: possibility to send sms or have a quick talking about those days) Me – Can I have a ticket to City chat on the Internet. Anyone remember As it happens in life, from Russia I Centre, please. life without Internet or cable TV? Then moved further westward and landed in Driver – Yes my love! came the revolution in technology and the Queens Land-Great Britain. My rst Me – Beg your pardon! especially the Internet, which brought a impression was as if I have been around Of course he did not pay any attention, revolution to the way people, communi- for a long time thanks to the historical and continued in the same indi erent cate. Today’s Generation Y (especially in connection, the BBC and a good dose of tone and cold eye with the next pas- India) got massive exposure to the out- English literature. The rst thing I loved senger. You heard this expression “love” side world though Internet and cable TV. about Britain was that I didn’t need to everywhere. For many of us that was ex- The reason for all this blah-blah is purely carry my passport, visa, or any other pressing familiarity, when there wasn’t to distinguish between the cultural identity proof with me everywhere. any! shock for us and for the younger genera- What a relief! 2. The bus drivers and sales men in re- tion being rather di erent. It was also very impres- Do people experience culture shock sive to see the tolerance when travelling from place to place? of the British people How about traveling through time? towards other cultures Imagine a man slipping into coma in and traditions in real life. the eighties to awaken 2006. Show him At least there was an at- the song “Dhoom Machale”! Will he ex- tempt to make people perience a culture shock? Do I need to feel human and o cially answer? (!) there was no discrimi- The rst shock for me and our group of nation against race or students fresh o the boat (and there colour. I remember then were plenty to follow), was the smell British Conservative MP of a gloomy autumn Stolovaya (can- had to resign for some teen) that still lingers in my mind, and joke she cracked about
48 aaratrika / august 2008 ˆ ½ž−²İćČ−³− ¾¼Þý²ž½−Ą³−!
ООО “МЕТАЛЛОКОМ”
105187, Москва ул. Фортунатовская, д.27А
тел.: +7 495 369 1027 +7 495 166 1213 +7 495 166 0496 e-mail: [email protected]
aaratrika / august 2008 49 tail stores wear white shirts and a tie. But though there are many orthodox Chris- the professor comes in jeans and T-shirt. tian festivals, they are not celebrated (Perhaps I could not get over my soviet with much vigor among the people here. day professors in grey suits) And no, you All the celebrations are limited to church don’t call your professor “sir” but by their and home, and don’t spill out onto the rst name. streets as in India. Speci cs of Indian fes- 3. It is not always “ladies rst”. Many tivals are that people wear colourful new times gentlemen wonder if to let the la- dresses, which was strikingly opposite dies rst or not. That hesitation was ob- to the clothes here. Another important viously thanks to the feminists! part of our festivals is the community 4. Due to heavy rains in Manchester, the feeling when people come together for joke was that Manchester has two sea- the celebration. sons, rainy season and very rainy season. You immediately identify a Mancunian (natives of Manchester) from an outsid- er. The ones carrying an umbrella when it is raining is obviously a non-Mancuni- an. You can easily nd girls in mini skirts and strapless tops, and boys without a winter jacket in freezing temperatures. me was that the people in Japan actu- Wrapping up like cabbage is indeed not ally clean even the drains outside their their style! Dr. Durga Nand Mishra houses like their room oors. I had never 5. Washing my face in the morning was a Administrative Offi cer seen anyone do it in India apart from the pain really. Many sinks in the bathroom An enthusiastic explorer, an excellent or- jamadars. When I came to Russia, the all over the UK, still have two separate ganizer – our hassle-manager very rst thing that caught my atten- taps, one for cold and the other for hot My trip to the US a few years ago was a tion was that the most popular place for water. The rst time I burnt my hand. memorable one. What amazed me the couples to exhibit their mutual a ection 6. And nally it is not true that you don’t most in the US were the fantastic roads, for each other was the metro elevators make real friends there. I enjoyed two which I experienced while traveling on and compartments. I have rarely noticed wonderful years in the UK and made the budget, yet excellent greyhound such displays in some other public place many life-long friends. I will always re- buses. I landed at San Francisco airport elsewhere! member the two lovely Christmases I that almost seemed to be located in the spent among my British friends. They sea! In my journey of over 650 kms from did not let me be alone during Christ- Phoenix to LA, I noticed small planes y- mas. ing very low spraying pesticide over the elds. They were so close to the ground My two pages are complete now, so let that it seemed they would crash! As an me have my dinner. Wonder what am I agronomist this was indeed interest- having for dinner? Answer- Burglar or ing for me as in India I have never seen Grechko as many of us know - is that anything of this sort. I visited a friend in shocking?! Arizona who was studying at the Thun- Here are some of our friends who share derbird International School of Manage- their experience of a diff erent culture ment. The wonderful huge garden of the and unforgettable memories of a for- school had an amazing network of pipes eign land. which would automatically start water- ing the plants at 4 pm everyday! Each & every plant had a pipe to water it! I also saw astoundingly tall cacti of di erent types which had cute bird nests inside. Debasish Sengupta Arizona being a desert, these nests are Entrepreneur somewhat air-conditioned being locat- Travels a lot within Russia, from Valdi- ed inside those huge cacti hiding from vostok to Pskov. Both these cities are strik- the strong Arizona sun. ingly opposite in character, but he loves them. Medha Mozumder During one of my trips to Ufa, I met a 5th year medical student, Sechenov Mos- taxi driver who was a Tajik and married Manjulika Dhar, Educator cow Medical Academy to a Russian and had been living in Ufa A passionate traveller, Switzerland is her Enthusiastic about culture and loves mak- for last 15 years or so. Unlike other cit- favourite destination ing friends from diff erent backgrounds ies in Russia, where there are plenty of Living in Russia, she misses the color- When I reached Japan straight from taxi services, there are not many taxi ser- ful festivals of India - as our saying goes Gangtok, because of my dad's trans- vice companies in Ufa. The reason? The ‘there are 13 festivals in 12 months!’ Al- fer, the rst thing that really surprised soviet system is still valid. It is actually
50 aaratrika / august 2008 very di cult to get taxi driver’s license. rather large family of an Arab sheikh I found out that a few years back the with four wives and their pet dogs holi- guy had owned a company supplying daying in Switzerland. The summer tem- packaged dry fruits and nuts to the “Py- perature shoots as high as 48 degree in teorchka” chain of shops. How he ended UAE. After all it is hot for the animals as up as a taxi driver was the obvious ques- well! tion. Here is a typical story in post Soviet France - In Paris we once dined at an Russia, but not so typical for many of us. Indian restaurant run by a Bangladeshi The taxi driver, a Tajik, was sent to jail gentlemen (owner cum waiter) who had because he had a ght with an immigra- an African cook and the 3 visitors – Ang- tion o cial and was sent to jail on some shu, Sudeshna and myself! Globaliza- false allegations. After spending two tion? years in prison, he was set free. He man- Switzerland - We were buying water for aged to get a taxi driver’s license. It is ob- all 9 days of our 10 days stay and only in vious that his company is now owned by the last day we came to know that it is someone else. Still he has not lost hope safe to drink the tap water all over Swit- to set up another company but he needs very interesting. zerland! some investment. He o ered to sell his I was in Toronto this summer. There passenger 15 hectares of land in Ufa. was nothing really exciting or surpris- I was taken aback by the taxi driver’s en- ing about the place, just another multi- trepreneurship and ghter’s attitude; af- national and multicultural city. So for a ter all he had gone through, he had not new-fangled impression I would rather given up hope of achieving his aim. choose Innsbruck. This charming and peaceful (but not boring) city of western Dr. Eliza Anam Austria has a rich heritage and the gor- Sechenov Moscow Medical Academy geous Swarovski Crystal World. A gifted dancer, her favourite being Indian traditional folk dances Nitin Aurangabadkar There are many places in the world Businessman which would be lovely places to make Our cheerful and methodical puja orga- a living or settle down with ones fam- nizer loves anecdotes and travelling ily. But for tourists they don’t seem to be Switzerland - I remember seeing the
aaratrika / august 2008 51 on the 3rd of June and to this day is cel- ebrated as St Konstantin and St Elena’s day. Even now no one knows the secret of these phenomena. Not only tourists, but researchers – biologists, physiologists and psychologists – come to this Bul- garian village to try to understand what hidden force helps people win over re with a calm face, and manage to walk on re over and over again. We loved the small Bulgarian town of Gabrovo, famous for the Humor and Satire Museum. Bulgarians are by nature generous, lively and jovial. They don’t take any o ence to jokes rather they make anecdotes about themselves. The main subject of their anecdotes – the thriftiness of the Grabovtsa (a native of Grabovo). Economy is not a sin, but the magnitude of economy is de nitely wid- ening the humorists’ imagination. Some examples:
A Grabovets fell down while climbing the stairs of his home, and collapsed. When he Nadya Singh, our publisher recovered consciousness, the fi rst thing he love to travel, exploring new places asked: - Is the staircase intact? for myself, new traditions and leg- Iends… A young couple has agreed to meet at the This year I went to Balchik and cape of girl’s house after her parents go out. When Kaliakra in Bulgaria. The evening pro- they leave the house, the girl throws a coin. gram included dinner in a restaurant on Hours pass by, but her boy-friend does not the Black sea coast and dancing on re. turn up so she decides to go down to look It is an impressive sight in absolute dark- for him. While climbing down she notices My Bulgarian ness; you can see the Nestinars, who her young man looking for something in walk on burning coal barefoot to the the bushes. tune of Bulgarian bagpipes and drums. The girl - What are you looking for there? Experience At rst, a girl holds before her icons of The boy-friend - The coin, which you threw St Konstantin and St Elena, walks around down. the re and perhaps falls into a trance The girl - Well I tied it to a rope and got Aaratrika’s best buddy, a great and performs a ritual dance barefoot on back it immediately. photographer, she loves festive the burning coal. Indian meals served This tradition of Nestinars was adapted Grabovets visited his sister along with his from Greeks living in Asia Minor (west of on a banana leaf son. Turkey), who borrowed it from the early - Show me your hand boy, I will give you Middle Ages. There are a lot of legends some nuts – says the happy hostess about Nestinars. Here is one as described - Give it papa by the Guide. - Why? You don’t like nuts During the Osman’s rule, there was a - Yes I love them, but dad has a larger cave, currently located in the village of palm. Bylgary. There, lived ten Inok, Christian boys from Asia Minor. A cross made of They know the value of money! burnt wood was erected at the entrance - Gancho, here are two lev (Bulgarian of the cave. Once, when the Turks were money) for you. Buy two buns, one for you chasing the nuns to Constantinople, one and one for me. of the nuns collapsed. When she came - After a while, little Gancho returns chew- back to her senses, she found the Turks ing the bun on the run. were about to burn the Cross. The nun - Here is your lev, I bought the last bun. decided to jump into the re. She was not scared of the burning coals and the re did not burn her feet. This happened
52 aaratrika / august 2008 Очень люблю этом году ездили с дочкой в ее размеры определенно развивают путешествовать… Болгарию, заказали экскурсию воображение у шутников. открывать для себя новые Âв город Балчик и на мыс Калиакра, а вечером была программа Габровец поднимался по лестнице у места… в ресторане на болгарском побережье себя дома, упал, потерял сознание. Старинные традиции, Черного моря, которая включает в А когда пришел в себя, первым делом легенды… себя танец на углях. Это впечатляющее спросил: - Лестница не сломалась? зрелище, под покровом темноты, можно наблюдать так называемых Договорились молодой человек с Robert нестинаров, которые босыми ногами девушкой встретится у нее дома, Louis Stevenson под звуки болгарской волынки (гайды) когда уйдут родители. Когда они и барабана ходят по горячим углям. ушли, девушка бросила монетку. Сначала девушка, держа перед собой Ждет его час, два, три. икону святых Константина и Елены, Спускается вниз – видит он что-то в ходила вокруг огня, потом, возможно, кустах ищет. впав в экстаз совершила ритуальный - Что ты ищешь? танец босиком на горячих углях… -Монетку, которую ты выбросила. Обычай нестинары позаимствовали -Так я ж давно ее на веревочке у греков Малой Азии, к которым он вытащила. пришел из восточных культов раннего Средневековья. Существует много Габровец с сыном приехал погостить легенд о появлении на болгарской к сестре. земле нестинарства, об одной из них - Дай мне ладошку, я насыплю тебе нам рассказал гид. орехов, - сказала радушная хозяйка Во времена османского владычества мальчику. на том месте, где сегодня находится - Насыпьте их лучше папе. село Былгари, была пещера, в которой - Ты не любишь орехи? жили девять иноков – мальчиков- - Люблю. Но у папы ладонь больше. христиан из Малой Азии. У входа в каменную обитель стоял крест из обо- ЗНАЕТ СЧЕТ ДЕНЬГАМ... жженого дерева. Как-то раз турки - Ганчо, вот тебе два лева. гнали в Константинополь монахинь. Купи булочек: одну себе, а другую мне. Недалеко от пещеры одна из них Немного погодя маленький Ганчо потеряла сознание. Придя в себя, она вернулся и, дожевыва на ходу, сказал: увидела, что турки собираются сжечь - Вот тебе лев. Я купил последнюю крест. Монахиня, чтобы не допустить булочку. осквернения святыни, сама решила взойти на костер. Но оказалось, что огонь ей не страшен, а угли даже не обжигают ноги. И было это 3 июня, в день святых Константина и Елены. Разгадки этого удивительного явле- ния пока не найдено. И сегодня не только туристы, но и исследователи- биологи, физиологи, психологи – приезжают в болгарские села, чтобы попытаться понять, какая сила помогает людям победить огонь и, сохраняя безмятежное выражение лица, раз за разом входить в огнен- ный круг… А еще нам очень понравился небольшой болгарский городок Габрово, здесь находится знаменитый Музей юмора и сатиры. Болгары от природы наделены щедростью души, живым, веселым характером: они не только не обижаются на веселую шутку, но и сами о себе сочиняют There are no foreign lands. It is the traveler only who is foreign анекдоты. Главный сюжет этих анекдотов – бережливость габровца, которая сама по себе не порок, но
aaratrika / august 2008 53 Theater - the Rus Bong Connection An extremely gifted actor, aspiring to be a lm director and also makes excellent chochori. Late autumn this year the 2nd channel of Russia television (PTP) will launch ‘The Mermaid’, a teleserial where he plays the role of an Indian doctor. We are delighted and proud. Wish him many more exciting roles to come!
ost of us Bengalis are theater and their social problems are common passionate people. We take to us”. (Quote Darshoker Dorbare pub- Mgreat pride in our theaters in lished 23rd April 2004)) the Academy or in the “Theater pada” in The future: Today the Russian Theater is the north. Most of the big theater group a very strong institution of culture in the names like Nandikar, Sundorom, Bohu- country. Moscow apart from its famous rupi, PLT form and formed a part of our theaters houses also has one of the best life. But it has a lot of the Russian avor theater schools of the world. The teach- in it. ing manual created by Konstantin Stan- islavsky in the early twentieth century is It is a historic fact that the rst Bengali still followed by most institutes across Theater was established on 21st March the world. Theater here is a professional 1796 by a Russian intellectual in Calcutta organized institution with most main named Lebedyev Gerasim Stepanovich stream artists being part of the theater at 25 Domtollah (present day Ezra and is constantly catered by young tal- Street). Before that only two British ented graduates from these institutes. theaters were there in Calcutta which In Calcutta despite our rich history and a staged only English plays. vibrant present day group theater move- ment most of it is still not professional. The leftist or the socialist in uence start- We had Girish Chandra Gosh staging Valeri Achadov ed in the Theatrical moment of Bengal Shakespearean “Macbeth” in 1893 in Director, Mostele lm and that of India when IPTA was formed Minerva Theaters at a time when theater (a leading Russian production house) in 1942. Although formed in Mumbai the both in Bengal and India was associated group comprised mostly Bengali cultural with songs and dances resembling the stalwarts. Nobanna (harvest) was one of folk theater. Both Girish Ghosh and Sishir the most successful social dramas of the Bhaduri were path breakers in bring- time which was directed by the legend- ing modern theater in Bengal about a ary Shombhu Mitra. Another founding hundred or more years ago which had member of the IPTA was Utpal Dutta. He mega success. They were also known was a leftist and many of his plays de- as good teachers. If we had such a big picted the Marxist theories. history I cannot see why we are still lim- Dr. Pradyumna Chatterjee ited to amateur (mostly) group theaters aka our Papu Apart from these facts the most adored and cannot have theaters with stages of foreign author in the Bengali Theater is their own in the likes of MXAT, LENKOM, undoubtedly Chekhov. Anton Chekhov’s Satire, Taganka etc. May be with time works were depicted by yesteryears’ the Russian in uence will reach us. It is legends like Agitesh Bondopadhay and not only a nancial challenge but also present day icons like Monoj Mitra and requires a lot of dedication. In the words Bibhash Chakroborty. In the words of of my Guru Valeri Achadov “ It requires a Monoj Mitra the veteran actor, direc- life long full time dedication”. I only hope tor and play writer “Russian Authors are this will sometime happen in Calcutta. closer to us than the Western because our societies have a lot of similarities
54 aaratrika / august 2008 PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY
Ryabinovaya St.,43, territoriya FGUP «Mezbolnichnaya apteka» Russia, 121471, Moscow phone: (+7 495) 446 3747, fax: (+7 495) 447 5345 [email protected]
aaratrika / august 2008 55 Sports and more: In conversation with Hitangshu Kumar Dasgupta
Aaratrika in conversation Poshakashak: Almost always you will nd Bishuda in a with him: neat, crisp suit with well matched shirt So what are your impressions about and tie. Back home we often refer to India’s performance and the general the saying ‘’simply living high thinking’’. situation of sports in the country? However, Moscow over the last decade Indeed I am delighted about India’s has developed into an extremely fash- spectacular performance in summer ion conscious city. So how important is Olympics 2008. I consider this a matter poshak-ashak or attire after all? of pride for individuals and in a way Haha! Are you saying ami shob somoy an embarrassment for a country like shejeguje thaki? Your dressing sense India with over one billion population often re ects your inner world. It is im- to win only three medals. India still portant. Style is knowing who you are Hitangshu Kumar Dasgupta has a long way to go in developing its and what you want to say. Fashion is a Sports Journalist, Khelaar Ashor Kolkata infrastructure in sports and our govern- way of self-expression. The rst impres- Staunch supporter of East Bengal ment should play a pivotal role in that. sion is often guided by the garb! football club & Dinamo, his favourite I would attribute the Olympic victory football player - Lev Yashin to our traditional strength in elds like Khanapina: wrestling and not to the improvement He is an excellent cook, his area of in our sports related infrastructure. expertise being biriyani, tandoori and In 1986 during the Moscow Goodwill mutton curry. We asked him why is Games, I was interviewing our great Indian food not so popular in Russia as swimmer Bula Chowdhury. She was in most countries of Europe? speaking about the poor condition of Of course, I would want Indian food to our sport facilities. She also pointed be more popular in Russia especially in out that our sportsmen should com- Moscow. Indian restaurants in Europe pete more often with other countries have professional cooks and o er wider to be able to know where we stand in varieties. From Kashmir to Kerela we the international arena. I hope after have such a wide variety of cuisine, yet this encouraging Olympic results our what we get in most Indian restaurants government together with our business of Moscow is food from the North, community will join hands in building a probably Punjabi. I love Punjabi khana better, stronger base for our sportsman, but feel we should be able to o er a encourage them and am sure we can wider range. Also comparatively Indian bag many more gold. food is expensive here.
Has the media been able to successfully engage with these victories? I sincerely hope our media has been able to reach the euphoria of our Olym- pics victory to the rural areas as well. The media should play a vital role in boosting the spirits of our sportspeople. It is in the villages that we have some of our nest sportsman.
56 aaratrika / august 2008 aaratrika / august 2008 57 The good, the bad, the tasty and the almost unpalatable… Aaratrika asked some of our friends to submit recipe ideas prepared with these ve ingre- dients (Coconut, spinach, sweet-potato, pumpkin, rice), taking into consideration that a kitchen always has the basic spices and things like milk and sugar. The results are, to say the least, varied.
MITALI SARKAR PADMALOCHNA MAHADEVAN ANJALI NAYAK Our orderly librarian - responsible and reliable like CEO Anandamela, ever smiling, ever active, she says Creative, vibrant and loves experimenting with dif- a true Virgo the source of her vigour is the children of her school ferent cuisines. My menu would be: Pumpkin is available in plenty in With pumpkin I could bake cake, bis- - Kalo jire diye palong shak or spinach autumn and is full with the goodness cuit, pie, mu n or even bread. With it cooked with black onion seeds, little of vitamins. Grown-ups and specially I would also prepare chips, pakoras or onion and four to ve tablespoons of children are not partial to this veg- typical Bengali chochori - a vegetable water can also be added to this bhaji or etable. So here is my recipe to make Mr. dish with pumpkin, sweet potato and curry Pumpkin attractive. In one teaspoonful spinach. - Misti bhat or sweet rice with nuts and oil fry one teaspoonful dhania, pinch Sourcream-spinach dip is excellent with raisins with coconut as a garnish of red chilly, two teaspoonfuls each of chips. Spinach can be utilized for Span- - Kumro bhaja which is fried pumpkin urat and chana dal and some grated ish quesadilla, French quiche, pie and of - Srilankan style payesh or kheer which coconut. This mixture after grinding course pakoras. is cooked with rice, coconut, milk and becomes the masala for this dish. Diced Kerela palappam (milk, rice, coconut, sugar pumpkin should be separately fried in sugar and yeast) and fried rice with also Can I avoid the sweet potato please? oil. The spinach needs to be blended be included in my meal. into a smooth paste for the gravy. Add Sweets from coconut would include the masala, cooked pumpkin and little bar , ladoo and payesh/kheer. tamarind paste to the spinach gravy in Ranga alur pantua is a mouth-watering a pan with little oil and your ‘pumpkin- Bengali sweet made from sweet potato in-a-spinachpool’ is ready! I would serve with coconut lling. Sweet potato pie this dish with steamed rice and boiled and casserole turns out delectable. Also sweet potato. rst-rate chat can be made with roasted or boiled sweet potato. As you can see the list is endless!
YULIA SNEGIREVA MOISES GARZON Anandamela food contest ex- judge, an excellent A passionate indoor gardener, Yulia’s gulab jamuns are lip smacking. chef and an ardent dacha enthusiast For pervoe or to begin with I would I feel sweet-potato is pretty much JOY DASGUPTA serve spinach-sweet potato soup (some similar to ordinary potatoe. So I would Do you what happens when you stir together chicken can be added), which would simply fry them and add to gravy of Mikhail Zadornov, Kesto Mukherjee and an be followed up rice-pumpkin porridge onions & coconut. My meal would also unknown mysterious component? boiled in milk. I would wrap up with include: I would blend all the ve ingredients coconut stu ed blinis or pancakes - palak-paneer with plain steamed rice endlessly till they turn into a Bengali sweetened with fruit syrup. - pumpkin pie or ‘torta’ Halloween Pie. Try it!
58 aaratrika / august 2008 With Best Compliments from
ZAFEERA HANIF JEWEL GHOSH DEBASISH DHAR She has been in Moscow only for a year but name it 4th Year medical student, Peoples’ Friendship Uni- Although admitting that all that glitters is not steel, and she has been there - Yasnaya Polyana, Vladimir, versity of Russia who wordlessly helps in puja chores he believes that steel is not dull. It’s eco- friendly Tsaritsino, Kolomenskaya. A keen voyager indeed! I do not really cook much. A good rice and after all Porsche is made of steel! A superbly With sweet-potato it has to be a pud- accomplished cordon bleu, biriyani is his true area pulao with diced fried pumpkin and of expertise. ding, in which the potatoe needs to be coconut is what comes to my mind. The Spinach Diet Cutlet: Boil the pumpkin grated with milk and sugar added spinach can be nely chopped and fried and sweet potato. Mash both and add to it. to be served as a side dish along with corn our to make dough. Boil rice and I would try making a salad using pump- some of the fried coconut and pump- fry lightly in oil. Chop spinach and fry kin and boiled rice. The dressing could kin. lightly as well. Mix the fried rice with the be either mayonnaise or curd with salt Sweet potato! Wondering what do I do spinach. Take small portions of the spin- and pepper added to it. Other ingre- with them? Probably just boil and use ach-rice mix as a lling in the pumpkin- dients can be used to make the salad for garnishing of the pulao. sweet potato dough and make shapes more interesting. Pumpkin can also be like cutlets using the dough. Roll the cooked with coconut and spinach as cutlets in desiccated coconut and deep a vegetable dish which I would rather fry. Drain oil and serve hot with sauce or serve with hot rotis. chutney.
aaratrika / august 2008 59 A DOSAI LOVE AFFAIR Monique Fuller Monique has lived on four continents and currently resides in Madrid. She makes jewellery and does free-lance illustrations. Her interest in food led her to write a cookery book with a friend which will be pub- lished in English next summer. Other interests range from most cul- tural activities to reading and travel. Her favourite breakfast is dosai masala when available; if not, good toast with olive oil and dukkah.
Italian and English de- overjoyed when I was invited to their yet to nd a restaurant or co ee shop scent I grew up in London. home for dinner one evening but my that prepares this delectable morning Of My mother (the Italian heart sank as soon as I saw the table. No treat. Yes, we have co ee or hot choco- part) is an excellent cook and although cutlery. Dosai is one thing for the unini- late and churros but give me a dosai any Italian ingredients are now ubiquitous tiated to eat with one’s hands, but curry day…. in London, in the sixties and seventies quite another. A dazzling array of dishes Shubo bijoya to you all! even buying olive oil entailed a trek to arrived at the table. I tried my best to Here are two recipes from Spain that specialised shops in central London’s emulate my fellow diners as they deli- are easy to prepare and can be adapt- Soho. As Indians in a foreign country this cately took a little rice and some curry, ed to your personal taste. Pan tumaca is perhaps something you can identify formed a perfect mouthful and with one (its name in Catalan) is a simple peas- with and agree that food is one of the deft movement it was gone. My e orts ant dish; a good way to use up leftover best ways in which to recreate a corner were in vain. As hard as I would try not bread with traditional ingredients such of your homeland when living overseas. only would my entire hand become a as garlic and olive oil and brightened But although we enjoy these treats that spicy mess, but the curry gravy inevita- with the presence of tomatoes. It is bind us inextricably to our roots, living bly dribbled inelegantly almost down eaten in Spain at breakfast and as an ap- abroad opens our minds and palates to to my elbow. Thankfully Shanti’s mother petiser also. If eaten as an appetiser it’s other foods and dishes and often chang- kindly o ered me a fork and spoon. My good with a glass of chilled beer, a good es our personal culinary landscape for- favourite dish of all and the one that has wine or a dry sherry. ever. stayed in my taste buds’ memory as the My rst contact with Indian food (Chi- Number One prawn curry of all time was PAN TUMACA nese and Malay of course, too) was while Shanti’s mother’s chingrir masala. Visu- Good quality white bread, of a rustic living in Singapore. For a few years in the ally it was glorious in all its golds and type if possible but make sure it’s of early eighties I had an Indian boyfriend pinks, a riot of jewel-like colours. But it wheat (not rye etc) who introduced me to dosai in general, was the taste that mesmerised me with Ripe tomatoes and to dosai masala in particular, at the the smoothness of the coconut, the A clove or two of garlic (optional) Komala Vilas restaurant on Serangoon slight crunch of the prawns and the aro- Virgin olive oil (preferably one with lots Road in Singapore’s Little India. I was mas of the various spices. Perfection on of taste) Salt hooked. The slightly acidic taste of the a plate. Slice the bread into medium thick slices. crispy soft dosai and the silky, spicy po- With Shanti I discovered sh head curry You can toast them lightly if you like as tato lling scooped up and dipped in too and our favourite place for this dish either coconut chutney or tangy sam- was at the improbable Civil Service Club bar was a revelation…can breakfast get housing Samy’s Curry on Dempsey Road. any more seductive? On most occasions Other Indian delights I have discovered I was the only non-Indian in the place over the years both in Singapore and and drew gazes and stares while I ate my India herself. Such is my enthusiasm for dosai, somewhat messily, but not alto- her food that on my last trip there, which gether disastrously. lasted about a month, I of course had And then I met Shanti and her welcom- dosai masala most days for breakfast. I ing family and my taste buds were in for gained 5kg. yet another culinary adventure. I was In Madrid where I currently reside, I have
60 aaratrika / august 2008 Wishing all a Very Happy Durga Puja and Dushera from Sanjay Yadav! this will make it easier. If using the garlic, Wash potatoes well but do not peel. Put or until 4/5 of the liquid have evaporat- cut a piece o to reveal the inside and in a saucepan and just cover with cold ed. Do not discard the remaining liquid. rub one side of the bread with the cut water. Add the salt and boil until ten- Pound the cumin seeds in a mortar with side. A little for a hint of garlic, more if der. one of the drained chillies (both if you you like a stronger garlicky presence. Drain, leaving about 1cm of water in the like your food hot) and pound until Cut the tomato in half and with the cut pan, and leave the saucepan over a low paste-like. Add the peeled garlic and the side, rub the bread until you have a heat to allow the skin of the potatoes to salt and when the mixture is well pound- generous amount on the bread but not dry and become wrinkled. Keep an eye ed add the pimentón or paprika. Add too much. Pour a little olive oil over the on them so they do not burn! the olive oil little by little so that it emul- bread and season with salt. Eat immedi- Serve with the skin on with mojo colo- si es. You may not need all of it. Lastly ately accompanied with a glass of wine rado or mojo verde. add the vinegar to taste and if necessary or sherry! Red Peppery Sauce some of the cooking water to achieve The second recipe is a comfort dish as Mojo colorado the right density of sauce. It should be those made with potatoes tend to be. 250ml water fairly thick. Spanish food is not, in general, hot, but 2 hot dried red chillies This is a typical dish from the Canary there are a few recipes that use chilli or 4 cloves of garlic, unpeeled (more if you Islands and is eaten both at home and pimentón and this is one of them. Given adore garlic!) out. You can also make a mojo verde if that both potatoes and chillies (toma- 1 bay leaf you prefer. Use 2 fresh green chillies or toes, chocolate, maize etc) originate ½ tbsp cumin seeds to taste, the same amount of cumin, vin- from the American continent this is not 4 cloves of garlic, peeled egar and olive oil as above and pound an ancient dish, but it is immensely pop- ½ teaspoon coarse salt with a generous handful of fresh corian- ular and one of the Canary Islands most 1-2 tbsp good quality sweet pimentón der and parsley. emblematic dishes. I hope that you en- or paprika joy them both! 75-100ml olive oil Wrinkly Potatoes with mojo picón 1 tbsp white wine vinegar Serves 4 Put the water, the dried chilli peppers, 1 kg new potatoes, about the size of the unpeeled garlic cloves and the bay small eggs leaves in a saucepan. Bring to the boil. 6 tbsp coarse salt Lower the heat and simmer for 30mins
aaratrika / august 2008 61 62 aaratrika / august 2008 aaratrika / august 2008 63 64 aaratrika / august 2008 aaratrika / august 2008 65 Late Mrs. Baby Chakraborty
I still remember the cold shivering win- ters of 1998 in Moscow. I was amazed to see snow everywhere. It was my rst time away from home and I was a little depressed. She could read my mind and tried to cheer me up with stories of summer in Moscow. She said winter will soon be over, the snow will eventu- ally melt and it would be jol jol (water) Late Prof. Aleksander Petrovich Gnachuk-Danielchuk everywhere. My knowledge of Bengali Professor of Bengali language and translator. is rather limited so I just tried guessing. He has translated works of Rabindranath Tagore into Russian. In India She also said that in summer Aalok ar- he is well known in Kolkata and Dakha. Vishwa Bharati awarded him rives as early as 4 O’clock in the morn- a Doctorate in 1986. In 2004 he received 'Rabindra Bisheshagga' from ing. I misunderstood Aalok as some Rabindra Research Institute, Kolkata. newspaper boy, only to understand lat- er that she was indeed referring to the early sunrise. Days passed by and the summer did arrive with the very early rays of sunshine. I was getting used to Moscow largely thanks to her. She was always there for me whenever I needed her. Well, that was my Baby Aunty with a face so kind and gentle. I miss her and will always remember her.
Contributed by Tanu Tripathi
Conributed by Irina Prokofi eva Conributed by Mitali Sarkar
We remember you fondly miss you and pray for your peace. Moscow Durga Puja Committee
66 aaratrika / august 2008 MEMBERS
President Swami Jyotirupananda Maharaj Vice-president Hitangshu Kumar Dasgupta General Secretary Nitin Aurangabadkar Treasurer Chitralekha Dasgupta Garzon Editor of Aaratrika Debasmita Moulick Nair Cultural incharge Manjulika and Sudeshna Food and Administration Durgananda Mishra
YOUNG MEMBERS
Alok Shrivastava Adarsh Tripathy Anjali Nayak & Prabhat Ranjan Nayak Amit Singh Arup Bhattacharya Andrei Garzon Dasgupta Atreyee Chatterjee & Dhrubo Chatterjee Anisha Garzon Dasgupta Bornali Majumdar & Sudip Majumdar Anushka Dhar Chitralekha Dasgupta and Moises Garzon Astika Bajaj Debajyoti Pal Ayanna Chatterjee D.Ghosh Kaushik Baba Debasmita Bera Prarthana Mukherjee Debasmita Moulick Nair & Ramanunni Nair Rati Singh Dinesh Chakraborty Richik Sengupta Krishna Roy Sagarika Sanyal Kaushik Das Sahana Mukherjee Lena Chatterjee & Rathin Chatterjee Sanchari Mukherjee Lochana & Mahesh Mahadevan Sanjana Shome Manjulika Dhar & Debasish Dhar Siddharth Shome Mitali Sarkar Sombuddha Majumdar Mohua Sanyal & Sumit Sanyal Shashwat Bajaj Manasi Sengupta & Swarup Sengupta Sreemoyee Chatterjee Natasha Dasgupta & Joy Dasgupta Suryashmi Sengupta Nadya & Rameshwar Singh Tista Nayak Nupur Mukherjee & Shankar Mukherjee Uditangshu Aurangabadkar Olga Sengupta & Debasish Sengupta Urmi Nayak Purnima Banerjee & Anup Banerjee Valentine Chatterjee Pushpalata Mishra & Durgananda Mishra Yash Dasgupta Prasun Mandal Sivaranjini & V Pundari Baba Sonu Bajaj & Balmukund Bajaj Smita Sengupta & Sumit Sengupta Sudeshna Aurangabadkar & Nitin Aurangabadkar Sumana Ganguly Sumana Mukherjee & Pradyot Mukherjee Sunil K. Bhattacharjee Tanu Tripathi & Suresh Tripathi Vidisha Shome & Saurabh Shome Yulia Chatterjee & Pradyumna Chatterjee
aaratrika / august 2008 67 a e id
Our Anandamela Aaratrika thanks Food Contest 2007 Champs: Joyotee Ray Chaudhury First Prize for Chole-Tikki: Priti Poddar Second Prize for Keema Kabab - Manisha Chugnanai for the painting that she Third Prize for Biriyani - Neha specially sent for our cover this year. Aaratrika thanks Joyotee Ray Chaudhury Monique Fuller Art was a part of Joyotee’s DNA from the beginning. Growing up, she for the lovely sketches watched her late father, Ajit Kumar Banerjee, sketch and paint. His work especially the Sheuli. as an Art Director in the Bombay lm industry inspired Joy to look upon construction on colours as a mode of expression. After meeting her husband, she moved from Mumbai to Singapore and embraced a new life while sharing her journey through her paintings. Her paintings have a vibrancy and energy that stem from her frequent choice of vivid colours and depiction of strong, powerful gures. Her work has been displayed in various exhibitions in Sin- gapore and USA.
68 aaratrika / august 2008 OUR SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT “AARATRIKA” Moscow Durga Puja celebrations Aaratrika thanks: 1990-2008 Nadya Singh for being so patient and supportive Juriy Tereschenko – our brilliant designer Editor-in-chief: Debasmita Moulick Nair Zarina Aleeva for her contribution in designing Shanti Bhattacharya Tauvy, Teresa Khanna, Sub-editor: Smita Sengupta & Monique Fuller for editing Nitin Aurangabadkar Advertisement coordinators: Debasish Dhar We thank you for your support. Pundari Baba Pradyot Mukherjee Wish you a very happy puja! Joy Dasgupta Balmukund Bajaj Moscow Durga Puja Committee Nitin Aurangabadkar Alok Shrivastsva Durga Mishra
Communication Director: Nadezda Singh H.E. The Ambassador of India to Russia Mr.P.P.Shukla Swami Jyotirupananda Maharaj Design & layout: Mrs.Rashmi Mishra – Principal, Embassy of India School Moscow Juriy Tereschenko - Mrs.Sadhana Brajesh Member of the Union of Designers of Russia Mrs.Purabi Pandit Design and printing Mr.Oleg – Ramakrishna mission Moscow “IDEA” +7 495 232 5552 ext.137 Mrs.Padma Lochana Mahadevan – Kids club +7 901 512 8734 Mrs.Sujata Rajagopal +7 495 771 5934 Irina Kirilovna Smirnova – Interclub RPFU e-mail: [email protected] Interclub – Russian Peoples Friendship University www.ideaonline.ru Coral Med – Mr.B.P.Singh Cosmo Travels Ltd. - Mr.Goyal R.K. Restaurant: Talk of the Town Restaurant Khajuraho Restaurant Maharaja Rudnick CS Ltd. - Ashish Kalawatia Selsey Holdings Inc.
Monique Fuller Редакция журнала не несет ответственности Shanti Bhattacharya Tauvy за информацию, предоставленную рекламодателями. Serum institute of India The publisher does not accept any responsibility ZAO Veins for the views expressed by the contributors Sharan Pharma or correspondents. All rights reserved and reproduction in any manner Sun Pharma is prohibited without the permission from Binatone the publishers. IPCA Lab ltd. Cover picture: Joyotee Ray Chaudhury IDEA Design & Printing – Mr.Rameshwar Singh
aaratrika / august 2008 69 70 aaratrika / august 2008 aaratrika / august 2008 71 72 aaratrika / august 2008