I was wondering why Hindus accept evolution more easily than people of other religions. Christians, in particular, seem have to have the hardest time. Creationism and its modern form known as "Intelligent Design" find many takers even today. The idea that human beings and monkeys share a common ancestry is abhorrent to many. The blurring of the distinction between man and beast is a disturbing idea to others.
In contrast, Hindus have a different view towards animals. Many Hindu Gods ride animals (Ganapati - Mouse, Yama - Buffalo, Durga - Tiger) , some Gods and demi-Gods are animals themselves (Hanuman - Monkey, Jatayu - Vulture). Some Gods are half human - half animal (Narsimha - Lion, Ganapati - Elephant). Hindus worship snakes, cows and even rats.
It is believed amongst Hindus that one is born as the lowest of animals, something akin to insects or even lower in the hierarchy of life. Through doing one's duty in each life, is one able to reach the next level when one is reborn. Human beings are considered the final step in this ladder, with them being capable of achieving "Moksha" through performing their duties and good deeds in life. Moksha is the escape from the cycle of life, death and rebirth. An evil person may be reborn as the lowest of the creatures once again so that sins can be atoned for.
An interesting concept in Hindu mythology is that of the "Dashavtaar" or the "Ten Incarnations". These ten incarnation start from marine animals, and reach human beings going through the stages of amphibious animals, mammals, hominids, savage humans, humans setting up civilization, etc. The blog entry, Dashavtaar and Evolution of Life - some parallels explains this is some detail.
The three points mentioned above, give some insight into why Hindus see evolution as nothing to be afraid of. It doesn't go against any of their beliefs and rather it reinforces them to an extent. Emotions of repulsion and disgust are not evoked when a connection is suggested between humans and animals because of the respect towards animals, in general.
As such, I believe Hinduism and evolution to be compatible with each other.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Ganeshotsav
This is the fourth Ganeshotsav that I am celebrating away from home. This year though, I am lucky enough to be able to do many things that I did in India.
As a kid, the Ganeshotsav always has had two aspects for me. The Ganapati at home, with relatives and friends coming to visit and the Sarvajanik (Community) Ganeshotsav, with the late night cultural programs and the processions. Hanging out with friends after the programs to help wrap up the stage and stack the foldable wooden chairs was a big part of the Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav or "Colony cha Ganapati", as we used to call it. The hot food that we got as a reward for our hard work was another attraction.
I love the aartis (prayers) that we sing during the Ganeshotsav. I have been hearing these aartis ever since I was born. I have come to associate the aartis with Ganeshotsav as much as I associate "Ukadiche Modak" (steamed rice dumplings with a sweet coconut interior) with the festival.
In these foreign lands, the legacy of Lokmanya Tilak is alive and doing very well. Getting people together on an occasion, which is equally social, cultural and religious. While talking to a friend he mentioned that we do this so that "Hum khud ko hi naa bhool jaaye" (we don't forget what makes us who we are). Like a fish who doesn't understand the absence of water, I never understood statements like this until recently.
What we enjoy constitutes a large part of who we are. I realized that memories of my enjoying the Ganeshotsav will fade if I don't keep them alive by celebrating it. As memories fade, a part of us that we hold very dear in our hearts becomes a ghost of its original self and we begin to lose ourselves slowly.
I celeberate the Ganeshotsav in an effort to preserve my image of myself: Ganapati Bappa Moraya !!!
As a kid, the Ganeshotsav always has had two aspects for me. The Ganapati at home, with relatives and friends coming to visit and the Sarvajanik (Community) Ganeshotsav, with the late night cultural programs and the processions. Hanging out with friends after the programs to help wrap up the stage and stack the foldable wooden chairs was a big part of the Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav or "Colony cha Ganapati", as we used to call it. The hot food that we got as a reward for our hard work was another attraction.
I love the aartis (prayers) that we sing during the Ganeshotsav. I have been hearing these aartis ever since I was born. I have come to associate the aartis with Ganeshotsav as much as I associate "Ukadiche Modak" (steamed rice dumplings with a sweet coconut interior) with the festival.
In these foreign lands, the legacy of Lokmanya Tilak is alive and doing very well. Getting people together on an occasion, which is equally social, cultural and religious. While talking to a friend he mentioned that we do this so that "Hum khud ko hi naa bhool jaaye" (we don't forget what makes us who we are). Like a fish who doesn't understand the absence of water, I never understood statements like this until recently.
What we enjoy constitutes a large part of who we are. I realized that memories of my enjoying the Ganeshotsav will fade if I don't keep them alive by celebrating it. As memories fade, a part of us that we hold very dear in our hearts becomes a ghost of its original self and we begin to lose ourselves slowly.
I celeberate the Ganeshotsav in an effort to preserve my image of myself: Ganapati Bappa Moraya !!!
Friday, September 14, 2007
Trails from Sunrise, Mt. Rainier
The hiking trails from Sunrise Visitor Center at Mt. Rainier are open only for three months of the year from July-September. I went there one weekend to climb to the Second Boroughs mountain from there and fell in love with the place.
In fact, I liked it so much that I went there again the next weekend. We started at 4 am in the morning in order to reach before sunrise. We were rewarded with clear skies turning orange and then blue. Mt. Rainier itself changed shades from pink, to orange, to yellow and then ultimately white.
The trek itself consisted of taking the Sunrise trail from the visitor center. The trail drops about 200 feet to meet the Wonderland trail which passes through meadows covered with wild flowers: a riot of colours on the green grasses. There are tall trees growing in the meadows and the place looks like something out of a fairy tale book illustration.
In fact, I liked it so much that I went there again the next weekend. We started at 4 am in the morning in order to reach before sunrise. We were rewarded with clear skies turning orange and then blue. Mt. Rainier itself changed shades from pink, to orange, to yellow and then ultimately white.
The trek itself consisted of taking the Sunrise trail from the visitor center. The trail drops about 200 feet to meet the Wonderland trail which passes through meadows covered with wild flowers: a riot of colours on the green grasses. There are tall trees growing in the meadows and the place looks like something out of a fairy tale book illustration.
The meadows found here are similar to the ones found in the Tundra region of the Arctic and hence are extremely sensitive to human activity. Walking on these meadows destroys them and it can take decades to repair the damage. Hence, it is important to stay on the trails.
The meadows end just past Shadow Lake from where there is steady ascent of about 900 feet to the top of the First Burroughs mountain. As we climbed, the valley of the White River lay to our left and Mt. Rainier was always in front majestic as I had never seen before. The weather at Mt. Rainier is very fickle and we were very lucky to see Mt. Rainier's summit against blue skies.
At the top of the First Burroughs mountain we stood on the ridge between the First and Second Burroughs mountains, we could see the valley of Lodi Creek on our right as we faced Mt. Rainier with Emmons Glacier to our 10 o' clock.
Then on its another 300 feet of climbing to the top of the Second Burroughs mountain. The view here is just awesome. We use "awesome" very lightly sometimes, but this is one place where the word truly applies. Any superlatives that I could use to describe the vista are completely justified.
The meadows end just past Shadow Lake from where there is steady ascent of about 900 feet to the top of the First Burroughs mountain. As we climbed, the valley of the White River lay to our left and Mt. Rainier was always in front majestic as I had never seen before. The weather at Mt. Rainier is very fickle and we were very lucky to see Mt. Rainier's summit against blue skies.
At the top of the First Burroughs mountain we stood on the ridge between the First and Second Burroughs mountains, we could see the valley of Lodi Creek on our right as we faced Mt. Rainier with Emmons Glacier to our 10 o' clock.
Then on its another 300 feet of climbing to the top of the Second Burroughs mountain. The view here is just awesome. We use "awesome" very lightly sometimes, but this is one place where the word truly applies. Any superlatives that I could use to describe the vista are completely justified.
While returning back we took the fork to the Burroughs Mountain trail that leads back to the Sunrise Visitor Center past Frozen Lake. The descent is a total of 1000 feet with about 500 feet dropped going from the top of Second Burroughs Mountain to Frozen Lake and about 400 feet dropped in the last quarter mile to the trail head at the visitor center.
Here is link to the topographic map for those interested.
http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=46.91094&lon=-121.67636&datum=nad27&u=4&layer=DRG&size=l&s=50
Also, to better understand what I am talking about, take a look at the photos.
http://picasaweb.google.com/samir.govilkar/SunriseTrailTrek2
Here is link to the topographic map for those interested.
http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=46.91094&lon=-121.67636&datum=nad27&u=4&layer=DRG&size=l&s=50
Also, to better understand what I am talking about, take a look at the photos.
http://picasaweb.google.com/samir.govilkar/SunriseTrailTrek2
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
O. P. Nayyar
Those who like old hindi movie songs already know this but for those that aren't familiar with the genre, O. P. Nayyar was one of the best composers of that era. His songs are very melodious and I was very surprised when I realized yesterday that some of my favourite songs are his compositions.
Here's a starting point for those interested:
Kahin Pe Nigahen, Kahin Pe Nishana (C.I.D)
Le Ke Pehla Pehla Pyaar (C.I.D.)
Yeh Hai Bombay Meri Jaan (C.I.D.)
Pukarta Chala Hoon Main (Mere Sanam)
Here's a starting point for those interested:
Kahin Pe Nigahen, Kahin Pe Nishana (C.I.D)
Le Ke Pehla Pehla Pyaar (C.I.D.)
Yeh Hai Bombay Meri Jaan (C.I.D.)
Pukarta Chala Hoon Main (Mere Sanam)
Ruturaj Mahalim and Boogie Woogie for children
I am not usually a YouTuber and I don't precisely recall how I came upon these videos but I am glad I did. These videos are from the dance competition TV show Boogie Woogie. Boogie Woogie has various themes every now and then and the theme for these videos was "Children under 9 years of age"
Many kids performed well, but Ruturaj Mahalim is exceptional. Check out the first video where he performs to "Cheel Cheel Chilla Ke" by Kishore Kumar from the hindi movie Half Ticket. His timing and style is wonderful.
The second video is where he performs with a friend to "Kombdi" from the marathi movie Jatra. Here the duo's energy and timing is impeccable.
The third video is performed to the title song from the hindi movie "Don". This is from the final for the competition which he won.
Some other videos from Boogie Woogie that are worth watching are:
Shriti Shetty performing to Ah Ante from the Telugu movie Aarya
Jui Bendkhale performing to Pardesiya from the hindi movie Mr. Natwarlal
Prachi Bhosle and Shilpa performing to Aplam Chaplam from the hindi movie Aazad
Many kids performed well, but Ruturaj Mahalim is exceptional. Check out the first video where he performs to "Cheel Cheel Chilla Ke" by Kishore Kumar from the hindi movie Half Ticket. His timing and style is wonderful.
The second video is where he performs with a friend to "Kombdi" from the marathi movie Jatra. Here the duo's energy and timing is impeccable.
The third video is performed to the title song from the hindi movie "Don". This is from the final for the competition which he won.
Some other videos from Boogie Woogie that are worth watching are:
Shriti Shetty performing to Ah Ante from the Telugu movie Aarya
Jui Bendkhale performing to Pardesiya from the hindi movie Mr. Natwarlal
Prachi Bhosle and Shilpa performing to Aplam Chaplam from the hindi movie Aazad
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Impressions
****** BE WARNED. SPOILERS LIE HEREIN. ******
I loved the book. That's a great way to start off a review isn't it :) It just shows how unbiased and neutral it is going to be.
Like many people out there I grew up reading Harry Potter and I was anxious about how JKR would conclude the series. When I say I grew up reading the series, I don't mean to say that I was the same age as Harry during any of the books, in fact I was always older than even the Harry of the last book. Not being of the same age as Harry though was never an impediment in my identifying with the characters. As such I was afraid that JKR would fail in her hour of need.
No such thing happened. She came through for her readers and I am happy about it. Yes, yes she did fudge things a bit with the explanation of why Harry didn't really die and some chapters in the forest when the trio are on the run did drag out, but overall she came up with a very satisfying book.
The book is good on its own but it is more important as the final stroke that completes the masterpiece.
The Harry Potter series was a delightful tour with JKR as the tour guide.
I loved the book. That's a great way to start off a review isn't it :) It just shows how unbiased and neutral it is going to be.
Like many people out there I grew up reading Harry Potter and I was anxious about how JKR would conclude the series. When I say I grew up reading the series, I don't mean to say that I was the same age as Harry during any of the books, in fact I was always older than even the Harry of the last book. Not being of the same age as Harry though was never an impediment in my identifying with the characters. As such I was afraid that JKR would fail in her hour of need.
No such thing happened. She came through for her readers and I am happy about it. Yes, yes she did fudge things a bit with the explanation of why Harry didn't really die and some chapters in the forest when the trio are on the run did drag out, but overall she came up with a very satisfying book.
The book is good on its own but it is more important as the final stroke that completes the masterpiece.
The Harry Potter series was a delightful tour with JKR as the tour guide.
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