BharatiyaStories

  Shakthis Who Shaped our Society #5 Savithribai Phule – The mother of the abandoned (1831-1897) The small girls were running around during their school break. A middle aged lady was looking at the children with a contented smile. This was a not a scene in a school in the 21st century. It was a scene at a school in the late 1800s Savthirbai Phule – the protector of women in children was a phenomenon in Maharastra in the late 19 th century. Savithribai Phule was happy to see her children in their element. Heralded as the mother of Indian feminism, Savitribai Phule spent her life in the service of poor and downtrodden. Her work in the education and upliftment of women and widows was particularly notable especially she lived in a conservative society. Savitribai Phule was a trailblazer in providing education for girls and for ostracized portions of society. She became the first female teacher in India (1848) and opened a school for girls with her husband, Jyotirao Phule. Sa...

  Introduction The banyans looked at each other and shook their branches in happiness. They saw their mother walking under their shade to visit one of their younger brothers. The lady, aged but happy and content was looking around the tree laden area with contentment and happiness. Meet Saalumarada Thimmakka. Saalumarada Thimmakka, often referred to as the “Tree Lady” of India, is a remarkable environmentalist known for her extraordinary dedication to afforestation and conservation. Born in 1910 in the state of Karnataka, Thimmakka has become a symbol of perseverance and commitment to the environment, inspiring many with her selfless work. Her life story highlights the importance of grassroots activism in combating deforestation and climate change. Early Life and Struggles Thimmakka was born into a humble family in a rural village. From a young age, she faced the challenges of poverty and limited access to education. However, these difficulties did not deter her spirit. Aft...

  Shakthis Who Shaped our Society #2 Rukmini Devi Arundale – An Artist and a path breaker (1904 -1986) An idyllic afternoon in hot and humid Chennai. You see young girls and boys learning under a huge banyan tree. What are they learning? The ancient art of Bharatanatyam – propounded by Bharatha Muni and a dance form that Lord Shiva and Devi Parvati were fond of. Was this art form always available so easily to everyone? Was it enjoyed and admired by so many? No. This revolution was brought about by a single woman who made it her life mission and institutionalized the learning and practice of this art form – Rukmini Devi Arundale. Rukmini Devi Arundale , the founder of the great institution of dance ‘ Kalakshetra ’, a lover of  animals and traditional textiles and the one who turned down the highest office in the country – being President of India. “I was very intuitive from an early age. I responded to people just as I responded to art – through an inner feeling which...

  Shakthis Who Shaped our Society #1 Bangalore Nagarathnamma – An Artist and a philanthropist (1878 -1952) Did you know that Bangalore Nagarthnamma was the first ever woman to pay taxes in the 1900s and was the first woman to go overseas to perform a concert and the first woman to have male accompanists for her concerts? This brave lady had many more credits to her name. She was a multi linguist, a singer, a dancer and also a writer. An interesting and talented lady even today but imagine what she would have been 100 years ago. Early childhood and career Nagarathnamma broke many barriers that were considered male bastions in those days. As a child she was abandoned by her father and found refuge with her uncle. Originally from Nanjangud near Mysore, she moved to Bengaluru where she learnt English, Sanskrit, Telugu and Kannada. She also became very proficient in singing and dancing. Over the years, many princely states including that of Mysore, Travancore and Vijayanagara pa...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8sTOjqDqHs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8sTOjqDqHs Queen Velu Nachiar was an 18th century queen who fought against the British. Born in present day Ramnda district. She is known as Veeramangai (or brave woman). She was the only child of the Raja Chellamuthu Vijayaraghunatha Sethupathy and Rani Sakandimuthal of Ramnad.   Rani Velu Nachiyar was trained in war match weapons usage, martial arts like Valari, Silambam (fighting using stick), horse riding and archery. She was a scholar in many languages and she had proficiency with languages like French, English and Urdu.She married the king of Sivagangai, with whom she had a daughter. When her husband, Muthuvaduganathaperiya Udaiyathevar, was killed by British soldiers and the son of the Nawab of Arcot, she was drawn into battle. She escaped with her daughter and lived under the protection of Palayakaarar Kopaala Naayakkar at Virupachi near Dindigul for eight years. Frustrated by the joining of forces...

  Apasthamba and Pitrpaksha Once upon a time in the ancient city of Mahishmathi there lived a brahmin. He was learned and well versed in the scriptures and was well regarded by his fellow vedic pundits. It was the auspicious month of the pitrus. The paksha of the month is view – ie 15 days – was considered the time when all the ancestors visit the earthly plane. It was a period when people across Bharatavarsha follow austerities like avoiding intoxicants, ate more of sattvic food and spent their time in prayers and charity. During this period, it was considered auspicious to call the brahmins home for food. The brahmin in our story in addition to being a well sought after vedic pundit was one of the wealthy people in the city. Although the brahmin was a scholar and well read, he was not humble about his knowledge. He was very proud both of his knowledge and his money. With the coming of ptirupaksha, the brahmin wanted to organize a shrardh in his house. He started the prepara...

  The Lord of Shesachala It was a spring day in Vaikunta. Lord Vishnu was reclining. Lakshmi Devi was as usual sitting near his feet. The Lord and his consort were busy discussing certain worldly affairs. The Devi asked him “Lord, you had appeared as many avatars and even as a human avatar to help mankind and also to guide them. The most difficult of ages, the Kaliyug has started. You did a poorna avatar as Krishna and gave the precious Bhagavad Gita to mankind. But shouldn’t you be helping them when they need you the most?” The Lord smiled and remained silent. He gave a meaningful look at the magnificent snake who was guarding the entrance Adisesha also known as the Sheshanag and smiled. At that moment Vayu Bhagavan was coming towards Vaikunta. He thought to himself “Its been awhile since I served Lord Vishnu. Let me pay my respects to the Lord and Devi by blowing some cool breeze that can make them happy.” In his focus on entering Vaikunta, Lord Vayu did not notice Adisesha. ...