The Explorer of Miracles: 2023

Wednesday, 8 March 2023

SHE – Women Characters in Hindi Cinema

Whether in real life or reel life, She/they, the woman/women, play many roles and have been heroines.

She has always been a part of movies- both in front of screen and behind the scenes.

Over the decades, there have been many women associated with cinema.

While we acknowledge the “Father of Indian Cinema”, the mothers get left behind.

However, the word CINEMA can never be possible without “MA” (Mother).

We have come a long way from the age when even female roles in movies were enacted by men.

Today, entertainment industry is also ruled by women.

Like she, Reshma/Silk, based on actress Silk Smitha, confidently states in her epic dialogue in the movie- The Dirty Picture:

“Three things are needed for a movie’s success- Entertainment, Entertainment and Entertainment; And I am Entertainment”.

Source

She is a Queen

Apart from the rule of Kings and heroes in movies like- Raja Harischandra, Baahubali and Shahenshah, we have also seen the rule of Queens and heroines like Razia Sultan, Manikarnika (Rani Lakshmibai) and Queen!

Two Tickets For The Final Match

The final match was scheduled.

The closing ceremony was to be a grand affair with the nation’s favourite performers, and, of course, a spectacular drone-show and fireworks.

There was a long queue.

Three of them, consisting of two adults and a youngster, were eagerly waiting to enter the stadium.

Photo Prompt: Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

The tickets were exorbitantly priced.

Still, all tickets were sold-out.

They just had two tickets.

But, their hope and belief was strong!

The young girl was praying sincerely.

With a spark in their eyes, they showed the two tickets to the ticket-inspectors.

Three of them were let in!

They danced joyfully!

100 Words story for Friday Fictioneers

Based on the true experience of my sister (one of the adults in this story) at the recent Hockey World Cup Final held at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.

Do you believe in prayer?

Wednesday, 15 February 2023

Their Supreme Sacrifice #PulwamaAttack

"Valentine's Day" is our celebration-

Each year this day ensures preparation.

For us, just this one day to impress & express!

Pick gifts like- cakes, chocolates, teddy, dress...

For them, every day is Valentine's Day.

Love for motherland set them this way.

With their lives they paid the heavy price-

Gracefully made the ultimate sacrifice.

Source: iStock

Brick Trick

The home was finally completed after a lot of work.

The result was there for all to see and admire.

It seemed like it had been built brick by brick.

The bricks looked special with calligraphy carved on them.

The visitors were enjoying at the house-warming party.

Image: Lisa Fox

The historian did not eat a morsel.

He was keenly observing the bricks.

Happy Valentine's Day

The stage was set with the perfect ambience.

The sudden rush of adrenaline she could sense.

The fragrant red roses, the shimmering pink dress,

The red velvet cake- everything did impress!

Image: Unsplash

My Heart Will Go On

Rose was visiting her village after years.

Memories came alive.

There was Jack serenading her.
She was ready to jump from her window!

Prompt- Alicia Jamtaas

Things had changed after the war.
Her home was bombed.

Stuck On The Runway

Who likes to be stuck?

No one wants to be stuck in traffic-jam, lift, crowd etc…

Getting “stuck on the runway” is not what any of us would prefer.

Yet, this is what has happened yesterday as many flights got grounded and many got cancelled.

Reason?

Due to a computer outage.

This image published in today’s (January 12, 2023) edition of the BusinessLine states how many flights were delayed and cancelled due to the computer outage at the Federal Aviation Administration.

The Surprise Visit

It had been an excruciating month.

After a lot of hard work, their contract was sealed.

He decided to surprise his mother.

She stayed 3 hours away; but, he had not met her for weeks.

Feeling uneasy, his mother was praying.

Picture Prompt- Fleur Lind

He had self-driven half way when he dozed off...

A bus was coming from the opposite direction.

There was a head-on collision.

Nothing happened to the bus.

Samba Dashami - Unique Festival of Odisha

Today is Samba Dashami.

It is a unique festival of Odisha, India.

Samba Dashami is celebrated on the 10th day of the Shukla Paksha of Pausha Masa i.e. during the waxing phase of moon in the Odia calendar Pausha month (December – January) tithi.

Konark Stone Carving- Sun God
Source: Wikipedia

The date varies as per the tithi.

Last year, in 2022, Samba Dashami was on January 12th.

This year, in 2023, the tithi is today- January 1st.

Prayers are offered to Sun God.

It may be noted that “Kumar Purnima” is another unique festival of Odisha where Moon God is worshipped.

On Samba Dashami, women pray to the Sun God for the health and good life of their children.

Tasty Odia food with traditional dishes are prepared.

Why Sun God?

Science treats Sun as a star.

In our culture, Sun is much more.

Sun is a God- Sun God.

Sun is called- Surya in Hindi & Surjya in Odia.

God- Deba or Debata.

Surjya Debata showers His grace on all.

One of the factors on why life on Planet Earth has been possible is- because we receive the right power of the Sun, and thus we are powered by the Sun and are truly empowered.

Had our planet been closer or farther, we would perhaps not enjoy the status we do now.

The story behind the Samba Dasami celebration:

Samba, the son of Shree Krishna and Jambavati, was afflicted by leprosy owing to a curse by Sage Durvasa.

After the latter's advice, Samba did penance for Sun God at Chandrabhaga, Konark, for 12 years.

Surjya Debata showed mercy and cured Samba completely.

Even today, many Odias and others visit Chandrabhaga, Konark, and offer prayers.

Childhood Memories

I have many memories of Samba Dashami celebration.

When I was small, I remember all members of our joint family- cousins, aunts, uncles etc used to congregate on the terrace in my grandparents’ place at Brahmapur, and used to offer prayers and soak in the solar energy. My grandmother and mother insisted us to roll over on the “gantha”- handmade mats spread on the terrace.

We enjoyed the prayers, rituals and “sun-bathing”.

Vitamin From Sun

Science states that we get Vitamin-D from the Sun.

Exposure to Sun is essential.

During Covid and as a fallout of the pandemic, we had to stay indoors and spend maximum time staying at home. Thus, Vitamin-D deficiency was diagnosed for many owing to lesser outing and minimal contact with the Sun.

Nutrition and Tradition

In our culture, worship of Sun and exposure to Sun is part of our tradition.

Food forms a smart association.

My mother used to diligently pray and observe Samba Dashami.

She used to prepare dishes such as Khechudi, Budha Chakuli, Ghudughudia tarkari etc and offer them to Surjya Debata.

Some celebrate it only in the morning.

While offerings are served three times by some families -

1. At Dawn 5:30 AM 🕠

2. Madhyanna - 12:30 PM 🕧

3. Sandhya - 5:30 PM 🕠

A specific variety of food item is offered to Sun God in the name of and on behalf of each member of the family, especially kids.

Thinking of this, I feel this special offering and connection is a safety blessing for sure with a mother’s love and trust and Sun God’s invocation and power. 🙏

Mothers always want a great, healthy and long life for their children and take great pains to ensure this.

What are festivals without food?

Each festival has its own specialties & rituals.

Pithas like Manda, Kakara, Muduka, Podapitha, Bara, etc and Mitha and other desserts and treats like Rasagola, Khiri, Muan, Gaintha etc are also prepared and offered.