Crew from Halifax ship Mackay-Bennett recover Titanic victim
Before I went to Halifax for the Titanic 100 commemoration events, I didn’t get it. I didn’t really get the full impact of the loss of more than 1,500 people when the ship sank on April 15, 1912 after striking an iceberg about 600 kilometres off the coast of Newfoundland. I didn’t get that the crews of two Halifax-based cable ships, the Mackay-Bennett and the Minia, unhesitatingly made for the wreck site on April 17, two days later, after being contracted by the White Star company. I didn’t get that these men braved the cold, choppy waters of the North Atlantic to pull 302 dead bodies — one of them a 19-month-old baby — into small boats lowered from the cable ships for the purpose.
This photo, above, is now the enduring image for me of the epic disaster. It has replaced photographic images of the great steamship leaving Southampton and of Captain E.J. Smith standing on the bridge. It has replaced the drawing of the Wallace Hartley band playing on the deck as the ship sinks in my old Titanic book and computer generated images of the Titanic breaking in two before slipping beneath the waves. (more…)
At the Toronto Yoga Show
I am not that keen on yoga shows and conferences and cannot afford the big-ticket class fees. But I did pay a Saturday visit to the Toronto Yoga Show floor and was drawn to speak with a number of people who seemed sincere and knowledgeable (in spite of the overtly commercial atmosphere). I chatted with some people from Sivananda Yoga. I have been to several of their worldwide yoga ashrams and centres — such as the beautiful Sivananda Ashram Yoga Camp north of Montreal, in the Laurentian Mountains — and I often recommend them on Breathedreamgo and in the articles I write. Also enjoyed chatting with Kevin “The Wolf” Alexander, Wearer of Many Hats, from the Northern Edge Algonquin retreat centre. I have wanted to go to this very special retreat on the edge of Algonquin Park for more years than I care to remember. Somehow, after chatting with Kevin, I think this summer will finally be the one. Among other special events, they often host yoga retreats.
The highlight, for me, was unexpectedly coming across sitar teacher Lata Swarn modestly sitting on the floor and playing in a booth selling yoga clothes. I kneeled down and listened, falling into a trance induced by the classical Indian music. Not only can she play like a charm, but she’s a lovely person too — and I discovered that she lives in the same west-end Toronto building as my brother. Another highlight was meeting yoga “legend” Dharma Mittra. (more…)
Lodhi Garden, New Delhi
When I was getting ready to travel to India the first time, back in 2005, I had several friends warn me: “You won’t like Delhi. It’s crowded, it’s polluted, the people are aggressive, you will be pestered to distraction.” I’d heard lots of stories about Pahar Ganj, the grubby “traveler’s ghetto;” the challenges of buying tickets and arranging any kind of transportation; the scams and the con artists; the crowds and chaos.
However, my first morning in Delhi, I walked out into the warm, December sunshine, on the big, white marble terrace of my friend’s home in South Delhi and was greeted by the family, who offered me breakfast. Later, a man arrived with a huge bundle of gorgeous shawls and fabrics, and I sat on the terrace drinking tea, with the ladies of the family and shopped. It was all very civilized and I felt I had arrived in heaven, not the hell that I was promised. (more…)
Photo courtesy San Sharma
Diwali means “rows of lighted lamps” and it is also called the Festival of Light. It is the most enthusiastically celebrated festival in India — which is saying a lot! Diwali is the equivalent of Christmas — a big, festive celebration that brings families together and is the highlight of the holiday season. There are five days of festivities, each marked with different pujas (prayers) and rituals.
I love Diwali, and though I have only spent one Diwali in India, I remember it fondly. I went shopping with Ajay’s mother for gifts, decorations, flowers and sweets a few days before, and on the morning of Diwali she had me decorating the family mandir before my eyes were completely open. Later, I helped fill hundreds of small diyas with oil and wicks, and then place and light them around the terrace and down the stairs, etc. In the early evening we had a puja in the mandir, which was my favourite part of the entire day. And at night, we joined the millions of other Delhi-ites blasting fireworks and firecrackers into the night sky. It was deafening and created hazardous smog, but I appreciated the gusto with which people were celebrating.
There are lots of other places to celebrate Diwali in India; read on for some suggestions culled from Breathedreamgo Twitter and Facebook friends. (more…)
Pav Bhaji -- the Teaspoon of Turmeric way
Everyone’s invited to the A Celebration of India at the Drake Hotel in Toronto on Monday, September 26, 2011 starting at 7 pm. Thanks to Ivy Knight, the creator and host of 86′d, a weekly Monday-night food event at the trendy Drake Hotel, 1150 Queen St. W., for collaborating with me to create an India-themed food night.
You will be treated to tasting portions of Indian food from Apalla Fine Indian Cuisine, 811 Queen St. W. in Toronto (647-428-7119). Apalla is an intimate restaurant with a romantic atmosphere run by executive chef and owner Rajwant, who creates fresh, flavourful Indian food that is authentic in taste yet modern in presentation. I went crazy for the Vegetable Pakoras – the best I have had ou
tside of India – and also for the the Paneer Korma (fresh cheese in rich curry sauce), Aloo Gobi (potato cauliflower) and the Saag Paneer (spinach cheese), which is one of my favourite dishes (and I am very picky!). It’s a great place to go for delicious Indian food — but if you genuinely like to eat Indian food that is Indian-level spicy (like me!!), you have to ask for it. Otherwise it is made to Canadian tastes.
You will also be delighted with tasting portions of Bombay street food — with a modern twist! — from Arvinda’s Artfully Created Indian Spice Blends. Arvinda’s is named after Arvinda Chauhan, owner and instructor of Arvinda’s Healthy Gourmet Indian Cooking school. Arvinda invented unique spice blends for her students “who were looking for a truly authentic Indian cooking experience.” Arvinda gets a lot of help from her family, including her daughter Preena Chauhan who writes the Teaspoon of Turmeric cooking blog — a must read if you want to know how to make fresh Ontario peaches Indian-style, find out the healthful benefits of turmeric and other inspiring recipes and ideas. I was given a tin of their gourmet spice blends when I went to the press opening of the Maharaja exhibit at the Art Gallery of Ontario last year, and became an instant fan. I love the fresh, authentic taste of their blends and also their tasteful package design. Arvinda’s brings taste to everything they do! (more…)
Ganesh Chaturthi in Mumbai, India from Goindia.About.com
The photo above is from the GoIndia.About.com site — which has a great guide to Ganesh Chaturthi — how the idols are made, where the best ones are located, etc. The editor, Sharell Cook, lives in Mumbai and stays on top of happenings there and in India in general. It’s a great resource for news, information and fascinating stories. Following are the other five top photos. (more…)
Indian actor Abhay Deol at Masala!Mehndi!Masti! in Toronto
Masala!Mehndi!Masti! is the premier Indian cultural event in Toronto, and each year it seems to get bigger and better. I’ve been going for about five years, and I have seen Nandita Das and Lisa Ray interviewed; I’ve watched Bollywood and Odissi dancing; I’ve listened to sitar music and Autorickshaw; I’ve bought jewelry and eaten dosas, and, perhaps most of all, I’ve enjoyed a weekend of immersing myself in the masala milieu. Every year, it’s a bit like a mini-trip to India.
Festival founder and director Abhishek Mathur wrote, “Just like a sacred thread, M!M!M! ties and binds the diverse parts of the culture, connecting and creating continuity, while not compromising the uniqueness of each part.” And that is exactly what it is like. At the opening reception, I came to realize what a labour of love M!M!M! is for Abhishek and his dedicated team. I was stunned to find out this massive festival, with three solid days of programming, is completely volunteer run. No wonder they continually take time out to thank their sponsors (including OMNI TV, Toyota, WestJet, TourismToronto etc.) (more…)
India culture as represented in the lovely film, Paheli, starring Rani Mukherji and Shahrukh Khan
This August and September, I will be talking about India at three events in Toronto. If you’re in town, please stop by and say hello!
August 15 is Independence Day in India. On the stroke of midnight, 1947, India severed ties with her British colonizer and became a sovereign nation. It was one of the great historical moments of the 20th century (here’s some photos from that day). The first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru’s famous “tryst with destiny” speech — delivered from the Red Fort in Delhi at midnight — still raises goosebumps.
Each year Independence Day is celebrated in India and throughout the Indian diaspora. Toronto is of course a major centre of Indian culture and the celebration this year includes a parade and an all-day event on Saturday, August 13 at Yonge-Dundas Square, organized by Panorama India.
I will be there, in a booth with two other writers: Jasmine D’Costa, author of Blood is Thicker than Curry, and historical fiction author Waheed Rabbani. Please stop by and say hello, and get a taste of Indian culture — including music and food of course!
When: Saturday, August 13, 2011
Where: Dundas Sqaure, Toronto
Time: 11 am – 8 pm
FREE ADMISSION (more…)
Detail from a wedding in Lucknow. Bride and groom exchange beautiful floral garlands. Photograph by Andrew Adams.
“I grew up in a small Canadian town,” Andrew told me. “Indian weddings, and all the rich cultural traditions, were completely new to me, and very exciting.”
The band plays during the Baraat in Delhi. Photo by Andrew Adams
Andrew studied photography at Sheridan College in Oakville, Ontario, and apprenticed with a fashion photographer who shot weddings on the weekend. He learned to shoot weddings from her and soon branched out on his own. He loves the creative freedom wedding photography affords, and also the freedom of running his own business. After about three years of shooting weddings, he started to specialize in Indian weddings. That was 12 years ago, and he’s very excited about where this specialty has taken him.
He has shot Indian weddings in Delhi, Goa, Jaipur, Lucknow, Bangalore, Kerala, and Udaipur amongst other places. “Shooting Indian weddings gives me the opportunity for travel, to go to new locations and meet new people; that’s part of the passion for me,” he said. “I feel full of life and energy when I’m in India.”
Indian culture, as exhibited in Indian weddings, is an endless source of fascination. “They are very colourful, very vibrant,” Andrew said. “There’s lots happening, lots of energy, lots of emotion. I love the beauty of the rituals and the close family bonds.” (more…)
The sumptous decor added to the glamour of the IIFA Awards after party, at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel
Bollywood in Toronto
Perhaps it’s not exactly the same as Eloise at the Plaza … but staying at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel for the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards in Toronto did make me feel I was on an awfully wonderful adventure. I was a guest in the hotel from Tuesday, June 20 to Sunday, June 26, and totally immersed myself in all the preparations, behind-the-scenes activities, press conferences, events, star sightings and parties taking place in the hotel during those five days. (more…)
On the morning of April 14 approximately 10 million people streamed into the sacred town of Haridwar in north India to bathe in the Ganga on the most auspicious day during the 2010 Kumbh Mela. I was one of them. Find out how I found myself alone, and at home, at the world’s largest spiritual gathering.
In Varanasi, where the veil between life and death seems very thin, a boat ride on the river can become a journey to the other side. Come along with me on a boat ride on the Ganges River in India’s oldest, holiest city and pierce the veil.
The Ganges / Ganga River is the Mother of India. The River speaks in many voices as she travels from the high Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal. At the source, her song is joyous, full of the the jubilance of youth, the rush of fresh mountain streams, the sincere chanting of pilgrims and the excitement of the onward journey.
