The disappearing art of Mak Yong

The Pseudo-Secularism blog published a recent article from the Wall Street Journal Bit of Malay Culture Is Now Vanishing Under Muslim Rules about the disappearing dance theater form called Mak Yong, which has its roots in Hindu and animist religions that held sway in Malaysia prior to the arrival of Islam. Performers are typically women. The Parti Islam political party has banned Mak Yong in Kelantan state.

UNESCO has proclaimed Mak Yong as a "Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity."

Categories: Malaysia, MY, Kelantan

KL municipal authorities raze Hindu temple

In the three months since the launch of this blog, I've documented various attacks on Hindu temples in India, Indonesia, and the United States.

Outlookindia.com reports that municipal authorities in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia destroyed a century-old Hindu temple to make way for a building project.

Categories: 2006, 2006-04, 2006-04-21, Malaysia, MY, Temples

Minneapolis Temple Attack Leaves Hindu Community in Shock - Hindu American Foundation [HAF]

Vandalized deities at Minnesota temple

Statement from the Hindu American Foundation on the vandalism and desecration of the temple of the Hindu Society of Minnesota:

Minneapolis Temple Attack Leaves Hindu Community in Shock

Categories: USA, Minnesota, Hindu, temples

Ethnic touch may prove costly for fashion designers

From The Economic Times, this article Ethnic touch may prove costly for fashion designers discusses the effort of India and other Asian countries to prevent misappropriation of traditional cultural expressions so that they benefit the traditional holders of a particular knowledge.

Five killed, 40 injured in Srinagar blasts

From the Hindu, Five killed, 40 injured in Srinagar blasts

Five blasts in the day, as people were preparing for prayers
Two occurred in the evening
Security forces were the targets, say militant outfits
First attack on a Central Reserve Police Force bunker

Categories: 2006, 2006-04, 2006-04-14, IN, India, Srinagar,
Terrorism

2 Explosions at Delhi's Jama Masjid

From Yahoo! News, two explosions struck New Delhi's Jama Masjid shortly after Friday prayers.

In response to these two low-level IED blasts, security has been increased for temples in Varanasi, including the Kashi Vishvanath and Sankat Mochan temples.

Categories: 2006, 2006-04, 2006-04-14, Varanasi, IN, India, Delhi

Happy Bengali New Year

Today is Boishakh বৈশাখ, or Bengali New Year.

To our family, friends, and loved ones, Shubho Nabo Boishakh (Happy Bengali New Year)

Categories: 2006, 2006-04, 2006-04-14, IN, India, Bengal, Boishakh

Deadly Fire Exposes Old Perils Lurking in the New India - New York Times

Manish Swarup/Associated Press

This article Deadly Fire Exposes Old Perils Lurking in the New India from the New York Times notes:

The hunger for brand-name goods — a Toshiba television, a Whirlpool washing machine, an LG air-conditioning unit — has spread to middle India. But that hunger has only exposed the raw and yawning gaps that remain: a disregard for health and safety measures in many places, combined with a deep public suspicion that corrupt officials turn a blind eye to the need to enforce standards in these areas.

There was no inspection for safety. Arrest warrants on charges of criminal negligence were issued for event organizers, but they fled.

Categories: 2006, 2006-04, 2006-04-10, India, IN, Meerut

St. Paul Pioneer Press | 04/09/2006 | Vandalism could delay temple opening

St. Paul Pioneer Press | 04/09/2006 | Vandalism could delay temple opening

Vandalism, including destruction of statues of deities, at the temple of The Hindu Society of Minnesota, will delay inauguration of the temple.

The society's website links to a guestbook to which you can submit your messages of care and concern.

Categories: USA, Minnesota , Hindu, temples

Salman Khan sentenced to 5 years for killing rare gazelle

From The Hindu: Bollywood actor Salman Khan was sentenced to 5 years of prison by a court in Jodhpur for killing a chinkara, a protected species of gazelle. Khan killed the chinkara near Mathania, Rajasthan on September 28, 1998, while on a hunting trip with fellow actors Saif Ali Khan, Neelam, Tabu, and Sonali Bendre.


Chinkara, Indian Gazelle Gir forest, Gujarat Photographed by S. Shankar

Khan was sentenced in February 2006 to a one-year jail term for poaching black bucks, another protected species of gazelle.

Categories: India, IN, Mathania, Rajasthan, wildlife

Fire at Indian Electronics Show Kills 45 - Yahoo! News

So sad ... another horrific tragedy with dozens of fatalities. From Yahoo! News: Fire at Indian Electronics Show Kills 45 in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh.

Pray for the peace of their souls.

Categories: 2006, 2006-04, 2006-04-10, India, IN, Meerut

Conspiracy to attack Hindu temples

From the Press Trust of India HUJI militants planned to blow up Hanuman temples.

Six Harkat-ul-Jehad al Islami (HUJI) militants conspired to blow up the two Hanuman temples in Lucknow on Ramnavami. Among these militants was Muslim cleric Walliullah, who is being held for his alleged role in the Varanasi bomb blasts of March 7, 2006.

Also noted: "three Bangladeshi militants who had triggered blasts in Varanasi could also be behind the last year's terror blasts in Delhi and Shramjeevi Express train near Jaunpur."

Last year's terror blasts in Delhi refer to the October 29, 2005 bomb blasts that killed 62 persons and injured 155 persons. One of the bomb blasts occurred within 15 minutes walking distance of my brother-in-law's home.

Categories: Terrorism, India, Lucknow, Varanasi, Delhi