The sight of roadside or mobile astrologers with a caged parakeet has almost become rare nowadays, thanks to the forest department’s crackdown aimed to protect the rare species facing extinction. The parakeet is a small parrot with green plumage, red curved beak and rose ring around the neck....
The Tamil Nadu Forest Department, in an intensified drive to protect wild animals, has strengthened its network of anti-poaching watchers and guards. Though their efforts to stop poaching of wild animals have started paying off, as evidenced by the recent fall in poaching incidents of animals...
Subbu Arumugam's passing away has made it appropriate to recall artiste Poongani who was once a metonym for Villupattu, one of the age-old folk art forms inherited from the feudalistic society and now a forgotten legend. Performing arts such as Villupattu, Kaniyan dance (unique to the community...
The union government’s decision to include Narikuravars in the list of Scheduled Tribes – a welcome migration from the MBC list - has not come out of the blue. It is a hard-earned final victory for the long suppressed people’s struggle of sweat, tears and blood. The air had long been thick with...
Conceding the long-pending demand of the Tamil Nadu government, the union government has finally approved the inclusion of the Narikuravar community, a semi-nomadic tribe, in the list of Scheduled Tribes. The community was so far listed among the Most Backward Classes. The decision is expected...
One of the wonders of science is the discovery of the genetic code that describes life and life functions. Genes regulate the production and deployment of proteins in the body. Genetic research shows that this is at the core of life itself. Gregor Mendel, an Austrian biologist, was the first...
More awareness and understanding of food items consumed in our regular life can help us lead healthy lives. Food is not only for energy and growth, it is necessary to repair tissues, rejuvenate cells and protect against diseases. Spoilt food and contaminated food are the cause of many diseases....
The rights of a transgender may have been secured legally but their right to be recognized as humans in society is still not available to them. Larger society doesn’t recognize them as humans. The turf of the transgenders is invisible – society would rather have them out of sight. When they are...
Food habits have long been a subject of much discussion in Tamil Nadu. The environment and local produce have determined food habits. The food that some communities eat is used to denigrate them. Some advocate a cuisine that suits one’s body type. Some advocate vegetarianism. Organizations like...
It was in late November 2003 when we visited the Adhikesava Perumal Temple at Arpakkam near Uthiramerur in Kanchipuram district. On the left of the temple, were two statues - each showing Buddha in a seated posture - lying abandoned in a dense thicket, ironically named Buddha Garden. The head...
