A recent trip to Himachal Pradesh unveiled a dying tradition, while a city garden and digital apps offered unexpected delights. These diverse experiences highlight the rich tapestry of cultural heritage and modern pastimes that define contemporary life.
The Fading Glint of the Kullu Kalgi
Seeking respite from Delhi's pollution, a visit to a temple in Himachal Pradesh led to a fascinating discovery. A local priest, or pandit, was wearing a vibrant, tutti-fruity coloured kalgi pinned to his traditional Kullu topi. This ornate accessory, essentially a brooch, is a piece of heritage jewellery crafted from silver and gold.
Traditionally worn in the Kullu region during special occasions like weddings, pujas, and festivals, the kalgi is now a rare sight, representing a fading custom. The chance encounter prompted a purchase from a local jewellery shop, offering a versatile piece that can be worn the traditional way, as a brooch, or even as a hairpin, making it a perfect, all-season connection to Himachali culture.
Nature's Drama in an Urban Green Patch
Even the most manicured apartment complex garden can hold wild surprises. One such green space, surrounded by multi-storeyed buildings, became a stage for nature's small dramas. A hedge bustling with sparrows resembled a busy household at dawn, full of chirps and sudden flights.
The real marvel was the chance sighting of a yellow garden spider, an arachnid that had ingeniously built its web between a night-blooming jasmine and a Christ plant. Its intricate web featured a dense, zigzag strip of silk forming a perfect X, the white bands reminiscent of festive buntings. This encounter stands as proof that concrete jungles are far from sterile.
The New Word Puzzle Challenging Minds
For puzzle enthusiasts, the daily routine now includes a new challenge alongside favourites like Wordle and Connections. Shuffalo from The New Yorker has quickly become a favourite. This anagram game starts by asking players to form a word from four given letters.
The twist? With each successful round, one new letter is added, escalating the difficulty until an eight-letter word must be formed. Players can choose to use hints or test their skill without aid, with the option of a timer for an extra layer of challenge. It's a compelling mental workout to kickstart the day.
Netflix's Samurai Spectacle of Violence
On the streaming front, the Japanese series 'Last Samurai Standing' on Netflix is making waves as a standout action drama of the year. Set in the Meiji era when the samurai's way of life is ending, the show presents a pulpy, high-stakes premise.
A shadowy cartel lures 292 fighters to battle to the death for a grand prize of 100,000 yen. The series is noted for its surprisingly emotional human drama but excels primarily as a showcase for brilliant, relentless action choreography. A scene where the restrained protagonist, Shujiro Saga (played by Junichi Okada), unleashes his skill, decapitating a foe and slicing through a platoon of soldiers, is breath-stopping in its intensity.
