A recent escape from Delhi's pollution to the serene hills of Himachal Pradesh led to an unexpected discovery of a fading cultural gem. During a visit to a temple in her hometown, journalist Pooja Singh noticed a pandit wearing a vibrant, tutti-fruity coloured kalgi on his traditional Kullu topi. This sight sparked a journey into understanding and preserving a piece of regional heritage.
Reviving a Fading Himachali Tradition
The kalgi, an exquisite brooch-like accessory, is traditionally crafted from silver and gold. It is worn in the Kullu region on special occasions such as weddings, religious pujas, and festivals. Singh recalled seeing her great-grandmother wear one, but the tradition is now dwindling. Determined to keep a piece of this culture alive, she purchased one from a local jewellery shop before returning to Delhi. The versatility of the kalgi allows it to be worn in the classic style on a cap, or repurposed as a contemporary brooch or hairpin, making it a perfect, seasonless accessory that bridges the past and present.
Nature's Surprises in the Concrete Jungle
Back in the city, another writer, Nipa Charagi, finds wonder in an ordinary apartment complex garden. While the green space appears manicured and typical, a closer look reveals nature's constant activity. A hedge teeming with sparrows creates a lively morning scene. Charagi's most remarkable find was a yellow garden spider that had spun an intricate web between a night-blooming jasmine and a Christ plant. The spider's web featured a distinctive dense zigzag pattern, forming a perfect X-shaped stabilimentum, with white strips resembling festive buntings. This encounter challenges the notion that urban environments are sterile, highlighting the resilience and beauty of nature in unexpected places.
From Word Puzzles to Samurai Showdowns
The article also delves into modern digital pastimes and entertainment. A new anagram-based word game, Shuffalo from The New Yorker, has joined the daily roster of puzzles like Wordle and Connections. The game challenges players to form words starting with four letters, adding one more letter each round, escalating to an eight-letter word. Players can use hints or test their skills against a timer for an added challenge.
On the streaming front, the Japanese series 'Last Samurai Standing' on Netflix is making waves. Set in the Meiji era as the samurai age wanes, the show features a pulpy yet gripping premise: 292 fighters are lured by a shadowy cartel to battle to the death for a prize of 100,000 yen. Praised as the best action drama of the year, it is noted for its breathtaking action choreography. A standout moment involves the character Shujiro Saga, played by Junichi Okada, unleashing his skills in a visceral, breath-taking sequence. Beyond the violence, the series is acclaimed as a surprisingly wrenching human drama.
These diverse snippets—from a dying craft in Himachal and urban biodiversity to digital games and cinematic action—paint a vivid picture of the rich, layered experiences that define contemporary lifestyle and culture in India.
