All posts tagged: history

The Arabic Language

Arabic has long fascinated culture-seekers and artists from the west. The language is reminiscent of an ancient setting, and has a crude, poetic aura about it. Despite all the unconventional stuff I fancy myself doing, I never thought I’d be learning Arabic someday! It’s an absolutely brilliant language, though the non-artist in me can barely do justice to the creative strokes of the Arabic alphabet. I learnt my first few today (alif, baa, wow…), together with some introductory greetings (sobah-ul-khair, masaa-un-nuur) so often heard and ignored in hindi movies. Here are some interesting facts about the Arabic lingo: Arabic is written and read from right to left. In fact, books and newspapers are binded on the right, unlike conventional reading material. Check out the front cover of my Arabic textbook and notice the right-binding. All letters are connected when writing in Arabic. Unlike English, this does not vary by handwriting. For example, in print like this, the English letters are all disjointed. In Arabic, even in print, these letters are connected. There are a few …

Happy Independence Day, India

15th August is when every Indian heart beats to the rhythm of the Indian national anthem and all eyes sparkle in the glory of the Indian tricolor. Every Independence Day, a dream is born. A dream to see India rise above all else, and become an epitome of peace, secularism and development. 62 years ago, India freed itself from the colonial shackles of the British empire. Indian freedom fighters displayed undaunted courage, and drowned their lives in a patriotic wave that has swept the country since. This Independence Day, let’s pledge in our hearts to work towards a united, educated, truly liberated India. “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has.”Β I borrow these words fromΒ Margaret Mead, very applicable in theΒ context of India. Every time you bloat in Indian pride, the fire of a nation is rekindled. Every morning thatΒ you pray to God, any God, a nation’s secularism is renewed. Every day that you speak no foul word, a nation’s peace …