June 21, 2011
Ancient Arts of India
The traditions of India touch our lives in many different ways. Whether we take in the rich, warm smell of tikki masala curry when we walk past an Indian restaurant, relax after work with yoga, use virtually any spice in cooking, or enjoy a good Bollywood film every now and then, India is a place with a rich, magnificent culture, influence and history. We may even have India to thank for the discovery of the US, because without India, Columbus never would have set sail.
Well, we’re in luck. India might be on the other side of the globe, but PDX offers flights that take travelers in one of the most direct routes possible. Delta Air Lines offers flights through the Amsterdam gateway to Mumbai, India. While in India, take advantage of the opportunity to learn about some of the country’s most interesting cultural contributions.
Yoga
Yoga is a multi-discipline exercise, harnessing mental and physical balance.
While yoga has evolved in the US to include styles like aerobic yoga and even aquatic yoga, the practice traces it origins back to ancient India. Yoga is more than just a series of poses, it is a complete spiritual, mental and physical exercise. Yogis across the world find their center through the meditative practices of yoga. Today, yoga is associated with Buddhism and Hinduism, but people across all denominations enjoy the descipline’s physical, mental and spiritual benefits. While in Mumbai, be sure to visit a yoga studio and meet some true life yogis to see what traditional yoga is all about. Namaste.
Indian Cuisine
If you’ve ever had traditional Indian food, you know that the cuisine is much different from any other Asian dining experience. Characterized by its diverse spices and flavors, Indian food is gaining popularity across the world. Spices like cumin, turmeric, coriander and curry are common flavors that are used in Indian dishes. Indian food is incredibly diverse, and each region in India claims its own style and flavor of traditional dishes. In Mumbai, a bite-size delicacy called panipuri is a popular snack. Don’t leave Mumbai without sampling the diverse cuisine of the Maharashtra region, or taking a cooking class!
Bollywood
Bollywood is the name given to the culturally unique film-industry based in Mumbai, and is one of the largest film-producers in the world. The name is derived from a combination between Mumbai’s former name, Bombay, and Hollywood. Bollywood films are inspired by cultural aspects of Hollywood movies as well as traditional Indian culture, theater, music and dance. Most Bollywood films have musical elements, where characters sing and dance in a way that is unique to the Bollywood film industry. When in Mumbai, check out a masala film (literally meaning mixture of spices), which is usually about 3 hours long (with intermission) and includes comedy, tragedy, action and romance.
Photo Credit: Masala Dabba, jo-h; Yoga Journal Conference, Lululemon Athletica; It ain’t Bollywood without a little song and dance, tajai
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