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  •  Exercise & good sleep habits for brain health

    The cognitive decline or impairment in brain functions may happen prematurely or with advancing age. Exercise & good sleeping habits are crucial for brain health.

      Ageing is often associated with problems of memory and understanding or comprehension. We can call it scientifically as cognitive decline or cognitive impairment. The grades or intensity of which vary from person to person depending on various genetic as well as environmental factors. It can happen at a younger age also prematurely. Mild to severe cognitive impairment is associated with various  brain diseases as well as stress in various forms.

     What is cognition?

    Cognition means your understanding, comprehension and other mental abilities.  Cognitive function or cognition refers to higher-level functions of the brain such as acquiring knowledge, perception, attention, judgment, decision making, processing speed, executive function, cognitive flexibility, task switching, comprehension, response inhibition, and memory performance etc.

    Causes of cognitive impairment or decline in functions of brain

    The cognitive decline may happen prematurely or with advancing age. This cognitive impairment is a condition which can affect the independence and quality of life a person.  In short, our brain functions are to be maintained in well condition as far as possible, by preventing factors causing the impairment.

        It is a fact that in this area of medical science still there is obscurity regarding the exact cause of cognitive decline apart from ageing. Alzheimer’s diseases is one of the most common causes of cognitive impairment and it is seen in people with positive family history and in those people also who had no genetic predisposition. The only proposed cause is free radical damage to brain. Free radicals are by products of metabolism in human body. It also reaches our body from outside through food and chemicals. Whatever the source of origin of free radicals they cause oxidative stress to brain. It is a form of brain cell injury and leave behind some deposits in brain which cause nerve cell damage.

    Apart from these various other factors causing cognitive impairment such as

    ·       Erratic sleep or sleep deprivation

     Sleep is a very important factor for memory and recall. Brain &nervous system research studies have shown that lack of sleep can impair memory &recall functions. Sleep deprivation may cause brain fatigue & it can elevate your stress levels.

    Sleep is very much essential to regenerate certain areas of brain and its proper functioning.

      Scientific studies point out that during the state of sleep, the cerebrospinal fluid removes the beta-amyloid metabolite in the brain. These fibrils are harmful to brain functions and they have been implicated in the disease pathology of Alzheimer’s disease.

      Also, sleep deprivation can negatively affect motor functions, cognitive performances and human behavioral patterns probably due to the excess accumulation of toxic metabolites like beta-amyloid fibrils due to sleep deprivation. The accumulation can lead to severe brain injury if the causes leading to it persists for a prolonged time.

     Each phase of the sleep cycle restores and rejuvenates the brain for optimal function. When sleep is deprived, the glymphatic system of brain does not get a chance to eliminate these toxins that accumulate, and negatively affects cognitive abilities, behavior, and judgment.

     Lack of sleep also affects your linguistic abilities. Temporal lobe of brain is associated with language processing, so lack of sleep may cause slurred speech because the brain’s incapacity to process the neuronal signal at optimum levels during waking hours.

    Sleep can affect the neurotransmitter chemical levels in brain.

     Studies have shown that sleep [particularly NREM sleep]is important for turning off the norepinephrine, serotonin and histamine neurotransmitters, which is the time available for receptors to “rest” and regain sensitivity to be more effective at naturally produced levels again.

     Sleep deprivation prevent the brain to function normally because of the neurotransmitters, and neurons that are unable to rest or regenerate.

    Studies have proven that lack of sleep affects long-term memory, working memory, attention, higher order executive function, and various decision making processes.

    ·       Physical inactivity & lack of exercise of sedentary life style

    Physical exercise has very crucial role in boosting brain functions. It improves focus, memory and concentration. Sedentary life style and lack of exercise can accelerate the pace of cognitive decline or impairment.

    How to improve the brain functions & cognition?

    • Exercise & training

    Exercise training can improve memory and cognition through the unique potential of human brain called neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity is the term referring to the brain’s ability to change, reorganize, or grow neuronal networks. This can involve functional changes due to brain damage or structural changes due to learning.

    Regular  or consistent exercise is an effective solution for neuronal health and functional abilities. It is thought that exercise-induced memory improvement might be mediated through neurotrophic factors, and exerkines.

     Exerkines are defined as signaling molecules released in response to acute and/or chronic exercise, which exert their effects through various pathways. Many organs, cells and tissues release these factors, including skeletal muscle (myokines), the heart (cardiokines), liver (hepatokines), white adipose [fat]tissue (adipokines), brown adipose tissue (baptokines) and neurons (neurokines). Exerkines have potential roles in improving cardiovascular, metabolic, immune and neurological health.

    ·       Brain exercises to improve cognition

    Brain exercises modify neuronal activity in such a way that they may help improvement in memory, cognitive functions or mental abilities. Practise the following things:

    ·      New skill development

    ·       Learning a new language

    ·       Recall what you have read

    ·       Cooking

    ·       Visualization of words, things etc.

    ·       Eye- hand coordination activities such as playing tennis, chess etc.

    ·       Sports games

    ·       Meditation

    ·       Completing a jigsaw puzzle

    ·       Socializing

           Learning new and complex skills such as playing instruments, games

    ·       Solving math problems

    ·       Increasing vocabulary or word power

    ·       Listening to music

    In order to boost your memory do physical exercise, practice brain exercise and ensure that you get adequate sleep. Erratic sleep may disrupt your memory and other brain functions even if you exercise  everyday. Therefore ensure that you sleep for at least 6-8 hours a day.

    • Good sleep habits

    Good sleep routine has to be developed by all-Ensure regular and fixed timing for sleep. Sleep for atleast 6-8 hours a day.

    Avoid excessive eating or being starved before sleeping

     Avoid bright light exposure of the eyes before sleep

    Create a good sleep environment. Reduce bright lights.

    Reduce your screen time with gadgets.

    Think positive

    References

    1.    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4651462/

    2.     https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16251949/

    3.    Underwood E. Neuroscience. Sleep: the brain’s housekeeper? Science. 2013;342:301. doi: 10.1126/science.342.6156.301.Googlescholar

    4.    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12205198/

    5.    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6091269/

    6.    Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2007;3(5):553-67.Sleep deprivation: Impact on cognitive performance

    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19300585

    7.    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8829997/

    8.    National center for integrative and complementary medicine https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/meditation-and-mindfulness-what-you-need-to-know

    9.    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557811/#:~:text=It%20is%20defined%20as%20the,traumatic%20brain%20injury%20(TBI).

    10.           https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35304603/#:~:text=Exerkines%20are%20defined%20as%20signalling,paracrine%20and%2For%20autocrine%20pathways.

    11.           https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9775149/

    12.           https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK83766/

  • Health benefits of Basil leaves

    Basil leaves have many health benefits including nutritional &medicinal . They are found to be useful in the treatment of fever, common cold , cough ,asthma & stress. It helps in purifying blood, reducing blood glucose and cholesterol level, helps in managing mouth ulcer and arthritis.

    How basil leaves help to improve your health?

    Do you know basil leaves benefit your health & wellness in a myriad ways? Basil leaves have culinary as well as medicinal uses. It is a good flavoring agent in various cuisines worldwide. The leaves and the essential oil distilled from the flowering plants are used as powerful flavoring agents. It is used for treating cough and also used in cosmetics. Basil leaves are also found to be helpful in boosting your memory.

     Basil leaves have numerous health benefits & they are useful in the treatment of fever, common cold & stress. It helps in purifying blood, reducing blood glucose, risk of heart attacks and cholesterol level, mouth ulcer and arthritis.

    Its nutritional & medicinal values are extensively researched of late by the scientific community and the studies points out that basil leaves are rich source of vitamin A, Vitamin C, calcium, phosphorus, beta carotene.  All these vitamins are extremely good antioxidants which help to prevent many serious diseases of vital organs. In addition these vitamin antioxidants function as anti-ageing factors to your skin enhancing its glow.

     The plant details – name, family &various species of basil

    Basil leaves are glossy and oval-shaped, with smooth or slightly toothed edges that typically cup slightly; the leaves are arranged oppositely along the square stems. In India it is called babui tulsi.

    It is known by various names in different geographical areas  including basilica (in French), basilikum or basilienkraut (in German), ba-silico (in Italian), rehan (in Arabic) . In the English language, it is known as basil, common basil or sweet basil.

    Basil is an aromatic herb of the mint family, with a pungent clovelike flavor.

    Basil (Ocimum basilicum) belongs to the mint family Lamiaceae and genus ocimum.

    Various species of basil are produced and used commercially including the small-leaf common basil, the larger leaf Italian basil, and the large lettuce-leaf basil.

    Thai basil (O. basilicum var. thyrsiflora) and the related holy basil (O. tenuiflorum) and lemon basil (O. ×citriodorum) are commonly used in foods of Asians.

    History of the plant-its origin & global usage

    Basil leaves have been mentioned in Greek mythology. In ancient Egypt, basil  has been used in combination with other essences and oils, during religious ceremonies and for mummification.

     These leaves were introduced in England in the sixteenth century. Basil leaves were widely used in medicine and for culinary and perfumery purposes all over the Europe, particularly in France during that time.

    Basil leaves oil – properties

    Their oil possesses various functions like antimicrobial activity, anticancer activity, and also anti-inflammatory activities [3]. This may protect you from microbes and cancers.

    There are various compounds present in the oil of basil leaves such as oxygenated monoterpenes, sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, and oxygenated sesquiterpenes. They also contain various components like linalool, camphor, and germacrene .

    What are the health benefits of basil leaves?

    • Basil leaves are very good Antioxidants

       Vitamin A, C and beta carotenes are effective antioxidants which fight against free radicals attacking the cells of your body. The free radical attack is detrimental to your health as it may cause various organ diseases and premature skin ageing.

     Ocimum basilicum (O. basilicum) species contains more than 20 bioactive compounds such as linalool, estragole, methyl eugenol, 1,8-cineole, etc.  Flavonoids, catechins, and triterpenes showed protective effect on oxidative stress induced by environmental factors. Oxidative stress  caused by free radicals is the main trigger for various serious diseases of human body. Basil leaves offers you antioxidant protection effectively.

    • Basil leaves have potential to prevent inflammations

    A2017 study shows that basil leaves essential oils have anti-inflammatory properties [4].

    • Boosts health of bones &muscles

      Calcium, phosphorus and magnesium in basil leaves help in strengthening your bones and muscles.

    •          Basil leaves helps to reduce your cholesterol levels in the body

    Basil leaves helps to reduce LDL cholesterol  and triglycerides.

    The underlying mechanisms of the effect found may be due to an increased stimulation of the lipolytic activity of plasma lipoprotein lipase and liver  enzyme lipase[6].

    •  Basil leaves  can improves your fasting blood sugar

    Animal study shows that basil leaves can lower blood glucose level[7].

    • Basil leaves help to manage lung diseases such as bronchitis,asthma etc.

     A study shows that O. basilicum basil leaves  are traditionally used in different cultures across the globe for the management of lung diseases and other organ disorders[5].

     The bioactive ingredients of O. basilicum have been described to prevent different viral infections.

     Three types of compounds including linalool, apigenin, and ursolic acid have been found to be protective against various types of human adenovirus complications in  people having bronchitis.

     Basil leaves compounds have bronchodilatory effects against chronic lung diseases such as asthma &bronchitis.

    Various studies showed the relaxant effects of O. basilicum and its main constituents including linalool and eugenol, and have showed bronchodilatory effects. However, further extensive studies are needed in this area to confirm the effects more convincingly.

    Foods that you can make with basil leaves

    You may include basil leaves in various types of salads. Further more, you may cook various veg and no veg recipes with basil leaves such as:

    Pesto shrimp

    Basil pasta

    Tomato basil soup

    Pesto salmon

    Basil tomato sauce

    References

    1.https://www.researchgate.net/publication/267031488_Basil_A_natural_source_of_antioxidants_and_neutraceuticals

    2.        https://www.britannica.com/plant/basil

    3.        https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/pharmacology-toxicology-and-pharmaceutical-science/basil

    4.        https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5495712/

    5.         https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2021.805391/full

    6.        https://clinicalnutritionespen.com/article/S1751-4991(09)00041-9/fulltext

    7.        https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6542390/

  • 7 ways to avoid procrastination & maximize your productivity

    The habit of procrastination or delaying your work by setting aside may be a big reason for your failure in achieving success. Procrastination is an impediment or hindrance on your way to progress in life. Say good bye to procrastination. But how? How to maximize your productivity & creative potential?

    • Improve your physical & mental health

    Your mind is under the control of your brain and your mood is a big factor. So healthy habits play a key role in developing a healthy mind. You can achieve that pinnacle of success by training and nourishing your brain’s health. In a nutshell eat healthy to improve your physical and mental health including more vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts and seeds in your diet plan. Exercise regularly at least for 40 minutes.

    • Begin the action immediately to avoid procrastination

    The best way to overcome procrastination is to start taking action before your brain says NO with multiple lame excuses. Do not think about the perfect action plan or time to do something. Just begin. Only that’s enough to generate interest in your work. From that moment of overcoming procrastination you should begin the next step of action.

    • Prioritize the tasks

    You may have to make an action plan at this stage to go forward with it. Identify your work strategy & policies and then try to prioritize tasks on the basis of urgency &importance. Focus on very significant & urgent tasks with higher priority. Later move on to tasks that have been assigned with lower priorities.

    • Be clear about your targets

    Have great clarity about your goals. Always choose achievable less difficult goals first. Focus on small achievable goals first as fulfilling these can boost your confidence and may guide you to achieve more complex tasks.

    • Organize your work &time well

    Manage your time as per the priority of the work. Avoid distractions and include the habit of consistency into your life. Work consistently  sitting  everyday at a particular time , in a particular space. Your work space and time schedule will become part of your life gradually. Consistent action may definitely help you progress in life.

    • Cultivate growth mindset

    Adopt a positive growth mindset which can find challenges as learning opportunities. Embrace  hindrances with a positive mind .Never run away from them. Adversity may help you grow if you are ready to face it with adequate planning & strategies.

    • Celebrate your success

    Even your small successes can boost your motivation and may help you achieve your bigger tasks or goals eventually. It can tell you that you are on the right path and help you advance in that direction overtime. So celebrate your success every time with your team mates or supporters.

  • On the shore

    No clouds of grey scattered on the horizon of my dreams

    The sky is bright and sunny,

    The pelagic birds faintly visible far on surface of sea

    I too walk on this lone shore of dreams,

    With the oscillating silvery tides of joy wetting the anklets,

    With the murmuring breezy winds whispering into my ears.

    The shells of yesteryears slept under the seabed

    enlivened your memories

    While I gathered a few that settled on the shore

    Perhaps to quench the curious mind

    That followed your footprints for decades vanished into oblivion;

    Whenever the towering waves terrified my consciousness

    I found you on the clouds over the sea,

    The days and nights of the springs &autumn

    hibernated in the frozen land of memories

    Those shells emanate the fragrance of your heydays in this land;

     Still its mellifluous music enchant you from miles away.

     Migrating birds of this shore reach your land ,

    The water of the sea travel miles to touch your feet,

    Tell you to be part of this shore where I walk,

    In search of those shells of seabed sleeping for decades…

    And those butterflies flying high for me to the rainbows

     on my firmament which never fade with time

    Although rain of my land drizzled over for years perpetually…

    copyright dr sanjana p souparnika

    image courtesy : Image by lifeforstock on Freepik

  • Tamil literature

      The Tamil literature encompasses a wide a collection of literary works that originated from a tradition spanning more than two thousand years in South India. It also portrays the history of Tamil Nadu, with its social, economic, political and cultural trends of various periods.

       Tamil is one of the oldest Dravidian languages of Indian subcontinent. The Tamil writing system evolved from the Brahmi script. The scriptures in Tamil are written mostly as religious texts of Sangam period and a few in post Sangam period. The contributors to the Tamil literature are mainly from Tmil speaking people of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Eelam Tamils from Sri Lanka, as well as the Tamil diaspora.

    The Sangam literature

    The early Sangam literature, dated before 300 BCE, is one of the most renowned epic poetries of Tamil literature and contains anthologies of many Tamil poets depicting various aspects of life, including love, war, social values and religion.

    Scholars consider this Tamil tradition-based chronology as ahistorical as well as mythical.  The sangam period and literature originated in South India and lasted between the period 3rd century BCE to 3rd century CE. Most scholars suggest the historical Sangam literature era, also called the Sangam period, spanned from c. 300 BCE to 300 CE, while others variously place this early classical Tamil literature period a bit later  before 300 CE.

    According to Kamil Zvelebil, a Tamil literature and history scholar, the most acceptable range for the Sangam literature is 100 BCE to 250 CE, based on the linguistic and text references. Tamil tradition holds the earliest Sangam poetry to be older than twelve millennia. Modern linguistic scholarship places the poems between the first century B.C.E. and the third century C.E. The age of Sangam is established through the correlation between the evidence on foreign trade found in the poems and the writings by ancient Greek and Romans such as Periplus.

       The sangam literature is historically known as ‘the poetry of the noble ones’.

    It is believed that Sangam literature originated in three chankams, or literary academies, in Madurai, India, from the 1st to the 4th century BCE. The Tamil tradition and legends link it to three legendary literary gatherings around Madurai and Kapaṭapuram and the first lasted over 4,440 years, the second over 3,700 years, and the third over 1,850 years.

    The Sangam age is considered by the Tamil people as the golden era of the Tamil language. During this period, the Tamil country was ruled by the Cheras, Pandyas, and the Cholas.

    Many of the original literature works of Sangam period is lost. The available literature from this period has been broadly divided in antiquity into three categories based roughly on chronology. These are: The Major Eighteen Anthology Series comprising the Ettuthokai (Eight Anthologies) and the Pattupattu (Ten Idylls) and the Five Great Epics. Tolkaappiyam, a commentary on grammar, phonetics, rhetoric, and poetics, is dated from this period.

    These were composed in three successive poetic assemblies (Sangam) that were held in ancient times on a now vanished continent far to the south of India. It is believed that a significant amount of literature could have preceded Tolkappiyam, as grammar books are usually written after a literature has existed for a long period.

    The poems of Sangam literature mostly are discussing two main topics: those of the first five collections are on love (akam), and those of the next two are on heroism (puram), including the praise of kings and their deeds. Paripatal, the eighth collection, contains poems of both types.

    Post Sangam period works of Tamil literature

    Later, at the end of Sangam period many great tamil epics were written including Cilappathikaram,Manimeghalai ,Civaka cintamani ,Valayapathi and Kundalakesi.

    Manimegalai and Kundalakesi are Buddhist religious works. Civaka cintamani and Valayapathi are Tamil Jain works. Cilappathikaram does not implicate any religious views and it is written in monologue style of Sangam literature.

    The ‘Tirukkuraḷ ‘written during this period is a collection of aphorisms depicts topics such as love, kingship, and ethics. It is a work that has had great influence on Tamil culture  and life. It is usually attributed to the poet Tiruvalluvar , who is thought to have lived  in the 6th century, though some scholars assign an earlier date (1st century bc).

    The Tirukkural consists of 133 sections of 10 couplets each are divided into three books: aram (virtue), porul (government and society), and kamam (love). The first section opens with praise of God, rain, renunciation, and a life of virtue. It then presents a world-affirming vision, the wisdom of human sympathy that expands from one’s family and friends to one’s clan, village, and country. The porul section projects a vision of an ideal state and relates good citizenship to virtuous private life. The kamam section addresses both “secret love” and married love; the section on married love is written as a dialogue between husband and wife.

    From the 6th to 12th century CE, the Tamil devotional poems written by Alvars (sages of Vaishnavism) and Nayanmars (sages of Shaivism) and, heralded the onset of  great Bhakti movement which later spread to the whole Indian subcontinent.

    In the post Sangam period the early epics and moral literature, authored by Vaishnavite, Shaivite, Ajivika; probably written by Jain and Buddhist authors and poets lasting up to the 5th century CE. Original scriptures of Ajivika seems to be lost .The Ajivika school of philosophy is known for its doctrine of fate or Niyati.That is the followers believed that every happenings of past,present and future are preordained and a function of cosmic principles. This philosophy was prominent in Mauryan empire of Bindusara in the 4th century. It reached Tamil speaking areas in 14th century CE.

    During the medieval era some of the grandest of Tamil literary classics like Kambaramayanam and Periya Puranam were authored and many poets were patronized by the imperial Chola and Pandya empires.

     The later medieval period saw many assorted minor literary works and also contributions by a few Muslim and European authors.

    References

    1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sangam_literature
    2. https://www.britannica.com/art/Sangam-literature
    3. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Tamil-language
    4. https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Tamil_literature
    5. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Tirukkural

  • Sustainable living

    Sustainable living is a method of reducing one’s “carbon footprint”. In this life style people learn to minimize their use of Earth’s resources and reduce the personal and environmental impact. It also includes healthy organic food choices.

    Sustainable living means we prioritize the use of natural and renewable resources instead of creating excess waste and depleting environmental resources for future generations. Sustainable living can counteract climate change and other negative environmental concerns happening from human activity of exploiting natural resources.

    Sustainable living is a practical life style choice or philosophy that aims to reduce personal and environmental impact by making positive changes.

    More precisely, sustainable living is a method of reducing one’s “carbon footprint”.

    In this life style people learn to minimize their use of Earth’s resources and reduce the  personal and environmental impact.

    Sustainability or sustainable living was an idea proposed to create and maintain the conditions under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony to support present and future generations.

    Living sustainably means” curb expenditure” in order to protect and improve our environment.”

        The natural resource base to supply food is being threatened by overfishing, land degradation, and more human activities exploiting natural resources. All these unbridled exploitations are polluting the world’s freshwater supplies faster than nature can purify them, and excessive use of water is contributing to global water stress. And household energy usage is contributing to 21 percent of consequential CO2 emissions.

    A few sustainable living options

    ·       Empower organic farmers & people with agricultural and financial support they needed to make a fair living without cutting down trees.

    ·       Don’t use plastic bags at checkout. Instead, take your own bags for groceries.

    ·       Buy your grains & groceries in bulk from your local farmer’s markets.

    ·       Avoid buying plastic-wrapped products, opt for a paper bag instead.

    ·       Stop buying bottled water. Use your own steel or glass bottles filled with water.

    ·       Shop at bulk food stores for any goods, avoid frequent food travels. Better take products in your own jars or bags.

    ·       Take your own paper bags or a container when buying snacks .

    ·       Support fashion brands that are ethical and environmentally conscious.

    ·       Learn how to find sustainable materials when shopping.

    ·       Go paperless to avoid deforestation or falling down trees for making paper.

    ·       Opt to receive digital letters and notices.

    ·       Send electronic wedding invitations.

    ·       Collect scrap paper in a tray.

    ·       Turn off your computer before leaving work.

    ·       Get rid of your home printer.

    ·       Unplug workstation from ports overnight to reduce phantom power.

    ·       If you need business cards, use an eco-friendly printer.

    ·       Add small pot plants to your workspace. Adopt green office environment

    ·       Always use double-sided printing where possible.

    ·       Juice the off-cuts of your vegetables and fruits.

    ·       Repurpose glass jars usage.

    ·       Use washable metal straws instead of disposable plastic straws.

    ·       Limit the use of hot water when hand washing dishes.

    ·       Use cloths instead of paper towels.

    ·       Make your own coffee instead of buying takeaway.

    ·       Ditch your bin liner or use newspaper instead.

    ·       Start composting the vegetable and food waste.

    ·       Reduce your food waste by eating only what you need.

    ·       Invest in a pressure cooker and reduce your cooking time and save energy.

  • SIGNATURE OF THE TIME

    In the haunted lands of deluge ravaged by

    torrential rain,

    In the green avenues of dark & dense forests,

    In the echoes of vestiges of time elapsed,

    In the forts decayed and frozen on mountain peaks

    I walked silently holding the hands of myriads of emotions,

    Oh time, I could see nothing devoid of your signature;

    In this ascension and descent of journey of life,

    Uttered void apparently by the external world.

    Oh times, when you fill my poetic consciousness

    As joy of Spring and struggles of Summer,

    I realize that you are the controller of seasons,

    Definition of infinity,

    Mysterious riddle with no beginning or end.

    My quests ever, in search of you

    In the rocks and stones

    Where ages fallen into deep sleep,

    The soul of a traveler in quest of history of mankind,

    Bending knees before you in reverence.

    Standing insightful,

    Witnessing imprint of signature of time 

     the existence of this universe.

    A daughter of this mankind, bound to the sheltering hands of time ,

    stands with bowed head in front of you

    to complete the journey of this birth.

    copyright poem- dr sanjana p souparnika

    image courtesty- freepik

  • Rock arts of prehistoric era, Vedic period& ancient India

    Rock arts of prehistoric era-The genesis of art in Indian subcontinent

    The origin of Indian art can be traced back to prehistoric settlements in the 3rd millennium BCE. Indian subcontinent has many rock art forms. The ancient art forms include rock paintings and engravings of prehistoric people . Later with the growth of civilizations terracotta figurines emerged as part of the culture and arts . Archeological studies denote that religious beliefs and daily life activities were portrayed in these art forms.

    Rock arts of prehistoric era

    Rock art of India includes rock relief carvings, engravings and paintings, some from the South Asian Stone Age. It is estimated there are about 1300 rock art sites with over a quarter of a million figures and figurines. The earliest rock carvings in India were discovered by Archibald Carlleyle, although his work only came to light much later via J Cockburn.

    Rock arts commonly depicted scenes of human life , animals, and hunts with stone implements. Although the topics of artistic expression were the same , their artistic style varied with region and age. The prominent feature of these art forms was a red wash made using a powdered mineral called geru, which is a form of iron oxide.

    With the emergence of civilizations the art forms also progressed in style as well as in the materials used .

    Terracotta figurines of Indus valley civilization [3300 BCE – c. 1750 BCE]

    The archeologists have found a large number of  gold, terracotta and stone figurines of girls in dancing poses from relics of Indus valley civilizations. They reveal the presence of some forms of dance prevailed during that period. The terracotta figurines from here also included cows, bears, monkeys, and dogs.

    Seals have been found at Mohenjo-Daro depicting a figure standing on its head, and another, on the Pashupati Seal, sitting cross-legged in a yoga-like pose. Thousands of steatite seals have been recovered, and their physical character is fairly consistent. In size they range from 3⁄4 inch to 11⁄2 inches square. The most famous seal piece is the bronze Dancing Girl of Mohenjo-Daro, which shows remarkably advanced modelling of the human figure of this period.

    It is surprising that after the end of the Indus Valley Civilization, there is an absence of art of any great degree of sophistication until the Buddhist era. It is presumed that this partly reflects the use of perishable organic materials such as wood during this period and those degradable artefacts faded into oblivion overtime.

    Vedic art

     During vedic period , there is sheer absence of anthropomorphical depictions. Anthrapomorphism is the attribution of human traits, emotions, or intentions to non-human entities. Animal-shaped works of art  represent the earliest known evidence of anthropomorphism.

     Mauryan art (c. 322 BCE – c. 185 BCE)– Ancient Indian art

    Mauryan sculpture and architecture is characterized by a very fine Mauryan polish given to the stone, which is rarely found in later periods. Many small popular terracotta  animal and human figurines of these kinds are recovered by archeologist. The Pillars of Ashoka is another monumental art form of this period, which showed a confident and boldly mature style and craft and first of its kind iron casting without rust until date.

  • SYMPHONY OF NATURE

    The sky and the earth merge

    on the horizon of hope, on every twilight.

    Whilst the dusky sun dipping his face

    In the quietude of pacific sea

    And the turbulent waves of the day

     go for a repose at the seabed.

    As the blue white clouds vanish

    into the grey depths of starry sky,

    Inviting the moonlight for a palaver.

    Oh, the rare star of my sky

    Why do you fall into the unfathomable gloom

    of lonely nights & silent days ?

    Wake up! Wake up for a brighter sunny day,

    And get enthralled in the moonlight emerging from darkness

    when the twilight bid adieu to the scorching heat.

    The sky and earth belong to you too…

    Those migratory pelagic birds, fly beyond borders to see you too,

     With the metamorphosis of seasons.

    The same winds of fragrance

    Touches your feet too as mine

    on the shores of tranquillity.

    The soul of the universe waiting for you…

    For seeing the emergence of a better you.

    copyright poem – dr sanjana p souparnika

    image courtesy freepik

  • THE WARRIORS OF THE UNIVERSE

    The universe, the oceans and streams and valleys of mother Earth,

    Accept in silence the evils of a part of mankind.

    The foolish believed so blindly about tolerance

    since time immemorial,

    But the wise prayed in silence

    To quieten the wrath, that inevitably comes

    The fruits of infuriation,

    The fruits of devastation.

    The environs and ecosystems changed drastically out of their greed,

    Justice strangulated in the grip of corruption and power,

    The world forgot the sermons and morals of ancestral wisdom,

    Thrown away those ethos and values,

    Vanished into oblivion the songs of love and camaraderie.

    Those who had to coverup secrets raised fingers on others

    Those empowered to re-establish justice were on a nap of idleness,

    The warriors of power slept in darkness

    in the stranglehold of reign.

    The protectors of law of the land forgot the ethos and values

    Caught up in unholy nexus and spiderwebs.

    The universe was a silent witness to the lost wisdom of its people.

    However the hermits and the wise knew the power of the universe

    Yet, wondered at the dragging silence prevailed long.

    A single turn out of the Universe could bring forth

    Unfathomable miseries

    Earth quakes and tsunamis

    Landslides and deluge.

    No trace of life could survive them ever!

    But the omnipotent universe

    was awaiting something special in silence,

    The emergence of its powerful creation!

     Waiting for centuries for the arrival.

    The prayers of profound and wise

    The tears of the downtrodden,

    The hopes of the hopeless,

    The panacea to all the miseries.

    The universe had immense faith

    In the predestined change to occur.

    That had been envisioned

    The emergence of new creation,

    The re-established equilibrium of life.

    It was more meaningful than

    A one-time devastating fury of nature.

    So, the universe conspired to help

    The karma (deeds) of her special creation.

    A carbon copy of her on psych and conscience,

    A messenger of peace for the good,

    A messenger of war for the wicked.

    The universe sends her own warriors

    to the battlefield since many eons and ages,

    And many more yet to emerge, in the eons yet to come

    copyright poem – dr sanjana p souparnika

    image courtesy- freepik