Sudip's Blogspot

Scrumptious, delicious, yet simple and healthy – Keralite delicacies are a mix of natural ingredients and typical southern spices which can only be made either by South Indian families or by any local restaurant in Kerala. Just like the topography, even the agricultural products in the state are diverse in taste and preparations. While idli, dosa, sambar, uttapam and vada are commonly known to all; curd rice, lemon rice, upma, kesari bhaat and rasam can only have the authentic taste if made in Kerala or any other southern state. Rich in aromatic cardamom and nutmeg, pepper, tea and coffee plantation, the higher regions are excellent food destinations for outsiders. Even the flavor of the home grown clove, ginger and turmeric from the lower regions shouldn't’t be missed either. While the entire coastline is sprawling with coconut trees, the midlands of Kerala sprouts in tapioca, yam, drumsticks, jack fruits, bananas, cashew, and paddy. If in Kerala, a taste of the seafood dishes are

The roaring waterfalls, the insistent tap of a woodpecker, a sudden grunt of a wild boar, and the soft gurgle of a river bespeak for the unvarying life that follows in the hills of Kerala. Notwithstanding, when the day progresses, the effect enhances as other elements of nature step in. Even the human populace joins the ruffle – a reaper busy with his yarns, a native calls for his lost friend in the dark wilderness, or an abrupt croak of a sleeping frog. But all impasses as a tourist bus bellows in defying the silence, and the pleasing sounds seem to have hushed. This is a common clash where the noise of the city intruders rips apart the impalpable silence. In some parts of Kerala, however, the story seems different as they are still untouched. So explore it if you are daring. If in Kerala, a voyage through the tropical forests is an absolute must. Here you can come across some of the loftiest cascades leaping from grievous dead-ends. This travelogue guides you through your grueli

Is beauty true, or just an illusion? Are everything about art, beauty, philosophy gibberish? Or, are we ourselves making life complex to join the urban fray. If such complexities are turning you crazy, then the wildlife sanctuaries in Kerala are some of the best places to rediscover yourself instincts. The serenity, veridity and incredible simplicity of nature in the verdure will recall your desires to be free from conflicts and stress. This travelogue takes you to an ethereal journey through the subtle beauties of nature that still dwells amidst the green forests in Kerala. Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary: Spreading across an area of 675 sq km, the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is nestled amongst the picturesque surrounding of the Western Ghats. Considered a major tourist attraction for all, the sanctuary is a pleasant destination for nature lovers. The dense verdure, rare wildlife and vast stretches of beautiful meadows with the pellucid Periyar Lake within make the sanctuary a must-visit

Question I'll be going to Cairo with my family (wife, kids 11 and 13). What are the must see places there? Can you also find 2 places which the kids will enjoy? Answer Hi, So you must be all pepped up for a trip to Cairo – who wouldn't if it’s anywhere in Egypt, the seat to great Pyramids, Sphinx, ancient architectures/fortifications, and indeed the ever-mystical mummies. Well, your enthusiasm is obvious, but before abruptly planning out your itinerary let me tell you the basic facts you should know about Cairo. Cairo, seemingly a historical city, unfolds unconventional charms that have made it an ultimate holiday destination for tourists. The word Cairo – an Arabic term – means “The Vanquisher” or “The Conqueror”. Also known as ‘The City of Thousand Minarets’ for the presence of multiple Islamic architectures, it is the largest city among all Muslim, Arabian and African cities. You can’t deny the fact that Cairo is one of the oldest cities in history founde

Take a break. Sikkim has abundant in store for you to relax, cherish nature, or go berserk at adventure sports. Rush to your nearest airport, get a flight to any of the metro airports in India. If planning for Sikkim, prefer Dumdum airport in Kolkata. Get a flight from here to Bagdogra National Airport in New Jalpaigudi. Here starts your trip. From Jalpaigudi to Siliguri; Siliguri to to Gangtok, through Singtom and the entwined roadways passing through dense hill forests. This was the route I followed on my way to Gangtok. The city is very well connected to Siliguri as well as other hill cities and towns in Sikkim and North Bengal. Places like Kalimpong and Darjeeling, and others like Dzongri, Nathula, or Pelling can be easily reached by buses and cab services available from Siliguri. But for a quick short trip, a two-day trip to Gangtok and its suburbs are more than enough to impress you. Time is short? Tough to decide how to start? Sample this. Walk down from your cab, hire a

The dazzles of the 'Bangalorean' night-life, a temporary kick of an inebriating  drink and an unforgettable wayfaring across the city throughout the day, is what 'Namma Bangaluru' (as the locals name it) promises if you are still skeptical about the city's tourism prospects. For some, heritage in Bangalore may be a passe because of the twenty first century urban kitsch that's reigning the city lately. Before you are too judgmental, just dawdle around the quaint by-lanes, gape at the historical vestiges and above all hire a guide to enlighten you about the city, and you'll be elated to discover the great history, heritage and the culture of the city. Though amidst all the glitters - the towering buildings and the slew of shopping arcades or the pubs - the heritage of the city is tough to grasp, but unloose from the urban trance and you'll find galore to soak in art and heritage. What is best is the overt contrast between the ethnic aura of the city in

Are you a reckless spendthrift? Or, is your rising debt hindering your monthly finance plans? Well, if it's so, time is ripe that you check your monthly expenses before you are late and down with heavy loans. With the rising demand for materialistic acquisitions, resorting to loans or debts have become almost imperative. But, the accumulation of outstanding payments to your bank or finance companies, finally result in a financial breakdown. Above all, the advent of the credit card system has further aggravated the issue. Persuasive credit offers, discounts, and lucrative schemes attract you to use credit cards and finally get stuck in the vicious trap of debt. To avoid this, and to manage your debt efficiently follow these five tips to evade loan traps. 1. Seek debt management advices: While you may not consider this to be a useful way to solve your debt problem, but the advices of the debt management companies work. There had been various instances where people have even come out

For women who are 45 and up life isn't over yet. Women over 45 often feel depressed as they no longer feel young or look as beautiful as the 25 years old girls. Weight issue and skin problems causes further stress and frustration, which aggravates the aging process. Well, there's nothing depressing about being aged. As most beauticians say, old age - especially after your Menopause - has its own charm. To go further in depth; beauty, charm and glamour are all outcomes of your well being, mental health and physical fitness. There's this mystic connection - say it Spiritual or Biological - between your mind and body. Follow these simple 3 tips and you can remain evergreen even when your children are already graduates. 1. Know your diet: Yes, one of the most important factors you should look out for. Chalk out a diet plan, get an appointment with a dietitian and feel free to consult your ailments with peers. Remember, your aging process to a great extent depends on what you

English art has its own essence that was culminated in the early 18th century and continues till today. Louis Laguerre, though was born in Versailles and was trained in Paris, finally moved to England to pursue a career in History and Religious Painting - the foundation philosophy of English painting. While his speciality of art maybe typical to those of other English painters, yet his style was unparalleled in the art fraternity. Eminent as a French decorative painter, his primary skills dealt with decorating noble houses in England. Starting off with Antonia Verrio, he matched the qualities of some of the greatest artists in England, and earned a stature as a history painter. With a an eye for art and limitless curiosity to know history, he found a niche in English art with subjects related to victories of the English army over the battalion of Louis XIV. Also known to be a director of Godfrey's London Academy of Drawing and Painting, Louis Laguerre was a man with multiple intere

The life of Louis Cheron leaves us little to delve into, as he deceased only at at the age of 54. Nevertheless, his artistic prodigy as a painter, an illustrator and an art tutor fetched him exuberant compliments from the society. While most may consider his exceptional talent as been a hereditary gift - his father and sister being skilled artists -, Louis had his own saga of struggle, hardships and dedication.Trained as an artist under his father, he won accolades for his mastery and won the prestigious 'Academie's prix de Rome' in Rome. But his path to stardom was not easy owing to the brewing unrest in France. Henceforth, he headed for Great Britain. It was in Britain where his talents got widely noticed as he worked with some of the famous art houses in London. His artistic acquisitions made him one-of-a-kind artist, when he was chosen as one of the five artists to work on the drawing of the St.Paul's Cathedral's dome. Not just painting, but he had a natural inc

The chronicle of Louis Carrogis Carmontelle goes back to the early 18th century - an age marked by revolutions and inventions. Amidst all the tussle of revolutions that smothered the entire era, the spurt of art during the age is something that would always need an insight. Louis, the erstwhile artist of this period, was a Frenchman known for his versatile talents and achievements. Unlike most artists who took a speciality, Louis was an artist, a French Dramatist, a renowned painter, set designer and author. There were few areas Louis didn't assay into. Known for his landscape paintings, he also invented "transparent". His ability to introduce animation into his painting through this method, which he named "décors transparents animés", made him an artistic genius. While his animation invention indeed distinguished him as an artificer, he even made endless contributions to art and drama. As a landscape artist, Louis's deftness to include almost all types of e

Louis Anquetin, a master of Cloisonmism, was born in Etrepagne, France. His critical eye to view basic living subjects and his mastery in pictorial illustrations rose him to fame. His passion for art and his dedication in developing his own style of painting made him the one-of-a-kind artist, who is worthy for the fame and respect. Unlike Van Gogh, who never took proper training for painting, Louis's path to stardom was not without hurdles. To be adept in the art of painting, he shifted to Paris and studied at Leon Bonnat's studio. It was here where he met Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. Accompanied by Henry he moved to Fernand Cormon's studio where he met Emile Bernerd and Vincent Van Gogh. In fact, his painting 'Avenue de Clichy: Five O’Clock in the Evening' had actually influenced Van Gogh to paint the famous 'Cafe Terrace at Night'. Louise had a typical unorthodox style of painting that dealt with flat regions of colors and thick black contours. While he is c

Ferdinando Botero Angulo, a Colombian figurative artist, is primarily noted for his paintings, drawings and sculptures. Self-titled "the most Colombian of Colombian artists' Ferdinendo was known for his unique style of art, and his intellectual portrayal of abstract art. While he is widely known for his paintings, he found his niche for painting landscapes and still-lives. Other than a being a prolific illustrator, he also expressed his views on social issues. In his series of Abu Ghraib, he expressed his indignation for the onslaught of the US army on the locals of Iraq. And for his style, being a fundamental abstract artist, his choice of colours, his ideas, shapes and proportions, all have visceral aesthetic logic. His contributions to the ongoing social issues of the world are peerless. Being a Colombian, he made limitless art contributions (27 drawings and 23 paintings) that expresses his grief for the rising drug violence in Columbia. Relating to the Irag War, he came ou

Fredinand Toussaint, primarily known for his female portraits, started his painting career as a child when he was inspired by his friend and family to nurture his skills. A student at the Art Academy of Brussels, Ferdinand had insatiable thirst to explore newer areas in art. This took him to far of places throughout Europe, and he was constructive in bringing about a major breakthrough in portrait painting. The unusual cross-connection between Ferdinand's work and the artistic sleight of Belgian portraitist Alfred Stevens, gave birth to one-of-a-kind art form, where the later mingled his Japanese elements into Ferdinand's work. Palpably, the influence of Stevens is evident in all works of Ferdinand. Coming to his paintings, Ferdinand (though mastered various fields of art), was primarily eminent as a water colorist of female portraits. Unlike other artists, who stuck to the elementary standards of country life (or country women), Ferdinend's portraits depicted elegance, sta

The world might be dancing to the hip-stirring melodies of the modern Pop music, but the young guns bother little about Pop art that forms the foundation of Pop philosophy. Pop art had its genesis when Fernand Leger, an erstwhile French painter, artist and filmmaker of the 19th and 20th century, adopted his own style of art that catered to the popular mass. Unlike other artists, who viewed art as a spiritual, intellectual and metaphysical form of communication through their radically distinctive illustrations, Ferdinend considered it as a form of entertainment that should me appealing to laymen as well. Starting off as one of those metaphysical artists of 18th century, Ferdinand who created his own form of Cubism (an agente-garde revolution), gradually swayed away from complex subjects and adopted a more figurative, populist style of art. Thus, his deft in simplified representation of modern art made him the precursor of Pop art. Born in Argentan, Orne, Basse-Nomandie, Ferdinand belong

Fernand Edmund Jean marie Khnopff, with a Portuguese and Austrian decent, belonged to one of the most affluent families of the higher bourgeoisie. Renowned as a Belgian symbolist, Fernand never planned to be a painter, but took up law at the Free University of Brussels for the sake of his family. However, it was here that he rediscovered his interest for literature, art and painting. Though a symbolist, Khnopff started off with Realism - one of the most advanced forms of painting in Belgium. However, his ideas and interpretations about painting finally made him famous as a symbolist. For him, an art piece should be engaging to a viewer and should unveil thousand mysteries when delved in depth. He was also adept in allegories and achieved a mass accolade for his allegorical works in 'The Caresses', or 'The Sphinx'. As for his style, Farnand had a keen eye for details and history of literature. His every work of art is an outcome of great imagination and in some ways port

Zealous, passionate, multi-talented, an idealized perfectionist - even a flurry of adjectives is not enough to portray the peerless caliber of Joaquin Torres. Other than just his artistic sleight, Torres - a Uruguayan plastic artist and art theorist - was palpably one of the most talked-about personalities in the art fraternity. His aesthetic excellence in the field of writing, painting, murals and sculptors is worth admiring. A founder of Constructive Universalism, Torres returned to Uruguay after 43 years with a mission - to teach, to bring an artistic revolution that can fore run even the exemplary art of Paris. Rising from the traditional Mediterranean Classicism - clearly evident in his Barcelona frescoes of 1913 -, his paintings mingled with the profuse influences of Vibrationism, Cubism, and Fauvism periods. What culminated was his style in the form of symbols that he incorporated as a geometric grid based on the golden section. His idyllic style of synthesizing ideas in the for

Joaquim Sorolla i Bastida - a 19th century Valencian Spanish painter - though died only at the age of 60, got widely acclaimed for his rare style of painting and his artistic adroitness. While some may blatantly regard Sorolla's illustrations being directly influenced by Sargents's stunning landscape paintings, but it goes beyond doubt that the later was also equally induced by the charms of Sorolla's art after 1906. Sorolla's love and romanticism for the profound vibe of nature are distinctly evident in all his paintings. Quite obviously, Sorolla distinguished himself vividly in the field of portraits, beautiful landscapes, and above all divulged the incredible world of monuments - both on social and historical themes - through his paintings. In fact, most of his exemplary art forms portray the hues of the landscapes, and the liveliness of people under the sun in his native land. Every artist is over-sentient when it comes to beauty, love and pain - so was Sorolla. For

Vincent Willem van Gogh, a Dutch post-Impressionist had a tragic life and finally succumbed to frequent bouts of psychological disorders and anxiety when he was only 37. Starting from toiling at art firms to traveling extensively through The Hague, London and Paris, and working as a missionary in a mining region in Belgium, Gogh's life unfolds varied experiences. It was only after he moved to south France when his paintings were admired by eminent artists of France. While it may sound utopian, but his knack for painting self-portraits and his prolific niche to portray nature's beauty, will leave you spellbound. He drew as many as 37 self-portraits, and his widely known paintings like the Cypresses series, the Flowering Orchards series, the Flowers series, and the Wheat Fields series gained distinct prominence. His unconventional 'mix-media' painting style is enough to prove his artistic expertise. A self-made artist without any formal training, Gogh was known to work on