Summary of the Bonalu Festival at Golconda Fort

The Bonalu festival, a significant cultural and religious event in Telangana, was celebrated with great fervor on June 30, 2025, at the historic Golconda Fort. This festival draws large crowds, particularly comprising women dressed in traditional sarees, who carry decorative bonams (earthen pots filled with offerings) atop their heads while families and folk music accompany them.

Key Highlights:

• Event Description:

  • Golconda Fort witnessed a vibrant display of devotion as devotees, especially women, ascended its steep steps.
  • Bonams generally consist of offerings such as cooked rice, jaggery, and curd, symbolizing gratitude and reverence towards Goddess Jagadambika Yellamma, the deity worshipped during this festival.

• Attendance and Atmosphere:

  • Hundreds of devotees traveled to the fort from various locations, with notable attendance from areas like Miyapur and Kukatpally.
  • The atmosphere was marked by a spectacle of traditional attire, communal prayers, and a sense of festive spirit among families.

• Safety and Management:

  • To handle the expected large crowds, local police implemented strict crowd control measures, including barricades to manage entry and exit points.
  • Medical teams and ambulances were strategically placed for emergency preparedness. Endowments Commissioner S. Venkat Rao was actively involved in overseeing the event's management.

• Historical Context:

  • The origins of Bonalu date back to the 18th century, linked to a plague outbreak in 1813 when a military battalion prayed to Goddess Mahakali for safety. Following their survival, they erected a statue of the goddess, thus igniting the annual Bonalu celebrations as a form of gratitude.

• Cultural Significance:

  • Bonalu is not just a local gathering but is deeply embed in the cultural heritage of Telangana, showcasing the state's traditions and community spirit.

Key Events and Data:

• Date of Celebration: June 30, 2025
• Location: Golconda Fort, Telangana
• Involved Figures:
  • Endowments Commissioner: S. Venkat Rao
• Historical Milestone:
  • Festival's roots connected to 1813 plague event involving local military personnel.

This festival exemplifies the unity and collective devotion of the local population, reflecting the deep cultural ties to religion and tradition within the region of Telangana. The organized management of the event further highlights the significance placed on safety and community engagement during such large-scale celebrations.

Summary:

On June 26, 2025, the Hauser family will honor the late historian Walter Hauser by scattering his ashes in the Ganges River in Patna, India. This date is significant as it marks the 75th death anniversary of Walter Hauser's mentor, Swami Sahajanand Saraswati, an influential social reformer known for his role in the abolition of the zamindari system in India. Walter Hauser dedicated nearly 60 years of his life to researching Saraswati's ideology and activism.

Key Details:

• Walter Hauser's Legacy: Hauser, who passed away in 2019, was a prominent historian with a special focus on the peasant movement in Bihar, particularly under Swami Sahajanand Saraswati during the 1920s and 30s.
• Family Journey: The Hauser family traveled over 13,000 kilometers from the United States to fulfill Walter's last wish of having his ashes immersed in the Ganges. His children, Michael and Sheela, along with other family members and colleagues, participated in this tribute.
• Swami Sahajanand Saraswati: Born as Naurang Rai, Saraswati founded the Bihar Provincial Kisan Sabha (BPKS) in 1929, which played a crucial role in advocating for farmer rights and eventually contributed to the establishment of the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) in 1936. His efforts were instrumental in mobilizing the peasantry and challenging the zamindari system.
• Historical Significance: The immersion of Hauser's ashes coinciding with Saraswati's death anniversary underscores the strong connection between Hauser’s scholarship and his subject of study.
• Cultural Bond: The Hauser family expressed their deep ties to Patna, where they spent significant formative years, reinforcing their emotional connection to the region and its historical narrative.
• Hauser's Academic Journey: Walter Hauser first visited India in 1957 and became a vital figure in peasant studies. Despite his reluctance to publish, with encouragement from Indian scholar Kailash Chandra Jha, he eventually published significant works, including "The Bihar Provincial Kisan Sabha 1929–1942: A Study of an Indian Peasant Movement" and the translation of Saraswati's autobiography into English.
• Influence on Students: Hauser’s students, William R. Pinch and Wendy Singer, expressed how Hauser's teachings and principles profoundly impacted their academic focus on South Asian histories and social changes.
• Democratic Legacies: The contemporary legacy of Saraswati is seen in modern movements, such as the farmers' protests in Punjab that resulted in the repeal of controversial farm laws, reflecting the continuing relevance of his teachings in democratic practices.
• Historical Interactions: During his visits in the 1950s, Hauser sought an audience with India's first President, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, which demonstrates the respect and importance given to his work in promoting peasant rights.
• Community Engagement: The presence of the Hauser family in Patna has inspired local leaders to enhance the activities at the Shree Sitaram Ashram and continue Swami's legacy of social reform.

Important Points:

• The immersion of ashes in Ganges on June 26, 2025, honors both Hauser and Swami Saraswati.
• Walter Hauser researched peasant movements in Bihar for nearly 60 years.
• The significant connection between the Hauser family and Bihar emphasizes cultural and historical ties.
• The establishment of BPKS and AIKS was crucial in India's agrarian reform.
• Hauser's scholarly works significantly contributed to understanding peasant movements.
• The ongoing relevance of Saraswati's legacy is reflected in contemporary social movements.

The Rath Yatra (chariot festival) of Lord Jagannath held in Puri, Odisha, marks a significant annual religious event attracting a multitude of devotees. This year’s festival, commencing with the deities’ departure from their 12th-century temple to the Gundicha temple, is notable for both its spiritual significance and ongoing political tensions linked to the inauguration of a replica temple in West Bengal.

Summary of Key Points:

• Event Overview:

  • The Rath Yatra occurs on July 1, 2023, marking the start of a nine-day journey during which Lord Jagannath, accompanied by Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra, travels to their birthplace at the Gundicha Temple.
  • The return journey, known as 'Bahuda Yatra,' is set for July 5, 2023.

• Political Context:

  • The yatra comes amidst a political dispute between Odisha's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and West Bengal's Trinamool Congress (TMC) regarding the naming of a newly inaugurated temple (Jagannath Dham) in Digha, West Bengal on April 30, 2023.
  • The Odisha Chief Minister, Mohan Charan Majhi, expressed that the naming of the Digha temple has hurt the sentiments of many devotees.
  • Puri Shankaracharya Nischalananda Saraswati criticized the Digha temple as a revenue-generating initiative lacking in genuine devotion.

• Participation and Security:

  • The Puri Rath Yatra attracted an estimated lakhs of devotees from various regions, including West Bengal.
  • Prominent figures, including Union Ministers and the Odisha Governor, were seen participating actively, with rituals such as 'Chhera Pahanra' performed by Puri's erstwhile royal Dibyasingha Deb.
  • The Odisha government deployed 10,000 police personnel to maintain order and ensure a smooth event.

• Health and Safety Concerns:

  • Reports of suffocation and several devotees collapsing due to humidity prompted immediate medical attention, though Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling stated that the situation was under control.
  • Ambulances were dispatched promptly, and the health conditions of affected individuals were stabilized.

• Cultural Significance:

  • The festival serves as an essential cultural and religious landmark for the region, reinforcing the communal and devotional sentiments among Hindus.
  • Devotees are deeply attached to the rituals and spiritual significance of the Puri temple compared to replicas.

• Devotee Sentiment:

  • Devotees expressed that while there are other Jagannath temples, none could match the historical and spiritual importance of the original temple in Puri.

The Rath Yatra not only showcases religious devotion but also exemplifies regional rivalries and the interplay between politics and spirituality in contemporary India.

The town of Paisley, Scotland, is historically significant for its impact on fashion, particularly in the 19th century when it became renowned for producing imitation Kashmiri shawls, featuring the now-iconic “buta” pattern. This recognition led to the pattern being named “paisley,” yet it highlights a historical instance of cultural appropriation, erasing the pattern’s origins connected to the shapes of pinecones and mangoes.

This conversation around cultural appropriation has resurfaced in light of a recent collection by the Italian fashion brand Prada, which included footwear that bears a strong resemblance to traditional Kolhapuri chappals. The footwear, referred to simply as “leather sandals” in Prada's Spring-Summer 2026 collection, has sparked outrage among India's fashion community and traditional Kolhapuri chappal makers for lacking any acknowledgment of its Indian roots.

Key Points:

• Historical Context: The term "paisley" originated from a Scottish town known for its imitation Kashmiri shawls in the 19th century.
• Cultural Appropriation: The naming disconnect between the paisley pattern and its Kashmiri origins exemplifies early cultural appropriation.
• Prada's Collection: The Spring-Summer 2026 collection featured footwear similar to Kolhapuri chappals but did not recognize its Indian origins.
• Community Reaction: The fashion community in India reacted with indignation at Prada’s perceived oversight.
• Fashion’s History: History shows a pattern of cross-cultural influences in fashion, leading to controversies, such as Gucci's past use of Sikh turbans.
• Emerging Collaborations: There is a growing trend among Western brands to collaborate with artisans from the Global South, shifting towards more respectful cultural exchanges.
• Notable Collaborations: Dior partnered with Mumbai’s Chanakya School of Craft for its pre-fall 2023 collection, and Louboutin collaborated with Indian designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee in 2017.

Current discourse suggests a broader need for recognition and respect concerning cultural origins and contributions in the fashion industry, highlighting the importance of giving credit to traditional artisans. The opportunity remains for brands, such as Prada, to address these issues by acknowledging sources of inspiration, ensuring a fair representation and appreciation of cultural heritages.

In summary, the ongoing dialogue about cultural appropriation in the fashion industry emphasizes a significant shift towards collaboration and recognition of the original cultures from which ideas, materials, and styles emanate.

The article reflects on the author's exploration of historical landmarks in London related to the East India Company, leading to a discussion of equestrian statues sculpted by Francis Chantrey, particularly focusing on the statues of the Duke of Wellington in London and Sir Thomas Munro in Madras.

• The narrative begins with the author's habit of wandering in London, specifically visiting Leadenhall Street to see the former site of the East India Company headquarters, demolished in the 19th century.
• Near this site, the author encounters a statue of the Duke of Wellington at the Bank of England, highlighting a connection to the Thomas Munro statue in Madras.
• Both statues were crafted by Francis Chantrey: the Duke's was erected in 1844 while Munro's was commissioned in 1828 and completed in 1839.
• The article emphasizes similarities between the statues, including the choice of steed, posing, and absence of stirrups, which was believed to be a design mistake but was indeed intentional to honor the equestrian skills of the subjects.
• Although Central London displays the Duke's statue, the article notes the public sentiment that the Munro statue's horse was inadequately depicted.
• The process of creating Munro’s statue involved overcoming the challenge of limited references, as there was only a portrait available for Chantrey to base his work on.
• The final statue’s appearance being verified by contemporaries, including the Duke of Wellington, underscored its accuracy.
• The unveiling of Munro's statue took place on October 28, 1839, marked by a ceremonial event and a seventeen-gun salute, indicating its significance in the region.
• The apprentice who assisted with Munro's statue, Francis Cunningham, later became an administrator and has a road named after him in Bengaluru, further cementing the historical link.

Key Historical Context:

• Francis Chantrey: Notable British sculptor, famous for equestrian statues.
• Duke of Wellington: Celebrated British military leader, honored with a statue in London.
• Sir Thomas Munro: Governor of Madras, commemorated by a statue in India.
• Equestrian Statues: Reflect the artistry and significance of the figures they portray, often representing leadership and valor.

Important Dates:

• 1828: Commissioning of Munro’s statue.
• 1838: Arrival of Munro's statue in Madras.
• October 28, 1839: Unveiling ceremony of the Munro statue in Madras.
• 1844: Erection of the Duke of Wellington statue.

In conclusion, the article encapsulates historical interactions between British figures and Indian history through the medium of art, commemorating the legacies of prominent individuals through public monuments.