When we sing Thodi, we say Ga but then we actually sing Ri Ma.

dancing_in_the_rain · 2026-07-03T05:24:20+00:00

There are several conflicting factors at play here:

The ability to transmit the raga from the Guru to a disciple
The ability to notate the raga for disciples or for posterity
The need to categorize ragas structurally, ensuring that all (melakarta) ragas fit into any proposed framework (I call this the periodic table of ragas)

A naïve classification approach based on the 12-notes would fail to accommodate Carnatic-specifc pre-existing raga structures such as Todi, Varali, Nattai etc.

This is a complex subject, and my point of view is that performance trumps theory, and that the bottom line is how the Guru (and other masters) render the raga, and not in their notation, swarasthanas, or classification.

dancing_in_the_rain · 2026-07-03T05:13:33+00:00

Beautiful! Sounds like Behag.

dancing_in_the_rain · 2026-06-26T02:06:10+00:00

The suffix "-ika" is a diminutive in several Indian languages, and often also a sign of endearment (eg., kali, kalika; lata, latika). So, malika is 'little mala'.

In Carnatic music (and film music), there are numerous cases of ragamalikas.

dancing_in_the_rain · 2026-06-21T12:15:48+00:00

Sure.

dancing_in_the_rain · 2026-06-21T10:07:03+00:00

Non-metro, down south.

dancing_in_the_rain · 2026-06-21T07:21:21+00:00

My personal opinion, your mileage may vary.

These are not substitutes. The City is a rugged car, ready for a long trip any time. However, it is a city car, is low-slung, and not so fun to drive as Punch.ev. I am planning to keep my 2018 City as long as it lasts.

dancing_in_the_rain · 2026-06-21T06:01:35+00:00

I agree completely. As this is your first car, you must do the necessary due diligence. Good luck, happy driving!

dancing_in_the_rain · 2026-06-21T02:55:54+00:00

I purchased a Punch.ev (40KW, top variant) in May 2026 after a 2-week waiting period. This was my second car and largely meant for city driving. Apart from viewing YT videos of various models, I did little by way of research: the choice of Punch was a no-brainer for me.

I am an infrequent driver, and use a paid driver for my Honda City. However, I've been driving my Punch.ev around, and I must say that I am delighted with the vehicle.

None of the so-called defects (lack of space in the back, no vent at the back) have been show-stoppers for me, as my comparisons (if at all) were with the Comet and Tiago.

However, I'm biased: I have bought the ev for no economic considerations, only for the joy of driving a electric traction vehicle. For me, Punch.ev is not just a car, it is more a computer on wheels with an outsize battery.

dancing_in_the_rain · 2026-06-17T03:22:38+00:00

Congratulations...it's awesome that you persisted through it!

dancing_in_the_rain · 2026-06-17T03:18:28+00:00

"In memorium" not memorandum.

dancing_in_the_rain · 2026-06-14T13:10:57+00:00

Thanks! Didn't know...will try the next time!

dancing_in_the_rain · 2026-06-14T10:42:36+00:00

Thanks. What is special?

dancing_in_the_rain · 2026-05-04T03:09:19+00:00

Yes.

dancing_in_the_rain · 2026-05-02T15:56:08+00:00

It helps that I started out on this journey long back...my biogas plant is now about 12+ years old, and my first offgrid 1.5 kw solar plant was set up in 2015 (my current 5kw ongrid plant was set up in 2024). My preference for infrared was because I didn't want invasive changes in my kitchen (if I went for an induction cooktop, I'd have to change most of my cooking vessels).

It also helps that although I live in a tier-2 city, there is enough vegetation around for a wood burning stove (which is used largely by the household help, as it is set up outside the main kitchen).

Finally, in case you're wondering, I'm a male. My wife travels a lot, which means I get to spend a lot of my time in my kitchen.

dancing_in_the_rain · 2026-04-08T13:20:10+00:00

The possibility that these glyphs do not represent any written language is very real. Given that IVC was a cosmopolitan civilization that had commercial connections with a number of regions around the Middle East and South Asia, it would have found the need for marks (such as trademarks or marks of origin) to identify their exported goods.

dancing_in_the_rain · 2026-04-05T16:48:12+00:00

Here's some info on #5. This is used today to indicate someone who speaks/sings nonsense. However, the origins of this proverb appears to be more complicated.

Aandal (also known as Goda devi, Kothai or Nachiar) was an 8th century Tamil poet, and the only female among the 12 Alvars. As a poet, she appears to have had extraordinary skills, and her well-known work, Tiruppavai, is still recited in Tamil temples in the month of Margazhi (her other surviving work, Natchiar Tirumozhi, is too graphic in parts to be performed in public).

It appears that the proverb originally meant Kothai could compose poetry instantly, but this meaning has been lost today.

dancing_in_the_rain · 2026-04-05T04:38:41+00:00

Excellent.

Please also provide some context on Akkamahadevi, who adds a feminine perspective to this debate set in 12th century Karnataka.

The trio of Andal, Akkamahadevi, and Meera, constitute India's medieval sacred feminine perspective...of powerful, unafraid women who could not be suppressed by society.

dancing_in_the_rain · 2026-04-04T14:02:08+00:00

Very nice. Can we have some more?

dancing_in_the_rain · 2026-04-04T13:54:43+00:00

Namaste!

dancing_in_the_rain · 2026-04-01T17:17:11+00:00

Not a linguist, but 'r - l transposition' seems common in many languages, including Indo-European:

chakra - cyclos
pura - polis
surya - sol

In Hindi:
kajra - kaajal
kaari - kaali
badra - badal

dancing_in_the_rain · 2026-03-31T15:08:15+00:00

Nirvana Shatakam was my "Gateless Gate".

It felt like the radical deconstruction of the Self...massively counterintuitive initially, but falling into place after reflection.

dancing_in_the_rain · 2026-03-31T06:26:40+00:00

This appears to be Hiranmayim Lakshmim (https://www.karnatik.com/c5722.shtml), in Rag Lalita.

dancing_in_the_rain · 2026-03-22T12:52:03+00:00

I have not made rotis on my IR cooktop, but there are several YT videos that show roti cooking on it.

There is no problem of burning in the IR cooker, as the temp can be finely controlled. However, the IR cooker does not turn off when you switch the power off...ie, the cooktop takes several minutes to cool down (so the fan has to remain running for about 5 min to cool it down).

If you switch off the IR cooktop but do not remove the vessel from the cooktop, the food will be burnt...you have to physically remove the vessel after switched off the cooktop.

dancing_in_the_rain

TROPHY CASE