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The Sacred Walking Tree – 1st part (Kathy – Mandrem – January 24)
Version en français plus bas Ankit shared with me yesterday a tale of bygone years when the first hippies in Goa orchestrated ecstatic dances beneath the colossal canopy of a sacred tree. These blissful but unknowing souls sought to create space for their ritual, systematically cutting what they deemed as branches from the enormous tree that graciously sheltered them. Picture a colossus balancing on a matchstick. Can you fathom the stability? Indeed, as any clear-minded individual could foresee, except for these organic-gurus, with the onset of the monsoon’s first rains, the giant toppled, leaving the local population bewildered and disheartened. The Banyan, also known as Ficus benghalensis, is a sacred…
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Section 377 – 3rd part (Kathy – North Goa – January 2024)
Version en français plus bas From my earliest memories, books and films have not merely been pastimes; they’ve been the architects of my education, unveiling diverse themes, and igniting my passion for adventures, journeys, discoveries, and awe. Bob Morane and Pippi Longstocking weren’t just characters; they were conduits of transport. Pippi, especially, stands tall in Sweden as a feminist icon—unbridled, independent, a touch eccentric, humorous, and fiercely powerful. She challenges the very fabric of power dynamics between adults and children, boys and girls. Now, let’s shift our gaze to works that promise a kaleidoscope of perspectives on LGBTQIA+ life in India. They beckon contemplation on the triumphs and tribulations of…
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Section 377 – 2nd part (Kathy – North Goa – January 24)
English version below En 2018 la Cour suprême a pris une décision historique en dépénalisant les relations homosexuelles entre adultes consentants après avoir déclaré l’article 377 du Code pénal inconstitutionnel. Cependant, le 17 octobre 2023 elle a voté à l’unanimité contre la légalisation du mariage homosexuel. Elle a néanmoins réaffirmé les droits des citoyens LGBTQIA+ en vertu de la constitution et a donné au Parlement ou aux législatures des États le pouvoir d’adopter leurs propres lois pour “faire face aux défis” rencontrés par la communauté LGBTQIA+ et réglementer les droits. J’ignore la portée de cette dernière décision… Dans les grandes villes et les régions plus progressistes, les couples homosexuels peuvent…
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Section 377- 1st part (Kathy – North Goa – January 2024)
Version en français plus bas In 2018, the Supreme Court made a historic decision by decriminalizing consensual homosexual relationships after declaring Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code unconstitutional. This was, of course, a relief for the LGBTQIA+ community as, until then, Section 377 criminalized consensual same-sex relationships among adults. The repeal of Section 377 sparked a broader public debate on LGBTQIA+ rights in India. However, despite the significant progress marked by the Supreme Court’s decision, Indian society remains diverse in its opinions on homosexuality. While some actively support LGBTQIA+ rights, others, still a majority, may hold conservative attitudes due to cultural, religious, or social factors. Public figures, activists, and…
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Naya Saal Mubarak Ho – नया साल मुबारक हो ( Kathy – North Goa – Dec. 23)
English version below En Inde, chaque Nouvel An est une mosaïque de célébrations, chacune teintée selon les régions, les communautés et les traditions religieuses qui la composent. Laisse-moi te dévoiler quelques pans de cette toile colorée, quelques notes des rituels qui marquent la fin de l’année dans ce pays vibrant. Bon, évidemment ici à Goa, je pense que même les cocotiers vont se déhancher sur les déferlantes trances en faisant un mixte mantra-dance-electro-psycho-vibe ou un truc dans le genre. Dans les foyers hindous, la clôture de l’année s’illumine de pujas, ces cérémonies de prières qui résonnent dans les temples et les maisons. Des murmures fervents s’élèvent, tissés d’espoirs pour une…
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The Sacred Night (Kathy – North Goa – Dec. 23)
Version en français plus bas After January 1, 1997, New Year’s Eve took on a completely different meaning for me. This night became the most sacred of the 12 Sacred Nights, also known as the “Heilige Nachten” in Dutch. The ancient northern cultures counted about 29.5 days per month. This is the cycle the moon needs to complete one revolution around the Earth. If we then divide the year into 12 “months,” it totals 354 days. Between the end and the beginning of a new year, there are then 12 nights (11 days). It is a special period that takes place from December 26 to January 6. These nights are…
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Goa Grooves (Kathy – North Goa – Dec. 23)
Version en français plus bas Do you have to be a bit off your rocker to fall in love with Goa? Personally, I’m head over heels for this slice of paradise on Earth – it’s got this crazy cool vibe, pristine beaches, tropical jungles, dead silence, and an ocean that turns a simple swim into a divine pleasure. Warm water, clean sand, and guess what? Bikinis are totally cool here, a vibe likely inherited from the wild and free-spirited hippies who invaded this tiny Indian state back in the ’60s and ’70s. Today, Goa’s hippie spirit lives on in its markets stocked with handmade crafts, boho threads, and eclectic jewelry.…
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I wanna Jaïn with you ( Kathy – North Goa – Dec. 23)
Version en français plus bas One day, in Mumbai, my friend Apar asked me out of the blue what I knew about Jains. I proceeded to list the few things I knew on the subject. Jains are highly respectful of all forms of life. They are strictly vegetarian and even refuse to eat where meat or fish is consumed. I then learned that sprouted seeds are considered living food, and that they exclude the consumption of roots and tubers to avoid harming underground living organisms. I also mentioned that they are a minority in India but present in many parts of the world. Apar clarified that they represent 0.5% of…
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Hare Christmas ( Kathy – North Goa – Dec. 23)
English version below Et si Noël pouvait n’être qu’un moment de réconciliation, de compréhension mutuelle, de paix et de joie dans le monde? Je partage ce Noël avec trois Indiens, un Hindou, un Musulman, un hybride Hindou-Chrétien, une Allemande, une Espagnole et un Italien. Nous sommes à Goa, sous un soleil de plomb. Les oiseaux chantent, la lune était quasi pleine la nuit dernière, la nature est tropicale. Awa me confie que Noël ne signifie pas grand chose pour elle. Mais qu’elle aime le froid. Là, ici, c’est plutôt raté. Qu’elle apprécie aussi de partager un moment avec les êtres chers, d’embellir la maison, de considérer le rapport entre…
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For better or for worse – 3rd part (Kathy – North Goa – Dec. 23)
Version en français plus bas Marriages in India are often splendid, highly ritualized events deeply rooted in the country’s cultural diversity. Before the wedding, various preliminary ceremonies take place, including the engagement (roka in Hindi), marking the official commitment of the couple. The mehndi ceremony involves applying henna patterns on the bride’s hands. The night before the wedding, there’s the sangeet (meaning music in Hindi), a festive evening, a dance celebration. Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian, and other communities each have distinct wedding traditions. I want to emphasize that I have friends in Kerala who have had mixed marriages. It’s a state where diversity is more pronounced, evident in everyday life,…
