9 days of Devi worship Navaratri amidst Indian Me Too movement. In a country where girl child is worshipped as Kanjika, where various avatars of women are worshipped as the harbinger of wealth and knowledge, or as a benevolent mother who protects all, the real stories are scary, heart breaking. https://poojasodhi.com/celebrating-the-goddess-within/
Mahalaya Ritual
It has become an annual ritual in our house to wake up early on Mahalaya morning and listen to Mahisasuramardini. This tradition likely began with my maternal grandmother, a devotee of Goddess Durga, who lived in Patna surrounded by Bengali households. It continued even after she moved to Banaras, and later my mother passed it... Continue Reading →
We, the People of India
I wrote this last year, but in view of recent judgements by Supreme Court of India, reposting it. https://poojasodhi.com/we-the-people-of-india/
Asking Questions…
What's the Big Idea? - An often asked question by marketeers before any presentation. This and many such questions can lead to more creativity, however, asking the right questions to encourage creativity and innovative solutions is an art to be learnt and practised. Unfortunately many of us don't do the same, and often even asking... Continue Reading →
Breaking bread together
An iftar invitation had remained elusive till now - this last week of the holy month I attended my first iftar party. Last weekend amidst thunderous showers a family in Noida with a group of ladies hosted an inter-faith iftar party. The group consisting of Rana Safvi - an author and historian, Nazia Erum -... Continue Reading →
102 Not Out
I am no movie buff - but an Amitabh Bachchan movie is a different experience altogether. So the very next day after its release the Sodhi family, on a rare outing, went to watch 102 Not Out. The promos had looked promising, with an exuberant centurion Gujrati father and his relationship with his old, morose son.... Continue Reading →
Rāmā Kātha – the Rāmāyana story
During my final exams for Masters, Banaras Hindu University hosted a festival of Rāmāyana from other South-east Asian countries; everyday in the evening one country or the other presented a retelling of their version of the story in dance drama format. That was my first initiation to various versions of the epic Rāmāyana - the... Continue Reading →
Swan Lake – a ballet experience
A birthday-anniversary weekend in September last year also turned out to be a musical weekend - an evening of classical music and another of classical ballet. The Royal Russian Ballet had flown in with their swans for a treat for Delhi audience. For me, this was a maiden experience of watching a ballet live -... Continue Reading →
Sabyasachi Mukherjee’s An Endless Summer
Pooja Sodhi writes about Sabyasachi Mukherjee's new collection An Endless Summer
Our Holi lunch of Banaras
Festivals in India are closely linked with food especially in UP households where there is different menu for each festival. Even though Punjabis, since we lived in Banaras our food habits have been influenced by UP-Bihar traditions and some from the home rituals followed by my maternal Grandmother. In almost all the households of our... Continue Reading →
Banarasi Thali – A Taste of Banaras
Banarasi khana is unique in its taste - very different from its Western UP counterpart or even Punjabi cuisine. Banarasi cuisine over centuries has created its own taste with influence from Bihar and Bengal, even taken inspiration from Muslim rulers and inhabitants. In Banaras, one even finds an Italian pizzeria, a Japanese restaurant or a... Continue Reading →
Khele mashane mein Holi
Holi across the world is largely associated with Krishna, and people flock to Brijbhoomi to witness the festivities. Even the songs or paintings that celebrate this colourful festival centers around this playful God. But in the city of Shiva - Banaras (Kashi or Varanasi), Rangbhari Ekadashi marks the beginning of the festival six days before... Continue Reading →