Onam – Beyond the legends
Some years ago, we covered the stories of Mahabali, his vanquishment by Vamana, his annual return, and other tales of Bali often associated with Diwali. Having revisited those, it is time to return to...
View ArticleKadaangot Makkam
The story of a woman scorned This story takes you to a region north of Calicut and introduces you to two flamboyant art forms of North Malabar, namely Thira and Theyyam. Many studies examine these art...
View ArticleThe Story of Aden
Part 1 - Haines – The Ingliz Sultan and the formation of Aden Having focused thus far on the Calicut end of the Red Sea-Malabar trade route, I thought it would be a good idea to head over to Aden and...
View ArticleThe Odiyans of Malabar
The Odi Cult and the Kalladikode NeeliIn the previous article, we read about Yakshis, especially Kalliangattu Neeli and the Panayanar Yakshi, and their connection to the Kadamattathu Kathanar. While...
View ArticleRoman Presence in India
Muziris, Arikamedu, and Aalgankulam - Windows to Roman Trade In the previous post, we discussed Indians who ventured abroad and sometimes settled in Red Sea ports and Egypt for short periods while...
View ArticleMajor N G Swami, INA’s Unheralded Phantom
Azad Hind – Head of Secret Service and Intelligence Most INA-related books focus on Subhash Bose's central role as the leader and often overlook details about the people, characters, actions, and...
View ArticleEarly Indians in Egypt
And the graffiti made by Cikkai Korran, in the Valley of the Kings It should be no surprise to anyone interested in the Indian Ocean trade that there was robust intercourse between India and the...
View ArticleThe Boston Brahmins
An elite community of Boston Boston is an amazing place to visit with so much to see. While exploring, you might even come across a Boston Brahmin without realizing it. So, who could this be? There...
View ArticleThe Parotta Story
The ubiquitous Malabar Parotta – and its meandering journey I love the Malabar Parotta, and ever since I first tasted it during our college days in Calicut in the 1970s, it has remained a favorite....
View ArticleThe state of Keralam – What’s behind the name?
A discussion on its etymology The state is making headlines, and several discussions will soon begin in the media - on social platforms, and of course, on TV. The official name Kerala, as written in...
View ArticleAir India 101, 1966 – The many mysteries at Mont Blanc
The fate of AI 101 Kanchenjunga VT - DMN is well known to many interested in Air India and to those who have studied India’s nuclear developments. Simply put, this commercial flight, a Boeing 707-437...
View ArticleThe Zamorin’s meeting with Vasco Da Gama
Preethi Vinod Chellappan’s painting – ‘Vasco de Gama’s first audience with the Zamorin in Calicut (AD 1498) It all started last year when I was researching the history of the Tali Temple. After...
View ArticleHyat Sahib, Ayaz Khan, or Velluva Kumaran
The adventures of an enslaved Nambiar from Chirakkal Some years ago, I wrote a short note on Ayaz Khan, but it was incomplete and required much revision. In the meantime, journalist Ramachandran had...
View ArticleKathleen Gough and Kerala
An eminent anthropologist's pioneering work in KeralaI came across her seminal work and read several papers she wrote on Nair kinship many years ago while trying to understand the history of the Nairs...
View ArticleThe Mysterious Pakkanar
Although many Malayalis are familiar with this fascinating character from folklore, and quite a few probably know of Naranathu Branthan (who is similar to the Greek mythological figure Sisyphus), his...
View ArticleAn Electrifying Experience
Edison, Tesla, Westinghouse, ABB, Hitachi, and me… The other day, I visited some historic sites related to Tesla and Westinghouse, which brought back memories of my time at ABB and Hitachi, both of...
View ArticleSambhar - Marathi or South Indian?
Sambhar – the curry and its originsThe other day, we discussed the origins of Idli, and a few days later, I came across a different version of Rasam, popularized by a well-known wedding caterer, cook,...
View ArticleNeelikatha - Myth or Legend
Panchavankadu Neeli a.k.a Kalliankattu Neeli Two days ago, we watched the exciting Malayalam film Lokah – Chapter 1, starring Kalyani Priyadarshan, and it was a fantastic experience. Kalyani brought...
View ArticleThe Discovery of Brazil
Cabral, Pacheco or ? Recently, I was discussing history with a Brazilian colleague of mine, and I mentioned Cabral's voyage to India, noting how he veered off course and ended up in Brazil, thereby...
View ArticleThe Japanese Monsoon missions, and the I-29
And its involvement in Indian affairs During the early 40’s, as the world was engulfed in a great war, pitting the Allies against the Axis, the battles drifted Eastwards, and the skirmishes in the air...
View Article
/pic9814888.png)
/fit-in/580x348/filters:format(webp)/english-betterindia/media/media_files/2026/09/17/balaghat-4-2026-09-17-19-01-31.png)
