Central Idea

• Seethakali folk dance of Kerala has been fading from the public domain, and around three decades ago, it was on the verge of extinction.

Seethakali Folk Art

• Seethakali is a traditional folk dance that originates from the rich cultural heritage of Kerala.
• It is performed primarily by Dalit artists from the Veda and Pulaya communities.

Key Features

• Seethakali is a unique form of folk art that combines elements of storytelling dance, drama, and song.
• The central narrative revolves around the epic Ramayana, particularly focusing on the characters of Sita, Ram, and Laxman.
• Artists adorn themselves with eye-catching makeup, traditional ornaments, and elaborate costumes, enhancing the visual appeal of the performance.

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Central Idea

• India, with its rich heritage, has borne various names throughout its history, each encapsulating a distinct facet of its identity.
• The process of naming this diverse land has sparked debates, controversies, and reflections on its collective consciousness.

Historical Evolution of Names

1. Meluha (Third Millennium BCE):

• The ancient Mesopotamian texts referenced ‘Meluha’ to denote the Indus Valley Civilization, highlighting India’s antiquity and interactions with ancient civilizations.
• ‘Meluha’ is believed to have been used to describe the Indus Valley Civilization in texts from the third millennium BCE.

2. Bharata (Ancient Times to Modern Era):

• Rooted in Puranic literature and the Mahabharata, ‘Bharata’ resonates with religious and socio-cultural connotations.
• Associated with a supraregional and subcontinental territory where Brahmanical society prevailed.
• Evident during the freedom struggle through slogans like ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’.
• ‘Bharata’ was derived from the mythological founders of the race, and its popularity during modern times is also due to its usage during the freedom movement.

3. Aryavarta, Jambudvipa, Nabhivarsa (Ancient Vedic Period):

• ‘Aryavarta’ referred to the land between the Himalayas and Vindhya ranges, where the Indo-Aryans resided.
• ‘Jambudvipa’ and ‘Nabhivarsa’ were also used in Vedic texts and Jain literature to signify the subcontinent, emphasizing different cultural contexts.

4. Hindustan (7th Century BCE):

• Originated during Persian occupation, ‘Hindustan’ referred to the lower Indus basin.
• ‘Hind’ in Persian meant ‘Sindhu’ (Indus river), leading to its application to the region beyond Indus.
• The Persian suffix ‘stan’ (land) was added to form ‘Hindustan’.

5. India (Ancient to Colonial Era):

• The Greeks transliterated ‘Hind’ as ‘Indus’, establishing ‘India’ as a name for the region.
• Colonial usage solidified ‘India’ as a political and geographical term, signifying the subcontinent under British rule.
• ‘India’ was adopted due to its Graeco-Roman associations, history of use in Europe, and bureaucratic usage such as the Survey of India.

Constitutional Deliberations (1947-1949)

• The Constituent Assembly engaged in heated debates over the nation’s official name.
• Jawaharlal Nehru noted the significance of ‘Hindustan’, ‘Bharat’, and ‘India’.
• Nehru’s book “The Discovery of India” captured the coexistence of these names in the collective consciousness.
• The Constitution retained ‘India’ and ‘Bharat’, reflecting diverse visions of the nation.
• The first Article of the Constitution reads, “India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of states.”

Contemporary Reflections

1. Identity and Pride (2023):

• Recent developments suggest a potential change in India’s official name to ‘Republic of Bharat’.
• Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma hinted at the change, signaling a reset in India’s central identification.
• Political leaders and citizens expressed opinions on the potential change, invoking sentiments of national pride.

2. Symbolism and Debate:

• The change of name is interpreted as a move to reflect India’s ancient identity and cultural heritage.
• Congress leader Jairam Ramesh discussed the implications of the change on national identity and opposition alliances.
• Shashi Tharoor, a former Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations, highlighted the significance of both ‘India’ and ‘Bharat’.

3. Constitutional and Historical Context:

• Article 1 of the Indian Constitution declares ‘India, that is Bharat’ as a ‘Union of States’.
• Some leaders emphasized the importance of preserving the brand value associated with the name ‘India’.
• The historical roots of ‘Bharat’ as described in ancient texts and its constitutional adoption were highlighted.

4. ‘Bharat’ and ‘India’ Coexistence:

• Both ‘Bharat’ and ‘India’ have been used interchangeably, signifying the country’s diverse identity.
• The official names ‘Bharat Ganarajya’ (in Hindi) and ‘Republic of India’ (in English) are present on Indian passports.
• The names reflect the continuity of historical legacy and modern nation-building.

Conclusion

• The journey of India’s names mirrors its complex identity, blending history, culture, and politics.
• As India continues to evolve, its names continue to encapsulate its essence, fostering a deep connection with its past and an ever-evolving future.
• Each name is a testament to India’s rich tapestry of history, culture, and collective consciousness.

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Central Idea

• The culmination of Onam festivities witnessed the Pulikkali celebration, a traditional folk art form from Kerala, where humans dressed as tigers and leopards paraded through the streets.

About Pulikkali

• Pulikkali, also known as Tiger Dance, is a unique folk art of Kerala.
• Celebrated on the fourth day of Onam, artists adorn themselves as tigers with distinctive yellow, red, and black stripes, accompanied by the rhythmic beats of traditional percussion instruments like thakil, udukku, and chenda.
• The central theme revolves around tiger hunting, with individuals playing the roles of both the tiger and the hunter.
• It was introduced by Maharaja Rama Varma Sakthan Thampuran, the former ruler of Cochin, Pulikkali reflects a rich cultural heritage.

Onam Festival: Key Highlights

• Onam, the most significant celebration in Kerala, holds great cultural importance.
• Occurring at the onset of Chingam, the first month of the Malayalam Calendar, it’s a harvest festival celebrating prosperity.
• The Onam Carnival extends for four to ten days, with Atham (first day) and Thiruonam (tenth day) as the most pivotal.
• A popular belief holds that Onam welcomes King Mahabali’s spirit, who is believed to visit Kerala during this period.
• The festival includes Vallamkali, a thrilling snake boat race ‘Vallamkali’ conducted on the Pampa River.
• Onam showcases Kaikotti kali and Thumbi Thullal, graceful dances performed by women, adding elegance to the celebrations.

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Central Idea

• The Supreme Court clarified that children born from void or voidable marriages can inherit the parent’s share in a joint Hindu family property governed by Mitakshara law.
• However, the inheritance rights are limited to the parent’s share and do not extend to other family members’ properties.

Mitakshara School of Law

Nature of Marriages and Law

• A voidable marriage is made invalid by the husband or wife through a decree.
• A void marriage is invalid from the beginning.
• Mitakshara Law of Succession applies to Hindu Undivided Families across India, except West Bengal and Assam.

Ruling Details

• The Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, clarified that the child from a void or voidable marriage cannot claim rights to other family members’ properties.
• The child’s inheritance rights pertain only to the parent’s share in the ancestral property.
• A “notional partition” is conducted to ascertain the parent’s share immediately before their death.

Inheritance Calculation

• The law assumes a partition of the ancestral property between the deceased parent and other family members before the parent’s death.
• The child’s inheritance is based on the share the parent would have received through this notional partition.

Legal Basis

• Section 16 of the Hindu Marriage Act grants legitimacy to children born from void or voidable marriages.
• The court held that these children have the right to their parents’ property.
• The intent of granting legitimacy to such children in the Hindu Marriage Act is reflected in the Hindu Succession Act.

Impact of Amendment

• The Hindu Succession (Amendment) Act, 2005, allows a deceased person’s share in a joint Hindu family property to devolve to heirs by testamentary or intestate succession.
• Before the amendment, devolution occurred only through survivorship.
• Equal rights of succession are now granted to women as well as men.

Background and Precedents

• The case was centered on Section 16(3) of the Hindu Marriage Act.
• In 2011, a Division Bench of the Supreme Court championed the rights of children born from illegitimate marriages to inherit their parents’ properties.
• The Division Bench emphasized that these children deserve the same rights as those born from valid marriages.

Conclusion

• The concept of legitimacy evolves with changing social norms.
• The court observed that what was considered illegitimate in the past may be legitimate today.
• Children born from void or voidable marriages should not be denied inheritance rights based on evolving social consensus.

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