Onyx Cufflinks

Onyx is a precious material which shares the characteristic of dark colors such as black and yet it is stylish enough to be compared with the shining beauty of silver.  Because of the fact that onyx shares characteristics from the color black onyx is regarded as a very elegant color, those who use onyx are said to have a very strong character and be very authoritative.

Those wear the color onyx and items that have the shine this material has project a very elegant image and because onyx is quite dark it can also make the person look very elegant and sophisticated.  Those who wear the color onyx are also set to project a mysterious aura which makes other people wonder about our personality and this reaction is said to trigger new relationships.

Onyx as well as the color black are heavily used in New York fashion as well as in urban styles, dark colors such as black are highly regarded in many fashions spheres.

Interesting facts about onyx and the color black:

– Onyx was known to Greek and Romans but the word itself is derived from the Assyrian word which means ring.

– Onyx is such a rare and precious material that when the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library at Yale university planned to coat such book with green onyx they have to change the material to marble simply because there wasn’t enough green onyx in the world.

– In folk religion onyx is used for the target of psychic attacks, especially those that are sexual in nature.

– In Chinese culture that dark color of onyx and black are associated with north, water and winter.

– in martial arts that color black is thought to be the result of the combination of all colors, this also represents the perfect union of mind and body and eight true sense of achievement and wisdom.

Great examples of onyx cuff Links:

– Circular Striped Onyx and MOP Cuff Links: in these cufflinks you can see the perfect example of New York glam, these cuff links are perfectly polished and feature a beautiful onyx stone that makes the perfect balance with all the polish silver that surrounds it.

– Onyx Stone and MOP Square Cuff Links: if you are looking for elegance and precision than these beautifully crafted cufflinks are definitely for you, they feature a square pattern that is inspired from New York fashion and promotes focus as well as concentration.

– Onyx and Mother of Pearl Mosaic Cuff Links: if we are to define these cufflinks then exquisite is the word that comes closer to represent the true beauty shown in the intriguing pattern of these cuff links, their shape is circular and yet the inner design is square, this is a contrast that creates perfect balance.

– Chekered Board Agate Cuff Links: if you love the game of chess and checkers then you are probably a very intelligent person, you can project your gifts through these beautifully crafted cufflinks that highly resemble the boards used in these games.

Wood Console Tables – An Easy Way To Promote Family Game Time

Once upon a time, the trend of hanging around with the family for at least one evening a week, playing games, was commonplace. But as we moved into a high-tech, fast-paced world, a lot of family members lost touch, always dashing around, in search of the next ‘in’ thing. As a matter of fact, when you mention playing games to a lot of kids today, the only thing they can imagine is setting up a video game and sitting down in front of the TV. Finally, it seems like the universe is righting itself, taking the family back to a more traditional time, gathering around the wood console table that doubled as a gaming table.

The way you can tell the tradition is coming back around is to notice the number of wood console tables that are coming onto the market as a gaming solution. Some of the wood console tables have drawers that are specifically designed to hold the pieces for various games, and have slots that will hold your average board game. Other gaming wood console tables have table tops that are already a game board, offering checkers, chess, backgammon or a number of other games. The best game wood console tables for a family that likes variety are the ones that allow you to switch out one gaming top for another, so you can play a number of games on the same surface.

If you are worried about the effect on your décor of some plain wood gaming table, think again. Many of the wood console tables that are hitting the market with gaming options are for those with more discerning taste. Some of them have game board insets made of leather, with beautifully carved marble playing pieces. Others make sure that all the game pieces can be hidden away in carved drawers with ornate handles, so when you’re not playing a game, no one will know the table is really a play surface.

If you have a family that doesn’t always meet in the same room, you may not want to have to carry the wood console table from room to room to keep up with the mobile family unit. This is where a rolling table may come in handy. Some of the gaming tables on the market have casters, so they can be scooted around to a location that is the best for those getting ready for the game. You may also want to look for models with locking casters, so an inadvertent tap of a foot doesn’t send the whole game for a ride.

It doesn’t take much to get your family prepared for a setting that takes them back in time, and puts them in each others company. The concept may be foreign at first, and even cause for some stress as the kids try to fathom how you can play a game without a joystick and a television, but the results will be a family that is closer over time.

Attractions of Luton Part 1

Among the most popular attractions Luton has to offer tourists and business travellers are the following:

1. Dunstable Downs
With an elevation of 243 meters (797 feet), Dunstable Downs are nestled in the Chiltern Hills in southern Bedforshire and are actually the highest point of Bedforshire county.

The Downs is a chalk escarpment that forms the Chilterns’ north-eastern reaches. They are managed by the National Trust and serve as the home to many types of wildlife, including beautiful butterfly species such as the Marbled White and the Chalkhill Blue and rare wild flowers like the Bee Orchid,

The elevation of Dunstable Downs makes it a favourite destination of kite fliers, gliders, hang gliders and paragliders. For this reason, the London Gliding Club has set up their base at the foot of the Downs.

Another popular attraction here is the huge lion shape that was cut by Whipsnade Zoo at the side of one of the hills. This lion is visible from the Aylesbury to Dunstable road (the B489).

The height of the Dunstable Downs is also the main reason why it was an ideal venue for a shutter telegraph station from 1808 to 1814 whose key function was to connect the Admiralty in London to naval ships at the Great Yarmouth port.

2. Chiltern Hills
Aside from the Dunstable Downs, the Chiltern Hills as a whole is a popular attraction for tourists. As a chalk escarpment, the Chiltern Hills are part of the Southern England Chalk Formation along with the South Downs, Isle of Wight, Cranborne Chase and Salisbury Plain.

Haddington Hill in Wendover Woods is the highest point of the Chiltern Hills, with an elevation of 267 meters (876 feet). Nearby is another prominent hill, Ivinghoe Beacon, which is 249 meters (817 feet) above sea level. On the East is Dunstable Downs. There is also the 260-meter (853 feet) Coombe Hill near Wendover.

On the southeast side of the Chiltern scarp you will find beech woodland and several attractive villages. The quality hardwood in the area once formed the backbone of a flourishing chair-making industry in Chesham and High Wycombe towns.

Several rivers drain from the Chiltern Hills and form an impressive sight. These include River Gade, River Wye, River Ver, River Lee, River Chess, River Mimram, River Bulbourne and River Misbourne. All these rivers are referred to as chalk streams.

3. Leighton Buzzard Light Railway
Known as LBLR, this light railway is located in Leighton Buzzard town in Bedfordshire, England. Now operated as a heritage railway, the LBLR features a narrow two-foot (610 mm) gauge that is nearly three miles (4.8 km) long.

The railway line was constructed following World War I as an vital transport link to the sand quarries north of the town. During the 1960s, the railway shifted focus from quarrying sand to road transport.

One of the railway’s key attractions is the wide variety of steam and internal combustion locomotives that still run on the line. In addition, Stonehenge Works on the northern end of the line features an impressive array of historic industrial railway locomotives.

4. Luton Museum & Art Gallery
Located within a large Victorian mansion in Wardown Park, the Luton Museum & Art Gallery boasts of popular collections of Befordshire’s traditional crafts, specifically, lace-making and hat-making.

Some of the lace samples go back as far as the 17th century. Meanwhile, the hat collection has more than 600 hats representing the Woman’s Hat Industry collection. Several pieces of decorative art, including Saxon jewellery, are also on display. Other popular collections include costumes, fine arts, straw-plaiting, medieval guild books and several Victorian room settings.

In February 2003, the first floor was refurbished and re-opened as Luton Life displays and feature several prominent Luton personalities from the past century and a half. Listening posts are available and allow visitors to listen to some of the locals as they describe key events. Several interactive displays are also on hand.

The Living Landscape gallery features local archaeology and natural history, including a Bronze Age mirror, a Shillington Roman coin hoard and ) and various finds from Waulud’s Bank.

The Lace Gallery displays some of the museum’s extensive collection of locally produced lace work. The

The Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire gallery displays various artefacts depicting the history of the local regiment, courtesy of the Imperial War Museum.

5. Someries Castle
Built by Sir John Wenlock during the 15th century, Someries Castle has been classified as a Scheduled Ancient Monument. Its name comes from William de Someries, a former resident of the site. In 1430 Wenlock acquired the location and built Someries Castle, which is actually more of a fortified manor house than a castle.

What makes Someries Castle unique is that it is one of the very first brick buildings in the country. Although it is now in ruins, magnificent brickwork that the castle is known for can still be seen in great detail today, especially near the gatehouse that connects the chapel and lodge.

Kids Learning Toys – A way to teach

Children learn best while they are playing. Learning is the best aided with educational and learning toys. Most of the kids do not like to study. Therefore, the best option is to give them learning toys with which they can not only play but also learn from. A child can learn playfully to write letters, numeric and color the cartoons on the computer. By loading the fun game in the computer, the kids can also learn how to use the computer with keyboard and printer, which come, along with the play station.

Several learning toys and games teach kids how to use their brain for the constructive Work. like Lego treasure hunt, Shark hunt construction set, TajMahal, doll set, wooden chess, mind space, Phantom, paintballs, fire station, fighter plane model kit, cry how to do things and organize back, learning board, my tutor, logical balls and many more. If he is interested in pirate games, dinosaur activities, electronic playground or marble run construction, then it will inspire his creativity, thoughts and imagination. The power of magnet to attract and repel will not only amuse the kid but also endow him with a new light of knowledge.

This way they learn while they play. Toys with contrasting colors are fascinating to babies and stimulate their developing vision. Every new shape, color, texture, taste and sound is a learning experience for them. A puzzle box with different shapes develops the child’s learning ability and the ability to solve problems. Shape sorters teach them how to match similar items and the names of the shapes. Lego blocks provide an opportunity to learn more about colors and symmetry. Giving educational toys to the children will help them to develop a positive attitude toward learning. Toys also teach the child to socialize. For example, he can create a building through the set of building blocks. .

ctivities like this will teach the child to become a leader, a follower and a team player. Educational toys not only help the child to develop his abilities and skills but also teach the child to be responsible. Organizing his toys after playing with them is one of the best ways to teach a child to be responsible. In addition, educational learning toys teach your child simple but valuable things. It will also form part of his life and memory. So bring him something he can have fun with and learn. The best and safe learning and motivating toys discover and engage a child’s senses, spark their imaginations and encourage them to interact with others.

The Top Five Executive Gifts

Executives are the top performers in your corporation. They often enjoy some of the finest luxuries. When it comes time to exchange executive gifts buy something an executive will respect and admire. These gift choices are among the most respected and make up the top five executive gift ideas.

1. El Casco office accessories like memo holders, pencil sharpeners and cell phone caddies are extremely fine executive gifts. All of El Casco’s products are hand assembled, hand polished and plated in silver chrome or 23kt Gold. The extensive polishing and plating process produces an extraordinary shine. These gift ideas are useful, and respected for authenticity. Each one is imported from Spain.

2. Dacasso Desk Sets are made from fine premium and top grain leathers. They come in several styles including croco embossed, classic black and burgundy. A Dacasso desk set is an excellent executive gift idea because it shows real class and style.

3. Gemstone Globes and Bookends are fine executive gift ideas because they are original, authentic and decorative. You will find that Alexander Kalifano makes the best gemstone globes. Hand made and polished to a gleaming finish, they are colorful and decorated with individual colored gemstones to make up each continent.

4. Pen Stands are another fine executive gift idea. Choose leather, Gold or marble pen stands. You can also find pen stands that include professional symbols like Caduceus, Scales of Justice and the Bull and Bear.

5. Wine Gifts are always an excellent choice because executives enjoy wine. They show true taste and they are ideal for special occasions. You can also never have too many. Select from wine openers, wine boxes or travel sets. These are very popular executive gifts.

Other executive gift ideas include poker chip sets, games like chess and backgammon and travel accessories.

Find a whole collection of corporate executive gift ideas right here. Everything from El Casco staplers, to crystal globes and desk sets.

India -Unity in Diversity

Indian Culture:
The culture of India has been shaped by the long history of India, its unique geography and the absorption of customs, traditions and ideas from some

of its neighbours as well as by preserving its ancient heritages, which were formed during the Indus Valley Civilization and evolved further during the

Vedic age, rise and decline of Buddhism, Golden age, Muslim conquests and European colonization. India does not have a strong uniform national

culture. India’s great diversity of cultural practices, languages, customs, and traditions are examples of this unique co-mingling over the past five

millennium. The various religions and traditions of India that were created by these amalgamations have influenced other parts of the world too. Most

Indians emphasize the country’s cultural diversity, tolerance of difference, and receptiveness to foreign influences.
 
Religion:
India is the birth place of Dharmic religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism. Dharmic religions, also known as Indian religions, is

a major form of world religions next to the Abrahamic ones. Today, Hinduism and Buddhism are the world’s third- and fourth-largest religions

respectively, with around 1.4 billion followers altogether.
India is one of the most religiously diverse nations in the world, with some of the most deeply religious societies and cultures. Religion still plays a

central and definitive role in the life of most of its people.
The religion of more than 80.4% of the people is Hinduism. Islam is practiced by around 13.4% of all Indians. Sikhism, Jainism and especially

Buddhism are influential not only in India but across the world. Christianity, Zoroastrianism, Judaism and the Bahá’í Faith are also influential but their

numbers are smaller. Despite the strong role of religion in Indian life, atheism and agnostics also have visible influence along with a self-ascribed

tolerance to other faiths.

Society:
According to Eugene M. Makar, the traditional Indian culture is defined by relatively strict social hierarchy. He also mentions that from an early age,

children are reminded of their roles and places in society. This is reinforced by the fact that many believe gods and spirits have integral and functional

role in determining their life. Several differences such as religion divide culture. However, far more powerful division is the traditional Hindu

bifurcation into non-polluting and polluting occupations. Strict social taboos have governed these groups for thousands of years.In recent years,

particularly in cities, some of these lines have blurred and sometimes even disappeared. Nuclear family is becoming central to Indian culture.

Important family relations extend to as far as gotra, the mainly patrilinear lineage or clan assigned to a Hindu at birth.In rural areas it is common that

three or four generations of the family live under the same roof. Patriarch often resolves family issues.
Among developing countries, India has low levels of occupational and geographic mobility. People choose same occupations as their parents and

rarely move geographically in the society.

Family:
India for ages has had a prevailing tradition of the joint family system. It’s a system under which even extended members of a family like one’s parents,

children, the children’s spouses and their offspring, etc. live together. The elder-most, usually the male member is the head in the joint Indian family

system who makes all important decisions and rules, whereas other family members abide by it.The average nuclear family is relatively small, with

only one or two children. Toddlers receive much parental attention. Many children are cared for primarily by their parents in the parental home.
Arranged marriages have the tradition in Indian society for centuries. Even today, overwhelming majority of Indians have their marriages planned by

their parents and other respected family-members, with the consent of the bride and groom.Arranged matches were made after taking into account

factors such as age, height, personal values and tastes, the backgrounds of their families (wealth, social standing) and their castes and the astrological

compatibility of the couples’ horoscopes. Monogamy is the only marriage form allowed.
In India, the marriage is thought to be for lifeand the divorce rate is extremely low — 1.1% compared with about 50% in the United States. The

arranged marriages generally have a much lower divorce rate. The divorce rates have risen significantly in recent years:
“Opinion is divided over what the phenomenon means: for traditionalists the rising numbers portend the breakdown of society while, for some

modernists, they speak of a healthy new empowerment for women.”
Although child marriage was outlawed in 1860, it is continued to be practiced in some rural parts of India.According to UNICEF’s “State of the

World’s Children-2009” report, 47% of India’s women aged 20–24 were married before the legal age of 18, with 56% in rural areas. The report also

showed that 40% of the world’s child marriages occur in India.
Indian names are based on a variety of systems and naming conventions, which vary from region to region. Names are also influenced by religion and

caste and may come from religion or epics. India’s population speaks a wide variety of languages.
Although women and men are equal before the law and the trend toward gender equality has been noticeable, women and men still occupy distinct

functions in Indian society.Woman’s role in the society is often to perform household works and pro bono community work.This low rate of

participation has ideological and historical reasons. Women and women’s issues appear only 7-14% of the time in news programs. In most Indian

families, women do not own any property in their own names, and do not get a share of parental property. Due to weak enforcement of laws protecting

them, women continue to have little access to land and property. In many families, especially rural ones, the girls and women face nutritional

discrimination within the family, and are anaemic and malnourished.They still lag behind men in terms of income and job status.

Customs:
Namaste, Namaskar or Namaskaram is a common spoken greeting or salutation in the Indian subcontinent. Namaskar is considered a slightly more

formal version than namaste but both express deep respect. It is commonly used in India and Nepal by Hindus, Jains and Buddhists, and many continue

to use this outside the Indian subcontinent. In Indian and Nepali culture, the word is spoken at the beginning of written or verbal communication.

However, the same hands folded gesture is made wordlessly upon departure. In yoga, namaste is said to mean “The light in me honors the light in you,”

as spoken by both the yoga instructor and yoga students.
Taken literally, it means “I bow to you”. The word is derived from Sanskrit (namas): to bow, obeisance, reverential salutation, and respectand (te): “to

you”.
When spoken to another person, it is commonly accompanied by a slight bow made with hands pressed together, palms touching and fingers pointed

upwards, in front of the chest. The gesture can also be performed wordlessly and carry the same meaning.

Festivals:
India, being a multi-cultural and multi-religious society, celebrates holidays and festivals of various religions. The three national holidays in India, the

Independence Day, the Republic Day and the Gandhi Jayanti, are celebrated with zeal and enthusiasm across India. In addition, many states and regions

have local festivals depending on prevalent religious and linguistic demographics. Popular religious festivals include the Hindu festivals of Diwali,

Ganesh Chaturthi, Durga puja, Holi, Rakshabandhan and Dussehra. Several harvest festivals, such as Sankranthi, Pongal and Onam, are also fairly

popular. Certain festivals in India are celebrated by multiple religions. Notable examples include Diwali which celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains

and Buddh Purnima which is celebrated by Buddhists and Hindus. Islamic festivals, such Eid ul-Fitr, Eid al-Adha and Ramadan, are celebrated by

Muslims across India. Adding colours to the culture of India, the Dree Festival is one of the tribal festivals of India celebrated by the Apatanis of the

Ziro valley of Arunachal Pradesh, which is the easternmost state of this country.

Cuisine:
The multiple families of Indian cuisine are characterized by their sophisticated and subtle use of many spices and herbs. Each family of this cuisine is

characterized by a wide assortment of dishes and cooking techniques. Though a significant portion of Indian food is vegetarian, many traditional Indian

dishes also include chicken, goat, lamb, fish, and other meats.
Food is an important part of Indian culture, playing a role in everyday life as well as in festivals. Indian cuisine varies from region to region, reflecting

the varied demographics of the ethnically diverse subcontinent. Generally, Indian cuisine can be split into five categories: North, South, East,West

Indian and North-eastern India . Despite this diversity, some unifying threads emerge. Varied uses of spices are an integral part of food preparation,

and are used to enhance the flavor of a dish and create unique flavors and aromas. Cuisine across India has also been influenced by various cultural

groups that entered India throughout history, such as the Persians, Mughals, and European colonists. Though the tandoor originated in Central Asia,

Indian tandoori dishes, such as chicken tikka made with Indian ingredients, enjoy widespread popularity.
Indian cuisine is one of the most popular cuisines across the globe. Historically, Indian spices and herbs were one of the most sought after trade

commodities. The spice trade between India and Europe led to the rise and dominance of Arab traders to such an extent that European explorers, such

as Vasco da Gama and Christopher Columbus, set out to find new trade routes with India leading to the Age of Discovery. The popularity of curry,

which originated in India, across Asia has often led to the dish being labeled as the “pan-Asian” dish.

Clothing:
Traditional Indian clothing for women are the saris and also Ghaghra Cholis (Lehengas). For men, traditional clothes are the Dhoti, pancha/ veshti or

Kurta. Bombay, also known as Mumbai, is one of India’s fashion capitals. In some village parts of India, traditional clothing mostly will be worn.

Delhi, Mumbai,Chennai, Ahmedabad, and Pune are all places for people who like to shop. In southern India the men wear long, white sheets of cloth

called dhoti in English and in Tamil. Over the dhoti, men wear shirts, t-shirts, or anything else. Women wear a sari, a long sheet of colourful cloth

with patterns. This is draped over a simple or fancy blouse. This is worn by young ladies and woman. Little girls wear a pavada. A pavada is a long

skirt worn under a blouse. Both are often gaily patterned. Bindi is part of the women’s make-up. Traditionally, the red bindi (or sindhur) was worn

only by the married Hindu women, but now it has become a part of women’s fashion. Indo-western clothing is the fusion of Western and

Subcontinental fashion. Churidar, Dupatta, Gamchha, Kurta, Mundum Neriyathum, Sherwani,uttariya are among other clothes.

Literature:
The earliest works of Indian literature were orally transmitted. Sanskrit literature begins with the Rig Veda a collection of sacred hymns dating to the

period 1500–1200 BCE. The Sanskrit epics Ramayana and Mahabharata appeared towards the end of the first millennium BCE. Classical Sanskrit

literature flourished in the first few centuries of the first millennium CE, as did the Tamil Sangam literature.
In the medieval period, literature in Kannada and Telugu appears in the 9th and 11th centuries respectively, followed by the first Malayalam works in

the 12th century. During this time, literature in the Bengali, Marathi, and various dialects of Hindi, Persian and Urdu began to appear as well.
Some of the most important authors from India are Rabindranath Tagore, Ramdhari Singh ‘Dinkar’, Subramania Barathi, Kuvempu, Bankim Chandra

Chattopadhyay, Michael Madhusudan Dutt, Munshi Premchand, Muhammad Iqbal, Devaki Nandan Khatri became well known. In contemporary India,

among the writers who have received critical acclaim are: Girish Karnad, Agyeya, Nirmal Verma, Kamleshwar, Vaikom Muhammad Basheer, Indira

Goswami, Mahasweta Devi, Amrita Pritam, Maasti Venkatesh Ayengar, Qurratulain Hyder and Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai and others have received

critical acclaim.
In contemporary Indian literature, there are two major literary awards; these are the Sahitya Akademi Fellowship and the Jnanpith Award. Seven

Jnanpith awards each have been awarded in Kannada, six in Hindi, five in Bengali, four in Malayalam, three each in and Marathi, Gujarati, Urdu and

Oriya.

Poetry:
India has strong traditions of poetry ever since the Rigveda, as well as prose compositions. Poetry is often closely related to musical traditions, and

much of poetry can be attributed to religious movements. Writers and philosophers were often also skilled poets. In modern times, poetry has served

as an important non-violent tool of nationalism during the Indian freedom movement. A famous modern example of this tradition can be found in

such figures as Rabindranath Tagore and K. S. Narasimhaswamy in modern times and poets such as Basava (vachanas) , Kabir and Purandaradasa

(padas and devaranamas) in medieval times, as well as the epics of ancient times. Two examples of poetry from Tagore’s Gitanjali serve as the national

anthems of both India and Bangladesh.

Epics:
The Ramayana and Mahabharata are the oldest preserved and still well-known epics of India; some of their versions have been adopted as the epics of

Southeast Asian countries like Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. In addition, there are five epics in the classical Tamil language -they being

Silappadhikaram, Manimegalai, Seevaga-chintamani, Valayaapathi, Kundalakesi. Other regional variations of them as well as unrelated epics include

the Tamil Kamba Ramayanam, in Kannada, the Pampa Bharata by Adikavi Pampa, Torave Ramayana by Kumara Valmiki and Karnata Bharata

KathaManjari by Kumaravyasa, Hindi Ramacharitamanasa, Malayalam Adhyathmaramayanam.

Music and Dance:
The music of India includes multiples varieties of religious, folk, popular, pop, and classical music. The oldest preserved examples of Indian music are

the melodies of the Samaveda that are still sung in certain Vedic ?rauta sacrifices. India’s classical music tradition is heavily influenced by Hindu texts.

It includes two distinct styles: Carnatic and Hindustani music. It is noted for the use of several Raga, melodic modes. it has a history spanning

millennia and it was developed over several eras. It remains instrumental to the religious inspiration, cultural expression and pure entertainment.
Purandaradasa is considered the “father of carnatic music” (Karnataka sangeeta pitamaha). He concluded his songs with a salutation to Lord Purandara

Vittala and is believed to have composed as many as 475,000songs in the Kannada language. However, only about 1000 are known today.
Indian dance too has diverse folk and classical forms. Among the well-known folk dances are the bhangra of the Punjab, the bihu of Assam, the chhau

of Jharkhand and Orissa, the ghoomar of Rajasthan, the dandiya and garba of Gujarat, the Yakshagana of Karnataka and lavani of Maharashtra and

Dekhnni of Goa. Eight dance forms, many with narrative forms and mythological elements, have been accorded classical dance status by India’s

National Academy of Music, Dance, and Drama. These are: bharatanatyam of the state of Tamil Nadu, kathak of Uttar Pradesh, kathakali and

mohiniattam of Kerala, kuchipudi of Andhra Pradesh, manipuri of Manipur, odissi of the state of Orissa and the sattriya of Assam.
Kalarippayattu or Kalari for short is considered one of the world’s oldest martial art. It is preserved in texts such as the Mallapurana. Kalari and other

later formed martial arts have been assumed by some to have traveled to China, like Buddhism, and eventually developing into Kung-fu. Other later

martial arts are Gatka,Pehlwani,and Malla-yuddha. There have been many great practitioners of Indian martial Arts including Bodhidharma who

supposedly brought Indian martial arts to China.

Paintings:
The earliest Indian paintings were the rock paintings of pre-historic times, the petroglyphs as found in places like Bhimbetka, some of which go back

to the Stone Age. Ancient texts outline theories of darragh and anecdotal accounts suggesting that it was common for households to paint their

doorways or indoor rooms where guests resided.
Cave paintings from Ajanta, Bagh, Ellora and Sittanavasal and temple paintings testify to a love of naturalism. Most early and medieval art in India is

Hindu, Buddhist or Jain. A freshly made coloured flour design (Rangoli) is still a common sight outside the doorstep of many (mostly South Indian)

Indian homes.
Madhubani painting, Mysore painting, Rajput painting, Tanjore painting, Mughal painting are some notable Genres of Indian Art; while Raja Ravi

Varma, Nandalal Bose, Geeta Vadhera,Jamini Roy and B.Venkatappa are some modern painters. Among the present day artists, Atul Dodiya, Bose

Krishnamacnahri, Devajyoti Ray and Shibu Natesan represent a new era of Indian art where global art shows direct amalgamation with Indian classical

styles. These recent artists have acquired international recognition. Devajyoti Ray’s paintings have been acquired by the National Fine Arts Museum in

Cuba and so have been the works of some of the new generation artists.
Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai, Mysore Palace has on display several good Indian paintings.

Sculptures:
The first sculptures in India date back to the Indus Valley civilization, where stone and bronze figures have been discovered. Later, as Hinduism,

Buddhism, and Jainism developed further, India produced some extremely intricate bronzes as well as temple carvings. Some huge shrines, such as the

one at Ellora were not constructed by using blocks but carved out of solid rock.
Sculptures produced in the northwest, in stucco, schist, or clay, display a very strong blend of Indian and Classical Hellenistic or possibly even

Greco-Roman influence. The pink sandstone sculptures of Mathura evolved almost simultaneously. During the Gupta period (4th to 6th century)

sculpture reached a very high standard in execution and delicacy in modeling. These styles and others elsewhere in India evolved leading to classical

Indian art that contributed to Buddhist and Hindu sculpture throughout Southeast Central and East Asia.

Architecture:
Indian architecture encompasses a multitude of expressions over space and time, constantly absorbing new ideas. The result is an evolving range of

architectural production that nonetheless retains a certain amount of continuity across history. Some of its earliest production are found in the Indus

Valley Civilization (2600-1900 BCE) which is characterised by well planned cities and houses. Religion and kingship do not seem to have played an

important role in the planning and layout of these towns.
During the period of the Maurya and Gupta empires and their successors, several Buddhist architectural complexes, such as the caves of Ajanta and

Ellora and the monumental Sanchi Stupa were built. Later on, South India produced several Hindu temples like Chennakesava Temple at Belur, the

Hoysaleswara Temple at Halebidu, and the Kesava Temple at Somanathapura, Brihadeeswara Temple, Thanjavur, the Sun Temple, Konark, Sri

Ranganathaswamy Temple at Srirangam, and the Buddha stupa (Chinna Lanja dibba and Vikramarka kota dibba) at Bhattiprolu. Angkor Wat,

Borobudur and other Buddhist and Hindu temples indicate strong Indian influence on South East Asian architecture, as they are built in styles almost

identical to traditional Indian religious buildings.
The traditional system of Vaastu Shastra serves as India’s version of Feng Shui, influencing town planning, architecture, and ergonomics. It is unclear

which system is older, but they contain certain similarities. Feng Shui is more commonly used throughout the world. Though Vastu is conceptually

similar to Feng Shui in that it also tries to harmonize the flow of energy, (also called life-force or Prana in Sanskrit and Chi/Ki in Chinese/Japanese),

through the house, it differs in the details, such as the exact directions in which various objects, rooms, materials, etc. are to be placed.
With the advent of Islamic influence from the west, Indian architecture was adapted to allow the traditions of the new religion. Fatehpur Sikri, Taj

Mahal, Gol Gumbaz, Qutub Minar, Red Fort of Delhi are creations of this era, and are often used as the stereotypical symbols of India. The colonial

rule of the British Empire saw the development of Indo-Saracenic style, and mixing of several other styles, such as European Gothic. The Victoria

Memorial or the Victoria Terminus are notable examples.
Indian architecture has influenced eastern and southeastern Asia, due to the spread of Buddhism. A number of Indian architectural features such as the

temple mound or stupa, temple spire or sikhara, temple tower or pagoda and temple gate or torana, have become famous symbols of Asian culture,

used extensively in East Asia and South East Asia. The central spire is also sometimes called a vimanam. The southern temple gate , or gopuram is

noted for its intricacy and majesty.
Contemporary Indian architecture is more cosmopolitan. Cities are extremely compact and densely populated. Mumbai’s Nariman Point is famous for

its Art Deco buildings. Recent creations such as the Lotus Temple, and the various modern urban developments of India like Chandigarh, are notable.

Recreation and Sports:
In the area of recreation and sports India had evolved a number of games. The modern eastern martial arts originated as ancient games and martial arts

in India, and it is believed by some that these games were transmitted to foreign countries, where they were further adapted and modernized.

Traditional indigenous sports include kabaddi and gilli-danda, which are played in most parts of the country.
A few games introduced during the British Raj have grown quite popular in India: field hockey, football (soccer) and especially cricket. Although field

hockey is India’s official national sport, cricket is by far the most popular sport not only in India, but the entire subcontinent, thriving recreationally

and professionally. Cricket has even been used recently as a forum for diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan. The two nations’ cricket teams

face off annually and such contests are quite impassioned on both sides. Polo is also popular.
Indoor and outdoor games like Chess, Snakes and Ladders, Playing cards, Carrom, Badminton are popular. Chess was invented in India.
Games of strength and speed flourished in India. In ancient India stones were used for weights, marbles, and dice. Ancient Indians competed in chariot

racing, archery, horsemanship, military tactics, wrestling, weight lifting, hunting, swimming and running races.

Gift for Him – Show your Man That you Really Care for Him

A gift is a nice way by which a woman can express her feelings for the only man in her life. A gift cements the relationship between two individuals. A woman may be sharing different relationships with a man, like a friend, husband, father, brother or boss etc. Each man should be given a gift that would befit the the relationship a lady holds with him.

A personalised gift will ensure that every time a man looks at it, he will remember the person who gifted it to him. Personalisation of a gift makes it unique and a man will cherish it for long. One should make special efforts to personalise a gift before giving it to a man. Embroidered clothing, an engraved item or a personalised poem are some of the popular gift ideas for him. One may also offer her man a T-shirt with a treasured photo of herself and her man printed on its front. It would still be better if one writes a loving and inspirational message for her man on the backside of the T-shirt.

If one’s man is a beer lover, she should present him with a set of beer glasses that have different romantic messages engraved on them. This will make the man remember her whenever he would pick up the beer glasses for drinking. In this way, one can keep her memories refreshed in the mind of her only man. One can also offer a music CD that contains a song which has been especially sung for her man only. There are many online music companies in the UK that will create customised songs for their customers on being requested to do so.

These songs contain personal details of the individuals like their names and birth dates etc. The lyrics of such songs contain words like to (him) from (her) etc. These companies have professional singers who will sing the song in a professional manner for their customers. A professionally recorded CD of the song is also given to the consumer. Alternatively, one may also gift her man a chess board which is made up of black onyx and white marbles. One can also personalise the chess board by engraving the name of his beloved man on the board. A dinner set or a silver bracelet will also make an excellent gift for him.

Some other personalised gifts for him may include a pen holder with the name of the man engraved on it, a letter opener and cross cufflinks. A re-recordable stuffed toy with a sound unit would make a good executive toy that can be gifted to a young man. Some of the gift ideas for him may include Musical boxes, paintings, customised plaque inscriptions and scented candles. A man would be happy to get any of these gifts. Some gift stores in the UK are also selling mushroom logs that will produce mushrooms for years.

Cologne is also a nice gift for him. A cologne that has a great mystifying fragrance would certainly be appreciated by any man. But one should take special care in selecting the right variety and brand of cologne for her man. If one’s man is a book lover, he may be gifted some book titles of his choice. A Sudoku puzzle book or a book on drinking games would also be likened by any man. Several retailers in the UK are selling attractive gift baskets to their customers these days. These gift baskets are becoming popular as they contain a number of small items that would interest an individual. Some retailers are selling Design-It-Yourself Gift Baskets, while others are selling truly delicious food and book baskets.

A bottle opener, a key ring or a knife are some of the nice gifts that can be given to any man. It is not necessary that a man should be given gifts on special occasions only. If one has a perfect gift idea for him, one should not wait for some occasion to share it with the only man in her life. There would be nothing more embarrassing for a woman than to wait for her man to unwrap her gift, only to find that the same gift had already been given to him by someone else.

Shopping in SW China

Kunming offers goods from all over China and most of the consumer goods you will find in any western country are easily available. The city has three branches of Walmart. Shopping is centred on streets such as Qingnianlu Commercial Street, Zhengyilu Shopping Street, Luosiwuan, and Zhengyi Road.

Next to the train station you will find Nan Yao Market which sells a variety of local products and handicrafts while Kunming’s Flower and Bird Market also has antiques, paintings, jade and other stones, alongside the orchids and exotic birds.

Throughout Kunming you can find teashops selling the famous local Pu ‘Ehr tea. This comes in the form of compressed bricks, sometimes shaped into decorative shapes and even chess pieces. Older matured teas can be incredibly expensive, especially in tourist shops, but younger teas can are more affordable. If invited to taste teas, check the cost first!

In the ethnic minority areas, there are many examples of preserved and dried foods such as mushrooms, teas and even dried-yak meat in the Tibetan areas. Please remember that many countries have restrictions on the import of certain foodstuffs, especially meat products. Similarly flowers and plant seeds are often forbidden.

Only larger stores and hotels generally accept credit cards and in local markets and on the street you are expected to bargain. Most vendors will speak at least enough English to let you know what price they hope for, or they will brandish electronic calculators to display the price. Take the calculator and key in your offer. Offer half at most! But with a smile.

The Bai people of Dali are expert at tie-dying and batik. Clothing and wall hangings are available from the many shops along what is known as “Foreigner Street” and on the streets from itinerant vendors in their traditional dress. Dali is famous for its high quality marble – so much so that the Chinese word for marble translates as Dali Stone. Various relatively cheap marble souvenirs such as ashtrays are easily available, but in recent years a number of more skilled artists have set up shop producing higher quality items. Pride of place in my kitchen goes to a beautiful, heavy marble mortar and pestle set purchased in Dali.

In Lijiang , the Naxi people are known for their silver ornaments. Traditional necklaces and hair accessories are the most common. The people are also known for their bronze cookware, such as kettles and pots. A unique souvenir of the Nazi people can be found in their clay figures and wall hangings, for which the Naxi are known, but one of the most popular buys is full ethnic minority costumes – you too can dress in the traditional clothing of the Naxi or Bai people.

In  Shangrila, the ethnically Tibetan town offers typical Tibetan artefacts and souvenirs. Wooden boxes and bowls are popular, as are Tibetan knives. Personal ornaments such as silver necklaces, bracelets and rings make good souvenirs or gifts. Also on sale are traditional silver boxes known as kewu, used by Tibetan men to carry miniature statues of Buddha. These are worn around the neck or waist depending on size. You can visit http://www.indochinaodysseytours.com to get more information about this.

The History of Games

The history of games goes back thousands of years. The earliest game in the Museum’s collection dates from the 16th century. Games have rules and the main objective of any game is to win, whether it is played by individuals or teams. Some games are also designed to be used as learning tools.

Board Games

The strategy game and the race game are the two main types of board game. The race game appears in all sorts of guises: educational, moral, competitive and fun. A race game involves two or more players competing against each other in order to win.

Race games can be simple or complex. The simple ones require a single playing piece that is moved along a set track on a playing surface from start to finish, for example Snakes and Ladders.
Strategy games are usually played by two people and require at least some degree of skill. These can be subdivided into several different categories: war games that involve capturing, such as Chess and Draughts; hunting or chasing games, such as Fox and Geese and Chinese Chequers; and alignment games, such as Nine Men’s Morris and Connect-4.

Cards

While standard playing cards have been around for centuries, children’s card games have only appeared relatively recently. Happy Families, for example, was first published in the 1860s.

Playing cards are thought to have originated in China around the 7th century and were introduced into Europe in the late 1300s. They were and continue to be used for gambling, games of skill and fortune telling. Playing cards aimed specifically at children did not appear until the 18th century. Unlike adult playing cards, children’s cards generally have pictures on them, are educational, and were often published by the same companies that made board games.

While standard playing cards have been around for centuries, children’s card games have only appeared relatively recently. Happy Families, for example, was first published in the 1860s.

Playing cards are thought to have originated in China around the 7th century and were introduced into Europe in the late 1300s. They were and continue to be used for gambling, games of skill and fortune telling. Playing cards aimed specifically at children did not appear until the 18th century. Unlike adult playing cards, children’s cards generally have pictures on them, are educational, and were often published by the same companies that made board games.

Outdoor Games

The Museum’s collection of table and outdoor games includes marbles, a game played in ancient Egypt and Subbuteo, a football game, invented in the mid 20th century.

People in ancient Egypt and pre-Christian Rome played marbles and the game has been played in England for at least four hundred years. From the 18th century to the beginning of the 20th, Germany was the centre of the world marbles trade. Originally, as their name suggests, they were made from chips of marble, later, cheaper versions were made from baked clay or glass.

Names given to marbles vary considerably from town to town and country to country. English children talk of taws (the actual marbles) and the varieties, commoneys, stoneys, potteys and the best marbles, allies, which were made from alabaster. American children know their marbles as kabolas, steelies, jumbos, milkies, and peewees in descending order of size.

There are three basic types of outdoor marble games: circle games, chase games and hole games. In a circle game, marbles are knocked out of a circle or some other space in which the boundaries have been set. In a hole game the goal is to shoot marbles into some sort of opening. In a chase game, players have alternate turns shooting at their opponents’ marbles. The skilful marbles’ player must have a steady hand, accurate aim and plenty of practice. To propel a marble it should be balanced in the recess of a bent forefinger, the thumb is put behind the forefinger. The player then holds his hand on or close to the ground, takes aim, and flicks his thumb sharply forward to shoot the marble at its target. The player may squat, or kneel on one or both knees to obtain the best aiming position. Any forward movement of the hand while shooting the marble is forbidden.

The British and World Championship is held at Easter every year at the Greyhound pub in Tinsley Green in Sussex. Only one particular game is played which is a variation on the circle game.

Puzzles

The jigsaw puzzle has been one of the most consistently popular toys for more than two hundred years and played with by both children and adults. The jigsaw puzzles that we know today were not created until the introduction in the 1870s of the jigsaw itself, a machine with which an irregular pattern could be cut. Dissected puzzles were the forerunners of jigsaws. They were very simply made by placing a picture on a piece of wood, usually mahogany, and cutting (dissecting) it into shapes. Some pieces might interlock, but most of the puzzle was just pushed into place. The puzzle pieces would have come with a box, usually with a guide picture on the lid.

A Londoner named John Spilsbury is credited as the first person to make a dissected puzzle as a toy for a child. John Spilsbury was apprenticed to Thomas Jefferys of St Martin’s Lane, London, in 1753, and in 1763 he was listed as an ‘engraver and map dissector in wood, in order to facilitate the teaching of geography.’ He died in 1769, and although part of his business continued, the company stopped making dissected maps. Established manufacturers of board games were quick to take up this new toy. As well as maps, other popular themes included history, significant events, biblical stories and industrial and agricultural processes.

Maze games

The best known maze games are the simple ones where the aim is to guide a small ball through a maze enclosed in a box. The ball usually has to be rolled from one end to another or from the outside to the centre. This type of toy has been around since the end of the 19th century and some early examples used mercury instead of balls. The Silver Bullet and Trench Football are larger types of this game and have the added hazard of holes along the path of the ball, which have to be avoided. These games were both made during World War I, a fact that is emphasised in their design. In Trench Football the names of German commanders, including the Kaiser Wilhelm II who is in goal, appear next to the holes. The Silver Bullet, also called the Road to Berlin, has the names of German towns.

Maze games continue to be popular and many are produced very cheaply. One of their modern incarnations is the video game, with Pacman being one of the most famous examples.

Unique Father’s Day Gift Ideas

Father’s Day is fast approaching and trying to find the perfect gift for dad isn’t always an easy thing to do.  But don’t be discouraged, dads are actually easy to buy for and generally appreciate any gift given to them.  The trick is getting him something that he actually wants and can use.  Instead of getting him another tie, find gifts that spark his interests and show how much you care. 

For example if dad loves to golf, get him a gift that will not only help him with his game but will also allow him the luxury of spending more time actually playing the game he loves.  New golf shoes, shoe bag, new golf clubs, paid membership to a golf course of his choice or even a divot tool and ball marker are all items that he will not only use but you know he will appreciate. 

Finding the perfect gift involves knowing what his likes and dislikes are.  You wouldn’t buy a weekend spa package for the rugged outdoors type anymore than you would buy a rifle for the man who appreciates the fine arts or theatre.  If you’re unsure as to what exactly he wants and you don’t want to give the surprise away, you can always purchase a gift certificate.  Gift certificates are not as impersonal as some may think, this way he can choose exactly what he wants, you can even go with him and spend some quality time together and best of all he won’t get stuck with something that will just sit around and collect dust.  Another item I found while looking online was a choose your own adventure gift certificate that allows dad to choose the kind of getaway he would like, which not only gives him something to look forward to but is the kind of gift that is sure to please and is also very thoughtful. 

Other gift ideas include:  dinner at a favorite restaurant, personalized beer mugs or steins, personalized decanter set, new BBQ grill, a cover for his new grill, weekend getaway with or without the kids, big screen TV, new BBQ tool set, a new Ipod, blackberry or palm pilot complete with a personalized protective case for his new toy, tickets to a concert or favorite event that he has been wanting to attend, tool box, gardening tool set, hammock or hanging chair or even a chess set.  These items come in a wide variety of styles and colors, some items are even made to include his favorite NFL team emblem for the die hard sports enthusiast.  All you need to do is figure out which item he would enjoy the most, look on the internet to find the gift you want to give and buy accordingly. 

Items that can be personalized are more than a truly unique gift idea; personalized items tend to become treasured keepsakes for life and with so many items to choose from there is sure to be one that is perfect just for dad.  Personalized gift ideas include:  wallets, business card cases, briefcases, watch box, valet tray, leather travel bags, grooming kits, passport case, terry robes, T-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, cufflinks, wooden bar signs, crystal or marble plaques and last but not least a meaningful poem or a framed name meaning picture or plaque.  Personalization makes an everyday item memorable and truly unique as no two are ever the same. 

This Father’s Day make sure dad knows how much he is appreciated.  Whether you buy him a gift or just spend some quality time together, he will love your thoughtfulness and proudly display his gift for all to see.  The true art of gift giving comes from inside each of us, make sure his gift is not only something that is meaningful and special but also shows dad how much he is loved and that way you’ll know you have found the perfect gift.
Happy Shopping