Article on MINIMALISM

 

What is minimalism?

 

     Minimalism is a movement in the visual arts that originated in New York in the 1960’s. The trend is especially popular in interior design and architecture. It’s basic philosophy is to promote the things that are truly valuable and remove everything else that is not essential.

Minimalist architects and interior designers try to achieve simplicity by using white elements, cold lighting and large spaces with minimum objects and furniture. They avoid complex curves, ornate designs and any other feature that is seen as a distraction or complication to a basic design. Wall surfaces are light-coloured and windows are large, allowing an abundance of natural light into the house. There is an emphasis or restraint.

Famous minimalist architects include German Architect Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe and Japanese Tadao Ando. The motto ‘Less is more’ was coined by Rohe. Apple founder Steve Jobs was a minimalist and this is reflected in the way he designed Apple products like the iPad, iPod and iPhone.

Minimalist design has been deeply influenced by Japanese traditional design and architecture. The latter is inspired by Zen philosophy that teaches one to unclutter the mind and to live simply with few possessions. In an earthquake-prone country like Japan, minimalism is practical as most earthquake injuries happen due to falling objects.

Story

 

Cycle of Evil

 There was once a king who was so cruel and unjust that his subjects yearned for his death and dethronement.

However, one day he surprised them all by announcing that he had decided to turn over a new leaf.

“No more cruelty, no more injustice,” he promised, and he was as good as his word. He became known as ‘Gentle Monarch’.

Months after his transformation one of his ministers plucked up enough courage to ask him what had brought about this change of heart, and the king answered:

“As I was galloping through my forests I caught sight of a fox being chased by a hound. The fox escaped into his hole but not before the hound had bitten into its leg and lamed it for life.

Later I rode into a village and saw the same hound there. It was barking at a man. Even as I watched, the man picked up a huge stone and flung it at the dog, breaking its leg. The man had not gone far when he was kicked by a horse. His knee was shattered and he fell to the ground, disable for life. The horse began to run but it fell into a hole and broke his leg. Reflecting on all that had happened, I thought: ‘Evil begets evil. If I continue in my evil ways, I will surely be overtaken by evil.’ So I decided to change.”

The minister went away convinced that the time was ripe to overthrow the king and seize the throne. Immersed in thought, he did not see the steps in front of him and fell, breaking his neck.

Meet the wise warrior

AHILYABAI HOLKAR: THE PHILOSOPHER QUEEN OF MALWA 

Ahilyabai Holkar (1725–1795) remains one of the most remarkable and revered women rulers in Indian history. Her reign over the Malwa region, with Maheshwar as its capital, is remembered for its stability, prosperity, and dedication to public welfare. A visionary queen, a brave warrior, and an exemplary administrator, Ahilyabai's legacy continues to inspire generations.

Early Life and Rise to Power: Born in 1725 in the village of Chondi in present-day Maharashtra, Ahilyabai belonged to a humble family. Her sharp intellect and strong character were evident even as a young girl. She was chosen by Malhar Rao Holkar, a prominent noble in the Maratha Empire, as the bride for his son, Khanderao Holkar. Her early years were marked by deep devotion, simplicity, and keen observation of state matters.

In 1754, her husband died in battle, and Ahilyabai, then a young widow, was left devastated. But rather than withdrawing from public life, she was encouraged by her father-in-law Malhar Rao to take interest in administrative and military affairs. She often accompanied him on campaigns and learned the nuances of governance firsthand.

Following the death of Malhar Rao in 1766 and the brief succession and death of her son Male Rao Holkar, Ahilyabai assumed full control of the Holkar kingdom. Despite being a woman in a patriarchal society, she gained the support of her people and nobility owing to her wisdom and leadership.

A Queen With Grit and Grace: Ahilyabai’s rule was tested early on when Raghoba, the uncle of the Peshwa of Pune, marched to the borders of the Holkar kingdom with an army of 50,000 men. He sought to take advantage of the political instability. In a legendary move, Ahilyabai wrote him a powerful letter stating:

“I am prepared for battle. If you win, it will not be a great feat. But imagine the disgrace if you lose to a woman.”

The strong message unnerved Raghoba, who withdrew his forces, claiming he had only come to offer condolences.

Administration and Social Reform: Ahilyabai Holkar proved to be a just, tolerant, and efficient ruler. Her administration was known for its fairness and focus on welfare. She was accessible to her people and held daily public hearings. Her reign witnessed no major rebellions — a rare achievement in those times.

She invested the kingdom’s resources in building infrastructure — constructing roads, wells, ghats, temples, and dharamshalas (rest houses) not only in Malwa but across India. From Kashi (Varanasi) and Somnath in Gujarat to Dwarka, Ayodhya, and Rameswaram, her generosity was legendary. Her efforts were not confined to Hindu religious sites; she extended support to other communities as well.

Cultural Legacy: Ahilyabai is also credited with the revival of the Maheshwari sari, a craft tradition from her capital, Maheshwar. She encouraged artisans and weavers to settle in the city and nurtured a culture of art and craftsmanship.

Her patronage helped Maheshwar grow into a vibrant cultural center. Even today, the Maheshwari sari remains a symbol of her artistic vision and commitment to local heritage.

Military Acumen: Though known for her kindness, Ahilyabai was also a fearless warrior. She personally led her armies into battle when needed, commanding respect from powerful contemporaries like the Peshwas, Nana Phadnavis, and Mahadji Scindia of Gwalior. Her balanced approach to governance — a blend of strength and compassion — set her apart from many rulers of her time.

Legacy: Ahilyabai Holkar ruled for over 30 years, and her period of governance is remembered as a golden era for Malwa. She passed away in 1795, but her legacy continues to shine. Statues, schools, institutions, and awards in her name exist across India, and her life is a subject of study and admiration.

In an age when women were rarely seen in positions of power, Ahilyabai Holkar emerged as a beacon of courage, wisdom, and justice. Her story is not just about the glory of a queen, but about the strength of a woman who ruled with a heart full of compassion and a mind guided by dharma.

Mythology

The Four Ages

Most ancient cultures talk about the four ages or yugas. In Hinduism, the yugas are divided based on virtue and it is believed that we are headed into the worst age, called Kalyug. In Greek mythology, the ages are divided by colour and we are currently in the Black Age. Let's look at the similarities and differences in the ages or yugas as described by different mythologies.

 There is a story in the Mahabharata that goes like this once Draupadi asked Bheem to bring her the celestial lotus from the garden of Kuber, the God of Treasures. Bheem hastened towards the divine forest and rushed forwards like a whirlwind, scattering the wild animals and making the Earth tremble.

 Hanuman was resting in the forest under a tree and was awakened by the hubbub. He stretched his long tail until it obstructed Bheem's path. When Bheem came across the tail, he asked Hanuman to move it, without recognising who he was. Hanuman said, "Move it aside." Bheem tried to lift Hanuman's tail but could not move it, no matter how hard he tried. When Bheem gave up, Hanuman revealed his identity. Being sons of Vayu, the God of Wind, the two started chatting like brothers. Hanuman told Bheem about the four yugas or ages. Here's what Hanuman said.

The first yug was the Sat Yug or Krita Yug. It was the perfect age. There was only one religion. Everybody was saintly and so there was no need to perform religious ceremonies. There were no Gods and no demons. Nobody was rich or poor. Everything was obtained by the power of will. There were no diseases. There was no sorrow, no fear, no hatred, no evil of any kind. Narayana was the universal soul, and he was white in colour. The identification of the individual soul with the universal soul was the only religion in the world.

The second yug was the Treta Yug. The universal soul in this yug was red in colour. Virtue lessened by a quarter so religious sacrifices were needed.

The third yug was called Dwapara Yug. At this time, virtue had further lessened by one half and now it was just one-fourth from the time of the Treta Yug. The universal soul was yellow in colour. Truth had declined and there was a prevalence of sin. There were diseases and calamities.

 The fourth yug was Kali Yug or Kalyug. The universal soul had become black in colour. Less than one-fourth of the virtue now remained. Men became wicked. There was misery and disease all around. Even performing holy rites did not have the desired result.

Greek mythology also talks about four ages with similar characteristics but with different colours. The first age was the Golden or Yellow Age. Men lived like gods under the rule of Kronos. They did not grow old and never lost their strength. The whole world was prosperous and there was peace and security.

The second age was the Silver or White Age. In this age, men were inferior. Children had to be reared for a century and did not survive for long afterwards. Sacrifice and worship were neglected. In the end, Zeus, the son of Kronos, destroyed the silver race.

 The third age was the Bronze Age. The colour of this age was red. In this, men sprang from ash. They had great strength, but they were takers of life. In the end, they were all removed by black death to Hades.

The fourth age was the Iron Age. The colour of this age was black. The men in this age were created by Zeus.

 A similar division of time into four ages is found in several other cultures around the world. An interesting comparison is seen in Celtic (Irish) mythology, where the colours of the four ages match those given in the Mahabharat story. The first Celtic Age is Partholon, the Silver Age, which is white; the second is Nemed's, the Bronze Age, which is red; the third is the Tuatha de Danann, the Golden Age, which is yellow; and the fourth is the Age of the Dark Milesians, which is black.

 

PAINTING PICTURES

 

Painting Pictures

There was once a king who had just one eye and one leg.

One day he asked all the painters in his court to draw a perfect portrait of him.

The painters were perplexed.

How could they possibly paint a stunning picture of him with his defects of having just one eye and one leg?

The king was however persistent.

One of the artists eventually agreed, and drew a fabulous picture of the king.

It was a painting which totally surprised everyone.

He had ingeniously painted a side angle picture of the king aiming for a hunt with bow and arrow; targeting with one eye closed and one leg bent.

Thus it turned out to be a perfect painting with no deformities visible.

At school you are surrounded by classmates and others who are different in attitude and behaviour, complexion and shape, weight and height, etc. Realize that you are all flowers of the same garden, and that each one contributes to making the garden beautiful. No one is perfect. But everyone is necessary.

Strive to be more understanding and outgoing from this school year. Live, learn, and relate by seeing the positive aspects in everything and everyone.

Remember the saying, “Lifting others while weak is true strength”. In this way you will succeed, and can contribute to making the world a better place to live and learn for everyone.

Motivational

 

Secret of success

 

Once there were two great friends.

The first friend used to work hard throughout the day but hardly achieved anything.

Whereas, the other friend worked for four hours, used to help the needy and then meditate the rest of the time.

When they met after a long time, they discussed their life styles with each other.

The first friend asked the other, “Why is it that you get success and money after working for just four hours and I remain poor even after working the whole day?”

After hearing his friend’s grievance, the other friend smiled and asked him a question, “What do you have in mind while you do your work?”

The first friend replied, “I keep thinking about ways and means of earning more wealth.”

At this, the second friend replied, “That is the reason behind your unhappiness and failure.”

He explained, “One does not attain success by just working hard. Success is a state of mind. What is the purpose of working hard when you stay unhappy? Mental happiness is very important for a successful life.”

He advised his friend to stay happy and calm under all circumstances. After hearing his friend’s advice, the first friend started following the same and soon he too became successful in life.

Thoughts and quotes

 

Let us rise up to be thankful,

for if we didn’t learn a lot today,

at least we learned a little,

and if we didn’t learn a little,

at least we didn’t get sick,

and if we got sick,

at least we didn’t die;

so let us all be thankful!

~Buddha

 

A blind man once asked a wise man, “Can there be anything worse than losing one’s eye sight?”

The wise man replied, “Yes, losing one’s vision.”

~Anonymous

 

How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because, someday in your life, you will have been all of these.

~George Washington Carver

 

There are only two lasting gifts we should give our children, one of these is roots, the other is wings.

~Anonymous

 

Success is not final, failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts.

~Winston Churchill

 

Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.

~Rumi

 

May we think of freedom not as the right to do as we please, but as the opportunity to do what is right.

~Peter Marshall