“What the four seasons of the year mean to the European, the one season of the monsoon means to the Indian. It is preceded by desolation; it brings with it hopes of spring; it has the fullness of summer and the fulfilment of autumn all in one.” – Kushwant Singh

Truer words have not been spoken that capture the essence of the Indian monsoon. The feeling of seeing dark rain clouds gathering on the horizon, slowly approaching with the promise of relief from the scorching heat can hardly be described in words. As the heavens open up and the first drops hit the parched earth breathes out the ethereal essence known as petrichor adding to the romance of the rains.

So enchanting is the fragrance that master perfumers of ancient Kannauj created a technique to capture it in a bottle. Known as mitti ka attar or itr-e-khaki, the scent of the earth is still manufactured by the perfumers of Kannauj and available for sale.

While Indians eagerly await the rains, the preceding season though unforgiving, brings with it the sweetest bounty. Summers are incomplete for Indians without having gorged on the juicy delights of the King of Fruits – mangoes. It is a multisensory experience as one breathes in the inviting aroma and tastes the juicy sweetness spread in their mouth. One cannot help but close their eyes as they savour this gift of the season.

The deliciousness of the mango is believed to have so enthralled Alexander the Great that he took it back to Macedonia. Records of mangoes are also found in the ancient texts and edicts. Emperors commissioned creation of mango orchards and court poets waxed eloquence about its different attributes. There are over 1500 varieties of mangoes in India each with its unique flavour including Alphonso, Dasheri, Fazli, Chausa, and Himsagar. In fact, the International Mango Festival was held in Delhi this year on the 9th and 10th of July to display this ample variety of produce.

The sweet scent of mango lingers as the sky darkens and clouds cover the burning ball of sun. There is a pregnant pause when nothing moves, as if waiting with bated breath for the deluge that is coming. Then the first wisps of breeze begin to blow, slowly gaining speed, the birds go into a tizzy trying to find shelter, people begin to hurriedly bring in laundry set out to dry, and children eager to play in the rain get restless.

Then the much-awaited drops of heavenly nectar fall and it seems all will be well again. One cannot work anymore and the heart craves a steaming cup of tea accompanied with some fried fritters as a celebration. Introduced by the British, tea has become an integral part of life of every Indian. While purists prefer their teas sans sugar and milk, the strong masala chai with abundance of both has its own share of admirers.

Pakodas or bhajias are the quintessential monsoon snacks. Made with a variety of ingredients mixed with batter and deep-fried to crispy goodness, pakodas are the perfect accompaniment to a cup of masala chai on a rainy afternoon or evening. Onions, potatoes, chillies, meats, cauliflowers, and just about anything can be made into a pakoda and enjoyed with equal relish.

With the onset of this eagerly awaited season, we are happy to bring you our latest issue of the Art of Travel. We hope you enjoy it.

This talk by the speaker who is an Experiential Learning Trainer and Social Entrepreneur is a great way to understand and channelize one’s personal energies for growth and inner peace.

Duration : 144 seconds

Feel free to get in touch with us if you want to know more about what our guest has to say about managing personal energy.

Hear Akshay Agarwal, Co-founder of Adrish as he talks about the concept store that allows everyone to embrace a green and sustainable lifestyle.

Duration : 149 seconds

Reach out to us should you want to know more about Adrish and their initiatives.

Wellness has always been an intrinsic part of India’s cultural plurality where history, folklore, and a pantheon of deities and demons coexist with sciences in everyday life. Her treatise on how to live well and heal oneself through Ayurveda and Yoga has spread far and wide through the ages and has been absorbed and adapted by other cultures as well. Traverse through Kerala's emerald green paddy fields, groves of coconut trees, rolling hills with acres and acres of tea plantation, eternal rainforests, and the maze that is Kerala's backwaters located tantalizingly close to sandy beaches of the Arabian Sea, in an incredible journey of the body, mind and soul. Escorted by a practitioner from Kerala specializing in Yoga, this tour is ideal for beginners and those already practicing a holistic approach to life. Judge less, love more, and open the heart like a blooming lotus!

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Kuntil Baruwa reviews ‘The Complete Adventures of Feluda’ by Satyajit Ray, the Oscar winning Indian film director. Inspired by Sherlock Holmes, Feluda, the criminal detective, was created some 50 years ago by Ray. The enduring beauty of Feluda books is that they would talk about anything that is India.

Duration : 168 seconds