The Odiyans of Malabar

The Odi Cult and the Kalladikode Neeli In the previous article, we read about Yakshis , especially Kalliangattu Neeli and the Panayanar Yakshi, and their connection to the Kadamattathu Kathanar. While those stories and myths were linked to Travancore, Malabar was also well known for sorcerers, witchc…

Roman 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 engaged in Roman–Indian trade. While we uncovered some shipping routes, ancient ports, and evidence of …

Major 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 stories of bravery at the lower levels of the force he commanded. However, the Rani Jhansi army, whi…

Early 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 various dynasties that ruled Egypt and Rome. As one might guess, it was mainly fostered by trade, though …

The 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 existed a wealthy aristocracy in New England, called the Boston Brahmins (pronounced differently as Br…

The 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. There was even a time when we only ate it during vacation visits to India since there was just one Pak…