Similarity between Orissa & Cambodia

The tragic accident in ‘Water Festival of Cambodia on 22-11-2010 drew my attention to similarity of festivals in Orissa. We are accustomed to think only about Bali dvipa-that was only the capital of vast area called Shunda-dvipa in Ramayana (in shape of elephant trunk). Even now islands of Indonesia are called in 2 groups-greater and smaller Shunda. In fact the whole south east Asia has same tradition as in Orissa. Real name is Kambuja = Shankha in Sanskrit which is anglicized to Cambodia. That is one of weapons of Jagannatha and His dhama is called Shankha-kshetra. Its ruling group is called Khmer = Khamari of Orissa, coming from incarnation of Kurma in about 15800 BC as per Mahabharata, vana parva (230/8-10-Karttikeya calendar).

Water festival is on karttika Purnma-same as balijatra of Orissa. This too is a boat festival. Boat is originated from vahitra = Boita = Boat. Pchum Ben is same as Pitri-paksha of Orissa and all over India.

Khmer’s new year day is same as Chaitra shukla pratipada in Indian calendar.

Royal ploughing day and Ploughing the Holy Furrow (Late May) are same as Akshaya-tritiya of Orissa.

Persian film screened by IFTDA & Film Society

The well acclaimed Persian film PANAAH-Baroye Zinda Mondan (SHELTER-A Reason to Survive), was screened by IFTDA & Film Society on 5 March 2010 at Bhavan’s S P Jain Auditorium. The Chief guest was H.E. Mardan Ali Qasemi, Consul General of Afghanistan. He was accompanied by his family & colleagues. Mr. Chetan Mathur felicitated him with a bouquet of flowers. The film is Directed-edited by an Indian Director, Sundeep K Mohnot.The screening was well attended by the members of IFTDA & Film Society. Everybody applauded the film & its subject. The chief guest showered praises on the film, Bollywood, & wanted more people to come to Afghanistan for their film shooting as in the past for some famous movies like DHARMATAMA, KHUDA GAWAH, KABUL EXPRESS, etc. He appreciated the Director’s understanding of Afghan culture & the theme chosen which is very close to all its citizens. His words had an ever lasting impact on the audience which was spell bound during the film – “For you all it’s a story and a film but for us it’s reality. What has happened in reality was much more which cannot be depicted on the screen but we have experienced it”