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Songs and Sacred Sound in Śaivite Hindu Death Rituals
When someone in a Śaivite Hindu family passes away, the whole community gathers with prayer, song, and remembrance. These aren’t just rituals for form’s sake — every word and every note is meant to comfort the living and guide the soul. Ambiga has been Mum’s go-to person for funeral songs. We asked her about the…
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The Meaning of the 31st Day
Understanding Hindu Saivite Mourning Rituals In many Hindu communities, particularly among Saivites, the period of mourning after a death lasts 31 days. These weeks are a time of prayer, reflection, and remembrance, as the family adjusts to life without their loved one. The 31st day ceremony holds special importance: it symbolically closes the mourning period,…
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The enduring gift of a teacher’s care
Extraordinary lives are often reflected in the impact they have on others. Beyond her role as a teacher, Parimala, often referred to simply as ‘Teacher” was a mentor, guide, and motherly figure whose care extended well past the classroom. The following reflection, written by one of her former students, captures the profound impact she had—transforming…
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The 1937 farthing – a small coin with a big story
When we look at a coin as small as the British farthing, it is easy to think of it as simply loose change from another era. Yet the 1937 farthing, in particular, carries with it a wealth of history — a story that stretches from the coronation of a new king to the changing face…
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Sri Balathandayuthapani temple’s story
If you’ve walked along Jalan Yam Tuan in Seremban — the street many still remember as Paul Street — you’ve probably passed the Sri Balathandayuthapani Temple without realising the depth of history and culture contained within its walls. It is a living archive of the city’s Indian heritage, a centre for community life, and a…
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Riding the rails: a young family’s journey through Malaya
In the middle decades of the 20th century, the rhythm of a railwayman’s life was set not just by the timetables of the Federated Malay States Railways (later Malayan Railways), but also by the call to move from one station town to another. For one young family, these transfers became the backdrop to their childhood…
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The Left-Handed Legacy: From Prejudice to Power
Parimala was naturally left-handed. But had to learn to write using her right hand. For centuries, left-handed children were subject to widespread misunderstanding and discrimination. In classrooms, homes, and even religious spaces, being left-handed was often seen not as a natural variation, but as a problem to be corrected. Yet, despite these challenges, many left-handed…
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Sacred Devotion and the Soul’s Journey: Understanding Hindu Śaivites and Their Death Rituals
Śaivism, one of the major traditions within Hinduism, centers around the worship of Lord Śiva—the Supreme Being known as the destroyer of ignorance, the transformer, and the giver of liberation. Deeply philosophical and spiritually rigorous, Śaivism holds a significant place across India and among Tamil communities worldwide. Its followers, Śaivites, dedicate their lives to a…
Parimala
Celebrating a remarkable life
Parimala 