Author Archives: udaykumarvarma9834

The Water Dog   There are National Animals, and National Birds. But a National Dog? Yes, there is a dog breed that enjoys the distinction and the privilege of being widely regarded as the National Dog of a country that fancies herself as the very synonym of refinement and cultural supremacy. Poodles are widely perceivedContinue reading “Poodle”

  An important aspect of New Year festivities is food, specially conceived and created for the occasion. Affluence brings a special aura to celebrations and festivities, and weaves a fascinating and magical spell around the occasion. And while the common man may have to be content with just a little special, the rich and resourcefulContinue reading “New Year’s Food Traditions”

None of the major civilizations of the world ever celebrated New Year on or around the day that coincided with the  first January of Gregorian calendar. The Mesopotamians, The Egyptian, the Chinese, the Persians, none of these older civilizations ushered in the new year on 1st January. And it is certainly not an Indian tradition.Continue reading “Celebrating New Year”

The Butterfly Men and women of exquisite beauty, the nature in all its splendour, the  events of monumental moment-all these have  fascinated and engaged the attention, genius and endeavour of great painters. But dogs as  a subject?   There is one breed of dog, however, that merited the adoration and adulation of many painters ofContinue reading “Papillon”

The niveous neighbourhoodSparkles in soft silveryGlow of freshly fallen snowSmall children castTiny footprints, shallow thoughLittle do they know! Santa is watching themFollowing them with intentHe seeks clues, a pathAs he has to trudgeLater that nightWith a bag, hefty and bright! Keep your doors open,Your hearth warmLeave platefuls of lebkuchenHe will need to rest and refreshBeforeContinue reading “Merry Christmas”

Nestling in the captivating Caribbean Sea, south of Cuba and west of Jamaica, stretches a tiny speck of land mass, merely 76 square miles in area and roughly 22 miles long. But this piece of land, an island, is truly special. It is perceived by many as Paradise on earth. This paradise of course, includesContinue reading “The Paradise And A Tax Haven”

Glamorous Lady’s Fashionable Companion  Terriers are generically associated with rat hunting. They were primarily kept to curb the menace of rodents whose capability to inflict damage on material resources were formidable. Yorkshire Terrier’s emergence was in response to this menace. Supposedly, the breed developed during the 19th century in Yorkshire, England, an emerging centre forContinue reading “Yorkshire Terrier”

A Toy That Royals Loved to Dress and Display What is common between Bill Gates, Beyonce, Mariah Carey and Queen Elizabeth II? They have been the celebrity pet-parents of this most beautiful and glamorously presented dog breeds in the world – Shih Tzu. (pronounced SHEED Zoo, SHID Zoo, or SHEET Sue) Its strikingly good looksContinue reading “Shih Tzu”