#Mysterious Villages in India

[articlejunkie]

Article Junkie's Special Edition: Unraveling Mysterious Villages in India

Step into the quaint charm and enigmatic aura of India's lesser-known villages with the 'Mysterious Villages in India' special edition by Article Junkie. Each article unravels the age-old mysteries, indigenous cultures, and spectacular landscapes that have remained hidden from the world. This edition is a unique compilation of exceptional stories ready to tap into your wanderlust. It's not just a reading material but a journey that takes you through the enigmatic corners of India's rich rural tapestry.

Click here - https://articlejunkie.in/10-unusual-mysterious-villages-in-india/

[tomriddlehyperfixataion]

The Diary of Tom Riddle- Diary! Tom Riddle x Reader - P3

pairing: Tom riddle x Fem reader

warnings: Horcruxes, Manipulation, Tom being Tom, side effects of being possessed.

summary: 16-year-old (y/n) finds a mysterious black book on the floor of after it slips out of Ginny Weasleys caldron, curious, she picks it up and keeps it-which leads to one thing after another and discovers the book is far more than it seems.

-Part 1- -Part 2- -Part 4-

=

Thankfully, as she woke up, (y/n) hadn't moved from her bed throughout the night. She sighed and slowly sat up, rubbing her face, drawing back the curtains of her bed, seeing her roommates all up and getting dressed for the day. It was a Sunday, so it was Hogsmeade day for years 3 and up.

Hogsmeade sounded fun.

(y/n) looked at the diary and grabbed it, popping open her ink well and grabbing her quill, flipping open a book to the now blank page she’d been writing in the night before.

“Morning Tom.”

Tom took a moment to respond, her ink disappearing into the page as his elegant scrawl appeared in its place.

‘Good morning (y/n), did you sleep well?’

“yes I did, thankfully. Woke up where I should be too, in my bed.”

‘Very good. Are you feeling better?’

“yeah, much better, thank you. Im going to go to Hogsmeade today, would you like to come with?”

‘Well, I wouldn’t be able to do much, would I?’

(y/n) hummed in thought, Tom had a point, as he could only see what she wrote/illustrated in the book.

“good point, but I could maybe bring you to the bookstore there and get some ink you’d like?”

‘I don’t eat the ink (y/n)’

“not what I meant but that’s a very funny visual thank you.”

(y/n) giggled to herself, imagining the book eating the ink instead of just absorbing it to write back to her.

“I meant like, would you like some fancy ink? I saved up some money from my allowance and can get some good ink from the store if you would prefer it?”

‘How…generous of you, (y/n)’

“thank you :)”

Tom took a very long moment to respond, as if he was thinking long and hard about her offer. Finally, after a few minutes, he wrote back-though he did so while (y/n) was getting dressed for her outing to Hogsmeade, putting on an oversized sweater for maximum comfort.

‘I suppose it couldn’t hurt if you brought the diary along, I certainly don’t mind good inks to write with, I myself was never able to afford more than the most basic brands.’

(y/n) tilted her head a bit, a smile growing on her face. Tom was opening up to her a bit! Okay-play it cool-don’t overreact.

“aww really?”

‘I don’t need your pity (y/n)’

Oops.

“not pity! Im sorry! Just…idk”

‘What in the merlin does ‘idk’ mean?’

“Oh-I don’t know-its an abbreviation.”

‘Why don’t you just write ‘I don’t know’, it’s not hard?’

“idk, just easier.”

She felt like she could hear him sigh, which made her giggle and she finished getting dressed before writing to him again.

“okay okay, im going to go eat, ill be back to grab you before everyone heads out to Hogsmeade.”

Tom didn’t respond so (y/n) closed the diary and put it back on her bedside table, capping her ink well and cleaning her quill before leaving her room, heading out to the great hall for breakfast.

-

Hogsmeade, thankfully, took the rest of the events from the night before off (y/n)’s mind as she went from store to store, starting at the book store and writing down ink brands and types to Tom, who eventually picked out a non-expensive India ink, but it was definitely more costly than the usual ink she got.

She closed the diary and put it back in her bag, taking the new ink to the front and buying it, the shopkeep wrapping it in paper and then giving it to her in a paper bag.

She counted how much money she had left as she walked down the main path of the village, nodding to herself as she pocketed the coins. She had enough to do someday after Halloween candy shopping.

She hopped straight into Honeydukes, where loads of other students were buying their own discounted candy, and quickly got some candies that were under the discount.

Including a bag of candy corn, and it was the type made in shop-which was even better.

“What is it with you and candy corn (n/n)?” one of her friends that had accompanied her to Hogsmeade asked teasingly, attempting to steal one of the candies (y/n) had bought.

“It’s good!” (y/n) defended the candy, holding the box to her chest. She knew candy corn wasn’t a worldly liked candy-but it was hers and her dad's favorite, so it not only tasted good to her, but it also was nostalgic.

(y/n)’s friend snickered, taking a caramel apple lollipop from (y/n)’s bag full of discounted Halloween candy. (y/n) rolled her eyes, the two catching up with the rest of their friends, hanging out at the three broomsticks for a while before heading back to the castle.

Upon getting back to her dorm room, (y/n) poured out the candy onto her bed and spread it out, sorting it and eating a few pieces here and there as she separated the chocolates from the hard candies, and the lollipops from the taffy.

She took out the diary and the new well of ink, opening the wax around it and setting it aside, testing the ink on her actual notebook before writing to Tom.

“back from Hogsmeade! Using the new ink as well :)”

‘I can tell, it’s far smoother than the ink you were using before.’

“I’m glad you like it! I also got a lot of candy from honeydukes, they were having a day after Halloween sale, I got nearly 5 pounds of candy for one galleon.”

‘Sweet tooth?’

“big one.”

(y/n) smiled brightly as she continued her conversation with Tom, which turned to her asking Tom what his favorite candy was…is.

‘I haven't tried much candy if I must be honest, though I do like treacle tarts.’

“yum, those are pretty good”

“great now Im craving treacle tart thanks Tom.”

‘You’re welcome, (y/n)’

­-

(y/n) happily painted on some Slytherin green and silver face paint onto her cheeks, today was the first quidditch game of the year, and the Slytherin team had gotten a new seeker-the spoiled as fuck Draco Malfoy, who everyone knew bribed his way in but he still wasn’t a terrible flyer-and brand new brooms.

The whole Slytherin house was excited, ready to win the first match of the season against Gryffindor, since they hadn’t won a game against Gryffindor since Harry Potter joined the team the year before.

“You almost ready (y/n)?!” her friend called from the bathroom as she herself finished her makeup.

“Yeah!” (y/n) said, hopping to her feet after pulling away from her desk mirror. “I’m all done!” she wrapped a scarf around her neck and hooked her arm with her friends and they all went down to the quidditch pitch together, the roar of excitement already humming through the stands.

The game started quickly after that and it was exciting! The Slytherins were walloping the Gryffindors easily-quickly overtaking them 90-30. (y/n) whistled and cheered for her team, throwing her fists into the air with each score. “Woah what the fuck?!” she heard her friend suddenly exclaim and (y/n) turned to see where she was looking, her brows furrowing as a bludger began to deliberately chase Harry Potter.

“Is that a rouge bludger??” (y/n) said, her lip curling in confusion. “What the hell they’re like-impossible to tamper??” (y/n) and her friend stopped paying attention to the game as a whole, watching in near horror as Harry was chased around by a bludger.

The Weasley twins tried to bat it away from him but it kept coming back.

“that’s not good-we should tell a teacher-“ (y/n) stuttered, turning to head off the stands, maybe catch Madam Hooch’s attention and stop the game before someone got hurt. (y/n)’s friend nodded and followed her through the crowd of Slytherins and down the stands.

Just as they reached Madam Hooch, the bludger had slammed into Harry’s arm as he reached for the snitch and he hit the dirt soon after; though he had the snitch in hand, Gryffindor had won the game. “Oh shit,” (y/n) muttered under her breath, looking at Harrys very broken arm, as Madam Hooch blew the whistle, ending the game.

The Weasley twins somehow caught the tampered bludger, getting it back into the box and locking it down. Madam Hooch instantly saw to it, and while that all happened-the idiot Lockhart…erm…mended Harry’s arm.

“Ew,” (y/n) muttered as her friend gagged at the rubber look Harry’s arm had taken. Lockhart hadn’t mended shit; he’d removed Harry’s bones!

“That is so nasty,” (y/n)’s friend muttered, and (y/n) nodded in agreement, heading back to the castle after Headmaster Dumbledore told everyone the match was over and to head back to the castle while Harry, and any other injured players, went to Madam Pomfrey.

“Gotta be honest, Gryffindor deserved that win, I mean-odds stacked against them, with those new brooms and that bloody bludger, they won. Shame Potter’s arm got broken for it though.” (y/n)’s friend ranted as they walked back to the common room, (y/n) nodding in agreement. “I have to wonder who tampered the bludger? I mean Madam Hooch checks them right before the game, and if it wasn’t tampered then, how could’ve someone hexed it within the minutes before the game began?”

(y/n) shrugged as her friend continued to rant. “Maybe someone tampered with it mid-game? Because it wasn’t doing it at first, if it was tampered with before the game-it would’ve gone after Harry straight away? Wouldn’t it?” (y/n) suggested, walking into the common room after several other students and her friend nodded, tapping her chin.

“That does sound logical, though I’m not sure how or why anyone would do that, I mean-he’s just a 12-year-old kid? Who’d want to charm a bloody iron magic ball to hurt him?” (y/n) shrugged in response to her friend's rhetorical question.

“Someone fucked up,” (y/n) answered anyway and her friend sighed, the two entering their dorm room. Her friend went to wipe the Slytherin-themed makeup off her face while (y/n) went to her bed and grabbed the diary.

“Potter almost got killed by a bludger at the quidditch match today.”

(y/n) could almost feel the sense of ‘!!?!?!’ from Tom as he hurriedly wrote back to her.

‘Who starts a conversation like that? also what? how? I never liked Quidditch but I’m sure those Quidditch gear chests are impossible to get into?’

“that’s what I said, I think someone jinxed it mid game because it wasn’t going after him at first.”

‘How odd. And it was going after Potter specifically?’

“yeah! Only him, the Weasley twins kept batting it away from him but it would go right back after Potter. Its really weird.”

‘I cannot tell you it isn’t, because it is very odd.’

“yeah”

(y/n) perked up as her friend came back out of the bathroom. “I’m going to go get lunch, you coming?” her friend asked and (y/n) nodded.

“Yeah, lemme just wash my face,” (y/n) said, looking back down at the diary and telling Tom she had to go, setting the book down on the bedside table and going into the bathroom to wash her face.

-

(y/n) woke up very late that night, a ringing in her ears as she opened her eyes, feeling kinda nauseous. She groaned lightly, realizing she’d fallen off her bed, her head pounding as she attempted to get up, pressing her palms to her eyes as they ached.

“What the fuck,” she muttered, rubbing her face. She’d never fallen off her bed before, but considering the odd dream she had-she wasn’t surprised. She eventually got to her feet after the nausea had passed and climbed back into bed, yawning.

She laid back down, but couldn’t get back to sleep. Her mind kept going back to that odd dream. She had been walking through the halls of Hogwarts, at what seemed to be a late hour, and went into one of the bathrooms and…spoke a strange language-a hissing language, and the…sink had come apart??? After that she woke up, having fallen off her bed mid weird dream.

She huffed and drew the curtains around her bed, grabbing her wand, the diary, and her quill. “Lumos,” (y/n) murmured and the tip of her wand began to glow and she opened the diary, flipping through pages and pages of notes, and doodles.

She dipped her quill and began to write to Tom.

“I fell out of my bed,”

‘And why is that so important to tell me? It’s late I’m sure, you should be asleep.’

“you’re right but I cant get back to sleep, I had a weird dream and woke up after falling out of my bed, which ive never done”

“or at least I havent done since I was a kid?”

‘Interesting. What was your dream about if I may ask?’

(y/n) wrote down what she remembered from the dream, and then added a small detail she hadn’t realized till now.

“it felt like I was having an out of body experience, or like I was watching through someone elses eyes? You get what I mean?”

‘I suppose I do, though im sure there’s nothing to worry about, everyone has odd dreams sometimes.’

“have you ever had an odd dream?”

‘Yes, I’m not divulging that information though, you’ll tease me relentlessly about it.’

“no I wont!”

(y/n) huffed as Tom didn’t respond, and she could imagine the expression of ‘sure you wont’ on his face. She wished she knew wha the looked like…wait maybe she could find him in the gallery! He did say he was a prefect in his time, maybe there was a picture somewhere of the 1942-1943 prefects.

“you’re no fun.”

‘Go to sleep (y/n),’

“fiiiine, goodnight Tom.”

‘Goodnight, (y/n)’

-

“A first year got petrified?!” (y/n) asked in a hushed tone, her eyes wide as she gripped her friend's hand tightly as they walked to breakfast Monday morning.

“Yeah, apparently it happened Saturday night, or well, early Sunday morning if you think about it that way-but Professor Dumbledore found him in the middle of the night-just-stone still, petrified.” (y/n)’s friend rambled and (y/n) frowned, squeezing her friend’s hand tighter.

Early Sunday morning…she’d had that weird dream and fell out of her bed Sunday morning.

“What time did the first year get petrified?” (y/n) asked and her friend shrugged.

“Dunno, I’m only telling you what I heard from the grapevine, all I know is Sunday morning, a first year got petrified.” (y/n) huffed nervously in response, swallowing harshly, that weird feeling of paranoia returning to her gut.

Just a coincidence, just a coincidence. It had to be; besides, she’d just fallen out of her bed this time, she hadn’t sleepwalked, she hadn’t even left her dorm room.

…right?

-

“I’m leaving.” (y/n) huffed as dumbass Lockhart came onto the long dueling stage that was set up lengthwise in the great hall, replacing the house tables. Her friend grabbed her arm as she attempted to escape, tugging her towards the edge of the stage-making them be front and center.

“Oh, come on (y/n)~ it’ll be fun!” her friend said cheerfully, she’d didn’t understand why (y/n)…disliked ‘Professor’ Lockhart, even thinking he was hot.

It was one of the few things (y/n) vehemently disagreed with her on.

“it’ll be cringe as fuck that’s what it’ll be.” (y/n) grumbled, crossing her arms as she pouted. She expected maybe Professor Flitwick to be the head of the dueling club, but noooo it had to be the obvious fake Lockhart.

Though-Professor Snape had agreed to…help Lockhart in a demonstration, and that, was going to be fun.

(y/n) couldn’t help the peal of laughter that came from her as Snape sent Lockhart across the dueling stage, her friend gasping as Lockhart landed with a thump. “Is he okay?” her friend asked and (y/n) just snickered with the rest of the Slytherin members of the club.

“Who cares? That was funny.” (y/n) chuckled, smirking as her friend gave her a glare. After that everyone got paired into groups, Lockhart nearly putting the little 1st and 2nd years with the 5th and 6th years attending, Snape correcting that mistake and putting (y/n) against a fellow 6th-year Slytherin, though (y/n) hardly knew his name.

“Remember, disarm only!” Lockhart said and (y/n) rolled her eyes, bowing her to dueling partner with her wand at her side and then holding it out in front of her, her other arm over her head for balance.

The dueling began moments later, and spells shot out of their wands every other moment. (y/n) began with the disarming charm, expelliarmus, but her opponent blocked it and returned with a Stupefy. (y/n) went to block but it felt like she wasn’t in control of herself anymore, she stepped to the side-avoiding the spell-and held out her wand in a grip that wasn’t her own.

“Relashio!” With a wave of her wand her dueling opponent was forced to drop their wand and then (y/n) twirled her wand again. “Depulso!” A blast of white magic flew towards her dueling opponent and they flew back, hitting the ground with a loud thud.

There was an intense satisfaction that ran deep in her bones for a split moment, and an odd feeling to finish her opponent off-but that quickly went away and (y/n) pocketed her wand, rushing over to her dueling partner. “Are you okay?” (y/n) asked, offering her hand and her dueling partner chuckled painfully, rubbing their lower back as she helped them stand.

“I’m okay-that was wicked casting though,” (y/n) only nodded in response, licking her teeth as the dueling groups were stopped, a green haze in the air from the dueling 2nd years. She began to leave the great hall as Potter and Malfoy began to duel, only stopping when she heard a strange hissing coming from the stage.

She turned, the hissing sounding too familiar, coming from Potter as he…hissed at a black snake? Her ears began to ring, her vision going a bit blurry as she stared at Potter, the boy hissing at the snake before Snape destroyed it.

What the fuck?

That was the same hissing she’d heard in her dream on Sunday.

-end of p3-

im very happy with this part and i hope you guys are too-taglist!!!

@dracosslxt4eva @dream-your-own-way @slaggylemon

@slytherinbackintomyroom @starryhiraeth @larallott

[harvardfineartslib]

“Could it be that human beings—whether Indian or Japanese—are like fishermen who cast their nets to fish but can only reach relatively shallow waters? We know a lot of things and are constantly learning more, but maybe what we have most in common with each other is what is unknown to us. The depths of the ocean, and our relationship to that world, still remain hidden and mysterious.” - Mayur and Tushar Vayeda

Brothers Mayur and Tushar Vayeda made this artists’ book.  They are from the indigenous Warli community in Maharashtra, western India and grew up in the village of Ganjad. After studying animation and business management in Mumbai, the brothers taught themselves the traditional art of Warli painting.

Warli art is traditionally created by the women in the community, who decorate the walls and floors of their homes, as well as community spaces and for festivals. As such, Warli paintings were temporary, constantly renewed and recreated.

Today, both women and men make Warli painting, and they are also made more permanent on paper or canvas. The Vayeda brothers incorporate traditional Warli painting style but create a new vision.

In this book, the Vayeda brothers tell their journey from Ganjad to a small Japanese island called Awashima, connecting the village stream they knew from their childhood to the deep oceans they encountered in Awashima.

The deep for the text Arun Wolf and Gita Wolf from an oral narrative by Mayur Vayeda and Tushar Vayeda. Chennai : Tara Books, [2020] Vayeda, Mayur [artist] Vayeda, Tushar [artist] HOLLIS number: 99157144381803941

[atlaculture]

Just a thought I had when seeing your building culture posts

I feel like Jalebi is such an air nomad style food. With the bright orange and swirled patterns, you can't tell me Aang wouldn't love it.

Additionally barfi feels like another air nomad dish. Perhaps it could be made with bison milk?

I know the air nomads are inspired by Tibetan monks, but as theres sprinkles of Hinduism and Indian culture in the show. So this is my thoughts as an Indian person

I agree, I think these foods would work well for the Air Nomads. In fact, barfi and other Indian dairy desserts have been happily embraced by the Tibetan communities in India. Truthfully, the reason I limited my Air Nomad cuisine posts to mostly Tibetan food was to narrow the scope of my research. Really, any vegetarian dish from any culture could integrate well into the Air Nomad culture established by the show's canon.

The way I see it, there would realistically be two types of Air Nomad cuisine:

"Temple" Air Nomad Cuisine: This would be the cuisine that the Air Nomads developed within their temples, high up in the mountains. Like the Himalayas, this climate is good for growing barley, root vegetables (droma, potatoes, daikon, etc.), mushrooms, and certain strains of peppers. These would be the ingredients, along with sky bison dairy, that young Air Nomads would grow up enjoying.

"Local" Air Nomad Cuisine: My conception of the Air Nomads is that they were mostly sky bison herders with strong spiritual beliefs and ascetic practices. Their culture was viewed as quite mysterious by the other nations, but the average person (before Sozin's reign) regarded an Air Nomad's presence as bringing good luck to those around them. This was due to the commonly held belief that the Air Nomads were on good terms with the spirits, which was generally true--- Yangchen notwithstanding.

I establish all this worldbuilding to give context to the once flourishing vegetarian cuisines of the Avatar world. When an Air Nomad would stop by a town to purchase or trade for supplies, many villagers would rush to invite the monk over to their home for a meal--- some hoping for a blessing, others desiring spiritual guidance, and a clever few knowing that a well-traveled nomad is the best source for world news.

Although Air Nomads would humbly accept whatever food was offered to them, most villagers would go out of their way to prepare vegetarian dishes out of respect and hospitality. Thus, prior to the Hundred Year War, all nations had a thriving vegetarian culinary tradition that utilized their local ingredients. This came to be known colloquially as "local" Air Nomad food. Sometimes these dishes would become so popular with the nomads that temple elders would bemoan their people becoming too attached to these earthly pleasures.

I think both the Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom would have Indian-inspired vegetarian dishes that they would serve to an Air Nomad guest. The Water Tribe's vegetarian dishes were especially unique and labor-intensive, considered a special treat for any one of any nation. @mostly-mundane-atla has a great post on what WT vegetarian dishes would look like.

Just another Air Nomad headcanon that lives in rent-free in my brain. ^_^

[meandmyechoes]

Star Wars Visions: Volume 2

“Sith” by El Guiri  (Spain)

A former Sith apprentice, leading a peaceful, but isolated life, is confronted by the past when her old master tracks her down.

“Screecher’s Reach” by Cartoon Saloon (Ireland)

A young girl, seeking reprieve from her days in a rural workhouse, discovers a legendary haunted cave with her friends. The cave’s dark pull will change the trajectory of her life forever.

“In the Stars” by Punkrobot (Chile)

Two sisters, the last of their kind who live in hiding on their ravaged land, squabble about how to survive with the Empire encroaching. On a water run, the sisters must fight back when they are discovered.

“I Am Your Mother” by Aardman (UK)

Young pilot Anni, who is embarrassed by her sweet, but clingy mum, must team with her for a madcap family race at the academy. Along the way, their relationship is tested by the elements, their old ship, other racers...and each other!

“Journey to the Dark Head” by Studio Mir (South Korea)

A hopeful mechanic and disillusioned young Jedi team up for a risky and unlikely quest to turn the tide of the galactic war, but dark forces tail them.

“The Spy Dancer” by Studio La Cachette (France)

The premier dancer at a famous, Imperial-frequented cabaret uses her unique skill-set to spy for the Rebellion, but the presence of a mysterious officer threatens to derail her mission.

“The Bandits of Golak” by 88 Pictures (India)

Fleeing from their village by train and pursued by ferocious Imperial forces, a boy and his force-sensitive younger sister seek refuge in a vibrant and dangerous dhaba.

“The Pit” by D’Art Shtajio and Lucasfilm Ltd. (Japan + U.S.)

A fearless young prisoner, forced to dig for kyber by the Empire, plans a risky escape for he and his people.

“Aau’s Song” by Trigger Fish (South Africa)

An alien child who longs to sing is raised by her loving, but stern father to stay quiet because of the calamitous effect her voice has on the crystals in the nearby mines.

[thesevenstarfoxes]

Daphne is the patroness of married people, all grace, kindness and elegance. It is known that when a young and unknown woman with wisteria flowers braided in her long chestnut hair appears at a wedding, the married couple must show her respect and listen carefully to her blessings, because the patroness of marriage likes to appear at weddings and bless the bride and groom, and her blessings will always come true. One day, her elder brother Anthony, the patron of elder brothers, tells her about a young warrior named Simon whom he met when he responded to an older brother's prayer that he would protect his younger brother in battle, and among other things notes that Simon does not believe in marriage and does not want to get married. Daphne is shocked by this, and decides that she must meet the warrior who was special enough to attract her brother's attention despite being an only child, and make him believe in marriage. She doesn't expect to fall in love with the handsome young man, and Simon doesn't expect to fall in love with her either…

Anthony is the patron of elder brothers, as befits the eldest son of the goddess of motherhood and family and her human lover. Over the centuries and thousands of years of its existence, it has helped older brothers ensure a good life for their younger and beloved brothers. When his brother Gregory, the patron of lovers, tells him excitedly about a beautiful girl he met in a small village in India who refuses to marry her sister will not approve the match, Anthony is impressed, and decides to help the sister, Kethani Sharma, find a suitable match for her sister. Just like Anthony, Kate Sharma believes that her existence has no meaning except as the big sister, and that she does not deserve happiness on her own merits. When the strange man, who as far as she knows owns no property and shows a terrible disrespect for the rules of the ceremony, appears in the village and asks about Edwina and her, she automatically assumes that he wants to marry Edwina, and decides to do everything to prevent that.

Throughout her childhood, Sophie, the illegitimate daughter of a rich businessman, heard stories about gods and monsters from the workers who took care of her, but more than anything she was fascinated by the stories about Benedict, the patron of artisans who had countless lovers. Her fondness for art grew as she grew older, and stayed with her even when her new stepmother began to abuse her. The best night of her life was the night she managed to sneak into the opening gala of a new art gallery, even without the charming young man who stayed by her side the whole time, flirting with her and talking so passionately about art. He disappeared at the end of that night, and the last thing Sophie expected was for him to appear two years later when she sneaks out of her house to paint graffiti, takes one look at the painting, and reveals himself as Benedict, the hero of her childhood stories, to offer her to come with him to the world of the gods and join his many lovers of all kinds . The offer is tempting, even Sophie will appreciate it, and it's probably her best chance of escaping her stepmother, but she has more self-respect than joining the harem as a concubine to a god, thank you very much.

Penelope Fetherington, Baron's third daughter, is a shy wallflower who writes to herself about what she sees and meets around her. She certainly doesn't think her writing is good enough for the patron of writers Colin, who occasionally uses his powers to read what people write for themselves, to be impressed, but Colin stumbles upon her writing and reads everything she's ever written in one day, then disguises himself as a gentleman (and a travel buff, to explain his many mysteries) connects with her, and waits patiently until she accidentally tells something about her writing. Then he encourages her to write more, helping her publish what she writes in a gossip paper under the name Lady Whistledown. He doesn't know that Penelope is in love with him, but he certainly values ​​her friendship very much…

part 1/2

[trekwiz]

It strikes me that there are 2 different (modern) Israels, and in the US and Europe, we're only really taught about one of them.

You might know this one: in 1947, the UN adopted a partition plan to create Israel. This was intended as reparations for the holocaust--but mysteriously, would not be comprised of land from the perpetrators, the Axis powers. Wikipedia has a good primer:

Here's the important thing to know: that Israel doesn't exist. The plan was never implemented. It would have required that Palestinians give up the majority of their land to create a new country, despite having an overwhelming majority of the population in the territory. Mass theft and expulsion was not reasonable. Palestinians boycotted the talks. Ultimately this country never came into existence; a massive terrorist attack left it moot.

There's a second Israel that has its origins in the 1840's. British Evangelical Christians came up with the idea that Jewish people should be shipped off to Palestine to bring about the second coming. Yes, it's as antisemitic as it sounds. You can read a primer on Wikipedia here:

In 1914, the British promised to liberate Palestine and return it to Palestinian rule in return for military support against the Ottomans. They didn't uphold their end of the deal (no surprise), and opted to manufacture a conflict: in 1917, they promised to create a Jewish homeland, and encouraged Zionist immigration specifically, to strengthen their "peacekeeping" claim to the territory. (Differentiation: Zionists are those who specifically support a Jewish ethnostate on Palestinian territory; one does not have to be Jewish to be a Zionist, and not all Jews are Zionist.)

In 1936, the Palestinians fought back against the British, who still hadn't kept their promise to free Palestine. Unlike the American revolution, Palestinians lost. If you're starting to think this sounds a lot like how Britain treated India, you're not far off.

In 1938, Britain decided to take steps to honor its promise to free Palestine. This spurred escalations from multiple Zionist terrorist organizations: comprised of foreigners who believed they had a greater right to the land than the locals, Haganah, Irgun, and Lehi coordinated against the British and Palestinians.

Haganah formed earlier, in the 1920s, and originally worked with the British to prevent Palestinian liberation. They were eventually armed by Poland.

Irgun was an internationally recognized (including by the US) terrorist organization. They're known for a particularly heinous bombing:

They worked with Haganah to plan it, and you may recognize a specific tactic they used: a phone call to "warn" their victims in advance.

They formed because they believed armed force should be used to prevent Palestinian freedom, and allow Zionists to secure a future country. Their whole cause for existence was to suppress Arabs and make them compliant.

They explicitly believed that terrorism was a necessary tactic to steal Palestinian land for their own benefit.

Lehi is an offshoot of Irgun that described itself as a terrorist organization. It's important to understand that this organization also explicitly wanted to ally itself with Axis powers, specifically Nazi Germany and Italy. Their goal was to create a totalitarian Jewish ethnostate that would operate by the same values that Nazis held.

This all came to a head in 1948. Britain basically said, "fuck it, we created this mess, but we're not going to fix it." They pulled out of Palestine, without making good on their promise to free it.

The Zionist terrorist organizations banded together for one large terrorist attack after the British left: they massacred Palestinians in multiple hundreds of villages and forced them out of the territory--including the use of bio-terrorism to ensure they wouldn't return:

In the aftermath, these terrorist organizations decided to cosplay as a country, now going by the name Israel. Under this new name, these organizations worked together to destroy evidence of their 1948 terrorist attacks.

It's worth mentioning as well, that Israel continues to honor its component terrorist organizations; it still has a military service ribbon named for Lehi--the organization that literally wanted to pal around with Hitler.

Despite the merger and name change, these terrorist organizations have never ceased their violent attacks against the Palestinian people. They regularly escalate the ongoing ethnic cleansing any time they can create an excuse. They were slaughtering Palestinians on a regular basis, even before Israel's October 7 escalation.

Palestine remains oppressed by a terrorist entity that US and European governments are funding and arming.

The only reason you haven't heard about this Israel is because the US government has a vested interest in propaganda that portrays them as a legitimate country: they serve as a military presence for us in the mid-east.

You already know why our government lied about WMDs as a pretext for war against Iraq and Afghanistan; it shouldn't be a surprise that our government has the same motivation for maintaining ties with a terrorist organization operating in the same region, seemingly tied to our interests.

Americans and Europeans: you should be questioning this propaganda and advocating for the Palestinian victims of genocide: your tax dollars are funding terrorism. When you decide "it's too complicated, I don't know enough to have an opinion" or "both sides engage in violence so I'll just equivocate", then you're helping to normalize these atrocities. You're making it easier to spread propaganda in favor of arming and funding Israeli terrorism.

You should speak up in favor of a one state solution, led by Palestinians. The history of these Zionist terrorist organizations makes it clear that this is the only way for there to be justice. The leaders of the Zionist entity should be brought to trial, and Israel permanently disbanded.

[pers-books]

Doctor Who - The Stuff of Legend LIVE!

Paul McGann and India Fisher to star in special one-off live recording of a brand-new Eighth Doctor adventure.

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of licensed Doctor Who audio dramas, Big Finish Theatre, in partnership with BBC Studios, Fourth Wall Live and AEG, is proud to announce a unique full-cast live recording event, taking place at Cadogan Hall, London on Saturday 14 September 2024. 

For the very first time, Doctor Who fans will be able to watch an all-star cast take to the stage to perform a brand-new audio play, The Stuff of Legend, by Robert Valentine. 

Leading the cast is Paul McGann as the Eighth Doctor and India Fisher as his indomitable companion Charley Pollard. They’ll be joined onstage by Alex Macqueen as the Master alongside Nicholas Briggs, who voices the Doctor’s unstoppable arch-enemy, the Daleks. 

Something is afoot in the lonely Cornish village of Merrymaid Bay. Rumours of dead men working in the tin mines have sent a chill through the community, and it's up to the Doctor and Charley to get to the bottom of the mystery.  

Can the legends of the Bucca that haunts the mines be true? And just what awesome power do the Doctor’s greatest enemies – the Daleks! – threaten to unleash upon the universe? 

Tickets will be available to order at www.doctorwhoaudiolive.com from 10:00 (UK time) on Friday 05 July, with prices beginning at £18.00. 

Big Finish executive producer Jason Haigh-Ellery said: “25 years? It feels like 25 seconds! Producing the audio adventures of Doctor Who has been such a joy that two and a half decades has flown by – almost as if we have all been in the time vortex with the Doctor. 

“We’ve enjoyed ourselves so much producing thousands of hours of audio drama adventures – and now we have the chance to show fans of the series how the audio productions are made, with a new live performance – the first time Doctor Who has been performed live on stage since 1989.” 

Dominic Walker, Global Business Director at BBC Studios, added: “After 25 years of working with Big Finish on the Doctor Who audio adventures, BBC Studios is excited to now be bringing a live version to the stage. The Stuff of Legend is a fitting celebration and I am delighted that fans will be able to witness the recording of such a momentous anniversary story up close and personal.” 

Please note: Cadogan Hall has limited capacity so fans are advised to book quickly to avoid disappointment.  

Simultaneous to the live stage show, a full-cast studio production of Doctor Who: The Stuff of Legend will be released on 14 September 2024. Big Finish listeners can pre-order this adventure now for just £15.99 (collector’s edition double CD + download) or £12.99 (download only) exclusively here. This will also be available to purchase as a collector’s edition CD at the event. 

All the above prices include the special pre-order discount and are subject to change after general release. 

Please note that Big Finish is currently operating a digital-first release schedule. The mail-out of collector’s edition CDs may be delayed due to factors beyond our control, but all purchases of this release unlock a digital copy that can be immediately downloaded or played on the Big Finish app from the release date.

[darkmaga-returns]

This Man Helped Kamala Harris. Then He Mysteriously Died.

Kamala Harris' Dark Secret - the Mystery Of Her Mentor-Rival's Death

By Yoichi Shimatsu

This memoir/essay is about the root causes of the black diaspora from San Francisco initiated by Mayor Dianne Feinstein’s crew and her “hit woman” Kamala Harris, the city prosecutor then of “Indian origin”. Over two decades during the gay invasion of SF, a narrow-focus campaign waged an urban cleansing program to arrest and imprison black youth for the purpose of bankrupting their low-income families, who were then forced out of their homes in the Western Addition and Fillmore districts in a diaspora that led them to remote isolated villages to start over again in the barren, hot and inhospitable Mojave Desert region. I know because I’ve been a decade-long resident of SF and earlier lived in Palmdale near Edwards Air Base, and still keep track of the decline of that arid region. This isn’t abstract social theory, it’s a home-grown reality. And it's advance warning to the young black journalists and sorority sisters who have been denied the truth of their heroine presidential candidate, once again being hustled by the political manipulators and the PR hacks..

Before cheerleading and volunteering for candidate Kamala Harris, black journalists and sorority members need to become aware of her murky background as a relentless prosecutor and persecutor of low-income African American and Asian families forced out of their homes in San Francisco to make way for the influx of decadent white gays - all just to line the pockets of the Democrat cronies of Dianne Feinstein from appreciative Jewish-dominated real estate insiders. At the time, her ruthless operation to arrest vulnerable black youths exploited as runners by Cartel-linked thugs accounted for millions, indeed billions in campaign donations and monetary gifts to the politically correct “race neutral” city leaders, their flunky police chiefs and insider lawyers for the drug lords, including defense attorney Willie Brown, the suitor and then lover of Ms. Kamala - which on the streets rendered her nickname Kamel Toe. At the time, everyone assumed her ruthless quest to imprison black kids was possible because her high-tone mother was from the elitist caste in India. Her black father, then a science student, who was an immigrant student from Jamaica (the capital of the notoriously crazed and lethal dope-smuggling “:posse(s)”, was never mentioned in the local Hearst press. Buyer Beware! Because her avid supports are next to be sold out - for a price.

[articlejunkie]

Article Junkie presents a compelling exploration of the top 10 mysterious villages in India. Be transported to the rural landscapes of the country, where a myriad of intriguing mysteries await your discovery. Article Junkie's vivid descriptions and captivating narratives create a tantalizing tapestry of tales, making you feel as if you're navigating through these villages yourself.

Click here - https://articlejunkie.in/10-unusual-mysterious-villages-in-india/

[thegenxorcist]

Gef The Talking Mongoose

One morning in the early 1930s, James Irving of the village of Dalby on the Isle of Man was getting ready to open his daily newspaper when a high-pitched disembodied voice called out impatiently, “Read it out, you fat-headed gnome!” The voice didn’t belong to Irving’s wife Margaret or his teenage daughter Voirrey—the only humans likely to be in the remote farmhouse—but though Irving may have been offended, he wasn’t surprised. He knew the voice belonged to a strange creature called Gef, who, for some time, had been living, largely unseen, in his family’s home.

The mysterious creature first showed up in the Irving residence sometime in 1931, and, according to the accounts of James, Margaret, and Voirrey, initially lived in the walls and, not yet able to speak, imitated a range of animal noises. Quickly, the unseen entity started to pick up human language from the Irvings, and, before long, introduced itself to the family: His name, he said, was “Gef” (pronounced “Jeff”), and he was a mongoose from India...

 The Strange Story of Gef The Talking Mongoose

[gealach-in-a-misty-world]

In 1859, ex–East India Company smuggler Merrick Tremayne is trapped at home in Cornwall with an injury that almost cost him his leg. When the India Office recruits him for an expedition to fetch quinine--essential for the treatment of malaria--from deep within Peru, he knows it's a terrible idea; nearly every able-bodied expeditionary who's made the attempt has died, and he can barely walk. But Merrick is eager to escape the strange events plaguing his family's crumbling estate, so he sets off, against his better judgment, for the edge of the Amazon. There he meets Raphael, a priest around whom the villagers spin unsettling stories of impossible disappearances, cursed woods, and living stone. Merrick must separate truth from fairy tale, and gradually he realizes that Raphael is the key to a legacy left by generations of Tremayne explorers before him, one which will prove more valuable than quinine, and far more dangerous.

"He wasn't crude work but the ruin of something fine."

Natasha Pulley's The Bedlam Stacks is an atmospheric story set in Chile and filled with magical realism, full of wonder. We follow Merrick, a disabled character, as he has to join an expedition he would have rather abandoned because of his new disability. In the liminal space of a town his grandfather used to visit once, he will find Raphael, a mysterious man who seems to be ailed by a strange condition.

The prose as always with Pulley, was spectacular, so very simple and yet complex and magical. It's a slow reveal of a novel, a quiet treasure that one should savor. The magical elements come together slowly, revealing the magic behind the ordinary and beyond the objective European mind, unveiling a wholly different way of thinking.

I appreciated how Merrick was written, exploring his disability and his struggles in a very believable way, and I loved what we got to see of Raphael. Their feelings are never made explicit, but this is undoubtedly a love story, one that has a bittersweet ending. Like other Pulley characters, they are flawed and sometimes nasty, but always so very human. And fans of the Watchmaker of Filigree Street will find an incredible cameo and appreciate even more a beloved character.

The magical realism aspects were very intriguing, especially once the veil is lifted and things are revealed to be much more than they seem at first glance. The other characters feel a bit empty, with only the physician having a little depth.

The Bedlam Stacks is a quiet marvel.

✨ 4 stars

[You can find more of my reviews about queer speculative fiction on my blog MISTY WORLD]

[artiegenius]

The Aesthetics and Appreciation of Indian Parallel Cinema

Indian Parallel Cinema, often referred to as the New Wave or Art Cinema, emerged as a distinct movement in Indian filmmaking during the late 1940s and 1950s. Unlike mainstream Bollywood, which is characterized by its song-and-dance routines, melodrama, and formulaic narratives, Parallel Cinema aims to portray realistic stories with a focus on social and political issues. It draws heavily on the traditions of Italian Neorealism, French New Wave, and Japanese Cinema.

Historical Context

The origins of Indian Parallel Cinema can be traced back to the works of pioneering filmmakers like Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak, and Mrinal Sen. Satyajit Ray's "Pather Panchali" (1955) is often credited with setting the tone for this movement. The film's emphasis on realism, its nuanced portrayal of rural Bengal, and its departure from the escapist fare of Bollywood, marked a significant shift in Indian cinema.

Aesthetics of Indian Parallel Cinema

Realism

At the heart of Parallel Cinema is a commitment to realism. This is reflected in various aspects:

Narrative Style: The narratives are often straightforward and slow-paced, allowing the audience to engage deeply with the characters and their environments.

Character Development: Characters are complex and multi-dimensional, often grappling with socio-economic issues, personal dilemmas, and moral conflicts.

Setting: Films are frequently shot on location, capturing the authentic atmosphere of rural villages, urban slums, or middle-class households.

Visual Style

Parallel Cinema employs a distinctive visual style that enhances its realistic portrayal:

Natural Lighting: Filmmakers often use natural light to achieve a more organic and less polished look.

Minimalistic Art Direction: Sets and costumes are kept simple and true to the setting of the story.

*Cinematography: There is an emphasis on long takes, handheld camera work, and static shots, which contribute to the immersive experience.

Themes

The themes explored in Parallel Cinema are typically more serious and socially relevant compared to mainstream films:

Social Inequality: Many films address issues of poverty, caste discrimination, and gender inequality.

Political Issues: Films often critique governmental policies and societal structures.

Human Relationships: The complexities of human emotions and relationships are a central focus.

Key Films and Directors

Satyajit Ray

Pather Panchali (1955): A poignant depiction of a poor family's struggle in rural Bengal.

Charulata (1964): A sensitive portrayal of a lonely housewife and her emotional journey.

Ritwik Ghatak

Meghe Dhaka Tara (1960): A powerful narrative about the partition of Bengal and its impact on a refugee family.

Subarnarekha (1962): Addresses the issues of displacement and survival post-Partition.

Mrinal Sen

Bhuvan Shome (1969): A satire on the Indian bureaucracy, marking the arrival of the New Wave.

Ek Din Achanak (1989): Explores the mystery and turmoil following a man's sudden disappearance.

Shyam Benegal

Ankur (1974): Highlights the class struggle in rural India.

Nishant (1975): A grim tale of feudal oppression and the fight for justice.

Appreciation of Indian Parallel Cinema

Critical Acclaim

Parallel Cinema has garnered significant critical acclaim both nationally and internationally. It has been recognized at major film festivals like Cannes, Berlin, and Venice, helping to elevate Indian cinema on the global stage.

Influence

The movement has influenced a generation of filmmakers who continue to draw inspiration from its aesthetics and thematic concerns. Directors like Mani Kaul, Kumar Shahani, and more recently, Anurag Kashyap and Dibakar Banerjee, owe a debt to the legacy of Parallel Cinema.

Cultural Impact

Parallel Cinema has played a crucial role in shaping the discourse on social and political issues in India. It has provided a platform for marginalized voices and brought attention to the struggles of everyday life.

Conclusion

Indian Parallel Cinema remains a vital and influential part of the country's cinematic landscape. Its commitment to realism, its exploration of pertinent social issues, and its unique aesthetic continue to inspire filmmakers and captivate audiences. As we look towards the future, the legacy of Parallel Cinema will undoubtedly endure, reminding us of the power of film to reflect and shape society.The Aesthetics and Appreciation of Indian Parallel Cinema

[musingsofmonica]

February 2024 Diverse Read

February 2024 Diverse Reads:

•”My Beloved Life” by Amitava Kumar, February 27, Knopf Publishing Group, Historical/Literary/World Literature/India

•”Whiskey Tender: A Memoir” by Deborah Taffa, February 27, Harper, Personal Memoirs/Women/Cultural, Ethnic & Regional/Native American & Aboriginal

•”I Love You So Much It's Killing Us Both” by Mariah Stovall, February 13, Soft Skull, Contemporary/Coming of Age/Friendship/African American/Women

•”Private Equity: A Memoir” by Carrie Sun, February 13, Penguin Press, Personal Memoirs/Women in Business/Business/Finance/Wealth Management/Investments & Securities

•”Village in the Dark” by Iris Yamashita, February 13, Berkley Books, Mystery & Detective/Police Procedural/Thriller/Suspense/Women

•”Redwood Court” by Délana R. a. Dameron, February 06, Dial Press, Literary/Coming of Age/Women/African American/Southern

•”Wandering Stars” by Tommy Orange, February 27, Knopf Publishing Group, Literary/Cultural Heritage/Native American & Aboriginal

•Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop

Hwang Bo-Reum & Shanna Tan (Translator), February 20, Bloomsbury Publishing, Contemporary/City Life/World Literature/Korea

•”Dreaming of Ramadi in Detroit: Essays

Aisha Sabatini Sloan, February 20, Graywolf, Essays/Cultural, Ethnic & Regional/African American & Black/LGBT/Anthropology/Cultural & Social

•”The Things We Didn't Know” by Elba Iris Pérez, February 06, Gallery Books, Literary/Coming of Age/World Literature/Puerto Rico/20th Century

•“The Fox Maidens” by Robin Ha, February 13, Harperalley, Comics & Graphic Novels/Historical/Fairy Tales/Folklore/Legends & Mythology Fantasy/Romance/LGBT/World Literature/Korea

•”Hope Ablaze” by Sarah Mughal Rana, February 27, Wednesday Books, Magical Realism, Poetry/Religious/Muslim/Social Themes - Activism & Social Justice

•“ASAP” by Axie Oh, February 06, Harperteen, YA/Romance/Contemporary/Coming of Age/Asian American

•”Smoke and Ashes: Opium's Hidden Histories” by Amitav Ghosh, February 13, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, Nonfiction/Historical/Travelogue/Memoir/Family History/Essay in History/Globalism/Capitalism

•”Fathomfolk” by Eliza Chan, February 27, Orbit, Fantasy/Action & Adventure/Dragons & Mythical Creatures/East Asian Mythology 

•”Ours” by Phillip B. Williams, February 20, Viking, Literary/Historical/African American/Magical Realism

•”Neighbors and Other Stories” by Diane Oliver, February 13, Grove Press, Short Stories/Literary/Historical/African American & Black

•”Greta & Valdin” by Rebecca K. Reilly, February 06, Avid Reader Press / Simon & Schuster, Literary/Romcom/Family Life/LGBT/Cultural Heritage/World Literature/New Zealand/Cultural, Ethnic & Regional/Russian-Maori-Catalonian/Indigenous/Polynesian 

•”The American Daughters” by Maurice Carlos Ruffin, February 27, One World, Historical/Civil War Era/Saga/African American/Women

•”My Side of the River: A Memoir” by Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez, January 13, St. Martin's Press, Personal Memoirs/Cultural, Ethnic & Regional/Hispanic & Latino/Public Policy - Immigration

[rockislandadultreads]

Warm Up with a Good Book!

Need a book to spark your interest & keep you warm? Check out one of these fiery recommendations! Make sure to also log whatever you read for our upcoming "Snow Many Books" Winter Reading Challenge, which begins this Friday, January 12th!

Where There Was Fire by John Manuel Arias

Costa Rica, 1968: When a lethal fire erupts at the American Fruit Company’s most lucrative banana plantation burning all evidence of a massive cover-up, and her husband disappears, the future of Teresa’s family is changed forever.

Now, twenty-seven years later, Teresa and her daughter Lyra are picking up the pieces. Lyra wants nothing to do with Teresa, but is desperate to find out what happened to her family that fateful night. Teresa, haunted by a missing husband and the bitter ghost of her mother, Amarga, is unable to reconcile the past. What unfolds is a story of a mother and daughter trying to forgive what they do not yet understand, and the mystery at the heart of one family’s rupture.

Dance Among the Flames by Tori Eldridge

Passion. Horror. Betrayal.

Across forty years, three continents, and a past incident in 1560 France, Serafina Olegario tests the boundaries of love, power, and corruption as she fights to escape her life of poverty and abuse. Serafina's quest begins in Brazil when she's possessed by the warrior goddess Yansã, who emboldens her to fight yet threatens to consume her spirit. Fueled by power and enticed by Exú, an immortal trickster and intermediary to the gods, Serafina turns to the seductive magic of Quimbanda. It's dangerous to dance in the fire. But when you come from nothing, you have nothing to lose.

Girls Burn Brighter by Shobha Rao

Poornima and Savitha have three strikes against them: they are poor, they are ambitious, and they are girls. After her mother’s death, Poornima has very little kindness in her life. She is left to care for her siblings until her father can find her a suitable match. So when Savitha enters their household, Poornima is intrigued by the joyful, independent-minded girl. Suddenly their Indian village doesn't feel quite so claustrophobic, and Poornima begins to imagine a life beyond arranged marriage.

But when a devastating act of cruelty drives Savitha away, Poornima leaves behind everything she has ever known to find her friend. Her journey takes her into the darkest corners of India's underworld, on a harrowing cross-continental journey, and eventually to an apartment complex in Seattle.

The Archive of the Forgotten by A.J. Hackwith

The Library of the Unwritten in Hell was saved from total devastation, but hundreds of potential books were destroyed. Former librarian Claire and Brevity the muse feel the loss of those stories, and are trying to adjust to their new roles within the Arcane Wing and Library, respectively. But when the remains of those books begin to leak a strange ink, Claire realizes that the Library has kept secrets from Hell - and from its own librarians.

Claire and Brevity are immediately at odds in their approach to the ink, and the potential power that it represents has not gone unnoticed. When a representative from the Muses Corps arrives at the Library to advise Brevity, the angel Rami and the erstwhile Hero hunt for answers in other realms. The true nature of the ink could fundamentally alter the afterlife for good or ill, but it entirely depends on who is left to hold the pen.

This is the second volume of the "Hell's Library" series.

[blogger360ncislarules]

Rishi Nair’s first day on set as Grantchester‘s new vicar began with a bang — a scene in which he had to punch his new costar Robson Green. Not surprisingly, Nair was a bit nervous about smacking the veteran actor and original cast member. “Then you get there,” he says, “and everyone’s so lovely and makes you feel welcome that the nerves kind of go away.”

Taking over for Tom Brittney’s Will Davenport in Episode 3 of Season 9, Nair becomes the third handsome young vicar the English village has had in a decade, and the first one who wasn’t white. So while the actor may have felt at home on the popular PBS mystery series from day one, his character, Alphy Kottaram, whose parents moved to Britain from India decades earlier, has a more unfortunate introduction: He’s mistaken for a burglar by Green’s character, police detective Geordie Keating.

“We are in 1961, we’re in Grantchester, which is a very white British town,” Nair says. “It was important to me that when I came in, that was acknowledged.”

Over the season’s remaining six episodes, Alphy does face prejudice and misconceptions, but he also finds acceptance in the community and forges a connection with Geordie, who asks Alphy to assist him with his investigations, just as he did the clergyman’s two predecessors. But the newcomer wants to stick to delivering Sunday sermons, at least initially.

“At first glance Alphy doesn’t like Geordie, doesn’t want anything to do with him,” Nair previews. “But as they spend more time together, he learns that Geordie has a lot of empathy, which he assumes no police officer has.”

Robson Green and Rishi Nair, with Milburn and Dickens (Courtesy of Kudos, ITV, and MASTERPIECE)

As the season progresses, a friendship develops. “They’re both very loving to each other in a kind of masculine way of ‘I’m never going to say it to you,’” Nair previews. “But they’re there for each other, which is lovely to see between two male characters, especially in that time.”

Alphy and Geordie encounter their share of dead bodies — in a manor house, at an archaeological site — as Grantchester, now the longest-running current Masterpiece series, reaches 59 episodes. (That’s seven more than Downton Abbey had when it ended its run.) Women in the community are more than happy to get to know the handsome, single vicar, who takes off his shirt 10 minutes into his first episode. But Alphy’s appeal isn’t just skin deep.

“He’s very chilled and relaxed, but there are certain things that can really annoy him,” Nair says. “When he sees people exploiting their position or taking advantage of people, you see that steel beneath Alphy come out, which is really interesting.”

Nair, a former cast member of the British soap opera Hollyoaks, describes shooting Grantchester as a “lovely experience,” especially filming on location in the Cambridgeshire community it’s named after and working with Green. “Just being on set with Robson every day was some of the best days I’ve had filming,” Nair says. “He’s such a joy to work with, he has so many great stories. I would just sit there and listen.”

Not as chatty, but equally fun, was four-legged costar Dickens, who has been the vicarage’s pooch since he was a puppy. “I’ve never seen such a well-behaved dog. He hits marks better than I do,” Nair says with a laugh.

More challenging was driving Alphy’s red Triumph convertible. It stalled in the middle of filming a scene, a photographer caught the ensuing action and the picture — of Green and some crew members pushing the car while Nair tried to jump-start it — wound up in a British tabloid. “We found it quite funny,” he recounts.

Although Nair was raised in a Hindu family, he adds that “there’s so much of Alphy’s religion and his faith that I still resonate with. It’s his moral values that he has because of his faith.” To prep for the role, the actor went to services at the grand Liverpool Cathedral to observe how a vicar delivers a sermon and interacts with the congregation.

He also used music — including swing, Motown and Elvis Presely — to immerse himself in the era. “For the first month of filming I was just listening to music from the ’60s,” Nair says, “whether it was at the gym or whether I was driving to work or on the weekend. It’s not like I’m in a scene and I’m thinking of the song, but subconsciously I have that information in me somewhere and, hopefully, that helps.”

Although Nair and Brittney don’t interact onscreen, they were on set at the same time and got acquainted. “He gave me some great advice on how to deal with Robson when he’s hungry,” Nair teases, before adding, “And he kind of left his door open. If there’s anything I ever wanted to ask him, I feel comfortable being able to message him, which is really nice.”