Folk Narratives: Rituals and Performances reflects the world-view of the traditional societies and it is considered as an Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of a particular community or society. This study investigates the culture, in a particular sociocultural context, of the multifaceted Tamil society through numerous rituals, offerings, vows, customs, practices, belief systems, performing folk arts, fairs and festivals, dance and music, material culture, etc. which are deeply rooted in ...

A succession of Chinese emperors constructed over the course of a century a fantastical garden, the basis of Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s “Kubla Khan,” to which governing of the country was in time transferred from nearby Peking. A microcosm of China, with palaces, pavilions, and other edifices set among hills and valleys and a network of rivers and lakes, the reality of this garden is employed as the setting for two fictional stories of unrequited love, one between a Jesuit missionary and an...

Destiny Chosen by Life tells the story of a young man embarking on a journey of self-discovery and overcoming personal struggles. The story follows his fight to understand and accept his identity while grappling with an incredible secret that ultimately transforms his life upside-down. Along the way, he develops an incredibly strong character, even as he faces the grief of losing someone dear. Amidst the sorrow, he finds surprising and unexpected support from someone who has been close to ...

Noted poet Jorge Lujan and South Africa's illustrious illustrator Piet Grobler teamed up to produce this exquisite celebration of color.As day turns into night, we are given fleeting, evocative glimpses of the qualities inherent in a range of colors. An antelope and some children are pictured inhabiting this delicate world.This bilingual, bicultural book presents us with a beautiful vision of a planet in which nature, words, and the rising and setting of th...

Every man is being shaped by some kind of wisdom. The key question is–what type of wisdom is guiding us? Scripture doesn't suggest every form of wisdom produces a better, more flourishing life. In fact, it warns us of the opposite condition–we ought to be mightily aware of the possibility that we may be digesting and guided by worldly wisdom, which eventually leads to our own downfall, devastation, and death–yet it will feel so satisfying going down.The Man You're Meant...

They say the deepest encounters don't happen through the body… but through the soul. One hides behind silence. The other beneath a suit of armour. Distance separates them — and, paradoxically, brings them closer. Between typed-out messages, old wounds, and gestures that never touch, an unlikely bond is born… capable of reopening everything they thought was lost. What if it were possible to love without seeing? What if someone, on the other side of the internet, could understand us better t...

Everyone has a personal story to tell and this is mine. It is my sincere wish that by being totally honest and laying myself bare it may have a significant effect on you too in a positive and enlightening way.This story is a frank and humorous diary of my gradual realization of who and what I am, which is a modern day accidental wizard and angel photographer, combined with what my work as a science documentary director has taught me about the immediate future we are facing....

Haiti is a land shrouded in mystery, its history marked by chains and revolutions, its spirit veiled by layers of suffering and destiny. The Veil of Haiti lifts these coverings to reveal the deeper truths hidden beneath: the karmic roots of the nation's turmoil, the corruption and decline of its religious institutions, and the forgotten wisdom of Vodou before it was distorted by fear and superstition.Blending history, spirituality, and esoteric science, John Simon, spiritu...

This is the story of Stan, a brilliant young graduate student, his girlfriend, and his AI companion united by a daring mission: to change the world, one act of Virtual Justice at a time.At the heart of their work is Stan's groundbreaking invention: a neural patch. Placed at the base of the neck, it allows thoughts to flow in and out of the brain and true telecommunication between minds.Stan and his team intend to use this device in a radical way: to confron...

At 71, John Simon shares a life shaped by war, exile, and determination.From his childhood in Abadan, Iran, to the chaos of the Iranian Revolution, and his escape to Germany as a refugee, this memoir captures the emotional and physical struggles of starting over.Rebuilding his life in the United States, John's journey reflects resilience, identity, and the courage to keep moving forward.This book explores:• Life before and after revolution• The refugee...

Reports Relating to the Sanitary Condition of the City of London is a comprehensive collection of official documents and detailed observations that shed light on the public health challenges faced by London during the 19th century. Compiled by various medical officers, inspectors, and public health officials, the book provides an in-depth examination of the living conditions, environmental hazards, and health crises that plagued the rapidly growing metropolis. Through meticulous reports, r...

This book presents and describes an innovative method to simulate the growth of natural fractural networks in different geological environments, based on their geological history and fundamental geomechanical principles.The book develops techniques to simulate the growth and interaction of large populations of layer-bound fracture directly, based on linear elastic fracture mechanics and subcritical propagation theory. It demonstrates how to use these techniques to model the nucleat...