We, the people of India, have found unity in diversity throughout history. So when it comes to the consumption of ganja, it is no surprise that there are people who see it purely as illegal narcotic substances or drugs and the other half that is adamant on seeing it beyond the political constraints, referring to the substance as plant medicine— something that is not abused but used for recreational purposes as well as for the overall healing and wellbeing of a person. While these ‘stoner communities’ appear to be newly formed by the hippie youth of the country, the origins of the herb go much deeper in the roots of India. Religion & Spirituality: To break the ice or even better, to crush it, India, despite having a diverse cultural background has always been harboring communities of all religions. While the debates are still on about what significance religion holds when it comes to cannabis and how it affects us in today’s world, we cannot ignore the fact that it was widely used before it became illegal in the country. Call it third-eye instincts but we know you saw this coming. Ancient texts in Hinduism have always talked about Lord Shiva and his love for ganja. It all started with Him consuming ‘bhaang’ to soothe His throat after drinking poison during the ‘Samudra Manthan’, or ‘Churning of the Ocean’ as mentioned in the Atharva Veda. This great Indian deity is often depicted in a meditative state, seated on the snow-clad mountains of the Himalayas, smoking ganja with a chillum (clay pipe). Devotees and sages have not only used ganja as an offering but consumed it themselves to reach a trance-like meditative state that is believed to bring them closer to God. The influence hasn’t just stayed within borders but attracted a lot of attention from other countries not just to the ritualistic usage of ganja but to India and its culture. While Sufism has openly expressed the use of cannabis for relaxation and enhancement of creativity, there are still debates on whether Islam has specifically forbidden it or not. Hashish, popularly known as hash, was called as “the morsel of meditation” by a Sufi. While others in the community referred to it as the “Sufi herb”. Today, devotees and mystics have all shown interest and love for the herb and its consumption, breaking the infamous stereotypical world view of it being illegal, harmful and addictive. As the spiritual benefits and religious significance is widely known, it is often used in various Indian festivals like the consumption of ‘bhaang’ in celebration of Holi and Mahashivratri. Entertainment & Media: Bollywood has rarely ever shied away from showcasing taboo topics, from prostitution to corruption, we have seen it all! It is no surprise that there have been at least mentions of cannabis, if the storyline isn’t entirely based on the consumption of the substance. While ‘Breaking Bad’ broke the internet, we have had our own movies and songs revolving around narcotics— whether to create awareness or to simply talk about the reality of availability and existence of these substances in common public, that’s for the people to decide. Sharing a small piece from our Bollywood watchlist and playlist both, movies like Dum Maaro Dum, Udtaa Pubjab and Go Goa Gone have been in spotlight for quite some time whereas, songs like Manali Trance, Babaji Ki Booti, Dum Maaro Dum have explicitly mentioned drug usage. A lot of new age artists, graphic designers and social places like clubs are including cannabis themed art and ambience, attracting large crowds of like-minded people. Ganja Tourism: Have you ticked that Goa trip with your friends off your bucket list yet? If yes, we might have a little surprise in store for you! While Goa and Gokarna have been popular destinations for Indians and international tourists both, the hippie culture in India has brought tourists’ attention to other offbeat locations you can add to your travel list. With places like Parvati Valley, Manali, Rishikesh in the north to Pushkar in the west and Kodaikanal in the southern part of India, cannabis culture can be held responsible for being a strong component influencing the tourism industry in India. The food, marketplace, scenic beauty and hospitality of these places have attracted not just stoners but hikers and bikers, both. Healing & Medicine Hemp and hemp products have widely been used in alternative healing methods and medicine. While The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, and excise laws in several states restrict people from consuming cannabis or any of its byproducts making it a punishable offense; research and ancient texts have always spoken highly (no pun intended) of the unbelievable healing properties of this herb, bringing in a revolutionary change in the medical system. As hemp is considered organic and sustainable, many budding brands are using it as a base product in their businesses. Hemp seed oil, fabric and inclusion of it in superfoods, skin care and fashion are not just completely safe and legal but actually beneficial for both, the environment and the people. In fact, for the first time ever, Pune, Maharashtra opened its doors to The Hemp Cafeteria, a one of its kind café that serves hemp infused food and coffee legally! Additionally, we also have government authorised bhaang shops operating in major cities in India. While the spiritual and medicinal properties are well known, this edible form of the herb made from crushing cannabis leaves, buds and flowers is also ingested for recreational purposes in a milk-based drink called “thandaai”. Currently, bhaang is legally available in Pushkar, Jaisalmer, Varanasi, Karnataka, Noida and Mathura. Final Thoughts The Vedas mention that ganja is one of five essential plants used in Ayurveda. The Indian subcontinent was once at the forefront of world thinking and innovation. The same civilization which created great strides in ayurveda, meditation, yoga, and technology understood the uses of ganja in physical and mental healing. This relationship continued until the USA pressured us into cutting ties with this sacred plant. Now, as we continue to stand against it, they have legalized the plant and are reaping its medicinal and recreational benefits. Hopefully, YOU, the next generation of lawyers, doctors, politicians, and engineers will unite in changing this.

The story of how the Rasta movement started shows how colonialism brought together different cultures and religions. The religious and social movement has its roots in Hinduism and the use of marijuana for spiritual and medical purposes. At the beginning of the 19th century, African slaves in the Caribbean rose up against their slave owners and broke free. As the movement grew, Indian immigrants who were forced to work on the sugar plantations were sent to Jamaica. This led to a mixing of cultures, with Hinduism and Indian culture influencing Jamaican culture and the beginnings of the Rastafarian movement. The Rasta movement is still influenced by Hindu ways of communicating and expressing themselves, like folk dance, ethnic music, and theatrical performances. Curry is used in Jamaican food because Indian food has a big impact on it. Rastafarianism is based on the use of ganja for recreation, which came from Hinduism. The Hindus used ganja for spiritual and medical purposes, as well as for fun and mystical religious practises. Ganja has become a central part of the Rastafarian way of life. It frees the mind, which makes it appealing to Jamaicans who were born there. In 1938, the colonisers made ganja illegal because they were afraid of its power to free people. But this didn't stop the Rastafarian movement from growing and spreading its message of peace, love, and unity. Bob Marley, the face of reggae music, did a lot to make the Rastafarian movement more well-known. He was called "Tuff Gong," which comes from the word "gangunguru" in Hindu, which means "great king" or "king of kings. "The early Rastas learned how to show respect and worship from the Indians. The Indians showed respect for their religion by singing bhajans and kirtans in Hindi and Bhojpuri. The Rastafarian movement is based on using ganja and celebrating life and spirituality through music and dance. With its message of peace, love, and unity, the Rastafarian movement has given hope to a lot of people all over the world. It had an effect on the Hippie movement in the West in the 1950s and 1960s, and it still does to this day. In the end, the story of how Indians helped start the Rasta movement is a fascinating example of how colonialism made it possible for different cultures and religions to mix. In conclusion, the Indian influence on the beginning of the Rasta movement is a fascinating story of how colonialism facilitated the intermingling of cultures and religions. From Hinduism to the use of ganja, the impact of Indian culture on Jamaican culture and the Rasta movement cannot be denied. It's remarkable how the influence has traveled full circle, with the Hippie movement of the 50s and 60s in the West being inspired by the Rasta movement, which in turn was inspired by Indian culture and religion.

Introduction Charas or hashish has a rich and varied history that stretches across time, space, and cultural and religious boundaries. Its popularity as a therapeutic, spiritual, and recreational tool has skyrocketed over the centuries since its first documented use. This article will guide you through the origins of the various names and explain why only Malana Cream is referred to as crème. Historical Use Historically, cannabis plants have been used as early as 8000 BC. From the Eastern corners of Japan to the deserts of Egypt, it was cultivated and used throughout Asia and the Middle East. Most people in the modern world know ganja for its inhibiting properties. In the old world, it was widely used not just for its psychoactive properties but also for its medicinal and industrial benefits(hemp ropes). Chinese doctors recommend it for malaria, constipation, rheumatic pains, and as a surgical pain reliever. In India and Africa, it was used to cure dysentery, stimulate appetite, improve digestion, and cure fevers. You can read more about its medicinal history here. Growing them in different parts of the world created many landraces, each unique with their own features. But they would always be referred to by a single name: hashish and ganja or charas becoming the more popular names. The naming of various strains of hashish can be traced back to the heyday of the Hippie Trail in the 1960s. Hippie Trail Traveling by an overland route from Europe to South Asia, the Hippie Trail became a popular form of travel with the Westerners. The trip gave the hippies a chance to explore the world with minimal expense. At the same time, as the route covered many important hash making countries such as Morocco, Iran, Thailand, India, and Nepal, it allowed them to explore their unique cannabis cultures. Hashish was a widely used drug among hippies, and different strains of the drug were given unique names based on their characteristics and the cultures from which they originated. Lebanon The hippies began their journey in France and used hitchhiking and low-cost bus services that traveled the route to get from one place to another. Depending on their route, they could have stopped in Tehran or Lebanon: Tehran for its famed opium and Lebanon for its charas. Hashish from the famed Baalbek Valley in Lebanon was the first strain they encountered. In this area, cannabis plants are dried out in the field before being rubbed over a fine silk cloth. After this drying process, the hashish turns a yellowish-red color, earning it the name "Red Lebanese" or "Lebanese blonde." The Hindu-Kush Next came the Hindu Kush mountain region. The Indicas grown in this area are known for being small and bushy, with lots of trichomes. Once again, the same method of collection was followed here. Fresh hashish is pressed by hand with a touch of tea or water and passed through a silk cloth. Since it contained a lot of water, locals began referring to it as "Milk of Mazar" or "Shirak—Mazar" in Pashto. After sieving, the plant material was sealed within dead goat skins and buried 3 to 4 feet deep in the soil for curing. The Hindustan Religious Angle When the hippies finally arrived in India and Nepal, they found a very different cultural perspective on charas use. Kashmir and Teesa Valley in the Chamba district of Himachal are two examples of Muslim-dominated regions in India where sieved hash was and is commonly used. Since the Hindus and Nepalis considered the plant to be religious, hand rubbing remains the standard method of charas production. As the name suggests, here, the resin is collected by gently rubbing the buds until a dark layer is collected on your palms. Veteran farmers will tell you that the early morning hours are the perfect time to rub in the 'Pahad'. Each village can have its own methods of collection and curing. Along with the varying altitudes, these factors play an important role in deciding the quality and taste of the hash. Among the hash-producing villages in Parvati Valley, the fame of Malana has stood the test of time. Is it really THE Cream? In handrubbing, quality is determined by three key factors: Location/Genetics As Himachal has developed and got more connected in terms of roadways/logistics, the illegal farmlands of Malana has gone into hiding. To reach them, one has to trek through the deep meadows along the Malana Nal for days. These prized possessions are owned by generational farmers, who have worked with the Europeans (aka Russian Mafia) for decades in this illegal business. Protection is ensured through armed security and well-paid bribes. These high-altitude locations, along with powerful genetics, create the perfect canvas for Mother Nature to create her magic. First-rub/Second-rub/etc When the plant is being rubbed for the first time, it is known as first-rub. This ensures the buds that are being harvested give out the creamiest resin with the least plant material. Second rub/third rubs are usually reserved to be sent to Indian cities, while a majority of the first rub will be exported directly. Experience of the worker The creaminess is determined by the amount of plant material that gets collected along with the resin. Lesser plant material makes the resin more softer and smoother. But all this is determined by the experience and patience of the worker harvesting it. For the hash to be considered Creme standard, a well-experienced worker can take 4-6 hours or more to collect less than 0.5g. This alone can give you an idea of how expensive the top tier Cream from Malana can cost. Final Thoughts Over the years, we have created and come across many new hybrids that some say are superior to landraces. We have found new hash-making techniques that are more efficient in extraction. But Malana Cream continues to thrive and is sold at a premium in all smokehouses around the world. The Cream will always come from only Parvati Valley and, subsequently Malana, thanks to its hardworking villagers and its magical atmosphere.

Goa Gil, also known as Gilbert Levey, is a historical figure in the world of music and trance dance experience. At 64 years old, he is one of the oldest DJs in the world, but also one of the most effective. His specialty is creating 24 hour sets on tape, using hi-tech, dark psy and all the craziest sounds in psytrance music. Not only is he a DJ, but he is also a sâdhu, a saint in Sanskrit, and has dedicated his life to "raising awareness through music." Gil's story begins in San Francisco in the 1950s, but his adventure truly began in 1967 when he was just 17 years old. He was working as a poster boy for a legendary gig in San Francisco, the Family Dog, where groups such as Santana, Velvet Underground, Jefferson Airplane and Grateful Dead used to perform. He was surrounded by artists like Steve Miller, Jimi Hendrix, the Beatles and Janis Joplin, who was a good friend of his. He states, "I was in the right place at the right time, as I got to see most of the well-known musical artists of the time performing live, from The Beatles, The Sone, Pink Floyd and Sid Barrett, and on and on and on… All of that is part of my history, and part of who I am. It also helped to shape my musical tastes." In 1969, Gil decided to travel to Amsterdam and then through Europe to Morocco, and from there across North Africa. He then took trains and buses through Turkey and Iran, eventually ending up in Afghanistan. It was there where he met an Englishman who became his traveling partner and told him about the fabulous and deserted beaches in Goa. Gil decided to accompany him and they traveled from Kabul to Karachi, and then by boat to Bombay and finally Goa. Once in Goa, Gil met Eight Finger Eddie, who is considered to be the first-ever Freak in Goa. He stayed in Eddie's house on Anjuna beach, which was soon to host the Full Moon parties, and spent two weeks with his new found friends. However, he then decided to leave and continue his journey. He hitchhiked and walked down the coast of India and then up the other coast. He met an Aghori Sâdhu who spoke English and continued his journey with him. They visited Calcutta, Benares, Nepal and eventually, Kashmir for "Amarnath Yatra", a pilgrimage to Shiva's Cave in the high Himalayas. During his time in Kashmir, Gil met a number of Babas who were going to Amarnath, and the head of the place, Mahant Swami Nirmanaland, gave Gil his first initiations. One of his five Gurus was Mahant Primi Giri Ji Maharaj, who became his main Guruji after the death of Swami Nirmanaland Ji. At this point, the young American had been traveling the world for two years and had been around wise elderly Hindus for more than one. Nothing mattered but spirituality and self-reflection. In December 1971, Gil received an aerogram from his old friends asking where he was and telling him they wanted to see him, asking him to come to Goa for Christmas. By this time, the Anjuna beach was populated by the heirs of the hippy culture, and Gil, now a young sâdhu, had many ideas and projects. He realized the power of music and decided to dedicate his life to conveying his spiritual beliefs through music. He and his companions shaped the spirit of the modern rave in the continuity of the hippy movements, and their model was an inspiration for many, like the Boom Festival, Burning Man, and legions of other ravers around the world. When asked about the progression of electronic music, Gil expresses that it has been an exciting journey and that it just keeps on growing and mutating. He reflects on his own journey and how he was heavily into the San Francisco acid rock sound of the 60s when he left San Francisco in 1969. When he arrived in Goa in 1970, he had his guitar and wrote and sang spiritual songs which he would play on the beach by the fire. He then started DJing all night on the beach after the flea market each week and had bands like The Anjuna Jam Band and The Big Dipper Band. In the mid-seventies, Gil DJed any kind of music but tried to use the music to make a story from first song to last song. In the end of the seventies, some of the first "new wave" music with synths and drum machines, like Kraftwerk, started to filter in, but it was in the early eighties when it really started to happen with the new music. He and his friends started to collect as much of that kind of synthesizer-drum machine music as they could and went crazy for that sound. They collected from Hi NRG, future dance, also stuff like Depeche Mode, New Order, etc., anything that had some good synth & drum machine parts, but they would cut out the singing, take the good parts, and put the tracks back together repeating the different instrumental parts in different sequences to make their own instrumental "Goa" mix that would fit for their party concept and what they were trying to say and do with the music. When asked about the whole vibe, the transcendental experience, Gil states that it is probably all how you look at it. Everyone seems to have a different motivation and concept according to their understanding and programming. For some, it can be a spiritual experience, for others they just want to have fun. For Gil, it is the old time religion. Since the beginning of time mankind has used music and dance to commune with the Spirit of Nature and the Spirit of the Universe. He uses Trance music and the Trance Dance Experience to set off a chain reaction in consciousness. This is what he calls "Redefining the Ancient Tribal Ritual for the 21st Century". In conclusion, Goa Gil is a true pioneer in the world of electronic music and trance dance experience. He has dedicated his life to raising awareness through music, using it as a medium to convey his spiritual beliefs. He and his companions have shaped the spirit of the modern rave in the continuity of the hippy movements, and their model has been an inspiration for many worldwide festivals and events. He continues to influence the scene with his unique approach to music and spirituality, earning him the title of the father of trance dance experience.

What is “Rave Culture”? What started as an underground movement during the war era in the Soviet Union is now a widely used term in the music industry. As the underground music scene revolutionized, a lot of sub-genres were branched out, like drum & bass, house, psytrance and more. So what exactly is rave culture and what is a cohesive element that anchors all these sub-genres under one? Music has been used as a tool not just for entertainment but for reaching a trance-like state in India for centuries long before the counterculture movement had even begun. While the idea of rave being brought to India from the west is popular, it is no surprise that we have had a fair share of trance-inducing classical music, absolutely homegrown here in India. To cut it short, rave music is any form of electronic trance-inducing music that connects people to people and their higher selves. Large rave communities have been formed in India not just of music enthusiasts but spiritualists, mystics and not to forget, the layman as well. The evolution of rave in India is quite a story —involving music, politics and (counter)culture, here’s a brief timeline of the same. The 70s : With emerging artists both homegrown and from abroad, India saw a peak in live music in the mid-70s. To paint the picture, imagine extravagant rock n roll playing in a sophisticated setting —such was the beginning of a new musical era in the country. Full moon parties were taking place in Goa, with sound equipment being carried by hand to remote, unoccupied beaches and stages being built for jam bands to perform all night long. Places like “Music House” were established in Chapora in the same period, giving this underground scene a more organized platform. However, as every wave has its rhythmic ups and downs, the popularity of these underground music scenes brought light to the presumption of the inclusion of drugs in these rave communities. With the increasing legal pressure and restrictions, the rave culture saw a downfall in India. The 80s : It was difficult for this music genre to thrive under immense political pressure, hence a lot of international artists left India to explore alternative places in the 80s. The art travelled with the artist and emerged in Europe as pure electronic music. Bands like Propaganda and Ikraft were on the rise. In ‘85 the artists who had left India followed their journey back to where it started, with the introduction of a new set of music. Instead of mixing the existing style with electronic music or switching to the music that people were already accustomed to, “techno” —which went by the name of “wave music” back then, was introduced. It initially caused some backlash but the combination of energetic trance-like music with a higher purpose both politically and spiritually beautifully bloomed into Indian society. The 90s : In the 90s, Arambol, Anjuna and Chapora were already hosting underground music festivals of the same genre and hence, the term “the ancient tribal music of the 21st century” was coined by the ‘freaks’. Goa was also now being called “the birthplace of psytrance”. The love for techno went off-charts and people tapped into the beats of electronic music seeing it for the intricate painting it resembles, layer by layer, as a work of trippy artform. International music found its way to India, with prominent artists/ bands being Shpongle, Goa Gil, Astral Projection, S.U.N. Project, The Infinity Project, Space Tribe and Space Cat performing Goa and psychedelic trance. By ‘98, the underground music scene had already matured, bringing in more flavours to the existing form of techno —from energetic, pumping and powerful to fluid, ecstatic, and even emotional. The genre had sub-genres of its own ranging from experimental to house music and so on, not to forget the brutalism brought in the minimalism through hard rock and dance music. Unfortunately, the political disruptions and war situation in India saw the whole revolution go downhill in the late 90s and early 00s. 21st century : There was no such progress in the rave culture in the first few years of 2000. However, by 2005, the underground scene not just revived but flourished at a very large scale, more than ever and all over India. This trance music with high beats per minute (bpm) that was mostly played underground started making its way up, to cities, giving it major exposure and recognition. This widespread popularity of electronic dance music (EDM) in India brought up various commercialised music festivals like Sunburn in 2007 and Bacardi NH7 in 2010, among India's largest curated festivals. The rise of EDM paved the way for many homegrown labels like KRUNK and artists like Gaurav Raina, Tapan Raj and Arjun Vagale putting India at the forefront of the global techno music scene. At the same time, international artists like Skrillex, Martin Garrix, DJ Snake, Avicii, Marshmello and more gained popularity in India. The future of rave? As more and more artists —both homegrown and international are making their debut in the world of techno, trap, house, EDM and more, we cannot just predict the ever-growing culture in India but easily say that rave is not dead. Though the genre might have lost its root word in the mixing and remixing of various subcategories in its evolution, the true essence of rave still exists in the hearts of millions of people. Hence, it’s not just the artists who are passionate but the audience, too, is now more mature causing the rave culture to thrive across India. Today, we have high-production commercialised music festivals like Magnetic Fields, DGTL, Karacus Marakus etc. across India, harbouring not just well-known international artists but homegrown DJs, who have a better understanding of the Indian audience. “The cradle of the human race, the birthplace of human speech, the mother of history, the grandmother of legend, and the great-grandmother of tradition," as Mark Twain rightly said, India is the seventh-largest country in the world and undoubtedly, one of the most magical places on the planet.