Guest blog by Sudharshan Duraiyappah, a scholar and instruction at the University of Toronto and the ROM

A cursory glance at the 17^th century Kangra painting featuring Radha and her lover Krishna, who according to Hindu mythology is considered an incarnation of the god Vishnu, might elicit a double take. This miniature painting in the ROM’s collection portrays the fair – skinned Radha in her male lover’s attire and the dark- skinned Krishna wearing his female lover’s garments.

The ROM recently acquired 6 fitted jackets by the designer Martin Margiela. We created additional support by adding creating padded forms for the body and arms that would fit over the polyethylene wire hangers.

Looking for a fun activity one winter weekend? Head down to Niagara Falls and be amazed by the annual gull spectacle that takes place each year along the river. As many as 100,000 gulls of up to 12 species spend December along the river between Fort Erie and Niagara-on-the-Lake. Drive the River Road and get a great look at thousands of Bonaparte’s Gulls, Ring-billed Gulls, Herring Gulls and a wonderful variety of waterfowl like Bufflehead. The river has recently been designated an Important Bird Area (IBA) in Canada.

Diwali is celebrated by over one billion Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains (and their friends!) in South Asia and among the South Asian Diaspora; it is an official holiday in: Fiji, Guyana, India, Mauritius, Malaysia, Nepal, Singapore, Suriname, Sri Lanka, and Trinidad and Tobago!  Popularly and affectionately known as the ‘festival of lights,’ at Diwali it is customary to light diyas--small lamps--before the darkness of night approaches. Brass or other beautiful lamps will be lit inside the home and placed in each room. The outside of the home is lit aglow with humble clay lamps numbering in the dozens if not hundreds to form beautiful and often elaborate patterns.