In India along with books of chick-lit genre written by the ilks of Chetan Bhagat, the books of another genre that sell well are those based on the characters of Ramayana and Mahabharata. Some authors like Devdutt Patnaik call their books as re-tellings, which of course is nothing new. Retelling is perhaps as old as … Continue reading How far can one deviate in retelling our Itihasas and Puranas?
Category: Culture
the fake heroes of our times
I have a feeling that if films had been invented in 15th century, in stead of Shakespeare, it is the lead actor of his plays whose anniversary we would be celebrating. The heroes of ancient times were warriors, kings and gods. The Sanskrit word which can be thought of nearest in meaning to the word … Continue reading the fake heroes of our times
One can travel for food to these Odisha temples
https://youtu.be/xbF5xuXCyog In a previous blog post I had written disapprovingly about attending a Gita Jayanti celebration and coming back without hearing a single sloka of Bhagavat Gita but with a stomach full of food. I liked the food though. In many temples like the one I have mentioned about, elaborate dishes are prepared only on … Continue reading One can travel for food to these Odisha temples
How we celebrate Gita and Gandhi Jayanti
According to the Hindu calendar, this is the month of Margashira. It is supposed to be the most auspicious month of the year. In Bhagavat Gita Lord Krishna says- ‘māsānāṁ mārga-śhīrṣho ’ham ‘. I am margashirsha among the months. Today is Gita Jayanti – the anniversary of Bhagavat Gita. The Gita in the title refers … Continue reading How we celebrate Gita and Gandhi Jayanti
watchings of idle hours 11 : the art of eating mindfully
Cultures can be widely different in their values and practices. But human emotions and individual human values have the elements of universality that transcend cultural differences. When the tiny country of Japan became a world economic power post world war II, it came with its side effects. Post retirement, salary man Takeshi Kasumi finds out … Continue reading watchings of idle hours 11 : the art of eating mindfully
munna bhai sadak chhap#2
Continued from Part-1 "Bapuji, one thing I have noticed is that your name has a Midas touch. Roads named after you are doing big business. Movies made on your name are doing big business. Even people who took on your title have done big business. I am not talking of your natural pro-genies though." "You … Continue reading munna bhai sadak chhap#2
In search of the Missing Father
Robert Bly - Poet, Essayist, and Activist Modern civilization is more cruel to men than women - not from a misogynistic point of view. This is a recurring theme of the poetry of Robert Bly who is also an activist and a therapist. In the days of yore when there was no formal schooling, knowledge … Continue reading In search of the Missing Father
Haldhar Nag : Ordinary Villager – Extraordinary Poet
To see a World in a Grain of SandAnd a Heaven in a Wild FlowerHold Infinity in the palm of your handAnd Eternity in an hour The above lines of William Blake could be used to describe one of the functions of poetry as well. The poet makes us see the world in a grain … Continue reading Haldhar Nag : Ordinary Villager – Extraordinary Poet
I stand / stand not with Abhijit
Seems, Abhijit Ayer - Mitra, the loud mouth journalist and friend of fallen BJD angel Jay Panda, is having a taste of his own medicine. At least that is what appears from his earlier tweets. Abhijit Mitra's consistent derogatory remarks about Odisha either comes from his shallow understanding of India's cultural roots and pluralism or … Continue reading I stand / stand not with Abhijit
watchings of idle hours #5 : midnight dinner and binge watch
Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories Knowing that I have a fascination for things Japanese and also a fan of Malgudi Days, my daughter suggested to watch this series on Netflix. I am into the fifth episode and I have not been disappointed. Each episode is an independent short story. However they have one thing in common. … Continue reading watchings of idle hours #5 : midnight dinner and binge watch
PEBBLES AND WAVES 