In my first article of this series I have mentioned about the tradition of Boita Bandana and Bali Jatra that commemorate the glorious maritime adventures of Odias in South East Asia. The businessmen who engaged in such maritime trade were known as sadhabas. There is a popular folk tale in Odisha about one of sadhaba … Continue reading The Missing History of Hindustan
Category: Nation&Society
mera gaon mera desh
Having missed the theme reveal post as I was late in waking up to the AtoZ challenge, I hope this post would compensate for that. In almost all Indian languages, a village is called a Gramam or any of its minor variations. Same way the word palli and its minor variations (like in Kannada it … Continue reading mera gaon mera desh
we can’t do away with English but …
I had the opportunity of listening to William Dalrymple when he had come to the Times Literature Festival, Bengaluru this year to promote his latest book - The Anarchy: The Relentless Rise of the East India Company. From his account it appears that, unlike the Mughals, the British did not have to struggle either to … Continue reading we can’t do away with English but …
my B-town connections
Because ‘Bombay’ starts with the alphabet B and most of the Hindi movies borrowed their style and substance from Hollywood, I think the naming of Hindi Film Industry as Bollywood was perfectly logical. The yellow journalists used to call Bombay the B-town, while using it with reference to the glitterati that inhabited the city. By … Continue reading my B-town connections
will vasudhaiva kutumbakam ever be a reality?
Today when the whole of humanity is divided even in the face of a common enemy, what lofty ideals our ancient seers had. They conceived of a utopia where the whole humanity is bonded like a one family. This was long before a map of the whole world was available. By virtue of my association … Continue reading will vasudhaiva kutumbakam ever be a reality?
that which we call progress
What we call progress is nothing but our solutions of the puzzles thrown at us. Some of them are cosmic, some local, some biological, some social, some related with our survival and so on. Every answer brings new questions. Matter is composed of molecules. What about the composition of molecules? What about the composition of … Continue reading that which we call progress
Why Bhagavad Gita is the ultimate self-help book
You would not find the Bhagavad Gita in the self help section of a library or a book store. It is good that it is so. A book of the stature of Bhagavad Gita should not be reduced to the level of popular, (maybe even best seller) self help books which give a feel good … Continue reading Why Bhagavad Gita is the ultimate self-help book
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
Should we be excessively worried about the economic slowdown?
Knowing full well that economic slow down is an inevitable part of debt driven economy, should we blame the government of the day? Should we also create a panic situation by demanding that the patient who is suffering a normal fever be put in an ICU? If we follow Ray Dalio's explanation of economic models, … Continue reading Should we be excessively worried about the economic slowdown?
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
