Politics

Published on 14th January, 2018, in Mid-day. After the humiliating defeat of Indians in 1857, there was little doubt that the British were the villains. Indians began using an innovative approach to express their rage and their desire to overthrow the enemy. They enacted stories from the Puranas on stage as metaphors. That way they did not attract the attention of the authorities while whipping up anti-British sentiment. In Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, for example, the story of Narasimha became a popular theme. The powerful and arrogant Hiranakashipu, who considered himself lord of all that he surveyed, reminded the audience of the colonial masters who ..

Published on 20th February, 2017, an Editorial for The Speaking Tree. Book Five of the Mahabharata, the Udyoga Parva (Book of Effort), deals with negotiations between the Kauravas and Pandavas. After thirteen years of exile, it is time for the Kauravas to return Indraprastha to the Pandavas, as per the terms of the agreement during the gambling match. Krishna knows that the Kauravas will use every trick in the book not to part with the land. Still, efforts are made for a peaceful transition of power. As we know from the epic, these efforts fail to bear fruit. First, Drupada’s messenger makes the request to ..