Society
-
Holy cow, unholy violence
The cow has been converted aggressively into a symbol for a religious orthodoxy demanding its place in a secular nation state.
-
Science and the Rishi
Science as a discourse is only 500 years old and we often confuse science with religion.
-
Transplant this soul in that body
A story that speaks of the divide between the body and the soul, with the soul being seen as a combination of the mind as well as the life force.
-
How many gods must our judicial system please?
Hindu wisdom seems incompatible with our courts, where the state almost becomes a jealous God who can throw whoever it deems unfit into hell.
-
No fish for Gauri this year?
Myriad oral explanations indicate that the ritual is locally rooted and organic to the community; a ceremonial household expression of emotion, not based on any particular scriptural injunction.
-
Our relationship with wealth
In the Hindu Puranas, the problem is never with wealth. The problem is with our relationship with wealth.
-
The rise of non-violent terrorism
It is ironic lines are getting blurred between the severest form of Jainism and militant Brahmanism in the name of Hindutva.
-
When audience was customer
In an Indian classical music and dance performance, the artiste blooms as the audience responds to the performance.
-
Kali’s tongue & cheek
In India, Kali is seen as one of many forms of the Goddess, one that represents nature at its most elemental.
-
No resting in peace
RIP reveals that even in modern times we want to believe that after death there is something that needs ‘rest’ and ‘peace’.
-
Your smile, my tail
The idea of finding joy in other people’s joy, supporting others’ causes, even fighting for the rights of others is not unknown.
