As our 76th Independence Day approaches, revisiting ‘Indian Ideas of Freedom’

Ramachandra Guha In his landmark book, Dennis Dalton had originally examined the approaches of Vivekananda, Aurobindo, Gandhi, and Tagore. In the early 1980s, while a doctoral student in Calcutta, I read a brilliant essay by the American scholar, Dennis Dalton, on the evolution of Gandhi’s views on caste. This was published in an edited volume… Read More As our 76th Independence Day approaches, revisiting ‘Indian Ideas of Freedom’

15th August 2023 Dilip

The Maulana Who Loved Krishna

By C. M. Naim First posted January 15, 2012 Hasrat Mohani was not just a maverick when it came to publicly championing the radical thinking of Tilak. He also wrote verses expressing deep love for Krishna, and often went to Mathura to celebrate Janmashtami. He was a true maverick. In 1908 he published an anonymous… Read More The Maulana Who Loved Krishna

1st August 2023 Dilip

India’s Silent Emotive Majority

Will love, compassion, and care hold similar velocity to counter-mobilise rightwing Hindutva? Ajay Gudavarthy Democracies across the globe are undergoing a deep churning and we do not know, as yet, if this will eventually settle down into a more inclusive social equilibrium challenging old and conventional understanding of social change, or remain stuck as a… Read More India’s Silent Emotive Majority

11th July 2023 Dilip

Shabad Shaala in Delhi : An Initiative by the Kabir Project

An initiative by Kabir Project to take the power of the mystic song to children and young people, Shabad Shaala is coming to Delhi in partnership with Manzil Mystics. This is a chance for the youth of Delhi (15-30 years) to learn bhajans, kaafis and baul-gaan from the great gurus of folk tradition, and also engage in reflective and… Read More Shabad Shaala in Delhi : An Initiative by the Kabir Project

8th July 2023 Dilip

Was India the Mother of Democracy?

There are claims that the roots of democratic institutions can be found in ancient India. Studies have shown that such institutions have existed not only in India but also in other parts of the world. No one society can claim it was the ‘mother’.… There were two mutually contradictory strains in Western thought about India… Read More Was India the Mother of Democracy?

1st July 2023 Dilip

‘Adipurush’ speaks the language of Hindutva supporters. Why are they opposing the movie?

Hindu society must think about its own role in the creation of this Hindutva edition of Ramkatha. The electoral and behaviour of a large section of the community has led its leaders and cultural representatives to believe that its sensibilities have been so debased that it will have to accept Adipurush as its Ramayana. Adipurush has presented Hindu society… Read More ‘Adipurush’ speaks the language of Hindutva supporters. Why are they opposing the movie?

21st June 2023 Dilip

UR Ananthamurthy was as much a thinker as a storyteller: Chandan Gowda and N. Manu Chakravarthy

Listen to the conversation: https://thefederal.com/videos/interviews/ur-ananthamurthy-was-as-much-a-thinker-as-a-storyteller-chandan-gowda-and-n-manu-chakravarthy/

17th June 2023 Dilip

Message from Karnataka: Mallikarjun Kharge must take centre stage

He invites respect, not rivalry. He is seasoned in politics and experienced in governance Rajmohan Gandhi As has been said a million times, a year is an eternity in politics. Any one of a hundred different things can upend the calculations of the smartest visualiser of the 2024 election scene. All, however, will agree that Karnataka has… Read More Message from Karnataka: Mallikarjun Kharge must take centre stage

25th May 202323rd May 2023 Dilip

The mridangam makers of Mylapore

Jesudas and his son Edwin are skilled craftsmen, known in the Carnatic music universe of Chennai and elsewhere for the mridangams they give life to, though they still face occasional communal biases Ashna Butani The sounds of Carnatic music on the radio fill a cramped room painted blue in a small lane of Mylapore. Photos… Read More The mridangam makers of Mylapore

13th April 202312th April 2023 Dilip

After the truth-shower

Philosophy, history, literature, current affairs, and other stuff. Posted by Dilip Simeon

Tag: Indian culture