How Kalidas, The ‘First Indian Tamil & Telugu Talkie,’ Was Made
byKalidas was the first talkie to be screened in Madras with songs in Tamil and Telugu. Here’s how & why it was made.
Books & Films
Book Review: The Golden Years By Ruskin Bond
byIn his latest book, The Golden Years, Ruskin Bond masterfully narrates the joys of living a good long life.
What The Hedgehog And The Fox Inform Us About Decision Making
byThe consummation of any grand strategy warrants a coherent leadership, leading into the future while managing the present tasks.
The Harmabee Factor
byThe Harambee Factor, authored by Gurjit Singh, must be compulsory reading for those in charge of policy in Africa & India.
The Eternal Kamasutra
byThe Kamasutra is Vatsyayana’s gift to the world.
From Burma Rani to Chellam Sir: The Evolution of India’s Spy Films
byThe evolution of India’s spy films shows how geopolitics influence storytelling & popular culture.
The Untold Story Of India’s First Filmmakers
byThe first feature film, Raja Harishchandra, came fourteen years after Bhatavdekar produced the first film & twelve years after Sen’s film, Alibaba and the Forty Thieves.
An Indian Diplomat Narrates A Behind-The-Scenes Account Of India-Pakistan Diplomacy
byA correct understanding of the past is necessary for those who want to work for peace and goodwill in the subcontinent.
Hollywood’s Representation Of Brown People Is Problematic: Here’s Why
byRegardless of all the talk about diversity, Brown people are subject to stereotypes.
Mrcchakatika, Shudraka’s Play, Was Way Ahead Of It’s Time: Here’s Why
byMrcchakatika, a play was written 1600 years ago in Sanskrit by a playwright named Shudraka, was way ahead of its time.
The Casteism Embedded In Kautilya’s Arthashastra
byArthashastra is known to focus on pragmatism in statecraft. But in reality, it used religion to create a pseudo-social hierarchy.
The Arab Spring That Was And Wasn’t
byK P Fabian’s book The Arab Spring That Was And Wasn’t, written using extensive references & in-depth interviews, presents an insider’s view of the ‘Arab Spring’ contagion.
Somadeva’s Kathasaritasagara: A Tale Of Lesbian Love?
bySomadeva’s Kathasaritasagara, an eleventh century book, tells the story of lesbian love, innocence & purity of friendship.
The Seven Moons Of Maali Almeida
byIn The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida, Karunatilaka uses humour to diffuse confronting moments of violence, to engage his reader, and for pure enjoyment.
Bollywood, ‘Masala Movies’ & Family Values
byAs ideas of love and family change, so are the films.