Rajatarangini: A Chronicle Of The Kings Of Kashmir
byDoes Kalhana’s Rajatarangini, the 12th-century chronicle of the kings of Kashmir, establish a glorious Hindu past?
Books & Films
Ismat Chughtai & The Making Of Secular Cinema
byIsmat Chughthai’s words have travelled long. The ‘Uncivil woman’s’ poems, plays & films continue to provoke thought.
The Cosmopolitanism Of Indian Cinema
byIndian cinema represents India’s cosmopolitan & plural mores. At the same time, it connects us to the wider world.
Allahakbarries CC: When Peter Pan’s Author Invented ‘Celebrity Cricket’
byJ M Barrie–the celebrated Scottish author, Peter Pan’s creator–founded an amateur cricket team called ‘Allahakbarries.’
The Discovery Of India
byDecades after its publication, The Discovery Of India, Nehru’s treatise on India, remains more relevant than ever.
Suleiman Charitra: The 15th-Century Sanskrit Biblical Text
byThe Suleiman Charitra is a Sanskrit retelling of a Biblical tale by a Hindu poet for his Muslim Patron.
Sculpting The Elephant: A Review
bySylvia Vetta’s book tells a fascinating love story that transcends the boundaries of race & religion.
Why Emotional Intelligence Is More Important Than IQ
byDaniel Goleman’s book Emotional Intelligence is fascinating. Please don’t read it on a busy bus.
The Zafarnama: When Aurangzeb Broke The Oath Sworn Upon The Qur’an
byThe Zafarnama, a letter sent by Guru Gobind Singh, rebukes Aurangzeb for breaking the oath sworn upon the Qur’an.
Censoring Cinema In India: A Brief History
byThe history of film censorship in India — both official and unofficial— denotes a sense of casual arbitrariness.
The Fable Of The Vessantara Jataka
byThe story of Prince Vessantara -Buddha’s incarnation- is etched in popular culture; it advocates the values he espoused.
The Tale of The Tutinama
byTutinama, a Persian text originated from the Sanskrit work Śukasaptati. It reflects a syncretic literary tradition.
Decadence & Downfall: The Shah Of Iran’s Ultimate Party
byHassan Amini’s film, woven with intricate details about the Shah of Iran’s party, is absorbing and compelling.
A Feminist, Marxist Reinterpretation Of The Ramayana
byRanganayakamma’s book, ‘Ramayana: The Poisonous Tree,’ interprets Ramarajya as a casteist, feudal & patriarchal society.
Mahāvyutpatti: The Sanskrit-Chinese-Tibetan Dictionary
byMahāvyutpatti, the Sanskrit-Chinese-Tibetan dictionary, helped the spread of Buddhism & Ayurveda in China.