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Showing posts from October 19, 2011


Read Many Ramayanas – A.K. Ramanujan’s Controversial Ramayana Essay – Read it before forming an opinion

A.K. Ramanujan’s Controversial Ramayana Essay – ‘Three Hundred Ramayanas: Five Examples and Three Thoughts on Translations’ was dropped from from the BA (honours) syllabus by Delhi University after protests from Hindu Groups. Hindu groups called the essay ‘obscene’ and ‘blasphemous’ and filed a writ petition in the high court. Finally the essay was dropped after a vote in the academic council. The History Department in Delhi University plans to protest the removal of the essay as they feel the academic council has bowed before the Hindu Right wing in the country. So we will be hearing lot of noises on this subject all routine – secular versus religious fundamentalists. If you happen to be one troubled by all this noise – then form an opinion after reading the essay not by listening to the secularists and fundamentalists. You can read the essay here - Three Hundred Ramayanas: Five Examples and Three Thoughts on Translations. Same is embedded below

Photo Tour of Haridwar Kumbha Mela

This particular photo tour consists of photos taken during Haridwar Kumbha Mela January 2010 by Jyothi Karat. She was able to capture the true spirit of the Kumbha Mela. She was also lucky to be welcomed by Naga Sadhus and this provided for some rare visual treat. You can take the photo tour of Kumbha Mela here at Mathurbhumi newspaper. Related What is Kumbh Mela? Story of Kumbha Mela Significance of Kumbh Mela Naga Sadhus