The Aryans : Review in The Hindu
The latest short film “The Aryans” directed and scripted by Ranjan Kumar Singh though short in duration, 20 minutes in all, highlights several unknown facets about this community residing in remote areas. Capturing the life of this dwindling tribe, the film documents its history, customs, culture and other aspects. “They identify themselves not as Drukpas […]
Sun Temples and the Growth of Agrarian Society
Transcript of my paper entitled “Sun Temples and the Growth of Agrarian Society” presented at the International Seminar on Archaeology and Language held at Deccan College, Pune. While there are innumerable events – from the advent of Harappan culture to the first non-Congress government at the center with an absolute majority of its own – […]
The festival of Gangaur
The Hindu month of Chaitra brings with it several festivities in various parts of India. While in the north people observe Navratras, and Chhath in the east, in Rajasthan they celebrate Gangaur to mark the beginning of a new calendar. True to the spirit of this princely state, the festival of Gangaur is celebrated here […]
The Chhataries of Gaitore in Jaipur
Gaitore or Gaya Ka Thor (meaning the final resting ground of the departed souls) is the crematory of the Kachhwaha Rajput dynasty of Jaipur. The premises houses about a dozen cenotaphs of which seven are large in size. The first of these cenotaphs was that of Sawai Maharaja Jai Singh II, the founder of Jaipur […]
Bharat or India – Crisis of Identity
Which of the countries are known by two different official names? Apart from Bharat, that is India, I can recall none! Ever since its independence in 1947, it has been called both Bharat and India. With utmost regard to the makers of our constitution, I would like to state that their predicament at giving a […]
हम डूबे तो क्या, वह भी तो डूबा!
मेरी एक आँख फोड़ दो ताकि पड़ोसी की दोनों आँखे फूट जाएँ. भारतीय राजनीती की धारा कुछ ऐसी ही है. हारने के बाद बेशक सभी पार्टियां कहती हैं कि यह वक्त उनके लिए आत्मावलोकन और आत्मालोचन का है, पर सच यही होता है कि उनकी नज़र अपने पड़ोसी की आँखों पर ही होती है कि […]