In the tradition that I have been brought up in, Ganpati is a nitya bhramachari (an eternal celibate). His brother Kartikeya has two wives. Legend has it that he is cursed by his mother to wander the shores till he finds a mate.
My father, ever the soft hearted, refused to perform visarjan of Ganpati, [...]
Posts under ‘Culture’
Ganpati at Home
Changing Tastes
It is almost a decade since Rangeela was released. And, it was a fabulous film. A.R.Rehman had composed a brilliant soundtrack, there were some rocking numbers, and the actors sizzled. It was possibly my favourite Ram Gopal Verma movie after Shiva. I used to have the tape in my car and listen to it quite [...]
A Visit to the Market
About a year ago we decided not to buy any food or toiletries at the mall.
My folks were fairly clear that the reason to stop was
a) the quality - especially on dal and rice, my mom kept cribbing.
b) the cost - while the goods themselves may have been cheaper, the tendency to buy [...]
Excerpts - Annihilation of Caste 4
Dr.B.R.Ambedkar in the Annihilation of Caste, 1935
The effect of caste on the ethics of the Hindus is simply deplorable. Caste has killed public spirit. Caste has destroyed the sense of public charity. Caste has made public opinion impossible. A Hindu's public is his caste. His responsibility is only to his caste. His loyalty is [...]
Excerpts - Annihilation of Caste 2
On the eve of Maha Shivratri a great victory was won. Devotees, backed by the state and other institutions, ensured that the right to pray the way you want to, in the language that you understand, in the manner that you choose , was upheld.
In the face of a growing demand for their dismissal as [...]
Spring is Here
Today is Basant Panchami - the day traditionally marked as the first day of spring. It is that period of time when the world is so very beautiful, that love blooms…..
The Siva Mahapuran describes the first day of spring as the time when the God of Love Kamdev shoots his passion filled darts at Shankara [...]
