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A Contemporary Conversation on the Bhagavad Gita
In the world of the Bhagavad Gita, there are two types of books you’ll encounter in a bookstore. One is the original text (or its translations), and the other is where authors try to relate Gita’s lessons to our modern lives. I’ve often wondered if we could bring these two together. Why do I feel Read more
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Ghalib’s Poetry: An Ongoing Conversation with the Modern Reader
Mirza Ghalib — perhaps you’re already familiar with the name. Born in the late 18th century, lived most of his life in the 19th, yet Ghalib’s legacy continued to grow in the 20th (and into the 21st as well). The great Urdu poet lived during the tumultuous times of the late Mughal period, and wrote Read more
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Exploring Sindhi Literature: From Classics to Contemporary
Note: Check out this newsletter that I recently published on Sindhi literature along with some interesting stories. The word ‘Sindhi’ is an adjective, meaning ‘of’ or ‘belonging to Sindh’. For those of you who don’t know, Sindh is a province in south-eastern Pakistan, known for its rich cultural heritage, historical significance and the fertile plains Read more
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Haroon Khalid’s Hilarious Commentary on Pakistan
I picked Haroon Khalid’s book Shiva: A Study of Folk Religious practices in Pakistan assuming that it’s going to be a serious study in the folk religions in Pakistan. However, it took a surprising turn, consistently invoking dark humour and adding an unexpected layer of delight. Read more
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Folk Tales of West Africa
West Africa is a lush, hot and stunningly beautiful part of the world. This region has a rich tradition and culture, which generates a vast treasure of folklore. Some of these stories have been captured in a book titled Folk Tales of West Africa, which I am reading nowadays. These stories have been handed down Read more
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Pahari Masters: Living the Legacy of BN Goswamy
BN Goswamy’s book on Pahari art feels like a cherished dialogue between artists and the mystical Dhauladhar mountains in northern India. Learn more about it here. Read more
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