Book Review : Shikhandi & other tales; Devdutt Pattanaik.

01 Friday Aug 2014

Posted by in Arjun Related posts, Constructive Criticism: Book reviews, Mahabharata, Mythology

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Oven–fresh offering by mythologist Devdutt (which means God-gift; and  ironically, is a namesake for Arjun’s conch in Mahabharata)

Devdutt takes up the unexplored theme of ‘queerness’ or alternative gender in Mythology. In Part I, he tracks the universal existence of ‘queerness’ across Indian, Persian, Aztec, Viking, Japanese, Mesopotamian and Greek mythology.

Part II is a carefully chosen plethora of ‘queer’ tales. I could discern an interwoven pattern Continue reading →

Philosophy of hair straightening: the long and short of it.

25 Friday Jul 2014

Posted by in Random Musings, Spirituality

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Every day was a battle. Born (well, born bald, technically speaking) with frizz and tangles, I lusted after
the sheen of a silky cascade. I yearned for the low maintenance, and the tactile pleasure of sliding my (own) fingers through my (own) hair.. curly to straight hair Continue reading →

Atheism to theism – via a man and a meal.

07 Monday Jul 2014

Posted by in Arjun Related posts, Mahabharata, Spirituality

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Born to a theist Papa and an atheist Mom, I had the luxury of choice. I chose to be an atheist.

Being  a science student automatically made me lean heavily towards ‘proof and results’. Temples contributed liberally to my disgust of theism. Think impatient Pujaris  (We are the proprietary middle-men to Heaven.) Think lecherous peddlers (A hundred rupees note will get you instant darshan, Madam!) Think repugnant God-men (I distinctly remember meeting one with red eyes, grey beard and saffron robes. When I and my brother refused to genuflect, his eyes darkened in incredulous rage. P.S: The only en’light’ment he saw must be at the end of his ganja–chillum!)

Meanwhile a wily God with a zany sense of humor decided to ensnare me with two most unlikely baits. A man and a meal… Continue reading →