Through a cracking CWT episode, I discovered Julia Ioffe’s ‘Motherland: A Feminist History of Modern Russia, from Revolution to Autocracy’. The book traces the entire arc of Russian history from the Bolsheviks to Putin through a feminist lens and the lived experiences of Ioffe’s own family (who also happen to be Jewish and experienced the … Continue reading The Tragedy of the Russian Woman
Sikkil was accompanied by the legendary Umayalpuram Sivaraman (going strong at 91) on the mridangam, Delhi Sriram on the violin and B.S Purushotam on the Khanjira. Chalamela (Varnam) in Nattaikurinji Siddhi Vinayakam in Shanmukhapriya by Dikshitar Kanintharul Purinthal in Kalyani by Papanasam Sivan Nenarunichi Nanu in Maalavi by Thyagaraja Chesinadella in Todi by Thyagaraja I … Continue reading Sikkil Gurucharan at Chinmaya Mission Auditorium, New Delhi
Thanks to being the resident Social Science teacher at home, I got to read the content on Shivaji in the Class VIII NCERT textbook. The chapter made random references to Afzal Khan, Shivaiji’s raid of Surat, his defeat by Jai Singh, the famous escape from Agra, his coronation, Tarabai, Thanjavur etc. The mandatory reference to … Continue reading The Remarkable Shivaji
Until yesterday, the only Eden that I knew was Antony Eden, the British PM remembered for the disastrous Suez Crisis of 1956. Apparently, Lord Auckland, the Governor General of India from 1836-42 was an ancestor of Eden. When Lord Auckland was posted in India, he was accompanied by his sister Emily Eden who ended up … Continue reading Emily Eden’s ‘Ranjit Singh’
The Humayun Tomb Museum has a special exhibition called ‘One Mother, Many Mother Tongues’ which explores how the concept of motherhood has been a constant motif in civilizations across millennia both in the East and the West. With just a few pieces from various Indian and Italian collections, the exhibition was quite interesting. By focussing … Continue reading Botticelli in Delhi
In 1881, America was a relatively young country while Europe was associated with grandeur, heritage and an aristocratic culture shaped by centuries of history. The psychological complexity of America’s engagement with this was the heart of Henry James’ fiction. He was the brother of the equally famous psychologist William James and the two of them … Continue reading Isabel Archer in ‘The Portrait of a Lady’
Shri Nathadi Guruguho in Mayamalavagowla by Muttuswami Dikshitar Yarukkaghilum bhayama in Begada by Subbaraama Iyer Nenarunchera in Simhavahini by Thyagaraja RTP in Thodi followed by Kartikeya Kangeya Gowri by Papanasam Sivan Concluded as expected with pieces by Sreenarayana Guru, Tagore, a piece in Behag and Dikshitar's Nottuswarams. He was in top form and accompanied by … Continue reading T.M. Krishna at O.P Jindal Auditorium, New Delhi
In Greek mythology, Zeus transforms himself into a swan and has sex with Leda. Through the union, Leda lays eggs from which emerge Helen (yes, the Helen of Troy), Castor, Pollux and Clytemnestra. In art, especially during the Renaissance, this copulation (rape is a more appropriate word I guess) was attempted by many artists. Years … Continue reading Leda and the Swan
Emily Wilson’s translation of Homers ‘Odyssey’ is excellent and I was engrossed in the epic over the last few days. Around a decade back, I had read the Robert Fagles translation and even after this reading my opinion of the epic hasn’t changed much. The Odyssey is overrated. I also understand that a lot of … Continue reading Some thoughts on ‘The Odyssey’
Every song she sang today was new to me, so I've got plenty to listen to this week. Ninnu Kori Varnam in Mohanam (which she clarified was not the usual Ninnu Kori but the one composed by Pallavi Doraisawmi Iyer) Padame thunai in Valaji by Papanasam Sivan Narmada kaveri nilaye by Dikshitar in Namadesi Narada … Continue reading Sumithra Vasudev at IIC, Delhi
