COVER STORY: India’s Cultural Heritage: A Dizzying Mosaic
India’s cultural diversity is breathtaking. Whether it is art and architecture, languages and literature, dance and music, philosophy and religious thoughts, or even culinary traditions, every dimension of culture is rich with variety and creativity. But how and when such diversity developed and flourished is rarely questioned. In the cover story of the March 2020 issue of Khabar Magazine, I explore the origins of diversity in Indian culture.
Twenty-two major languages and 720 dialects. All the major religions of the world. Stunning art and opulent architecture. Happy, colorful festivals that celebrate the glory of life. Customs, rituals, dance forms, and textile traditions—India’s diversity is breathtaking to some and mind-boggling to others! Read more…
ARTICLE: What Is Ganesh Doing in Buddhist Thailand?
In 2018, I traveled through Southeast Asia. Although I was aware that Buddhism and Hinduism had reached Southeast Asia from India centuries ago, the extent to which they influenced beliefs, art and architecture in the region came as a surprise. This article, published in Khabar magazine in June 2018, is about my discovery of the influence of India’s culture on Thailand, Cambodia and Laos.
The 600-year-old shrine of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, a Theravada wat (temple) in Chiang Mai, a city in the mountainous northern region of Thailand, has many large and small statues of Buddha, beautifully crafted out of semiprecious materials like jade, emerald, and other stones. The stupas are coated with gold leaf. Read more…
INTERVIEW: Introducing In Search of Immortality on The Foundations TV
This week I had the pleasure of speaking with Gauri Chandna of The Foundations TV about my new book In Search of Immortality, and how my interest in Indian philosphy and religion developed alongside my career in science. We discussed karma and the meaning of liberation as well.
I welcome your questions or comments in the space below. Thank you for watching!
Buy In Search of Immortality
Explore the roots of Indic world-views. Available on Amazon and Amazon India.