The Death And Afterlife Of Mahatma Gandhi

"The Death and Afterlife of Mahatma Gandhi is an explosive and original analysis of the assassination of the ‘Father of the Nation’. Who is responsible for the Mahatma’s death? Just one determined zealot, the larger ideology that supported him, the Congress-led Government that failed to protect him, or a vast majority of Indians and their descendants who considered Gandhi irrelevant, and endorsed violence instead? Paranjape’s meticulous study culminates in his reading of Gandhi’s last six months in Delhi where, from the very edge of the grave, he wrought what was perhaps his greatest miracle – the saving of Delhi and thus of India itself from the internecine bloodshed of Partition. Paranjape, taking a cue from the Mahatma himself, also shows us a way to expiate our guilt and to heal the wounds of an ancient civilization torn into two. This is a brilliant, far-reaching and profound exploration of the meaning of the Mahatma’s death."

Stresses The Paradoxical Modernity Of Gandhi`S Anti-Modernism. Gandhi Emerges As A Polysemic Figure, Open To Different And Even Contradictionary Interpretations Which Make Him Of Enduring Contemporary Value.

Arguably, the greatest achievement of Swami Vivekananda, one of the most celebrated icons of modern India, was the reconstruction of Hinduism. This he accomplished by reforming the religion in India and changing its image in the West. Indeed, the Hinduism that Vivekananda expounded at the Parliament of World's Religions in Chicago was a new, progressive version of an ancient tradition, devoid of the superstitions and distortions with which it had come to be associated. He revolutionized Hindu faith traditions by turning them into a repository of rational, universal philosophy. This book tries to get to the heart of Swami Vivekananda's legacy and his relevance in the contemporary world. It examines hitherto lesser-known aspects of Swamiji's life and work including his contributions to practical Vedanta, universal religion, science-spirituality and inter-religious dialogue, dharmic secularism, educational philosophy, poetry, and, above all, to the problem of Indian modernity. Despite the abundance of literature available on him, Swami Vivekananda is still not understood adequately, remaining somewhat of an enigma. A fresh reading of the life and times of the Swami by someone who has studied him closely, Makarand R. Paranjape's detailed, thought-provoking account shows that in Vivekananda's visionary thoughts lay the seeds of the creation of a modern India. This book reclaims Swami Vivekananda's stature as a pioneer of contemporary Hindu thought and nationalism.

This book analyses 100 years of Hindi cinema, India’s principal film industry, to explore how much space it has given to Mahatma Gandhi, the most prominent leader of the Indian struggle for freedom, and his principles. It compares films on Gandhi with the written literature on him, and juxtaposes the celluloid Gandhi with the man who walked on the earth ‘ever in flesh and blood’. From his childhood through his legal practice in South Africa to his non-violent struggle against the British Empire in India, the book covers all major events of his life and their portrayal on the silver screen.

Treading the Beaten Path is a rereading of history through the review and critical analysis of fifty books. It is an in-depth analysis of major events that shaped the history of contemporary India. Amongst authors are B R Ambedkar, Rajdeep Sardesai Jai Ram Ramesh, Ramachandra Guha, Kuldip Nayyar, Zoya Hassan and a host of others. Major epochs in history like the Mughal period, Partition of India, the Emergency, Operation Blue Star etc. are included. The biographies of Sheik Abdulla, Feroze Gandhi and critical studies on S C Bose, Nehru and Gandhi form a part. Epochs of history include the partition of Bengal and Andhra Pradesh. A look at the two-part defense of Hinduism by Shashi Tharoor is a highlight. An evaluation of the Communist, Hindutva and Mandal movements is undertaken. On a lighter vein the biographies of Mohamed Rafi, Kishore Kumar and Sahir Ludhianvi are explored. The reviews have a personal touch as the author has thought out of the box to add his opinion to many a contentious issue at hand. In that sense it is not a review but a critical narrative with the book acting only as a template with the discussion many a time spilling beyond the confines of it.

This book presents an analysis of the foundations organised by the Birla family in India. Several generations were involved in the renovation and establishment of sanctuaries, temples and other sacral buildings. As a result, between 1933 and 1998, nineteen Birla Mandirs were established, mainly in northern and central India. All the temples have the capacity to surprise with their various decorative motifs, not seen in other places, which – apart from their aesthetic function – above all bear important symbolic content. Therefore, is it possible to treat the Birla Mandirs as a specific medium – the carrier of a particular message that is not only religious, but with a significance that permeates other layers of social and political discourse. This message, as the authors of the book claim, have a bearing on the socio-political thought of India – supported by the creation and propagation of ideas related to identity and a national art. It also conveys the idea of hierarchical Hindu inclusivism which, although considering all religions as equal, treats Hinduism in a unique way – seeing within it the most perfect form of religion, giving man the opportunity to learn the highest truth. The book also examines whether the temples founded by the Birla family and the religious activities undertaken therein apply the concept of “inventing” tradition, and whether traditions created (or “modernised”) in contemporary times are a way of enhancing the appeal of the message conveyed from temple to society. “The Vastness of Culture” is a series of publications presenting cultural studies and emphasizing the role of comparative research and analyses that reveal similarities, differences and intercultural influences. In our publications, cultures and civilizations are in a state of constant flux, engaging in dialogue, creating new understandings, competing for meaning under the influence of global content, without any clear boundaries, but with a vastness that forces questions to be raised.

Kasturba Gandhi, the wife of Mahatma Gandhi silently endured the gradual deterioration of her four sons because of the lack of proper formal education which was denied to them by the peremptory regimentation of their illustrious father. Harilal, the eldest protested more vociferously while the three younger brothers followed the dictates of the patriarch more tamely. The four sons were active-passive resisters in their own rights. But they received almost no approbation from their father while there were words of charity for others similarly situated. The Saint ordained the pursuit of a life of poverty and self-denial. Kasturba translated and implemented these disciplines in her personal life. But could it be expected that an ambitious mother would agree to a course of similar life for her sons? This book is a simple effort to probe into these questions with regard to Kasturba Gandhi: the Silent Sufferer.