Not every novelist writes within a Vedantic framework, yet many works of Indian fiction do lend themselves remarkably well to Vedantic rereading. This is especially true when a novel or short story is shaped by inwardness, moral conflict, duty, renunciation, suffering, attachment, or the search for a stable self. In such cases, the Vedantic lensContinue reading “Vedantic Retrospective Re-reading of Indian Fiction”
Tag Archives: Indira Parathasarathy
Reading the short-story “The Choice” (சாய்ஸ்) through a Vedantic Lens … with Indira Parthasarathy and J. Raghunathan
J. Raghunathan’s short story The Choice is compelling not merely because it stages a conflict between patriotic duty and domestic love, but because it leaves the moral structure of that conflict unresolved in a fruitful way. The story’s emotional power lies in the fact that the reader is never allowed the comfort of a simpleContinue reading “Reading the short-story “The Choice” (சாய்ஸ்) through a Vedantic Lens … with Indira Parthasarathy and J. Raghunathan”
WhatsApp conversation with “Eepa”(Sri Indira Parthasarathy) on Samuel Beckett’s famous stage-play, “Waiting for Godot”
On the intriguing subject of “finding meaning in life”, last week on a WhatsApp exchange of messages, back and forth, with Sri Eepa (Indira Parthasarathy, now 96 years old, who lives alone in Athulya Assisted Living Home), we had a very interesting conversation which I take the liberty of sharing here with you . Eepa, the doyen of Tamil literature,Continue reading “WhatsApp conversation with “Eepa”(Sri Indira Parthasarathy) on Samuel Beckett’s famous stage-play, “Waiting for Godot””
“Eepa” (Sri. Indira Parthasarathy) and I discuss T.M.Krishna’s caricature of the “guru sishya sambhandham”
https://scroll.in/article/1090081/how-the-traditional-guru-shishya-system-undermined-critical-thinking-in-india https://swarajyamag.com/culture/no-the-guru-iya-parampar-was-never-about-blind-obedience This morning I forwarded/ Shared the above to links to “Eepa” Sir to read and give his views. He is a deep scholar in the traditional literature of India and I was keen to know what he would make out of TM Krishna’s specious thesis on the ancient Hindu educational institution handed downContinue reading ““Eepa” (Sri. Indira Parthasarathy) and I discuss T.M.Krishna’s caricature of the “guru sishya sambhandham””
Bhakti’s triumph over plunder and mayhem: revisiting the legend of Sri Rangam “thulaka naachiyaar” with “Eepa”
This morning “Eepa” — a doyen of Tamil literature known for his Sahitya Akademi Award-winning novels and plays — Indira Parthasarathy sent me a sharp question as a WhatsApp message. It tested my familarity if not knowledge, as a Sri Vaishnava (albeit an “Unknown and Unusual” one!), of age-old temple customs and traditions in theContinue reading “Bhakti’s triumph over plunder and mayhem: revisiting the legend of Sri Rangam “thulaka naachiyaar” with “Eepa””
An interesting exchange of views with “Eepa” on which language Hanuman spoke to Sri Rama when they met for the very first time – (Part 2 of 2) CONCLUDED
Eepa’s unique perspective still did not stop me from persisting in the other more pedestrian question for which too I pressed him for an answer: What could have been the language in which Hanuman spoke so impressively that it absolutely captivated Sri Rama ? “யார் கொலோ இச்சொல்வின் செல்வன்?” (“Who is this prince of words?”) InContinue reading “An interesting exchange of views with “Eepa” on which language Hanuman spoke to Sri Rama when they met for the very first time – (Part 2 of 2) CONCLUDED”
The Rt.Hon’ble Srinivasa Sastri’s memory and legacy… (Part-18): Ignored by New Delhi, short-shrifted in Durban, forgotten in Mylapore,…
In the last ten years, Prime Minister’s Narendra Modi’s has made more than one high-profile State visit to South Africa. His public addresses there in Durban focused primarily on Mahatma Gandhi, with ceremonial visits, of course, made to places like Durban associated with Gandhi’s life and message. There is extensive media coverage and official documentationContinue reading “The Rt.Hon’ble Srinivasa Sastri’s memory and legacy… (Part-18): Ignored by New Delhi, short-shrifted in Durban, forgotten in Mylapore,…”
The cinema world is neither boon nor bane … “it’s about jobs, stupid!”
Yesterday in The Hindu dt. May 9, 2025, I read a very interesting article about how the well known Tamil novelist Asokamitran had in a couple of his popular novels described both the dark and bright sides of the Tamil Cinema world by using the now defunct Gemini Studios S.S.Vasan’s career as his template. TheContinue reading “The cinema world is neither boon nor bane … “it’s about jobs, stupid!””
A conversation on “Kamban’s Ramayana” with Sri. Indira Parthasarathy – (Part 4 of 4) CONCLUDED
Me: Sir, while reading your essay, there was one other passage which again intrigued me. I wish to have you please clarify it. This is what you wrote: QUOTE: As one sees Kamban’s portrayal of Kumbakarna, one cannot but conclude that all these three characters (Kumbakarna , Bhishma and Radheya) were Destiny’s children, cursed, as they were, to fight forContinue reading “A conversation on “Kamban’s Ramayana” with Sri. Indira Parthasarathy – (Part 4 of 4) CONCLUDED”
A conversation on “Kamban’s Ramayana” with Sri. Indira Parthasarathy – (Part 3 of 4)
Me: Sir, further to our very interesting ongoing conversations in the past few days on the subject, I have few more queries to which I would request you to please offer your valuable feedback/views. Eepa: Okay, Go ahead… Me: In the very first and opening paragraph of your essay (quoted below) I think I senseContinue reading “A conversation on “Kamban’s Ramayana” with Sri. Indira Parthasarathy – (Part 3 of 4)”