Notes on Culture

Manusmriti as a digest of the Hindu Philosophy of Life
In this episode, D.V. Gundappa examines the Manusmriti from the premises set out by Manu himself.
The Samadhi-Bhasha of the Bhagavad Gita: In which the Bhagavan Himself Spoke
The language and idiom of the Bhagavad Gita is known as the Samadhi-Bhasha. The Krishna who delivered the discourse was not a historical person but was Bhagavan himself.
The Story of Sthambheshwara: May the Feet of the Temple's Protector be on my Head
An essay narrating the brief history of the obscure Sthambeshwara Temple, a pioneering marvel of Pallava architecture predating Mahabalipuram.
The 1891 India Diary of Dr. Francis and What It Teaches Us: Conclusion
The 1891 diary of the British surgeon Dr. Francis offers us valuable raw material for doing a fuller historical analysis of British colonialism. While it is largely sympathetic to India, it does not r ...
Vignettes from Life in Kelambakam: How Well Do We Know our Purohitas?
A heart-warming and profoundly moving picture of the routine and lifestyle of the Purohita of Kelambakam. Such exalted people lived in flesh and blood just a century ago throughout India. This essay b ...
The Story of Manasa Devi the Naga Goddess of Bhagirathi
The unknown folklore of Manasa Devi, the snake-goddess worshipped in the Bhagirathi-Hooghly region about a century ago.
When Ramaswami Sivan Stoked a Needless Controversy Over Maha Vaidyanatha Sivan
Maha Vaidyanatha Sivan's untimely death was a huge blow for his brother, Ramaswami Sivan. He wrote an unfair book castigating greats like Patnam Subramania Iyer in order to uphold his own death brothe ...
Bangalore Nagaratnamma: A Life Dedicated to Tyagaraja
This is an abridged English translation of D.V. Gundappa's brilliant and moving profile of Bangalore Nagaratnamma, a musician par excellence who built a memorial for Tyagaraja in Tiruvayur.
How Thrissur is Connected with Arasikere via Kunjanambi Setti
The concluding episode of this series shows how Kunjanambi Setti from Padiyur, near Thrissur, became a profound connection with Arasikere, Karnataka.
Why the Hindu Youth of Today Must Memorise Kunti’s Call to Action
Kunti's advice to her sons delivered through Sri Krishna counts as one of the most heroic and clear expositions of Kshatra Dharma.
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