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Book Conversations : Colonial Casualties

INDICA is delighted to relaunch Book discussion sessions after a brief break.. The sessions will leverage books and writings by global intellectuals, and unpack scholarship about Indic Heritage and related topics. The program outline for a typical session is given below

Schedule: Sessions will be conducted on a fixed/recurring schedule, weekends only.

Agenda: The agenda for each session will be to review a book or multiple books relating to a theme/topic, distil its message, and engage in productive discussions. The topics to be covered for each session will be announced in advance. Flyers will be posted online.

Location: The sessions will be hosted by Ram Lakshminarayanan in his home. Those living in the vicinity of Chicago may find it convenient to attend. This will be an in-person event only. There will not be any recording or live broadcast.

Participation: The sessions are open to those interested in learning about Indic heritage and contribute to its promotion.

Registration: Registration is mandatory. Registration link is given

Moderation: Each session will be moderated to maintain focus.

Snacks: Lite snacks will be served.

Fee: There’s no fee for this event. Participation is free.

This session will discuss Colonial Casualties on Sat, Feb 03, 2023 2:00-5:00pm US Central Time

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Details of the next sessions given below:

Contact Information

Avatans Kumar, Head, Indic Academy US, avatans@indicacademy.org 

Nishant Limbachia, US National Convenor, Indic Academy, nlimbachia@indica.org.in

Ram Lakshminarayanan, US National Convenor, Indic Academy, raml@indica.org.in 

Indica Books Live with Vijayalakshmi Vijayakumar, author of Forever There… : (Kathā Paramparā)”

Indica Books presents Author Q&A with Vijayalakshmi Vijayakumar In discussion with: Abhinav Agarwal, Saiswaroopa Iyer, GV Shivakumar

Book Discussion : Forever There… : (Kathā Paramparā)

Forever There is a historical fantasy novel set in Varanasi. The protagonists belong to the family of ‘The weavers of the Gods’. The story revolves around their family, who find themselves embroiled in upheavals and wars amid an extremely tumultuous period in Kashi when skirmishes and destruction were the order of the day.

The protégés, mere children, join a band of Warrior Monks to help protect the culture of the land. We see history through the eyes of The Four as they transform into warriors – head of the Elite Forces of the Warrior Monks – battle-scarred, wielding weapons of destruction –  feared by the enemy, loved and missed by their family.

Be transported to a period when every day brings new adventures to your doorstep.

The book looks at history anew, even as value systems change and cultural plates shift.

What values must one imbibe? Is diversity positive or negative? Should the world be in only one colour, or should it be in many hues and shades? Do acts of violence upon community and culture destroy the inherent essence of civilisation and culture?

Contemporary, poignant, and engaging, this unputdownable book will set your heart aflutter.

Get Your Book Here

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Weekend With Wisdom With Makarand Paranjape

Imagine a transformative, face-to-face weekend with a leading intellectual, author, thinker, and scholar—an opportunity that promises to expand your horizons and ignite your intellectual curiosity. This unique experience offers an intimate setting where you can engage directly with a distinguished individual whose ideas have shaped our understanding of India and the world.

Over the course of the weekend, you’ll have the privilege of participating in thought-provoking discussions, lively debates, and interactive sessions that delve deep into the author’s areas of expertise. Through their captivating interactions, filled with personal anecdotes, you’ll gain insights into their research, innovative theories, ways of thinking and writing.

This extraordinary opportunity goes beyond a typical lecture or seminar. It provides an environment where you can engage in meaningful conversations, seek clarification on complex concepts, and explore the intellectual’s latest works in an informal setting. The small group size ensures ample opportunities for personal interaction and a chance to have your burning questions answered directly by the intellectual themselves.

This Retreat has the added advantage of being a Writers Workshop in miniature. You can ask Professor Makarand R. Paranjape questions relating to your own writing ambitions and on how to find publishers or avenues for your own work.

Venue: Montfort Spirituality Centre, # 184, Old Madras Road, Indiranagar, Bengaluru-560038.

The fee for the workshop is Rs 6000 with accommodation

Indica Books Live with Jijith Nadumiri Ravi, author of Rivers of Rigveda and The Geography of Ramayana

Indica Books presents Author Q&A with Jijith Nadumiri Ravi

Book Discussion : Geography of Ramayana & Rivers of Rgveda 

Geography of Ramayana

This book on the Geography of Rāmāyaṇa is a sequel to the book Rivers of Ṛgveda (ISBN 979-8-88530-307-1) which focused on the Geography of Ṛgveda. This book will be followed by an upcoming book on the Geography of Mahābhārata, thus completing a trilogy on the geochronology of Bhāratavarṣa. This book focus on the cities, towns, villages, kingdoms, regions, forests, mountain ranges, mountain peaks, rivers and lakes of Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa. It highlights the Geography of Bhāratavarṣa as known to Rāma, Vālmīki, Agastya and others who lived in the Rāma Era. The book strictly adhere to the geographical data present in the Saṃskṛt Ślokas of Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, and hence provides many surprising new insights on the Geography of Rāmāyaṇa.

Jijith Nadumuri Ravi has earlier done remarkable work on the geography of the Ṛgveda.  He now follows this up with this volume, on the geography of Rāmāyaṇa, with a subsequent companion on Mahābhārata. – Dr Bibek Debroy

Geography of the Ramayana is a worthy successor to Jijith’s book Rivers of the Ṛgveda. His background in the sciences, literally as a rocket scientist, helps him to stick to data and logic. – Dr Koenraad Elst

What happened to the intervening Kuru Pāñcāla region, the heartland of Vedic culture, as the events of Rāmāyaṇa unfolded? Jijith carefully sifts the chronological strata in the Rāmāyaṇa and gives a coherent picture. – Vishal Agarwal

It is welcome to note this new book by Jijith – the 2nd  of a trilogy – focusing on the geography of the Rāmāyaṇa. He adds to the corpus of knowledge with rich maps, ancient geographies, and histories. – Dr Raj Vedam

Rivers of Rgveda 

Have you ever wondered what is really inside Rgveda? Do you know that apart from the names of the Devatas, Rgveda mentions hundreds of kings and sages by name? Do you know that it mentions more than 30 rivers? You may be familiar with many events in Ramayana and Mahabharata, but do you know about any interesting events mentioned in Rgveda? Most of the impressions about Rgveda are shaped by secondary information, and they seldom delve deep into the Rgvedic verses. This book is a geographical journey into Rgveda with the Rgvedic rivers as our primary guides. The book will take you through the rivers like Ganga, Yamuna, Sarasvati, Sarayu and others. You will get familiarized with many Rgvedic events like the Dasarajna Battle, Varshagira Battle and so on and get a clear picture of the chronology of events mentioned in Rgveda and its connections with Ramayana and Mahabharata.

Can watch the Event on Our Youtube / FB

Indica Books Live with Satyarth Nayak, author of Mahagatha: 100 Tales from the Puranas

Indica Books presents Author Q&A with Satyarth Nayak

Book Discussion – “Mahagatha: 100 Tales from the Puranas“

About the Book: 

Do you know the story where Brahma and Vishnu race against each other or where Shiva battles Krishna? Where Indra attempts foeticide or where Rama punishes a Shudra? Do you know about Maya Sita or Narada’s monkey face? Or why Surya falls from the sky or why Chandra commits adultery?

The Puranas of Hinduism are a universe of wisdom, embodying a fundamental quest for answers that makes them forever relevant. Now, for the first time, 100 of the greatest mythological tales from these ancient texts have been handpicked and compiled into an epic illustrated edition. Besides popular legends of devas, asuras, sages and kings, Satyarth Nayak has dug up lesser-known stories, like the one where Vishnu is beheaded or where Saraswati curses Lakshmi or where Harishchandra tricks Varuna. Nayak also recounts these 100 tales in a unique chronological format, beginning with Creation in Satya Yuga and ending with the advent of Kali Yuga. Using Puranic markers, he constructs a narrative that travels through the four yugas, offering continuous and organic action. In such a reading, it is revealed that these stories are not isolated events but linked to each other in the grand scheme of things. That every occurrence has a past and a future. A cause and effect. An interconnected cycle of karma and karma-phal.

Delving into the minds of gods, demons and humans alike, Mahagatha seeks a deeper understanding of their motivations. The timelessness of their impulses speaks across the aeons to readers of today. Written in lively prose with charming illustrations, these 100 tales will entertain and enlighten, and make you connect the dots of Hindu mythology like never before.

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Writers Workshop With R Jagannathan

EFFECTIVE & AUTHENTIC WRITING IN THE AGE OF ChatGPT

“Thanks to technology, it is now easier to become a good writer. AI and ChatGPT are now seemingly writing better than you and me. However, effective writing is not just about technical proficiency; it’s about authenticity and connecting with your audience.

My workshop will primarily focus on developing your writing skills in various forms, including news reporting, opinion pieces, and micro text for social media. We will also explore ways to eliminate bias and develop your own unique writing style. While technology can make you a better writer or even write better than you, it can never replace the authenticity and individuality of human writing.”

– R Jagannathan

Existing members of 1000 Reviewers Club ( 2021 & 2022) who have written 3 or more reviews need not pay the above cost and will be hosted free of charge. Outstation members of the Reviewers Club who have fulfilled the above criteria will also be provided an additional travel grant of Rs 10000 or actuals whichever is lower.

Venue: Montfort Spirituality Centre, # 184, Old Madras Road, Indiranagar, Bengaluru-560038.

The fee for the workshop is Rs 5000 with accommodation and Rs.3000 without accommodation.

Round Table on KAUTILYANOMICS

Indica Books presents a Round Table discussion on the book “KAUTILYANOMICS” with the author Sriram Balasubramanian along with the following panellists

Badri Seshadri, Publisher and Author

M.R. Sivaraman, former Revenue Secretary

Swaminathan Venkatraman, Hindu American Foundation

Prasanna Viswanathan, CEO Swarajya

Muthuraman, Finance Consultant

About the Book:

India was an economic power to reckon with until its economic decline in the 18th century. What explains this long period of prosperity? The answer might lie in a framework of social and economic thought that lies buried in our ancient heritage, says Sriram Balasubramanian, of which Kautilya’s Arthashastra is a major example. Kautilyanomics for Modern Times seeks to do three things—first, to provide a structure and a context for Kautilya’s economic thoughts; second, to examine his work’s relevance today; and third, to do it in a way that a lay reader can follow and grasp easily. Kautilya’s thought is mainly articulated through the prism of dharmic capitalism and its components—some examples include his views on global economic outlook, state-market dynamics, and sustainable growth through observance of environmental, societal and familial responsibilities. Fathoming India’s rich economic and philosophical heritage and making use of it, Balasubramanian argues, would prove to be a great asset in India’s/the country’s/the nation’s ascent again.

Masterclass on Screen Writing by Boman Irani

From Prof Sahastrabuddhe of 3 Idiots to Kishan Khurana of Khosala ka Ghosala, Mr Boman Irani has enthralled audiences all over with his portrayals of diverse, quirky and strong characters for more than two decades. A keen student of world and Indian cinema, Mr Irani always found screenwriting as a fascinating and critical component of movie-making. Through his screenwriting masterclass “Spiral Bound” Mr Irani has built a community of students of screenwriting from around the world with over 500 sessions in the last two and a half years. Screenwriters, established, aspiring and in-between, get together on 90 minutes sessions to discuss, understand and learn the various nuances of screenwriting. Mr Irani is the architect, mentor and coach of this group.

Indica Books Live – Deepak MR’s book on Bharat Ratna Lata Manageshkar, with Deepak MR

Indica Books presents Author Q&A with Deepak MR

Book Discussion – “The Life & Music of Lata Mangeshkar: A Fan’s Tribute to the Melody Queen“

About the Book: 

  • Do you know what Lata Mangeshkar’s original name was?
  • Were you aware of why Lata left school after the very first day?
  • Did you know which was Lata’s first song and last song?
  • Did you know why Lata stopped working with Rafi and S D Burman for a few years?
  • Is it true that Lata loved to gamble in casinos wearing jeans?
  • Why did Lata say she would never want to be reborn as Lata again?
  • Which was the only Hindi film in which Lata was seen on-screen?

The Life and Music of Lata Mangeshkar: A fan’s tribute to the Melody Queen reveals the answers to all these questions and presents interesting facts about Lata Mangeshkar. This book is a tribute to the melody queen and presents her life journey. Find out how a 13-year-old was forced to sing to support her family and ended up becoming a legend.

The reign of Lata Mangeshkar over the Indian film industry is unparalleled. She reigned for over 65 years and sang until the age of 90. This book presents not just the story of Lata but the story of Hindi film music. Read how Shankar-Jaikishan rose to the top and then dramatically fell. Know the rise of R D Burman and Laxmikant-Pyarelal and their career graphs. From the golden era to music to the decline of music, and then to the revival–the book covers it all.

Find out about the filmmakers, musicians, singers, and family members who played a key part in her success. Read about her trials, tribulations, awards, and achievements.

The book has interesting nuggets about incidents from the life of the great singer. The number of songs she sang, with which composer has she sung the most songs, how much she was paid for her songs, and many other facts are presented in this book.

This book is the tribute of a fan to the greatest musical legend born in India. If you are a lover of Hindi film music, this book is a must. If you want to know about the life story of the nightingale, then read this book.

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Indica Books Live with Koral Dasgupta, author of ‘Draupadi: Sati Series III’

Indica Books presents Author Q&A with Koral Dasgupta

Book Discussion – “Draupadi: Sati Series III“

About the Book:

‘Ahalya, Draupadi, Kunti, Tara, Mandodari – each of the Pancha Kanyas is fascinating … Koral Dasgupta’s wonderful retelling adds to this corpus, with a lyrical and poetic quality’ BIBEK DEBROY

THE THIRD BOOK IN THE EXCEPTIONAL FIVE-PART SATI SERIES BY KORAL DASGUPTA

Draupadi is immortalized as the beloved princess of Panchal and the queen of Indraprastha in Indian myth and legend. Yet what do we really know of the fire-born queen’s dreams? What were her true desires?

In Koral Dasgupta’s thrilling new interpretation, Draupadi’s interior story, often relegated to the margins, is vividly foregrounded – from her unique friendship with Krishna, unconventional marriage to the Pandav brothers, to her quirky relationships with Kunti and Bhishma, and her deep passion for building a loving home. Bold, intimate and immersive, it thrusts the reader straight into the heart and mind of an unforgettable heroine from the Mahabharat, who remains both contemporary and timeless.

In the Sati series, Koral Dasgupta explores the lives of the Pancha Kanyas from the Hindu epics and reinvents them with a feminist consciousness.

Praise for the Sati series

‘Magical and thought-provoking’ CHITRA BANERJEE DIVAKARUNI

‘Enigmatic’ NAMITA GOKHALE

‘A must for those wishing to know about our past and the dialectics of gender within it’ PAVAN K. VARMA

Can watch the Event on Our Youtube / FB