CULTURAL LEGACIES
History, as people remember it
CULTURAL LEGACIES : History, as people remember it

Formal urban planning and official heritage narratives have ignored the cultural legacies of cities. Citizens groups, however, are already exploring this and could point the way forward.

#Cities #Society #DELHI
NATIONAL EDUCATION POLICY
History lesson in mother tongue instruction
NATIONAL EDUCATION POLICY : History lesson in mother tongue instruction

Tarun Jain and Revathy Suryanarayana point to the link between vernacular language use in schools and educational achievement using data from large-scale historical events in South India.

#Education Law and Policy #Education
GOUR HARI DASTAAN
A celluloid tribute to Gandhi
GOUR HARI DASTAAN : A celluloid tribute to Gandhi

At a time when we're drifting away from Gandhiji and the values he stood and fought for, a film like Gour Hari Dastaan comes as a reminder of what we've lost and forces us to reflect on why. Shoma Chatterji reviews this film about a Gandhian and his fight to prove that he was indeed a freedom fighter.

#Films #Reviews
PANEL DISCUSSION
In defence of Pandit Nehru
PANEL DISCUSSION : In defence of Pandit Nehru

Darryl D'Monte talks about his recent participation in a discussion on Nayantara Sahgal's book on Nehru, which delves into Nehruvian policies, his cherished dreams, his lasting legacy and its importance in today's time.

#Reviews
NOMENCLATURE OF CITIES
What’s in a name, really?
NOMENCLATURE OF CITIES : What’s in a name, really?

From Bangalore to Bengaluru, or from Bombay to Mumbai, do name changes signify attempts to shake off colonial shackles, instances of linguistic one-upmanship or merely political agenda? Supriya Unni Nair delves deeper into the practice and finds an interesting history.

#Cities #Government
HOUSING A LEGACY
The many stories that Kargil tells us
The Munshi Aziz Bhat Museum of Central Asian & Kargil Trade reconstructs the vibrant past of trade along the historic Silk Route and preserves its rich legacy. Freny Manecksha visits the museum and finds there's more to Kargil than Indo-Pak conflict.
#Society #J & K
DEEP TALK
The Telangana prophecy: Will more states mean more conflict?
With the government clearing Telangana as India's 29th state, long-standing demands for separate states in other parts of the country have gained fresh momentum. This could be a foretelling of many more states to come, but would that necessarily augur ill for the unity of India? Noted historian Ramachandra Guha shares his thoughts.
#Interviews #Ramachandra Guha #Government #A historian's view
DEEP TALK
A culture of deference and sycophancy
In a candid conversation with India Together, eminent scholar, author and historian Ramachandra Guha shares his thoughts on leaders of the past and present and their legacies for the future of India.
#Interviews
RELIVING HISTORY
Srirangapatna: Through prisoners' eyes
Poornima Dasharathi travels back in time to bring alive the adventures, sights and sounds in the erstwhile kingdom of Mysore under Haidar Ali and Tipu Sultan, as recounted in the memoirs of two English prisoners of war.
#Society
MACAULAY
The empire's script-writer

Zareer Masani's book on Macaulay is enriched by its narration of the contrast between the man's strong likes and dislikes in personal life and his libertarian streak in public affairs. 

#Books #Reviews
FILM REVIEW: EGARO
More than football
FILM REVIEW: EGARO : More than football
Mohun Bagan's famous victory over East Yorkshire Regiment was a historic moment in British India, blending revolution and sport on the field of play. Shoma Chatterji reviews Arun Roy's film about this great game.
#Films #Reviews
FILM REVIEWS
The forgotten hero
FILM REVIEWS : The forgotten hero
Shyam Benegal's film on Subhash Chandra Bose is characterised as much by the patriotism that brought young men in hundreds to join their hero, as by its documentation of history. Shoma Chatterji reviews the film.
#Films #Reviews
FILM REVIEWS
Revisiting the Baul movement
Moner Manush is contemporary and topical as it talks of peace, harmony and religious tolerance at a time when India is ridden by fundamentalism and intolerance in different pockets. Shoma Chatterji reviews the film.
#Films #Reviews #WEST BENGAL
INTERVIEW: DAVID SHULMAN
Salvager of India's dying temple heritage
INTERVIEW: DAVID SHULMAN : Salvager of India's dying temple heritage

"In Kanchipuram, I saw just a year ago, how the late 17th-century murals were literally disintegrating. It has happened in temple after temple".

#Culture #Interviews #Society #TAMILNADU
BOOK REVIEW
Starving for England
BOOK REVIEW : Starving for England
Madhusree Mukerjee's contribution lies in establishing the link between Churchill's decisions on this score and his worldview. Firdaus Ahmed reviews Churchill's Secret War.
#Books #Firdaus Ahmed #OP-ED #Subcontinental Musings