K. Balachander
As someone who has watched and tracked Tamil movies all her life, one of the things I notice is the fall of the heroine. There are exceptions, but by and large, Tamil films these days are hero oriented, action films with a thin storyline. Women play the love interest, or dance an item number, with Rajnikanth’s Linga being the latest example. What Tamil films need are strong directors who are fascinated with women like those directors in the 70s and 80s.
Vimala Rangachar
Welcome to the Sanskrit Podcast where the ideas of ancient [...]
Video of me speaking about culture and aesthetics
The email below led to this video of me here [...]
The best gifting ideas from 2014: for Mint Lounge
It is just before Christmas. You are probably in the throes of figuring out what to buy for family, friends and co-workers. Here is a list of objects that you could consider buying for your near and dear. The logic of choosing these objects was simply this: I saw them during the course of this past year and they stuck in my head—because they are unique, innovatively designed, and beautiful. Shoba Narayan plans to buy a lovely teapot this Christmas season.
Kalidasa for 21st century
Fantastic exposition of why Kalidasa is huge in ancient Indian [...]
Carnatic Instrumentalism
The future of Carnatic instrumental music requires both a stroke of genius and a paradigm shift. How do you end the supremacy of lyrics in what is being performed today? As a listener, even I know and love the lyrics. Why then would l listen to only instruments? For that, several things need to happen. A genius composer needs to write for instruments—either a concerto format with multiple instruments or a song with a long instrumental riff like in Hotel California, where the guitar becomes the melody at the end.
At work, women don’t need to play by the same rules as men: for The National Abu Dhabi
At work, women don’t need to play by the same [...]
Why your girl should go to a women’s college: for Mint Lounge
My view—from personal experience and from watching other adolescent girls—is that women have many voices in their heads that tell them how to behave. They have a mortal fear of being judged. They hate confrontation. A good teacher can drown these voices. A good college can alleviate the desire for approval that women have; the self-correction that they engage in all the time. Through role play and encouragement, faculty and staff teach young women to be assertive, to speak up; to stop second-guessing their thoughts and opinions.
An all-women’s college changed my life: for The National Abu Dhabi
Inspired by the visit of Sonya Stephens of Mount Holyoke, [...]
Raga Connection show
I will be doing a workshop "The Raga Connection" along [...]