LIVING RAMAYANAS

By Dr R Sudarshan

Anything that is believed to hold timeless relevance is bound to transform in perspective with changing times. Ramayana is a prime example. There is no single Ramayana; there is one that Valmiki wrote but that too has changed with the changing cultural consciousness. Across geographies in South east Asia, transcending faiths and contexts, Ramayana exists in a wide diversity. The Belgium born Camille Bulcke once counted over 300 versions in the world.

Azeez has now chronicled the oral traditions of Wayanad in Kerala to show that the tribals believe that Ramayana happened in Wayanad. In their version, there are locations corresponding to all major Ramayana events in this hilly district.

Azeez argues that human societies reshape narratives. And Ramayana must not be talked about as a mythological text of yore but as something that is alive, playing through the current consciousness and locally familiar geographies.

That's the bubble of wisdom on the shelf this evening.

For any relevant query, message 81051 12990.

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Silverfish Books, Farmer's House, # 1A - 13th Cross, Kalidasa Road, VV Mohalla, Mysore.

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COMMUNITY DIALOGUE - 1

By Dr. R Sudarshan EATING CLEAN: COMMUNITY DIALOGUE - 1; Featured Speaker - Sindhu Ramachandra; Friday, 15 July 2022 at 5:30 PM E ating clean is a lifestyle fundamental, easily ignored and abused in the fast lane of tongue temptations. And the long convoluted tube that we call 'gut' is often turned into a gutter that is forced to process what it is not meant for - synthetic food, herbicides, pesticides, and life-threatening substances. Sindhu is a biochemist with work experience from IISc. She pursues data science and AI in the context of biochemistry. An ardent believer in organic farming, she cares for clean foods. And she knows how unclean foods can turn your life upside down. Community Dialogues at the Farmer's House are an engagement with reason to restore the dignity of life. Come, listen, interact and benefit. Attendance is FREE. Register with Gagan at 97421 62956. * * * Farmer's House, Silverfish Books, Kutz Bowl and the Farmer's Market, # 1A, 13th Cross,...

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THE CURIOUS CASE OF CULANTRO

By Dr R Sudarshan Y es. Culantro and not Cilantro. The long distance cousin of coriander that came from Mexico in the middle centuries to Europe and landed in India approximately some 300 to 400 years ago along with its Mediterranean cousin Cilantro, the coriander. Culantro is relatively rare but so much more stronger than coriander that once you are used to this, coriander recedes to a second choice. A couple of Culantro plants have been taken to the farm and are growing impressively well. Probably, there will be lots of seeds in a few weeks, so that we could propagate and feature the leaves in the weekly market too. And one plant of Culantro has prospered well in a pot at the store too. For any relevant query, message 81051 12990. * * * Padma Farms, Farmer's House, # 1A - 13th Cross, Kalidasa Road, VV Mohalla, Mysore.

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