Whose Kashmir Is It Anyway?
Swarajya Mag|August 2017

Do those seeking azaadi know of the great writers and scholars who came from the region? Do they realise the value of this ancient land?

Veejay Sai
Whose Kashmir Is It Anyway?

ON A COLD winter morning in Kashmir, a thousand years ago, a renowned writer put his pen down after writing the final verse in his last book titled Ishwarapratyabinya Vimarsini. If you think today’s winters are intolerable, think of what they might have been a thousand years ago! It was the winter solstice of 1015. He was 66 years old. It is believed that he made his exit from this world five years later. He thanked all his teachers, 19 of them. He had by then written over 44 works that could be largely categorised into four areas of his interest. Tantra or occult sciences, hymns to various gods, philosophy and aesthetics. Out of these, only 21 have survived. The other works find mention and are cited by later scholars. This grand polymath Abhinavagupta and his contributions to Indian thought, philosophy and aesthetics are not an exaggeration by any means. His literary achievements make him look like a mythological character. All these couldn’t have been possibly written by one person! Could he have lived in such interesting times? We will return to his story later in this piece.

Around the same time, in the Chola kingdom in Tamil Nadu, Raja Raja Chola built the grand temple of lord Brihadeeshwara , the edifice of which continues to inspire awe till date in Thanjavur. Shaivism and Shakta worship had spread across the land. Kashmir was one of the major centres of learning. This year commemorates one thousand years of Abhinavagupta. A whole generation would ask, who was he in the first place? It is important to know the rich cultural and literary history of the most “controversial” piece of Indian geography.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der August 2017-Ausgabe von Swarajya Mag.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der August 2017-Ausgabe von Swarajya Mag.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS SWARAJYA MAGAlle anzeigen
The Hesitant Orbit
Swarajya Mag

The Hesitant Orbit

In order to march boldly ahead into the deep space, New Delhi must work towards building a station, boost its techno-economic planning and use the Indian Space Research Organisation smartly.

time-read
4 Minuten  |
December 2017
Nudges And Narratives
Swarajya Mag

Nudges And Narratives

The debate surrounding Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmavati brings India a complex network of portraits within a cultural world-system.

time-read
8 Minuten  |
December 2017
The Spell Of Specialisation
Swarajya Mag

The Spell Of Specialisation

THE INDIAN ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE NEEDS AN URGENT REJIG. THE KEY TO SPEED AND EFFICIENCY LIES IN PUTTING AN END TO A GENERALIST APPROACH AND IN GOING FOR A NEW SERVICE.

time-read
7 Minuten  |
December 2017
Swarajya Mag

The Great Gamble

With demonetisation, the prime minister has taken a huge risk— both economic and political. He must succeed, because this move could transform both our economy and our society.

time-read
10+ Minuten  |
December 2016
The Lies And The Truth
Swarajya Mag

The Lies And The Truth

The government must be bold enough to up-end the activists who are coming in the way of the nation’s agricultural progress.

time-read
7 Minuten  |
August 2017
Figuring Out China
Swarajya Mag

Figuring Out China

China’s economic footprint is being followed by its military footprint. To know that is not be belligerent but to prepare oneself adequately.

time-read
5 Minuten  |
August 2017
Management 108
Swarajya Mag

Management 108

The Upanishads Have A Lot To Teach Today’s Executives When Outcomes Are Unpredictable, Relationships Complex, And Change Is The Name Of The Game. 

time-read
8 Minuten  |
August 2017
Sunny Days Ahead
Swarajya Mag

Sunny Days Ahead

THE NEW GUIDELINES FOR TAXI SERVICES ARE SENSIBLE, RATIONAL, AND MORE THAN WELCOME.

time-read
6 Minuten  |
August 2017
The Cultural World-System
Swarajya Mag

The Cultural World-System

Despite much talk of “soft power”, the fact is that whichever way you slice it, Indian culture fares poorly at seeking or exercising it

time-read
6 Minuten  |
October 2017
The Hard Way Forward
Swarajya Mag

The Hard Way Forward

India has been focused on software, but there are large opportunities to be seized in hardware. A primer, and some busting of myths.

time-read
10 Minuten  |
October 2017