Have you ever wondered why there are some countries where Indians feel much more at home than others? Most of us enjoy, say Hong Kong or Manila. But we don't feel particularly at home in either place. In terms of familiarity, we might as well be in Europe or South America.
But I have yet to meet an Indian who doesn't feel at home in Thailand. I have been going there for decades and each time I go, I am more and more convinced that it is because of some ancestral DNA from centuries ago, when our ancestors went to Thailand even more often than we do.
Buddhism, the religion of the vast majority of Thais, came to Thais directly from India. But, and this is less well-known, Hinduism took root so deeply within Thai culture that even today, Buddhist Thais will pray to Hindu gods.
I first noticed this back in 1988. I turned on the TV in my hotel room and one show on one channel seemed familiar even though I could not understand a word the characters were saying. I watched a little longer and realised that it was Ramanand Sagar's Ramayan, dubbed into Thai.
I was a little taken back and asked my Thai hosts if anybody watched it. "Are you kidding?" Thais responded. "This is one of our more popular shows." It turned out that the Ramayan is big in Thailand.
Esta historia es de la edición September 07, 2024 de Brunch.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición September 07, 2024 de Brunch.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Avantika Dassani
Actor, @AvantikaDassani
Keep your i on this BMW
The brand's beloved sedan has now gone electric. The i5 M60 has a sci-fi roar and razor-sharp graphics. It's worth the hype
Why adapt when you can evolve?
Sometimes, the movie or show does it better than the book it is based on. Here's when to stream not flip
Sharp edges, blunt words
British chef Heston Blumenthal has gone public about his struggle with ADHD and bipolar syndrome. He hopes it calms kitchens down. It's hot in there already
The suitable boy
He's played lovers, taxi drivers, street rats and rich brats. He's redefining what it means to be the token Brown boy on set. But would he be on a reality show? Ishaan Khatter tells us why he's a career chameleon and how he got here
Stay stylish in your cubicle
Everyone's back at the office. Covid flexibilities are long forgotten. But being comfortable is still key. So, what are we wearing to work?
Fit check? Look behind you
In gyms, someone is always filming. We are all in the frame without meaning to be. Is privacy at odds with fitness goals? Is consent even possible with all those mirrors?
Hey, I found you online
Baby pics, emo selfies, old tweets outing the ex. If it makes you cringe, it makes HR departments do too. Here's how to clean up your digital footprint
Is It Scrolling Or Screening?
Being on the phone while the TV plays is the new normal. Just don't do it when there's company. A case for what it means to be present
This week, we're...
Preferring the spinoff.