Articles by Pavan K Varma
Just Like That | Devotees of Shiva, Kanwariyas should soak in the spirituality
The miracle of procreation is also a gift of God and there is nothing wrong in associating Shiva with it. The Lingam is the replica of the dome of the cosmos
Published on Jul 21, 2024 07:30 AM IST
Just Like That | The irrelevance of beauty pageants for women
Women need the respect of men, and not their devaluation as commodities to be judged for their exterior attributes.
Published on Jul 14, 2024 08:00 AM IST
Victory and vilification: The dual nature of Indian cricket fandom
The same fans who now praise the Indian cricket team could easily have turned to vehement and unfair criticism had the outcome of T-20 World Cup been different
Published on Jul 07, 2024 07:00 AM IST
Just Like That | Colonial clubs and the fetish about dress codes
Clubs are entitled to their autonomy, but not to their refusal to change
Published on Jun 30, 2024 08:00 AM IST
Yoga’s health benefits are proven but a competent instructor is crucial
While Hatha Yoga has taken the world by storm, people are less aware that Yoga is an eight-layered philosophy, of which the exercises are only the first part.
Published on Jun 23, 2024 08:00 AM IST
Just Like That | Tansen: Epitome of India’s syncretic culture
Tansen is one of the best examples of the ganga-jamuni tehzeeb, the syncretic culture combining the best of Hindu and Islamic traditions
Published on Jun 16, 2024 10:58 AM IST
Why humour is the safety valve of a vibrant democracy
Political leaders often take themselves too seriously, but the Indian electorate has a sharp sense of humour, as seen in the explosion of memes on social media
Published on Jun 09, 2024 07:30 AM IST
Just Like That | In Pune crash, a mirror to our class hypocrisies
What happened in Pune deserves stringent legal action. But it also provides us a mirror to examine our own value systems and introspect.
Published on Jun 02, 2024 08:00 AM IST
Just Like That | Raja Bhoj: The overlooked scholar-king of ancient Bhopal
Raja Bhoj's profound impact on arts and sciences remains largely unacknowledged in contemporary education.
Published on May 26, 2024 07:30 AM IST
Timeless tunes: A debate on the most romantic songs in Hindi cinema
A personal list of 14 beloved songs, including "Abhi na jao chhod kar" and "Phoolon ke rang se," showcases the timeless appeal of classic melodies.
Published on May 19, 2024 09:00 AM IST
The forgotten Urdu poet who once challenged Indira Gandhi with his verses
Kalim Ajiz, who left an indelible mark on the literary landscape in Bihar, should be celebrated widely for his profound verses
Published on May 12, 2024 09:30 AM IST
Just Like That | The best President India failed to have
Most people will agree that Karan Singh — philosopher, statesman, writer and orator — was the best President our Republic never got.
Published on May 05, 2024 08:00 AM IST
Just Like That | Rethinking life and death in the age of longevity
The rapid advancements in medical science and biotechnology are driving the quest for longer lives. In this quest, what does life and death mean for us?
Published on Apr 28, 2024 08:00 AM IST
The lives, loves and legacies of Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor, and Dev Anand
How the iconic trio who dominated Indian cinema in the 50s and 60s left an indelible mark on Bollywood.
Published on Apr 21, 2024 01:47 PM IST
Just Like That | Behind the enduring veg vs non-veg debate
Recent controversies over politicians' food choices highlight the nuanced relationship between dietary preferences and religious beliefs within Hindus.
Published on Apr 14, 2024 08:00 AM IST
Just Like That | Why Indian art is a blip on the big global canvas
Indian art is yet to get its due. That will happen when our artists shun mimicry and have far more patrons, if only for investment.
Published on Apr 07, 2024 08:00 AM IST
Sadhguru's health crisis and the blend of traditional and modern medicine
Sadhguru's successful recovery from brain surgery using allopathic methods underscores the importance of choosing the right treatment based on circumstances
Published on Mar 31, 2024 08:00 AM IST
Here's why Kushwant Singh was a beacon of sharp intellectual thinking
Behind Khushwant Singh's image of an iconoclast was a disciplined scholar who left a lasting impact on literature and journalism.
Published on Mar 24, 2024 08:30 AM IST
Just Like That | Finding divine beauty in the spring symphony of Semal trees
There is a spiritual connection between the beauty and the divine, embodied by the resplendent Semal tree as it heralds the arrival of spring in New Delhi
Published on Mar 17, 2024 08:00 AM IST
Just Like That | The intimate world of Hindustani culture
Decorum, etiquette, elegance and intimacy symbolised baithaks, something possible only in smaller gatherings, sans the small-talk noise of bigger celebrations.
Published on Mar 10, 2024 08:00 AM IST
Just Like That | Reimagining female power in Indian culture
Indian women are emerging as powerful forces, wielding influence in elections and society, challenging traditional norms
Published on Mar 03, 2024 08:00 AM IST
Gulzar: A seeker in the shrine of poetry
The reason is that Gulzar is, at his core, a poet, and by extension, a writer and film-maker. Writing has been his passion since he was a child
Updated on Feb 26, 2024 11:13 AM IST
Just Like That | Raja Ram Mohan Roy and his many contradictions
The 19th C. Hindu reformist and religious scholar sought to abolish Sati and rid society of fanatic orthodoxy. British colonialism would enlighten us, he felt
Published on Feb 24, 2024 04:06 PM IST
Just Like That | Temple architecture is a spiritual journey
Hindu temple architecture mirrors the human form; from the entrance to the sanctum sanctorum, it leads away from the material world to commune with the divine
Published on Feb 18, 2024 07:50 AM IST
Just Like That | A poet caught in a whirlpool of politics
Shrikant Verma was a great Hindi poet, one of the pioneers of new Hindi kavya, and a powerful politician
Published on Feb 11, 2024 08:00 AM IST
Goings on at the latest edition of the Jaipur Literature Festival
Associated with the behemoth lit fest since its inception, author Pavan K Varma tells us about this edition's book releases and idea exchanges
Published on Feb 04, 2024 12:25 PM IST
Just Like That | In a sea of a billion people, a pandemic of loneliness sets in
Loneliness is a negative state of mind, solitude is a positive desire. The first is a problem that needs greater attention, the second is increasingly elusive
Published on Jan 28, 2024 12:36 PM IST
The contrast of Lord Ram and Lord Krishna: Uncovering the complexity of Hinduism
The choice to portray deities with varying attributes reflects Hinduism's nature. The incarnations represent both stability and playful divine energy
Published on Jan 21, 2024 08:00 AM IST
Murli Manohar Joshi at 90: The storied journey of a politician
Dr Murli Manohar Joshi is the kind of political leader — rare to find these days — with whom one can talk on a range of issues apart from politics.
Published on Jan 13, 2024 11:20 PM IST
Just Like That | What the Khan trio tells us about our country and culture
The superstar status of all three Khans — Aamir, Shahrukh and Salman — remains unchanged to this day. In their popularity we see the true nature of us Indians
Published on Jan 07, 2024 02:56 PM IST
