Rodevra Republic

Nataraja, the cosmic dancer, embodies creation, preservation, and dissolution in a single eternal rhythm Today’s art session is something very dear to my heart. I am sharing an extract from the essay The Dance of Shiva by Ananda Coomaraswamy. This essay is part of a collection of fourteen pieces that engage deeply with Indian art, aesthetics, philosophy, and music. Coomaraswamy was a remarkable scholar—widely regarded as one of the greatest interpreters of Indian art. Notice his language. He expresses ideas of great depth with effortless grace and quiet elegance. There is a natural beauty in his writing that draws you in without ever appearing laboured. In my twenties, these passages had struck me so profoundly that I typed them out on a typewriter and preserved them. Revisiting them now, after so many years, I find that the words return almost as if they had been waiting—alive, familiar, and deeply resonant. In today’s world, perhaps not many pause to savour language in this way...

An endurance of body and mind—each stage a step towards something larger I recently came across the story of someone whose journey stayed with me. A school friend mentioned his wife, an accomplished sportsperson, whose achievements are nothing short of remarkable. She has completed some of the most demanding endurance events—the Comrades Ultra Marathon, several World Marathon Majors, and even the Ironman. What makes this story truly inspiring is not just the scale of these accomplishments, but when they began. All of this was achieved after the age of fifty. In her younger days, she had been a runner, representing at the district level. But as life unfolded—with work, family, and responsibilities—this part of her life quietly receded into the background. Years later, she set herself a simple goal: to complete a half marathon at fifty. That one step changed everything. From there, the journey expanded—half marathons to full marathons, then ultra marathons, and eventually the Iron...

This is a story of the previous century’s most enduring, appealing and successful advertising slogans, "Does She or Doesn’t She?"  See pictures of the ads  below. It was the time in the 1950s and 1960s when hair coloring was a stigma and most women found it difficult to hide the few strands of off-colour hair. All this changed when the modern hair coloring revolution came not through a safer product, or through a one-step, easy-to-use formulation, but through clever, image-changing advertising that captured the feminist sensibilities of the day. In 1949, the single-step Miss Clairol Hair Colour Bath was introduced to the American beauty industry. In 1956, Clairol launched an at-home version of Miss Clairol Hair Colour Bath and became a household name. Clairol’s one-step home colour was a breakthrough in the beauty industry as was its advertising campaign. Clairol hired the advertising firm Foote, Cone & Belding, which assigned the account to a junior copywriter, Shirley P...

Here is a story I came across some time ago: A small trader from a village used to sell butter in a nearby town. A shopkeeper there was his regular customer. Every month, the villager would deliver butter in one-kilogram blocks and, in return, buy provisions like sugar and pulses from the shop. One day, the shopkeeper decided to check the weight of the butter. To his surprise, each block weighed only 900 grams instead of a kilogram. When the villager came the following month, the shopkeeper confronted him angrily and asked him to leave. The villager replied, gently: “Sir, I am a poor man. I cannot afford proper weights. I place the one kilogram of sugar that you give me on one side of the scale and weigh the butter against it.” The story is simple, yet it carries a quiet insight. What we give often finds its way back to us. It prompts a question—what are we really putting out into the world? Are we carrying doubt, irritation, and restlessness? Or are we able to bring a measure of calm,...

A Tiffany lamp—where light, colour, and craftsmanship come together in quiet harmony Can you guess what is unusual about this lamp? No, it is not its value—though an original can command very high prices. Nor does it derive its appeal from precious stones or jewels. What you see here is a Tiffany lamp . These lamps were designed and crafted in workshops led by Louis Comfort Tiffany, where a significant part of the design and assembly work was done by women artisans. There is an interesting reason often associated with this. Most of us are what is known as trichromats —we perceive colour through three types of receptors, sensitive to red, green, and blue. However, a small percentage of women may possess a fourth type of receptor. These individuals, called tetrachromats , are believed to perceive a far richer range of colours—possibly many more than the average person. While this does not apply to all women, it is a fascinating possibility that some may see colour with far greater nuance...

It looks like a person is reading in the water. When you zoom in, you will find that there is no person, no book, no reading, everything is an illusion. Just like life, it seems to be the case, but it is not the case at all.. A few days ago, a friend shared this image. Beyond the message it carried, what stood out immediately was the artistry behind it. At first glance, it is simply an arrangement of stones. But from a distance, it reveals the form of a man seated in water, absorbed in reading. The art lies not just in the idea, but in its execution—finding stones of the right size and shape, perhaps shaping them further, and placing them with care so that a meaningful image emerges. Most art not only gives joy but also invites reflection. Yet, more often than not, we remain absorbed in its aesthetic appeal, and pause less to consider the meaning it may be pointing towards. Let us, for a moment, dwell on that meaning. The accompanying thought suggests that everything is an illusio...

Ratan Tata—an industrialist guided by purpose, values, and a larger vision With the passing of Ratan Tata, we have lost a true Karma Yogi . One of the clearest signs of this was that his actions were never driven by personal gain, but by a long-term vision for the growth of his organisations. His companies were not seen as isolated entities; they were part of a larger ecosystem—serving their people and contributing meaningfully to society. As an industrialist, he had the foresight to build institutions of enduring value. Profit was never the sole objective; it was a means within a much larger purpose. What further underscores this is his deep commitment to philanthropy. To be described, in equal measure, as an industrialist and a philanthropist speaks volumes about the person he was. With a significant portion of the group’s equity held by charitable trusts, the emphasis was clearly on social welfare over private wealth. He touched millions of lives—not only through enterprise, but...

The debate on letters  vs numbers will continue but while words can express emotions, the sheer beauty of numbers can leave you speechless. For example there is no known pattern for prime numbers and remains a mystery that humanity has not deciphered ever since they were discovered 2000 years ago.  They are indestructible, irreducible, but when combined produce a natural even number. You never know when the next prime numbers will come up and suddenly you will see them coming in pairs separated by an even number (11 an 13, 41and 43, 137 and 139). Is there any parallel to this in letters? Like with words there are palindromes, "racecar" for example, there are "emirp" ('prime' spelt backwards) numbers which we call as a mirror primes. If a number is prime, and the number written in a reverse order is also prime, it is called as  a "mirror prime". For example 13, 31.  Numbers share a love relationship too, and their love affair is no secret. We human...

The Ravi Varma paintings come to life! Thanks to AI and technology! This has been circulating on the WhatsApp circuit. From a technological point of view, it is an impressive use of AI—bringing still images to life with a sense of movement. Yet, when viewed purely as art, something of the original essence seems to be lost. When Raja Ravi Varma created such paintings, there would have been careful consideration behind every element—the proportions, the expressions, the brushwork, and the overall balance of the composition. His work often captured a moment in time, one that invited quiet contemplation. Light, in particular, was not merely incidental; it was integral to the subject itself. In the process of animation, many of these subtleties tend to fade. The stillness that holds the viewer is replaced by movement, and with it, the contemplative quality is altered. To a purist, this may feel like a departure—perhaps even an intrusion into something complete in itself. And yet, there is a...

A gathering of old school friends where time fades and bonds quietly return This one is a little different from the usual pieces—but it has all the elements of a story, especially for those who were part of it. It was a get-together of school friends. The curious part was that, although I was meeting some of them for the first time—with no real recollection from our school days—not for a moment did I feel that I did not know them. There was an instant bond, an easy closeness. These were people one could relate to without effort, as if the years in between had quietly dissolved. The sense of camaraderie was special. In very few groups can you have such uninhibited fun—pull each other’s leg freely, and yet be held together by genuine affection. What also struck me was the delightful mix of people we were, coming from such diverse fields. And yet, none of that seemed to matter. We met at a common level where professions, achievements, and positions had no role to play. That, perhaps, ...

A journey through the vastness—seeking connection within the infinite There is an interesting thought that often arises: if the past, present, and future all converge into the present moment, how do we live with that understanding? Modern science, in its own way, has touched upon ideas that our philosophers have long reflected on. Theories such as Einstein’s work on space and time suggest that these are not separate, but part of a continuous fabric. At another level, physics explores the structure of matter—probing deeper and deeper into what constitutes reality. As we look closer, we find that what appears solid dissolves into finer and finer layers, almost as if approaching an underlying unity. While scientific language and philosophical insight may differ, both seem to point, in their own ways, towards interconnectedness. Carl Sagan once said that we are made of “star stuff.” The elements that form our bodies were forged in the interiors of stars. Seen from a distance, the Earth its...

/ Today's art topic, is not art in its strict sense, but poetry that touches us as much as art does. There have been very few instances when a song is not just a song, but a feeling. I am referring to one of the finest songs of Bollywood, 'Humne dekhi hain’  from the 1966 film, Khamoshi.  It would not do justice to call it just a song, when it is poetry, that is art of a very high order.  Each line of the lyrics evokes a feeling of love, not unbridled, but restrained and understated. The metaphor for love is not expression, but experience. Gulzar poignantly writes love does not require words, the silence is enough and it is within this silence love finds eloquent expression. There is a common refrain, ‘‘सिर्फ एहसास है ये, रूह से मेहसूस करो’, where love is raised to an almost spiritual level, falling in the domain of the soul. It bears silent witness to the magical glow that even a drop of it confers upon one in pure love. It is not ephemeral but timeless. "नूर की बूँद है...

The excess body weight that one lugs around everywhere may or may not shorten our trip here, but what about the heavy burdens of stress, anxiety, worry in life, that definitely will? It reminds me of a popular Zen story, one that defines it as well. There was a Zen master who always carried a heavy bag on his shoulders, filled with sweets and goodies children loved. He used to travel carrying this heavy load and wherever he went, children would gather around him and he would just laugh and distribute sweets to them.  People wondered if he was really a Zen master and decided to test him. They asked him, "What is Zen?"  Without saying a word, he just dropped his heavy bag from his shoulders. Next they asked him, "What is the goal of Zen?” This time he took the bag back on his shoulders and walked away.  This is the essence of Zen. One has to drop one's load, the "huge weight of material concerns", discard everything that is on the way, remain free, stand up s...

SoBo, a world unto itself This is the story of my neighbour who is stays in the building adjoining mine, our two buildings being separated by a common wall. The buildings are thus mirror images of one another.  He is the landlord as well, so there are many occasions we have to interact, particularly for any repair or waterproofing work, where work done by any one  affects the other.  He is a decent man but I enjoy interacting with him for a particular reason. He is what may be called as the archetype SoBo snob, and a typical example of old money. We did not share our childhood together as he was earlier staying with his parents at Chowpatty, in a huge sea facing house. After his ageing aunt, a noble lady, who was staying here passed away, he moved in here with his wife as a newly married couple in late 1990s. He belongs to the well-known K M Munshi family from the maternal side, who founded the Bhartiya Vidya Bhawan at Chowpatty. The family is well connected and influenti...

An Omnibus Ride to Piccadilly (1885), Alfred Morgan (British, 1836–1924) A work of art is something that should touch you instantly. The moment you rationalize it, it becomes an intellectual exercise that robs you of the joy of just enjoying it, without having to explain why. But the love for art extends into trying to find something unusual or to discover something the artist particularly wishes to express. This exercise can have pleasant results, helping  in appreciating the artist's work better. So what I see in this painting is that the central figure is obviously Mr. Gladstone (wearing the black top hat). He was an important figure having served as British Prime Minister for 12 (non-consecutive) years. His demeanor is upright  and the artist, Morgan, manages to convey his position. He has an assistant with him, seated to his left. This is concluded by the fact that the assistant is holding what was called a ‘Gladstone bag’, a small portmanteau suitcase designed by J G Be...

A handwritten “specification sheet” for vegetables—precise, uncompromising, and not open to interpretation There are many skills one acquires in life—education, profession, perhaps even a bit of wisdom with age. And then there is the fine art of buying vegetables, a subject in which many of us remain lifelong students. For most men, this education does not come through formal instruction. It arrives in fragments—verbal guidelines, occasional corrections, and sometimes firm directives delivered in a tone that is half suggestion and half warning. “Don’t buy tomatoes that are too soft.” “Onions should be small and firm.” “Bhindi should snap, not bend.” The margin for error is remarkably small. A single misjudgment is tolerated. A repeated one invites the inevitable: “Next time, I will come with you.” In an attempt to avoid such supervision, I developed my own coping strategy. I trusted my regular vendors—people I chatted with, whose families I knew. There was a certain warmth in th...

A symbolic obituary reflecting on the quiet passing of certain ideals Obituaries are fascinating. They are small, easy to read, and there is an air of finality about them. It is amazing how an entire life can be put to rest in just a few words. Fortunately or unfortunately, this is one genre of writing that one is not very happy to write. However, I could not resist writing one here. Any resemblance to any particular person is purely coincidental. Here is a sample: AAA , aka XXX , moved on to his heavenly abode on September 1, 2024. He is deeply mourned by his partner, Truth , and his three daughters — Sincerity , Probity , and Equity . He now enters a zone of silence and peace. During his lifetime he expressed himself freely, without fear or censure. If he felt strongly about something, he made the effort to seek background information, establish what was true and correct, and put forth a balanced view. Sadly, with a twist of fate, he has now been silenced. He was positive in ...

If souls about to take birth on Earth were given an orientation session, what might that conversation sound like? One can imagine a celestial office where newly arriving souls ask questions about the strange place they are about to enter. The answers, perhaps, would be given by someone responsible for explaining the terms of earthly life. In this little imagined dialogue, a soul named Bharati meets Prajapati, the “HR and Induction Manager for Earth.” Prajapati: So, you are considering a visit to Earth? Let me brief you on what you are in for — some dos and don’ts and what you specifically need to be aware of. Bharati: That’s very kind of you. I have heard a lot from souls who have returned from there. There are mixed reactions, so I wanted to check with you. Prajapati: Well, first you will have a span of, on average, about 80–90 revolutions of Earth around the Sun — what humans call “years.” You will be provided with a bountiful supply of air and water, a generally hospitable climat...

  Art moving through space — somewhere between sculpture and dance Art moving through space — somewhere between sculpture and dance In the video above you will see an absolutely riveting performance. One cannot help but be mesmerized by what unfolds before the eyes. Art is presented here in a strikingly different way. To anyone familiar with two-dimensional art forms, these plastic forms appear almost magically alive. Is it modelling? Is it sculpture? Is it dance? One is tempted to ask these questions as the presentation unfolds in three-dimensional space, occupying height, width and depth. Because it can be viewed from multiple angles, it leaves considerable room for interpretation. Each individual creation appears dramatic in its effect. The movements are largely staccato — quick bursts of energy followed by sharp, controlled pauses, something usually associated with certain forms of dance. A visual rhythm emerges in the process. Each held posture feels like a syncopation, adding...

A friendly face at the neighbourhood bank My banking experience has been a happy one and there is one happy reason for it. The branch of the SVC Bank where our family has several accounts is one that is staffed entirely by women. It is what is called a “Women’s branch”, probably one of a kind. Only the security guards are men. It is on the ground floor of one of the buildings of the Saraswat Colony. If I am not mistaken, it is in the same building where the actor Amol Palekar once lived. The branch is so close to my place that our Wifi signal almost reaches it. The SVC Bank considers it as one of their prestigious branches and whenever there is a change in the top management, they first pay a ‘pilgrimage’ visit to the branch.  Not sure it is the reason, but the ladies in the branch are uniformly good looking. Makes me wonder whether they hire or transfer staff here based on their looks or their qualification. Having said that, the GSB community which essentially runs the Bank are g...