Ideas & Views

I read in a trust worthy source that Mahabharata has more versions than Ramayana. Mahabharata, as weaved by the greatest author of all times - Veda Vyasa, is such a grand theme of numerous smaller grand themes. It is a wonder to find writers of today attempting their retelling of this masterpiece. The uniqueness of this book, though, are the illustrations. Illustrations do not refer to cartoon sketches depicting events, but author's analysis and description of what a certain dialogue or incident tells about life in that time period, people, their morals, values and culture. These illustrations are provided as footnote at the bottom of each page wherever they are required.  My ideas about Hinduism, its two biggest epics and its practice has changed over time with constant enquiry, reference and understanding.  Wouldn't like to elaborate it here. BUT..... I read the book more than a year ago.  "Mahabharata is a story of all illegitimate sons", said a c

There are many a reviews and even previews before the book was released, probably, to make people want to read. Such publicity announced the arrival of the new book to me, but is not what made me read it. Malcolm Gladwell has a powerful and entertaining narration with a twist in the tale of human thinking. Having raised in a middle income family and strict societal structure in India, adversity has been the best teacher. The adversity could be in any form - monetary, intellectual, emotional and physical challenges. Some of us realize it early in our teenage, and some in adult life.This book highlights some with examples from history. There was quite a ga-ga about the book. Once the author becomes popular, the readers and media build huge expectations. It is no fault of his if he does not live up. He likes writing  and he writes. I wouldn't rate this the best of his works. I like reading his works and sure enough will read another of his book too. The ideas presented in Blin