Dhīti is a blog for long form essays, expressions of civilizational voice, cinema and literature review, and more.
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Colonial Interaction with Hindu Cremation
A long read detailing the discourse surrounding the Indian tradition of cremation evolved during the British rule from ancient ritual to a powerful symbol of resistance, redefining Hindu identity in the face of colonial and religious challenges.
Sai Priya Chodavarapu
13 min read
Featured
Book Review | Gods, Guns and Missionaries - The Making of the Modern Hindu Identity
Manu S. Pillai’s Gods, Guns and Missionaries explores how colonial rule, missionary critique, and native reformers shaped the modern Hindu identity. Drawing on post-colonial thought, it highlights how colonialism disrupted caste and religion while sparking a Hindu revival.
Sai Priya Chodavarapu
15 min read
Cinema And Books
Rationalism or Prejudice? The Hypocrisy in Attacking Dr. Kamakoti and the Need for IKS in Education
The benefits of gaumūtra are well-established both in Ayurveda and medical literature. Despite this, the Director of IIT Madras, Dr. Kamakoti’s endorsement of gaumūtra's therapeutic values, sparks backlash, revealing the hypocrisy of those attacking his religious beliefs while claiming to champion rationalism. The article calls for the integration of Indian Knowledge Systems in education to cultivate open-mindedness and respect for traditional practices.
Sai Priya Chodavarapu
7 min read
Indian Knowledge Systems
Tellings and Retellings - Adapting Hindu Mythology to Cinema
Learning how to balance creative liberty with respect for religious and cultural texts is the key to crafting stories that honor our stories while also being able to captivate modern audiences of all ages. This article explores what makes a compelling adaptation and what storytellers can do to perfect their vision of bringing Hindu lore to life on screen.
Sai Priya Chodavarapu
8 min read
Cinema And Books
Book Review | Evolution in Four Dimensions - Genetic, Epigenetic, Behavioral, and Symbolic Variation in the History of Life
Jablonka and Lamb's 'Evolution in Four Dimensions' which challenges traditional views of evolution by weaving epigenetics, behavior, and culture into a compelling narrative that redefines how we understand life's complexity.
Sai Priya Chodavarapu
13 min read
Cinema And Books
Cultural Critique of Capitalism - The Suffusion of Dharma
Can capitalism, with its materialistic motives, coexist with or be reformed by dharma's ethical and spiritual imperatives? How does dharma provide a counter-narrative to the cultural dominance of capitalism? This long-read explores these ideas at length.
Sai Priya Chodavarapu
22 min read
Culture And Policy
Book Review | Decolonizing Bharat - The Balu Way
A review of Decolonizing Bharat, The Balu Way by Dr. Pingali Gopal which, rooted in S.N. Balagangadhara’s ideas, introduces readers to the Ghent School’s approach to decolonizing knowledge and narratives about India.
Sai Priya Chodavarapu
6 min read
Cinema And Books
Stolen Sacrality - The Fascinating Journey of the Pathur Naṭarāja
The fascinating biography of the Pathur Naṭarāja, stolen and smuggled out of a small temple in Tamil Nadu in 1977, sold to a collector, seized from the British Museum and tried in an English court before finally being brought home in 1991.
Sai Priya Chodavarapu
15 min read
Dharma Today
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