Posts by Sai Priya Chodavarapu

Dhīti is a blog for long form essays, expressions of civilizational voice, cinema and literature review, and more.

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The Debasement of Sacred Dance - Vulgarization of Hindu Art in the Service of State Spectacle

A reflection on the misuse of Hindu classical dance by state machinery, and the need to restore its sacred purpose rooted in devotion, ritual, and spiritual intent.

Sai Priya Chodavarapu 10 min read

Dharma Today

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The Iconography of Umāmaheśvara

An exploration of the divine iconography of Umāmaheśvaramūrti, the depiction of Śiva and Pārvatī in intimate embrace, as seen in Hindu art and sculpture across time.

Sai Priya Chodavarapu 4 min read

Art Essays

Book Review | The Revolt of the Public by Martin Gurri

Restoring meaning in an age of distrust - this article is an overview of Martin Gurri's 'Revolt of the Public', and how Indian Knowledge Systems offer an antidote to the nihilism that pervades modern discourse.

Sai Priya Chodavarapu 13 min read

Cinema And Books

Everything You Need to Know about The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024

A critical analysis of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, examining its implications and allegations from the Muslim community amidst legal and political debates.

Sai Priya Chodavarapu 11 min read

Culture And Policy

Book Review | A Dharmic Social History of India

A critical evaluation of 'A Dharmic Social History of India' by Aravindan Neelakandan, which aims to reinterpret Indian social history through a dhārmika lens.

Sai Priya Chodavarapu 10 min read

Cinema And Books

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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

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Sai Priya Chodavarapu

The Debasement of Sacred Dance - Vulgarization of Hindu Art in the Service of State Spectacle

The Iconography of Umāmaheśvara

Book Review | The Revolt of the Public by Martin Gurri

Everything You Need to Know about The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024

Book Review | A Dharmic Social History of India

Colonial Interaction with Hindu Cremation

Book Review | Gods, Guns and Missionaries - The Making of the Modern Hindu Identity

Rationalism or Prejudice? The Hypocrisy in Attacking Dr. Kamakoti and the Need for IKS in Education

Tellings and Retellings - Adapting Hindu Mythology to Cinema