Dhīti is a blog for long form essays, expressions of civilizational voice, cinema and literature review, and more.
Deepak Srinivasan presents an in-depth analysis of the rich history of the ancient Bhāratīya city of Multan (now in Pakistan). In a part 2 of a captivating story of a land long-forgotten, we read of Sikh rebellions, demographic shifts, and post-Partition ruins.
Tantra, often misunderstood as dark mysticism, is deeply embedded in the fabric of Bhāratavarṣa's spiritual practices, transcending rituals, schools of thought, and deities. Inextricably linked to Bhakti, Karma Yoga, and Vedānta, Tantra's extrinsic and intrinsic techniques inspire diverse worship methods across religions.
Deepak Srinivasan presents an in-depth analysis of the rich history of the ancient Bhāratīya city of Multan (now in Pakistan). In a captivating story of a land long-forgotten, we are taken through the tough battles it fought to retain its identity and centrality to the civilizational heritage of the Hindus until the Partition occurred.
A review of Edward Hall's model of culture and its limitations, that explains how it doesn't fully capture cultural complexity. Reestablishing cultural context through knowledge systems in education policy can help preserve and revive cultural identity.
An exploration of the question of what makes humans unique and different from other animals. We are taken through several possibilities- the capacity for thought and emotions, industrious nature, and more before arriving at the true discernment of our ability to navigate Dharma while avoiding Adharma.
A continuation article that details an account of the Nair brigade, a group of personal troops for the Travancore Maharajas, and their role in the Indian army. Additionally, the article delves into the ambitious plans of Marthanda Varma, the king of Travancore, to conquer all of Kerala and re-establish the Chera kingdom.
A novel re-articulation of the understanding of Dharma, and Bhāratīya culture, as a quest for harmony. Here we contrast the 'Standard Model of Reality' and the biological concept of a 'selfish gene' with the Indian Model of Reality, and the consequent imperative it yields.
Colonization should be understood as both a process and an event. The svayaṃbodha that emerges from such a realization would make us understand how colonization was not just about the subordination of people and their traditions or the colonization of land and resources, but also about colonizing people's knowledge, their daily experiences, and collective imaginations.
We owe a lot to our mothers and grandmothers, who carry forth traditions year after year diligently. In the case of Chath, it involves fasting for more than thirty six hours and standing in cold water, all for the wellbeing of their family. Even amidst apathy towards culture by many, Chaṭh gives me hope.