Learn Curve for Girls

Tag: spirituality

  • Knowledge quests and investigations into Indian feminism – Interview with Dr. Sushumna Kannan

    Could you talk about your career journey?

    My career began when I started my masters in Cultural Studies. I did English Literature in my bachelors. Studying English literature was a launch into the questions of selfhood. When I was younger, I had read Hindu Philosophy. English Literature felt like it could be a way of enquiring into ourselves. There is a joy in studying the social sciences and humanities and focussing on culture.

    The kinds of questions cultural studies answered didn’t satisfy me.

    As I was doing my PhD, it occurred to me that cultural studies answered the how question (how things are done?) rather than the why question (why they occur in the first place?) I wanted the why question answered. Knowledge quests are in a very fundamental way asking about the why question. I started getting answer to the Why question through Hindu studies. I was studying Akka Mahadevi. I was studying an array of religious studies.

    I read over 200 books in feminism. I do identify as a feminist. I have read a lot from the discipline of religious studies. In the United States, I did a lot of religious studies research. It is an interesting engagement. I love some scholars and don’t love some of them.

    Could you talk about your reading?

    The academic reading is read in order understand ideas, draw comparisons, etc. Culture Studies reading helps gain a different impression of history and culture. It is a different experience. Reading fiction is an altogether different experience. It allows to experience in images, in full colour and sensory details. I have read 200 odd novels. It has been a joyous experience. I have read English literature, Kannada and regional books in translation. Amit Chowdary is one of my favourite writers and ‘Strange and Sublime Address’ is one of my favourite books. I love the way he writes. Shashi Deshpande and Arundhati Roy are two of my favourite writers. The impulse to write a novel or a poem next follows me.

    Could you talk about history writing from India?

    Until 1970s, history writing in India was conducted bias free. Since the 1970s, very left leaning ideologies have taken over history writing in India. There are two very different things – one looks white and one looks black.

    Could you talk about women’s history writing in India?

    Women’s history in India can’t be understood unless we understand StreeDharma. In a Jain scripture we get glimpses of women performing rituals and yagnas. The Upanishads are known for the Brahmavadinis – independent women who are independent scholars. In the Upanishads we get small glimpses of how women lived. Who were the foreigners who altered us? Hindu warrior code was clear that you should not fight a woman. The warrior code of the other side seems barbaric now and they did fight women. Streedharma, which looks very regressive, was set up in these circumstances. Women are restricted to their home. Uma Bharati, Andal – the stories of these women give us a glimpse of lives of women in ancient India.

    There are two tasks that hindered the history writing process in India – extreme tolerance for the project and extreme hatred for the project.

    Hindu Dharma did offer women compensations. If women due to family commitments could not participate in spirituality – equalities and substitutes were offered. Hindu dharma did offer that. That is kind of feminist.

    What about the unique place of Goddesses in Indian history?

    Celebrating Goddesses in a country where women can’t still be what they want to be in society fully, is showing futility. Women in India should be like Goddesses in real life. We retain the ancient goddess tradition in India. We once had women who were brahmavadinis – that is the goal.

    Could you talk about the Dus Mahavidyas in this context?

    If you tap into these energies – you will never be disappointed. For me however, this is an academic endeavour and an active research process that gives the answers.

    Could you talk about your research topic and Bhakti in particular?

    Bhakti opened a way for women out of StreeDharma. To pursue knowledge is a bhakti search in medieval India. Wherever there were hostile external circumstances some women became bhaktas – living within and living detached. They lived in society but in a detached manner. Times can be very difficult in an unsafe society and society still feels unsafe. That needs to change.

    Akka Mahadevi is addressing a deep quest within. As far as time immemorial in India there has been a quest for the self, a philosophical quest. She is a part of this ancient tradition. It has been there for men and women. The quest for the self within remains in India. The interesting this about Akka Mahadevi is that she does not deny StreeDharma and recommends it for women in general. Akka Mahadevi was a part of the Veerashaivaite movement. Her Ista devta was Shiva as Mallikarjuna. Veerashaivism had a tantric understanding of Shiva and Shakti. Here we can clearly see the connection between tantra and bhakti. Scholarship tends to look at literary aspects of bhakti writing without understanding their experiences.

  • Interview with Nandhini Lavanyamurthy

    Your writing journey?

    Before my retirement, in inter office competitions,  I used to write small skits. Actually my writing journey started there. Then, I was writing titbits, small stories  for a Tamil magazine “Pavaiyar Malar”. Almost every month, my article used to come.  After retirement, I joined some Facebook groups and started writing articles. I started participating in Story Competitions. People started recognising me slowly.  After reading some of my posts, Uma Aparna, Pachyderm Tales asked me to write stories with some senior citizens. 

    Why did you chose to do a book on Hanuman?

    From very tender age, Lord Muruga and Lord Hanuman are my favourite Gods. When I chant Hanuman Slokas, I used to be fearless and tackle my problems. One day, when I was reading Sundara Kandam Book, it struck me to write it in a simpler language to reach everyone.

    Why should children be introduced to Indian culture?

    Our Indian culture is one of the oldest one in the world.  We have everything in our  culture and traditions. With two great epics Ramayana and Mahabaratha we can teach our children how to live a successful and at the same time peaceful life too. If we follow our traditions followed by our ancestors, then we will lead a very good life. Children are future leaders.  It is a must that our school system, parents and elders should show our children a correct path.

    What is your favourite story from the Ramayana?

    Hanuman’s meet with Ravan and burning of Lanka.

    What can children learn from the story of Hanuman?

    Nowadays, so many comic fictious stories are coming in book, film and series form like Spiderman, He-man, Pokeman, Shakthiman, etc. If you combine all these characters also, you cannot go near Hanuman. He is wise, showing empathy, bold and brave at the same time, quick in actions. Children can definitely keep Hanuman as their Godfather and Hero.

    What sources did you refer to for the Sundarkandam?

    I read Valmiki Ramayan, Kamba Ramayan and searched Google. But importantly, since my childhood days, my granny used to tell so many stories. Ramayana is one them.  It inspired me a lot. I used to watch Ramayana Serial regularly in television.  These are all my sources.

  • Krishna and Sudama in the forest

    Suhani Dewra

    Krishna and Sudama were students at teacher Sandipani’s ashram. They were fellow classmates as well as best friends.

    One morning, the teacher tasked them to collect wood pieces for bonfire, from the nearby forest. The two friends walked through the forest and got on the job. They cut the wood pieces and wrapped them in a cloth that they had carried from the ashram. It was time to go back to the teacher. As they started on their journey back, it started to pour torrentially.

    “Oh, Krishna, we must take shelter somewhere. The rain is heavy and I am beginning to get drenched. I don’t want to catch a cold,” suggested Sudama.

    “Sure, let’s see if there is shelter around,” agreed Krishna looking around.

    The boys found a gigantic tree, such that they had never seen before. The branches were thick and the leaves so voluminous that heavy rain seemed only mere drizzle under the bushy canopy of the leaves of the tree.

    Soon after the boys took refuse under the tree, Sudama felt hungry. While leaving the ashram in the morning, the teacher’s wife had given him two pouches of roasted chickpea just in case the friends got hungry. One for Sudama and another for Krishna.

    The hungry Sudama fished for his pouch of chickpea in his pocket and began to eat. “Tastes heavenly,” he said. In that moment, greed arose in his mind. He decided to eat Krishna’s share as well.

    “Hey, Krishna. I realize I dropped the pouch of chickpea ma’am gave me for you. I am sorry that you will have to stay hungry. But don’t you worry, we will soon get home,” Sudama lamented.

    Krishna knew that Sudama was quite a foodie. There have been moments in the past when Sudama tried to steal Krishna’s share of food while at the ashram. Krishna gave an investigative look at Sudama’s pockets and knew that the other pouch was also in there.

    “Hey, Sudama, are you sure you dropped the pouch. How about you rummage through the pocket carefully. I am sure you will find my pouch of food in there,” Krishna said pointing to Sudama’s pocket which had the chickpea pouch.

    Sudama knew in that moment that his friend had turned clever and outspoken. It wasn’t any use trying to fool him.

    Pretending to search his pockets, Sudama pulled out the pouch with chickpea and said innocently, “Oh, ya Krishna, it’s right here. So light that I didn’t realize it was even in my pocket. There you go.”

  • Interview with prolific Tamil and English writer JK Sivan

    How many books have you written?

    I have written about 140 books in the past 11 years. This includes stories from Epics, Puranas, Vedas, Vedanta, spiritual scriptures, Indian legends, Acharyas, Rishis et al . I have published and released about 35 books which includes a book on 100 stories of Shree Panduranga. 100 stories on Krishna, in both Tamil and English. I have written books mostly on Shree Krishna and Shree Rama. I have written a book on the complete 18 parvas of Mahabharata including meaning of Gita, Sri Vishnu Sahasranama, and Yakshaprasna.

    Could talk about your writing schedule?

    I write for 18 hours a day. I spend all my time reading, singing and writing. I attend meetings wherever I am invited to speak on spiritual topics . I observe most of the women folk and o ld ladies prefer Tamil books. So, most of my books are in Tamil. I don’t price my books, and I give them away for free. I have 10,000 more copies yet to be distributed. I give away books to libraries, friends, donors, children in schools and old age homes. Now, I am giving publishing rights to Pachyderm Tales and Pustaka. I know both Ms Laksmi Priya and Uma Aparna will be able to distribute the books easily.

    When did you start writing?

    I started writing at my 75th year. Till then, I was busy with my shipping activities, and I never had time. It was at the end of the year 2012. Now I am 86. I started writing through email. In 2012, the only technology we had was email. Through email, I circulated my daily writings and the people, who read, gave me the idea of turning it into a book.

    3, 14,000 people are reading my works as per 2022 FB records. (”JK’s posts have been liked 314000 times’) I get calls from people from India and different parts of the world. I give lots of books to them when they come to see me.

    What was your first book on?

    My first book was for children. It was on Shree Krishna. 100 stories on the life of Shree Krishna. It was based on the stories of the 10th canto of the Srimad Bhagvatham. My book was titled, Vishwaroopavamana Kathagal, which means the stories of a cosmic person in vamana (short) form.

    My first English book was ‘You, I and Krishna’ . Here, every story starts with ‘dear children’ and ends with a moral message.. The pictures are in color in art paper with 280 pages approx. I distributed many free copies of this book. Rs 3 lakhs was donated by a philanthropist in Gujrat attached to the Krishna temple in Dwaraka. 12 of my books are in English. Rest of them are in Tamil. There is great demand for books n English. You, I and Krishna was named that way because there are only three persons in English Grammer.

    First person – I

    Second person is you

    Third person – He, she, it we, etc., but all the three persons are none but Krishna

    Advaita means monism nondual reality. You and I are one and the same. Everything is nothing but one. That is what Adi Shankara taught us. Vishistadvaita was taught to us by Ramanujam. It teaches us that Jeevatma and Paramatman are though separate but joined by the surrender of the individual (SARANAGATHI) to the Supreme Reality.. Qualified monism is thus known as Vishistadvaita, which needs the presence and advice of an Acharya to surrender to HIM.

    What is the essence of Indian philosophy?

    In Indian philosophy, there is nothing but one god. That is the concept of Adi Shankara’s Advaita Philosophy – everything is one. In Dvaita – jeevatama is different from Paramatma. The individual soul reaches the supreme soul ultimately.

    In Indian philosophy the worship of god is the main item. It is called Hindu Sanatana dharma. It not religion but a faith. Tolerance is very important in Hindu Dharma. Sanatana means something that is eternal and ever lasting. The essence of Hinduism is charity, love, discipine, faith in God (devotion) This is what the Geeta also tells us clearly.

    Can you narrate to the audience your favourite story?


    I am a Krishna devotee. Krishna is a God with 16 kalas, Poornaavathara, ie., HE knows, is conscious, that HE is god even when he takes shapes of a man. . Rama as the avatar of a human being appeared to do righteous things. eliminating the wicked and cruel people and helping the righteous was the goal. Parithraanaaya Sadhunaam Vinaasaaya cha dushkritam dharma samsthaabanarththam Sambhavani yuge yuge. That’s why Krishna is called the god of protection. The Hindu Trinity perform the functions of Srishti stithi and samhara or laya. Creation, protection and destruction. Whatever is created must have an end one day. We calculate our life term, age, from the time of birth we are born on earth. Everything is dated on earth. God is beyond time space.

    Guna is character, it is the basis on which mind and heart work for a person. Sattva, rajo tamo guna are the three gunas. characteristics Sattva people who are those who are simple, loving, auspicious, detached from the world and its attractions, and think nothing but social good. They are selfless people who help others and live for others. They live to serve others. They are not attached to this world and are not attracted to this world. This body is given for serving others. Itam sariram paropakaram. Jana seva Janardhana Seva

    What is the essence of Vedanta?


    Vedanta is the end of all the vedas. In the Upanishads we find the Mahavakyas –
    Tat Tvam Asi, Aham Bhrahmasmi, Ayam Atma Brahma and Prajnana Brahma. which mean YOU ARE THAT, I AM BRAHMAN, THIS ATHMA IS BRAMMAN, AND CONSCIOUSNESS IS BRAHMAN.

    The Brahmasutras talk about the sublime Reality, omniscient, omnipresent nameless and formless self of the world, everyone is BRAHMAN

    What is Srividya?

    Sri Vidya is the worship of Rajarajeswari, known as MAHARAJNI. The goddess is worshipped in three forms – Bala Tripura Sundari, young baby girl, Tripura Sundari and Rajarajeshwari. There are 6 forms of worship as established by Adi Shankara. Koumara, worship of Kartikeya; Sauravam, the worship of the Sun; Shivam, worship of Shiva; Vaishnava, the worship of Vishnu, and Shakti, the worship of the Goddess and Ganapathya, worship of Lord Ganesa .

    What is the significance of the Sri Chakra?

    It is a yantra. It contains all the powers. It contains the beeja akshara mantra. powerful letters. When you utter the mantra scorrectly the deity respond. There are so many rituals and festivals for Hindus. Rituals are very important in Sri Vidya Upasana. Upasana means strict adherence to the set procedure of worship.

    Any parting message to the audience?

    Hindus are tolerant and never believe in conversion, and there was no cruelty or hatred towards other religious practices. Only liberty and freedom is given importance. Many children other than Hindus can also benefit from our Vedhas, spiritual scriptures, epics and puranas. Knowledge is Divine. Swamy Vivekananda taught how Hindu beliefs and faith has been collectively organised and developed by our ancient Rishis, and is based on tolerance, peace, love and unity, and nonviolence (ahimsa).

    About J.K. Sivan

    Born in  1939  he  is now nearing  86 yrs  Mr  J K Sivan  hails from a  Tanjorean family of pious and religious scholars  in Tamil, English, and Sanskrit devoted to spreading the values of our culture, tradition and spiritual development in society.

    Sri J.K. Sivan has been occupying very high positions in International Shipowners organisations  being an experienced Marine Insurance claims and insurance, chartering and ship management,  specialist  in India and abroad spanning a period of about half a century.  He lives in Nanganallur now since 1994 after his overseas career.

    He has been actively engaged in  both social and spiritual service to society. Has been President, and Secretary  of  local residents welfare association and organised temple renovations. Has been Secretary of the  Senior Citizens’ Forum Nanganallur.

    Sri Sivan has organised many  pilgrimage tours covering thousands of temple in Tamil Nadu and Southern part of India.

    He has formed  SREE KRISHNARPANAM SEVA SOCIETY  ( which is now a  family Trust since 2018 ),and ever since  mid 2013  has been  writing articles in  English and Tamil through emails, whatsapp, face book and blogs, website,  about our legends, Acharyas, epics  and puranas, and other holy scriptures in the form of short stories for children . His novel way of present has ben  globally well received by Hindus all over numbering lakhs of people.  He has authored about  140+ books  in English and Tamil , of which about  35 were published without a price tag  for children. Through the above Trust Mr Sivan has organised  many  competitions for  children women and seniors  encouraging them in various  activities connected  promotion of spirituality in society and  distributed prizes. He is  recipient of many titles and virudhus including   BAGAVATH SEVA RATHNA from  Kanchi Mutt seer and VAISHNAVA SEVA RATHNA, from Vaishnava Conference at Annankoil.  

  • A Pachyderm Tales writing roundtable

    Bhanumati:

    Since I wasa small child I used to read story books a lot. Because of my love for books I got the inspiration to write.

    Alamelu :

    As a small child, I used to read a lot of storybooks – Sujatha, Lakshmi, Indumati, Sandilyan. Uma Aparna encouraged me to write.

    Kamala :

    I like Tamil a lot.Kumudham, Ananda Vigadan etc. I did Katha kalashetram and was a storytelling expert. So I decided to write stories. I read Sujatha, Shree Venugopal – a spiritual writer, Tangadurai – a contemporary writer.

    Bhanumati:

    I have written for Bhagvada Kathaigal. Herein, I have explored the stories of Yashoda and Kannan. How, everyone likes Krishna. I have written in Nadodi kathaigal. In this collection of folktales, grama kathas, I have written on a story on Akbar and Birbal. I have contributed to the anthology – Avvaiyar Amdudha Muyvigel – narratives on the memorable and precious quotes of Tamil Poetess. Then I worked on the anthology Thukadagal which is a lot of small stories strung together. My story Odiporavan is on how a girl will suffer if her husband disappears.

    Kamala:

    I have written for the anthology Dasaavatar. I picked the Parasuraman avataram. This avatarn of Vishnu is an avesham avataran, where the Seer/Sage is short tempered. He serves his father Jamadagni and severs the head of his mother Renuka Devi. Then with the permission of his father  he puts the head back creating two goddesses now Renuka Devi and Marimman.

    Vanaja:

    Our mother tongue is Tamil.

    Jayanti:

    The reading habit in Tamil must be inculcated. When we buy a dress for a child’s birthday. We must buy a book for the child as well.

    Jayanti:

    I did a PhD when I was in my 60s and teaching in a college. I am very proud of a song I wrote which was recorded with Carnatic music by a 10 year old girl and she had included my song among other songs by luminaries. My song was on teachers day and its message was –

    Teachers taught us alphabets and letters

    They are the ladder

    They take us up in life

    Brinda:

    I was always interested in study. I used to read a lot of Tamil magazines. Elders in those days used to say they spoil the children’s mind, but my parents would encourage me to read.  I have studied Tamil in school. My child studied in English. We must help children understand Tamil. That’s why I think its important to write, create literature and spread Tamil.

    Vanaja:

    I had a lot of love for Tamil. My children are in America and my great grand children want to learn Tamil. It is very important to know Tamil. All our children must know Tamil. All our stories in the anthologies are in Tamil.

    Brinda:

    I did BSc in mathematics. After marriage, I did an MA and Mphil. I studied the works of Vallallar the poet and Ramalingayal Adigelall, who believed in the spiritual path of bhakti.

    Ruckmani:

    We started learning English in the 6th standard. Tamil was from 1st standard. We think in Tamil, it comes naturally to us. I used to read a lot of books and my father also used to buy a lot of books. Kumudham, Vigadan, writing by Balakumaran, Sujatha, and Kalki’s classic Ponniyan Selyan. I used to keep writing poetry. I liked writing. Then Uma Aparna became a friend. Through the Pachyderm Tales project, we all joined the writing community. Lakshmi Priya is a great leader and thinks differently. We were all stunned by seeing what she was doing. We don’t just write the story. We would just get together as a group and decide what to write. Some of the books I have written for are Athichudi stories, Temple stories, etc. We all liked contributing to the anthologies, and I got a lot of feedback from people. My favourite contribution was for Velar Nachiyar. I took the angle of how girls were a part of the independence movement. I wrote a story about Kuili, who was the leader of the squad that helped Velan Nachiyar.

    I wanted to write about girls and women who are making an outstanding contribution. I wrote about Lakshmi Priya, about Dr. Renuka helping leprosy patients.

    In Tamil Nadu, the reading habits have reduced. Everybody has a story. There is often more than one story.

    Brinda:

    I did BSc in mathematics. Then I did my MPhil on Vallallr, Tamil saint and poet who wrote on the spiritual path or bhakti. I have published in 6 books and 4 more are on the way.

    Brinda:

    6 books published. 4 more on the way. I write to ensure my stories have a message on values. People must read our stories and know something.

    Vanaja:

    I was always intent on reading and writing as a child. I started writing 4-5 years ago. 16 books will be published.

    Jayanthi:

    We don’t give enough preference to Tamil. I did my PhD in Tamil. If you want to be a Tamil writer, you must study Tamil. I used to write in different types of genres. I went to Sita Lakshmi College and wanted to educate children. As a writer, my intent was to take Tamil to the schools.

    Jayanthi:

    My father was a writer. So, I liked writing a lot. My mother used to run a school. I used to write for Vigadan, Kalki, Kumudhan, when I was in school. I have interviewed many people in cine field. My mother started a school. When I taught children I used to teach Alzh Villiappa’s songs. His children’ s songs were very good. He was superstar of children’s literature. We liked the songs. I wanted songs for my school children. I write poems. I have written more than 80 books – biographies of  many people including JK Rowling.

    Brinda:

    I can’t write is what I thought. I had written with Mangelmallar. I have been writing for 30 years. My name is well known among those who read Tamil Magazine – Brinda Ramani. I have written really popular articles – 30 types of rasam, 30 types of dosa etc. Being a well known writer, I was on facebook. I blog. I did these projects for Uma Aparna.

    Kamala:

    I like Tamil a lot. Kumudham, Ananda Vigadan, Katha kalakshetram. I am a storytelling expert. So, I decided to write stories. Kalki, Sujata, I like a lot. Shree Venugopal is spiritual writer and Pushpa Tangedurai is a contemporary writer.

    Kamala:

    I contributed to the anthology Dasavataram. I wrote about the Parashuraman avatar. This is an aveshan avatara, because he is short tempered. Due to bhakti to his father Jamadagni – he severs the head of his mother. This devi, whose head is then replaced is known as Mariamman, Renuka Devi, Yellamma etc.

    Vanaja:

    Our mother tongue is Tamil we must encourage it. Reading habit should be inculcated rigorously. Just as buy dresses for children during their birthday we must buy books too.

    Jayanthi:

    I have done my PhD. My happiest memory is when a 10 year old creates this song with Carnatic music base –

    Flower bud

    Teachers teach us alphabets and letters.

    They are the ladder

    They take us up

    Revathi:

    Working on these anthologies we learn so much about culture. Through writing literature, we are able to experience culture. We should not let go of our culture and heritage.

    Praveena:

    It is very important to write about culture.

    Revathi:

    Every mother must ensure that the child knows Tamil. We must all make an effort to learn Tamil.

    Praveena:

    Culture is disappearing.

    Revathi:  

    We should get children to learn all languages. English, Hindi and Tamil. We should teach children Tamil. We should not forget Tamil.

    Praveena:

    I am Tamilian and proud to say this to the world. We must take the Thirukural and understands the basics there – how to lead a happy life, be content etc.

    Hema :

    Children today don’t know Tamil. It is to help children learn reading and writing in Tamil that I started writing. I have just started. My mission has just started.

    Prabha:

    We were featured in the Guinness book of records. We brought out 52 books by 62 writers.

    Hema:

    I got a lot of support from my daughter.

    Mythali:  

    Tamil is disappearing. English is today the main subject. In the Tamil we speak there is a lot of English mixture. In our daily speech we use 80% English and 20% Tamil. It is important we introduce children to the Tamil world.

    Revathi:

    Tamil is the language of our state. It is easy to destroy but difficult to preserve your heritage, your mother tongue. I am also fluent in Hindi and do, Tamil and Hindi translations.

    Prabha:

    I produce a youtube channel.

    Hema:

    I have wanted to write a lot. I am also a storyteller.

    Prabha:

    I have a good team and a good publisher. I would like to thank them for supporting me with my writing.

    Mythali:

    I was recently introduced to Uma Aparna. I was running a Montessori school. I have lot of experience in telling stories. Uma Aparna motivated me.

    Hema:

     I have written stories online, infact both stories and poems online. Through this project I got a chance to write for publication.

    Praveena:

      I used to write poems in both English and Tamil. When I was a teacher in school I used to tell stories to students. I used to teach English through stories. I have a youtube channel where I tell stories. Uma Aparna motivated me to write stories. I have written the story of Mimmini and Kinkini – the story of two friends.