Abstract: Humans have taken a long period of evolution to find their social or ideological solidarity in their associations. It is where the sense of belonging arises from. Being part of a whole, contributing to it and protecting it are borne from the cognisance of mutual understanding. This, in turn, forms the basis of identity, individually or as a group. Over the years, these associations lead to the formation of communities that sustain themselves on their unique beliefs and practices even i…

“Who am I?” Cries delusional disappointment From the other side of silent silences. “It is I!” replies the forgotten folklore Soaked to its bone with the mythography of Amnesia and madness. “It is I!” cries the fallen leaf Which was born “x” billion years ago In the shared womb of a strange sameness, In the throes of the same tragic groans and moans, Which delivered or vomited the Universe into being Identifying and relinquishing its cosmic responsibilities. “It is I!” cried the Mother, Bu…

On a veranda with intricately carved and Filigreed doors, Dancing lights and swaying shadows: Etched is childhood, at my grand-mom’s in Dehradoon. We children watched as the kathputliwala outside Made the kathputlis (wooden dolls) Swing up and down...up and down... Long shadows of tunics and lehengas twinkling In beauteous delight - kings, queens, peasants, priests, Villagers, horsemen and weavers at work, what a sight! How fabric and its motifs Flow along with time Moving through differ…

Neilesh is Associate Professor of History and Canada Research Chair of Global and Comparative History at the University of Victoria. His publications include the edited volumes India after World History: Literature, Comparison, and Approaches to Globalization (Leiden, 2022), South Asian Migrations in Global History: Labor, Law, and Wayward Lives (London, 2020), and his monograph Recasting the Region: Language, Culture, and Islam in Colonial Bengal (Delhi, 2014) as well as articles on religion, c…

This is an excerpt. The full essay is published in the book compiled under TMYS Review March 2023 project (available worldwide via Amazon). *** The primary attraction of a John Abraham film is that it stars John Abraham. Who hadn’t ogled at John Abraham’s well chiselled physique when he carved his niche in Bollywood with his dashing features and dimpled smile? He was one of the six-pack stalwarts to introduce the concept of Ecto-Mesomorph in Bollywood and instantly made every woman drool over hi…