Reflecting on ongoing global conflicts and the normalization of armed violence, the article emphasizes the importance of peacebuilding through education and moral framing. It highlights the role of peace education in creating just and equitable systems, referencing frameworks like the 'Positive Peace' model by Johan Galtung and reports from the Institute of Economics and Peace. The author, Urmi Chanda, shares her experiences and initiatives in peacebuilding, advocating for organized and precise demands for peace. The article underscores the need for a well-functioning government, equitable resource distribution, and good relations with neighbors to achieve lasting peace.

The 'History for Peace Tracts' series by Seagull Books addresses the distortion of history in India and emphasizes the importance of teaching history to foster peaceful perspectives. The series includes significant lectures from the History for Peace conferences, covering topics like the role of education in peace, the impact of visual culture on national consciousness, and the reimagining of Indian secularism. The works of Krishna Kumar, Yousuf Saeed, and Rajeev Bhargava are highlighted, each offering unique insights into how history and culture shape societal values and national identity. The series advocates for a multiplicity of historical narratives as a means to achieve peace.

The article details the creation and inaugural event of 'In Sync,' India's first forum for interfaith arts and dialogue. The forum, conceived by an interfaith research scholar, aims to foster interfaith harmony through syncretic art forms and dialogue sessions. The event featured performances and talks highlighting India's syncretic culture, with notable figures like Sushant Singh and Rahul Gandhi mentioned. Despite initial challenges, the forum received positive feedback, emphasizing the importance of love and unity in overcoming communal tensions.

The article critiques the current BJP-led government's efforts to saffronize Indian history by omitting Muslim contributions. It highlights the book 'The Indians: Histories of a Civilization,' edited by Ganesh N Devy, Tony Joseph, and Ravi Korisettar, as a counter-narrative. The book offers a comprehensive and pluralistic view of India's history, covering a wide range of topics from archaeology to culture. It aims to uphold a scientific view of history while challenging ideologically charged distortions. The article praises the book for its scholarly objectivity and its effort to present multiple perspectives on India's history.

The article draws parallels between the Bollywood film 'Ghoomer' and a recent fatal car crash in India, highlighting the dire state of road safety in Southasia. It recounts the tragic accident involving Manoj Kumar Singhdeo and Priyanka Surdeo, which left two children orphaned and underscores the high rate of road fatalities in the region. The piece calls for increased road safety measures and awareness, supported by organizations like the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. The narrative intertwines personal loss with broader statistics, urging both state and citizens to improve safety norms.

The article details the journey of Urmi Chanda in organizing India's first forum for interfaith arts and dialogue, inspired by the Shaheen Bagh protests. It highlights the challenges and successes of the event, which aimed to foster interfaith harmony through syncretic art forms and dialogue. The forum featured performances, talks, and dialogue sessions, emphasizing the importance of cultural and religious unity in India. The narrative underscores the enduring hope for peace and the power of collective cultural heritage in bridging communal divides.

Rana Safvi's book 'In Search of the Divine: Living Histories of Sufism in India' explores the history and essence of Sufism, its connection with Islam, and its syncretic traditions in the Indian subcontinent. Safvi combines historical analysis with personal faith, discussing Sufi practices, the Shia-Sunni schism, and the role of Sufism in India's cultural and religious tapestry. The book delves into various Sufi orders, their saints, and the cultural impact of Sufism, including its influence on literature, arts, and festivals. Safvi also addresses gender segregation and the egalitarian nature of Sufi dargahs, highlighting their continued relevance and appeal across different faiths.

The article explores the burgeoning genre of peace literature in South Asia, highlighting its expansive and evolving nature. It discusses the challenges in defining peace literature and emphasizes its role in promoting values like justice, equality, and dignity. The piece features various authors and anthologies that contribute to this genre, including works by Sahana Ahmed, Arushi Sharma, and Jeyamohan. It underscores the importance of naming societal wrongs and fostering a culture of peace through literary expressions. The article also mentions several organizations and initiatives that support peace literature, such as the Dayton Literary Peace Prize and the Southasia Peace Action Network.

The article reviews 'Amity,' an anthology of peace poems edited by Sahana Ahmed, featuring 95 poems by 47 writers from various countries. The anthology explores themes of personal, social, political, institutional, and ecological peace. Ahmed's editorial choices reflect her multifaceted roles as a novelist, poet, social leader, and peacebuilder. The book emphasizes that peace begins with small, intentional acts and includes contributions from notable poets and peace advocates. The review highlights the diverse themes and emotional landscapes covered in the anthology, underscoring the importance of honest writing in promoting peace.

Ratan Sharda's book, co-authored with Yashwant Pathak, explores the RSS's approach to conflict resolution in India, focusing on issues in Kashmir, Punjab, and the North East. The review criticizes the RSS for its lack of compassion and biased approach towards non-Hindu communities, highlighting its historical and ongoing involvement in violence. The book is seen as an attempt to reshape the RSS's image but fails to offer new perspectives or solutions, making it unsuitable for genuine peacebuilding efforts.

Photographer Pablo Bartholomew's decade-long exploration of Naga culture is showcased in an exhibition at Nine Fish Art Gallery in Mumbai. The exhibition features photographs taken between 1989 and 2000, along with Naga artefacts from the Great Eastern Home collection. Bartholomew's work provides a detailed look into the diverse and resilient Naga tribes, their traditions, and everyday life, despite the dangers he faced during his travels. The exhibition offers a comprehensive view of Naga anthropology, enriched by detailed captions and a video.

The Mahabharata's enduring influence on India's national imagination is explored through GN Devy's new book, which examines the epic's blend of myth and history. Devy, a renowned literary critic, argues that the Mahabharata serves as a cultural memory, shaping Indian identity. The article contrasts the Mahabharata's pervasive impact with the Ramayana's political use, highlighting the epic's unique storytelling method that intertwines myth, legend, and history. Despite its caste system undertones, the Mahabharata remains a people's epic, celebrated for its inclusivity and cultural significance.

The Drama School Mumbai (DSM) transitioned to virtual theatre training during the pandemic with its Ekalavya online initiative, attracting nearly 3,000 students in three months. The course, named after a dedicated learner from the Mahabharata, emphasizes self-driven learning and has expanded the school's teaching capabilities. Despite initial challenges, DSM's community, including faculty and alumni, adapted to the new format, which focused on individual growth. The virtual program, while not as immersive as physical training, has opened up new possibilities for blended learning in theatre, offering greater accessibility and scalability. Jehan Manekshaw, DSM founder and recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi's Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar, highlights the importance of theatre in providing a space for people during times of anxiety.

Arunava Sinha's translation of 'Khwabnama,' originally a Bengali novel by Akhtaruzzaman Elias, is reviewed. The novel is a political piece set in 1940s Bengal, depicting the Tebhaga peasant rebellion and the life of Tamiz, a fisherman-farmer. It explores themes of poverty, injustice, and various social struggles, with elements of magical realism. The review notes that the book's pace picks up midway and may be tiresome for non-Bangladeshi readers, lacking in magical realism, but Sinha's translation is commended for its authenticity and nuance.

Jeet Thayil's book 'Names of the Women' offers a feminist retelling of the New Testament, placing the women of the Bible at the forefront. The narrative challenges traditional patriarchal interpretations by presenting these women in their raw, unembellished forms, highlighting their agency and resilience. The book arrives at a time when feminist interpretations of religious texts are gaining traction, and it aligns with recent progressive changes in the Roman Catholic Church. Thayil's lyrical and contemplative writing style makes this a compelling read, forging a new path for recognizing forgotten female figures in religious history.

The article discusses the intersection of fashion and faith, highlighting how religious symbols and colors are used to express beliefs and make statements, as seen during the US Capitol insurrection. It explores the changing connotations of colors like saffron and green in India, and the use of headgear and facial hair as religious markers. The web series 'Aashram' is cited to illustrate the importance of fashion in expressing faith, while the article also touches on the impact of secular laws and growing Islamophobia on religious fashion choices.

Two new books, 'Maryada: Searching for Dharma in the Ramayana' by Arshia Sattar and 'Ramayana Revisited: An Epic Through A Legal Prism' by Anil Maheshwari and Vipul Maheshwari, explore the concept of dharma in the Ramayana. Sattar's work scrutinizes Rama's character and the multiplicity of dharma, while the Maheshwaris' book applies contemporary Indian legal frameworks to the epic's characters and events. The analysis highlights the evolving interpretations of the Ramayana and the need to adapt its lessons to modern ideals.

Arvind Sharma's book 'Religious Tolerance: A History' explores the concept of unity in diversity through the lens of various religious traditions. Divided into sections covering Abrahamic, Indic, and East Asian religions, the book uses a framework of exclusivism, inclusivism, and pluralism to demonstrate how each faith has the potential for tolerance. Highlighting historical and contemporary examples, Sharma argues that the state plays a crucial role in fostering religious tolerance. The book emphasizes that religions, often used to justify violence, can also be powerful tools for peace.

T.M. Krishna's 'The Edict Project', inspired by Emperor Ashoka's rock edicts, brings to light the historical interplay between music and architecture. The article explores this relationship, citing examples from ancient Greece, medieval Europe, and ancient India, where structures were designed with acoustic considerations. It references Goethe's view of music as 'liquid architecture' and discusses the synesthetic experiences that arise from the fusion of music and architecture. Modern examples include the song 'Let it go' from 'Frozen', and the Access Contemporary Music company's architecture-inspired compositions in Chicago.

The article compares two recent releases, the web series Aashram on MX Player and the film Sadak 2 on Disney+ Hotstar. Aashram, directed by Prakash Jha, is praised for its nuanced portrayal of religious sects and their socio-political impact, featuring a compelling narrative and strong performances, particularly by Bobby Deol. In contrast, Mahesh Bhatt's Sadak 2 is criticized for its lack of depth and poor execution, despite a star-studded cast. The article highlights the different approaches of the two directors in tackling the sensitive subject of religion and faith.

The article discusses the changes in India's political landscape over the past eight years, highlighting the increase in religious hatred and sectarianism. Despite this, the author remains optimistic about the resilience of India's pluralistic and syncretic traditions. The article suggests that India's diversity is deeply rooted and evident in various aspects of its culture, such as festivals, tales of saints and mystics, food, crafts, and the spirit of its people. The author emphasizes that artists play a crucial role in keeping these traditions alive, serving as a reminder of the country's tightly interwoven cultural heritage.

The article explores the romantic aspects of the epic love story of Ram and Sita from Indian mythology, challenging the notion that their relationship lacked romance. It discusses how Ram and Sita are often idealized as the perfect couple, with Sita's sacrifices and Ram's protection and love for her being central themes. The Ramayana is seen as a moral codebook, especially Tulsidas' Ramcharitmanas, which portrays Ram and Sita as divine figures. The article highlights episodes from the Ramayana that showcase Ram's indulgence and deep love for Sita, such as his quest for the golden deer and his reaction to her abduction. It also touches on the complexities of Ram's character as both a man and a king, particularly in his decisions regarding Sita's agnipareeksha and banishment. Sita's own strength and love for Ram are emphasized, suggesting that their mutual love inspired their journey together, despite the tragic turn it takes towards the end.

The mythological story of Shiva and Sati, as told in various Puranas, highlights the enduring relevance of their love. Sati, devoted to Shiva from childhood, marries him despite her father Daksha's disapproval. The narrative explores themes of pride, ego, and the reconciliation of contrasting personalities. Daksha's pride leads to Sati's self-immolation and Shiva's subsequent rage, symbolizing the destruction of ego. The story underscores the challenges and potential of love between contrasting personalities within a conventional social framework.

Pia and Arijit, a couple from Bangalore, have been married for over ten years and faced societal pressure to have children. Due to Pia's gynecological issues, they opted for surrogacy but decided to keep it a secret by having Pia wear a fake pregnancy bump. This elaborate charade is to protect their future child from societal judgment and bullying. Only a few family members are aware of the truth, and they have staged traditional celebrations to maintain the facade.