Kusum Choppra

Different authors’ texts offer varied interpretations of our ancient texts. The only common denominator is anti-woman patriarchy. Barisal , a modern lady commentator Irawati Karve, anthropologist, sociologist and writer of the myth blasting Yuganta, raised questions, including one: whether Vidura, the brother of Dhritarashtra and Pandu, actually the Father of the eldest Pandav, Yudhisthir? The rationale: Vidura unobtrusively came to the aid of the Pandavs repeatedly, furtively informing them of developments, warning against the Lac Palace, getting the escape tunnel dug etc.; on his part, Yudhisthir’s quiet restraint and wisdom are reminiscent of Vidura. Officially Vidura was a Suta, offspring of Kshtriya fathers from lower caste women; in this case, a maid of the princesses who bore Pandu and Dhritarashtra from their common father, Vyas. In her book Karve delineated parallels in the lives of Vidur and Yudhisthira: being of their surroundings and yet not part of it; Vidur ...

A brand new review of my book Silver Dreams  by Madhu Menon By the time I reached the end of Kusum Choppra’s “Silver Dreams”, I felt certain she could do a sequel titled “Golden Dreams”, in a silver, golden, platinum series. Three successful books, Kusum’s fourth one comes with immeasurable courage, pleasantries, realities and messages for not just the silver lined ones, but for all those reading for pleasure and intellectual stimulation.   In very few words, Silver Dreams is a 2nd innings love story, between a sixty plus, beautiful lady and a seventy plus, handsome man. But that description would be diminishing the writer’s creation of a mosaic of meticulous characterizations, emotions, understandings, adjustments and lovemaking. Yes, love making, as a much better an option to unnecessary family fights, hierarchy issues, the author suggests.   Old age syndromes imminent at fifty plus, I almost believed romance was over for my 45+ wife and me. But rejuvenati...

Chakratirtha Travels: The Sap Flows - Spring Awakening

       Kashmir continues to be an imbroglio for India: the Valley virtually against the rest of India, including Ladakh & Jammu segments of J&K.      How many are aware that the state’s history stretches back 5400 years, long before the advent of Islam?      Earliest Neolithic sites in the flood plains of Kashmir valley are dated to c. 3000 BCE. Most important of these sites are the settlements at Burzahom, with two Neolithic and one Megalithic phases, purportedly taking the history of Kashmir for almost 5000 years. That covers today’s Jammu, Ladhakh, the Kashmir Valley, and   occupied segments of Kashmir and Baltistan, Trans-Karokaram tracts and Aksai Chin. Rajatarangini started by Kalhana   around 3450 BCE and 3 later supplementaries,   offers little known facts on the pre-Mahabharat formation of the Valley and the lineage of Kashmir Kings. Like all early scripture handed down by mouth and wr...