Book Review “ Death ends life, not a relationship ,” as Mitch Albom put it. That is why, we have so many rituals associated with death. Minakshi Dewan’s book, The Final Farewell [HarperCollins, 2023], is a well-researched book about those rituals. The book starts with an elaborate description of the Sikh rituals associated with death and cremation, before moving on to Islam, Zoroastrianism, Christianity, and finally Hinduism. After that, it’s all about the various traditions and related details of Hindu final rites. A few chapters are dedicated to the problems of widows in India, gender discrimination in the last rites, and the problem of unclaimed dead bodies. There is a chapter titled ‘Grieving Widows in Hindi Cinema’ too. Death and its rituals form an unusual theme for a book. Frankly, I don’t find the topic stimulating in any way. Obviously, I didn’t buy this book. It came to me as quite many other books do – for reasons of their own. I read the book finally, having shelv
wow !! u have a farm house kind of place .. aint it ??
ReplyDeleteNice !! A months vacation from ShEila ji's city should be refreshing among the greenery !
.. between the sane animals .. the sane creatures of God !! All of them look so happy !! :)
Enjoy and keep posting :)
Exactly, Jack. It's a farm. It belongs to my brother. I have a small share in the place...
DeleteWhere in Kerala Sir? Looks like Kottayam :)
ReplyDeleteAlmost, Jahid. Just 40 km from Kottayam. A village.
DeleteWow this looks so lovely I absolutely adore the kitten :)
ReplyDeletewaiting for more...
Richa
Richa, I wanted to post more pictures. But the connectivity in the village is awful. The pleasures of the countryside are different, you see... different from what technology can provide.
Deletewow thats soo cute
ReplyDeleteGlad you found it cute.
DeleteIts looking like a very nice and wonderful place. Hope to visit this place in my lifetime. :)
ReplyDeleteTechnology News
Most welcome. This place is far out of any tourist map, however.
Deletewow! awesome!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Easwar ji.
DeletePerfect to unwind!
ReplyDeleteNice place. Enjoy your vacation.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Indrani.
DeleteI have stayed in a similar yet dissimilar place, a single storey sprawling house in verdant surroundings, but right dab in the middle of Chengannur, right next to the temple and the river. Enjoyed it thoroughly, for about 2 days.
ReplyDeleteAnd, you are doing it for a whole month. Yet, you complain!
RE
No complaints, Raghuram. I'm enjoying my vacation.
DeleteHappy Holidays. That's a great place to recharge yourself for another academic year. :)
ReplyDeleteYeah, I'm indeed recharging myself. Thanks.
DeleteDesi heaven ! enjoy your holidays Sir, kerela, gods own country .. lucky you ....
ReplyDeleteEnjoying, friend.
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