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
Sir, Clicking Chillies is easier/better than eating them :)
ReplyDeleteHad you visited during Christmas? I was there at Kerala this Christmas & enjoyed my visit :)
I was there just for a couple of days this week, Anita. An emergency.
DeletePoet Thomas Gray wrote about the destiny of certain flowers to be born in deserts where their fragrance is wasted. I found these chillies too in a similar place where their spiciness is wasted.
from the place known for spices !
ReplyDeleteYeah, so spices grow just anywhere without any need for human attention.
DeleteEven the 'red' chillies stand out in Kerala!
ReplyDeleteTrue. But red is loosing its sheen in Kerala. A friend of mine said, "Pinarayi Vijayan and Umman Chandi are partners in the capitalist business policies."
DeleteNice Click
ReplyDeleteThanks, gowtham.
DeleteThe variety of chillies seeds that are from Kerala is amazing. Most of the Kerala gardeners who are on our network post such pretty pictures making us "burn" :-)
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, Pattu, the particular variety that is peculiar to Kerala and burns down to one's bottom seems to be the only species that is surviving in God's own country.
DeleteAh! Chillies... my favourite ingredient .. and the vibrant red one stands out as if asking for attention :D
ReplyDeleteChillies always demand attention, Namrota. And red is the best colour for that.
DeleteYes :)
DeleteSo sweet - hmm photo not chillies.
ReplyDeleteThe chillies are bombs, dear.
DeleteNice click..and I love red chillies :-P..Bengalis like hot and spicy food you know..
ReplyDeleteYeah, I've noticed quite a common features between Bongs and Mallus :) Fish, for example.
DeleteNice one. :) Love chili. Have to contact Pattu and find out more about Kerala seed varieties.
ReplyDeleteKantari is the variety unique to Kerala, Subhorup. A very small chilly which acts like an atom bomb in your mouth.
Deletewhat a beautiful red of chillies.....
ReplyDeleteGlad you found it beautiful.
DeleteHow did it grow on unexpected place?
ReplyDeleteIt was thriving in a place where no one bothered about it. Like a wild plant.
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