Historian Dalrymple dwells on cultural richness of ancient India
The 13th edition of the Khushwant Singh Litfest took off to a grand start under the blue skies of Kasauli today. The three-day event commenced with the recitation of Gurbani and saint Kabir’s couplets, and then noted historian Willian Dalrymple took over with his inaugural session, giving insights into India’s rich history and how it affects the world. The session was rightly titled ‘Past Perfect’.
Dalrymple, the keynote speaker for the opening day of the festival, delved deep into the cultural richness of India in the ancient times. He highlighted the wisdom on Indian innovations that travelled and transformed the world, which people never knew they needed. The historian’s latest book, The Golden Road: How Ancient India Transformed the World’, also traces how these ideas changed the world forever.
Dalrymple said, “We should recover the centrality of India (in trade till the 13th century), but not in a jingoistic way,” He spoke highly about India’s position as a ‘crucial economic and civilisational hub’ in ancient Eurasia when commerce along sea routes was central to how Ancient Indian ideas spread around the world.
From the historical significance of the Silk Road, the arrival of Buddhism in China, to the fascinating journey of the Chinese monks who brought Buddhist teachings back to India’s Nalanda University, Dalrymple spoke about it all in his session. A huge crowd had turned up for Dalrymple’s opening session. The spirits seemed high for all attendees including regular faces of the fest, book lovers, authors, publishers, literary critics, enthusiastic students, and volunteers alike.
In another session on ‘Courage Under Fire’, Major General Ian Cardozo (retd), a distinguished military leader, captivated the audience with his extraordinary tales of courage and adventure. Cardozo provided insights into the challenges and triumphs faced by soldiers on the battlefield.
Major General Cardozo’s narrative was complemented by contributions of other speakers like Probal Dasgupta who offered a compelling exploration of the concept of courage and the sacrifices made by military personnel. The event served as a powerful reminder of the bravery and dedication displayed by those who serve their country.
For a session, Golden Melodies, legendary violinist L Subramaniam spoke on 'Music's Unifying Power'. Known for his exceptional ability to blend Indian and Western classical traditions, Subramaniam captivated the audience with reflections on his musical journey and cross-cultural collaborations.
Subramaniam highlighted his iconic performance in London, where he seamlessly bridged the gap between the two musical worlds. His ability to fuse the grandeur of Western classical symphony with the intricacies of Indian classical music has earned him international acclaim. His celebrated jugalbandis- duets featuring North and South Indian classical traditions-demonstrate the rich potential of musical fusion. Among his most notable collaborations was with the legendary violinist Yehudi Menuhin, where the two explored the technical complexities of music. Subramaniam's partnership with George Harrison of The Beatles also stands as a testament to his cross-cultural influence and deep commitment to expanding the boundaries of music.
