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Pavan K. Varma
Pavan K. Varma is an award-winning writer-diplomat and now in politics, where he was till recently an MP in the Rajya Sabha, and earlier Advisor to the Chief Minister of Bihar. He is the author of over a dozen bestselling books, including Ghalib: The Man, The Times, The Great Indian Middle Class, The Book of Krishna, Being Indian, Becoming Indian and Chanakya’s New Manifesto. He has served as Ambassador in several countries, including Bhutan, Director of The Nehru Centre in London, Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Director General, ICCR and Press Secretary to the President of India. He is currently the National General Secretary and National Spokesman of the Janata Dal (United). In 2018, he was conferred an Honorary Doctorate by the Sri Sharada Institute of Indian Management for his book Adi Shankaracharya: Hinduism’s Greatest Thinker. His latest book is Chanakya’s View: Understanding India in Transition.
Sessions
Voices Of Faith: Ramcharitmanas: Then and Now
Pavan K. Varma and Philip Lutgendorf in conversation with Harish Trivedi
The epic poem, the Ramcharitmanas, was composed in the 16th century in Awadhi by Goswami Tulsidas and has retained its religious and literary primacy through orality, ritual and literature. Writer, politician and former diplomat Pavan K. Varma’s work includes the best-selling Adi Shankaracharya: Hinduism’s Greatest Thinker and recently The Greatest Ode to Lord Ram: Tulsidas's Ramcharitmanas. Academic and cultural historian Philip Lutgendorf has worked extensively with the Ramcharitmanas and his definitive English translation published by the Murty Classical Library of India runs into seven volumes. In conversation with fellow scholar, academic and translator Harish Trivedi, they discuss the impact and outreach of this classic text, which has been hailed as “the living sum of Indian culture.”
Voices Of Faith: Ramcharitmanas: Then and Now
Pavan K. Varma and Pushpesh Pant in conversation
Tulsidas’ Ramcharitmanas is a lyrical outpouring of the greatest devotion to Lord Ram. Writer, former diplomat and politician Pavan K. Varma's latest book, ‘The Greatest Ode to Lord Ram: Tulsidas's Ramcharitmanas’, has attempted to deconstruct Hinduism by analysing the plurality that exists within its philosophical roots. Pushpesh Pant is deeply acquainted with the nuances of the Ramcharitmanas. Watch them as they discuss the poetics and philosophy of the classic.
Voices Of Faith: Ramcharitmanas: Then and Now
Pavan K. Varma and Pragya Tiwari in conversation
Tulsidas’ Ramcharitmanas has highlighted Lord Ram’s immense faith and belief in the concept of dharma. The ideas of the utopian society that Lord Ram strove for within these verses has since then generated the notion of Ram Rajya an ideal combination of governance and righteousness. Author, politician and former diplomat Pavan K. Varma’s latest book, ‘The Greatest Ode to Lord Ram: Tulsidas's Ramcharitmanas’, is an ode to the great importance of wisdom over knowledge that shines through the entire text. Pragya Tiwari is a journalist who has written extensively on politics, identity, policy and culture. Watch them as they discuss the foundations of Ram Rajya, what it signifies and its enduring place in Indian polity.
Voices Of Faith: Ramcharitmanas: Then and Now
Pavan K. Varma and Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni in conversation
The Ramcharitmanas is one of the greatest lyrical compositions in Indian literature. Written in the 16th century by Tulsidas in Awadhi, which was the language of the masses rather than Sanskrit, it broke away from literary tradition and made Lord Ram more accessible and relatable to the layperson. The story of Lord Ram, however, is incomplete without referring to the strength, knowledge and perseverance of Goddess Sita and her central role within the narrative. In his recent work, The Greatest Ode to Lord Ram, writer, politician and former diplomat, Pavan K. Varma has selected some of the most inspiring stanzas and —offering a succinct commentary for each—that capture the very core of the original. Academic and author Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni's novel The Forest of Enchantments is an evocative telling of the Goddess Sita. Her innate strength is a testament to the power of the female. Together, they discuss the various philosophical aspects of the Ramcharitmanas and the characters that shine through.
The Ramcharitmanas
Pavan K. Varma and Shashi Tharoor in conversation
An important session that examines the deep philosophy and continuing relevance of the Ramcharitmanas, written by Goswami Tulsidas in Awadhi in the 16th century. Diplomat, author and ex MP Pavan K. Varma discusses his new book on the subject with politician and writer Shashi Tharoor as they follow the pathbreaking text and its deep impact on Indian culture and society.