RAJGOPAL NIDAMBOOR The universe may not think it’s all-intrusive, according to the Vedas. Hence, its relationship with nature and us is substantial — even when one is not familiar with their teachings. The Vedas celebrate the environment for each of us, whatever our belief, or ideology. This is, by itself, the Vedic foundation of truth […]
RAJGOPAL NIDAMBOOR We live in the best and the worst of times, to use a Dickensian phrase, albeit the great English novelist may not have pictured the gloomy COVID-19 hurricane. To cut a long story short, the foremost thing that each of us could do is making, not just attempting, a constant and resolute effort […]
RAJGOPAL NIDAMBOOR Graham Greene — the legendary novelist, playwright, short story and screenplay writer, critic and journalist of the top draw — was always a mobile writer, never ever easy to pin down. His narrative quest was criminal-centered. His novels enveloped dissent, and his journalism championed disliked causes. His comedies were sad and his politics […]
RAJGOPAL NIDAMBOOR There was nothing that he’d not do on the cricket field when in mood. He’d smash his way, when the chips were down, with the willow. He’d bowl a few unplayable deliveries and flummox the best batsmen in the business — without them knowing what transpired under their nose. He’d take a difficult […]
RAJGOPAL NIDAMBOOR There’s this fascinating video clip of tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain not getting worked up, or irritated, when one of the microphones got wobbly and was falling off. He holds it with his left hand and weaves his magic on the tabla with amazing dexterity — and, with a delightful smile. His poise, […]
RAJGOPAL NIDAMBOOR The conscious self and the divine self are two sides of the same coin. When the two coalesce, it is akin to the mind acquiescing to itself, while relating to the whole self, or consciousness. In the process, it seamlessly integrates with self-awareness, but not so much with the unconscious self-awareness, or unconscious […]
RAJGOPAL NIDAMBOOR There is no terror in the bang, only in the anticipation of it. — Alfred Hitchcock Sir Alfred Joseph Hitchcock, KBE, was a great visual artist. He was also a supreme architect of anticipation. What’s more, he never believed in the ordinary. He held a magnetic, or hypnotic, charm too. Evil, for him, […]
RAJGOPAL NIDAMBOOR Most of us cultivate, or foster, certain interests in areas that may, in reality, not fascinate, draw, or propel, us — because we have to somehow survive, while keeping the ‘financial wolf’ from the door. What we customarily showcase on our curriculum vitae, therefore, becomes a norm in the course of time — […]
RAJGOPAL NIDAMBOOR Our brain is the control centre for conscious, unconscious and automatic life processes. The interesting part also is all of us have not one but, in effect, three brains in consonance with our evolutionary ‘construct’ — the ‘logical’ brain, the ‘heart’ brain and the ‘gut’ brain. Our brain abounds with neuropeptides. Neuropeptides, as […]
RAJGOPAL NIDAMBOOR Comparisons are odious. But, comparisons are part of life. A cricket bat isn’t a bat without the willow for reference. Hence, the equation — a unique object, or organisation, halts assessment and comprehension, because it is singular. This explains for human aptitude to ‘inventing’ technologies. It’s not that animals don’t invent; they use […]