An Ideal Society Is Not A Destination, It's A Journey
Swarajya Mag|July 2017

To slot AMISH as a writer of mythological thrillers is possibly the worst literary mistake you could make. In this interview with Gautam Chikermane, he reveals his philosophy—from his insights into our ancient texts to his concerns, circa 2017. Excerpts:

Gautam Chikermane
An Ideal Society Is Not A Destination, It's A Journey
Your warrior Sita is completely different from the wailing Sita we know. Why?

Modern India has an impression of Sita Maa, based on some TV serials, Amar Chitra Kathas and other modern interpretations.

That’s because the version of the Ramayana that has been most influential in modern India, at least in north India, over the last few centuries, is Tulsidas’ Sri Ramacharitamanas. It was written at a time when our culture had suffered some horrific attacks from the Turkish invasions. And even Amar Chitra Katha reflected the biases of the medieval era. If you notice, Asuras were always dark skinned and with horns. That’s not the way they are described in the Vedas and the ancient Puranas. Some are dark skinned, some fair skinned. And the other way around as well.

I am not talking about the story that is a few hundred years old. If we look at the story which is a few thousand years old, then you see Sita Maa the way I have described her. Here men and women are treated as equals, the caste system is not based on birth and those are the versions that I love. Those are the versions that are applicable in the modern age.

Was Valmiki’s Sita a hero?

This story is from the July 2017 edition of Swarajya Mag.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the July 2017 edition of Swarajya Mag.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM SWARAJYA MAGView All
Refuging Progess
Swarajya Mag

Refuging Progess

There is a well-orchestrated global conspiracy to deny scientific and technological developments from the West to Third World countries.

time-read
6 mins  |
April 2017
The Monk Of Science
Swarajya Mag

The Monk Of Science

Vivekananda believed that Religion should be subjected to scientific methods of investigation. The third and concluding part of our series on the Swami and his views on science.

time-read
10+ mins  |
April 2017
Swarajya Mag

The Next Step

Indian technical manpower can be trained for high-value-added emerging services in the era of mass commoditisation of hardware.

time-read
6 mins  |
April 2017
Swarajya Mag

The Threat Of Autarchy

The force of globalisation is an irreversible reality, and it is countries like India and China that will nurture it going forward.

time-read
8 mins  |
April 2017
Neanderthals: The Womb Of Caves
Swarajya Mag

Neanderthals: The Womb Of Caves

Recent discoveries indicate that Neanderthals may have had a rich inner life, including symbolic thought. Indeed, they may have been the progenitors of human religions.

time-read
10+ mins  |
March 2017
Getting India's World Right
Swarajya Mag

Getting India's World Right

Incremental concessions will get India nowhere with Pakistan and China. What we need is a classically conservative foreign policy, based on realism.

time-read
10+ mins  |
March 2017
The Hesitant Orbit
Swarajya Mag

The Hesitant Orbit

In order to march boldly ahead into the deep space, New Delhi must work towards building a station, boost its techno-economic planning and use the Indian Space Research Organisation smartly.

time-read
4 mins  |
December 2017
Nudges And Narratives
Swarajya Mag

Nudges And Narratives

The debate surrounding Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmavati brings India a complex network of portraits within a cultural world-system.

time-read
8 mins  |
December 2017
The Spell Of Specialisation
Swarajya Mag

The Spell Of Specialisation

THE INDIAN ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE NEEDS AN URGENT REJIG. THE KEY TO SPEED AND EFFICIENCY LIES IN PUTTING AN END TO A GENERALIST APPROACH AND IN GOING FOR A NEW SERVICE.

time-read
7 mins  |
December 2017
Swarajya Mag

The Great Gamble

With demonetisation, the prime minister has taken a huge risk— both economic and political. He must succeed, because this move could transform both our economy and our society.

time-read
10+ mins  |
December 2016