Whispers from the Past
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BOOKS & PUBLICATIONS
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 Whispers from the Past: Art and Wisdom of Kashmir by Subash Kak |
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ASIN : B0D49DQSSP
Publisher : BluOne Ink (16 May 2024); Occam (An Imprint of BluOne Ink) Language : English Paperback : 260 pages Item Weight : 450 g Dimensions : 21.6 x 13.5 x 2.5 cm Country of Origin : India |
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Synopsis
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Whispers from the Past is an overture to the history and culture of classical Kashmir, which for over a thousand years was one of the most creative places in the world. Through the book, the author hopes to acquaint the reader with Kashmir’s contributions to art and aesthetics, including drama, music, painting, sculpture, sciences, yoga, tantra, literature, and philosophy. The region’s culture was premised on the idea that universal consciousness binds humanity together, and knowing this at the individual’s level is fundamental to self-understanding and for creative growth. Classical Kashmiri artists appreciated great art not merely from its inherent cleverness points of view but for its capacity to inspire audiences to the source of creativity itself, and this entailed devotion to excellence and a robust tradition of criticism. The book explores the currents of intellectual life and the lives of prominent royals, writers, and sages, showing how Kashmiri scholars and travellers came to influence not only southern regions but also far-away lands beyond the Himalayas. It showcases Kashmir’s famed storytelling tradition through abridged tales from the Panchatantra, Kathā-sarit-sāgara, and Yoga Vāsiṣṭha, the last of which is arguably the greatest book of imagination and wisdom ever written on the conundrums of consciousness with unequalled clarity. Kashmiri aesthetics and the search for meaning in life resonate with modern sensibility.
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Review
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| ‘Whispers from the Past: Art and Wisdom of Kashmir [is] a broad survey of Kashmiri history that will be valuable to both scholars and the general reader. It’s a must-read.’- Anand Ranganathan ‘It will not be an overstatement to say that Whispers from the Past is easily the most important insight into the evolution of the Indian way of life which streamed out of Kashmir.’- AARTI TIKOO SINGH ‘Subhash Kak’s ability to bridge the scholarly with the accessible makes this exploration both enlightening and enjoyable.’-SAMPADANANDA MISHRA ‘This book should be read by every greater Indophile. It will also make for a treasured gift.’- RAKESH KAUL ‘Kak has skilfully assembled different domains of knowledge making this book a must-read for grounding our knowledge about classical Kashmir.’- STHANESHWAR TIMALSINA ‘[Whispers from the Past] is uniquely original and engaging bound to be an immersive reading for others interested in knowing about Kashmir’s intellectual and cultural traditions.’- SHASHI SHEKHAR TOSHKHANI |
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About the Author
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 Dr. Subhash Kak has spent a lifetime to bridge this gap between science and spirituality; “All my work is an attempt to show that there is no fundamental difference between science and spirituality. Indeed, science itself is understood in consciousness. The ultimate mystery is universal.”Subhash Kak is a scientist and historian. He teaches at Oklahoma State University, Stillwater. He has held visiting appointments in Britain and Australia. His areas of research are history and philosophy of science. He has translated several Sanskrit texts, including Kaṇāda’s Vaiśeṣika Sūtra, which is the earliest book on physics from India. Kak’s work has been showcased in the popular media such as Discovery and History channels, PBS, Public TV in Europe, and in several documentaries on science and art. He is the author of thirty books, the most recent two being The Idea of India: Bharat as a Civilisation and Eternal Bharat: Truth, Meaning, and Beauty. He is a member of the Prime Minister’s Science, Technology and Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC). He was born in Srinagar and educated in Kashmir and Delhi. Spotlight on him at: https://www.shehjar.com/blog/Science-and-Spirituality:-Subhash-Kak2730 |
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