Indian Culture and India's Future - Softcover

Michel Danino

Softcover

ISBN 10: 812460567X ISBN 13: 9788124605677

Publisher: D.K. Printworld, 2011

Synopsis

Can Indian civilization be compared to a "thousand-branched tree"? What have been its outstanding achievements and its impact on the world? These are some of the questions this book asks. But it also deals with issues confronting more and more Indians caught in an identity crisis: What does it mean to be Indian? What is specific to the worldview developed by Indian culture? How has it dialogued with other cultures? Is it built on durable foundations, or is it little more than colourful religiosity and quaint but outdated customs? And what are the meaning and application of secularism and tolerance in the Indian context? The French-born author, who has been living in India for 33 years, argues that Indian culture is not some exotic relic of the past, but a dynamic force that still has a role to play in defining India's identity and cohesion, and in proposing solutions to today's global challenges. Written in a crisp and engaging style, this thought-provoking volume challenges received ideas on India's culture and invites us to think afresh.

About this title

About the Author:

Michel Danino was born in France in 1956. At the age of 21, after four years of higher scientific studies, he decided to live in India, where he first took part in the English translation, editing and publication of books related to Sri Aurobindo and Mother. A student of Indian civilization, culture and history, he has lectured widely and published research papers in journals of archaeology and Indology. In 1996, he wrote a brief study of the Aryan problem in the Indian context, The Invasion That Never Was (2nd edition 2000), further enlarged a decade later in a French book (English version forthcoming). In 2010, he authored a comprehensive study of the Sarasvati River, The Lost River: On the Trail of the Sarasvati (Penguin India). Michel Danino's work for the protection of a Shola forest in the Nilgiris in the 1980s and 1990s led to the creation of Tamil Nadu's first joint forest management group involving local citizens. His other interests include nature photography and a multimedia project for the creation of quality educational material on India's heritage. He currently lives near Coimbatore in south India.

About this edition

• Publisher: D.K. Printworld
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 812460567X
• ISBN 13: 9788124605677
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 248