Kurup pushpa (5 Ergebnisse)

Soft cover. Zustand: New. The women in India's great epics compare favourably with the men Draupadi, the princess with five husbands and a fiery temperament; Uloopi, who abducted the mighty warrior Arjuna; Satyabhama, who fought alongside Krishna to kill the demon Narakasura; Sita, who dramatically descended into the bowels of the Earth rather than return to her suspicious husband; Satyavati, whose greed set the stage for the Kurukshetra War; or Savitri, who achieved the impossible without picking up a weapon. Pushpa Kurup brings their stories and many others in this brilliant compilation of the powerful and intriguing women of our mythology. What enriches this volume further is the inclusion of a few lesser-known but equally significant women, such as Unniyarcha, the heroine of the vadakkanpaatu of Malabar; Kannagi, whose fury destroyed the prosperous Pandya kingdom of Madurai; or Sati Devi and Amba, who immolated themselves in their bid to achieve their mission. From bhikkunis and sanyasinis to wild and wayward women, from daughters, wives, mothers and grandmothers to queens, warriors and scholars, the stories of these splendid women throw up many surprises and make for a fascinating read.…

Zustand: New.

Zustand: New.

Soft cover. Zustand: New. Haider Ali usurped the kingdom of Mysore from the Wodeyar in the mid-18th century and spent two turbulent decades expanding his borders and fighting the British. His son Tipu Sultan, after a chaotic 16-year reign, was killed in Srirangapatna at the culmination of the Fourth AngloMysore War. The British returned the kingdom to a minor Wodeyar heir. Thus the dynasty of the Mysore sultans began with Haider Ali and ended with Tipu Sultan. The father-son duo terrorized and alienated all their neighbours in southern India. They fought several wars against the Marathas. Malabar, Mangalore, and Coorg suffered greatly during their occupation. They ignored the Mughal emperor in Delhi and made enemies of their Muslim neighbours. The nizam of Hyderabad and nawab of Arcot hitched their wagons to the British star. Contrary to popular belief, the sultans did not oppose colonial domination. In fact, they allied with the French, with Tipu even inviting Napoleon Bonaparte to invade India. The gruesome events of their reign are routinely denied by their admirers, but contemporary chroniclers and later historians have recorded their dark deeds in a variety of Indian and foreign languages. This book attempts to sift the wheat from the chaff and present a balanced view of the history of the sultans. It also presents oral narratives of people whose families were impacted by the advent of the Mysoreans.…

Soft cover. Zustand: New. Theyyam, an ancient tradition of North Malabar, is a captivating blend of folk art, religious ritual, and profound spirituality. Gods Dancing among Men: The Mystical World of Theyyams of North Malabar delves deep into the rich history of theyyam, exploring its roots and relevance in contemporary belief and worship. This book sheds light on both the luminous and shadowy facets of this tradition as well as the enigmatic grey areas that define it. Every aspect of the theyyam cult, from the vibrant and intricate costumes to the wild and transcendent dances, is fascinating. The practitioners of theyyam display astonishing abilities, including clairvoyance, prophecy, and the power to fulfil wishes. The pantheon of theyyam includes Shaivite and Vaishnavite manifestations alongside a diverse array of Bhagvathy theyyams. Popular deities such as Muthappan, Muchilot Bhagavathi, Thee Chamundi, Gulikan, Kuttichathan, and Pottan Deiyvam hold a special place in the hearts of the people. Additionally, the theyyam tradition incorporates animals into its repertoire with performances featuring monkeys, tigers, buffaloes, crocodiles, bees and snakes. One of the most astonishing aspects of theyyam is the fearless interaction with fire. Performers nonchalantly walk on embers and even hurl themselves onto immense mounds of fire, known as meleri, repeatedly. Despite the influence of Aryanization, the sanitizing impact of British colonial rule, the teachings of social reformers, the remarkable literacy rates, and the prevalent communist ideology in the region, the sanctity of the theyyam tradition remains unblemished. Theyyams are living gods, cherished and revered by the people of North Malabar, and their blessings hold immense significance.…