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Pavan K Varma

Articles by Pavan K Varma

Just Like That | The hidden stories behind Pandit Jasraj’s rise to greatness

Pandit Jasraj’s success was built on relentless riyaz and sadhana

Classical vocalist Pandit Jasraj passed away at the age of 90 on August 17. (Photo by Prakash Singh / HT Archive)

Opinion

Published on Feb 02, 2025 08:00 AM IST

ByPavan K Varma

Parade that announced the birth of the Republic

The Republic Day Parade is now a spectacular event but perhaps the genuine sense of wonderment and pride that were earlier its hallmark have reduced.

26 January 1950 - President Rajendra Prasad taking salute at the first Republic Day Parade at Irwin Stadium - HT Photo.

Opinion

Published on Jan 25, 2025 07:57 PM IST

ByPavan K Varma

Just Like That | Decolonising the Indian mind: Beyond political freedom

While India's independence was a monumental achievement, the remnants of colonial influence endure in language, education, and cultural preferences

Decades of political struggle and the most remarkable acts of courage and sacrifice of countless Indians preceded the proud unfurling of the Tiranga and the descent of the Union Jack on August 15, 1947.(Getty Images)

Opinion

Published on Jan 19, 2025 08:00 AM IST

ByPavan K Varma

Just Like That | Bim Bissell: A visionary who empowered Indian artisans

Bim Bissell, co-founder of Fabindia, was a cultural force who transformed traditional Indian textiles into a global brand while empowering 90,000 artisans

Bim Bissell (Picture courtesy: Udyogini.org)

Opinion

Published on Jan 12, 2025 07:00 AM IST

ByPavan K Varma

From subjugation to revolt: India’s response to imperial arrogance

British colonisation in India had transitioned from cautious diplomacy under Sir Thomas Roe to overt dominance by Lord Clive.

In 1922, when tried for stoking ‘disaffection’ against the British Empire, Gandhi told the bewildered British judge: ‘I am, therefore, here to submit not to a light penalty, but to the highest penalty'(Alamy Stock Photo)

Opinion

Published on Jan 05, 2025 08:00 AM IST

ByPavan K Varma

Just Like That | From Turbulence to Triumph: Air India’s New Avatar

Air India is reinventing itself with thoughtful service upgrades, and cultural nuances like a creative safety video and a soulful fusion soundtrack.

Opinion

Published on Dec 29, 2024 08:00 AM IST

ByPavan K Varma

Remembering Ghalib: A poet’s legacy and the fight to preserve his haveli

Ghalib’s poetic brilliance, deeply infused with Sufi ideals, transcends religious boundaries.

Opinion

Published on Dec 22, 2024 08:00 AM IST

ByPavan K Varma

Music, when soft voices die, vibrates in memory

It happens far more to very successful people. When their careers are on the ascendant, people know everything about them.

In 1980, Pancham married Asha Bhosle, and together they created magic (HT archive)

Opinion

Published on Dec 14, 2024 08:09 PM IST

ByPavan K Varma

Just Like That: AI is a game changer but press enter with a note of caution

At its best Artificial Intelligence is a technology—truly advanced no doubt—which can facilitate human endeavour.

There is this unsustainable yet growing mythology, that AI will soon make human intelligence redundant.(Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Just Like That: It will be a long day without you, my friend

One thing I learnt from Deepak Singh’s passing away is that one must never postpone the simple pleasures of life for later

Alas, this winter has come, and Deepak is no more there to sit there in the sun.

Just Like That: Around a bonfire, the eternal debate over rebirth

The counter view is that all this talk of rebirth is simply because human beings are unwilling to accept the finality of death.

Priests offer evening prayers on the banks of Ganga in Varanasi. The reigning deity Shiva, supposed to be the very symbol of Brahman, is ajanman, unborn. (AFP File Photo)

India News

Updated on Nov 23, 2024 12:54 PM IST

ByPavan K Varma

To speak of despondency, and hope, through poetry

Poetry is compressed thought, with the ability, in its sheer brevity and imagery, to jolt the mind out of surrounding mediocrity

Gulzar Saheb has this remarkably short poem on the shades of love: Yaad hai ik din, meri mez pe baithe baithe, cigarette ki dibiya par tumne, chhote se ik paudhe ka, ek sketch banaya tha; aake dekho, us paudhe par phool aaya hai (Remember, one day, while sitting at my table, you sketched on a cigarette box a tiny plant; come and see, that plant has bloomed). (Raju Shinde/ht photo)

Opinion

Published on Nov 17, 2024 08:00 AM IST

ByPavan K Varma

Just Like That | From sartorial freedom to seafood feasts: Goa’s enduring allure

Goa’s relaxed atmosphere and rich Indo-Portuguese culture invite visitors into a world where daily worries feel distant

**EDS: SCREENSHOT VIA PTI VIDEOS** Calangute (Goa): Tourists at a sea beach during 'tourism season', in north Goa's Calangute, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024. (PTI Photo) (PTI10_17_2024_000256B)(PTI)

Opinion

Published on Nov 10, 2024 08:00 AM IST

ByPavan K Varma

Rhythm, Rasa, and Reverence: Why classical dance captures India’s soul

Classical dance isn’t mere entertainment but a sadhana or practice, resonating with the spirit of Diwali and other festivals in India.

New Delhi, Oct 15 (ANI): Bharatnatyam artist Rama Vaidyanathan performs at the 23rd edition of Lalit Arpan Festival, at Stein Auditorium, in New Delhi on Tuesday. (ANI Photo/Jitender Gupta)(Jitender Gupta)

Opinion

Published on Nov 03, 2024 07:00 AM IST

ByPavan K Varma

Just Like That | Art, obscenity, and hypocrisy: Why Mumbai Customs got it wrong

The mandate of Mumbai Customs is to confiscate contraband, not pronounce moral judgement on great works of art.

In this file photo, Artist Akbar Padamsee photographed at his residence at Prabhadevi in Mumbai, India, on Friday, August 12, 2016.(Anshuman Poyrekar/ Hindustan Times)

Opinion

Published on Oct 27, 2024 07:00 AM IST

ByPavan K Varma

Just Like That | The ignoble western bias in Nobel Prizes

We in India give too much importance to western recognition. It is time we institute our own global prizes, and objectively judge those who judge us

(FILES) This file photo taken on December 10, 2022 shows a plaque showing Swedish chemist, engineer, inventor, businessman, and philanthropist Alfred Nobel (1833-1896) on the podium during preparations ahead of the Nobel Prize award ceremony for literature, science and economy at the Concert Hall in Stockholm, Sweden. (Photo by Jonathan NACKSTRAND / AFP)(AFP)

Opinion

Published on Oct 20, 2024 07:00 AM IST

ByPavan K Varma

Just Like That | Ravaan’s leela: The scholar, the devotee, and the fallen king

Ravaan was a brilliant scholar and a devout devotee of Shiva, revered in parts of India. Yet, it was his refusal to heed wise counsel that led to his downfall

Amritsar, Oct 11 (ANI): People load an effigy of Ravana on a pickup truck on the eve of the Dussehra festival, in Amritsar on Friday. (ANI Photo)(Raminder Pal Singh)

Opinion

Published on Oct 13, 2024 07:00 AM IST

ByPavan K Varma

Just Like That | Autumn is here, and so is the time for celebration

I urge you, in the early mornings, and at dusk, to feel the coming of autumn, and the subtle but unmissable season of interregnum between monsoons and winter

This brief autumn is a time for celebration and a sense of well-being(Pixabay)

Opinion

Published on Oct 06, 2024 07:00 AM IST

ByPavan K Varma

If cleanliness is next to godliness, it’s time to clean up temples

For Hindus, religion is a highly individualised pursuit. A devotee is concerned about his moksha, the satisfaction of his wants, and less about anything else.

Siddhivinayak temple trustees may be right in their claim of a conspiracy. But generally, it is an unfortunate fact that many of our well-known temples are also surrounded by a great degree of filth. (HT Photo)

Opinion

Published on Sep 29, 2024 08:00 AM IST

ByPavan K Varma

Just Like That | Power and loyalty: The wheel of history

When leaders fall, the dip in the loyalty quotient precipitates the betrayal immediately, and the adulation for the new rising star is instantaneous.

Powerful leader fall for self-serving and transient genuflection(HT Photo)

Opinion

Published on Sep 22, 2024 07:15 AM IST

ByPavan K Varma

MK Rasgotra turns 100: A legacy of diplomacy, elegance and wisdom

Known for his elegance and wisdom, Rasgotra’s career and personal anecdotes continue to inspire the foreign service community

Maharaj Krishna Rasgotra (MKR), former foreign secretary of India, celebrated his 100th birthday last week on September 11 (HT PHOTO)

Opinion

Published on Sep 15, 2024 07:15 AM IST

ByPavan K Varma

Chandigarh: Embracing Indian identity beyond Le Corbusier’s vision

Over time, the city has adopted an Indian personality, flourishing with vibrant markets and cultural charm, despite the legacy left behind by the architect.

A bird’s eye view of the Punjab and Haryana Vidhan Sabha at the Capitol Complex in Sector 1 of Chandigarh, designed by Le Corbusier.(Sanjeev Sharma/HT)

Opinion

Published on Sep 08, 2024 08:00 AM IST

ByPavan K Varma

Just Like That | English, and India's legacy of languages

As we emerge from Macaulay’s legacy, we are still adrift from our mother tongues and retain a sense of heenta or inferiority to our own languages.

We should respect all our languages, for there is perhaps no other country in the world which has a linguistic heritage as rich as ours. (Photo by Idrees MOHAMMED / AFP)(AFP)

Opinion

Published on Sep 01, 2024 07:15 AM IST

ByPavan K Varma

Just Like That | Natwar Singh’s wit and arrogance of spirit

Kunwar Natwar Singh was passionate about books, and he wrote several himself, the first being an edited tribute to EM Forster.

Natwar Singh at the Parliament (11 Novermber 1986)

Opinion

Published on Aug 25, 2024 07:00 AM IST

ByPavan K Varma

Just Like That | The power of silence: Embracing maun vrat for inner peace

The practice of resolving to abstain from speech, maun, is an ancient one in India

By remaining maun, through your sheer opting out of the continuous cacophony of the world, you feel — even for a short duration — a serenity that is uplifting and soothing.(Pixabay)

Opinion

Published on Aug 18, 2024 07:00 AM IST

ByPavan K Varma

The people’s poet who bridged divides through lyrical simplicity

Nida Fazli's work, influenced by both Sufi and Bhakti traditions, resonated with audiences across linguistic and cultural divides

Renowned lyricist and urdu poet Nida Fazli .(HT FILE PHOTO)

Opinion

Published on Aug 11, 2024 07:30 AM IST

ByPavan K Varma

Just Like That | Bismillah Khan and the shehnai: A legacy of innovation in music

From his early days in Benaras to leading the nation into Independence with his shehnai, Khan’s legacy is a testament to his musical genius

Shehnai maestro Ustad Bismillah Khan performs during an event on October 23, 1995. (Dinesh Kumar / HT Archive)

Opinion

Published on Aug 04, 2024 08:15 AM IST

ByPavan K Varma

Just Like That | Away from the spotlight, a remarkable President

As a person, R Venkataraman was exceptionally polite, carrying his many distinctions lightly. In his work style, he was a bureaucrat-politician

President R Venkataraman addressing the Nation on the occasion of the Independence Day. (HT Archive)

Opinion

Published on Jul 27, 2024 09:23 PM IST

ByPavan K Varma

Just Like That | Devotees of Shiva, Kanwariyas should soak in the spirituality

The miracle of procreation is also a gift of God and there is nothing wrong in associating Shiva with it. The Lingam is the replica of the dome of the cosmos

Varanasi, Jul 19 (ANI): Kanwariyas (Shiva devotees) carrying metal pots filled with water from the River Ganga during their annual Kanwar Yatra, in Varanasi on Friday. (ANI Photo)(Rajesh Journalist)

Opinion

Published on Jul 21, 2024 07:30 AM IST

ByPavan K Varma

Just Like That | The irrelevance of beauty pageants for women

Women need the respect of men, and not their devaluation as commodities to be judged for their exterior attributes.

Agra, Jul 04 (ANI): Beauty contestants pose for a photo during their visit to the Taj Mahal ahead of the Miss Teen International 2024 pageant, in Agra on Thursday. (ANI Photo) (Yatish Lavania)

Opinion

Published on Jul 14, 2024 08:00 AM IST

ByPavan K Varma

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Pavan K Varma

Pandit Jasraj’s success was built on relentless riyaz and sadhana

The Republic Day Parade is now a spectacular event but perhaps the genuine sense of wonderment and pride that were earlier its hallmark have reduced.

While India's independence was a monumental achievement, the remnants of colonial influence endure in language, education, and cultural preferences

Bim Bissell, co-founder of Fabindia, was a cultural force who transformed traditional Indian textiles into a global brand while empowering 90,000 artisans

British colonisation in India had transitioned from cautious diplomacy under Sir Thomas Roe to overt dominance by Lord Clive.

Air India is reinventing itself with thoughtful service upgrades, and cultural nuances like a creative safety video and a soulful fusion soundtrack.

Ghalib’s poetic brilliance, deeply infused with Sufi ideals, transcends religious boundaries.

It happens far more to very successful people. When their careers are on the ascendant, people know everything about them.

At its best Artificial Intelligence is a technology—truly advanced no doubt—which can facilitate human endeavour.

One thing I learnt from Deepak Singh’s passing away is that one must never postpone the simple pleasures of life for later

The counter view is that all this talk of rebirth is simply because human beings are unwilling to accept the finality of death.

Poetry is compressed thought, with the ability, in its sheer brevity and imagery, to jolt the mind out of surrounding mediocrity

Goa’s relaxed atmosphere and rich Indo-Portuguese culture invite visitors into a world where daily worries feel distant

Classical dance isn’t mere entertainment but a sadhana or practice, resonating with the spirit of Diwali and other festivals in India.

The mandate of Mumbai Customs is to confiscate contraband, not pronounce moral judgement on great works of art.

We in India give too much importance to western recognition. It is time we institute our own global prizes, and objectively judge those who judge us

Ravaan was a brilliant scholar and a devout devotee of Shiva, revered in parts of India. Yet, it was his refusal to heed wise counsel that led to his downfall

I urge you, in the early mornings, and at dusk, to feel the coming of autumn, and the subtle but unmissable season of interregnum between monsoons and winter

For Hindus, religion is a highly individualised pursuit. A devotee is concerned about his moksha, the satisfaction of his wants, and less about anything else.

When leaders fall, the dip in the loyalty quotient precipitates the betrayal immediately, and the adulation for the new rising star is instantaneous.

Known for his elegance and wisdom, Rasgotra’s career and personal anecdotes continue to inspire the foreign service community

Over time, the city has adopted an Indian personality, flourishing with vibrant markets and cultural charm, despite the legacy left behind by the architect.

As we emerge from Macaulay’s legacy, we are still adrift from our mother tongues and retain a sense of heenta or inferiority to our own languages.

Kunwar Natwar Singh was passionate about books, and he wrote several himself, the first being an edited tribute to EM Forster.

The practice of resolving to abstain from speech, maun, is an ancient one in India

Nida Fazli's work, influenced by both Sufi and Bhakti traditions, resonated with audiences across linguistic and cultural divides

From his early days in Benaras to leading the nation into Independence with his shehnai, Khan’s legacy is a testament to his musical genius

As a person, R Venkataraman was exceptionally polite, carrying his many distinctions lightly. In his work style, he was a bureaucrat-politician

The miracle of procreation is also a gift of God and there is nothing wrong in associating Shiva with it. The Lingam is the replica of the dome of the cosmos

Women need the respect of men, and not their devaluation as commodities to be judged for their exterior attributes.

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