Culture During Crisis  (English, Hardcover, Namrata Kohli)

Without roots, a tree cannot survive. And without branches, a tree cannot thrive. A tree’s beauty may lie in its branches, but its strength always lies in its roots. A man without knowledge and appreciation of his heritage is just like a tree without roots. Cultural capital is the biggest asset of a country like India. Our culture is our brand. It is the gene and lifeblood of this nation. Once we lose that, we lose ourselves and who we are. Culture during Crisis is a celebration of India’s ancient wisdom, heritage and legacy; in short, it’s a celebration of brand India. Our time-tested practices helped us during the Coronavirus crisis. Yet even as we realize the importance of culture during a crisis, the fact is that culture itself is in crisis. Do we want our culture to become some kind of a dinosaur—extinct and unwanted—a relic onto a dusty bookshelf? Or do we want it to be a living, breathing and dynamic entity that organically grows and evolves into a meaningful part of our life? When the past meets the present, only then can we forge the best roadmap for the future. This beautiful book distils the best learnings from India’s cultural landscape—from the legacy of languages to the beauty of handicrafts, the charm of sari, vintage jewellery to the sound of classical music, the depth of temple architecture, the meaning behind daily rituals, etc. With interesting anecdotes and vivid conversations with India’s leading luminaries on different aspects of culture, this book is a warm invitation for change for those settling for inadequate lives, mediocre outcomes and discontentment to be more connected with their roots. A must-read for every Indian and anyone interested in India.