R. Radhakrishnan's Blog, page 4

The Bengal Famine of 1943. Causes, Consequences, and Controversies.

I went to West Bengal last year and traveled through Calcutta and also the lush green interiors. There were green paddy fields that were heartbreakingly beautiful. It was a placid peaceful vista that I saw.

But these are on the surface Bengal has been a tumultuous place cursed with poverty, violence, and needless deaths for a long time now. It is difficult to imagine that this was, once, the richest province of the Mughal Empire. And that was when the Mughal Empire was among the richest empir...

Thor, Loki, and the Giants. A tale from Norse Mythology.

We may all have been enthralled by the Marvel superhero, Thor the God of Thunder. We may have also enjoyed the chaos created by his brother Loki the God of mischief.

These characters are based on Norse mythology and the stories there are even more action-packed.

Thrym was the mighty king of the giants and ruled over Jotunheim, the land of the giants. For all their strength and valor the giants feared Thor and his mighty hammer Mjolnir. That was all that stood in the way of the Giants in th...

Why do we have different seasons? A tale from Greek Mythologym

Mythology is the attempt by us humans to explain various phenomena, or ideas or teach a concept. It is easier to learn through stories so the ancients told us stories that teach. These stories linger within our memories and explain the unexplained. Mythology is also part of our collective memory and culture.

Thus every great civilization had its own stories and myths. Today let’s have one from Greek Mythology.

Like every good story let’s begin with Gods and Goddesses. 

Once upon a time,...

The Challenge of the South for Hindutva.

A north Indian coming to the south, especially to Kerala and Tamil Nadu is awestruck at the grand temples and the religious fervor among the local Hindus.

And then during elections, the Hindutva ideology gains no traction in these two states.

The votaries of Hindutva then call the south Indians names and blame them of the betrayal of Hinduism, or rather a betrayal of India!

This name-calling does not endear them to the South Indians.

There are a few fundamental truths that the follo...

Lent, Good Friday, and Easter.

My friend, a hardcore nonvegetarian and casual Christian becomes a vegetarian for a short period during the year. I was always intrigued by this.

Lent, Good Friday, and Easter represent significant events in the Christian calendar, observed by millions of believers worldwide. Each occasion carries its unique traditions, customs, and celebrations, reflecting the diversity of cultures and religious practices across the globe.

Lent: A Season of Reflection and Preparation

Lent is a period ...

Archies, The perinial teenagers!

Our Hero! Archie

The Archie comics were a favorite of many of us growing up in the sixties and seventies in India. It was a world very different from what we experienced. We lived in cramped apartments in Mumbai and Riverdale was a world of dreams and desires for us.

In the colorful realm of comic books, one town stands out as the epitome of small-town charm, drama, and quirky characters. Welcome to Riverdale, the fictional setting of the iconic Archie Comics.

A Brief History of Ri...

Modesty Blaise: Femme Fatale Flair!

In the annals of adventure fiction, there exists a name that sizzles with intrigue, charm, and a hint of danger: Modesty Blaise. Crafted by the ingenious mind of British writer Peter O’Donnell, Modesty Blaise exploded onto the scene in 1963, captivating readers with her tantalizing escapades and razor-sharp allure. The sixties were a period of rebellion, hippies, and sexual freedom and exploration. An apt time for the world of Modesty Blaise, where espionage meets elegance, and passion pirou...

Flash Gordon: A Galactic Space opera.

In the vast cosmos of comic book heroes, there’s one character who rockets above the rest with style, panache, and a healthy dose of campiness – Flash Gordon. Born out of the era of pulp sci-fi, Flash Gordon has endured through the ages, leaving a trail of entertainment,  laughter, and adventure in his wake.

Flash Gordon rocketed onto the scene in 1934, created by Alex Raymond. He was the all American hero, square-jawed, heroic archetype – a polo player and Yale graduate thrust into the d...

Unmasking The Phantom.

Ah, gather around, dear friends, for a tale as old as time (well, almost): the enigmatic and evergreen legend of The Phantom! Created by the ingenious Lee Falk, this masked marvel has swung through the jungles of pop culture for decades, leaving a trail of intrigue, humor, and one heck of a fashion statement in his wake.

Imagine a well-muscled grim-looking man in spandex tights of violent purple. His eyes have no pupils and above all he wears his underwear over his tights! A black striped...

The world’s first Superhero!

America has been a dominant superpower for a long time. We all looked up to America as we were growing up. That dominance is now being eroded. But in one area America still is unchallenged and that is the world of comics.

Comics were fun to read, racy, and thrilling, with simple plots and colorful.

In the vast and colorful universe of comic books, Mandrake the Magician stands as a timeless figure, captivating readers with his enigmatic charm and extraordinary abilities. Created by Lee Falk...