Category Archives: Mythology

The Wendy Doniger Saga

Posted on by
4

I was amazed to see how much virulent abuse my counter petition in support of Wendy Doniger received from mostly NRI Hindus (see some of the comments in  my earlier post). Both petitions I tried to run were attacked with multiple entries describing vulgar connotations, orgies, sexual perversions and more. This is the wonder of free speech. Unfortunately I had to shut down the petition sites due to all the abuse I received but we did receive 44 great signatories before that happened and the support of that most hated of Indian intellectuals Salman Rushdie who also spoke in support of Wendy’s right to write the book.

I do not know Wendy myself, nor do I belong to RISA or any other organization. I am a practitioner of Advaita Vedanta as taught by Swami Vivekananda and I belong to the school of Hindu philosophy that supports the thesis that all paths lead to the same truth and promotes the idea of inquiry, questioning and personal experience. I also belong to an India where we have always had voices of dissent, questioning and reform in our religion. Whether you think of the Upanishadic seers or Shankaracharya or Vivekananda and so many others. Why should new ideas be banned.

I hope and pray that the book is not banned as it will be the end of the freedom we so love in India and around the world as Indians who believe in debate, discourse and intelligent arguments.

I look forward to a calming of waters but at the same time I continue to support the right for Wendy Doniger to not only write the book but have us all discuss and debate it in the future.

C3CUBE plans release of new International Film on the Story of Yoga in 2010

Posted on by
10

C3CUBE Multimedia (http://www.c3cube.com) today announced that it will be producing a new film and educational multimedia project called “Cracking the Inner Code: The Story of Yoga.” This exciting project is being driven by veteran award-winning multimedia producer Raja Choudhury and Dr. Karan Singh, the eminent Indian cultural ambassador, Hindu Scholar, President of ICCR and a Member of the Rajya Sabha.

For the first time ever on TV, DVD and Web, this production will tell the compelling story of the history, art, science, spirituality and evolution of Yoga from its start in India through its passionate following today around the world. This unique multimedia package comprises of a 90-minute documentary Film for International release, a DVD set, an educational Website, a Book and an original Music Score. The film will premiere in March 2010 through Theatrical release and TV in the US, UK and India followed by the launch of the educational multimedia elements for families, teachers, schools and Yoga enthusiasts.

The film will be shot and edited in India and the US in HD with original
Interviews, never-before-seen illustrations, animations and archival footage, demonstrations of asanas and practices by beautiful Indian actors, Yogis and dancers, rich captivating visuals and cutting edge CGI (computer graphics) to tell a unique and fascinating story.

Raja Choudhury, Managing Director of C3CUBE Multimedia, who has been creating successful multimedia productions in the US, UK and Indian markets since 1993 said “This is a story that has never been told in digital multimedia and we felt it should be presented to the world by Indians themselves using world-class production values and cutting edge techniques and know-how.”

The producers are now seeking additional production finance as well as marketing partners and distributors to ensure the film’s widest possible release around the world. For further information or to get involved in this exciting venture contact Raja Choudhury at raja@c3cube.com or call +91.9871586502.

Forecasting the World in 2019

Posted on by
Reply

A new online multi-player game has been launched by the Future Institute in Menlo Park (Silicon Valley) called SuperStruct:

….the world’s first massively multiplayer forecasting game. By playing the game, you’ll help us chronicle the world of 2019–and imagine how we might solve the problems we’ll face. Because this is about more than just envisioning the future. It’s about making the future, inventing new ways to organize the human race and augment our collective human potential.

By getting involved in a massive social networking experiment through blogs, forums, videos, wikis and other Web 2.0 tools, the games aims to get you involved in the chronicling and shaping of the world of 2019.  game starts with a doomsday premise:

The Global Extinction Awareness System, a supercomputer that accurately predicted the extinction of red squirrels several years ago, has run the numbers for our own species through the computer, and our odds of survival aren’t good. According to GEAS, Homo sapiens may go extinct by the year 2042.

According to Discover magazine this isn’t just a chance for gamers to flirt with the dark edge of disaster; they’ll also be participating in a cutting-edge experiment that tries to harness the wisdom of crowds for a higher purpose. Superstruct is what the Future institute calls the world’s first “massively multiplayer forecasting game.” The Institute for the Future doesn’t like to put it this way, but it’s essentially trying to use crowdsourcing to predict the future….visit SuperStruct.

Mythology is Big Business in India

Posted on by
1

Sony Playstation plans to launch a Hanuman game for PS2, Ramayana on NDTV Imagine propels the network to top 3 status, Star Plus is about to launch a hip and cool version of Mahabharata and now Bollywood is about to embark on its first Mega 250cr Epic. Following in the footsteps of Lord of the Rings, Chronicles of Narnia and Harry Potter, the Indan Film industry – not to be outdone of course – is about to produce its first “Mega” mythological epic – and you should have guessed it – its going to be the Ramayana! The film, scheduled for release in 2010, is being produced by UK NRI Group Pyramid Saimira Group and directed by our very own Raj Kumar Santoshi (Halla Bol, Khakee and Bhagat Singh.) Good news is that lots of new jobs coming up for CGI experts, fashion and set designers, actors, musicians, extras and marketing types. More details here.