Aerofoil Section & Sitar Javari

An aerofoil section uses Bernoulli's Principle to generate lift by creating a difference in air pressure between the top & bottom surfaces of the aerofoil due to the curved surface (camber). Newton's third law of motion also acts as a complementary explanation for the lift generation.

The Angle of Attack is the acute angle between the chord line of an aerofoil & the vector representing the incoming airflow. Increasing the angle increases the lift, but beyond 15° to 20°, there will be an aerodynamic stall.

As crucial as the angle of attack mentioned above, is the angle at which the sitar string leaves the bridge. This, known as "Javari", defines the sound produced by the sitar. The front of the bridge is meticulously filed to a rounded shape (in fact, parabolic as defined by the equation X=Y squared), just like the rounded front edge of the aerofoil section adapted for the wings of an aircraft.

As the rounded front of the aerofoil section is important for developing optimum lift for the aircraft, so is the parabolic rounding of the bridge (javari) to an accuracy of a tenth of a milimeter, crucial for the typical sound of the sitar.

Medical & Spiritual Terminology

In Medical terminology, there are three types of drugs:

1.⁠ ⁠Prophylactic, which prevent the occurence of the disease, for example, vaccines.

2.⁠ ⁠Palliative, which alleviate the symptoms, without actually curing the disease. These are usually prescribed for patients with terminal diseases.

3.⁠ ⁠Therapeutic, which can actually cure the disease.

In Hinduism, the world & family life is sometimes viewed as a terrible disease. "Samsara sagare ghore" says Radha Stuti, a devotional text. In early & medieval Christianity also the world was viewed as "A Vale of Tears." In John Bunyan's "The Pilgrim's Progress", Christian flees from "The City of Destruction", a metaphor for worldly life.

However, most have hankering for worldly life but not for the irksome parts of it. The temple runs, religious rituals & pilgrimages are believed to cater to these. These are similar to the palliative drugs which relieve some sufferings but do nothing to cure the underlying worldliness.

For those who have lost the attraction of this world, spiritual practices are recommended to get the grace of God. These are like the therapeutical drugs which actually try to cure the disease of worldliness.

Those who successfully pass the test of non-attachment to sensory objects, can be compared to those who have imbibed prophylactic drug which protects them from ever getting the virus of worldliness. The Hindus attain Mukti (liberation from the cycle of birth & death), the Buddhists "Nibbana" (Nirvana) & the Christians Salvation (The Celestial City in "The Pilgrim's Progress").

Miracles in Christianity & Hinduism

Catholics believe in miracles. In fact one of the criteria for canonisation (declaring a person to be a Saint) is a verifiable miracle. However, C. S. Lewis (Narnia) in his book on miracles, argues that Incarnation of God (as Christ) is the central miracle. As an Anglican, he chooses to be silent on the miracles attributed to later human saints.

Hinduism recognises ten divine incarnations & also accepts miracles are possible for others also. For example, by doing yogic practices, Ashtasiddhis are believed to be obtained. These are:

1. Anima (reducing one's size)
2. ⁠Mahima (increasing one's size)
3. ⁠Garima (becoming heavier)
4. ⁠Laghima (becoming lighter, levitate)
5. ⁠Prapti (materialise objects)
6. ⁠Prakamya (fulfill any desire)
7. ⁠Ishitva (control of nature)
8. ⁠Vasitva (control of others' mind)

Some or all of these powers may also accrue to those performing spiritual practices to attain liberation (Moksha). However, they are advised not to use them, as, in that case, their spiritual journey will be impeded.

Life Lessons from the Audiophile Industry

When digital technology invaded audio industry in the form of Compact Discs, it was hailed as a quantum jump over the existing Vinyl Analog technology.

All parameters like wider frequency response, higher dynamic range & lower S/N ratio were promised & delivered.

But in a matter of few decades, audiophiles realised something very important was missing, namely listening pleasure. So most went back to analog vinyl LPs with a vengeance, avoiding digital technology like the plague.

A little introspection will reveal such a rethinking is desirable in at least three human endeavours.

Firstly the justice system. The prosecutor (with a binary, digital, mindset of only two options, true or false) proceeds to paint the accused in the blackest colour, with no redeeming virtue. The defending attorney rebuts by picturing the defendant as lily white, both being logical absurdities in a human being.

Secondly in the political system, it is mandatory for party members to proclaim that their party can do no wrong, such evil being the opposition's birthright! Another digital inspired fallacy.

Thirdly & most regrettably, all religions consider their own as true & divine, the false & demonic being essential in other religions! A most irrational (binary) belief indeed.

It is high time for all right thinking people to avoid the polarising digital dogmatic thinking & follow the audiophile's world view of an inclusive analog vision of the whole spectrum of colours, including infinite grades of grey.

Education, Employment & Economics

All the above three are basically quite independent entities. Education is acquiring knowledge for itself, not necessarily for employment. Newton, Darwin, Faraday & our own Aryabhata, Charaka & Bhaskaracharya did not invent to get employment. Education may also be used for social service without expecting economic benefits.

Similarly to get (manual) employment, one need not be educated. And altruistic employment need not be economically productive, like the social service mentioned above.

Economically being strong need not always require either education or employment for example in the case of inherited wealth.

Such being the case, it is a sign of the times that all three have become intertwined so much that they are viewed as synonymous. And as in the classic case of putting the cart before the horse, money is required to get education. The unfortunate effect of this being, educated people seek employment which promises the best economic reward. This inevitably leads to poor quality of education & inefficiency in employment, money being the only & ultimate goal of life.

This may sound cynical, but when push comes to shove, most people prefer to have money & status, rather than take pleasure in acquiring knowledge or working creatively.

Unique feature of Kautilya's "Artha Shastra"

In L. N. Rangarajan's English translation of the complete Arthashastra, published by Penguin Books, there is a revolutionary sentence. In Chapter VIII, Section XVI, the opening sentence reads thus: 

"IMPRISONMENT IS NOT PRESCRIBED AS A PUNISHMENT ANYWHERE IN THE ARTHASHASTRA."

People were locked up only because they were under investigation for a serious offence (Judicial Custody?) or unable to pay a fine imposed on them. Such "jails" were mentioned in only one verse (4.9.22).

Examining this extraordinary provision (which is not followed anywhere in the world now) in the current scenario is very enlightening. In the present day, prisons are populated by 

1.⁠ ⁠Criminals

2.⁠ ⁠Political prisoners

3.⁠ ⁠Terrorists.

In the case of criminals, who have violated the laws of society, should society, funded by law-abiding citizens, look after those (feed, clothe &  provide medical treatment) who have harmed it? Especially when large sections of the populace find it difficult to obtain those essentials even if they work?

In the case of political prisoners, who have ostensibilly gone into politics to serve the country, go against it? Ex. Imran Khan, ex PM, languishing in jail, while fellow all-rounders Padma Bhushan Kapil Dev, Lord Ian Botham & Sir Richard Hadlee are leading honourable lives.

The terrorists (many of whom richly deserve capital punishment), by being imprisoned, are an open invitation to their associates to take VIPs hostage to get them released. Ex. Khandahar hijacking.

In addition, especially in India, the prisons (& the Police) are the most corrupt arms of the government, & are the breeding ground of every vice. In this context, Kautilya's avoidance of prisons as places of correction, especially in India, seems highly relevant.

"Sabbatical" Literature

In 1850, Nathaniel Hawthorne was employed at the Salem Custom House. At that time, even jobs like these were political appointments. So after elections, he lost his job. His wife Sophia told him this was the time to complete his dream book. She had some savings & she sold hand painted lamp shades & fire screens to pay house hold bills. She also offered him emotional support & later defended his literary legacy. The resulting book was "The Scarlet Letter", which many consider the most perfectly constructed novel. Interestingly, the prelude chapter on the Custom House runs to 50 pages whereas the main novel is less than 250 pages! 

Harper Lee was working as an airline ticket agent. Her friends, noticing her literary talent, gave her a Christmas gift in 1956, equal to her one year salary, to take time off & write whatever she wanted. The result was "To Kill A Mockingbird", a classic, also made into a famous film with Gregory Peck. The uniqueness of this book is the circumstances & central event are charged with racial & sexual overtones, but seen through the eyes of & narrated by Scout, a little girl who grows up from 6 to 9 years old during the events.

VEDANTA IN SHAKESPEARE'S PLAYS

(The references are to the Act, Scene & Line number.)

ALL IS WELL THAT ENDS WELL

Our remedies oft in ourselves do lie

Which we ascribe to heaven.(I,i,235)

A young man married

Is a man that is marred. (II,iii,315)

AS YOU LIKE IT.

O, how full of briers is this working day world! (I,iii,12).

Sweet are the uses of adversity. (II,I,12).

All the world is a stage. (II,vii,139)

Most friendship is feigning,

Most loving mere folly. (II,vii,181)

HAMLET

There are more things in heaven & earth, Horatio

Than are dreamt of in your philosophy. (I,v,166).

I say, we will have no more marriages. (III,I,156)

Give me that man, that is not passion's slave,

And I will wear him in my heart's core. (III,ii,76)

Ophelia: 'Tis brief, my lord.

Hamlet: As woman's love. (III,ii,165)

There's a divinity that shapes our ends

Rough-hew them, how we will. (V,ii,10).

HENRY VIII

Cardinal Wolsey:

Had I but served my God with half the zeal 

I served my king, He would not in mine age, 

Have left me naked to mine enemies.

(III,ii,456)

KING LEAR

How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is

To have a thankless child! (I,iv,312)

MACBETH

Life is a tale told by an idiot,

Full of sound & fury,

Signifying nothing. (V,v,17).

MEASURE FOR MEASURE

But man, proud man,

Drest in a little brief authority,

Plays such fantastic tricks before high heavens

As make the angels weep. (II,ii,117)

THE MERCHANT OF VENICE

The quality of mercy is not strained,

It is an attribute of God himself. (IV, i,184)

How far that little candle throws his beams!

So shines a good deed in a naughty world. (V,i,90)

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING

Friendship is constant in all other things,

Save in the office & affairs of love.

(II,i,184)

OTHELLO

Fathers, from hence trust not your daughter's minds

By what you see them act. (I,i,171)

THE TAMING OF THE SHREW

A woman moved, is like a fountain troubled,

Muddy, ill-seeming, thick, bereft of beauty. (V,ii,143)

Who is a "Well-Read" Person?

The first & most important requirement is a love of reading & knowledge for its own sake, i.e., for pure pleasure. This rules out at once those who read to get degrees for recognition & then employment. Even persons having a string of degrees after their name (including doctorates) can by no means be considered "well read".

One of the distinguishing marks is complete absence of dogmatism in their opinions, especially in regard to religion or politics. This is because they will have read too many different valid viewpoints, freeing them from "tunnel vision." So they will be blessed with an open mind.

Another "give away" of being well read, especially with regards to literature, is usage of idiomatic language rather than just the correct one. Each language has its own unique idiom, which brings it to life. Also use of appropriate references to support & bolster one's statements. (Also proof of being really well read!)

Even people who are not well read, now have an itch to appear so & publish their writings. Instead of writing  on a subject which they love & have abundant knowledge, they start with zero knowledge or love of the subject, but start writing anyway, gathering material on the way. This type of "writing to order" just to get recognition, turns out insipid for obvious reasons, & would be recognised at once for what it is by well read persons.

Is Hinducentric view the only antidote to Eurocentric view?

Upto the middle of the twentieth century, it was common to take a world view through the prism of Eurocentricity. Here it is to be remembered that even in pre-Christian days, people like Socrates pioneered rational thinking. However, he was ahead of his time & was poisoned. Dante, in his "The Divine Comedy", placed him in the first circle of hell because he was not a baptised Christian. 

The Stoics, the most famous of whom was the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius (author of "Meditations"), also propounded ideas similar to the later Buddhism. Hypatia, a Pagan philosopher, was torn to pieces by a Christian mob. However, Charles Kingsley, a Christian clergyman (& author of "The Water Babies") wrote an adulatory biography of her life & times.

Buddhism, with its ten perfections, belief in reincarnation & defining "Nibbana" (Nirvana) as the goal of life, offered an alternative to Hinduism. Jainism, with its 24 Thirthankaras (enlightened souls), also offers an alternative path, with emphasis on self-mortification.

So instead of polarising between Eurocentrism & Hindu centrism, it may be prudent for the well-read, who are aware of the preceding movements, to take a multi-centric view to arrive at a holistic approach towards understanding this world.

Worshippers & Lovers of God

It may be paradoxical but there is a world of difference between the two. The worshippers do so because they expect worldly benefits like health, wealth, power, status or progeny as a reward. Their true goal in life is to obtain the above by lawful (or even unlawful!) means & when they fail, worship God as an additional last resort. The quintessential examples are the politicians doing the "Temple Run" during critical phases of their careers.

As repeatedly noted in the Upanishads, Christ's teachings, & even in one instance in the Quran, humans cannot get "the peace beyond understanding" by the above. In fact they have to be abjured to get real peace. "Thou shall not serve both God & Mammon" admonishes the Bible.

The real lovers of God are those who give up everything, repeat EVERYTHING for God. The Hindu, Jain, Buddhist & Christian monastics (both monks & nuns) & the odd sufis like Rabia of Basra exemplify this truth. The sine qua non is to give up the most desired things & embrace voluntary poverty & celibacy & true love of God will follow.

Coconut & Areca nut trees: A Metaphor

To pluck coconuts, one has to climb the tree, pluck the nuts, slither down to the ground & repeat the process on the next tree. 

However, though the areca nuts are also located near the top of equally high trees, highly experienced climbers need not get down after plucking. 

Because of the relative slimness of the tree, their flexibility & closer planting to the next tree, after climbing up the first areca nut tree, reaching & plucking all areca nuts within reach, the climber need not clamber down.

He can sway the tree with his weight, bend & grasp the next tree near its top, get on to it & pluck its nuts. This process can continue with the next tree within reach, until the climber feels tired, when he can slither down that tree & reach the ground. By this means, the climber can avoid climbing down & clambering up each tree.

But human achievements in any field are like climbing a coconut tree. To achieve knowledge, one has to start from ground level & painstakingly work his/her way to the top. To master another discipline, one again has to start from ground zero. Eminence  in one field cannot be transformed to excellence in another, like jumping across the top of an areca nut tree.

One may master Law enough to become CJI & even enjoy music. But one cannot speak with the authority of a Pandit Ravi Shankar. A Scientific Advisor may enjoy watching cricket but cannot talk as if he is Sachin Tendulkar.

Entropy, Chaos & Yugadharma

Entropy is defined as the disorder or chaos within a physical system. It means that energy is not available to do useful work. Left to itself, the entropy of a system cannot decrease. It can only remain the same or increase. To decrease entropy, one has to import energy or do work.

Chaos also denotes a state of disorder.

In Hindu Cosmology, there are four yugas, Satya,Treta, Dwapara & Kali, where Dharma or righteousness is believed to gradually decrease. Adharma or unrighteousness may increase naturally if left unchecked, like entropy mentioned above.

In Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna says (Chapter 4, Verse 8) 

To protect the virtuous and 

To annihilate the wicked and

To re-establish Dharma,

I incarnate from age to age.

In Satya Yuga, 4 incarnations appeared, namely, Matsya, Kurma, Varaha & Narasimha. In Treta Yuga, Rama was the principal incarnation & in Dwapara Yuga, Lord Krishna. 

These can be interpreted as the external energy or work agents intervening to reduce entropy (or chaos) to save the world from extinction.

Work/Life Balance: An Alternative View

The first thing to be noticed is they are NOT interconnected. Life can exist without work (as we understand it) being performed whereas work cannot be done unless life is present. The whole of non-human life has gone on & will go on without the human race & their much vaunted "Work."

Also the term "Work" cannot strictly be ascribed to activity undertaken at others behest for monetary or social benefits, which can more accurately be called "servile work" or more brutally "slavery." Only activity taken up by self-motivation for creative or altruistic purposes can be truly defined as (Creative) "Work."

The second thing to be noticed is that the (only?) goal of human life (in civilisation) has been to reduce the work involved in any activity. This has been especially evident during the Industrial Revolution, when steam 

power & later use of fossil fuels & electrical power has been to reduce human work or to put it more bluntly, drudgery. The classic example being the mass manufacture of pins quoted in Adam Smith's "The Wealth of Nations." Such being the case, elevating "hard work" to an almost divine virtue, is ridiculous.

If this has happened to a great extent in manual & even skilled labour (eg: robotics), AI (Artificial Intelligence) promises to take it even further into activity involving "human?" Intelligence. This leaves only truly "Creative" activity in human hands (minds?). This may include artistic activity & thinking up new fields like calculus, fractals, quantum theory & the like, which were so thought of in the first place.

Musical Interpretations of "Romeo & Juliet"

Hector Berlioz's "Dramatic Symphony" called "Romeo et Juliette" Op.17, (H 79) received its first performance on 24 November 1839. It has seven movements & lasts 90 minutes. Many movements were predominantly vocal so generally only the instrumental sections are played on their own.

Charles Gounod's opera "Romeo et Juliette"  (with a French libretto) was first produced on 27th April 1867. It was an instant success, giving 89 performances & well received by critics. It has four duets for the star-crossed couple.

Tchaikovsky's work on "Romeo & Juliet" was called a "Fantasy Overture" which had its premiere on 16th March 1870. It plays for about 20 minutes & purely instrumental. It is actually a symphonic poem in Sonata form with an introduction & an epilogue. The main love theme was used in many movies & TV serials.

Prokofiev's Ballet on "Romeo & Juliet" was composed in 1935 & premiered in 1938. It is more than two hours long & has 52 sections. It has 11 pages dedicated to its story & analysis in the giant exhaustive work "The Classical Music Lover's Companion to Orchestral Music" by Robert Philip.

Wise Philosopher - Poets defining Wisdom

Thiruvalluvar, the celebrated Tamil poet & philosopher, lived around the beginning of the Christian Era. He composed his "Kural" which comprises 1330 couplets divided into three sections, namely Virtue, Wealth & Love, corresponding roughly to the first three "Purusharthas" (Hindu goals of human life.) A typical couplet on uxoriousness reads: 

"The unmanly doings of an uxorious man are a public scandal."

Sarvagna, the Kannada poet of the 16th century, composed about 2000 "tripadis" or three lined poems on almost all subjects. Even though a nomad, he also has celebrated worldly life, as in the following tripadi:

"If one has a cosy home, enough money,

 And an understanding wife.

 Who needs the pleasures of heaven?"

Bhartrihari, the philosopher-poet of the 5th Century, composed the "Shataka Trayam", comprising 100 verses each of "Niti Shatakam", (Virtue), "Shringara Shatakam" (Love) & "Vairagya Shatakam." (Renunciation). That he was not entirely successful in the last, is evinced in this verse:

"The face is covered with wrinkles, 

  the head has gone all grey,

  the limbs are slack and feeble,

  only cravings youthful stay."

Shaikh Saadi, the 12th Century Persian Sufi mystic, composed "Gulistan" (Rose Garden), divided into 7 chapters comprising 178 stories & the eighth chapter containing 112 maxims. He wrote the following story:

A King asked his minister to distribute money among the dervishes (ascetics). The minister came back with the money, saying, "Those who are dervishes will not accept the money & those who accept the money are not dervishes!"

Two Famous Persian Sufi Texts

The first is "The Rubiyat of Omar Khayyam." Omar Khayyam (1048-1131) was a polymath known as an astronmer, mathematician, philosopher & poet. But he is famous for his "Rubiyat" which meaning "Quartrains" (,four lined poems) contains 101 of them in the most accessible English translation by Edward Fitzgerald published in 1859. Though outwardly advocating a hedonist lifestyle, these are believed to carry a hidden meaning preaching Sufi philosphy. This may be because main stream Islam frowned upon many Sufi ideas. It is interesting to note that Paramahamsa Yogananda has published his own interpretation of the Rubiyat.

The second is "Gulistan" (Rose Garden) by Shaikh Saadi (1210-91). This is a collection of stories, verses & maxims. This is composed of eight chapters.

1. Character of Kings. (42 stories)
2. Moral Qualities of Dervishes (47 stories)
3. Excellence of Contentment (28 stories)
4. Advantages of Silence (14 stories)
5. Love & Youth (20 stories)
6. Feebleness & Old Age (8 stories)
7. Effect of Education (19 stories)
8. Duties of Society (112 maxims)

As can be seen from the chapter headings, it encapsulates the wisdom of that country at that time.

Two Great Flower Painters

Flowers are arguably the most beautiful creations in nature. Two painters, one European & one English have dedicated their entire life in painting them, bringing out their ephemeral charm.

Pierre Joseph Redoute (1759-1840) was from the Austrian Nederlands. He was the official court artist of Marie Antoinette. (The one who suggested that poor people eat cake & was guillotined!). He lived for 80 years & worked closely with botanists. He produced over 2000 works of 1800 species of flowers & was reckoned the greatest flower painter of all time, earning the nickname of "The Raphael of Flowers." He always painted fresh flowers & not those in a herbarium.

Barbara Nicholson, an English painter in the mid twentieth century, started her career as a medical illustrator, but later switched over to painting flowers. Her work was always preceded by field studies & she invariably painted from fresh materials. Her pictures were botanically accurate & artistically beautiful. Her work is published in "The Illustrated Book of Garden Flowers" & "The Illustrated Book of Wild Flowers" among other publications.

Ghantakarna - Religious Fanaticism

Ghantakarna was a Shaivite & a hater of Vishnu. He used to hang bells from his ears so that their jingling could drown the name of Vishnu if ever uttered by anyone in his hearing.

This type of fanaticism has been always present in spite of saints like Shirdi Sai Baba, Sri Ramakrishna & Sri Satya Sai Baba, to name a few, having spoken against it.

Swami Vivekananda, a disciple of Sri Ramakrishna has pointed out the irrationality of such thought & even went so far as to say that "if one religion is true, all must be true." He also advocated the application of the scientific mode of analysis to religions.

Unfortunately, in the twenty-first century, the prolification of social media, instead of alleviating this Ghantakarna Syndrome, has aggravated this & contributed to further polarisation. If Ghantakarna was content to just shut out other deities, now the fringe elements are indulging in hate speeches leading to inciting  of violence towards all religions except one's own.

Other ways of perpetuating this polarised way of viewing things is by way of family influence. Also one tends to make one's political leaders' views their own, which may not be advisable as the leader may have his own agenda instead of the nation's good.

It is a paradox that the Internet, providing information of all creeds, instead of drawing people closer, has driven wedges between them.

Encyclopedia of Ragas

"Raga Nidhi" by B. Subba Rao was first published by The Music Academy, Madras (now "Chennai") in 1956 in four volumes. It contains descriptions of all ragas, both Hindustani & Karnatic, in alphabetical order. Each raga is given its aroha (ascending notes), avaroha (descending notes), chalan, pakad & one of two vocal compositions, all in a page or two. Additional information, if available, is also appended. Though published by The Music Academy, Madras, the home of Karnatic Music, the Hindustani ragas are dealt with first & then the Karnatic ones!

In addition to the information about the ragas themselves, five technical articles are appended at the beginning.

1.⁠ ⁠Ragas in Bharatiya Sangit.

2.⁠ ⁠Srutis in Bharatiya Sangit.

3.⁠ ⁠Nomenclature of Svaras or Notes.

4.⁠ ⁠Classification of Ragas.

5.⁠ ⁠Chart indicating how twelve Svaras of Hindustani became sixteen in Karnatic.

A revised second edition was published in 2015, in two volumes, the first two volumes of the original edition being contained in the new first volume and the third & fourth volumes of the original being contained in the new second volume. The complete work, running to over a thousand pages, contains nearly a thousand ragas. It is the only work of its kind & is a "go to" resource book for all students of music, either Hindustani or Karnatic.