Dakshin, One of the Best South Indian Vegetarian Cookbook

Click Here to Buy Dakshin: Vegetarian Cuisine from South India from Amazon.com

MyHinduPage.org Review


To describe the difference between South Indian and North Indian cuisine is like comparing rice to wheat. They are both grains that are grown in abundance in India, but they are very different. This creates a conundrum for those wanting recipes for Indian food because you have to ask first which type of Indian food, North or South Indian.

The majority of Indian recipe books available for English readers are North Indian, South Indian ones are rare. Fortunately for those who are smitten by sambar, rasam, dosa, spicy coconut chutney, vadai and all other pungent and aromatic South Indian vegetarian cooking this book Dakshin is one of the best on the shelf.

When I was a cook in my guru's ashram in Hawaii this book was one of the most oft used resources. Well written in English with necessary instructions for those unaccustomed to find unique spices like asafetida the step by step instructions to make idlli, thosas, vadai and other South India cuisine can make a beginner a specialized South Indian chef in a matter of months. The pictures in the book are just as good. A must have book for connoisseurs of Indian cooking.

Vedic Mathematics or Sixteen Simple Mathematical Formulae from the Vedas

Buy Vedic Mathematics or Sixteen Simple Mathematical Formulae from the Vedas on Amazon.com

Review by J. Pawlak "johnrp" on Amazon.com


A coworker loaned me her copy, telling me that someone as "math nutty" as myself would love it. My first impression, when reading the foreword and intro, was that it was just smoke and mirrors. Oh yeah, sure, you can divide numbers without going through the usual hit-and-miss constructive method! I'll believe that when I see it.
Well, I saw it and I'm a believer! Simply amazing! The techniques used to multiply and divide are based on well founded and cleverly applied principles, but the key to this book is that you don't really need to know WHY it works .. it just does! I think that kids should be taught this way instead of using the old traditional painful methods I was taught.
This book is a must for anyone who loves to see core mathematics applied as they were meant to be. You will, as I was, be awe struck. This is ancient wisdom at its best!

John Pawlak

Multiple Facets of My Madurai

Get Multiple Facets of My Madurai (amazing pen and ink sketches done by a blind artist) on Amazon.com

Review by Iwegaia on Amazon.com
For anyone interested in India, Manohar Devadoss' ink sketches are such a treat. What is even more amazing is that he is nearly blind and yet, his sketches pack an amazing quantity and quality of detail and aesthetics.

His quardiplegic wife, Mahema Devadoss, had written the copy. Their life story is so inspiring that it can be a book by itself. I found a brief and beautiful sketch here titled "A Special Kind of Grace"

Indian Society, Institutions and Change by Rajendra K. Sharma

Buy Indian society: Institutions and change from Amazon.com

Myhindupage.org Review
If you are researching Hindu Dharma, or Hindu codes of living, then this book which is a past and present analysis and narrative is a very good resource. The work spans not only Hindu dharma, but also the evolution of Buddhist, Christian and Muslim norms of living in India. What impressed my was the chapters on the Hindu Varna System (Varna Dharma) and Ashrama Dharma. They are well researched with appropriate references without cumbersome quoting from Scriptures and other authors on the subject. The author also goes to the length to state ideals of these systems and how the have evolved or devolved over time. This book is academic and therefore a resource for the scholarly and those interested in collecting articles of Indian / Hindu societal analysis or understanding.

AYURVEDA – The Science of Self-Healing by Dr. Vasant Lad

Click Here to Buy Ayurveda: The Science of Self Healing - A Practical Guide on Amazon.com

Myhindupage.org Review
If you are interested in Ayurveda, the ancient and traditional Indian medical science, this book is a good introduction. Dr. Vasant Lad went to great lengths to write this practical guide on Ayurveda for those uninitiated. He provides simple diagrams and allows even beginners to ayurveda to use the knowledge in this book to come up with rudimentary diagnosis. The content is not extensive enough to figure treatments for disease but it is helpful in providing preventive solutions based on basic ayurvedic diagnosis that can be early indication of ill health.

An anonymous review on Amazon.com
I had the privilage of being treated by Dr. Lad as well as going to several clases he gives at the Ayurvedic institute in Albuquerque NM. The book is a wonderful aid in trying to understand and identify health and disease. You have to be able to understand that "western" medicine is not the answer for everything and that in many cases it will eventually make you even sicker. What do you prefer, Prozac or a cup of some herbal tea that will eventually help you with depression?. What do you prefer, a cup of chamomile tea along with jatamansi or Pepto Bismol?. Ayurveda is something very real, helpful and extremely cheap. Hmmmm..... just wondering why allopacy wants to destroy alternative methods. Even better, is Ayurveda really an alternative treatment? 3,000 years before Jesus Ayurveda was being practiced...so, just wondering who's really alternative. Give it a try, Vasant Lad is a great humble and loving person.

Chakras: Energy Centers of Transformation by Harish Johari

Click Here to Buy Chakras: Energy Centers of Transformation by Harish Johari on Amazon.com

Myhindupage.org Review
This is one of the most friendly book on the esoterics of chakras to be found. the late Harish Johari's valuable literary work on the chakra and their related spiritual psychiatry and psychology is equally matched by trully inspiring illustrations of the chakras. An essential book for all those who are mystified by or are interested in understanding the chakras, which are spiritual force hubs connecting the spiritual bodies of man to the physical body, and their functions.

Editorial Review
"This book offers much for readers to digest, and it is an invitation to new and healthy experiences with food." (Catholic Women's NETWORK, March/April/May 2001 )
“Johari’s text is among the best of Western explications, combining traditional, visionary, and practical views. Chakras is illustrated, detailed, accessible to the neophyte, and notable for its valuable discussion of tantric vocabulary.” -- East West Journal


Review by Pieter 'Toypom' on Amazon.com
The energy vortices or charkas are located within the cerebrospinal system and are the points of interaction between the spirit and the body. Each of the 7 main charkas is also connected to certain glands in the body and therefore has a role in the hormonal system.
The psychophysical energy dealt with here is electrochemical and operates through the life force (prana) that moves through the body along the nadi channels. The seven main chakras are all connected to the main nadi. By understanding this system one can cultivate a higher state of being.
This illuminating and comprehensive book includes the following chapters: 1. The Principles of Tantra Yoga, with a section on states of consciousness; 2. Kundalini Yoga; 3. The Essentials of the Chakras; 4. Chakras, Rebirth & Spirituality. The appendix consists of extracts from the Hindu scriptures on the various stages of Yoga.
The aforementioned Chapter 3 deals with each of the chakras in turn, providing a description of each, the psychological energies that operate in it, the shape, yantra and color of each chakra, its predominating sense aspects, its seed sound (bija), number of petals, residing deity and ruling planet. It was interesting to learn about the Soma Chakra, an unnumbered energy point also called Amirta or Indu, that resides within the 7th or Sahasrara chakra.
The principles of the chakra system and practical applications are discussed in detail, including visualization techniques. The text is enhanced by beautiful color paintings of each energy vortex plus plenty of interesting black and white illustrations. The book concludes with a glossary and index.
Johari's revised and expanded edition of Chakras is a very accessible work and packed with facts. As such it is ideal for both the novice and the advanced energy worker. It provides all the information, techniques and tools to activate one's energy system for enhancing spiritual growth, balanced emotions and mental and physical well-being.

Ayurvedic Healing Cuisine by Harish Johari

Click Here to Buy Ayurvedic Healing Cuisine on Amazon.com

Editorial Review
"Unlike the recipes in many other Indian cookbooks, the simplicity of Johari's dishes makes it possible to prepare an Indian meal without spending an entire day at the task." (Vegetarian Times )

"A fine introduction both to the science of Ayurveda and to its cuisine." (Hinduism Today )

"Harish Johari is Ayurveda's renaissance man." (Yoga Journal )
"A delightfully healthy way to broaden your palate to include the delicacies of India." (NAPRA Review )
"Readers interested in applying the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda healing to contemporary lifestyles will find both an excellent reference and delicious recipes in Ayurvedic Healing Cuisine." (Sandra I. Smith, The Midwest Book Review )

"Exceptional." (Today's Books, March 6, 2001 )

"This book offers much for readers to digest, and it is an invitation to new and healthy experiences with food." (Catholic Women's NETWORK, March/April/May 2001 )

"With 200 recipes to improve well-being and longevity, the book exalts the healing qualities of various foods and spices." (PJ Birosik, Nexus, July/August 2002 )


Review by Cassandra Barnes on Amazon.com
Ayurveda is an ancient system of medicine from India that emphasizes the healing properties of food. As Harish Johari says, "food is something very personal and it should never be eaten for taste alone; its purpose is to provide nutrients and satisfaction to the body, without introducing toxins." Johari, a Tantric and Ayurvedic scholar, wrote twelve books, as well as produced audiocassettes and CDs, before his death in 1999. Ayurvedic Healing Cuisine: 200 Vegetarian Recipes for Health, Balance, and Longevity, published posthumously, "explains the healing qualities of various foods and spices and recommends combinations appropriate for specific conditions of body and mind."
Johari first introduces the principles of Ayurveda, fully discussing the role of the five elements and describing the doshas--a way of classifying body types and temperments. He also explains that there are six tastes--sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent, and astringent. Each of the tastes has a different effect on the body. Foods are further classified as to whether they are hot or cold and heavy or light. These attributes also affect the body in various ways.
Understanding how foods interact with one another and how they effect the body provides a foundation for healthy eating. Johari maintains that "most diseases are the result of wrong eating habits and/or of eating antagonist foods."
He also includes information on the nutrients in food, such as protein and vitamins. That's followed by a section describing the healing properties of specific foods. He suggests using milk as a source of protein, rather than meat or eggs.
The bulk of the book is devoted to recipes, including how to prepare various Indian spice mixtures. All of the recipes are Westernized versions of Indian foods and use ingredients that can be obtained in the West. Many are prepared using a wok. Johari presents recipes for snacks, dals, main dishes, salads, condiments, breads, desserts, and beverages.
Appendices include menu suggestions, and several special recipes for children and the elderly. He finishes with a list of spice and specialty food suppliers.
Readers interested in applying the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda healing to contemporary lifestyles will find both an excellent reference and delicious recipes in Ayurvedic Healing Cuisine.

Hindu Art by T. Richard Blurton

Click Here to buy Hindu Art by T. Richard Blurton on Amazon.com

Religious Studies Review
An able and well-illustrated survey of Hindu art by a curator in the South and Southeast Asia collections at the British Museum. The text has six chapters: 'Hinduism,' 'The Temple,' 'Shiva,' 'Vishnu,' `Devi,' and `Regional Chronological Survey.' Myth, ritual, and iconography figure...prominently in Blurton's interpretation of Hindu art...And he skillfully weaves history into an essay that is thematically organized...The accompanying photographs are excellent.

Review by toronto on Amazon.com
This really is an excellent book -- clear, well-written, with an exceptionally good selection of photographs -- especially of rural shrines and out of the way places. I would rate it among the top two or three books on Hindu/India art I have ever read. It's the sort of book you could happily carry around India.

Great Yoga Retreats

Click Here to Buy Great Yoga Retreats on Amazon.com

MyHinduPage.org Review
There are only a few book based resource that can help one located and get independent reviews of yoga and meditation retreats around the world. There are many websites though. This book offers a valuable resource for those planning to go for a yoga retreat and have yet to decide how and where. It is the most relevant since it was published in 2009. There are other books though they maybe outdated having been published more than a decade ago. Do check up on website references in the book for the current information on the retreats you are interested in. HinduSearchEngine.com offers an updated search listing of some of the most amazing yoga and meditation retreats around the world.

Description of this Book
Looking for a tranquil vacation that leaves you relaxed, restored and uplifted? Then try a yoga retreat. Even if enlightenment is not your aim, you ll definitely achieve a luminous glow. Yogis understand the positive influence of natural surroundings and feng shui on the body, mind and soul, while the healthy organic food (almost always vegetarian) served at most retreats leaves you feeling lighter and purified. Whether you go by yourself, with a friend or partner, or even in a group, you will always find friendly company. Angelika Taschen has travelled the world to select the most exquisite and inspirational yoga retreats: choose from an exotic luxury hotel in Bhutan, a spiritual Ashram in India, a farmhouse in Tuscany or a beach resort in Mexico. But be warned, yoga can easily become a way of life. You might find yourself planning your days and even holidays around yoga practice.

Highlights include the Parmarth Niketan Ashram in Rishikesh, the birthplace of yoga, one of the holy cities of the Ganges and a renowned pilgrimage site, where the Beatles attended the Maharishi's ashram in 1968; Yogamagic, an eco-retreat in Goa on the gentle Indian Ocean. Italy is not just a destination for the cultural and culinary traveller but also for the dedicated yogi: Il Convento in Tuscany and Santa Maria del Sole in Puglia strike a balance between yoga and the sensual Italian lifestyle. The Esalen Institute in Big Sur is a legendary New Age destination, offering yoga and much more, with over 500 spiritual and physical workshops; while Amansala's Bikini Boot Camp in Tulum, Mexico, combines beach life with yoga classes. Finally, Jungle Bay Resort & Spa on the Caribbean Island of Dominica offers wild rainforest surroundings with yoga teachers from all over the world.

India (Lonely Planet Country Guide 2011 - 14th Edition)

 

Click Here to buy Lonely Planets latest India, Country Travel Guide on amazon.com

Amazon.com book description: Lonely Planet is the expert on India. Our 14th edition eases you through the spicy diversity of India - from the thrilling bustle of Delhi's bazaars, to the laid-back beaches of Goa, the serene beauty of Himalayan Sikkim, and the majesty of Jaisalmer's ancient fort.

Lonely Planet guides are written by experts who get to the heart of every destination they visit. This fully updated edition is packed with accurate, practical and honest advice, designed to give you the information you need to make the most of your trip.

In This Guide:
Bonus activities chapter detailing camel treks, watersports and yoga
Tasty color feature reveals the best local food
Festive special section on India's most magical celebrations

Reveiw by B.Velzen on Amazon.com
I used the 14th Edition of Lonely Planet India to get around in India (of course) for four weeks in October 2011. Overall, I liked how LP reorganized and reordered the info in the book. I thought the manner in which they listed sights, hotels, and restaurants, etc. was better than their previous method, having used past LP's to travel elsewhere. I also found the information in the book to be accurate and agreed with most of their descriptions of hotels and places to eat.

The one point that I did not like in this edition was that LP seems to have lessened the geographic size of the maps in the book, and also eliminated some helpful maps that were in the 13th edition (e.g. various maps of the Darjeeling area). So instead of a map showing a larger portion of a city or several different areas of a city, you now get a map showing only the city center/one area but with more detail. In prior versions of the India guide, LP's maps covered larger and more diverse areas. Some people may like the extra detail of the smaller maps, but I personally liked the broader map coverage of past editions.

Solkattu Manual: An Introduction to the Rhythmic Language of South Indian Music

Click Here to Buy Solkattu Manual: An Introduction to the Rhythmic Language of South Indian Music on Amazon.com (See all Folk & Traditional Music Books)

Solkattu, the spoken rhythms and patterns of hand-clapping used by all musicians and dancers in the classical traditions of South India, is a subject of worldwide interest--but until now there has not been a textbook for students new to the practice. Designed especially for classroom use in a Western setting, the manual begins with rudimentary lessons in the simplest South Indian tala, or metric cycle, and proceeds step-by-step into more challenging material. The book then provides lessons in the eight-beat adi tala, arranged so that by the end, students will have learned a full percussion piece they can perform as an ensemble. Solkattu Manual includes two DVDs featuring performances of all 150 lessons, and full performances of all three of the outlined small-ensemble pieces. Ideal for courses in world music and general musicianship, as well as independent study. Book lies flat for easy use.

Review by Douglas Mackenzie on Amazon.com

If you have ever heard Carnatic rhythm, you recognize an intricate and profound music. (If you have not yet heard, I recommend Vidwan by Ramnad Krishnan featuring the rhythmic accompaniment of T. Ranganathan, the author's teacher). If your curiosity is piqued and you decide you want to learn in the resplendent, centuries-old oral tradition of South Indian Classical Percussion, where do you begin? Say you are fortunate enough to find a teacher, you will likely need to travel to India and devote yourself to learning the manual technique of Mrdangam, Kanjira, Ghatam, or Thavil. Don't let me discourage you: I did it, and can testify it's a very fulfilling pursuit. It also requires years of dedication. If that's what you are looking for: GO! But let me suggest you maximize your potential and master the principles David Nelson sets forth here first.

And if travel is not in your cards and you are a musician, or aspiring musician, who wants to awaken and further rhythmic sensibility, I urge you to digest this book/video. Solkattu Manual will challenge and reward you with perhaps the most complex, intricate and colorful rhythmic tradition alive. All you need here is your hands to count, your mouth to speak, and you are ready to embark on a rhythmic odyssey that will sharpen your timing; integrate pulse, cycle and phrasing; and lead you to states of sublime beauty.

Though it can be applied to any instrument, Solkattu does not require one. So with Solkattu in your repertoire, your music is portable. You'll never again get bored if you find yourself waiting somewhere in line. Your mind will be singing...

"Ta - Ta Jem - Jem - Ta Ri Ta Ku Ku Na Ku Ku Ta - Di - -"

David Nelson has succeeded in offering an accessible manual that is not only true to the vast tradition of Carnatic percussion, but also relevant to music making of many kinds. Though more succinct than his 1,000 page Ph.D thesis, Mrdangam Mind, it is not a smaller feat. With finesse that only comes through years of teaching, Nelson has distilled essential principles and emphasized useful practices from a deep oral tradition. The lessons progress musically, and the participant develops a web of various skills, knit together through practical application.

I can speak confidently of Nelson's excellent playing and teaching because I learned from him, and his teacher, T. Ranganathan. From nine musical generations dating back to the Tanjore Court, Ranganathan first came to Wesleyan University in 1962 and focused much of his career on teaching Americans, until his passing in 1987. David Nelson is one of a very few professional level mrdangam players who carries Ranganathan's legacy onward. The unique, cross-cultural pedagogy David learned within, and helped create, is characterized by its uncompromising beauty, but also its flexibility in teaching musicians of diverse backgrounds. There are other excellent schools of Carnatic percussion, but none that have developed the same expertise in teaching westerners. And there is something rare and exquisite about the colorful syllables of this family tradition, steeped in the lively sounds of both dance accompaniment and concert repertoire.

David Nelson has not diluted Ranga's methods, but has furthered them by his tasteful choice of materials and brilliant presentation. As the emphasis in some of today's Carnatic percussion has turned to speed, I find it especially refreshing that, in this volume, nuance and subtlety are alive and musical. This is the real deal. And David's example begs the question, if he can play authentic South Indian music, why can't you? Those of us who knew Ranga are proud that Nelson now holds his position as Artist-in-Residence at Wesleyan, and doubly gratified that Solkattu Manual carries treasures we love to the wider world. It's the greatest pleasure to share in the awesome beauty of this music. Thank you David for leading with mastery, strength and dedication.