Backflap

Did you know that Tagore dedicated a poem to AIR called ‘Akashvani’? Or that an AIR producer was one of the first civilians to be let inside the Golden Temple after Operation Bluestar? Or that noted ghazal singer Ghulam Ali used to make his disciples listen to AIR’s Urdu service to understand correct pronunciation? These and many other such tales make up this book.

Dynasties of Devotion by Deepa Mandlik. HarperCollins. Pages 208. Rs 399

Temples aren’t just places of worship, but also social and cultural centres. The author explores seven ancient temples across India and Cambodia, examining historical contexts and mythological stories associated with each.

Book Review