Malaiur Manikam (Malay; 2015)
Author: Uthaya Sankar SB
From the time of Thales, the first European philosopher, the first from the European perspective, the Easterners claim to have known this earlier, the quest to know the secrets of the universe kept on growing. The Greek philosophers thought that the structure of universe could be explained via trigonometry and mathematics. They were excited when they correctly predicted a solar eclipse in 585BCE.
From then on, via critical debates and intelligent deductions, many theories were created.
At the heights of the Golden Era of the Islamic Civilisation and the courtyards of Agra of the Mogul Empire, majlis and interfaith dialogues were familiar scenes. Each scholar would go as far as learning each other culture’s language so as to understand the crux of knowledge that each had to offer. They understood that what they knew was the only fistful; when what they need to know was ocean deep! Akbar went as far as creating Dīn-i Ilāhī, an amalgam of the best of Hindu, Islam, Jain, Christian and Zoroastrianism.
The author incisively criticises leaders who seem go around the country with blinkers and a self-installed halo refusing to accept alternative opinions and think that they know everything. Period.
Uthaya Sankar tries to put many things in perspective. He attempts to educate the masses about certain concepts in Hinduism, the sacred place of cows in society and the meanings of certain celebrations. He went on to ruffle many feathers by reminding us of our early history of Nusantara and the genesis of the diaspora called Malays. Even though our education system boasts of trying to unite the citizens of the country, many are still in the dark about their brethren’s practices and cultures. This book introduces us to the core of Sikhism and Buddhism. The plight of the LGBT community is also highlighted for us to digest. The most interesting part of the book was the section on Tamil literature, about the great poems and their relevance to the time.
This book is a light read to refresh our rich heritage. We should all respect each other’s cultures as what may seem like absurd or comical to one may be dear to another. After all, we are all human, only separated by our minds.
N.B. The title could be a cheeky way of telling that he is not a foreigner but a jewel from a country called Malaya (Malaiur = old name for the Peninsular of Malaya, a hilly country; Manikam= jewel)
Author: Uthaya Sankar SB
From the time of Thales, the first European philosopher, the first from the European perspective, the Easterners claim to have known this earlier, the quest to know the secrets of the universe kept on growing. The Greek philosophers thought that the structure of universe could be explained via trigonometry and mathematics. They were excited when they correctly predicted a solar eclipse in 585BCE.
From then on, via critical debates and intelligent deductions, many theories were created.
At the heights of the Golden Era of the Islamic Civilisation and the courtyards of Agra of the Mogul Empire, majlis and interfaith dialogues were familiar scenes. Each scholar would go as far as learning each other culture’s language so as to understand the crux of knowledge that each had to offer. They understood that what they knew was the only fistful; when what they need to know was ocean deep! Akbar went as far as creating Dīn-i Ilāhī, an amalgam of the best of Hindu, Islam, Jain, Christian and Zoroastrianism.
The author incisively criticises leaders who seem go around the country with blinkers and a self-installed halo refusing to accept alternative opinions and think that they know everything. Period.
Uthaya Sankar tries to put many things in perspective. He attempts to educate the masses about certain concepts in Hinduism, the sacred place of cows in society and the meanings of certain celebrations. He went on to ruffle many feathers by reminding us of our early history of Nusantara and the genesis of the diaspora called Malays. Even though our education system boasts of trying to unite the citizens of the country, many are still in the dark about their brethren’s practices and cultures. This book introduces us to the core of Sikhism and Buddhism. The plight of the LGBT community is also highlighted for us to digest. The most interesting part of the book was the section on Tamil literature, about the great poems and their relevance to the time.
This book is a light read to refresh our rich heritage. We should all respect each other’s cultures as what may seem like absurd or comical to one may be dear to another. After all, we are all human, only separated by our minds.
N.B. The title could be a cheeky way of telling that he is not a foreigner but a jewel from a country called Malaya (Malaiur = old name for the Peninsular of Malaya, a hilly country; Manikam= jewel)
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