Renuka Narayanan
Renuka Narayanan is a commentator and columnist on religion and culture.
Articles by Renuka Narayanan
A month of fasts, feasts and reaching out: Shebaba by Renuka Narayanan
By Renuka Narayanan | Hindustan Times
UPDATED ON MAY 06, 2018 09:23 AM IST
Take a cue from stories, old and not so old, to mark this time with kindness.
The beauty of a job well done: Shebaba by Renuka Narayanan
By Renuka Narayanan | Hindustan Times
UPDATED ON APR 29, 2018 09:51 AM IST
It’s easy to scoff and make light of them, but it takes tonnes of discipline and commitment to do what real princesses must do.
Accepting our errors, expressing remorse: Shebaba by Renuka Narayanan
By Renuka Narayanan | Hindustan Times
UPDATED ON APR 21, 2018 04:52 PM IST
Each one of us can and must do what we can to make things better.
A curious old tale for a new cycle of time: Shebaba by Renuka Narayanan
By Renuka Narayanan | Hindustan Times
UPDATED ON APR 15, 2018 08:40 AM IST
A quaint story from the annual Kapalishwar festival of Mylapore is a reminder that the Eternal God is far above human conflicts and quarrels.
The many metaphors hidden within a feast: Shebaba by Renuka Narayanan
By Renuka Narayanan | Hindustan Times
UPDATED ON APR 08, 2018 08:57 AM IST
In a time of food wars, we would do well to remember that God’s grace is reflected in every plate and palate.
From an epic hero, lessons in humility: SheBaba by Renuka Narayanan
By Renuka Narayanan | Hindustan Times
PUBLISHED ON MAR 31, 2018 06:44 PM IST
The verses glorifying Hanuman are more about ‘personality development’, meant to inspire the reciter to become a positive person and an asset to society
A living river of sermons, stories, songs: Shebaba by Renuka Narayanan
By Renuka Narayanan | Hindustan Times
UPDATED ON MAR 25, 2018 11:42 AM IST
The Harikatha, a piece of inner India, draws from the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. Here’s why we need it more than ever today.
A mystic moment of historic holy flow
By Renuka Narayanan | Hindustan Times
UPDATED ON MAR 16, 2018 10:01 PM IST
Thanks to the Kanchi Srimatam’s efforts, we have properly-trained Vedic priests and scholars today.
The lost-and-found realm of a great goddess: Shebaba by Renuka Narayanan
By Renuka Narayanan | Hindustan Times
PUBLISHED ON MAR 10, 2018 05:20 PM IST
In our forgotten links to common deities is a reminder of the unity that we all culturally share.
Of a brave, old bird that died in the woods: Shebaba by Renuka Narayanan
By Renuka Narayanan | Hindustan Times
UPDATED ON MAR 04, 2018 08:48 AM IST
There’s still a lot to learn from the epics, about virtues and discipline, and the importance of God-awareness.
No zari curtains on Valmiki’s Ramayana: Shebaba by Renuka Narayanan
By Renuka Narayanan | Hindustan Times
PUBLISHED ON FEB 24, 2018 04:58 PM IST
The root Ramayana didn’t have a ‘Lakshman rekha’ or a terrible last parting, but the versions after it have been revised to suit the writers
When you (fairly) civilly disagree about God: Shebaba by Renuka Narayanan
By Renuka Narayanan | Hindustan Times
UPDATED ON FEB 17, 2018 10:40 AM IST
There is a crucial difference between the ‘godly’ and the ‘godless’ regarding what actually constituted ‘godliness’
Many languages maybe, but a common prayer
By Renuka Narayanan | Hindustan Times
PUBLISHED ON FEB 02, 2018 12:18 PM IST
The Naam Samkeertan tradition centred on Vitthala that originated with the great medieval Marathi saints, is hugely popular across the Deccan or Indian peninsula.
To good thoughts, good deeds, and rain: Shebaba by Renuka Narayanan
By Renuka Narayanan | Hindustan Times
PUBLISHED ON JAN 27, 2018 09:41 PM IST
From Ramayana’s Rishyashringa to Honi, the Circle-Drawer of Galilee, legends of seers who could make it pour abound.
An easy path to a happier you: Shebaba by Renuka Narayanan
By Renuka Narayanan | Hindustan Times
PUBLISHED ON JAN 20, 2018 05:16 PM IST
Spring is a time to celebrate Sarasvati, the patron deity of knowledge and the arts. And also to ask, how well do you really know yourself?
A sweet way to hit refresh on friendship, unity: Shebaba by Renuka Narayanan
By Renuka Narayanan | Hindustan Times
PUBLISHED ON JAN 13, 2018 07:25 PM IST
A significant positive aspect to Makara Sankaranti is that it unites the regions of India in a profoundly meaningful but baggage-free way.
Understanding the purpose of human life: Shebaba by Renuka Narayanan
By Renuka Narayanan | Hindustan Times
PUBLISHED ON JAN 06, 2018 07:47 PM IST
As we start a new year, let’s remember that our true purpose is to show loving kindness to all.
May we be kinder, better in the new year: Shebaba by Renuka Narayanan
By Renuka Narayanan | Hindustan Times
UPDATED ON DEC 31, 2017 08:29 AM IST
Let us cultivate the patience and good humour we need to keep us from going to pieces when tired or unhappy.
Visions of a feast in the time of Christ: Shebaba by Renuka Narayanan
By Renuka Narayanan | Hindustan Times
UPDATED ON DEC 24, 2017 09:54 AM IST
It is believed Jesus and his disciples ate simply. As Christmas draws closer, a look back at feasts of the old Judeo-Christian tradition.
There is good in us all, even despite ourselves: Shebaba by Renuka Narayanan
By Renuka Narayanan | Hindustan Times
UPDATED ON DEC 17, 2017 03:56 PM IST
As Christmas draws near, tales about the nature of God-love come to mind with renewed joy.
The mother and mother-goddess as the teacher: Shebaba by Renuka Narayanan
By Renuka Narayanan | Hindustan Times
UPDATED ON DEC 09, 2017 11:13 PM IST
The mother is revered as one’s first guru, who not only teaches us the basics of existence but also our human duty.
It’s not just what, learn how to give too: Shebaba by Renuka Narayanan
By Renuka Narayanan | Hindustan Times
PUBLISHED ON DEC 02, 2017 07:35 PM IST
On the anniversary of the revelation of the Bhagavad Gita, revisit its lessons on generosity, charity.
Take a moment to tune in to the Sun: Shebaba by Renuka Narayanan
By Renuka Narayanan | Hindustan Times
PUBLISHED ON NOV 25, 2017 06:08 PM IST
One can chant the Aditya Hrudayam as a prayer of praise to the Sun, or enjoy it as inspiring Indian poetry.
Lost lessons in love from long ago: Shebaba by Renuka Narayanan
By Renuka Narayanan | Hindustan Times
PUBLISHED ON NOV 18, 2017 08:37 PM IST
No matter which legends we were raised on, mutual love and respect was the moral of the story
Themes that will never ever leave us: Shebaba by Renuka Narayanan
By Renuka Narayanan | Hindustan Times
UPDATED ON NOV 12, 2017 08:43 AM IST
Set language politics aside and you will find that there is, indeed, much to admire in early Indian poetry in English.
Seven leaves to a sprig and other stories: Shebaba by Renuka Narayanan
By Renuka Narayanan | Hindustan Times
UPDATED ON NOV 05, 2017 08:51 AM IST
Saptaparni has an ancient past in the annals of Ayurveda. Its bark-extract is said to boost immunity and help treat deep tummy disorders, malaria and epilepsy.
An affection for flowers and a respect for tradition: Shebaba by Renuka Narayanan
By Renuka Narayanan | Hindustan Times
UPDATED ON OCT 28, 2017 07:07 PM IST
Fashion designer Dries Van Noten made it big from his small hometown, Antwerp.
A verse to warm you on a winter dawn: Shebaba by Renuka Narayanan
By Renuka Narayanan | Hindustan Times
PUBLISHED ON OCT 21, 2017 08:49 PM IST
I treasure memories of enchanted evenings at the annual Bhakti Utsavs in Delhi, particularly the year I heard a certain, moving Sanskrit verse on Shiva...
Another story of Dipavali: SheBaba by Renuka Narayanan
By Renuka Narayanan | Hindustan Times
UPDATED ON OCT 15, 2017 09:36 AM IST
The personality of the Kanchi Paramacharya is an inspiration for the spirit of the festival of lights
When the journey is lawn, think green: Shebaba by Renuka Narayanan
By Renuka Narayanan | Hindustan Times
UPDATED ON OCT 08, 2017 10:56 AM IST
From being used in traditional crafts to finding mention in the Ramayana, grass has an interesting place in Indian culture