Excerpts from B.N. Goswamy’s The Indian Cat: Stories, Paintings, Poetry, and Proverbs
The Hindu
The Indian Cat: Stories, Paintings, Poetry, and Proverbs, by art historian B.N. Goswamy brings us selection of stories, essays, art and poetry that celebrate our long, historical and often delightful association with our beloved feline friends. Here are some excerpts
Here are two stories from the book:
In the Karnataka region a cycle of stories is told with relish, lauding the young Tenali Rama who lived in the times of the great king of the Vijayanagara empire, Krishnadeva Raya, and with whom he had many encounters. Almost always, young Tenali had something to say to his monarch or solve for him a situation which others at the court could not. As in this story involving a cat.
One day, when King Sri Krishnadeva Raya was sitting in his court, he heard a commotion outside the palace gates. He commanded the guards to find out what it was. A guard came with a man who identified himself as the village head. The king asked him what the matter was. The man replied, ‘Your 57 majesty, our village is infested by rats. The rats are destroying our food grains and creating chaos in the village. Please save us.’
The king assured the village head by saying, ‘Fear not, my good man. I will consult with my courtiers and find a solution to your problem.’
King Sri Krishnadeva Raya ordered his ministers to arrive at a solution. One of the ministers stood up and said, ‘Your majesty, since cats eat rats, we can solve this rat menace by giving one cat to each household in the village.’
‘But how would the poor villagers feed the cats?’ asked another minister.
The minister suggested that they could give a cow along with a cat so that the cats can feed on milk.
Melamadai flyover in Madurai to be named after freedom fighter Velu Nachiyar, enhancing traffic flow and honoring history.
Bomb threat emails disrupt three flights to Hyderabad in 12 hours, causing one to return mid-air and heightened security measures.
The importance of the industry-academia MoUs
Conspiracies hatched to disrupt event linked to 'Babri Masjid' construction in Bengal: Humayun Kabir
TMC MLA Humayun Kabir alleges conspiracies to disrupt a Babri Masjid-style mosque's foundation ceremony in West Bengal amid heightened security.
Passengers are stranded at Hyderabad airport as IndiGo cancellations persist, leaving many desperate to return home amid chaos.
T.N. BJP chief Nainar Nagenthran dismisses communal tension claims over lamp lighting at Thiruparankundram, citing dargah's non-objection.
Shorts News:Lok Sabha passes Bill to levy a special cess on pan masala
Southern Railway announces special trains and extra coaches to accommodate passengers amid ongoing flight disruptions across the country.
Nara Lokesh shines during Bhamini tour, praised for his educational reforms and efforts to enhance government school standards.
Thousands gathered at Chaityabhoomi, Mumbai, to honor Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar on his death anniversary, Mahaparinirvan Din.
Chennai law student arrested for attempting to kidnap a woman after persistent harassment, police successfully rescue the victim.
The House Committee on Homeland Security has asked Google and Apple to detail what steps they are taking to remove mobile applications that allow users to track federal immigration officers.
Join the Telangana Rising Global Summit 2025 on December 8-9 to unveil the roadmap for a $3 trillion economy by 2047.