The Symbolism of Bread
Author: Michael LassmanJuly 31, 2026
Stela of the Steward Mentuwoser, Middle Kingdom (ca. 1944 B.C.) Bread is as old as civilization itself. Wherever humans learned to grind grain into flour, mix it with water and apply heat, bread emerged − not just as sustenance, but often as a symbol of life itself, of order, and at times, of connection with the divine. Across ancient cultures, bread has always been a marker of identity, [...]
The Art of Devotion
Author: Kanika MehraJuly 29, 2018
In the wee hours of the morning, Emperor Akbar awoke to the sweet melodious singing of Haridas, guru of the celebrated singer of his court, Tansen. Haridas had been singing a dawn raga. Overwhelmed, Akbar inquired why Tansen was not able to sing like his guru Haridas. Tansen replied that there was one big difference between him and his teacher; while he sang for his lord Akbar, The Great, Haridas [...]