Latest column in Namaste Bharat newsmagazine

My latest column in Namaste Bharat magazine is out.

Please find screenshot of the Facebook post below.

My apologies - I have been so busy that I have not able to discuss my new column very much. The firs edition of the column presented a new Theory of Political Science.  

The recent events in Ukraine and Afghanistan simply prove how good a theory this is. In brief, the idea  is that there are certain countries in the Core (the Powerful countries, e.g., the leading members of the NATO) and then, there are certain countries in the Periphery (the less Powerful and the virtually Powerless countries, e.g., many of the countries in Africa, Ukraine). Within any given time period T: one or more of the countries in the Core essentially will act to destabilize one or more countries in the periphery. This is through various mechanism, both political and economic. 

This Theory is proposed as a rival Theory to the Clash of Civilizations Theory by Samuel Huntington. A better model of the world it certainly is, in my humble opinion. It is important to note that my theory came out before the denouement in Afghanistan and well before the events in Ukraine. 

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Update (as of Mar 23, 2022): updated with latest image. Namaste Bharat magazine has now been renamed. The new name for the magazine is Pravasi Indians. 

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My new book (work in history) is out!

 My new book is out!

It is entitled "I, A.I." and it is a book of poetry written with the help of A.I.

It is available for purchase on Amazon.com and Flipkart. Check it out!

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Update (of Mar 23, 2022): attached latest screenshot of the book on Amazon.

My recent work as a historian

 My most recent work has been as a historian.

Please go to my professional profile to learn more.

Please find below a screenshot of my Professional Profile page.

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Update (of Mar 23, 2022):

Please find below the latest screenshot from my Professional Profile page.

New coordinates

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This is no longer my main blog. To access my colorfully designed, visually distinct, all new blog, please go here:

https://anandmanikutty2018.wixsite.com/anandspersonalblog/

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Hail, Muse!

To make a start more swift than weighty, here we go. I have compiled links to much of my previous writing work here. I also have placed here excerpts from my recent forays into the realms of Erato and Euterpe, the Muses of Poetry. In other words, I also have placed here some of my poems from my recent book of poetry.

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This blog is meant to be both a resource and a platform: it serves both as a repository for my writing work and also as a platform for my writer friends to keep in touch with me. Another reason for this is that I have created two LinkedIn profiles so as to keep my writing work and professional work separate. This blog is meant to serve as a portfolio of my writing work, which I have been doing on the side while working. My Business CV is meant to serve as my resume for my professional purposes. I have been blogging and writing for a long time. So far, I have not succeeded in consolidating all the blogging and writing work I have done so far in one place. This blog, as of May 2021, is meant to be my One Blog To Rule Them All. I think this approach will work. At least, I hope so.😀  

 

The book of poetry, now available on Amazon, is based on the theme of Covid. I also did a Reddit AmA on Covid on my recent book, which you can view on the Reddit website. The Covid-19 pandemic has exploded since the first cases were first reported in December 2019 in Wuhan. If you read nothing else about Covid, just know that with adequate measures, you can protect yourself from this deadly virus, and that you really should get yourself vaccinated if you at all can. Take care, and stay safe!

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"Sudh Bisar Gayi Aaj"

 Introduction:

In the vast repertoire of Bollywood melodies, there exist songs that encapsulate the bittersweet essence of longing and nostalgia, resonating deeply with listeners. One such hauntingly beautiful gem is the poignant "Sudh Bisar Gayi Aaj" from the timeless movie Sant Gyaneshwar (1964). Composed by the esteemed Pandit Hridaynath Mangeshkar and adorned with the heartfelt lyrics of Pandit Bharat Vyas, this song is a soul-stirring exploration of the pain of separation and the passage of time.

Musical Elegance: "Sudh Bisar Gayi Aaj" is a masterpiece of musical elegance, with Pandit Hridaynath Mangeshkar's composition capturing the essence of melancholy with exquisite sensitivity. The haunting melody, accompanied by the plaintive strains of the flute and the mournful notes of the violin, evokes a sense of yearning and introspection. The music flows like a gentle stream, carrying with it the weight of memories and emotions that linger long after the song has ended.

Lyrically Profound: Pandit Bharat Vyas' lyrics in "Sudh Bisar Gayi Aaj" are a testament to the power of poetry to express the depths of human emotion. Each verse is a poignant reflection on the passage of time and the inevitability of change, resonating with anyone who has experienced the pain of separation and loss. The imagery is vivid and evocative, painting a vivid picture of the protagonist's inner turmoil and longing for a bygone era.

Iconic Rendition: No discussion of "Sudh Bisar Gayi Aaj" would be complete without acknowledging the iconic rendition by the legendary playback singer Lata Mangeshkar. Her velvety voice imbues the song with an unmatched emotional depth, conveying the protagonist's sense of longing and resignation with heartbreaking sincerity. Mangeshkar's emotive performance, coupled with Mangeshkar's evocative composition, elevates "Sudh Bisar Gayi Aaj" to the realm of timeless classics.

Enduring Legacy: Decades may have passed since its release, but the haunting beauty of "Sudh Bisar Gayi Aaj" continues to captivate audiences, transcending time and space. Its timeless melody and profound lyrics serve as a poignant reminder of the universal experience of loss and longing. As we listen to this haunting melody, let us be reminded of the impermanence of life and the preciousness of every moment we share with those we love.

"Mausam hai Aashiqaana"

 Introduction:

In the enchanting world of Bollywood music, there exist songs that capture the essence of romance with unparalleled grace and charm. One such timeless classic is the enchanting "Mausam Hai Aashiqana" from the iconic movie Pakeezah (1972). Composed by the maestro Ghulam Mohammed and adorned with the poetic lyrics of Kaifi Azmi, this song is a melodious celebration of love amidst the beauty of nature.

Melodic Bliss: "Mausam Hai Aashiqana" is a masterpiece of melodic bliss, with Ghulam Mohammed's composition evoking a sense of serenity and romance. The gentle strains of the sitar and flute, coupled with the rhythmic beats of the tabla, create a mesmerizing backdrop for the heartfelt lyrics. The melody flows like a gentle breeze, carrying with it the fragrance of love and the promise of eternal devotion.

Lyrically Poetic: Kaifi Azmi's lyrics in "Mausam Hai Aashiqana" are a testament to the power of poetry to express the depth of human emotions. Each verse is a lyrical masterpiece, painting a vivid picture of love's intoxicating spell and the magic of a romantic rendezvous. The imagery is evocative and enchanting, capturing the essence of passion and longing with exquisite beauty.

Iconic Rendition: No discussion of "Mausam Hai Aashiqana" would be complete without acknowledging the iconic rendition by the legendary playback singer Lata Mangeshkar. Her melodious voice infuses the song with an ethereal quality, transporting listeners to a world of timeless romance and enchantment. Mangeshkar's emotive performance, coupled with Ghulam Mohammed's evocative composition, elevates "Mausam Hai Aashiqana" to the realm of timeless classics.

Enduring Enchantment: Decades may have passed since its release, but the enchantment of "Mausam Hai Aashiqana" continues to captivate audiences, transcending generations and borders. Its timeless melody and poetic lyrics serve as a reminder of the enduring power of love to transcend all barriers and unite souls in a bond that is as eternal as the changing seasons. As we listen to this timeless classic, let us be swept away by its romantic splendor and revel in the magic of true love.

Book of Poetry - Back Cover

The Back Cover pretty much captures most of what there is in the book.

Here is an earlier draft of the book's back cover.

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This is a book of poetry. But there is something quite special about it. The poems in the book were written in under a day by the author Anand Manikutty. 

This was really just supposed to be a book of poetry. But something interesting happened along the way. Anand, a member of Top Society and Oath Society, both very selective High IQ societies, sent out some emails on the Coronavirus to a mailing list set up by these groups. Encouraged by the responses he received there, he decided to expand the poetry book he was writing to include material discussing the Coronavirus pandemic as well. 

As was said before, there is one thing very special about the book of poetry he was writing. It is that the poems in the book were written in less than a day. In fact, the entire corpus of poems was written in under seven hours. This was done with the help of an A.I. created by the author.

What is significant about the A.I. is that it can write in the style of any living author – assuming you provide the A.I. a corpus of work pertaining to that author. To find out how these poems were created by such an A.I. that was created for quite a different purpose, dear Reader, you will have to read the book itself.

In this book, Anand has also included material based on his online discussions with economists and strategic management experts regarding the Coronavirus pandemic. He has even included portions of emails he shared with members of TOPSociety and OathSociety. This is so that you, Dear Reader, can also get a sense of how economists and evidence-oriented individuals think about and approach large-scale problems such as the Coronavirus epidemic.

There really are better models out there. One just needs to think about things in a model-based and evidence-based way. Anand also predicted that the War in Iraq would not go well. If his predictions in this book are correct, that is another trillion-dollar mistake that could have been avoided using his models.

IN THIS BOOK, FIND OUT

·         How Anand's A.I. wrote a book of poetry - from start to finish – in less than a day.

·         How and why Trump is getting the response to the Coronavirus wrong, and which social scientific models could have been used to get the White House’s decisions right in the first place.

·         Which poem in this collection Harvard's Prof. Michael Witzel liked the best.

·         About a new theory, the Theory of Reproducibility in the field of Art.  Like the Theory of Disruptive Innovation in the field of Innovation, this theory in the World of Art explains a number of phenomena we see there. For instance, it explains why Indian Classical Dance and Japanese Traditional Theater have not found wide popularity in the West. Also, why there are so many web developers in the world. And why Britney Spears is so successful. Besides many other things.

BIOGRAPHY

Anand Manikutty got his undergraduate degree in Computer Science from the Indian Institute of Technology, where he was awarded the Governor’s Medal. Mr. Manikutty is a computer scientist, technology entrepreneur and inventor holding over 15 patents in computer science and technology and over 10 publications in these fields. He is an alumnus of the University of Wisconsin, Harvard Business School and Stanford University. In addition to computer science, he has also contributed to work in the fields of strategic management, organization behavior and philosophy. He even has a paper on that age-old question whose answer we thought we knew: “Which Came First – The Chicken or the Egg?”. When not working, he likes to go on various random adventures. These have included such activities as swimming with sharks, and white-water rafting in crazy rivers.  His parents think that if he makes it to fifty, it will be due to sheer luck and nothing else.

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Book of poetry: front cover & back cover

Here is what the front cover and the back cover for my new book of poetry looks like. Please click to enlarge.

My new Book of Poetry is out!

My new Book of Poetry is out!

Here is a link to the Amazon.com page for the book:

https://www.amazon.com/POETRY-WRITTEN-SEVEN-HOURS-AMERICA-ebook/dp/B08963WPJH/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=anand+manikutty&qid=1590659629&s=books&sr=1-1

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One thing: I have simplified the exposition of the Theory of Reproducibility introduced in this book.

There is a very accurate model for this, but unfortunately, it is in three dimensions. I didn't want to have a three dimensional model in the book because I was advised to avoid having too much by way of complex mathematics. So, I tried to introduce the idea using a two dimensional model.

The exact model is as follows: consider a two dimensional graph on which you plot each work of art pertaining to each artist of interest. On the X Axis is a measure of the virtuosity of the artist (thus, to the extreme right are artists with high levels of virtuosity such as Mirza Ghalib or Yo Yo Ma, and on the extreme left would be the really poor singers, such as an erstwhile neighbor of mine who used to sing in the bathroom.) On the Y Axis is a measure of the chances of the work of art appealing to the general population (on the top extreme are works of art with likely high levels of mass appeal such as Britney Spears' albums and on the extreme bottom are works of art with likely very low levels of mass appeal such as Ghalib's poetry). On the Z Axis for each work of art, plot an estimate for the audience number for the same.

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One can easily see that the smart move for artists who possess high levels of virtuosity is to move down the Y Axis.

When they do that, they can capture an extremely large market running into the millions, and they could become very rich indeed, even if, say, they only charged a dollar a song.

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Did this blog move? Where to?

Blogger has been fun. But is time to move on to the other things. We are moving on to Twitter. I will post the URL to the Twitter feed in due course of time once I have it set up.

Here is where the previous editions of this blog have been hosted:

•  Ask the Delphic Oracle blog: hosted here.
•  Delfik Orakle blog: hosted here.

Here is my author bio on the Indiatimes website (owned by the Times of India Group): link here.

Update (April 9, 2020): The Twitter feed is available here.