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Something Understood

Religion & Ethics

Ethical and religious discussion that examines some of the larger questions of life

Ethical and religious discussion that examines some of the larger questions of life, taking a spiritual theme and exploring it through music, prose and poetry

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Something Understood: The Ties That Bind

Embracing the Classical

26/08/2018

The Ties That Bind

BBC Radio 4 - Something Understood, The Ties That Bind

Mark Tully celebrates the ties of family and friendship on the festival of Raksha Bandhan.

On the Indian festival of Raksha Bandhan, sisters tie rakhi threads on their brothers' wrists. Mark Tully talks to his rakhi sister, Tara Gandhi, about the symbolism of this rite.

To mark this year's festival of Raksha Bandhan, Mark Tully discusses the significance of the rite in which sisters tie rakhi threads round their brothers' wrists for protection. 

In conversation with Mahatma Gandhi's granddaughter, Tara Gandhi Bhattacharjee, who has made him her honorary rakhi brother, Mark contemplates the power of this symbolic binding. He also considers the strength of sibling bonds and wider ties of friendship between people of all faiths. 

The readings include the work of Rabindranath Tagore, Sarojini Naidu and Mary Lee McNeal, with music from Ravi Shankar and Phillip Glass, Gal Costa and Tuatha Dea.

The readers are Jasper Britton and Emma Cunniffe,

Presenter: Mark Tully
Producer: Frank Stirling
A 7digital production for BBC Radio 4.

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