King Bhumibol Adulyadej: Defender of Thai Democracy
King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who was the constitutional monarch of Thailand for 70 years, played a crucial role early in his reign in nurturing and defending democracy at the expense of…
Ravi Shankar: The Human Embodiment of the Sitar
Ravi Shankar, widely hailed as sitar’s greatest virtuoso, created a passion among Western audiences for the rhythmically vital, melodically flowing ragas of classical Indian music — a fascination that had…
Sudirman: Malaysia’s Unforgettable Prince of Pop
As the Eid al-Fitr beckons each year in mostly-Muslim Malaysia, street traders typically take it upon themselves to set the mood by playing a plethora of festive songs for the…
Malaysia’s Tunku: A Rare One Who Stood For All In His Country
“All talk on Islamic States is just an empty dream,” said Tunku Abdul Rahman, the gregarious noble who led in the founding of Malaysia and was for 13 years its…
Arumugam: Malaysia’s Original ‘Spider-Man’
Malaysian soccer is trapped in a time-capsule -- if not the game itself, then at least discussions around it. Few seem bothered about what the national side is doing now.…
P. Ramlee: Malaysia’s Greatest Acting, Musical Son
If Malaysia had a "Walk of Fame", his star would be the shiniest—you know, polished by the tears of fans and lit by the flashes of their cameras. When it…
Gandhi: The Mahatma Who Unified Protest & Peace
Sixty years after he was assassinated, some of Indian peace icon Gandhi's ashes were scattered in the Arabian Sea at the family's request and not publicly displayed. A small steel…