Those who believe that artists must concentrate only on their art and venture nowhere close to socio-political commentary or activism are likely to get riled with Carnatic classical singer TM Krishna’s new book, We, The People of India: Decoding A Nation’s Symbols. Apart from his music, which is a serious commitment, he is also deeply invested in his role as a public intellectual, eager to hold the government accountable and champion the rights of citizens.

This book examines how a post-colonial Indian identity has been shaped over time through iconography, history, mythology, poetry, and music. It is divided into five chapters: “The National Flag: A Symbol of Freedom”, “The Lion Capital: An Emblem for Justice”, “Satyameva Jayate: An Old Truth for a New Motto”, “Jana Gana Mana: A Song and an Anthem”, and “The Preamble: A Vision for the Republic.”

The symbols are old but not frozen in time. They are presented as contested sites of meaning-making, open to interpretation, and available to be claimed by those who worry about the decline of plurality and want to fashion an Indian identity that is non-sectarian.

This book is part-explainer, and part wake-up call. It tells you about the significance of each colour of the national flag, then compels you...

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