The origins of this book of contemplation spring from the long and arduous tour around India undertaken by the author's father back in 1965. The more he began to experience this great country, the more he wanted to move beyond merely describing its landscape and the treasures from its glorious past. His aim was to expand his interpretation of the world of India into a wholly new mode of thinking and thereby to understand humanity as a whole.The author has now completed the book by adding his own contemporary thoughts and comparisons about the soul of India as a complement to his father's work.A message to you all from a simple man: this book does not fit neatly into any existing categories. This is INDIA. And nothing else.
Panos Kessaris was born in Athens, Greece, in 1968. He graduated from a local high school for gifted children. After his university programme, he took a scholarship to follow a full residency training in oral and maxillofacial surgery in USA. As a teenager, he followed his parents over their trips around Europe many times, visiting museums and monuments. He was an athlete of the National Equestrian Team. He was inspired by his father’s philosophy of life: learn and teach as much as you can. He has worked in his field in UK, France, Germany and China. He lives with his wife, Jenny, who makes him a better person every day. Together, they raise three wonderful boys.
Thanos Kessaris was born in Athens, Greece, in 2004. Currently, he is a studious member of the University of Nebraska High School and a certified PADI rescue diver. He loves the ocean and its creatures.
Panos Kessaris was born in Athens, Greece, in 1968. He graduated from a local high school for gifted children. After his university programme, he took a scholarship to follow a full residency training in oral and maxillofacial surgery in USA. As a teenager, he followed his parents over their trips around Europe many times, visiting museums and monuments. He was an athlete of the National Equestrian Team. He was inspired by his father’s philosophy of life: learn and teach as much as you can. He has worked in his field in UK, France, Germany and China. He lives with his wife, Jenny, who makes him a better person every day. Together, they raise three wonderful boys.
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The book “The Passage to India” written in Greek by Periklis Kessaris in 1965, is a recollection of author’s visit to India to study History of Indian Fine Arts from the University of Delhi. During his stay, the author visited many places in India and penned his experiences and impressions. Now, his son Mr. Panos Kessris and grandson Mr. Thanos Kessaris, have translated the publication in English, after 56 years, which will be available in stores in early 2022.
It is remarkable that the author visited a number of places in India during his one year stay in India at a time when travel was not easy as now – from Kashmir in the north to Madras in the south, from Mumbai (then Bombay) in the west to Kolkata (then Calcutta) in the east and used the material so collected to write the book. He has written about the history of India, the Vedas and Upanishads, Gita and Mahabharata, yoga and Hinduism, etc. The author has touched upon the art of India dividing it between prehistorical art and historical one and has made a comparison with Greek art, another ancient civilization which has contributed richly to the world! The ancient and famous architecture of India find a good deal of mention with photographs of some of the places famous for their amazing architecture including some Muslim monuments, sculptures and paintings, reflecting the rich diverse culture and mosaic of India.
The author, considering his country of origin, befittingly has dwelt on the role and influence of Alexander the Great in history of Indian subcontinent. We continue to read and learn about this great person in India, who is called ‘Sikander’ locally.
The author has tried to cover the cultural facets of the places he visited as seen by him and which have relevance today even, after 56 years of his writing the book. After reading the accounts about his stay and travel to many places in India and the vivid descriptions, leaves a lasting and unforgettable impressions in one’s heart and mind with something that can be termed unique.
India is a vast country with amalgamation of different cultures, people, languages and places, a country with “Unity in Diversity”. Its diversity cannot be covered in one single publication. When the book was originally written in 1965, India was a young country having attained independence in 1947, and now after 56 years, India has made progress in all fields and has become one of the major powers of the world. The topics covered by the book are definitely relevant even in today’s world, specially for those searching for many answers to the myriad questions thrown by the modern world. I am confident that the readers will enjoy the English translation of the book as much as its original version in Greek was enjoyed.
Amrit Lugun
Ambassador of India to the Hellenic Republic
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