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Daiva: Discovering the Extraordinary World of Spirit Worship Paperback – 13 May 2024
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The famous Kola performances of Tulu Nadu involve dancers who invite powerful, sacred spirits to possess them. Through the performers, and surrounded by vibrant colours and striking visuals, these spirits - known as Daiva - may settle disputes, provide guidance, grant blessings and pass judgement.
However, there is so much more to it than art and devotion. From Panjurli, the benevolent boar spirit to Bobbarya, guardian of the sea, this book explores it all: the kinds of Daiva, their stories, their individual natures and the ways in which they come to inhabit the devout.
In Daiva, bestselling author K Hari Kumar, brings you stories of powerful immortals along with details of their worship through mystifying rituals - all of which are known to leave onlookers awe-struck.
- Print length272 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherHarperCollins India
- Publication date13 May 2024
- Dimensions19.8 x 12.9 x 1.6 cm
- ISBN-109354899749
- ISBN-13978-9354899744
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Review
'To read Daiva is to experience a world that few from modern urban India have access to. It is to immerse oneself in the realm of spirit-worship, which comes to life through Hari's tireless research and spell-binding wordcraft.'
-- Amish Tripathi
About the Author
Product details
- Publisher : HarperCollins India (13 May 2024); HarperCollins India
- Language : English
- Paperback : 272 pages
- ISBN-10 : 9354899749
- ISBN-13 : 978-9354899744
- Item Weight : 189 g
- Dimensions : 19.8 x 12.9 x 1.6 cm
- Country of Origin : India
- Net Quantity : 1 Count
- Packer : AAJ Enterprises Pvt Ltd, Khasara No 7/24,25/2,8/21, Safiabad Khari Manjat,Gulzar Bhawan, Sonipat - Narela Road, Liwan, Sector 36, Sonipat, Haryana 131001,PHONE: 085869 67796
- Generic Name : Books
- Best Sellers Rank: #9,861 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #5 in Dance (Books)
- #41 in Occult & Paranormal
- #120 in Spirituality (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

K. Hari Kumar is a bestselling Indian author, screenwriter and filmmaker. With an impressive track record of being one of India's top genre writers, his stories rooted in Indian folklore and mythology have captivated readers across the subcontinent.
K Hari Kumar's collection of horror short stories, India's Most Haunted - Tales of Terrifying Places, published by HarperCollins India is one of the highest selling horror story books in India. The Times Of India deemed it as a must-read horror book, and it was also listed in HarperCollins India’s hundred best books written by Indian authors. The Malayalam translation of India’s Most Haunted was published as Indiayile Prethalayangal by Mathrubhumi Books in March 2022. The book will be soon translated into Hindi as well. He wrote the honourary foreword for FlameTree Publishing's anthology titled Asian Ghost Stories (UK, Simon & Schuster).
In addition to his accomplishments in literature, K. Hari Kumar has made notable contributions to the world of cinema as a screenwriter and creative consultant. His novel The Other Side of Her received critical acclaim when adapted into the web series Bhram, featuring the talented Kalki Koechlin. As a filmmaker, he has directed two short films, a documentary, a music video and the cinematic trailer of his books. K. Hari is also an international award nominated photographer. His photographs have featured on covers of his books.
Educated in Gurugram, K. Hari Kumar holds a B.Tech in Information Technology and a B.A in English Literature, highlighting his diverse academic background. He currently resides in Pune with spouse, where he continues to fuel his creative pursuits. Hari is currently working on a series of books on folk mythology that will be published by HarperCollins.
Hari has been honoured with invitations to speak on his expertise at prestigious events such as Times Literature festival (Bangalore & Delhi), Kumaon Literature Festival (Dhanacholi), Lit-O-Mania (Mumbai), and IISc’s Literature Festival (Bangalore). His insights have garnered attention from leading national newspapers, television channels, and podcasts, including the renowned The Ranveer Show that features India's top writers and film personalities.
Customer reviews
Customers say
Customers find the book well-researched and insightful. They describe the stories as thrilling, thought-provoking, and interesting. The book provides valuable knowledge about the Tulumadu culture and stories of Daiva.
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Customers appreciate the book's well-researched and insightful content on Tamil Nadu culture and stories of Daiva. They find it informative and the best book to learn about the subject.
"Well researched and passionately written upon a subject little known to the present generation... enlightening and revealing... spellbinding..." Read more
"Very gripping writting and insightful book." Read more
"I love this Book ...it have lots of knowledge and information. About their religion culture..about kola ...and lots I love it" Read more
"The book is excellent and provides a wealth of information...." Read more
Customers find the book thought-provoking and engaging. They find the stories in part two interesting, with a better pace than in part one.
"...known to the present generation... enlightening and revealing... spellbinding..." Read more
"...the threads of past and present, creating a story that’s both thrilling and thought-provoking...." Read more
"...The stories in Part 2 are interesting. I felt Part 2 was better paced than Part 1...." Read more
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Top reviews from India
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- Reviewed in India on 13 June 2024Verified PurchaseWell researched and passionately written upon a subject little known to the present generation... enlightening and revealing... spellbinding...
- Reviewed in India on 25 August 2024Verified PurchaseVery gripping writting and insightful book.
Very gripping writting and insightful book.
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- Reviewed in India on 29 July 2024Verified PurchaseI love this Book ...it have lots of knowledge and information. About their religion culture..about kola ...and lots I love it
- Reviewed in India on 30 November 2024Verified PurchaseThe book is excellent and provides a wealth of information. However, the first half contains unnecessary detail, and some words feel overly advanced, seemingly to avoid repetition.
- Reviewed in India on 14 August 2024Verified PurchaseJust finished reading *Daiva* by K Hari Kumar, and I’m enthralled!
This gripping tale of mythology and suspense kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish.
Set against a backdrop of ancient legends and modern-day mysteries, *Daiva* masterfully weaves together the threads of past and present, creating a story that’s both thrilling and thought-provoking.
Must Read and soak oneself in this spirit world 🌎 to explore known and unknown....
Thank You once again @theharikumar for beautifully penning down the tulunadu rituals and the strong beliefs we tulunadu people hold on these DAIVAS, in whichever part of the globe 🌎 we are, they are following us in everypath of our Life.
- Reviewed in India on 25 June 2024Verified PurchaseThe book is divided into two parts. The first part predominantly focuses on the Tulu Nadu and the culture behind it. The second part talks about the different stories surrounding the daivas.
The book has been researched well. Although some more personal accounts in Part 1 could have been included. The stories in Part 2 are interesting. I felt Part 2 was better paced than Part 1.
What makes the book slightly disappointing is the spelling mistakes in certain places. I wish keener attention was paid to it to ensure uniformity of spellings throughout. On the whole, this is a good one-time read and the stories would be something worth revisiting more than once.
- Reviewed in India on 21 November 2024Verified PurchaseIf you wish to understand the culture and beliefs of Tulu Nadu and the tradition of Daivaaradhane...this book is for you! K Hari Kumar has done his research very well!
- Reviewed in India on 24 July 2024Verified PurchaseBest book to read about tulunadu culture and stories of daiva