Solution to 19D has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered only by a non-regular / novice commenter, with proper annotation. Those who have answered earlier in the week, please give others a chance.
Open for anyone to solve, if not solved by 1 PM.
ACROSS
8 & 9 Famous artist, penned a tragic drama about earliest of human faith (8,6) SANATANA DHARMA {SAN{A}TANA}{D{Hu..n}ARMA*}
9 See 8A
10 Surprising change from southern sorceress to a queen, nothing ordinary! (10) SWITCHEROO {S}{WITCH}{ER}{0}{O}
11 Adieu Ratan! (2-2) TA-TA {TATA}
14 Islamic gathering grasped essential character of India's lower working class (6) SHUDRA {SHU{inDia}RA}
15 Turning Islam into a political ideology (11) NATIONALISM {ISLAM+INTO+A}* One 'N' missing in Fodder
20 Daredevil Reynolds entering like ancient nomads (6) ARYANS {A{RYAN}S}
22 An egg-laying mammal, a male deer and a herb for Spooner (8) DUCKBILL (~buck dill to duckbill)
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28 Cruel ancient system that exploited innumerable suffering masses, basically (8) CASTEISM Acrostic &lit
DOWN
1 Draw and deviate on return being erratic (7) WAYWARD {DRAW}{YAW}<=
2 Magical chant about universal dance (6) NAUTCH {NA{U}TCH*}
3 His mark could be on north of India (8) KASHMIRI {HIS+MARK}*{In..a} Semi&lit
4 One going into distant light (4) FAIR {FA{1}R}
5 Hateful god mostly on skinned mouse (6) ODIOUS {ODIn}{mOUSe}
7 Sexy confession by a conservative? (7) AMATORY {AM A TORY}
13 Expression of exasperation and agreement for a religious council (5) SYNOD {(~sigh)SY}{NOD}
16 A bold, detached, Jewish priest with terse reply for Saudis or Egyptians (8) ARABIANS {A}{RAbBI}{ANS}
17 Most daring after losing power and most fortunate (8) LUCKIEST pLUCKIEST
18 A royal taking leading position in Old Chennai naval fleets (7) ARMADAS {A}{R}{MADrAS} Leading position = R?
19 No way immobility is infirmity (7) ?L?N?S?
21 Painful is male cruelty (6) SADISM {SAD}{IS}{M}
23 Chicken runs away from big water heater (6) BOILER BrOILER Big is superfluous
26 Bows are mostly empty courtesies (4) ARCS {ARe}{Co...eS}
Reference List
Southern = S, Queen = ER, Ordinary = O, Bold = B, Hearts = H, Popular = IN, Society = S, English = E, Universal = U, Prince = P, Power = P, Royal = R, Male = M, Runs = R
18d it's a letter shift indicator.
ReplyDeleteR in madras moving (taking) leader position.
A (+r) mad(-r)as
23d boiler is also a synonym for chicken! A simple DD would have sufficed.
ReplyDeleteThen, runs away from?
DeleteB(R)oiler is chicken. Not boiler.
DeleteIts a note to setter Paddy.
Deletechicken suitable for cooking only by boiling is boiler.
One should avoid using words having same synonyms as definition, in the word play. Otherwise the whole clue becomes irrelevant in cryltic.
19d Illness
ReplyDelete(St)illness. St is removed because "no way".
Good solve!!!
Delete1D- Way from 'Deviate'?
ReplyDeleteYaw is deviate
DeleteYaw is new to me and hence confused. Thank you.
DeleteExcellent crossword covering a specific theme. I liked the use of words from other religions to get to something about another - Shura to get Shudra, Jewish priest to get Arabians. Clever. Thank you Vidwan.
ReplyDelete8A&9A, famous artist is too generic, probably famous guitar or rock artist would have made me select “Carlos Santana” famous guitarist.
ReplyDeleteSathia
20A, Actor Ryan Reynolds is known for acting in famous movies like green lantern, Deadpool etc., Daredevil is misleading.
DeleteSathia
I agree both about SANTANA and RYAN Reynolds
Delete10.a
ReplyDeleteI thought, change...switch.and southern sorceress unnecessary.
Southern Sorceress only gives u SWITCH
ReplyDeleteSurprising change is the definition.
I loved the thematic grid. Very distinct style of cluing.
ReplyDeleteMy fav - PASTE UPS, BRAHMINS, WAYWARD.
Thanx Vidwan!
Re: 14a: While shudra was certainly *regarded* as a "lower" class in the caste system, it wasn't and isn't a lower class in reality, as everyone accepts. This nuance is lost in using the definition as seen. Imo, it would have been better to use a more accurate def such as "oppressed working class" that does not perpetuate the unnecessary stigma carried by the word "lower" (even if the intent was clearly to suggest that the group was regarded as lower and isn't actually lower).
ReplyDeleteFully agree with you.
Delete