A friend told me she tried reading it three times but couldn’t finish it. With those words echoing in my ears, I hesitantly downloaded Gabriel García Márquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude on my Kindle - determined to read it before watching the Netflix adaptation (which, they say, stays true to the book). Set in... Continue Reading →
As I am writing this, perched in my 9th floor apartment, the sounds of a DJ blaring both Holi and non-Holi Bollywood songs echo through the loudspeakers in the gated society below. I watch children running around, their hands filled with brightly coloured pichkaris (water guns) and water balloons, while parents gather around the rain... Continue Reading →
My first brush with perfumes was not through my mother's vast collection of exotic-looking bottles but through my maternal grandmother. She was a deeply religious woman who would spend hours in prayer each morning. Her ritual began with bathing the gods that resided on a low table, adorning them in bright, shiny silks with intricate... Continue Reading →
One of the most endearing memories of my hometown that remains perpetually etched in my mind is of a Muslim man offering prayers at the entrance of a Hanuman temple on a hospital campus for the well-being of his family member. This occurred during a visit to Banaras, where my parents lived and worked at... Continue Reading →
It is fascinating how traditions intertwine across cultures and time! From their ancient origins celebrating the Goddess Eostre to their adoption into Christian Easter customs, hot cross buns carry layers of symbolism and significance. The transition from pagan rituals to Christian symbolism, with the cross representing Christ's sacrifice and the spices his embalming, highlights the... Continue Reading →
Basant Panchami, the auspicious fifth day of Basant or spring season in India, holds a special place in the hearts of many, symbolising the onset of new beginnings and the celebration of knowledge and learning through the worship of Goddess Saraswati.For alumni of Banaras Hindu University (BHU), this day resonates even more profoundly as it... Continue Reading →
🎉 Happy Birthday, Tintin! 📚✨ As I reflect on the day when the first Tintin comic series was published, I find myself transported back to the days of my childhood, where each adventure unfolded in vibrant panels, capturing my imagination. Today, I continue to savor Tintin's escapades, revisiting one comic book at a time. In... Continue Reading →
The magic of books captured my heart in childhood through the vibrant pages of Amar Chitra Katha stories, opening the gateway to a lifelong literary voyage. Those early encounters with mythical tales, and their captivating illustrations, sowed the seeds of my fascination with narratives that transcend time and culture. It was a portal that transported... Continue Reading →
The idea of first lines in literature has always intrigued me, they are like the opening notes of a raga, a teaser of an ad campaign, or a movie trailer. First lines set the tone for what readers can anticipate, serving as gateways to the rich imaginative worlds – a promise of the journey ahead... Continue Reading →
Exactly a week and a day ago, I wrote at the dead of night from a hospital bed - musings from a hospital room. In these last 8 days, I have gone through a gamut of emotions, feelings, and experiences - and I am back on the other side with musings after a hospital stay.... Continue Reading →
Today, in a few hours, I will be on an operation table - for the first time in my life; technically, maybe the second time since I breathed my first time, perhaps on one. One can imagine my state of mind - given the time of the day and that I have also been given... Continue Reading →
The Nutmeg’s Curse, written by the master storyteller Amitav Ghosh, can be aptly described as an epic spice journey – an exploration of climate change told through the lens of a small fragrant nut. Continuing the narrative of a planet in crisis from his previous work, The Great Derangement, he takes us on an enthralling... Continue Reading →
