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 →
Book 1 - 2023 Kohinoor - The Story of the World’s Most Infamous Diamond - William Dalrymple and Anita Anand The ownership controversy erupts every time there is a chance of public sighting of this infamous diamond. And with the coronation of the new King of England, it was appropriate to dive deep into the... Continue Reading →
May 2023 be the harbinger of hope, health and happiness ... Tennyson wrote: "Hope smiles from the threshold of the year to come. Whispering 'it will be happier'." After almost 2 years of Covid fear and restrictions, just when it seemed all is well, the scare of the virus resurfaced as 2022 came to an... Continue Reading →
One famous author recently announced the print date of his new book, 4th in the series. While the book release is still some time away, the pre-orders have already opened. And it was pretty heartening to note that pre-orders started with independent book stores. For the last few years, most of the pre-orders of books... Continue Reading →
Written by a journalist author who is loved and hated in equal measure by the public, who courts controversies through his written words, the book The Twice-Born by Aatish Taseer is probably last in the series of both his fiction and non-fiction writings inspired by Indian subcontinent. A book based on my hometown Banaras, the... Continue Reading →
