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 →
We are a country where girl child is worshipped every Navratri. And so are innumerable Goddesses in various avatars worshipped as the harbinger of wealth and knowledge, as the protector of natural calamities or epidemics, or as a benevolent mother who protects all; but the real stories are scary, heart breaking. As an Adi-Shakti, she... Continue Reading →
Holi - the Festival of Colours is intimately associated with Thandai (a cooling summer drink) and Bhang (cannabis) in North India especially in Uttar Pradesh. The intoxicating combination heralds the beginning of summers in this part of India. As the name itself suggests, thandai means providing refreshing coolness from the summer heat. And consumption of... Continue Reading →
The heralding of winter starts my hankering for Banarasi chooda matar, but one has to wait till the prices of peas are in the comfortable zone. While many who are not familiar with this delicacy confuse it with normal poha with peas which is cooked in many households, but many states in India have one... Continue Reading →
The book would not have happened if not for Covid times. Like all other Sodhi family milestone Birthdays, we were also looking forward to host family and friends for a celebration over drinks and dinner – reminiscing moments from his life. After having been cheated five years before on his 70th Birthday because Chikungunya struck both... Continue Reading →
