One of my biggest regrets in life is that I never really got to know my father or spend much time with him. He fell seriously ill when I was around three years old and was hospitalized for a few weeks, never fully recovered, or even if he did was never the same again and…
Le Prince Haveli, Rajasthan
Visited an interesting Haveli in Fatehpur, Rajasthan, that’s being restored and maintained by a French painter – Nadine Le Prince. She was horrified to see the condition of the Havelis back in the 90’s and decided to purchase and restore one of them in 1998. The one she bought was built in the 1840’s by…
On the Road
Simply love road trips. Here are some pics I took on the road in Rajasthan, and an excerpt from a lovely poem by American poet Walt Whitman: Song of the Open Road – Walt Whitman Afoot and light-hearted I take to the open road, Healthy, free, the world before me, The long brown path before…
The Animal House
One of my fondest memories from childhood are the visits to the “Animal House”. We lived in a medical college campus and I used to often visit my mom’s department in the medical college during school holidays. Spent most of my time there either plucking roses from the rose trellis in front of the building,…
Vancouver Views
Photographs I took in Stanley Park, at Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It’s surrounded by the sea and is supposed to be one of the most beautiful parks in the world. The views from it are simply mesmerising. It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening, couldn’t stop clicking 🙂 🙂
Waiting – A Poem
Translated a poem by Hindi poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan (1907 – 2003) into English. It’s a figurative and simple translation, not a literal one. Hope you like it 🙂 🙂 Waiting (प्रतीक्षा – हरिवंशराय बच्चन) If waiting for you is so delightful, how divine would the meeting be? The night is like the silence that…
The Hindi Drama
Recounting my one and only experience with dramatics and acting long ago in school. “Acting and drama” have been my weakest points and it’s rather embarrassing to share this experience, but am being brave enough to do so…. It was quite well known to almost everyone in school that I was no good whatsoever in…
Bhagalpuri Silk
Attended a seminar today in a Bhagalpuri silk kurta and dupatta that I’d purchased a couple of years ago in an exhibition, directly from a weaver. He had lots of fabric in different ethnic colours and designs, and very elegant dupattas. This variety of silk is very beautiful yet affordable, and even their saris are…
On Windows and Views
Wrote this poem a few days back when I was in Hyderabad. Managed to stay for a few days in my old apartment there. The last few years that I’d spent in it was quite ill and invalid, so it felt really great to be back in much better condition. Used to spend a lot…
Rukmini Ammamma
Those nights when I’ve lain awake struck by insomnia and dreading the darkness, I’ve worried mostly about the “irrationality” and “evil” in human nature. The two qualities or aspects that seem to cause most of the misery and perplexity in human lives. While wallowing in this nocturnal anxiety and fear, I’ve also wondered why some…
Anti Black Money Day
Today is the first anniversary of the Demonetisation in India, announced on Nov 8 last year. Had posted many articles a year ago supporting the move, and am pasting one of the more “liked” ones below. Still continue to believe that it was a great and necessary first step to curb corruption and root out…
Visit to Jhansi, Madhya Pradesh
It was a great experience to visit Jhansi and remember the story of the great queen who fought against the British. Her real name was “Manukarnika” and she was renamed “Laxmi Bai” when she got married to the king of Jhansi – Gangadhar Rao, when she was only 13. Manu was supposed to be very valiant…
Valley of Fire, Las Vegas, Nevada
Photographs of the ‘Valley of Fire’ state park in the US state of Nevada, an hour from Las Vegas. The park was named thus because it has beautiful red sandstone formations, that often appear to be on fire when reflecting the sun’s rays. This park is very popular for photography and film shooting. Many…
A Gender-Equal society
A gender-equal society would be one where the word “gender” does not exist: where everyone can be themselves. – Gloria Steinem Love this one because I’ve often been accused of not behaving like a girl (ha ha). However, there should be no different rules and expectations from girls, we should treat everyone equally. Indian men…
Quote on Suffering
No man knows till he has suffered from the night how sweet and dear to his heart and eye the morning can be. – Bram Stoker