Writer. Editor
Quite a few of my (initial) serious attempts at writing were essays that were a page-long. I would write these in old school notebooks and would, more often than not, keep them to myself. As I grew older, at one point, the pieces turned out to be more journalistic (and understandably so) when I did my journalism course. However, somewhere in between, there was a radical shift to writing stories when I discovered the magic that the world of fiction holds. Over the years, despite my affinity towards storytelling, I continue to have great respect for quality, creative non-fiction and have striven to return to it periodically to express musings, share opinions and record observations. I would like to refer to essays as ‘delicate darlings’ for I handle and approach them very carefully. I spend a lot of time thinking, organising my thoughts, sorting out facts and giving the work a clear structure. In the end, I am really relieved when it turns out good. After all, all is well that ends well!
What does it mean to be old? This is a question that I have constantly asked myself. In this reflective piece, I draw upon my observations of old people, specifically those aged above 75 years and wonder what it means to go through old age. I share what I have seen of their behavior and the thoughts that dominate their minds.
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For many years, Amul ads and the Amul girl have been loved by Indians – both young and old. For me, the ads are brilliant examples of word play and versatility. Interestingly, the Amul ads have, over the years, also traced the journey of India in many spheres. In this essay, I discuss why I love these ads and point out how they have represented the story of India in interesting ways.
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Cassettes always remind me of Ilayaraja, the extremely popular music composer from Tamilnadu. And the maestro’s music, even today, takes me down memory lane – back to the 80s and 90s. Over the last few months, I have realised that Ilayaraja’s music has accompanied me like a quiet companion, as I was growing up. Here’s a tribute from an ardent fan.
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India has won the 2011 Cricket World Cup and yes, it isn’t a dream! It is indeed a historic victory. What could be a better time than this to discuss cricket, India’s phenomenal affection for the game, the World Cup itself and of course all the euphoria after India finally lifted the treasured cup? What could be a better time than this to say ‘Jai Ho’? My write-up on cricket, the cup and the euphoria.
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It’s such joy and pride to see your little one grow up, taking one step at a time. Trust me, the pride you feel at every stage of progress is priceless. There’s nothing more beautiful in this world than the experience of being with your child. I wrote this when my son turned three and was kind of settling down into school. He had the typical separation anxiety and did throw tantrums but he overcame that and did me proud in ways more than one!
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