[I self-published this article 8 months ago, in September 2018, and this article wasn’t published by Youth Ki Awaaz, where I posted it — of course, they must have their own reasons for not publishing this. This is the edited version of what I wrote that time.] In what I’d call a sick book by a sick author (if this kind of compilation of distorted … Continue reading The New Recipe of Indian Republic
Books — English Translation of Gulzar’s Poem Kitabein Continue reading Books — English Translation of Gulzar’s Kitabein
The first time I learned about Oliver Sacks was via the only blog of its kind Brain Pickings. Maria Popova‘s (founder and author at Brain Pickings) wonderful article — Love, Lunacy, and a Life Fully Lived: Oliver Sacks, the Science of Seeing, and the Art of Being Seen — arrested my senses and I was introduced to, the person who will become a major inspiration for … Continue reading Oliver Sacks — His Life & His Times
I know him as an anchor on Prime Time, NDTV (Indian News Channel); a journalist who voices his opinion freely, never observed to be biased, and is loved for his freewheeling thoughts often filling our living rooms while he discusses issues of public concerns very candidly. And, in a language understood by a majority – Hindi. He is Ravish Kumar. I learnt that he … Continue reading What Happens When “A City Happens in Love?”
On the 5th of May 2018, I visited Chapter 101 bookstore in Gurgaon; a fancy place, I heard about this bookstore during a book meet. The place indeed was lovely, it exuded warmth which you receive from an unknown known person/thing/place. Like always, I wanted to buy all the books. After realising that I have already spent a fortune on books since last book fair … Continue reading Insomniac City — A Scintilla of Memories
Bill Hayes’ Insomniac City: New York, Oliver, and Me is a tale, an autobiography, a portrait of New York and its citizen, a search for home – in a person or in a city; it may be one of them or all of them. It’s difficult to review such a rare book. It’s a potpourri of thoughts translated immediately as if it will lose its … Continue reading Insomniac City: My Personal Favorite and His Boyfriend
Disclaimer: You need to read till the very end to make something out of this blog entry, judging by reading the first two lines won’t help you. A late night conversation on dating app Last Saturday, I was using the gay-dating app, the ever popular and instant gratification provider, Grindr. I was bone-tired but after a long day, I just wanted to ‘see,’ if-there’s-anyone-new-around. There’s … Continue reading “Look for a Guy in White T-Shirt,” He Said
हैरान होता था जब बार बार ऐसे सपने से आते थे की अमृता प्रीतम कुछ कह रहीं हैं मुझसे, मुझसे? कहाँ वो रूहानीयत की मूरत और मैं बेग़ैरत इंसान । पर अच्छे से याद है “आज वारिज शाह नूं “, “साहिर “, और “इमरोज़”। ….. लगता था की वो बगावत थी या सिर्फ रूह की आवाज़ को सुनने वाली, इक पंजाबन। पता नहीं, पर जबसे … Continue reading Amrita Pritam: Her Poems, My Life and Love
Having watched this movie a couple of months ago (I don’t know if it’s over a year) at Siri Fort Auditorium, I’m reflecting on it today. I do not know if I was triggered by something in particular but living and dying have been my favourite subjects for overthinking. So, I thought to write something about it in context to the movie. At this point, … Continue reading Mukti Bhawan: Death Has Meaning Too!
Why are you grinning? Well, there can be multiple reasons but I didn’t see this thing becoming the reason for my grin. Really, smiling is never easy these days and when I’m actually saying that, ‘I’m happy’ then you got to trust that. I’m celebrating from past nine hours.I visited this year’s #WorldBookFair previous week and bought books which I know will change me for good but … Continue reading And I’m in the ‘Middle-of-Nowhere’ and I’m Happy!
It’s an extremely tiring day at the office. I mean the previous office, my sincere prayers for folks stuck. Now, as usual a practice with a few nocturnal animals there masquerading as creative writers, we three made it a point that we should always push the limits, test the boundaries and etc. stuff and sometimes were able to do the same. You might be wondering … Continue reading Why You Left, O Shams of Tabriz?
