As I approach fifty, I thought it might be apt to put out an extract from a book by one of my favorite writers – Ruskin Bond. Of course, one must bear in mind that there is a difference – for many, lot of it – between turning fifty and turning seventy. And biologically, there … Read more
Rajappa got ready and put on his helmet. He sat on his bicycle, started riding it, and soon reached the main gate security cabin of Keshav Kunj apartment. He must have been the only person who wore a helmet while riding a bicycle. He never forgot it. He was called Helmet Uncle by the kids … Read more
I recently read this collection of Bengali short stories translated from the original by Arunava Sinha. It is simply outstanding – to put it in short. Verily a collection of carefully curated masterpieces by some of the most well-known as well as not so famous writers from Bengal that provide the reader with the cultural, … Read more
When a writer puts a practice in place, it may be that he writes something every day. Or every week. Or a painter might create a painting every month. Or a musician might make a tune every other week. Or a cartoonist might produce a cartoon every Monday. One might put a similar practice in … Read more
Two book recommendations for the yearend. Both by Ruskin Bond. I read both of these one after the other almost a year back and was just going through my Kindle to check them out again. Unhurried Tales is a collection of the longer, well-known stories by Ruskin Bond. Time Stops at Shamli is one of … Read more
I recently read a novel called ‘Firebird’ which is the English translation of the original Tamil book by Perumal Murugan. I had heard an interview of the author at the Bangalore Lit Fest and got interested in the book. It is translated into English by Janani Kannan. The novel is steeped in the world of … Read more
It takes only one day. Or even lesser. A few hours of the day. One day of forcing myself. One day of doing something that I have broken off. One day to break the cycle. One day of wearing my shoes and going to the gym, and I am back on the exercise regimen. One … Read more
I recently read a novel by Vivek Shanbhag, the acclaimed Kannada writer, titled ‘Sakina’s Kiss’ – translated in English by Srinath Perur. I was introduced to this author by an earlier novel titled ‘Ghachar Ghochar’ again translated into English. At that time, I was left with a feeling of intrigue after finishing it in a … Read more
I have been following the 2023 Cricket World Cup very closely (who hasn’t?), partly because it has been held in India, partly because it has been dominated by India, and truly because of being a cricket fan. Surprisingly though (for me, at least), this World Cup has not been as interesting in terms of closeness … Read more