13 Ways of Looking at a Poem

13 Ways of Looking at a Poem

Why should I forgo what I think or feel about a poem for what a literary theory says about it?  It is commonly believed that poetry cannot be paraphrased, that once you start unfolding its meaning, line by line, its true essence, like that of a dream upon waking and...
Is This A Triumph?

Is This A Triumph?

We as a collective have a long journey ahead… Saw a poster on social media of Mamata Banerjee as goddess Kali holding the severed head of what looks like prime minister Narendra Modi after the recent election results. I am not really a Modi supporter and I have...
Parenting in a Pandemic

Parenting in a Pandemic

Parenting during this pandemic is starting to feel like mindful living, for me. Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a planner. I like things in my life to be fairly neat and tidy, and laid out in a manner that has been thought through well in advance. I make endless...
Digital Mobilisation

Digital Mobilisation

Digital mobilisation is not enough… 6th October 2018, Caravan Magazine: “How social media was vital to rescue efforts during the Kerala floods”   13th November 2020, Livemint: “Saving Mollem with Art and Hashtags”    2nd May 2021, Indian Express: “Helping...
An Ode to all Kinds of Friendship

An Ode to all Kinds of Friendship

Friendships and relationships need not be standardised Got the news of the passing away of a good friend last week. Since then I have been trying to make sense of the way I am feeling. As a 35 year old man I am not very used to the news of friends passing away. I was...
Move and Be Moved

Move and Be Moved

Art is a constant agent of transformation and is the soul’s drive to health Cathy Malchiodi I would like you to join me in a small exercise. Feel your feet on the earth and the support that the cushion/chair that you are sitting on offers you. Take a few minutes...