The alphabet of her life has been reconstructed in the last ten years. She has a new pictorial book in hand, which says A=Acting, B=Bigtime C=Craft, D=Design, E=Excellence, F= ….. she dreads the F-word – failu… The PR people say only a scandal that rocks the film world can save her career. People are fast … Continue reading Stardom
Fifty years seem like an eternity. Her travails are sufficient material for three books – all from different perspectives, with different protagonists. Eternity may count like a nanosecond in some other parts. But truth feels like fiction, when it is so far away. Her grandchildren did not believe her when she told them she was … Continue reading Fiction
I’m tired of being rebuffed. I wonder why people build walls to keep me out. I see no reason for anyone to fear or dislike me. I would like my fellow beings to be companions in my journey. There is so much to learn, to discover – all that I did not know some time … Continue reading Ignorance
We got back in touch after decades – a bunch of cousins who had shared some delightful vacations. It is a Whatsapp group, adorned by a pic of our grandparents. We named it “Sepia Tints to Ammonia Prints”, to symbolize a movement from past to future. It feels worthwhile to see achievements being shared, along … Continue reading A mix of both
I’ll follow you through the alleys, into the world that attracts you. I will knock on every door, peep through every window …. the hungry voyeur in me ready to pounce on every detail. I fear finding bits and pieces of myself there, but I’ll let it go. Those are parts I discarded long ago … Continue reading Reassembly
Yes. It is a race. Yes. I want to fly. On feet or wheels, getting pushed or jostled, being taken for a ride … Yes. I have to fly. There is no alternative. Life leaves me not many options. I will step on someone’s toes. I’ll scream if someone else does. Space is limited, and … Continue reading Rat Race
I check on the guest list once again. The pool is cleaned up, chairs in place, ice buckets and glasses laid out, and the aroma of fresh food emanating from the catering enclosure. I want this party to be perfect – before the water freezes. I check the phone to see if somebody is dropping … Continue reading In anticipation
The sky is clear, and the day bright. It is a level playing field, as much as one can expect. But what hits the psyche is the emptiness of it all. I returned here after a lapse- to the ideal place of my dreams. I wanted to be away from the VUCA world, back to … Continue reading Anachronism
“Look here! This photograph is taken from an interesting angle. And we did not have phones to click those days…” I enjoy weekend afternoons with my grandson. Today, I am showing him old albums, where the photographs are stuck with quaint photo-corners. “Granpa, do you remember everything about those days?” “Yeah, sure … vividly.” “Tell … Continue reading Falling short
A petition from the Students’ Association is on my table. They want the start of the academic year to shift from July to October. Heavy rains, traffic jams and the long queues for admission exacerbate tension. I call the secretary, still lost in my thoughts, “Tell them we’re taking the process online. There is no … Continue reading Romancing the rain
