Who would have decided her place in the world and what she was supposed to do with her life – geography, lineage, personal values, philosophy of life, political leanings, relationship status, money? Each contributes in a small way, but only she knew how to put it all together to make sense of her existence. She … Continue reading Action without Expression
The cobwebs start susurrating before I put the bag down and open the grilled doors to a neglected past. Everything that once adorned the house has been taken away – the linen, the crockery, the cushions and carpets - leaving behind ruins of the original owner’s expectations. The locker and almirahs were found to be … Continue reading Ruins
Discover the fable of an Indian CEO in a multinational corporation whose ivory tower was made of wax—an allegory for leadership illusions.
Tiny slivers of historical evidence cannot withstand the scrutiny of critics and the superimposition of meaning by those in power. Books are written, rewritten, translated, interpreted and destroyed till approved textbook versions take their place. Children memorise those not out of curiosity, but to pass exams. They have been programmed anyway, unwittingly and unconsciously. The … Continue reading Out of Order
Arjun, Khushi, Sammy and Anshula had just stepped out of the calm waters of school life, their marksheets still fresh, their dreams of becoming doctors glowing like lanterns. It was their first week in the medical college hostel. At night, the seniors gathered like shadows, their voices echoing through the corridors. “Sing the anatomy song!” … Continue reading Rapids
One glance was enough to say she was not her usual self – dishevelled hair, runny mascara, lipstick in ageing lines around the mouth. “Another late night, I presume … you slept without removing your makeup?” She made an effort to adjust the strap on her shoulder, but the slip hanging below her knees was … Continue reading Glamour Meets Gloom
It flows with me, but I can’t keep pace with it. I am a dot. I ask the river to carry my story to the oceans. It accepts by touching my hand lowered over the guardrail. The sun takes away a part of it, and clouds rain somewhere else. Other stories are curious and want … Continue reading Time and God
It is not easy to learn ancient languages, especially those that are not in vogue now. They carry history – not just dates, but culture, emotions and compulsions. One wonders why they did whatever they did, and then, the answer pops out of someone’s monologue. The fears that shackled their mindsets, and the hope that … Continue reading I don’t wanna write
She switched off the TV, put the phone aside and sat still, refusing to participate in the heated discussions around her. “Our social structures are under attack. The path that young women are taking spells disaster for families.” They condemned the girl who killed her fiancé, whom she was being compelled to marry. Her statement … Continue reading Cultural Reset
She saw it floating on the TV console, then on the wall – the shadow of half a face wearing a turban with dark, intense eyes. Did she do the right thing by choosing to stay alone in a palace converted to a hotel resort? She walked to the library and randomly pulled out a … Continue reading Co-author
