a memoir of etchings and wanderings
The festival of lights is here And there is no better place to be than home This year, the Rangoli is almost perfect The refrigerator is stocked with sweet delights Happy Diwali, everyone! Thank you for the tip, Naween Bhaiya! Ma, attending the finer bits Supervising. The prayer room Just like last year’s one 🙂 Chakrabortys say “Happy Diwali”
I had lived in the national capital for almost three years, but had never visited the best known monument which lay only 200 kilometres from Delhi in a historic setting left behind by the illustrious Mughals. This Eid holiday, Milan and I paid a visit to Agra and tick the Taj Mahal off our bucket lists. The decision making process was not so simple, however J When we decided to … Continue reading “Mughal Grandiose” →
You know that song that you come across accidentally, then listen to all day, and hum it again at night? I have this vague feeling of deja-vu listening to this rendition by Shriram Iyer, in collaboration with our favourite clarinetist – Shankar Tucker. It reminds me of the times when three days in a week, a harmonium was at my feet and my knowledge of Hindustani classical vocals was seasoned. … Continue reading “Rāga Yaman Kalyan” →
Another thing I love about India is the fauna that one finds, as a regularity. Apart from domestic rodents, of course – I’ve loved the fact that I could make friends with the dogs, cats, birds and even pigs and cattle in my surroundings. I’m sure people in first world countries would probably turn up their noses at the mention of the last two animals, but I’m not attempting to … Continue reading “Estrayed” →
Just last night, the skies grew dark and bolts of lightning glimmered through the clouds – marking the last rains of the season, and the incoming summer. Perfect time to sit on my rocking chair and hum some of my favourite songs of old, while listening to the low rumbling outside my window. While I grew up, I heard little to none of these songs – wasn’t a huge TV … Continue reading “Old Melodies” →
Meaning wanderer in Assamese, it is quite a fascinating word. From my brushes with the language, I understood the similarities Assamese has with my mother tongue – Bengali. Then I came across Angaraag Mahanta, better known as Papon – now one of Bollywood’s leading vocalists. I first heard him sing ‘Jiyein Kyun’ in the absolutely rubbish Bollywood flick – Dum Maaro Dum. Wondering where he had been hiding all these years, I … Continue reading “Jajabor” →
If I were to ever believe that matches were made in heaven, I would always think of these two. They’re both very different people, yet as similar as can be. The thought of moving to Gurgaon, a few years ago was made a comforting thought because I knew they would be around, in addition to other friends. And they did just that. Made me feel welcome in their city, gave … Continue reading “SwethaBasu” →
“I will love the light for it shows me the way, yet I will endure the darkness for it shows me the stars.” – Og Mandino Diwali. The festival of lights. Probably the only one I could actually celebrate over my childhood. Although I must agree that it all seemed to be more fun when I was younger, Diwali is, and always will be special. Because there is something hopeful … Continue reading “Lumos!” →
I feel my eyes well up every time I hear this song. Unplugged or not. Regardless of the growing belief that getting out is the only way forward, how far can you really run from home? If only Shahrukh, Ashutosh Gowarikar and A.R. Rahman realised that this movie and its songs were one of their best works, they would have attempted a reunion. I don’t know how they got it so right, … Continue reading “No Place Like Home” →
Although I have not been able to catch the seasons on television, I’ve heard that this season of Coke Studio India has been much more impressive and impactful compared to the debutante edition, which was quite the joke. I continue to be mesmerised by our Pakistani cousins as, season on season they churn out the most beautiful, soulful music. I’ve been listening to Season 5 a lot at the new … Continue reading “Entrancing Highs” →