Leave The Roads, Take The Trails

BY ANJALI HIREGANGE “Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair” mused the philosopher-poet Khalil Gibran, and that was exactly what I was gifted upon my winding travels in the South Indian ghats of Palani. Having alighted at a little town called Perumalmalai, right after the Kodaikanal stop, I made my way to … Continue reading Leave The Roads, Take The Trails

The Indian People of Camaraderie

BY ZOHRA FATIMA Afternoon slumbers were often lulled by a euphonious voice next door, “one-two cha cha cha, let’s do that again….” It was the sound of dancing coming from next door. The Anglo-Indian mother and daughter duo ran a dance school named ‘Connie and Danny’ from home. She taught to waltz, Jive, Ballroom dancing, and salsa to her eager students. After the class ended, … Continue reading The Indian People of Camaraderie

Kabuliwala Calling

BY DRISHTI RAKHRA I told four people that I was going to watch ‘Kabuliwala Calling’. All their faces lit up with recognition, followed by the customary – “oh, I remember reading Kabuliwala. I loved it so much.” My mother, who hates every silent minute of reading, said, “Wait, let me show you adaptations of Kabuliwala,” and then began listing different shows for me to watch. … Continue reading Kabuliwala Calling

Of A Royal Women’s Day Celebration

CSM STAFF WRITER The world is opening up slowly with the Covid-19 pandemic appearing to wither off. (Touchwood, I do not want to jinx this). With these relaxations, one of the first public events to open their gates for the public again was the International Women’s Day celebrations. The city listings were brimming with offers, welcoming the guests to step outside for the taste of … Continue reading Of A Royal Women’s Day Celebration

Pop it like the 80s: Nostalgia

BY KAUSTAV BHATTACHARYA Reminiscence of an innocent adolescent’s love for the Hindi Pop songs In one of my previous textual reminiscences about Hindi Disco music, while writing and reflecting upon the 80s music, my mind drifted into the world of music of the 80s bringing back fond memories of those ‘innocently delinquent’ years. This time I wish to dwell upon the trend which defined 80s … Continue reading Pop it like the 80s: Nostalgia

Footloosing Frontiers

BY ARUNDHATI GHOSH Episode 1: Borders as Rivers, Rivers as Bridges Ichhamoti is a woman seeped in desire. When a river that flows across the border of two nations born out of the pain of partition, the struggle for freedom and the suffering of millions, carries that name, it takes on many worlds of meanings. Ichhamoti meanders between India and Bangladesh, rippling down right atop … Continue reading Footloosing Frontiers

A Champion Of Downtrodden Women

BY RUCHIRA GHOSH This is the saga of a courageous, undaunted, free-spirited British lady, who spent a major part of her life in an alien land, wholeheartedly devoting herself to the service of humanity. To date, she is venerated and fondly remembered for the yeomen’s service she rendered to the masses (read women) in her adopted country. On a cold November evening in 1895, Miss … Continue reading A Champion Of Downtrodden Women

The Maimed Mansions Of Calcutta

BY VIBHA MITRA I was married into a “Bonedi” Bengali family with regal antecedents. Though we lived in South Calcutta, having come away from the North during the Naxalite movement, most of our relatives still lived there in aristocratic large grandiose homes- the opulence, music, laughter and gaiety of yesterday echoed as the occupants spoke of “those days” with great nostalgia and wistfulness. Unused to … Continue reading The Maimed Mansions Of Calcutta