BY DR KAUSTAV BHATTACHARYYA ‘The English Problem’ is a newly published book authored by Beena Kamlani. Published by Bombay Circle Press, it was launched in the city of Bengaluru at a recent literary event at the Hotel Den, located in Whitefield. The event was graciously hosted by Mr. Vinesh Gupta, the General Manager of the Hotel Den. The book launch took the form of a … Continue reading The English Problem – Book Launch
BY ANDREW LOBO Mimi was the eldest daughter of the Wargdar of Falnir. Her charming mother, Mersu Bai (born Emerciana, née Noronha), had siblings that included Magdalena, wife of Pfx Saldanha; Monica, ancestress of the distinguished Gonsalves clan; and Monsignor W. Noronha, who studied at the papal seminary in Kandy. Mersu Bai was a benefactress of the Church, and her remains are interred in the … Continue reading Mimi
BY RUCHIRA GHOSH Nearly three years ago, at a grand musical event organized by a prominent local choir, Swarchhanda (lit. symphony & rhythm), I had the opportunity to hear the young Kolkata-based vocalist Jaydeep Sinha. And trust me, I was enthralled. His flawless, mellifluous rendition of “Mere Dhoond Dal Saaje” in pure Hindustani classical mode—on which Tagore based his creation “Maharaj Eki Saaje” (which he … Continue reading The Versatile Crooner Who Refuses the Limelight
BY RUCHIRA GHOSH One winter afternoon a few weeks ago, I visited an art exhibition in Delhi. The highlight of this grand show was its dedication to young artists: painters and sculptors who were fresh graduates, master’s degree holders, interns, apprentices, and even a few exceptionally talented youths struggling to find their footing in the realm of Fine Arts. As I ambled through the stalls, … Continue reading Divine Bonding Portrayed on Canvas
BY RUCHIRA GHOSH I first encountered danseuse Ambali Praharaj last year (2024) in “Echoes of Narcissus,” a production by Delhi’s Nirvana Dance Academy. Based on the Greek legend, the performance featured Ambali as Liriope, mother of the beautiful protagonist. Her lithe, graceful movements and expressive portrayal of love, anxiety, and suffering were captivating. Later, over coffee on a chilly November morning, she spoke passionately about … Continue reading Ambali Praharaj’s Lifelong Tryst With Dance
BY DR KAUSTAV BHATTACHARYYA Celebrating centenary year of Mrs Dalloway the novel & the 1997 film – a literary evening at the Hotel Den in Bengaluru Recently the literary Bibliophiles and lovers of English Literature gathered on a nice cold pleasant Friday Afternoon at the Hotel Den in Bengaluru to celebrate the centenary year of Mrs Dalloway the Virginia Woolf novel. The celebrations included a … Continue reading Mrs Dalloway
BY RUCHIRA GHOSH Early winter in Delhi, the National Capital, is always regarded by Delhiwallahs (local inhabitants) as a harbinger of glad tidings. This time was no different. One of the first major events was the Speaking Art Fair, held at the prestigious National School of Drama in central Delhi. Organized by a Gurugram-based NGO of the same name, the five-day event witnessed a heavy … Continue reading Speaking Art Exhibition: Giving Voice to Young Artists
BY RASHMI PATANI The Olfactory Memory of a Konkan Summer For generations, the first true sign of summer for many of India’s old families is not the calendar, but the arrival of the aapus—the Devgad Hapus mangoes—from their ancestral groves. It is a scent memory so potent, so deeply woven into the fabric of childhood, that it defies description. Until now. Master perfumer Neela Vermillion, in … Continue reading Bottling the Green Gold
BY JAMES VAUGHAN There is a scene from a bygone era, immortalized in old family albums and fading memories: a lavish spread laid out on the grounds of a hunting lodge in Ranthambore, or perhaps by the lake in Udaipur. It was more than a meal; it was a mobile durbar, a testament to hospitality and style. This is the legacy that the master craftsmen … Continue reading The Grand Indian Outing: Reviving the Art of the Shikar Picnic
BY RAKESH SINHA Parenting in the modern age can feel like navigating a relentless storm of academic pressure, social media, and bewildering adolescent behaviour. Dr Sujata Kelkar Shetty’s Resilience Decoded, published by Penguin Random House, arrives as a much-needed lighthouse, cutting through the fog with the precision of a scientist and the warm, pragmatic wisdom of a mother who has been in the trenches. The book’s … Continue reading Dr Sujata Kelkar Shetty’s ‘Resilience Decoded’ is an Essential Guide for Parents
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