Observations, Thoughts and Stories as they form in the mind! Book Reviews, Art, Travelogue, Economy and Society
If there is one thing common between mother Mary Roy and daughter Arundhati Roy it is that both lived life on their own terms. And the book brings it out poignantly. I waited for the cheaper Kindle edition, refusing to buy the expensive hard cover version. I have read her two earlier books of fiction. … Continue reading Arundhati Roy: Mother Mary Comes to Me
On Shah Rukh Khan's sixtieth birthday today there are volumes written literally everywhere on his stardom! Main point of his success as a star is his charm and the vulnerability that he portrays on screen. I was never a fan of Shah Rukh, but after watching his off screen presence and interviews, he does come … Continue reading Tribute to Shah Rukh on his Sixtieth Birthday
The visit to Milford Sound was mesmerizing. Its landscapes featured sharp peaks, snow-covered mountains, dense rain forests, and dramatic waterfalls. The torrential rains added to the beauty with the waterfalls in full spate. We entered a long tunnel that cut through the mountains to more dramatic waterfalls. These were temporary falls as they are only … Continue reading Milford Sound: Mesmerising Fjord in New Zealand
New Zealand is called ‘The Shaky Isles’. Mãori legend tells how Maui used the jawbone of his ancestor baited with blood from his nose as a fish hook to pull up the North Island. New Zealand literally did rise from the sea millions of years ago when it was part of the landmass of the … Continue reading The Shaky Isles: Geothermal Volcanic Valleys, New Zealand
Our tour program in Rotorua, New Zealand posted ‘Duck Tour City and Lakes’. I thought how ridiculous, who wants to go on a Duck Tour? But we went along. We arrived at the pickup point and saw this truck that said ‘World War II Landing Craft’. It took me sometime to realize that this truck can run on land and water.
In New Zealand the people are inclusive and truly believe in sustainable living. When introducing yourself, first introduce the land, the mountain, and the river. Only then you introduce yourself! Rotorua, New Zealand! Amazing town with geothermal activity below the ground. Steam coming out of the ground. But I am getting carried away. The scenic … Continue reading Exploring Rotorua: Waitomo Caves and Geothermal Te Puia
How does a researcher doing fieldwork blend into the surroundings and not appear conspicuous? I learned a lesson. One cannot change one’s looks and background. But one can be courteous and genuinely accept the culture of the people.
Maya Angelou's fascinating memoir of her early childhood, growing up in a Black Town in Southern America in the 1930s. Look forward to continuing her story in the next six volumes of her memoir.
The lady protagonist of ‘Welcome to the Hyunam Dang Book shop’, set up the bookshop. Minjun is the coffee maker at the book shop. They both gave up regular jobs and had decided that they no longer wanted to live a life based on other peoples expectations. As a character in the book put it “a life surrounded by good people is a successful life. It is not success as defined by society. Still, each day is a successful day thanks to the people around you.”
‘Meanwhile Elsewhere,’ presented by Mallika Sarabhai's Darpana, is an adaptation of Invisible Cities by Italo Calvino. Marco is played by Mallika and three others in different scenes. Marco tells the tale of near dysfunctional cities and the alienation of the people in fictional cities.
Ghatam, an earthen pot, is an Indian percussion instrument used mainly in Carnatic music. At the third edition of the History Literature Festival at Bangalore we were mesmerized by Sumana Chandrashekar playing the Ghatam. She is one among the few women Ghatam players in India.
Unni-Verse 