Juliet was 14 and Romeo probably just a few years older! Little wonder that both of them ended up dead by the end of the play. The political violence of Verona – the feuding clans, a weak ruler and the rivalry spilling on to the streets, is too hard to miss. Both the adaptations that … Continue reading Romeo and Juliet
In Greek mythology, Zeus transforms himself into a swan and has sex with Leda. Through the union, Leda lays eggs from which emerge Helen (yes, the Helen of Troy), Castor, Pollux and Clytemnestra. In art, especially during the Renaissance, this copulation (rape is a more appropriate word I guess) was attempted by many artists. Years … Continue reading Leda and the Swan
Emily Wilson’s translation of Homers ‘Odyssey’ is excellent and I was engrossed in the epic over the last few days. Around a decade back, I had read the Robert Fagles translation and even after this reading my opinion of the epic hasn’t changed much. The Odyssey is overrated. I also understand that a lot of … Continue reading Some thoughts on ‘The Odyssey’
The Housemaid: I predicted the twist in this 'psychological thriller' within a few minutes. I liked Sweeney. There's something in her, probably her droopy eyes? Dossier 137: What a movie! The quality of a democracy is driven by the integrity and professionalism of its institutions. An investigator investigating police misdemeanors tracks the propagators of a … Continue reading What I Watched – June 2026
My friend Dr. Shahjahan Avadi, an Air Force veteran and Disaster Management professional has been instrumental in bringing the Air Force Museum into the heritage-walk calendar of INTACH. While I couldn’t attend his previous walks, I did manage to attend the one he organized this Sunday. The Air Force museum contrary to my expectation, had … Continue reading Indian Air Force Museum, Palam
Every song she sang today was new to me, so I've got plenty to listen to this week. Ninnu Kori Varnam in Mohanam (which she clarified was not the usual Ninnu Kori but the one composed by Pallavi Doraisawmi Iyer) Padame thunai in Valaji by Papanasam Sivan Narmada kaveri nilaye by Dikshitar in Namadesi Narada … Continue reading Sumithra Vasudev at IIC, Delhi
The last stop of the trip was Paris. As this was my second visit to the city, I can now conclude that Paris is undoubtedly one of the greatest cities of the world. The urban infrastructure, heritage structures, Haussmannian boulevards and the exceptional food make the place vibrant in a remarkable sense. The number of … Continue reading Paris Notes
I knew Lyon was the gastronomical capital of France. But after landing there, I also learnt that in addition to being the location from where Caeser launched his campaign against the Gauls, it was also the nerve center of the Resistance movement during the Nazi occupation of France. One reason for this was also its … Continue reading Lyon Notes
It was only when I landed in Venice did I actually understand what Venice was. Unless you see the real thing, its actually quite complex to fathom how a city can be built on a marshy lagoon and thrive as a Republic for more than 800 years until the short man from France came and … Continue reading Venice Notes
I was happy to walk through the city that gave us the phenomenon called the Florentine Miracle. Brunelleschi’s dome is undoubtedly the centerpiece of the city and no amount of awe-struck staring at the Duomo felt sufficient. I wonder if it was the contrast between the white exterior and the brownish-red dome. The Uffizi Gallery, … Continue reading Florence Notes
