“Written kisses don’t reach their destination, rather they are drunk on the way by the ghosts”

I love texting. Texts are a constant companion for me – quick check-ins, official work, deep chats late in the night, banter in the family groups are all various forms of texting that I (and probably all of us?) indulge in. At times, I get melancholic when I realize that texts are going to be … Continue reading “Written kisses don’t reach their destination, rather they are drunk on the way by the ghosts” →

le Carré’s ‘The Karla Trilogy’

I’ve been reading up on the Cold War and the Iron Curtain and naturally ended up shortlisting John le Carre’s Karla Trilogy - Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, The Honorable Schoolboy and Smiley’s People – for a reread. While James Bond was dashing, sophisticated, and sensual, le Carre’s George Smiley is a senior retired bureaucrat, cuckolded … Continue reading le Carré’s ‘The Karla Trilogy’ →

Some Kodagu Facts

Though Coorg (Kodagu) is close to Kozhikode, I’ve never visited the place. My only ‘connection’ must be the fact that Sruthi’s cousin is married to a native of Coorg. Last week, on a visit to Patna, I got to know that one of my teammates working there hailed from Coorg. In the short chat, I … Continue reading Some Kodagu Facts →

The World’s Largest Jigsaw Puzzle

If you were an East German during the Cold War, the Stasi (East German Secret Police) scrutinized every aspect of your life. Letters would be read, houses and offices would be bugged, suspects could be trailed, and any suspicion of wrongdoing could lead you to the interrogation chambers. The Stasi even saved up scents of … Continue reading The World’s Largest Jigsaw Puzzle →

Gauguin and van Gogh’s Ear

The meme below was undoubtedly the funniest one I came across after the assassination attempt on Trump last year. It’s a clever riff on van Gogh’s self-portrait soon after he chopped his ear with a razor. I bring this up now as I had forgotten that the reason for his act was his tiff with … Continue reading Gauguin and van Gogh’s Ear →

The Hebrew Calendar

Today, while watching Shtisel, I learned about the Hebrew calendar. It begins in 3761 BC, a date calculated in the 2nd century CE based on a theological interpretation of the Book of Genesis. Jewish scholars chronologically mapped out key biblical events, such as Adam’s creation, Noah’s Ark, Solomon’s reign, the Exodus, etc. leading to the … Continue reading The Hebrew Calendar →

‘A Savage War of Peace’ – The Roots of the Algerian War

Alistair Horne’s magisterial ‘A Savage War of Peace: Algeria 1954-62’ is a masterpiece and has been a gripping read so far. The Algerians never had a national identity until the beginning of their discontent with the French. The land was ruled by the Carthaginians for seven centuries who were then replaced by the Romans, the … Continue reading ‘A Savage War of Peace’ – The Roots of the Algerian War →

Tolstoy, the Toxic Husband

For someone who was arguably one of the world’s greatest observers of love, emotions, and human sensitivity, Tolstoy’s record as a husband was abysmally poor. His lust and exploits before marriage led to him contracting gonorrhea and fathering a child whom he never cared for. Paul Johnson, in Intellectuals: From Marx and Tolstoy to Sartre … Continue reading Tolstoy, the Toxic Husband →

The European Influence on Hinduism

The uniqueness of Hinduism lies in its inability to be defined by a singular set of rituals, beliefs, or practices. Are Hindus vegetarians? Do Hindus sacrifice animals? Do all Hindus fast on specific days? Are Hindu prayers always in Sanskrit? Do all Hindus worship sacred groves? Are the Vedas the foundational texts of the religion, … Continue reading The European Influence on Hinduism →

Queen Elizabeth – Quirky, Risqué and Moving Tales

Queen Elizabeth must be the only person on earth whose daily life was chronicled from the day of her birth until her death in 2023. And as the monarch of Britain, it’s mind boggling to imagine the number of personalities she’s rubbed shoulders with. Craig Brown’s ‘Q: A Voyage Around the Queen’ was a quirky … Continue reading Queen Elizabeth – Quirky, Risqué and Moving Tales →