a memoir of etchings and wanderings
Why does it never rain when we really want it to Why does hatred exist Why can’t we buy happiness at the local grocery Why is money so bloody important Why doesn’t blueberry cheesecake flow free from taps Why is kindness mistaken for weakness Why cannot everyone own a boat and go sailing Why do we look to others for fulfilment Why … Continue reading “Why Not?” →
There used to be a time when I plugged in music to keep out the noise. All the voices, talk and neighbouring paraphernalia. Now I do the same to block the silence. The deafening quiet. They say change is inevitable and for the better.
I’m thinking of the snow-capped Austrian Alps. I’m thinking of the Danube. I’m humming songs from the Sound of Music. I’m picturing the baroque years. I can almost hear Mozart’s Eine Kleine Nachtmusik in the background. I can smell the delicious coffee and sachertortes, coupled with fluent German chatter. I’m slowing down. *** I’m humming Billy Joel; he sings to me… Don’t you know that only fools are satisfied. Dream on … Continue reading “Vienna waits for you.” →
You know that feeling when there’s so much you want to do but there seems to be strings tying you down? That terrible ache when you see the world doing things that you’ve dreamt of? That sinking thought which enters your head sometimes and whispers – “Maybe it’ll never happen for you.”? That disappointment you feel when you’ve planned an entire trip and then have to erase … Continue reading “World, Hold On…” →
It stuns me to think of the sheer genius of some people. Everything they touch seem to turn to gold. One such man was Satyajit Ray. Writer, film-maker, illustrator, educator, critic – he was probably what marked the pinnacle of the Bengali genius and intellect. I have had the good fortune of being exposed to his works since I was a child. Nonsense limericks by his grandfather Upendrakishore … Continue reading “ফেলুদা” →
I want to drive myself to work. I want the car to have a stereo where I can play my junk music. I want to fit into regular people’s clothes. I want to live in London, for a while. I want to record a song. Something classical-based. I want to learn to ride a bicycle. I want it to rain for at least six months a year. I want to learn to … Continue reading “Everything Is Not Quite Enough” →
Somehow it has already been a week at the new workplace and somehow I have to get used to the fact that Wednesday is the new Friday. So evidently the weekend is here and I have to catch up on my sleep for the last five days. Did I mention that I wake up at 7 am and take a shared cab to be at work at 8? Yes, … Continue reading “Wednesday” →
Although I have not been able to catch the seasons on television, I’ve heard that this season of Coke Studio India has been much more impressive and impactful compared to the debutante edition, which was quite the joke. I continue to be mesmerised by our Pakistani cousins as, season on season they churn out the most beautiful, soulful music. I’ve been listening to Season 5 a lot at the new … Continue reading “Entrancing Highs” →
So I finally did make the move. After a very crazy August, where I spent a lot of time in airports and questioned myself repeatedly about the decision that I had taken – I find myself in a new place, surrounded by new people in an absolutely new environment altogether. The comfort zone is a really prized concept. I don’t know how people do this frequently. This wrapping up one life and starting … Continue reading “New Innings” →