The Blog
The Young Indian Scientist’s Dilemma (1966)
(From an old essay of R.K.Narayan's -- from 1966. Not sure where it was published. I find some of the word choices strange. Hard to believe he could be so tone deaf.) A young scientist from Madras, who arrived in New York only a...
Read MoreFrom Jejuri by Arun Kolatkar
Makarand Take my shirt off and go in there to do pooja? No thanks. Not me. But you go right ahead if that's what you want to do. Give me the matchbox before you go will you? I will be out in the courtyard...
Read MoreAvvaiyar — The Diplomat
When Clinton visited India as First Lady, a college student gave her a poem about women all over the world suffering in silence. I wish someone had been given this poem by Avvaiyar who, 800 years ago, had pretty much functioned like a Secretary of...
Read MoreGive, Eat, and Live
Again thanks again to Iruvar -- I revisited this verse of Avvaiyar. ஆண்டு ஆண்டு தோறும் அழுது புரண்டாலும் மாண்டார் வருவரோ மாநிலத்தீர் ர்வேண்டா நமக்கும் அது வழியே நாம்போம் அளவும் எமக்கு என் என்று இட்டு உண்டு இரும் . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWQ__mqY9RE Here is the book the verses are from.
Read MoreRed Earth, Pouring Rain
Blessed are those who have a friend to discuss beautiful verses with. Movie-makers, lyricists make it easy for poetry-lovers when they chose to incorporate words from ancient poems into nicely picturized modern hits. In a double dose of luck, a novelist (Vikram Chandra) chose imagery...
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