Meeting Waseem


Everyday, Musings

I had a most interesting morning. A night of vivid dreams, turning impossibilities into presence the way only dreams can. I woke up discombobulated by the dream, feeling tugged by the past. It’s always strange when people not in your life appear like they never left.  A temple. My hand in theirs. Narrow roads. Joy, […]

March 15, 2023

The Cat’s Gifts


Musings

I have never been particularly fond of cats. Dogs, with their utter neediness and hopeless, vulnerable love, have been more my friends.  Years ago, almost two decades ago, I was nicknamed the ‘Cat’ at university. I am not sure why, but I think it had something to do with my inherent sarcasm and laziness –  […]

March 9, 2023

Finding The Fun In Life


Mental Health, podcast

How do you create a podcast that surges to the top in just 2 days? How do you create a show that knocks off a therapist talking about dating and relationships? #AskShanty He knows. I don’t consider myself a podcast host – call me a writer if you may be feeling so generous. But podcast […]

March 3, 2023

An Ode To My Valentines


Musings

February is the month of love, isn’t it? That Hallmark-magnetized celebration on February 14th?It’s only fitting that I tell you I celebrate this month with not one Valentine but five.  I am not polyamorous, but these Valentines are my forever corners – I go to bed knowing they have my back.  Meet my Valentines: Voozy […]

February 28, 2023

Cafe Stories: How Our Life Is A Story


Musings

Last weekend, I was sitting by a beach in coastal Karnataka. I had a week of beach-time ahead of me. Or so I thought. The sun settled into a weak haze, overpowered by a full moon that rose angrily to the sky. The next morning, as I was well into my Sunday long run, my […]

February 11, 2023

Peeking Into A Writer’s Life


Musings

Who remembers Malgudi Days? Right from the time I remember watching ‘Malgudi Days’ on Doordarshan as a kid, I have been drawn to RK Narayan’s world. It’s a world of humor, witty observations, and philosophical ruminations on life, and one that holds our humanity in the deepest compassion. There’s no better pilgrimage for a writer […]

February 10, 2023

When A Picture Isn’t About The Picture


Musings

When a picture tells nothing… This is a picture of me with the founder of Reebok, Joe Foster. If I were wise and in my early 20s, masquerading as a freelance writer with a dreamy number of followers on LinkedIn, I might make this the main story. But since I am neither wise nor a […]

January 27, 2023

The Joy Of Play


Everyday, Musings

Whenever I work from home, I work from a room that looks out to a basketball court, coconut trees, a meandering pathway, and slumbering green grass. This is not as idyllic as it sounds. The basketball court is often raucous, the dribbling making me feel like someone is thumping my head relentlessly, again and again. […]

January 15, 2023