When The Stars Lean Closer
byDwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars, and see yourself running with them – Marcus Aurelius.
Books & Films
Tintin in Kolkata: The Real-Life Inspirations For Hergé’s Quirky Sidekick
byUncovering the historical roots of Tintin’s world, this article explores how Hergé’s evolving views shaped his iconic characters.
Saddam Hussein & His Blood Qur’an
byMore than twenty years after Baghdad fell, the Blood Qur’an remains in limbo, suspended in a country still grappling with the aftershocks of its past.
Phule, Caste & Censorship
byPhule’s legacy is not confined to a single film; it is the deep‑seated unrest surrounding India’s caste discourse.
Subalterns In The War: Rushdie, Ondaatje & Post-War Trauma In The Commonwealth
byThe literature of Rushdie and Ondaatje offers not just a window into the past but a way forward—a way to navigate the complex, shifting terrain of post-colonial identity.
Original Sin: Israel, Palestine And The Revenge Of Old West Asia
byThe ghosts of history do not rest, nor does the question of Palestine.
From Panchatantra To Tinkle Comics, Why Is Animal Fiction Such A Huge Part Of Children’s Reading Culture?
byStorybooks serve as a safe bubble for the children — a bubble that helps them embark upon life’s most difficult lessons.
Satyajit Ray’s Alien & Steven Spielberg’s E.T.
bySatyajit Ray’s unproduced film, Alien, scripted & shared with Hollywood honchos in the 70s, bears an uncanny resemblance to Stephen Speilsberg’s E.T. Was this purely coincidental?
Paatal Lok 2: A Tale of Power & Plunder
byThe new web series, season 2 of Pataal Lok, presents a gripping tale of power & plunder in the Northeastern state of Nagaland.
Amol Palekar Looks Through The Viewfinder & Narrates His Story
byAmol Palekar’s book, Viewfinder, tells the story of his life in cinema & theatre.
The Genesis Of Indian Comics & The Delhi Sketch Book
byIndia’s love for visual storytelling explains the success of comic books & cartoons. At first, pictures were part of a performance; with comic books, they became part of literary works for reading.
Mircea Eliade, Maitreyi Devi & The Bengali Night
byThe Bengali Night, La Nuit Bengali, a film starring Hugh Grant, has a decades old back story; read the fascinating story here.
The Reader-Writer Bond
byA reader shares his love for writers who have had an impact on his life.
Why The Story Of Racial Apathy Portrayed In Mississippi Masala Remains Relevant Even Today
byIndian immigrant communities have tightly held on to their anti-black beliefs. Will this colonial hangover ever fade out?
The Art Of War
byMaster Sun advising rulers not to mobilise forces when in a rage. Wars, he writes, should not be fought over a slight.