hopscotch

  I wrote this for Sakal Times, now The Bridge Chronicle  Ambika Shaligram Published on :  11 May, 2020 , 6:54 pm The nationwide lockdown has affected us in ways that we could never fathom. It has made us vulnerable, afraid, weak, but it is also showed us how we could respond by bringing a change in our mindset. All we need is a little hope to heal.  An anthology of tales and poems, Lives Reset  –  Stories of Hope, Heart, Healing and (Un) distancing in Pandemic Times — tells you how to look at the silver lining. Written by The Lightweaver Writing Group of 2017 -  2020, the stories and poems seem to be a slice of life, yours and mine, as we make sense of the changing world around us, looking for, and offering support, solace and warmth. The book has been edited by Dr Bhavana Nissima, an NLP trainer and Writing Coach. We talk to Arunlekha Sengupta and Mubida Rohman, who have contributed to Lives Reset. Accept your sorrows and sufferings Mubida Rohman manages the 'Languages and Interc

  Red, White & Royal Blue book review for Sakal Times, now The Bridge Chronicle Ambika Shaligram Published on :  14 May, 2020 , 3:21 pm Love.... that giddy, joyous feeling. The longing, the anticipation, the fights and ghosting only to reunite...surely the HRH, Prince of Wales Henry and Alex Claremont-Diaz, the FSOTUS — First Son of the United States, were taken by surprise by the depth of their emotions towards each other. The two were pitted against each other by the tabloids and glossies and well, Alex considers Henry to be a rival. And, their first meeting in the public eye, at Henry’s elder brother, Phillips’s wedding to Martha, doesn’t go well. In fact, it is catastrophic and the casualty is the $75,000 wedding cake and of course the US-British relations. So, 21-year-old Alex and 23-year-old Henry are compelled to come together in the public eye again and do some damage control — bond before the cameras. Slowly, but surely, they learn to scratch the veneer of their surface an

  My article with Aseem Chhabra for his book on Irrfan Khan. It was written for Sakal Times, now The Bridge Chronicle Ambika Shaligram Published on :  16 May, 2020 , 12:06 pm Earlier, this year, Rupa Publications published Aseem Chhabra’s book –  Irrfan Khan – The Man, The Dreamer, The Star.   Irrfan’s life in Jaipur, his years at National School of Drama, his thirst for learning, growing and breaking into new territories has been documented expansively. Irrfan, who passed away last month, was aware of the book, but he didn’t give any interviews to Chhabra. The US-based journalist and author began working on it in late spring of 2018 and then Irrfan was out of the country, getting treatment for neuroendocrine tumour. He wrote a long email to Irrfan, explaining about the book, and the actor called from London saying, ‘ Mujhe pata nahi yeh kaisi kitab hogi .’ He declined to be interviewed for it saying, ‘I am not in the right space just now.’ However, he recommended a few people to Chhab

I have been reading a lot of so-called light stuff lately. But, light doesn't mean 'fluff' or 'dumb.' Far from it. I haven't read lots of chick-lit, so I don't know if Anuja Chauhan's writing qualifies under that segment. What I can tell you is that she is brilliant at what she writes. One of the reviewers had called her writing style 'Bharat meets India', and it's very apt description. Only she could coin witticisms like 'Bhainscafe.' I guess 'Bhainscafe' doesn't sound terribly bright when singled out; put it in a perspective of the book (Battle for Bittora) and you are bound to break into laughter. I read her last book, (Those Pricey Thakur Girls) first and her debut book, (The Zoya Factor) last. They aren't sequels so I didn't miss out on family history or some such trivialities. She is one Indian author who has got the small town part, damn right. So, terms like 'Bhainscafe' and 'yeh to bada toin