Column: The Good Life: for Mint Lounge
Wining and Dining in Bangalore
I am a member of two wine clubs here in Bangalore. The difference between them can be counted in the air-time that wine gets. TWC is a small group. BWC events are held at glitzy five-star hotels.
The nature community in Bangalore
If you are a nature buff, Bangalore is a great place to be. Its climate allows people to do the one thing that is needed to engage with nature: be outside. When I go to Delhi or Mumbai, I often wish that there was a primer for nature activities or folks I could connect with. Here then is one such primer for Bangalore.
Make Mozart and Beethoven rock for you
To become a connoisseur—of the arts, ideas, food, wine, languages, movies, sports, economics or history—is ultimately a selfish exercise. You begin because you cannot help yourself; because of an abiding interest, one that will not let you go. Digging deeper becomes self-perpetuating after a while: The more you know, the more you want to know. At some point, you reach a crest and flip over. Once you pass that stage, beautiful things happen. You will hear a snatch of a Bollywood song and be reminded of a symphony. You will make uncommon connections that are ultimately the gift and pleasure of learning something new. A butterfly’s flight will look like an adagio, which refers to slow tempo in music.
Radio France on The Milk Lady of Bangalore
In which my book, La Laitiere de Bangalore or The Milk Lady of Bangalore made it to Radio France. Thank you so much, Isabelle Martinetti, for this feature. We found a quiet spot in the whirling ocean that was the Festival du Livre de Paris and she recorded this interview with a cool tape recorder (need to find out which brand it is). What I didn't anticipate was that she would find accompanying photos and stitch it together like this. Culture LITERATURE Indian author Shoba Narayan shares [...]
Interview with Chef Dominique Crenn
An interview with a chef I admire, Dominique Crenn. For Fine Dining Lovers-- based in Italy. There is also an India connection. The founder of Upside Foods, based in CA is an Indian doctor, Dr. Uma Valeti. I didn't interview him though. Maybe for another piece. Lab cultured meat is a new thing but the fact that a chef of the caliber of Crenn is endorsing it means something.
Why are hospital billing systems so bad?
Is it just Bengaluru or are hospital billing systems bad all over India? My aunt suffered a fall and had to be hospitalised. In a city that prides itself on using technology to ease business, why are hospital billing systems so archaic and the opposite of user-friendly? Hospitals use phrases like “patient care” as a marketing tool. Yet, when the time comes, they fail us. Automating hospital billing systems is the only way to improve the patient experience. It isn’t rocket science. Why aren’t hospitals doing it? I talk about a recent experience.
Food and Faith in Four Ingredients: Rakesh Raghunathan and I at the BIC
May 4, 2022. From 6:30 to 8 PM. Rakesh Raghunathan and I do a jugalbandhi at the Bangalore International Centre. Come watch us talk about sacred food. We will tell stories, Rakesh will sing songs, and do a cooking demonstration of one of my favourite dishes. I will of course talk about "Food and Faith." Free and open to the public. This is an in-person event.
Artistes are learning to pivot during pandemic
I have a problem with consuming culture virtually. I especially dislike how technology has converted live performances into flat-screen replicas. All mediums change the form. Technology for the most part diminishes the performing arts. Here is my column for HT about the performing arts. Linked to some upcoming events.
The Dr. Maya Rao Kathak and Choreography Conference 2022
Welcome to the The Dr. Maya Rao Kathak and Choreography Conference 2022 Tuesday, May 3, 2022. From 3 to 8 PM. At the Bangalore International Centre Dances, performances, lec-dems, converstations, panels About dance and how it can rejuvenate us. REJUVENESCENCE Hosted by the Natya Institute Of Kathak And Choreography. Be there amidst a community of amazing dancers, artists, filmmakers, photographers and curators. Schedule REJUVENESCENCE 3.00 PM Introduction - 3:05 PM Welcome by NIKC vice-chairperson Dr Anita Ratnam 3.15 PM Inauguration 3.20 PM Conference Chair Shoba Narayan’s inaugural address. 3.30 PM Kampni performance – Tarana RE-ACTIVATE 3:40 [...]
