Column: The Good Life: for Mint Lounge
Fine wine and stereotypes
Fine Wine and Stereotypes In late April, Areni Global, the British wine research firm released a report about who buys fine wine. There were some usual takeaways and some unusual ones. Few in the wine world, as it turns out, cares very much about sustainability, although you would think that with the focus on climate change, sustainable wines would be the most coveted. But what are fine wines really? It depends on who you ask. This report categorizes “fine wines“ as those that are priced at or above $75. This is a sensible rule. A winemaker friend in Napa, [...]
Bangalore Talkies: Gang violence and the new Bengaluru reality
Pitting two powerful women (relatives) against each other In a story worthy of a Rajinikanth thriller, two women-- sisters in law at that-- are the main players in a grisly gang murder. On June 24th, in the old Bengaluru area of Cottonpete, former councillor, Rekha Kadiresh, who was slated to win the upcoming city council polls was hacked to death 17 times on a crowded street in broad daylight. Within a day, using CCTV footage, the Bangalore police arrested 5 people including Lambu Peter, who allegedly perpetrated the deed. They also arrested Mala Rajkannan, the ganglord of the area. [...]
36 Things to do after the pandemic in Bangalore
What will you do after Covid? A very specific Bengalurean take. I wrote this in hope that this seemingly never-ending pandemic will bow out. Still living in hope. For Hindustan Times. BENGALURU NEWS Bangalore Talkies: 36 things to do after the pandemic in Bengaluru What will you do after Covid? A very specific Bengalurean take By Shoba Narayan PUBLISHED ON JUL 01, 2021 04:13 PM IST What will you do after Covid? A very specific Bangalorean take. Go into Cauvery Emporium at the corner of M.G. Road and Church Street to buy some sandalwood [...]
Have you exited a Whatsapp group lately?
BENGALURU NEWS Bangalore Talkies: Have you exited a WhatsApp group lately? By Shoba Narayan PUBLISHED ON MAY 27, 2021 08:49 AM IST My friend, Raju, is incensed. He calls me out of the blue and says, “I am thinking of exiting too.” I know exactly what he is talking about. Our high-school Whatsapp group has become a battlefield. In the last day, six people have abruptly exited the group. Some left after a few principled words (which were immediately construed as sanctimonious holier-than-thou natter by the people at whom the words were aimed). “Those of you who [...]
Food and Faith book review in the Deccan Herald
Thank you Rashmi Vasudeva for this generous review. Clear here for Food and Faith Review in Deccan Herald
Khabar Magazine review of Food & Faith
View here online and below Khabar magazine food and faith book review
Street Art in Malleshwaram, Bangalore
Bangalore Talkies: Conservancies changed face of Malleshwaram It is art that has drawn me to Malleshwaram several times during Covid. Walking through streets where the artists have painted an ode to their neighbourhood is nothing less than a joyous and healing experience by Shoba Narayan Art holds a dubious place in many circles. There are those who say self-righteously, “I just don’t understand this modern art.” There are economists and investors who put a price tag on this deep human instinct to paint and express -- just visit the Bhimbetka caves in Madhya Pradesh to see early rock art. [...]
Food & Faith: Shoba Narayan Walks Us Through the Spiritual Food of India
Conversation in Soft Power Magazine In her book Food & Faith: A pilgrim's journey through India Shoba Narayan combines her two loves cuisine and spirituality. A journalistic offering, she shares her experiences with sacred food in shrines across India _ Puri’s bhog, Amritsar’s langar, Palani’s panchamirtham, Mathura’s pedas, Ambalapuzha’s paal-payasam, Kashi’s sweets, Jaipur’s rabdi, Ajmer’s kesaria bhat, Madurai’s dosai, Jewish halva in Mumbai, and communal feasts in Udupi, Goa and the Kumbh Mela. Shoba views cuisine as a vehicle for storytelling. She has been interested in it for the last 25 years as a food writer and began work [...]
Bangalore Talkies: Of hostage negotiators in city markets
Bangalore Talkies: Of hostage negotiators in city markets Shoba Narayan on taking a crash course in bargaining from Lily Aunty and crashing, but not quite burning, at the actual task Hostage negotiators would have a hard time in Bangalore, because folks here upend the whole logic of negotiation with their bargaining. In any negotiation, goes the business saying, you have to create a win-win situation for everyone. That is anathema to the folks on Avenue Road in Bangalore, whose idea of bargaining is more like a sumo wrestler bringing his opponent to heel. [...]
What makes Bangalore special?
Amongst those who live in-- and love their cities-- and the two don’t necessarily go together-- there is often a somewhat trite parlour-game that is played, often after copious amounts of alcohol. The game relates to identity, of a city, of a person. It often begins with the question: are you a true Bangalorean? If the participants can manage to keep away the needless competition that often springs up (my city is better than yours), the game is actually a good one for it requires you to figure out the essence of your city and yourself. Who is a [...]