The Good Life2020-09-12T08:40:35+05:30

THE GOOD LIFE A COLUMN THAT CELEBRATES LIFE READ ON FOR MINT LOUNGE

Column: The Good Life: for Mint Lounge

304, 2021

Tasting great Burgundy wines

April 3rd, 2021|Comment Essays, Food | Drink|

The Burgundy Paradox and how to overcome it Question: How do you organize a Burgundy wine lunch as a collective? Answer: very carefully. Unless you are a collector or a distributor, organizing a wine tasting of great Burgundy is a difficult and expensive proposition.  But The Wine Connoisseurs (TWC) of Bangalore decided to do just that a few weeks ago.  We ended up with quite a lineup. So how can you replicate this? The first is to come up with a theme that works for the wine group.  The theme in turn is dictated by the wines that are [...]

1403, 2021

Desi Books podcast features Food & Faith

March 14th, 2021|Books, Food and Faith|

Thank you so much Jenny Bhatt for featuring Food & Faith in Episode 24 of your Desi Books podcast. Visit Episode 24, where Food & Faith is featured here Episode Description In today’s episode, in addition to a roundup of new and notable books, we have Shoba Narayan discussing her latest book, Food and Faith, in #DesiCraftChat. And Dr. Gayatri Sethi, who's a writer, educator, and co-founder of the #DesiKidLit community. shares some new and notable books in this new quarterly segment. https://open.spotify.com/episode/0r3KYUJxaKkbcp5qCUfQR9?si=4DgovRYjRdSsATBU6Tn7eg  

1403, 2021

What dreams are made of

March 14th, 2021|Wellness | Spirituality|

Dreaming your way to reality A meditation on Jungian Psychology and the interpretation of dreams by Shoba Narayan Deccan Herald. March 14, 2021 Covid has been a time to take stock, introspect and wake up. In this essay, Shoba Narayan writes about returning to her old interest in Jungian psychology and what she learned from it. Even though therapy, both in-person and online has become acceptable and indeed, gained ground during the pandemic, most people think of it as navel gazing. “Where you lie on a couch and talk endlessly about your childhood,” said my [...]

403, 2021

Bird Podcast on Audubon’s List

March 4th, 2021|Nature | Wildlife, Radio | TV | Podcasts|

is on Audubon's list of top podcasts If you like parrots and parakeets, this one is for you. Picked by Audubon Bird Podcast is picked by Audubon as one of the top birding podcasts in the world. Read about the full Audubon list here and below is what they say about us Bird Podcast with Shoba Narayan Every other week; about 60 minutes For an international perspective, try this India-based podcast. Host Shoba Narayan is a journalist and author with a wide variety of interests, and her podcast likewise tackles different [...]

103, 2021

How to bargain on Commercial Street

March 1st, 2021|Arts | Culture, Comment Essays|

Bangalore Talkies: How to Bargain on Commercial Street Shoba Narayan relates how she finally rolled up her sleeves and decided to wade into that murky territory usually ruled by the ubiquitous Indian grandmother—bargaining The thought occurred as I eyed a stunning silver dinner set in a jewellery store on Commercial Street in Central Bangalore. Plates, tumblers, katoris, the works. The slight smile on the wizened shopkeeper’s face suggested that he was willing to bargain. But where to begin? Middle age brings many challenges: home, job, mortgage and the realization that you can actually learn [...]

2802, 2021

Internship opportunity

February 28th, 2021|Nature | Wildlife|

Are you interested in nature? Are you interested in birds? Would you like to meet and work with amazing authors, naturalists, bird-watchers and the birding community? Are you interested in podcasts, telling stories and broadcast journalism in general? If so, this (unpaid) internship may be a good fit for you. My friend, Ulhas Anand and I do a Bird Podcast.  So far, it has been sporadic but we would like to scale it up. For that, we need your help. If you are a journalism student who would like to work on this live project, please apply by writing [...]

1702, 2021

Food & Faith in Chennai.

February 17th, 2021|Books, Events, Food and Faith|

Chennai alert I am coming to Chennai.  City where I grew up and still leave my heart. Corny I know, but true :) On Friday, Feb 19 from 6 PM to 7:30 PM, I am in conversation with the talented Ms. Govind about Food and Faith. It is hosted by the Chennai International Centre. The venue for the talk is the Madras School of Economics auditorium on Gandhi Mantapam road behind Anna Centenary Library. It is a hybrid event in that while the auditorium can hold 250 people, only 100 will be allowed on a first-come basis. If this [...]

1102, 2021

New column: Bangalore Talkies

February 11th, 2021|Comment Essays|

New column for Hindustan Times: Bangalore Talkies When R. Sukumar calls and asks me to write a column, I don't say No.  This is the result. For Hindustan Times's new Bangalore edition e-paper (for now). Here it is.  And what a pleasure to get back to writing for you, Sukumar. What makes Bangalore Special 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 [...]

2201, 2021

Feature in the New Indian Express about Food & Faith

January 22nd, 2021|Books, Food and Faith|

Seeking piety in prasadams By Anushree Madhavan Express News Service Through her latest release, Food & Faith, author Shoba Narayan journeys across 15 temples of India to reflect on how food can be a path to find your faith Published: 21st January 2021 06:43 AM  |   Last Updated: 21st January 2021 06:43 AM CHENNAI: Rasam saadam has been a staple, and my favourite, from my early childhood years. But if I had to pick one rasam saadam that left me wanting for more, it would be the one I had at the Shringeri Sharadamba [...]

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