Travel Stories
For Silverkris on Aikido
Digital magazines are getting better and better. Silverkris has a nice section called "Been There," which talks about activities and locations. I am working on two pieces for this section. Here is the first one [...]
For The National Abu Dhabi on Turkey
I love cheese. I wish I knew more about them. But to eat a Manchego in Spain or a Brie de Meaux in France, a Stilton in Britain, or Gorgonzola with Barolo in Italy doubles [...]
For Qantas Magazine on Oman
Oudh and frankincense epitomise Oman. How to buy this?
For Silkroad on Tea art
Can India make tea as upmarket as the Chinese have done?
For The National Abu Dhabi on New Zealand
Auckland and beyond in a car with kids. And we learn about each other.
For The National Abu Dhabi on Barcelona
Ah Barcelona! If you are an architecture or design or sports buff, or a foodie, this is the city to go to. Travelling with kids: When shopping abroad is a holiday July 24, 2014 Updated: [...]
For British Airways magazine on Hyderabad
Andhra Thali, bangles, palaces, shopping. Things to do in this syncretic city.
For The National Abu Dhabi on Bangkok
My Dad talks about this incident to this day. Tuk-tuk tricks and Bangkok bartering Shoba Narayan May 29, 2014 Updated: May 29, 2014 11:47:00 It begins innocently enough. We’re in Bangkok and my 12-year-old wants [...]
For The National Abu Dhabi on Hyderabad
Travelling with kids: History is more fun with new friends Shoba Narayan May 22, 2014 Updated: May 22, 2014 15:57:00 My husband asks as we disembark the plane: “Did you know that the Nizam didn’t [...]
Latest Articles
Hindustan Times: Breakfast in Bangalore
India has a masala dosa problem. This folded potato-filled fermented-rice flat circular piece of deliciousness has overtaken the world. The problem is that equally good variations of this form get lost in the focus on this one type of dosa.
Sommelier India: New York City wine
Say you are visiting a new city in the US and you want to taste and buy wine. What do you do? I experienced this recently when I visited New York.
Hindustan Times: Visiting Chefs
To be a good chef, you have to have knowledge, opinion and confidence. Few professions are as unforgiving as a chef’s chosen job. You get feedback instantly. If the dish isn’t good, it gets sent back to the kitchen.
For WisdomCircle: Fearless after 50
Recently, I have noticed a happy trend among women in the fifties. They are blossoming in ways that even they could not have predicted.
Hindustan Times: Dance in Bangalore
Bangalore is blessed with a multitude of classical dance forms relative to say, nearby Chennai where Bharatanatyam reigns supreme, or Hyderabad where Kuchipudi takes pride of place.
Hindustan Times: Ganesha festival
Of course Mumbai is the city that is associated with Vinayaka, Ganesha, Ganapathy, call him what you will. But you may be surprised to find that Bangalore can provide spirited competition in the spectacle area.
WisdomCircle: Soul and Spirit
This column is about a simple fact: as you age, the ego becomes both stronger and more fragile. This plays out in ways that can both strengthen and sabotage because you are both secure and insecure.
Hindustan Times: Gay Bangalore
Recently, I was at the 14th edition of the Bengaluru Queer Film Festival (BQFF), a three-day community-funded event where 50 films were screened.
Hindustan Times: India Independence Day
It is that time of year again when all of us engage in a healthy dose of nostalgia, amnesia and hope about how India has changed since independence. Lists will come aplenty about things to be proud of and things to worry about.
