The National2020-06-17T19:48:20+05:30

THE NATIONAL, ABU DHABI COLUMNS ON RELATIONSHIPS, FINANCE, POLITICS, GENDER, FASHION AND POLITICS 358 posts
2005, 2022

The nature community in Bangalore

May 20th, 2022|Arts | Culture, Comment Essays|

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.

1805, 2022

Make Mozart and Beethoven rock for you

May 18th, 2022|Arts | Culture|

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.

1005, 2022

Interview with Chef Dominique Crenn

May 10th, 2022|Food | Drink, Gender|

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.

505, 2022

Why are hospital billing systems so bad?

May 5th, 2022|Arts | Culture, Comment Essays|

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.

205, 2022

Food and Faith in Four Ingredients: Rakesh Raghunathan and I at the BIC

May 2nd, 2022|Books, Events, Food and Faith|

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.

105, 2022

Artistes are learning to pivot during pandemic

May 1st, 2022|Arts | Culture, Comment Essays, Events|

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.

105, 2022

The Dr. Maya Rao Kathak and Choreography Conference 2022

May 1st, 2022|Arts | Culture, Events|

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 [...]

2304, 2022

Review of the French Milk Lady in Le Soir

April 23rd, 2022|Books, The Milk Lady of Bangalore|

Les brèves des Livres du Soir A découvrir également. Shoba Narayan. - D.R. Par P.My et Da.Cv. Mis en ligne le 15/02/2020 à 15:00 La laitière de Bangalore ** Shoba Narayan De retour en Inde après vingt ans aux Etats-Unis, la [...]

2304, 2022

French review of La Laitiere de Bangalore

April 23rd, 2022|Books, The Milk Lady of Bangalore|

Une vache dans l'ascenseur   Par Jean-Claude Perrier, le 31.01.2020ROMAN/INDE 27 FÉVRIER SHOBA NARAYAN Shoba Narayan - Photo DR/MERCURE DE FRANCE Grâce à l'animal totem de l'Inde, Shoba Narayan raconte son retour au pays natal et sa vie farfelue. Cette aventure commence un [...]

2204, 2022

Interview with the translator of Milk Lady

April 22nd, 2022|Books, The Milk Lady of Bangalore|

Listen to the interview here 2020 |La Nuit de l’Inde - Entretien 2/3 avec Karthika Naïr, auteure et poétesse, qui publie "Le Tigre de miel" et Johanna Blayac traductrice de "La laitière de Bangalore" de Shoba Narayan.

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