Musicians and Nakhras
My kind of artiste is a little more emotional; a little more frail and temperamental; full of insecurities and ideologies about what music can and should do. My kind of artiste is not a perfectly “cracked vessel”, like the Korean celadon glazes. Today’s artistes and musicians are this way: just cracked enough to be interesting; with just enough ego to be taken seriously; and professional enough to schedule multiple performances in multiple continents with discipline and rigour.
From thin to fat
Both my brother and I were painfully thin while growing up, which in Chennai was a bad thing. My Mom gave us strange concoctions to fatten us up-- raw eggs with milk was the worst-- to no effect. Now I [...]
Short working hours
I honestly don't think shorter working hours are going to work. People want to work more because they like it. All work and no play is no way to spend the rest of your life Shoba Narayan August 9, 2014 [...]
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 the pleasure. The same goes [...]
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?
You made the cover!
First time since I have written for The National. Begin forwarded message: From: Brett Debritz Subject: you made the cover Date: August 5, 2014 at 11:11:34 AM GMT+5:30 To: Shoba Narayan Top left-hand:
College Bound
Thanks to all the advice-givers of this piece. University is a time for discovery, exploration ... and even purple hair Shoba Narayan August 4, 2014 Updated: August 4, 2014 04:20 PM ‘Parting is such sweet sorrow,” said Shakespeare in Romeo [...]
College Bound
Thanks to all the advice-givers of this piece. University is a time for discovery, exploration ... and even purple hair Shoba Narayan August 4, 2014 Updated: August 4, 2014 04:20 PM ‘Parting is such sweet sorrow,” said Shakespeare in Romeo [...]
Arranging everyday objects into art: for Mint Lounge
The other day, my husband came to the dining table and said, “Where are the serving spoons?” “In between the frangipani flowers, dearest,” I said. A bunch of children from the building ran in, exclaiming that they were ravenously hungry. Saturday night is Maggi night in my house and as a result, we become the most popular family in my building. Shelfies are all the rage in the virtual universe of photographs. These are artful arrangements of objects that people photograph and upload on photo-sharing sites like Instagram.
For The National Abu Dhabi on New Zealand
Auckland and beyond in a car with kids. And we learn about each other.
Kathak Maya Rao
Certain art forms are more connected with a country’s culture than others. To understand Russia, you have to know chess and ballet—the Mariinsky and Bolshoi styles, and names such as Vaslav Nijinsky, Svetlana Zakharova and, of course, Rudolf Nureyev. To appreciate England, you really need to know theatre—Shakespeare of course, but also West End. Fashion is a prism through which you can understand the French; rhythm the in-road into Africa. If you know and understand the tea ceremony and raku ceramics, you will understand the Japanese sensibility.