Serendipity
In shrinking urban spaces, there are a few locations that bring together intellectuals and ideas on a daily basis. In Bangalore, Koshy’s, the much loved coffee shop, is one such location. Cobalt Blue, a new shared-office space, aspires to be another. Part of the reason you visit these spaces is because you don’t know whom you will meet or what you will encounter. Of course, some of these encounters can be unnerving—the classic one being when you run into your ex at a location that was special to you.
For The National Abu Dhabi on Pittsburgh
This steel city has a lot going on in food, shopping and culture.
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 on a martial art that [...]
The unfairness of airline food descriptions: for Mint Lounge
This was published in Mint using verb-consonant. An attentive read, said "Surely you mean vowel, not verb." Indeed. ‘Mor kuzhambu’ or ‘kadhi’: the name game Menu descriptions are an art, somewhat like matrimonial ad descriptions Shoba Narayan Travelling without [...]
Defending Alia Bhatt
In which I defend Alia Bhatt. Listen here or below
Robin Williams
Even though he was over the top and occasionally overwrought in his movies, we each have our Robin Williams favorites. Whether it was the charismatic professor of Dead Poet’s Society; or the husband who dressed up as a housekeeper in Mrs. Doubtfire; or the suburban Dad leading his family on an RV vacation; Williams outplayed his costars and sucked up oxygen on screen.
Perfectionist children
Of course, the below can be seen as a long-winded excuse from a non-perfectionist. :) Failure is an important stopover on the road to success Shoba Narayan August 19, 2014 Updated: August 19, 2014 05:49 PM Are children these days [...]
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?