The National Abu Dhabi
Comment Essays for The National Abu Dhabi
Habit Formation
Whatever you wish for this year, try to make it a habit Shoba Narayan December 31, 2013 Updated: December 31, 2013 19:12:00 In his book, The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do, and How to Change, author [...]
25 things to feel happy about
What's your list? Thank you, Manish Sabharwal, Nitin Pai, Narayan Ramachandran, and Nikhil Mehra for the suggestions/contributions Sat, Dec 28 2013. 12 34 AM IST The Contrarian View | 25 things to feel happy about Performing chief ministers, a successful [...]
Devyani Khobragade
Or how Preet Bharara jeopardised Indo-US relationships by showing off. Only the US has the power to calm its dispute with India Shoba Narayan December 22, 2013 Updated: December 22, 2013 18:25:00 The continuing diplomatic row between the US and [...]
Travelling with kids on the Nile river for The National Abu Dhabi
I have started a new contributing gig, which is right up my alley. I've sent a series of essays under the title "Travelling with kids." Here is the first one. Travelling with kids: gods, mummies, kings and origami in [...]
History of perfumes
Opinion Comment Great perfumes affix the mind to a specific place and time Shoba Narayan December 16, 2013 Updated: December 16, 2013 18:42:00 No people understand perfumes better than Arabs, who instinctively and unconsciously layer scents using oils and attars. [...]
Delhi’s fetid desire, Mumbai’s petrol fumes: inspired by Mahmoud Darwish
Whose writing I adore. A niche brand of perfume called Carlos Huber makes a scent based on a boutonniere Delhi’s fetid desire, Mumbai’s petrol fumes Can you smell the ‘garam masala’ and greed in Delhi? Photo: Pradeep Gaur/Mint The best [...]
Recovering from Super Typhoon Haiyan for The National Abu Dhabi
This was a daunting piece to write. I didn't think I could interview everyone globally-- and on deadline-- on this topic. Which just goes to show that with the Internet and things like Skype, the world is indeed a small [...]
Cultural Immersion
A while ago, Ravi Bapna, a professor at the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota, asked me to do "cultural immersion" module for his visiting MBA class. I created four PowerPoint presentations but the sessions ended up [...]
Sparkling wine: how does it work: for Mint Lounge
I wanted to meet two sisters in the food and wine business. Their elderflower juice was so aromatic. FIRST PUBLISHED: SAT, DEC 14 2013. 01 18 AM ISTHOME» LEISURE» THE GOOD LIFE Wines, economy and culture preservation What kind of [...]
For The National Abu Dhabi on Kerala
In The National, Abu Dhabi Thiruvananthapuram is India's evergreen destination Shoba Narayan December 5, 2013 Updated: December 5, 2013 16:52:00 With its lush green foliage, balmy weather and quiet streets, Thiruvananthapuram, previously called Trivandrum, provides a genteel and serene counterpoint [...]
The Chennai music season decoded: for Mint Lounge
Chuffed that Ranjani Gayathri posted this piece in their Facebook page (Ra-Ga). Nice acronym. Sat, Dec 07 2013. 12 09 AM IST The Chennai music season decoded A primer to Chennai’s music and dance festival Shoba Narayan Ranjani and Gayathri [...]
Poetry reading.
If any of you are in Bangalore tomorrow, I am moderating a poetry reading by Athena Kashyap. Please come. I am fascinated by poetry: the musicality of it; how to make words sing; how to condense thought. So I thought [...]