Appa is a stickler for keeping things in their appropriate places. Every time Amma rushed about the house looking for her glasses, he would unhelpfully add, “This is why I say keep your things in a specific space. Vedothale Vekinum.” Amma, steaming like a bisi-bisi idli, would walk about the house wrestling with objects asContinue reading “The City and Bus Kathegalu”
Racing’s Angriest young man’
When I read the title, ‘Racing’s Angriest young man’, I worried this would be something I would have to get through to get to the good part – like eating the crust off a sandwich before attacking the meat. I apologise for ever doubting you Jimmy! This column is a love letter, a lesson inContinue reading “Racing’s Angriest young man’”
Words I’m not using this year: 2026 edition
This is a tribute to two masters of the craft: 1) Jimmy Breslin believed that being boring should be a felony crime. He lived by it, the fucker is anything but. He would have lost his marbles at how well we are trained to willfully accept boredom as entertainment in this current world. I fullyContinue reading “Words I’m not using this year: 2026 edition”
What is a Sakkath Voice? Ask Better Questions, says Rumi Harish
Had a great time watching Rumi Harish perform and wrote about it: “At various points when Rumi Harish sat down during his performance titled ‘Journey from A to E’ the audience at Sabha Blr pulled themselves up a little, craning their necks so as to not lose the view. Rumi became the hypnotist’s pocket watchContinue reading “What is a Sakkath Voice? Ask Better Questions, says Rumi Harish”
Majboori Hain, Karna Padtha Hain
All names are changed for anonymity. Once on the walk back home late at night in Shanthinagar, I was almost hit by a delivery agent on a little Yulu Dex. He smiled at the near miss and was on his way again. He seemed to be following a chaotic rhythm of his own — oneContinue reading “Majboori Hain, Karna Padtha Hain”
The SJU Prize for the Personal Essay 2026
I used to have a recurring dream during my undergrad years. It began with me going to my favourite teacher in school, and handing her a story I have written. Then I wait that wait of agony when someone you love is reading your work. You become so small during this wait: physically, emotionally, every-ally,Continue reading “The SJU Prize for the Personal Essay 2026”
The wheels on the bus go round and round
While traveling on the KSRTC bus back home from Goa, a little after 10 pm, I looked out the window and saw the mangled remains of an old truck. It’s face smushed into an almost comical smile. I thought, “This is a thing that happens, and often”, as worry coloured my face, then I chuckledContinue reading “The wheels on the bus go round and round”
What once was
This was the first runner-up in a love letter writing contest organized by Agents of ishq! Inspired, rather Freudily, by What once was — Her’s. Amma used to tell me the story of a man in our village who slept under a banyan tree all his life. Nobody knew his name, everyone called him “BanyanContinue reading “What once was”
Only require two kick
Even when I discussed with N, of having a Kinetic Honda at the exhibition, I did it like it was a faraway dream — as though answering the question “What do you want to be when you grow up?” I only noticed how they had left the city roads when I began scouting for theseContinue reading “Only require two kick”
One-trick pony
Even as I was terrified, I loved going into the classroom for the first time. Surprisingly, even on the most difficult days, I seem only to have enjoyed my classes. One moment springs up to memory, this was a 3rd semester class, very rowdy, some eighty strong. When numbers go up all the class strategiesContinue reading “One-trick pony”
psych matteru 
