Dear Reader, We feel extremely proud and delighted to present the second anniversary issue of Spark. Spark is two years old today and what a spectacular journey it has been so far! Thank you very much for all your support. What’s more interesting is that this is also our 25th issue – a key milestone for us. The theme for this month is ‘Celebrating 25 Issues of Spark’. As a tribute to the 25 issues of Spark published till date and as a special issue celebrating the second anniversary of Spark, 25 contributors take up each of the 25 themes and convey their essence through art, photography, fiction, non-fiction and poetry. We hope you enjoy this issue and as always we are counting on you to spread the word about Spark. Please click here to access the anniversary special issue on the e-reader, ISSUU, or to download the issue as a PDF.
One of Spark’s core defining factors has been the columns and interviews we have published in all our issues over the last two years. This exercise has been an immensely rewarding and a spectacular learning experience for us in many ways, including but definitely not limited to gaining a deeper understanding of how people approach their areas of expertise, realising that it is their passion, intelligence, persistence and a certain humility that has taken them to where they are today, and of course, receiving our biggest reward—that of Wisdom – that’s something we have received in copious amounts during our interactions. We felt nothing would be a more befitting tribute to all the wonderful people who agreed to share their thoughts with us than bringing out a compilation of the best of our conversations. Not to mention, a small gift to all our dear readers who have read and supported us through the last two years. Ladies and gentlemen, presenting joyfully —the best of what they said.
It’s Spark’s second anniversary edition and the 25th issue – a very proud moment for us. Anupama Krishnakumar chronicles the journey of this creative pursuit over the last two years and tells you what it feels like to have run an effort like this along with a wonderful co-editor and a super-talented team. Anupama’s piece is a reflection of the January 2012 edition, the 25th issue’s theme, ‘Celebrating 25 Issues of Spark’.
You may wonder what people in villages do when they need dental help. People from remote, far-flung villages, a good few hours from civilization (i.e., towns or villages with dentists). This is the story of one such village. And remember this happened some 20 years ago, and the author doesn’t profess knowledge of what happens these days. Vani Viswanathan writes a story laced with humour to celebrate the concept of the first ever issue of Spark – the January 2010 issue themed, ‘New Beginnings’.
Anshika returns to her office after a shoot and there’s a surprise waiting for her. We bet you would want to know more. Shreya Ramachandran pens a love story representing the February 2010 theme, ‘Romance’.
Bijesh Krishnadas traces his journey as a book lover, right from the time when it all began. Join him in his journey down memory lane, as he pays a tribute to the March 2010 issue themed, ‘Down the Memory Lane’.
What began as an effort to divert the mind that was tired of routine cooking is now Ramya Shankar’s favourite hobby. In a piece that conveys the essence of the April 2010 issue, ‘Food and Travel’, Ramya shares the joys of baking and the many incidents that have marked her baking journey.
See the colours of Fall come alive with Vivekananth Gurumoorthy’s brilliant photographs. His pictures are a tribute to the May 2010 theme ‘Seasons’.
For Latha Prem Sakhya, her dreams are about elves or goblins. The sleeping mind is the stage for dreams, she says. Latha lends a poetic touch to the June 2010 theme, ‘Dreams Unlimited’.