An old man struggles to adjust to life in a city he’s not used to. As the day breaks, he experiences evil and kindness one after the other, all too quickly; perhaps there is hope left in this world? Kousalya tells the story.
Indian societies are unbelievably sensitive towards and hushed up about most discussions around sex and pleasure, but Vani Viswanathan enjoys seeing how the internet is making it a little better – especially for women.
Chandramohan Nair, belonging to the first generation born after Independence, finds little solace in the current state of the country but hopes that we might yet rediscover the idealism of the independence movement.
THE LOUNGE | INNER JOURNEY At one point, we must start our own lives and accomplish our responsibilities as adults. Do we ever stop and think of our good ol’ days as kids, when we were free to think about the stars and believe in tooth fairies? Anna’s piece delves into the difference between these two worlds and how these mould our picture of the ‘real’ world.
We have always loved our ‘As You Like It’ issues for the variety and creativity that we have had a chance to showcase through these editions. This month’s issue of Spark, where we asked writers to write about any topic of their liking, is no exception. We have a great assortment of fiction, non-fiction and poetry on really exciting themes lined up for you!
Nandini dreams of going back to England from where she has recently returned. Sid dreams of a life with Nandini who wants to keep distance. The inexorable boundary between them melts away sometimes, but only to leave the air hazy, turbulent and devoid of settlement. Merchant of Dreams, a short story by Pranav Mishra, captures cultural transitions and ambiguities urban, ambitious Indians go through.
In his poem, Parikshit Ketkar metaphorically writes about one’s desire to be acknowledged for what one is, irrespective of the social survival requirements pointing towards some other way.
Ajay’s story is about an acclaimed, ageing writer who finds himself one morning strangely writing fortune cookie sayings. What’s behind this sudden transformation, this abrupt disappearance of his muse? Will he overcome this?
Chandramohan Nair realises how lucky he was to get two carefree years of boyhood in Nepal that were long on play but short on studies.