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.
A little girl, unable to clearly analyse the catastrophic events which turn her family’s life upside down in a moment’s time, writes a letter to her mother. Astha Soni writes the story of little Salah.
A story narrated on the radio throws Raj into panic due to its striking resemblance with his life. As the story veers into danger for his loved ones, Raj has to act fast. Lahari narrates the story.
The sleeping face of his daughter prompts a man to recall certain flaws from his past. He fears that life may recover his debts from an innocent soul and finally clamours for atonement while confronting his insecurities about the future and in the process trying to fathom the nuances of retribution. A poem by Anupam Patra.
