‘…How did the deep-fried, battered fritter family take hold, spread and flourish as a public choice in early 20th century Kolkata, still grappling with caste and untouchability, vegetarian diets and the baggage of sin and virtue?’ A brief history of telebhaja.
‘The author positions the art film directors as historians who were able ‘to theorise thus about India’s postcolonial condition, and to perceive in the medium of cinema the problems that would concern Indian historians for several decades.’ A review of Rochona Majumdar’s ‘Art Cinema and India’s Forgotten Future: Film and History In The Postcolony’.
‘As I read letters and reports from these winter months of 1839, from the time Darjeeling begins to develop a personality and reputation, I cannot help comparing it to its life today. The report in The Englishman appears in the middle of November, after winter has set in – not a drop of rain has fallen since the 28th of September, the correspondent reports.’ Darjeeling, centuries apart.
‘…The patron in question wanted to start a gharana named either after his place of birth or his family name, and only then would he put his money where his mouth was.’ The problem with patronage.
‘…In Tantrik Hinduism, the apsara becomes the yogini. Sex was not for pleasure or for children: it was to harness spiritual power. The point was to satisfy the woman without feeling the need to spill the semen (virya). Such control is what made the monk a hero.’ The journey of Tantra from India.
‘…One sees the similarity between Buddha’s relics and the different body parts of Shakti, making the land sacred and granting holiness to the land. Were they influenced by each other? That is a matter of speculation.’ Sacredness of shrines.
‘Delightful as it may be to after-party epicures in Soho or Manhattan and despite a zillion cookery channels on YouTube directing you towards healthier ‘home-made’ versions, the Egg Roll has been the middle-class office-goer’s savior for decades.’ A paean to the Egg Roll.
‘…The result was a remarkably schizophrenic film titled Jallian Wala Bagh, completed in 1977 but released in 1987 after many starts and stops – and promptly sinking out of sight.’ On Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s unfinished film on the Udham Singh story and a later take on the same.
‘‘Chourangi’ has been popping up in every dinner-party conversation, Pujo committee meeting, making its way into Facebook foodie groups and Instagram pages. Everyone knows the best dishes, everyone has someone who can get them a good table and indeed, everyone has become a brand custodian.’ The new London restaurant making waves.
‘…Pakistan is an excellent T20 team with a distinct accent on pace, so I am sure Virat, Ravi Shastri and MS Dhoni will take all factors into account while arriving at the team composition.’ Shaping up for Sunday’s Big Match, India vs Pakistan, in the T20 World Cup 2021.
‘…When you possess splendour, you become attractive. It is that power of being able to walk into a room and making people realise how great you are. That which makes you inspire and impress people is what is called Sridevi.’ Deity of an illusive quality.
‘…Were he (Laxman) active today, he would still be at work. He would displease authorities and offend reader groups more than ever before.’ The legacy of R.K. Laxman.
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