Life Doesn’t Frighten Me

An adaptation of Maya Angelou’s rendition of “Life Doesn’t Frighten Me” published in 1993 with dark, edgy graffiti by Jean-Michel Basquiat. This poem is based loosely on her childhood, and mine is based on my coming of age. Shadows in the street, some strangers in a fleet. Life doesn’t frighten me at all. They are big …

“I Am One Of The Lucky Ones, Whose Religion Is Not Stamped On Their Soul”

As the chaos enfolds in my city, I feel the memories of the past rush by. This city doesn’t feel like home anymore, my grandma’s tales of partition no longer seem like distant lores. Bigotry, hatred and violence spreads throughout, as we try to recall what we were once taught. Nehru and Gandhi curdle in …

A comparative analysis of the policies of Trump and Modi: Two sides of the same coin

The two countries, the USA and India which seem so different, for the past four years have had heads of the state so similar in their outlook and policies. Trump’s campaign, ‘Make America Great Again’ on one side vowed to bring back the jobs into the country, and Modi’s campaign, ‘Acche din aayenge’ which translates …

Acche Din kab aayenge?

On the wake of the Pulwama terror attacks, I give my condolences to the families of the victims. They are the true survivors, who bear the burden of living the life trying to fill the void of a lost husband, brother or son. I'm not a patriot and I do not deny it that when …

Politics of the Mind

My imaginative take from the movie, 'Green Book', a friendship between a black pianist and a driver, Tony, an Italian man from the Bronx who serendipitously finds a job and a friend in Dr Don Shirley in 1960s USA. Tony is often found writing letters to his wife Dolores. In this rendition, I find the …

Serendipity

Voltaire once said, “I might not agree with what you have to say, but I’ll defend you to death your right to say it.” I think this quote has so significantly impacted me that I love reading and writing about different perspectives. However, sometimes I feel anxious when people get offended because of my contrary …

Propaganda

In this current political environment, I find it completely disheartening that extreme stances need to be taken. "The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who in times of great crises, maintain their neutrality", but what if it's the best possible leaning where you don't want to comment on certain topics because of your …

Cold Meat

A rendition of Manto's Thanda Gosht.

Erratic

Depression is debilitating and essentially present in all humans, at any given point of time, in different intensities. We can't really do anything about it, as long as we are thinking about it continuously. But this isn't the best advice to give someone who's going through it. Because they probably are more capable of understanding …

Hey Jude

There are times I feel misinterpreted, mis judged, for reasons unknown. Is it all in my head or is it a far fetched cry for help? Sometimes I feel miserable and magical at the same time, nobody can decipher it. Is it bad to be stuck with your issues and let them go peacefully and …