Of People and Places

Abhishek is working in Eklavya Publications – A man of many talents, he has an abiding passion for literature, is well-read, opinionated and can break into song at the drop of a hat. His djembe has been a source of delight for many of us, when at sunsets and full moon nights he sings and plays, his eyes shining. The music makes us forget our troubles, at least for a little while. He often writes poetry in the form of songs and sets them to music.  This is a conversation in two parts. This is part one of the conversation-- Were you interested in theatre right from childhood? My interest in theatre came in much later, after I came to Bhopal to study Mass Communication. In the villages and the cities where I lived or in the schools that I went to as a child – there was never an atmosphere where somebody was reading, or somebody was interested in poetry, theatre or the arts.  I moved constantly with my parents, and I have lived in many places but it wasn’t...

When I was flipping through my sketchbook, I found these sketches I had made at Japan Habba in February 2020. That's the best thing about having a little book to carry around - it lets me cherish moments and memories. And in the act of sketching, I make fuzzy things clear in my mind and observe little details that send up a whole flurry of emotions when I revisit them much later :) The air is festive and I am greeted by many smiling Indians and Japanese people - " Ohayou Gozaimasu" ( Good morning). The origami paper cranes remind me of Sadako's story - and how it became the symbol of peace. I I make a bee- line for the book stall - 5 books at Rs.100 - who can resist that? And I buy ten books in greed. Treasure! I have a weakness for Japanese children's books - they are so creative! Next we head to the Yukata stall to put on some Yukata - A summer dress made of light cotton fabric, worn by both men and women. And I rush to see t...

Witty and tongue in cheek, it’s a delight to talk to Uma Sudhir about Science and Science Education.  I have been working at the Eklavya Office in Bhopal on an illustration assignment and due to the lockdown- 15 of us have been staying here, like a family, taking turns to cook food, look after each other and occasionally fight ( just for kicks!). It’s a bonding that is interesting, because all of us were strangers until recently but have grown to known each other a lot more than we would otherwise have, under normal circumstances. I have known Uma for almost about a month now and I thought it would be interesting to share with the world some of the conversations we have had about science, education, travel,  life – all interspersed with her intelligent sense of humour.  Uma is a research associate with Eklavya. You may have come across her writings in Sandarbh magazine. Uma is also one of the few people I know who can count off th...

Dear  Palash, I didn’t pay much attention to you until a friend said we could do a Bhopal Palash trail on bikes to watch you and your sisters bloom.  I was curious to know what you looked like. And I imagined whole roads being transformed by your vibrant beauty as one by one, all of you opened up your hearts to changes in the season while the wind whispered sweet nothings into your leaves. But it was not meant to be. With the lockdown, and having to stay indoors, there was no chance that I could meet you. I put all thoughts aside. After all, there were bigger things to think about – such as the collective helplessness my race is feeling, battling an unseen, unknown enemy.   O ne day when I managed to wake up from my preoccupation, there you were, right behind me. A burst of orange clawing through the sky. I have tried in these past three weeks to capture your beauty, and failed miserably. Undaunted, I have tried again, yet again. Every time I fa...

One of the perks of having friends who study in Manipal is that you get to visit beautiful beaches and lush green backwaters in and around Udupi. We decided one day to go to Mattu beach, a beach I fell in love with. A place worth staying in forever, to take walks at sunrise and sunset, to hear the waves crash and allow ideas to churn in the mind. We rode on two wheelers and the ride to Mattu is fantastic.  There are quaint shoreside benches and hammocks. A picnic should be on the works! (Mattu is also famous for the Mattu Gulla - An indigenous variety of brinjal, so don't forget to buy some when you visit.)

There are paddleboats that we could go on but they are uncovered and just too hot. We walk to the edge of the rafter bridge and peer into the water. We see glints of silver swirling in the waters. On a closer look, they are a swarm of little guppies so close together – if we cup our hands and plunge them into the water – at least twenty of them would sift through before plopping back into the river – that is how tiny they are. We can see the Vayalapra Park as we drive to it. About two metres or so from the road is the lake. The unique feature about the Vayalapra park is that it is built on the lake like a floating bridge – snaking a good way until it reaches another piece of land on the other side. Across narrow roads with the backwaters peeking in between, we see this little portion of the lake that makes us gasp and stop the van. A lake full of water lilies blooming  – It is like a studio ghibli background.These white water lilies mimic lotuses and I want to tell t...

Aliens from outer space? A peculiar illness? Nope. A week after holi, you will see people hurrying to work in spotless shirts, trousers, uniforms and formal clothes, with faces the color of tomatoes, roses and turnips. I am imagining a boardroom or meeting full of pink and purple faces talking seriously about meeting targets and deadlines.  So droll!