Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep. Musings from someone who sees stories everywhere.

Monday, June 20, 2011

The Intolerant Indian

Gautam Adhikari's new book, The Intolerant Indian (Harper Collins India) will whisk readers out of their complacent cocoons. With sharp, incisive prose, he shows us the sinister forces out to ruin the ideals of tolerance, of unity in diversity, upon which our unique democratic nation is founded.

The best thing about this book is that the author spares no one, whether it is the BJP, the Congress or religious fundamentalists. He exposes the double standards, the hypocrisies, the insiduous undermining of our nation by various forces.

While life is improving for India’s elite, a huge section of Indians are among the poorest in the world, lacking access to potable water, power, healthcare and housing. It is this elite that this book is aimed at. Adhikari turns to them, hoping they will step out of their comfort zones and strive toegther to uphold the ideals on which our nation was founded.

The book is lucidly written and can be read and easily understood by any educated reader who cares.
My detailed review is published in Sunday Herald

Monday, June 06, 2011

a 'comic' genius

                                                                 Once upon a time, passionate Anant Pai Amar Chitra Katha Comics and Tinkle comics occupied every shelf and cranny in our home. My son and his little friends shared each copy, laughing, crying, fighting and making friends again over them until they fell apart in tatters. ACK comics were a magical part of growing up not just for their gang, but for millions of Indian Children.

We met Uncle Pai, the creator of ACK, in person at the grand finale of a quiz contest.My published account of that memorable day and a tribute to the departed 'comic' genius can be read in full in Sunday Herald