Blog

"A Stroll Through Promenade Books" by Shubha Bhatt and Shubhangi Thakur captures the enchanting essence of Promenade Books, a bookstore in Hauz Khas founded by Abhay and Sarthak. The piece beautifully describes the bookstore as more than just a place to buy books—it's a sanctuary for readers to wander, connect, and find solace. The authors highlight how the founders' intuitive curation and close bond with visitors have turned Promenade into a community hub where literature, music, and creativity intersect. Through heartfelt anecdotes and vivid descriptions, the piece paints Promenade Books as a place where every visit feels personal, welcoming, and deeply meaningful.

Rohini Kejriwal, founder of The Alipore Post, shares insights into her creative journey, from the inspiration behind the journal to her passion for blending art and poetry. She highlights the growing presence of young women in arts, discusses her creative journey with doodling, and reflects on the impact of art on societal change, and nurturing community connections.

In this interview, a poet and freelance journalist Meghna Prakash discusses her book Trigger Warning, revealing how it reflects her personal trauma and serves as a cathartic process. She explores the impact of poetry on mental health, the challenge of representing trauma authentically, and the role of art as political expression. She also shares insights into her journey with Poetry Dialogue and offers advice for young poets on finding their voice and handling rejection.

In this interview, the founders of Irshaad Poetry discuss poetry's enduring role as a form of resistance and how social media has broadened its accessibility. They highlight the lack of minority representation in Indian art, celebrate women writers breaking stereotypes, and stress the need for inclusivity in literature.

In this interview, Mathushaa Sagthidas, a fashion promotion and fine art photography student, reveals how her Tamil Eelam heritage and British identity reflect in her practice. Her photography, featured in Campaign Magazine and Graduate Fashion Week, explores a deep connection to her roots and the fusion of traditional and contemporary influences.

Urooj, a Freelance Graphic Designer and owner of @gupshhup, blends creativity with social commentary in her art. In this interview, she discusses how her South Asian heritage shapes her illustrations, which address stereotypes and societal issues like gender equality and cultural stigmas. Urooj shares her approach to balancing vibrant visuals with powerful messages, aiming to inspire and spark conversation within the South Asian community.

Anindita Sengupta, author of Walk Like Monsters and City of Water, explores the complex interplay between her identity and her writing. From her roots in Kolkata and Mumbai to her current life in Los Angeles, Sengupta reflects on how her cultural background and experiences with migration shape her poetry. In this interview, she discusses the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on her work, using poetry as a means to navigate and document trauma, cultural tension, and the search for identity.

Megha Rao, a performance poet and surrealist artist from Kerala, shares her journey from a childhood hobby to a celebrated career in poetry. Featured on prominent platforms like Penguin Random House India and trending on Spotify podcasts, Megha reflects on how personal experiences and cultural influences shape her deeply introspective and anecdotal work. She discusses her transition from written to spoken word poetry, the impact of her Kerala roots on her art, and the inspirational female artists who influence her creative process.

Aryama Sen, founder of ind.igenous, reflects on her deep passion for Indian arts, from music to literature and cinema. She shares how her upbringing, immersed in Indian culture, nurtured her love for these art forms and led her to use microblogging to make them more accessible. The interview explores her insights on the decline of Urdu, the evolution of female characters in Indian cinema, and the mislabeling of regional cinema.

Shubha Bhatt reflects on the immersive experience of audiobooks, focusing on Amitav Ghosh's Jungle Nama and Jhumpa Lahiri's Whereabouts. She explores how the narrators’ performances add depth to these stories, enhancing the emotional and cultural impact, and turning listening into a powerful, transformative experience.

Lucía Pereira explores why readers are drawn to tragic stories, discussing the emotional release (catharsis) they provide. She argues that consuming sorrowful narratives helps us process pain and feel less alone, even without happy endings.

This piece reflects on Neeraja's love for observing everyday life, both in-person and online, and how seemingly simple activities like playing Wordle create connections in an increasingly disconnected world. She delves into the history and appeal of Wordle, comparing it to crossword puzzles as a comforting ritual that unites people globally. Wordle, for her, offers a sense of shared intimacy and solace in a world struggling with pandemic-induced loneliness, providing a daily ritual that reminds us we are not alone in our small redemptions.