Pirate!

Kolkata, 2009 · Photograph by Sreejita Biswas

Book Review: The Masque of Africa

V. S. Naipaul, often touted as Conrad’s heir, clearly lacks the sympathetic side of the Polish British novelist. If Chinua Achebe managed to find traces of racism in Heart of Darkness, it would be quite interesting to hear what he has to say about Naipaul’s latest travelogue, where

Garage

Matancherry, 2010 · Photograph by Aashim Tyagi

Sealine Lodge

Ernakulam, 2010 · Photograph by Aashim Tyagi

Rock the Baht

Perhaps it can be argued that the greatest holidays are ones not executed on a budget. But, as I recently found out, holidays on a budget can certainly still be outrageously fun. Thailand needs no introduction in terms of its beauty and unparalleled visual treats. Popular culture should remind you

Wires

Madurai, 2010 · Photograph by Aashim Tyagi

Dirty Linen

Have you seen The Village? No, I am not referring to M. Night Shyamalan’s horrifying attempt at filmmaking. I am talking about the Commonwealth Crown, the Pride of India, and the mark of our understanding of Atithi Devo-Bhava---that Village. 2010 Commonwealth Games. Sheila Dikshit must have never even imagined

Spicy Whole Cauliflower

Whole cauliflower in spicy tomato olive sauce. Photograph by Aashim Tyagi. This recipe is adapted from Jamie Oliver's whole baked cauliflower in tomato olive sauce. I have simply substituted some of the Mediterranean flavours for distinct Indian ones. What I love about Jamie Oliver's recipes is

Where's Babuji?

Puducherry, 2010 · Photograph by Aashim Tyagi

Immortal Lies

When I was in school, I had this rather fearsome teacher who always looked like she had a hatchet hidden away in her obscenely large bag. It wasn’t so much the bag or its size that bothered me, but the loving way in which she cradled it. It was

The Tap #14

Pandemonium and Chaos

Today, ladies and gentlemen (especially the ladies), I present to you John Constantine. For the next few minutes, I would like to ask you all to forget about the Keanu Reeves movie and completely eradicate traces of its existence from your mind. Trauma-inducing as it was, thankfully, the books are