When the clock strikes 11:59pm on August 31st, a strange anticipation starts thrumming under my skin. Spooktober is upon us once again, my friends. Visions of misty dark forests and small towns with buried secrets flood before my eyes. These coming months will usher in darker skies, crunchier leaves, and folk festivals that celebrate the... Continue Reading →
For a few years now, I’ve been marking the passage of time by curating lists of things to read or watch according to the season and its qualities. It’s been pretty effective in helping combat the feeling of months passing me by due to mindless overconsumption, busy work schedules or a crowded social calendar, and... Continue Reading →
“Autumn after autumn, the moonlight comes and goes; Human beings will gaze upon it for eternity.” These words from Ryokan capture the upcoming season’s true essence. In autumn, seeds drop to the earth and lie still. Similarly, we prepare to hibernate for the winter by drawing inward and consolidating our energy. At the ripe old... Continue Reading →
Earlier this summer, I met up with a friend on a hot and humid June afternoon. The recent rains have been a huge relief to Hong Kongers, so much so that we've been compelled to utter a word of gratitude after complaining nonstop about frizzy hair and humidity. Just before another burst of showers fell... Continue Reading →
It's that time of the year again! Dark rainy skies, meethi meethi hawa, steaming cups of chai and something chatpate on the side. Here is a preview to a collection of songs for the rainy season! (Stick around for the playlist link below <3) #1: Minnalkkodi (Hridhayam, 2022) A song that captures the excitement of... Continue Reading →
I might have a bit of an obsession with the ocean. I’m not entirely sure why, but I know it’s there because I saw Moana in the theatre 4 times and cried at each screening (this was pre-Disney boycott. Then there’s the small fact that my family and I have never actually lived too far away from... Continue Reading →
Trucking across the Karakoram Highway from Pakistan to China while dressed as a guy is my ultimate bucket list item. I couldn't think of a proper opening so I decided to drop this random bit of lore instead. It’s actually the result of a vivid dream I had years ago after binging too many Marco... Continue Reading →
In early 2019, my friend Sharanya and I decided to pack our bags and go to Nepal. Fresh out of uni and already disillusioned by the world of working adults, it's fair to say both of us were going through a pretty rough patch. Think disgruntled male office worker written by Imtiaz Ali (but with... Continue Reading →
Everyone remembers what they were doing during the first few months of 2020, when the entire world suddenly found itself stuck at home in the middle of a deadly virus outbreak. I was jumping from one exciting TV show to the next, often leaving midway because something else had captured my attention. To make up... Continue Reading →
When I was thinking of starting this blog, I knew at the back of my mind that Ustad Hotel would be one of the first things I wanted to share with the whole world. It's by no means a small movie, nor is it underrated or under-appreciated, especially by longtime followers of Indian regional cinema.... Continue Reading →
Monsoon Season 