Dead as a dodo?

Dead as a dodo?

In our English language class we came across many idioms. One of them was, ‘Dead as a dodo’ to indicate something extinct, gone forever. Meaning, metaphorically, something that is  no longer effective, valid, or interesting- in a manner of speaking. 

by TRANS WORLD FEATURES September 30, 2024

Those who heal

Those who heal

We were travelling by an Uber cab in Toronto and talking nineteen to the dozen, as women buddies do when meeting after a long time. I whispered to my friends, the driver seemed to be from Afghanistan. There are many immigrants from the country in Canada. Frankly, it’s also a rather pet speculation I indulge in, guessing the ethnic identity of strangers, and when found correct, I mumble to myself  ‘Bingo!’  

by Ranjita Biswas August 22, 2024

Music does it

Music does it

With the news of Ameen Sayani, the doyen of radio music presentation, passing away it seemed to be an end to a certain chapter in my life. Those were days when words like radio jockey, mobile app, Spotify, etc. were yet to arrive on our horizon. But in the small upper Assam town where we lived Wednesdays were special for me: the Binaca Geetmala day! 

by Ranjita Biswas February 27, 2024

Talking...talking

Talking...talking

I am too talkative, some say. Like, on the Metro train I start talking with a total stranger, a woman with a child.  By the time she gets down in her stop I know that she is a homemaker, worked in a school before marriage and is now itching to get back just waiting for the child to grow up a little but also worries if she waits too long the opportunities would get fewer as new batches of aspirants come up.

by Ranjita Biswas December 16, 2023

The other side of happiness

The other side of happiness

The monsoon is on its last legs, the blue sky and white waves of kaash flowers now send the message that our beloved festival, Durga Puja, is round the corner. A time for  celebration indeed. But old-timers are frowning a little unhappily too. Ma this time is coming to earth on the vahan of ghotok - horse, and going back to her heavenly abode on horseback too. This indicates a time of conflicts and war.

by Ranjita Biswas October 18, 2023

Theatre of the absurd

Theatre of the absurd

Does fiction imitate life or is it the other way round? Sometimes you wonder as you look around the world you live in today,  and not in a fictional time.  But one thing is sure , there are enough material to inspire fiction or celluloid tales to give a satirical twist to which is very real.

by Ranjita Biswas June 07, 2023

Looking back with stars

Looking back with stars

As one gets on the years, one tends to look back with nostalgia on days past and then often regret with a sigh, ‘those were the days’. But looking back can also mean no regrets but joy, happiness, even savouring the innocence of believing that things would remain so too in future. Thus the news of the death of Gina Lollobrigida at 95 took me back to my teenage years when everything seemed to have a spring in the air. 

by Ranjita Biswas January 19, 2023

Hope, despite everything

Hope, despite everything

We are living in a strange time beyond familiar ‘normality’. Climate change creating havoc with unseasonal rains, furious floods, hurricanes looming like a Damocles’ Sword over hapless citizens, forest fires, heat waves in a cold continent like Europe –the list can go on. Not to talk about Covid 19, return of old world diseases like cholera, Ebola, etc. etc.  Old timers in India wonder if the dreaded ‘Koliyug’ is upon us in our lifetime itself when the fabled Lord Koli descends to destroy everything  on his way.

by Ranjita Biswas November 02, 2022

Wood stories

Wood stories

I was walking around in the famous Lal Bagh of Bengaluru on a monsoon day recently when some huge structures caught my eye. Sure, the Lalbagh Botanical Garden, its formal name, is known all over for its sprawling 240 acre area, its 200 year old history starting with ruler Hyder Ali, its more than 1,000 species of plants- some centuries old, etc.,  but these structures were different. Amidst the bright bougainvillea shrubs, lush green vegetation, palm trees with drooping leaves, these dark brown majestic figures stood apart. What or, who were they?

by Ranjita Biswas September 03, 2022

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