Petals!

There is a delightful quaintness to Farahad Zama's debut novel titled The Marriage Bureau for Rich People and its sequel The Many Conditions of Love.  The Marriage Bureau for Rich People revolves around Mr. Ali, a retired government clerk, who starts a marriage bureau in Vizag to keep himself busy.  For latest book reviews, subscribe to  Svara's Newsletter !                                                                                     (Image: isahitya) Mrs. Ali adds intelligent observations and practical solutions to keep it going during its initial phases. She brings in the element of easy going, witty conversations and breathes life into an otherwise dull routine. Subtle references are made about their son,  Rehman, who is a social acti...

Every day we read a lot, but how much do we recall? That's why if something awesome is written and I read it, I share it here. This is the first round up of such posts this year and yes, it's all about how to boost your confidence! Are you ready? Then, here we go! Be Confident, Choose to Be Happy & Productive Each of us have an inborn talent - we just need to discover what it is. Have you see the picture-perfect moms on TV who can rustle up different yummylicious looking breakfasts for different family members?  That gets to me, saps my sanity. Because I am no such domestic goddess . In fact, I can look like Shrek's grandmother while tackling kitchen chores , racing against time and much more.  This guest post on Vishnu's blog urges you to get out of your comfort zone and stay productive, even when you don't want to. It helps you to keep your sanity intact...so, go on and do read it! Don't join the sleepless generation, it's not good for y...

The first time I visited Amritsar, it was like an electric shock . No, I didn't get electrocuted, or anything.  I went like a tourist but I came back humbled . Of course, I had heard of Guru Nanak Dev, as the founder of Sikhism and the first of the Sikh Gurus. But that is all I knew.                                      Image courtesy:  http://www.4to40.com/ The day I went there, it was Diwali. I saw that Sikhs from across the world, particularly UK and US, had come to offer their prayers there. I sat by the shimmering waters that mirrored the Golden Temple. I saw young Sikhs crying with bliss after taking a dip in the holy water. I saw elderly couples help each other to take a dip and pray for their children who were not with them. I saw young parents, beautifully dressed, help their young ones to take a dip without fear.  Everywhere I felt love. There was l...

♥♥ This is the second Guest Post on Petals in 2015.  I thank my former colleague Raji PV for sharing her personal writing on my blog. Raji, as I know her, is a lovely person and a dedicated mother with an angelic, soothing presence. Her simplicity and humility inspire me. In a nutshell, I am blessed to be in her company. Thanks for writing, Raji! ♥♥  The first time I landed in Singapore, I was pleasantly surprised by the lush greenery all around. Gigantic trees lining both sides of the road  met overhead high above the road. The change in scenery was too stark not to notice, as we arrived from Delhi. The sceptic in me did not expect it to last  more than a few miles; but guess what, I was overjoyed to have been proved wrong! Greenery in Singapore The beauty of Singapore lies in its ever-spreading green robe, both planned and natural, that stretches across the length and breadth of the island. Best of all, Singapore goes that extra mile in protecting its natural...

♥♥ This is the first Guest Post on Petals! in 2015.  I thank senior journalist Raghu Krishnan sir with all my heart for allowing me to share his personal writing in memory of his beloved wife - Kalyani. ♥♥  I have never been to Chennai since K left. The sadness stays with me, as do the memories, though it is almost three years since she left at  5.20 pm  on the evening of Tuesday, January 31, 2012..  December was when we took our annual leave and went to Chennai. We stayed in K's parents' home, a traditional house with a front garden and a rear well in the north-eastern Chennai suburb of Ayanavaram.. The other evening in Bengaluru, I heard the Sun TV news-announcer mention Purusuwalkam. And I remember setting off every morning with K in an auto after breakfast to take in the sights and sounds of Chennai.                                         ...