(with thanks and apologies to Gieve Patel, whose On Killing a Tree (1966) was model, inspiration and organic root-stub from which this poem and post grew!) I remember reading Gieve Patel’s powerful On Killing a Tree in class 9 or 10. I don’t recall much about our poetry classes (then part of what we used … Continue reading On Felling A Tree, 2021
Author: ajeebghar
Damsel-flies!
In the warm sticky evenings that immediately follow the southwest monsoon, our badminton evenings on the terrace buzzed with new visitors: at any given time, at least a half dozen gorgeous dragonflies and damselflies. They were ethereal; like gauzy clothespins on wings. It had been a long time since I'd seen so many. And we'd … Continue reading Damsel-flies!
A Virus Itihasa (an it-was-so history)
Inspired by Dr. Seuss' Ode to the Lorax. Written between May and November 2020 (no, scratch that - started in May, languished for months, and posted just before two critical events, both announced on November 9, that will likely change the course of this virus' history and itihasa: Biden's win in the US elections and … Continue reading A Virus Itihasa (an it-was-so history)
Ode to the Banyans
Ode to the Banyans: Banyan-Sahasranamam/ A garland of names (and a prayer) Originally written on May 12, 2019 for Save the Banyans of Chevella blogspot/ http://www.savebanyansofchevella.com Written by Sita Reddy, inspired by Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax: “For I am the Lorax. I speak for the trees. I speak for the Trufulla trees, for the trees have no tongues”. Drawing … Continue reading Ode to the Banyans
Lost Archives: Ootacamund Flowers
“Without the gift of flowers and the infinite diversity of their fruits, man and bird, if they had continued to exist at all, would be today unrecognizable. The weight of a petal has changed the face of the world and made it ours” Loren Eiseley, How Flowers Changed the World Open your doors and look … Continue reading Lost Archives: Ootacamund Flowers
Edinburgh-ing
Sometimes an entire city can feel like an ajeebghar, a museum of wonder. Sell your soul to get to Edinburgh during the Fringe Festival. You'll find it there again, I promise. Over and over again. And it won't sneak up on you quietly either. Expect high drama at every turn and you won't be disappointed. … Continue reading Edinburgh-ing
Chinese Wobblies
May 1 has evoked a mixed bag of emotions in our family for the longest time. Its a palimpsest; a layer cake. Yes, on the one hand there are all the celebrations embedded into the day. The pagan May Day celebrations (dating back to medieval European maypoles and the first day of summer) for one … Continue reading Chinese Wobblies
Death of a House: A Forensic Tale
And so it ends. Or so it begins to end, for the dying has been slow and painful, and it isn't over yet. The actual death knell will be struck only tomorrow when the house changes 'registered' owners just short of its 50th birthday. And then one day after that happens, because of the commercial development … Continue reading Death of a House: A Forensic Tale
Medicine Corner!
COMING SOON!! To an Indian city near you ... MEDICINE CORNER A multi-city arts project from Wellcome Collection UK Tabiyat: Medicine and Healing in India An exhibition at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS), Mumbai 12 January – 28 March 2016 Jeevanchakra A contemporary arts exhibition at Akar Prakar Gallery, Kolkata 18 January – 15 … Continue reading Medicine Corner!
Thanksgifting 2015
My Thanksgiving this year turned south and Sufi. As always on Turkey Day, my thoughts flew to feasts (I confess an unhealthy obsession with pecan pie), family, and colonial encounters (good bad ugly). Which are hardly unique topics; such seasonal preoccupations are universal on T-day. But because this year it coincided with my time in … Continue reading Thanksgifting 2015
AJEEB GHAR/ WONDER HOUSE 