Metallic resolve

A docile boy who suffered from stage fright became one of the most celebrated metal vocalists in the country. He wants to hone and nurture talent, to help people realise their inherent potential The story of Shashank Bhatnagar, 36, is no less spectacular than his dreams. A Lucknow boy, he lacked confidence, was introverted and  […]

Born to be kind

Satisfaction does not have to come from a fancy job in posh surroundings. It can come from helping underprivileged children find their feet in the education system SHUBHAM BHATIA @ishubhambhatia   Until mid-2017, Sneha Nagpal, 24, was working full time in the hospitality sector as a front desk employee. Morning and evening shifts were hard […]

‘Can courts transfer cops?’

Neeraj Kumar, former police commissioner of Delhi, now an author, gives insights into the working of the police and how things go wrong Neeraj Kumar has had an illustrious career as a police officer. He was Delhi’s Police Commissioner, served in various capacities in CBI, and has investigated terror and cricket betting cases amongst host […]

’Good research is vital’

Alpa Shah’s ‘Nightmarch’ is an insightful exploration of conflict and its origins, and how the understanding of both eludes politics and policies for tribals in India Literature in narrative non-fiction is undergoing an academic shift, lending to works in the genre richness of ethnographic research and multi-layered narratives. From Pulitzer-winning author and academic Matthew Desmond […]

‘I believe in showing, not telling’

Filmmaker Praveen Mochchale gives an insight into the challenges of making indie films and his way of storytelling National Award-winning filmmaker Praveen Mochchale’s third feature Widow of Silence refuses to slow down on the international festival circuit. Having already won accolades at Kolkata International Film Festival, MOOOV Festival, Belgium and Indian Film Festival of Los […]

The Dancing Diva

Shreyasi Gopinath is one of the youngest professional practitioners of Bharatanatyam and a teacher. She has made it big in the world of classical dance Shreyasi Gopinath, 27, a modern girl who likes to party with friends, is a regular to Monkey Bar. But that’s where her similarity with a typical Delhi girl ends. She […]

Newness of the Old

Folktronica singers Hari and Sukhmani talk about their musical journey and the relevance of folk music today A trained Hindustani classical vocalist from the Rampur Gharana, Sukhmani Malik has a voice dense with character, that doesn’t fail to strike you as powerful. Hari Singh, a producer and audio engineer, has electronic skills tuned finely to […]

Eat, travel, write

Charmaine O’ Brien has spent 20 years understanding India through its cuisine. This Australian food historian is now working on her fourth book about Indian food Food historian Charmaine O’ Brien was an invitee at Himalayan Echoes: Kumaon Festival of Literature & Arts in Nainital. Her travels around India have been chronicled in The Penguin […]