What's Your Sweet Spot?

I've noticed that all of us have a certain "sweet spot" - a place where you can just let all worries melt away and rejuvenate yourself. Even if you picture them in your mind's eye- you feel both- the rush and the peace. My first sweet spot: the view from my terrace. My second : Kashid beach. My third: The quarry off Vetal hill, Pune. My fourth: University Garden, Pune. So many more, but these come to mind right now. And when they do, I feel light and happy.

What's your sweet spot?

Judging my Book from the Cover

This is the almost- final cover of my new book! Some elements like the final price and ISBN number need to be ironed out, of course, but this is basically it.

They say don't judge a book by the cover- but I'd like all of my friends to see this fab cover ( super retro styling and design by Mishta Roy/Leadstart Publishing), click on the image to enlarge it and read the back copy. Tell me what you think the book will be about.

It's going to be out in stores very soon and I hope that all of you pick up a copy and spread the word as well... will keep you posted!

It's In The Atmosphere

I've recently completed a gem of a book by Isaac Asimov (Tales of the Black Widowers). Asimov's known as a science fiction writer, but boy, does he know how to create a wonderful atmosphere for short, cerebral mysteries!

Without giving any tale away, I'd like to draw your attention to the construct of the book: A group of men meet up, once a month, away from their prying wives, and one of them invites a guest -a guest who needs a mystery to be solved by this group. They have to rely on their brains to solve it within this party's time. Of course, they have a lot of fun- they call themselves the Black Widowers- and are served some delish food and drink by an unobtrusive waiter ( a pathologically honest guy called Henry) while they try to solve this problem. Their personalities often clash during this "grilling session" ; something that adds more spice to proceedings.

The twist to each tale is that Henry, the waiter, manages to solve every mystery after this stag group has tried and failed. All the stories are nice and uniquely gripping, but the atmosphere and the construct remains the same. There's also a connect between stories, but its never burdensome. And the author notes at the end of each story are a delight.

I conclude: Sometimes, it's not the story. It's in the atmosphere. Ask Wodehouse, or Arthur Conan Doyle. Or ask my rumbling stomach yearning for a food fix when a master writer creates a mood.

The Guide's Alchemy

Got a freshly minted mind courtesy the Konkan coast, where I'm back from. The rains kept away for two days; it was enough for me to try and see the Janjira fort. It looked like a battleship from afar -see the photo above- you literally see no sign of an island till you are inside the fort. From outside, it looks like the fort's walls have risen ominously from the sea to quell any misguided opportunist. You feel like an intruder yourself when you endure seedy-looking surrounds and a rocky boat ride, all the way till the hidden gate. But when you enter, it's a different world. Or is it?

I'm not going to bore you more about the architectural marvel that this fort is; nor am I going to ramble on about its Abyssinian history. I'll skip every detail about this fort so that you are as pleasantly surprised as I was. By the stories your guide shares with you.

If we hadn't hired the guide, all I would have seen was a ruined, uncared- for fort. With his alchemy, I could see the courts being called to order, a special prayer place, the queen's multi -colored bathing chambers, a secret passage that led you out of the island, and so many other magical things.

Ruins transformed into a different world by an alchemist.

Bara Gavche Paani

I didn't really know what to expect.

I could guess what my old school mate Vikram Sathaye will make me do: laugh out loud uncontrollably. I've met Sunandan Lele, the veteran journalist, before, and knew that he has a rare sense of humor- he could get me and the others in Balgandharva Rangamandir to smile at his memories as well.

But what I didn't expect was for Harsha Bhogle to speak so well, in Marathi, and with a lovely Hyderabadi lilt that made the most khadoos Punekar warm up to him. There was so much to learn from what he said. Like how Sachin Tendulkar believes that bats talk to him. Like how Geoff Boycott doesn't spare his fellow commentators. Like...

These guys have made a career out of something that requires so much of ego bashing- and have had so much fun! I'd recommend you to catch this show if they ever do this again.

Their wonderful journeys still remain with me- with pit stops at Sir Viv's house, exclusive coverage of India winning (not seen on TV) and Frank Worrell's epitaph.
And just when things got a bit mushy, Vikram's imitation of Karunanidhi ensured a stitch in the side and made the old blood pressure go down a notch.

Hope you cover more places, guys, have more fun if possible- and keep us in the loop!

The Minute before Inception

As you can guess, I'd gone to see this film on the weekend at E-square. I have mixed feelings about the film itself, but not about the minute before the film started. It was a beautiful rendition of our national anthem.

It was a film showing the Indian Army raising our flag in obviously tough conditions (blizzard- like; bleak and windy). Some people had groaned when they saw the notice "please stand up for the national anthem" but I dare say that they felt a little bad about that reaction the moment they saw the visuals.

I think doing the national anthem before a film is a good idea (although bad possibly for popcorn carriers- all that juggling- and you can't really look solemn carrying popcorn, can you) . Having a film that gives goosebumps accompanying it is one step better.

Bill Bryson's World

If you ever need to get yourself out of a rut, get hold of a Bill Bryson book. He writes about the places he visits. He covers them, warts and all, and has a delicious sense of humor to boot. He effortlessly takes you through the geography, history and charm of each eclectic place as he rips it apart. The good thing about his writing is that it is very real- he talks of the tedium of traveling as well as the joys, and I could certainly connect with that.

And your benefit is that you get that holiday, in your mind at least. And you don't get the blisters and insect bites that he does!

My favourite books are "Notes from a small island"(Great Britain) ; "A walk in the woods" (covering the Appalachian trail) ; and the last one I finished- "The lost continent" (covering small town USA)

And when he writes about having a "steamy, lavish bath" after a day out chasing some monuments, his infectiousness gets you to have one as well. No kidding.