Category Archives: India

Angwal – A documentary on Kumaoni poetry by Lalit Mohan Joshi

A new documentary, “Angwal” which means “an embrace”, was screened at the British Film Institute in London on 7th August 2023. It was the premier of this very moving film which is made by Lalit Mohan Joshi, the founder director … finish reading Angwal – A documentary on Kumaoni poetry by Lalit Mohan Joshi

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Talk on Manoj Das, the writer

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Talk on Satyajit Ray

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“Chhello Show” (The Last Film Show) – India’s entry for the Oscars

When I received a message on my phone telling me that there was going to be a film screening on a Sunday morning at the Alliance Francaise of Pondicherry I was a bit hesitant to go. But I had heard … finish reading “Chhello Show” (The Last Film Show) – India’s entry for the Oscars

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The Moon Over Pondicherry

At last we have gone back to the normal life we had before the pandemic struck. But the world has changed a lot since that fateful day in March 2020 when everything came to a grinding halt. We have not … finish reading The Moon Over Pondicherry

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Soumitra Chatterjee, a great actor

When I read that legendary actor Soumitra Chatterjee had been hospitalised after testing positive for the Corona virus I was really worried. He is 85 years old so he is much more likely to suffer for a longer spell. But … finish reading Soumitra Chatterjee, a great actor

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Raat Akeli hai – a film review

For decades we moaned and cried over the fact that Indian films were so unrealistic, unnaturally melodramatic, over the top in the acting department and so repetitive in the themes. Now we have come to a point where the new … finish reading Raat Akeli hai – a film review

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Film Review: Nasir

This has been a strange year. We are still not sure where it is going. But one thing is sure:  much can and will happen online from now. The literary and film festivals which brought large numbers of people together … finish reading Film Review: Nasir

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The Bridge of Love

One more love story? Aren’t all love stories alike? Maybe. But this one is different. Pondicherry is a unique place in the world. It has beautiful villas by the sea and white church against a blue sky. But it also … finish reading The Bridge of Love

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Two star kids

The publishing scene in India has changed so much in the last 15 years that nothing is as before. The days when only literary fiction was considered worthy of being printed are over. We have now moved into a scene … finish reading Two star kids

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Road Safety

I am writing this from my bed as my foot is in a plaster cast and I can only walk around the house with the help of a crutch. All this because the roads of Pondicherry are so choked with … finish reading Road Safety

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Malala Yousafzai

I love true stories. No fiction writer can invent anything half as interesting as true stories. But the book I have just finished reading is by far the most fascinating one I have read in the last ten years. I … finish reading Malala Yousafzai

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Aamir Khan

I became a fan of Aamir Khan after seeing Mangal Pandey. I had no doubt that he was a good actor but after watching Satyameva Jayate I now also have a great deal of respect for him. He has taken … finish reading Aamir Khan

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Auroville Marathon

This was the 7th year of the Auroville Marathon but it was my first. No, I didn’t run – I was a time-keeper. But I enjoyed every minute of it. I was up at 4.30 in the morning because I … finish reading Auroville Marathon

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Paradise Lost: Disappearing Pavements

Those who have grown up in Pondicherry will remember how it used to be synonymous with tranquility. Between noon and four o’clock the streets were deserted. On all the streets to the west of the canal there used to be … finish reading Paradise Lost: Disappearing Pavements

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Something more on English Vinglish

As a director, Gauri Shinde is head and shoulders above the better ones in India. Her script is tight and also comprehensive. It doesn’t miss out any important observation. There are moments in the film where you entirely believe that … finish reading Something more on English Vinglish

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Indianostrum Theatre Group

At last we have the best of French culture right here in Pondicherry. One can now go and watch a play and follow it up with a dinner out. What used to be “Salle Jeanne d’Arc” is now called the … finish reading Indianostrum Theatre Group

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The King is dead, long live the King

Rajesh Khanna is no more. The outpouring of emotions, as the news of his death was announced on television channels, was a proof of how he had always been present in the memory of people. It was not only in … finish reading The King is dead, long live the King

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My New Book

My new book “Sri Aurobindo and the Cripps Mission” is finally out. This is a collection of essays and documents which show the various sides of the story of how Sir Stafford Cripps brought a proposal to India from the … finish reading My New Book

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A Meeting With Javed Akhtar

In 1987 I visited Bombay (yes, it was still called that). I was newly married and took that trip as a sort of honeymoon because we had come via Goa from Pondicherry by road. Our hosts were very generous and … finish reading A Meeting With Javed Akhtar

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