Random interesting conversation with a Singaporean Indian from Lakeside who is an Auditor here in Dubai. He was at Wagamama with his son for ramen. We chatted for a few minutes in Singlish about the inability of recent Indian immigrants to Singapore, to integrate with local Indian Tamils and the propensity to reside in east … More Migration Conversations in Dubai
The Gulf Middle Class is a vernacular extension of the psycho geography of South Asia, a global Mofussil never at ease at home and the home overseas. This liminal life however has the cover of low end globalisation but is a model of multiculturalism, the only constant being survival and the pay check at the … More GMC.
The Gulf Middle Class is a vernacular extension of the psycho geography of South Asia, a global Mofussil never at ease at home and the home overseas. This liminal life however has the cover of low end globalisation but is a model of multiculturalism, the only constant being survival and the pay check at the … More The Global Mofussil
It was a near end summer evening at the plush and airy environs of the Art Jameel, which is a premier exhibition space in Dubai and had a really nice niche bookstore and cafe. UAE’s Culturati had arrived and it was a packed house as New York based Photographer Farah Al Qasimi with Art Critic … More An evening On The Art of Photography with FAQ in Dubai
Badla is Mr. Bachchan’s film. The thespian actor still commands a presence. Tapasee is the most natural actor, as she holds her screen presence with respect to Amit ji. Red Chillis Entertainment did not have to invest much clearly as it is shot in a couple of rooms. The Spanish IP clearly worked, and Sujoy … More Badla, a review
Life Is a dance Between negotiating Small and big flops And small joys
Spoke this morning in a cab with a Bangladeshi Catholic, who was reminiscing his stay in Kolkata and Nadia district 25 years back. He was talking about the difference in cultures between the two Bengali speaking regions as distinct cultural spheres. He was wanting to send his son to a Bible College. Aspirations undergird a … More Conversation with Cabbies: Dubai Edition, March’19
I am feeling a freedom At the edge of failure Which liberates The fear is a trap Expectations are traps Freedom is in the head Always
This morning as Delhi crossed the borders, I was in a taxi driven by an elderly Chacha from Lahore, a good man was giving me tips to navigate the city’s taxi system and the ERP system here called Salik. He was talking about Rahmat, Halal and beautiful things. Do migrants afford nationalisms?
Everyday dreams die As the past stings back Catharsis is half baked As the past, lives on The present is a vague design The trace paper of the past Has left a mould A scaffold An imprint is not adequate The mould of the past Fills up the present
