Nandini Ramachandran
The Avengers: Joss Whedon strikes again
The movie has all the signature qualities of a Joss Whedon show: violent technology; human connection; a self-ironic villain; and sidekicks who steal the show, including, of course, a kick-ass heroine.
An ode to the Werewolf: fantasy fiction's most popular shape-shifter
Werewolves are creatures who are victims of unlucky accidents; regular humans who have inadvertent contact with the supernatural.
Why books are a great reason to escape
Ardent readers are parasites upon the current of history: we live for the drift, the doze, and the dream; we hope someone else is doing the steering.
Why Edward Said and his writing matter
Edward Said was a prolific writer. The key to reading him is following in his footsteps: construct a chronology, track trajectories of thought, torment yourself with text until you locate context.
Happy 82, Ursula Le Guin
Ursula Le Guin — celebrates her 82nd birthday today — has always been a writer of sweeping vision, and her books bring together tropes from science fiction and fantasy alike.
The iconic food writing of MKF Fisher
Ms Fisher's writing highlights the enjoyment and the experience of food, rather than the making of it. Her recipes, as a result, are quick, quiet affairs: a short list of ingredients and an illustrative description of how they are to be combined.
The transformative and surrealistic works of Tomas Tranströmer
This year's Nobel Prize winning poet, Tomas Tranströmer won't write about things you'd like to hear. The surrealism in his poetry is a treat to discover.
Must-see guide to Hollywood serials
Many of the offerings may seem dismal, but there is some good news to be found this season. For starters, 'The Good Wife', which stars an Indian-origin character we can all root for.
Squonks and other fascinating imaginary beings
Of the all imaginary creatures that Jean Louis Bourges wrote about in The Book of Imaginary beings, the squonk is perhaps the most fascinating of them all.
Alternate Songs
"Gritty" and "challenging", A Game of Thrones and the long awaited, A Dance with Dragons has finally arrived. Although such fantasy has a lot to offer, but it’s gratifying to have one’s beliefs validated.
Why capital punishment is the least effective solution
Criminal law is least effective when it's motivated by anger against its defendants. Perhaps that's why the Indian Penal Code, argues that capital punishment should only be handed out in the rarest of rare cases.
Tagore's vision of Independent India, spiritual not political
Who can deny that unbridled nationalism has been at the root of much of the destruction of the last century? As we celebrate our tryst with destiny, let's listen to Rabindranath Tagore, Independent India’s earliest cultural ambassador.
Midnight's Twins: Faiz's poignant verses on love and war
On Pakistan's independence day we bring you, Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Pakistan's national poet, heir to Ghalib and his poems of love and war.
A woman's history of the world (Or why Delhi needs a slutwalk)
Is there anyone still arguing that clothing can protect Indian women? The clothes are the least important thing about slutwalk, just as lingerie was hardly the point behind bra-burning.
We only said goodbye in words, I died a hundred times: Amy Winehouse
Amy Winehouse died at the age of 27 and will be remembered for her soulful, melancholy music which had a strong element of jazz in it.
A Potter nerd's guide to Deathly Hallows Part II
Anxious about seeing your favourite wizard on his final cinematic outing? Here are seven things this Potter nerd loved and hated about the movie.
Poems for Mumbai’s dead
There is no word, nor no grief, deep enough. Instead, poems by more gifted writers, for what solace they may offer.
Happy Birthday, Mervyn Peake
Author, poet, and artist, Peake was a bona fide literary god worshipped by fantasy-fic fans around the world.
Fourth of July blues
American politics is just a bit duller without the biting wit of Michael Kelley. Here is a sampling of his most acerbic and hilarious takes on Democrats.
Janis Joplin, feminism and sex
The contradictions of female sexual liberation were foreshadowed in Joplin's music which explored women's painful relationship with men.