Category Archives: Literature

Fear

Posted on May 25, 2020 by Tarun Rattan

It is said that before entering the sea a river trembles with fear. She looks back at the path she has traveled, from the peaks of the mountains, the long winding road crossing forests and villages. And in front of … Continue reading →

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The Mountain

Posted on May 14, 2020 by Tarun Rattan

If a mountain seems too big todaythen climb a hill instead.If the morning brings you sadnessit’s ok to stay in bed.If the day ahead weighs heavyand your plans feel like a curse,there’s no shame in rearranging,don’t make yourself feel worse.If … Continue reading →

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“Hope” is the thing with feathers

Posted on April 22, 2020 by Tarun Rattan

“Hope” is the thing with feathers –That perches in the soul –And sings the tune without the words –And never stops – at all – And sweetest – in the Gale – is heard –And sore must be the storm … Continue reading →

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‘Things to Do in the Belly of the Whale’ by Dan Albergotti

Posted on April 6, 2020 by Tarun Rattan

Measure the walls. Count the ribs. Notch the long days.Look up for blue sky through the spout. Make small fireswith the broken hulls of fishing boats. Practice smoke signals.Call old friends, and listen for echoes of distant voices.Organize your calendar. … Continue reading →

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Book Review – कामायनी by जयशंकर प्रसाद

Posted on December 25, 2019 by Tarun Rattan

कामायनी by जयशंकर प्रसाद My rating: 5 of 5 stars Kamayani is arguably the best poem written in Hindi language in contemporary times. The vision behind the poetic plot and the flights of imagination by the author shines in brilliance … Continue reading →

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October

Posted on October 20, 2019 by Tarun Rattan

October O leafy yellowness you create for me A world that was and now is poised above time, I do not need to puzzle out Eternity As I walk this arboreal street on the edge of a town. The breeze … Continue reading →

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Robert Frost, “The Road Not Taken”

Posted on August 17, 2019 by Tarun Rattan

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth; Then took the other, … Continue reading →

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रश्मिरथी – One who rides on the chariot of sun rays…

Posted on July 25, 2019 by Tarun Rattan

Ramdhari Singh Dinkar is the national poet of India and in this lyrical poem written in 1952, he covers the life of Karna (Sanskrit: कर्ण), the tragic hero of Indian epic Mahabharata, the record of war between Kauravas & righteous … Continue reading →

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V. S. Naipaul’s India Trilogy – A Tribute

Posted on November 21, 2018 by Tarun Rattan

I’d read Naipaul’s India Trilogy when I was in my late teens and at that young age, it did fill me up with profound hatred for the writer who in my opinion was spewing venom against my beloved country. Naipaul … Continue reading →

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‘Kindly adjust’ to our English – Shashi Tharoor

Posted on May 27, 2018 by Tarun Rattan

I have long immodestly considered myself the inventor of the term ‘prepone’. I came up with it at St Stephen’s in 1972, used it extensively in conversation and employed it in an article in JS magazine soon after. Prepone, as … Continue reading →

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