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I’m Shakthi. I create and curate thoughts on the things that matter to me.

Recent Posts

The Lock Down Log: A Glimpse of Keynes’ Future
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The Lock Down Log: Getting to know Joe
The Lock Down Log: Chef, Ratatouille, and the Critic

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Travel writing/memoirs/books about places/culture are my some of my most favorite books. Sometimes one is lucky to stumble upon books that are as immersive as the one I'm reading now. Been immersing into Japan this weekend though "Orienting" by Pallavi Aiyar. Been introduced to Kintsugi, Wabi Sabi, Hoboku, Tokonoma, Zazen among other stuff. One of my most enjoyable weekends in recent times. I definitely need more Japanese sensibilities in me/my life. Arigatou gosaimasu!

"Theeni" (a Tamil movie dubbed from Telugu, literally translates to "eatable/foodstuff") is a perfect Sunday watch. A restaurant setting, cooking scenes, charming characters, and an emotive storyline with restrained dramatics. Now streaming on @ZEE5India (if you subscribed for the #FriendsReunion 😉).

One for the memory books. You can't deny the fundamental life-affirmingness of the show and its characters.

The Mood of Ramzan: Over the last few years, the month of Ramzan has come to symbolise to me a month of slow mindfulness and travelling deeper within oneself. And I, of course, love the culture aspect of it - the food, the music, and stories. It's a placebo alright, but I just feel calmer and clear headed during the month. I seem to have the energy to make the attempt to be the better human that I wish to be, but often am too lazy or drained to make an attempt. Here's a movie recommendation for a special month: Monsieur Ibrahim. It's the story of the flourishing bond between an elderly Turkish muslim man (Ibrahim) and a Jewish teenage boy (Momo) set in the streets of Paris.

Elections have always brought a special feeling to me. It begins at least a month prior to the election day. I ardently follow the news in the run-up to the elections and savour the amusing political adverts mud slinging at each other. On the voting day, I feel excited over the mood at the polling booth - which for some reason have a festive fair like feel to them. At the polling booth, one cannot not admire the election workers painstakingly ensuring the due process (it included COVID volunteers too this time). The finger inked, the button pressed, the paper audit trail verified, I wait for the climax of the sweet beep from the EVM. Time to head home. While voting and elections alone don't make our socio-political processes perfect, I do feel immensely grateful to have the privilege of voting. I hope elections always remain special and I hope that I never become too cynical to care about them.

After sleepwalking through the work week, starting the weekend with coffee. Friday evening is consistently one of my most life affirming moments during the entire week. The weekend itself may not turnout great, but the anticipation on a Friday evening is bliss. Thank God for Friday evenings!

Currently Reading

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Some Interesting Reads

Three reads I cherished this week on the web:

8 Things John Green Taught Me
William Dalrymple in Damascus: The Final Refuge of Christians in the Middle East Under Threat
The Need for Eloquence: The School of Life

Some of my work

Becoming Michelle Obama: Lessons for Life
An Hour at the Mosque: A Ramzan Diary
Thirteen Days: The Cuban Missile Crisis

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