By: Surekha Dhaleta
Akkad bakkad bambe po, assi nabbe poore sau…. The equivalent to this in Pahari (I’m familiar with the Upper Shimla region only) is Idki bidki danda didki, taklo bhai ree botia, suno roopo jotey…
A few months back, noted author and veteran journalist, Khushwant Singh, delved upon such nonsensical verses in India in his [...]

By: Usha Bande
A decade or so ago to counter the threat of the divisive forces, a catchy slogan on buses and public places read “from Kashmir to Kanyaumari India is one”. Incidentally, around the same time, V S Naipaul’s India: A Million Mutinies Now (1991) was released, visualising a strong and unified India despite its [...]

By: VIVIDHADITYA
Did my lady ever
Kiss thee
O! Rhododendron?
That flowers thine
Bloom sweet nectar red.
- Vividhaditya

As the cold March out, and March in the flowers, woken from hibernation – red bloom the Himalayas with the cosmic Buraas.
Is it a bride decked in red or are these the – Juuini raa aahoo? Back in time, and in their prime, [...]

By: Vividhaditya
One fine morning, I happened to pass through a jungle with my father. I was deep in thought at one with the music of silence when I heard a bird sing. Did she sing or did she wail?
Dhiya Dudhu Pii! Dhiya Dudhu Pii!
She refrained as if she had missed the cues of her song. [...]