The Call of the Moon, written by Srividya Suryanarayanan, explores the evolution of the lunar theme through villanelles, reflecting cycles of mythology, experience, and introspection. The collection emphasises the transformative nature of repetition and the significance of internal rhythms, ultimately revealing how encounters with the Moon shape our understanding of ourselves.
Category: Writings
Listed below are Archives, Chai-Conversation, Drama Series, Artwork Gallery
Where Expression and Being Meet
This editorial reflects on a transformative art experience, emphasising participation over presentation. It highlights performances by students from Mathru Mandir and Chettinad Sath Sadhana School along with RASA Arpita students, where the focus is on genuine expression, thoughtful choreography, and the quiet influence of teachers. Ultimately, it conveys a sense of connection and presence rather than striving for perfection.
Drama Review | Love, Labour, and Quiet Hope: Revisiting Love Story in the 1970s
Love Story in the 1970s is a period drama focusing on the aspirations of a young couple, Fei Ni and Fang Muyang, framed within the socio-economic constraints of 1970s China. Their relationship evolves from a practical arrangement into a profound partnership, highlighting themes of support, commitment, and the quiet resilience required to pursue dreams amidst adversity.
Learning to See Light: What “Shine on Me” Understands About Healing
The blog post explores the Chinese drama "Shine on Me," emphasising its focus on the subtleties of healing rather than transformation. It highlights the understated storytelling of Gu Man, which allows characters to experience emotional uncertainty. The narrative reveals how relationships are shaped by one's ability to receive affection and the nuanced presence of manipulation, promoting patience and self-awareness in personal growth.
Between Sound and Self: Finding Belonging in a BTS Performance
The BTS concert at Gwanghwamun Square deeply resonated with the author, conveying a blend of the familiar and new. They reflected on the emotional connection found in BTS's music during tough times, noting the group's maturity and commitment. Ultimately, the experience inspired a sense of belonging, despite feeling like an outsider.
The Possession Speaks | A Soliloquy
In a powerful monologue, a woman reflects on her life as a possession, defined by roles imposed by others. She recounts the cycle of silencing and erasure in her existence, ultimately reclaiming her identity as more than just a name or belonging. She discovers her inherent strength and the truth of her being.
Between Unhinged, Yet not an Insane Self
The author expresses a sense of creative stagnation after completing an article, feeling overwhelmed and uninspired. She reflects on her struggles with self-motivation and the need for introspection, equating her writing process to a mental reboot. Despite challenges, she cherishes personal writing, admitting to doubts about her work's quality and the complexities of being a writer.
Finding My Path with Romance Novels
The author reflects on her journey with books, which served as both companionship and wisdom throughout her life. Despite early struggles in school, literature became a refuge and a source of intellectual freedom. Engaging with various genres and the deeper emotional aspects of relationships, the author finds growth through reading, shaping their understanding of life.
Reading Emily Dickinson Twice: From Curriculum to Consciousness
In revisiting Emily Dickinson's poetry years later, the author reflects on personal growth and the deeper understanding of themes like hope and death. Initially academic, the poems transform into profound insights about existence, illustrating the permanence of hope and the dignified presence of death. Dickinson's work resonates differently as life experiences reshape perception.
La Belle Dame Sans Merci | A Self-Reflection
The author reflects on studying John Keats's "La Belle Dame Sans Merci," reminiscing about a lack of diverse literary exposure in their B.A. program, focusing primarily on British literature. This leads to a deeper exploration of the poem's themes, interpreting it through a spiritual lens, and contemplating the nature of illusion, freedom, and human experience.
Itinerant Storyteller 