The (post) post-weekend world
Last week, Mridula Koshy launched her book If It Is Sweet in Bangalore. Mridula was as delightful as her book and I much enjoyed her infectious chatter at the launch and afterward at dinner. The audience was larger than usual, about 60-70 people, which is rather good for a book event. Mridula read bits from her story POP and in between, she was in conversation with novelist KR Usha. Some interesting things — she compartmentalises strictly between writing and life, taking chunks of time off from one to attend to the other; she never starts a new story before finishing one; and she writes in cafes.
It was a bit of a shame that the audience was so muted during the Q&A. Of course, I’m hardly one to talk since I suffer from atrophied vocal chords at such times but Mridula is one of those writers who really has a lot to say and is not pompous or boring while at it. In fact, there was a strangely honest, intimate, even vulnerable, air about her when she talked about what drives her to sit at cafes, watching people outside plate-glass windows, collecting details. So it would have been nice if the audience had asked more questions.
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I watched Kaminey over the weekend and enjoyed it. Somebody asked me if I found the stuttering and lisping distracting. I didn’t. The plot was gripping, the action was slick and everybody was very hot — Priyanka, both versions of Shahid Kapoor, and the Bong villains. Heh. Not sure about the last actually. But I was just thrilled to see Bong villains at all.
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A friend has asked me to compile a list of must-read poets for his edification and entertainment. I also have to put down three poems under each poet. I feel like TIME magazine (100 poems you must read before you die…). But seriously, I think it’ll be a fun way to remember favourites and familiars. Poem suggestions most welcome.
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I recently read Wetlands by Charlotte Roche, which is all the rage just about everywhere for its bold content and sexual freedom. I wasn’t terribly thrilled. The book sort of leaps from one sex-filled, gunk-filled detail to another. It left me wondering why I should be so interested in someone’s propensity to eat her nose boogers.
I’ve also been reading Kay Ryan. I like the way she packs in a tight, focused thought in such a compact space. Some examples: ‘Carrying a Ladder‘, ‘Flamingo Watching‘ and ‘Repetition‘.
And finally, I got very smashed after ages last weekend. It was a friend’s farewell party. There were disco lights and a guy dressed as Mallika Sherawat with fake butterfly wings pinned to his back. There was Shahrukh Khan cavorting on the ceiling via a projected screen. There was lots of drink and some other things. The next day, I could hardly move. I’m getting old.
August 21st, 2009 at 1:21 PM
“It was a bit of a shame that the audience was so muted during the Q&A.”
Isn’t that always the case in Bangalore?
August 21st, 2009 at 1:41 PM
Am missing Bangalore like crazy, much like an amputee misses her limb. And then you go and write this!
Bangalore so rocks!!! Although, to be fair, Cal definitely has her fair share of readings.
I love the sound of your TIME-magazine-like poetry project! Be sure to put it up here when you’re done!
August 21st, 2009 at 2:05 PM
Where did you find Wetlands?
August 21st, 2009 at 3:31 PM
@WMWC: Yeah, often. But I expected more because it was a larger audience I guess.
@MM:
I love Calcutta too. Will do that but I think it’s going to take time.
@Aditi: Borrowed it from a library — Just Books.
August 21st, 2009 at 7:10 PM
Dear Anindita,
Though i tried,i never got my hands on Mridulas book.After reading your excerpts,makes me look forwrd to it even more, great to greet you and meet you here.
August 28th, 2009 at 4:00 PM
@Sapna: I think it’s available at Crossword. Thanks for dropping by and do come again.
September 4th, 2009 at 4:00 PM
I wouldn’t say you are getting old – you simply had a super fantastic time
)
Looking forward to reading Mridula Koshy’s book – another one to add to the ever growing list of books to read.
September 4th, 2009 at 5:07 PM
@Suma: Ah, okay. I won’t start counting the white strands yet.
Yes, do read Mridula’s book.