Skip to main content

Contact Us

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

S Janaki: When a Voice Became a Part of Our Lives

    1938-2026 By Sreedevi Chitharanjan Some departures leave behind silence. Others leave behind songs that continue to speak long after the singer is gone. The passing of S Janaki marks the end of a remarkable chapter in Indian music, but it does not mark the end of her presence. Every melody she gifted us continues to breathe through radios, playlists, concert halls, and the memories of millions who found pieces of their own lives in her voice. There was something extraordinary about the way Janaki Amma sang. She never demanded attention with grand gestures or dramatic expression. Instead, she allowed emotion to unfold naturally, drawing listeners into the heart of every composition. Her voice could carry the innocence of first love, the quiet ache of separation, the serenity of devotion, or the playful spirit of celebration—all with effortless grace. It was a rare gift, one that transformed songs into deeply personal experiences. Across languages, cultures, and generatio...

Madhav Gadgil and the Quiet Courage of Ecological Truth

  By Sreedevi Chitharanjan Madhav Gadgil , renowned ecologist, who passed away at the age of 83 , at his Pune residence on Wednesday late night ( January 7) , never sought the spotlight, yet his ideas consistently unsettled the comfort of unchecked growth. In a country racing toward economic expansion, he stood firm as a scientist who believed that nature, once broken beyond repair, would demand a far heavier price than any short-term gain could justify. His life’s work unfolded as a sustained conversation between ecology, democracy, and conscience. For Gadgil, the environment was not an abstract concept confined to research papers and conferences. It was the living fabric of everyday life—forests that fed villages, rivers that shaped cultures, and landscapes that carried memory and meaning. He argued that ecological protection could not be separated from the people who depended on these systems for survival. This conviction guided his scholarship and his persistent advocacy ...

A Memoir: The Everlasting Voice of Asha Bhosle

                   By Sreedevi Chitharanjan Some voices simply sing, while others become woven into the fabric of everyday life. Asha Bhosle is one such voice—vibrant, versatile, and enduring across decades. Born on September 8, 1933, into a family steeped in music, Asha’s early life was shaped by both talent and hardship. She was the younger sister of Lata Mangeshkar, a towering figure in Indian music. Yet, rather than remain in the shadow of comparison, Asha forged her own identity through determination and fearless experimentation. After the untimely loss of her father, she began working young to support her family, stepping into the demanding world of playback singing. In her initial years, she was often assigned songs that were considered unconventional or less prestigious. Instead of resisting, she embraced them. Her ability to infuse life into cabaret numbers, lively tracks, and bold compositions set her apart. What others overlo...