Tarun Tejpal is the journalistic equivalent of a rock star. The ponytailed, charismatic Editor-in-Chief of the news magazine Tehelka, Tarun is today counted among the subcontinent’s intellectual elite and is one of India’s best known journalists. Since 2000, Tehelka has set the bar for investigative journalism with stories that have shaken the foundations of governments, … Continue reading
Latest Entries
Thomas Kenneally: On Schindler’s List
His full white beard, and kindly eyes might still invite you to confession, but Thomas Keneally stepped off the road to priesthood many decades ago. Instead of becoming ordained, Mr. Keneally has spent nearly five decades establishing himself as one of Australia’s most beloved and prolific novelists and has seen his work win no less … Continue reading
Ameena Hussein: On Her First Novel
With a smile that lights up the room, Ameena Hussein tells me that she is feeling lucky. This is a happy portent for an author who spent 2008 struggling with cancer and her first novel. It helps that ‘The Moon in the Water’ is already highly anticipated – its path has been paved by its … Continue reading
Gayathri Khemadasa: Continuing the Maestro’s Legacy
With a start, Gayathri Khemadasa wakes up. It is 3 a.m. but there is no sound from the piano downstairs. Later, in the heat of the afternoon, she meets us to discuss the commemoration concert that will mark three months since the death of her father Premasiri Khemadasa. While the concert will give audiences a … Continue reading
Paul Schrader: On writing Taxi Driver and Raging Bull
I meet a very tired Paul Schrader on a rainy morning in the Galle Face Hotel. As the wind coming of the ocean bends the coconut trees, and slams rain drops against the closed windows, Paul talks about what inspired him to write the iconic film Taxi Driver, why he chose to rewrite Raging Bull … Continue reading
Uberto Pasolini and Ruwanthie de Chickera: On Making Machan
Machan Four years down the line, the disappearance of Sri Lanka’s one and only National Handball Team (SLNHT) in Bavaria has become the stuff of legend. Amazingly, those 23 men had no training and knew virtually nothing about handball. Despite this, they were audacious enough to postpone their escape and actually take part in three … Continue reading
Pattini Devi: An Entire Village Unites to Celebrate
Tucked into a corner of a narrow residential street, the Devalaya Road – Purana Pattini Devalaya is a little oasis of calm in Battaramula – except on festival nights. Then the small property becomes the busy heart of the community – the rapid pulse and throb of drums fill the air, everywhere there are laughing children, … Continue reading
Richard Boyle: Finding Sinbad in Serendib
Richard Boyle and I sit, staring deep into the eyes of a golden cobra. Balancing high, her hood flared to display the markings on her head, she is made of gleaming bronze; each scale is perfectly delineated, each coil of her body graceful and fluid. She belonged to his grandfather, Richard explains, making no effort … Continue reading
Ali Campbell: On Life Post UB40
It’s 1976 and the fact that he was far too young to be in that bar did nothing to deflect the broken beer mug that smashed into the face of a 17-year-old Ali Campbell. Fortunately, 90 stitches and the status of a relatively innocent bystander got him 4,000 pounds in compensation money – and the … Continue reading
Douglas Biklen: A Champion for Facilitated Communication
When Dr. Leo Kanner first wrote about autism in 1943, he changed the way many people understood intelligence. The first scientist to clearly define autism, Kanner was working with 11 children who appeared to be mentally retarded. Among his many conclusions was included his belief that despite their massive communication problems, some of his subjects … Continue reading
Smriti Daniel 