Because He Is ~ Meghna Gulzar

 The book traces the life of Gulzar through the eyes of his daughter. Rather than focusing only on his artistic achievements, Gulzar reflects on her childhood memories, family life, and the unique bond they shared. She portrays him as a remarkably involved father who actively participated in raising her despite the demands of a successful career in cinema.

The memoir interweaves:

His journey as a poet, writer, lyricist, and filmmaker.

His personal triumphs and struggles.

The evolution of their father-daughter relationship.

The values he imparted, particularly independence and freedom of thought.

What Makes the Book Special?

One of the most memorable ideas in the book comes from Gulzar's philosophy of parenting:

Parents assume they know more than their children, but in reality, a parent and child are learning together. If the child is two years old, the parent is also a two-year-old parent.

This belief shaped his relationship with Meghna. The book describes how he:

Got her ready for school every day.

Rearranged his work schedule to be home when school ended.

Wrote her a book every year on her birthday until she was thirteen.

Key Themes

Fatherhood and parenting

Creative life and artistic discipline

Independence and individuality

Family, love, and respect

The man behind the public legend

Why Readers Connect With It

The book is often described as less a biography and more a tribute from a daughter to her father. It presents Gulzar as affectionate, emotionally available, intellectually curious, and quietly supportive, while also documenting the realities of his personal and professional.

It's a warm, reflective read rather than a dramatic celebrity memoir.

Actually ....I met them ~ Gulzar

Actually… I Met Them is a memoir by Gulzar. Published by Penguin Random House India in 2021, it is a collection of personal memories of the remarkable people he met, learned from, and worked with throughout his career.

The book takes you behind the scenes of Indian cinema, music, and literature through Gulzar's own recollections. Rather than offering a conventional biography of each celebrity, he shares the little moments, conversations, working relationships, quirks, and personal experiences that reveal what these remarkable people were like.

Some of the personalities he writes about include:

• Bimal Roy: Gulzar's mentor and a father figure who helped shape his early journey in cinema.
• Satyajit Ray: Memories of a great filmmaker and the intriguing possibility of their professional paths coming together.
• Kishore Kumar: Anecdotes about his playful personality and his unique approach to work.
• R. D. Burman: Personal memories of the composer and his creative world.

Other chapters feature people such as Hrishikesh Mukherjee, Ritwik Ghatak, Pandit Ravi Shankar, Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, Mahasweta Devi, Suchitra Sen, Sharmila Tagore, and others. The book contains 18 chapters, each centered on an individual. 

• Intimate storytelling: You encounter these personalities through the eyes of someone who knew them personally.
• Lessons in creativity: Their working habits, temperaments, artistic choices, and relationships offer insights into how great artists think.
• Humor and humanity: The stories include amusing incidents as well as touching reflections.
• A glimpse into cultural history: The recollections bring different eras of Indian cinema, music, and literature alive, accompanied by photographs. 
• Penguin Random House India

Readers who enjoy literary memoirs, behind-the-scenes stories, and portraits of creative people would enjoy it. If you enjoy understanding not only what a person created but also who they were as a human being, this book offers that kind of reading experience.

The English edition was translated by Maharghya Chakraborty from Bengali. The book originated from conversations Gulzar had with Sanchari Mukherjee for a Bengali newspaper; the collected Bengali version was titled Panta Bhate. 

AI Revolution

 

Double Remedy Day

Today, October 10, 2026, is Sarva Pitru Amavasya (also known as Mahalaya Amavasya or Pitru Moksha Amavasya). Because it falls on a Saturday, it is also highly significant as Shani Amavasya.

This rare combination makes today an incredibly powerful day for spiritual cleansing, ancestral blessings, and karmic remedies.

If you do not know the exact death anniversary (Tithi) of a departed loved one, or if you missed performing rituals during the fortnight, performing Shraddha or Tarpan today covers all ancestors collectively.

According to Hindu tradition, the souls of ancestors visit the earthly realm during Pitru Paksha. Today is the day they bless their families and return to their heavenly abode. Seeking their forgiveness and expressing gratitude today brings peace, prosperity, and removes Pitru Dosha.

Culturally, Mahalaya marks the end of the dark fortnight and the arrival of Goddess Durga. Sharad Navratri begins tomorrow morning, transitioning the energy from remembrance to celebration.

This time it's special and powerful as it falls on a Saturday. While Pitru Paksha is about the genetic or inherited karmic debt of your ancestors, Shani Dev is the cosmic judge of your own current lifecycle actions. Observing today helps alleviate Shani Dhaiya, Sade Sati, or afflicted Saturn placements.

This is historically treated as a "Double Remedy Day" because both influences deal heavily with karmic balance. The conjunction of two mighty carmic forces.

Amavasya represents a period of deep darkness before a new cycle begins. Strikingly, the crow is deeply tied to both aspects of this day. In Hindu tradition, crows are believed to be the vehicles that carry food offerings directly to our ancestors (Pitrus). Concurrently, the crow is the official divine vehicle (Vahana) of Lord Shani. The convergence emphasizes that actions taken today have a dual impact—pacifying the past (ancestors) while aligning with the judge of the present (Shani).

 

BKU vs. VAS

There is really no fair comparison between the two movies. While both may share a similar underlying premise of a young woman falling in love with an older man, the similarities largely end there. The stories are set in different worlds, explore different lifestyles, and are told with distinct perspectives, themes, and storytelling styles.

Ultimately, cinema is a matter of personal taste. Some viewers may connect more deeply with one film, while others may prefer the other. A preference for one does not automatically make the other inferior. Appreciating or disliking a film is subjective, and different audiences will naturally respond to different narratives in different ways.

Comparing these two films solely on the basis of their central premise would be oversimplifying them. Yes, both involve a young woman falling in love with an older man, but beyond that, they are vastly different in terms of storytelling, characterization, social backdrop, and the lifestyles they portray.

We cannot say which one is good or bad, but only say which worked for us and which did not. There is no madate that neither should work or not work. One can like or dislike both the movies too...For each their own, their taste....Our taste buds are different.

White Ginger Lilies...

The elegant white ginger lilies, often admired for their pure white petals, graceful shape, and subtle fragrance, these were my life once upon a time. They are still very dear to my heart, but I do not have them around me now anymore. They bloom without demanding attention, and their simplicity often creates a feeling of calm, nostalgia, and peace.

You might love them because they embody a kind of beauty that is gentle rather than dramatic. The white petals stand out against the lush green leaves, creating a contrast that feels both refreshing and serene. For me it is a symbol of clarity, renewal, and inner stillness.

Perhaps I love these flowers because they do not try to be extraordinary. They simply bloom in silence, and in that quiet grace, they remind me how beautiful simplicity can be.

Some flowers dazzle the world. These simply bloom, and somehow that touches the heart more deeply.

I am drawn to these white blossoms for the same reason I seek peace: they carry no noise, no urgency, only a gentle reminder that beauty does not need to shout.

The white blooms rising above a small balcony garden, almost like little islands of calm amidst the everyday world below. 🌿🤍Miss you....

 

Summer Town

 

East of Eden ~ John Steinbeck

 

East of Eden is a classic 1952 novel by John Steinbeck, often regarded as his masterpiece. It is a sweeping family saga set mainly in California's Salinas Valley and follows two families, the Trasks and the Hamiltons, across multiple generations. The novel explores themes of good versus evil, free will, identity, love, guilt, forgiveness, and the biblical story of Cain and Abel.

At its core, the story centers on:

The troubled Trask family, especially brothers who mirror the Cain and Abel rivalry.

The contrast between human cruelty and compassion.

The idea that people are not trapped by their past and can choose their own moral path.

Steinbeck weaves together American Historical fiction, family drama, philosophy of free will, psychological character study, history, and biblical symbolism into an epic narrative.

Many readers consider it one of the greatest American novels because it combines an engaging story with deep reflections on human nature and moral choice.

The story begins with Adam Trask, a gentle but troubled man, and his brother Charles Trask, whose resentment and rivalry echo the Cain-and-Abel theme. Later, Adam's sons, Caleb (Cal) and Aaron (Aron), repeat a similar struggle as they compete for love, approval, and identity.

One of the novel's most important questions is:

Are we destined to repeat the flaws we inherit, or can we choose a different path?

This is where the idea of Timshel ("thou mayest") becomes central. Steinbeck argues that people are neither trapped by fate nor guaranteed redemption. They have the freedom to choose who they become.

In one sentence

East of Eden is a sweeping family saga about good and evil, love and rejection, and the freedom each person has to choose their own moral path.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DdMMrIzSFKB/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&stkn=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

Instagram

"Timshel" is arguably the central idea of East of Eden. You see it in action from chapter 25.

In the novel, the characters Lee, Samuel Hamilton, and Adam Trask discuss a Hebrew word from the story of Cain and Abel. Different translations render it as:

"Thou shalt" (a command)

"Thou will" (a prediction)

"Thou mayest" (you may choose)

Lee argues that"thou mayest" is the most profound translation because it means human beings are not doomed by fate, heredity, or their past. Instead, they have the freedom to choose how they act.

Why is it important?

Steinbeck's message is essentially:

You are not forced to be good.

You are not forced to be evil.

You have the freedom to choose.

That freedom is both empowering and burdensome because it means we are responsible for our choices.

The example from the Instagram post

The reel is pointing to a moment when Adam chooses his response to Cathy.

The significance is not that Adam "wins" or suddenly becomes healed. Instead:

He has been hurt.

He has reasons to remain trapped by the past.

Yet he chooses what to do next.

That's Timshel in action: choosing your path despite your circumstances.

A simple modern example

Imagine someone betrays you.

Fate: "You'll become bitter."

Command: "You must forgive."

Timshel: "You may choose."

You can become bitter, forgive, move on, seek justice, or do something else entirely. The power and responsibility are yours.

Why readers love this idea

Many readers come away from East of Eden feeling that it is less a family saga and more a meditation on a question:

"Am I condemned to repeat the mistakes of my parents and my past, or can I choose a different life?"

Steinbeck's answer is summed up in one word:

Timshel. "Thou mayest."

It means you always have a choice, even when your history, emotions, and circumstances seem to be pulling you in another direction.

That's why many people finish the novel feeling that "Timshel" is one of the most memorable ideas in all of literature.

The Flydubai FZ1073 Story: Fact, Perception, and the Search for Truth

 

The September 30 incident involving Flydubai Flight FZ1073, travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, has rapidly become more than an aviation story. According to authorities, the aircraft was diverted to Saudi Arabia after a violent cockpit incident involving the co-pilot, while passengers, crew, and off-duty pilots reportedly helped prevent a potential catastrophe. Investigations are ongoing, and aviation and security agencies continue to examine the facts.

Yet public opinion has split into two very different camps. War isn't over: Al-Qaeda praises flydubai co-pilot, calls for more attacks

One side sees the incident as a real-life story of courage. For them, the captain, crew members, passengers, and those who intervened represent ordinary people making extraordinary decisions under pressure. The praise directed at those involved reflects admiration for composure, professionalism, and human bravery in the face of danger.

The other side remains skeptical. Some question whether all reported details will ultimately withstand scrutiny, noting how dramatic elements, conflicting reports, and evolving narratives can make real events resemble a Hollywood screenplay. They argue that major stories often acquire layers of interpretation before all facts are established.

In many ways, the debate resembles the theme explored in the film Drishyam: the same sequence of events can generate multiple versions of the truth depending on who is telling the story. The Malayalam and Hindi versions themselves arrive at similar truths through different narrative paths.

Perhaps the lesson is that facts, stories, and perceptions are rarely identical. History records events, people construct narratives, and truth if ever often emerges only after time, evidence, and careful investigation separate certainty from speculation.

Butter ~ Asako Yuzuki

 This book was discussed in one of our Cochin Book Club meets couple of years before and wanted to read it since then.   Inspired by real events, based on the case of the “Konkatsu Killer” (Kanae Kijima), a con woman and gourmet cook convicted of poisoning her lovers,  'Butter' by Asako Yuzuki is widely considered a powerful and thought‑provoking novel. Translated into English by Polly Barton, this book blends crime fiction with social critique, exploring murder investigation, appetite, loneliness, body image, gender expectations, the meaning of pleasure, the relationship between women, food, and desire. It is unsettling but rewarding, with rich character depth and cultural commentary. 

We have Rika Machida  a young journalist seeking recognition in her newsroom and Manako Kajii a charismatic cook awaiting trial, who lures men with her food. Rika gains access to Kajii by asking for a recipe, leading to intimate meetings where food becomes a metaphor for power, desire, and trauma. The food descriptions are absolutely mouthwatering. Every meal feels intentional, symbolic, and deeply connected to the characters' emotional lives. But beneath the delicious dishes lies a sharp critique of societal pressures placed on women, especially around appearance, ambition, and desire.

What I loved most was how Butter challenges the idea that women should constantly deny themselves. It asks powerful questions: Who gets to enjoy life? Who gets to take up space? And why are women so often judged for wanting more?

Interesting to read how food can be both nurturing and destructive. Indeed an “incisive, thrilling novel” that exposes misogyny and fatphobia while weaving in rich food imagery. Butter lingers long after the final page. Come for the mystery, stay for the rich commentary on food, feminism, and freedom. Sometimes nourishment is about much more than food. It's about allowing yourself to desire, enjoy, and exist without apology.

#ButterBook #AsakoYuzuki #JapaneseLiterature #LiteraryFiction #FoodAndBooks

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Rika Machida's relationship with her father is one of the quieter but most important threads in Butter. The novel doesn't focus on it as directly as it does on Manako Kajii, but it helps explain why Rika initially lives the way she does and why Kajii's influence affects her so deeply.

One of the key ideas critics have noted is that both Rika's and Kajii's attitudes toward food can be traced back to their childhoods, particularly their relationships with their fathers.

Rika's father and food

Rika's memories of her father are associated with warmth, care, and shared experiences around food. Unlike the rushed, convenience-store meals that define her adult life, food in her childhood carried emotional meaning. As an adult, however, she has largely disconnected from that part of herself.

At the start of the novel, Rika:

Prioritizes work above everything.

Barely cooks.

Eats convenience-store meals.

Treats food as fuel rather than pleasure.

Through her encounters with Kajii, Rika begins to reconnect with enjoyment, memory, and self-care through food. In a sense, Kajii forces her to revisit parts of herself that had been suppressed, including feelings linked to family and childhood.

The emotional significance

What I find particularly moving is that Rika's father represents a kind of unconditional acceptance that is largely absent from her adult relationships.

Her boyfriend Makoto, for example, quickly comments on her weight gain when she starts enjoying food more freely. The world around her constantly judges women's bodies.

Her memories connected to her father stand in contrast to that judgment. They remind her of a time before she internalized society's expectations about how women should look, eat, and behave.

Why it matters to the novel

The novel isn't really about solving the murders. It's about women, desire, food, and freedom.

Rika's journey is essentially a rediscovery of self:

She starts as someone living according to social expectations.

Kajii introduces her to pleasure, appetite, and self-indulgence.

Rika reflects on her past, including family influences.

She begins to build an identity that is less dependent on others' approval.

Her relationship with her father helps illuminate what she has lost and what she is trying to reclaim.

One of the most fascinating aspects of Butter is that Rika and Kajii seem like opposites, but both women's relationships with food ultimately lead back to childhood experiences and, in different ways, to their fathers.

Like "Timshel" in East of Eden,  Rika's story is also about choice. She gradually learns that she can choose how to live, eat, and define herself, instead of simply accepting the role society has written for her.

Rika's closest friend in Butter is Reiko Sayama, a university friend who remains one of the most important people in her life throughout the novel.

Their friendship serves as an emotional anchor for the story because the two women represent different responses to the pressures placed on women in Japanese society.

Who is Reiko?

Reiko Sayama was once ambitious and career-oriented, but she has left her professional life and become a housewife while undergoing fertility treatment and trying to conceive. This transition leaves her feeling isolated and increasingly dissatisfied with her life.

What is her relationship with Rika?

At the beginning of the novel, their relationship is one of deep trust and mutual support.

Reiko is the person who suggests that Rika write to Manako Kajii asking for a recipe rather than an interview request, a suggestion that ultimately opens the door to Rika's access to Kajii.

They confide in each other about their personal struggles.

Each woman sees in the other an alternative life path: Rika has a career but lacks fulfillment in other areas, while Reiko has chosen domestic life but feels trapped by it.

Why is the friendship important?

As Rika becomes increasingly fascinated by Kajii and starts changing her relationship with food, her body, and her sense of self, Reiko grows concerned that Kajii may be manipulating her. Reiko even accompanies Rika on parts of the investigation because of these worries.

What makes their friendship compelling is that it isn't idealized. There is genuine affection, but also envy, frustration, and misunderstanding. Both women are struggling with societal expectations about:

marriage,

motherhood,

careers,

beauty,

and what it means to be a "successful" woman.

My reading of their friendship

One of the novel's strongest themes is that the relationship between Rika and Reiko is ultimately more important than the mystery itself. While Kajii acts as a catalyst for change, it is the friendship between these two women that provides the novel's emotional heart. They challenge, disappoint, support, and ultimately help each other understand the lives they have chosen.

In many ways, Butter is as much a story about female friendship as it is about food, crime, or feminism.