Nirmala dug her fingers into the small lump of dough and broke off a piece the size of a large pea. Diligently, she rolled it into a paisa-sized chapati and tossed it from hand to hand as she had seen her mother do. "Nimmu, darling, come over here and sing us a song," coaxed her … Continue reading Song in her heart
Monday Night Blues
In the spring a young man's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love, said Tennyson. For some time now, on Monday nights, our thoughts turn to mundane matters. The youngest of the family shuts her book with a snap and stares at the cover. "Finished already?" I ask. Surprising, how quickly they can get through … Continue reading Monday Night Blues
The Tangled Web
During the last decade, every morning the newspapers have carried a gruesome report of at least one dowry death in the country. Columns after columns are published in the media about this great social evil. Women's organizations make a great hue and cry. Films like Meera Dewan's 'Gift of Love' are produced, full of realistic … Continue reading The Tangled Web
A College Reunion
By Sujatha Balasubramanian, The Deccan Herald Weekly Magazine, Jan 10 1960 One invariably fails when trying to reconcile the past with the present. What one is and what one was are two separate entities bound by this thing called the self. But no human being can resist the temptation to turn back the pages, to … Continue reading A College Reunion
The Peacock
"Damn it!" muttered Arun as he battled with his tie. He pulled and twisted and snorted with rage when the knot crept up behind his ear. "Malti! Aren't you ready yet? Oh! There you are! Do you have to wear that pink sari every time we go out? Why don't you try to dress a … Continue reading The Peacock
Bhagavad Gita and Bulls-Eyes
The author (right) with her daughter Meenakshi (right), a big fan of crosswords! The basket is large and the roses of all colours. The card reads “Best Wishes from all your friends at the club. Get well soon.” It stands on the window sill where I can see it, for days till the matron clucks … Continue reading Bhagavad Gita and Bulls-Eyes
Adventures in Mumbai
This post was written by Sujatha's late daughter, Minnie, who also enjoyed to write! In honor of her birthday, we'd like to share these short excerpts from her first few weeks in Mumbai
Give Me Your Hand
Ruth stared at her hands in horror, remembering the crooning voices of the old ladies exclaiming over the white softness of her fingers. What was she doing here, far from home? What did she really know about Rudra or the community he belonged to? Ruth Adams prowled around the dimly lit room, restless and tense. … Continue reading Give Me Your Hand
TOUCHÉ
A short piece with a small twist in the tale!!
Domino
“Women were his pawns .. almost always” “INDIRA,” he called me. He looked at me as if I were a person instead of just a piece of furniture. It is always Indu baby or Indu sweetie at home. They don’t realize how one can grow and grow inside all by oneself and never show it. Sometimes, … Continue reading Domino
Stories by Sujatha 