My 2020 Year in Review
If you’ve been following my blog, you’d know that I usually pen my yearly reflections. My word of the year for 2020 was ‘Gratitude,’ and the decade was ‘Kindness.’ Looking back now, I can’t help but wonder how apt these…
THE TINA EDIT
Stories • Culture • Voice
THE TINA EDIT
Stories • Culture • Voice
Writing
Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives Review
I swore I wouldn’t watch the ‘Fabulous lives of Bollywood wives,’ but I succumbed to the buzz out of curiosity. One, to understand the backlash and low ratings, and two, the contradictory trending No.1 show on Netflix across nations. Something was amiss!
How To Support Local Artisans By Buying Beautiful Rugs Made in India
We are almost at the end of 2020. It fills my heart with immense joy and gratitude for surviving an unforgettable pandemic year, that’s turned the entire world upside down. It’s also that time of the year to purge and…
Celebrating ‘India’s Meryl Streep’: “Tabu Is So Gifted, She’s Like A National Treasure”
There are very few actors in India for whom competition and the box-office numbers are immaterial because their sheer talent in acting is a powerful force to reckon with in the first place. Meet Tabu. Tabu is one such actor…
Kyunki Bra Bhi Kabhi Beti Thi
“Mummy, can you not eat from my plate, please?” What? My daughter is giving ME instructions? Is this the ‘Kalyug’ phase? My hair follicles stood erect on my body, rings of fumes erupted from my ears and nostrils. I’d never…
What Makes Good Horror Writing
If you are looking for a well-crafted, horror book by Indian authors, look no further and read on. When Priya Bajpai, a fellow writer friend, approached me for an anthology, I readily said, ‘Yes.’ Little did I know back then…
How This Early 90s Doordarshan Serial Makes The Perfect Feminist RomCom Even Today
Do you remember this old Doordarshan serial? A lazy browse on YouTube led me to this vintage gem of a TV show which left me with some unanswered questions. Read on. It’s strange when you have so many choices staring…
Pandemic Poems
The future isn’t scary! Heartless—Brainless—VoicelessAre you—in lockdown—too?Then that’ll make the two of us!Shush! They’ll pimp us to war! Artificial intelligence—TranshumanismImmortality—SustainabilityThe future is not scary—We are—the virus— Found Chained—lockedWhere are you, Father?Your gentle rod—In death, I fly— Lead me to the…
Why The Tanishq Ad Celebrating Interracial Harmony Is Not Offensive
The latest Tanishq wedding jewellery advertisement showing interracial harmony has come under fire, with social media ablaze with #BoycottTanishq tweets and posts. The ad has received flak for allegedly promoting ‘love-jihad’ and being offensive to Hinduism. Is the call for…
13 Best Award Winning Books By Indian Women Authors You Must Read
Here is a list of award-winning books by Indian female authors which celebrate common stories retold in their literary voices. A girl with a book scares some people in India who want to see her only in the kitchen. Books…
Book Review Of ‘A Fallen Leaf’ By Penmancy Writers
The Autumn or Fall season is my favorite time of the year. It’s neither too cold, and it’s nippy enough to cozy up under the cocooned layers. I was fortunate to experience Fall in all its glory when living in…
A Teacher’s Reminiscings
Good teachers are a blessing and grateful students even more. It is my privilege to share one of my trysts with gratitude during my brief stint as a teacher in a graduation college for one semester. A serendipitous happening I…
How To Conquer The Online Abuse Of Women
Social media is work for many of us, including me professionally as a marketer and writer. I love social media and interacting on various platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and recently Instagram. That it is a part of my job,…
A Message For My Daughter On This Raksha Bandhan Day
I was a feminist even before I knew what the word meant. If my parents asked me to do any chores, I would insist my younger twin brothers did the same. I would not do anything that they were exempt…
Why I Opted Out Of The Selfie Challenge Supporting The Turkish Women’s Rights Campaign #ChallengeNotAccepted
When I received messages on being chosen the black and white picture for the #womenempoweringwomen campaign by women I admire and love, I was flattered. Even though I wasn’t convinced of selfies being the measure or proof of one’s solidarity…
Strumming Through The Strings Of Motherhood
Motherhood is not all sunshine and roses. It’s also thunderstorms and thorns. But it’s what has taught me tolerance and resilience. It still feels surreal when I look at my child, now eleven. Like the first time, I held my…