Literati

Art by Navya Ismael I hate suits, I really really do. I would rather wear a saree, although I am not very good at it. My mother has tried innumerable times to teach me the art of draping, and even though most days I look fairly okay while wearing a saree, I have never been fully satisfied with how any 6 yards of fabric looks on me. No point in thinking about sarees today though, we don't get to wear them for most job interviews, so instead, I take a seat on the chair. The niceties are all done, and I am pulling at the invisible lint in my trousers- of course, they cannot see that. My ponytail is too tight, and my lipstick is just the right shade, and I am not ready for this, but to be honest I don’t think I will ever be ready. 'So, tell me about yourself?' I want to tell them that I know why this question is asked, I have answered this too many times, but I am not sure if what I say is who I am. I want to tell them about the first time my mother told me about death, and how...

Today after a series of long speeches, I have finally managed to wake up early. I can’t really guess whether it would be a good day for me, but I see the beaming faces of my parents and I know, I have already made theirs. It’s too early for me but I had promised my parents last night. So, I step outside with them to see the magic they always talk about. It is a beautiful spring morning. The Sun has just risen above the horizon. Oh, and the abstract painting it has made from its rays on the sky is beyond description. After a long walk, I sit down on the grass. Something glittery catches my eyes. ‘Has someone dropped their ring?’, I think to myself. I wipe my fogged eyeglasses and look carefully. Alas! It is just a dewdrop sitting peacefully on the tip of a grass strand. I wonder if precious things like dewdrops came with a price tag attached, would they be the king of all other stones? Diamonds and rubies can never beat the calmness of a shining dew. Just beside the dew, a tiny bug stru...

Dear Leader, I hope you are doing well in these times. I am not very sure if the people of North Korea know about Christmas, but I'd be happier if they didn't since I don't want the kids there to have any hope of getting presents or having a good time with their family and friends. Keeping expectations about simple human rights from a country like yours is a mistake that I wouldn't want anybody to commit.     Don't let anybody raise a single voice against your authoritarian government by publicly executing them or sending them to prison labour camps. Keep building up your nation's nuclear armour by neglecting even the most basic human needs like clean water and food.    The only connection that your citizens should have is with you and your politics. Never let them know the freedom that people outside your country enjoy by not allowing them to access real media or the internet. The only form of media they should see is your propaganda. It should be instill...

  “Nothing ever really goes away - it just changes into something else. Something beautiful.” - Sarah Ockler As we enter into a New Year filled with renewed hopes and the expectant spirit of new beginnings, the atmosphere is abuzz with the exciting possibilities of a fresh start - a chance at a glorious revival. Here’s our version of an After Poem, imparting a bit of our personality and charisma into this creation; the renewal of a treasured but forgotten knick-knack that was discovered by chance in the attic, a platform for all of us to express ourselves, unbounded by any creative bounds. We hope this tribute does justice to the original sentiment, and wish for your wholehearted participation to make this a success. On this note, from the chrysalis that is our college, we bring you our metamorphosed blog! Welcome to the relaunch of Literati by the Literary Club.

  Friendship in the time of a Pandemic…   One of the greatest philosophers of all time, Aristotle, worked extensively on a wide range of subjects, including psychology and philosophy. Some of his significant works are extensively studied, even today.  He classified friendship into three types, namely:   Friendship of utility : It consists of shallow relationships, which are trivial but play an integral part from a community perspective. Acquaintances, co-workers, neighbors come under this category. Friendship of pleasure : They constitute people with whom we bond over a common interest. Your sports teammates from college, clubbing friends come under this category. It’s considered shallow because your skills take precedence over what you are as a person. Friendship of virtue : The third and the preferable kind is the one that’s based on virtues or what one truly is as a person. It lasts longer and forms ...

Biting the rear end of her pencil Staring at the blank diary, she sat Right when a message popped up on WhatsApp chat It was from a newly made college pal Being away they can't meet at a mall or booze over alcohol Chum asked her to show up for a video call Next to ring was the landline She rushed so that it’s not disconnected in the meantime The school gang wanted her to accompany to watch a movie on prime The phone beeped again; this time it was a childhood friend She was invited to plan a night out for this weekend Beep! A friend request notification intercepted her chimera She was stuck in a perplexing dilemma not sure of her next step As she tossed the pencil up in the air; closed the dairy with a tap The dilemma was whether to watch some web series or have 2 hours of sound sleep Because the dairy she banged read  My dreams for a friendship that is deeper than the deep.

Artwork: "Mistress of the House" By Shelby McQuilkin ______________________________________________________________________________________________         " ... I waited for some time inside the car feeling nervous because this was the first time after years that I went to someone’s house. I had gladly devoted most of my time to work and  once in a while when the urge for a break became irresistible, I travelled all around the world.  Anyway, I somehow  mustered up the courage and rang the doorbell..... "                     _______________________________________________________________________                                                                      ...