ramesh and bhima smile reluctantly
Ramesh and Bhima were begging outside a South Indian cafe. They are dressed as faux-sadhus, and carry thick ropes around their shoulders, with which they offer to whip themselves for … Continue reading
on making Urmila and Sheela smile
They walked up to the taxi at the signal. I was ready with my camera. I rolled down the window and said, “I’m going to take a photo of you.” … Continue reading
this elephant is saying sorry
In the last week of my stay here, Mukhtar has been re-assigned to the first floor. So now my friends Nam and Fake Nagraj have elephants and dogs in their … Continue reading
sukhbai
They do not try to please. They are wary, almost hostile. Sukhbai has learned from her elders to keep her face impassive while she performs. They tell me her name … Continue reading
afternoon goods
The goods compartment smells a little fishy. But that’s compensated for by the expanses of space available in comparison to the other compartments, and the breeze racing through the open … Continue reading
an encounter with some angels in hell
Rukhsaar glared at us and said: “Why are you here? To make fun of us?” I said: “No.” Dhanno, already devastated by her first 30 minutes there, said apologetically: “I … Continue reading
