Author: Rhea

Nothing transforms things so much as the ting. Therefore follows the idea of a ‘cauldron.’ The ting was cast of bronze, with three legs and two carrying rings on each side. Like most cauldrons, it served as a ritual vessel where sacrifices were made, things were cooked. And Universe pulled in. It’s the 100th day. 100 days of everyday, getting up at 3.30 am and waiting and then writing. 100 days of faith in action. 100 days of being on the Verge, not knowing and yet trusting. 100 days of being the bridge. Today is also 8th day of my favourite…

Last evening I was talking to a dear friend Pavin, who I know now for almost 20 years. He keeps disappearing for a few years and then resurfaces and calls out of the blue, then we talk and catch up for over a hour, agree to pukka meet and then disappear for a couple more years. But neither of us complain. We laugh a lot. Remember things while talking nine to a dozen. And then laugh some more. That is perhaps the most defining feature of our relationship and perhaps why we are still friends. On my way back I…

“What will you be when you Grow-up?”. Years ago, my friends 10 year old cousin Anirudh, asked this innocent question to his aunt, my friends mom, in a direct unassuming way that only children can, most times. I still remember there were a few other people in the drawing room, when aunty was just doing her tidying up work. She stopped, straightening the cushion mid-air, everyone suddenly stopped doing what they were doing. It was too apparent not to notice. I got super curious about what was going to happen. Suspense !! What will be her response. Will anyone come…

Diwali or as they like it in the South of India Deepawali, continues.The festival of lights goes on in full bloom for 5 days. Each day, has a significance and a story. Different traditions and rituals are followed on each of the five days of Diwali. Hopefully with different realizations. Diwali symbolises the spiritual Victory of light over Darkness Good over Evil Knowledge over Ignorance The significant feature the “Lights”. Once I returning to Bombay on the eve of Diwali, and the aerial view of the lit city was just breath-taking. I just couldn’t get over it. One of the things…

In a conversation with a client, post the workshop last week, we discussed next steps. One of the things he said was we must soon have a refresher or catch-up. Because after the initial high no matter how amazing the experience, people tend to forget. Yes it is true. That is the one thing definitely I have seen in the last 20 years. I have tried many ways to “solve” this problem. As I sat mulling over this, after doing the rangoli, I realised the same thing was going to happen to this design. Soon. This is what happened to…

Yesterday was Nov 2nd. All Souls days. After a particularly difficult morning, I had gone for some solace to see my parents and grandparents. Typically this is a day when many people go to the Cemetery. Thankfully, yesterday it wasn’t so. Going there and sitting by their graves gives me a lot of peace. It is a day to remember the dead. I went towards evening and so the candles lit everywhere was just beautiful. On many such occasions, I have sat quietly and heard many “real” conversation being had. By people who talked to the ones who were not…

It’s good to be back home. Although my bags are still in Bangalore. The Airlines had some issue. And after landing, we waited another hour, only to be told the bags did not make it. And we would have to fill a form, give it etc. It was a chaos after that. People were already tired. One ground staff, a young girl came holding a bunch of forms in her hand, and no pen. She was immediately surrounded by 20 passengers all asking questions at the same time. She was trying her best to be polite and patient and efficient…

Last evening after a lot of hemming and hawing, my friend Savvy and I decided to go for a Diwali Party, to another dear friend Leela.  I had not seen her in over two years. After an early morning long drive to an ancient Ganesh and Shiva temple, we were both tired, but still looking forward to a “party” after almost 2 years. As the time  to get ready and leave neared, I suddenly found myself feeling anxious. How many people would be there. Would we need to stay longer. Would there be lots of things happening etc etc. I…

Yesterday, I messaged a client who we had done the workshop for, how was their last day. He messaged it was going great the entire team was pumped for the new goals, but then they got the news of Puneet Kumar’s death and they had to change the plans and leave. I said I was sorry to hear that, I vaguely remember the name Punit but was not so sure. I asked him, I had not heard about Puneet, which team was he from?. Pause. ‘On no no. Puneet kumar, was a Kannada actor who died and the entire city…

I woke up today, with a dream. As a habit I stay a few seconds longer so that the dream becomes more than a whiff. And so I can receive its gift. The dream was actually a couple of mini dreams but the themes of door, was same. In one, I am asked to inaugurate a fancy, really big tall green car. I have to open the big door and literally “climb in”. I can smell the new upholstery. In the next one, I am in a crowded mall and with bags full of fruits, and getting out of the…