#bangalore places to see

[travelthrivehub]

Discover Exciting Places to Visit in Bangalore

Bangalore, known as the “Garden City of India,” is a vibrant city. It has historic landmarks, green spaces, and modern amenities. You can visit the majestic Bangalore Palace or relax in Cubbon Park. This city is full of attractions. Whether you want to learn about its culture, see amazing buildings, or find hidden spots, Bangalore has it all. It offers an adventure you won’t forget. Cubbon Park…

[halidays]

Hampi - Best Travel Guide

Hampi is an ancient city that was once the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, one of the largest and richest kingdoms in Indian history. Hampi is located in the state of Karnataka, in southern India, on the banks of the Tungabhadra River. Hampi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that attracts tourists from all over the world for its stunning ruins, magnificent temples, and scenic landscape. Hampi…

[creatingnikki]

things to remember in 2023

goodbye emo era, goodbye empath era, goodbye all you eras that have been putting others + emotions at the center of everything. hello self-serving era. self-serving, not selfish. see, more accurate vocabulary can make all the difference. 

choose people who choose you. bare minimum is not impressive. it’s only an indicator that hmmm maybe I can explore what something with this person could lead to. it’s the basic eligibility criteria for opening up your time/schedule to someone, not heart. only time. 

new people don’t need to know life stories and trauma from before 2018. if you want to talk about it just write about it, write it into your book. 

do not listen to your parents. I mean this in the most respectful possible way. you are an adult now, you make your own decisions. because 20 years from now if you are sad and miserable and hating your life and you tell them hey it’s because you made me la la la chances are they are going to turn around and be like nobody forced you, you were an adult, you made your own decisions. so just make your own decisions. and they would be right. like just dodge the emotional manipulation and the drama and the guilt and lack of validation from them for a bit and go ahead and do things you want to in your life. and you already have daddy issues, right? pacify them in bed or something idk. just make your own bloody decisions independent of what your family/others expect of you.

explore more Hindi music. 

channelize certain things you’ve seen in most men around you. channelize compartmentalization. channelize binary problem solving. channelize cutting your losses and exiting at the right time from romantic situations that do not have any future no matter how much you feel for them in the present. 

do not force yourself to write fiction. maybe you don’t want to create stories. maybe you just want to write down what you already know. maybe you just want to write creative non-fiction. why is that a bad thing? don’t you think it’s time to let go of the ideas you have hyper-romanticized and see things for what they really are and then work with them? 

dating apps are not where you will find love. hook-ups, maybe. but drama-free hook-ups? yeah, not quite sure about that either. let’s just go back to how we were before? let’s just focus on our life and believe that love will happen if and when it’s supposed to? 

self-dates must make a return. you found that amazing second-hand bookseller next to your home and your favourite cafe from Bangalore is now in Mumbai and so many new art galleries are opening up around and when was the last time you went to Marine Drive and maybe it’s time to sneak into your college to go have your favourite food again from the canteen and maybe after work you can stay around and explore the popular bars and maybe you can find a post office next to your new apartment so you can start sending letters and packages to your best friend again. I know, I know 2022 was a year of such dramatic highs that gave you such adrenaline rush that coming back to things that were more grounded and brought you joy seems difficult but baby please. you cannot run towards psychosis so soon, okay? come back. 

on that note, let’s find a yoga class around your apartment and also a gurudwara. 

sign up for experiences and invest for the long term but do not invest in material things like furniture. at this point you are the typical mid-20s person who is free to up and leave whenever and wherever and you haven’t found a place you want to call home yet anyway. so keep your money liquid, don’t lock it up in stupid things, but invest for the long-term in equity assets to create wealth. also, go meet your accountant please. and get life insurance. 

do not let family stuff get to you emotionally. deal with it in a logistic, functional, and objective way. as much as possible. 

you really don’t have to respond to people within 24 hours, 48 hours, or even a week. I mean other than very few selected people (family, best friend, and your partner), nobody is owed your immediate attention. and even these inner circle people are owed your immediate attention only in a way where you keep them in the loop to let them know you are alive and doing okay. 

you are a warm person and it’s easy for people to like you wherever you go. but you have such limited time, energy, and brain cells. you cannot scale yourself like a company. which means if you more people want to get to know you, talk to you, etc., you can’t supply them with that because you are not a scalable product. okay? okay. 

earning more money will help only in a limited manner if you do not budget and control your spending. it’s not the person who earns more that is rich but the person who saves and invests and doesn’t take debt for consumption purposes. you can no longer be the ironic financial writer like in the confessions of a shopaholic. you are no longer a kid, you are an adult who has to take care of yourself and soon your dependents and so you cannot keep ranting on about capitalism while falling constant prey to it. instead you have to benefit from it.

figure out what is your choice of poison. for when you wanna just vibe, for when you want to get drunk drunk, for when you wanna be bhand. figure it out. 

think of studying Korean as doing an undergrad degree. so you know you have to stick with this for the next three years. this way you don’t see it as a short-term fancy but as a longer term commitment and reach level 6 of fluency in the language. this way, by the time you are in your late 20s, you will actually be able to read Korean books in Hangul and not the English translation. that’s your goal, isn’t it? and writing poetry in Korean too. 

your high school friend answered the question no doctor was. when you drink alcohol, make sure there is a 3-hour gap between that and your medication. but also keep the drinking in check. I mean honestly, iced coffee and fresh fruit juices for the win. 

you go through people like you go through books. but people are not books. time to pick up actual books again and press pause on people. 

do not commit anything to anybody because you have no sense of stability or certainty in your life right now. that doesn’t make you flighty. that doesn’t make you irresponsible. in fact, it makes you responsible because you aren’t making promises you aren’t sure you are capable of keeping even if you want to keep them. actions > intentions. 

time to have a skincare routine. your sister has written you a whole blog on it - just follow that. 

also oh my god. being twenty five/twenty six does not make you old. you don’t have to look at the younger people you interact with and feel uncool or outdated because then that’s how you’ll always feel. like when you were younger, you would look at the older people and think they are so cool, graceful, smart, and badass. divine, even. then that’s what you are becoming now. not knowing what certain emojis and slang means really has no bearing on how relevant you are. 

this isn’t an exhaustive list, so come back. don’t just write this and forget all about it. come back, review, revise, add. but most importantly, remember. remember this is for you. so that you minimise pain and failure and shitty feelings and maximise peace and success and joy. and you do like optimum utilisation of resources, don’t you? so do that. apply yourself for yourself. that’s where the returns are the highest. 

[totallyseiso]

Cute Halloween skin is the key to a squad wipe

Do controllers get much use in apex these days? When the game rewards you for taking down other players it feels counter-intuitive to play a character focused on holding position. Seems like hunkering down would actually put you at a disadvantage against the teams that hunt others down.

I miss my girl Wattson but I don't want to let a team down by bringing almost nothing to the squad

[srbachchan]

DAY 5824

Jalsa, Mumbai Jan 28/29, 2024 Sun/Mon 11:31 AM

🪔 ,

January 29 .. birthday greetings to Ef Ram Bhole .. Ef Naresh Saraswat from Surat.. Ef Jay from Bangalore.. and Ef Heba Mamdoh from Egypt 🇪🇬 ..

And .. wishes for the 27th wedding anniversary of Ef Pradip Das and his respected wife Misti Das .. love and prayers .. 🙏🏻🚩💐

Oh dear .. missed the timings again .. but ever in response to the feelings of the Ef here I be .. with thee again ..

Work reactions were on hold and expressed in a moment of express .. but they are the results of several unfortunate delays that took place due unforeseen circumstances .. now they be seen and the schedules are being set up in time to come ..

The feelings of the GOJ seemed as always apprehensive before walking into the gates and seeing the well wishers .. some corners and fronts remain surprisingly the same .. how they manage that isa mystery .. but they do and they get my attention ..

But truly, this Sunday DAY is ever a revelation and a joy unlimited ..

love and more .. have to leave to work .. for ... !!???

Amitabh Bachchan

[mayakimayahai]

Sona?

Part 2 (prequel to kill lady)

__________________________

An: 3 weeks later...sorry okay I'm sorry but yeah okay I don't have an excuse, the first half was hard to write and the second half I wrote in one sitting so yeah- well enjoy (this is a mess I'm sorry)

Summary: they see each other for the first time and can't take thier eyes off each other

__________________________

She put a hand against her forehead imitating a shield in hopes that it will protect her from the mighty sun

She wasn't used to Bangalore's weather but one thing was clear, her gaze shifted down to look at herself

The saree was not a good decision

She was told to disguise herself to the point where nobody should even think that she could be capable of kill someone

A white saree and her glasses that she wore after a century felt weird but they were perfect to portray her as the innocent lamb

But an assassin always knows

You can never really hide your true nature

This is what she was born to do

What she was taught to do since she was a child

She stood patiently despite the sun hurting her eyes, tapping her feet against the pavement she looked back at her hotel

She was just a few steps away from the entrance waiting for her employer- or rather his son she was told?

She checked her watch for the millionth time taking deep breaths to keep herself calm while she looked down the road in anticipation

She got a call this morning telling her to get up and dressed, they were going to see him today

She didn't think much of it, thier sources told them that they guy the hired to kill the previous owner had decided to take the throne for himself

Her job here was to eliminate that threat to their throne

Should be easy enough

Her curiosity and impatience was growing with each passing second

The winds blew with the screeching of the tires as atleast ten luxury cars came into view making her tap her foot against the road waiting as she slowly lost patience

About four cars passed her the fifth one stopping near her, she glared as he rolled the window down

Her jaw clenched, knuckles almost white as he looked at her raising an eyebrow as to why she wasn't already in the car

He looked her top to bottom, inviting his own death "get in the car will you, we don't have all day" he said wearing his sunglasses back

The tone in his voice implied that he owned her or something, she took a deep breath

These rich kids really needed someone to knock some sense into them

Just a pair of tweezers and she would show him what begging for death feels like

She gave him a tight smile opening the door and getting inside

She wasn't hazel

I'm a professional

Yes professional. She repeated again and again in her head

But kamal had much a punchable face she was genuinely curious as to how he had survived this long, especially with a personality like that

"They sent you?" He said eyeing her up and down again making her clench her jaw as she flashed one of her business smiles again

"You have read my file yes?" She asked with a smile that did not quite reach her eyes

Why him? Couldn't they have sent someone decent?

They were really testing her

"I don't think you'll be able to do that job" he huffed a laugh "i mean look at your fragile little self" he shook his head "koi tumhe kyu bhejega?" He said

She smiled looking at her hands in her lap "kyunki tumse tumhara kaam nahi ho raha"

The roads weren't the best here and she wasn't exactly a fan of them but they were working in her favor today

As a bump in the road approached she dug her heal into the car mat while his forehead hit the shearling wheel making her smirk as she looked out her window

The sun still shined high as she looked at the unfamiliar land they were approaching

Giant rocky mountains, nothing but dust and dirt

No sign of life

Her eyes turned to him with a questioning look on her face

Deep breaths maya deep breaths

We don't kill our employers

There was noticing in sight

The place was a dead land

She had half her mind thinking this was an ambush ready to pull out her knife at any point, but why?

An involuntary gasp escaped her lips

Her eyes almost popping out at the sight infront of her

She had tried to paint a picture in her mind about what this place would look like

Nothing could have prepared her for the sight before her

Did mines actually look like this? Her eyes ached from all the dust flying off with the cars but that didn't stop her from looking out the window

How could she get herself to stop when

It was a whole another city

In the middle of nowhere

She was after a man that was sent to kill the owner of this place

Alone

A single man killed the holder of the throne in his own territory

She had more respect for him than these incompetent people who couldn't do the job themselves

If she had morals she could never bring herself to kill that guy

But alas

Money concurs all it seems, And she had a job to do

She liked power

And someone who was able to acquire so much of it? She was sure she would like him too

That's part of the reason to took this mission

He was a challenge she was sure she would enjoy

The car stopped making her look up to see an impressive maybe a little too excessive mansion which seemed more like a castle from where she stood

Her eyes shined with delight at the sight

They got out of the car making her return to her senses

She was still mesmerized by it all but she had better things to worry about at the moment

She adjusted her glass hitching them higher on her nose while he stood near her fixing his suit

"Yeh sab" he pointed at the castle infront of them "mera hai" he smirked making her huff out a laugh

She liked people who had determination and confidence

But this guy? He was overconfident

If he could have all of this then they wouldn't have needed that guy or her for that point

They came to a stop near three much older men, two of them eyeing her like she wasn't from earth

"If anyone can do the job it's her" Andrews assured Kamal and guru pandiyan who looked maya from top to bottom

He scoffed looking at andrews the disappointment clear on his face, he turned to her "you think you can take the one who challenged us all?" He huffed walking ahead

She took a sharp breath letting her hair rest on her back, the old man with a cross nodded at her as if telling her it was time to become madhura

She huffed shaking her head

They were making it seem like she didn't know how to do her job

The were all so worked up, the nervousness was clear on thier faces even with thier best attempts to hide it

"We let him do the work for us and will now shoot him to claim what is ours" he chuckled

She frowned but kept walking

They all walked up the stairs, she curiously eyed the people standing with thals waiting to welcome them

Distracted with them her ankle twisted but she caught herself with the railing, the giant staircase truly made her realize how hard it was to walk in a saree

"Main kuch madad karu?" His voice made her face scrunch up as she stood tall once again

"Tumse?" She chuckled passing him up the stairs

Sure she couldn't kill him but there was no need to make nice with incompetent people who can't do thier job right

He snarled while she walked up the stairs with ease, one of her hands on the pleats of her saree to keep it out of her feet

"Jis chattan ko toodna tha sirf uski mazbooti ke bare main soch rahe the, lekin usse toodne wale hathode ki mazbooti ab pta chal rahi hai"

"Ab uss hathode ko kaise toodna hai uski soch" the older man said making maya frown as she looked at the other two

She wanted to hear more

She wanted to know more

Who was he? What did he want?

Usse bheja tha garuda ko marne par vo gya tha kgf lene?

Was it wrong that she was starting to admire him? She would still kill him so there was no harm in that correct?

They reached the doors with 4 men around them holding guys, sweeping past them they shifted inside the room with dark walls, a conference table in the middle of it with a window overlooking the empire

It was like a breath of fresh air looking over such a well crafted structure

Folding her arms across her chest she stood there infront of the window

This is what they are willing to kill over?

She smiled, she must say they had good taste

Who wouldn't kill for this

The sound of the helicopter made her look over her shoulder towards the door

Not wanting to move from her stop

Not wanting to stop

Wanting to know everything

She gave up turning towards the door awaiting the man's arrival like the rest of them

The anticipation was killing her as the door opened revealing the bright light

She shielded her eyes but couldn't help but look

The black suit came into view making her eyes shine

She couldn't quite make out his features due to the limited lighting in the room but she could see him

Everyone stood and watch as he came forward reveling himself entirely taking a few steps towards her making her rise a brow as a curve appeared at the corner of his lips

He came closer

And closer

Walking a circle around her holding her eyes as he sat down at the head of the table

Her eyes were on him while everyone else's were on her curiously watching as to what that little stunt of his was

If only she knew

"Hey Deva dekhna iss kursi ke liye koi aur sar na kate" his voice came making her turn and stand next to the older men

One of the workers came forward towards the man in white "rocky, garuda ko marne wala yahi hai" she eyed them but he caught her attention once again

She could feel his gaze on her

Making her look up at him

He smirked but it was shortlived as her eyes shifted again taking in her surroundings

So they hadn't seen him before?

"Aare basa re basa darr aur izzat toh dil main honi chaheye" the man at the top of the table flashed a charming smile making the corner of her lip turn up

He truly was something else

This was going to he fun

She stood next to the men sitting infront of him fixing her glasses better on her nose

The small bowls of fire were the only thing providing the much needed light to the room

She still couldn't see him properly

It bothered her a little

She wanted to know more

She wanted to know everything there was to know about this guy

It wasn't common for someone to peek her interest like this

But he was different after all

Everything about him was different

"Aare sabke thobade kyu latke hain? Jaghan ke liye naya hu, field main nahi" a smirked touched his lips

"Aye ek gya toh doosra aake baith gya isko khokho samjha hai kya" Kamal spoke making her eyes turn to him

So he wasn't all talk after all

"Hamare baap logo ne apna saamrajya mehefooz rakhne ke liye he hume paida kiya hai koi bahar wala aake baith jaye aur hum ghaas cheelte baithe?" He leaned back his jaw clenched

She rubbed her forehead

His annoying voice made her head hurt

Why couldn't she just put a bullet in his head again?

The other man on the other hand looked like he was enjoying playing with these people like his puppets "nepotism? Yeh kya ho raha hai hamare desh main jahan dekho recommendation, donation, domination, influence, ghoos, baap ka naam ab gareeb ke bache kya kare, mehenat karke first rank lane wala kya kare, bina ghoos liye kaam karne wala officer kya kare, hal chalane wala kya kare, AKELA GHUS KE SAR KATNE WALA KYA KARE" he let his fist hit the table leaning back with fury in his eyes

"Merit se aae hain bhai aapon ko bhi thoda respect de na bhai, tumhare baap logo ne sab sahi kiya, lakin ek mistake kar di, tum sabko mere time par paida kar diya, main raaj karta rahoonga tum sab ghaas cheelte rehana hun? What do you say sona?" He looked at her noticing her smile

She looked away for a second but when turned back his eyes were still on her

The smile on her lips vanished but it was too late he had already noticed it

Noticed her

Their eyes met his looking at her like she was something else he could take over and hers looking at him amused

"Kon hai tu?" An amused smile broke out on his lips as he frowned not being able to place her

There was no way he would forget someone like her

She looked at the male in the white for an answer "hamare liye kaam karti hai" he nodded making the man at the top of the table frown

"Dekha nahi kabhi?" He asked tilting his head to examine crossing one leg over the other and leaning on one side of the chair

"Abhi join kiya hai" the older male spoke for her

"Naam kya hai tera?" He raised his eyebrows leaning against the table his elbows on each side of it

The man was about to speak for her again but he stopped him, shaking his head he pointed his finger at her

"Madhura"

she spoke and something inside him snapped

It was as if he didn't expect her to actually speak

"Madhu" he repeated a smile streched out on his lips

"Mere liye kaam kar, bohot danger hai yeh sab log" he spoke smiling "aur vaise bhi itni badi company chalane wale ko ek company toh chaheye na" a sinister smile broke out on those lips

"You are my entertainment sona" he said making Kamal get up his jaw clenched "aye bass kar bohot charbi chadhi hai tabse dekh raha hu kutte ke tarah bhooka ja raha hai, hamari ladki ke bare main baat karega" that made her head snap in his direction

Since when was she their girl?

She looked at Andrews eyes burning with fire making him back up a bit as he nodded putting a hand over his arm "kamal kya kar raha hai baith ja" his panicked voice did nothing for him to back down, it was like this guy had a death wish

"Vo teri entertainment hai kya vo? chup baithe hain toh zada he foodak raha hai" maya took a deep sigh knowing what was about to happen

She didn't care enough to stop it but it seemed Andrews cared a lot

"kya kar rahe ho baith jao" he spoke again but went unnoticed

"Apni aukat janta hai tu? Bombay ki galiyo main shoe polish karke chillar pe jeene wala keeda hai tu" the man tried to stop him again getting up but he pushed him down

Maya frowned looking up at the man again

Was he truly who kamal said he was?

Did he really manage to get all this while being that person?

Did a simple guy went from polishing shoes to sitting on the throne of one of the most powerful empires in the world just like that?

If there was a doubt before it was clear now

The respect she had for him increased and the urge to kill Kamal intensified

"vo hai teri aukat, aapne uss din rok diya isiliye aaj hamare saamne rob jama ke baitha hai" another guy from the side tried to stop him aswell putting a hand on his arm calling his name

Why did everybody care about this guy so much? If someone wants to die this much let them

He shoved the guy off "don't touch me jiski jo aukat hai usse vahi rehena chaheye kooda khane wale kutte ko singhasan par bitha ke khel dekh rahe ho hun? Us bin bach gya aaj nahi bachega iski maut mere hatho hogi ISKI MAUT MERE HATHO HOGI-"

A gun shot was heard stopping the guy from saying anything further

Maya stood there unfazed she knew this was about to happen, infact she was waiting for it

She looked down as a pool of blood started to form at her feet

Tsk my saree, she stepped aside holding her pleats as to not get blood at the bottom of them

She took a deep breath looking at the man who did this

She was truly grateful

It wasn't exactly ethical to shoot your client so it was good that he did it for her

The silence streched out in the room as everyone looked at the body on the ground

But her eyes were only on him

"Kidhar tha main?" He said still holding the gun up, the rest of them turned to him listening carefully as to what he was going to say

"Entertainment haan you will be my entertainment sona" he put the gun away getting up from his chair

"Aye kahi nahi jayega tu" one of the older men said making the guards behind point thier guns at him for even suggesting that

But he stopped them "aye aye aye aye kya re partners hain re aise ek ek karke udh gye toh dhanda kon Sambhalega"

The space fell silent again as his eyes reached her again making her look at him

The older man spoke again "garuda ko marne ke liye ek rocky paida kiya toh iss rocky ko marne ke liye ek aur rocky paida kar sakte kya"

The man infront of her smile his face scrunched up

"mera baap se he nahi hua toh mere baap ki kasam kissi se bhi nahi hoga" he faced him

"one and only piece" he smiled putting on his sunglasses as he walked out

He walked out leaving everyone in the room stunned looking at each other's faces

Hoping one of them would say something

Do something

The body was dragged away

Andrews looking at her making her nod as she made her way out

Now was the time

What she had been waiting for

A smile streched out across her face

This was gonna be fun

__________________________

@vijayasena @meenammaisslay @kalavathii @mahi-wayy @o-merebholebalam @hum-suffer

Did I forget anyone? I'm so sorry if I did

[crazy-fandom-madness]

Just a little Revenant x Reader cuz yes

This is my first time writing so sorry if there is any mistakes it anything enjoy

Summary: you decide to relax while the other legends talk amongst themselves and Revenant try’s his best to show he cares

Words 1.1k+

SFW/ Gender Neutral/ Fluff Rev/ Established Relationship

It was a normal day on the drop ship and Lifeline, Bangalore, Gibraltar, Octane, Mirage and Wattson where sitting and playing a card game, Newcastle and Wraith were watching listening to Mirage brag about how good he was. Of course Octane had to one up him at this point they where the only ones playing. You where laying down in the same room tired from the last match but the sound of Elliott and Octavio stopped you from sleeping. Though the Nessie Wattson gave you helped and Ajay’s light drumming on D.O.C. was also calming but it couldn’t distract from the eyes on you. Revenant, just in the corner watching not threatening just observing. You were always interested in the simulacrum and you knew he was somewhat nice to you well as nice as he could be, he tried his best.

“Ya sure you don’t want to join us?” Ajay stopped tapping D.O.C. to ask. “I bet you could get Mirage you shut up.�� Wraith added with a smirk earning a look from Eliott. “They look tired let’s leave them alone.” Natalie said making everyone go back to what they were doing. A loud laugh came from Octane as he won the match. “Sorry amigo looks like I win again!” Elliot wasn’t even paying attention to him. “Well maybe if that murder bot wasn’t standing so menacingly I would have played better.” Renee rolled her eyes. “Come on brudda no need to watch join us.” They all looked over to Revenant he just let out a grunt and left. “Typical.” Anita and Renee said in unison turning back to the game, you wondered where he was going looking over the couch you were on. He went into his room unable to see him you lay back down, closing your eyes finally falling asleep.

Waking up noticing your alone at least you thought but you have a blanket it was soft. One of Revenant’s you smile looking around for anyone. “Finally, you where out for a while.” A familiar robot voice filled the room looking over there he was. Starting to walk over to you he just looked at you so you spoke. “Were you just watching me? Oh and thanks for the blanket you could have just carried me to bed.” You giggled while getting up, he let out a grunt as a response. “You can walk yourself can’t you?” Collecting all your things you head back to your room with Revenant. He usually stands in the doorway just watching you sleep making sure your safe, but today he got into bed with you. As you got comfortable laying against him just listening to his robotic parts work. It was times like this that he wished he was human but he would never admit it. “I brought you some water so you don’t have to get up.” Looking over at the table there was indeed water, small thing like this is what made you happy. Sure he wasn’t great at showing love but he did it in his own way. You give him a small thanks before taking a sip of the water. Putting it back down on the table. You wanted to see if this time he would actually sleep or if he would just watch you like always.

He has a rest mode but he never used it he didn’t like to sleep, he didn’t need to so why use it? He didn’t trust anyone enough to use it in the first place. You knew he would use it in due time, when he was ready. “Well I’m going to go to sleep feel free to move me if you want to leave.” You giggle knowing he will stay there all night. As you rest your head on his chest you hear the parts start to slow down, getting more calm the faint glow from his eyes light the room. You tiredly say you love him and you start to doze off. Smiling when he says it back, playing with your hair just a little, things he would only do in private. You wake up to the sound of Octane and Mirage again knowing you won’t be able to fall back asleep you get up. But not before noticing Revenant, asleep well in resting mode it brought a smile to your face, he is comfortable enough to do this. You lay back down and cuddle him whispering sweet nothings to him. Holding his hand and rubbing it, he often picked at the paint on his hands hating Hammond Robotics for making him this killing machine. Of course you understand this hatred he had, but remind him to be nice to himself.

His LED eyes start to light back up, gears inside him start up again. “Morning, did you rest well?” You ask as he starts back up. “I guess it’s not like it does me any use.” He sits up and watches you get ready. “Well I’m just happy your comfortable with me to do that I know it’s hard for you.” It was, he’s trying for you but it’s still hard for him to show it. “Small steps at a time.” You add all he said was a soft yeah. As you where about to leave the room he stopped you. “Thank you, for making me feel human.” He hugged you it was unusual for him to do this but you let him. “I try my best, honestly forget your not sometimes.” With a soft giggle you let go of him and smile. If he could he would be too, you place a soft kiss where his lips would be and leave.

You were greeted by Bangalore and Gibraltar they were talking about the schedule. “Bonjour, did you sleep well I hope we didn’t wake you?” Natalie asked while she watched Ajay work on D.O.C. “Not at all Wattson, so what’s the plan for today?” Looking over at Anita. She took a sip of coffee as she explained everything. She soon left to grab some more coffee and Ajay’s light tapping with her shock sticks could be heard as you felt eyes on you. Revenant walked over to you sitting next to you, he put his arm around you. But quickly moved it as Bangalore walked back in. He didn’t pull away when you grabbed his hand rubbing where the Hammond Robotics logo was. Small steps you say to your self. After a few minutes of sitting with each other the announcement for the next match could be heard. Letting go of his hand getting ready he stops you, and puts a light kiss on your hand before going to his spot. The progress might be slow he might not even get past this stage but you didn’t mind. You would always love him no matter what and you knew he felt the same. Smiling while looking at him you start to drop. He looked at you as you both got ready to jump sharing a look before everyone jumped. Sure you loved him but this is a blood sport and you didn't come to lose. Giving him one last look knowing it will be over soon and you can go back to holding him. And with that let the games begin.

[chaiandtakkar]

Whispers Beneath the Stars

Chapter 1

May 1998, Bangalore

The hum of the dial-up internet still echoed in 16-year-old Khushi’s ears as the cyber café finally sprang to life.  This was her weekly escape. When things got stifling between Amma and Appa, Khushi ran to this hidden corner of the world. Tucked away from the humdrum of burgeoning Bangalore, the café was a safe haven—a small cubicle with a plastic chair, a flickering monitor, and the thrill of connecting with people miles away. 

She drummed her fingers on the desk, glancing at the timer on the computer screen—50 minutes left of her prepaid hour. Anytime now, she thought, the minutes ticking louder in her mind. 

She leaned forward in her chair, squinting at the glowing screen. They had a rhythm, she and Skybound. He always showed up five minutes after her, like clockwork. And today, just as expected there it was—the familiar sound she had been waiting for, the uh-oh of ICQ, signaling a new message. The chat room opened, and a message blinked at her from an anonymous familiar visitor. No names exchanged.. Just conversation. A secret she indulged in every week.

She smiled. This stranger was becoming her favorite part of the week.

Skybound: Back again, I see. Couldn’t resist the allure of my charming personality, could you?

Khushi bit back a smile, fingers flying across the keyboard.

OceanBreeze:Oh, don’t flatter yourself. I just needed a distraction from my boring life. Figured I can use a laugh.

There was a pause, the cursor blinking as she waited for his reply. All she knew was that he was from somewhere up north, but beyond that, he was a mystery. And it didn’t matter—this was the one place where she didn’t need to explain herself or carry the weight of everything happening in the real world.

Skybound: A laugh? I’m always here to serve. Need me to trip over something?

She exhaled a soft giggle. For a moment, she glanced around the café, her lips caught between her teeth, suddenly self-conscious. Laughing in public wasn’t something she did often—it was something Amma would find out of place. Here though, with Skybound, she didn’t have to hide.

OceanBreeze: Oh, please. You sound too coordinated for that. I bet you’re the type who walks in slow motion while everyone else stumbles.

Skybound: You got me. But it’s not my fault. The universe just gave me the gift of looking good from every angle.

OceanBreeze: Wow. Humble too, I see.

Skybound: What can I say? When you have your sisters constantly criticizing your every move, you’ve got to boost your own ego. It’s survival.

Khushi rolled her eyes, though a grin tugged at her lips. His humor had a way of easing the heaviness she carried.

OceanBreeze: So how many sisters do you have, anyway?

Skybound: Three sisters. Why, you want one?

Khushi burst out laughing in the quiet café, earning a few glances from the other cubicles. She quickly typed back.

OceanBreeze: Three sisters? You’re living in a circus, not a house!

Skybound: You have no idea. They run my life. I just exist in their kingdom, like a court jester trying not to get fired.

OceanBreeze: Well, for what it’s worth, I think you’re holding your own pretty well. three sisters and a sense of humor? You must be some kind of superhero.

Skybound: I’ll take that as a compliment. But you — appears no siblings at all? Seems a bit too quiet. Doesn’t it get lonely? You can certainly have some of mine, free trial.

Khushi paused for a moment, the cursor blinking at her. Lonely. It wasn’t something she thought about often, but there was a truth in the word that made her pause. She brushed it off, typing quickly before the feeling settled in.

OceanBreeze: Sounds like a good trade to me! How about you take my Chikkamma for a week, and I’ll take your sisters?

Skybound: Deal! But I warn you, they might try to turn you into their personal doll. Are you ready for glitter and fashion critiques?

OceanBreeze: As long as I get out of the cooking lectures, I’m game!

Skybound: Just remember, once you step into their world, there’s no escape. I might be the handsome prince, but I’m still trapped in their castle!

Khushi laughed, shaking her head. She could almost picture him now—some guy with an easy grin, confident in a way that wasn’t obnoxious but just enough to make her wonder.

OceanBreeze: And here I thought you were living the glamorous life.

Skybound: Glamorous? Me? Ha. My life’s a mix of tea breaks and avoiding household chores. But hey, it’s a peaceful existence.

OceanBreeze: Tea and avoiding chores sounds a lot like heaven to me right now.

Skybound: Oh yeah? What’s got you running from home today?

Khushi paused for a second. She could feel the cool Bangalore breeze through the café’s windows, and the hint of rain in the air seemed to match her mood. The silence between her and Amma at home had been growing louder, and escaping to the café was the only way to breathe.

OceanBreeze: Same old. Amma wants me to be more responsible, Appa wants me to study harder..

The cursor blinked as she pressed send. Skybound's reply came swiftly.

Skybound: Ah, the classic. Well, if it makes you feel any better, I’m supposed to be peeling vegetables right now.

Khushi could imagine it now—this mysterious boy somewhere in a bustling household, juggling demands from three sisters while plotting his own small rebellions. It felt surreal, talking to someone she’d never seen but could picture so clearly in her mind.

OceanBreeze: I knew it! The glamorous life. Next thing you’ll tell me is you’re also a master chef.

Skybound: Nope. But I can manage pretty decent pakoras without setting the kitchen on fire. Does that count?

OceanBreeze: Impressive. A man of many talents.

Skybound: What can I say? I aim to surprise. But what about you? Any secret talents?

OceanBreeze: Hah. I wish. Mostly I’m just trying to survive the week without upsetting Amma and Chikkama.

Skybound: Well, you made it here. That’s gotta count for something. Plus, you’ve got me for company. That’s a win, right?

Khushi’s smile softened. His words wrapped around her like a warm blanket, easing the tension in her shoulders. He had no idea how much she needed this, this simple escape into lighthearted banter, a world where she didn’t have to carry the weight of her family’s expectations.

OceanBreeze: Yeah. I guess that’s something. Your simple life sounds like the kind of escape I need.

Skybound: Who knew avoiding chores could be so inspiring? You should try it sometime.

OceanBreeze: Maybe I will. But for now, I’ll just live vicariously through your peaceful existence.

Skybound: My peaceful existence is here for your entertainment, any time.

She laughed again, the sound softer this time. There was something about him—his mix of devilish charm and simplicity—that made her feel lighter, like the weight she carried wasn’t so heavy when they talked.

OceanBreeze: Thanks for that. You have no idea how much I needed this tonight.

Skybound: You’re welcome. Anytime you need a break from your perfect-daughter-niece duties, you know where to find me.

OceanBreeze: I’ll hold you to that.

There was a comfort in their banter, a lightness that made Khushi forget the weight of the day. She didn’t know his name, or anything about him beyond these fragments, but it didn’t matter. In this space, she didn’t need to. It was like slipping into another world, where nothing mattered except the words on the screen and the connection they formed.

Skybound:Well, stranger, until next time, then?

Khushi smiled, her fingers tapping lightly on the keys as she sent her final message.

OceanBreeze: Until next time.

Khushi smiled, her fingers hovering over the keyboard. Talking to Skybound felt like slipping into a different world, one where she didn’t have to pretend, didn’t have to hold back. Maybe that’s why, after all these months, she hadn’t asked for his name or shared hers. It was safer this way—letting him remain a mystery, just like she was to him. And yet, week after week, she returned. She couldn’t quite explain why, but something about him made her feel understood in a way that no one else did.

She logged off, the café’s hum fading as she stepped outside into the humid Bangalore night.

>>Chapter 2

Also on Blog here

@arshifiesta

[desi-girll]

Page 142 of 366

Dear diary 🧸,

i thought i wouldn't have been able to update on here today because of internet, but since the wifi is working quite well, why not? :)

so i woke up at 2:45 AM today (slept at 10:30 PM but couldn't sleep until 1:40 AM due to anxiety and happiness lol). then we got dressed up and by 3:45 AM our cab arrived to take us to the airport. there we did everything we gotta do and then chilled out at the lounge for sometime. i had a cappuccino and mom had a café latte. then on the flight i again had coffee and a corn cheeese sandwich. then we landed at the Bangalore Airport at 9 AM, collected our bags and a cab arrived to take us to Coorg. on the way we had our brunch at around 12 noon and we three had an amazing Fruit Sundae that was mwahh frr <33 then we entered Coorg, we went to see a few tourist places. meanwhile it started raining and we had to run through the rain literally to get to our car and it got so cold my teeth were chattering lol :") i also had another cup of coffee (delicious oooof) then we finally finally reached our hotel at 7 PM and we are chilling out <3

overall it was a great day and probably the most number of times I've had coffee in a day lmao (hey i woke up at 2:45, cut me some slack). if internet is good tomorrow, I'll update otherwise later <3

love,

me

[mercurygray]

The big question here is Bangalore going to be as big a fan of Crank as he is of Andy? Juno xx

Mmm, Juno, this is such a good question!

For the new folks - Bangalore is the Arsenault family's famously large and selectively friendly cat - he's a big ginger who's probably part Maine Coon and very grumpy about everything, and they named him Bangalore because he looks a tiny bit like a tiger. (Listen, her brother George was small when they named him. It's fine.) He's very standoffish with nearly everyone except with Vivian, whom he tolerates more than everyone else, and seeing how the cat reacts to you is a bit of a scratch test for new friends and acquaintances.

Bangalore loves Andy - he actually sits on his lap during their first meeting, which he never does with anyone, and purrs like a damn engine. (I love this drabble so much.)

I think Bangalore and Crank have a much more casual relationship. Crank gets headbutts against his leg, and Bangalore lets Crank give him head-skritches and hisses at people for him. (They're running on the same level of grumpy, to be honest. Kindred spirits.) Crank also has to…work through some things, after the war, about cats - things he probably has to explain to Vivian at some family shindig after he's exchanged one too many agitated glances at Bangalore and maybe tossed up his lunch. "I ate some things I'm not proud of either," Vivian says. "It was a different place - and it was them or you."

[sapphic-woes]

Since I've been playing Apex nonstop....Sevika as a legend anyone? (Imma avoid the lore cuz I have yet to sit down and learn it fully yet;;)

Apex!Sevika x Reader

I'm thinking Sevika is an assault legend, probably uses her arm for special damage close range and rolls her ultimate with smth heavy. (Like Bangalore)

One the other hand, I think you would be either support, or a controller. Maybe even recon.

Anyways. I'm thinking this isn't your first rodeo. You've been apart of the Apex games way before Sevika shows up. You might look sweet, but you've had your fair share of kills.

But Sevika acts like she's a goddamn hotshot. She hits you with a sneer and chiding words to "aim next time." And even takes the time to pat you head when you're knocked down before finishing the job. (Ok look I dunno abt the lore but let's say in this au it rlly is like the game and you can revive and turn into a box when u die alright...)

So of course, in return you make sure she knows just how smug you are when you win against her. You don't get why Sevika always teases in the first place, but you sure as hell aren't letting her get away with it.

Slowly, everyone comes to know that you both have a sorta rivalry going on. Whenever anyone even mentions spotting Sevika, you're immediately dead set on knocking her down, and it's the exact same with her.

However. The fans notice too, and immediately the public see you both as the perfect set up for enemies to lovers.

You adore your fans, and always want to keep them entertained...but even you have a limit. However, this was a bloodsport, and entertainment came before your pride.

So that's how you find yourself landing on the edge of the map, doing duos with Sevika.

God. It's painful. She takes the shields you call dibs on, the guns from supply bins you open first, even the fucking knockdown shields you stumble upon!

Sevika ignores every time you suggest a location to check out, engages with the enemy without a plan, let alone a warning, and hardly ever acts like a team player. Yet?

"If you're going to be a fucking idiot and die, do it when you're on someone else's squad!" You hiss, dragging Sevika's body behind cover to revive her.

"Ugh, shit–the fucker has like, three hits left on him I swear–"

"And so do I. While he's trying to find us, think it's best to recharge ye?" You tsk, ignoring Sevika's near pout on her face and grumble that you could definitely still kill him. You played smart–played to win, but Sevika?

Honestly? You guessed this was more for the adrenaline rush than anything.

You pull out a syringe with a huff, bloody hands moving to undo her buttons Sevika raises an eyebrow, but youre immune to her subtle flirting, knowing damn well she just wants to get under your skin.

The skin just above her breasts is warm. Her chest heaves, pressing against the pads of your fingers. This close, you're breathing in her scent of gunpowder and cigarettes. Sevika grunts quickly, and her breath is hot against your ear. You nod, feeling her entire body brace before you stabbed her with the syringe. She grimaces, and you tsk, hauling her to her feet.

"Get knocked down on me again, and I'll fucking kill you." Sevika only quirks her dark lips up, and you can't help but think it's unfair. She looks breathtaking despite the mud, blood, and gunpowder covering her head to toe.

"Aw, you worried babe?" What did she just call me? Your cheeks burn at the petname, and you nearly follow through with your threat, pulling out your gun and aiming it at her.

"Huh? Wait! Y/n, are you seri–!"

However, rather than shoot her point blank you shot three times behind her. Your opponent falls to the ground, and you tilt your head in mild surprise as Sevika lets out a shaky breath.

"Huh. So it really was three."

"Well yeah, you said–wait...you were just guessing? You could have gotten us both killed!"

After that, you guys learn that you work, somehow. You get a lot more wins than when either of you are paired with someone else, and eventually you both only like teaming up together. You for the wins, and Sevika because to get a win, there's guaranteed heavy action.

However, as the malice between you two fades, the teasing becomes less superficial, the flirting has a dangerous edge to it all, and every time you come to Sevika's rescue....

Her eyes on you as you press the syringe into her exposed chest, mutter "c'mon, c'mon..." with worry are burning. They're hot as she watches you guard the door as she patches up, hungry as you down enemies easily before letting her know that was the last of the squad....and you didn't even break a sweat wiping them out yourself.

She thinks it's hot. To put it simply.

So one day. One random day of running from the ring, shooting down enemies and getting shot yourself, she goes for it.

"God Sev. How the fuck did you think you could take on three other teams like that? Why couldn't you just wait for me?" You grumble, slamming a door closed before promptly straddling the larger woman.

"Some legend you are, immediately getting gunned down." You speak as you undo her top, letting her rich, tantalizing skin be exposed to you. You glance at her face to see her eyes on you, calmly focusing in a way that infuriates you.

"God, what now? Are you even listening to me–"

"Nope. Not at all." That's it. You immediately stab her with the syringe, smirking when Sevika winces. Her body is a furnace under your legs as you lean forward to snarl.

"You're a fucking piece of shit you know that? I swear to God, I don't even know why I bother saving your ass–!" Lips stop your words mid sentence, and you gasp as Sevika suddenly leans forward to kiss you. Her hand snakes around to the back of your neck, holding you steady and she presses deeper.

Your body tingles, and your fingers holding the syringe tremble. You can't let go, she needs to heal...but she's going to kill you like this! Her metal arm is wrapping around your waist, trailing down your spine and coaxing out a whine from you. Sevika's lips curl into a smile against your own, and she hums with satisfaction.

Why is she doing this? You'd pay to know, shuddering as her teeth pull at your bottom lip when she finally lets you breathe. You huff, scarlet as a now-healed-Sevika eyes her handiwork. Your lips feel sensitive and warm, so you can only imagine how they look–kiss bruised and inviting her to do more.

"Why..." Sharply, a gunshot whizzes past your head, and both of you freeze before scrambling up onto your feet.

"How about we talk about this after we make sure not to die?"

"Definitely."

[random-xpressions]

Context: the picture below was taken in pure frivolity to tell my ex that I'm busy in my own headspace. In other words, a DO NOT DISTURB pic.

DEEPER DIVE INTO INDIAN MYTHOLOGY

The first picture is actually the statue of Adiyogi Shiva situated in Bangalore - one week left for its first anniversary.

Now our land has been steeped in polytheism but unfortunately foreign interpretations of the ancient scripts have been utterly biased and had actually missed the very central theme and divine message.

Now I'm in no way for or against any of the belief systems around the world and purely honours whatever an individual chooses to believe. This post is now purely intended to dive into the esoteric aspects of the Indian mythology.

The core teaching of this land has been that they don't limit God to a certain time or place but they believe in the appearance and the reappearance of the divine in all forms, in all places, in all times.

This is the reason that they see the spiritual masters at a step greater than the station of their own biological parents because while one is the cause of your entry into earthly existence the other is the bridge for you to transcend into higher heavenly realms.

So the core of Indian system of belief begins from the sacred institution of Guru/Shishya otherwise translated feebly as Master/Disciple relationship.

Now somehow there is a wide misinterpretation from the ignoramuses as well in worshipping everything they get hold of, being deluded to think that a physical manifestation is actually the Divine whereas at its best could only be a segmental representation, an earthly descent popularly known in Sanskrit language as "Avatãra" - a transcendental form open for human experience.

The purpose of every ancient scripture has been very clear - to unlock the human potential and to have the pinnacle of divine experiences while still within the garb of human flesh, blood and bone. Such an unlocking is either attained or gifted or a combination of both. Meditation, prayer, efforts in service to humanity - there are a thousand ways to kneel.

Don't be surprised, ancient scripts have an entire branch of SCIENCE in finding salvation through the practise of sex which is seen as the pinnacle of dance between two humans. So the whole idea of religion is not just limited to the rites or rituals but to the actual liberation of humanity through the most mundane of daily activities.

To conclude, this is in no way even an exposition or promotion in its slightest the religion of Hinduism as is existent in its present day because to understand even the basic precept of this land and its tradition will require much deeper dive than what's available to the common masses.

Random Xpressions

[imsleepinggoodnight]

Apex academy AU

I’m thinking that after the legends retire they have the choice to teach the best of the best to show them how to be apex legends.(this is years later so some have retired)

Caustics class is one of, if not the most difficult classes of the entire academy, since not a single distraction can take place. He teaches chemistry and biology mainly, he secondly teaches engineering and physics. He seems to be okay with what he’s doing, but deep down he is more than happy where he is. The only down side (in his opinion) is that he can’t use live human test subjects as much as he had hoped. Once a semester in chemistry and biology he somehow has convinced the academy to bring in a live , human subject for each. Rumours have gone around as to where and how he is getting these people, some say that they’re prisoners on death row but, who really knows? Anyways, the students that he enjoys the most are surprisingly not the ones with the best grades, but the ones who work the hardest. He had vantage in one of his classes and enjoyed her work ethic when it came to the difficult physics questions. Unlike the students who figured it out in minute and just sat back down, she spent days at the single question that was given to her. When she finally solved it she ran to his office and showed him all the progress that she had made. Little did she know, Alexander was overjoyed that she worked that the equation for hours on end. Before she walked out of his office he stopped her to congratulate her, telling her it was an incredibly difficult question. All she did was nodded and walked off and he was delighted with that response.

Horizon is one of the most loved teachers in the academy, even if her classes give caustic a run for his money. She teaches astronomy and physics first, then the apex games history second. Her main classes are filled with experiments and visually appealing tech thanks to her discoveries. Some students who aren’t even in her class will come and sit to watch the lessons since they are so interesting. She adores when this happens, trying to urge caustic to do the same thing (allowing students to watch) on their lunch break. When the two profs work together (which is once a month) the classroom is packed with students, eager to watch their presentation together. Her apex games history class is just a bird class to pass the time or random credits. Not only does she teach the history, but she’ll take iconic clips from the games and analyze them with the class, to see what they did right and what they did wrong. On the day profs have to catch up on work (aka the profs hang out) horizon and caustic are normally tucked away in a physics laboratory, trying to solve “impossible” equations. So far they’ve only been able to solve what happens inside of a black hole (they were so proud they sealed the chalkboard behind glass to save the moment forever) the reason she came to the academy in the first place, is because her son became a professor of mechanics because of his help making pathfinder.

Bangalore was given full control of the gun range which she ADORED. The physics students sometimes come in to put their equations to the test, and she can correct their mistakes without knowing how any of the equations work. Because she was a soldier for so many years, she doesn’t need to teach as many classes compared to the other profs. She still has classes in the gun range like the anatomy of weapons or showing how some of the more rare weapons work (Kraber, FF sword, knife ect.) she’s given only one class on callouts because some didn’t think it was “important” but she really enjoyed teaching that class. In combat she seems like an intimidating person but as long as you respect her authority, she is a calm and nice. Most people don’t even test her authority because she once lost her shit on a student who kept talking over her and disrespecting her authority.

Mirage got in because he got shot in the back of one of his knees, causing him to lose his ability to walk. The positive to this is he thinks he’s professor X and isn’t having a suck attack about the ordeal. No one knows how but he somehow got a cooking class to himself????? It’s not even super fancy it’s HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL😭. This is his MAIN CLASS PEOPLE. His secondary class is the art of bamboozling. No one knows how the FUCK he got the class to be named that but he does take it incredibly seriously. Even if no other legend can use his ability (copyright strikes yall) he still teaches how to escape out of the tightest of situations without being seen. He doesn’t really do much good to the academy, other than entertainment. Since 3/4 of the time he isn’t teaching, he’s still roaming the campus (since he lives there) trying to go as fast as he can in his motorized vehicle and even hitting ramps. A lot of speculation has gone around that he’s healed but he just really likes being compared to an x-men and he doesn’t wanna seem old using a cane, so he sticks w the wheelchair. He is an absolute social media ICON, students filming videos of his stupid ass around campus ( I’m thinking like a TikTok).

That’s it for now, I am failing my classes but I can write a bunch for my bookies so yeah did we like?

[horsesource]

“I remember the railway station ticket office in Bangalore, India. It was a huge hall with a very high ceiling and with many counters. Railway is the primary mode of transport in India. I loved the place. What was so interesting to me? It was the huge amount of movement and energy inside that booking office hall. Every time I visited it, I got a little more familiar with that place. There was always a big crowd.

The more I went to the ticket office, the more I got to ‘time’ my senses as the events took place, so that I could isolate each happening from any other.

Since I could now easily recognize the door as a door and the wall as a wall because I saw them so often, and since I no longer needed to stare at the design on the mosaic floor and wait for Mother to narrate to me what went around on me while I was staring hard at the floor till my eyes watered, I could look around me. I could see the crowd and smell the crowd. I could hear the crowd and feel it grow around me. I could see and smell the crowded room all at the same time. I heard pieces of conversations in different languages. I could understand some languages, while others I could not. The ones I could not made me wonder about their words. I formed my own translations just by guessing.

I was so fascinated by the sounds and energy of the ticket office that I began to visit it every week and then demanded to go there every day. I was obsessed about visiting it. It became like my pilgrimage, be it monsoon, be it summer, to visit it. I began to need it.”

Tito Mukhopadhyay

[100hands]

Shankar Kanade

Bijoy Ramachandran / July 16th, 2024

for 'Creations' magazine, Sangli

Sometime in the summer of 1992, a motley group of architects of disparate dispositions organised a workshop. A house was to be designed on a linear site with roads on the two narrow ends almost a floor apart in section. I remember distinctly the sensation of suddenly becoming aware of the power of the split-level – offering prospect and refuge, creating an intimate scale and responding to location in a visceral and direct way.

This was also the first time I got the chance to engage closely with the Base Group - Nikhil Arni, Sharad Padalkar, Edgar Demello, Sanjay Mohe, Prem Chandavarkar and of course the Kanade brothers. Discussions meandered and arguments were common. As participants, the real learning was about the importance of taking positions and working at the level of small details simultaneously with a larger contextual and societal awareness. Though the notion of ‘Indianness’ preoccupied the national discourse, this workshop seemed to focus squarely on what Prem called the ‘palpability of place’.

It was intimidating to see the ease with which Mohe drew the aspirational view – incorporating into it everything to do with ‘inhabitation’ – the shade, the perfect perch and vantage. Edgar and Prem brought their wide erudition and travels to our conversations. When will we ever read all those books, internalize all those seminal projects and be able to articulate our realization with such clarity? Nikhil was the agent provocateur and a host par excellence, introducing us to great music and delectable accouterments. Padalkar, with his long Swedish experience, gently nudging us to be watchful and Navnath Kanade, an enigmatic teacher - not easily satisfied, often using metaphors to instruct us.

Shankar Kanade Sir on the other hand sat down with us to draw. He was keen to engage at that level, with us. He was curious about his own instincts and where they would lead on this interesting site. His mind racing with ideas and opportunities. I have rarely had a teacher like this - someone who got down into the trenches with us, often as unsure as us about direction, but through this journey showing us methods, strategies and general principles of engagement. Being with him was a lesson in the single-minded pursuit of joy - the masterful management of all challenges into the making of places for well-being.

Years later on a visit to Keremane, their celebrated apartment building in Bangalore, with Prof. Chhaya, I remember distinctly, Shankar Sir’s recapitulation of the cost break-up of each component of construction and how he figured out ways to reduce this. His preoccupation with affordability did not come at the cost of making places of heightened sensory delight. So many of his homes reveal their making in literal but idiosyncratic ways. The trace of the hand is immediately perceivable, manifest in the intimate scale, the glorious imperfections, and the whimsical compositions. But often this articulated exterior conceals a rich, mysteriously lit, and cavernous interior, even in the smallest of homes. The scale of the projects did not deter Shankar Sir from his preoccupation with choreographing this sense of joy and wonder. His homes reveal the great empathy he had for his clients, working closely with them to keep their homes within budget, and surprising them with this bonus of a constantly inspiring place to live.

In 2023, as part of the Dhruba Baruah Memorial lecture event in Kolhapur, I got a chance to visit ‘lal ghar’ near Sangli with Mohe, Girish Doshi and around 20 architects. We spent the day with Shankar Sir in his wonderful laterite house, with two courtyards, an ingenious play of levels, and as always, just the perfect scale. It was a wonderful day. Shankar Sir and Mohe recapitulating the early days of discovery – at JJ, working in Doshi’s office on housing and Bernard Kohn’s office on a building for Vikram Sarabhai, teaching at CEPT, the wonderful Base Group days, talking about Kanvinde, Raje, and Correa and that very particular moment in time – when the nation was seeking an architectural identity and Shankar Sir as a young architect was seeking a foothold. Shankar

Sir’s humble beginnings, his deep and long-standing passion for architecture, and a willingness to engage wholeheartedly in the work at hand are inspirational lessons for us. His ability to see opportunity in any situation and turn even the most intractable condition to create magic is the result of his deep humanity and empathy.

Mohe told us of a story of when Shankar Sir lived in Mumbai in a small room while at JJ. The roof had a large hole in it and when asked about the rains, Shankar Sir would say that when lying down it was wonderful to have the stars overhead. As young architects finding our feet in Bangalore in the 90’s, we were fortunate to have had Shankar Sir and the other wonderful architects of the Base Group who blazed a path for us to follow, showing us what it is to be a real architect – one with integrity, curiosity and an abiding humanity.

[pleuvoire]

2023 books i liked recap because why not

top faves, new entries on the all-timers shelf:

piranesi is like a sweet spot of novels made for me i swear. aesthetically beautiful (as far as mental images go), themes of wonder at the beauty of the world, a slowly unfurling mystery, a simple plot but with vibrant beauty and meaning layered on top. It's Good

giovanni's room also has a very simple plot that is so overlaid with soaring passionate emotion i swear it feels like an opera in book form. timeless classic. it's good idk what to tell you

oh man ancillary justice is such good sci-fi. when you start out reading it you're like this is rather dry but it pulls you in so hard. the worldbuilding! the themes of identity! breq is such a good character!

not quite all-timer shelf but still really good

fish swimming in dappled sunlight is ultimately a story about stories and memory and constructed narratives and the reliability thereof. it takes place over a single night and mostly just consists of characters sitting around talking, but manages to pull some crazy twists on you regardless. love the prose style too

i'm glad my mom died lives up to the acclaim. mccurdy has a real talent for narrative voice, effortlessly inhabiting the viewpoint of her younger self at various ages. balances humor and tragedy with frank candor. i sound like a review pull quote here so i'll stop

infect your friends and loved ones is actually a novella so pretty short! it's by the author of detransition baby and has definitely gotten me interested in reading that. really vivid meditation on trans womanhood and transmisogyny that bounces between post-apocalypse and pre-apocalypse settings. pdf here

less stand-out but i still liked it

what are you are looking for is in the library is a nice little series of loosely connected vignettes about people who are stuck at some point in their life and find inspiration at the library. all the staff at my library job wanted to read it so the hold list was a mile long lol. has inspiring themes about always being able to find a way forward when you're in a rut and the power of community and stuff

a people's history of heaven is about the life and times of a group of girls living in a slum in bangalore, india. i liked how it interwove different people's life stories together and used lots of vivid detail and i like how the trans girl's story was written. some aspects were hit or miss for me but it was still nice

temple alley summer is a kids' book but i like kids' books so that's fine. it's about a boy who sees a ghost and the next day she's a student at his school and everyone seems to already know her but him and it turns out this is because his house was built on top of a mystical temple. i like the meditations on life and death and the simple heartwarmingness. it takes a long unexpected detour in the second half which threw me for a loop but ended up working for the story

stuff i started reading but didn't finish and i swear i'm going to try to get to it this year

to shape a dragon's breath is pretty long so i didn't get that far in before i had to return it to the library but i really liked what i read. the worldbuilding is really interesting and the narrative voice feels fresh and unique and deftly avoids the samey YA mold that tends to grate on me. and it's got commentary on colonialism! definitely check this one out

i got halfway through radium girls which is an accomplishment for me since it's long. rare nonfiction entry on this list. goes into insanely meticulous historical detail complete with fiction-style descriptions and embellishments of the girls' lives which just makes it more tragic

i own a copy of the haunting of hajji hotak but it's seriously harrowing stuff so i had to take breaks. it's good man. but whew it does not shy away from the realities of living under war and occupation. death to america

ok that's everything i think seeya next year