Riya's Riyaaz

Do you go back & read what you have written before? Is confrontation a sin? Does a person have the same handwriting forever? Do people really SEE your Instagram stories? Will social media be a thing in next 10 years? Do we overestimate ourselves? Is my voice heard? Do all women feel the way I do? Is family important? Shouldn't we question the institution of the family? Is it important for 40 or just 10 people to know and respond? Hum jo karte hain, uska kya matlab hai? (What is the meaning of what we do?) Is being opinionated a problem? Does that make me rude? Is self awareness not important?  - What am I eating, drinking, wearing? Where is it coming from? Does any one not care about what they give back to nature? -  What are my rights? Why did no one ask me to read the Indian constitution in school? Do people think THIS way? Am I a modernist under the false self claim of a contemporary? Am I a commie under the hood of a capitalist wanting to be a socialist? Am I a good pe...

The lockdown came with a surprise, dropping economy and lack of job opportunities and illness. I was in the same pool as fellow newly bud architect friends. Either quitting jobs or tired of them or still looking for one. If that weren't enough, it also brought a huge change.  Now in the 1 BHK house; where it seems Dad only came home for evening news and a good night's sleep; his presence became unavoidable. Suddenly the space in our 1 BHK fell short, accommodating two of dad's P.C. for WFH(work from home) in the living room, and welcoming his assistant everyday. His tiny office space pushed Maa and us siblings in the confines of our kitchen and bedroom. Privacy was always an issue. Indian parents have their own ways of intervening in your life whether you have your own room or not. I have found my ways around it, however how much stays private (let's not think on it).  I suppose the lockdown turned us all into chef's, if that's not an overstatement. There was no...

As I was going through my phone gallery, I noticed I have clicked pictures of admired the sky more, in the four months of lock down, than in the eight years that I have lived here.

Omkareshwar The beautiful house of Ahilya Bai Holkar Maheshwar

Life is like a movie     ~ Rupali Gupte Life at SEA (School of Environment and Architecture) has been extraordinary. February 7th, '20 called for a celebration, as SEA would complete it's first five years, the first batch would graduate. The preparations for the five year event was undertone, we only realized the enormity of the event later. Jury, rather scholars were invited from around the world for the event, followed by a SEA city event on the next day. The event took place in Nehru Science Centre, designed by Achyut Kanvinde, adding metaphorical significance. A week before the event I received a phone call from Shreyank, they would like me to present student work, along with five other students. I was thrilled and nervous at the same time. Us students, with Shreyank and Rohit spent hours preparing for the day. While the last day of school(in April), did not feel as the end, the anticipation of the event was a reminder that we were closer to ...

Streets of Goa Ini Chatterjee's house in the making Nisha's Play School Kala Academy Our everyday ferry ride  

For many reasons this post has been long delayed. I thought I could easily write about Rajasthan well as I wrote about Tamil Nadu. Lets find out... Diwali has always been the time for family vacations. Earlier it used to be spending time at Grandma's, bursting crackers and other shenanigans related to Diwali. However in past many years, the break has meant going to selected destinations in India for a tour. The first day in Ranthambore was relaxed. On someone's suggestion we decided to make an hour's ride to Chambal River. I fall short of words when I say this, we did not expect to be the only four people on the shore, including two other people with a boat. The place was untouched by any tourist litter. The water was sparkling clean. The silence in the air took on us. We sat there for a long time, dad telling stories of dacoits (bandits) of the chambal and us trying to wonder how time has changed. Later in the evening we took the forest safari...