New laser material could make solar energy harvesting more efficient

A new laser material designed by scientists at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) could change the way solar energy is harvested and make solar power generation more efficient. Unlike an ordinary flashlight, lasers can generate an intense, narrow beam of light of a single colour. Professor Ayush Pandey and his team of researchers atContinue reading "New laser material could make solar energy harvesting more efficient"

The Animation Instinct

In barely a few years, Bengaluru has seen a spurt in the number of animation studios based in the city. The number of studios has gone up from just a handful less than a decade ago to nearly 50 today, say industry experts. A 2015 National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) study onContinue reading "The Animation Instinct"

The Booksellers of Bangalore – 2

Back again with more haunts for those of you who get high on the scent of books: 1. Goobe's Book Republic: A short walk down from K.C. Das Sweets on Church Street, you can spot an intriguing sign on the pavement: Haha. Cracks me up everytime. Goobe's is cool: a funky little store in the basement, with quotes onContinue reading "The Booksellers of Bangalore – 2"

A little whimsy

I sat there, forcing myself into that uncomfortable space.  Putting my phone away, feeling that “incredible loneliness”, as Louis put it. Listening, really listening, to my despair. That Crillon cake was perfect. And the tea too. It's good to be able to feel it; that aloneness. You can almost hear them, those unhappy thoughts, wailing asContinue reading "A little whimsy"

A cup of tea, all nice and buttery

Somehow salty tea always reminds me of this saccharine sweet, a-tad-too-sentimental SMS forward: a guy takes a pretty girl on a date and he is so nervous he asks the waiter for salt in his coffee. When she looks askance, he says it reminds him of the saltiness in the sea near his childhood home.Continue reading "A cup of tea, all nice and buttery"

To poetry and all things sublime

Our poetry is the last dreamy song sung in haste by a head on the rails listening to the rumble of the approaching train before the steel crushes its thought. - Farewell, by K. Satchidanandan I take up poetry with a little trepidation. Prose is easier, it is all there, marked down into tidy slots;Continue reading "To poetry and all things sublime"

Child abuse: Starting a conversation

We got cable TV when I was around nine. Suddenly, SONY and StarPlus were being aired right to our homes, and with that, the 4 to 6 p.m. slot was booked for a bunch of American sit-coms from the '80s: Small Wonder, Bewitched, Silver Spoons and Diff'rent Strokes. Even if the story line was flimsyContinue reading "Child abuse: Starting a conversation"

A morning at the terrace

“What makes you truly happy?” Somebody posed this question to me once. It’s a question we should all have an answer to, a Happy Place where life seems a little easier. Eventually I decided on this: “The smell of earth after the first showers... and watching the sunrise from the terrace.” Well, there are monthsContinue reading "A morning at the terrace"