Phew. It’s been quite a HELL of a year, isn’t it? The year of Am I Audibles, Netflix minus chills, Couch potatoes and whatnot, 2020 gave us Millennials and Gen Z our own version of We-survived-THIS-and-THAT-what-did-you-do Ted Talk, the one that’s been performed by Desi parents since forever.
Acknowledging the smaller privileges that I have with a roof over my head, a healthy atmosphere and the availability of almost everything to be delivered at my doorstep, this year has been a blessing in several ways. Nine months of troglodyte life under lock-down has granted me a fair amount of time to listen, watch, create and most importantly, to read and reflect. For someone who identifies with a fernweh spirit, it’s quite surprising to feel perfectly content with such a long reclusive phase of being. I have come to the conclusion that, contrary to my imagination, I am totally adaptable provided there is EATABLE food, basic essentials and more than anything else, high-speed internet connection. 😁
Along with all the pros and cons, let’s take a moment to make a goodbye toast to a not-so-dear year in remembrance of the countless souls that had to pay the price.
This year, we cheered for a seasonal “Bella Ciao” while millions disappeared in isolation devoid of final goodbyes. This year, we got to witness resistance rising like a wildfire burning fascist governments far and wide. This year, Some of us, wanderers, traced back to our roots and felt a sense of belonging that was never there before ( perhaps Paradise regained. : )
Here’s to people and places I never got to meet this year,
Books and Movies that gave me company,
Acrylic, Gouache and Watercolours who became family
and those of you who were patient enough
to reach the end of this piece of rant,
Thanks a bunch, you lovelies. 🌻
Here is a list of Books I (re)read and loved this year:
1. City of Djinns – William Dalrymple
2. Open Letter: On Blasphemy, Islamophobia and the True Enemies of Free Expression – Charb
3. Riding on the Summer Train – Anthology of Poetry by Wingword
4. The Intimate Enemy – Ashis Nandy
5. Yakshi – Malayattoor Ramakrishnan
6. Annihilation of Caste – B R Ambedkar
7. Travels with Charley in search of America – John Steinbeck
8. Interpreter of Maladies – Jhumpa Lahiri
9. The Trial – Franz Kafka
Here is a list of Movies I fell in love with:
1. The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020)
2. Atonement (2007)
3. Paterson (2016)
4. C/o Kancharapalem (2018)
5. Dhobi Ghat (2010)
6. Little women (2019)
7. No fathers in Kashmir (2019)
8. A girl walks home alone at night (2014)
9. Aamis (2019)
Looking forward to a terrific year. Dear 2021, Please be nice. 🙂
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@nilalenin 🌼
