December 27, 2018
154 0

Dubai is the best place to 'live in India'! Agree?

Bharat Darshan, desi emotions
Dubai is a destination where many people ‘like’ to move not just from India but other countries as well. A lot of my friends in the UK and US...
December 26, 2018
163 0

Can the humble & exotic Indian spices really tempt a sweet tooth?

Food, Indian Belly
My mother dry roasting Indian spices to make garam masala that later she would pound in the white marble mortar and pestle, which would be sprinkled on many a...
December 25, 2018
161 0

"It’s not my habit to yell actors’ names out loud at my TV screen when they enter a film but that is my customary greeting for Pran!"

70 MM, Bollywood
It’s not my habit to yell actors’ names out loud at my TV screen when they enter a film but that is my customary greeting for Pran, 2013’s winner...
August 13, 2018
839 0

To my Godrej Almirah, with love

desi emotions, Trumpet Lead
I stepped into the living room packed with mourning men and women. The air was potently infused with sandalwood incense jabbed into oiled coconut halves left burning from various...
August 13, 2018
730 0

How did we make friends in the '90s?

desi emotions, Trumpet Lead
Once upon a time, there was a guy named Rahul Khanna (naam toh suna hoga) studying in St. Xavier’s college. One fine day, a girl named Tina Malhotra joined...
August 9, 2018
513 0

Will the instant-noodles generation ever truly relish the taste of homemade pickles?

Food, Nostalgia, Trumpet Lead
On my dining table are three glass jars that once contained jam, now they are proud holders of lehsun (garlic), kairi (raw mango), and mirchi (chilli) ke achar. We...
August 7, 2018
507 0

Why didn’t we have sales while growing up?

Bazaar, Fashion, Fashion Fry
Last week at the mall, submerged under a pile of children’s clothes at a kid’s store, I saw a pink skirt which would perfectly fit my 2-year-old princess. I...
March 22, 2018
1054 0

Buland Bharat ki Buland Tasveer, Hamara Bajaj

Bharat Darshan, desi emotions, Horn OK Please
If you are the child of the 80s and if you can hum Doordarshan’s signature tune and recall the colours of the montage; if you remember the Ek chidiya...
March 20, 2018
974 0

Langar, the divine meal

desi emotions, Food, Indian Belly, My Dubai
In the age of Happy Meals, Combo Food offers and extra cheese pizzas there’s still one repast that tempts us beyond the fast food goodies. If you’re a Punjabi...
March 5, 2018
1027 0

Maa ke haath ka khaana!

desi emotions, Indian Belly
Last month I went home for a slightly longish vacation and I came back with four kilos of excess baggage on my already expanding girth. Points to note 1....
February 27, 2018
928 0

Do you miss haggling with the vendors?

desi emotions, My Dubai
On a cold winter evening, I snuggled in the blissful comforts of a warm bed with an interesting book for company. But bliss can only be complete with a...
February 22, 2018
959 0

The good ol’ Ambassador — baati waali gadi!

desi emotions, Horn OK Please, Nostalgia
There are many cars across the globe, which have carved a special identity for themselves over the decades. The Ambassador is one of them but totally unique in the...
February 20, 2018
996 0

Sachin Tendulkar, the name says it all

desi emotions, Nostalgia, Trumpet Lead, Trumpet Toot
Thwak! The swing plane comes down in a perfect vertical arch to meet the orb, dismissing it from his five ft something presence. A billion smiles light up the...
February 1, 2018
883 0

Why do I attend Indian weddings?

Indian Belly, Nostalgia
Indian weddings are synonymous to the big fat affairs especially if you belong to somewhere in the north of India, not to mention, the state of Punjab where the...
January 29, 2018
870 0

Joote Lo, Paise Do!

desi emotions, Fashion Fry, Nostalgia
In India, a country that is steeped in tradition, it’s a joy to partake in the many rituals or watch it happening, more so at special occasions. Be it...
January 1, 2018
975 0

Desi Emotion #One: Yeh Duniya Ek Numbari!

desi emotions, Trumpet Lead
 Presenting DESI EMOTION #One: Yeh Duniya Ek Numbari! What does it mean to you? We want to know.  Are you celebrating 52 Weeks, 52 Desi Emotions with The...
December 28, 2017
985 0

Kuch jugaad kar lenge!

desi emotions, Trumpet Lead
Are you celebrating 52 Weeks, 52 Desi Emotions with The Indian Trumpet — all through 2018!  Long before social networking arrived on the scene, long before videos were made...
December 27, 2017
1409 0

Ek Chidiya, Anek Chidiya

desi emotions, Photo Essays, Trumpet Lead
Ek Anek Aur Ekta or One, Many and Unity, popularly known as Ek Chidiya, Anek Chidyan, was a traditional animated short film released by the Films Division of India (Government...
December 25, 2017
933 0

Yeh duniya ek numbri!

70 MM, Bollywood, desi emotions
“Oh no, no, Dipankar,” said the Grand Dame of Culture, slowly shaking her ancient and benevolent head from side to side in pitying condescension as she held him with...
December 25, 2017
886 0

Kaun Banega Crorepati?

desi emotions, Trumpet Lead
Two decades ago, something unprecedented happened in the history of Indian television with the start of the mythological series Ramayana. Each Sunday morning roads were deserted as people sat...
December 25, 2017
969 0

Bas, ek minute!

desi emotions, Trumpet Lead
One fine day, driving home after a rather awkward situation with my tight-fisted German boss, I began to dwell on what exactly we Indians mean when we use ‘ek’...
September 22, 2017
1020 0

If there is a clan that can poetically describe a curry, it is a Bengali. Every Bengali is a food critic.

Trumpet Lead
I eat. Therefore I Am. A Bengali is born to eat. Literally. Bengalis eat everything. The clan saw no innovation in having three different verbs that did the same...
May 11, 2017
1212 0

Do you judge a house by how clean the fans are?

Daily Drama, Nostalgia, Trumpet Lead
The room is filled with hysterical laughter, fast chitchat and meandering commentary. We’re at a social ‘catch up’ gathering hosted by a family friend, where we hear: “It’s been...
April 25, 2017
1283 0

Do you remember these fan types?

IdharUdhar, Nostalgia
There is an archaeological proof that 1,000 of centuries ago the Greeks, Romans, Japanese, Indians and the Chinese used fans, both as cooling and ceremonial device. I am not surprised....
April 22, 2017
1144 0

When cleaning the fans becomes a son's duty!

Trumpet Lead
Being the only son in the family is enough reason to have to clean all the fans in the house, time and again, especially when Diwali’s round the corner....
April 21, 2017
1343 0

The kaamwaali bai & the pankha!

Trumpet Lead
The blissful, lazy Sunday sleep had just been disturbed. I was feeling distinctly warm. The room was quiet and I instantly knew that the fan had been switched off....
April 20, 2017
1188 0

Khana thanda ho jayega!

Indian Belly, My Dubai, Nostalgia
I am sitting in the dining room, back home (Having been married for more than a decade, home is and will always be my parent’s house; one where I...
March 28, 2017
1391 0

Ever been to a government office in India?

Nostalgia, Trumpet Lead
Especially those in dusty, not pretty, one in a few thousand towns across the nation? Where living is a simple business, governing is almost nonexistent. Intricacies of administration are...
October 24, 2016
1798 0

Happy Diwali: Just one little candle

Nostalgia, Trumpet Lead
It is better to light just one little candle than to stumble in the dark! Better far that you light just one little candle…all you need is a tiny...
October 8, 2016
1491 0

Dusshera, Ramleela aur Ravana!

Nostalgia, Trumpet Lead
A bird’s view of India highlights two important elements of our country, colours and festivals. Yes, we’re a nation that takes pride in its ‘festive’ colours and colourful ‘festivals’....
September 30, 2016
1961 0

Durga Puja playground!

Nostalgia, Trumpet Lead
I’m talking about another time. A time of bulky transistors and Eastman coloured mornings. When I’d be woken up by my grandfather, as he gently dragged me out of...
September 29, 2016
2062 0

Navratri, worshipping the goddess

Nostalgia, Trumpet Lead
The sounds of Jai Mata Di purifying the air, beautiful idols of Goddess Durga in every nook and corner of our streets, invitations from neighbours to attend the colourful...
September 9, 2016
1532 0

Happy Onam: Carnival of Kerala

Indian Belly, Nostalgia, Trumpet Lead
There many ways to know that the town is getting ready to celebrate Onam. The resonating sounds of the chenda and the rhythmic singing and clapping of Kaikottikali being...
September 9, 2016
1501 0

Eid Mubarak: The Spirit of Sacrifice

Nostalgia, Trumpet Lead
Just as the delirium of Ramzaan winds down, the preparations for the next Eid get queued up. The frenzied bazaars provide a rich taste of the festive atmosphere –...
September 1, 2016
1921 0

O’Calcutta!

Nostalgia, Trumpet Lead
On the 5th day of June’2004, when the Calcutta sun was setting, I was about to leave my birth place in search of a better career. With my backpack...
September 1, 2016
2494 0

The untold love story of Sahir Ludhianvi and Amrita Pritam.

70 MM, Bollywood, Nostalgia
Two poets can never agree. Unless, they fall in love. But then, love too looks different on each one of us. The silent romance of Sahir, the vocal passion...
August 29, 2016
1845 0

Chart papers, Fevicol and glue sticks!

My Dubai, Nostalgia, Trumpet Lead
I always had the ‘butterflies-in-the-stomach’ feeling when school was approaching. The annual vacation (read mandatory trip to Dada-Dadi’s/Nana-Nani’s house, or an escape to a nearby hill-station) was done...
August 28, 2016
1360 0

#backtoschool of the ‘90s!

My Dubai, Nostalgia, Trumpet Lead
I always had the ‘butterflies-in-the-stomach’ feeling when school was approaching. The annual vacation (read mandatory trip to Dada-Dadi’s/Nana-Nani’s house, or an escape to a nearby hill-station) was done...
August 25, 2016
2548 0

Doodh, dahi, malai, makhan aur ghee!

Food, Indian Belly
“Now be a good boy/girl and finish your glass of milk” is a statement most Indian kids are familiar with. From the time we are born our mothers, grandmothers,...
June 19, 2016
7082 0

What are your favourite chai partners?

Food, Indian Belly
Ask most Indians and they’d agree that there’s something about the garma garam chai that makes chilly winter mornings warmer and sultry summer evenings tolerable. On weekends, there is...
June 13, 2016
3730 0

Dhoti, remixed!

Fashion, Fashion Fry
It was some time ago that I first fell in love with the dhoti silhouette. Slightly oversized and breezy, this street-style trend spells ease and effortless chic. And in...
June 10, 2016
3907 0

Hawa Hawai!

Bollywood, Nostalgia
Which version of the song, Hawa Hawai do you like more? The one with Sridevi from Mr.India or this funky, new one? At present, we’re playing the Shaitan version,...
June 5, 2016
3289 0

Bulleh Shah in a modern avatar!

Bollywood, Over a cup of chai
Two individuals, one aim: to create echoes that resonate across cultural, racial and religious boundaries, transforming communities through happy, soulful music. Vocalist / audio engineer Hari Singh and trained...
June 2, 2016
4131 0

The good ol' Indian cable TV!

Daily Drama, Nostalgia, Trumpet Lead
May 22, 2016
2809 0

चाइ की दुकान

Food, Horn OK Please, Indian Belly
Masala chai…cutting chai… kadak chai…garam chai…chai malaai maar ke! You’re familiar with these sounds, aren’t you? You’ve heard them on childhood train journeys to the nanihaal(maternal grandparents’ home) orescapades...
May 22, 2016
3839 0

Who doesn't like Indian street food, even if it comes garnished with a layer of dust & sweat too!

Bharat Darshan, Food, Indian Belly, Photo Essays
Who doesn’t like street food, even if it comes garnished with a layer of dust, and sweat too, perhaps! We decided to make a stopover at a few makeshift,...
May 19, 2016
1393 0

Don’t let this be my India

Angry Toot
A five-year-old girl was raped in my country. Each word is drenched in pain, shame, anger and misery. I usually steer clear of politics and the like – it’s...
May 11, 2016
3755 0

Is a moustache a must for an Indian man?

Trumpet Lead
Most men recall the first shaving lesson they got from their dads as young boys with a sense of pride and nostalgia. The precise motions (top to bottom and...
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October 16, 2017
1259 0
by Purva Grover

It’s my fifth Diwali in Dubai, and I’ve learned that there’s Diwali and there’s NRI Diwali

My Dubai, Nostalgia, Trumpet Lead

India, especially New Delhi, where I hail from, wears a lovely hue this time of the year. The busy capital city decides to slow down. It wipes the sweat of its forehead just like the people who inhabit it. It dresses up to welcome winter. Dubai too enters a similar phase at almost the same time. Festive and pleasant vibes fill up the air. It’s Diwali; the message is loud and clear, in both the lands. Yet, the NRI (Non-Resident Indian) Diwali leaves one wondering what’s missing? Something is, though it may be tough to pinpoint.

September 22, 2017
1020 0
by Dev Haldar

If there is a clan that can poetically describe a curry, it is a Bengali. Every Bengali is a food critic.

Trumpet Lead

I eat. Therefore I Am. A Bengali is born to eat. Literally. Bengalis eat everything. The clan saw no innovation in having three different verbs that did the same thing: eating, drinking or smoking. So, they decided to stick to one. In Bangla (the language) you ‘eat’ everything from fish to water to their favourite brand of smokes. The idea is not to labour on ‘how’ it is being consumed but ‘what’ is being consumed. Simplicity redefined.

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August 5, 2018
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March 22, 2018
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Maa ke haath ka khaana!
March 5, 2018
April 25, 2017
1283 0
by Nasrin Modak-Siddiqi

Do you remember these fan types?

IdharUdhar, Nostalgia

There is an archaeological proof that 1,000 of centuries ago the Greeks, Romans, Japanese, Indians and the Chinese used fans, both as cooling and ceremonial device. I am not surprised. With our humid climate, one cannot imagine life without it. On quiet evenings, lying on the bed and staring endlessly at the ceiling, I nonchalantly notice the swift set of spinning shadows left by the rotating blades. There isn’t a day it remains still. Even on cooler days. Except maybe when the maid is sweeping. Those two-unbearable minutes in this sweltering heat are brutal and even before she finishes sweeping the…

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He never disappoints me!
August 5, 2018
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March 22, 2018
desi emotions, Indian Belly
Maa ke haath ka khaana!
March 5, 2018
April 22, 2017
1144 0
by Ishrat Singh

When cleaning the fans becomes a son’s duty!

Trumpet Lead

Being the only son in the family is enough reason to have to clean all the fans in the house, time and again, especially when Diwali’s round the corner. There are other duties that sons don’t really mind, like fetching stuff from the market, but they’re always going to be less willing to do anything that involves standing on rickety chairs and cleaning unstable machinery.

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He never disappoints me!
August 5, 2018
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March 22, 2018
desi emotions, Indian Belly
Maa ke haath ka khaana!
March 5, 2018
April 21, 2017
1343 0
by Viren Parekh

The kaamwaali bai & the pankha!

Trumpet Lead

The blissful, lazy Sunday sleep had just been disturbed. I was feeling distinctly warm. The room was quiet and I instantly knew that the fan had been switched off. The soft, comforting whirring of the fan had stopped and with my eyes still closed, the hearing sense took over. Diagonally across my bed to the left, I could hear the slow jingling of the maid’s bangles as she swept the floor. A decision had to be made: should I just keep my eyes closed and fall asleep again? Or should I open my eyes and investigate? Sensing that she just…

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He never disappoints me!
August 5, 2018
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March 22, 2018
desi emotions, Indian Belly
Maa ke haath ka khaana!
March 5, 2018
April 20, 2017
1188 0
by Prachi Grover

Khana thanda ho jayega!

Indian Belly, My Dubai, Nostalgia

I am sitting in the dining room, back home (Having been married for more than a decade, home is and will always be my parent’s house; one where I grew up with my little sister and one where my little girl spends her summer vacations each year). My little chefling is enjoying the makhane ki kheer her nani made for her to try and I am looking at both of them enjoying each other’s company with a cup of coffee in my hand. My parents don’t drink coffee but always make sure they have a jar ready for me when…

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He never disappoints me!
August 5, 2018
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March 22, 2018
desi emotions, Indian Belly
Maa ke haath ka khaana!
March 5, 2018
March 28, 2017
1391 0
by Devayani Vijayan

Ever been to a government office in India?

Nostalgia, Trumpet Lead

Especially those in dusty, not pretty, one in a few thousand towns across the nation? Where living is a simple business, governing is almost nonexistent. Intricacies of administration are less and extended conversations on daily predictable mishaps are more the norm. “Why is the chai less sweet today?” “There was more cow dung to avoid on the road today, too much of a nuisance, I tell you!’’

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He never disappoints me!
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Maa ke haath ka khaana!
March 5, 2018
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Maa ke haath ka khaana!
March 5, 2018

Editor's Pick

BEST POSTS FROM THE INDIAN TRUMPET

December 25, 2018

"It’s not my habit to yell actors’ names out loud at my TV screen when they enter a film but that is my customary greeting for Pran!"

70 MM, Bollywood
It’s not my habit to yell actors’ names out loud at my TV screen when they enter a film but that is my customary greeting for Pran, 2013’s winner of the Dada Saheb Phalke award. Although he is known best to many film fans as one of the all-time...
August 13, 2018

To my Godrej Almirah, with love

desi emotions, Trumpet Lead
August 9, 2018

Will the instant-noodles generation ever truly relish the taste of homemade pickles?

Food, Nostalgia, Trumpet Lead
March 22, 2018

Buland Bharat ki Buland Tasveer, Hamara Bajaj

Bharat Darshan, desi emotions, Horn OK Please
March 20, 2018

Langar, the divine meal

desi emotions, Food, Indian Belly, My Dubai
January 1, 2018

Desi Emotion #One: Yeh Duniya Ek Numbari!

desi emotions, Trumpet Lead
 Presenting DESI EMOTION #One: Yeh Duniya Ek Numbari! What does it mean to you? We want to know.  Are you celebrating 52 Weeks, 52 Desi Emotions with The Indian Trumpet — all through 2018!    
Close