In my last post, I wrote about the confidence I receive from learning to be independent. It seemed to have raised doubts among my readers about how I view the institution of marriage — that’s right, with a dose of skepticism and lots of amusement. Growing up in a broken family, the failure of marriages inContinue reading “To Knot or Not”
Author Archives: Nandhitha Hariharan
Baby Steps – On Having Children
I read articles by intellectuals who say that they do not want to raise a child in times of a crippling water crisis. I think back to the times my mom claims that she had me because “why not” and picked my name off little paper chits that my aunt wrote. Children require time, effort,Continue reading “Baby Steps – On Having Children”
Kaala Is An Important Movie: It Makes Us Rethink What Our Feminism Is
Kaala will always make the news because of Rajinikanth’s presence, but there is more to it than that. Here’s a look at its women, and how they question both caste and gender oppression. This post contains a few spoilers. More often than not, I find that discussions in the theatre lead to more introspection than thanContinue reading “Kaala Is An Important Movie: It Makes Us Rethink What Our Feminism Is”
Mani Ratnam’s Chekka Chivantha Vaanam Hides Its Women In The Shadows Of Men
When I was a teenager, I would obsessively read the princess trilogy by Jean Sasson that talked of beautiful, royal middle eastern princesses who had a lot but lacked the very freedom that is required to taste life. Similarly, the breathtakingly beautiful women in the movie Chekka Chivantha Vaanam somewhere irked me because of the deep-rooted patriarchy. TheContinue reading “Mani Ratnam’s Chekka Chivantha Vaanam Hides Its Women In The Shadows Of Men”
The Story Of One (Too Many) Families
Trigger Warning — Toxic Families, Abuse. My doctor tells me that if while growing up, there was no calcium on my dining table, the odds of me snapping bones are much higher. My doctor looks like the kind of guy who grew up in a family that takes yearly vacations and pictures together — perhapsContinue reading “The Story Of One (Too Many) Families”
A letter to my 35 year old self
I hope you are not reading this letter with a coffee by your side — I am sincerely hoping that you have grown to kick this habit. The smoke you thought would be your last smoke, was your last smoke. Right? And I sure as hell wish you are not hanging out with people whoContinue reading “A letter to my 35 year old self”
30 questions | About the woman you were in love with | Before me
30. Did she go to sleep with makeup on? Was it legs day at her gym every day or is there a filter that I am missing on Instagram that can make your legs look like that? 29. Not that it is any of my business but why has she not posted anything between 2017Continue reading “30 questions | About the woman you were in love with | Before me”
What Would You Do If You Are Not Afraid?
What Would You Do If You Are Not Afraid? I read this question in a book in which the author asks a group of women what they would do if they were not afraid and the answers are astounding. Some want to start a business. Some want to travel the world. And some even wantContinue reading “What Would You Do If You Are Not Afraid?”
I don’t want to be your secret
I don’t want to be a secret phone call that ends as the sun rises. I want to be your early morning alarm that is allowed to be loud in your bedroom. I want to be your person. I don’t want to be your secret. I don’t want to be your ink pen that isContinue reading “I don’t want to be your secret”
A Letter To My Daughter On Heartbreaks,
The first time you complained a little too much about the boy who made fun of your braces and at the same time took a few minutes longer to get ready to school, I knew that you were smitten. I don’t think either of us remember his name right now. And that is preciselyContinue reading “A Letter To My Daughter On Heartbreaks,”