WRITING

It's tough and challenging—moving from the country where you were born to a place halfway around the world. My journey to Winnipeg from India has been filled with unexpected discoveries, several ups and down, but nothing that I would want to change. India, with its vibrant energy and colourful streets will always be part of my identity. But being here in Winnipeg, I have turned the page on a new and exciting chapter of my life. 

The moment I landed here, I took a cab to my Airbnb in the historic Exchange District, and immediately, it felt like stepping into a new kind of home. During a stroll in the area, I stumbled upon a cute little shop called Pine and Peony. There, I met the kind owner who, upon our first meeting, gifted me handmade soaps and candles—a gesture of warmth that made Winnipeg feel even more like home. It was not just the gifts but the genuine kindness behind them that truly touched my heart, hinting at the welcoming community I was now a part of. 

I remember laughing with friends back in India about why so many car plates here read “Friendly Manitoba.” It didn’t take long to see it in action—drivers in their big trucks stopping at crosswalks, waving, and smiling as they let me pass. A simple showcase of the “Friendly Manitoba” spirit. On another day, I vividly remember being greeted with five “good mornings” in a row from complete strangers.

Enrolling in the PACE program at the University of Winnipeg was a decision driven by my desire to advance in my communications career, but it has been an essential step that has helped me understand my new home better. Special thanks to Stephen Hayes' "I wonder Winnipeg" sessions and to Julie Schellenberg, our program coordinator, for her incredible support and guidance beyond just academics. The patience and readiness of everyone at PACE to answer questions has made settling in much smoother, not just for me, but for everyone in my class.

Now, almost a year later, these daily interactions have woven themselves into the very fabric of my life, transforming this city from an unknown place into what I now call home. The slower pace allows for deeper connections with the people and environment around me. In these moments, I find a profound sense of belonging and the confirmation that me and my wife made the right choice by moving to Winnipeg. 

Winnipeg, with its serene (albeit flat) landscapes and friendly neighbourhoods, has taught me that home is not just a place —it’s a feeling of community. 

Additionally, I would also like to say that the natural beauty of Manitoba has been a constant source of joy (the province has 100,000 lakes, can you imagine?!?). The city is the perfect combination of urban life and vast expanses of greenery and walking/biking trails. It’s a place where I can reflect and connect with nature, and also go out and paint the town red.  

Moreover, the diverse food offerings have been a delightful discovery. From tasting perogies and poutine for the first time to indulging in locally brewed beers (shoutout to the Raspberry Sour from NonSuch), each culinary experience has been a treat. The local markets, particularly The Forks Market, offer a glimpse into the culinary variety, showcasing ingredients and dishes that are as welcoming and varied as the city itself. 

Reflecting on the past year, the transition from India to Winnipeg has been life changing. Each day brings new lessons, friendships, and experiences. This city, with its gentle rhythm and welcoming people, has taught me the true essence of home. 

Home isn't just a place, it's now Winnipeg.  

they used to play my favourite song

and somehow got the words all wrong

the angry bull got loose

with just a thread wrapped around its neck

oh my friend, this is what i was holding onto

like the big birds

with no flight

head underground

i tried to smile

but the lungs filled up fast

with a dusty sort of glue

all stuck together in places they shouldn’t have

no sign of coming undone

no sighs

no relief

deep breaths saved for tragedies

if i didn’t know anyone

the strangers would say

“he’s on his way

to find the core of our ways”

and they did

i was only shielding my ears

belonging only finds a place to rest

if you’ve ever been in a room devoid of sound

like the hand only knows touch

when there is another one reaching out

they play my favourite song

but I’ve forgotten the words now.

We’re living in an age where we’re always on the prowl for dopamine hits. Whether it be looking for new experiences, going to new places, or just watching something on our phones that helps us see something new; life for all of us has become an affair of constantly seeking. However, in this pursuit, it is often that we miss out on the beauty hidden in the most mundane tasks. This is where Ernst Haas, the renowned photographer’s words ring true, “I don’t wish to see new things, I wish to see things new.”

For me, these words are extremely profound and serve as a gentle reminder that in our quest for the new, we move past and ignore the extraordinary in the ordinary. I would ask you to remember how it felt to look at the world through the curious eyes of a child. Imagine an unfiltered gaze, untarnished by routine and familiarity. What’s stopping us from rekindling our sense of wonder? What’s stopping us from dropping our phones when we see a sunset, and look at how the sun’s rays crash against the waves?

The rustling leaves just beyond your window, the play of light on the street where you go to buy groceries, how the smoke billows from your daily cup of coffee, these are not extravagant experiences, yet within them, there is a sense of beauty—the beauty in simplicity. Haas, speaking from the perspective of a photographer, encourages us to inculcate a shift in perception which will help unravel a blanket of simplicity that will transcend experiences and comfort us even when faced with adversity. I believe that slowing down and seeing things new will not only help us find beauty in what surrounds us but will also induce a sense of calm within us, within our minds.

The quote introduces us to the art of being fully present, or mindful and intentional. Being mindful and intentional allows us to appreciate the richness of each passing moment. Living with intention is what we all should strive towards, especially in a world where it is easy for us to confuse dopamine and adrenaline to happiness. Embracing simplicity is not the art of escaping from life, instead, it is a call to come back to its true essence.

When, in one way or the other, we’re all bogged down by expectations of better days. Haas’s quote can help us develop a heightened sense of awareness that can counterbalance the rampant anxiety that comes from the expectations of the modern world.

I would urge us all to, in the quiet corners of our everyday lives, seek out beauty in the mundane. It is there, waiting to be discovered, an omnipresent source of peace and contentment. In seeing things new, we find not only a refuge from the chaos but a celebration of life's simplicity. Sipping chamomile tea on a cold winter day is a beautiful feeling, we just need to feel the warmth.

caught up with the watchman today

the proud son of a man of the land

the loving son of a saree-wearing juggler

with eyes as deep as the solemn sea

and ears so sharp for the crooks do sing

“the sun only shines twice”

once for the lovers walking outside

for the rain will soil their plans

for the skin to drip with honey glaze

for the eyes to see how they’ve found their place

for loving confessions to see the light of day

for listening to songs only the birds can play

the other for what’s growing outside

for it is what carpets the ground your lover walks on

for it provides the fruits of joy, not just of labour

for they ask you of only one thing in return

for you and your lover to sit by the riverside and dream

for you and your lover to sing songs with the stream

“and the sun only sets twice”

once for the lovers to seal a beautiful day

for the bodies to feel what the heart displays

for the curious to know how things linger in the air

for lovers to smell the scent of one another’s embrace

for lovers to understand the words from mesopotamia

for lovers to bow their heads and find their gods

the other, he said

he’ll tell me another day

and went back to sleep with a smile

the next day, i realized

waking up not by your side

the sun will set again

and only for the lovers it will rise.

I felt the need to write this after I received a series of memes from my friend and I jumped at my phone. Though, a sight which isn’t that strange these days, it made me reflect on the way we consume music these days. Just a little meme of a dog sent my attention from the astounding lyrics of Lou Reed to a picture of a Golden Retriever. Previously, we engaged with arts and culture in a distinct and exclusive way. Wherever we went, it had our complete attention. We went to cinemas to watch a film. Sit down to listen to the new Nirvana album. Go to an art gallery and look at the best work by Picasso. By nature of our experience with these, each was a memorable event.

But now, everything is at our fingertips, which has made everything seem less genuine, which in turn leads to us imbibing a less than genuine interest. However, don’t take me in the wrong way, it’s great how easily we can access all of these without even needing to leave our bedrooms. The only point I dare to pose is – are we giving art all the attention it needs?

With music, we are not anticipating anything these days. What was the last record that you saved up for so that you could buy it? And shows, when was the last time you went to a live show, wouldn’t you just watch Netflix and chill?

In this day and age, the biggest problem is to convince people that music still has integrity. When every new album is just a failing structure of an idea that was thought of and fabricated way better 20 years ago, the consumers (us) have been suffering. But the idea that there are musicians who are giving it their all, needs to be propagated, which itself will affect our spending behaviour. Music profits have been soaring since digital streaming came into the picture but if you view the content service providers and their business models, music is what’s losing and the culture of entertainment is what is excelling. A consumer need not be a music fan, and they get it.

As consumers, our attention is seduced by videos, memes, gifs, pictures and a myriad of washed-up content. We need to ask ourselves: As music fans, what do we do to make consumers join our club too?

The answers might vary, there’s a possibility that an answer does not even exist; but all we need to remind people is the integrity in art. We need to remind people why music was created and how it enriches our lives. Music is not a meme. An album is not a gif. Music never fades, it lives on.

embraced by the loving arms of solitude

i close my eyes and i’m whisked away

like the children in our country’s crown

are they there?

like a tree falling in a forest

i’m muttering under my breath

“look at the clouds outside,” you say

catch an elevator, up it goes

a level above level 8, you stay

far from the manufactured bells of a candy store

by day’s end, we’re foraging in the trees

to end my day with you, i’ll smile through all the tragedy

the here and now, the after and more

the vultures playing drag

the calm near a violent sea shore

sleeping silently on the floor

“love the world inside,” you say

i shun away the tiny marchers

their tiny eyes kept looking down

and there i was slinging

empty bottles and hearing empty sounds

far from the cheers of gun slingers

by day’s end, we’re building our retreat

to end my days with you, I’ll walk through all the tragedy

Sitting in the winter sun

Glistening thoughts of nectar embrace my mind

Peaches and oranges

My labour has led me to this

A vision so perfectly poised

A field spread across from me

And I’m standing in the middle

Maybe I’ll just lay my head

Cushioned by the feeling of feeling weightless

Cutting the peaches open with my hands

Till the last drop or my last breath

I wish for this to be bottomless

Thirst will only satiate if it stays

Till the last drop or my last breath

I’ll lay here.

it’s hard to distinguish between

the sounds of dreams and reality

the line of control that once served as shackles

has now become the line of relief

holding on for dear life

a once deer in headlights

is now the one in charge of the wheel

and the sways of discomfort

have now given way to a gentle breeze

it caresses my ear

gently whispers sweet nothings

the beads from nightmares

have now turned to diamonds from dreams

it’s hard to distinguish between

what’s real and what i see

for all i see is an endless river

that has finally met the sea

mon amour, tu es la mer.

I placed myself in a cookie jar

Placed it on the topmost shelf

Now you can't reach it

But then again

You only get what you've earned

These days

You have to work for everything

While my back is covered in revelry

Dripping, soaking wet in revelry

It's all inconsequential

The sun still plays his part

The clouds still play their songs

What would you do

A chair for the shelf

And a noose for yourself?

Sometimes you find "enough"

In small little hampers

This is yours.

I’m rearranging the furniture of the house

As the sound of your footsteps become clearer

You decide the design of the house

For the walls, I’ll take some black and white pictures

The ones where you’re not looking

For in one, one day

I’ll see that you’re searching for me

And then you look back in contentment

Realising I’m right here

Setting the rooms of the house

As we approach where the living area used to be

It seems as though it’s devoid of life

You tell me all your favourite colours

We’ll head to the store tonight

And as the music fills the room

A sudden calmness envelops

And as I pull you closer

I realise what was missing from the room

Painting the rooms of the house

Two couches

Three tables

And a television for news

Don’t make a house a home

Oh, I let a cliché spill out

But with you around

I really like the way it sounds

You in every room of the house.