- Clocks, mothers, books and alas… Easter
- What’s happening in the studio?
- Bibliophile
- @Movies
- A note for my mother
Clocks, mothers, books and alas… Easter
March and April were a whirlwind of events.
World Book Day feels like an Olympic challenge in creativity, and instead of painting a picture, I’m just trying to dress up a kid! As the Peppa Pig and Gruffalo days fade, the competition gets fiercer. Disney characters and superheroes? Too easy! I still have nightmares from last year’s debacle where my child resembled a walking orange after her Oompa Loompa transformation. This year, we took a safer route: Mr. Holmes. Just a deerstalker, a pipe, some old black trousers, and a cloak. Easy peasy, no orange foundation required!
Holi, the festival of colours was in March. Celebrating a vibrant colour festival while juggling 9-5 work is like finding a clean shirt on laundry day. As a kid, there was always enough Thandai to make a swimming pool envy, and I never said no to Aloo and puri. So, in a nostalgic attempt to relive the good old days, I cooked this meal for our Goldsmith trio—because what’s better than a trip down memory lane with carbs?
Easter school holidays were a much-needed escape from the relentless demands of homework, school runs, and extra classes. Although we didn’t embark on a grand family holiday, we embraced the little joys that often slip through our fingers during term time. We found delight in making fresh strawberry lemonade, losing ourselves in books under the sun, and indulging in movie marathons. The vibrant fresh salads and delightful picnics in the garden brought us closer, as we revelled in bird watching—marvelling at the lively blue tits, starlings, and goldfinches that grace our backyard. It’s in these simple pleasures that true happiness resides. And even as the stock market crashed and the bigwigs flailed in chaos, we painted our nails and devoured the thrilling pages of Jurassic Park.
A delightful adventure to Woburn Safari Park, followed by a charming visit to Stow on the Wold, truly made our Easter weekend unforgettable! Woburn Safari Park is the perfect haven for families with young children who might grow weary from the typical walking tours—it’s an exhilarating drive-through safari that sparks excitement at every turn!
My absolute favourite snapshot from Stow on the Wold features a magnificent church door, which could very well have inspired the legendary Durin’s door from J.R.R. Tolkien’s imaginative world
What’s happening in the studio?
Chickens galore
Call it the intoxicating magic of spring, my deep-seated adoration for fresh eggs, or the exhilarating dream of nurturing my own flock of chickens in my backyard, I spent a considerable amount of free time into crafting these rural illustrations, each one dedicated to the splendid variety of chicken breeds and the vibrant wildflowers that dance in the breeze. If you share a passion for gardening or a love for nature, see if you can unveil the beauty of the nigella and hyssop hidden within.
Whispers in the Wind: The Starlings’ Ballet
Enchanted by these dazzling visitors (starlings) in my backyard, I poured my heart into illustrating them—capturing their radiant, luminescent colours as they danced in the light, framed by the vibrant blooms of seasonal nasturtiums and towering hollyhocks. Those twelve hours at my desk over Easter bank holiday Monday were pure magic—an unforgettable burst of creative joy.
Bibliophile
The Ghost by Robert Harris ( Thriller ****)
Ghostwriting ignited a spark of curiosity within me when I delved into Robert Harris’s brilliant masterpiece, not to mention the thrilling motion picture adaptation featuring our beloved Pierce Brosnan, known for his role as 007. Harris’s exceptional talent for crafting stories with such perfect pacing, intricate plots, and deeply developed characters shines brilliantly in this electrifying thriller. The Ghost masterfully chronicles the dramatic fall of a charismatic former Labour prime minister whose dazzling political career is torn apart due to his close ties with some of the most morally troubling decisions made in the name of the War on Terror. This narrative undoubtedly provides an unsettling reading experience for Tony Blair, as it forces a confrontation with the ghosts of past actions.
Precipice by Robert Harris (Thriller ****)
Robert Harris’s 16th novel, Precipice, explores the affair between Prime Minister Herbert Henry Asquith and aristocrat Venetia Stanley during the lead-up to World War I. The story follows their perspectives alongside Special Constable Paul Deemer, who investigates mysterious classified telegrams scattered across the countryside, which Asquith has been throwing from his car to impress Stanley, revealing a surprising collection of love declarations. This casual disregard for national security is shocking but real—and perfect for fiction. Precipice is rich in fascinating details and fun facts (like Edwardian London’s 12 daily mail deliveries). The story of Britain’s lead-up to war is gripping, featuring Churchill, Lloyd George, and a colorful cast with quirky nicknames like “Bongie” and “Puffin.” It’s a smart look at the selfish, careless lives of the Edwardian elite.
Shroud by Adrian Tchaikovsky (Sci-fi Horror ***)
Shroud is a compelling narrative by Adrian Tchaikovsky, featuring a crew of corporate planet strippers who discover a mysterious moon called Shroud. Despite its hostility to humans, the crew aims to exploit its resources but ends up crash-landing on the moon, where they are pursued by a dominant alien life form. Juna Ceelander and Mai Set Etienne must utilise their resourcefulness to survive as they navigate the challenges posed by the inhospitable environment and the interests of the alien species tracking them.
@Movies
Mickey 17 @Vue Cinemas
Starring Robert Pattinson (Mickey), Naomi Ackie (Nasha), Steven Yeun (Timo), Mark Ruffalo (Kenneth Marshall), and Toni Collette (Ylfa), Mickey 17 is a bold creation from the fearless Bong Joon Ho. In this gripping tale, Mickey voluntarily becomes an Expendable within a micro society ruled by the tyrant Kenneth Marshall and his wife Ylfa. The film chronicles Mickey’s formidable challenges as he experiences multiple deaths, only to be reborn from the cloning machine, while remaining steadfastly in love with Nasha. As the human clone and subject of experimentation, Mickey endures trials for medicinal research, investigates the dangers of the alien planet, and even evaluates the food destined for their cadets. This film is a must-see, showcasing powerful performances, a quirky storyline, and Mark Ruffalo’s captivating false dentures and body language that chillingly mimic the modern-day dictator.
Adolescence @Netflix
I don’t think I can write a better review for this TV series than what Indian television journalist and author, Barkha Dutt has written.
“I started Adolescence with dread and reluctance. I am a binge watcher of British procedural drama so already knew how much more superior it is to anything coming out of Hollywood. But did I really want to watch a series about a child accused of murder ? It sounded too bleak. And bleak it is, in the most gut wrenching, visceral way, it holds a mirror up to all we have become and are in danger of losing.
These lives we live tethered to our phones, the crazy unreal worlds we live online and thus in our head, the cruelty of children, the loneliness of children, the burden of parenting, the desperate need for approval from your parents, the sickening peer pressure of Instagram and its inherent fake aspirations ( irony alert), the way men see women and boys see girls, but also the confusion with which boys and men see themselves and the hyper sexualised ways in which girls and women see themselves. Adolescence is not just for parents. It’s for anyone who has felt lonely, inadequate, felt bullied or become a version of themselves they don’t recognise. It is a call to us to put our phones aside at least a few hours a day if not more. It’s about family and community and broken bonds. It’s about love. Damaged, but held together by tape and hope.
I watched it in a single sitting, awake till four am, unable to stop crying – how fragile we are indeed .”
Flute concert at SJE arts
My family has always been deeply passionate about Indian classical music. Growing up in the Gupta household, the enchanting melodies of maestros like Pt. Ravi Shankar, Ustaad Zakhir Hussain, and Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia filled our lives with joy and reverence. So when I discovered that Rakesh Chaurasia, Pt. HC’s talented nephew, was set to perform at St. John’s Evangelist in Oxford, I knew I simply could not let this opportunity slip away. It was an unforgettable evening, bursting with nostalgia and emotion. The ethereal sound of the flute, harmonizing with the rhythmic tabla, conjured up a treasure trove of cherished memories, and I couldn’t help but shed a few tears—both of joy and bittersweet longing.
The Residence @Netflix
The Residence is an exhilarating whodunnit crafted by the brilliant Paul William Davies, who collaborated with the iconic Shonda Rhimes on the legendary Scandal. Starring the phenomenally unique Uzo Aduba, she radiates joy, clearly relishing every moment, much like the captivated audience surrounding her. This series is an absolute delight – addictive, binge-worthy, and a true breath of fresh air. While it may not be the kind of television that will revolutionise the world, it promises eight hours of pure, thrilling escape that you won’t want to miss!
Pygmalion @Oxford Playhouse
Set in early 20th century London, Pygmalion follows Cockney flower girl Eliza Doolittle, who aspires for a better life through the lessons of Professor Henry Higgins, an arrogant linguist. As they navigate the complexities of identity and self-worth, the play critiques the British class system with wit and humour. Known for inspiring My Fair Lady, this production by Oxford Theatre Guild brings new life to Shaw’s work, emphasizing themes of self-discovery and the power of words, promising a memorable experience for contemporary audiences.
The Penguin Lessons @Vue Cinemas
If Steve Coogan’s in it, I’m watching—critics be damned. Based on the bestselling memoir by former teacher Tom Michell, this quirky, heartwarming true story follows a lonely man who rescues a penguin from an oil slick while on holiday in Uruguay. Set in 1970s Argentina during the junta, Coogan plays Tom, an English teacher navigating life at a stuffy private school for wealthy expats. The penguin—named Juan Salvador—becomes his unlikely companion, offering comfort, chaos, and unexpected redemption. With Jonathan Pryce as the overbearing headmaster, the film blends warmth, wit, and quiet political undertones into something truly special. Count me in.
A note for my mother
The last Sunday of March was Mothering Sunday and for my cherished mother, I offer my heartfelt words.
Does Mother Know Me This Morning?
Does mother know me this morning,
The little girl she once carried
To doctors with tearful pleas—
For peas in my nose, for coughs and cuts,
Her hands, steady and warm,
Fixing the world with just her touch.
Does she remember the heat-soaked days,
Powerless but full of mango-tree dreams?
Nights wrapped in her love,
Her hand fanning the thick, heavy air—
A tender breeze,
A mother’s quiet electricity.
Does she remember the dresses I begged for,
Her fingers dancing over fabric,
As I turned the sewing machine’s wheel—
The hum a promise
That magic could be made
From thread and care.
Now her arms are frail, her voice in fragments,
Yet I search for her in every glance.
And when I’m lucky, a smile—
Sometimes, my name.
Each morning I rise with the same hope:
Will she know me today?
PS – My beloved mother, though battling Alzheimer’s, resides serenely in a world of her own, untouched by the chaos that surrounds us. Her existence is a quiet testament to the beauty of peace, as she drifts blissfully through life, oblivious to the turmoil that might trouble others.
Cogitatio 