life stories

REFLECTIONS / The sarees and the stories we inherit

For the first time, I also found myself giddy over a male protagonist from the world of my father and uncles. The character of Nadeem, Selina's boyfriend, can be best described as a "man written by a woman".

Poetry / Little bits of love that remain

Your tea in the kettle, piping hot water/ No sugar, so that you can really taste the tea on your tongue

Creative nonfiction / Anjuman and the stories of the mango people

My father’s ancestors were Ayurvedic medicine men from a remote corner of the North Bengal. A few generations ago, one of them had cured a long-lasting ailment of the Raja of Taherpur and had received, as a reward, a large chunk of agricultural land or “joat” next to the mighty Joshoi Beel.

FICTION / For a better future

Sentiments are best preserved for people who can pay for extra baggage.

The ticket line

Shiraj’s only consolation was that he was almost at the end of the line. Just the couple in front of him, and then he would finally be free. Otherwise, he was fuming. Someone had picked his pocket.

I would rather stop coming here

'In Extreme Need of Guidance', the book being serialised here, captures the first 16 years of writer Sultana Nahar's life. "A Bomb Falls" is the 10th chapter in the book.

In Extreme Need of Guidance

On summer days when the sunlight falls through the trees it scatters into a play of light and shadows on the ground. My memories of Fareed are like that.

The dust storm

For iftar during that month we were served milk with rosewater which I found quite delicious, and gulab jamun served as dessert. When some girls didn’t want or didn’t finish their portions they would give it to me and I would accept happily.

MEMOIR / My father’s temper, moral conduct and my extended family

'In Extreme Need of Guidance', the book being serialised here, captures the first sixteen years of Sultana Nahar's life. "Mercolized Wax" is the second chapter in the book.

December 14, 2023
December 14, 2023

The sarees and the stories we inherit

For the first time, I also found myself giddy over a male protagonist from the world of my father and uncles. The character of Nadeem, Selina's boyfriend, can be best described as a "man written by a woman".

October 30, 2023
October 30, 2023

Little bits of love that remain

Your tea in the kettle, piping hot water/ No sugar, so that you can really taste the tea on your tongue

August 19, 2023
August 19, 2023

Anjuman and the stories of the mango people

My father’s ancestors were Ayurvedic medicine men from a remote corner of the North Bengal. A few generations ago, one of them had cured a long-lasting ailment of the Raja of Taherpur and had received, as a reward, a large chunk of agricultural land or “joat” next to the mighty Joshoi Beel.

July 24, 2023
July 24, 2023

For a better future

Sentiments are best preserved for people who can pay for extra baggage.

July 15, 2023
July 15, 2023

The ticket line

Shiraj’s only consolation was that he was almost at the end of the line. Just the couple in front of him, and then he would finally be free. Otherwise, he was fuming. Someone had picked his pocket.

July 4, 2023
July 4, 2023

I would rather stop coming here

'In Extreme Need of Guidance', the book being serialised here, captures the first 16 years of writer Sultana Nahar's life. "A Bomb Falls" is the 10th chapter in the book.

June 15, 2023
June 15, 2023

In Extreme Need of Guidance

On summer days when the sunlight falls through the trees it scatters into a play of light and shadows on the ground. My memories of Fareed are like that.

June 1, 2023
June 1, 2023

The dust storm

For iftar during that month we were served milk with rosewater which I found quite delicious, and gulab jamun served as dessert. When some girls didn’t want or didn’t finish their portions they would give it to me and I would accept happily.

February 19, 2023
February 19, 2023

My father’s temper, moral conduct and my extended family

'In Extreme Need of Guidance', the book being serialised here, captures the first sixteen years of Sultana Nahar's life. "Mercolized Wax" is the second chapter in the book.

February 4, 2023
February 4, 2023

‘It feels like a living thing’: The House on RK Mission Road

When I think of the thick limestone walls of the house now I think of the essence of the generations of our family that it has absorbed.