Everybody Talks: Metal Music swerved the curse of being a trend then how is it still relevant?

Being a part of a metal music conversation where the only bands being mentioned are Black Sabbath, Metallica, Iron Maiden is the new normal. But who made it a norm and why is nobody getting bored of these same names on a roll already?? Or perhaps these bands cracked the code for the algorithm back in the 70s? Today’s search involves: why in a world … Continue reading Everybody Talks: Metal Music swerved the curse of being a trend then how is it still relevant?

The Palette of Life: Colours unseen, moments unspoken

As a child, the concept of colors felt pretty simple – green was the grass, blue was the sky. My world was painted in primary colors – bold, simple and uncomplicated. Red was the rage when I didn’t get what I wanted, blue the calm of bedtime stories and yellow the warmth of my mom’s hug. I saw life through a pair of rose tinted … Continue reading The Palette of Life: Colours unseen, moments unspoken

Mahmoud Darwish: Love and Loss Through Verse

Mahmoud Darwish, the luminary of Palestinian poetry. Born amid the tumult of Galilee in 1941, beyond mere themes, his poetry was an impassioned heartbeat for Palestine, a symphony of compassion and love that flowed like a river, embracing the collective soul of his people. The years of exile, cradled in the arms of Beirut and Paris, only heightened the universality of his words. They transcended … Continue reading Mahmoud Darwish: Love and Loss Through Verse

Demographics in Manga (Part 2): Shoujo and Josei

Without getting derailed  this time, the first demographic I will be discussing fairly extensively in this part is shoujo. The word ‘shoujo’ itself translates to ‘young girl’ and is a demographic that targets young girls and women from approximately around the ages of 12–25. Commonly associated traits with shoujo manga are: use of the female-gaze, introspective dialogues, focus on emotions/emotional storytelling (even within plot and … Continue reading Demographics in Manga (Part 2): Shoujo and Josei

Demographics in Manga (Part 1): Shonen and Seinen

Manga, in simple words, are comic books originating from Japan which borrow the qualities of both visual and narrative storytelling (including dialogues, any possible point-of-view narration and speech/thought-bubbles). They are mostly published in black-and-white print with a few exceptions and are read from right to left. Though nowadays manga has become somewhat of a mainstream form of entertainment (especially because of its booming popularity in … Continue reading Demographics in Manga (Part 1): Shonen and Seinen

Vivienne Westwood; The Epitome of Female Footprint in Fashion

Picture the corseted confines of the Elizabethan era clashing with the free-spirited flapper dresses of the 1920s. Fashion’s paradoxes unfold— how what we wear can both mask and reveal the complexities of our world. Fashion has been just the medium, showcasing how it both obscures and unveils the multifaceted nuances of each era throughout human history. Despite being associated by the majority as a “female-oriented” … Continue reading Vivienne Westwood; The Epitome of Female Footprint in Fashion

All That’s Shakespeare Isn’t Gold

Recently my coach recommended that I read this book by Mark Forsyth called ‘The Elements of Eloquence’. My initial plan was to toss it in my never-ending TBR pile, but they say opportunity creates desire, so I picked it up. In this book, Forsyth uses his witty style to deconstruct works of famous authors to help readers understand the simplicity of language behind the complicated … Continue reading All That’s Shakespeare Isn’t Gold

Fluffy Cats, Ramen and Mythical Creatures: Why are Ghibli movies the perfect form of escapism?

 When I want to relax, I don’t have a bath, or go in for some meditation, or listen to soothing music or clean my cluttered room. Instead, I watch Ghibli movies.  For those living under a rock, Ghibli movies are animated movies created by Studio Ghibli, a Japanese animation film studio headquartered in Koganei, Tokyo which has produced notable films such as Howl’s moving castle … Continue reading Fluffy Cats, Ramen and Mythical Creatures: Why are Ghibli movies the perfect form of escapism?