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Rajinder Arora's avatar

Kunde Habba should be celebrated by all communities, everywhere... an oppressed people showing their behinds to mock their gods who abandoned them and the landlords who exploit them... what better way. Loved your piece.

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Karthik's avatar

Hehe 100%

Thanks a lot reading :))

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Aakriti's avatar

I enjoyed reading this, and how you wove everything together. Found myself nodding along to a few parts, particularly 'And like Javed Saab, I am sure that Samay and co. will also collect enough spices from lived experiences and reading books, and that years from now, they won’t need just chillis to add zing to their dishes.'

Also TIL about Kunde Habba, thanks for including it here :)

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Karthik's avatar

Thanks a lot Aakriti! I am glad you liked this essay :)

Even in Holi, social hierarchies have to take a backseat to participate in the spirit of the festival. I've seen this especially within families.

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Roshni's avatar

Brilliantly done Karthik! On point and so rich with reflection .

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Manisha Gupta's avatar

What a brilliant essay and commentary on our times

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Karthik's avatar

Thank you so much, Manisha! I am glad all these thoughts came together here :)

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Binu Sivan's avatar

I didn’t see where this was going initially but you did a wonderful job of stitching in current events. Hard agree on freedom of speech. If you don’t like what is being said, walk away.

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Karthik's avatar

Thanks a lot Binu! People walking into the show or those watching it on YouTube usually have an idea of what this genre of comedy is about. But when it shows up on reels, it can catch people off guard and I fully understand the disgust and outrage about it. But then, clampdowns and police action is too much!

The police and the courts have so many pending matters to deliver on that can actually provide relief to many hapless citizens. Only last evening, I spoke to an old man selling pens on the street. He comes all the way from Chitradurga (4 hours from here) to Bangalore and stays with a relative for 3 days a week - and sells pens on the street to earn money. He told me that he used to be a school teacher once, now retired but the government has not released his pension and the matter is pending in court.

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