Echoes from Mesopotamia: When a Dream, a Land, & History Converge

On By Indrajit Roy ChoudhuryIn Muse & Musings34 Comments

A personal milestone. A long-cherished dream realised. I’m proud to share my book Echoes from Mesopotamia, recently published and launched at the Kolkata Book Fair (Boi Mela), 2026. Shaped by sixteen years in Iraq—the land often called the Cradle of Civilisation but one that became a second home—the book journeys through the myths and legends of Sumer, Akkad, and Assyria, drawn from research, lived experience, and quiet listening among the echoes of the Tigris and Euphrates. Seeing these echoes find a home between the covers of a book is a dream sixteen years in the making.

Wildlife Wonderscapes: Art that Inspires Conservation at Hamad International Airport

On By Indrajit Roy ChoudhuryIn Journeys & Mindscapes8 Comments

Passing through Hamad International Airport, I did not expect to find a sanctuary. Gillie and Marc’s Wildlife Wonderscapes halted my hurried stride, confronting me with bronze sentinels of endangered life. In that fleeting pause between departures and arrivals, art whispered a question that lingered long after: what will we choose to protect?

The Ancient Forges of the Asur: Guardians of India’s Iron Legacy

On By Indrajit Roy ChoudhuryIn Heritage & History13 Comments

The Chhotanagpur plateau, home to the Asur tribe, reveals a rich cultural tapestry shaped by ancient metallurgical practices. Once adept at eco-friendly iron smelting, the Asurs, classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group, face declining traditions amid modern industrialisation. Despite cultural erosion and economic challenges, efforts to preserve their heritage are emerging, highlighting the importance of maintaining their unique connection to history and ecology.

When Stories Whisper Back: Aranjit, Memory, & the Call of the Wild

On By Indrajit Roy ChoudhuryIn Muse & Musings6 Comments

At Delhi airport, amid echoing announcements and rolling suitcases, Aranjit pressed a signed copy of Call of the Wild into my hands. Years folded like wings. His stories drifted through me—moonlit verandas, creaking stairs, and that breathless pause where memory meets mystery, reminding me that friendship, like storytelling, survives distance and time in quiet, luminous, unforgettable shared moments together forever.

Day 3: Pilgrimage of Resilience: My Journey Through Sacred Sites

On By Tania SidharthaIn Journeys & Mindscapes9 Comments

The journey to the Mahabodhi Temple offered serene moments of reflection during a ritual that honored Siddhartha’s spiritual path. Visiting the Dungeshwari Caves and the Niranjana River highlighted pivotal transformations in his quest for enlightenment. Ultimately, the trip became a meaningful pilgrimage, enriching the travelers through resilience, companionship, and introspection.

Day 2: Resilience and Discovery: A Day in the Temples of Gaya & Bodhgaya

On By Tania SidharthaIn Journeys & Mindscapes7 Comments

The day commenced with health concerns, but a determination to explore prevailed. Visits to the Vishnupad Temple and Mangla Gauri Shaktipeeth deepened spiritual connections. Despite physical challenges, anticipation drove the journey to Bodhgaya, culminating at Mahabodhi Mahavihara Temple. The day ended with a meal, gratitude, and the enriching experience of cultural exploration.

Reflecting on Life’s Contradictions Through Affogato

On By Indrajit Roy ChoudhuryIn Epicurean Mosaic10 Comments

On a cool December evening in Erbil, I walked without a set direction, letting the festive lights inspire my thoughts. I paused unexpectedly at the Vinery Café, savoring an affogato—a mix of hot espresso and cold ice cream. In this simple combination, I found a reflection of life: opposites like bitter and sweet, hot and cold, liquid and solid coming together to create something unexpectedly complete.