Abhinay Renny

Art- Manjeet Sarkar| Stand up comedy special

2026-11-10T23:52:29.025+05:30

After a long time, I enjoyed a comedy special thoroughly which is deep, truthful and honest. Manjeet hails from Bastar, Chhattisgarh. Having worked around Bastar, I could relate to the realities he talks in his comedy with such honesty.

Book- Till Death do us apart by Mahasweta Devi

2026-11-09T00:15:17.490+05:30

Five short stories where five elderly women and men in their husbands, lovers living in the margins of society have their tales touched with humour, grief, longing, love that's all practiced through various forms. I got excited as I saw the book as I remember reading a few books- why why girl by Mahasweta Devi who is a master storyteller.

Human stories written by humans with all the hues of emotions could be a prescription for a lot of exacerbated digital illnesses. Mahasweta Devi is legendary writer!

Book- Annihilation of Caste by Dr. B.R.Ambedkar

2026-11-06T00:04:57.068+05:30

The most famous undelivered speech draft by Dr.B.R.Ambedkar is a document that would enlighten us on how and why the caste has to be annihilated. To dissect and analyse castes of India with brilliant rationale thinking and logic, hardly left any room to sympathise with the social structure of caste. A must read!

Few excerpts to ponder upon.

“Religion, social status, and property are all sources of power and authority, which one man has, to control the liberty of another. One is predominant at one stage; the other is predominant at another stage.”

"It is a pity that Caste even today has its defenders. The defences are many. It is defended on the ground that the Caste System is but another name for division of labour; and if division of labour is a necessary feature of every civilized society, then it is argued that there is nothing wrong in the Caste System. Now the first thing that is to be urged against this view is that the Caste System is not merely a division of labour. It is also a division of labourers. Civilized society undoubtedly needs division of labour. But in no civilized society is division of labour accompanied by this unnatural undoubtedly needs division of labour. But in no civilized society is division of labour accompanied by this unnatural division of labourers into watertight compartments. The Caste System is not merely a division of labourers which is quite different from division of labour—it is a hierarchy in which the divisions of labourers are graded one above the other. In no other country is the division of labour accompanied by this gradation of labourers."

"How to bring about the reform of the Hindu social order? How to abolish Caste? This is a question of supreme importance. There is a view that in the reform of Caste, the first step to take is to abolish sub-castes. This view is based upon the supposition that there is a greater similarity in manners and status between sub-castes than there is between castes. I think this is an erroneous supposition. The Brahmins of Northern and Central India are socially of lower grade, as compared with the Brahmins of the Deccan and Southern India. The former are only cooks and water-carriers, while the latter occupy a high social position. On the other hand, in Northern India, the Vaishyas and Kayasthas are intellectually and socially on a par with the Brahmins of the Deccan and Southern India"

"I am convinced that the real remedy is intermarriage. Fusion of blood can alone create the feeling of being kith and kin, and unless this feeling of kinship, of being marriage. Fusion of blood can alone create the feeling of being kith and kin, and unless this feeling of kinship, of being kindred, becomes paramount, the separatist feeling—the feeling of being aliens—created by Caste will not vanish. Among the Hindus, inter-marriage must necessarily be a factor of greater force in social life than it need be in the life of the nonHindus. Where society is already well-knit by other ties, marriage is an ordinary incident of life. But where society is cut asunder, marriage as a binding force becomes a matter of urgent necessity. The real remedy for breaking Caste is intermarriage. Nothing else will serve as the solvent of Caste."

Painter Pages- The viewer and the viewed

2026-11-05T23:42:54.348+05:30

One of the many poses I encounter in galleries are the pictures where people pose to see the art work. In the many ways to engage with art, the most funny way is to pose the act of encountering the art for the sake of pose. A lot of times, instructions are explicitly given to cover the perspective of the art and the art spectator without a reveal of expression to leave the mystery.

Everyone of us love to be viewed in one way or the other. We love to see and be seen. In the pretense of seeing and being seen, we play along forgetting that we are playing along.

Art- Krishen Khanna's Interview

2026-11-05T23:37:13.832+05:30

Legendary artist Krishen Khanna talks of his journey to the young art enthusiast Az. By their body language, it's amusing to see how interviewer shuffles to listen deeply. I highly suggest A far Afternoon movie to catch up on the artist journey.

Music- City Soundscapes

2026-11-03T22:40:02.292+05:30

A rustling morning before the sunrise, the honking is at the minimum, I arrive at a store which has a speaker playing K J Yesudas song. I could recognise his voice, Ilayaraja's composition but couldn't recollect the title of the song. I look at the shopkeeper who is arranging the water bottles and cool drinks on a stand humming the song in an unhurried pace. As I stay infront of the shop without mentioning what I want enjoying the song, everything- the bus honks, the bike engine vrooms, the men at the tea shop's getting reading to arrive at politics before they talk of what happened yesterday night- everything became a white noise. I looked at the shopkeeper keenly to see how he was enjoying the song irrespective of the noise that's around him. One could flag chronic stress by such low hum drum noises. Instead he selectively is attuned to Yesudas voice through those speakers decked up amidst snacks, bottles and everything he offer at the store. As the song got completed, another Tamil song- Pottu vaitha oru Vatta Nila began to be played. I recollected the times I discovered this song and listened in loop. God bless you I silently whispered for playing such heartful music, bought a newspaper I wanted and returned humming the songs I just heard. A brilliant way and day to start!

Book- The Spy Chronicles:RAW, ISI and the Illusion of Peace

2026-11-03T22:28:42.177+05:30

Having read the book- The unending Game by ex RAW Chief Vikram Sood, A life in the Shadows by A.S Dulat, I was keen to pick up this book- The Spy Chronicles, as soon as I got a chance to see what conversations are captured when we bring Ex-RAW and ISI Chiefs on the same table. A.S Dulat and Assad Durrani meet outside India or Pakistan interviewed by Aditya Sinha to bring out a dialogue on their personal journeys, learnings, experiences, views on geopolitics, Kashmir and many more nuances of both countries' politics.

Sharing a few personal stories highlighting the trust between two chiefs, they shared interesting views on how countries handled diplomacy at critical junctures. Vajpayee gets his due credit for his leadership and call for insaaniyat. It's amusing to see what the chiefs discuss about the countrie's presidents and prime ministers. As the book is written in 2018, Dulat talks of how Modi's government then diplomacy stands were.

Both emphasize on dialogue and cooperation that needs to be strengthened from both the countries. Irrespective of media narratives, both of them highlight the long term view of conflict resolution strategies between India and Pakistan. In between the recollection of Track-II dialogues and future forecasts of both the countries, it's an interesting read to see the views of RAW, ISI Chief's simultaneously.

Soliloquies- The never ending nineteen

2026-10-21T16:02:22.243+05:30

After several months, a friend randomly recollected my borrowed suggestion of celebrating everyday of the birth month. I got introduced to this concept by A who suggested to celebrate a whole month before the birth'day'

I've been religiously following it since I got introduced to it. I realised the celebration gives us a chance to explore our curiosity and creativity and chance to reflect on our being to celebrate our presence.

When I put this task of celebrating for 30 days before birthday, I was perplexed on how I need to celebrate for 30 days. Thanks to my reluctance to peek into internet for random suggestion, I became conscious to not take suggestions that trends. I was open to celebration suggestions that arrive at me in a style-intentional, thoughtful and fun. Also out of comfort zone type suggestion.

A year ago, I gifted myself a Grand Opera crazy expensive concert in a historic hall in town. To my surprise only the Swiss old aunts & uncles occupy those front eats as they got some real old money. Nevertheless, I decided to celebrate and enjoyed the show.

Another time, watching sunset and cold dips became my favourites. Countless desserts were always gulped as the cold always helped me to be in better health. Elaborate meals, movies, concerts became the usual fun. Slowly oct 19 to nov 19 became a festival. A festival that I enjoy thoroughly and stay in festive mood that keeps my energy up and running. Also a lot of celebrating moments arrived in my life as I continued my celebrations. Also celebrations have already begun a few hours before the clock turned October 19

Book- Murder in Mahim

2026-10-21T15:57:39.973+05:30

Jerry Pinto is a brilliant storyteller. Like the way he talks, he writes his stories in a very crisp and sharp manner. Murder in Mahim is a story of crime investigation case where retired journalist Peter Fernandes joins his childhood friend, cop Shiva Jende to solve a murder case that happens at Matunga railway station toilet. While Peter doubts his son sunil's involvement in muder, he gets deeply invested in it and doesn't get out of the case until he finds the murderer in Mahim. The story revolves with a lot of characters Leslie, cops, Proxy, Unit whose journey around the murder reveals the plot in a very thrilling way. Adding to that, the social commentary is hard hitting with it's truths and takes on our Indian contemporary society. Very smoothly and at appropriate places, the social opinions adds up to the running story. With Pinto one also can be very assured to bring in the themes of Indian education and humanities especially. I'd highly recommend this to readers who have tasted the world through Jerry Pinto's words.

Music- Looping melodies

2026-09-27T21:56:59.505+05:30

After a long time, Shashaa has released her new composition. Knowing her since more than a decade as a person and as musician, my respect and admiration has only increased tenfold and more. This piece is composed by S with her lyrics along with Amir Khusro's poetry. A word and exchanged greeting with her on her new composition- Raynnn left me in loop as ever. Heartened by her words as it's been really long since we exchanged words- 'Abhinay, been so long. Thank you '

Thanks Shashaa for the track and also humbled by your generosity. Wish you a great journey and blessings.

Book- Current Show by Perumal Murugan

2026-09-21T20:58:03.886+05:30

My first Perumal Murugan's book was One Part Woman. I was taken on a jolting journey through perumal's story and narration. His novel, 'Current Show,' promises a show of the life of people whom we encounter when we go to theatre. The popcorn seller, the one who gives a receipt for our bikes, cars, the security guard and their colleagues. In a few seconds of interaction, one hardly notices the lives of the many who live around the theatres. Perumal does it time and again with his sharp senses bringing the characters into life in all their glory and shades. Sathi, the young worker at the theatre lives along with his companions, escaping the life and living in it with a lot of sensitivity. A peak into the lives of Sathi through his vulnerabilities and the softside of their life is worth reading. I loved the way the Perumal wrote the characters with such a fine description of their inner lives.

Also, it's worth to ponder on how Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Panjabi, Marathi, are not simply regional languages but Indian languages. To call them as regional languages is to put them subservient to the other Indian languages.

Climate reads- Strategies and Switzerland

2026-09-01T11:34:18.715+05:30

https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/climate-adaptation/truth-or-tale-is-switzerland-doing-nothing-to-prepare-for-climate-change/91977499

Climate mitigation and adaptation needs to be parallel and simultaneous in it's approaches. As switzerland is preparing for the climate change. Effects are only to be worsened in unprecedented speed.

In other countries context, climate mitigation and adaptation has always been imbibed in the history of civilisation. Back in home, houses were constructed sourcing local materials, keeping in mind of the local weather and climate. Without climate adaptation and mitigation strategies, I wonder if Rajasthanis would have survived for this long. The big question we forget to ask when we celebrate the old history hoping for answers, we need to actively remember the population the previous generation was catering to. Our houses, palaces were sustainable to the limited population that's present. Current climate change problems with current population needs a futuristic approach.

Painter pages- Eyes & Cameras

2026-08-30T20:42:25.613+05:30

Eyes are not cameras.
Seeing comes from doing.
One can see through their movement.
Each decision in drawing is made in motion, not in advance.
Seeing begins before the brush touches the canvas.

Poetry- Arrival

2026-08-30T20:41:06.110+05:30

A moment to arrive
a page to sleep
a word to stroll
a station to steam
a reading to boil
a shoulder to breathe
a moment
a moment to arrive.

Poetry- Dumb Terminal Arrival

2026-08-30T20:40:05.599+05:30

Dumb Terminal
will human be defined as dumb terminal as she does not have micro processors to process the data ignoring the ageing body that herself is intelligence processing life living inside and outside of being.

Poetry- Kunst Kathalu

2026-08-28T17:47:49.291+05:30

Rain falls on computers
Snow melts on Compact Discs
Kunst కథలు are nothing but a space for the living to walk with the dead.
Kathalu are for the ones who are left but not for those who left.

Book- The Amazing Story of the Man who cycled from India to Europe for Love

2026-08-17T10:23:15.780+05:30

Jagat Ananda Pradyumna Kumar Mahanandia was born in the Jungle of Orissa when the rainbow appeared on his birthday where the astrologer prophesied that he'd play with the light and marry a person who's out of this jungle, town, state and possibly out of country. PK lived in the contours of jungle with his mother while his father worked as a postman lived in a nearby town along with two other brothers. In his early childhood he only remember being with his mother as his father only visited them during the Sunday bringing a few delicacies from town. PK's mother made pigments from the natural resources and painted the mud houses and the nearby houses for all the festivities as well. PK grew on with colours and drawing seemed very natural and easy for him. Before he was old enough to head to school, he used to hang around the jungle and draw on every rock, stone possible.

When his father took PK to school, he was excited to make new friends. To his shock, he was made to sit out of the classroom, away from everyone as he was told, he's untouchable. Getting introduced to the caste in a very humiliating way, the schooling days were uphill battle where he was told every day, every moment that he's lower than everyone present in the room.

Living with such hardships, PK managed to finish his schooling and tried to pursue his father's dream- Engineering but he knew he's meant for something else and managed to apply for art school by the help of a lot of strangers and coincidences. PK's life is filled with such coincidences, serendipituous moments from the time he was born. Believing in destiny with a understanding of free will, PK headed to Delhi, a new city he hoped that would see him as equal without the caste lens.

PK's Delhi endeavours as an artist is shocking and sad. Sparing first few months, PK couldn't afford to eat and struggled to quench his thirsty and quell his hunger. He lived under the bridge, slept on the roads, railway stations, anywhere and everywhere. He hit rock bottom and decided to take his life. Several times, he attempted to end his life and yet something pulled him from such situations.

At first Narender, a medical student who helped him from sickness, then Tarique, a son of supreme court judge took him under his wings, provided him shelter and food. Months into hunger and uncertainty, PK always lived on the edge when people walked into his life to shower him with love, food at times. As things got better, he had a dream of his mother calling him to see him. Following his dream, he arrived at his home after a long break, only to see his mother in death bed. After a heavy departing from his mother by her death, he returned to Delhi. At Cannaught place he began drawing portraits of people offering for a price. His serendipitious encounter with first female cosmonaut drawing her portrait landed him soviet embassy bringing media's attention. A few more encounters, he began to walk to presidential palace and also ended up meeting Indira Gandhi, the then Prime Minister of India. Meeting famous personalities didn't end his poverty over night.As he continued his struggles being homeless, he used to draw at Cannaught place in the mornings and police would take him and put in Jail for night, a place to sleep under a roof- a place he preferred rather than being homeless.

He looked out for the prophecy whenever women walked into his life. A girl ran behind him falling for him, proposing for marriage. As soon as the parents find out his caste, he was subjected to humiliation for his caste. Frequent humiliation for being who he is sabotaged his identity and the way he looked at himself. A chance encounter with Charlotte from Sweden who arrived at India fancying the oriental charm and the eastern philosophy.

Love indeed is a magic potion. Once you encounter it, there's no looking back. There's no thinking in love. Love inspires to act. They got married, PK introduced Charlotte to his brother, father and took her to the village. Charlotte had to return to Sweden and continue her studies. PK struck in love struggled to stay away from his love of life. Months he struggled to find ways to reach Sweden. No plan, no thought, PK decided to cycle his way to Sweden without wondering what would happen to him. With a simple and clear goal of reaching his love of life, he decided to buy a second hand cycle from Delhi and began to cycle westwards.

Flying was not a financial option. Neither he knew the route nor he ever saw Sweden in map. His traveling adventure is a delight to read as his sheer grit to meet his love showed him the path. There were only hurdles to strengthen his determination. He met right people at the right time who showed him the direction. For once, he felt Swedes live in country Switzerland as it sounded the same. He even thought of heading to Swtizerland as he had no idea where is what. Love indeed does make things absurd. Forgetting the kilometres and days, he only looked ahead to meet Charlotte. Either he die on the way to meet her or meet her. Long story short, he arrived at Sweden finally. With a little surprise and drama, Charlotte and PK live together and had a happy life.

Before the adventure, PK's journey was nothing short of miracles. From being a jungle boy to meet the political who's who at Delhi and even got a home at Chanakyapuri, close to prime minister's residence with a help. Leaving all the comforts he chose and he never regretted it. Brilliant story worth the whole time.

Geneva Journals- India & Alternate reality

2026-08-14T15:23:47.818+05:30

I've come across another neighbour who visited India during the last winter. As the neighbour spent three months around Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, the famous triangle tour(Delhi, Agra, Jaipur) as well, also attempted to visit Tiruvannamalai. 'How was your experience in India?' I asked being curious of their observations. It's not backward or forward, India lives in it's own alternative reality,

As every civilisation come with it's light and dark shadows, I could only appreciate the adventure the neighbour embarked on exploring India in his own ways.

Geneva Journals- Lake Diaries

2026-08-14T15:21:36.752+05:30

Bumpy waves, cloudy weather. The Sun logs out

Music- La Italia

2026-08-14T15:12:56.007+05:30

Book Recommendations- Books

2026-08-14T15:12:20.016+05:30

I love Prof Davide's book suggestions where he mentions poems, novels instead of monographs or academic articles. Book recommendation excerpts from recent interviews.

On Certainty, by Ludwig Wittgenstein. I am aware that the philosopher is not the easiest read. Yet, since we keep repeating that we live in uncertain times, as if this were something new, Wittgenstein is a very good antidote: he invites us to reflect on what we know, opening up questions on truth and post-truth that were not central in his reflection.

The political poems of Bertolt Brecht are a small but powerful light in moments of darkness; the same goes for Ece Temelkuran’s poems in The Book of the Edge. I love Temelkuran’s work in general; she is sophisticated and sharp, emphatic and sensitive.

I came across a fantastic book by Marcus du Sautoy, Blueprints. How mathematics shapes creativity. I warmly recommend it.

This summer I read Erik Larson’s The Demon of Unrest: A Saga of Hubris, Heartbreak, and Heroism at the Dawn of the Civil War… since we were talking about war and peace.

And a fantastic novel by Paul Auster, 4 3 2 1, whose narrative framework is unique, standing in between Borges and Dickens.

Students might wonder: “why am I mentioning poems, novels, essays rather than monographs and articles?” Because all of them are my indispensable fuel, without which the latter look as dry as a desert. Just like music, pop culture, theatre, cinema and even TV series.

Geneva Journals- Lake Diairies

2026-08-14T14:35:47.318+05:30

Whenever there are clouds, there's hardly a crowd at the lake. I headed to the lake hoping for a nice dip. Wonderful time to enjoy the waters, clouds all by myself.

Book- The Silent Coup by Josy Joseph

2026-08-14T14:35:04.015+05:30

After reading Feast of Vultures I was keen to read Josy's second book and ordered immediately. A few days into work, I slid the book into one of the book shelves and totally missed reading about it. I'm glad I picked it up atleats after five year break.

The Silent Coup argues about the corruption and India's deep state where the agencies and state police struggle to maintain it's standards and be subservient to political executives. The book highlights the story of wrong conviction of Wahid in Mumbai. The Islamaphobia in India, how it's grown.

The other events of how an image of terror is built through over time. The book also revealed how Hindutva terror groups have emerged, sometimes scheming bombings in India. As ever Josy joseph reveals snippets of India that's grounding to the reality.

Music- ADG7

2026-08-14T14:24:36.041+05:30

My first concert experience into K-Pop. This is the first time, I listened to the K-pop songs performed by ADG7 band known for their energy and rigor.

Movie- Flow

2026-08-14T14:24:16.268+05:30

S suggested this long time ago and I managed to watch it in the summer series of Cine transit. Genève hosted open sky movie nights.

A very powerful movie that talks of environment and how animals survive the natural disaster. It’s true that in the times of climate change, there are so many communities who are surviving while there has been an extensive loss. The stories that help us to reflect deeply to be aware of our actions in this world. I loved the way the death is depicted in the movie.