About

Give me the place to stand, and I shall move the earth
                                                                                      - Archimedes

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I am a Chennai-based independent journalist, who works mostly online. I quit my bank job on personal priorities and began writing initially on business and finance. Slowly, my interest in arts, music, travel and the love for my city Madras (Yes, I prefer to call it Madras though officially it is now called Chennai) took over and here I am writing this blog!

With an exhibit at the Metro Boulevard, Bangalore

I founded YOCee, a website for children in 2006, where the cub reporters train in news writing. I write features and reviews of Carnatic music concerts. I love photography and keep browsing through all the breathtaking travel photos that other travel bloggers' post. 

Many times I find that it is fantastic to be just an armchair traveller. But I love to pack the basics and move out on my own. I am branded by my siblings as one who loves to be outdoors and waits to get out of the closed doors at the flimsiest excuse, even during my childhood.

How I manage to travel

Well, I began writing in my late 30s and began travelling after 40. That is after a career in Banking that took me across the country. And, believe me, life after 40 is more exciting while it is very relaxing too. Having worked in a big bank for more than 15 years, I had a decent savings when I quit. But my writings supplement the ever-rising costs. My family is not dependent on my earnings now and lets me free to work and draw my own budget. When it comes to planning my travel, I swear by BBC Travel, Yahoo Lifestyle, Outlook Traveller, Lonely Planet and grab tips from everything on Google.

What I love to explore

The unique nooks in cities, the countryside, less travelled outskirts of temple towns, mountains, places that have a close association with arts, music & dance, fascinating royal architecture, towns by rivers and the daily life of simple people in the lovely villages in India... A long list? I love to add much more to it!

What I do now

I make a living out of writing and writing alone now. A bit of teaching helps me to be in touch with the younger generation. I love to cook food for the family, many times simple and sometimes gorgeous (a cook-blog is in the making!). I love classical music, painting, embroidery, knitting, crochet, kolams (a ground art in plain white powder) and always try to find time for at least one of these every day!

What I do otherwise

'Oh, you write! What do you do otherwise?' is a question I face quite often. It puzzles me always. But I want to disclose what I do 'otherwise' here in my blog. I will be found playing the veena or listening to Carnatic music, walking briskly with closed eyes inside the home, making podis (masala or edible powders) or pickles or vadams (crispies), when I am not writing and travelling!