Haven’t been blogging for long. For the first time ever, I’ve spent the whole day reflecting on writing something to wrap up my 2025. So, how was my year?
With many life lessons learnt, giving and contributing more than ever, the year has been kinder to me, certainly gentler than the last, for which I am deeply grateful. For all the opportunities ! I made no resolutions and therefore feel no guilt over failing any at all.
Those close to me know that literature and art are my catharsis—their presence alone brings meaning to my existence. The year saw me associate with four publications—not as the author, yet worth mentioning.
The first two were pan-India short story anthologies by tertiary students, which I curated and edited following contests organized and sponsored by the Jay Yes Foundation. They were published gracefully by Zero Degree Publishing and Kaleidoscope Publishing. The other two were poetry collections I translated – one by Seenu Ramasamy, the internationally acclaimed Tamil filmmaker, whose collection was published in London; the second by Madhumitha, a distinguished voice in contemporary Tamil literature and a long-time friend, featuring a striking cover illustration by the celebrated artist Trotsky Marudhu and published by Kaleidoscope Publishing.
On the art front, several of my paintings, including a few commissioned pieces, found their way onto the walls of homes. For the first time, I attempted two large-subjects on paper 150 × 75 cm. I also had my first encounter with pottery through a three-hour workshop—an experience I hope to have again. Additionally, I also designed a book cover, commissioned for a research-based nonfiction title— yet another gratifying first of my life.
Trying to restore my reading routine to at least half of what it once was hasn’t been easy. WIP. Borrowing and reading ebooks via the NLB app is convenient, however, the joy is never quite the same as holding a physical copy. I wish to return to borrowing physical books, but that would mean monthly visits. I must try a few times to find out if I can continue.
I could not review all the books I read, which includes All the Lives We Never Lived by Anuradha Roy, As Long as the Lemon Tree Grow by Zoulfa Katouh, The Nine-Chambered Heart by Janice Pariat, and The Garden of Evening Mists by Tan Twan Eng.
October brought in unexpected news – my novel Tabula Rasa was longlisted for the 2025 Communard Women’s Literary Award. Result awaited, but I’m grateful for the longlist. I also had the privilege of writing a critical introduction to Anita Patel’s poetry for SingLit.
Even these modest accomplishments feel herculean, largely because of my full-time day role consuming much of my time for the past 2-3 years. Low-energy days often compel me to reconsider—at least once a week—whether I should reclaim more of my time for myself.
I resumed my hour-long weekend solitary serene walks among the tall dense trees in Zhonghua Park. One interesting, ineffable solid reason for the shameless dendrophilous in me to look forward to my weekends!
Watching myself grow into a keener observer of my inner world has been inexplicably, profoundly interesting.
I hope the new year allows me to revisit the chapters of my novel in progress and my other manuscripts. Most of my years have begun with my little general promises like, “I must manage my time better,” or “I should plan something more meaningful” or “I should become a better person”, but more of whispers to myself.
I choose to let life flow naturally in the new year too.
Let’s welcome the new year with a prayer out into the universe—to bless each of us, every human being on earth, with abundant joy, peace, equanimity, and spiritual bliss.
