Pills are pills, even if they're bright green in colour. Yuck.



It is intervowen, then. Multiples. Are we heading towards jacks of design trades?

Water can be mean and wicked- we are misunderstood that it is our best friend. If water had a will of its own, it would grin at itself- it would be the cleverest of all beings. You think it’s the universal solvent; it cleanses and purifies... Its true nature, though, is hidden- it leaves behind marks- circles, spots, lines, trails- loci of all that it once touched. It is ruthless, sharp and impossibly frustrating- there is no escaping it. On one hand, running water exposes all human action, while on the other- still water is deceiving. Whilst it shows you your beautiful self, it attracts evil- mosquitoes, flies, insects and their diseases- it’s a non-negotiable package. We must be careful- should it mean more harm, we must run! Thank God the survival of the human race does not depend on water. Hehe...

The good thing about life after college is that there is no fixed path, there is no “correct”, no “wrong”...It is just a marvelous coming together of unimaginable factors to shape an existence- an existence so unique to the individual that eventually there is no such thing as “better”...Each is a path- unique, significant and inspiring- and I am beginning to celebrate the difference. It is exhilarating to see the variations and range- welcome to the real world, you’re going to love it!

Rani Mukherjee makes for the most beautiful bride. Maybe it is Sabyasachi who makes her so. It’s the backstage- ignored, forgotten and under estimated. Tch.

It’s the worst time to get a cold- the Mumbai monsoon. The nose keeps leaking like the clouds; makes similar sounds too! It is a positive development in one sense- you cannot smell the filth. It only looks dirty! But the thing is, there is so much layering in Mumbai that it can be helplessly distracting. Even if you left for office after a fight with your roommate, you will be smiling at the school kid in the jammed train...there are so many dimensions, so many visuals- that there is no concept of “bored”- that’s only for the rich and snobby- those that remain snobby all their lives, whilst they travel in the air conditioned air with reflector glass beside them. Honestly, doesn’t everyone always talk about the smile on the faces of the poor? The joy in the eyes of those that have nothing to lose, and nothing to hide. Travelling by train is poor, but definitely the most satisfying. Everyone looks at it like a pain, a sacrifice- to live the life without luxury and comfort. But to live like me is to live with contentment. With peace in the mind and a song on the lips. Even in the rain! It is a very, very precious joy- and there are those who can never experience it- they never allow themselves to- my brother. Rithvik. Geetha G. B...Walk in the puddle, honey- it will make you grin- if only you allow it! I love my life, I love the rain, and I love Mumbai!

Everything is “कच्चा” and “cheap” these days. Lol!

The idea of progress in my head is continuously changing; with time and exposure, I see different analogies and different imageries. I have started believing in the act of “doing” – someone, somewhere DID something, which is why we are ‘progressing’. Progress is not an inevitability; it is not a necessity, but action on an idea. Someone spoke up; someone stirred. People around were uncomfortable and dislodged- they protested. But even then, ideas survived. “Necessity is the mother of all invention”, they say- was linux necessary in the 15th century? No. Progress is a trap- it makes you need more and more- it is addictive. “Improvisation” is the word; and to me, it is a branch of ‘change’. We are in continuous motion; and we will always be. And on the way, we need those who think, act and “do” - even though they’re weirdos.

It is time to buy the Vims, the scotch brites, the surf excels, the harpics, the eggs, the onions and the tomatoes. Maybe a broom, too. :)

“Of all the experiences in the world, travel is undoubtedly one of the most life-altering. It enriches, fulfills, indulges, opens your heart to other worlds and experiences and fosters co-existence in an increasingly intolerant world. But perhaps the most profound and tangible impact it has is on our inner selves." The world is conspiring to answer my questions; but no, this is not good enough.

The biggest trouble with walking to work is maintaining your CG. In a city like Mumbai, footpaths with free space on them are rare- you are almost always walking on the road. Now the exact trouble with the road is that it serves not only the pedestrian- but also the cows, the rain water and slum kids. And not to forget- the vehicles. In this complicated layer system, your locus runs parallel to that of the rain water- literally- with an offset of 300mm. “Do not draw parallels”, they say- in a world where the basis for measurement of ‘achievement’ is comparison.

“Bringing intellect back in style”, the magazine reads. Intellect and style- good combination, eh? :)

I have been wanting to write about Robert for a long time now. I never get the words- his is a diverse and rich personality- so many layers, so many directions. What I feel for him also ranges from frustration to awe, irritation to affection, and disappointment to trust. Sometimes I see intense passion in his eyes- passion for life, people, and work- but it quickly disappears behind his terrible jokes. What made him travel half the world? I still cannot find the answer- but I can see in him, a very fundamental yet strangely strong connect with human beings- he seems to care, and very deeply- underneath the thick top layer of mistrust. He loves innocence, truth and people that live by both. He seems to be searching for something continuously- meaning, maybe, in this complex system of ‘life’. If not anything else, he has travelled far to seek it.

Living in Mumbai can have strange advantages- with barely 3sq.m. per person in a dorm, you can never lose stuff. It’s either on your bed, or it is on your bed! People living in Bangalore take up too much place. Hehe...

I have been travelling again! It is such a delight to sleep at 1am, gossiping and packing at the same time, looking forward to catching a flight in four hours! My poor body and even ‘poorer’- my backpack has been put through too much stress- I think its about being ‘young’- its great to feel the energy within; the excitement to meet and explore new is strangely satisfying... I am taking full advantage of the fact that I live more or less in the geographical centre of the country- if someone plotted my locus as I float around, there would be many, many radii! I plan on a big leap next- even if it means I have to eat grass for 6 months- I am not sure, though- good quality grass might just be more expensive than pasta! :)

Getting a new haircut can transform your face- I did not believe it until now. Design is important; it can modify, uplift and also retain intent- and this can apply to ANY field- and I am surprised that I did not follow this through with all aspects of living before. I should; this is going to be my ultimate intent in life. Also, to make design cheaper, if not cheap.

“..to be happy with the present, to live for today, without worrying about the nature of tomorrow- soaking in completely what today can give, with lessons from the past-”....I think I am learning.

Hanging out with Ankit is like spending time with a solid think tank; he is in a continuous state of ‘doing’- his head is always wanting to move, change, initiate, act. His ideas are very ambitious, and in most cases, he gets carried away. Give him a small opening, and he’s busy building a grand entrance. It is incredible, how much energy is generated in his body by these thoughts- sometimes even I cannot keep up with him. His coming to Mumbai and living a jump away from my place is definitely going to make the ‘mumbai experience’ even more spectacular.

Yesterday I read an article about a devoted spiritual singer who also teaches science at school. It was very interesting how he looked at both in union- “Kabir said we must learn from our first hand experiences, and not go by faith. That is what science also says. Faith can be scientific.” I didn't competely understand what this could mean, but was left wondering if this is infact the unified theory of physics.

Being able to trust someone comes from a long and invisible process of spending time together- and in most cases, you realise you cannot trust that person. When I say 'trust', I mean trust with respect to promptness, with communication and clarity. Trust with being on time and meaning what you say. Trust without excuses, without “I forgot” or “I didn't have time”. To say “I trust him” means a lot. This does not necessarily make a person 'good' or 'bad', though- it is just a state of being that I really appreciate. And it is very difficult to find. Everytime I meet my brother I feel like I am far from being there myself, and everytime I meet anyone from work, I feel they are far behind. It's the damn ladder again.

This is the world’s most celebrated irony- Penelope Cruz sitting on a modest bench, looking at you with a bright smile- “I’m just like you.” I mean, COME ON!



Taran simply cannot iron her clothes. And I am beginning to realize that it’s not her fault. Not at all. First, we put together 2d fabric to cover a very complex and curved 3d object. And on top of that, we try to flatten it on the ironing table before letting it take shape of the body. Are we crazy or what? If something fits you well, it should be very difficult to iron. And if you see something that can be flattened easily, it’s definitely not meant for the human body. I wonder what fashion designers would think of this.



I feel like going to receive someone from the airport. Not just someone, but someone famous. Someone ‘great’. I want to go and receive Rehman. Or the Olympic champions. I want to be one of the hundreds. I want to cheer and celebrate. It is almost an overwhelming thought- to let go, to dissolve. It’s not about ‘making a difference’ for once. I like it.



I enjoy reading Santosh Desai’s articles in the paper- his writings are a good documentation of time and present an accurate picture of the existing. I love best ‘the death of vulgarity’- I simply cannot summarize the article- the entire article is brilliant. After that I read his view on Mallya ‘buying back Gandhi’s stuff’- about how we “bought back Gandhi’s stuff and sold him down the river”- beautiful. Yesterday he wrote about why the ‘arranged marriage’ still exists in the Indian middle class today- most of it, I did not understand. I assumed that meant the article was good. :)



Time changes things. Exposure modifies personality. "Life changing experience"- I believe it now. I must get settled before I change into something I cannot change.

I see him everyday, bent and tired of this world; a blank expression at the paving blocks, beedi in hand. I don’t suppose he has another set of clothes- the weary plastic mug laid front of him, waiting endlessly; I wonder what he must be thinking.. what his life in the past must have been like- what amazes me most is how quietly he rests on the footpath.. Sitting right across sukh sagar, how could he not look up at the food? I do not want to live his life, but I want to study it. His old eyes seem so controlled and calm that it amuses me. Not today, though- there was emptiness in that busy corner of Mumbai.



I am beginning to like the gill font better than courier font. It is time for change, again.



“Love your work, not your job.” Wise fellow.



A Spanish girl will be joining my office soon! My office is more like a zoo; people from all possible races with painfully different accents converge at RMA. The guy from Chennai takes three seconds per word to follow the new Zealander- the American cannot stop giving me gyaan on how differently ‘vet’ should be pronounced from ‘wet’. Our mallu accountant sometimes blinks at gujrati words smuggled into hin-glish. It is even worse, when the American is trying to speak in marathi, and the new Zealander in gujrati. I can only think of replying in tamil. Not so long ago, we almost hired a british chap- and for the life of me, I could NOT (desperately tried, but failed to) run with his fast lines. I mean, what’s with the hurry?? I was utterly disappointed when we rejected an architect from Rome- not good enough, they said. For now, make space for Spain, people- here she comes!

How do we sense thinking? Do we hear it? What is making the vibrations? Do we read it from our minds? How are our five senses helping? Or is it our sixth sense?



I was about to start this sentence with “I am amused by-” and stopped myself with a grin. :)



People get ‘bored’ rather easily in life- my brother comes to my mind immediately. As I understand it, he is in a state of boredom more than not, any given day. I don’t understand it. There are so many things to do, so many questions to ask- that there is no time! Do you know what exactly how a fighter plane can fly upside down? Do you know why MS columns in the porch need a base? Do you know how an operating system is infected when there is a virus on your computer? What is a virus? Why do we have seasons? Why does it cost so much to be unique? Why is an idea so expensive? How does the stock market directly affect my life? ASK!



Life seems to have meaning again; it seems to me that my work is directly affecting something concrete- the choices I make are making a difference- I don’t seem like one of the useless million anymore. I am more comfortable with myself now- I am at peace in the head. I have an endless list of questions, but I have learnt to live with them till I find the answers. I think it is the ‘growing up’ that most believe has been long-pending. My faith in the human race is restored- whatever that means. :)

I would never deny structure; I would rather express the strength of materials that make my building. If he wants a 1200 depth for an 18’ cantilever beam, I would give it to him. I would even exaggerate it. I would want to show that it’s a cantilever, and that it has taken innovation to design and make possible the building. I wouldn’t want to pass it off as an ordinary beam- I would make efforts to highlight it. I’m going to have to open my own office for that, then. :)



What happens when the cat crossing your path is half white and half black??



A thin stroke of black tracing the bottom edge of one’s eyes can make spectacular changes in the face, and yet go unnoticed as an individual element. People are struggling to trace the source of this change in my face- ‘Something is different,’ they say, staring- ‘Have you cut your hair??’
Hehehe...



‘There is always hope’, she says- I wonder if it’s a human property. To be optimistic, to think; to make yourself believe that it is possible- to wait.
Were apes hopeful that their day will come?

Shadows can lie; they can modify reality- they can make you look thinner, taller.. They don’t necessarily let you see what you want to see- almost as though they have a mind of their own...The purity of the shadow with its loyal quality has been corrupted in my mind; it will be long before I trust a shadow again.



A yoga teacher joins the dorm- just when I was thinking it could not get more diverse.



Naveen looks like a “dude” these days- all macho- his visits to the gym cannot be hidden anymore- the mass is bursting out from underneath his shirt. He needs new clothes! Hehe...



I am beginning to notice block colours these days- bursts of a bold colour stripped of all ornamentation- the midnight blue sky, the colour of the red ink on my fingertips, that of the endless brown sand and the heavenly blue of the sea- they are hitting my eyes distinctly. I like the edges- those between block colours- their near-invisible quality leaves me wanting to explore them- the thinness brings to my mind the voice of Shreya Ghoshal- a clear, crisp and continuous thin line. Sheesh- I must, MUST improve with the analogies!

I have finally bought it- the travel book, the guide to organizing my loafing around the country! “INDIA”, it says- I am marking those places that I already have explored, and those that I can fit into my budget for the year to come- India now, the world next! :)



I remember thinking three years back- the future of ‘good’ architecture in India is poor- I was convinced that even thirty years later, we will still be studying Charles Correa and Doshi for “Contemporary” Architecture- Sudheendra Sir wasn’t too optimistic; it looks to me, though, that we have survived- the book I am holding reads ‘Contemporary Indian Architecture’- Anupama Kundoo, Rahul Mehrotra, Sanjay Mohe, Rahul Gore, Matthew & Ghosh, Rajesh Ranganathan, Gurjit Singh, Vijay Narnapatti, and many more- HURRAH!



Bangalore is coo-oo—oold.



The one thing fundamentally wrong with my ‘writing’ skills is that I don’t seem to be able to maintain the tense of the sentence- I keep jumping from the past to present to future. You will even see all three in one sentence! Damn- someone forgot to tell me the ‘rules’! :)

My watch is 7 minutes fast. Because its really difficult to subract 7 from a number. I would rather be 7 mintues early. :)




Getting engaged means a lot of things- my roommate has had a good dose of its ill effects recently. It is that moment which, in one go, puts everything in place -and- blows into bits most of what you wanted your life to be. I can see it coming- and I am not liking this calm before the storm. I am sure I will look back at this time with a sheepish grin on my face- probably telling my grandchildren not to lose patience in this time- and that it is never going to come again.




I am beginning to realise the importance of the non-visible side of life; that side which is more important than the one that is seen- and yet that one which goes completely un-noticed. The shuttering in a building is more important than anything else; the frame of view is more important than the view itself- and the foreground to a visual is more important than what is seen. Really, imagine if the Taj Mahal did not have it's spectacular foreground? This is precisely why the damn grass is greener on the other side- someone forgot to mention the distance of view. Geoffrey Bawa is the king of frames- and Corbusier understood the flow of concrete not with straight lines of cars- but with those of the concrete moulds. The ones who realise and observe the unseen are the ones who know how to modify the seen- and someday, I want someone to write about me as one who did!




I am on a travelling spree again; 5 cities in 7 days- covering half of India doesn't take too long- that too, with someone else's money!

“Mechanics is the most beautiful part of all sciences.” I don’t think so. I think it’s the curious nature more than the exploration itself.

Taking inspiration from my friend who has always asked me to ‘let go’ and be less uptight, I tried a brave thing yesterday. Listening to songs on my way back home, I sang loudly with the song- something that I would never think appropriate. I kept thinking of my friend all along- and he was right- I need to be more free in the head; I need to be able to ‘let go’. It also helps that I am in a new city. This reminds me of a scene in one of my favourite movies- “Disguise changes everything”- new places and new people give courage- to be and do things you once never thought possible. I think Mumbai is going to help me more than expected.

Today I felt good about having slogged through architectural graphics- felt like I didn’t slog as much as some others- I saw a 7 centered arch. And it was built in stone. Imagine the pain! :)

Gujrati is the next language I want to learn. Yeah. Although my tamil is not yet as good as I want it to be, I think a little deviation will help. Mango will help me with it anyway. Navigating through remote villages of Gujrat not only gives one a crisp chocolate brown tan, but also the urge to want to be able to communicate with the locals better. Really, I felt so helpless when I was trying to ask a rather shy lady the directions to Modhera, and she was simply staring blankly at my face! Throughout the crowded bus journeys from one destination to another, I was (-apart from dozing off-) trying to read gujrati; the script is cunningly similar to hindi/marathi, only with a few letters replaced by distinct types of jalebies. Hehehe...

Arjav is overwhelmingly warm; I cannot believe the amount of goodness that bounces off him. There is a concern - a seemingly endless one- for all. It is very, very difficult to meet people like him, and this week has been a jumbo pack! I mean, where are they raining from? I am glad they are- it is giving me a fresh belief in friendship. Beautiful timing, too.




I have been paying a lot of attention to the clothes I wear these days. It matters to me- what I am wearing- and I have come to realize that it reflects a lot of personality. I am more involved in the design and detailing of clothes than ever before; am also more aware of what is happening in the fashion world. If I were a fashion designer, I would be obsessed with architecture. :)




I don’t know how people survive in India without being able to communicate in hindi. Either they don’t travel, or their body language rocks!

I have always been on the asking side of questions; all my reactions and observations lead to questions- it is almost like a disease! It is also the easiest way to communicate with overwhelming seniors/interesting strangers/awkward uncles- ask a relevant question, and you’re done! No matter who it is on the other side, the answer always constitutes something you don’t know or haven’t heard yet- hence worth at least one ear. You can let the other one deviate- along with the eyes, it can find interesting directions for the next question! :)

Apparently, “Amrita, your color is black. The colour of night. Serene and mysterious, black conjures up images of elegant evening gowns, dashing tuxedos, and gleaming limousines. Traditionally a symbol of success, black also represents power and an uncompromising demand for perfection. Not surprisingly, you tend to set challenging goals for yourself and do whatever it takes to achieve them — your strength of character is second to none. This unfaltering determination, along with your natural elegance, impresses people. But keep in mind that your personality might be intimidating to some. Try to temper your demanding side with a little softness — trust us, it won't kill you. Overall, though, black is the colour of professionalism and achievement, which means it's clearly the colour for you.” H O W I R O N I C !

The following list was made during an extremely formal, intellectual and serious discussion about the (dis)advantages of me moving to Pune for internship-

1. Pune has no corner house- I will starve.
2. Bangalore is a capital city, while Pune is not.
3. Charles Babbage is Christian- Jai Hind!
4. Bangalore STD code is numerically 4 times larger than that of Pune.
5. I am already familiar with Bangalore slang.
6. There can never be a Vidhan Soudha in Pune.
7. Pune is hot- can’t wear dear old jackets.
8. Pune does not have khara bath.
9. I will have to eat dosa with a fork and knife.
10. Smitha will get a haircut if I go.

And she eventually did- the day I moved to Mumbai. The Chattri. I miss her- I miss the continuous yelling, combined with the endless treats I trick her into. :)

I had my first experience of the “Mumbai social life” today. I saw them- the celebrities, the constant flashes of light, the porcelain skin, the spectacular heels, the dressed hair and the kisses in the air. So many of them- each with a glass in hand and a forced smile on the face. What is beyond me, though, is the definition of a “socialite”. What is their job description? Where do they draw their salary from?



I am a hopeless, hopeless romantic! Hehehe...



‘Modification’ is the root of all evil; it is the reason why architects, structural consultants, plumbing consultants, contractors, and also the clients- are frustrated. The process begins to drag; the joy and freshness of idea rots under the eroding scrape of repetition- “welcome to the real world”. It is the place where management becomes more important than design, where money is more important than quality of space, and where ‘faster’ means everything is to be compromised. The core, though, has a strange way of retaining itself- the spaces survive- and that day is the only incentive for the architect- it is the day when the daylight flooding in from the openings remind her of the earliest sketches of the space; it is that day when an architect thinks back- of all her successes- and adds one to the list. Tomorrow, it’s back to the frustration. Cheers!



"The Congo is as ferocious as the Nile"- I wonder where in the range our Ganga comes!

"The darkness of losing a friend and the thought of losing green to concrete...In loving my city I have come to hate it more than I can bear. It is in spite of the city itself- it is beacause of what has been done to it. The tide of speculation has decreed to banish open space and greenery in favour of boxes for shopping and living. Sunlight is a rarer commodity still. The plants, merry in a wild overgrown garden by a lake, find comfort in each other's shadows, shying away from the eroding gaze of ramphant 'development'. Perhaps they count their days. Perhaps they care less and dance away in the nostalgia of a tropical breeze."




To worship a book is such a pure thought; it is such a divine direction to take- the minute you begin to give human form to something that is not human, things start to get fuzzy. To worship an idol brings with it an inevitable association- something that allows a grey area, a layer of sponge- to those who want to find their own definitions of the ‘ultimate’...This is where the lines between the ‘not-so-good’ and ‘not-so-bad’ get smudged; there are multiples- and clear direction is lost in the complication of loyalties. Help!




“Aakhone mein jiske koi to khwaab hai,
Khush hai wohi jo thoda betaab hai..
Zindagi mein koi arzoo kejiye, phir dekhiye...

Hoton pe jiske koi to geet hai,
Woh hare bhi to uski hi jeet hai..
Dil mein jo geet hai, junjuna lejiye, phir dekhiye...

Yadon mein jiski kiseeka naam hai,
Sapnon ke jaise uski hi hashaan hai,
Koi to ho jise apna dil dejiye, phir dekhiye...

Khwaab buniye zaraa, geet suniye zaraa, phool chuniye zaraa- phir dekhiye...”

I am beginning to realize that I have always liked the alternative, the “other”- I do not like “the best”, but the one close to it; one that goes almost unrecognized, ignored- but the one that is so perilously close to the peak that it reminds me of me...”Little black dress”, they call it- I will always buy brown. I have wanted Nadal to beat Federer for years; and now that he has won, I want Djokovik to beat them both! I have always supported the “underdog”; have always been and hated having been “second best”- it is a very difficult place to be- almost consumes you from within. Reminds me of Gollum. Oh, NO! :)



Why are the only the beginnings good? Why is the only constant, change? Why are there so many questions and no answers to them? Why does no Indian answer a question directly? Why do we ask questions? Why, Why, WHY? The answer is to USE YOUR HEAD; first look within, scratch- think!



Some people should be banned from using certain words- Naveen shouldn’t be allowed to say ‘misunderstood’ in his entire life, or for that matter, even utter a single word in hindi. Varun shouldn’t be allowed to grin- it’s unfair to that part of the world that is sane- and I’m sure he agrees. Namrata shouldn’t be allowed to talk, even- she gives you the illusion of being in a fish-market- you desperately look around for the source of the noise- and then start believing in God- noone else can fit so much into one woman! I, for one, should stop using and thinking the word “amused”; it has come to be my favourite word- I am always in a constant state of amusement; what I can see, hear or smell is a continuous source of entertainment. Mama calls it “being high on life”- and carefully puts it to make the point- these states come with an expiry date.

What would happen if one put a reporter, a lawyer, an architect, an advertising executive and an mba student in one dorm? Hehe...I will soon be finding out. :)


'Why shouldn't globalisation speak with an Indian accent?' Some people put words together so beautifully...



The most important character of a city should be the dreams it can show you, the distance it makes you believe you can tread- and the fire it can generate for a goal. This should be the scale of measurement of the 'greatness' of a city; not whether the climate is within the range of human comfort or not- priorities need to be shuffled...I wonder how important a role the architecture of the city can play.


There is a lot of hype surrounding a sunset and a beach- it is an event; something poems are written about- I don't know what the fuss is all about. Going northward on a saturday evening, I spent an hour at the door of a local train, looking at the passing faces of those in other trains- with each train that moved alongside ours, the people seemed to glow; the colour began to deepen- from gold to orange, and from red to brown- finally reducing to a silhouette in the colour of the night. Standing at the edge with the wind in my face, I could not see the sun setting, but it was the finest sunset I have had in the city of the beaches.