<![CDATA[Berkana: Ecology of Grief]]>https://berkana.cc/s/ecology-of-griefhttps://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!bZsG!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc2fc9e8f-654a-4f11-b03d-5f4327e13c61_1280x1280.pngBerkana: Ecology of Griefhttps://berkana.cc/s/ecology-of-griefSubstackTue, 11 Aug 2026 05:12:34 GMT<![CDATA[Playground of the Gods ]]>https://berkana.cc/p/playground-of-the-godshttps://berkana.cc/p/playground-of-the-godsSat, 16 May 2026 19:13:03 GMT

Quietly in the wood,
It grows among the weeds;
An uncommon blossom, u tiew dohmaw,
A thing of lofty thoughts.

Quietly by shadowy streams,
To be fragrance when faded,
The joy-giving fern
Remains green for twelve moons.

Tell me twilight, beloved of the gods,
And you the motley clouds;
Tell me where is that star
That first speckles the sky.

Quietly he lives, quietly he dies,
Amidst the wilderness;
Quietly in the grave let him rest,
Beneath the green, green grass.

~ The Green Grass by U Soso Tham, Khasi poet and literary icon.
Known as the “Bard of Meghalaya” for defining modern Khasi literature.

U tiew dohmaw: a wild flower, symbol of great wisdom.

Namaste Friends,

This is the last chapter of the Meghalaya series, though I have a few more pieces burning at the back of my mind. This essay series took super long to finish and I did not, intentionally, wanted to hurry through all the lived reality of our Khasi kin. It was a massive responsibility to take up a project of narrating stories as old as time, like …

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]]><![CDATA[Daughters of the Forest]]>https://berkana.cc/p/daughters-of-the-foresthttps://berkana.cc/p/daughters-of-the-forestSat, 28 Feb 2026 19:00:29 GMTChapter - 1
Chapter - 2
Chapter - 3
Adjacent Essay

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]]><![CDATA[Seeds of Refusal]]>https://berkana.cc/p/seeds-of-refusalhttps://berkana.cc/p/seeds-of-refusalSat, 03 Jan 2026 10:00:28 GMT

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]]><![CDATA[Songs of Mei Ramew ]]>https://berkana.cc/p/songs-of-mei-ramewhttps://berkana.cc/p/songs-of-mei-ramewSun, 30 Nov 2025 10:00:29 GMTChapter - 1
Chapter - 2
Chapter - 3
Adjacent Essay

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]]><![CDATA[Waiting on Quietude]]>https://berkana.cc/p/waiting-on-quietudehttps://berkana.cc/p/waiting-on-quietudeSat, 30 Aug 2025 18:30:14 GMT
Dark clouds gathering to pour over the city at dusk

Namaste Friends,

I have been sitting here in the unfurling of stormy clouds passing over me, feeling caged in my concrete and glass tower. Caged—an unsuspecting word that postulates the sensation of isolation. But words are concepts of the experience rather than the experience itself. What I feel is beyond the subtle separation from the life around me. I feel deeply solitary and poised to observe—the long stretch of road with its busy passersby, the evening lights rising against the faint sapphire of dusk. In the distant roar of the purple fault lines, I dissolve into the distinct silence of my inner solitude. When I lean in, I hear nothing but a stillness that doesn’t respond—it only observes.

This year began with us moving to a new apartment. I quickly set about unpacking things and arranging them in order, while Ak got busy fixing the plumbing and electrical fittings. It took us quite some time before we found our new rhythms and r…

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]]><![CDATA[Cognisance of Dirt]]>https://berkana.cc/p/cognisance-of-dirthttps://berkana.cc/p/cognisance-of-dirtSat, 28 Jun 2025 13:30:32 GMT
A soft exhale of green, patient and unseen, under the weight of a thunder-heavy monsoon sky.

Blue-grey horizons dominate the plains, plateaus, valleys, and hills alike as the subcontinent is rejoicing in summer’s loosened grip. I am relieved by the dispersal of hot grief of summer, for it held traumatic memories of the past year. In a happy addition to the party, the muse has decided to whisper again in hushed murmurs of rain-soaked earth and liminality of purple fault lines of thunderstruck monsoon skies. I am but a pellucid ghost to the events of my surroundings – a mere observer of the vastness of experiences, to the flow of the whole range of human emotions. I am but a collective of stories of all the ancestors now called by a name. In certain moments, I am not even there anymore, happily lost in the rhythmic happenings rather than staying fixated.

The dreams of dirt are hidden in my subconscious like hungry beasts, demanding my attention, now so long averted by the inner turmoils …

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]]><![CDATA[Midsummer Memories]]>https://berkana.cc/p/midsummer-memorieshttps://berkana.cc/p/midsummer-memoriesThu, 22 May 2025 18:30:27 GMTNamaste Readers,

I write this in the shadow of renewed conflict between India and Pakistan, where innocent lives have been lost, including Indian tourists in Pahalgam. My heart aches for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, and I condemn all acts of terror that shatter peace. As this essay takes shape, may it carry an intention for peace—for only in such intention can peace prevail.

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]]><![CDATA[Awakening from the Colonial Dream]]>https://berkana.cc/p/awakening-from-the-colonial-dreamhttps://berkana.cc/p/awakening-from-the-colonial-dreamSun, 04 Feb 2024 11:51:41 GMTNamaste Readers,

This post is quite extensive, providing intricate details and a wealth of historical information. Therefore, make sure you have some time on your hands, grab your favorite hot drink, get comfy, and prepare to embark on a journey. Oh, and if you're feeling generous, toss one my way too, will you?

Buy me a coffee

Thank you for your presence at Berkana. I am deeply grateful to be able to share the gift of words with you.

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]]><![CDATA[A Road to Infinity ]]>https://berkana.cc/p/a-road-to-infinityhttps://berkana.cc/p/a-road-to-infinitySun, 28 Jan 2024 12:48:19 GMTDear Readers,

I am grateful for your presence and the gift of attention that you generously spare for me. This is the first part of a two-part essay series on the Nilgiris hills. The first part covers my encounter with the timeless beauty and the wonders it presented to me. In a couple of days, I will be posting part 2 which is deeply researched and rich with the colonial history of the region.

Your paid subscriptions will help me compose more insightful essay series like this one, as it takes weeks of research and editing before I hit the publish button. This post is, and will be, open for the entire year for all tiers of subscribers. I am equally grateful for your readership, whether you choose to silently engage or join Berkana’s firebrand community in the comments section.

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]]><![CDATA[Ode to the Tea Gatherers]]>https://berkana.cc/p/ode-to-the-tea-gatherershttps://berkana.cc/p/ode-to-the-tea-gatherersWed, 06 Dec 2023 19:50:29 GMTNamaste, dear readers,

In the gentle glow of shared words and cherished moments, I extend to you the warmth of a heartfelt greeting. This ancient Sanskrit salutation holds a profound meaning: "My soul sees your soul." In these simple words lies a beautiful recognition that transcends barriers, inviting a connection that goes beyond the surface.

I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to each one of you who has chosen to be a part of Berkana. Your support, whether through reading, sharing, or subscribing, is the heartbeat that keeps this community alive. Your paid subscriptions are not merely transactions; they are the whispers of encouragement that prevent the fading of my voice.

In your presence, Berkana thrives. Your subscriptions sustain the flame of creativity, ensuring that the stories continue to flow, the conversations endure, and the connection deepens. It is a reminder that our shared journey is not only valued but also essential.

Donate Subscriptions

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