Articles by Pavan K Varma
Just Like That | Notes on jugaad, Cap Gopinath's story & an exciting Q&A at YPO
On examples of how Indians always find a way even in challenging situations; an anecdote on Captain Gopinath and Deccan Airways; and a recent, exciting Q&A on my book
Updated on Oct 01, 2022 10:58 AM IST
Just Like That | Notes on three remarkable people, past and present
Of how Khushwant Singh helped me — then, a novice writer — get my first book published; of Zail Singh's immeasurable wit; and of Malavika Sarukkai's gift of dance.
Published on Sep 25, 2022 10:24 AM IST
Just Like That | Notes on reforming DGC; and remembering my friend Suresh Neotia
With Delhi Gymkhana Club in the news for the wrong reasons, I can't help but recall an incident in 1989, when I found its priorities askew. And remembering entrepreneur, art collector, educationist, philanthropist and my dear friend, the late Suresh Neotia, a few days after his birthday
_1663418637271_1663418652113_1663418652113.jpg "Delhi Gymkhana Club (L). Suresh Neotia. (Mint; ANI)")
Published on Sep 17, 2022 06:15 PM IST
Just Like That | Notes on culture, an ‘inspired’ play, and a hilarious incident
Of the uniqueness of culture in a globalised world; a well-received play staged across countries that was inspired by a book I wrote; and an evening with Gulzar Saheb which involved an ill-equipped ambulance and several moments of panic
Updated on Sep 10, 2022 02:10 PM IST
Just Like That | Notes on biting political humour and morality in an immoral age
Of one of my first postings to a dictatorship, where people mocked leaders in private, and complied with the regime in public; and the release of a new book on the dilemma of doing the right thing even in very difficult circumstances.
Updated on Sep 03, 2022 07:13 PM IST
Just Like That | Notes on Gulzar, dramas, and the journey of Kathak
On Gulzar Saheb, a close friend with a great sense of humour, who celebrated his 88th birthday; two landmark drama events of long-standing importance in Delhi; and the release of a new book on Kathak
Published on Aug 27, 2022 08:03 PM IST
Just Like That | Notes on a Presidential home, faith, and miracles
Of Droupadi Murmu being the latest occupant of the Presidential Estate, which is a world unto itself; and my belief that there is a divine energy that some chosen few become a conduit of.
Published on Aug 19, 2022 08:04 PM IST
Just Like That | Notes on our longing for rain, of civil debate, and of rakhi
Of our love for dark clouds, darkened skies, and the rain; the need for sabhya samvad or civil debates; and the tradition of Raksha Bandhan.
Published on Aug 13, 2022 05:38 PM IST
Just Like That | Notes on a literary paradise, poems, and Ghalib
A literature festival in the Maldives, a flight I spent reading a biography of Atal ji, and a conversation between Mirza Ghalib and Bahadur Shah Zafar.
Published on Aug 06, 2022 05:22 PM IST
Essay: Lord Ram, the role model of the perfect human being, by Pavan K Varma
Pavan K Varma, author of a new book on the Ramcharitmanas, writes that in the face of the distortion of the image of Ram, it is imperative to understand what he stands for
Updated on Jun 01, 2020 03:14 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Pavan K Varma
Opinion | Why federalism can’t just be another slogan
Regional parties with powerful leaders are no longer subservient to the party at the Centre. Their priorities, too, have come to the fore.
Updated on Oct 04, 2018 12:16 PM IST
Pavan K Varma
There was no ego attached to his creativity: Pavan K Varma on Vajpayee the poet
Atal Bihari Vajpayee wrote poetry, but there was never a sense of overriding ego attached to his creativity. He took his personal and public achievements lightly, with a sense of abandon, but without devaluing them in any way.
Updated on Aug 16, 2018 05:39 PM IST
New Delhi | Pavan K Varma
Stop playing games with ourselves
A cold, hard look at our flaws that hold us back from exploiting our virtues. Pavan K Varma writes.
Updated on Oct 02, 2010 10:19 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Pavan K Varma, New Delhi
A Date with MF Hussain
Any one who has come into contact with Hussain knows that he is a bit of a fakir. He goes where his muse takes him, says Pavan K Varma.
Updated on Jun 04, 2005 03:37 PM IST
PTI | Pavan K Varma, London
A goodnight sleep
Does getting up at the crack of dawn really make you, as the old adage says, happy, healthy and wise, asks Pavan K Varma.
Updated on May 28, 2005 05:38 PM IST
PTI | Pavan K Varma, London
India still a secular state
One of the more pernicious images I encounter abroad is of an India about to combust in the flames of religious strife, says Pavan K Varma.
Updated on Oct 08, 2005 06:41 PM IST
PTI | Pavan K Varma, London
Across time zones
I feel unbearably sleepy by afternoon in the US, and in London I have been trying not to wake up at three in the morning, writes Pavan K Varma.
Updated on May 14, 2005 07:49 PM IST
PTI | Pavan K Varma, London
Spanish pleasure
Spanish appear to go through their chores with a kind of relaxed and easy demeanour that is distinctly Mediterranean, writes Pavan K Varma.
Updated on May 02, 2005 01:04 PM IST
PTI | Pavan K Varma, London
No sense of balance
The only colours we seem to know are black and white. Both our praise and our condemnation are in the extreme, writes Pavan K Varma.
Updated on Apr 23, 2005 02:46 PM IST
PTI | Pavan K Varma, London
Romanticising Raj
The Far Pavilions is a readable romance that gives a coloured and sometimes even naive view of history, writes Pavan K Varma.
Updated on Apr 16, 2005 08:16 PM IST
PTI | Pavan K Varma, London
Breaking the barriers
Let us pause to pay tribute to the courage of those who boarded the Indo-Pak bus on April 7, writes Pavan K Varma.
Updated on Apr 09, 2005 08:14 PM IST
PTI | Pavan K Varma, London
Sex, desire and taboos
Hinduism must be the only major religion that puts the pursuit of desire among the four highest goals of life, writes Pavan K Varma.
Updated on Apr 02, 2005 06:46 PM IST
PTI | Pavan K Varma, London
Popularity of Radio
A great deal of the credit for radio's high appeal must go to the BBC, writes Pavan K Varma.
Updated on Mar 19, 2005 06:27 PM IST
PTI | Pavan K Varma, London
Romance with Theatre
When will we have our own vibrant theatre culture sustaining our own version of Broadway, questions Pavan K Varma.
Updated on Mar 12, 2005 08:01 PM IST
PTI | Pavan K Varma, London
Music for seasons
While Indian classical music has a raga for every season, when will the weather improve in London, writes Pavan K Varma.
Updated on Mar 05, 2005 07:35 PM IST
PTI | Pavan K Varma, London
A Higher Destiny
Is there a higher destiny that controls our lives? I often think of this when I meet people, writes Pavan K Varma.
Updated on Feb 26, 2005 07:20 PM IST
PTI | Pavan K Varma
The Lion in winter
May KS continue to dispense malice towards one and all for many more years, writes Pavan K Varma.
Updated on Feb 19, 2005 08:39 PM IST
PTI | Pavan K Varma
Indipop's Icon
Raghav is ubiquitous on the visual Mecca of the young - MTV, writes Pavan K Varma.
Updated on Feb 12, 2005 07:08 PM IST
PTI | Pavan K Varma
Delhi: A different world
Cacophony greets you on the motherland's terra firma, writes Pavan K Varma.
Published on Feb 05, 2005 07:08 PM IST
PTI | Pavan K Varma
Enigma of MF Hussain
The Indian painter's near iconic stature has not diminished his human traits, writes Pavan K Varma.
Published on Jan 08, 2005 08:55 PM IST
PTI | HYDE PARK CORNER|Pavan K Varma