Mainstream Weekly

Tribute to Som Benegal

S Viswam — 2015-02-23T18:31:25Z

TRIBUTE
Veteran journalist, writer and poet Som Benegal passed away in New Delhi precisely six months ago on August 22, 2014. His close friend and colleague, S. Viswam, the well-known journalist, has sent the following tribute for publication on the occasion of Benegal's 93rd birth anniversary.
22-2-22: A Remembrance
S. VISWAM
Not all will agree with me when I say that there are certain games of and in life that are best left to children to play. One of them is the make-believe joy (…)

- 2015

Thoughts on a Centenarian

S Viswam — 2013-11-01T10:04:07Z

The birth anniversary of Nikhil Chakravartty provides another occasion to his numerous friends and admirers to recall their association with him and pay homage to his memory. It is 15 years since this great Indian, great human being and a pre-eminent media personality left us. Time passes and memories fade. But in the case of Nikhilda, 15 years have really made no difference to his friends; his memory is still green for them.
Nikhilda was born on November 3, 1913. The centenary is defined (…)

- 2013

Fifty Years Young!

S Viswam — 2013-01-03T18:02:56Z

I remember reading in a high-brow British magazine some years ago that a golden rule of literary criticism is that when you review a book you should forget its author and when you write about the author you should forget the book. I don't know how valid this rule is or even whether it can be universally applicable. However, it has a marginal relevance to my assignment of writing about Mainstream's celebration of its first 50 years. One cannot write about Mainstream's golden jubilee without (…)

- 2012

A National Loss

S Viswam — 2010-10-30T01:30:00Z

Tempus fugit. Time flies. And how! I was completely taken aback on being reminded by Sumit that the tenth death anniversary of Nikhilda will fall on June 27. “No, it cannot be,” I protested. “Not ten years already.” “Yes, yes,”said Sumit, “it is, it is.”
It is unbelievable that ten years have passed since we lost Nikhilda. Yet, in its rapid sweep, Time has devoured those years and completely overshadowed an event which when it occurred deeply saddened a number of people whose lives had (…)

- 2010

A National Loss

S Viswam — 2008-06-30T14:56:57Z

- June 28, 2008