yet again ... getting lost ... then enjoying self-discovery ...

Into the Wild  Big Cat Tales: Vintage Encounters and Stories Jim Corbett, J H Patterson, Mrs W W Baillie, Saki and Others Compiled and edited by: The Civil Junglees Collective Illustrations: Devashish Verma Publisher: Speaking Tiger Books Pages: 352 Price: 399/- Published at The Hindu .  Thanks are due to the team at The Hindu and Speaking Tiger Books. 22 ‘encounters’ and 6 ‘stories’ make up this anthology. The likes of F W Champion and EHA contribute to the ‘encounters’ while the line-up of the authors of the ‘stories’ include Saki and Alice Perrin. Majority of these writings are based in the Indian sub-continent; they talk of tigers and leopards. However, lions and the African wilderness also find space in few writings. The ‘Compilers and Editors’ have put in laudable efforts to bring this high quality natural history writing to the readers. They succinctly talk about the book – in the introduction – thus, “Our attempt in the collection has been to find humanity in a context where it

Two trips to Jaunpur, during the recent months, opened up new worlds.  Of the architectural marvels, the grandeur of Jaunpur - once upon a time, the place today, imartis and more.  Some images from these trips.  Signages from an earlier era,  When milestones were up in the air, in metal and talked in miles.  We humans stuck bricks from different ages together,  Plants brought in the warmth.  An old wall and an old tree together guard a grave,  A grave where someone had recently paid respects.  Less grand than its counterparts in Jaunpur,  But in the fort and elegant.  On top of each other, at the fort gate,  The jharokhas in Jaunpur are mind blowing.  Did friends stand in each of these and talk?  What would the poets - i am fan of - have thought of these?  Is this a result of work or devotion?  What motivated this art? this brilliance?  A reason for many to visit Jaunpur,  A reason sweet enough.