A simple routine, a ritual. None of us ever spoke on the worth of its existence or the consequences if it were to be discontinued. There was no need to discuss the ‘usual’. However, it was the one ritual that summed up the meaning of the words togetherness, family and patience for me. 

Author Purva Grover reviews More Than Just Biryani by Andaleeb Wajid

When I began to write, I thought all I’d have to do is write. Somewhere, in between I forgot the part, which said I’d also have to remind myself and the others to read. Now, I read 52 books a year. I find myself reading at libraries, cafes, in bed, while commuting, while waiting for a meeting to start, at parties even, and more. In short, I read whenever I can. When I am not running between narrating stories and writing a few of mine, I review the books I read. Every few weeks, I release a new episode, featuring a book that is on my nightstand. I hope this segment of the podcast encourages you to find your story. After all, we are all stories, aren’t we?

— Keep reading, P

The leaves swayed slowly, without disturbing the stillness of the hour. Then we kissed, under the tree in a narrow lane. 

My fingers are stained with red: a rusty, dirty red. Not the kind of red that bleeds but the one that lingers. If you were to judge me by my hands you’d probably never talk to me.  

Author Purva Grover reviews The Blind Matriarch by Namita Gokhale

When I began to write, I thought all I’d have to do is write. Somewhere, in between I forgot the part, which said I’d also have to remind myself and the others to read. Now, I read 52 books a year. I find myself reading at libraries, cafes, in the bed, while commuting, while waiting for a meeting to start, at parties even, and more. In short, I read whenever I can. When I am not running between narrating stories and writing a few of mine, I review the books I read. Every few weeks, I release a new episode, featuring a book that is on my night stand. I hope this segment of the podcast encourages you to find your story. After all, we are all stories, aren’t we?

— Keep reading, P

Author Purva Grover reviews Flesh and Bone and Water by Luiza Sauma

When I began to write, I thought all I’d have to do is write. Somewhere, in between I forgot the part, which said I’d also have to remind myself and the others to read. Now, I read 52 books a year. I find myself reading at libraries, cafes, in the bed, while commuting, while waiting for a meeting to start, at parties even, and more. In short, I read whenever I can. When I am not running between narrating stories and writing a few of mine, I review the books I read. Every few weeks, I release a new episode, featuring a book that is on my night stand. I hope this segment of the podcast encourages you to find your story. After all, we are all stories, aren’t we?

— Keep reading, P

Perhaps, we'll meet again. We’d talk for a while and then we’ll just say goodbye. Perhaps, one day, we’d know why our chapters didn’t end on the same page. Until then, we’d let our love grow.

Saving Stories with Purva Grover presents a podcast that steers away from male-bashing and feminism, and simply celebrates what it means to be a woman. For amongst the many things that author Purva Grover doesn't understand — most are feminine. Each episode features conversations with a She, who shares her story of ambition and anxiety, love and loss, strength and weakness, bad hair days and failures at work too. Join us as we figure out what's crucial — love, laundry or lessons. As we're asked to explain our secrets of work vs. family balance. As we are fed articles on how to step up the career ladder as fast as men and yet raise perfect kids. As we look for solutions for smudged kohl, mastering how to apply BB creams and concealers. We speak of unwanted advice, as we offer some too. We sigh, smile and scorn. We observe, absorb, judge and compare. We own our space.

With Rashmi Kotriwala, Founder/Mentor, EnAct

Rashmi Kotriwala is the Founder /Mentor of EnAct, an institute that caters to everything around theatre and spoken word events. She is a director, producer, actor, writer and teacher of drama. She recently published her poetry book in Hindi called ख़यालों के दरमियान.

Why don’t we ever rest? Being busy is not a badge of honour. A cursory glance on social media timelines, WhatsApp groups, and conversations exchanged with colleagues, families, friends, etc. is enough to feel the pressure on how everyone has too much on their plates and how we are drowning in obligations, commitments, deadlines, et al. Sadly, the world we have built up only adds to the glorification of being busy. 

Author Purva Grover reviews The Universe is Expanding and So Am I by Carolyn Mackler

When I began to write, I thought all I’d have to do is write. Somewhere, in between I forgot the part, which said I’d also have to remind myself and the others to read. Now, I read 52 books a year. I find myself reading at libraries, cafes, in the bed, while commuting, while waiting for a meeting to start, at parties even, and more. In short, I read whenever I can. When I am not running between narrating stories and writing a few of mine, I review the books I read. Every few weeks, I release a new episode, featuring a book that is on my night stand. I hope this segment of the podcast encourages you to find your story. After all, we are all stories, aren’t we?

— Keep reading, P

Author Purva Grover reviews Today Will Be Different by Maria Semple

When I began to write, I thought all I’d have to do is write. Somewhere, in between I forgot the part, which said I’d also have to remind myself and the others to read. Now, I read 52 books a year. I find myself reading at libraries, cafes, in the bed, while commuting, while waiting for a meeting to start, at parties even, and more. In short, I read whenever I can. When I am not running between narrating stories and writing a few of mine, I review the books I read. Every few weeks, I release a new episode, featuring a book that is on my night stand. I hope this segment of the podcast encourages you to find your story. After all, we are all stories, aren’t we?

— Keep reading, P

Saving Stories with Purva Grover presents a podcast that steers away from male-bashing and feminism, and simply celebrates what it means to be a woman. For amongst the many things that author Purva Grover doesn't understand — most are feminine. Each episode features conversations with a She, who shares her story of ambition and anxiety, love and loss, strength and weakness, bad hair days and failures at work too. Join us as we figure out what's crucial — love, laundry or lessons. As we're asked to explain our secrets of work vs. family balance. As we are fed articles on how to step up the career ladder as fast as men and yet raise perfect kids. As we look for solutions for smudged kohl, mastering how to apply BB creams and concealers. We speak of unwanted advice, as we offer some too. We sigh, smile and scorn. We observe, absorb, judge and compare. We own our space.

With Mukta Purain, Founder, MissPalettable

Mukta has built a platform for smaller, niche brands to cater to a global community of mindful consumers. She decided to build MissPalettable shortly after she knew she couldn’t be the only one struggling with lack of choices in the UAE market. Fast forward to her 30’s, having developed sensitive skin during her pregnancy, it became the perfect opportunity to create and build a strong community of persons looking for brands that are unique and safe for troubled skin.

The party may be clichéd, the four-letter word is now commonplace, but the story needs to be re-told for more reasons than one.

Everything has a sound, even silence; even the pandemic. What then were the initial sounds of the pandemic?

There’s a word for every emotion, occasion, and situation. What then is the word for 2020? We know not.

There’s a word for every emotion, occasion, and situation. What then is the word for 2020? We know not.

In a world, where it’s important to get the gist of emotions in the most fashionable, snackable manner, do we have it in us to explore a feeling?

The birthdays of the pandemic will be remembered for a long time. When standing around the table gave way to appearing in squares on a Zoom birthday call.

My bum leeks and I am going to talk about it. This is going to be uncomfortable, not for me but for you. For, I am going to talk about periods, crack lame PMS jokes, et al.

I grew up listening to the whistle of the pressure cooker, and would instantly feel happy if I knew it was rajma (kidney beans) cooking in ours or neighbour's home.