RAJGOPAL NIDAMBOOR When tennis’ first ‘bionic’ woman Billie Jean King romped home to a grand triumph, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3, against male chauvinist, and tennis’ self-appointed clown, Bobby Riggs, on September 20, 1973, women’s tennis received a shot in the arm like never before. This was not all. The King-Riggs’ ‘showdown’ was billed as the battle […]
RAJGOPAL NIDAMBOOR Just like how loneliness is agony worse confounded by murky isolation and solitude is bliss, optimism always emerges in the midst of growing turmoil. What can also turn the tide is simple — little drops of empathy that bring about more than a sense of harmony, or calm. This occurs primarily because of […]
RAJGOPAL NIDAMBOOR William Faulkner was a consummate genius, a craftsman without a peer. He was wholly contingent on his writing prowess for his livelihood, and so he had to imperatively write what he thought would sell rather than what he wanted, or desired, to write. Despite such an allegory to life’s commonplace chemistry and basic […]
RAJGOPAL NIDAMBOOR Test, or one-day, cricket isn’t a place for easy pickings. That Steve Waugh was always wont to post Test/one-day centuries, against every type of bowling, or wicket, against bowlers in full fury, or sheer chicanery, exemplified the diminutive cricketer’s pragmatic, intuitive abilities and sheer professionalism. That he had done it often — just […]
RAJGOPAL NIDAMBOOR There was nothing that he’d not do on the cricket field when in mood. He’d smash his way, when the chips were down, with the willow. He’d bowl a few unplayable deliveries and flummox the best batsmen in the business — without them knowing what transpired under their nose. He’d take a difficult […]
RAJGOPAL NIDAMBOOR There’s this fascinating video clip of tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain not getting worked up, or irritated, when one of the microphones got wobbly and was falling off. He holds it with his left hand and weaves his magic on the tabla with amazing dexterity — and, with a delightful smile. His poise, […]