I practise Vipassana as taught by the late Shri S.N. Goenka in a long tradition of teachers from Myanmar. I value the practice for its discipline, quietness, and emphasis on careful observation of one’s own experience. The retreats have been important to me over the years, and I appreciate their non-sectarian, non-dogmatic format, rooted in the Theravada tradition.
Poetry is a powerful art—much like an encryption, capable of expressing the core of human emotions in minimal words, making it a science in itself. I find Hindi poetry, especially from the Chhayawaad period (1922–1938), particularly fascinating. This poetic style emphasises a classical approach with Sanskrit vocabulary and strict metrical rules. My favourite poet is Mahadevi Verma, one of the four pillars of Chhayawaad. A melodious recitation of her work “Jo tum aa jate ek baar” can be found here. My favourite poetic composition is the grand epic Kāmayāni by Jaishankar Prasād, another of the four pillars. Here is a beautiful vocal rendition of a gem from this era called Madhushāla, composed by Harivansh Rai Bachchan, music by Jaidev, and sung by the famous vocalist Manna Dey.
Music strikes me as one of nature’s more astonishing phenomena: at its core it is an entirely mathematical phenomenon — precise frequency ratios, rhythmic cycles, harmonic intervals — and yet its effect on the human psyche is something no equation comes close to capturing. That gap between formula and feeling is, I think, one of the genuine mysteries.
I truly relish compositions in Indian classical music, particularly the Hindustani style. I find the Dhrupad style of vocal singing especially calming — the Alaap, that long unhurried opening improvisation, is as close to meditation as music gets. I love the Thumris & Khayaals of the legendary Bade Ghulam Ali Khan and the Ghazals of Mehdi Hassan. The sitar compositions of Ravi Shankar and the flute of Hariprasad Chaurasia I find particularly soothing.
Long-distance hiking (especially in mountains) and cycling are two of my favourite ways to spend free time — there is something about moving slowly through a large landscape on foot that clears the mind in a way not much else manages. I also enjoy cricket, badminton, table tennis and inline skating whenever time and circumstance permit.
For films and series, I am drawn to adventure, fantasy, and sci-fi above all else. The Lord of the Rings trilogy remains a benchmark for its world-building and moral seriousness. The German series Dark is probably my favourite TV series: genuinely mind-bending, and naturally appealing to someone who thinks about spacetime. Lost follows closely. In sci-fi, The Expanse stands out for hard physics and real consequences.