Sahitya Poonacha

Surfing in India has never got the boost it deserves as a sport. Yet, there are many along the coast who compete and win laurels for India. Among these silent sportsmen stands 16-year-old Tanvi Jagadish -- India’s first woman Stand Up Paddler from Mangalore. Stand up paddle surfing (SUP) is different from traditional surfing where the rider stays upright. She talks to MetroPlus amidst preparations for a tournament in late August – Surf Music and Yoga Festival 2016 at Covelong Point in Tamil Nad

Science fiction in India needs a push. With publishers not venturing into its publication and authors ignoring the subject, a desi sci-fi novel is something we’ve all been waiting for. Sanjay Koppikar’s book, Divided Minds is the harbinger of good news for sci-fi fans in India. Addressing nanotechnology and creating characters that are as intelligent as they are emotional, Divided Minds sets itself apart from the books currently on Indian shelves. Excerpts from an interview with Sanjay Koppikar

John Ma an international tattoo artist from Nepal has made a niche for himself in the circuit as one of the best traditional black-and-grey tattoo artists in South Asia. The self-taught Ma recently took sessions at Haul Apparel, in Bengaluru’s PLaY Arena. While at his workstation, amidst a host of his intricate designs, he spoke to MetroPlus about the nuances of the industry, the trends and the challenges that tattoo artists face in their career. When did you choose to become a tattoo artist?

India’s very own College Union Poetry Slam Invitational (CUPSI) is here and it is time for slam poets to raise their heads. CUPSI is an annual inter-college poetry slam held in America. Based on the same format, two slam poets from Bengaluru decided to put together an event for India — the National Youth Poetry Slam (NYPS). Spoken word poetry or slam poetry is a form of performing poetry that is written for the stage rather than the page. It has been gaining popularity in the country among coll