Photo by Gaura Solanki Description by Aditya Bhatia The phrase “the apple of one’s eye” has traversed centuries, evolving from a literal reference to the pupil—the most precious part of the eye—to a poetic expression denoting deep affection and cherishment. Love comes in different forms, between partners, siblings or between parent and child. This phrase…
Shutter Therapy: Photography x Mental Health
by Nandita Kanodia Mental health and photography are often discussed individually, but merging these two topics might seem unusual. However, at the Shutter Therapy workshop conducted by the Serenity Spectrum Collective and the Casual Observer, we did exactly that. Shutter Therapy was a collaborative workshop focusing on the role of artistic photography and photojournalism in…
The Kaleidoscope of Colour: Shaping our Perspectives
By Archisa Mukherjee Colour plays a vital role in our lives. It is essential to our cognitive development as infants and at only six months of age, most babies can distinguish between different colours. Even as we grow older colours play vital roles in stimulating our minds, influencing our mood and our overall perception of…
The Scientific Perspective of Perception
by Ritvik Shekar What exactly is perception? Is it the way we understand the world around us, whether it be through our senses or our interpretations? Or does it have a more scientific definition such as the way our brain interprets the sensory information around us? The reality is that neither of these definitions are…
The Perspectives on War
by Ishaan Raghav War is complex. This is a statement that most of us can agree on and has shaped eons of human history and continues to influence us even now. Understanding war requires the comprehensive examination of diverse perspectives that encompass historical, political, economic, sociological and cultural viewpoints. These perspectives offer a nuanced understanding…
The Influence of Media on Public Perspective
by Anantika Srivastava In modern society, the media is everywhere, shaping how we see and understand current affairs, ongoing events and important happenings. From traditional news outlets to social media, the way information is shared and consumed has an immense impact on our opinions and perspectives. Traditional media like newspapers, TV, and radio have always…
‘Untold Stories’ through the lens of our photographers
Photo by Reet Gupta Description by Ritvik Shekar In the modern concrete jungle of Singapore, the lives of those who toil tirelessly often remain in the shadows, unbeknownst to the public. The photo beautifully encapsulates the theme of “Untold Stories”, shining a light on the unsung, and often difficult lives of migrant workers in a…
Stitching the Motif of Culture: Rural Artisans Shaping India’s Culture
by Nandita Kanodia Rich woven textiles, intricate flowing sculptures and splashes of colour on a preserved leaf- while these may seem like priceless items displayed at a museum, they are, in fact, an essential part of the social fabric around the world. A plethora of art formats have been long revered in India, and rural…
Voices of India: The fight against linguistic extinction
by Aditya Bhatia A land of unparalleled beauty, with a vibrant mix of 780 different languages and rich traditions, India stands as one of the most diverse countries in the world. From the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas to the lush backwaters of Kerala, India’s geographical diversity is mirrored in its rich linguistic landscape. However…
The Untold Story of The Human Calculator
by Sanjana Yugan Katherine Johnson, born on August 26, 1918 in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, became a trailblazer thanks to her exceptional mathematical skills that advanced America’s space exploration efforts. Johnson showed remarkable math skills early on, finishing high school at 14, a foreshadowing of her promising future career. In spite of her exceptional…
Visionaries through the lens of our photographers
by Anisha Karthikeyan In the digital age, where progress unfolds at a rapid pace, visionaries play a pivotal role in shaping our future. They possess an inborn ability to decipher patterns, anticipate trends, and pioneer groundbreaking solutions along with having a spirit for a relentless quest to uncover the secrets of tomorrow, to unlock the…
The Future: A Game Of What Ifs?
by Archisha Mukherjee What if we save the world? What if the human race becomes the downfall of Earth? What would happen if we continue living without overthinking whether an avocado from California or Mexico would reduce our carbon footprint more than the other? ‘What if?’ is pondered by everyone at least once. What if…
Artificial Intelligence- Path to Tomorrow
by Nitisha Sundaresan Artificial Intelligence (AI) stands as the cornerstone of a new era in human progress. Imagine a world where your refrigerator knows when you’re out of milk and orders it for you, or a robot that offers a comforting chat, much like a friend would. This vision compels us to embrace AI as…
Visionaries: Challenging Today’s Tomorrow
by Ritvik Shekar Throughout human history, we have witnessed individuals driven by a relentless passion, as they trail-blaze towards a brighter future. Traditionally, we would label them as outcasts due to their inability to conform to society’s structure. However, in today’s world, we have grown more appreciative of their unconventional nature, with there even being…
New Beginnings through the lens of our photographers
by Laasya Savio The photo encapsulates the bittersweet essence of graduation – the joy of accomplishment, the nostalgia of shared experiences, the sadness of closing a crucial chapter of life, and the excitement of new beginnings. In this snapshot of a moment, a myriad of feelings intertwine, painting a vivid picture of transition, growth, and…
Restart, Restart, Restart
by Aditya Bhatia These words echo within me whenever I stand at a crossroad between the comfort of the familiar past and the challenge of stepping freshly into the future. This internal conflict serves as a gentle reminder that every ending holds the seed of a new beginning. Does this incessant mantra sound familiar to you? These words were…
A New Normal: Life After the Pandemic
by Sanjana Yugan As the world collectively navigated the tumultuous waters of the COVID-19 pandemic, each of us was left profoundly changed. From the disruption of daily routines to the tragic loss of lives, no aspect of society was untouched. However, as vaccines were developed and administered, communities began to heal, and hence a new…
School Diaries
by Nandita Kanodia An iron-rimmed gate, crunching gravel underneath my feet, neutral façade encapsulating the azure skies. My eyes darted back and forth across the banal landscape as I stood before the school. Skepticism engulfed every crevice of my mind as I paced towards the entrance, my heart pounding with a perplexing flurry of anxiety,…
Toxicity through the lens of our photographers
by Anisha Karthikeyan In the hectic whirlwind of modern existence, our lives are increasingly tied to screens, and the allure of the digital world can entrap even the most vigilant among us. Imagine a photograph frozen in time: a pair of hands, tightly bound in the tangled cords of a phone charger, reaching desperately towards…
The toxicity of constant positivity
by Anantika Srivastava In a world that often seems overwhelmed by negativity, the mantra of “stay positive” has become ubiquitous. From social media influencers preaching the power of positive thinking to self-help gurus advocating for the law of attraction, the message seems clear: positivity is the key to happiness and success. However, beneath the surface…
The Ugly Side of Society
By Ishaan Raghav With the accelerated growth of modern society, there come weeds of toxicity that are hidden behind vines of “progress” and “convenience.” This pervasive toxicity is subtly ingrained into our daily lives, a threat that necessitates immediate action before it hardens into a norm that we can’t shake off. From the confines of…
Sweating the pressure: toxicity in sports
by Archisha Mukherjee Every athlete dreams of playing in a sold-out stadium, with thousands cheering their name. However, the dedication, sacrifice and raw talent required to succeed in the sporting industry is gargantuan, potentially leading to tense relationships with family, substance abuse and health problems. Once players secure a contract and find their footing in…
Navigating the Academic Pressures of High School
by Ritvik Shekar As students of the IB Diploma program, tight deadlines, insufficient sleep, and exam stress are all familiar to us, but it isn’t often that we take the time to process the compounding detrimental impact that such pressures have on our mental health and well-being. As teenagers, balancing schoolwork with extracurricular activities and…
‘Heartstrings’ through the lens of our photographers
by Irresh Vijay The picture is a close-up view, similar to peering down a vibrant tunnel. The walls shimmer with musical notes, their lines swirling and dancing. Sunlight streams through, warming the scene. At the heart of this captivating composition lies a guitar. This is the essence of the photograph you envision, a powerful visual…
From schoolmates to soulmates
by Sanjana Yugan In a world where relationships often face numerous challenges, lasting love stories are treasures to be cherished and celebrated. Recently, I had the pleasure of talking to Mr. and Mrs. Solanki who have recently celebrated their 19th anniversary. While I sip on chai and demolish onion pakoras, they share with me the…
Love Beyond Borders
by Asmeeta Kumar Rajesh I grew up in a South Indian family, the daughter of a Kannadiga father and Assamese mother who both grew up in the city of Bangalore. Four years after being born in Bangalore myself, my family packed up their suitcases, touched their elders’ feet, and left home to find a new…
Cruel Summers and A Thousand Cuts- Taylor Swift’s ‘Lover’ Pulls at Each Heartstring
by Nandita Kanodia From cotton-candy skies to tragic love letters, Taylor Swift’s ‘Lover’ is yet another astounding feather on her hat, with its popularity remaining sky-high even after nearly 5 years since its release. Playful experimentation with love, romance and Swift’s masterful lyricism has made this creation memorable, especially with Valentine’s Day around the corner….
The Guitar Strings of Love
by Aditya Bhatia Well, it’s that time of the year again! Shop windows are draped in red, couples exchange chocolates and roses, and the pressure to be romantic hangs heavy in the air. As the calendar flips to the month of February, we begin to recognise the importance of love in our lives. While love…
Journeys of the Heart
by Anoushka Biswas Reflecting on my upbringing, I can’t help feeling like I was the main character in a never-ending adventure film. My parents’ unquenchable desire to explore the world led us to over a dozen countries, painting my childhood with vibrant experiences that left me longing for more. Now, as I approach my 17th…
The Kindness Effect
by Manas Gupta The simple act of going out of our way and being kind typically causes a warmth to settle in our hearts. This inherent power of kindness uplifts not only ourselves but also strengthens the bonds that connect us. Yet, amidst the daily rush, we often neglect its importance, forgetting that even small…
Language and Identity
by Ishaan Raghav In its ethereal splendour, language is a profound architect of human consciousness, shaping our narrative of existence. Yuval Noah Harari in “Sapiens” attributes the global conquest of Homo sapiens largely to our unique linguistic capabilities. This lexicon we wield is both a mirror and a window, enabling us to delve into the…
The Path not Taken
by Ritvik Shekar We all make hundreds of decisions every day. Some are too inconsequential for us to even dwell on, while others can leave us with a lifetime of regret. This myriad of unexplored choices with potentially more desirable outcomes leads to the question that everyone knows all too well- What if? What if…
Soul searching in the Digital Era
by Anantika Srivastava Heraclitus, a Greek philosopher once said that “Change is the only constant in life”, which I believe is starkly true. Our world is ever-changing, with the discovery of new resources and the inventions of new technology. These breakthroughs in technology are what have created the modern platforms we know today, generally classified as…
The Emerald of My Eye
Shreya Narayanan “History’s deadliest colour” according to Ted-Ed is a luminous shade of green, discovered in 1898. As soon as the public laid their eyes on it, it became a boon to fashion, adorning jewellery, cosmetic products, and more. Just as a moth to a flame, people too fell head over heels for this colour….
Sewing the Threads of Identity
by Archisha Mukherjee Every piece of clothing we decide to wear is an extension of who we are. Take the example of “power outfits.” Some may choose to sport four-inch heels because they allow them to feel self-assured and exude authority, while others may loathe it as it makes them self-conscious. Without the power outfit,…
‘Identity & Introspection’ through the lens of our photographers
by Reet Gupta While exploring the depths of Rajasthan, a state pregnant with affluent culture and history, I found such invigorating performances, rare jewels embedded in the unlikeliest places. Adorned by rich garments and strong emotions, every display is a sight for sore eyes. Through their passionate expressions and attire, we see the vibrancy of…
Beyond the wrapping paper
by Aditya Bhatia American actress Emma Stone said, “What sets you apart can sometimes feel like a burden and it’s not. And a lot of the time, it’s what makes you great.” We humans are so intricately different; we have our own experiences and stories to tell, our own identity that we discover over time,…
Amped Up: The Albums That Set the 2023 Music Scene Ablaze
by Asmeeta Kumar Rajesh 2023 was a year of retrospection and reflection for artists of every genre which led to the release of numerous albums. Experiences garnered in the past few years as well as Covid-19 which allowed for more “alone thinking time” inspired artists to write and produce tracks with a changed perspective. These…
2023: A Literary Liberation with Riveting Reads
by Nandita Kanodia From captivating audiobooks to the limitless ocean of digital libraries, 2023 has seen yet another tumultuous surge into the world of young adult fiction, Interstellar-like sci-fi and reimagined classics, intricately weaved with themes of social justice and introspection. As an avid fan of all things fantastical and exhilarating, this year proved to…
Unwrapping Athletic Triumphs: A Review of 2023 in Sports
by Anoushka Biswas In the world of sports, each year composes its unique symphony, filled with memorable moments. We’ve delved into football, tennis, and Formula 1 to present the key moments from the past year. Football: Cristiano Ronaldo’s transfer to Al Nassr FC Cristiano Ronaldo’s transfer from Manchester United to Al Nassr FC is a…
Did ‘Barbie’ finally ‘wrap’ up the negative connotations of feminism?
by Sanjana Yugan In a cinematic landscape dominated by male-centric narratives, it is a rare occurrence to stumble upon films that authentically portray feminism and equality. The debate surrounding such movies often centres on their portrayal: some argue that movies are branded as ‘feminist films’ to boost the filmmaker’s popularity while others view them as…
‘Wrapped’ through the lens of our photographers
By: Tanvi Prasad My focus lay in capturing the timelessness of tradition through an exploration of the captivating theme “wrapping oneself in tradition.” Specifically, I celebrated the Maharashtrian Paithani saree and its ability to transcend fashion as a notable symbol of cultural heritage. It serves as a vibrant embodiment of Maharashtrian identity by weaving together…
The Casual Observer 