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The Punch Magazine is an independent monthly digital magazine of arts, literature and culture, being run from New Delhi, India. An initiative by Punch Art & Culture Foundation, a non-profit set up to promote the best of literary, artistic and cultural traditions around the world, it was founded by Shireen Quadri in 2016. Since then, the magazine has emerged as a vibrant space for diverse forms of
expression. The Punch Magazine features in-depth and insightful essays, interviews, reportage, narrative non-fiction, photo essays, poetry and fiction. Conceived as a literary and an arts collective with a focus to promote intellectual engagement and inquiry with regard to arts and literature, The Punch Magazine features well-researched pieces on arts, literature, entertainment, fashion, lifestyle, hospitality, travel and tourism and businesses and start-ups. Striving to achieve exacting standards of excellence, the underlying quest of the magazine is to explore the points of convergence between the best of artistic, entrepreneurial and creative efforts. Brought out in a digital format, The Punch Magazine also brings out thematic issues every now and then in order to delve deep into a particular arena of arts and literature. Alongside original long-form and quick-read content (exclusive excerpts, interviews and essays), it publishes the best writings, videos and voices — emerging, established and experimental — from across the globe through a wide network of literary and cultural partners, both individuals and institutions. As a magazine dedicated to substantive and critical pieces on the different facets of arts and literature, we are forever in need of resources to keep the ambitious scale and scope of our work unhindered and unhamstrung. Your support, therefore, is crucial to help us stay on course, trudging along the path that we have created for ourselves with blood and sweat, a path that often leaves us sailing against the wind. If you come to like our substantive work as well as our core ethos, you can consider sending in your donations here: https://pmny.in/bIOoHPmr5CSw.https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/thepunchmagazine
Or send donations via PayPal to [email protected] Alternatively, you can transfer your donation online to Punch Art & Culture Foundation, Account No: 919010036898613, Axis Bank, IFSC Code: UTIB0000715
27/09/2024
Keki N. Daruwalla (1937-2024), who has passed away at the age of 87, shared four new sonnets with us, along with a short note, in which he underlined: ‘Writing is a life by itself, with the ages thrown in’. One of them is below. Read the other three: link in bio.
The Angelic Orders
1
Heaven’s Intelligence Officer (seconded from the IB) reports to God
activities of the Rebel Archangel
Things were not hunky dory on the border,
Archangel, black diamonds in his eye sockets,
Was in the chair. Meeting called to order;
All rebel angels cozy in his pocket.
A nit-picking South Indian was also there,
Scratching his dhoti, that flapped o’er his privates.
Archangel pre-empted him by speaking first,
‘This virus brings good news for other primates.
We need to pat ourselves and raise a drink
To friends—rhinos are thriving, Indians call them genda,
Hyenas are doing well, strength lies in numbers.
Indian broke in, Sir how about agenda?
Simple, said Archangel, we’re not fussy.
We just want an end to democracy
,
23/09/2024
From the moment I walked through the doors of the Essentia Experience Center, spread over 25,000 square ft in Gurugram, II was enveloped in an atmosphere of quiet sophistication. The space is dedicated to showcasing everything one might need to curate a modern, luxurious home. But it was not just the size that impressed me. It was the thoughtfulness behind every detail, every product, and every design choice, writes .
Link in bio
18/09/2024
“The shape of hurricane Fiona on the weather map
might as well be a bubble about to burst I streamed
across the porch when I blew soapy water
through a loop. It might as well be the flopper
bud of the Life Plant, we as children would
pop between fingers. Or, an elongated net
I used to chase Gulf Frittary butterflies
in the sage bush full field between Lovers Lane
and Highwood, because the photo on the weather map
has me missing hurricanes as if they are a frolic.”
Missing Hurricanes and other five poems by Nancy Anne Miller, a Bermudian poet, has published ten collections of poetry. We feature six of her poems here. While ‘Missing Hurricanes’ expresses a wistful longing for the exhilaration and transformative power of hurricanes and island life, ‘Infinite’ captures the boundless joy and timeless wonder of childhood summers spent on the beach. ‘Chiclets’ and ‘Sticky’ depict the sensory richness of Bermuda, celebrating its colours, flavours, and cultural charm. ‘Thank You Enid Blyton’ expresses gratitude for the author’s books that ignited the reader’s imagination and thirst for adventure. ‘Sun Drunk’ embraces the intoxicating allure of the island, inviting readers to immerse themselves in its mesmerizing and dreamlike ambiance.
“History is instant,
nothing stops its stride —
an earthquake, a doorbell
a gunshot
a flower
unravels the hour.
Everything waits
in the shelter of the heart,
Prayers shaking
through wild thoroughfares —
utterly bereft,
yet fragrant.“
and other poems by . Link in bio
17/09/2024
A satirical piece by (1865-1907), a Hindi essayist and journalist who made his mark in the Indian literary sphere with his talent in a short life span, translated by . It’s structured as a letter to Lord Curzon and penned in 1903, remains relevant in the modern context, highlighting how the heads of nations should not conflate self-serving, ostentatious projects of pomp and show with true public service.
Kavita Ezekiel Mendonca reflects on the life and legacy of her father, Nissim Ezekiel, the Father of post-colonial Indian writing in English, whose birth centenary is being celebrated this year. An unworldly man deeply devoted to poetry and teaching, he lived simply, with minimal needs, but had a generous heart, giving freely to others.
“Talk to me, o ye dessert’s dark slave,
Eras have gone, but I bear solitude —
A mighty queen of a dark firmament —
A realm more inflicting than servitude.
Alone and weary among the glitz of stars,
Stars so noble! yet none for me.
I sit alone in my obscure nook
And covet the moths so blithe and glee.
Tough all the sky belongs to me,
Yet in agony and pain I live.
With comrade none to cheer my woes
None has solemn love to give.”
“The space, mulled by notes of lemongrass bursting forth from invisible locations, claimed us in a way that surprised even me. The supple beige cushions adorning the seating that bordered the massive perimeter of the room sprang to life under blobs of sunshine, while tiny crystals sparkled from the walls reminding me to be mindful of the honey-toned velour rug my thirty-year-old feet were sinking into. Roma tucked a thin lock of hair behind her right ear; the rest of it was secured tightly into a knot at the top of her head. Her once clear skin had turned patchy- perhaps it was the sun or the passage of time that had taken its toll - 1 wouldn’t know. I wish I had known.”
Taking a long hard look at Roma, I exited the freezing living room, into the cocooning hallway and out onto the driveway, leaving the idyllic mansion behind. Forever.
15/09/2024
“The space, mulled by notes of lemongrass bursting forth from invisible locations, claimed us in a way that surprised even me. The supple beige cushions adorning the seating that bordered the massive perimeter of the room sprang to life under blobs of sunshine, while tiny crystals sparkled from the walls reminding me to be mindful of the honey-toned velour rug my thirty-year-old feet were sinking into. Roma tucked a thin lock of hair behind her right ear; the rest of it was secured tightly into a knot at the top of her head. Her once clear skin had turned patchy- perhaps it was the sun or the passage of time that had taken its toll - 1 wouldn’t know. I wish I had known.”
, an intensely moving short story by . Link in bio
Centred on human trafficking, UK-based Punjabi writer Veena Verma’s short story, ‘The Wrong Woman’, translated by C. Christine Fair, professor at Georgetown University, is “about a young, educated Punjabi woman named Manjit who is from a rural family in India’s northern state of Punjab. After her mother dies, her father arranges her marriage to a man who is working in a lucrative profession in Germany even though he is already married to a German woman. Believing this marriage to be for immigration purposes, both families expected him to divorce his German wife and marry Manjit. Her husband comes to India to marry Manjit during which time she becomes pregnant with a son. After becoming a burden to her family, her family sells off her portion of land to pay for a smuggler to take her and her young son to Germany. The story flips back and forth between the present time in which she is undertaking this harrowing journey and her more idyllic past.”
Since its inception in 2015, Küche7, India’s leading brand in luxury stainless steel kitchens, wardrobes, and vanity units, has redefined contemporary living with its exquisite range of modular designs, wardrobes, and vanity units. The brand’s sublime and minimal design vocabulary resonates with discerning customers seeking refined elegance. After marking its presence in over 18 cities in the country since its inception in 2015, has opened its expansive experience centre in New Delhi. Its 2,500 sq ft space on Mehrauli-Gurgaon Road offers customers an immersive look at the brand’s exceptional collections in an opulent setting that is both elegant and inviting. checks out the experiential centre.
Link in bio
11/08/2024
How Paris Olympic Games 2024 spotlighted global sustainability, social responsibility
The use of recycled materials, energy-efficient lighting, and messages promoting environmental conservation struck a chord with environmentally conscious audiences across the political spectrum.
Reportage by
Link in bio
11/08/2024
How Paris Olympic Games 2024 spotlighted global sustainability, social responsibility
The use of recycled materials, energy-efficient lighting, and messages promoting environmental conservation struck a chord with environmentally conscious audiences across the political spectrum.
“I was always intrigued with destinations where stories have been passed down over centuries. Ever since my beloved sister left, I would travel alone to those enchanting heritage sites where one could resonate with ancient reminiscences, as if I could capture some glimpse of where my sister might be. Munich, a city named after Catholic Monks, traces its origins in the Benedictine monastery at Tegernsee, a destination where the beckoning chimes could bring me inscrutable comfort.
It was a rainy afternoon when I arrived in Munich. The hotel I stayed in was close to the Isar riverside. I couldn’t resist taking a promenade amongst the mist of the rain. The sound of the water flowing was overwhelming. The weather in early September was mild and pleasant despite the moderate rain. Occasionally, a solo cyclist biked through the rain along the riverside path, leaving behind the roadside churches and haunting water sounds. No one noticed me, as if I were a piece of the tree leaves propelled there by the unintentional wind. I adored that feeling, even though I was tentative about what I was trailing until my feet felt wet from the raindrops, and I realised I was wandering around in the rain in Munich.”
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The Punch Magazine is an initiative by Punch Art and Culture Foundation that endeavours to promote arts and literary and cultural traditions around the world. It was founded by Shireen Quadri, who is the director of the foundation. A monthly digital magazine of arts, literature and culture, The Punch Magazine features in-depth essays, reviews and interviews.
The magazine has been conceived as a collective, a community of people bound by similar interests. It aims to showcase the best in arts, literature, entertainment, fashion, lifestyle, hospitality, travel and tourism. Striving to achieve exacting standards of excellence, the magazine brings together the best of all creative efforts, underlining its core belief that these efforts are all connected and the process of creating good arts is similar across disciplines.
Alongside original long-form and quick-read content (exclusive excerpts, interviews and essays), it is designed to showcase the best writings, videos and voices — emerging, established and experimental — from across the globe through a wide network of our literary and cultural partners, both individuals and institutions.
The Byword, one of the sections of The Punch Magazine — earlier a quarterly magazine of literature, arts and culture, both in print and online — was started in 2015. It was reinvented in 2016 as The Punch Magazine. Since then, it has emerged as a one-of-its-kind platform that showcases the richness and diversity of arts and literature around the world. It has earned high praise from a cross-section of award-winning writers and artists.
In the age of shrinking space for arts and culture, and increasingly shorter attention span, we often sail against the wind, but our conviction and passion are our best guides and help us keep going. At The Punch Magazine, we are forever looking for fresh ideas to reinvent ourselves, and stories of people, places and things that need to be told. If you believe in the magazine, you, too, can be a part of our journey — no matter who you are and where you are from.
What also keeps us going is a little help from those who share our passion. If you are one of them, do consider helping this society of aesthetes to grow. Send in your donations. Choose any amount you wish to donate. Donations can be transferred online to Punch Art & Culture Foundation, Account No: 919010036898613, Axis Bank, IFSC Code; UTIB0000715
