All that We Write

যে সকাল সুস্থতার খবর আনে, সে সকালে নামো তুমি  গাঢ়। অপ্রসঙ্গে দেখা হওয়া, বেলাইন‌ প্রত্যাশা  হাজারো  সম্ভাবনাময়ের আলো  তোমার এই সুস্থ চাঁপাফুল-বিছানায়  কখনো এলিয়ে পড়ে।  হেমন্তে পৃথিবী এখন, অথবা আজকাল, তেমন অমলিন নিয়ে আসেনা, ঠিকই, তবু তো ইচ্ছে হয়, তোমার জানুতে বসি, অশরীরী আবহাওয়া জড়িয়ে ধরছে ধিকিধিকি আশরীর‌ প্রলম্বিত বানে। এ অসুখে বুকে আসা সঙ্গত? হোপলেস রোম্যান্স কাহাকে বলে তোমার ছেলে, বা নাতি, জানে? ২৭ মে, ২০২৬

  Silence. Inaction. Are those mere absence? Or, a more profound intimacy within? I am sitting now at Allen Park, watching squirrels. At the heart of Park Street, once upon a time at its beginning, this park is never calm. The honking of the cars, the abrupt growl of a Royal Enfield bike and incessant chatters of moms waiting here to pick up their kids after school instill delicate sun rays inside. But how about me? How about the teenager sitting on my left, waiting for his girlfriend? How about the septuagenarian, sitting to my right, reading The Telegraph? Are we part of the noise surrounding us? Technically, yes. But are we affected or altered easily by the things around us? The squirrels look quite active, though. But us? Are we any part of what drives the squirrels, the passers-by, the girl bargaining at the bookstall at footpath or the dog yelling at another dog somewhere around? Somehow, it is not so. Our silence, our inaction, or our musings on such a wintry January morning...

  In my experience as a learner for thirty-four years and a teacher and guide for fifteen, I have always subscribed to a contrarian approach to teaching and learning, no matter what I learn or teach. For me, an ‘entertaining’ classroom or one-on-one session does not exist. If it does, you’re not actually learning anything new — just getting reinforced on what you already know or believe in. I believe a teacher does not make the learning process ‘a lot of fun’ but something truly worthy of slowing down, understanding, reflecting on, and exploring together. This sense of togetherness is important. In the Taittiriya Upanishad, the second mantra, Om Sahanaavavatu…, is all about this intellectual and spiritual cohesion between the teacher and the student. This intensive process requires a hefty dose of hard work. So, when a student comes to me to learn a language, writing, Indian vocal music, or financial planning — the subjects I teach — I make certain things clear early on: what we ar...