A simple routine, a ritual. None of us ever spoke on the worth of its existence or the consequences if it were to be discontinued. There was no need to discuss the ‘usual’. However, it was the one ritual that summed up the meaning of the words togetherness, family and patience for me. 

Author Purva Grover reviews More Than Just Biryani by Andaleeb Wajid

When I began to write, I thought all I’d have to do is write. Somewhere, in between I forgot the part, which said I’d also have to remind myself and the others to read. Now, I read 52 books a year. I find myself reading at libraries, cafes, in bed, while commuting, while waiting for a meeting to start, at parties even, and more. In short, I read whenever I can. When I am not running between narrating stories and writing a few of mine, I review the books I read. Every few weeks, I release a new episode, featuring a book that is on my nightstand. I hope this segment of the podcast encourages you to find your story. After all, we are all stories, aren’t we?

— Keep reading, P

The leaves swayed slowly, without disturbing the stillness of the hour. Then we kissed, under the tree in a narrow lane. 

My fingers are stained with red: a rusty, dirty red. Not the kind of red that bleeds but the one that lingers. If you were to judge me by my hands you’d probably never talk to me.  

Author Purva Grover reviews The Blind Matriarch by Namita Gokhale

When I began to write, I thought all I’d have to do is write. Somewhere, in between I forgot the part, which said I’d also have to remind myself and the others to read. Now, I read 52 books a year. I find myself reading at libraries, cafes, in the bed, while commuting, while waiting for a meeting to start, at parties even, and more. In short, I read whenever I can. When I am not running between narrating stories and writing a few of mine, I review the books I read. Every few weeks, I release a new episode, featuring a book that is on my night stand. I hope this segment of the podcast encourages you to find your story. After all, we are all stories, aren’t we?

— Keep reading, P

Author Purva Grover reviews Flesh and Bone and Water by Luiza Sauma

When I began to write, I thought all I’d have to do is write. Somewhere, in between I forgot the part, which said I’d also have to remind myself and the others to read. Now, I read 52 books a year. I find myself reading at libraries, cafes, in the bed, while commuting, while waiting for a meeting to start, at parties even, and more. In short, I read whenever I can. When I am not running between narrating stories and writing a few of mine, I review the books I read. Every few weeks, I release a new episode, featuring a book that is on my night stand. I hope this segment of the podcast encourages you to find your story. After all, we are all stories, aren’t we?

— Keep reading, P

Perhaps, we'll meet again. We’d talk for a while and then we’ll just say goodbye. Perhaps, one day, we’d know why our chapters didn’t end on the same page. Until then, we’d let our love grow.

Saving Stories with Purva Grover presents a podcast that steers away from male-bashing and feminism, and simply celebrates what it means to be a woman. For amongst the many things that author Purva Grover doesn't understand — most are feminine. Each episode features conversations with a She, who shares her story of ambition and anxiety, love and loss, strength and weakness, bad hair days and failures at work too. Join us as we figure out what's crucial — love, laundry or lessons. As we're asked to explain our secrets of work vs. family balance. As we are fed articles on how to step up the career ladder as fast as men and yet raise perfect kids. As we look for solutions for smudged kohl, mastering how to apply BB creams and concealers. We speak of unwanted advice, as we offer some too. We sigh, smile and scorn. We observe, absorb, judge and compare. We own our space.

With Rashmi Kotriwala, Founder/Mentor, EnAct

Rashmi Kotriwala is the Founder /Mentor of EnAct, an institute that caters to everything around theatre and spoken word events. She is a director, producer, actor, writer and teacher of drama. She recently published her poetry book in Hindi called ख़यालों के दरमियान.