motivational
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Autobiography of a ‘Bay Leaf’
– a Talesmith short by Rajesh Muthuraj Hello, humans.Yes, I’m that mysterious brown leaf you throw out of biryani like it’s a parking ticket. Let me introduce myself properly:I am Tejpatta. Aroma specialist. Flavour consultant. And the most disrespected celebrity in the kitchen. My life begins with glory, plucked from a tall handsome tree.Chefs whisper, Read more
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The Pocket Hero
– a Talesmith Short by Rajesh Muthuraj If there is one object in the world that deserves a national award but will never get one, it is the humble handkerchief. Let’s be honest:No one has ever said, “Wow, what a beautiful handkerchief you have!”Nobody proudly displays their hanky on Instagram.And absolutely no one has created Read more
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Stuffed Wallet, Stuffed Mind
– a Talesmith Short by Rajesh Muthuraj Raghav’s wallet had become a living creature. Not officially, but because of the way it behaved. Every time he tried to close it, it would spring back open with a dramatic “thwack”, as if shouting, “Please do not stuff anything more, am already full!” Inside were things no archaeologist could identify: Read more
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Tiny Boil, Huge Drama
– a Talesmith Short by Rajesh Muthuraj If life ever feels too calm, too peaceful, too under control, don’t worry.A boil on your tongue will arrive uninvited to restore chaos. Honestly, it’s shocking how a creature smaller than an ant, invisible to everyone except you, can take over the entire mood. One moment I was Read more
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What About Your Tank?
A Talesmith Short by Rajesh Muthuraj Have you ever noticed a fuel tanker on the road?That mighty vehicle thundering down the highway, carrying thousands of litres of petrol to fill up every car, bike, and generator it meets along the way. It looks so powerful, doesn’t it? The symbol of energy and supply. The one Read more
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The Joy in Every Bite
A Talesmith Short by Rajesh Muthuraj There is something beautifully human about the way we eat. Notice how almost everyone, no matter where they come from, quietly saves the best bite for last, the crispiest chip, the softest piece of roti, the sweetest part of a mango. It’s never planned or spoken; it’s just something Read more
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The First Dosa Always Dies for a Cause
By Rajesh Muthuraj | A Talesmith Original Every kitchen has its fallen hero. The gas hisses. The tawa gleams. The batter waits, innocent and confident, like a student ready for the exam it will definitely fail. You swirl the ladle with all the grace of a master chef on a cooking show. For a moment, Read more
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Celebrate the Lightning, Not the Limitation
I recently came across an article that mentioned Usain Bolt — the fastest man the world has ever seen — now feels breathless while climbing stairs. Reading that struck me. It reminded me how quickly we shift our attention from what a person has achieved to what they can no longer do. Not long ago, Read more
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The Four O’Clock Squad
Every Sunday at exactly 4:00 p.m., four friends—Rajesh, Robert, Michael, and Vivian—met at Lakshmi Tea Stall, a place with stools so wobbly you got a free leg workout, walls decorated with chai stains, and a ceiling fan that rotated only when bribed with a kick. The menu hadn’t changed since 1983, which was fine because Read more
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The Four O’Clock Squad
Every Sunday at exactly 4:00 p.m., four friends—Rajesh, Robert, Michael, and Vivian—met at Lakshmi Tea Stall, a place with stools so wobbly you got a free leg workout, walls decorated with chai stains, and a ceiling fan that rotated only when bribed with a kick. The menu hadn’t changed since 1983, which was fine because Read more
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The Great Rice Rumble: Basmati vs The Rest
Announcer’s Voice:“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to TONIGHT’S MAIN EVENT! Live from the steel cooking pot arena! In the white corner, weighing almost nothing but acting like royalty… the so-called ‘King of Aroma’… give it up for BAS-MAAA-TIIII!” Trumpets play, Basmati enters, leaving a trail of fragrance. He bows to the crowd dramatically. Announcer:“And in the Read more
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One Note Away From Staying
My name doesn’t matter anymore. Once, I was someone’s husband. I was a man who shared coffee with laughter and fought over silly things like TV volume. But after Meera passed, the world went quiet. The TV still worked. The kettle still whistled. But silence had taken over everything in between. Now, I live like Read more
