28. Drama in Real Life
There are all kinds of tea garden stories, as I mentioned at the outset. For the most part, I’ve shared the happy, carefree ones. Do take a look at what P.G. Wodehouse once said about…
Indian Chai Stories
What started off as an exciting new collaboration with Indian Chai Stories as part of the Chai for Cancer Season 8 Campaign, has only grown from strength to strength.
Indian Chai Stories is a blog by Gowri Mohanakrishnan with almost 200 original stories from 58 contributors from the tea gardens of Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Sri Lanka!
Season 8 Campaign tagline was “Ek Chai Zindagi ke Naam”, and it was felt that there was no better way to take the campaign forward than to showcase the real life stories of tea planters. As Gowri herself puts it, “Back in the tea gardens, our motto has always been “Ek Zindagi Chai ke Naam”.
So, while our tagline changes Season wise, the sentiment remains the same!
When Gowri got married to a tea planter in 1986, she had to leave her city life behind and experience first hand life in the “Dooars”. Amazed by the incredible stories people shared at the tea garden clubs, she decided to start a blog and share their stories with the world! “Life here is a celebration of the human spirit. Indian Chai Stories is all about the people who live here!”
Tune in to Chai for Cancer every Friday for stories of elephants and leopards, of people and of ghosts; some stories so vivid and amazing, they beggar belief!
27. Darjeeling Days
Shall we take a peek at a tea garden in Darjeeling today? Not just any garden, mind, but one with a view of the majestic Kanchenjunga! Radha Madapa writes with deep affection for her surroundings:…
26. Trains and Toddlers
Story by Gumi Malhotra. It is about train journeys and children. I can see you smiling already!Read the story
25. Christmas Lunch
Story by Gumi Malhotra. ‘Christmas Lunch’, is a great example of the kind of thing that can only happen in a tea garden!Read the story
24. Turbulent Times
This story is set in the Barak Valley ( Cachar ) in southern Assam. The history as well as geography of the region is fascinating and the valley is a place of great natural beauty….
23. To Embroider a Story…
Sunayana Sarkar, ‘tea kid’, scientist, blues singer/composer is also an expert at sewing, embroidery and crochet. Add writing to the list, for she creates a beautiful tapestry of a bygone era.Read the story
22. David and Goliath
Bernard’s is a true story: a fascinating portrait of that romantic young daredevil, Bracegirdle. Human nature, and human behaviour in the unique environment of a tea plantation is what is at the heart of every…
21. Anecdotes of the Maskeliya/Upcot District
Today I’m delighted to take you overseas – yes, Indian Chai Stories is proud to present two storytellers from the tea plantations of Sri Lanka – Devaka Wickramasuriya and Bernard VanCuylenberg.Read the story
20. A Cup of Indian Chai
Seema Anand – mythologist, scholar and probably the best storyteller I’ve ever heard. What connects her to the tea gardens is her love for Indian stories and for one of her oldest friends who lives…