Story
From straight reportage, to constructing a narrative using visuals and text on a digital platform, I draw parallels between writing and design. Using tension (balance), resolution (problem-solving) and emotional engagement, a successful user/reader experience contains the elements of great storytelling.
Photographer: Anthony Alvarez © Newest Americans.
Collage: Mary Ann Koruth
Ironbound Foodscapes
This part ethnographic, part historical, part culinary ‘tour’ into five eateries in Newark’s Ironbound district was an attempt to tell the stories and histories of immigrant churn and movement in the neighborhood around Ferry Street, all spawned around food. Picking five restaurants we listened to the stories told by their owners, their patrons, and dove into archives to trace the histories of the buildings .
Photographer: Mary Ann Koruth
Desigas - immigrant stories from gas jockeys and cabbies
“I see America as a rose. All the fifty states together, are the petals. But there are thorns – and they can hurt. The thorn of missing my home. Soon after 9/11, some of my passengers called me a terrorist, because of my beard and my name. That was a thorn. But I never shaved my beard. If I made a lot of money, I would go now, but my wife and children will not let me. To them, America is all rose, no thorns.”
— A Bangladeshi cabbie in New York City (name undisclosed)
Journalism
I have written articles, travel pieces, reviews and profiles, for magazines and newspapers since January ’06. Publications I have written for include The Hindu, New Brunswick Today, Newest Americans, The Indian American, Rutgers Magazine, The Atlantic, and others.
Luso Americano – Interview and profile of an editor of one of Newark’s oldest ethnic, Portuguese newspapers. (feature).
37 voices (forthcoming) – Profiles, Newest Americans.
A shot in the arm for contemporary artists – Christie’s auction for South Asian modern and contemporary art. (reporting).
The ties that bind – Rutgers MFA faculty Akhil Sharma on his book, “Family Life”. (profile).
The man behind the stories – Interview, The Atlantic.
Literary Writing
I am a reviews editor at Jaggery Lit., where I review books and blog about “The Craft of Writing”.
Commissioned Work
The Boston-based painter George Oommen’s abstract paintings are inspired by the monsoon drenched landscape of India’s southern-most, coastal state, Kerala. Mr. Oommen has exhibited internationally; he commissioned me to author his catalogue raisonné and coffee table book, “The Art of George Oommen.”
Academic Writing
I authored a chapter in an anthology: “Post-liberalization Indian Novels in English: Politics of Global Reception and Awards”. I wrote about Kaavya Vishwanathan and how her contract with a book packaging firm might have co-opted her original story and played a role in her plagiarism of Megan McCafferty’s work.