Substack should definitely introduce a button that, when pressed, sends up confetti and sparks—a Super Like button! Your beautifully worded piece had me hooked from the very first line.
I particularly loved the part about layers: "Cricket is a religion in India. It is, but there are layers to it." This statement is so true, and it comes alive in my mind because of your style of writing.
Your writing on cricket fandom and concert crowds is masterful, Sarthak. The way you weave imagery between cricket and music creates this perfect tapestry of Indian fan culture. What got me was how you portrayed Kohli's presence - "a shadow, stripped of form" - transforming something as ordinary as a domestic match into an almost mythological event.
After experiencing Arijit's concert in Gurgaon myself, your observation about how "every Instagram story is a sermon" rings so true. Your piece does what great writing should - it makes us see the familiar in a new light. The parallel between cricket legends and musical icons, both turning crowds into congregations, is brilliantly drawn.
Just when I think you can’t write any better than this, you raise the ante further. This is a thought provoking article, especially because I can’t understand what it is that makes someone such an ardent fan.
Loved this, as usual! You are truly a master of words, bringing to life scenes in 3D with your choice of phrase. Thank you so much for that! Makes me fall in love with words and more in awe of their power with each of your pieces! Also hard relate to not understanding the obsession that people have to put mere mortals who are good at 1-2 things (great at them even) on pedestals, but extrapolating that to feeling that they have a right to opinions about the idol’s personal and professional choices…sigh, takes away from that the craft that truly deserves the respect and the curtsey that this human they idolise deserves to have a piece of their existence for themselves. Masterfully written, as always. Hit my heart with a massive impact, also, as always! Already waiting for the next issue 😂
Terrific piece, Sarthak. Went in so many different directions and with so many interesting stories, without ever losing sight of the central theme.
I've had similar conversations about the folks attending the Coldplay concert and it is a knotty issue. But as you say, 'noise and colour' does nick it. :)
Substack should definitely introduce a button that, when pressed, sends up confetti and sparks—a Super Like button! Your beautifully worded piece had me hooked from the very first line.
I particularly loved the part about layers: "Cricket is a religion in India. It is, but there are layers to it." This statement is so true, and it comes alive in my mind because of your style of writing.
Ahaha thank you, Aditi! Too kind.
How do you write like this? Superb piece.
Ahaha thank you, Ila!
Beautiful and lucid. And a skilful explanation of the difference between appreciating art and sport!
Thank you, Anchita :)
Your writing on cricket fandom and concert crowds is masterful, Sarthak. The way you weave imagery between cricket and music creates this perfect tapestry of Indian fan culture. What got me was how you portrayed Kohli's presence - "a shadow, stripped of form" - transforming something as ordinary as a domestic match into an almost mythological event.
After experiencing Arijit's concert in Gurgaon myself, your observation about how "every Instagram story is a sermon" rings so true. Your piece does what great writing should - it makes us see the familiar in a new light. The parallel between cricket legends and musical icons, both turning crowds into congregations, is brilliantly drawn.
Thank you so much, Sid. So glad you liked the essay. :)
Such a pleasure to read you Sarthak. Such lovely writing. Why aren’t you in the newspapers?
Thank you so much, Rakhi! :) Someday, hopefully :)
Just when I think you can’t write any better than this, you raise the ante further. This is a thought provoking article, especially because I can’t understand what it is that makes someone such an ardent fan.
Thank you, Binu! :) So glad you liked it.
I was waiting for your take on the Kohli's Ranji match and you made the wait worth!
Such great piece Sarthak - loved every bit of it :)
Thank you, Abhishek! :)
Superb writing as usual, Sarthak. You had mentioned hooked from the first line and gave me much food for thought when the last one ended.
Thank you so much, Ayush! So glad to hear that.
Loved this, as usual! You are truly a master of words, bringing to life scenes in 3D with your choice of phrase. Thank you so much for that! Makes me fall in love with words and more in awe of their power with each of your pieces! Also hard relate to not understanding the obsession that people have to put mere mortals who are good at 1-2 things (great at them even) on pedestals, but extrapolating that to feeling that they have a right to opinions about the idol’s personal and professional choices…sigh, takes away from that the craft that truly deserves the respect and the curtsey that this human they idolise deserves to have a piece of their existence for themselves. Masterfully written, as always. Hit my heart with a massive impact, also, as always! Already waiting for the next issue 😂
Right back attya! Kinda feel like we need medals for being such awesome humans 😂
Hahaha thank you, Reshma! You're always the kindest.
And if I could click like on each of the points you mentioned, I would xD Hard agree.
Knocked it out of the park, straight to the boundary..sorry mixing metaphors!
Now that I have read this piece, am walking out, staying true to Indian fan-dom;)
Ahaha thank you, Sridhar!
Excellent piece!
Excellent wholesome piece🤩
Thank you, Soumya!
Terrific piece, Sarthak. Went in so many different directions and with so many interesting stories, without ever losing sight of the central theme.
I've had similar conversations about the folks attending the Coldplay concert and it is a knotty issue. But as you say, 'noise and colour' does nick it. :)
Thank you, Rohan! And can confirm. Never easy to reconcile.
This is superb, Sarthak. So much food for thought.
Thank you so much, Amrita!