13 Comments
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Nihil's avatar

This is absolutely beautiful, Sarthak! You've captured something so essential about Siraj - 'he wears these as ornaments, detachables on the skin that's all him.' The way you've woven together that heartbreaking Lord's moment, the Bajaj Platina story, and his father's absence into a portrait of someone who refuses to hide his heart - it's masterful storytelling. Gorgeous writing as always!

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Sarthak Dev's avatar

Thank you so much, man. So glad the essay spoke to you :)

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Rakhi Kurup's avatar

Such lovely writing as always Sarthak. An emotional roller coaster. So heartwarming to read you.

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Sarthak Dev's avatar

Thank you so much, Rakhi!

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Binu Sivan's avatar

Gosh! I don’t even care for cricket and never watched more than a few balks bowled by Siraj, but you have me in tears at some parts, hoping someone will make a movie about this guy! So much heart!

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Sarthak Dev's avatar

Thank you, Binu! You're always so kind with your comments. So glad the essay spoke to you. :)

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Sudhanshu Dikshit's avatar

That’s Siraj - Aar ya paar, har baar, lagaatar. Meanwhile ze writing be going only boundary ke uss paar 😊

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Sarthak Dev's avatar

Indeed! And thank you!

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Prem's avatar

Another Banger piece.

He comes from a rare breed of domestiques who cameo as frontmen.

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Rohan Banerjee's avatar

Such an evocative piece. The Jenga analogy was inspired.

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Sarthak Dev's avatar

Thanks man!

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Renuka's avatar

Great writing. Would love to know how you don't let accolades and admiration not conspire to mess up your writing. In that sense I guess you wear your heart on your sleeve like Siraj. You care too much. And we love that you do. And yes, it struck a very deep chord. Of somehow being the team player everyone wants, but no one really acknowledges. While others with perfect gelled hair and beards get paeans written about. Thank you for this.

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Sarthak Dev's avatar

Haha thank you, Renuka! Such lovely words. Very glad this story struck deep. :)

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