Dare I say that these sentences are a culmination of a prolonged procrastination following a conversation with the editor of this magazine last summer, and here we are into another summer almost.
A beautiful thing is worthy of appreciation. Therefore, when something wonderfully crafted doesn't catch the eye or doesn't get the appreciation it deserves, one feels a tad disappointed. When i look back on the last issue of double speak from December last year one is reminded of the Bengali phrase কলেবর বৃদ্ধি (kawlebawr briddhi) meaning an expanded form. True, across the 8 different segments of the magazine one is amazed not just by the stretch and variety of the authors featured but the diversity on a global scale. To find so many people from across the English-speaking world and beyond is an achievement that must be lauded in this anniversary issue. One therefore felt it imperative to read ALL the featured authors in order to do justice to the task of sending you a proper comprehensive feedback. The diversity takes time to negotiate – because it is as intriguing to read "about" the author as much as to read the author. The diverse backgrounds is what makes the reading or rereading of their work assume new meaning.
One wonders if the three different Cordwells all belong to the same family – because they are all good writers. The insight into the world of betting was fascinating for someone from a country where betting is something that happens underground and the government indirectly incentivises it but does not openly endorse it. The personal favourites – the beautiful photo essay by Vipul Gudapaty from the equine point of view; Pritha Banerjee Chattopadhyay's comparison between Ray's Mahanagar and Aki Kaurismaki's The Match Factory Girl, Ken Poyner's Drabbles and the two dearest to this reader – Gary Beck's play and Peter Appleton's rather amusing email. One sincerely hopes that Alex Cordwell or Rawshan Tabassum, rookie writers from diverse backgrounds continue to write. Sayari Ghosh and Carleigh Beverly's cross-cultural and Transoceanic collaboration deserves special mention.
One is spoilt for choice and looks at Double Speak as a virtual quarterly PujoShonkha of sorts that has contributors from across the globe. Tabassum's Classical studies are commendable.
Looking forward to reading as diverse a group as this one in the anniversary issue as well.
Anticipatory greetings for Eid, Easter, Nabobarsho, Baisakhi, Bihu, Mahavir jayanti, Gudi padwa, Basanti navratri and Nowroz to all of you.
DoubleSpeak 