Salt and Pepper

Sankarshan Thakur is one of India’s most original and incisive journalistic voices. Over a career spanning four decades, he has reported from war zones, political heartlands, and margins of all kinds. A long-time editor and columnist at The Telegraph, he is the author of Subaltern Saheb and The Brothers Bihari, among other books.

• 1.As if a name we cannot print2.TheChaiwala3.The mimic is now missing4.A General, and retired? HoyNaKi?5.Teetar ke do aagey teetar6.All for one and one for won7.FreakyLeaks8.Goka Gola is the only one9.Oh fit! Is it that easy?10.And the rain as well my drink11.I am from here from here from here12.So there, forward-looking folks13.Workman’s secret diary14.Time flies but also crawls15.It’s time when its time has come16.Calling out for you, the People17.Memory of my melancholy lasches18.Where is the Chow? Kidar hai?19.Departed. Arrived. Departs, Arrives.20.The dead go where they go21.In desolate places, desperate men22.I shall tell you bedtime stories23.So that nobody can be somebody24.Badshahat Badshahat Badshahat Ameen!25.Once upon a golden bird26.Those on whom the sky fell27.Let us now praise some villainy28.Did I not say Soney ki Chidiya? 29.But are masks not a bad thing? 30.Sing me a song that isn’t too long31.So often we see our bits of sky32.You see, this is called a daymare33.Are you so sure you are? 34.Oh, we are such a vexed people35.Anything goes, everything is history36.Now how about some special status?37.Haven’t you ever heard UnKiBaat?38.Please dread the half of all pants39.Hashtag: Talk to me, I am human40.When screaming is what’s sacred41.What this is and is not about42.Allowed one word every sentence43.Khol do: Saadat Hasan Manto44.Questions45.The ravens call on the roosters46.You, the People, are anti-national47.Aankh mein bhar lo paani48.I am the bear