From Influence to Inspiration: Navigating the Path of Authenticity

It’s possible that we never truly reach the summit.

It’s hard to define authenticity. When I make chicken wing curry for family and friends, they often ask if it’s authentic.

I explain that it’s authentic to me, a creation you might not encounter in another Indian household.

The genesis of this dish was pragmatic; my mother first prepared chicken wing curry out of frustration with the whole chicken butchering process. Surprisingly, we all fell in love with it, and she began making it a weekly tradition. It gradually became an unspoken yet cherished part of our family history.

When it comes to sharing my thoughts with you, I earnestly strive for authenticity.

However, I must confess that the words I write are not entirely my own. They are echoes of countless authors, contemplatives, poets, and songwriters whom I deeply admire.

Some of these voices are contemporary, while others have long departed, their genius only recognized in retrospect.

When a thought or idea resonates with me, I grasp onto it, albeit in fragments, and try to piece them together as best I can.