Khurda Road — the name reminds me of summer holidays, nani ghar, and the warmth of simpler times. It’s a small town in Odisha where my maternal grandmother lived. Being part of a coastal region, its air carries a gentle saltiness, the palm trees sway lazily, and the red soil glows under the sun — all of it etched deeply in my memory.
During summer holidays, we would visit Nani and my cousin in Khurda Road. Those quiet afternoons were filled with laughter and mischief — we played pranks, giggled endlessly, and studied together just enough to finish our holiday homework, as my little cousin Saurav and I were in the same class. We would make grand plans to visit Puri, offer prayers to Lord Jagannath, and then play to our heart’s content on the beach. By the time we returned home, our skin would be so tanned we looked like burnt toast — but who cared? We had the time of our lives, and the bhog at the temple tasted nothing short of heavenly.
The evening sojourns to the phuchka wala (golgappe or Pani puri) were pure joy. We would stand by his little cart, holding bowls made from dried leaves and eat to our heart’s content. Back then, the number of phuchkas we devoured easily outnumbered the coins it took to buy them. We would pool our pocket money, share a plate of spicy aloo tikki chaat after the tangy and tasty phuchkas and return home with hearts full and taste buds dancing wildly.
Those memories come rushing back every time I say the words ‘Khurda Road’.
In the lazy afternoons or during the breezy evenings, my mother and grandmother often spoke of Khurda Road, of the warm little neighbourhood, of the riots between the Odia and Bengali communities in the 1970s, of my mother’s childhood and college days — their voices painting vivid scenes I could almost see. I grew up hearing those stories countless times. They became a part of me, stayed with me, nestled quietly in my subconscious.
Then came November 2023 — the year my daughter, Pihu, was born. Somehow, her arrival rekindled those old tales. As I cradled her to sleep, or during the quiet night wakings, my mind wandered back to Khurda Road, weaving stories from those fragments of memory.
In 2024, when Blogchatter announced their annual anthology with the theme love, I knew exactly what I wanted to write about — a friendship born out of love and shared roots. That’s how Meena and Kasturi, the two main characters of my story, came alive. But soon I realised the word limit wouldn’t let me do justice to their world. So, with a heavy heart, I let go of the idea of submitting it.
But I was writing the story in my mind. Sometimes, I would find myself lost in the plot — wondering where to take the characters, how to portray their emotions, and what their futures might hold. But then I would recall my mother’s stories, and they would gently guide me back. They made me realise two things.
First, children perceive grief differently from adults. My mother was young during the riots, yet even now, when she recalls those days, her voice still carries traces of fear and uncertainty. A child’s innocent mind can’t comprehend why the world fights over differences — and I wanted to explore that: how they process pain, how they carry those invisible scars, and yet, how they find ways to bloom despite them.
Second, I was deeply moved by my mother’s enduring friendship with her childhood friends — a bond that survived letters, distance, and the pre-internet era, and continues to thrive even in the age of social media. It made me want to celebrate female friendships — those quiet, steadfast relationships that often stand stronger than any other.
The story, I realised, had to be an ode to female relationship-friendship, trust, bond, disappointments- an emotional rhythm that women carry within them but don’t always speak about and to the children who survive violence yet go on to flourish in life. So, I began weaving my tale around these inspirations.
By the end of 2024, I had completed the story. Blogchatter A TO Z campaign was around the corner and I decided to test the waters by releasing it as a series on my blog. I was quite surprised and pleased to receive such a warm and encouraging response. One of my readers even began referring to the characters as “M&K” — a sweet little lingo that showed how deeply Meena and Kasturi had found a home in the hearts of readers, and how deeply their journey resonated with them. It actually gave me the courage to take the next step — to bring Meena and Kasturi’s journey into the world as my debut book.
Writing The Song of Our Bond has been more than just creating a story — it’s been a homecoming of sorts. Through Meena and Kasturi, I revisited the streets of Khurda Road, the laughter of childhood, and the unspoken strength of women who carry love even in the face of loss. This book is my tribute to them & to friendships that withstand time, to children who grow through grief, and to the stories that continue to sing within us long after they are told.
PS: This post is a part of Blogchatter Half Marathon 2025
PS: This blog post is part of ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla.
Have you checked out my book yet?
If this post stirred a bit of nostalgia or left you intrigued for an emotional, heartwarming read, you can find The Song of Our Bond on Amazon. Click here to get your copy!
Cerebration 
Once again congratulations for your book. And I loved reading about how you traced the roots of The Song of Our Bond back to those summer afternoons in Khurda Road, the sea breeze, the palm trees, even the burnt-toast tan you mention. It reminded me of my own nostalgia for simpler times (mine revolving more around Delhi and Hyderabad, but still). The way you wrote about friendship that spans decades – those letters, distance, pre-internet era—connected with me as someone who values those quiet, steadfast bonds. Your ability to turn a memory of childhood mischief and temple bhog into the foundation for a story celebrating resilience and shared roots is beautifully done.
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Thank you so much. I am so glad the story behind my book resonated with you. Yes the story and the backstory both hold special place in my heart. Thank you for gettjng the emotions exactly as intended ❤️
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I know ….I know this – that your Nani ghar in Khurda Road inspired The Song of Our Bond – it is beautiful how those simple summer memories gave birth to Meena and Kasturi’s story. I was really touched by the depth you gave their friendship, contrasting the innocence of childhood with the harsh reality of separation and communal tension. It is rare to find a backstory that feels as compelling as the plot itself. Wishing more power to your pen to pen down more stories. #BlogaberryDazzle
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Thank you so much for your encouraging words and goving so much love to the story that’s close to my heart. Thank you truly!
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Congratulations for your book, Pinkii. You shared how your mom was very young and how she related to the trauma. My mom was a young mother during the partition and she always carried the scars till her last day. It differes person to person, I guess. Some let go while some cannot.
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Thank you! Yes true. Even though a wound is a wound, no great or small but the wound of partition is so great, something that we all carry even the ones who just read about it.
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Congratulations for turning your childhood into a positive story that everyone can enjoy. I remember reading your A2Z and it was a delightful one.
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Thank you so much ❤️
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The title of the book had caught my attention – The Song of our bond, there was a lingering ache and longing in the title itself!
Now I know where all that emotion and inspiration came from.
Congratulations Pinkii , I hope to read your book soon.
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I am so glad, Preeti. Thank you so much ❤️
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I am always curious about how a story forms in an authors mind. Your post has answered my question. You know how much I loved the story and your exquisite writing. Going to get the book soon! Would be great to see your story unfolding on a screen in an ott platform.
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Thank you so much, Mayuri. I’ve said this in live sessions that your feedback and support gave me the confidence to see this story as a book. You said it then—and it happened. And now mentioned about a screen adaptation, OMG!!!!!! Your words really do have magic… manifesting 😅
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Books find inspiration from everyday events. I’m so glad that you could weave your mother’s memories into a story—a book that will now become a legacy because your child will get to read and imagine the ‘Khurda road’ world through your eyes.
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I have started reading the book and will finish it soon. You have beautifully penned your memories and thoughts associated with Khurda Road in the book.
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Such a beautifully honest piece, I loved how you traced the very first spark of the bond, and how time, distance and change still couldn’t really dim its echo. Thank you for sharing that origin story; it feels quietly powerful.
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‘ A child’s innocent mind can’t comprehend why the world fights over differences‘ This point, you’ve brought it out so well in that conversation between Meena and her mother during the riots when they’re holed up in the Mayor’s bungalow.
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Congratulations on your book! This must be a proud as well as emotional moment for you, isn’t it? A story that has roots that can be traced back to your mother’s as well as your childhood is special in so many ways. Female friendships aren’t explored enough in fiction, I feel. Would love to give your book a read. My best wishes!
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Congratulations on your book. It goes on to prove that beautiful stories are around us all the time. I look forward to reading your book
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congratulations!!!!!!!! the way you bring Khurda Road to life and honor childhood, female friendship, and resilience is deeply moving. It feels intimate, warm, and inspiring—a story that lingers in the heart long after reading.
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Your post moved me deeply. I loved how “Where It All Began” captured the quiet spark behind “The Song of Our Bond.” Your insight into inspiration, memory, and emotional connection felt tender, hopeful, and sincere. Thank you for sharing such a heartfelt glimpse into creation and bond.
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Thank you so much ❤️
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Congratulations on your book and i loved the backstory on how it all came together
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