Shweta's Basket

Ep 77 : This Means War & Stalked (Poems)

05 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The first poem is titled ‘This Means War’ and I can relate to it wholeheartedly. It happens to me all the time. I have suffered enough at their ha...

Ep 76 : For Mewar (Short Story)

28 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Your loyalty towards the royal family and your motherland or your your dharma as a mother, which would you choose? The legendary story of Panna Dhai o...

Ep 75 : A Note to Self (Poem)

21 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Here’s a poem about finding ourselves and being comfortable in our own skin. This also happens to be the poem that got me a runners up position for ...

Surkhe Ka Kamaal 2.0 (Short Story)

14 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This story is a satire on the social evil of begetting an heir. What happens to a young girl who is not above to give a child to the family and how th...

Ep 73 : Invocation & Unafraid (Poems)

07 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What better way to start the new season is by invoking the blessings of the divine and by being unafraid… of getting back on the podcasting horse ag...

Ep 72 : No Eulogy (Poem)

04 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Losing someone we love is painful, so is it wrong to hold on to them? Link to the post - https://shwetasbasket.com/dusky-isnt-deserving-short-st...

Ep 71 : Dusky Isn't Deserving (Short Story)

25 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Should our fate be defined by our color, or for that matter any physical attribute? Find out how the protagonist of this story rises above the discrim...

Ep 70 : Gone Forever (Poem)

18 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Once she was opaque and cast a shadow and she was happy with who she was. But slowly she was gone. Why? How? Link to the post - https://shwetasb...

Ep 69 : Whispered Words (Short Story)

11 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

I feel he is real, the protagonist of my story. Perhaps he had whispered stories in my ears when I was an infant. Perhaps that I why I love narrating ...

Ep 68 : I Won't Teach You That (Poem)

05 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This poem is a result of my inner conflict. Should the age-old dictums be passed on to our daughters as it is or is it time to make a few changes to t...

Ep 67 : Holy Cow : Part 2/2 (Short Story)

28 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

An awesome satire about life and the struggles, superstitions, and political corruption in villages, all through the eyes of a handsome bull. Link to ...

Ep 66 : Holy Cow : Part 1/2 (Short Story)

21 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

An awesome satire about life and the struggles and superstitions and political corruption in villages, all through the eyes of a handsome bull.  ...

Ep 65 : Baby Steps & I Too Was a Child (Poems)

10 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Life is a process and never predictable. Listen to these two wonderful poems about life and how things change as life progresses.  Link to the po...

Ep 64 : Much Ado About a Burp (Short Story)

03 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Burp is not a lady-like thing to do. So, what do you do when you do it? Listen to find out. Link to the post - https://shwetasbasket.com/much-ad...

Ep 63 : Does It Happen To You? (Poem)

25 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

An introspective poem, forcing us to question the kind of person we are and with that insight, perhaps time to re-think or re-invent ourselves. Link t...

Ep 62 : A Peculiar Predicament (Short Story)

19 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Deeds vs. Donations? Guess this guy didn't get the memo. Listen to this hilarious story about his otherworldly journey. Link to the post - https...

Ep 61 : Stop Suffering And Start Living & One Last Time (Poems)

12 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Two beautiful poems from the book #LeavesofAutumn and Other Poems. Poems with two completely different messages but both relevant in this modern age o...

Ep 60 : The Street Without Cherries : Part 3/3 (Short Srory)

05 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

So you think you have a handicap. And you think no one cares about you. Best to be in your comfort zone. Well, think again. Sometimes you need to step...

Ep 59 : The Street without Cherries : Part 2/3 (Short Story)

29 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

So you think you have a handicap. And you think no one cares about you. Best to be in your comfort zone. Well, think again. Sometimes you need to step...

Ep 58 : The Street Without Cherries : Part 1/3 (Short Story)

22 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

So you think you have a handicap. And you think no one cares about you. Best to be in your comfort zone. Well, think again. Sometimes you need to step...

Ep 57 : Ode to Childhood & Closed (Poems)

15 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

There is something about childhood that keeps pulling us back to those carefree days, that gay abandonment, the long hours of games and laughter, and ...

Ep 56 : Vishnu and The Two Glasses of Milk (Short Story)

08 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

God! Do you remember, as a child, when you were forced to have a glass of milk and you simply hated it? I know I did and so did Vishnu the young prota...

Ep 55 : Bitiya & Yaadein (Hindi Poems)

01 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Two poems that will warm your heart and take you down memory lane. Daughters and memories are two evergreen topics that bring a smile to your face and...

Ep 54 : Exodus (Short Story)

24 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Based on a true incident, the story is an outpouring of anguish and helplessness that the writer felt about this incident. She says that she cannot un...

Ep 53 : Gym kaa Siyaapa & Bin Bulaye Mehmaan (Hindi Poems)

17 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When you think of poems, generally you think of sweeping emotions, groundbreaking notions and deep thoughts, and perhaps multiple layers that you can ...

Ep 52 : To Buddy or Not to Buddy (Short Story)

10 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

She has made a friend in her office. Or so she thinks. What happens to that friendship and how does she deal with its effects? A story that you can re...

Ep 51 : What Are Days Like? & Joy on The Wings of Hope (Poems)

03 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today I have 2 very special poems for you. What Are Days Like? and Joy on The Wings of Hope. Both poems are part of a poetry book titled Islands in Th...

Ep 50 : Celebrating 50 Episodes

27 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

So, today is very special. This is the 50th episode of Shweta’s Basket, a half-century. When I started Shweta’s Basket, a short stories and poems ...

Ep 49 : Is Love Forever? (Short Story)

20 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Is love forever? Does it transcend death? What does one do when the love of one's life, one's partner of years & years passes away. Does life stop...

Ep 48 : The Hungry Flames & The Support System (Poems)

13 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

There are two beautiful poems in this episode for you. Both are total opposites but are heartfelt and a result of what the poet with her sensitive sou...

Ep 47 : The Missing Piece (Short Story)

06 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Daniel had everything going for him – a good job, great friends, a beautiful wife but on that fateful day, he was home alone? Why was he alone, what...

Ep 46 : Nayi Aas (Hindi Poem)

30 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A poem about 'New Hope', new aspirations, new goals. This poem is full of positivity and proactiveness. It’s not a passive poem, it’s a take-charg...

Ep 45 : Second Life (Short Story)

23 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Everybody deserves a second chance in life. This is a beautiful story showcasing the opportunity and an innovative and creative system of correction t...

Ep 44 : Umeed (Hindi Poem)

16 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This poetic prose written in Hindi is full of deep longing and soulful yearning. It tucks at your heartstrings. Through these lines, you can feel the ...

Ep 43 : Hand in Hand Into The Sunset : Part 2 (Short Story)

09 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The old couple lovingly referred to as Mama and Mami are getting by in life. Mama is due to retire shortly. Theirs is not a story of hot and passionat...

Ep 42 : Hand in Hand Into The Sunset : Part 1 (Short Story)

02 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The old couple lovingly referred to as Mama and Mami are getting by in life. Mama is due to retire shortly. Theirs is not a story of hot and passionat...

Season 2.0 (Intro Ep)

25 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

And Shweta's Basket is back with a brand new season.  Let’s celebrate the magic of short stories & poems. They are truly magical, aren’t ...

Ep 41 : Drabble Sandwich (#Firstparty Contest)

07 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This episode is part of the #firstparty celebratory contest of Shweta's Basket, marking our first anniversary.  This game is called Drabble Sandw...

Ep 40 : Storm (Short Story)

04 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes our love is not enough. Sometimes there is no happy choice, only one less grievous than the others. What does Sam love and why can't she sav...

Ep 39 : Lavender (Poem)

29 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A poem of loss, love and memories. A poem of sadness and yearning that ends on a note of hope, of moving forward, albeit with the shadows of the past....

Ep 38 : An Arachnid Anecdote (Short Story)

27 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

How would you react to going through an experience where, something you hated to begin with turns out to be something you love now. Our experiences ch...

Ep 37 : Besan Laddu (Short Story)

20 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

As the writer says, sounds like a very mouth watering title, right? Well he says listen to the story and then see how you feel about Besan Laddu.&nbsp...

Ep 36 : The Conundrum (Short Story)

15 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

He is Mrs. Daisy Duncan's non-human confidante. He knows her secrets but as long as they are juicy he is willing to go along to keep them. What secret...

Ep 35 : Lotus Stem & Gramflour (Short Story)

13 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes the bad things are not so bad after all. They turn out to be a blessing in disguise. All we need to do is adjust our perspective a little. L...

Ep 34 : Splash of Sunshine (Short Story)

10 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Domestic violence is an age old story. But slowly the voices are emerging from behind closed doors. More such stories need to be written and read to m...

Ep 33 : Mein Samay Hoon (Hindi Poem)

06 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Time and tide as they say, wait for non. Here the poet is reminding us the same thing. And also advising us to make promises and memories and to tuck ...

Ep 32 : It Flows Gently On (Short Story)

25 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When hate and vengeance are upper most in peoples' mind and heart. Even more than innocent lives. Listen to this story to find out what happened to in...

Ep 31 : Of Pageants & Hobbies (Short Story)

19 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We expect our elderly to behave in a certain manner. There is this stereotypical image that we have of what they should be doing after a certain age. ...

Ep 30 : Naughty Syllables (Poem)

16 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This poem is a fun take on all the poetry forms that follow a strict syllable count like #haiku, #tankas, #cinquain and #sequin. It's about how tough ...

Ep 29 : The Old Man And The Book (Short Story)

05 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

He is the keeper of the book of lost and forgotten. What is it that we have lost? Why are we forced to lose it? Listen to find out. *** Please leave a...

Ep 28 : Dear Paper Plane (Poem)

02 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It’s a plea from me or from any person who has lost a parent or that one person who is the emotional pillar in their life. The plea is in the form o...

Ep 27 : Yellow vs. Green (Short Story)

26 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Love comes in all shapes, sizes, forms and ages. So does heart break. He is only six, listen to found out who broke his heart.  This is our last ...

Ep 26 : Watch Out (Poem)

23 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The last poem in our #unlove series for the month of February.  Watch out and beware of the various reasons people do silly or manipulative thing...

Ep 25 : The Story of Cullswick (Short Story)

19 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The #unlove month continues. This is the third story in the series. Love cannot be forced for the end doesn't bode well. So what happened to the men o...

Ep 24 : The Heir (Poem)

16 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A witty and wicked poem full of homophones. The client is dead and the lawyer is reading the will. Want to know who gets the money? Then listen on.&nb...

Ep 23 : T(w)o Troublesome (Short Story)

12 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Continuing with our theme for this month #unlove, we bring to you today a story titled T(w)o Troublesome. What is troubling our protagonist and what d...

Ep 22 : Dusk's Promiscuity (Poem)

09 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This is February, the valentine month. The month of love-shove. The month of strawberries, red and pink hearts and chocolates. Lots and lots of chocol...

Ep 21 : The Man With A Plan (Short Story)

05 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This is the month of love-shove. The month of strawberries, cakes, candies, chocolates, cards and red hearts. So at shwetasbasket will try and bring y...

Ep 20 : Be Gone Thou Infernal Cold & How to Write a Poem (Poems)

02 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

For this episode I have two light, frothy and funny poems for you. The first one is titled – Be gone thou infernal cold, its about the kind of cold ...

Ep 19 : The Story Tellers : Part 2 (Short Story)

29 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This episode is 2nd and concluding part of the story The Story Tellers written by Vijay Krishna Amaraneni. If you are here for the first time, then I ...

Ep 18 : Yellow Blossom (Poem)

26 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The poem that I have today is of a woman who is captive, when I was writing this poem at that time in my mind this woman was literally captive, but af...

Ep 17 : The Story Tellers : Part 1 (Short Story)

22 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

You know how some stories are – beautiful in their simplicity, almost lyrical, with powerful imagery, the inner struggle of the protagonist and a mo...

Ep 16 : Mirage & New Name (Poems)

17 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Both the poems have one thing in common. There is a distinct before and after, and in between them is this moment and this phase that the poet is talk...

Ep 15 : A Celestial Soiree (Short Story)

15 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Where should we party? Sometimes finding the right venue is the biggest issue isn’t it? A new place, a new experience, that’s what we all crave fo...

Ep 14 : My Daughter's Wedding (Poem)

12 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It is the wedding season in India, but the covid-19 pandemic has brought about a drastic change in the way we have weddings here. The venues, menus, g...

Ep 13 : Aadha Hissa - Kaunsa Kiska (Short Story in Hindi)

08 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A beautiful story that reminds us of the kind of stories our grandmothers used to tell us.  People, animals, morals all shaken and stirred togeth...

Ep 12 : The Earth is Not Dead - Not Yet (Poem)

05 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Yes indeed. Earth is not dead, not yet. And how she has come back and put humanity in its place. Link to post - https://shwetasbasket.com/the-earth-i...

Ep 11 : Once Upon a Time (Short Story)

01 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Ever wondered what makes time tick. Or what will happen if it slowed down or worse stopped. Lets see if we can find out in this story. Link to post -...

Ep 10 : By the Clock (Short Story)

24 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Overworked and overburdened, racing against the clock, boss may get angry if the work is not finished – sounds familiar? Well the protagonist in thi...

Ep 09 : Anmol Aanchal (Hindi Poem)

29 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Dedicated to all the mothers, for their love and their shelter. Email : [email protected]

Ep 08 : Ma's Birthday Dedication (Article)

22 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This is a rendition of an article written by Shri Yatindra Singh for his sister, who is my mother. Here he reminisces about their childhood.  Li...

Ep 07 : How Long? (Poem)

02 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

How long will women suffer, how long will they be denied justice?  Link to poem - https://shwetasbasket.com/how-long/ Email : shweta@shwetasbask...

Ep 06 : Sunshine in My Dabba (Poem)

01 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A sunny poem for dark, grey, gloomy days.  Link to poem - https://shwetasbasket.com/sunshine-in-my-dabba/ Email : [email protected]

Ep 05 : Why I Choose not to Sigh (Poem)

09 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We find enough reasons to sigh, here are a few for not sighing. Listen to them and tell me if we have some reasons in common.  Or if you have oth...

Ep 04 : Sound of Nothing (Short Story)

04 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A picture perfect day with mother daughter enjoying the sunshine and outdoors quickly turns into a nightmare.  Link to story : https://shwetasba...

Ep 03: Of Friends & Friendships (Short Story)

13 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This episode is dedicated to friends, with out whom life is like a barren land, yearning for rain that never comes.  Link to story : https://shw...

Ep 02 : A Walk in the Forest (Poem)

27 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Just close your eyes and take this walk with me and enjoy. Link to poem : https://shwetasbasket.com/a-walk-in-the-forest-poem/ Email : shweta@shwetas...

Ep 01 : Surkhe ka Kamaal - Amazing Guava (Short Story)

17 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

It's a (black) humorous take on the social evil of betting an heir. Link to story : https://shwetasbasket.com/surkhe-ka-kamaal/ Email : shweta@shweta...

Shweta's Basket (Trailer)

16 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas