Category pictures
Origin of Ollie
It was a fine evening in early November 2018 when I ventured into the Indian Institute of Science (11Sc), Bangalore, for bird watching after receiving alerts about sightings of the Indian Pitta and Bive-throated Bive Flycatcher. Near Jubilee Garden, where a small pond lies hidden among trees, I paused to observe flycatchers, Pond Herons, drongos, and a lone cormorant.
Category poems
कविता - Expression, Free Verse
कविता में शब्दों के बीच का मौन, अव्यक्त और अज्ञेय का सौंदर्य।
with broken eyes
A poem about awakening, new beginnings, and the quiet acceptance of reality.
वे कौन है?
प्रेम और स्वतंत्रता पर एक तीखा प्रहार करती कविता।
A Soldier's Ballad
A haunting reflection on the hidden costs of duty and the weight of unerasable memories.
The broken vow
A poignant poem about a broken life and the search for an ideal.
Of course! I know you then...
A poem about recognition and shared moments of beauty.
Before infinity
A romantic free verse on the feeling of insignificance in the vast cosmos, where only the love for another remains constant.
I do not wish for peace
A powerful free verse exploring guilt, anguish, and the resilient pursuit of redemption amidst an inner storm.
Insignificant me
A romantic free verse on the feeling of insignificance in the vast cosmos, where only the love for another remains constant.
The Idea of You
A romantic expression of the sacredness of an idealized love, found and guarded within the quiet rooms of the mind.
Alma Mater
A poignant free verse reflecting on the bittersweet experience of leaving one's alma mater and the memories attached to a simple room.
The wait
A romantic free verse on the persistent, melancholy wait for a beloved, set against the backdrop of changing seasons and shared memories.
मैं मर्द हूँ ना मैं नहीं बताऊंगा
पुरुषों के संघर्ष, उत्तरदायित्व और अपनी भावनाओं को छिपाने की प्रवृत्ति पर आधारित एक सशक्त कविता।
बेटियाँ - एक परिचय
बेटियों के सम्मान और महत्व को दर्शाती एक मर्मस्पर्शी कविता।
उड़ जाने दो मुझे
एक कविता जो स्वतंत्रता की चाह और जीवन के बंधनों से मुक्त होने की इच्छा को व्यक्त करती है।
कुछ अधूरे एहसास
एक कविता जो साथ बिताए लम्हों और उनकी कमी से उपजी तन्हाई को बयां करती है।
वेदना का नाद
A Hindi poem expressing deep inner sorrow under the beauty of a full moon night.
नकाब या ख्वाब!
A Hindi free verse exploring the many masks people wear and the dreams or compulsions hidden behind them.
The last tread
A thoughtful reflection on time, missed opportunities, and the steps we take in life.
Redemption
A reflection on battling an inner monster and finally finding freedom and love.
Memories: a sojourn
A reflection on the bygone moments that elusively peek into the undulating crevices of time.
I Miss you Mother
An expression of loss and love, remembering a mother through the twinkling stars.
Graveyard of Dead Poets
A haunting elegy to love and passion, now decayed into the stifling stench of habit, entombed in the graveyard of dead poets.
Borrowed Time
Many live troubled lives, unable to afford a break to experience or imagine life's beauty and calm. A young person strives to use her hour of prayer meaningfully.
Bleedings Of A Tame Beast
Tame and sane, I will no longer paint the world's suffering in red, but I shall spit blood and let it speckle the walls instead.
A reminder
A free verse on faint memories and the brilliant spark of courage in the dark.
All aboard against sleep
In the darkest hour, a dainty rainbow rises, born of chaos, painting peace upon a restless mind.
The Scientist
An invention born from love and courage can resurrect even the faintest hearts.
Ode To Diversity
A lyrical ode to harmony, embracing humanity's shared victories, defeats, and hopes.
Category stories
Third Year UG Interviews
A series of interviews conducted by Rahul, a third-year undergraduate at IISc, featuring fellow students across different majors, unveils the beauty and the beast… of what is happening in the lives of third-year UGs. It offers insights into academics, but also their motivation and interest in research, as well as friendships and non-academic activities, which still make the most of it.
Women of March
A reflection on the March sisters from 'Little Women' and how their story continues to celebrate womanhood across generations.
When Exploration Refuses to End - The Opportunity Rover
A look at the legacy of the Opportunity Rover, a mission that redefined our understanding of Mars and the endurance of human curiosity.
The Sixth Sense: Biological right to art
Every human being is blessed with a natural ability to appreciate and interpret art—a 'sixth sense' that is an integral part of being human.
Leap of faith!
The story of Professor Anand Srivastava and the 'leap of faith' that led him from naval architecture to biophysics.
The Journey of Life
A thrilling account of a 1500km road trip across Andhra Pradesh, exploring the 'Grand Canyon of India' and the resilience of friendship.
Away from Home...
An extract from the 2nd edition, reflecting on the last day at home and the love of a mother's cooking before heading to IISc.
The Proof
A gripping fiction piece from the 3rd edition about a mathematician's discovery that challenges the foundations of logic itself.
Logic and Life
A non-fiction piece from the 2nd edition exploring the connection between logic, reason, intuition, and our decision-making processes.
Quarks has seen it all!
Quarks, the IISc UG magazine, stands as a collective voice of undergraduates, capturing their science, stories, struggles, and creativity across generations.
The Sound of Forest in an Urban Rising
An exploration of the rich flora and fauna coexisting within the 400-acre haven of the Indian Institute of Science.
Takeaways from "The Uncertainty Principles of Careers"
Insights from the 4th edition on the unpredictable nature of career paths and the importance of self-discovery in education.
The Old Physics Building
A historical account of the Old Physics Building (OPB) at IISc, tracing its origins, founding departments, and its role in the institute's early controversies.
And the journey continues...
A deep dive into the mindset of a second-year undergraduate student at IISc, exploring the transition from idealism to pragmatism.
Bharathnatyam
A personal narrative on the journey of learning Bharathnatyam and how it shaped the author's life, focus, and happiness.
Anthropology Redefined
Exploring the paradigm shift towards deep ecology, moving from an anthropocentric view to recognizing our place within the web of life.
A Magical Morning at ISKCON Bengaluru
A spontaneous 4 AM cycling trip to the ISKCON temple that turned into an unforgettable experience blending spirituality, art, and culture.
A dozen problems all around
A deep dive into how simulating conversations and analysing conversational parameters can reveal the intricate structure of human interactions.
A first-year perspective
Change is never easy. Each year, around 160 students join IISc, coming together to form a close-knit undergraduate community...
Exploring Skandagiri and Kuntibetta
A thrilling adventure exploring two of Bangalore's most beautiful trekking locations: Skandagiri and Kuntibetta.
AthleticIISM and CulturalIICM
An account on IICM and IISM
FiRST SEM KI जुगलबंदी
A humorous and nostalgic reflection on the chaotic, overwhelming, yet ultimately rewarding experience of the very first semester at IISc.
The Wall
A natural aspect of human life is aging, but coming to terms with it, is a very complicated process. This wonderful piece explores and builds a very beautiful, yet poignant image.
