Total Timepass: Unfiltered Indian life — served simple, spicy, and straight-up funny

Every now and then, a book comes along that doesn’t feel the need to dazzle you; it just gives you a warm smile, pulls up a chair, and starts a conversation you didn’t even know you were missing. Total Timepass by Narayan Kumar is one of those gems. It doesn’t promise to transform your life, but it might just shift your perspective a bit.

This isn’t a book that lectures you. Instead, it observes with a gentle touch. With a blend of warmth, humor, and that unique Indian knack for self-deprecation that we seem to overlook in our quest to be “global citizens,” Narayan Kumar captures the beautiful chaos of everyday life in India, from our love for English and cricket to our never-ending family dramas and holds up a mirror that shows us who we really are: flawed, passionate, and endlessly amusing human beings.

As I flipped through his pages, I was hit with a wave of nostalgia, the kind that carries the aroma of filter coffee and roadside samosas. It’s the kind that reminds you that India’s true charm isn’t found in her grand monuments, but in the little moments. Kumar doesn’t delve into politics or policies. He focuses on people, the aunties, uncles, colleagues, and chatty strangers we encounter every day. Through their stories, he paints a picture of a country that is both wonderfully absurd and truly remarkable.

The term “Timepass” is such a delightful creation from India; it’s casual, almost a bit dismissive, yet it carries a lot of meaning. It captures the essence of doing something purely for the joy of it. And that’s really what this book is all about. Total Timepass isn’t focused on lofty philosophies or moral teachings. Instead, it’s about laughter—the kind that quietly bubbles up when you see a bit of yourself in someone else’s misadventures.

Narayan Kumar, a seasoned adman with over thirty years in the creative field, infuses his writing with the same sharpness that makes a great ad stick in your mind—short, crisp, and right on target. His humour isn’t loud; it’s more of an observational wit that often catches you off guard when you least expect it. It’s no wonder readers have likened his style to that of R.K. Narayan or P.G. Wodehouse, both of whom excel at uncovering humour in the quirks of human nature.

What I appreciated most was the warmth in his humour. There’s no trace of cynicism or bitterness here, just a genuine affection for the little oddities that make us who we are. Whether he’s touching on our North-South divide, our obsession with our kids’ accomplishments, or our constant craving for validation, Kumar writes about it all with a gentle smile that conveys, “We’re all in this together.”

In a world where getting outraged seems to be the norm, Total Timepass serves as a gentle nudge to remind us to chuckle a bit, especially at our own expense. This is the kind of book you can easily dive into while on a flight, waiting for an appointment, or just lounging on a lazy Sunday, and you’ll find yourself closing it with a smile that lingers long after you’ve turned the last page.

If India had a diary, this would be it,  filled with handwritten notes, a few smudges, and an abundance of charm.

So here’s the take: Grab a copy of Total Timepass. Not just to pass the time, but to truly celebrate it. Because sometimes, the best way to grasp the essence of life is to simply… enjoy the timepass.