nari shakti
Sowmya Ramkumar Cruciverbalist and Crossword Setter Newly-appointed President for the World Crossword Federation's Bahrain chapter; Co-Founder of 1Across, a social media space for crossword addicts
In search of the best clue Growing up, words were my little treasures—tucked away in the corners of my mind, dropped into conversations at every opportunity, and fiercely guarded in countless family Scrabble battles. My real initiation into the world of cryptic crosswords came thanks to my older brother. The first time I cracked a clue on my own, it felt like love at first solve! In 2011, after a hiatus, I stumbled upon a Facebook crossword group, and it was like finding a long-lost friend. I was instantly hooked again. Along with my friends Lakshmi Vaidyanathan and Ramki Krishnan, I realized we could create a dedicated space for this passion. So, on July 28th, 2014, 1Across was born – a social media space for puzzle addicts to sharpen skills and exchange notes. Now, with over 300 cryptic and 1,500 mini puzzles behind me, each crossword I build uses creativity and logic to carve out solutions and break through mental barriers. Constructing crosswords is a mix of strategy and artistry; American-style puzzles demand precision and interconnectedness, and the grid rules are strict - every single letter has to be part of both an Across and a Down word. The British-style cryptics let me explore language playfully. The big news is that I’ve recently accepted the role of President for the World Crossword Federation’s Bahrain chapter. This will be a game-changer. We're now building a formal society in the Kingdom, to introduce this wonderful hobby to more people in Bahrain. So, if you're in the country and love a good word puzzle, watch for us! Historically, setting has been a male-dominated field, but the tide is definitely turning. It’s fantastic to see so many brilliant women getting published and recognized. We're not just solving the puzzles anymore; we're creating them The real work is in the clues. Each clue is a miniature work of art governed by the ruthless logic of cryptic grammar. A single clue might take a week of writing and rewriting, haunting you at 3 AM until it’s perfect. A full 15x15 puzzle is a week-long dance of crafting, honing, and perfecting. Crafting that perfect anagram, uncovering a clever Spoonerism, or leading the solver down a garden path (and then giving them the satisfaction of finding their way out) …. There is a special joy in revealing a hidden answer within a seemingly random phrase - transforming “a decimal point” into “I’m a dot in place,” for example
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SALAAM BAHRAIN | AUGUST 2025