His final performance in a Dublin pub seems fitting given that streets, neighbourhood venues and pub audiences shaped his art. From busking after leaving school at the age of 13, he rose to international recognition and even won an Academy Award. Yet, global success never loosened his bond with Dublin. His annual Christmas Eve appearances on Grafton Street showed an artist who valued community above ceremony. His music connected strangers and that generous legacy will endure far beyond Dublin.

Aditya Mukherjee,
Calcutta

Fatal pursuit

Sir - The death of the mountaineer, Nirmal Purja, is shocking. He will be remembered beyond the statistics of the Broad Peak disaster ("All 10 climbers dead in Pak avalanche", Aug 2). In 2019, he climbed all 14 mountains above 8,000 metres in 189 days; the previous record was nearly eight years. That achievement changed public perceptions of Nepalese climbers, who were too often presented merely as assistants to foreign mountaineers. Purja's passing at 43 is especially tragic, yet his career leaves Nepalese mountaineering with greater recognition and confidence worldwide.

S.S. Paul,
Nadia

Sir - The avalanche on Broad Peak raises questions about decisions made before summit attempts. has reported that other expeditions had withdrawn after heavy snowfall. Such warnings cannot predict every avalanche but commercial operators should record forecasts, route observations and reasons for proceeding. Independent reviews after fatal accidents would help the climbing community learn without rushing to assign blame. Ten deaths in one event demand more than condolences. Pakistan's authorities and expedition companies should publish an investigation once recovery work has safely concluded.

Muskan Gupta,
Calcutta

Sir - Rescuers on Broad Peak deserve recognition. Bad weather grounded helicopters, leaving teams to work across steep, avalanche-prone ground at altitudes near 5,700 metres. The International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation warns that mountaineers may face accidents where outside help is unavailable. Pakistan should expand trained high-altitude ground units, weather stations and emergency communication systems in the Karakoram. Climbers accept danger but authorities retain a duty to prepare for foreseeable emergencies.

V. Nair,
Chennai

Sir - Climate change must form part of future safety planning for mountaineers. Although there is no evidence yet to proves that climate change caused this avalanche, rising temperatures have made mountaineering riskier. The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development found that Hindu Kush Himalayan glaciers disappeared 65% faster during 2011-2020 than in the preceding decade. Warming also alters snow, ice and permafrost conditions. Expedition organisers therefore need frequently updated local assessments instead of relying on traditional seasonal patterns.

Ehsan Alam,
Mumbai

Sir - The 10 climbers from Nepal, Pakistan, Oman, the United States of America, the United Kingdom and China all merit equal recognition. At least 177 people died on Nepal's mountains in a decade, according a 2023 report, including 68 . Those figures show how often local mountain workers bear fatal risks while clients receive wider attention. Every victim should be named and each guide's family should receive adequate insurance, compensation and sustained practical support afterwards.

Kamal Laddha,
Bengaluru

Hidden riches

Sir - Modern, post-conflict Sri Lanka can be made sense of through Shiva Naipaul and Bevis Bawa, who were overshadowed by their more famous brothers, V.S. Naipaul and Geoffrey Bawa, respectively, as Uddalak Mukherjee has rightly argued in "Diamond and rust" (Jul 29). Yet the formers' works offer valuable insights into Sri Lanka. Shiva Naipaul recognised the ethnic, religious and political divisions threatening the country. Bevis Bawa used his artistic vision to address colonialism and diplomacy.

Sukhendu Bhattacharjee,
Hooghly

Sir - Sri Lanka's continuing economic distress deserves attention beyond accounts of its beaches and hotels. High prices, weak wages, corruption and excessive State control shape ordinary life years after the 2022 . Tourism brings essential income but cannot hide the insecurity experienced by workers. Responsible travel writing can describe beauty while explaining the political and economic conditions affecting the people who sustain the industry.

T.S. Karthik,
Chennai

Sir - Sri Lanka's cultural history has several figures deserving wider attention. Minnette de Silva pioneered regional modernist architecture before Geoffrey Bawa gained international prominence. Ena de Silva and Laki Senanayake shaped the interiors and artistic character of many celebrated buildings. Jean Arasanayagam documented ethnic violence and displacement, while Dominic Jeeva examined caste, labour and Tamil life. Richard Manik de Zoysa combined journalism, poetry, acting and human-rights. Recovering their contributions would produce a richer, more representative account of modern Sri Lanka.

Malini Perera,
Madapur, Tamil Nadu