Is "the" the problem?

 We, Indians (note, please, I did NOT use 'the'), are indeed 'argumentative indians'. We do need some focal point to/at/on/with which to argue. Currently, it is the 'low neck' couture, culturally cumbersome, right? 

Yet the 'the' tune that Rahul Gandhi made famous in 'the' women's meet in this city of love (Oh, yes, I have always known that Pune is supposedly the "Oxford of the East"!  Yet this city which I have called mine for about four decades, brought up n bred as I am here, I have never known as 'Pune means love'!) was "smash the patriarchy"! 

The "chatraa-on ki gunj" (in attendance were only girls, it seems. From certain colleges, some maintained, an issue I would not know much about) resonated with this war cry which since has been a huge n hot (because trending it is!) debate for quite some time. 

Well, as a lecturer in English literature and language, and as a teacher of three European languages, namely, Spanish, German and French, I can most confidently assert that the definite article "the" makes a huge difference semantically.

Why did Rahulji use the "the", especially because, if reports are any proof, next he started bashing up the "Manusmriti", by now battered more than Berlin during the World War II (363 bombings and 67,000 ton of bombs!)!!! 

The definite article, which always refers to specifics, makes Rahul-ji's critique debatable. Sure, since Mary Wollstonecraft's radical critique in 1792, patriarchy and its pathologies have been opened up ad infinitum. Such threadbare examination has shown up most all injustices hidden in the crevices of the mountainous patriarchy. 

True, even those who have not actually read much about feminism would grant that feminism is not monolithic. There are feminisms galore. Yet each one of these is unmistakably and deeply critical of the injustices patriarchy heaps on women as if they are daughters of lesser goddesses.

Then why single out "the" patriarchy? Given the Manusmriti quote, the discussion becomes badly bitter, especially because from this very "Manusmriti" (most often not read by its carping critics!) can be quoted (m)any number of shlokas which are absolutely pro-women, if not downright feminist!

Anyways, "Manusmriti" is not even part of the core texts of Indianness, of Hindu identity, of the "sanatan dharma."  Why, its original text has never been available, and the translation at the height of colonialism is hence not of any authentic version.  Neither is this currently accessible text full of many interpolations preached nor practised anywhere in India. 

Then why beat it black n blue, and drum up a debate about a non-issue? The moment "the" patriarchy is thus mentioned in cahoots with an attack on "Manusmriti", there are bound to be attacks on the Muslim patriarchy, very much clad in  burkha, and standing right next to him on stage!

If "Manusmriti" is assaulted, can the "sharia" diktats or the Shahbano case be far behind? How about the Catholic women's divorce rights, a bitter battle? Countless such discrepancies creep up the moment the "the" patriarchy is unnecessarily dragged in, not to forget whatever is happening in his own party and/or the states where his party is in power! A major women's issue thus gets bogged down in politicking! Wonder who writes/'scripts' his speeches!?!

Sure his was a political speech. Undoubtedly, the urban 'GenZ' might have been impressed by it. But how does it actually change the lives of the very many women in two/three- tier cities, in villages, in ghettoes in metro cities? Why alienate, in brief, if you cannot ameliorate?!? That is "the" issue!

Pratima@ Yet another point with which I personally have solid problems is eternally showing Indian women as victims. Undoubtedly, Indian women's "agency" in the public sphere as well as the private space IS indubitable, a major focus of my doctoral research. 

Quote of the day:                                         ....              "What is the great lesson a woman should learn? That since Day One, she has already had everything she needs within herself. It is the world that convinced her she did not," points out Rupi Kaur, a much respected poet.

Word of the day: patriarchy                                      Patriarchy is a social system in which men hold primary power and dominate roles in political leadership, moral authority, social privilege, and control of property.

Soupçon, In Memoriam, VI.v

                          Soupçon III                                                        In Memoriam Series                                                           VI.v        

In our on-going analysis of "Sairat", which is sure to continue for quite some time, let us today look at some aspects of the male lead of the story. He is "Parshya". Look at the very nickname he gets. It stinks of disrespect, of belittling, of dismissal. 

Compare it with the nickname of the female lead character. She is "Archi", the very moniker suggesting modernity, uniqueness, smartness, and what not. Actually, even for a woman centered film, initially she is nothing but aggression, 'attitude', arrogance born out of the privilege she is born in to so much so that love, too, is an extension of her acquisitive personality. 

Honestly, initially, she is boring; while he is from the beginning more talented, more sensitive, more aware, may be, because of his background. Remember the scene when atop her mobike , she goes prowling, in search, and the old lady tells her off? 

His insecurities, conveniently dismissed as male chauvinism, or jealousy, are more a result of his societal background, too. If a film were to be made with the same storyline, but from his (or his social strata's) perspective, it would have the title, "Bali" (sacrificial animal) to her ego, given her wealth, given her societal set-up, right? What say? 

Pratima Agnihotri

Rakhi Pournima

 This Rakhi Pournima, the entire discourse, instead of bracelets, got 'bra'-celeted.  However much the advertising company, its mother corporate company, its sister university, the model may justify it, the advertisement WAS in bad taste . Period. No need to invoke the Hindu versus Muslim festival depiction debate either. Just BAD taste, and all is said. 

Yes, our pets mean much to us. They are family, and yet nobody in right senses ties a rakhi to a doggie, and for the simple reason that the next second he would instinctually shred it literally to the thinnest thread possible, however obedient he otherwise may be! 

Instead lovelier was the video about a police officer as a sister, and the brother coming to the chowki to get a 'rakhi' tied. It had the best mix possible of a woman's agency, emotions, healthy humour, and drama to suit the occasion, right?

This year, I got to know some unique mythology, too. I never knew earlier that Goddess Laxmi tied a rakhee to King Bali to get Lord Vishnu back from the nether land, where he went to reside to please King Bali. 

Come to think of it, typically a sacred thread is always tied as a protective ring against every evil possible, and hence for the welfare of our loved ones. In other words, be it sister wishing the welfare of the brother, or the other way round, this festival is some proof that forever is the sibling bond that begins in the childhood, and never ends! Long live the love a sister and her brothers share, as it is literally the blood bound bond!

Pratima@If your parents are no more, in this whole wide, and wicked n wonky,  world, if there is anybody who truly shares every weave and weft of your original/originary being, and without any ulterior motives, it is your brothers. Hence the anger against a silly advert!

Quote of the day:                                                             "Brothers aren't simply close; brothers are knit together." True, Robert Rivers!

Word of the day: agency                                             Agency refers to your capacity to make independent choices, control your own behavior, and influence the world around you.

Narali Pournima/Onam

 This year, the Narali Pournima and the Rakhee Pournima do not fall on the same day as generally they do. In a way, good it is because each of these days has its own separate significance. 

Narali Pournima is a fervent prayer to the sea god, Varuna. Actually, he is the god of all the "Jal tatw", the principle called the water principle, the major one of the five "panch mahabhut" as per the traditional Hindu iconography. 

The seas in turmoil due to the turbulent monsoon winds start calming down around, and from, this day. Hence the fishermen community, which had suspended its activities, start resuming these Narali Pournima onwards. There is hence a propitiatory 'puja' of the sea as god. 

As my brother Parag, alias Raju, is a Merchant Navy officer, Papa used to offer coconut-flowers, et al, to the sea.  In his memory, i, too, offer flowers and coconut, of course, to that nullah called Mula-Mutha. 

Personally, I like the concept a lot, too, as a token of one's gratitude to this vast principle which has so abundantly gifted us with all its blessings. Such humility, such caring for its countless benedictions go a long way in our life, I think.

Come to think of it, the sea in a way gives us everything, the monsoon winds, the rains, hence the potable water and the harvest, literally life itself. Greedy species that human beings are, they are scraping the ocean beds! 

Given the recent Himalayan warning of the GLOF and/or permafrost variety, rather like the 2013 Kedarnath tragedy or the almost similar situation last year in Chamoli due to a cloud burst and flash floods leading to artificial lakes that can burst and cause havoc any time, it is urgent that we stop fiddling with nature!

Pratima@Keralam at the other end of the Indian map is in the Onam mood though. The Onam tale, too, is a story of goodness, of humility, of an unbreakable bond born out of generosity. The Malyali lovely flower rangoli's and that great veggie called "avial" are simply special.                                                                           "Avial" has as its ingredients certain veggies one may not otherwise relish. Cooked it is in coconut oil, moreover. Yet the taste of the final product, mixed in curds, is such that one could comfortably finish off some six seven servings, exactly in the Bhima mode who apparently invented the dish in his Ballava avatar!

Quite of the day:                                                            "The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.". Agreed, Jacques Yves Cousteau.

Word of the day: iconography                                          Iconography is the use of visual images, symbols, and themes to represent ideas, beliefs, or stories in art and culture.The term comes from Greek words meaning "image" and "to write". It acts as a visual symbol.

Soupçon, In Memoriam, VI.iv

                              Soupçon III                                                        In Memoriam Series                                                           VI.iv        

As our further analysis would depend on it, let us summarise the story of this film. It begins with a cricket match which introduces us to the talented Parshya. His college mate, Archi, is the daughter of the village chieftain.

Many 'encounters' after, both inevitably fall in love. Encouraging them are their weak but determined friends, while both their families, nay, communities, are up against  them, literally in arms. 

Ugliest accusations after, the couple escapes. They land up in Hyderabad. Life is tough beyond belief.  With the help of a local street vendor, they survive, slowly prosper, despite misunderstandings galore. At a weak sentimental moment, Archie, now herself a mother, contacts her mother, and the inevitable happens. The love story ends with the most hateful crime, honour killing. Our analysis would explore the subtleties underlying this 'narrative'.

Pratima Agnihotri                 

Helpless!

 As human beings, we think of ourselves as ingenious. We think, we are masters of the world, what with our smart technologies, getting more intelligent by the minute. 

Yet nature never misses an opportunity to get us back to terra firma, back to ground zero. Look at what happened on the Nepal-Tibet border. The disaster of a gangantuan proportion, if the first horrific visuals are any proof!

The flood was caused by an earthquake. The Himalayan range is highly seismic sensitive, is in Danger Zone V. As a result, a torrent of mud, water and debris burst from the banks of the river that runs between China and Nepal. Homes, roads, bridges and power plants were swept away in Nepal, ⁠while officials in Tibet said they feared “major casualties”, locals as well as tourists. 

As it is an earthquake, sure there would be after shocks, and they might inundate Indian areas in the neighbouring region. China is planning a huge dam of gigantic proportions in this very area, and despite many warnings. Hope, at least now, there would be a re-think regarding the man-made disaster!

The Himalayas are beautiful beyond belief. As a young mountain range where the tectonic plates are still shifting below, the mountain chain is delicately poised. Human beings must not vitiate it through dam-ming or noisy tourism! The 2013 Kedarnath floods are some proof of the uncontrollable fury of the 'tandava' of the elements. Hope all would pay attention! 

Pratima@ All the five elements of nature, fire, water, air, earth, space, are unbridled power. Incidentally, that was one of Aai's favourite themes. Nothing, however, matches the fury of water, once it is unleashed. High time we stopped playing with the fragile eco-system!

Quote of the day:                                                           "Nature's order unraveling under the strain of human excess and negligence shows us a world untethered by rain bombs and unpredictable floods. No magic umbrella will ever protect us."  (“Rain Man - With a sky out of control“) Thus warns Erik Pevernagi. 

Word of the day: ingenious                                         Ingenious means showing great cleverness, creativity, and originality, especially in solving problems or inventing new ways to do something. 

Soupçon, In Memoriam, VI. iii

                         Soupçon III                                                        In Memoriam Series                                                           VI. iii.                                      "Sairat" bears the unmistakable Nagnath Manjule stamp. It is inevitale, too, as he is the producer, director, script-writer, lyricist of the film. Why, there is even a cameo of him in the beginning of the film. 

Sure unmistakable are the echoes of other films. The motor scene, when the couple get physically intimate at the time of her brother's, Prince's, birthday party, is reminiscent of a similar scene in the "Titanic",  for instance. 

As for the trademark caste comment, typical of Manjule, his earlier film, "Fandry" deals with the same issue, too, let us devote a separate slice of  'Soupçon' to it. 

Pratima Agnihotri