The Purest Portal

 Most consciously have I chosen the title for our blog today. Yes, it is the world environment day. But we are after all in the AI age. The era of mimicry! The AI can create any portal in a jiffy, they say. 

Does this imitative portal have the uniqueness and the variety of that great book, forever open, new in every way every second? No way because in nature, no two leaves are the same. Each is distinctive, special, individuated.

What I like the most about nature is that it delights in giving, unlike most bipeds who are excellent at taking so much so that a Marathi poet grandly asserts that one day we should even take the hands of the person who gives! Just imagine! Honestly, human beings are the most self-centered creatures.

What does nature do for us, the forever ungrateful animals that corrodé it every which way? Forever forgiving like the divine and/or the parents, nature never tires from blooming afresh, giving us the bestest atmosphere, and the most beautiful ambience.

Well, yet again June 5! Yet again a wake up call! Yet another reminder that this is the one and only earth we have! We must most thankfully care for our enviornment and every element in it, small to big, both beautiful and yet useful!

Pratima@England has apparently decided to put unique animals  and birds on the currency notes. Darwin must be blessing his descendants today!

Quote of the day:                                                         "Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's needs, but not every man's greed." Gandhiji put it most succinctly!

Word of the day: ambience                                       Ambience (also spelled ambiance) refers to the overall mood, character, or atmosphere of a particular place or environment. It is the intangible "vibe" or feeling you experience when you are in a certain space, created by a combination of factors like lighting, decor, music, and the people around you.

That unique art ....

 Cinema, film! Quite an obsession for (m)any! Well, indeed it IS a unique art. Look at writing, for instance. You may write a poem, a short story, a novel, an essay or even a play. The process of creation germinates, grows, gains in width and depth in/of the unique mind of the author and on the page/the computer/mobile screen. If (s)he so wishes, the only light the text might see is the one that filters through the windows of the author's house.

That is not the case with the making of a film though. By definition, film making is a composite, a syncretic art. Forget the absolutely essential spectator who may/not watch it, a film from its very nascent stage is of the people and by the people. 

Okay, let us look at the process in some detail. To begin with, there has to be an author whose story-line may be adapted to the camera vision by the script writer who, incidentally, need not be the dialogue writer. 

The director whose 'vision' gives a film its 'local habitation', et al (to quote Shakespeare on the artistic/poetic creation), may be, with the film making from the writerly stage onwards, or may join in once the script is roughly ready. Of course, we know of very many author-directors (not to forget the contribution of the 'auteur' visionaries), too. 

Then enters the financier, the producer who has to have faith in the seed that he can water with monies that could be ill-gotten, though that issue may not directly concern the aesthetics, which does get tarnished as the Bollywood n gangsters nexus did prove. 

Enter the higher level technicians, artists in their own right. Yes, I am talking of the director of the photography/the cinematographer, the special effects creator, and the editor. Next in the line are directorial assistants, the sound recordists, the costume designers, the hair stylists, the make-up artists, a hierarchy, in brief, wherein the spot dada, too, is important, not to forget the most exploited 'extras'.

When it comes to the Bollywood films, the dance director matters, too, just like the fight master and the stuntsmen. How can anyone forget the great lyricists, the superb music directors, and the divine singers? 

Would you agree with me that actors may give a face to the film, yet their contribution to the entire process would be tops five per cent? It is hence that I feel sad when a film review is reduced to a rough storyline coupled with sundry comments on actors, because every film shot has its own grammar, each frame its unique syntax, and every montage its unique poetry!

Pratima@ Now with the AI and its 'creativity', the composite, syncretic art of film making, too, may get reductive. That concept, however, would require another blog to explore it in some detail. 

Quote of the day:                                                           "For me, filmmaking combines everything. That’s the reason I’ve made cinema my life’s work. In films, painting and literature, theatre and music come together. But a film is still a film," asserts Akira Kurosawa, the film-makers' film-maker!

Word of the day: Composite                                     'Composite' refers to something made up of various distinct parts or elements. Like 'syncretic', it, too, involves a process of merging and blending. 

Know thyself!

 "Know thyself," is the Socratic injunction. Socrates believed that the best way to know either the reality or the world or the others is to know one's own self. In a way, it could be considered a distant echo of the ancient indian notions such as "ahm bramha asmi" and/or " tat twam asi." 

Why the need to know either the world or the self? In fact, it could be argued that there is an urgent need of this kind of self awareness because the twenty first century is marked by intensely stressful situations. Everything is at our throat, out to stifle our breath. Yes, there is the AI threat. Sure, there are the worries about getting/retaining a job, given the AI accession of every possible space. Relationships, unbelievably self-centered and superficial, are hardly human(e).

At times, it looks as if there is a vaccum inside and there is a constant, acute, and huge pressure outside, a classic case of near implosion. No wonder, negative thoughts invade, pervade and divide perception and cognition. Suicides, substance abuse, schizo feels are becoming more and more the norm. 

Hence the need to "know thyself" . On the occasion of the schizophrenia awareness day that was observed not so very long ago, that is, on May 24, I would like to assert that the moment one knows oneself, one can understand the trigger points. One can guard against them, one can avoid them, one can take help to prevent them. 

The best help can be being friendly with oneself, warts and all. Hence the self awareness which never allows any vicious comparison. Instead, there is a calm, wise, balanced acceptance of the desire to constantly better oneself.

The love of family, the equally selfless love of a pet, taking care of plants, helping the helpless, there are thousands of simple but sufficient ways of self support. In my opinion, music and reading help as much as developing newer hobbies. 

The most important aspect of "knowing thyself" is gratitude. There are people who stand behind you, with you, for you, rock solid, and without any expectations in return. Most often, it is your father, your mother, an elderly relative, your sibling, a good friend possibly. 

The moment you acknowledge their care and concern, you move out of your narrownesses, your self-obsessions and thus broaden your self-awareness. You realize that you owe at least a little something to their devoted selflessness, a feel which makes you empathetic. 

In brief, there is no end to growing better by the day. The sky is not the limit to such self-knowledge, neither is the horizon an apogee to such growth. In brief, atta boy, atta girl! 

Pratima@ As June 3 is also the cycle day, I suppose, physical activities such as some cycling, a little yoga n pranayam with chanting omkar, some jogging, a dash at gardening show us the breadth and the length of our physical awareness. Why, a simple swim shows us our true metier. Many are the ways of knowing one's own self. Let us follow them as the best baits against the big bad wor(l)ds out there. 

Quote of the day:                                                           "The essence of optimism is that it takes no account of the present, but it is a source of inspiration and vitality... It enables a man to hold his head high, to claim the future for himself, and not to abandon it to his enemies, (especially within)," says Dietrich Bonhoffer. 

Word of the day: positivity                                        Positivity is the practice or tendency to focus on what is good, hopeful, and constructive in any situation. Rather than forced, constant happiness, it is a resilient mindset centered on proactive coping, gratitude, and growth.

The Zing Thing

 Life (especially the young these days, yes, the Gen Z onwards, all the alpha, beta, theta generations, have a habit of  eternally and infinitely declaring) is boring. How to make it full of beans? 

Most often, the janta goes for the risque solutions. Topping the list is, of course, drugs and drinks. The more contraband the stuff is, more is the high. 

Why all this jazz naw, as these smarties would rasp cum lisp? Well, the reason is May 31. Yes, it is the anti-tobacco day. Any number of campaigns each year, and year long, alternatives such as e-ciggies. Nothing has any effect. 

I suppose, that is because the common man has associated all such negativities of life in the fast lane with glamour. The advertising industry as well as the cinema world would be the culprits in popularising such a shallow definition of  the zing thing. 

Well, smoking as a relaxant cuts across the class structure. The regional distinctions such as urban/rural pale before it. In fact, rurally, there are enthusiasts who smoke with the burning end in the mouth. Cancer must be afraid of approaching them! 

Surely, stuff, to the use the current lingo, does not have to be life destroying. Instead, it is possible to passionately moonlight, and chase most successfully at least two careers, improve constantly one's skill sets which does not merely refer to the AI, et al. At any age, you can work on your painterly skill, your musical abilities, and so on. Should be very easy, given the internet access, right? 

Who cares though? Easier it is to while/vile time away scrolling reels or in glorifying feeling depressed, right? One of my students once casually told me that depression is so chic, and I had nothing but such stupendous surprise that my  jaw, fallen open due to such wow insight, refused to close for quite some time! No wonder, many May 31 may come n go. The crazy after glamour would for a high crow! 

Pratima@ I can quote at least two counter examples. The first one deals with a pair of my Spanish students. They were born visually impaired. They got married last year. They work in the banking sector.  They have photo shoots in swanky places, go on bicycle venture tracks, etc. Right now, they are in the Himalayas, and are enjoying all sorts of adventure sports, parachuting, zip-lining. I like the spirit! Kudos to their positivity, right?

The second one is Dr. Shantanu Gokhale. He is a practising dental surgeon, and an excellent santoor player. 

The Zing Thing, in brief, need not always be negative, though apparently "s(w)anky"  and glamorous.

Quote of the day:                                                            "First you take a drink (or a 'ciggy' or some drug), then the drink (or the 'ciggy' or that drug) takes a drink (or the  ciggy or that drug ), then the drink (or the ciggy or that drug) takes you.”  So says F. Scott Fitzgerald who would agree with the contents of the brackets.

Word of the day: addiction                                          Addiction is a chronic condition that can affect many aspects of your life, including your physical and mental health, relationships and career. There are two main forms of addiction: substance use disorders and behavioral addictions. Addiction is treatable. It's crucial to seek help as soon as possible.

Soupçon MCQ Series 18

 Please note:                                                                 *I must clarify that Soupçon MCQ Series is a sheer and pure academic exercise. I do NOT run any "coaching"  classes. Nor am I affiliated in any way to any "teaching" institution/institute, et al. I have NO contacts whatsoever with anybody in the UGC/in the NET/SET exam committee.  I am NOT associated with anybody in  the publication industry, online and/or offline. I will NOT be responsible for any misuse of these publically and honourably shared bits of literary/intellectual awareness.*

This week onwards, we shall try to explain and practice turn by turn the very many varieties of MCQ question types.   

Let us begin with the "match the following variety. " 

Column A:                                                                          1)Horatian Satire                                                    2) Juvenalian Satire                                               3) Merippean Satire

Column B:                                                                       a) T.L.Peacock's "Nightmare Abbey".                 b) Pope's 'Moral Essays'.                                       c) Johnson's "The vanity of Human Wishes" 

The correct option is :                                                   A)1-a,2-c, 3-b.                                                  .        B) 1-b, 2-c, 3-a.                                                         C) 1-c, 2-a, 3-b

The correct option is (B).  This week, let us practice this variety of the MCQ so that our students, colleagues-to-be would find this qualifying test truly easy.

Pratima Agnihotri                                                       Pune 

Rahe na rahe ...

 Remember the magic of the truly touching "Rahe na rahe hum/maheka karenge?" Yes, true, "Mamta" is full of musical gems such as Latadi's great "yaman"  "chupa lo yun dil me pyar mera". Tough to decide indeed which one of the Majrooh-Roshan compositions is the best. 

Listen carefully though. Remember the movie final duet picturised on Dharmendra and Suchitra Sen? Whose is the female voice? No, it is not Latadi. Even when her solo version is one of the greats of Hindi film music, the duet is sung by Suman Kalyanpur and Mohammad Rafi. Tough truly it is to distinguish between the two renditions.

That precisely was the beauty and the curse of being a Suman Kalyanpur. Her voice sounded almost like Latadi's. Songs like "Ye sama, sama hai ye pyar ka", "Mera pyar bhi tu hai", why, even the Marathi Bhakti geet, the devotional praising  Lord Ganesha, "Tuzya Kanti sam rakt pataka" have the Lata effect, though they are sung by Suman Kalyanpur. 

Sure, Latadi's was a classically trained voice, unlike Suman Kalyanpur's. Yet she sang "man me" in such a way that she won the Tansen award! What I absolutely admire about Suman Kalyanpur is the fact that she sang in the Lata era. Given the quality of her voice, any number of opportunities must have been whisked away from right under her nose, nay, from her vocal chords. Instead of grumbling bitterly, she must have hugely suffered as a creative talent, what she chose was making magical whatever came her way!

As a result, generations of Marathi kids have dozed off to sleep with " Limbonichya zada mage.." Each and every Marathi monsoon has been made more lyrical with " rimzim zarati Shravan dhara." Any number of Maharashtrian love birds must have cooed,  "jithe Sagara Dharani milte.." 

Endless would be the list of her Marathi bhav geets and bhakti geets. Apparently, she sang the semi-classical thumri, et al. Unfortunately, I have not heard these. Nor have I listened to her songs in the very many other Indian languages. Makes no difference at all. She has so enriched the music world of Marathi that the best tribute to her would be "rahe na rahe aap/mahaka karogi"! RIP, Sumanji!

Pratima@ Sumanji's "Keshwa Madhwa" is the favourite most of 'Bombay' "local" singers. A great tribute indeed to the simplicity and sweetness of her renditions!

Quote of the day:                                                             "The life of man is like a game with dice; if you don't get the throw you want, you must show your skill in making the best of the throw you get." Touche, Terence!

Word of the day: rendition                                         Rendition generally means a performance, translation, or interpretation of something, such as a song, a dramatic role, or a text. 

The Flute

 Being able to play a musical instrument is real special. Comparatively, singing is easier. Why do I say so? Well, when it comes to singing, you have to control your own breath, your own voice, your own enunciation, right?

When it comes to playing a musical instrument, it is a duet, but with an inanimate object to which you are giving a voice, deep feelings and a soul. It is indeed a very creative activity because in the process, you are individuating the instrument, right?

My brother, Pinaki, whom most of us call Sanju, plays the flute. The flute most suits my definition above because as a wind instrument, you are literally pouring breath, and thus, life, in to it. The flute comes alive with your breath. 

The flute is thus the very extension of you, literally the soul of the soul. No wonder, Lord Krishna made it his trademark  instrument. Apparently, when he used to play his flute, the whole sentient world would be mesmerised so much so that a tiger would not terrorise the fawn sitting right next, listening attentively to the divine (in all senses of the term) notes. 

As the flute is thus mellifluity itself, no wonder, Radha used to be jealous of it! Personally, I cannot understand how such negativities as jealousy, malice and all the other similar types, can be associated with the divinity, and that, too, in Bhakti poetry!!! 

Of course, my awareness of the religious literature is pretty limited. Yet I do believe that major saints such as Dyandev or Sant Eknath never assign such anthropomorphism to the godhead. Mostly, it is the folk tradition that gets in such associations, I think, though, of course, I stand corrected by the knowledgeable.

 In the meanwhile, let me absolutely agree with John Keats' assertion, 'heard melodies are sweet.' Indeed, because they sensitise us to those unheard, the spirit ditties of the soul.

Pratima@ I have listened to the fabulous flute by some the best masters. I am hence reasonably proud of the fact my brother plays that heavenly instrument, and rather well.

Quote of the day:                                                          "Life is like a flute. It may have many holes and emptinesses. If you work on it carefully though, it can create magical melodies." 

Word of the day: mellifluous                                     Mellifluous is an adjective that describes something sweetly or smoothly flowing. It is most commonly used to characterize a voice, sound, or piece of music that is pleasing, musical, and incredibly smooth to listen to. Etymologically, the word comes from Latin roots which literally mean 'like honey flowing.'