Soupçon III.x

                              Soupçon III                                                        In Memoriam Series                                                        III.x

How to read "Gulliver's Travels" in 2026 when the Elon Musk's and Jeff Bezos of the world are busy exploring the space on a private company basis? Indeed, if one were to possibly afford a seat on the SpaceX or Virgin Galactic vehicle, one might visit simply unthinkable  planetary worlds which, like Swift's fantasy territories, may help one critique the twenty-first century crudities, cruelties and culpabilities from a space-ial vision, right? 

Yes, Swift's 'Gulliver's Travels' remains relevant even after three centuries. His flying Island of Laputa, for example, is like the IG Nobels awarded to crazy inventions every year. 

His Lilliputians fighting over which side of an egg to break may find a mate in contemporary tussles of leaders over trivial issues that loom large for decades. An example might be the Putin-Zelensky-Trump tiffs, not to forget the Iran issue which forever threatens to turn/blow in to the third world war! 

Similarly, Gulliver's travels, especially in the last book, show us how current communication is nothing but different echo chambers being extremely happy with their own unique reverberations and replicas! 

Unlike Daniel Defoe's almost contemporaneous novel, "Robinson Crusoe", a tale of survival via the Protestant work ethic, "Gulliver's Travels" does not exhibit colonising and/or proselytising tendencies. Nor is Gulliver's viewpoint instrumental. Hence, by contrast, it shows up the exploitation of all sorts of resources rampant now. Hence the relevance of reading today this three year old narrative, despite its rather heavy style! 

Pratima Agnihotri 

Some solulu to delulu!

 The Prime Minister in his newest "Friends" insta post has a found a solulu to the delulu of the GenZ! 'Let's ghost the drama. Swiped left. Valid. We move.' is his message. You got FOMO, no?

Not to worry! That is the GenZ lingo. In simple human(e) terms, it can be translated as "The PM has suggested a solution" to the delusional grandeur of the GenZ which made them think that they can get away with the vilest foulest ugliest language. 

What is the PM's solution? 'I choose to forget the bad mouthing. I forgive you. Let bygones be bygones.' After all said n done, kids! I have consciously chosen to put the P. M's sentiments in the GenZ lingo because otherwise they are sure to find his feelings/suggestions paternalistic, avancular and patronising, and, ah, yes, symbiotic of Bramhinical patriarchy! 

Yes, such are the typical delulu to which actually there is no solulu because ideologies, too, Kant would agree, are 'categorical imperatives'! Dark(ened) indeed is the vision when we wear such 'blinds'! 

Oh, yes, the GenZ lingo! Such are their abbreviations that even GenAlpha, too, may not understand them, forget the Millennials. As for the Boomers, better bum off, okay?

Here are a few specimens. BFR is no new arm of the army. It means "be for real" because "NGL" which assures one n all that "not gonna lie." In brief, "IYKYK"! How I wish such advice were available in abundance on July 20 because "if you knew, you knew", should have been the 'brain rot' avoided by all!

Now that the PM has chosen to forgive all, the rest of us better "IJBOL" which, thankfully, is a less vulgar version of "LMAO"! Oh, yep, IJBOL has nothing to do with "bol ke labj tere sirf azad nahi, balki zinda bhi hai". It is the very GenZ version of "I just burst out laughing"!!!

Pratima@ Yes, language sure follows the only constant, that is, change. Yet change need not make it downright non-communicative, right? Slang does not sizzle, okay? Slang simply sucks!

Quote of the day:                                                           Absolutely agreed, Albert Schweitzer! "We're all islands shouting lies to each other across seas of misunderstanding"  as slangy solulu come from lolulu!

Word of the day: slang                                                  Slang refers to very informal words and expressions that are more common in spoken language. Slang is mostly used only by a particular group of people (for example, students, young people, criminals) and often stays in fashion for a short time. Usually, slang is not polite.

Soupçon, III.ix

                           Soupçon III                                                        In Memoriam Series                                                        III.ix 

Most interesting is the plot structure of "Gulliver's Travels."  The four separate books remain stringed together due to Gulliver's presence. The entire book may not enjoy the classical  'beginning, middle, end' pattern imminently present in each separate book though.  In fact, it might even be argued that the Freytag formula of linear plot construction  fits each separate book perfectly. 

The entire book sure begins with the  details of Gulliver's childhood and youth, his life so far. Unmistakable is, however, the fact that each fantasy-istic voyage, every adventure has its own linear beginning-muddle-end structure. In a way, it can hence be argued that the novel has a mise-en-scène structure. 

The Sheherzade like story within story narrative helps cyclically repeat the human cupidities which adds hugely to the satirical impact of the novel. The novel has two layers of plot. The first one is the straight faced narration of adventures which has over the time reduced the book in to a children's story. 

On a deeper level, however, the book is a trenchant satire. Hence even today, three hundred years later, when some of the immediate contexts have faded, the novel is a superb read. 

Pratima Agnihotri 

Academics, ahoy!

 I must say, I would actually like to thank the CJP. Want to know why? Well, their antics have undoubtedly turned everybody's, society's, bureaucracy's, not to forget career politicians' attention to education!!! 

What a marvel indeed! Otherwise, education, a concurrent subject for the Center and the States, is much ignored. The proof thereof could be the percentage of the GDP granted to this sector. 

Currently, however, education is one of the core debates, everywhere, on the streets, in the media, in the parliament, too. However much Madame may mock "gomutra experts",  it IS undeniable that post 2014, the educational/academic discourse in our country HAS changed, and for the better. 

Many areas, considered taboo by the erstwhile educational mafia, are now very much legit. Let me give an example or two. J. Sai Deepak, for instance, has expanded the notion of coloniality most interestingly. The very look towards Indian history and mythology has changed, as the brilliant contributions by Ami Ganatra, Meenakshi Jain, Vikram Sampath and others of their ilk are ample proof. 

Textbooks, too, have changed! In fact, the NEP, initiated on July 29, 2020, has undoubtedly started changing the profile of education, given its multi-disciplinarity, its insistence on critical thinking and on inclusivity.

That does not mean that there are not any problems. There are aplenty. The six-year old NEP needs further fine tuning. The NEET type large-scale entrance exam issues need to be addressed farther and further. Caste continues to be a tricky question. 

Yet unmistakable are the attempts. The civilizational orientation with a clear nationalist feel is apparent and obvious. Why, scholars like Dr. Anand Ranganathan are media stars! In other words, just yesterday celebrated the NEP Day, and we can now say with some satisfaction, "All is well!" 

Pratima@ Just as the NEP Day proves that Indians are no longer paper tigers, and hence needs celebration, so does the tiger day. Despite the tourist troubles, the tiger conservation attempts seem to bode well. 

Quote of the day:                                                            Carl Rogers maintains, "The only person who is educated is the one who has learned how to learn and change."

Word of the day: coloniality                                        Coloniality is the enduring legacy of power, knowledge, and culture left behind by European empires. It means, in brief, that old colonial ideas—such as racial hierarchies and Western dominance—continue to shape our modern social, political, and economic systems long after formal rule has ended. 

Soupçon, III. viii

                              Soupçon III                                                        In Memoriam Series.                                                      III.viii

The narrative voice in "Gulliver's travels" is indeed interesting. It is a first person narrative. Gulliver speaks of his adventures as an "I" informing the reader about all that happened to him. In other words, while he witnesses worlds beyond imagination, and audits the goings-on therein, he is very much a participant, nay, a central character, in the stories he is telling. Such a narration adds both an intimacy and hence a trenchant quality to his critique. 

In a way, he is a "fallible or unreliable" narrator because the events witnessed in the novel are only uni-focussed, have only his perspective. At times, despite his critical stance, he sounds partly naive n credulous, partly pompous. Surely, for Jonathan Swift, such a speaker makes his authorial attack on the shallowness of "l'affaire humaine'' that much more blistering and focussed.

Pratima Agnihotri  

The Guru Pournima that could have been

 Yes, the Guru Pournima day is both, religious and secular. It is religious because in Ganagapur, near the Karanataka-Maharashtra border, is organised a religious festival of the "padya/paduka poojan" of Shri Dattatreya. Similarly, in most all temples, devotional programmes are organised on a regular basis on this day to commemorate the eternal divine guidance.  

It is secular because most students remember the intellectual/emotional debt they owe to their teacher(s). Yours truly, for example, got extremely touching messages by students  whom one taught some six or seven years ago, students who have been abroad in the meanwhile, students who have been working in truly reponsible positions, students who have themselves graduated in to parenthood and teacher-dom.

True, the "guru"  concept is indeed much larger than a subject teacher, and hence the students' kind messages mean much. Indeed, a guru is someone who helps us develop intellectually, emotionally and spiritually. In that sense, our best "gurus" would be our parents, right? 

Yet I must say that I expected a more nuanced celebration this year, given the CJP turmoil supposedly over student grievances. Well, we all know that it was more politicking than a genuine concern for the student welfare, hardly so sensitive or sincere or sympathetic.

Why do I think thus? Well, after the partying in a five star, or was it in a seven star, hotel got over, the CJP is more concerned with arguing over who how why should not be punished, while the unfortunate suicide victims are almost overlooked in such sound and fury, not signifying much. In fact, they have never been more than the pics in the background for those fighting in their name. 

Hence the government or its student wing and/or the media, not to forget the larger society beyond party politics, should have taken cognizance of these parents' pain, should have used the Guru Pournima as an occasion to assuage it. Surely their sufferings are far far more then any sum the CJP may assure grandly, and hence these soul wringing woes could have been addressed on this auspicious day!

Pratima@ The debate in the parliament, too, did not address that infinite pain.  I did feel hence that the Guru Pournima celebrations  were more a mere ritual. 

Quote of the day:                                                                "Any ritual is an opportunity for transformation," maintains Starhawk. 

Word of the day: assuage                                           Assuage is a verb which means to lessen the intensity of something painful or distressing, to pacify or calm. Occasionally, it may mean to satisfy an appetite.

They say it!

 The GenZ Movement! Incidentally, GenZ refers to those born in the 1997 to 2012 period, while Abhijeet Dipke was born on September 29, 1995. In other words, the founder -- surely you cannot accord/grant the paternity to the great judge, it better suits Dipke-ji, right? Now, please, in the right urgent spirit of the protesters, do not ask me who is the mother, okay!?! -- is himself NOT a GenZ! 

That interesting the movement is! Yet I must say that I absolutely adore it for one major reason. Well, it has introduced me to simply superb Youtubers. To be very honest, I am not a lot in to the typical social media obsessions. I am not on insta. I visit my fb account once a while. I often use YouTube videos, too, as a source of information and/or appreciation/understanding of arts, both of the plastic and performing varieties.

Hence such a find was a wonder. In Marathi, we have Dr. Uday Nirgudkar, Sachin Patil, Shrikant Umrikar, Sushil Kulkarni, Prabhakar Suryavanshi, Anay Joglekar, and Bhau Torsekar. Let us not get in to the debates by the obviously pro/anti types such as Sharad Ponkshe, Raju Parulekar, Niranjan Takle, and others of their ilk as their discussions reflect much too much of the sound and fury partisanship. 

Actually, it was the wealth of Hindi Youtubers that was truly the most pleasant surprise. Abhishek Tiwary, Karan Verma, Sushant Sinha, Neeraj Atri, and regular platforms such as the Jaipur dialogues, for instance! There are women contributors, too, such as Gayatri Devi, Mamata Painuli, and many others! 

What l appreciate about all such socio-cultural-economic-political commentators is their commitment, their passion, and their sincerity. They are exceptionally close to ground realities which they understand and unravel in utmost complexity. 

Their communication is worth a listen n learn, too. It is direct, forthright, genuine, yet never ever vulgar. They call a spade a spade. They use very simple language which seems to win them lakhs of subscribers and views by tons. Equally good is their enunciation. 

In brief, getting to meet these marvels online was a wholesome way of getting to know the Jantar Mantar events in a multifarious way, and I am absolutely thankful for the feel. Hence our title which is a word play on the legend of the great R.K.Laxman cartoons. 

Pratima@ When it comes to more scholarly analyses with academic type of strength, you literally have a wealth of content. Beginning with J.Sai Deepak, Dr. Ranganathan, the list is ever expanding indeed. The time spent listening to/watching such YouTube videos is absolutely enriching.                                                          Thought provoking are the feeds by Shashi Tharoor. Extremely interesting are certain anchors and journalists from the mainstream media, especially English and Hindi.  Much to learn indirectly about content creation from such Dronacharya's!!! 

Quote of the day:                                                             "Create (content) because it's fun. Create because it helps people. Create like nobody's watching." Yes, Matt D'Avella! 

Word, rather, term of the day: content creation                                                                         Content creation is the process of gathering information/ideas, making digital media, and consistently sharing it to educate, entertain, or connect with an audience, prefarably niche. 

Soupçon III.vii

                              Soupçon III                                                        In Memoriam Series.                                                      III.vii

The Fourth and final book of "Gulliver's Travels" is the most famous. So trenchant is the satire in this part of the book that Swift has been criticised as a misanthrope. Here we are in the country of the Houyhnhnms. Unique are the Yahoos, a 'strange sort of animal' according to Swift. 

Soupçon, III.vi

                           Soupçon III                                                        In Memoriam Series.                                                           III.vi

The Third Book of "Gulliver's Travels" has eleven chapters. This voyage takes him to very many places such as Laputa, Balnibarbi, Luggnagg, Glubbdubrib, , and even Japan. Though this part of the novel is not as famous as the Lilliput adventure, the satire here is truly trenchant. 

Geet Sunharen

"Anand kabhi marte nahin" is one of the most favourite n famous one-liners from Hindi films. Ironically, however, the lyricist of that tear-jerker, who was a favourite of the likes of Hrishikesh Mukherjee and Basu Chatterjee, died unsung, without many (t)ears mourning his loss. 

Yes, Yogesh Gaur, mostly known as Yogesh, is one of the finest lyricists, especially of the turbulent seventies, when the romance n gentleness of the Rajesh Khanna type of character was giving way to the 'angry young man' of the Amitabh Bachchan persona. 

After a tough struggle, Yogesh's career as a lyricist flourished in times when movie songs were getting the folksy feel of the "yaari hai iman mera" or "khay ke pan Banaras wala". Yet he penned beauties such as " kahin dur jab din dhal Jaye" or "zindagi kaise hai paheli." Such songs from "Anand" (1971) were followed by  "Rajanigandha" (1974), "Mili"(1975) and "Choti si baat" (1977), for instance.

Oh, yes, whether it is pouring or whether it is the summer at its sunniest, you have to just listen to " rim zim kare sawan", and that very second, the monsoon mood sets in. Such is the magic of his lyrics.

His sensitive lines capture in simple words deep feelings. Lucky he was to get masterful music directors and superb singers as well as brilliant actors who lip-synced his verses on the screen. No wonder, even in the post GenZ jamana, his lyrics allure one n all. Yet, very few remember the lyricist. Well, such are the riddles, tough to unravel, that life tosses at one n all. 

Yet in the world today, where attention span is at its lowest, when a new sensation emerges every sixty seconds, when there is a breaking news every half hour, on the air float the 'hai tum yaad muzhe/gane lagi har dhadkan' or 'rajni gandha phool tumhare' and the ambiance is as fragrant as a bouquet of tuberoses. Indeed no "choti choti si baat"!

Pratima@Forgetting, especially those who are excellent but silent, is the way of the world. Some proof would be the Kargil Day getting lost to that entire shenanigans, quite often tomfoolery, if the 'celebration' is any proof, called the GenZ protest, politically highjacked finally! 

Quote of the day:                                                              Says Robert Frost, "Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words".

Word of the day: Shenanigans                                    The word means either silly, high-spirited behavior or harmless pranks, and dishonest trickery. 

Nary a narrative!

 Once upon a time, there was a beautiful pond. Peaceful it was, too. Most all frogs lived there rather comfortably. Not that there were not any problems. In fact, there were many. Yet solutions were arrived at, often much debated, too. All loved such spirit of democracy.

The Frog Chief was much admired, despite the detractors and their grudges. That, too, was the feel of democracy. The Opposition demurred, as was its wont. Despite all sorts of trials and tribulations, accusations and adulations, life was what it could be, given the times. 

Suddenly, there was much turbulence, deep n wide, in the pond. A group of frogs, who called themselves the "Scuttling Society", created a huge uproar. The moss in one corner was not cleaned properly, they croaked.

'But it was,' many pointed out. In fact, 'twice it was cleared, and much much more efficiently the second time,' some said. A furore erupted. The SS Frogs, no, no, Dear Child, do not fear. No reference here to Hitler, Dear. SS simply means the 'Scuttling Society', okay, Baby?

So the SS said, 'Clean it up right NOW, and as we want it.' The Frog Chief ignored the 'grau-grau.' Now, who said, 'growl, growl'? Nope, I did not! The SS enjoyed all sorts of support, from many a corner of the moss, from here n there, from ponds near n far.

The SS loved the sudden solace of attention. They revelled in the sound and the fury of the admiring bog. Signified it everything to them. '"Clean up, right away or we jump out. If we lose our lives thus, remember, all would label you a dictator." 

The Frog Chief did ignore, but not for long. Thus began the clean-up. Heads rolled, snakes surrounding the pond revelled in this ready-made n fast food. When all seemed cleaned up n quiet on all the fronts, loudly echoed from the cleared corner, 'Hey, Chief, next it is your turn'!

Pratima@ The moral of the story is rather plain. Now do not complain because the tale carries a disclaimer which reads as "if this story reminds you of certain current events, it is your imagination." Well, I was just re-telling Aesop's famous fable!

Quote of the day:                                                                    "The end may justify the means as long as there is something that justifies the end," mused Leon Trotsky. 

The word if the day: Fable                                                Fables are short stories using animals, plants, or objects with human traits. They always end with a clear moral or life lesson.

The Pandharpur Puja

 Shesh-shayani Ashadhi Ekadashi is a day, a date revered by most Maharashtrians. The formal government puja of the arch deity of Maharashtra, Vithoba, is performed by the Chief Minister very early, in fact, in the very wee hours of  this morning. It is a beautiful, devotional and devoted ritual. 

To me, too, this puja matters a lot. Let me explain why. Aai was from Pandharpur. Naturally, Vithoba was very close to her heart. She studied, moreover, most sincerely and in great detail  Sant Dnyaneshwar's and Sant Tukaram's oeuvres. In fact, like her Shrimad Bhagwat Geeta course, these studies, too, fetched her laurels. 

In Marathi, there is a proverb which can be loosely translated as "when the cart moves, along with it rotates the axle of the wheel." That was me. Getting her books from the college library, listening to her analysis, arranging her discussions with her classmates, I garnered some star dust.

One of the rituals she loved about the wari was watching its televised coverage. From Day One in Alandi to all the "ringan"s, she watched each and every event. As the high point of the wari is Viththal Darshan, we used to watch the Ashadhi Ekadashi Mahapuja which would start at 2.30 a.m. 

I used to wake her up, and then till almost 4 a.m., she would be physically in Pune, but her mind would be in the Viththal Mandir in Pandharpur. Even after her sad demise, I have continued the practise as a tribute to her and her genuine devotion!

Pratima@ Now would begin the Chaturmas which both my parents observed, and in their footsteps, i follow it as a tribute to them.

Quote of the day:                                                            The following two quotes capture the essence of going on a pilgrimage. "We do not go on a pilgrimage to arrive. We go to be changed by the going," asserts Macrina Wiederkehr, while Phil Cousineau states, "Pilgrimage is the human need to put the body where the heart wants to go." 

Word of the day: devotion                                            Devotion means fervour, great love and piety, a state of mind shared by lakhs of warkaris, and for the last eight centuries.

Caring for One's Own Self

 Often a guilt trip is what many ride. Why is it so? That is because life long they are blamed for not caring enough for others, and instead prioritising self care.

Sure you should not ignore the welfare of others, especially those absolutely dependent on you, be it kid or the parent(s). It is the primal duty, to be performed most pleasantly, and with love.

Equally important it is to care for your own self. Such self care is not selfishness. If and only if you respect yourself truly, you can care for others, right?

Self care consists of a healthy body, a sensible mind full of sensitivity, an intelligent brain, a heart full of kindness, and a soul charged with imagination, integrity and contentment 

Currently, there are very many avenues available so as to acquire such a balanced selfhood. Mindfulness, with some sense of discipline and control over self, is the best route to follow during such a search for peaq\ce and contentment. 

Sure, currently, mindfulness is weaponised in to a billion-building bullying business which one follows to avoid mind games. Yet, we better remember, it is only when our mind is happy, fulfilled and quiet that we enter in to meaningful relationship with others, with the world, and with the self. Hence self help is indeed the best help!

Pratima@ In this self help week, time it is to initiate some hobby. Equally important it is to be financially absolutely independent. Oh, yes, better to remember that Satan prefers an idle mind!

Quote of the day:                                                            "Self-care is how you take your power back." Says Lalah Delia. 

Word of the day: Self-care                                                Self-care means taking active steps to protect your physical health, mental well-being, and emotional balance which arrives through physical rest, healthy eating, and setting clear personal boundaries.

Soupçon III.v

                             Soupçon III                                                        In Memoriam Series.                                                           III.v

The Second Book of "Gulliver's Travels" deals with the 'Voyage to Brobdingnag.' It consists of eight chapter as well. Let us at first summarise it in some detail so that we can understand better the irony and the satire Swift employs in this part of the novel. 

The PI Pathos

 On the day dedicated to "pi" (π), a mathematical constant representing the ratio of any circle's circumference to its diameter, which is approximately 3.14159, let me talk of the pathos of Pi. 

Yes, I am referring to Yann Martel's magnificent n moving novel "Life of Pi." The main character of this 2001 deep text (yes, it deals with themes as deep as the high seas which it traverses), Pi Patel, has to lead an unbelievable life cum journey.

After a shipwreck, he survives some two hundred and twenty seven days, stranded on a lifeboat in the Pacific Ocean n with a Bengal tiger named Richard Parker as the frenemy. 

Generally, I am not very keen on watching movies based on books. Most often, such movies murder the magic that is a literary text, be it a play or a novel. Yet I sure would like to watch Ang Lee's 2012 film based on this novel.

Especially it is the end that I am truly interested in. In the novel, after a journey that can shame with its adventures the mythological "Odyssey",  when they finally reach the shore, Richard Parker just vanishes in to the forest without even a single glance back at Pi, lying prostrate n desolate in the sand.

In our life, we often meet many such Richard Parker's who vanish in to the distant horizon for no rhyme no reason. It is this pathos of Pi, far more grievous and dangerous than the mathematical 'pi' that terrorised our school days, which needs extensive exploration deeper than the 'Challenger Deep' in the 'Mariana Trench', right?

Pratima@ On the lighter side, in Marathi, Mr. Tiger is the nephew of Ms Kitty. Tougher to decide who between these two mysteries would be more self-centered, right?

Quote of the day:                                                               "I wept like a child... because Richard Parker had left me so unceremoniously. I still cannot understand how he could abandon me so unceremoniously, without any sort of goodbye, without looking back even once. That pain is like an axe that chops at my heart." Thus laments pathetically  Pi Patel. 

Word of the day: Bengal tiger                                       The Bengal tiger, one of the most endangered species, is famous for its striking orange coat and unique black stripes, its immense size and strength as an apex predator, and its vital role as a cultural icon and the national animal of India. 

Soupçon III. iv

                           Soupçon III                                                        In Memoriam Series.                                                           III.iv

"Gulliver's Travels" is a novel consisting of four parts. Part I, "A Voyage to Lilliput", consists of eight chapters. We shall summarise it in some detail, and try to understand the irony and the satire Swift employs in this part of the novel. 

Soupçon III. iii

                             Soupçon III                                                        In Memoriam Series.                                                           III.iii

Yesterday we looked at two basic narrative modes within which the novel operates; namely, travelogue and fantasy. The novel, though now considered a children's book, is essentially a great satire. 

Though his "The Journal to Stella" reveals his warmth and gentleness, Swift indeed is known as a great satirist as is proven by his famous "A Modest Proposal" which mocks both, the wealthy and the religious establishment because both are heartlessly indifferent to the plight of the poor in Ireland, Swift's motherland.

In his "Verses on the Death of Dr. Swift", he maintains, "Yet malice never was his aim;/He lashed the vice, but spared the name." Further, he states, "His satire points at no defect,/But what all mortals may correct." In other words, his satire does not deride an individual, rather shows up the British and European vices. In Part IV, he renders ridiculous the very human race, and so much so that his critique is often considered misanthropic. 

The satire in "Gulliver's Travels" is 'formal satire' of the 'Juvenalian' mode. It has unmistakable elements of the 'indirect satire' in the 'Menippean' mode as well. Tomorrow we shall summarise the novel, and continue to analyse the satirical elements accordingly. 

Pratima Agnihotri

A Week for the weak!!!

 Sixty is indeed a cross-over, whichever may be the field. In the field of education, much contested currently, if you manage sixty and/or above, the whole family releases a sigh of relief, even in the AI-era. 

Most interesting, however, is the "sixty n sixty-plus" phase of your life because you are literally dying to eternally extend wor(l)ds of wisdom, alias "advice", to others, while the whole world is hell-bent on advising you! 

Cough or sneeze a little, and the crowd, hardly five or six years younger to you, starts a wheeze about lung and heart health. Remedies, prefarably of the harmless(?!?) Ayurvedic variety, rattle glibly off every tongue, while it is you who has to swallow that bitter concoction.

Curious is the case with the doctors. Mention any ache, and a battalion of tests starts chasing you with the vigour of a posse of police on a hot trail of the worst ever gangster. Of course, after all is done and tested, your gerontologist is sure to convince you that "all is well!" 

Life indeed is great fun because the whole jingbang is dead set on proving you weak, while you never felt stronger in your whole life, right? So, hey, all of you who have crossed the threshold which officially nominated you as "senior citizens", in this week dedicated to you, never ever feel weak-ened. After all, you have now nothing to lose but life!

Pratima@ Let anybody and everybody be in a tearing hurry to send you back to pavilion retired, never ever stop enjoying every nano second tirelessly n every which way. There is no knowing now which might be the last breath, right?

Quote of the day:                                                            Said Henry Ford, "Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty."

Word of the day: senior citizen                                 This Indianism refers to any person who has attained the age of sixty years or above. Better tax benefits await you if you manage to live n be super seniors!

Soupçon III.ii

                           Soupçon III                                                        In Memoriam Series.                                                           III.ii

We can understand and appreciate "Gulliver's Travels" better if we understand the genres Swift is using. First and foremost, we have to grant that this travelogue is a 'phantasy'. The modern spelling of this term often is 'fantasy'.

In the typical fantasy mode, this novel is speculative fiction. It presents multiple constructed worlds full of mythical creatures, be it Lilliput or Brobdingnag, Laputa or the country of the Houyhnhnms. 

 True, in this imaginary universe, Tribnia and Langden in the third voyage are respectively Britain and England, places Swift mocks for their constant counter- plotting and tale-telling. That, however, is precisely the strength and beauty of the irony and satire with which the novel overflows. 

Even if Gulliver's travels are fantastique, as readers, we are ready to suspend disbelief  because they reflect what Aristotle calls 'probable impossibility.' Swift's narration reverberates with emotional truth, not to forget its tremendous narrative coherence. The lack of strict factual realism, in fact, adds to the pointedness of Swift's satire. 

We can call this novel a 'phantasie' also/especially because the main character's, Gulliver's, travels are a hero's journey. Not only does he face trials and confront conflicts, but he also evolves, he grows as a person in the process. Hence this 'high fantasie', with adventures in entirely fictitious wo(r)lds, appears both true and real. Tomorrow and the day after, let us look at the travelogue as a satire. 

Pratima Agnihotri

N.B.: We have consciously used all the possible spellings of the genre so as to cover all its major characteristics. 

Likhe jo geet unho ne!

 Bollywood songs are great, often because the lyricists who pen them are masters of their art. Undoubtedly, the music directors and the singers, too, are out of this world. Yet, most often, it is the words that make these worlds. 

One such wondrous wordsmith was Neeraj whose death anniversary was recently observed. This Professor of Hindi Literature wrote songs which appeared in films forgotten by the majority. Yet most all love these songs. 

Let me give you two examples. Both " subah na aayi, shaam na aayi/jis din teri yaad na aayi" and "sapne jhare phool se/meet chubhe shul se/ aur ham khade khade/ karwan gujar gaya/gubar dekhte rahe" are passionate pleas of a hurt heart. 

Undoubtedly, Rafi's silken voice and the music by Roshan and the lesser known Iqbal Kureishi make these songs unforgettable. Yet, basically, it is the simple but soul-searing words of Neeraj that make the pathos in these two superb songs most memorable. 

A well-known poet who made  "kavi sammelans" come alive with claps, Gopal Das Saxena, whose pen name was Neeraj, wrote philosophical poems such as "eh bhay jara dekh ke chalo" and "kahta hai joker sara jamana" that capture the bitter truths about life and its travestries. 

Personally, I like his love songs a lot. Nothing can be a more lyrical description of love than "phoolon ke rang se" or the songs from "Sharmilee." My favourite one, however, is "jeevan ki bagiya mehkegi."

 It is set to great music by Shiv-Hari and S. D. Burman. This Lata-Kishore duet from one of the better Bollywood films, "Tere mere sapne" (which incidentally is based on a most touching novel), is a great celebration of genuine affection. 

Endless would be the list of the soulful,  simply worded songs penned by Neeraj. They make us assert " dil aaj shayar hai." In brief, to play with his lovely diction a little, "kaise kahen hum/Neeraj ki kawita ne hum ko/kya kya rang dikaye" because they would forever bloom in our hearts.

Pratima@ What is most remarkable is the fact that in an industry dominated by the heavily Urdu-ised "kalam-kari", Neeraj-ji wrote lyrics in simple, clean Hindi which directly captured the listeners' sensitivities.

Quote of the day:                                                             Verse is, says Carl Sandberg,  a mix of "joy and pain and wonder, with a dash of the dictionary". 

Word of the day: soulful                                           Soulful suggests showing deep feeling.

A cute circular juncture/gesture

 No, I am not particularly a football fan. Sure, I would be aware of the date of the World Cup Final. Yes, I would know the two finalists fighting it out. Undoubtedly, I have chosen the word 'fighting' pretty consciously as I like immensely George Orwell's most interesting essay on "The Sporting Spirit."

 This time round, the battle was not merely between Spain and Argentina, two countries cemented together by "español, la lengua materna." Rather, it was a continental war, between Europe and South America, between "el mundo viejo" and "los porteños y guachos." 

Apparently, highly exciting it should have been. Yet, despite the extra time required for the final decisive goal, the match, it seems was not as high on adrenaline as the post match fights between fans (Orwell is a prescient author!) or the erstwhile Egyptian lament.

That, however, is not the theme of our blog anyways. Our post today deals with a cute movement rarely seen in the football arena, a warm embrace between the setting sun and a rising star. Yes, let us celebrate the 'love'ly moment between Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal. 

Why call it circular? Well, the story goes back to 2007 when the twenty  year old Messi was the young kid on the block, and Yamal was in a bathtub. Literally! Yes, there is this cute photo of a grinning Messi bathing the beaming baby Yamal!

Apparently, the Yamal family had won a raffle which granted them a chance to pose with a Barcelona player. Thus was clicked THE pic with Messi, the UNICEF Goodwill ambassador. The shot adorned the calendar for the month of January that year, and the fifty per cent of the proceeds went to the UNICEF.

Flash forward to July 2026 when the then baby, too, is now a Liga Barcelona product, a UNICEF ambassador for children's rights, and a star player like the icon who, in a way, baptised him in to these roles two decades ago! Life surely turns  a full circle wherein a warm gesture grants that the end is the beginning, and vice versa!

Pratima@ This World Cup, possibly Messi's last one, may not have fetched him many accolades. In fact, the Egypt fiasco got him solid brickbats. The Egyptian fans, furious with FIFA, vented their ire against Señor Trump, too. Quenched, however, that warm embrace embers of bitterness. Surely, all those hug well, goal a fine finish!

Quote of the day:                                                            "With one kind gesture you can change a life. One person at a time, you can change the world. One day at a time, we can change everything," says Steve Maraboli.

Word of the day: camaraderie                                   Camaraderie refers to a spirit of friendly, loyal, and trusting fellowship that develops among people who share common goals, experiences, or time together. It represents a strong, unifying bond, often forged when individuals work and/or face challenges together. 

Soupçon continues ... anew!

                         Soupçon III                                                      In Memoriam Series                                                            III.i

Let us yet again, despite the unavoidable hiatus, resume the Soupçon series in its original form, that is, as a forum to discuss, analyse, understand literary issues. 

Let us henceforth begin the "In Memoriam" series. We would thus meet the literary greats, be it authors, texts, mo(ve)ments, whose respective anniversaries announce a welcome chance to get to know them better. Each week, Monday through Friday, the discussion would continue. It has no weekly barrier though. That is to say, the analysis could spill over in to weeks, nay, even in months, if necessary.

 Let us begin the series with "Gulliver's Travels", a text that was published in 1726, exactly three hundred years ago, and still has us all in thrall.  

Apparently, this narration in the travelogue mode is now considered a text meant for children! Actually, however, it is one of the satirical most, severest critique of the society of Swift's times. Most interestingly, Swift's passionate critique of societal follies remains relevant even today.

 Hence our "In Memoriam" series begins with 'Gulliver's Travels', originally titled 'Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World. In Four Parts. By Lemuel Gulliver, First a Surgeon, and then a Captain of Several Ships.'

 Let us tomorrow analyse the genre of Swift's not-so-very 'modest proposal' written"for their amendment, and not for their approbation' to quote Gulliver's prefatory epistle!

Pratima Agnihotri

Balance(d)!?! Motivated?!??

"Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow,/Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,/To the last syllable of recorded time;/And all our yesterdays have lighted fools/The way to dusty death." Thus laments Macbeth the impending doom in Act V, Scene V in Shakespeare's eponymous play. 

A universal truth this quote states. Look at whatever is happening at Jantar Mantar. Sure, in the world today when information is exploding every nano second and in each nook n corner, students, too, are highly aware. In fact, teachers from primary to the post-graduate level have been relegated to the status of a facilitator. 

Given such realities, how far right (and/or correct!) it is to blame the authorities alone for the NEET debacle? Are not the parents, who encouraged their wards in to malpractice by allowing them to buy the leaked question papers, responsible? Sure eighteen year old kids would not be to dole out lakhs on their own, right? 

Is the society thus self reflecting? If not, why? Any regret by the parents who bought the leaked question papers? Or by the students on the Telegram groups who happily downloaded the question papers and the best/right answers? Are not all thus involved in the dirty practice floated by the leak masters!?! 

Undoubtedly, the government has to check the malpractice. Surely, there was some quick-fix attempt the second time the unfortunate NEET was conducted, right? Next year, hopefully, the exam would be better conducted. 

Hence the entire CJP led dharana at Jantar Mantar and the intended 'morcha' appear politically motivated. As if the usual ruckus in the parliament is not enough, here is the ideologically motivated p(r)ogram in/on the streets!?! 

Hence our blog maintains that balance has to be 'the be-all and the end-all' of our protests, too. If the reportage of the 'dharna' is any proof, absolutely irrelevant issues are getting piled on in such a way that the protests appear as if organised by zealots who disagree for the sake of disagreement, and hence the protest, the 'morcha' appear suspect. Why thus dishonestly dilute genuine issues thereby alienating the majority? That, finally, is the real question! 

Pratima@ The actual loser in this entire fiasco is poor Sonam Wangchuk. He lost weight, both literally and metaphorically. Everybody knows now that he is from a rich, powerful family; in fact, it turns out that he is a minister's son who completed his engineering from a Jammu college.                                                                         All know now that the ice pyramid model, et al, was not his invention at all. It seems, he does not have a single patent to his name. Moreover, the institute he has established in Ladakh has huge FERA violations apparently. The worst bleeding cut, however, is Aamir Khan dismissing publically the perception that his Rancho from "Three Idiots" had anything to do with Sonam Wangchuk! 

Quote of the day:                                                         "Never be afraid to raise your voice for honesty and truth and compassion, against injustice." Absolutely,  William Faulkner! 

Word of the day: Politically motivated                        "Politically motivated" describes actions or decisions driven by a desire to gain power, advance an ideological agenda, or damage a political opponent, rather than by objective facts or neutrality.

Chapter VI, Verse 10

 The Bhagwad Geeta, however little you may understand it, is a great text. Literally, reading it is like wandering into a treasure trove. Anything you see, touch, find there is priceless. 

Refer to it any number of times, you are sure to garner genuine gems. How may you mine it so? Do not some extreme reading misinterpret it? Is it possible to misunderstand it, misread it consciously? Apparently, yes, it seems!!! Hence this small little attempt to understand Chapter VI, Verse 10, given the now notorious nonsense regarding it. 

Chapter VI is entitled "Atm-sayam-yog." In other words, it explicates the modes n means of self control, self regulation, self restraint. Sant Dnyaneshwar compares it to a thirsty person getting the divine nectar, the elixir, the ambrosia itself as testified by 'owi' number 3, and 'owi' number 14 would corroborate It further.

The Lord, Bhagwan Shri Krishna, is defining the "yogi" in this chapter. In each verse till verse number ten, we get to know the distinctive qualities of a yogi such as somebody who has a truly equitable vision, someone with an equanimous personality. 

In Verse 10, he advises the devotee as a yogic practitioner, as someone who is trying to understand self, to prefer solitude, to contain body n soul, to transcend desires, to rise above attachment. Sant Dnyaneshwar explains this verse most lyrically as it authentically captures the very 'i'dentity of a yogi beyond empty ego.

Honestly, in all fairness, most secularly it can be asserted that no way, by no strech of imagination is it possible to justify the awful Ansari attitude regarding it. The least one could say about the controversy is that the Ansari argument is not merely unjustifiable. Essentially it is mischievous.

Why thus create communal hatred? The anger regarding such misconstruing is understandable, and yet unnecessary are awful rewards to be awarded to someone who would cut the erring tongue!

Pratima@ Why the multi-pronged manipulation to create unrest consciously? Who indeed is the puppet master? Is it the Deep State or some vested interests nearer home? 

Quote of the day:                                           "Disinformation is more than just lying: it's the denial and twisting of reality in order to present some desired image to the rest of the world," explicates Will Hurd.

Word of the day: manipulative                                Manipulative means skillful at unfairly influencing somebody.

Binaries b(l)ind!

 She is a doctor with an MBBS from a much respected institute. Used to practise, too, and for the good of the poverty stricken women. In fact, her patients' plight sensitised her to multiple injustices. Fearlessly arose her bold voice. 

The erstwhile Central Government as well as the erstwhile State Government of Bengal would not support this much hounded lady as at stake was their kind of voters' mindset! Any feminist, any Marxist, at least Leftist protest against her conscious ill-treatment, nay, open threats to her life? Hardly any! 

Hence the intelligent, well-read, aware citizen without any party affiliations, without any enjoyment of any convenient political patronage, without any compulsions hence to criticise for the sake of criticism finds it difficult to digest the hypocritical building of b(l)inding binaries! Such (hi)story repeats ad infinitum in all fields, moreover!

Yes, my sympathies are with both Sonam Wangchuk and Taslima Nasrin, both intellectuals, both dissidents, both creative, both much-felicitated. Hence it surprises me that as per convenience, one is lionised, while the other was literally thrown to wolves, and is now blithely ignored! 

Hence the doubts about the highjacking of Sonam-ji's fast by all sorts of parties, new to ancient! Why is not there any simultaneous hoo-ha over Taslima returning to Kolkatta? How about the Nupur Sharma incident? 

Forget the ideology, as they would they say, it is the money, stupid! Well, the Adani-Ambani duo is close to ALL political parties; in fact, flourished, and continues to do extremely well, in ALL the regions/reigns, right? 

Every leader, each decision is always, undoubtedly dictated by the contemporary contexts within and beyond the country, too, right? Historicise, Historicise, Historicise! Otherwise, even a worthy cause appears partisan, and so divisive that good will withers, and bitter binaries blind! 

Pratima@ The Government and Sonam-ji should begin a discussion ASAP. Is it the case that the lakhs and lakhs of students who personally suffered the NEET  paper leak would prefer an actual 'better'ing of the education and evaluation systems rather than delusional politicking over resignations?!? 

Quote of the day:                                                          "Sheep only need a single flock, but people need two: one to belong to and make them feel comfortable, and another to blame all of society’s problems on," argues James Rozoff. 

Word of the day: partisan                                          Partisan refers to an attitude showing excessive support for one person, group or idea, especially without considering it, or the multiple other aspects/sides/versions  carefully and conscientiously. 

Aha, Zentangle!

 It was by sheer chance that I got to know that today happens to be the World Zentangle Day. Yes, Zentangle is quite the rage currently. Given the special occasion today, let us explore it on our blog today. 

The term is a blend of zen and tangle. It is a mode of doodling, and it is supposed to calm upset and/or troubled minds full of stress, in brief, majority of minds (if any at all, actually) today. As the art form tends to be thus a meditative mode, it is known as Zentangle. 

The Zentangle Method, Mr. Google told me, is a 2004 find. It is a brain child of Maria Thomas, an artist, and a former monk, Rick Roberts. It was born, it seems, when Roberts noticed that Thomas’ repetitive pattern-drawing (or "tangling") mirrored meditative states. They formally combined "Zen" (meditation) and "tangle" (the drawing process) to create an accessible, abstract art form intended to promote mindfulness and focus. Driven by a background in calligraphy, illuminated art, and meditation, the founders designed Zentangle to be "yoga for the brain." So says Amigo Google about this Art Doodle. 

Given the auspicious occasion today, that is, its twenty-second birthday, no harm hence beginning to practise today onwards this free hand art. All you need is a piece of paper, pencils, pens to shade/colour better, and, voilà, ready in style would be your 'tile'! 

Pratima@ Today is yet another wonderful occasion, the Rath Yatra. I like it because rarely is there a celebration of sibling bonds. I like the nice humanisation of the entire festival, such as the deities visiting their aunt. Truly divine!                                                   Oh, yes, our blog yesterday about Sonam-ji's fast. Well, would not it be better to fight for a radical change in the evaluation mode, currently so very summative and fiercely competitive? How is any resignation going to be any concrete help? The real obit for the aspirants who committed suicide would be such a change in de/refining the entry point examinations so that the tragedy is never ever repeated, right? 

Quote of the day:                                                         "The true work of art is but a shadow of the divine perfection," maintains Michelangelo. 

 Word of the day: doodle                                             A doodle is a simple drawing that could have concrete representational meaning or may just be composed of random and abstract lines or shapes, prefarably attempted without ever lifting the drawing device from the paper.

That is the question!

 He created the "Ice Stupa", thereby inventing the artificial glacier technique, which consists of freezing winter meltwater into cone-shaped ice heaps to provide water for spring agriculture in the trans-Himalayan region, which was also a practical way to fight climate change.

 Yes, that is the innovative Sonam Wangchuk for you. Much admired for his advocacy (educational included) so much so that he has been lionised in, after, beyond "Three Idiots", the film which made him famous for the ordinary citizen. 

The question hence is, how come the lakhs and lakhs of students -- for whose sake he is "losing muscle mass" (to quote the CJP's founder, Abhijeet Dipke) and is compromising with his blood pressure for almost three weeks now -- are just not concerned with such a protest? 

Is it the case that the common man sees through the obvious partisan party politics involved, and hence is wary, does not want to get involved? Tough to believe that students are not 'aware', as narratives are literally thrown in to everyone's face, especially on the social media. 

Well, the March 2026 protests against the UGC stipulations do show that students of ALL 'colours' ARE responsive, both pro and against, when it comes to the academic arena. How come then that there is no major reaction to this demand for the resignation of the Education Minister?

In my opinion, the issue is much more layered. Honestly, given the ubiquity of information explosion everywhere, these days it is tough to hoodwink anybody. People see through party-specific posturing, right? No, it is not the dea(r)th of the middle class, the erstwhile sensitive/sensitised group. 

Rather, people ARE acutely aware of ALL issues, Deep State type international p(r)ogrammed propaganda included. May be, extreme factionalism (born out of the echo chambers everywhere) makes the common man suspicious about the hidden agenda(s)?

 Yet I do feel that the government should, rather must, initiate a dialogue directly with Sonam Wangchuk to avoid any further, universal at that, embarassment and/or emergency. Better late than never!

Pratima@ Given such turbulent times, is it any wonder that the Kalidasa Day on "ashadhasya prathm diwse" was almost overlooked?!?

Quote of the day:                                                            Maintains Malcolm X, "Concerning nonviolence, it is criminal to teach a man not to defend himself when he is the constant victim of brutal attacks."

Word of the day: partisan                                            The term refers to showing excessive support for a person, group or idea, especially without thinking through all possible pros and cons. 

Madan Mohan's ek song, silken, soft, gentle

 Madan Mohan's ek song, silken, soft, gentle! Guessed it? A tough question, that one, right? One can line up hundreds in answer, right? Yet, in my opinion, the best match would be "tum se kahun ek baat" from his National Award winning  sound track of "Dastak". 

Actually, each and every song of "Dastak", like almost his entire oeuvre, is a gem. Yet "tum se kahun" is unique. It uses the whisper-singing mode, getting popularised in the third decade of the twenty-first century, that, too, mostly in the Western pop genre. 

In 1970, Madan Mohan uses that soft yet spoken intimately whisper, that, too, without the breathy husk. The harmony is indeed petal soft aurally. Mohammad Rafi has most lovingly captured that romantic feel penned passionately by Majrooh Sultanpuri.

The tender repetitions, the soulful similes and images, the calming composition of light consonants by Majrooh Sultanpuri is accompanied by the lovely ensemble of violins and guitar interludes. Equally special are effects such as the add-in of a horse driven tonga retreating along a lonesome lane.

That "silent night, lovely night" effect captures most lyrically the soulful intimacy of genuine love. Madan Mohan thus continues to enrich our sensibilities most sensitively. Hence this tribute on his death anniversary!

Pratima@ In the AI era now, making music may be mechanical. Can, however, such magic be ever spun yet again?

Quote of the day:                                                              "Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything," asserts Plato. A definition that stands the test of times! 

Word of the day: harmony                                          Harmony refers to the pleasing, gentle, balanced arrangement of different parts, resulting in an overall sense of perfection, unity and aesthetic balance. 

Pratima R Agnihotri                                                    Pune

Tradition and the Young Talent

 T. S. Eliot, a great poet and critic who transformed literary paradigms the world over and forever, began his trail blazing career with a brilliant essay entitled "Tradition and the Individual Talent." The title of our blog today is a take on that world famous moniker. 

Much deserved is this title because our blog celebrates the first ever symbolic 'wari' at the BMCC. Celebrated this afternoon, at the helm were the young FYJC-ians, ably helped by their SYJC seniors, and efficiently guided by their teachers. 

Absolutely adorable was their enthusiasm. The kids did not forget nary a thing. Decked up in the traditional finery, they hosted, hustled, hurried here n there, their fresh faces full of joy, devotion, and a sense of duty. A cute feel it was to look at their furrowed brows full of commitment and acute concentration so as to observe the minute most details. 

Their 'wari' began with the 'nam-mudra' for everyone. After the customary 'puja' began the 'dindi'. The procession around the huge BMCC ground was attuned to all the traditional 'wari'-related musical instruments, 'veena', 'mrudung', and the castanet like 'taal'. Why, the event began and ended with a 'shankh naad'. 

No wonder, all those passing by the BMCC stopped awhile to look at these students busy with the 'nam ghosh.'  Once back to the campus, they even sang/recited the major 'abhang' often associated with the 'wari'. The 'dindi path' within the campus was decorated with 'rangoli' patterns, while the Tata Hall and the foyer looked as dapper as these sincere kids.

The 'dindi' ended with the 'ringan' ceremony, performed genuinely, with lots of sensitivity and boundless enthusiasm. The traditional 'fugadi' was not missed either. There was a proper 'aarti' and 'prasad' at the end. Most importantly, the kids explained each and every ritual, and its relevance. 

No wonder, both the guests and the Principal appreciated their efforts which were encouraged most effectively by the Heritage Collective In-Charge teachers. All of them and their students deserve our huge thanks for bringing the 'Pandharpur Wari' here on campus!

Pratima@ Unlike the online 'wari' cum lecture series so far attempted by the BMCC  Heritage Collective, this first ever offline 'wari' was a perfect channel to the unbounden energy of the Junior College students.                                                                            Such cultural awareness is the need of the hour, given the times today! Such kind of 'college' and/or 'traditional' days create a space that brings youngsters closer to their roots, right?  

Quote of the day:                                                          "Tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the preservation of fire," asserts Gustav Mahler.

Word of the day: Wari                                             The Wari (or Vari) is a sacred annual pilgrimage (yatra) in Maharashtra.  Dedicated to Vithoba, the arch deity of Maharashtra, it was initiated by Sant Dnyaneshwar.                                                                            Millions of devotees (Warkaris) walk on foot for about twenty-one days carrying the padukas (symbolic footwear) of the revered Marathi saint-poets. The major procession travels roughly two hundred and fifty kilometers from Alandi and Dehu, holy towns associated  with Sant Dnyaneshwar and Sant Tukaram respectively.                                                             All the other palakhi's join this procession en route. Finally, all the dindi's  converge at Pandharpur on Ashadhi Ekadashi, the day when a fast is kept.                                                        After the 'gopal kala' the next day, the warkaris return home to their agricultural duties. They observe the Chaturmas till Kartiki Ekadashi. 

Censor!

 It was the best of the moments, and it was the worst of the moments, and let me tell you why I so write. Time was when I was a rookie journalist with the "New Indian Express." As I was basically a Ph.D. researcher, I was a freelancer with the newspaper. Yet I used to be a regular, too, so much so that per week, I could pen at least three articles for the Features' Desk. 

When I got to know that Bhishm Sahani of the "Tamas" fame would be there, I got the Desk Editor's permission to interview him. I got a proper interview time allotted by him, an interview graciously accepted by him, given his advanced age. Later on when the write-up was published and I sent him a xerox copy, I received a "You are very kind" post card from him which is one of the high points as a journalist for me. 

That is the best aspect. The worst moment was one of the so-called great academicians signalling him through gestures not to speak! Well, it was a properly n prior permitted interview for a leading newspaper. Even to hint at such a gesture was absolutely unprofessional. And here was this absurd behaviour! The less said about such ugly nastinesses, the better it is for one's own memories! 

Anyways, despite such "censoring", the interview did take place! One of the questions I had asked Sahani-ji was about censoring of texts, films, paintings, any cultural/aesthetic product for that matter.

His answer, I feel, can be a leading light whenever such issues toss up n down the entire socio-cultural ethos like a whirlpool. Sahani-ji's opinion -- here I am not quoting him verbatim, rather summarising his ideas -- was that an artist's freedom of expression is indubitable. Yet it cannot conveniently corrode the societal set-up.

Thought of it all because of the current furore over this bio-pic entitled "Satluj". Apparently, it deals with the aftermath of the Bhindranwale era in Punjab. No, I have not watched the film. No, I have not read up about Jaswant Singh Kharla. No, I am neither praising nor criticising the entire discussion.

Well, as it transpired during the interview mentioned above, we have to understand that an artist as an individual is a part of the society. The whole, too, matters as much as the part; the center of a circle, too, is as valid as the circumference; neither side of a square can either be elongated or shortened without disfiguring the original, right? 

To consciously ignore either to suit one's own immediate agenda, to cherry-pick conveniently to valorise one's own current postures, to create bitter binaries to hypocritically manage one's own present profiteering, whether it be socio-cultural, historical, political, ideological is an intellectual crime! Instead, better defend an idea through/with an idea! In brief, self-reflexivity matters the most! 

Pratima@ I do think that 'managing' media in such a pseudo mode is much worse than the p.r. promotion about film stars' personal lives just before the release of a film!                                   Is the film really banned, moreover? The cuts could continue to be challenged in the Supreme Court, and even beyond (the President's intervention?!?), right? Given the times today, in addition,  is it possible at all to ban anything? Conveniently it can be downloaded from very many legal/illegal sites! In fact, the film must have gotten loads of curious publicity because of the so-called prohibition!?! Or was that the plan of promotion???

Quote of the day:                                                          "When you tear out a man's tongue, you are not proving him a liar, you're only telling the world that you fear what he might say." A quote by George R.R. Martin.

Word of the day: Censorship                                   Censorship is defined as the suppression or prohibition of speech, public communication, or other information considered objectionable, harmful, or inconvenient by governing authorities, private institutions, or individuals. It restricts freedom of expression and aims to control the flow of information.

Why the push n shove?

 In our area, there is a Shri Rama temple. Each Ram Navami, there is a "janmotsav." When it comes to taking the 'prasad' distributed by the 'guruji', most all present rush n create a mini stampede like situation. Everyone is shoving everybody else aside, jostling like mad, none is ready to wait, to stand in a queue. Nobody is there to make the crowd behave itself like devotees, and not like savages! 

Nothing unique about this scenario. Last year, I was in the Tulshibaug Ram Mandir at the same time. Aai loved Shri Rama. She used to recite the 'Ram Raksha Stotra' with great devotion. Her 'Bhajani Mandal' used to perform during the 'Chaitra Navratra'. Hence my attendance in her memory. The scenario inside the Tulshibaug temple was no better than the rush in the lane out there in the peak hours!

Look at the annual palakhi procession. Except, may be, for the designated 'palakhi mandali', the rest is sheer chaos. People push like hell to reach near the 'paduka'. Horrible is the condition of the poor horses. A hyper sensitive animal, it is touched by thousands anywhere anyhow. On the cart driven by the bullocks, there is a huge load. I absolutely admire all these poor animals for their tremendous tolerance and patience.

As for the actual 'wari', it is like the crazy current of a mad river in terrible spate. People push each other like anything. Food items are distributed at all sorts of places. A huge crowd gathers, though the push n shove show continues. Old folks slip on the banana peels. None is bothered. 

Is it so very difficult to prepare barricaded routes so that the Wari procession can continue faultlessly, and the onlookers can pay their obeisance to the 'padukas'? Why not give the food items to the 'dindi' head who distributes them to his 'dindi' at the stage when all stop to rest a little? If you give bananas, why not give a paper bag for the skins to be discarded?

The same push n shove scenario is very much the 'done' stuff during the annual Ganesh immersion procession. Why, even at Tirupati Venkatesh Balaji temple, beyond the 'Garud Stambha', it is such a push, shove, ram, thrust scenario that a stampede is eagerly awaiting to happen! 

A similar free for all is the sick scenario in the narrow most lanes leading to the unique temples at Yamunotri, Kedarnath, and on the narrowest bridge leading to the Badrinath campus with Alaknanda, just two or three feet below, roaring its fury at this madness! Is everybody awaiting a Himalayan blunder?

The authorities MUST act before some huge tragedy takes place. People must be made to follow barricaded routes. Why incur the deities' wrath, given such uncouth 'darshan'?!? Merely mad mob mentality!

Pratima@Honestly, the scene is no different from the horrible crowd attacking  the poor local trains during the rush hours in Mumbai! And we call ourselves devotees, even when it is difficult to call such crude behaviour human(e)!

Quote of the day:                                                          Says Seneca: "Do you ask me what you should regard as especially to be avoided? I say, crowds; for as yet you cannot trust yourself to them with safety."

Word of the day: Mob mentality                                 Mob mentality or herd mentality is a psychological phenomenon where individuals adopt the behaviors, beliefs, or actions of a larger group. Driven by a desire to fit in and a loss of personal accountability, people in a crowd may abandon critical thinking and moral responsibility.

Singing the Pasaydan

 At 9 this evening, many Puneites and even others, who might have the link, would sing the "Pasaydan." Sure I am interested in as well as excited about the project. 

Why so? Okay, let me explore the issue. It is Sant Dyandeva who has enunciated this great prayer for the welfare of the world and for the abundance of peace and serenity. In my opinion, Sant Dnyaneshwar is one of the greatest reformers. I do most sincerely think that he is not only a great philosopher, but he also offered a great new direction to society.

He was the first to translate the Sanskrit "Bhagwad Geeta"  in to the then local folk language. Likewise, his other writings, too, make the great knowledge of the Vedas and the Upnishads accessible to the common man. The great poet and the superb communicator that he was, he uses apt images, perfect symbols that relate to daily lived life to 'translate' the great thought in to relatable concepts. 

This wonderful contribution, which promotes equality and  knowledge for all,  should require at least some six lifetimes. He managed it within a short span of hardly twenty-one years. Unjustly ill-treated, horribly harassed, horridly hunted literally, yet this brilliant young man prays for the welfare of the world. 

That is "Pasaydan", the core of his humane thought and 'holi'stic vision. His prayer is that the wicked should not only get rid of their villainy, but there should be such a sea change (with-n-) in their hearts that they should follow the right(rous) path. Yet his essential prayer is that each should get what he wants. It is this ambrosia that he is celebrating in this heart felt prayer. 

Truly the most humane vision imbued with divinity itself is the "Pasaydan," the final prayer for profound peace, at the end of "Dnyaneshwari". Fully I support and heartily I participate in this most welcome programme. Looking forward to 9 o'clock! 

Pratima@ I adore n revere the great Sant Dnyaneshwar so much that the ideological warfare n party politics around such an event hardly matters to me.                                                 Anyways, emptily parroting secularism without having consulted either the texts or without having understood the context of "Pasaydan" is vain cynicism for me. For sure, I know how and when such terms entered the Preamble, and I do know to quite some  extent, having read in some depth the history of  secularism, what it actually means beyond party politicking which in the current context holds no meaning for me, given the international realities as well. 

Quote of the day:                                                            Says Epictetus,"All religions must be tolerated... for every man must go to heaven in his own way."

Word of the day: holistic                                                 Holistic means emphasizing the idea that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Rather than analyzing individual components in isolation, a holistic approach examines complete systems, how they interact, and how they affect one another.

B(l)anking Operations

 On one of the statuses shared on the WhatsApp, there was this passionate plea about the lunch break poor poor poor bank employees are not allowed! Hugely sarcastic it was about how people spend hours looking at a JCB machine digging a road!! Acrimony itself it was about the bank clients not being able to fill forms!!! 

Yes, absolutely agreed that a lunch break is the legitimate right of the righteous bank employees. Yet most all clients who come to the branch are employees somewhere, too! Why cannot there be a simple solution of staggering the lunch break so that at least two windows remain open. 

As it is, most of the times, all the counters are never ever functional. If the branch is under-staffed, it is not the customer's fault, right? But, no, except for their personal favourites with whom they are busy  chatting, simpering, carrying on personal transactions, bank employees are rudeness incarnate. They look at people as if they do not exist at all.

Personally I sure do wait it out utmost patiently if I have the misfortune of reaching a bank branch exactly when the lunch break begins. Yet this gentleness never is reciprocated. Except for an honourable exception or two, nobody is as rude as a bank employee, the lowest to the highest per branch. Practically everybody would agree with this universally acknowledged fact. 

In the AI era, with huge computerisation, at any branch office, one spends hooooours for the simple most operation. Moreover, many client operations are anyways machine operated or managed online. Their mistakes, they would never ever accept. But gang up against a client, sure they would. Why must a bank be blank when it comes to basic, decent, straightforward communication? Commerce colleges sure need to work on their students' spoken skills! 

Pratima@ Recently, in a private bank, I was told that I opened an account which I never ever did. I showed them their own documents, but to no avail. When I asked for the details of that fictitious account, they would not share it! Some authority, eh!                                                             Yet another bother is the "helpful" liaison officer who calls up any time, but is never available when needed. Honestly, attendance must be a MUST in commerce and management colleges, and communication skills should be a subject taught every semester both at the UG and PG levels! 

Quote of the day:                                                         "Communication is the solvent of all problems, and is the foundation for personal development," says Peter Shepherd.

Word of the day:                                                          Irritation, frustration, vexation, frustration = Every branch of any bank! 

Decorating the deity

 In Aai's memory, we have instituted a prize in her school in Pandharpur. The teacher in charge sends the Vithoba pics now and then. In the status mode, moreover, I daily get the pics of the Kolhapur Ambabai, and often of the Datta Palakhi as well as of the Omkareshwar temple, Ujjain. 

At the very first sight, what strikes me the most is the aesthetics. The daily 'deco' of the deity is an absolute "dekho". On special occasions, be it the festivals such as Dasara/Padwa or the national days such as August 15/January 26, the idol is so beautifully decorated that is indeed is a divine vision. 

I love the anthropomorphism involved in the process. Come Ashadhi Devshayani Ekadashi, and Vithoba gets a pillow! It is believed that the Lord takes rest during the Chaturmas. No, it is not superstition. It is a unique oneness with the deity which anyways has been part of the Marathi Bhakti tradition, beginning with Sant Dyandeva. 

When it comes to the drape of Rukmini, personally, I adore the way the Ambabai idol is decorated. It is simply a beauty. The unique sarees are so draped daily that it is a visual treat, an ocular feast. On special occasions, the adornment is literally beyond  belief. 

Throughout the Wari procession and from the Ghat Sthapna till Dasara, Aai used to watch on the television the entire process of the daily puja. I hence know the lovely process of decorating the deity in quite some detail. Incidentally, the original idol of Ambabai has very kind, gentle, soft eyes. That is the only bit of embellishment I am rather uncomfortable with. 

Though I do not know in detail the way the Mahankal or the Gangapur Dutta idols are embellished, I sure would like to assert that decorating the deity is an art form. I think it is learnt in a hereditary way. Or it could be on the job as one progresses from the junior to senior priesthood. I would not know. 

Sure, the notion of godhead is an abstract concept. Yet such rituals lead the devotee, who may not always be a philosopher, in a more focussed way towards the divine. Hence this appreciation of this unique art. 

Pratima@ I must, however, admit that I love the Vithoba idol the most when it adorns the simple "tulshi" garland. 

Quote of the day:                                                           "We lack a direct access to God. Hence we worship the idol." Anonymous. 

Word of the day: deity                                                 A deity is a supernatural being, such as a god or goddess, that is worshiped by people who believe it possesses divine powers. 

Some colourful context

 Gray is the colour of the day at present. With jet black clouds pouring down disasters here, there and everywhere, darker than night appears the daily destiny. No amount of chatter about 'chai n bhajji' cheers up, what with ugly deaths dime a dozen. 

In such a shady context, how colourful it is to know that July is the month world wide designated for celebrating water colour painting! Sure, brush pens and paint pens are less messy. Undoubtedly, acrylics dry faster. 

Yet nothing matches the lyricism of  water colours. The shades one can manage through water colours are unbelievable. Even the brush behaves better with water colours. Brush strokes are easier with water colours, though, sure, like everything else, practice, in painting, too, makes the artist perfect. 

Well, July is officially designated as the 'World Watercolor Month' by a global charitable celebration founded in 2016 by Charlie O'Shields of 'Doodlewash'. Whatever be your level of proficiency, why not develop it a notch higher by taking up the challenge of a painting per day; at least one per week? 

Simple patterns such as flowers or outlines of cityscapes would do, too, right? With all sorts of dark news making days dirtier, why not thus beautify the mindscape? 

Pratima@ If you cannot spare the time to paint a water colour, how about at least a dekko at a few? Online resources are aplenty. For all you know, some AI site might even be painting one for you! 

Quote of the day:                                                           "If you hear a voice within you say you cannot paint, then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced." That is some encouragement from Vincent van Gogh! 

Word of the day: palette                                             A palette is primarily a flat board used by artists to hold and mix paints. By extension, the term refers to the specific range of colors an artist may use in his/her oeuvre. 

Aamrikn English!

 As unique as the country is the language, the American English! A curious mix it is. In a way, it carries the remnants of the Restoration era old seventeenth century English of the Pilgrim Fathers. Seasoned it is with all the advances, material, technological, not to forget the mix-in of n by other European immigrants, and the Black and the Hispanic inputs. 

It has its own grammatical rules. It need not follow the prim n proper stuff, the stiff upper lip Brit English. An easy to understand n remember example could be the 'do support' for negation and/or question formation. Ask an American "Have a light?" He/she might  think that you are too formal. MUCH WORSE, you would  be corrected with the 'do support'. The American version of a question in case you want a lighter would be "Do you have a lighter?" 

A unique feature of American English is that simplifies spellings. "Metre" becomes "meter", for instance. "Colour" changes to "color". All  "-ise" endings convert in to the     "-ize", and thus become internet friendly. 

Vocabulary wise, it chooses to be quirkily, uniquely American. An example or two can be lorry (not truck), gas ( for petrol), gas station (for petrol pump), elevator (for lift), and so on. 

Unusual is its pronunciation. "Awesome" becomes "aaasum", for instance. "Aaaful", right? Aamerikans drawl a lot, too. The "r" and the "d" that emerge as connectors are unique, too. 

In brief, be Aamerikan, speak Aamerikan! 

Pratima@ It could be argued that the vast difference between the spoken, the pop, the slangy and the literary/the high culture varieties of language as  varied usage is a typically American phenomenon, of course, very soon exported all over the rest of the world. 

Quote of the day:                                                       "England and America are two countries separated by the same language." So opined  George Bernard Shaw.

Word of the day: slang                                                The slang is the highly informal vocabulary used in casual conversation that falls outside standard, conventional language ambit. It is constantly evolving, often is specific to certain age groups, subcultures, or regions, and is primarily used to build group identity. It expresses emotions colorfully.                         

America turns 250!

 America and old?!? That, too, two hundred n fifty years old!?! Somehow it does not fit in with the world wide mental image of America, an ever bubbling fount of energy, vivacity, and drive, right? Yup, in the life of a continent, eh, country, two fifty years is absolutely pittance, anyways.

And, oh, yea, sure, under the 'Don' dynasty, the sesquicentennial, the inevitably aging, the kinda middle-aged tag may match somewhat. So feels the radical left. And, oh, yes, not to forget that this 'quarter millennial' et al America is the new, White, 'star- spangled' America! The Aboriginal America is ancient, though currently almost wiped out. 

America is this dream land, the land of the aspirational because it initiated itself precisely in that very mode. In Charles II's excessively permissive regime, the Puritans, harassed harshly for their religious rigour, aspired for a New Eden which they found across the Atlantic. 

With the ropes for a return, anyways never wished for, and now washed away across an ocean, the Protestant work ethic made the "New England" a "Temple on the Mount". Waves of emigrés followed, enriching the "log cabin to the White House" royal road to success, provided you had it in you, and were ready to work hard, some contemporary proof being the Silicon Valley. 

In other words, America is more an "i-dea." I should know. Why? Well, without ever stepping even a foot on that soil, I can explain why n how it has been "a giant stride for mankind." 

Well, I have met the American spirit in the writings of the Founding Fathers. I have found America in Lincoln's life. I have known the cruelties of the slave trade and the darknesses of the black lives from the most enriching texts by  Harriet Beecher Stowe to Ngozi Adiche, and very many others of her ilk. 

Just as I have rejoiced in Nature with an Emerson and a Thoreau, with a Whitman, I have known the loss of "Captain, Oh, my Captain." A Hawthorne, a Melville have guided me in to the hidden depths of the human spirit, while countless twentieth century authors have helped me understand the underbelly of the American dream. How many names to count/enlist!?! Instead, better to swear by their immense insights, right? 

Teaching "American Literature", "Immigrant Writings", "World Literature", it indeed is an enormously educative process with the safety net of the vicarious pleasure/presence, moreover. Be it American Hollywood movies or the music scenario, learning America, warts n all, is immersing oneself in a unique language of being and becoming. 

Sure, the coke n burger kind of TNC's price n prove the typical American capitalist, consumerist, expansionist tendencies, not to forget the 'deep state'. Yet there is no denying the fact that America is tolerant enough to graciously accept a Chomsky-ian critique of manufactured consent, and/or its versions.

It is this "I"-dentity that would forever make America an ever expanding land, nay, 'space', of exploration! Happy Birthday, America! With all your quirks, your oddities, your complexes n kinks, you tend to amuse n attract forever! May you live long, and without any further wrong(s) to the rest of the world! 

Pratima@ The American "Circus"  is  best portrayed by the Presidents. The list, of both the best and the worst ones, is so big that it can overflow a few blogs! Unforgettable, however, are their unique editions of the MAGA mantra, right? 

Quote of the day:                                                         "America. It is the only place," says Thomas Wolfe, "where miracles not only happen, but where they happen all the time." And of "ALL'' varieties, shapes, sizes n shades they are! 

Word of the day: super                                              "Super" is a versatile term meaning excellent, extreme, or superior. As a prefix, it means extreme, above, beyond.  Best describes a land obsessed with the superman, thinking itself to be the supercop with super-machines of all sorts, space crafts to guns that 'rock', both in Iran and in every school in each gulley. "AWESOME", in brief! 

A writer's block!?!

 July 2! I had decided to write about the overkill that is the sad saga of the notorious murder case. Very consciously I literally soaked myself in all the very many reportages, sound bytes, videos, analyses, actual takes/media fakes of that deadly trek.  

Like a sponge I absorbed all the viewpoints, and, yet, when I began to write, I could not bring myself to coldly analytically discuss the deadly dastardly details drummed up everywhere. 

The more I  got to know about the horror, the more I felt disturbed about the tragedy that for me lumbered larger than the lurid headlines. The tragedy of three (at least) families ruined forever. 

The pain of a mother who lost a gem of a son. For no rhyme, no reason. Yet she could at least cry. What about the other two mothers? And the fathers? Imagine having to go to a police chowki, being detained there for hours like a criminal. The disrepute that is to last a lifetime being splashed all over as if it is a spicy Chinese dish avidly devoured! 

That human tragedy so disturbed me that I just could not be a Chetan Bhagat or a Shobhaa De, being oh-so-fashionably feminist and ah-so-politically correct! Nor could I bring myself to be an influencer aplenty who could crack sick jokes about a young man who lost his life due to a hair patch. 

So this lag in the posting of the blogs. No, it was not exactly a writer's block. Rather it was a feel of tragic loss, given the needless senseless ruin of so many lives. Oh, yes, it was also a deep sense of disgust for sick creeps who feed on scandals, on others' pain! Hence finally the two blogs which to some extent capture my feel(ings)!

Pratima@ Did such horrors never ever happen earlier? Actually, such narratives are as old as his(-s)tory itself. Yet weird it feels to know that such terrors took root in a Market Yard just a stone's throw away! Difficult to describe that complex feel, which beyond all legalities and every ugly gossip, makes one empathise with the very many lives most meaninglessly ruined!

Quote of the day:                                                          "Fattened in vice, so callous and so gross, he sins and sees not, senseless of his loss.” John Dryden's quote so aptly describes each culprit and every gossip.

Word of the day: lurid gossip                                     Lurid gossip refers to scandalous, shocking, or sensational rumors, often involving explicit, immoral, or gruesome details.