Poems of Life...

I am back folks. Few weeks back I watched a Hindi movie called Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara after lot of cajoling interspersed with some degree of threat from a very close pal of mine. It was highly entertaining that cuts through the treacle. But, the movie was more than just an entertainment. It was a collage of existential snafus and complex relationships. But, there is light at the end of tunnel. Three musketeers traversed a journey of lifetime, leaving the audience with a FEEL that defines the argot of new generation lifestyle and its complexity.

In this blog, I am not going to discuss the plot. For that please go and watch the movie. I am more interested in the poems uttered in soliloquy (that too in the background) by Imran, one of the protagonists. Imran is a copywriter by profession but he writes for himself too. This is revealed during a conversation with his biological father. Few of those poems have turned out to be an inspiration of life which we shall see later. His life is riddled with multitude problems. So is everyone’s. The director has employed a technique of divergence & convergence in an attempt to give the plot a well knit structure. Imran’s poems serve as catalyst to unwind those stitches.

Kabir, Arjun and Imran are the ‘three musketeers’ who are childhood buddies working in various parts of the world to earn their living. However, Kabir is getting married and hence the three pals must meet and celebrate a bachelor party where adventurous sport awaits them.

Imran got involved with the ex-girl friend of Arjun few years back. Since then, their friendship took an altogether different dimension, stone-cold and strenuous. In a heated argument followed by Imran’s prank (throwing away cell phone from a running car) Arjun couldn’t stop his old wound gushing out, tearing asunder the shackles of untold frustration he cackled:

“Hooking up with my girl friend was not funny…”

4 years have passed since that incident and Imran has apologized many a times, but some wounds take time to heal, some never does.

Imran: How many times do I have to apologize? Let’s just make it clear

Arjun: (pointing towards his heart) Till it doesn’t come from here.

The stray of divergence reached its zenith. Arjun is a lonely guy. A typical NRI, hacks, who doesn’t have time for his private life. He is unwilling to take that incident as a mere “accident”, and rightly so. Beseeching for the most peaceful place on earth, Arjun experienced an under-sea diving with the help of instructor Laila (later turned into love-birds). Hard, stingy soul showed a sign of vulnerability as Laila painted sheds of grey on the dreary palette of a sensible mind. Tears streaming down his face, silence, moment of inspiration invokes poetry-from whom else?-his beloved friend Imran.

"The moment flows by the molten sapphire

Deep blue silences

No Earth below, no sky above

The rustling branches and leaves

Are saying only you are here

Only me

My breath and my heartbeat

Such depth, such solitude

And me, Only me

I now believe I exist”

Surreal. Touchy. Ceaseless goading edifies the silence. The warmth of molten sapphire breaks the brazen gait of loneliness; the “bliss of solitude” breaks the mire of depression- Imran’s poem catapults the ‘cuddle-seeking-nature’ of human beings, its expression in reverie. Not only Arjun, but each and every person living under the ruthless roof of post-modernist kingdom helped by unfathomed complexity can’t help themselves rather to cry and surrender to the brutal complexity that life has to offer. Life in all its bounty is not always mundane, bleak and desolate. Life needs exuberance, life needs Laila. Act of convergence, part 1.

Imran, the poet himself needs to find, what mysteries life has stored for him under the radar of false parentage. He needs to find his biological father. He needs to find the truth. TRUTH about why he was left to brought up by another man, who was ‘father’ in every sense, but a different blood.

However, the thrill was cut short. Agony that conjured him so long was gone. Instead silence pervaded. Father, denies to take responsibility- it was shock then, it is shock now. The prejudice that has eclipsed his judgment for his mother needs awash. It was time for another poem, another heart-burnt epiphany of life.

"When clouds of pain loom in the sky

When a shadow of sadness flickers by

When a tear finds its way to the eye When fear keeps the loneliness alive

I try and console my heart Why is it that you cry? I ask; This is only what life imparts

These deep silences within

Have been handed out to all by time

Everyone’s story has a little sorrow

Everyone’s share has a little sunshine No need for water in your eyes

Every moment can be a new life

Why do you let them pass you by

Oh heart, why is it that you cry?”

Riding through the caravan of joy our life takes the trajectory of unknown sorrow that is hard to express, hard to touch, hard to feel even- you cry- you become numb-you love- only fly in the ointment remains that you don’t know why you are doing all these things. We are no androids, cyborgs, not characters of science fictions- We are bloody humans. The lugubrious homo sapiens. “I love you Imran” cries her mother- and we finish act of convergence, part 2.

The final act of parity is also restored by the lilting cadence of Imran’s poetry. Kabir has got himself entangled to a marriage which he is not ready for and doesn’t have the courage to speak the truth before his family members. For him it is too late. But better late than never, says life. They face the mighty rage of mad-bulls hounding behind them after participating in the traditional bull-race of Spain. Final lessons learnt- Life is all about motion, Run-Run-Run. Imran’s final poem sums up the essence of life; life- that inspires to move on.

"If you’re carrying your restlessness in your heart

You are alive

If you’re carrying the lightning of dreams in your eyes

You are alive

Like a gust of wind learn to live free Like to flow like the waves that make a sea

Let your arms be wide open to every moment you meet

May every moment gift you a new sight to greet

If you’re carrying your wonder in your eyes

You are alive

If you’re carrying your restlessness in your heart

You are alive”

The cup of torsion is full and like the gust of wind, like the sleepy blue ocean and playing waves the protagonists start their new journey with zest, gusto and promise in heart. Through Imran and his poems, an epiphany is reached- epiphany of how to face challenges in life. If you can fathom it, then YOU ARE ALIVE…

Need for Revolution

Need For Revolution (Poriborton Chai)

Rijuta Kanjilal

"...there aren't any good brave causes left", felt Jimmy Porter of Osborne's 'Look Back in Anger', as did the youth of the 1950's Britain. As I went through my favourite play, the other day, I somehow felt if that is how the youth of this generation in India feels. In a Postmodern world, where even the nitty gritties of life seems to make news and a smallest of issues triggers a ‘strike’ in the city I live in, will a 'Revolution' be an answer to "change"??

What do we need to change? What are the 'good, brave causes' that would interest the 'aam junta' more than some "chinless wonders" that plague politics in my country? Maybe in that sense we have all become Jimmy Porter of our time. The revolutionary past of our country enthrals and excites us while an uncertain future and stationary present baffles. We no more live in a world where societal causes, injustice, corruption infuriates a youth to the extent of a revolt. In my state we have remained content with "no change" for 34 years, haven't we?? But, as a political party in my state tries to usher change with the slogan "poriborton chai", I question myself whether, the mere change in a governing body will be enough to change the escapist mentality of an entire generation? Will there be another Bapi Sen who gave his life to save a girl from eve-teasers and the biggest irony is that the girl never materialized even to identify the murderer of her saviour. Will the countless Ruchiras get justice when harassed by the powerful but few "Rathores"? Poriborton for me is, when half the country came together in their bid to get the murderers of Jessica Lal punished or the frenzy that followed Anna Hazare's hunger strike over the Lokpal Bill or more recently the fact that we have finally brought in a change in the governing body after being static for 34 years; but wasn't all this too late??

"Fight for yourself" still seems to be the only mantra of my generation as we know that no one and I mean NO ONE will come to our aid even if one of us is murdered publicly, unlike the previous century when society existed in all its glory and people got involved in each other's matters - trials, tribulations and happiness. Despite the "obvious" disadvantages society does have some ‘’obvious’’ advantages as well. But, today one needs to be "connected" to survive.

I remember a news report few years ago about a girl being molested in a CSTC bus while other passengers looked on!!! On the contrary, when a Neta's daughter was eve-teased, a few days later on a railway platform, rampant policing followed resulting in the capture of a few miscreants.

The lesson I took from this incidence that I read is, that since I'm no hobnob in the society, I only have myself to protect "me" and the so-called "ATTIYOTA" my city is famous for, no longer exists, not at least in my generation. We are busy, very busy for all these "WE" and "YOU" stuff; we only have time for "I, ME, MYSELF" --"Nobody thinks, nobody cares, no beliefs, no convictions and no enthusiasm"

The Revolution needed today is a mental revolution - something that would provoke us to come out of our fake 'comfort-zones' to fight for a cause - individual, societal or patriotic. 'Poribortan' in a governing body can't change people, it has to come from within, so that we can nullify Jimmy's --- "I suppose, people of our generation aren't able to die for good causes any longer..."
and sing Celine Dion's ---- "a new day has come".

I HOPE that May 13th has ushered that "new day" for my state, which will initiate a much needed change. Change in social outlook is must, but change in mentality is what I crave for.

Bibliography

1) Look Back in Anger by John Osborne

Search of Susanna

Search of Susanna
Anindita Kuity

How far would you go in your search for meaning of 'true love' in life? How would you react, if your quest remains unfulfilled and shrouded in reversion and betrayal? Vishal Bhardwaj, throwing moral precept, seems to unlock the hidden answers in our sub-conscious, portrays a surly star, which vindicates the above questionnaire in a human pyramid of noir. In 7 Khoon Maaf, the film maker creates an intensely dark tale of crime and passion in celluloid, taking a leap from his earlier adaptation of Shakespearean tragedies.

The film is a fascinating tale of a beautiful woman, Susanna, who over the course of thirty-five years got entangled in 7 marriages, due to the mysterious deaths of her husbands. In depicting Susanna's story, the avant-garde director shows a rare understanding of gender dynamics and sexual tensions as he successfully brings life to the wretchedly unfulfilled, deeply dysfunctional Susanna (played by Priyanka Chopra), who has discovered that in this world there's no true love to offer her.

In her endeavour in seeking 'true love', she was rived with unpalatable miscarriage of justice. Her face shows the intense shock and grief of a tortured soul, when she discovers the betrayal of each of her husbands. Resting on her body on the thick rope of an old bell tower, Susanna's blank face seems to suggest a life of sinister suppression and unspoken thoughts.

She cringes and almost draws her audience into agreeing with her actions of killing her husbands as the only way of getting rid from the socio-physical torment, opprobrium, as for her the death of a relationship means the death of the person, quite literally. She creates a paradox, an obnoxious moral fulcrum: 'She may be a murderer but is she evil?'

In her dreary dangerously destructive journey from a loving woman to an incorrigibly petulant lady and serial killer, Susanna sheds light to the plight of every woman wronged, who have pledged by their spouses eternal love and happiness- ''Either by a two timing husband, a wife beating husband, a murderous husband, a husband who treats his wife as a sex-object. The poor soul has no option but to end her anguish, any way.''

Her journey of finding true love and her failed marriages makes her realize the futility of an impossible ideal, yet her attempts of seducing the person who is almost like a son to her, as a last recourse shows her desperation and insatiable hunger for love and affection.

At the end she cries out in epiphany- '' This heart of mine, it is to blame.'' Amidst the hubbub of 'moral justice', she brings a profound sense of tragic grandeur, as she slips from self-gratification to delusional spirituality. She is not a villain, but neither a 'hero'- she is merely a victim of the illusion and emotion that life creates around her.

Bibliography
1) The Times of India : 7 Khoon Maaf Review
2) Subhash K Jha : 7 Khoon Maaf Review

Memories of Lifetime

There are some moments which re-define and re-evaluate the basic identity of an individual. Not many occasion where you bore the brunt of being patriotic, to get permeated in the holy blue wave of euphoria- Such morsel of moment was all we needed; to be a part of glory, to be a part of revolution and to be a part of History.

1983 had all but myths for me, heard it many a times from my parents, and saw highlights of that historic final too, but it never sent shivers down my spine and rightly so. 2003, was special in its own way. The way we progressed to the final, plus the love-affair with Ganguly staged the set for another history to be repeated. The heart break was hard to endure, but losing to a dominating Aussie side was never a shame.

Anticipation of doing better /winning the trophy was high prior to the WC, as India did exceptionally well in every format of the game under MSD. India playing the role of a host was enough for being agog to the tournament. Sub-continent pitches and full backing of fan power- can’t get better than this.

2011 didn’t disappoint us, and India rightly did justice to the tag of favourites by winning the World Cup. Yes, I may sound stiff here but that’s it- mission WC accomplished in a graceful way, Indian cricket wrote their own doctrine of power and dreamy eyes of every Indian found a reason to wipe out their faintest tears of joy. I, sitting thousand miles away from my motherland reading feeds on the social network, watching the game on the internet missed the buzz of street joy carnivals. My heart was dying for one go at the crackers. I missed the passion of an Indian among the Indians, but at the bottom of my heart few indelible memories will shine forever- Dhoni’s helicopter shot, Sachin in tears, Virat Kohli’s speech and Team India lifting the trophy.

Choices of Life

Twilight- Choices
Anindita Kuity


The Twilight series though initially rejected by 14 agents became an instant bestseller when it was first published in 2005. Though often termed under the genre of ''Vampire Romance'' , the implication of it is far more subtle, as it successfully portrays glimpses of human life with all its intricacies, beauty and pathos.





Rather than presenting her characters as types, Meyer portrayed them as thoughtful, sometimes philosophical, individuals taking deep insightful decisions giving us flashes of human truth. The series makes us aware of the power of choices and free will- the Cullens despite being vampires abstain from being the homicide and follow their temptations for red blood, as Meyer said- ''I really think that's the underlying metaphor of my Vampires. It doesn't matter where you are stuck in life or what you think you have to do, you can always choose something else. There's always a different path.''




Bella also involves in a series of choices. She had to deal with the choice of identity- maintaining her human self against a step up to the mystic, unknown realm of the Vampires. Her second choice was even harder sewed with complex- the choice over bond of love or gift of friendship knowing very well about the probable consequences.




Her ability to take decisions and make choices against the backdrop of extreme adversity and pitfall where a mere lapse on her part can be suicidal, is truly liberating as well as thought provoking. Equally powerful is her ability to separate goodness from evil, which affects her choices. She possesses a sturdy canvas of mental strength to fight against the Volturi, the civilized covens and their oppression. Her choice of becoming a mother compels the two antagonistic worlds of were-wolves and vampires, meet & fight jointly to save the progeny. This act of togetherness transcends everything- feud, vengeance, blood thirst, morbidity and death.

It is her choice that evolves her from an introvert teenager to a matured individual. It delivers a universal message- the freedom of choice makes us what we are, amidst the hurly-burly we are thrown in.

Apology

Back after a long gap with newer ideas. The blogs will run under the heading '' Media and Cyberculture'', but the content of the blogs from now will be different.

Most of the blogs will be related to Media, however there will be blogs relating to sports, music, literature, book reviews and social life as well.

I don't want to take credit for everything. There will be 3 more writers joining me, to make this blog a success.

Saikat Chatterjee- Sports

Anindita kuity- Literature, Films

Rijuta Kanjilal- Social life & others.

Please follow us on twitter @lfckopontop

AVATAR & Possible worlds

AVATAR has multitude meanings & usage. The term when used in computing means the graphic representation of a user, when used in television (mainly soaps & serials) it takes the shape of fictional race of creatures (in soap Carnivale), group of people in television (in serials Charmed) while the term is constantly used in Games & in concept of religion.

In Hindu mythology, AVATAR is the manifestation or appearance of Hindu deity. Vishnu, the protector of Earth has been considered as an AVATAR figure. A figure having enormous power under his belt & can CONTROL the destiny of human mankind.

In games, AVATAR has its own way of representation. Most video games have their GAMEPLAY centered on a specific being. It might be human being or it can be machines, but it is ‘’characterised by a clear marking of its individuality and of its physical presence in space.’’ The avatar functions as the protagonist of the game play and also becomes the mediator of the fiction to the player.

Avatar as an individual being is satisfactory as linguistic categorisation but it is too abstract 2 be applied to video games. AVATAR is a game unit, that is under the player’s control. By Control, avatar has to be causally aligned to the player and act under the player’s operation within the game system. Control of the AVATAR is shaped in accordance with the game rules.

AVATAR always gets the biased favour of the game player. In fictional world, the possible worlds are the mentally constructed outcomes of different actions. Say, in marriage, there is a preconceived notion that it will end in happiness. But, it can also end in pathetic divorce. Thereby, fictional world gives the reader a scope to judge a character as either sympathetic or antipathetic.

For example, Marie Laure Ryan noticed that in Cinderella, by locking the doors her step mother creates 2 possible worlds, one where, the Cinderella gets to the ball, and marries the prince, and another where the Cinderella is hindered & her step sister instead marries the prince. The step mother’s action is judged as malign as our sympathy is directed to Cinderella.

Game theory is meant for non-interactive fictions. An uncritical use of the theory will provide meager results as the player is connected to the avatar & thus will be biased in the AVATAR’s favour. In ludological paradigm, the game needs the possibility of player interaction for better gaming experience & categorizing / highlighting the role of AVATARS.

Bibliography

1) steven conway class lectures & slides
2) http://www.digra.org/dl/db/07311.16435.pdf
3) http://www.ludology.org/articles/ludology.htm