Postcolonial perspective : Shashi Tharoor

Shashi Tharoor (born 9 March 1956) is an Indian politician and a former career international diplomat who is currently serving as member of parliament from Thiruvananthapuram Kerala , since 2009. He also currently serves as Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs and all India professional congress Indian national congress.

Author and politician Shashi Tharoor known for his verbose tweets and quick-witted repartee. his works and speeches on british colonialism and it's influence on india are also much considerable.here are some point delivered by him.

British as colonial empire incessantly looted one of the richest countries in the world for 200 years. They left India in poverty. 90% people living under poverty. No growth of any aspect, only increasing Texes.

In name of free trade , british came in and they destroy the free trade that made india leading exporting textile. The British soldier smash the looms that people can't practice aircraft. They imposes duties and Tex on exports ,on clothes and on chief market on point of gun. That is not free market trade. Thus textile systematically destroyed by british empire.

British industrial revolution actually a form of de - industrialization of india. System of taking row materials from india and shifting manufactured clothes to world trade center.all profits and benefits of their only.

British flourished textile company in India by ' made in India ' hallmark of high quality. That is private profit of English and public risk of Indian.

Many Indians died because of them.During second world war in the great Bengal phenomenon , 4 million people died because of Churchill's decision of splay and policies. For them Bengali metters less. They are colonial enterprise only creates violence and racism.

In that time in railway, every single post given to english only after world war they highered Anglo indian. Indian passenger paid highest rent and british lowest. After independence now rent are lower.

Lagaan Film Review

Hello readers,
On the Independence day 2018. We watched Hindi movie Lagaan at the Department of English, MKBU. Before the screening  Sir has told us that ..’I hope you keep your eyes open and read what is between the lines and hidden within the images So, I tried my best to read most of scenes of the movie and  my views on it are expressed here…

Lagaan, a popular   Bollywood movie produced and star by Amir Khan, directed by Ashutosh Gowarikar won the audience award at the 2001..movie’s cinematography set in Gujarat and film have melodies song with an excellent story plot. Narrative style of movie is very much linear Or very much Indian style of narrative so  Lagaan also repeats the popular motif of Bollywood movies … the defeat of British Colonial rules at the hands of Indians, but situates the struggle for decolonization on apparently mutually exclusive domains—Cricket, an ‘Elite’ sport, and subaltern politics. Thus, movie as a national allegory in which one can see spirit of Nationalism and Bollywood heroism.


Movie opens with the scene of Village Champaner,  set in Kutch. The dry land and yellow sky is the reason of long autumn for trees as well as villagers, though the deep faith for nature in name of God symbolically present in watering to  Tulsi in very beginning of movie. Farming is main occupation for land owners and therefore,  darken sky and clouds is symbol of hope because fields are dry and stomachs going to hungry soon,  In a way Nature  remains in center. Entry of Hero is also presents with the great idea of Eco friendliness, he is saving animals from hunters, but the notion of saving is in center and it become the Skelton of movie. Saving villagers from Lagaan (Tax).

Before, the plot moves, there is visuals of Village as well as palace where Britishers living. Physical appearance tells a lot, far different and harder life villagers have. When the army of Britishers visits the village With Union Jack, one can see Deep agony or grief in old man’s eyes and anger in youth.  It shows that youth want to resist but they have no vision, which lead them that How to Act?. And , Hero do that. When He get challenge from Captain Russell.
When the Raja (King) of Champaner (so called Raja)  goes to Captain asking permission for decreasing tax because villagers want to celebrate Pooja in Temple, at that time Captain gaming with him that on the dining table that if Raja eat, meat only then and then captain will decrease the tax, but  a pure Vegetarian Hindu Raja firmly refuse even touch to non-veg food. In the whole film we can see character of Raja with Paghadi (pride) , but Has the any pride in be King only as mask of King? Raja is nothing more than nominal head though in heart of progeny as feudal lord. In many novels, especially in Gujrati literature novel’s by Ashwini Bhatt, description of Condition of kingdom and king in those days portrait deeply. How they have to maintain both the side, Britishers and Villagers. Same thing here with Raja he have no any command in his hand and it’s announce to villagers that they have to pay Double Tax this year. Refusal of this by villagers lead them  to Raja and There Caption Rusell throws challenge  that If they beat Britishers, captain will remove tax for three years and if they loose, he has to go South Africa., and challenge accepted by Bhuvan.

Then, the Team building starts,  Bhuvan alone can not play villagers must have to support him. But they are not ready to accept challenge, frightened from  defeat. Because price of their defeat puts them in great trouble, in any way they can not pay thrice tax in year. Same condition presents in Movie Mother India, where farmers paying Interest by cost of their life. The moment come in movie where Bhuvan is all alone in his decision and dark night privilege under him, at that time  Gauri (Heroine) of film, come and tells that, “ I’m with you.” And than slowly and steadily team building. Under the leadership of Bhuvan there is enough  member of team, like A land owning Peasants, Kachra disabled and an untouchable, lakha a Muslim man, Gauri’s  father ‘Vaidhji, ’ Guran, villagers’ astrologer or god man and religion boundaries are also transcended as a Sikh ex- Army Man. Optimistic nature, great plan of hero plus ranging of bell is sign of yes in god words make everything possible. Here we can also say that Post colonial India had space for leaders who take responsibility and encourage them. In movie also through the lyrics of song is present…

“Season of flowers will come, what the fear you have?                                                                             Courage and truth, who wins at the end… victory will be ours.”

In the melodies song we can see two different culture at same time villagers and Britishers, both are quite different. Goodness of Britishers is also highlighted Elizabeth who helps Bhuvan and his team in playing cricket by teaching rules of game, and at last in Game ‘fairness in Justice’ turn the game and when villagers win the game, Britishers in stadium gives them stand up clapping. It shows their broadness in thinking. And character of Elizabeth we compare with Lakha, Elizabeth loves Bhuvan but for Gauri she sacrifices her feeling in other side Lakha who loves Gauri and when he comes to know that Bhuvan and Gauri loves each other, he have negative feelings for Bhuvan.

Representation of Subaltern,  present through the character of Kachra, belonging from lower caste and untouchable for so called ‘pure’ Villagers. When Bhuvan take him as team Member, others resist their voice against that but Bhuvan shows Kachra’s disability (disable hand) as advantage. The whole plot is somewhere touch the same story line of Kanthapura by Raja Rao. Where the point of Untouchability faced by Murthi and at last all  villagers fight together for freedom. And importance of Religion is also in center, Temple of Kantheshwari is in heart of village and temple of Lord Krishna in height of  hill. Point of double Colonization is same in both the plot. 

In the end, last six by Bhuvan hit the ball out of stadium and give victory and pride for village after a long and interesting match. In the match also, fake representation of Islam  through the run out of Lakha. And fairness In justice shows whiteness of white people.

Thank you.

Orientalism

Task : Five Concepts Related to Orientalism on the basis of this video.

Edward Said's Interview about Orientalism.

"Orientalism revolutionised the study of the Middle East and helped to create and shaped entire ne2w fields of study."

Five main concepts about Orientalism :

1. Organised form of writing :

Whenever someone wish to know about the which are countries which are far away from their places, they must rely on some sort of  writings. This was not usual writing, but it would be organised form of writing. But in reality we couldn't rely on all such literature. We don't know who has/not travelled that places, who is giving real picture and who is fake.In other words we didn't get what we call realistic representation of Orient, either in literature, or in painting, or in music, or in any art form.

"And this extended even further into descriptions of the Arabs by experts, people who had studied them. I noticed that even in the twentieth century some of the same images that you found in the nineteenth century amongst scholars like Edward William Lane who wrote his book on the Modern Egyptians in the early 1830's and then you read somebody in the 1920's and they more or less saying the same thing."

2.Timeless Orient :

In a way all Orientals are same, no matter from which country s/he belongs, wether its India , or any other nation, it's basically the same assets, so there develops a kind of image of Timeless Orient.

3. Stereotype:

Said talked in this interview about the stereotype of Eastern countries. He said that Western world especially America always see the Eastern world as terrorist countries, their media also portraying Eastern people as barbaric in their T.V program and news. So, this kind of stereotypical perspective is very dangerous for the Eastern countries.

4. Different views of Imperialism:

In the interview, Said also differentiate the Imperialists like France, America and Europe and he said that French imperialism was very different than Europe and America. Further he said that French did not invaded like Spaniard invaded the new world, looking for a loot. But Nepolian invaded Egypt for the survey of Egypt while Europe invaded the new world looking for loot and also America looted many Easter countries because of the oil through the arm force.

5. Palestine Issue:

Said talked about the issue of Palestine that what is the condition of the people there, they have not their mother land because of the forcefully occupation by Israel. From 1948 to present time Palestinian are suffering a lot for the peace and their homeland but Western countries do not take any kind of action on this issue. We also can say that why Europe and America built a new state for Jew people surrounding Islamic countries, if they have love for Jew people then why they vanished jew from Europe. So, Said explained this issue through cultural, religious and political views.

6. Contrapuntal line:

It is very good view to look any kind of issue, language, Religion, Literature In contrapuntal line, we can say every thing has binary opposition. So, Said said that we have to look from both side we can not judge anything from one side like blind people portrayed elephant from one angle.

Film Review : Matilda

Hello Readers,
Today we watched film "Matilda" and here I am sharing my views regarding it. So enjoy reading it. 😊

Click here to watch trailer of the film.

As per wikipedia "Matilda" is a 1996 American children's fantasy-comedy film directed, produced and narrated by Danny DeVito, who also starred in the lead role.

Matilda the little girl born with some super power and from very young age, she used to do a routine work in compare of a mature one. Matilda's Family members behave very rudely with her, but she loves company of book more than them, and for book she said that..' It's not trash , it's my love.' In school Matilda met two Teacher one is Miss.Trunchbull and another one is Miss.Honey, both have different personality. Trunchbull is powerful lady but she did not know how to love childrens, and Miss. Honey loves children.
At the end of Movie, Miss. Honey got her home back and Trunchbull ran away from town. Matilda and Miss.Honey live a happy life together.



Thank You.

Thinking Activity : To The Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf

Hello Readers,

This blog is a part of my self-learning module. Click here to see the worksheet of the blog task.

My responses to the questions are given below:-

1.) “Life is Simple, People are Complicated”

This thought can be justified with the help of the novel ‘To the Lighthouse’. Virginia Woolf used the narrative technique “Stream of Consciousness’” in very effective manner. We as human very well know how thinking makes our relations so much complicated. How people have a variety of thoughts every minute which makes life more complicated. Virginia Woolf presents the hidden thoughts of each and every character. For example:

James hatred for his father….

“Had there been an axe handy, a poker, or any weapon that would have gashed a hole in his father's breast and killed him, there and then, James would have seized it.” – Part 1


Thus, the writer has used the effective technique to represent the play of conspicuous human relations and human mind.

2.) "The novel is both the tribute and critique of Mrs. Ramsay"

At some point we do feel that the novel is critique of Mrs.Ramsay. Her behaviour is quite different with the females in the house and with the male members. When the daughters ask her about their attires, she doesn’t take much interest in replying them as she takes interest in James activities.


“How would you like that? She asked, addressing herself particularly to her daughters. So she added, rather differently, one must take them whatever comforts one can.” – Part 1


Even her behaviour with Lily Briscoe is quite different. She doesn’t accept her way of living. She somewhere agrees with the thought “Women can’t paint, women can’t write”.

At large if we see this novel, we can say that it is a tribute to Mrs.Ramsay. She is the link between the family members, the best hostess and a shoulder giver to all the people. She represents the ideal woman, who keeps everyone happy. Even after her death she is remembered. We can see her presence also in her absence. Lily Briscoe’s painting is also a kind of tribute she gives to Mrs.Ramsay. No one be like her in the modern time. She can be compared with the ideal Indian women and also with the Sanskari Bahu of all Indian daily soap.

From the modern perspective, she is not the ideal women.

3.) “Symbols are the language of something invisible spoken in the visible world”

Many symbols can be found in the novel “To the Lighthouse”. Lighthouse is the central symbol in the novel.

Lighthouse can be interpreted in many ways as a strong emotional pillar, a light of hope which guides the people lost in the sea etc. Many characters also can be seen as the lighthouse in the novel.

Mrs.Ramsay –
Mrs.Ramsay can be seen as the lighthouse in the novel. She is strong emotional pillar for the family as well as the guest. She pampers the ego but as such she tries to keep everyone happy. Of course that is not appropriate way to give happiness. She is wonderful support and connecting link of the family.

Lily Briscoe-

Lily can also be called lighthouse of the novel. Despite of much criticism regarding her art, at last she proves herself. Her dedication is as strong as the lighthouse which falsifies Tansley’s comment “Women can’t paint, Women can’t write”.

The Narrator-

The narrator guides us whenever we get confused in the novel with the help of the narrative technique (brackets, parenthesis, and interior direct monologue) like lighthouse guides the ones who are lost in the sea.
For example:-
[Here Mr. Carmichael, who was reading Virgil, blew out his candle. It was past midnight.]

4.)  In the article by Joseph Blotner, two myths are patterned together. Name the myths? How they are zeroed down to the symbols of 'Window' and 'Lighthouse'? How does the male phallic symbol represent feminine Mrs. Ramsay?

-If we look from mythic pattern then Mrs Ramsay is put in the centre of the novel. Symbolically Woman is the symbol of homemaker, She has the power of creation. The very ultimate creation of the female is the birth of a child. She is a life giver.

This always raise doubt in our mind that is Virginia woolf knowingly makes use of myth or unknowingly. We find answer of this question in the diary of Woolf's where written that:-

"She read Greek, and "on not knowing the Greek"

Myth of Gaia and Uranus

According to the Myth of Greek God Gaia and Uranus, Gaia forced her son Chronus to kill Uranus. This myth can be connected with Mrs Ramsay, her son James and Mr Ramsay. James was not forced by his mother, but in a way he always wish to stab knife in his father's chest, whenever his father scolded him or when denied to go at Lighthouse. However there is no direct evidence present in the novel. The way Chronus eats children and Cuts Uranus's genital organ because of Uranus atrocity over Gaia, is symbolised male force over female, just like Mr. Ramsay forcing Mrs. Ramsay to satisfy his ego.

Lighthouse itself symbolised male phallic symbol and Window and door symbolised female. The title of the novel itself raised many questions that why Woolf gave the title which symbolised male even if Mrs Ramsay is the life giver( Myth of Pagan Goddess as a life giver).

Oedipus myth

According to Oedipus myth, Son unknowingly kills his father and married with his mother. In the novel James didn't like his father because he thinks that his father takes his mother and steal the time which he supposed to spend with his mother. Unknowingly this type of thinking rises Oedipus complex in the mind of the little James who sometimes in anger wish to stab knife in the chest of his father because of disliking him, but in actual did not do that.
5.)“An artist is an explorer” – Henri Matisse

According to Encyclopaedia Britannica, ‘Kunstlerroman’ (German: - “artist’s novel”), or a novel that deals with the youth and development of an individual who becomes or is on the threshold of becoming – a painter, musician or a poet.

Keeping Lily Briscoe at the centre of the novel, we can say that “To the Lighthouse” is a Kunstlerroman novel. In the first part “The window” we can see Lily’s dilemma as an artist. She is not satisfied by her work. She is missing something, which is not able to capture by her.

"She took up once more her old painting position with the dim eyes and the absent-minded manner, subduing all her impressions as a woman to something much more general; becoming once more under the power of that vision which she had seen clearly once and must now grope for among hedges and houses and mothers and children--her picture. It was a question, she remembered, how to connect this mass on the right hand with that on the left.”


In the last part, we see that she is able to get her vision clearly.
“With a sudden intensity, as if she saw it clear for a second, she drew a line there, in the centre. It was done; it was finished. Yes, she thought, laying down her brush in extreme fatigue, I have had my vision.”
Thus, we can see the growth and improvement of Lily Briscoe as a painter.


More answers will be updated soon on this blog....Enjoy Reading!!!
Thank You.

The Reluctant Fundamentalist- Film Review from PostColonial Perspective

Hello Readers,

Here I am Sharing my views regarding this film with postcolonial perspective.






The Reluctant Fundamentalist was directed by Mira Nair and was based on Mohsin Hamid's novel. Riz Ahmed playing the lead role and has given justice to his character by presenting himself in real way. There was not lots of melodrama which only makes plot complicated. Each and everything seems real to life without any type of artificiality which we find in similar Bollywood masala sequel "New York"
There was one checking scene at Airport in Reluctant Fundamentalist which happen as usually, not showing to much melodramatic elements in it. But On the other hand when we look at John Abraham performing this scene with high emotions. This was the technique of director who can add realistic as well as over emotional scene to attract audience. As now a days audience becomes so much indifferent that simple actions doesn't affect them and they need high emotions to feel the situation or the condition to which the character is passing through.












Frame Story

The Reluctant Fundamentalist used frame narrative technique, story within story. The main story was told by Changez Khan to journalist Bobby of his life and one story was also revolving around them. While narrating his story there were many incidents happening outside. In this way we can call it frame story.

Suspecting Muslim identity as Terrorist

In foreign countries mostly Muslims are treated or suspected as a terrorist and because of that doubt they have to undergo with so many struggles. Similar thing happens with Changez Khan who was suspected as a terrorist and therefore he has to pass through with very strict checking. His all clothes are taken off and has also shown his private part. This is very much insulting for him and in his mind at some corner hatred towards foreigners begins.

Changez Khan spoke very relevant line:-

"Nazre Dhokha Kha sakti hai"

This is what postcolonial study is reflecting. To look at things and to believe is not an easy task. One must have to see the gaps in literature, in history. There must be retailing of past so that some minor things which are not taken into consideration should get reflected. We have to look at minor narratives rather than meta narrative in understanding the things in better way.
In this film also Bobby suspects Changez and believes in what he saw without thinking. He suspects him as giving order to kill his companion through text message. But when he knows the truth, he feels so much guilty about it.And in revenge he also accidentally kills the student of Changez Khan. Then he remembers the first lines told by Changez khan that "Nazre Dhokha Kha sakti hai" and feels that how true Changez khan is speaking.

9/11 attacks
Reaction Of Changez Khan when Twin Towers are falling down

When Changez Khan first heard the news about the blast at Twin towers he becomes shocked. But later on there was a smile in his face. This is only because of the treatment of foreigners with him. He was treated very badly and was suspected at each and every place.

He compares this situation with the blast and attacks at Baghdad when so many innocent are died. Very artistically he present his thought and reaction in front of Bobby about the blast at Twins Tower.
He says that he obviously not feels good as you are also not feeling good when innocent are dying at Baghdad attacks. Satirical he presents his happiness or satisfaction about that incident.

Changez Khan's revolutionary lectures

Changez with his bitter experience gives revolutionary lectures in his class. For that he was attacked by the people who are not in favour of his thoughts and his family was also puts in danger.

Bobby Lincoln, the American presented as spy

Bobby Lincoln was not a journalist in real sense. He was a spy and meets Changez only to get the information about his revolutionary acts. This is also the post colonial point of view of looking at or portraying Americans as disloyal, that can never be trusted with the bitter experience of past.

Symbol of beard

Normally over bearded man was never looked by people in a better sense. In this film also there was one line spoken by on of the minor character in front of Changez while looking at his beard that " This long beard also makes him fearful". In a way he is raising doubts against the real identity of Changez khan.

Giving Pakistani tag to Changez Khan

Erica the beloved of Changez khan throws one show in which she has mentioned that "I had a Pakistani once". In this way unknowingly she has characterised Changez as Pakistani which makes him so much angry and suddenly broke the relationship with her.

At the end Changez has lost his job and visa and has to leave that country. In his subconscious mind the feeling of hatred is growing and decided to give revolutionary lectures against the Americans. Once he loves America very much, but after his bitter experience with peoples he starts hating it.

In this way we can look at both the films from Postcolonial point of view, that even after colonisation writers has written these type of revolutionary text and the directors articulated it well in films to show the mindset of people. To throw some lights on the margin identity.

Thank you for visiting this blog.

Midnight's Children - Movie Review

Hello readers,

This blog is part of my academic activity, here you can see the given task...
http://dilipbarad.blogspot.com/2015/09/postcolonial-studies-film-screening.html

"Midnight's Children" a novel by British - Indian author Salman Rushdie and "Midnight's Children" film was made and released in 2012 directed by Canadian - Indian director Deepa Maheta.

Click here to watch the trailer of the film.

The story is about two boys who born at 12 at midnight when India got its independence. Saleem and Shiva. Story involves four generation from grand father of Saleem to the son of Saleem. Both Saleem and Shiva has telepathy power to call other children who born at that same night in that one hour. They called themselves midnight's children. It also talks about emergency by Indira Gandhi. This movie has postcolonial aspects. Here we are trying to see some postcolonial aspects which movie has.

The birth of Saleem and Shiva at same time, it also shows the birth of two nations India and Pakistan. And with growth of both these boys the growth of two nations are also shown.

There is strong voice of Marxism. Poor become rich, rich become poor. And because of this Marry, the midwife at hospital changes the babies for her personal reason, which cause very big harm to both boys and family also.

The India which is shown is after independence. Normally shown as poor, because British has left India in to the ashes. In school where Saleem is studying there is picture of Lord Macaulay, and it is written that, "This man brought civilization to savages." Here savage means Indians and the quote wants to say that British brought us civilization. India is shown as the nation of snake charmers in this movie, which has used British lenses to see India.

When it talks about Indira Gandhi and her Emergency. Camera works very effectively and frame the narrative which says, "Zero years of independence." Which simply means the colony of Brits are over but after that our own people started making colonies. Movie also has one line like, "India is prime minister and prime minister is India." Which refers to dictatorship.

There is spittoon used as symbol, symbol of memory and how that memory becomes amnesia. All wants to have that memory and wants to tell their own story accordingly.

Chutneyfication of identities is very well presented here. Which shows India is a mixture of so many things like chutney. There is mixed identities. Our protagonist also don't know who is his real biological parents and he find it out the situation becomes worst. At the end Saleem tame Marry as her mother.

Magic realism is something which is shown as part of India. Parvati who knows magic called by people as witch. Because they think magic is craft of illusion. Parvati used to believe in her magic. She has one disappear box also which she used to save Saleem and her child. There is every time absurdity in marriage. Science and superstition has simultaneously shown in the movie.

These are some points, which film tries to show. But all art is at basic level for entertain. The movie is quit boring. May be it is good tool for study but not for entertainment.



Thank you.

Sunday Reading : Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a Nigerian novelist, writer of short stories and non fiction. She has written the novels like, “Purple Hibiscus”, “Half of a Yellow Sun” and “Americanah”. She has also written poems and essay. She also won “MacArthur Fellowship” award. She is very good speaker and story teller also. She has such a speaking skills which can catch and keep the attention of audience. In every story she gave her personal touch and then connect it with the point she wants to make. Here I’m sharing my views on her three talks, one at Ted Talk on “Dangers of Single Story” another Tedx Talk on ”We all Should be Feminist” and third one at Harvard University on “Truth”.




There is always two sides of coin, if you know only one your knowledge is incomplete and dangerous also. This is what she talks about in her Ted Talk on “Dangers of Single Story”. She told that how a single story narrated differently every time conditioned the mind of people to think about certain things in a certain pattern. She also talks about the power which narrate the story and conditioned the mind of people. She also said that single story will create archetype and archetypes are dangerous because they are incomplete. At the end she said that, “When we reject single story, when we realized that there is not a single story of any place, we regain a kind of paradise”.

I am agree with her point, single story can create stressful situation for people. People should think that every human, every place and everything on this earth has ups and downs. No one has only virtues or only vices. Nothing is perfect, perfection is a myth. One should ponder on both sides of story.



“A Feminist is a man or woman, who says yes there is problem with gender as it is today and we must fix it and we must do better.”, this is the definition of Feminist by Chimamanda Adiche. A feminist is not only woman, we all should be feminist. In this video Chimamanda put the idea of fair world, Where everyone is human. She says that there is physical difference between man and woman but both are human. She believes that man doesn’t need to prove his masculinity by physical strength, and woman don’t need to pamper the ego of man. She says that we all are social beings and we internalize ideas from society. So we should make society equal. By telling her own life story she says that everyone should respect both man and woman. Parents should not raise their child differently and society should not treat both gender differently. Here I remember the quote by Simone De Beauvoir that, “One is not born, rather becomes a woman.” As per Chimamanda raising both gender differently is worst thing, there is difference but society exaggerate the difference which hurts and give privilege to one gender unnecessary. She believes that, “there is problem with gender because it shows how we should be rather than what we actually are.” She says that, “culture don’t make people, people make culture”, so don’t keep gender expectations, focus on ability and interest rather than gender, don’t be apologetic for being a woman.



This video is of her speech at Harvard University, in which she talks about the importance of truth. Today we are living in era of post-truth, to believe on anything without checking the fact will be act of fool. More she says that while speaking truth, you my face the chaos but be courageous enough to speak the truth. When you have choice bend towards to the truth. Further she talks about religion and literature and she says that make literature your religion, take people as people. She also talks about media that it is for truth and not for entertainment or for profit making, it is for telling truth. Media should work like watch dogs of democracy not pet dogs of power. As she is interact with students she also talks about procrastination and called it a form of fear. She also believe that one should have both self-doubt and self-believe, both together will lead towards success. If you keep only self-doubt you will become complacent and if you keep only self-believe you can not succeed. She ends her speech by wishing students the courage.

First time I’ve heard Chimamanda and very impressed by her way of telling stories and her thoughts. She tells her own life experience as story. Her pronunciations are very clear and when she speaks she can touch the heart of audience by her words. After listening her speech now I also wants to read her stories. It will be interesting, fun and good experience.

SEM-3 OD 1 Ideas Given by Vargas Llosa

Mario Vargas Llosa has faced an interview for his most recent novel "The Neighborhood". The interview was taken by Michael Skafidas.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/theworldpost/wp/2018/06/27/mario-vargas-llosa/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.cb41559f8666

In this Interview Mario Vargas Llosa has given many best ideas with apt examples.

Here are some ideas which I liked the most:-

i) The Problem of Feminism
Vargas Llosa speaks about the problem of feminism and said that:
"It has become very sectarian, very dogmatic, and I think you have to criticize and oppose these trends. For Example, recently we have had a big group of debate in Spain where feminists attacked Nobokov's "Lolita" which I think one of the greater 20th century novels, they attacked it because they claim the main character is a pedophile. with this criterion, literature will disappear. It is grotesque! If you respect literature you must accept not only the very idealist, altruist vision of human beings but also the infernal vision of them"

ii) Angels and Devils
Georges Bataille said that in human beings, there are angels and devils. Sometimes the angels are important, but for literature, devils are also important too. Literature is the testimony of what we want to hide in the real world.

iii) Sartre's idea
"That words are act and that you write things that could make a difference in history or solve problems. Writing was a way to participate in the creation of a different kind of society, freer, more just, more liberal"
writing was not only for creating pleasure but also a tool for change.

iv) Novelist is the historian of the recorded
History and Literature are faces of a coin. They are so closed and in many cases, the literary version of a historial part prevails over a historian account.

SEM-3 OD 2 : Oneness of Literature

All literatures are connected with each other. All those works which are already written, those being written and those yet to witten. To understand a work of art, one must have an understanding of this continuity.

Northrop Frye

He developed the theory of Archetypal criticism based on the idea that whole of the literature has oneness of its existence. All literatures shares common DNA or skeleton. There is parallel structure going on in every piece of writting.

Oneness of Literature with reference to T.S Eliot's Wasteland and Anton Chekhov's A Joke

T.S Eliot covers various topics, myths in his long poem "The Wasteland". Every line of the poem carried very deep meaning inside it. There is some lines which holds the theme of Anton Chekhov's short story "A Joke".

And when we were children, staying at the archduke's, My cousin's, he took me out on a sled, And I was frightened. He said, Marie, Marie, hold on tight. And down we went. In the mountains, there you feel free


Interpretaion

In these lines the girl feels nostalgic about adolescence experience of going in the mountain over the sled. But she gained courage only because of support of her male cousin. Still she trembles when she saw the slope of mountain from height. All time she need courage and then only she did coasting with cousin.

"A joke" by Anton Chekhov is also shows the same structure of story, only the character name has changed. It is Nadia instead of Marie. In this short story the friend of Nadia performed a joke everyday whenever he id doing coasting with Nadia, in the mid of the jorney he used to utter four magical words "I Love You Nadia" in very silent mode. Nadia all time becomes confuse that whether it is true or just an illusion. To listen these words she gained courage to to do coasting again and again. Every time he utters these words. One day Nadia decided to do coasting alone, just to make sure that who is speaking. But she didn't listens anything because she was too much frightened that day because her friend was not with her to give her courage.

Theme of Sexual Perversion

In the story as well as in the lines of Wasteland there is deep meaning inside it. The act of coasting is not just for fun or for other things. It indicates the first lustful act, first attraction. How the first relation made deep effect in one's life. In the end of the story there is a line:-


"That memory is for her the happiest, the most touching, the most beautiful one of her life. But for me, now that I have grown older, I can no longer understand why I said those words and why I jested with Nadia"


These lines indicates that all the things which he has done with Nadia is just a kind of lustful act. And after it both went to their different paths in life. The girl married and boy went to Pitsburg. The main thing for human is to achieve the sexual pleasure and in this way the land turns into the 'Wasteland' with full of waste people. It was not the matter of past, but of present also and will remain forever, there is oneness of the concept which we found in both these works( The wasteland, A Joke)

Hollowness

The four words are meant a lot for the girl. Here we can see the importance of outer things than inner. Only the physical pleasure, butter polished words are remain at the centre.There is hollowness in every human being, no true and pure relation survive in the present time.

Esoteric characteristics

The lines seems easy, as we can understand each and every words, but we are not able to find its deep meaning because of its esoteric quality which is for specific people only, who can understand the concept which was present inside the text.

From Feminist point of view

If we looked at these lines of poem from feminist point of view, we find that a girl was shown as weaker than man, both physically and mentally. Here the man gives her courage and his words are also act as a booster. Without his support Marie or Nadia can do nothing.

Translation

The story of Anton Chekhov's A Joke was translated in Gujrati for one of the column of Gujrat Samachar. But we cannot find a proper Gujrati word for Sled. The Gujrati writer has used the same english word.
Even in the tilte we can notice the big change in translation. The real tile in English is 'A Joke', but in Gujrati it becomes 'small joke' (nanakdi mjak). In this way the translation was not done well. There are many words which cannot be translated because sometimes it loses its essence.

Reflective Activity on Javed Khan Sir's Lectures

Department of English MK Bhavnagar University organised three day's interaction with experts of SP University of VallabhVidhyaNagar. In this Dr. Javed Khan and Dr. R.K.Mandaliya deal with us. What I get from this three day's sessio, that briefly I want to mention here, Especially Dr. Javed Khan deal with us on ELT, English Language Teaching. But before that i wanna say that...
Readers are genuis...! And Dr.Javed Khan a very very amazing book lover, this is the one thing i want to describe first. And He have great propensity to teach ELT.

Between 16th august to 18th august we collabarate on ELT, Topics of Interaction is like...
(1st Session)
1. Devlopments preceding the dawn of the Milennuim(utopia, happiness)

2. Gset/Net

3. Intitiation to ELT in Higher Education

4. English For Spacific Purpose

5. English For Academic Purpose - Liz - Hamp Lyons

6. Assessment Rand Evalution: The shifting Paradigm.

On the very begining of ineraction He gave an excellent example of Word 'SEEK' that trying to Seeking for knowledge and it's
require great Austerely (તપશ્ચર્યા). Because skill set is very much require to be successful, and knowledge makes you self Confident.

Morever, He talk about ELT, that numerous inventions including those in communication and technology have shaped the begining of twenith century. And what are the major requirement for that is,
1.Skill Requirement
-Communication
- Numeracy
- self confidence
- problem solving
- analysis & interpersonal skills

2.ICT Skill
-Team Working
- Flexibility
- Adapatably

(2nd Session)

On NET/SLET The Great Challange!
This is also fruitfull session for all the students, in this Sir talked about general rules of exam or structure of exam to he coverd all the aspect of exam.

Sir gave some contexual points, to make exam's preparation good.
1.Worked by the skin of their teeth to make the grade!
2. Systamatic planning & single minded devotion is neccessary.
3. Experimention & Experience of the youth will need to be made secondary
4. Good Reading holds the key to great success.

(3rd to 6th Session)

In the thurd session Sir deal with Intiation to English language Teaching in Higher Education.

Intiation and need for it is Sacraments, which lead towards Tradition and it becomes Faith.

And more about ELT as broad term. Starts from basic questions like,


1.What to teach?
2.When to teach?
3.Why to teach it?
4. Howcto teach?
5. What Materials to use?
6. What methodology to use?
7. What tools of testing t use for measuring the outcome of these decisions?
8. How to correct the anomalies noticed?

To coverd ESP (English for Specific Purpose) EAP (English for Academic Purpose) ELP (English for Literary Purpose )




If there is question like, How this interactions going to be helpful to you as students in exam and in life as teacher or any profession or human being?

I would like to say that, This interaction going to help me more as life long learner than student in life. And if we see it through Javed Sir's perspective Learner is always with young mind.

And further that When , I raised question in class about how to manage time, reply was that, curiosity makes your priority! There is always time for doing something. And Perfomance is the reflection of competence, abilities, skills and knowledge. So , this is the life long message for me and obviously it's going to helpful me.

The Waste Land Thinking Activity

Here, I answered the questions of thinking activity. I'm sharing the link of my Sir's blog in which he asked questions...http://dilipbarad.blogspot.com/2014/10/presentations-on-ts-eliots-waste-land.html?m=1

THE WASTELAND By T.S.Eliot it shows the ruined image of society. The barreness of life and growth of only materialism leads toward the meaninglessness of life.



1) What are your views on the following image after reading 'The Waste Land'? Do you think that Eliot is regressive as compared to Nietzche's views? or Has Eliot achieved universality of thought by recalling mytho-historical answer to the contemporary malaise?

Eliot stands for Regressive, backward looking as it tries to find answers of contemporary malaise in Upanishad, Buddhism and Christianity.

On the other side Nietzche stands for progressvie and forward looking, in giving solution to the problem of contemporary crises in faith and self.

In compared to Neitzche's thought, yes Eliot is regressive but it doesn't mean that he only rises question on his contemporary society, he also tries to give way of solution rather than the answers. Cycle of time always moving and when History start repeating one must have to look back and try to learn that what are mistakes our ancestor did and now when time comes to us how we will deal with it?
It is certain and right that new questions's answer we couldn't find in Upanishad, Buddhism and christinity but the way of living,understanding towards any situation one can devlop.
So we can conclude that it is also right that problems of contemporary crisis' solution is in faith and self but, the level of faith and understanding of self must be necessary. It comes from reading of mytho-historical and religious thought. Eliot achived that unversality of thought.

2) Prior to the speech,Gustaf Hellström of the Swedish Academy made these remarks:




What are your views regarding these comments? Is it true that giving free vent to the repressed 'primitive instinct' lead us to happy and satisfied life? or do you agree with Eliot's view that 'salvation of man lies in the preservation of the cultural tradition'?


No, I'm not agree with Eliot's view that 'Salvation of man lies in the preservation of the cultural tradition' and supression or contol over desire lead toward any better life. In stend of that it's better to giving free vent to desires.


For proving this point i want to give example of one letter's fragment by Osho.

3) Write about allusions to the Indian thoughts in 'The Waste Land'. (Where, How and Why are the Indian thoughts referred?)


There is an image or central theme of poem is death in life is eastern philosophy in westeland, rebirth and the continuation pf an endless cycle of suffering in a world, and many other refrences is there...


1.The Fire sermon
The fire and sermon is name of sermon given by Buddha. Gayasisa is the place where buddha prech the fire sermon about achieving libration from suffering through detachment from the five senses and mind, by that Eliot also wants to convey a message tp stay detached from all body and sense's desire.


2.What the Thunder said
There is refrence pf Upanishad in this Prajapti
Spoke in thunder 'aakashvani' to devotees are pointed out the way of salvation. Eliot shows the way of spiritual re-birth on the basis of wisdom of India.


"Rock and no water and the sandy road

The road winding above among the mountains"


Climbing a painful mountain pass through pain and agony and after that you reach destination the feeling of Air is Shantih.


3.River Ganga and Himalaya
Eliot refers to Wisdom of India for spiritual salvation of modern humanity. Holly river Ganga known for its purity and also for purification , and Himalaya is known for spirituality and peace.


"Ganga was sunken, and the limp leaves
Waited for rain, while the black clouds
Gathered far distant, over Himavant".


4.Three Da
Datta.. Give
Dayadhvam... Sympathize
Damyata...control


Da..Da..Da.. As reminder to practice self control, giving and compassion.


5.Shantih Mantra
Path pf knowldge is always painful and peace comes after knowing something that is the real Shantih. Thus Eliot ends Wasteland with hope.

Movie Review : Modern Times

This blog is par of my academic activity.

As A.C.Ward says in Morden Literature, 'First fifty years of twentieth century the human race moved through a remarkable series of upheavals than during perhaps fifty generation in the past' It means growth of physical world and material progress can seen as Scientific revolution. Movie Morden Times is like pages of history, shows us real face of America.
Ironically film opens with a note that a story about the industry, individual initiative and the crusade of humanity in the pursuit of happiness”, and immediately after the scene of sheeps turn into workers emerging from a subway.

Without any dialogue , a mum draws the perfact picture of last man's condition of that era. Clock is also symbol of industrilization that man is in under control of time, we can see in movie that charlie is working constalntly in rhythm for hours, and machine of automatic feeding is also symbol of saving time, that one can take lunch without interrupt their work.


In prision, charlies shows us the condition of prisoners, how they are living in dispcline but some of them can not escape from drug powder. Strike in mill is also a symbol of unemployment.

When charlie is thrown out on to the street for his manic behaviour , he then meets a young homelss and orphened girl, and tries to build a home with her.Then their struggle for better life till end, shows us that in place of human basic need home food and cloth is necssary.


Movie ends with hope on road of happiness, utterly last frame is not as passimistic as movie. Mountain and scene of dawn sign of better tomorrow and beyond mountain better world for them.

Movie Review :The Great Dictator

We watched film The Great Dictator at the Department of English, MKBU as part of our background study of Modern literature. The Great Dictator is a 1940 American Political satire Comedy drama silent film and film maker well into the period of sound film. It was his first talking film. Film is  Written, Directed, Produced and scored by Charlie Chaplin. Film controversial condemnation of Adolf Hitler, fascism and the Nazis so, first question raised in our mind about Fascist, who were they and what they were doing? Fascist believe that liberal democracy  is obsolete and they regard the complete mobilization of society under a totalitarian. One party state as necessary to prepare a nation for armed conflict and to respond effectively to economic difficulties.


Charlie plays double roles: Persecuted Jewish Barber and Ruthless Fascist Dictator. Jewish barber fighting for nation Tomania, unknowingly he saves life of wounded pilot but, however their plane crushes and twenty years later He return to his previous  profession as barber in the Ghetto. Where he falls in love with his neighbor Hannah. In search of better and peaceful life they struggle a lot. Meanwhile Hynkel another role of Charlie tries to finance his ever growing military forces by borrowing money from Jewish barber. In all that matter both the character because of same look create a glitch.


Barber and Schultz,  escaping from the camp in stolen uniforms, dressed as Hynkel, arrive at the Osterlich frontier, where a huge victory-parade is waiting to be addressed by Hynkel. The real Hynkel is mistaken for the Barber while out duck hunting in civilian clothes and is knocked out and taken to the camp. Schultz tells the Barber to go to the platform and impersonate Hynkel, as the only way to save their lives once they reach Osterlich's capital. The Barber has never given a public speech in his life, but he has no other choice.(Wikipedia) and he tries to give speech. It is the great message we admire him for that.

Speech of Barber as Hynkel in film.



You, the people, have the power to make this life free and beautiful, to make this life a wonderful adventure.


Then – in the name of democracy – let us use that power – let us all unite. Let us fight for a new world – a decent world that will give men a chance to work – that will give youth a future and old age a security. By the promise of these things, brutes have risen to power. But they lie! They do not fulfill that promise. They never will!


Dictators free themselves but they enslave the people! Now let us fight to fulfill that promise! Let us fight to free the world – to do away with national barriers – to do away with greed, with hate and intolerance. Let us fight for a world of reason, a world where science and progress will lead to all men’s happiness. Soldiers! in the name of democracy, let us all unite !


The soul of man has been given wings, and at last he is beginning to fly. He is flying into the rainbow – into the light of hope, into the future, the glorious future that belongs to you, to me, and to all of us.






This message and film out at such a time it brought light to painful period of darkness and actually gives a huge message of peace ironically in the end of speech. It seems strong connection with Gandhian idea of non-violence and peace.










Modern critics have praised it as a historically significant film and an important work of satire. In 1938, Hitler was not yet recognized in all quarters as the embodiment of evil. Powerful isolationist forces in America preached a policy of nonintervention in the troubles of Europe, and rumors of Hitler's policy to exterminate the Jews were welcomed by anti-Semitic groups. Some of Hitler's earliest opponents, including anti-Franco American volunteers in the Spanish Civil War, were later seen as "premature antifascists"; by fighting against fascism when Hitler was still considered an ally, they raised suspicion that they might be communists. "The Great Dictator" ended with a long speech denouncing dictatorships, and extolling democracy and individual freedoms. This sounded to the left like bedrock American values, but to some on the right, it sounded pinko.