Rakhi's groomhunt is the most watched among TV shows today. Most of us love to loathe the scripted facade. We love to watch it nevertheless.
Loads have been written since it started airing. It lacks the originality of dating shows of US and UK. It gives too much importance to the `goody' bride that Rakhi wants to be. It mocks at relationships in the sense that Rakhi would not think twice about blaming her mother publicly for her break-up with a boyfriend.
Too much colour, hype and pancake make-up.
Come to think of it though, who has the courage that this loud-mouthed item girl displayed by daring to call a Swayamvar? What's the possible difference between her and a first family film couple selling the rights of publishing pictures from their so-called private marriage to a magazine?
In all that she has displayed in her misuse of media, Rakhi is that vulnerable girl screaming from rooftops for love and respect. In her loud voice lies the deep insecurity that she will not speak about. Unfortunately, our judgemental society guided by the male psyche and diktats of chastity would not like it when a girl talks too loud.
My husband hates the show. I have no love for Rakhi either. But I love her courage, and her efforts through the process, irrespective of whether she marries one of those guys or not.
Guess what? I googled Swayamvar, and the only mention of it is from mythology in wikipedia, besides matrimonial websites.
Back in my newspaper daily days, swayamvar meant matrimonial meets that ended up being classist and casteist advertisements more than the girl's choice.
Saturday, 18 July 2009
Friday, 17 July 2009
Delights of a short short story
One of the delights in my just done writing course was a short short story that we students got to read.
It was Hemingway's famous six word story.
For those who never heard of it, here it is:
`For Sale: Baby Shoes, never worn.'
There is so much in these six words! A beginning, a process, an end!
It has philosophy, it has simplicity, and yet is such an intense story! Here is what I jotted down as part of the assignment, though it came from my heart!
` It evokes feelings of sympathy. It triggers thought about the protagonists: the parents who are obviously poor, of a dead baby, of a tragedy and grief that comes with it. It is layered. There are aspects of philosophy being explored too. For instance, if there are three sets of words, For Sale indicates profit, selfishness, business, desperation. Baby shoes, the very thought of these brings to mind, innocence, pure joy, selflessness and beauty. The third set speaks of death, futility of selfishness and the end that is painful.'
This one is what is called Flash fiction these days, although not many have been successful at less-word big stories. Hoping to read more good fiction in the coming days.
It was Hemingway's famous six word story.
For those who never heard of it, here it is:
`For Sale: Baby Shoes, never worn.'
There is so much in these six words! A beginning, a process, an end!
It has philosophy, it has simplicity, and yet is such an intense story! Here is what I jotted down as part of the assignment, though it came from my heart!
` It evokes feelings of sympathy. It triggers thought about the protagonists: the parents who are obviously poor, of a dead baby, of a tragedy and grief that comes with it. It is layered. There are aspects of philosophy being explored too. For instance, if there are three sets of words, For Sale indicates profit, selfishness, business, desperation. Baby shoes, the very thought of these brings to mind, innocence, pure joy, selflessness and beauty. The third set speaks of death, futility of selfishness and the end that is painful.'
This one is what is called Flash fiction these days, although not many have been successful at less-word big stories. Hoping to read more good fiction in the coming days.
Wednesday, 15 July 2009
Parched in the flood
The good news. My neighbourhood waterfall that does not exist throughout the year came alive a few days back, and looks lovely now.
The great news. It's raining. It's lashing the city. There's water everywhere. Over the last few weeks, we've seen deluge twice.
The funny, ironical, yet real news: No water at home. Mumbai's keepers have shut one of the four water-supply pipelines that quench the city's thirst. So while it rains in plenty, my taps have run dry since 10 am.
Outside my window, I can still hear the roar of fresh water gushing down from a pipe into the storm-water drain below. Fresh clean water from the monsoon green hills.
The tragedy: This water goes waste. It goes into the drains, probably to join sewage downstream. It is not treated for domestic use. It is not stored for future use. It is looked at like one would look at drain water.
This morning, I was shocked to find my tap going dry an hour in advance. After the clamour to store every drop of water I could manage, I chanced by those headlines that glared about misuse of Mumbai's water by builders. And these builders get away while the municipal corporation says `it is difficult' to rein them in!
Ever since I set foot in Mumbai, I have not once heard the words Rain Water Harvesting. Harvesting water is more a rage in other cities. No one thought yet that Mumbai's mountainous water needs need to be addressed locally too - by the housing societies, by the builders, developers, by the municipal corporation.
I rave and rant. I crib. The water below my apartment window continues to go waste.
The great news. It's raining. It's lashing the city. There's water everywhere. Over the last few weeks, we've seen deluge twice.
The funny, ironical, yet real news: No water at home. Mumbai's keepers have shut one of the four water-supply pipelines that quench the city's thirst. So while it rains in plenty, my taps have run dry since 10 am.
Outside my window, I can still hear the roar of fresh water gushing down from a pipe into the storm-water drain below. Fresh clean water from the monsoon green hills.
The tragedy: This water goes waste. It goes into the drains, probably to join sewage downstream. It is not treated for domestic use. It is not stored for future use. It is looked at like one would look at drain water.
This morning, I was shocked to find my tap going dry an hour in advance. After the clamour to store every drop of water I could manage, I chanced by those headlines that glared about misuse of Mumbai's water by builders. And these builders get away while the municipal corporation says `it is difficult' to rein them in!
Ever since I set foot in Mumbai, I have not once heard the words Rain Water Harvesting. Harvesting water is more a rage in other cities. No one thought yet that Mumbai's mountainous water needs need to be addressed locally too - by the housing societies, by the builders, developers, by the municipal corporation.
I rave and rant. I crib. The water below my apartment window continues to go waste.
Monday, 13 July 2009
Am back for good!
After six weeks of rigorous work, am back at blogging again. I was away from writing for this blog, but not really away from doing some work on it. In the last few weeks, have looked up hundreds of templates to improvise the design, and settled for the one I have just put up.
Looking for feedback from those of you following it. In the meanwhile, have done a course on writing.
Looking for feedback from those of you following it. In the meanwhile, have done a course on writing.
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