Often, invitation cards say that 'Arangetram' means 'ascending the stage'. Theoretically, all of us know that it is our first stage programme. Then why is it supposed to be so perfect? It is a beginning, an entrance.We often widen our eyes and raise our eyebrows at students who perform their Arangetram 'too early'. At age seven? How ridiculous! After learning dance for just two years? Tut tut. Nonsense.Where do these ideas come from?A book I'm reading tells me about many of the last devadasis. Kumbakonam Bhanumathi (who described dance as 'the sweeter unheard melody of our music system') did her Arangetram at age eleven. Pandanallur Jayalakshmi (whom Rukmini Devi allegedly tried unsuccessfully to imitate) completed hers when she was eight. Thanjavur Balasaraswathi (about whom Satyajit Ray made a film) was seven when she did hers.These are just examples. The … [Read more...]
A Dream
Last night, I had a dream.My sister and I were walking through old streets towards a tall block of flats. Beyond the building was a meadow. The grass was tall, gleaming in the sunshine.The two of us sat down on a bench nearby. "How wonderful it would be to live in a flat there, overlooking the meadow with grass that is waist-high!"Suddenly, a creature glistening with sweat ran through the grass. It was scurrying on all fours, almost hidden in the tall grass. As it turned, we saw the gleaming dark grey tail, flat like a beaver's, but huge, much taller than a man.Moments later, a large blue bulldog appeared in the grass and flew onto the beaver's back. Enraged, the beaver reared up on its hind legs. Undaunted, the bulldog too stood on its hind legs and the two were of the same height. They fought like bears, hugging, circling, growling.My sister and I watched, amazed. The blue … [Read more...]
International Children’s Book Day
Yes, today is International Children's Book Day, a time for me to look back at all the wonderful children's books I've read this year! … [Read more...]
Tolulope Popoola
"Your stories are too short." "I want to know more!" "What happens after that?" "I would have liked some more description so that we get to know the people and place better."It's not uncommon for me to get responses like this to my writing, and so I snapped up the term 'Flash Fiction' as soon as I came across it. "I write flash fiction," I tell myself (usually, no one else). "Not short stories; flash fiction."Having come across this delightful term not more than a few months ago, I began trawling the internet for famous writers of flash.And I came across one. I need to say nothing about her.Read Tolulope Popoola. It is almost addictive. The only thing that made me stop was ridiculously slow internet.A collection of her flash fiction is also available on Kindle. … [Read more...]
Kung Fu Panda 2
There's nothing like a happy movie to raise your spirits when you have a cold and feel like doing nothing. And Kung Fu Panda 2 was as delightful as the first!Inner peace. I like inner peace. … [Read more...]
Toro! Toro!
Is it true that the most moving books must be placed during wartime? How strange that the moments of greatest human kindness come during the cruelest of times!Toro! Toro! is not like the other Morpurgos that I have read, insomuch that it is not about the second world war at all. Yet, it is about cruel, incomprehensible war.I have never liked the idea of bullfights, not even when I was too young to know that the bull is killed and bleeds to death. I found the idea of a bullfight unnecessarily violent. I couldn't (and still can't) understand what the thrill is.How much stronger the feeling of revulsion would be for a child who has watched the birth of a bull and become its friend!Paco, a bull, pushes the young boy Antonito to do something that he would never dream of doing. And because of that one act, Antonito's life - in fact, his whole world - turns upside down.In true … [Read more...]
Winding Up – Creepy House Reading Challenge
Today, I will be part of the award distribution, the final get-together of all the participants of the Creepy House Reading Challenge at the British Library, Pune.Four workshops over the course of two months with children aged anywhere between 5 and 13. What fun it was!We'll talk about what we learned, how we can take things forward and what we can do with books in our lives ahead.And then, I have the honour of having been invited to give certificates and medals to the children who successfully completed the challenge. Looking forward to another lovely morning! … [Read more...]
Parents and Kids Choice Awards
Do you like The Story-Catcher? If you're a parent or a child who likes my collection of short stories, do nominate it for the Parents and Kids Choice Awards! The idea of the award is lovely - an award that is not inspired by sales and popularity, but by the place it holds in your heart.Nominate The Story-Catcher by clicking here! … [Read more...]
The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips
The best stories are the simplest ones of all. And who better than Michael Morpurgo to write simple stories so simply that they charm you?Boowie receives a letter from his grandmother, not very long after the death of his grandfather. It is undoubtedly the most remarkable letter of his life. As part of the letter, his grandmother sends him sections from her childhood diary. Slowly, little bit by little bit, she reveals the amazing story of her cat Tips. Part of the story is how Tips graduates to her grand name 'Adolphus Tips'. And most remarkable of all is what happens in the end.The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips is not just the story of a cat. It's the story of love, spirit and relationships that stretch way beyond the scope of literature.Michael Morpurgo - his stories are timeless. … [Read more...]
The Great Escape
The story of two dogs and a cat during the second world war brought to mind an aspect of war that I had never considered. What happened to all the animals, particularly pets, during the war? Startling statistics that Megan Rix has included after the novel reveal that there were far more animals killed during the war than civilians. By far more, I mean, if I remember correctly, seven times the number.The Great Escape is a take on this idea, albeit a lighthearted take. The three animals escape from cruelty and danger, making an incredible journey from the city to the country. Adventures are plentiful; pitfalls expose them to human kindness and cruelty.A tale for children, I think it is a particularly charming read for animal-lovers who want to wear rose-tinted glasses, but want, at the same time, to be aware that that their glasses are tinted! … [Read more...]