What a crazy book. And that's a compliment. There were parts of the book that I read only because I wanted to finish the book. I pushed myself to read, page after page, completing each chapter before putting the book down. So I simply can't give it those overused compliments - 'page-turner' and 'unputdownable'. When imagination is truly beautiful, there's such a strong semblance to life that there's no need to understand each detail. The world is like that. There are so many questions that we ignore. We don't feel the need to answer or even understand the questions. Why do fiction writers so often feel the need to explain everything? Sylvie and the Songman made me think. I did not need to understand everything. I needed to accept and marvel. The ideas were magnificent. The concept of music was thrilling, frightening, enlivening. And like all good books, it made me ask why we create. … [Read more...]
My Camera Journey
Somehow, digital cameras have turned me away from photography. It is, somehow, I don't know... Too technical? Too easy to get a good shot? Or perhaps a part of me loved the exclusivity of photography that no longer exists. I remember the first camera my father gave me when I was ten years old. A Hot Shot camera that had a cartridge, not a regular reel of film. How gloriously exciting it was! I photographed my family and my teddy-bears. One particularly interesting photo on the balcony shows how hasty ten-year-old Varsha was too excited about photography to notice a highly unpicturesque pair of bathroom slippers in the same frame as her dolls. Around that time, my grandfather also gave me a camera - one that I could not use because film was no longer available for that one. You sling the camera around the neck and look down into it to see what's ahead. Truly fascinating - particularly … [Read more...]
A Note of Music
Everything is made out of notes, vibrations. Many people think the universe started with a great big bang. What's that if it isn't a note, albeit a rather loud one? Somewhere there's probably a note that brings the whole universe together... Goodness knows what will happen if anyone finds it... We'll probably be blown up; either that or we'd find ourselves in another universe. - from Sylvie and the Songman by Tim Binding That, succinctly put, is the power of music. … [Read more...]
Opening my Eyes
At our refectory, things are beautifully, thoughtfully organised. Little children eat in one hall; older children in another. There's no discrimination involved. The wash-basins attached to the hall for the little ones are lower, the trays are designed for children and everything is child-height. One day, a tiny girl was rummaging amongst the spoons of the 'big' zone. "What happened?" I asked. "What are you looking for?" There was no response. The little girl continued her search. "Can I help?" I asked. The little girl was standing on tiptoe, hunting. She looked up at me. "I want a spoon with a design." I couldn't help smiling. I found two for her and held them out. She chose the design she liked more. "Thank you." I took the other. It had such a pretty design. Now, I don't choose my spoon (I don't want to deprive anyone of a pretty spoon), but I do notice. … [Read more...]
Exam Gems III
Asked to 'write a commentary' on a poem, students write:'...one thing where I felt that it is wrong is that he did not divide the last line properly, the last line's word is going in the next paragraph.' 'The name given to the poem is very good' 'The poem does not start with a boy sleeping but we can imagine this because the situation will be like that only.' 'I don't understand why does he just start to talk about his own self instead of ending it in a good way. I just did not like the ending because it was confusing but the rest of the poem from the starting was wrote in a decent manner... it was rhyming also when it was needed except the last part' 'The short sentences create a great mood of reading the extract, as their is less to read and more to understand.' 'The tone of the narrator is in a very appreciable fashion.' '[The poet] has a great critical thinking power.' We asked for … [Read more...]
Exam Gems II
Attempting to create pathos and anger: 'Reaching hospital it was looking like messy type' 'I got him into the last point of insultation' Attempting - um - I don't know what: 'And if the film is ya some actors take more many if they don't hard work' (Mm? Can you say that again?) Imaginative writing: 'Their colour was blue as dark blue in the ocean, just as ocean their body was made of ocean.' Arguing for equality: 'The removal of Girls and a huge unrespect for girls is seen in the parts of India.' Innovative spelling:buque (Say it aloud; you may understand) masculur paniced humguous mainted Let's make up words and phrases! fightings unequality By mistakely step on your own feet … [Read more...]
Exam Gems
Correcting papers is a crazy experience. There are some things each teacher in the staff room feels compelled to share with the others. Commenting on a poem's language and style, students write... 'This heart-touching poem...', or better still - 'This tear-dropping poem...' Commenting on the expected audience, a student has a bewildering response - 'The language used is abit complex probably not aiming for audience but for readers who are mature.' Describing a forest, a student wants to create rich imagery, so talks about 'barked densed trees' The students are also tested on their ability to empathise. One exercise was a letter written by Theo to his famous brother, the painter, Vincent Van Gogh. A student writes - 'You have to treat such problems as a video game' Spelling is the most exciting - use your imagination here. Be warned, students cheerfully invent … [Read more...]
‘Shiva’
Last evening's performance at Bal Shikshan was a visual treat. Of course there were things I did not like. I did not like the opening piece or the concluding peace. I found them most peculiar. Yet, there is something about the perfection of classical dance well performed that cannot be compared to anything else. Vaibhav Arekar and his troupe performed a beautiful collection of dances - united by the theme of Shiv. There were some pieces I'd watched before. There's one that brings tears to my eyes every time - the story of an untouchable devotee of Shiva who wants a glimpse of the shivalingam inside the temple. Spurned by the higher castes, Nandan hides, crouches, apologetic about his very existence. When higher caste women see him, they recoil in disgust. He cringes, almost trying to become invisible. Yet, when everyone else finishes the prescribed rituals and has gone, Nandan goes … [Read more...]
The Table Family
Have you been introduced to the Table family? When I was in school, we were kept forcibly away from the family. The Table family was a strict no-no for us. Pronounce correctly. Stay away from the awful Table family. Trends are changing, though. Many children have found their comfort zone with this delightfully extended family. At lunch, they meet Veggie Table. When their handwriting is not so good, but not so bad, their teacher introduces them to Axe-ep Table. The mike stand has a secret name, I learned in school the other day. It is Adjus(t) Table. You are invited to join the family too! If you have something to give and give it freely, you are Charee Table. A child told me seriously about a naughty, uncontrolled child. "He is Ex-i Table." Maybe we should join the family. It sounds most Come-for Table. … [Read more...]
Essel World
When I was ten years old, I wrote a story that won me two tickets to Essel World, and 4 tickets to Nehru Planetarium. Going to Mumbai was impossible, so we passed the tickets on to friends in Mumbai. I have no recollection of being upset with it, or in any way deprived. I think the friends who used the tickets felt far worse than I did! When I won the same things again, a little later, my parents and our friends in Mumbai decided that somehow, this time, little Varsha had to go to Essel World. And so, we planned it. This was a time when I was obsessed with writing down everything to be sure I did not forget treasured experiences. I wrote down all kinds of details, including what we ate and where. At Nehru Planetarium, there were weighing machines that were fascinating. "On the moon, I'm 6 kgs," I wrote. I wrote all the details. What I weighed on earth, Jupiter, the sun... Figures and … [Read more...]
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