Is the cat a minuscule salon tiger..

 

Is the cat a minuscule salon tiger..

Despite the many distasteful remarks made on "Memories of my Melancholy Whores", a novella written by the Noble Prize winning Colombian author Marquez, it has something to offer to the young and the old. In brief words, the story is about a nonagenarian accidentally finding love. The narrative reeks with the notion that virginity is a virtue and this precisely changes the course of events for the unnamed narrator post his ninetieth birthday.

Now, to a modern day reader, the story may come across as a befitting text that ought to be run through the chainsaws of multiple theories, but, it is best to leave the novella be and read it as a cluster of words telling a story.

What kept me amused was to see how a carnal desire metamorphoses into weirdly platonic and takes the face of something that one cannot live without. Marquez has not written any dialogues of conversation between the narrator and his liaison, but the almost accurate description of what the narrator experiences is spread across. It is a simple story that presents before the readers in its bare skeleton the reality, a reality that cannot be repudiated yet can be digested by the readers only through fiction!

"Velu Nayakar"

The south of India has been a cultural laboratory for centuries, and there is no modern day history of this place without the entertainment industry. This industry has made a prominent impact in altering the reality of the masses, their perceptions and the likes of the common. In something that appealed to the logical and the emotional aspects of the viewers, the 1987 release ‘Nayakan’ raised the bar in constructing a complicated character through Sakthivel ('Velu Nayakar'). On many occasions, Mani Ratnam has denied any reference or influence of the 1972 release 'The Godfather' on this Tamizh movie. As a viewer, I found 'Nayakan' a little different from the plot of the Godfather franchise, although they can all be classified under gangster genre, the storylines are rather varied.

 

The construction of Nayakar's character has indeed become a roadmap that leads to the complex transformation, or if I may use the literary device - bildungsroman, of a young child to a leader who eventually runs a quasi government. In fact, this plot gets resonated in an elaborate fashion in "Thalapathi" (1991 release). What I really liked about "Nayakan" is the lead character himself! Of course, Kamal Hassan is always a treat to the mind to watch (not forgetting to mention that he is also a treat to the eyes.. whistles..). When the entire journey, from 'Sakthivel' to 'Velu' to 'Nayakar', is closely observed, we may find that the many situations add velocity to the character to behave or act in a particular manner. Look at the circumstances that get created and the lead has to not just respond to them but also has to embrace them.

 

There is a certain chaos that comes out (very well depicted by KH!), a chaos of helplessness and an indispensable inability to keep the family away from bloodshed. The complications extend outside, in understanding what is legitimate that can get the aid of the government, while the otherwise activities (though carried out in the larger good for the poor) make Nayakar an outlaw. Nayakar killing people or ordering men to kill is considered poetic justice, but the epitome of anarchy in the mind reaches the peak when the grandson questions him. It may appear lame, but the words hold so much depth that, yes, eventually, asked to our own selves, we are unable to answer.

Vitascope Viewing

 

The Covid19 lockdown has proved more like a productive base in terms of binge watching movies. The series from action to romance to drama to comedy to experimental, all the varieties have attracted our attention. Alongside exclusive releases on OTT platforms, sitcoms and to-be-watched movies, I spent some time watching some of the classic movies and some contemporary favourites again. In the list of selected revisited classic movies were Dead Poet’s Society (English, 1989), Iruvar (Tamil, 1997) , Naagarahaavu (Kannada, 1972), Krantiveer (Hindi, 1994), Anbe Sivam (Tamil, 2003), 12 Angry Men (English, 1957), Oru Yathramozhi (Malayalam, 1997), The Great Dictator (English, 1940), Modern Times (English, 1936) and, for some strange reason, Hum Saath Saath Hain (Hindi, 1999). The contemporary few are Ente Ummante Peru (Malayalam, 2018), King Arthur: Legend of the Sword (English, 2017), Manamantha (Telugu, 2016), Sarileru Neekevvaru (Telugu, 2020) and Jojo Rabbit (English, 2020).

 

However, there is an all-time favourite movie from that list and I have tried to write a synoptic view about the same. A classic Puttanna Kanagal directed piece, which also attained the cult status, is the 1972 release Naagarahaavu. This Kannada movie became a huge success and rapidly paved way for the then new faces like Vishnuvardhan, Ambareesh and Aarathi to venture further in the film industry. The story is based on T.R. Subba Rao’s trilogy novels, Nagarahavu, Ondu Gandu Eradu Hennu and Sarpa Mathsara. The story at large has every component - drama, action, comedy and romance. There is requited love but does not end in the fruition of marriage, and at the same time there is an ardent admiration that holds tight the master and the student. The ideological clashes beginning with an individual and spreading it as far as the entire community is the reality mirrored in the movie. The movie depicts a typical 1970s scenario of college students, the rouges around and the youngsters need to prove their worth. There is no exaggeration nor an underplay on how these characters are constructed. Perhaps, this direct depiction of characters of different ages and sexes is what made it more relatable.

 

The movie has claimed many accolades for its music and songs, with the melodic voices of P.B. Sreenivas, S. P. Balasubramanyam and P. Susheela. ‘Baare Baare’ is one of the soundtracks that I listen to and hum the most (lyrics by Vijaya Narasimha and sung by PBS). Apart from all the highlights, I tend to watch this movie quite often is simply because of the way the women characters are portrayed. Although all of them appear submissive, at varying degrees, in a patriarchal world, each woman (or character) has been a passive direction changer throughout. The leading women, Alamelu and Margaret, played by Aarathi and Shubha respectively, are not portrayed as binaries for good and bad nor are they picturised as having misogynistic undertones in their characterisation. Alamelu, who is seen as a docile character in the beginning, especially when she accepts to marry someone else, is suddenly seen as a woman who no longer requires an aid from anyone and we see her being affirmative in choosing not to be saved by Ramachari from her miseries. On the other hand, Margaret, comes across as an extrovert with a devil-may-care attitude, and soon we see this character adorning the strength to fight the tensions of an inter-religious love/marriage affair. The lead women’s roles are progressive in a manner and we don’t see either of them accepting defeat, rather they stand as individuals who have metamorphosed to living the reality without complaining.

 

Naagarahaavu is one such movie that I don’t mind watching again and again. The songs and the master-student duo has always arrested my attention and likes. Apart from the cult classic Naagarahaavu is, there is a lot that I tend to observe in this movie every time I watch it.

 

Let me know your thoughts on the same. Also, do drop in a few movie suggestions!

Unapologetically Me!

Before I continue with the post, I may have to clarify a few things:

1. No, I did not have any complicated relationship with my hair. In fact, I loved my hair, and the short hair has always complimented my face.

2. No, I am not dealing with any chronic illness.

3. No, I am not depressed.

4. No, I am not fighting against any nonsensical establishments of controlling women.

5. No, I am not imitating anyone.

Having laid down the definite answers, I now resume to my actual post.

 

Okay, this not a post of me being a rebellious woman nor is there any coming out of the closet. It's just my new haircut.

I have been meaning to shave my head or get a buzz cut for quite some time now, and the lockdown provided a perfect opportunity for that! Trust me, there was a lot going in my head when it came to completely shaving my head, but then to own up such a step needs some rationalisation. I have often seen my brother reaching for the clippers whenever his hair grows and begins to irritate him. He just shaves his head and walks about just like that. With me, I had no intentions of shaving my head (at least not now) but those of you who have a hair-length that needs to be tended to very often will know my struggles. It's about eight years now since I cut my hair short, short as in a length that comes up to my neck and the remaining part of the hair is cut layer-wise. Now, if it grows half-an-inch longer, I need to head to the saloon or I may have to put up with it. But I have always loved the way my hair looks. Many of you also know the increase in the prices for haircut, yep, I pay a lot and so, I get a haircut like once in two/three months. I honestly think that me being broke and unable to spend on my regular haircut is one of the reasons for the big chop!

Well, that's the end of the beginning. I just randomly spoke to my mother about it and she too was a little apprehensive about this. One good thing about her is that over these years, she has grown so much that she doesn't take things at its face value, instead rationalises to herself. Keeping all her beliefs and opinions aside, she simply agreed to it. I really don't know what she was thinking. Nevertheless, I borrowed my brother's clippers and did the big chop!

I now have a 'lockdown buzzcut', apparently that's a trending hashtag! I like the way I look, completely raw and unedited. I have nothing to hide behind. Also, all those take on experiencing empowerment or feeling liberated did not really happen here. May be because I perceive these huge words through my action of teaching and drawing. A buzzcut is simply another haircut, that's how I see it.

I was a little saddened when a dear friend of mine said that I looked like a monkey and that the entire endeavour was a meaningless act, and that I could have done better things. Perhaps this was all told in jest, but I personally don't stand by it. If someone tells me that they are going to experiment with their hair, my most immediate and sincere response would be, "Great, would love to see the new hairdo!" I realised that progressive thinkers are not really that progressive... I mean, if you think you are a progressive thinker and spend a lot of time in thinking whether a woman should go bald or not, it's about time you change your mindset.

I like the way I look. I am getting used to my look. It's not all positives though, sometimes my head and ears feel cold, and I put up my hoodie. Also, I haven't posted my new picture anywhere on social media simply because I have nothing to prove to the world nor to myself. Just like different haircuts, buzzcut is one of them. Please don't insult me by saying that it was a bold/brave move and that you would have done if you had that courage... Again, it's just a haircut!

If you have this in your bucket list or even want to try, lockdown is the perfect time, go ahead! And if it turns out to be a big mistake, well, in much matured words of my mother, "It's just hair, it'll grow back.."

ACFI Attempt 10

Details:

1. Jim Parsons

2. Materials: FC Drawing Book, Classmate Mechanical Penpencil 0.7mm, Regular and Derwent Zero Eraser, FC 2B and 6B, Blending with Small Stump and Tissue Paper.

3. Date: 11 September 2020; Time: Almost 4 Hours (didn't keep track of the time..).

4. The one on the left was my second attempt at portrait pencil sketch (which I did on 20 August 2020) and the one on the right is my tenth attempt at pencil sketch, and eight attempt at portrait drawing. I did not practice in between, was completely low, the last drawing I did was on 29 August 2020.

5. I even tried to draw something but gave up soon. I guess it was an artist's block!

6. I see immense improvement in my sketches and I am also able to recognise my mistakes. To right the errors, I need more practice, and let's see if I can get good at this.

7. Well, I finally completed my challenge. Now, let me invest good time and try making detailed portraits.

8. Let me know what you think of my progress!

HAPPY DRAWING!!!