Monday, June 6, 2022

How Literature Shaped Me ?

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a person studying English Literature as a formal course isn't really studying. (Ketan Krishna, TOI)

It is a commonly known fact that someone who studies English Literature as a formal subject is not truly studying.When an Indian brilliant girl, who good in all the subjects and also completed her 12th in commerce and than she decides to upset his parents and waste the toil of a lifetime by enrolling in an English course at a thikthak college in the rural area, she is willingly entering the deep abyss of aimlessness, unemployment, and inebriation. There are no jobs, no prospects, and no good future. . It is against this setting that a English Literature student embarks on a three-year odyssey. It is assumed that she will "read novels and squander time." The first problem is adjusting from the school environment to the college campus.

The teachers do not wish to be silent. The teachers are also uninterested in teaching. They are, meanwhile, highly educated young people, so there's plenty to learn from them. Education as a notion has changed. Rather than being absorbed, knowledge must be extracted. The learner who wishes to learn must take the initiative. There is a course that must be taught in an insufficient amount of time, which expands into reading well beyond authorized content.

Trustworthy, I would only talk about things that happened when I was studying literature. However, the text is open to being questioned, analyzed, and destroyed. Because no story is ever really genuine or honest. However, there is a chance of truth in any narrative, which must be considered. Here are my learning lessons, as well as a large bag of newly chiseled concepts.

 "Literature always anticipates life. It does not copy it but molds it to its purpose. The nineteenth century, as we know it, is largely an invention of Balzac." 

- Oscar Wilde

So, I am here to narrate my Five year Journey of reading Literature along with how Literature helped in become my new better version of myself. Have you ever considered something that has affected you? If not, then think about it first. Your reason will increase your interest in reading. What impact does literature have on me? If I remark that books have been an important part of my life since I was a teenager, it may be because I have been unintentionally tempering my memory. So, before I begin wreaking have on the literature that has molded me. Let's take a ride through some questions.

 What really is life? What is our exitance? Have you ever considered it? I started to think, and the growth of my thoughts helped lead me to the insight that thoughts alone do not produce life! Not only that, but the question of what is life, what is the purpose of existing, and all the upheaval drew me to literature. What was the significance of books in my life? When I think about it, I understand I should start with when books were becoming a part of my life. Literature has been taught in me in some form or another since I was a child through my home and my school. I remember when I was in std 2 or 3. I used to bring books of Gujarati comics with me, such as Panchatantra, ishapatini vato and more others. When I say I love reading, I love books actually  I'm curious which novel will be the first to be read!!!

You are known with me today because of my activities, my presentations, my assignments, academic works, postings,  as a student. So, whatever I am now, I am completely the result of literature. Examining the nature and roots of my thoughts, I saw that my style of thinking had shifted; literature was tried to highlight a new awakening. During my school days and also college days, I was a highly interested yet shy girl, as far as I recall.

 Whenever I recall my B.A. class, I believe that a terrifying circumstance and things has been developed, that moment is hurting my thoughts, my mind becomes swamped with Aziz from Tughluq by Girish Karnad that becomes apparent in front of the family and friends. Santiago imparted in me the importance of never giving up on determination and hard work. Always choose your role models carefully, like Santiago admires baseball star Joe DiMaggio and his playing style. I also learned to be specific while creating and picking role models for myself.

Literature includes more than only aesthetic pleasure or entertainment. It not only entertains but also teaches people life truths. The question now is whether Literature is exclusively concerned with Morality. And the obvious response is 'No , Nope.' Literature addresses both the Right and Wrong aspects of society. On the one hand, it teaches lovely moral values or life lessons; on the other hand, it depicts the darkest side of human culture, mentality, or attitude. Arvind Adiga's novel 'The White Tiger' is not in my syllabus but read this novel and fortunately watch the movie,'The White Tiger,' Though it has been heavily criticised for sending the incorrect lesson of murdering a boss in order to realize personal fortune. Nonetheless, it has many deeper life lessons.

Literature students are trained to think critically. According to Hegel and Marx, teleology and grand design are diametrically opposed. According to structuralism and Foucault, ideologies are biassed, and the words one uses, as well as the structures one works under, should all be questioned as systems of control and suppression. As a result, there is a lack of order. The student is torn between romance and reality, between order and chaos.

There is undoubtedly no scarcity of answers in the twenty-first century, but the difficulty is definitely a lack of queries. But everytime I sense a deficiency, I run to the library, and if I am not swamped, my perusing will be mortified! Since I learned a little piece of literature, my mind has indeed been continuously straying to study what literature in many other languages is saying. I completed my primary course in Gujarati, and as a result, my Gujarati grew more proficient unknowingly. As I became more acquainted with the literature of various languages, the Bengali,marathi  and urdu  language drew me in the most.

Why is one to do it? What is the purpose? This dilemma comes as a result of the instruction one acquires when studying literature. Beginning with Dickens, reality and fantasy are separated. Then there are the Victorian Realists, who emphasise the'reality' of modern existence, and the Russian Nihilists, who question the'reality' of life. Finally, Modernism and Existentialism call language into question and cast doubt on meaning. When one is at a loss for what to do, Beckett strikes the ultimate blow and announces, 'Nothing to be done.'

Darindaa ?! oops... Derrida provided me with an acceptable knowledge of language issues in later years, as well as theoretical backing in talks with friends about my unsupported arguments. Understanding was created in a different method at the time. Feminism also reached postfeminism, and both the necessity for it and the reasons for its failure were recognised. However, the fact that there is no need to hang a basket of guilt on anyone's head has become so ingrained in the mind that everything, the matter, and the person can now be seen automatically through four or five lenses, and when viewed from different points of view, confusion with reconciliation is lessened, though it is foolish to think so every time!

According to Eliot's The Waste Land, be a giver, exhibit compassion, and exercise self-control. Datta, Dayadhvam, and Damyata are Sanskrit terms. It has come to my attention that people who give to society suffer the most, while those who just take from others prosper. Nonetheless, the five-part poem makes me ponder.

"Literature is where I go to explore the highest and lowest places in human society and in the human spirit, where I hope to find not absolute truth but the truth of the tale, of the imagination and of the heart."

  • Salman Rushdie

Of course, literature discusses all sorts of terrible things, but there is still a sense of fulfilment, and that is what makes literature wonderful. Literature is just like water in a parched jungle, irrigating your thoughts and awareness of life and people.Literature helps me to become more self-disciplined and self-aware.I can affirm without a doubt that literature inspired me to read more, to keep discussing it, to keep learning new ideas, and to get lost someplace in the world of dialogues where becoming lost is more powerful than finding myself!

Thank You So Much...













Jai Bhim : Two words for better word

Jai Bhim : Two words for better word



"Jai Bhim’ is perhaps one of the boldest films to have come out of Tamil cinema. It doesn’t dare turn its back on hitting where it hurts the most, and its politics is not weighed down by the presence of a star like Suriya" 

                                                                                                            -The Hindu


The year 2021 will be a momentous occasion in Indian cinema. We've already seen some fantastic movies. Jai Bhim is a film about justice, or, more accurately, injustice. It teaches us about the power of the law and how to use it to make the world a better place. It is not a battle between low and upper castes. It's not even a struggle against the cops; it's a fight against the entire system. Jai Bhim desires a better world in which humans have human rights. The film is based on a genuine occurrence that occurred in India in 1995. Then, as a result of this occurrence, Rajakanny's wife Senggeni filed a Habeas Corpus, which was historic in Chennai High Court history.


This is a must and an excellent and powerful film, directed by T.J. Gnanavel and performed by Suriya (Chandru), Liijo Mol Jose (Senggeni), and Manikandan (Rajakannu), to name a few brilliant performers.


Let me tell you something before you see the movie, or even if you've already seen it: Jai Bhim is a work of art in the history of Indian cinema. It's not your average movie, but it'll stick with you for a long time. So, allow me to lead you through the film since there is a lot to learn.


The title ‘Jai Bhim’ What does it mean?

As many people are aware, Jai Bhim is a rallying cry made famous by Ambedkar, one of the creators of the Indian Constitution and a Dalit activist. As a result, it is not surprising that the film Jai Bhim concentrates on the difficulties and tribulations of an Adivasi Irular marriage. Jai signifies "Long Live," while Bhim is a tribute to Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar. As a result, it's "Long live Ambedkar."In the 1940s, he prepared the Indian constitution and dedicated his life to pushing for an independent India. And what connects Ambedkar and Chandru is a yearning for an India free of caste injustice. Ambedkar originates from an "Untouchable" community, and not because they were the finest VIPs in India.People still greet one other with folded hands and the phrase "Jai Bhim," which means "long live the legacy and inspiration of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar." And now, because to the movie and this message, we may shout "Jai Bhim" all across the world.


As Literature students we always think critically and we have one habit of deep analysis. Here also I try to identify one metaphor in the movie.I don’t know are you aware or not but let’s see…


The metaphor of catching rats and the snake :

T.J. Gnanavel, the film's director, spends a few minutes at the opening of the film describing the village's daily routine. First, Rajakannu and his team go about catching rats so that snakes can be kept away from the crops. Also, refrain from "stealing" food from the designated regions. Then we would be able to enjoy their simple and pleasant lives.But we noticed a strategy to capture the rats:


  • Rajakunnu blasts smoke at the rats, forcing them to step out and be trapped.

  • His brother, from the other side of the pitch, assists him in sending smoke beneath the earth.

  • Senggeni grabs them and saves one small mouse to complete the operation.


Three people must work together just to apprehend the terrifying rats that are hidden beneath the earth. And we'll need three more individuals to apprehend and imprison the crooked cops who were skimming money and mercilessly abusing the villagers: Chandru, Mythra, and, ultimately, Senggeni to complete the operation. They wanted to blow new proofs to the court slowly and carefully to keep this story alive till the contaminated ones had to emerge out and be apprehended by their colleagues. The filmmaker reveals Chandru as the snake of the dirty cops in a stunning image.


We stated Senggeni saved the life of a small mouse, and we may say the same about Chandru. Not all cops are wicked. Cooperation between Chandru and the truthful side of the police, as represented by Perumalsami, is critical to ensuring justice and democracy.


We essentially applied "Jai Bhim" to the truth of the this film: untouchable people gained justice, brought about by the strength of the law and the commitment of the health portion of government officials: judges and police. It's a fantastic and moving film.


Rajakannu and Sengenni. Ethics is for leaders but also for simple people :

When Rajakannu was suffering from the pains of the officers, his brother advised that he fabricate a fib and accept the crime in order to be free after a time. This may be the simplest answer, but it is not the best. And Rajakannu cautions his brother that while the wounds will heal, the mark as a thief will last forever.


When the police offer Senggeni money in exchange for silence, we can tell her the same thing. She rejects boldly, putting everything on the line for her spouse and justice. But she also wants to be a true role model for her children. The distinction between heroes and nameless characters is one of ethics.Chandru awakens spirits throughout the film, and we hope though after. Around the same time, integrity is what keeps our hearts pumping, our minds thinking, and our eyes filled with hope.


As previously stated, let me be honest and forthright: I am evaluating a masterpiece. Some viewers may argue that two hours and forty-five minutes is too long for a film to focus on delivering its message. We do, in fact, have long moments in which we may observe the simple and joyful life in the hamlet. However, these are required in order to form a relationship and learn about our personalities. I have a lot of songs throughout the film, but it's also true that music is a big part of Indian movies. Every piece adds to our understanding of the story and our characters. One of the songs, "It's a war for equal rights," for example, focuses on reawakening our souls. "Reclaim the authority; justice is for all," he says.


It's a film that requires time to establish trust and immerse us in the tale. Perhaps the filmmaker doesn't tell us enough about Ambedkar, the film's true inspiration. Anyway, we caught the idea and attempted to convey it to you through our analysis.


  • Riddhi Bhatt