Tuesday, 22 March 2016
Saturday, 12 March 2016
Kabadiwalas and Indian Mothers
"Kabadiwala or junk dealer is a term commonly used in Hindistani to refer to a person who deals with old household products."
Google shows you this when you search for the meaning of 'kabadiwala' but we Indian kids know they're more than just junk dealers. Every child was haunted by the call of the kabadiwala at some point of their early childhood. By the time they reached the mid-childhood years, they would wonder what exactly the man was trying to say (I'm still stuck here though). He was the person our mothers would scare us with, when we wouldn't go to sleep. End of the day, whichever part of the country you were in, at least once in three months on a Sunday that familiar voice echoed across the quiet streets and you'd know it's that time of the month again.
Kabadiwalas for our mothers were something else. They gave mothers an opportunity to trade all the old used goods for a decent price. You're basically getting money for discarding your old newspapers and scraps of metal and plastic. In a mother's perspective, you're clearing the house and getting paid for it! So, no longer could the "I'm a housewife. I don't get paid for my work and still I do everything" line work on us.
On the morning of the monthly ordeal, the kids would get a heads up to clear out all the old question papers, answer sheets and other stationery from their closets and cupboards. Then finally, close to noon, the doorbell would ring and everyone would get down to business. Stacking up newspapers and checking how much they weighed on the scale, seeing your mother bargain and haggle for an extra ten bucks on some charger that's in a "good condition" was another experience all together. Once everything was done, a look of accomplishment would sprawl across your mother's face. By then, reality would have caught up with her and her next thought would be- "what should I make for lunch?".
Google shows you this when you search for the meaning of 'kabadiwala' but we Indian kids know they're more than just junk dealers. Every child was haunted by the call of the kabadiwala at some point of their early childhood. By the time they reached the mid-childhood years, they would wonder what exactly the man was trying to say (I'm still stuck here though). He was the person our mothers would scare us with, when we wouldn't go to sleep. End of the day, whichever part of the country you were in, at least once in three months on a Sunday that familiar voice echoed across the quiet streets and you'd know it's that time of the month again.
Kabadiwalas for our mothers were something else. They gave mothers an opportunity to trade all the old used goods for a decent price. You're basically getting money for discarding your old newspapers and scraps of metal and plastic. In a mother's perspective, you're clearing the house and getting paid for it! So, no longer could the "I'm a housewife. I don't get paid for my work and still I do everything" line work on us.
On the morning of the monthly ordeal, the kids would get a heads up to clear out all the old question papers, answer sheets and other stationery from their closets and cupboards. Then finally, close to noon, the doorbell would ring and everyone would get down to business. Stacking up newspapers and checking how much they weighed on the scale, seeing your mother bargain and haggle for an extra ten bucks on some charger that's in a "good condition" was another experience all together. Once everything was done, a look of accomplishment would sprawl across your mother's face. By then, reality would have caught up with her and her next thought would be- "what should I make for lunch?".
Over and Again
Over and Again
You asked to be excused today as well,
For some work that keeps you busy.
The procrastinator you always are,
Takes a back seat when you're with me.
And when you're away, all I can think of
Is a conversation that lasts a minute.
The frays of your "sorry's" linger on,
As silence comes back to check on me again.
Even so, every time you do come back
I let go of the past.
As your lips touch mine and I feel your smile on them,
I watch silence look back at me and say,
I'll be back over and over again.
Tuesday, 8 March 2016
Women's Day- Truly a celebration or not?
As 8th of March gets closer, our newspapers are bombarded with advertisements for jewellery, dresses and other feminine products which are somehow linked with women empowerment and better status in society. One day for celebrating all the women in the world, but is it truly a celebration?
The capital of our country is seen as the biggest crime capital and yet we celebrate women's day. Girls all over the country get abused and bullied through their school years, some become victims to attacks or suicides and still we celebrate women's day. A woman's sexuality and ideas of self-stimulation are still seen as taboos in the Indian context, not allowing us to explore ourselves and completely get in touch with ourselves. And yet, we still have the audacity to celebrate women's day.
In my opinion, women's day is a redundant celebration until and unless we make women feel celebrated. We make her feel welcomed in our lives, make her cherish each day of living and make her believe that we need her more than anything else in the world. And most importantly, thank her for doing all that she does, not expecting anything in return but maybe just a quiet afternoon with a book and herself. Then, and only then, will we be truly justifying "celebrating women". So, dear women in our lives, thank you for everything that you do everyday regardless of the weather, time, place or situation.
All said and done, here's a shout out to all women, from all fields and careers, all backgrounds and cultures, all countries of the world, happy women's day. This is in hope that by the next time this day comes, we make you feel more as an individual who has her own life and voice, rather than a victim of patriarchal dominance.
The capital of our country is seen as the biggest crime capital and yet we celebrate women's day. Girls all over the country get abused and bullied through their school years, some become victims to attacks or suicides and still we celebrate women's day. A woman's sexuality and ideas of self-stimulation are still seen as taboos in the Indian context, not allowing us to explore ourselves and completely get in touch with ourselves. And yet, we still have the audacity to celebrate women's day.
In my opinion, women's day is a redundant celebration until and unless we make women feel celebrated. We make her feel welcomed in our lives, make her cherish each day of living and make her believe that we need her more than anything else in the world. And most importantly, thank her for doing all that she does, not expecting anything in return but maybe just a quiet afternoon with a book and herself. Then, and only then, will we be truly justifying "celebrating women". So, dear women in our lives, thank you for everything that you do everyday regardless of the weather, time, place or situation.
All said and done, here's a shout out to all women, from all fields and careers, all backgrounds and cultures, all countries of the world, happy women's day. This is in hope that by the next time this day comes, we make you feel more as an individual who has her own life and voice, rather than a victim of patriarchal dominance.
Wednesday, 2 March 2016
88th Academy Awards- Everything Done Right and Wrong
The world had literally come to a standstill on the 28th of February at the Dolby Theatre, Los Angeles. The oscars were here. This year's academy awards were much awaited owing to two reasons- the first being the never ending hope that Leonardo Dicaprio wins an Oscar this year and the second, having Chris Rock as the host. Everyone was revved up and ready to spend an early morning sitting in front the television, sitting on pins and needles.
By Hollywood standards, I felt this year's oscars wasn't up to mark. Be it the overdo of the black v/s white or racism of Hollywood that was more than highlighted in Chris Rock's commentary, or the lacklustre comedy that was not expected from actors who come as comedians on the big screen, it came as such a shock, in hindsight, that I not sit through the entire show.
By Hollywood standards, I felt this year's oscars wasn't up to mark. Be it the overdo of the black v/s white or racism of Hollywood that was more than highlighted in Chris Rock's commentary, or the lacklustre comedy that was not expected from actors who come as comedians on the big screen, it came as such a shock, in hindsight, that I not sit through the entire show.
What Went Wrong
Hearing that Chris Rock was going to be hosting the awards this year, I was literally counting the days left for the oscars. Finally at nine o clock, I switched on the telly, switched off the lights and sat up to watch the show. Chris started off with the favouritism and the different kind of racism that Hollywood follows and for a while it was good. But, as he kept going on and on about the same thing, bending all his jokes towards the same subject, it started getting a bit monochrome.
The best presenters for me, were Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe who added some white comedy into the completely "racist view of Hollywood" put forward by our host.
The best presenters for me, were Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe who added some white comedy into the completely "racist view of Hollywood" put forward by our host.
What Went Right (and reminded us why Hollywood owns in the show business)
Getting some respite from the "blackness" overflow, everyone was moved to tears when finally Leonardo Dicaprio won an Oscar for best actor. The internet went through the biggest hit of posts, all former Dicaprio memes were now irrelevant and every human could now die in peace after seeing him receive an award.
The best part, for me, was his acceptance speech. It was amazing to see how he morphed a speech into something that reflects a social cause, climate change, something that affects every person on the planet. This is where Hollywood triumphs over Bollywood because I don't think many actors would have thought of including poverty or lack of literacy faced by the country into their speeches.
If you want to learn grandeur, learn it from Hollywood. The way that word rolls off your tongue, it brings images of bling, glam and sheer sophistication. From the way the ladies were dressed to the kind of ambience the Dolby Theatre gave us, this industry had done it yet again. Having performances by Lady Gaga and other eminent singers with the huge orchestra accompanying it, it showed us why our award shows aren't and never will be as grand as theirs.
With another year down the line and another Academy Awards show done and dusted, we hope to see the best of what the cinematic world can offer us next year (expecting them to not commit the same blunders again).
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