Poetry,

Its an art it is! to be able to fit so efficiently into a few words such marvellous realities and such absurd imagination that a reader is both entralled and delighted. Of late I have taken to reading a lot of poetry; a requirement for a course in English literature that I had enrolled in. But My! the world of poetry has gobbled me up. I am readin them verses left right and center, unmindful of their popularity, unacknowledging of their author and unenquiring about the period from whither they hail.

Its been a pleasure, to read words of such handsome beauty, arranged in such rythmic fashion, absolutely magical!

I must now, for I cant justify otherwise, quote a verse I read recently, a verse so pure and true, that it stole me from myself. But bewarned though, its beauty lies in the manner you read them, or lets say perspectives differ.

"Before the Begenning of years,
There came to the making of man,
Time, with a gift of tears,
Grief, with a cup that ran,
Pleasure, with a pain of leaven,
Summer, with flowers that fell,
Remembrance, fallen from heaven,
And Madness risen from hell,
Strenght, without hands to smite,
Love, that endures for a breath,
Night, the shadow of light,
And Death the shadow of life."

---A. C. SWINBURNE

Such immortal lines! sometimes a man's life is worth it all, if he cared to pen a few such as these.

THREE AT TWENTY

The Promised Review

We got into the hall just in time, and where thrown right into a scene where friends having met after a long time are having a drink. 'Defences down' as the narrator had claimed initially, they quickly begin to point out each other's flaws and other issues creep in. Just when I began think 'Not another of those drones..' a girl from the audience gets up and begins protesting about how the play is one big bore, and that she could'nt get what the actors were doing, and that she wants her money's worth. But when the actors and narrator go on arguing with her one realizes that she too is part of the whole play. So convincing was the interuption by the girl, that a couple of people in the audience even tried to sushh her. The play ended soon with the concerned parties coming to an (dis)agreement.

That was the start and the best part of the evening.

The second play, 'Bazaar' was about how a bazaar quickly develops and thrives around the spectacle of a wife (sitting on a tree top) refusing to come down unless her husband agrees to her conditions.- One way of showing how one man's predicament is anothers gain.

The thrid play about the father of a girl discovering that the grandfather of the boy his girl plans to marry is his own father, and the girl being the half sister of the boy she intends to marry- resulting in the suicide of the boy- was jus too bizzare to be accepted, too cinematic to be even a cinema, and too quick to be understood, and too dumb to be staged.

A BOLD AND TIMELY VENTURE

"



Are you a playwright? And most playwrights are closet playwrights till they get read in public, because a play's not a thing... like they usually say. It is something to be lived, loudly read, performed (better still!). So if you have been doing some writing and being an Emily Dickinson, quietly hiding away your stuff... or if you know people FROM CHENNAI (on priority) and perhaps others who were from Chennai and working elsewhere or have migrated (all we need is a tenuous Chennai link)... spread the word.
REALLY S P R E A D the WORD. Masquerade is looking for new and exciting (young or old) talents who could write plays. We will give you a reading. Mail us at masquerade@vsnl.net with details, script whatever!

AND VISITORS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO COPY THIS POST IN ITS ENTIRETY AND POST ON YOUR BLOGS SO THAT PPL WHO DON'T KNOW MY BLOG (AND THERE ARE GAZILLIONS OUT THERE!) CAN ALSO BENEFIT!
Thanks and cheers
"

A Review of the above is coming soon...

Scripting for Theatre

Things that one begins the learn during the process, things one never gave a thought to. They become important now. They become basic rules of life.

Sripting for theatre aint no layman's job. It needs a certain calibre of a writer to bring imagined scenes on to a paper with as much clarity as in imagination. One needs to be certain of the whole host of issues before getting into scripting of a certain storyline. If it is an adaptation of a book or movie, then care needs to be taken that all scenes are enactable on the stage. Though there can indeed be no end in possiblilities of all that a stage can be, one needs to keep in mind the limitations of people's imagiation. Its alright to put a couple on stage and claim they are in a crowded bazaar, one could add background noise, or even the acting of the characters might convey a scence of being in a crowd, but then there are a certain things that can not be left to imagination.

Example : Consider the first scene of Salman Rushdie's Satanic Verses being enacted on stage (two people conversing as they fall from a plan and head towards the ground) now, putting two people on stage and wanting the audience to imagine them falling in the air, would be a little too much.

Also, care needs to be taken stage does not require major re shuffling in between scenes, this would only cause a lot of delay between scenes, and ultimately the audience might lose focus. One other thing of major significance, and which needs to be borne in mind while creating the script is that, there ought to be only as minimal characters as possible, having a whole long list of people walking in and out of the stage will end up looking like a fashion parade rather than a play, and god forbid if they are all not brilliantly dressed!

More issues exist, and they will be posted as and when learnt.

THE BOOKER

This year's booker shortlist has arrived. All you book freaks might wanna get reading. So here are the final six on the list.

Sarah Waters - The Night Watch- Link
Edward St. Aubyn - Mother's Milk- Link
Hisham Matar - In the Country Of Men- Link
M J Hyland - Carry Me Down - Link
Kate Greenville - The Secret River - Link
Kiran Desai - The Inheritance Of Loss- Link

The winner will be announced in London On the 10th of October. But no matter which way the votes go, the above six sound like the must reads of the year. So get reading!

LITERATURE MATTERS 7

Chaucerians Today

In todays world Chaucer's characters would be much like they were then, ie rooted to the times. The Shipman would probably be an adept sailor, someone employed by the National Geographic, or even someone like Dirk Pitt. The good wife of Bath could be anyone who has her wits about her and cares not for the views of the world, while striving to be the best. She could verywell be an aging pop star who has strived to be the best, who had broken rules, and who had been in spite of all this, accepted. The Miller would most definately be a worker in the coal mines, a strong man, who is capable of both violence and hardwork at the same time.

The Sailor, most definately would be a hero, for inspite of the little things on which he lets not his conscience bother him, he still holds strong to his principle of not hurting anyone intentionally. Hence he might do a thing or two wrong as long as it serves the larger purpose. He'd be hailed for his victories, triumphs and his virtue of sympathy towards his prisioners. He could be with the navy of any country's armed forces, a dignified man who knows what he is doing at all times.

Playing the game.

Its called playing the game, rolling the dice and waiting for the dots to spell doom or to cry 'jackpot!'. One way to for a writer feel approved of, is to get enough material out there that people fall in love with. Nowthen, if publishing is not a near option, then what does one do? Is there another outlet for the written talent? Is there another way in which a writer may feel loved for his work? yes. In today's chennai there is. What would be required is for the writer to put his skills to test in scripting. If a theatre group doing good across the city appreciates the piece and agrees to take it on stage.. well, thats approval enough I guess. If the audience love it, its tantamount to an award. So go Shah go!.

The test begins.

LITERATURE MATTERS 6

Chaucer As a Novelist Today?


Chaucer was, among all other things, a storyteller too. His knack of being able to create characters that were rooted in his times and being able to weave a story around them that presented at times a mirror to the society, and at times satired it, can be none but the hallmarks of a great author. An Idea is easily transmitted via a story than through preaching and Chaucer, if he lived today would no doubt exploit the reach of the modern novel to present his ideas.
His characters were not stereotypes, but at certain levels they were instruments that conveyed his Ideas. In The Canterbury Tales, there are charaters that are a moral example to the others, others still are examples of immorality, some are dignified while others ooze with self importance. These were living breathing people of the era, they were anything but setreotypes, they were real. Then again, Chaucer is sometimes branded as a poet, which in itself is unfair to a man so adept at spinning yarns. He never sang the virtues of the landscapes or the beauty of a lost love, all he put into verse were simple facts that built a tale. "Hir nose tretys; hir eyen greye as glas"- is no exaggeration, but just a more beautiful way of describing someone. Chaucer was something other than the poet he is reffered to as, he was a storyteller. Alive today he would be nothing short of a great novelist.

LITERATURE MATTERS 5

Bible Verses and Evloution of English

A sample verse from the bible that has evolved (language wise) ovber the last eight centuries.

"And whan Jhesus hadde comen over the water in to the cuntre of men of Genazereth twey men hauynge deuelis runnen to hym, goynge out fro biriebs1, ful feerse, or wikkid, so that no man migte passe by that wey. And loo! they crieden, sayinge, What to us and to thee, Jhesus the sone of God? hast thou comen hyder before the tyme for to tormente us? Sothely a floc, or droue, of many hoggis lesewynge2 was nat fer from hem. "

"And when he was come to the other syde, in to the countre off the Gergesens, there met him two possessed of devylls, which cam out of the graves, and were out of measure fearce, so that no man might go by that way. And lo they cryed out saynge: O Jesu the sonne off God, what have we to do with the? Art thou come hyther to torment us before the tyme (be come)? There was a good waye off from them a greate heerd of swyne fedinge."

"And whan he was come to the other syde into the countrey of the Gergesites, there mette hym two possessed of devyls, whyche came out of the graues, and were out of mesure ferce, so that no man might go by that waie. And beholde, they cryed out, saying: Oh Jesu, thou sonne of God what have we to doo with thee? Art thou come hither to torment us before the tyme to come? And there was a good waye of from theym a greate hearde of swyne feedyng."

"And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way. And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time? And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding."

"When he reached the opposite side, the country of the Gadarenes, he was met by two demoniacs who ran out of the tombs; they were so violent that nobody could pass along the road there. They shrieked, 'Son of God, what business have you with us? Have you come here to torture us before it is time?' Now, some distance away, there was a large drove of swine grazing"


From the above excerpts of the bible, that had been written during different periods in the past, the
following become immediately apparent about the evolution of english language as such over this timeline.

1) Over the whole period begening from the 14th century up untill today, the english words have changed
their spellings more to suit their pronounciation than to suit the ease of the ancient printing machines. It was no longer the free will of the transcriber to give words a suitable spelling based on the printer, but a standardization had been arrived at that required the spellings of words to as far as possible adhere to the way they sounded. In the excerpt above we can see 'hyder' become 'hyther' and finally settled at 'hither'.

2) Also, evident from the above excerpts is the fact of how along with the standardization of the spellings even English grammar began to gain somewhat a kind of a stucture. The excerpts before the 16th century show the free use of 'And' at the begening of a sentance, but in later times this has been avoided as far as possible, suggesting the, if not absolute but atleast a partial attempt to formalize the English grammar.

3) In general when one runs his/her eyes over the excerpts above one becomes aware of the many words that have gone missing and many more new words that have come into existance. This replacement of words, suggests an outside influence over English. It is hence clear that over the centuries after the first english translation of the bible was created, english grew in its popupularity, as a result of which it was used by non-english speaking people who over a time have left their own mark on English, just as one can be sure of English having left its mark on them.

JUS SOME LINKS

-Penguin books have their official blog now, so all you lovers of books can read reviews and comments all upcoming books.

-Those of you looking to grow big in the buisness of dont wanna miss what the GrumpyOldBookMan has to say here and you definately dont wanna miss this.

-Now there is a long healthy read for the book lovers from our very own
book worm on the net

-To wrap it all up, why not read up on some archaic terms in historical fiction.

A place Named Theatreabad

Theatre is something that I am of late getting a peek into. Although for quite some time, I have been watching as many plays staged in the city as possible, I had never really tried to find out what really transpires during production and pre-production stages. After getting a quick introduction to the whole process, one gets stuck with one-primary question... actually more than one..

What should be the primary objective of a new theatre group? Should it be quality? Entertainment value? or a compromise between the two?

Should one venture to re-create reality and erect on stage a mirror to the society? Or should one go out there and win a dozen or so laughs?

Should one have to have something to say? Or should the fact that there is nothing to say in itself be exploited as a potential laugh buyer?

There is no answer out there...there is the heart and there is the purse...one is as passionate as the other is real...

It is in effect, this unassuredness that makes theatre challenging...everybody is on the look out for a system that clicks...some have found their own field to plough..others are still exploring...but untill there is a thirst ...there will always be a struggle....may the oasis never be found...for in satisfaction lies the doom of man.

LITERATURE MATTERS 4

The Shipman From Dartmouth

The good shipman is, in chaucer's words, as far as his knoledge goes, from Dartmouth. The man, in his customary knee length coarse gown, was one hardy shipman who had mastered the naunces of his trade.


He carried a dagger in a strap, and adorned a skin tanned in the heat of the summers. Many a high tide he is said to have seen, and certainly he knew well to read both the stars and his compass. Well aware of the hazards around him he delt with them as prudently as a professional would.

He paid little attention to his fussy conscience when he stole wine from the merchant, but in war when he had the upper hand he sent his captives all home by the routes of the sea.

The rider of Magdalen and the tamer of tempest; the shipman was an interesting man indeed.

LITERATURE MATTERS 3

The Miller from Canterbury Tales

In the Miller, we come across a character of the times, a rugged worker, a vetran of the peasents's revolution perhaps. Chaucer is both admiring of his abililities and dissapointed at his faults. The Miller is said to be a person who is a teller of tavren tales, most of them sinful in their essence, filled with ribaldry and this becomes worthy of scorn in Chaucer's eyes. Perhaps a more fiercer scorn is reserved for the fact that he was known well for his acts of stealing.

His broad frame and ruggedness that won him many a wrestling matches must sure have put fear into those who had dealings with him. The red, broad beard must have been a real add on to the fierce look, assisted by the wart on his nose that supported a few bristles of red hair.

To contrast his appearence and manner, the Miller is said to be a man who knew how to play his bagpie in a manner as to please the listner. The town is said to have swooned to the tune of this fierce worker.

LITERATURE MATTERS 2

The Good Wife from Bath

In 'the good wife from Bath' - Chaucer has given us a typical feminie of the times, someone who embodies both the weak as well as the strong of the sex that she represents. She is introduced in Chaucer's general 'Prologue' as someone who is immensely talented in the skills of the cloth, the attention that she seems to have paid to her own attire only showcases the fact that she had an eye to class. On the other hand, in the very same breath in which Chaucer praises her skills he also drives home the insecurity that the good wife displays on becoming aware of someone else's better work. Thus we come to know a character who is'nt a stereotype but is actually as complex as she seems real.

She is said to have travelled far and wide, and is said to have a lot of knowledge about travelling as such. The fact that she had taken five husbands, and had had many a fling before that, seems to point towards a person who was not only unabashed in her actions, but also cared not much for the 'properness' of the times and the society. Although she is potrayed as someone with a hearty spirit for social gatherings and gossip, she not the kind to have taken gossip about herself too seriously.

When introduced in the Canterbury tales, we find her beyond her prime, slightly deaf, gap-toothed and ample hipped, and yet the lushness of her spring time comes through in the authors short but to-the-point introduction where we are told of how she knew the remedies of love and that she is an accomplished customer who knows well the art of love.

On the whole, The good wife from Bath, come across as a very likable person.

Some Saudi Madness

I was shocked when I read this and thought it needs to be quoted here.


The Rights of Women in the Grand Mosque

Last Friday a number of Saudi newspapers carried a report concerning possible new prayer arrangements for women at the Grand Mosque in Makkah. The new arrangements are based on proposals made by a special panel formed according to directives from Makkah Governor Prince Abdul Majeed. The panel was composed of representatives from the Makkah Governorate, the Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques Affairs and the King Fahd Institute for Haj Research. It proposed that the present prayer area for women at the mataf (circumambulation area) be shifted to two other locations on the ground floor on the northern side of the mosque. The panel members said that women would thus get a larger prayer space in the new area compared to the present one at the mataf. They said the new area was away from places of overcrowding, the mass movement of people and the focus of television cameras, thus ensuring the safety and privacy of women and allowing them to see the Holy Kaaba but avoid the disruption of tawaf (circumambulation).
As this proposal was made without considering the views of women, I thought it my duty to express my opinion of it with the hope that the panel’s proposal is rejected. It not only goes against the message of Islam but also wounds the feelings of Muslim women.
The main problem of this proposal is that it denies Muslim women the right to pray at the holiest place on Earth, near the Holy Kaaba, where prayers are answered and where the faithful can achieve better devotion and closeness to God. This is also one of the factors that differentiate prayer at the Grand Mosque from prayer performed in hotels overlooking it. Throughout Islamic history — from the earliest days of Islam — women have never been banned from praying inside the mataf or any other parts of the two holy mosques. There have, however, been many recent restrictions on women praying and this new proposal is simply further evidence of this. ....more

This is what Safia Aoude from Denmark had to say

"...When I first heard that news, I simply laughed. Surely the Saudis can´t be that stupid? But then I remembered how they restricted women´s access to the Prophet´s grave in Medinah, and how they are building a parking lot on top of the Prophet´s birthplace, and how a woman in Saudiarabia is not allowed to remain alone driving a car but has to share the cramp car space with a strange male driver in stead of, and how the wahabi wizards originally tried to ban radio, phone and TV fearing it would be the devil´s tools...more

May sanity pervail.

LITERATURE MATTERS 1

Geoffrey Chaucer

Now, here is man who taught the english world what storytelling in the written form is all about. He was born is 1340 (thats a long time ago) in London, and lived most his life in royal employment (thats like being a valet, doin chores, and all that....nice pay though...). In those times just being able to write qualifies you as literate, and being able put verses together was a job well done and worthy enough of court poetry. So our man here was a court poet no less.
Some fancy positions he held were :

->Comptroller of customs for the part of London. ( Let me guess...he made sure people had proper wine, and admonished those who did not go to church.... )
->Justice of the peace for kent. ( he said "let there be peace!" and behold! so it was !)
->Member of Parliament. (We know this one dont we? "Thats a lie! your lord, I write about the french, but I dont spy for them, these are baseless accusations!")
Our man worked on a number of translations before he made up his mind to write some of his own. Some of his famous works are (both translations and his own):

'Roman de la Rose'
'The Book Of The Duchess'
'House of fame'
'Parliament of foules'
'Troilus and Criseyde'

An then finally he began work on his 'master piece'- The Canterbury Tales (which we shall review later) - It was supposed to be a classic of 120 stories in one volume, but alas! the quirk of fate! he died in 1400, having finished just 24 stories. Though incomplete, the canterbury tales are a classic in their own right. A detailed write up about Chaucer can be found here.

To Go After a Dream

To have a Dream is about the only thing that one can do without much resistance from either the world or their own prejudices. To go after a dream is an entirely different thing. Its like telling yourself "that.. my dear fella..is about the only thing worth gettin..the rest is jus make believe.." To go after a dream does not need a plan, it needs intense desire, it needs enormous courage, and above all it needs a huge heart to readily accept defeat as a price worth paying.

The risk of obscurity is what one takes on the road to a dream. If one can put himself in a position of absolute chaos five years from now, visualise a bankrup-debt-ridden life, and yet say that " Its worth it maite..." - only then can one go after a dream. Its a path filled with thorns and one needs to possess not only a thick sole but also a willingness to shed blood. To dream might be free, but a price needs to be paid to live them.

The time has come. The moment is now. The first step has been putforth. Upahead lies an endless desert but I keep saying to myself that "there lies a garden somewhere there...".