Rodevra Republic

Bill Bryson — wit, language, and quiet humour Here is something that some of you may enjoy — listening to Bill Bryson. An American-born author, Bryson has written across a wide range of subjects, from the English language and science to travel and general non-fiction. Though born in the United States, he moved to Britain in his twenties and eventually settled there. If you enjoy the English language, his speaking style itself is a pleasure. It carries an interesting blend — the base notes of an American accent, shaped by his upbringing, layered with the cadence and tone of British English. Even in simple words like “fast,” one can hear the American inflection, while the overall delivery remains distinctly British, including his understated humour. Some have compared him to P. G. Wodehouse , though their styles differ. Wodehouse’s humour often leaned on irony, absurdity, and playful exaggeration — phrases like “Jeeves’ superhuman equanimity” come to mind. Bryson, on the other hand, is m...

Abdulrazak Gurnah — telling stories across continents With the selection of Abdulrazak Gurnah , he becomes one of the very few Black writers to have received the Nobel Prize in Literature. Looking at past recipients, this award stands out for the way it recognises a body of work that brings sustained attention to a deeply human concern — the experience of refugees, and the lingering effects of colonialism. Much of Gurnah’s writing is shaped by these themes, exploring displacement, identity, and the emotional distance between cultures and continents. As is well known, unlike awards such as the Booker Prize, the Nobel Prize in Literature is not given for a single work. It recognises an author’s entire body of work — the depth, consistency, and impact of their writing over time. When the literature prize was first instituted, it was meant to honour those who had “conferred the greatest benefit on mankind.” Seen in that light, Gurnah’s recognition feels appropriate. Through his writing,...

Birendra Krishna Bhadra’s voice in “Mahishasura Mardini” has awakened Bengal at dawn on Mahalaya for generations A little bit of history, culture, and a radio programme. Today is a very special day for Bengalis the world over. It is Mahalaya , the day that marks the beginning of the Durga Puja festivities, with an invocation to Goddess Durga to descend upon Earth. What makes the day even more special is that every year on this day, at 4 am sharp, practically every Bengali household tuned in to AIR for the Mahishasura Mardini programme. My Bengali friends still remember waking up early on this day, sleepy-eyed, all gathered around the radio. The programme was first aired in 1932, and until 1966 it was broadcast live. The iconic voice was that of Birendra Krishna Bhadra. Birendra babu would bathe in the Ganges at Babughat, just a short walk from Akashvani Bhavan, before coming to perform the programme. Such was his dedication, and it shows in his rendition. Year after year he did it....

A moment where voice and expression become one Here is a really beautiful song to start your day. It is from the 1982 film 'Vijeta' by Govind Nihilani. Asha Bhonsle has done full justice to this pure classical song. Rekha is in perfect synchronization with the singing, an indication she may be a trained singer herself or at least learnt singing the song from Ashaji or the music director, Ajit Varman. The overall impact is sublime. While on this point, we know actors go to great lengths to achieve perfection in every act of theirs and try to do full justice to the demands of their role. The method actor that Dilip Kumar was, he actually learnt playing the sitar for the song, 'Madhuban mein Radhika nache re'. [02/10/2021, 07:59] Raj Mahimkar: https://youtu.be/kPc_dyJbs1U

Faust and Mephistopheles: the eternal image of ambition striking a dangerous bargain With the developments in Afghanistan and reports like this coming in, I have often been reminded of the parallel with Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's tragic play Faust . It is regarded as his magnum opus and a gem of German literature. The plot centres around the protagonist, Faust, who sells his soul to the Devil, Mephistopheles, in exchange for untold wealth and power. It is an allegorical tale that warns of the dangers of giving up one's principles and values in a headlong rush for power and success. In the Afghan context, as a parallel, we are seeing the Taliban driving such a Faustian bargain. In the end, through karmic justice, despite having gained all the power and wealth in the world, Mephistopheles drags Faust to Hell to serve him for eternity. The central lesson that Faust teaches us is that incessant greed for power, wealth, or even knowledge can lead to downfall. In many ways, the ...

Afghan poet Khalilullah Khalili, whose verses remain deeply cherished across the Persian-speaking world Amidst the crisis in Afghanistan , what cries out the most is its poetry. It is the heart and soul of life in this land and a source of inspiration for many. It is cherished by almost every group in Afghan society. Both in Persian (Dari) and Pashto, Afghan poetry dates back thousands of years. Khalilullah Khalili , born in 1908 in the Kabul province, remains one of Afghanistan’s most beloved twentieth-century poets, historians and novelists of the modern era. Considered one of the last of the great Persian poets, his works, although almost entirely unknown in the Western world, are still recited by heart across the Persian-speaking world and remain a source of national pride for Afghanistan. Writing on themes ranging from the power of faith to the beauty of love, Khalili touched the hearts of many, including legendary figures such as Ahmad Shah Massoud , Afghanistan’s national hero...

A popular painting often circulated online as “The Picture of Happiness,” though incorrectly attributed to Abidin Dino Had received the above forward from a group. But, strange as it may seem, the painting “Picture of Happiness” is not actually painted by Abidin Dino . The background to the painting is, however, interesting and worth reading. His close friend, Nazım Hikmet , was a renowned poet and well known in political circles in his homeland, Turkey. At one stage he was asked by its ruler of that time, Mustafa Kemal Pasha , to write poetry that would inspire Turkish volunteers in the fight for independence. However, due to his strong Communist leanings he later fell out of favour and was exiled, and eventually imprisoned. During this difficult period, he asked his dear friend Abidin Dino to paint a picture of happiness. Being a poet, he framed his wish in poetic form: Can you paint the picture of happiness, Abidin? But without taking the easy way Not the picture of an angelic...

Sahir Ludhianvi — poet, lyricist and one of the most distinctive voices of Urdu poetry in Hindi cinema Today, 08/03/2021, marks the 100th birth anniversary of Sahir Ludhianvi . Though widely known as a lyricist in the Hindi film industry, he was essentially a poet of great merit. He wrote passionately about the underdog, and his poetry acquired a sharp edge when he addressed the declining values of society, the senselessness of war and politics, and the growing domination of consumerism over love. Even his love songs, often tinged with sorrow, reflected his realisation that there were other, harsher realities more important than love. Thus he could write these memorable lines on the Taj Mahal , questioning the arrogance of monarchy: Ek Shahenshah ne daulat ka sahara lekar, Hum ghareebon ki mohabbat ka udaya hai mazaaq. Jawaharlal Nehru and Sahir shared a mutual admiration, and with his strong socialist leanings Sahir naturally resonated with Nehru’s vision of a new India. That sp...

Women huddle together during a dust storm in Rajasthan, photographed by Steve McCurry This lovely photograph above by Steve McCurry , of National Geographic fame, tells a story that is very apt for International Women's Day . Steve was passing through the Rajasthan desert by taxi on his way to Jaisalmer when he was caught in a furious dust storm. It was then that he spotted a group of women huddled together, trying to brave its fury. The only way they could protect themselves was by taking support from one another. It had not rained in the region for thirteen years, and a dust storm like this often foretells the coming of rain. While life hung precariously in the midst of this devastating storm, together they were able not only to endure it but even to sing happily at the prospect of possible rains. What better metaphor to show that women have the inherent strength and resilience to literally brave any storm — and at the same time rejoice in the positive side of even the most ...

Different languages, different expressions—but the same quiet wisdom about what truly matters in life What does it matter, क्या फर्क पड़ता है Qu'importe શું વાંધો છે Que importa এটার মানে কি அது என்ன விஷயம் काय फरक पडतो What does it matter to have money, fame, or recognition. What matters is creating—creating for the sheer joy of creating, and then sharing it. क्या फर्क पड़ता है about the number of followers you have, or the likes, comments and shares your posts receive. What matters is the number of people who will be there when you are sick, who will wipe a tear when you lose a dear one, who will remember you on a special occasion, or who will make a special effort to be with you. Qu'importe worrying about things that do not really matter. What matters is spending more time with people and activities that you truly love. શું વાંધો છે when the past is over. What matters is believing in carpe diem . In the circumstances we are given, is there love in your heart? Ar...