Rodevra Republic

The chips soon disappear from view, and then... In this humorous advertisement, the chips disappear from view — giving rise to the “Where’s My Chips” syndrome While in medical terminology the lady is said to have Gigantomastia , in more ordinary terms she appears to suffer from what may be called the WMC (Where’s My Chips) Syndrome . As the name suggests, because of the large breasts you may not see the chips served on the plate, particularly if the plate is placed too close to the body. But otherwise, WMC (pronounced wimcee ) Syndrome is associated with the usual difficulties — neck and back pain, poor posture, shoulder grooves left by bra straps supporting the weight, numbness in the hands and fingers due to strain on the neck position, and of course the inevitable attention such a condition attracts. The problem is usually addressed through Reduction mammoplasty . And the surgery may perhaps be considered truly successful when, at the end of the operation, the surgeon offers the...

Turn it around — and see again Nietzsche, Camus, Kant — and perhaps Sartre as well — might have paused for thought if they had come across this image. One can almost imagine Kant revisiting his Critique of Pure Reason , or Sartre rethinking Being and Nothingness , while Camus reflects again on The Stranger . For what does one see here? At first glance, a smiling face. But then, something feels unusual — the image is inverted. Turn it around, and the smile transforms into something else entirely. What appeared pleasant now seems almost stern, even disapproving. So which is real? Is the smiling face the truth, or the other? Or are both simply different ways of seeing the same thing? Perhaps the answer lies not in choosing one over the other, but in accepting that both exist — shaped by how we look, and from where we look. In that sense, both can simply be — and continue to exist in their own realities. You may also want to read my piece on:  On Shikata Ga Nai Rodevra Re...

George Orwell speaking in a rare interview where his thoughts on power and totalitarianism remain strikingly relevant This video does a fine job of bringing out the intensity of  George Orwell ’s thoughts. The close-up shots barely cover his entire face, ensuring that our attention remains fixed on his words rather than being distracted by anything else. In fact, even the interviewer is not shown. The questions simply appear on the screen. The focus remains entirely on Orwell and his thoughts — nothing else. If one had to sum up the interview and his views in a single line, it could well be the opening sentence of his novel Nineteen Eighty-Four : “It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.” This line introduces the dystopian world on which the novel is based. The phrase “bright cold day” sets the tone. On the surface, the day appears bright and pleasant, yet the word cold hints at something harsher beneath — a world lacking warmth and humanity....

Some conversations never really end There is a certain way in which conversations travel through buildings — from one floor to another, gathering colour as they go. Recently, a grand wedding in the news had found its way into ours. Ever since my friend on the 61st floor happened to receive an invitation, my wife had been unusually quiet and distant. “What is the matter, darling?” I asked. “Nothing,” came the prompt and expected reply. I tried again, a little more directly this time. “Something seems to be bothering you ever since you met Mrs. Chopra from the 61st floor. Did she say something?” I should have been more cautious. The signs were all there. “I tell you, I am not going to talk to her again,” she said. “And you too, please stop running behind your friend every time he calls you for a drink. The way she was showing off — who all she met at the wedding! She even showed me her picture with Amitabh Bachchan.” I attempted to be sympathetic. “I know how it must be feeling.” “You kn...

Our senses quietly adapt to what surrounds us every day Have you noticed how certain smells that are very noticeable to visitors gradually disappear for those who live with them every day? The aroma of a local drink, the scent of a familiar kitchen, or even the smell of a place we know well often goes unnoticed by the people who encounter it regularly. Take the example of feni , the well-known Goan spirit. For someone visiting Goa, the smell of feni can be a striking and memorable experience. But for people who have their roots in Goa and encounter that aroma often, the smell may barely register after a while. What they may be experiencing is something known as nose blindness . Nose blindness is a temporary and naturally occurring adaptation of the body in which the perception of scents that we are frequently exposed to gradually decreases. It is the body’s way of preventing overstimulation of the senses. This is quite different from anosmia, which is the loss of the sense of smell. No...

A friend’s compliment leads to a reflection on writing, readers, and an amusing wartime episode involving Somerset Maugham A friend once told me something that I took as a compliment. He said, “Raj, I have always thought that had you been a judge, you would have written beautiful judgments.” I thanked him, though the remark made me think about writing itself. When one has been writing for years, and across different subjects and genres, the act of writing becomes relatively easy. The rules are largely the same everywhere. One must keep the reader in mind, share something that the reader can understand, relate to, and perhaps benefit from. In an ideal situation, the writer almost becomes invisible. Only the message passes through and is remembered. For that to happen, however, the writer must possess a quality that is surprisingly rare—humility. Writers often fall into two traps. One is the temptation to sermonise and dispense unsolicited advice. The other is the subtle intoxication tha...

“Chestnuts" by the French painter Paul-Charles Chocarne-Moreau (1855-1931) This painting captures a simple but delightful street scene, filled with innocence, warmth and a gentle sense of happiness. The first thing that strikes one in this painting is the prevailing sense of bonhomie, innocence and delight. There is a smile on everyone's face, which immediately makes us feel good about the scene. It is a lovely street setting. Roasted or butter-fried chestnuts have long been a popular street food and are even today sold on the streets in several parts of Europe, particularly liked by tourists. The boys here seem to have picked the chestnuts themselves and have brought them over to sell. One of them appears to be carrying a nut wizard (a chestnut harvester), while another boy is carrying on his head a wicker basket, presumably filled with the harvested chestnuts. Chestnuts are usually harvested from September to November, and the background does suggest the setting of autumn....

Rabindranath Tagore’s song celebrates divine grace and the quiet joy that flows through life and creation. This  beautiful song is by Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, where he not only acknowledges and embraces the endless bliss showered on him by God, but using the words of the song, God becomes a source of joy and jubilation as 'He makes way in the heart and thrills it day and night through His majestic creations'.  The song goes on to say, that time and again God touches our inner core through a nudge, a song, a scent, a flavour. What else is this but an expression of His ultimate grace, as He enlivens our worlds and our hearts. This song (see below) is sung by Sagar Sen, one of the finest exponents of Rabindra Sangeet, having been singing it for over 30 years. His deep voice is most suitable for this genre. Rabindranath Tagore, whose songs celebrate the quiet grace and joy of existence. You may also want to read my piece on:  Saturday Art: Paul Gauguin, The Artist Who Co...

 There was a time when even light could be taxed. In parts of England, a house was not merely a shelter; it was a calculation. The more windows it had, the higher the tax it attracted. And so, people adapted in quiet, practical ways. Windows were sealed. Homes were built with fewer openings. Architecture bent itself around policy. It is a small but telling reminder—when a system presses too hard, people do not always revolt loudly; they often adjust silently. Yet, now and then, a story emerges that does not adjust. Lady Godiva’s ride—an act of quiet defiance, remembered as much for the town’s restraint as for her courage The legend of Lady Godiva belongs to that space where protest takes on an unusual form. It is said that in Coventry , taxes imposed by her husband, Leofric , weighed heavily on the townspeople. Repeated pleas had failed. Perhaps out of frustration—or perhaps with a touch of jest—he is believed to have set an impossible condition: he would reduce the taxes if sh...

A film that quietly reflected both ideology and a changing era One intriguing aspect of the film Namak Haraam lies in its opening credits. The film begins with a small red dot at the centre of the screen. As the credits roll, the dot gradually expands until it eventually fills the entire frame. At first glance, it appears to be a simple visual device, perhaps without any particular significance or aesthetic intent. However, on closer thought, the choice of the colour red invites interpretation. It may well be seen as a symbolic reference to Communism , with the expanding dot suggesting the idea of a growing movement or revolution. Seen in the context of its time, this becomes even more interesting. The film was released in 1973, when India was under strong Soviet influence, and the narrative itself carried subtle socialist undertones. The visual motif, therefore, seems less accidental and more reflective of the ideological climate of that period. There are also a few lesser-known ...