All posts by jcisnowjs

Blogger, Freelancer, Manager, Software Engineer, Beginner in Crocheting, Struggling Cook, Photography addict, Passionate for long drives n soulful music, Movie buff, Interested in politics, a loving wife and a Mom of three, but still a girl from heart :-)

I prefer Sujoy Ghosh’s ‘Ahalya’ over the traditional one

If you have still not seen this modern version of Ahalya, inspired by story of Ahalya from Ramayana;  first thing to do is to watch it here.

‘Ahalya’ by the maverick Sujoy Ghosh.

Ahalya the name, till now, symbolized a sinful woman who atone her infidelity by turning into a stone. Ahalya as said in Hindu literature, was the most beautiful woman on earth; created by Brahma himself. She was not born, but created using all the beauty of this world.

I prefer Sujoy Ghosh's 'Ahalya' over the traditional one
I prefer Sujoy Ghosh‘s ‘Ahalya’ over the traditional one

She was married to a great ‘Maharishi‘ (sage) Gautam. Gautam was much older to her and was not into worldly pleasures much. Indra, the king of God, was however, enticed with Ahalya beauty. Indra wanted to have her at any cost. Even knowing that she is the wife of maharishi Gautam, did not deter Indra from his bad intentions.

So one day, in the absence of Gautam, Indra disguised in the form of Gautam comes to Ahalya and raped her. I would like to use the word Rape because if Indra is in disguise of her husband, even if she did something willingly, it was improper and not with her consent.

I prefer Sujoy Ghosh's 'Ahalya' over the traditional one
I prefer Sujoy Ghosh’s ‘Ahalya’ over the traditional one

Gautam came to know of it, and in result he curse Ahalya to turn into a stone and suffer for eternity till Lord Rama will come and liberate her of this curse. Rama touches the stone turned Ahalya with his foot, and she turn back to her beautiful self. She is purified now and Gautam returns back to accept her back as his wife.

This may sound too extreme when you try to play this story in modern times. It’s the same way a rape victim is punished for the crime that others did to her. Ahalya is the face of our patriarchal society. In modern times, if this would happen to any woman, a lot of feminist groups would raise their voice against it.

It seems so inhumane.

Sujoy Ghosh, the maverick, as I like to call him, has tried to do justice to Ahalya, by liberating her, without introducing any Rama in her story.

I prefer Sujoy Ghosh's 'Ahalya' over the traditional one
I prefer Sujoy Ghosh’s ‘Ahalya’ over the traditional one

In Sujoy‘s story, Ahalya is a mystery woman, who is confident and knows her strength. She is no longer a second fiddle to Gautam. Instead as Gautam said, it is her who has inspired him for all his creations. She is the muse and master both. You will understand this as you will reach the end.

Do watch it. It will only take your 14 minutes, but it may change the image of a helpless woman who was victimized for others crimes. Here is the link again.

Why Iftar? Why not Mata ka Jagran?

Why Iftar? Why not Mata ka Jagran?
Why Iftar? Why not Mata ka Jagran?

Ramadan is here and so are Iftar parties, one after another. In fact there is a race among Indian politicians to invite as many as their political counterparts as possible and broadcast their secularism to the minority of the nation.

Sonia Gandhi is giving an Iftar party. Arvind Kejriwal is also on the same bandwagon. President is also supposed to throw a lavish Iftar party. More or less every political party and big leader is throwing a party in the name of Iftar.

It is not a new thing but this practice is going on for years…. infact as far as I remember it has become more prominent since the time all political parties pretended to be more secular than the others. Secular as in more minority favorable parties; and by minority here, I do not mean Sikhs, Jains, Schedule castes or girls in India.

Media is also after this event as if it’s an Oscar party. Who attended whose party? Who clicked pic with whom? On that note did you saw Arvind kejriwal’s happily ever after kind of pic with his arch-enemy Lt. Governor Najeeb Jung. See the power of Ramadan.

Why Iftar? Why not Mata ka Jagran?
Why Iftar? Why not Mata ka Jagran?

Did you also notice in all the pics almost every non-muslim leader is wearing a skull-cap. That is also a great symbol of secularism. It is now a days a fashion statement of politicians who are Secular. Normal/common people who wear this cap may be wearing it for non fashionable reasons but how could they know that a mere cap is more than enough to turn a hypocrite into a Secular.

Do you also know that common man who fast on Ramadan usually breaks his fast with eating dates and drinking water. His Iftar is neither a lavish and grand party nor so much media seeking event.

Why Iftar? Why not Mata ka Jagran?

This much talking about Iftar has made me hungry but before I go and eat my home cooked humble meal, there is one more thought that I would like to share with you.

So, I was just thinking, or kind of dreaming, what if these same politicians also do ‘Mata Ka Jagran’, or ‘kanchka – where they will feed little girls ‘kanyas’ and also give money to them. how empowering that would be? Or If they do Nanak Prabhat Pheri in the early morning hours, singing devotional songs. Or, if they throw thanksgiving parties to all the voters who voted for them and gave them power to rule for five years.

Why Iftar? Why not Mata ka Jagran?
Why Iftar? Why not Mata ka Jagran?

It was quite hilarious – that dream that I had.

Just imagine reading news about, ‘Sonia Gandhi has invited every political leader to her Mata ka Jagran event. She was herself dressed as Mata Durga, whereas Digvijay Singh was dressed in a Singh’s (Lion) costume. He was dancing keeping his tail in mouth.

Rahul Gandhi was seen dancing in full devotion to the tune of “beda paar karegi janpath vaali (oops jhande vaali) Maa”.

Why Iftar? Why not Mata ka Jagran?

When Rahul Gandhi was dancing we saw Lalu Yadav and Mulayam shovering 10 and 20 rupees bills. Lalu also danced to his favorite devotional song ‘khushhaal karti, maala maal karti, sherowali maa apne bhakto ki nihaal karti’.

Narendra Modi arrived late, accompanying L. K. Advani by his side. While Modi was seen doing a shastaang pranam to Mata Durga (Sonia Gandhi dressed as Durga) and later giving a two-minute speech on acche din; Advani took mic in his hand and sang full song ‘Mata Sherawali bharde jholi khali’.

Why Iftar? Why not Mata ka Jagran?
Why Iftar? Why not Mata ka Jagran?

Kejriwal was wearing a red duppatta over his head and swinging his head in 360 degree. We later came to know that Mata Durga herself came in Kejriwal’s soul and blessed him. That was the reason of his head swinging, and not because he has lost his marbles.

It was great and blissful night when all the politicians joined together to pray to Maa Shakti Durga, and were blessed with good wisdom and honesty, if that’s possible.

Why Iftar? Why not Mata ka Jagran?
Why Iftar? Why not Mata ka Jagran?

PS. In no way this Jagran was a secular event.

Does anyone have Superman Eggs?

 

Have you ever tried to feed healthy food to a toddler? If yes than you can totally relate to this post; even if you are lucky enough to not yet have faced this super challenging situation in life, do read on. It’s always good to learn strategy of enemy.

As you all know by now(if you are a regular to my blog), that I have three kids under 4 years of age. When you have not one but three kids, it is almost a daily routine that one or the other kid is not happy with what food you have cooked for them. So unless it’s a pizza or a burger or any junk food; you will find someone complaining.

No problem.

Being a mommy made you thick. So no whining or big teary eyes can melt you when it comes to feeding healthy food to your babies.

Problem.

Kids are getting smarter. So instead of trying that cute innocent face with a big teary NO on their face; they are trying logic. And believe me you can never win over a 4-year old when it comes to logic.

Does anyone have Superman Eggs?
Does anyone have Superman Eggs?

Cutting the chase, my son Otu, who I guess is the opposite of Google (always asking weird questions); was super fascinated with Superman. He goes through these phases very often. Last time I checked he was Police.

Now he is a superman, wearing a cape and all, and thankfully no underwear over his pants. Phew!

I prepared a typical daily meal with roti, daal, vegetables and rice. Now the difficult part begins.

Except Otu, rest of the kids are on dining table eating peacefully.

Me: Otu, come here. Your food is on table.

Otu: (after giving a ‘you are not good enough for me’ kind of look to food)

Mamma, I will not eat this food.

Me: Why? What is wrong with this food?

Otu: I am Superman and superman don’t eat this food.

(smart huh!)

Me: really? Who told you that?

Otu: Mamma, I am Superman. (emphasizing on superman).

I know what Superman eats.

Me: Ok. So, tell me what Superman eats. I will make it for you.

Otu: Superman eats eggs. Superman Eggs. (with a big gesture as if eggs are not superman’s but of a dinosaur)

Now, it was my turn to play smart. So, I wrapped an egg in a napkin, like a nest holding an egg; and I showed it to him.

Me: Look, I found one Superman egg. You want to eat this one?

Otu: Mamma, this is not Superman Egg.

Me: What? This is a Superman Egg. Look it came all wrapped up like this.

Otu: Mamma, Superman egg fly like superman. It flies like this. (gesturing flying with his hands)

Me: but, this can fly too.

(Now I was flying that Super Egg with my hands just like a paper plane.)

Otu: Mamma! You are holding it.

Let it fly. Like Superman flies.

Me: You don’t need food. You are a true Superman.

 

PS: Now, Otu is a Soldier. So, he is eating non flying eggs.