Have you pondered the fact that festivals like Durga Puja, Deepawali, Holi, Eid, Christmas, or Guruparb are celebrated by specific communities or religions, whereas festivals such as Independence Day and Republic Day are celebrated by the whole nation? Imagine over 140 crores of people immersed in one feeling, one spirit, and one thought!
In this post, I have explored five basic warm-up exercises for beginners to help you prepare for any performance, both mentally and physically. In the subsequent one, I'll delve deeper. Let's try these exercises one by one. I request that you visualise them or introduce them into your classroom learning.
I had the opportunity to watch Shabdangal in the second edition of Bharat Rang Mahaotsav (2026) while returning from a conference. The train to Roorkee was scheduled to start at night, whereas I reached Delhi in the evening. Hence, to make the most of the time, I booked a ticket to Shabdangal. Based on my previous experience watching a play at the Bahumukh auditorium of NSD, I knew it would delight me to the fullest.
If I say that any drama is more read than performed in India, would you believe it? You don't need to believe me. I would advise taking this exercise. Reflect for a while- How many plays have you read till now? How many plays have you watched in theatres?
Comic books and graphic novels are a great medium. It's incredibly underused! -Darren Aronofsky Visuals have always appealed to people more than anything. The increasing screen time over social media and OTT platforms is a testimony to it. However, a graphic novel, with illustrations alongside the text, is truly underused and undervalued, as noted by … Continue reading Book Review: Corridor by Sarnath Banerjee
Naya Theatre, curated by Habib Tanvir in 1959, aimed to reverse the colonial trajectory of Indian theatre while connecting it to India's culture and tradition. Tanvir is known mainly for two interventions in Indian Theatre. The first was that he introduced local artists in his performance, and the second was that he broke away from the proscenium theatre into diverse spaces. He adopted the folk form Nacha of Chhattisgarh, in which music and songs play a complementary role in the performance.
These elements that promote the Karyavastas are called as Arthaprakritis – the causations. They are five. (1) Bija – Germ, (2) Bindu – Prominent point (3) Pataka – Episode (4) Prakari – sub-story and (5) Karya – denouement.
I was familiar with Hussain's writing and his reflections on partition through his novel Basti (shortlisted for the Man Booker in 2013), which was part of my bachelor's syllabus. Through this book, Day And Dastan, which collects two novellas into one, I once again got an opportunity to peek into the fragmented and dilapidated world of Hussain, caused by partition
Once again, due to a conference scheduled at the Humanities Department, I got a chance to explore it. It's been over a month since I visited BITS Pilani, Pilani Campus, Rajasthan and I must say, now and then I keep going back to it, a part of it is due to the lovely people I met there and partly due to the campus to which I fell in love with
Simple living, high thinking– the statement is justified when you peep into the life of a writer! As I delve into my memory of school days, I remember delivering a speech on the birth anniversary of Munshi Premchand. Since I used to practice several times, some lines, though in fragments, had been etched in my … Continue reading Premchand’s Legacy: A Visit to his Village ‘Lamhi’ in Varanasi
The etymology of the word 'Aside' dates back to the 14th century, Middle English, meaning 'one side' or 'to the side.' It was popularised by the 15th-century Elizabethan dramatists in the Renaissance period, who used it to share comments, expressions, secrets, and humorous and witty remarks directly to the audience without involving the characters on the stage.
What is the single most remarkable aspect of the novel, Maila Aanchal? My immediate reply would be the usage of language. Like English, we Indians do speak Hindi differently, wrapped in dialects that vary across regions. There are more than 48 dialects of Hindi alone, practised across different parts of India. It is said that Language and culture change in India every 12 miles.
It's the penultimate day of December. I am sitting with some stationery and a couple of greeting cards from last year. I may not get time on the 31st due to the various plans and games, hence, lets do it before. The excitement is at its peak. I am waiting eagerly for the Jan 1st morning rays of the Sun.
Sabarmati Ashram is located on the bank of the river Narmada. After passing through the gate (no entry fee to my surprise), I could see the children navigating through the maps. The place was well-managed and moderately crowded.
College campuses stand testimony to the fact that great minds evolve within the walls of the classroom. "What's in here to be seen?" she asked the day I planned my visit to the SRE campus. "I create my own kind of joy in the places I visit," I replied, "The perk is that you're there, … Continue reading Roorkee to Saharanpur: A Day at IITR SRE Campus
Pragmatic's Personas 