DASHING DELTA

It was a pleasant sunny Tuesday morning. I reported at BSH room and presented my physical presence in the Attendance register of the Ad Hoc Civilian Teaching Faculty. I proceeded to Room Number A212 where the three English Ad Hoc faculties have to share a cabin. I sensed that a cabin of one’s own will take some months’ time. As Lalitha chechi and Ruth chechi don’t have a spirit of territoriality or possession in this temporary space of ours, three of us are really gonna enjoy the fleeting moments of togetherness at its zenith. I comprehended from Lalithechi’s words that there is ample scope of playing musical chair here. Whosoever comes first can occupy the huge cum rotating chair. After filling the quota of jokes for the morning, I had a peep into the long horizontal sheet that is desperately in need of a sharp eyesight or a microscopic vision. That sheet affectionately addressed as WTP (Weekly Time Period) gives the details of all our classes in detail. In short, WTP is the sine qua non of INA’s academic ship.  As informed on the very first day that I am going to teach 99INAC section, my eyes aided by spectacles tried their best to focus only on the WTP of those third semesters. (Oh, it is not semester but, term here in this Naval parlance. I have to abide by the terms and conditions of INA)

Lalithechi has thrown some light on the flavours I come across in all sections. She whispered “Relax da! Children are of school standard only. And the topics? Do not worry at all”. I was a bit relieved from my apprehensions.

 By now (within two days), I inferred that both chechis have a special corner for Charlie section. I thought for a while as if like a soliloquy- Why is Charlie so dear to all? My excitement knew no bounds. Will the children be as creative and charming as Dulqer Salman’s Charlie? A tsunami of thoughts began to stir my mind. But, to my utter dismay, I am not going to make my debut teaching entry with the Charlie section but with Delta section. The very lecture in Delta will be followed by a lecture in Bravo.

Oh, it is Delta……

Oh, it is Bravo then….

I have not heard a single inspiring/good review about both the batches by someone’s grace. Hiding my disappointment, I made myself ready to meet the so called Destructive Delta (crazy/lazy) and Brilliant Bravo(attitude/arrogant) sections of 99INAC.

The auspicious time approached faster than a satellite or a terrorist attack. It’s time to meet 99INAC D. The room number mentioned in the WTP is B512. I just know one thing that B stands for Bhaskara and our department of English is in Aryabhatta. My phenomenal paths from Aryabhatta to Bhaskara will be filled with the portraits of scientific prodigies comprising Kautilya, Ramanujan, Sir, C.V. RamanDr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, JC Bose, E Sreedharan, and Shakuntala Devi who harnessed a glorious path for our Mother India. I grasped one thing- Here stairs never end and so do the steps and floors. I could not resist myself from acknowledging the master brain behind this awe inspiring as well as escalating architecture. I was enlightened by the construction that innumerable steps in a non-parallel style can be erected in a single floor. Eureka!!!!Mission accomplished-  I managed to find B512. I opened the door that was lying slightly closed. I set my foot into the serene floor of 99INAC Delta where I have seen majority of the handsome ones in hibernation process /sleeping posture (might be practicing Shavaasana?)

I started smiling sheepishly at the Delta darlings/dopes. I found it sensible to inform them that I am their new English instructor. Hence, I did that and asked them to give their introduction. I assured that I will provide my intro at the end once they are done with their act of introducing. I was ecstatic to know that more than majority of the cadets are representing the northern belt of Haryana, UP, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Delhi and my very own Rajasthan. I assumed there will be a maximum of 2-5 girls so that the boys in their adrenaline rush will feel bindaas in class. Later on, I got to know that girls are only in NOC courses in which English is not at all taught. Abba!! I have to manage all these pattaaka, tall and macho boys. I pity my poor tiny self! Although the borne strength is less than 30 per class, the strength they show in class in unbearable. The introductory session commenced like the gushing of a river (it did not last for long though). Two rows from the left have successfully finished their introduction venture. The first row from the left felt so irritating just because I caused a hindrance to their smooth night mode of day. One cadet was reluctant to raise his head and look at me for a darshan. He did not even bestow the attention of his to an entirely new creature (poor myself). He was unable to make the head and tail of the process happening in the class. The other cadet sitting adjacent to him uttered – “ Arrey, ladki apne baare mei bolne ko pooch rahe ho.”

I was not at all irritated but inspired. Covering my sense of laughter at its zenith, I replied – “ I am not ladki. Mein Madam hoom”.

Yeah, the cadet understood that I understood his Hindi. I entered into another soliloquy- How come he knew that I am a girl? I felt the invisible presence of my wonderful Jo boys and company here. Btw, who was that cadet?

Do I remember the name?

Do I not wish to reveal his name?

Let it remain as a wild secret. hehehe!

Once everybody finished their introduction, I heard a manly voice from the back seat of third row- “Ma’am, your introduction, please… It was Satpreet Singh, a handsome sardarji with a pleasing smile and a dinchaak turban. After the deliberation of my introduction, I asked someone to volunteer and give me a rough sketch of their daily life style/routine. I was curious to know about the top chops whose darshan will fill my days for the coming term. Without much ado, a stout cadet came forward to the podium.  His power was reflected not only in his appearance but also in his stream of words. It was none other than Kumar Manjeet ( Jiya ho Bihar ke laala). I was able to garner all the information of their daily Academic cum physical routine starting from 0500 hours. The climax of any day is unpredictable just like the fate of an ordinary human being. It all depends on the magnanimity and the affection lavished upon them by their sweet seniors. I felt that I don’t require any explanation or briefing on this topic from any other class of Alpha, Bravo and Charlie. Manjeet’s touching words couched in his irony and iron will meant a lot. Hereby, I declare Manjeet as the spokesperson of Delta as well the entire 99INAC section.

After knowing each other, I asked them to pen a paragraph on anything they like so as to assess their proficiency in English language. The spokesperson exhorted – “Ma’am, time is up.” I asked – “Will you write in the next class?”

“Yes, Ma’am. We will.” I heard a chorus then.

I said, ‘Alright’ and started making a move. Rapidly, someone called me from the first row. “Ma’am, whatever we said so far is unofficial. Please do not share with our officers.” I assured that I won’t and do not worry at all.

Now, it’s time to meet the Brilliant Bravos. That time only, I understood the real brilliance of the daring Delta. Ten minutes were left to finish the class. Hereby, they proved their lazy colour. I had to wait in front of Bravo for almost 10 minutes. I was saved from mounting stairs because Bravo was next to Delta in the room B511. I was not yet recovered from the hangover of meeting toppers from the bottom. How will be Bravo then? Still, Delta remains distinct for their visceral cum genuine expression via words and feeling although hyper crazy and lazy. The dynamic Delta has made a mighty upstart in my novel naval journey. It is/It can/ It will be the one and only Delta who can be as crazy and lazy as normal boys. Count down begins for the josh and jolting moments with Dashing DELTA. What about Charlie then? What about Alpha and Bravo?

One thing, I have to agree at this juncture. All 99INAC’s are equal. But Delta remains more equal than the others and as special as smiling Satpreet, marvelous Manjeet, Chaala baavundhi Gokul (Revisiting my Hyderabadi feelings via the representatives of Telangana. The spirit is exemplified in Kiran who shares a place nearby Gokul thammudu), affectionate Siddarth (a sisterly affection instills in me for all his loving gestures and nature. Abhit  Mayank tops the list though), motivating Nandana Krishna (one who teaches and inspires me a lot to learn lot many new stuffs), Haryanvi Pandit Bhawesh, Calm and cute Bhosle, argumentative Digvijay, doubtful Siddhu, Sleepy Rishu, Silent Bisht, simple Sahil, unhealthy Himanshu( SIQ or carries scan results in my class), exhausted Anand , polite Joel,  assignment wallas consisting of Shivam Shukla, Rocky Kumar, Abhinash Kumar, Dipayan Sir ( and the list goes on) and the shandaar beccha party(always in need of snacks and sprite to crack technical problems and jokes)  – cool Shukla bhai, Soothing Sood, childish and tender Senwal, schoolboy Panwar and Chaangla Manas accompanied and protected by tall Shubham Kundu ( the one who is dying to imitate my voice) and drowsy Rahul Singh. It is time to put myself in tune with the naval melodies of Alpha, Bravo, Charlie and Delta sections of 99INAC.

Siren tolls! It is the murmuring of the biological clock to meet the top chops clad in white shirts and white trousers (the brilliant attitude wallas of Bravo).

I really doubt whether I come up to or live up to the standard of their other faculties. I don’t know whether I have disappointed any of the sections. If so, I have to apologize for my irritating cum inspiring character. Let me cite John Le Carre’s quote here: “It was to kind, too generous, too sudden, too long ago”.  And so, I just move on with my ‘limited edition’ character. I am just me. I can only be me with all my flaws, frailties and freely flowing nature. In this busy world, we meet to part and part to meet. Hope, we meet again! I devote a special space for all the sections in this unique way: Amazing Alpha germinates thoughts in me, Brimming Bravo gives me the green signal to go ahead with the sprouted thoughts and Charming Charlie makes me creative. Now, what about Delta????

Delta - the door to unfurl my zillion impressions!

DELTA is my battle field aka field of action. It dashes with its dynamically destructing strength. Has Siddarth been right in stating that Delta is a different Delta in my English class? I do not know. Who knows? Only Dashing cum Daring Delta knows!!!!

HumanitieS weds SciencE

Humanities and Science encountered some day.

Everybody mumbled ‘no way, no way’.

Destiny made them meet each other.

That rendezvous made them treat each other.

Here begins the war of words,

mightier than the power of swords.

You have no cognitive effort, Humanities

You have no laboratory work, Humanities

You have no creative effort, Mr. Science.

You have no library work too, Mr. Science.

‘I aim for Nobel Prize’ retorts Science.

‘I aim for Booker Prize then’, rejoins Human Science.

I am a physical scientist, Humanities.

Oh, I am a liberal scientist then.

Humanities won’t surrender at any cost

 and Science will never get lost.

Situation gets complicated

and their queries become outdated.

The docile Humanities feels profound sorrow

and the dominant Science feels too narrow.

Science screams – We are always in fire, you know.

Humanities consoles- We are like water to extinguish the fire, you know.

Conversation takes a new U turn…

For Science to learn/earn?

Humanities decides to conquer Science’s dark territory

And Science discloses Humanities his hurry burry.

There springs a gradual symphony

of their mutual harmony.

Calyx and Corolla are lovelier like a red -red rose.

Carbylamine reaction is sweeter like a morpheme formation.

Complements do coexist

So, do Humanities and Science exist.

Humanities when equated with Science

destroys the very semantics of superficial signs.

They should not be kept in two compartments

Instead should be kept in same apartments.

Let them feel they are not above or below par,

They are and they can only be in par.

Humanities weds science

as bride wins prejudice.

Science conspires within the alchemy of Humanities

giving way for adorable and astounding ties.

Let them trail a new path of heart and brain.

Let them trace a new journey of emotion and intellect.

Let them exemplify the ‘Ardhanareeshwara’ myth

and prove their mutual worth.

Humanities is for science’s sake

And never for anything to fake.

Let them live long

and together be strong.

BAAGHI 2 bagged my afternoon trance

The stunning year 2018 showcases a warm welcome to the Bollywood movies. The flicks comprising ‘Raid’ and ‘Padmavat’ exemplify this gesture by hitting the box office. Now it is time for BAAGHI 2 to follow this coveted path. When the reel is brought to the limelight of the real world, ‘Baaghi 2’ has managed to cross the collection of 100 crores within a week’s time. The reviews and news on Tiger Shroff and Disha Patani starrer ‘Baaghi 2’put me in awe. Somehow, I will watch the saga of fearless rebel just as the way I accomplished my mission to view ‘Raid’ and ‘Padmavat’. The day approached faster than the fraction of a day in this weekend. The very Sunday afternoon bestowed me with the combo delight of a sumptuous non- vegetarian meal and the extravagant visual feast. I reached before time at Orion Auditorium and set myself ready to appraise the investigation saga of a brave cum bold army officer.

Captain Ranveer Singh sets of all the way from Kashmir to Goa as he happened to receive a phone call from his ex/ever girlfriend after a break of four years. The army officer Ranveer Singh aka Ronny leaves Kashmir for Goa after sanctioning his leave although nothing is personal in army. Neha on meeting Ronny asks his favour to find her missing daughter Rhea, who is three years old. He has promised to do such a herculean task where there is no witness for the kidnapping. Police cops show an indifferent attitude to her petition stating that they were unable to find any clue within the past two months. In order to add chaos to the already chaotic situation, Neha’s husband Sekhar confesses that she is suffering from Post-traumatic stress disorder. Ronny is forced to believe that it is her hallucinated mind that has rendered her the choice to imagine a daughter of her own. Ranveer Singh has garnered the courage to confront her over this information. Her obstinacy does not allow her to yield to his revelations and Ronny doesn’t succumb to her disclosures. An O. Henry twist befalls exactly at this point when Ronny catches hold of the car’s key lying on the floor. His eyes fall on the wall of the hall where the height of Rhea is marked in par with her growth and passage of time. When this scene threw some light on Ronny, Neha’s light is gone forever from the scene as she has committed suicide within no seconds. Here the story of macho wisdom, eternal love and indomitable faith begins and ends.

Ranveer has made up his mind to find Rhea at any cost. The second half of the story unfurls how Sekhar and his brother along with the Police Officer encountered the plans to trap Rhea. The events following his battle with the Police Cops unravel the truth that Sekhar desperately wanted to put an end to Rhea’s life just because it was diagnosed by the doctor that he can never father a child. He does not wish a possess a girl who is not a 23 of his and 23 of Neha’s. This revelation reinforces Ronny’s mind in pursuit of Rhea. The movie ends in a positive note where Ronny has emerged triumphant in finding Neha’s Rhea. Although Neha is no more, he has fulfilled the promise that he will there for her for anything. The climax scene is so touching in which Ronny oils Rhea’s hair in the visible absence cum invisible presence of Neha. This image conveys a lot to the viewers as it turns out to be the sanguine embodiment of selfless love for the lost/gained ones. The film introduces a lot of characters within a short span of the first half. Jacqueline Fernandez ‘ek do teen’ was expressive as well as energetic although not that impressive like the old version. Peppy ‘Mundiyan’ and lively cum lovely ‘O saathi’ added much to the glory of the film. Police officers are seen from beginning till the end of the film whereas army officers are seen only at the final and closing scenes. It was in reality a- one-man army/ one man show. Somewhere from the opening itself, we sense a smack of Rhea’s father in Ronny though it is disentangled only at the end. The celluloid version of shield protection is an indirect hint on a real incident of Army Captain. Here, Captain Ranveer Singh beats the police who shows disrespect to the tri- colour National Flag. As the montage flashes within seconds, it is not mentioned anywhere else in the film so to emerge as a controversy. For me, it is the story of an army man living in the loving images, memories and dreams of a long-lost lover. His unflinching love for her prompts him to come from the border land so as to help her in finding her daughter. Not even a single time did she reveal that Rhea is his daughter too. His universe still revolves around her and that is the sole reason why he came to give her a helping hand in her dire need. The story satisfies all his queries and above all, his unrequited love in the form of an affectionate daughter to be cherished forever. BAAGHI 2 really did bag my afternoon and umpteen frames of mind.

DeserT as my real DesserT

An inevitable query that is invariably recurring in my mind. 
                     Has an Indian woman's Rajasthan journey come to a close?

A zillion thoughts stirred up the tsunami of feelings, queries, anticipation and apprehension in me.....


The land that taught me how to be my own ambassador
The land that taught me how to help others and end up being worse than a curry leaf.
The land that taught me 'only dena' and ' no lena' policy.
The land that taught me how to withstand the comments/crookedness of ghori ghora chori choras.

The land that taught me how to be in my wonderland of cheshire cats and dinahs.
The land that made me a part and parcel of many non- bloodly related ties.
The land that made me tie 'rakhis' to countless brotherly ties.
The land that made evolve and involve into a better me......

Something/place/body has forged a void which the new stuffs can never rekindle.....

The land of whites and non-whites where only Apartheid is not in practice.
The land where we are good only when our work is good.
The land where respect is not given but only forcefully taken
The land where white power gets name and fame where others receive only shame.

The land where smile, affection and care never work but only raggada, assignments and re-tests work
The land where people show false affection just to deceive me for their crooked intentions.
The land where humanity is of no use but dictatorship and territoriality of immense use.

Once again I realise,
                           Permanent = Regular
                           Temporary = Extended

  But, I am still me... I just move on knowing the reality that it is time to heal myself from all the wounds(verbal and mental)
Nikhil mon's words sounded sensible once more..... " Chechi, do not be naive wherever you go.Do not exhibit your lack of intelligence, full of nonsense bereft of your common sense".. Hihihi... Still, I am in love with this easeful life sweetly played in a clearly confused, painfully beautiful, awfully lucky, sweet sorrow and genuine imitation tone.  Here lies the real variety as the spice of my viability. The real Rajasthan desert has turned out to be the real dessert of my entity by imparting a lot of flavours( sweet, salt, sour, bitter)  along with the true colours of homosopiens.  I have fallen badly and madly for the land of royals, deserts, forts and CAMELs..Compliments always coexist just like the oxymoronic embellishment  of literature as well as human existence.There lies a beauty in cruel kindness with its manifestation of brutal happiness. Yes, it smells the breaking out of a soul from all the fetters... Can it be addressed as a clarion call? Who knows? I know one thing that I just move on with the hopes and hopelessness which desert has mustered me to master.

              

April full for an April fool

Kutty (all set to fool her Appu)

The dawn of April 1 loomed much faster than I could relish the embrace of the Goddess of night for long. I opened the day as well as the page of my thesis together with a beam of excitement. As I started reading a critical study by sipping the cup of tea, some thoughts emanated to my mind from somewhere. Music as usual springs from my soothing laptop. I whispered- April fool fills me with a rapture of research paper drafting. After an hour, I heard the sudden movement of Amma’s footsteps from upstairs. By the time she reached me, I told her that the tea is already for her in kitchen. She bestowed me an apprehensive look. Her facial expression got expression in the form of words- “Appu, your train is cancelled. How are you planning to go back? Meenukutty just called and informed me. Give her a ring now itself.” As I know my sister and her pranks to the core, I asked – “Amma, this news is April fool special aah? Amma in an undoubtful manner with a smile said that it can’t be and I should call her now itself. I called Kutty immediately and asked her regarding the train timings. She tried her best to convince and frighten me that the train is cancelled. At the end, she burst out into a cool laughter saying -what to do? Train is not cancelled and you will reach on time. hahaha.

Amma and me set off our journey to Kollam railway station. Some wisdom dawned on me at that time. Or else, I should not have checked the train ticket in my VIVO 1609. To my utter dismay, the train has already left. As I have booked two tickets on the adjacent days, I checked the timing of the train that was on the first day at 10.55am. On this very pleasant Sunday morning of April fool’s day, my train’s arrival was at 7.30 am. As I arrived hours after the train’s departure, I was broken like anything. Still, I felt like enquiring in the enquiry section. I managed to get a sleeper ticket for the 10.55 am train (the one I have cancelled the other day). Amma was so confused whether I will be able to grab a seat or I will be able to reach on time. She gave Kutty a ring and asked- ‘Why did not you check the train timing? If you had checked the train status, this situation might not have happened?”. Poor Kutty has not just to book the tickets for me but has to be cautious in sending me on time. She has to direct me all the way from Hyderabad, the land of Nizams with the directions of trains. Finally, the announcement of Netravati has happened. I got into the train and Amma left waving her hands. I managed to get a seat. Once my luggage and me got settled in the sleeper coach, I lend my ears to the serene music brimming from my MP3 player. Time started moving slower than a snail. I sensed by 13.30 am that it was time to satisfy my physical hunger. I put a gap for the sensual pleasure and started gulping Chor, Chutney , Achar and Sabji. I finished the food enmeshed in my Mother girl’s love within no seconds. Soon, I started falling to the lyrics and the sleepy atmosphere. I was opening my eyes off and on. A small boy caught my attention. I did not bother to talk and I did not wish to break my silence. The boy was walking hither and thither in the compartment. After an hour, he broke my silence with a query – 

“Chechi, what’s your name?”

I replied – Aparna”

Boy- “ Are you going to study?.

Vaishnav and me

His queries started hitting my silence. I opened my usually unusual way of interactive mode. This cute boy Vaishnav is eagerly waiting for his tenth standard ICSE board examination results. He along with his family, uncle, aunty, cousins and grandparents are going to earn the blessings of Goddess Mookambika.The tension of his exam result has captured by attention. His childish innocence prompted him to ask me lot many questions. I felt that he was enjoying my answers. That is why he was not willing to go back to his mom and cousins despite their countless calls to come back and occupy his seat. He left me after an hour. He came back to me again on his way to washroom. He sat near me and talked for a while. He asked me

Chechi, how old are you?

I said- How much.. you guess?

Vaishnav- 23

I said – plus 5. Now 1 more is added after March 3

Vaishnav- eeh 28? Then you are married?

I replied- no, no.. If you can find somebody from your Kottayam locality, I can marry and settle there. What do you say?

Vaishnav- Good idea. I don’t know anyone chechi. I will ask someone,

Then came his next question –” Chechi, will you call me and will you be in touch with me? He assured me that he will send an fb request. I promised that I will definitely be in touch with him and call him. As it was getting darker and he was falling into the arms of the goddess of sleep, he left me with a bye after clicking a selfie. Vaishnav is delighted and so am I. Moreover, he introduced me to his brother and cousins too.

Although April fool turned out to be a fool’s day, I thought for a while- Have I missed the train to meet an innocent and affectionate cutie like Vaishnav? Then, I cherish this April fool’s day to its fullest. Hope I come across many more Vaishnav’s in life so as to make my life filled with the love of childish virtue!!!!

When the dual avatars of Durga are unveiled!!!

Putting an end to all brouhaha and speculation, the much-awaited S Durga has emerged triumphant to the limelight. Sanal Kumar Sasidharan’s third film followed by the award-winning Oralpokkam and Ozhivu Divasathe Kali has created a whirlwind beginning from the pre-censored title ‘Sexy Durga’ to the eligibility of public screening in Indian theatres. Now, it is time for the reel to reveal the story couched in the combo feeling of reality and belief. Sometimes it takes a new environment; sometimes it takes a piece of literature or a film to propel people to ponder over more deeply about things of real flesh and blood. This Malayalam film delineating the tragic plight of Durga and Kabeer throughout a fearsome night has garnered accolades, acclaim and applause across the globe for a realistic rendition of the phases cum faces in a woman’s/man’s life. The honors comprise Hivos Tiger Award in the International Film Festival Rotterdam in 2017, Golden Apricot for the Best International Competition at Armenia’s Yerevan International Film Festival, and Best International Feature Narrative in Guanajuato International Film Festival, Mexico. Albeit the film was screened at various film festivals of great renown, it has gone through severe ordeals especially for the release in the director’s home state, Kerala.

“What is in a name?” asked, William Shakespeare, the autumnal face of English literature centuries back. This query sounds relevant and recurring as far as Sexy Durga is concerned. The transition from ‘Sexy Durga’ to ‘S Durga’ might not invoke and provoke the inner instincts of enlightened India’s citizens. If ‘The Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner’ is rephrased as ‘The Song of the Old Sailor’, readers may fail to understand the pangs of the sailor. Things and thoughts can change with a name, can’t they? S Durga after hitting controversies is all set to hit the theatres with Sanal Kumar Sasidharan’s consistently inconsistent way of storytelling.

Sasidharan through his artistic freedom of expression within the limited duration kindles limitless thoughts in the psyche of his spectators. The eponymous heroine Durga sets out very late in the night to catch a train to Madras with Kabeer. It is quite explicit from the screen and scene that they are in a deserted area for a script less journey. They are desperately in pursuit of an escaping track. They manage to take a lift in a car with two men and this journey makes the crux of the film. Here it begins and here it ends. The men who offered them lift begin a question-answer session with the couple in search of their fresh woods and pastures news. Kannan Nayar who acts as Kabeer introduces himself as a Keralite and Durga as his wife as well as a North Indian. This instils uncertainties in the minds of the men in the car and the policemen who probed while checking the car. This query can even arouse the ‘love jihad’ sentiments among the audience since the couple is a Muslim- Hindu duo. The film portrays the trembling night of garudan thookkam (Eagle Hanging), a ritual performed in Kerala’s Durga temples in parallel with the grotesque night of the couple. In this Hindu ritual, men who dress up as mythical Garuda impose masochistic pain on them and dangle from a shaft attached to a mobile vehicle, hooked to their back skin. They might be in an endeavour to please or praise the deity. On one hand, the film glimpses at the tribulations of men whereas on the other hand, it focuses the attention of cinephiles to a lady who has to undergo lot many tests of that endless night. Rajshri Deshpande who plays the role of Durga speaks in Hindi which is comprehensible only to her counterpart Kabeer. The spectators become sceptical whether the language articulated by Durga or any woman cannot be understood by all. When Durga expresses her need to urinate, it becomes a matter of ecstasy for the people who offered the couple a ride. Nature’s call for Durga to pass urine is celebrated by the male hegemony as if this act were capable of inducing sexual gratification. Is the helplessness of a woman throughout the entire film that sexy? The two female images of same names encounter a haunting night of cruel kindness and brutal happiness. The objective correlative of the film with an appalling night pulls everybody in willing suspension of disbelief. Although Durga and Kabeer try to get out of the car four times and find some other protection, they are left with no option other than this one and only car. It is their sheer helplessness that prompts them to get into this vehicle despite their taunting, indistinct talks and laughter. The film ends on an optimistic note that both the hero and heroine are not harmed physically. The mask technique, the boisterous laughter of the car gangsters and the intermittent sound of ambulance give the sense of an emotional rape though. When something bad or unpleasant happens in one’s life, that night/ day will leave an eternal impression in one’s mind. No age can wither such an indelible image. Sasidharan’s Sexy Durga’s leaves such an unfathomable night of reality with the commendable depiction far away from the oft-beaten tracks and the awe-inspiring subversive images of garudan thookkam.

Cinema has become the rich heritage of man and we see the recordation of the heart- beats of the entire human race in celluloid form. How do we articulate a modern being which creates a world beyond us and opens a world for us? The very query points us to the cinema, a medium that is never static. It is constantly in motion and not at all in an inertia. Cinema always has the calibre to create alternatives and space just like the montage juxtaposing the plurality of voices, space, images and time. It can generate new and continuous dialogues not only between people but also between history, past and future. We can look at this line of time.  Our tail is bloody and we have a head that will eat up whatever needs to be eaten up to avenge the wounds of history.  Head will devour its own tail in course of time. It will be encountered in the very near future. Between the head and tail lies our present.  Cinema has the charisma to present all these possibilities. Filmmakers will bestow another space, dialogue, time and it will give you another future as well as many futures. Cinema is thriving in an air circumscribed in the heated discussions on freedom of expression, censorship, political interference and art house cinema. The moment of dissent is a part of our grand tradition of positive. A positive of plurality, a positive of multiple resonances, a positive of patience where thousand flowers bloom. A positive of parampara to survive the centuries of samaya, the mahakaal. We have to understand how forms of art in themselves become means to dissent.

The world we dwell is a world of intolerance. The dire need of the hour is to speak out not silently and subtly but loudly and clearly. Sanal Kumar Sasidharan knows the ways and means to tackle this hurdle. He is not helpless as a filmmaker. He has a commanding art, a tool to combat the kind of control of the time and space. In a way, S Durga is mirroring the common man of flesh and blood like us. The time to dissent is now. The oft-quoted adage ‘better late than never’ exemplifies the need to dissent. Cinema acts as an influential weapon to question and answer. The Canadian poet Leonard Cohen’s Anthem bestows a note of optimism.

“There is a crack, a crack in everything

That’s how the light gets in”.

This crack or little opening must be wholly pressed into action. Let this anthem glimmer hope to the humanity to create minds and movies like S Durga without the fear of expression.