Suchitra Bhattacharya – The woman I met but never knew

So, yesterday I watched another movie based on Suchitra Bhattacharya's novel: Hemanter Pakhi. I have always maintained that great movies and great literature makes you think long after you finish watching or reading them. And this was definitely one of them.

I love her stories and the way she leaves her endings open for interpretation. It’s like every time she shares a very real experience with us, and then leaves us at an important juncture, as if to ask us - what would you have done? 

I still remember my first visit to her house. I was in my early teens, an introvert who was more comfortable being alone with a book than around people. She was giving away her old books and my father took me to see if I wanted any from Suchitra aunty. She gave me her old battered books to take away, one of which was "The Godfather" (I still have this). I met her quite a few times after that but never spoke to her much except for hellos and routine talks that you have with acquaintances. 

Suchitra Bhattacharya with my Chotomaa (Aunt) in my father's Book Fair Stall.

And then I saw Dahan. And, I realized how powerful she is, how fierce, how complex…and how I never realized how lucky I was to meet her. She left a deep impression on me unknowingly, because I would then go back and try to recollect how could she write such tales. You see I always thought that the best work comes out of pain. All my favorite writers mostly had a broken life and I thought that’s where the inspiration comes from. That angst, that pain brings out the creativity. But here she was – an ordinary woman who I used to meet few times a year in Boi Mela (Kolkata book fair) or Dhakuria market or at home, who seemed exactly like the other kakimas (aunties) I used to meet, and yet she could write such extraordinary stories! 

These two stories, Hemanter Pakhi and Dahan, particularly move me...

Hemanter Pakhi makes you introspect your relationships and your identity. What if tomorrow you broke the routine of your life and did something just for yourself. How supportive will be your closed ones when their lives get disrupted because of this. And for how long?

It is available on Hot Star.
Source: Google Images

Source: Google Images

Dahan portrays middle and upper-middle class women and their society after an incident of molestation. The fact that it’s based on an actual case of molestation in our urban city of Kolkata is by itself horrifying. But what Suchitra Bhattacharya has done brilliantly is shown us the aftermath of the incident. How lives changed for everyone involved after the molestation. How it affected the ones close to you and brought out their strength or weakness. Dahan is a difficult movie to watch, but watch it you must.

These incidents could have happened to me, and then would the aftermath be similar to the protagonists face? These questions that she makes you ask yourself are important and thought provoking. That the brilliance of her writing. 

I feel every man should watch Dahan and Hemanter Pakhi to understand how patriarchy can be subtle and woven into their mind set. A man may not even realize when he does it. 

It’s like a woman saying to her husband that she wants their child to have her surname. Will the husband agree or will he find it absurd? 

Suchitra Bhattacharya’s feminism is of an ordinary woman doing something equally ordinary, but nevertheless a very uncommon an act – standing up for what is right for her! And, at the end of the day isn't that what every feminist is fighting for?

Read her work or watch them (if you are kachaa in Bengali, as I am). She gives you credit by never coming to a conclusion, never pointing things out for you. Instead she weaves her tale into the mundane lives of the character, asking us to form our own endings. 

Any Bengali worth their salt will definitely know about her books and movies but in case you don’t, here is a list:

Few reads for the feminist in you:

• Dahan

• Hementer Pakhi

• Alochchaya

• Kaacher Manush

Few reads for the reader in you:

• Kancher Deowal 

• Ichcher Gaach

• Bhangal Kal

If you are a non-Bengali, try looking for these movies with subtitles. You won’t regret it!

Dugga Dugga - Upcoming year awaits us !

Growing up in a typical Bengali family meant that Durga Puja started way before the eventful six days; it began right from the moment when Birendra Krishna Bhadra's rich baritone used to evoke Maa Durga at 4:00 in the morning on Mahalaya. It was the moment from whence the entire Bengal used to come to a standstill, pretty much assured in their belief that there can be nothing more important than this; the rest of the world can wait. And even today in an age of smartphones and impending internet.org, it still does…

For the uninitiated, Durga Pujo celebrates the victory of Maa Durga on the demon, Mahishasura and also her agaman (arrival) on earth. But let’s be serious, for every self-respecting bangali out there, it also means:

Be spoilt for choice!

  1. Chanda dewa in the parar pujo (Hefty donations     for the neighborhood pujo). We compete to pay less and we compete to pay more. Depends on our   competition!

  2.   New outfits for all the six days (for the ambitious  its new outfits every morn and eve)

  3.    Meeting age old friends and adda about everything  under the sun (Be prepared for zealous arguments  on politics, cinema, feminism and whatnot. You  name it, we Bangalis will definitely have an opinion  on it)

                                                

  4.   Whole night pandal hopping (Yup. Way before the     pub and bar crawl, there was the "Pujo-Pandal       Crawl")

  5.   Fasting and offering anjali (morning prayers) in        the morning then promptly breaking it with a sumptuous breakfast of luchi arr alu dum 

  6.   Food. Be it the 5 star restaurants or the street vendors. We will devour everything and anything, albeit its cooked well. 

Pujo Pandal:
 Tawaifs' Kotha (Courtesan's abode) created beautifully with
 melodious raags playing in the background to set the ambiance

And just as the pujo brings forth a plethora of rich succulent food and an array of new traditional attires, it also arouses a varied sense of emotions, as every one of us is equally passionate and opinionated in immersing ourselves fully in every single detail of the process, right from the extravagant pandal themes to the dance and song performances; but that too is part of our culture and we are never apologetic about it. After all, Bengalis are born critics, it’s our second nature.

For the rest of the world, it might seem an exaggeration. They might go, "But surely, the entire state doesn't stop functioning right? Is that even possible?" Well, my only reply to them will be "Come down to Kolkata during the pujos my friend....There is a reason why it has been quite famously called the City of Joy".



Of course, you have to be prepared for the pandemonium of dhakis and Rabrindra Sangeet, the jostling and hustling of crowds,
the aroma of fried food and sweetmeats battling
it out on every street corner, the traffic jams
that can easily last for better part of an hour so much so that you
can easily get down from your car, visit nearby
pandals and get back again.

Nevertheless, believe you me, its definitely an experience of a lifetime.

Oh wait, what about the Bangalis staying outside the state of West Bengal?

The “Probashi Bangali”.

Avatars of Goddess Durga seen in Kolkata

Well, for the rest of the year this lot is quite content in another part of the world, in a home away from home blending in with the people and culture around them, and then quite suddenly the pujo fever strikes. This is the only time of the year that a distinct but collective change is seen in all of them...there is a definite spring in their step, a purposeful glint in their eye, a sense of suppressed energy waiting to burst, their heart and soul fixated with only one particular thought “Maa Aschen” (Maa is coming).

I have often seen that for Bengalis living outside Bengal celebrating the Durga pujo with all its rituals and traditions is a matter of grave interest. Cause as a probashi bangali, it becomes all the more important for them to hold on to the traditions and to ensure that every single ritual is carried out impeccably. Of course, it’s more than a religion for them as well; it’s that

time of the year when they unabashedly come out of the closet as quintessential Bangalis, celebrating their ‘Bangaliana’.

But be it Pashim Banga nibashi or probashi (from Bengal or outside of Bengal), every Bangali feels a sense of loss on the day of bisharjan (immersion of Durga). For the next couple of days there is a sad lull in the air, men and women seem to lose their sense of purpose, life seems quite ordinary. Knowing the utter emptiness in our hearts that the end of this festival leaves behind, our forefathers had planned for this phase as well. Immediately after this, we have a host of other pujos to keep us busy almost throughout the rest of the year. No wonder there is a proverb: "Baro Masher Tero Parbon" (Roughly translated as 13 festivals in 12 months).

Still who are we kidding, Maa has gone back to her celestial abode, taking a part of us with her. Every year the completion of Dashami (the last day of the pujo) seems like an end of an era, and while I get back to my mundane life, the Bangali in me has furtively started planning out the coming pujo, very certain that no matter how early I start it's never time enough...

So in a true Bangali style let me bid adieu to this year's experience;

“Asche Bochor Abar Hobe”.

Last day, Singhi Park, Kolkata. Sindur Khela (Game of Vermilion) 

-Dugga Dugga !

Rape Culture and Us.

What's Rape Culture...more than half of India may not be even aware about this phenomenon...and most of the people who do, probably look at it as one of Western civilization's idiosyncrasies. Pity....seeing that we as a society practise it rampantly.



Rape culture can be defined when we trivialize rape, when we normalize the behaviour in society, when we blame the victim for anything possible under the sun but fail to mention the rapist...when the rapists can return back to their normal life get married settle down while the victim pays a price by being an outcast...by the incident defining her life...by running years on end for justice without getting any.

Picture Courtesy:www.mdjunction.com 

Look at the image. Now think about the many Bollywood blockbusters that we had where this scenario is exalted. Its so common that we enjoy it..trivialize it...and it trickles down to our youth who believe they are just enacting out what the girls want...


Rape culture does exist here.


Let's start with the authorities. It exists when a police officer blatantly says that the victim was 35 yrs old married woman...how does it matter...who would want to rape her; It exists when police give more protection and privilege to the hot shot rapist then to the victim; it exists when they urge the victims who finally come forward to not file an FIR but to sort it out themselves; it exists when Two Finger test is conducted on the victims (An invasive and absolutely cruel test performed on the victims...This test has been recently banned thanks to activists who took it up)


And what about the politicians and the leaders leading our states and our country. If one leader blamed the "Chowmien" (Yes!! The food. Apparently it leads to hormonal imbalance); another claimed in his pre-elections speech to lessen the punishment for rapes since boys should not be punished for such a petty thing...after all boys will be boys.


More shocking were the fatwas they wanted the women to follow:

• Let the girls not use mobiles, that leads to more interaction and hence rape (Seems logical enough...who would we call for help anyways right?)

• Let the age of marriage for girls be lowered, that is, indulge in more child marriages, that will fix the problem (So that marital rape can take place instead of rape. Of course in our society, marital rape is not even acknowledged. The guy is her husband, they say, he can do whatever he wants...the woman is probably frigid...parents sent back an abused and battered victim consoling her that her husband is just passionate...just shows how much loved she is...) 

• A self assessed spiritual guru and now a molester himself stated: When men come to brutally rape you, join your hands and beg for your life. Tell them that they are your brothers and the men will leave you in peace..(The same men who a moment before were intent on raping and possibly murdering you brutally) 

• Of course, another classic by most of these demented politicians: Western Civilization. Avoid short dresses, parties, alcohol, going out after sunset and many more...all of which is applicable only for Women 

These are just a few of the shocking statements made. And in case you are wondering, even women leaders have made such statements. All of this and more are available on the net. And, we vote for these people. These men/women are in power because of us. Shows how much weightage we are giving to their degrading mindset. No wonder rape is on an all time high. No wonder the victims don't get justice most of the time. And they are not alone...we have people like these from every walk of life...


Now this was one part of the game...what about us as a society.


Rape culture within our society exists when a rape victim is not allowed inside a hotel premises for being "a rape victim"...it exists when people ask what was she wearing...whether she was out with boys...Was she drinking...was she a promiscuous woman...It results in small instances when the survivors' near and dear ones want to know intricate details about the incident taking a sick pleasure in it...where sympathy turns into something lesser...It exists when we don't stand by her side, especially if the rapist is someone within the family..


Think about it for just a minute...rape is an act where you don't have control over anything...Where your dignity is taken from you forcibly...repeatedly...so that you are naked in all its true sense....after which nothing seems safe enough..no one seems trustworthy...many a times its the ones you trust who commit the act, making it even more difficult to handle....


How do we react...many a times it has been seen as long as the victim behaves like a "victim" we are pretty comfortable offering sympathy and pity...but the moment she wants to move on...that's another ball game...if she starts getting back into her normal life, we whisper and ask each other "Isn't it too soon? It doesn't seem to affect her that much" with the right amount of incredulity and shock, not understanding that it probably took all her strength to act normal again, that maybe this was her way of surviving, rather wining...to prove to herself, the world and most of all to her rapist that that incident will not define her life (coz as the experts say many a times rape is not about sexual gratification but a psychological control over the victim)


Rape culture is here. Has been here from time memorial.


Time our generation did something about it. Time we start asking the victim "Are you ok?" Time we say out loud to the victim "It's not your fault" Time we do not ask her to explain how and why but trust that nothing should be reason enough for this. Time we do not vote these men in politics....do not interact with them....time we do not watch their movies....time to treat them as they are. Not Human.


The way out:


Educate yourself. How to deal with it. It can happen to anyone. Educate your children. Make it unacceptable for them as an act. There are numerous movies, books available some fiction some real life cases. Read it up...if nothing else, Google it. I tried googling rape crisis centres in India...came up with almost nothing...shows how dismal the state is.


So it lies upon us to educate ourselves...read up...read up that a rape victim can always ask for a lady officer to be there...that she should be given a morning after pill to avoid chances of pregnancy...that she should be tested for any STDs. Get help. Get the victim professional counselling. S/he will need it. Give them time...some people might take a year some more than two...You won't be able to understand their pain, their rage, their frustration...no one will. But be there for them. If they want to fight it out in courts, support them, if they want to move past it, still support them..it's their call...Be there. Thats enough.


                            Treat the rapist like a criminal. Not the victim. Stop shaming her.

Picture Courtesy: www.loyolaphoenix.com 

P.S: Rape can happen to a man as much as to a woman. I just referred to the victim as she here.


You can go through the following link that I found. watch the video...its something...will give you a new perspective of thinking http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-no-country-for-women-a-campaign-to-combat-the-ever-increasing-rape-culture-in-india-2009107


Try catching a Bengali movie named Dahan, one of the best examples of sexual molestation and the behaviour of civilized society towards the victim.

Pratap Vaidik & his 60 Seconds of Fame Gone Wrong

When Mr. Vaidik, a freelance journalist and a scholar decided to meet Hafiz Saeed in Pakistan, little did he know the kind of furore it will create or maybe he did know but just didn't realize how wrong it will all go. Now what was wrong in him meeting a terrorist, journalists all over the world have done it for decades, given the world another perspective while maintaining an impersonal stance in the matter at hand. What was wrong was the way it was conducted, firstly, there was no official authorization for such an interview to take place and secondly, it seems no recording of the interview was kept and later no transcript was published, in fact it was not conducted like interviews in such exceptional situations are, rather it looked more like a rendezvous between two close aides, for lack of a better word.

Mr. Vaidik, it seems is very clear in his mind about his intentions to meet Hafiz, the man responsible for the 26/11 attacks among other heinous crimes. As per him, he risked his life by carrying out an interview and a personal dialogue with the latter. He believes that ending "conflict is possible not through the gun but talks"  and so he has played the role of a goodwill ambassador for India by carrying out his own diluted idea of a Track II diplomacy. The fact that he did not have the proper authority to do so has never occurred to him and even if we argue that he was under the capacity of a journalist, his actions are now being questioned by several members of his own fraternity for not carrying out the role effectively. 

The government in the meanwhile, has maintained a clear distance from this fiasco naming it as " diplomatic misadventure of a private individual " whereas the opposition is raising uproar about it in parliament for continuous two days branding him an anti Indian among other things and demanding his arrest. Mr. Vaidik though, in the midst of all this seems pretty unperturbed, confident that he has done the right thing and the nation will come around, eventually.

Now, being a democracy every individual is entitled to their opinion and being a journalist one can meet people from every walk of life but at the same time anyone who is a sympathiser of an enemy of the country is not to be tolerated under any circumstances, especially when they seem to self serve their own thirst for becoming famous. 

But in this particular case, it just seems that his vanity and his penchant for fame made him commit such an act, wherein he himself tweeted photos of the interview and declared to have undertaken such a risk to his life. It rather seems like a bad episode of Bigg Boss where individuals pull outrageous acts just to grab attention, though the gravity of this situation is something that cannot be denied. An action of some sort should unquestionably be taken if we do not want more episodes of these kinds on our hands (who knows what kind of information they are passing on to the other side, albeit unintentionally). And, till that time an action is taken, the biggest satisfaction that we can give ourselves is not  to give him any more of our time.

Vaidik with Saeed (Picture  Courtesy: Social Networking Sites)

 P.S.: The views expressed are solely of the author's.

The Two Minute Wonder.

If your childhood was spent in the late 80's and early 90’s era, chances are your Sunday esspecial breakfast consisted of yummy two minute noodles (popularly known as Maggi) that your Maa prepared for you. It used to be the highlight of the day for me.

At times cooked in just plain water along with the flavour packet given, it would be served in a bowl...noodles floating in the thick gooey liquid, whereas at other times served steamy hot, stir fried with a plethora of mixed colour veggies and eggs. A combination of maggi and  favourite cartoons comprised of my Sunday memories...even today after all these years, the two minute wonder has never left my side...whenever am too lazy to cook anything, it would serve as my breakfast, lunch, dinner, brunch ...you name it. 

Now, being noodle fanatic that I am (Maggi / Top Ramen's...whatever your brand of poison is), I thought of compiling all the recipes that i have come across and loved so far. If one I learned from an Assamese friend then the other from a Lucknowi Christian friend, one was my mum's own (probably all of my friends and cousins’ moms as well) whereas another was from a Bengali student I used to teach.

So here goes:

The Classic Two Minuter:  

Classic wo Minuter: The Scrambly way

Cook the noodles as per instructions given on the pack. And then while cooking add a spoonful of butter for a creamier version.

Another Version is to go the scrambly way.

For this all that you need to do is scramble some eggs (add in salt and a lil pinch of red chilli powder while frying). Serve the noodles in a bowl (you can make it a lil soupy if you like) and just add the eggs as a topping.

Here you have it: The classic two minuter with a twist.

Tarka Maggi (Can't help it...the brand name 'Maggi' stuck):

As the name suggests this one will definitely  add a kick to your noodles. 

Tarka Maggi Noodles

Add Ons:

Sunflower oil 2-3 tbsp

Ankha Jeera  (Cumin Seeds)

Rai  (Mustard seeds)

Sukha Mirchi 1 cut into four pieces (Dry Red Chilli)

2 green chillies 1 cut into 4 pieces, another sliced

You will need a masala flavour pack for this one. Cook the noodles as per pack with the masala in plain water. The noodles shouldn't get too soggy and there should be absolutely lil water left (tip: add a lil less water than mentioned on the pack).

Then take a kadai or a wok, and add sunflower oil, once it heats up add green chillies first, then ankha jeera and rai as well as sukha mirchi...let everything splutter for a while in the oil. Once the spluttering stops...just add the precooked noodles, stir for two minutes so that it mixes thoroughly.

Tarka Maggi Noodles

Voila!!! Here you have it...

Noodles tarka lagake...your taste buds are in for a treat.

P.S: The precooked noodles shouldn't be kept aside for long or else it will get too soggy and clumpy .

 Chicken Zinger:

If you are a fan of the chicken flavored noodles, then this one is for you.

Chicken Zinger Noodles

Add Ons:

Sunflower oil 2-3 tbsp

Garlic  (2-3 cloves diced)

Onion (1 big diced) Tomato (half diced)

Chicken Masala powder (1-2 tbsp)

Cook the noodles as per pack with the chicken flavouring in plain water. The noodles shouldn't get too soggy and there should be absolutely lil water left. 

Then take a kadai or a wok, and add sunflower oil, once it heats up add the diced onions first, then add the garlic, let it cook for a while till the onions become translucent...after which just add in the cooked maggi. Fry it for a while then add the chicken masala to it and stir it for a minute or so.

Believe you me...this one will be one of your best two minute comfort foods. Period.

The Kebabi Express

Yup even the two minute wonders can go gourmet..so in case you want to invest more than 10 minutes, this one will rock your palate. 

The Kebabi Express Noodles

Add Ons:

Sunflower oil 2-3 tbsp

Ready to make kebabs  (as many pieces as you like)

Onion (1 big diced) Tomato (half diced)

Chicken Masala powder (1-2 tbsp)

Carrot & Capsicum (Optional) (equal amounts diced)

Garlic (2-3 cloves diced)

Jeera powder (Cumin Powder) & Dalchini powder (1 tspn each)

Ginger Garlic Paste (1-2 tspn)

1 Cheese cube

Cook the noodles as per pack with the chicken flavouring in plain water. Again, the noodles shouldn't get too soggy.

Then take a kadai or a wok, and add sunflower oil, once it heats up add the diced veggies and fry it for a while then add in the onions and garlic, let it cook for a while till the onions become translucent...after which add in the the masalas first and then the ginger garlic paste...let it cook and then add in the kebabs. Fry all of this together.

Finally add in the cooked maggi. Mix it altogether. Serve it on a plate and while its still hot, grate cheese over it.

Its so yummy that your stomach ulcers will have a field day on this, as they do with all fantastic dishes.

The Healthy - Shealthy Noodles:

OK...once in a while the diet bug does bite me, and this healthy version is for all those god forsaken times.

The Healthy-Shealthy Noodles

Add Ons:

Olive Oil / Sunflower oil 2-3 tbsp

Salt (as per taste)

Onion (1 big julienned)

Black pepper (grind a few pieces or just add in ½ tsp powder)

Carrot, Capsicum, Celery (equal amounts julienned)

Broccoli (Optional)

Mushroom (Optional) (small thin slices)

Eggs (Optional)

Cook the noodles in plain water, since it is a healthier version so no added flavourings here. The noodles here need to be blanched to retain their crispiness.

In a non stick wok or pan, pour olive oil, once it heats up add in the veggies and mushroom, if you feel like add in the eggs as well. Saute everything for a while. Then add in the noodles, sprinkle salt and pepper all over it. cook for a minute or so and serve hot.

This pleasure won't make you feel guilty at all....

The quintessential 'Chow mein' (that’s what most of the Bengali moms used to call it):

Add Ons:

Sunflower oil 2-3 tbsp

Salt & Sugar (as per taste)

Onion (1 big diced)

Green chillies (optional)

Carrot, Capsicum, Cauliflower, Peas (equal amounts)

Eggs (Optional)

Cook the noodles in plain water, drain the water and keep it aside. Boil all the veggies except for capsicum. Take a wok or a kadhai, heat up  the oil, then add the onions and chillies. Fry it till the onions become translucent then add in all the veggies together. Cook it for a while, then add in the noodles. Add the masala flavour pack, then a lil bit of salt (if required) and lil bit of sugar (we Bengalis believe it brings out the flavour of other ingredients).

Fry all this together and your noodle has effectively turned into chow mien 

So here you have it, the recipes I have come to love and devour anytime and everytime.

At times a comfort food, at times a necessity and some other times just a ride down your memory lane...these two minute wonders always come through.