“Munni badnaam hui darling tere liye, le jhandu baam hui darling tere liye” I am sure you would have heard the song, a peppy number from the Bollywood movie Dabbang and some of us would have even danced to it on several occasions. But how many of you have judged it for being sung in Hindi? Anyone? None? What if I tell you that this song is a rendition of a song originally … [Read more...]
What Is The Best Way To Preserve A Language In A Country Where They Are Getting Lost So Rapidly?
Probably, no other country in the world enjoys a language demography more diverse (and intense in many respects) than India. Our country also has a unique record of creating large feuds and social movements on the meagre basis of language. While certain communities have been banished from parts of the country based on their linguistic differences, there are others facing … [Read more...]
Language is a big barrier in Chennai for many. But here is why it should NOT be challenged.
I was waiting for the pain relief injection in the emergency ward of the Annai Arul Hospital. An injured person was brought by three more people just next to my bed. They seemed to be few of them whom we call the underprivileged part of our society. The nurse came to his bed and started the conversation in English. It was difficult for the injured man as well as his fellow … [Read more...]
How Beautiful Am I Behind the Lipstick?
There was a time when a woman used to put on a redder shade of lipstick, a blacker shade of mascara, to look prettier than she actually is. And one fine day, the fine people of the country decided they'd try it out on their character, to look stronger, and hell, prettier than they actually are! And, I think it is safe to say that today, they've actually done a better job at the … [Read more...]