Nikita's blog

Group Assignment on "One-Eyed" by Meena Kandasamy Given by: Prakruti Ma’am Group Members: Leader: Nirali Vaghela Members: Nikita Vala, Kumkum Hirani, Khushi Makwana, Krishna Baraiya , Tanvi Mehra 1.Which poem and questions were discussed by the group? Our group discussed the poem “One-Eyed” by Meena Kandasamy, which powerfully portrays caste-based discrimination in Indian society through the experience of a young girl named Dhanam. We discussed the following two questions as part of our assigned task: Long Answer: What kind of treatment is given to the untouchables? Discuss with reference to the poem “One-Eyed.” Short Answer: What does the “one-eyed” symbolize in the poem?     1. Long Answer Q: What kind of treatment is given to the untouchables? Discuss with reference to “One-Eyed” by Meena Kandasamy. In Meena Kandasamy’s poem One-Eyed, the treatment of untouchables is shown as deeply cruel, inhumane, and unjust. Through a single incident  where a young girl named...

"Sitare Zameen Par" & R. K. Narayan: Reflections on Education, Empathy & Responsibility This reflective blog has been written as part of an academic task given by Megha Ma’am, encouraging us to explore how stories and films shape our understanding of education, childhood, and adult responsibility. After studying R. K. Narayan’s short story Crime and Punishment   which subtly critiques modern parenting and the struggles of teachers  we were asked to watch the film Sitaare Zameen Par (2025) in theatres. This blog presents my reflections on how the film and the story portray the education system, the roles of teachers and parents, and what important life lessons we can take away from both. How does the movie portray the education system? In Sitaare Zameen Par, the Indian education system is portrayed as rigid, competitive, and often blind to individual needs especially those of children with intellectual disabilities. The protagonist Gulshan, a disgraced basketball c...

  Book Review: Chamatkar (The Secret) by Rhonda Byrne “ Your thoughts become things.” – Rhonda Byrne Rhonda Byrne’s The Secret, translated as Chamatkar in regional languages, is not just a book it’s an awakening. It introduces readers to the Law of Attraction, the idea that what you think and feel shapes your reality. Byrne weaves together insights from philosophers, spiritual teachers, and real-life success stories to show how gratitude, belief, and positive energy can transform your life. This book’s strength lies in its simplicity. Byrne doesn’t overwhelm you with complex theories. Instead, she gives you practical steps: ask, believe, and receive. Whether it’s health, wealth, relationships, or happiness, she urges you to focus your mind and emotions as though your desires have already been fulfilled. When I first picked up the book, I was curious but also a little skeptical. Can positive thinking really attract health, wealth, and happiness? But as I turned the pages, I found my...

  FILM STUDIES WORKSHEET: MAHARAJA (2024) Introduction: In contemporary Tamil cinema, Maharaja (2024), directed by Nithilan Saminathan, stands out as a masterclass in editing and non-linear storytelling. The film invites viewers into a layered narrative where time folds and unfolds, revealing truths in fragments. This blog explores how editing techniques shape the narrative structure and emotional resonance of Maharaja, based on a film studies worksheet designed by Dr. Dilipsir Barad.  (Click Here)  Analysing Editing & Non-Linear Narrative   PART A: BEFORE WATCHING THE FILM   What is non-linear narration in cinema? Non-linear narration is a storytelling method where events are presented out of chronological sequence. Instead of moving directly from beginning to end, the narrative jumps between past, present, and future. This technique can enhance suspense, deepen character exploration, and reveal information strategically.   Example: In Maharaja (2024),...

Screening of short film “An Astrologer’s Day” based on R.K.Narayan’s “An Astrologer’s Day”. Recently, as part of a task given by Megha ma’am, we watched the short film adaptation of R.K. Narayan’s An Astrologer’s Day. This screening offered a fresh perspective on the classic short story, bringing its characters, setting, and themes to life on screen. It was an opportunity to reflect on how the film interprets Narayan’s narrative and to compare the cinematic elements with the original text. ( Click Here)  Pre viewing task Observe the setting, plot, character, structure, style, theme of the original short story.  Literary Elements of An Astrologer’s Day - Setting The story is set in a bustling Indian marketplace near Town Hall Park, alive with vendors, crowds, and flickering lights. The astrologer works under a tamarind tree, surrounded by magicians, hawkers, and auctioneers, all competing for attention. The semi-darkness—lit by gas lamps, flares, and cycle lights—creates an atm...