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When I received the book, Lost Edges, as a prize for ECM Bloghop's Fam Jam Blog Hop, I was unsure whether I would like to read it. Primarily because just a few days back, I had read a teenage romance book and was not in the mood to invest my time in another. Variety matters for me. But once I started the book, I realised I was about to begin a journey into a very complex world that spans from a couple's teenage years to their late twenties. And I immediately knew I would be invested in it for the next few days.  About the Book Ravi and Geetanjali met on the dance floor in their college. Their friendship began unexpectedly and grew into a relationship. After a few misunderstandings and initial breakups, they reunite after a tragic incident. Finally, they get married, but within a couple of years realise their lifestyles and lives are poles apart. The book traces their relationship through the events of their lives and the decisions they make.  About the Author Salini Vineeth is...

When Aksara looked towards the camera, in the hope of the perfect shot, Trisha freaked. "No, no, not like that, turn towards the left. Chin up, don't I always tell you to keep your chin up?" A trembling Aksara could not immediately follow her mother's instruction; she was unable to. She was feeling sick, the air conditioning, and the lights, her layers of makeup and costume made her feel suffocated, as if thousands of hands were trying to squeeze her. But she had to be perfect for the photoshoot, and she had to smile —a stretched, fake smile —to make her mother proud, to make her audience clap for her, and to make her trending on social media. After all, she had to fulfil everyone's expectations, as many people's love, toil, and hope lay in her success. Her entire family —her mother, Trisha, her alcoholic father, Varun, and her unemployed older brother, Tushar— everyone was waiting for her to win and win.  For the last show, when she could not reach the finals...

There are movies, there are good movies, and there are movies that leave such an impression that their impact stays with you for a long time. Whenever you think of something that you had watched and that left you spellbound, you remember those films. Here is a list of such 5 movies that reside rent-free in our minds: 1. Sophie's Choice: When an author befriends Sophie, a Polish immigrant, he slowly learns about the harrowing past she had been through, including her period in a Holocaust camp. Meryl Streep as Sophie is extraordinary. Her expressions, or lack of them, at the times when she accepts whatever she is going through, are haunting. Just as she sees a ray of hope, something painful reappears, as if living is a curse for her. This film is a prime example of an actor's ability not only to carry but to elevate the performance to such a high level that the movie becomes a memorable experience for life. The film was directed by Alan J. Pakula 2. Shawshank Redemption: If livi...

On the occasion of Father's Day, I was thinking about some characters I have read about in Bengali literature who have, time and again, proven the essence of fatherhood. These fathers have come back to readers' minds again and again, serving as examples of their influential presence in their children's lives. Incidentally, not only were stories the earliest reference to a protective and loving father, but they were also found in a Bengali poem. Without further ado, let me share the list I have compiled. 1. Annapurna O Ishwari Patani by Bharatchandra Raygunakar: The legendary poet of the 18th-century Bengal, Bharatchandra Raygunakar, had penned many immortal poems, amongst which Annapurna O Ishwari Patani is noteworthy. The poem talks about Ishwari Patani, a poor boatman whose hard work and dedication impressed Goddess Annapurna, the Goddess of food and abundance. She asks Ishwari to seek her blessing with whatever he wants. But what Ishwari wanted proves what a doting fath...

I still remember those times when every Saturday and Sunday, we used to wait for an old classic Bengali/Hindi movie shown on Doordarshan. "Harano Sur", "Dewa Newa", "Basanta Bilap"-all great movies with some soul-touching tunes and our weekends were sorted. Today, as I think about those films and rewatch them from a different perspective, I analyse the stereotypes that come with most movies. And one of the stereotypes that resurfaces every time is the type of father generally shown in Bengali movies. Here I am talking about commercial and popular movies. The interesting thing is that stories evolve, thinking evolves, but the presentation of fathers in movies has been moderated yet remains unchanged. There is a formulaic trope that ties the father or father figure to certain characteristics that seldom break barriers. So, today I have classified 5 types of fathers commonly shown in Bengali movies, and this trend has continued since the 50s.  1. The ...

Hey, hey, all, before the heat in Mumbai gets me killed, I would like to share the recent Bengali movies I had a chance to watch. A few are streaming on OTT, and a few are in theatres. Without further ado, let's get into the list: 1. Saptadingar Guptodhon: If last summer was Eken Babu's, this summer belonged to Sonada, Bengal's Indiana Jones. Yes, he is back to embark on his 4th adventure with Abir and Jhinuk. This time, he is actually kidnapped to find the treasure of Pratapaditya, the king of Bengal. The backstory of the seven boats full of treasures and the outcome is quite interesting. I am unaware of the historic truth, but it sounded good. The visuals are heavily reliant on graphics, especially during the treasure hunt. Some of the sequences are quite exciting. Overall, the film is an entertaining family watch. Abit Chatterji as Sonada is cool, so is Arjun Chakrabarty as Abir. It is always pleasant to watch Ishaa Saha on screen. But this time, Rajatava Dutta as Dasana...