Weekly Column in English | Window Seat

 

Window Seat | Mrinal Chatterjee | 1.8.21

Press Freedom in India

It is an acknowledged fact that freedom of the press is important for a democracy to function. Unfortunately India does not score well in this front, remaining at the bottom half of the countries in any such list. The 2021 Reporters sans Borders Press Freedom Index puts India at 142^nd position in a list of 180 countries- below Myanmar and just two places above Pakistan.

The first ever annual report prepared on the press freedom in India titled India Press Freedom Report 2020, released recently by the Rights and Risks Analysis Group (RRAG) also gives a sorry picture. It details how journalists face physical attack, mental harassment. Law enforcement agencies harass them. So do non-state players.

As per the report, “During 2020 at least 228 journalists (including two cases against media houses) were targeted during 2020. These included 12 female journalists who had faced physical violence, online harassment/threats and cases including under the stringent Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) of 1967.”

 

“Out of the total 228 journalists, 114 journalists were attacked by the non-State actors such as mob, unidentified miscreants, members/ supporters of political parties, etc. or online social media users while 112 journalists and two media houses were targeted by the State agencies. A number of journalists faced multiple targeting such as registration of First Information Reports (FIRs), show cause notices for appearance, detention and questioning without registration of any formal case before the police, custodial torture, etc.”

 

Among the States, maximum number of journalists/media organisations were targeted in Uttar Pradesh (37); followed by Maharashtra (22); Jammu and Kashmir (18).

Among the North Eastern States, the maximum number of journalists were targeted in Tripura with 11 (including one newspaper), followed by Assam (7) and Arunachal Pradesh (2).

In 2020, a total of 13 journalists were killed, 37 journalists were arrested or detained, 64 journalists/media institutions had FIRs registered against them, 13 journalists and one newspaper were issued show-cause notices/ summons by different authorities and 101 journalists were subjected to physical assault/online threats or their houses and family members being attacked.

Journalists are messengers. They show us the face of the society including its dark underbelly. When they are under attack, it means there are serious problems.

India at the Olympic Games

As I am writing this column, on the ninth day of the Tokyo Olympics-  China is at the top of the medal tally with 18 gold medals followed by Japan (16 gold) and USA (14 gold). India is at 49^th position with lone silver medal.

It has become too familiar a scene now. We’ll send off our Olympics team with much fanfare accompanied by media hype. We’ll send increasingly large contingent every passing Olympics. This year we sent the largest ever contingent of 200 plus, more than half of which comprised of officials, coaches and others. Not many of us expected out athletes to bring home more than a dozen medals. But just one medal when China has already bagged 38! That’s real painful.

I remember the dialogue from the Amir Khan starrer film 3 Idiots. If you fail, it hurts. But what hurts more is when you learn that your friend has stood first.

Financial Fraudsters

As we are increasingly engaging with digital banking and other financial transactions without many of us knowing its architecture and the risk factors, financial fraudsters are having a field day. Fraudsters are using innovative methods to defraud the hard-earned money of common and gullible people, especially new entrants who are not entirely familiar with the techno-financial eco system. Every other day there are reports of some persons duped or conned. Not only illiterate people, even highly educated people are also swindled. 

The Office of RBI Ombudsman (Mumbai II) has come up with a well-researched booklet on modus operandi of financial fraudsters to make people aware. It also provides inputs about precautions to adopt while carrying out financial transactions.

It is a very useful booklet. Should you need a soft copy of the booklet, write me a mail.

Tail piece: Do

In Japan:

If one can do,

You can do.

If no one can do,

You must do.

 

In India:

If one can do,

Let him do.

If no one can do,

God will do

 

In Bengal and Odisha:

( I do not have first hand knowledge of other places)

If one can do, 

Don't let him do.

If no one can do,

What can I do?

(Courtesy: Social Media)

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The columnist a journalist turned media academician lives at Dhenkanal, a central Odisha town. He also writes fiction and translates poetry. An anthology of Hindi and Urdu poems that he translated into Odia has just been published.

mrinalchatterjeeiimc@gmail.com

This column is published every Sunday in Gangtok based English daily Sikkim Express and www.prameyanews.com  

 

Weekly Column in Odia | Pathe Prantare 1.8.21

Samaya 1.8.21

 

Increasing cases of Lightning | Article in Odia

Nirbhaya, 26.7.21

 

Column in English | Window Seat | 25.7.21

 

Window Seat | Mrinal Chatterjee | 25.7.21

Street Theatre

The other day I participated in a webinar on Street Theatre along with theatre person and author Sudhanya Despande and Sourav Gupta of Central University of Koraput, Odisha.  

Street Theatre is a form of theatre which is presented normally in an outdoor space in a public area without a specific paying audience. It is a much direct, brief and concise theatrical expression. The objective is to convey a particular idea or to portray a significant meaning. It is a direct, intimate and effective means of dramaturgy. 

The logistics of doing street theatre necessitate simple costumes and props, and often there is little or no amplification of sound, with actors depending on their natural vocal and physical ability. This issue with sound and the fact that it has to attract and retain the attention of the public has necessitated its extensive use of physical theatre including dance and mime. Slapstick comedy and chorus are some other tools that street theatre often uses.

Though the concept and major elements of street theatre has been there in Indian performing art culture for ages, origin of the pre-modern form can be traced back to the mid-nineteenth century. It could be found in different regions of India in different name and form with local variations: ‘Rahs’ in Punjab, ‘Nautanki’ in Uttar Pradesh, Jatra in Bengal, Odisha and Assam, ‘Beedi Nataka’ in Karnataka, Path Natika’ in Maharastra.

Street Theatre in its modern form has been developed and popularized by the Indian People’s Theatre Association (IPTA) - the country’s first organized political theatre movement that emerged in the 1940s and formally formed on May 25, 1943 in Bombay (now, Mumbai).

It was Badal Sircar who attempted to theorize the nuances and objectives of street theatre through his seminal book Third Theatre. He also held workshops to disseminate his concept and ideas all over the country.

Safdar Hashmi’s Jana Natya Manch (Janam) formed in 1973, carried forward the people-focused, protest-themed street theatre movement though the tone was political and left ideology driven.

Political street theatre in India experienced a surge after the murder of Safdar Hashmi during performance of the play Hallabol on January 1,  1989 at the outskirt of Delhi.

Besides being used as a form of protest, Street theatre’s capacity to forge a connect with people made it a tool for promotion of ideas and practices for social development. Promotion of health and wellness, good social practices were attempted with government support and funding. After independence both the Union and State governments formed publicity departments to spread awareness about  issues concerning development and schemes of the government thereof. Directorate of Field Publicity (established in 1953) and Song and Drama Division (established in 1960) by the Union government took lead in this. State governments followed. They used the street theatre form for this purpose. A large number of NGOs developed and presented street theatres as a strategy to engage with these issues in sync with government programmes.

Presently Street theatre is also been utilized for purely entertainment and commercial purpose. There are companies with whom one can book performances for social occasions- like birthdays, kitty parties, etc.

So, from ‘protest’ to ‘promotion’ to ‘entertainment’ – street theatre has now different avatars. But the soul of street theatre will always remain in the passionate protest against any form of oppression and injustice.

 

Rocking Chair and Retirement

I have a fascination for rocking chair. My favourite wish in the big bucket of wish list was to lie down on one with a book in hand, slightly rocking and then then dozing off. As I am moving closer to my retirement- I increasingly see myself doing this.

There is a saying in Odia that if a patient wants something intensely, the doctor eventually prescribes that. The same idea has been delineated in other languages as well. And it happened. My son gifted me a rocking chair.

As it took its position in the drawing room I was curious to know the history of rocking chair.  A quick look through google told me that though American inventor Benjamin Franklin was sometimes credited with inventing the rocking chair, historians actually traced the rocking chair's origins to North America during the early 18th century. It was in 1725 that early rocking chairs first appeared in England. It appeared as a common term in the Oxford Dictionary in 1787. Rocking chairs were typically used back then for mothers and babies in nurseries or for the elderly and invalids in hospitals and mental facilities.

I was really disappointed to know this. And then I learnt that  in 1955, President of USA John F. Kennedy, who suffered with chronic back problems, was prescribed swimming and the use of a rocking chair by his physician. The President so enjoyed the rocker that, not only he used it almost everywhere he went, he also gave them as gifts to friends, family, and heads of state. Kennedy's rocking chair from the White House is on permanent display at the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum.

However, my problem now is: I have miles to go before I doze off on the rocking chair holding a book.

But I am hopleful- uska time vi ayega. 

 

Tailpiece: East or West, India is the best

Japanese scientists invented a machine that caught thieves. They passed it out to different countries for tests. 

In U.S.A, within 30 minutes, it caught 20 thieves;

In UK, within 30 minutes it caught 500 thieves;

In South Korea within 20 minutes it caught 250 thieves;

In Spain, within 10 minutes it caught 6,000 thieves;

In Uganda, within 7mins it caught 20,000 thieves;

In India, within 5 minutes the machine was stolen.

Courtesy: Social Media)

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Journalist turned media academician Mrinal Chatterjee lives in Dhenkanal, Odisha. He also writes fiction and plays.

mrinalchatterjeeiimc@gmail.com

This column is published every Sunday in Gangtok based English daily Sikkim  Express and www.prameyanews.com 

The impact of Journalism. Article published in Odia

Nitidina, 25.7.21.

 

Article in Odia | 30 Years after Globalisation

Samaja 24.7.21

 

Window Seat. Weekly column in English. 18.7.21

 Window Seat | Mrinal Chatterjee | 18.7.21

History repeats itself

I was reading about the first silent film in Malayalam- Vigathakumaran, which in English means The Lost Child. It was made in 1928 by J. C. Daniel, a businessman with no prior experience in film making. When most of the early Indian films in most of the languages were on mythological subjects, it was made on a social subject. Infact many film-pundits consider it to be the first social drama in cinematic medium. and had a happy ending.

But the film, its producer-director-hero (and the editor, too) Daniel and the lead actress did not have a happy ending. As the producer-director Daniel was and the heroine P.K.Rosy were converted Christians,  and Rosy was from a lower caste, playing the role of a upper class woman- the film was a target of  caste vendetta. Daniel and the cast were harassed. After the film was released, the theatres showing the film were attacked. And the only copy  of the film was burnt down. In a curious and tragic way- the film, the first Malayalam film became the lost child. It was a victim of caste dynamics.

Cut to 2021.

A report stating that Kareena Kapoor Khan would play the role of Sita in an upcoming film Ramayana triggered protest, threat and brutal trolling. Reason: Kareena Kapoor’s marital status. How can we accept a lady who has married a Muslim to be our Sita maiya?

The domain of make-believe morphs into reality and more specifically religion-politics.

It was caste dynamics then that destroyed J.C. Daniel, pushed Rosy into oblivion and burnt the only copy of the first Malayalam film, inflicting irreparable damage to our own film history. It is religion-based politics which might harm if not destroy the Indian Film Industry, now.

Immersive Media

Recently I attended a workshop on ‘Immersive Media’ conducted by Clyde Dsouza, an Internationally acclaimed authority on this subject organised by Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC).

For lay man, immersive media is a coming together of technology and reality. To elaborate, immersive media is defined by immersive technologies that attempt to create or imitate the physical or imagined world through digital simulation. Examples of immersive media include virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), mixed reality, etc. and others to come in the future- which would fall under the umbrella term Extended Realty (XR).

Clyde conducts workshop on this subject across the world. He also writes fiction. His science fiction Memories with Maya published by Penguin in 2013 was a huge hit. It looks at how AR and AI (Artificial Intelligence) will merge to augment human beings in ways that will influence emotions, raise ethical questions and impede the evolution of mankind.

In the workshop, however, Clyde donned a different role. He said, immersive media technology would be extensively used in cinema, news-media, public relations and advertisement industry, besides in  long distance communication. It will provide an immersive experience to the spectators. It can also teleport a person (through hologram technology) to a distant place. It’ll be the next level of video call.

However, it will have a profound impact on visual entertainment industry as it can provide an experience like never before. The viewer will feel as if he is a part of the scene instead of just being a spectator.

Netflix and Amazon prime have already started using it to create visual products for their subscribers with a premium. Social media platforms like facebook and twitter are now in the process to use this technology.

In India the technology should be available for use by end of this year. But whether our cinema industry will take to it is another question. The academia in media and film making institutes also must take note of this technology and teach the students how to use this technology. For filmmakers it will open a new vista in visual story telling.

 

Marriage during Corona

With restrictions on travel and gathering and enforcement of social distancing norms -marriage during Corona is a nightmare for some, and a boon for people like my friend Sibu. His reason: not many people, especially relatives can actually come for the marriage. So you save a considerable amount of money and lots of hassle. Some relatives are actually a pin in ..you know where.. during marriage. It is good that they will not be coming. Thank you Corona.

Tailpiece: Beleaguered Beings

Kabhi Dhoop se paresan

Ab Taklif barish se

Sikayate besumar hai

Admi ke fitrat me

Beleaguered by heat of the summer

Now beleaguered by rain

In human fate there are

Complaints galore.

(Courtesy: Social Media)

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Journalist turned media academician Mrinal Chatterjee lives in Dhenkanal. He writes fiction and plays. mrinalchatterjeeiimc@gmail.com

Television Debate. Article in Odia

Nirbhaya. 19.7.21

 

Corona Kala 18 | Humour series in Odia

Gateway Odiswha June 2021

 

Short Fiction in Odia.

Sahitya Farda, Jume 2021

 

Mumbai Samachar turns 200 | Article in Odia

Nirbhaya, 5.7.21

 

Weekly Column in English WINDOW SEAT | 4.7.21

 

Window Seat |Mrinal Chatterjee 4.7.21

The Mumbai Samachar at 200 years

Asia's oldest continuously published newspaper, the Mumbai Samachar turned 200 on 1 July 2021. First published as Bombay Samachar, a Gujarati weekly in 1822 it comprised of three small quarto sheets, 10 inches by 8 inches, and a half sheet supplement in all containing 14 pages of printed matter.

BOMBAY (MUMBAI) SAMACHAR

It was published as a weekly till 1832, a bi-weekly till 1855 and a daily since then, it continued to grow and became one of Western India's Premier Newspapers, read by a large segment of Gujarati speaking people both in India and abroad.

It was founded by Fardoonji Murazban, a Parsi Scholar and Priest. He also founded the first native press in 1812 and in 1814 brought out a Gujarati Calendar, 6 years before the first Bengali Calendar was printed and published in Calcutta.

By the end of 18^th century Parsi and Gujarati community dominated the commercial world of Mumbai in particular and the entire Western India in general. Mumbai emerged as a commercial hub. At that time Calcutta Chronicle and The Indian Gazette were the leading newspapers. These papers had very little news about Mumbai. Fardoonji Murazban, a visionary could appreciate the need for local news and news in vernacular language and planned publication of a Gujarati newspaper.

Bombay Samachar was published to disseminate need-based information, mostly to the trader community- Gujaratis and Parsis.  Therefore news related to trade and business dominated.

From its inception the editorial policy was to objectively report events in a fair and honest manner and not to sensationalize news.  Sobriety and independence of views became a hall mark of Bombay Samachar. It was for this that the newspaper was respected by both the British and Indian readers.  The British administration also respected this paper for its balanced and objective stand. It created an identity for itself for its fair, frank, objective and critical analysis of events, which it retains till date. Its tag line, ‘Avval Dainik, Nishpaksh Dainik’ (Leading Daily, Non-partisan Daily) sums up its policy.

 Bombay Samachar played an important role during India's struggle for Independence. Its reports and editorials were being often quoted by freedom fighters like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Vallabhbhai Patel and others. It also contained articles and letters by freedom fighters like Gandhi and Patel.

The paper was owned and managed by the Parsi priests for about 80 years from the beginning. Then it passed through various hands before coming into the ownership of the Cama family, its present publishers, in 1933. To the good fortune of the paper, Cama family nourished the paper with an eclectic mix of old and new. Though it has adopted new technology and content mix to go with the times, much of its hoary past is preserved, especially by Hormusji N Cama, the present Director, whose offices overlooks the Horniman Circle Gardens — once regarded as the favourite social venue of the Parsis. The paper, interestingly still comes out from the same place where it was started.

By the new millennium Bomay (Mumbai) Samachar had become an iconic institution. So much so that the Apollo Street in the Fort area was renamed after the paper as the ‘Mumbai Samachar Marg’ in 2006.

At 200, the paper is going strong with over a circulation of 1.8 million copies and innovative ideas to attract young readers under the able guidance of the present editor Nilesh Dave.

Deities on Sickbed

Do you know that Lord Jagannath of the famous Puri temple falls sick ahead of the annual rath yatra and is isolated for fourteen days? Yes, it is an interesting ritual. It has a prelude.  

The Devasnana festival, (which fell on 25 June this year) is observed on the full moon day in Jyestha month of the Hindu calendar. The deities are bathed in 108 pitchers of water drawn from a particular well inside the temple premises following which the trinity- Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath- fall sick due to heavy bathing and remain in Anasara (sick) Ghara (room) before the ratha yatra.

After the deities are taken to the Anasara Ghara, a nutritious but dry meal is served which is devoid of the ingredients used for the regular Chhappan Bhog. They are also given an ayurvedic treatment with oil called Phuluri  by the Daitapatis (priests), and the period of quarantine is called Anbasara. 

Once the deities recover from their illness, they are served solid food or Khichuri. And the first darshan after Anasar is called Nava Youvan (new youth).

Then the deities go to their maternal aunty’s (mausi- in Odia) house on chariot. This festival is called Rath Yatra.

One can see the way deities are treated here is almost like they are human beings, who can and do fall sick and require medication and rest.

The same approach to the deities could be found in Bengal in the way Bengalis treat Mother Durga- like the daughter of the house, who arrives with her children on an annual visit.

In both the cases there is more love than reverence.

I got the cute picture in a social media forward. It captures the right spirit of the Gods in sickbed.

 

Tailpiece: 12 types of Indians

Now in the time of Corona a dozen types of Indians are found in India. 

1. Proud Indians. Those who have taken both the doses of vaccine, and put their photographs on social media platforms. 

2. Worried Indians. Those who have taken one dose vaccine and looking for  the second. 

3. Helpless Indians. Who have received no vaccine. 

4. Confused Indians.  Who are still thinking which vaccine to take? 

5. Perplexed Indians. Who had  Covid infections even after two doses of vaccine. 

6. Disappointed Indians. Who are unable to register on Cowin. 

7. Stupid  Indians. Those who are moving around without masks. 

8. Arrogant Indians. Who still believe that there is nothing like Corona. It is a big conspiracy by big Pharma companies. 

9. Addicted Indians. Addicted to shopping and shop-hopping. 

10. Panicked Indians. Who Keep wearing mask 24x7 even inside the home. 

11. Suicidal Indians. Who keep insisting on not wearing mask and not keeping social distance.

12. Hyper-active Indians. Who keep creating video of quick-fix care of Corona and post them on social media.

(Courtesy: Social Media)

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The columnist a journalist turned media academician lives at Dhenkanal, a central Odisha town. He also writes fiction and translates poetry. An anthology of Hindi and Urdu poems that he translated into Odia has just been published.

mrinalchatterjeeiimc@gmail.com

This column is published every Sunday in Gangtok based English daily Sikkim Express and www.prameyanews.com

 

 

Multi - lingual literary meet.

4.7.21 at 6 pm. May join.

Here is the joining link:

https://meet.google.com/ovs-pkyi-vqj