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IN a diversified world with different races, beliefs, customs it is literature that act as a binding force reflecting the same diversity in an aesthetic manner. But for one who believes in a Utopian idea of one idea, one world, contemporary literature seems like a scattered world. If you too bear the same apprehension, a poet, critic and scholar, K Satchidanandan will make you understand how literature justifies its different classifications in a sociological perspective.  “Let hundred flowers bloom instead of one. Instead of single idea, let pluralism thrives. New monoliths are breaking and you know it is good for ideal democracy.”  The poet was responding to a query on the contemporary literature, with special reference to India, on a chilly afternoon inside the Sahitya Akademi office in New Delhi, India’s official centre for promoting literature. Winter was just touching down the national capital when the poet sat down for an informal chat turned interview. Meeting the

G ood or bad, only thinking makes it so. So believed Hamlet, the prince of Denmark, and so wishes Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). But who knows not, not something, but everything is rotten in the state of BJP. Now that octogenarian Lal Krishna Advani is going to “revitalise” the party under pressure from Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh (RSS), BJP hopes of ending its month-long crisis triggered by its former minister Jaswant Singh and his book Jinnah: India, Partition, Independence . But problems within the BJP are more ideological than leadership or the consecutive defeats in the 2001, 2009 general elections. There were dissident voices even before Jaswant episode, but party president Rajnath Singh and Advani were able to handle them. Jaswant exploded it outside the party periphery and there was nothing before the party than expelling him what they thought might be a one-man rebellion. What was Jaswant’s unpardonable guilt? Writing a book with free-thinking? Ac

“It is not power that corrupts, but fear. Fear of losing power corrupts those who wield it and fear of the scourge of power corrupts those who are subject to it.” (Freedom from Fear: Aung Sang Suu Kyi) M yanmarese junta once again proved they are still struggling to get rid of the fear that a fragile looking freedom fighter Aung Sang Suu Kyi has incited in their hearts two decades back. The junta’s punishment to the uncompromising advocate of democracy on Tuesday underlines nothing, but this very hard truth. As expected the junta court sentenced Suu Kyi; of course generosity from junta is least expected. But this time junta has deliberately tried to show leniency towards Suu Kyi. The court, which has ruled three years hard labour, reduced the punishment to 18 months upon a dramatic letter from junta with the option of allowing visitors in a case long-term jail was expected for the champion of democracy. The trial stemming from an intrusion into Suu K

D espite the upbeat mood created by the Indo-Pak joint statement at Sharm Al Sheikh, it might be two prisoners who would be deciding the course of ensuing peace efforts between India and Pakistan. It may be too early to arrive on such a conclusion, but the influence that Sarabjit Singh and Ajmal Kasab are going to weigh upon the diplomatic relationship between the two countries is certain. While Pakistan is holding death row inmate Sarabjit, India is trying Ajmal, the lone survivor of Nov.26 Mumbai terror attack that had claimed 168 innocent lives. Undoubtedly, the magnitude of crime attributed to both does not call for comparison. Kasab opened fire at Mumbai CST railway station before the naked eyes of world. Sarabjit was caught as a spy by Pakistani officials while sneaking into the border, which Pakistan alleges as an attempt by Indian intelligence. But if both countries fail to show discretion and frankness in Mumbai probe, the possibility of Sarabjit and

T he massive Indian General Election is halfway through. The five-phased Lok Sabha polls, which commenced on April 16, are entering the fourth phase on Thursday. The last and fifth phase of polls will be on May 13. With just ten days left for the results, it’s still unclear about the party or coalition that will come to power at the Centre. Borrowing Bollywood Badshah Shah Rukh Khan dialogue “picture abhi bhi baki hai,” which simply means the action is not concluded, it will be continued till the ballots are counted on May 16. The ruling Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA), which looked confident enough to form next government, is losing its ground with all top leaders calling for post-poll alliance with the Left parties. Congress plunged into pessimism when its key allies Railway Minister Laloo Prasad Yadav-led Rashtriya Janata Dal and Steel Minister Ram Vilas Paswan-led Lok Janasakthi Party deserted UPA. It was a heavy blow that shook the grand ol

   When AR Rahman and Rasool Pookutty broke decade-old jinx in Indian Cinema, millions of hearts cried Jai Ho joining rest of the music lovers across the world.  True to the song Jai Ho or “Be victorious,” the duo has emerged victorious in the world’s biggest film competition. Though Rahman and Rasool have Satyajit Ray and Bhanu Athaiya as their predecessors, unlike them the duo won the Oscar in competitive fields. So their win has glory and it stands apart. Ray was awarded a honourary Oscar in 1992 for Lifetime Achievement. Bhanu Athaiya bagged it for her costume designing in the Richard Attenborough movie    Gandhi in 1982, the first Indian to win an Oscar. And now after 17 years of Oscar drought AR Rahman and Rasool Pookutty have brought top Oscar awards to their country making each Indian filled with pride. AR Rahman has proved many times his musical genius through variety of songs and albums he has done. Yet, many from his music fraternity are reluctant to accept his m

W ar is a despised word in modern times. Because, modern man believes war is fought by barbarians. They love armed conflict than war. The most recent conflict which makes news is the ongoing Israeli killings in Gaza Strip, which is known as world’s most impoverished place. At the same time, a similar conflict is going on in Sri Lanka. While Gaza is in all news and discussions, no one, except India and Sri Lanka, seem concerned about the worsening situation there. As the bloodshed in two places mock at the strides humanity has made so far, rather than armed conflict war is the better term to define the same. And we are the silent spectators of those two one-sided wars that have been going on simultaneously in two different parts of the world. The reason for sidelining Lanka issue varies from geographical to political overtones. Yet, both have an unequal parallelism. Palestinians in Gaza and Tamil minority in Sri Lanka are fighting to gain acceptance. Whil