Body Positivity

 In this world where friends are measured by followers on social media sites, likes on a post measure one's beauty, preconceived notions about a certain body type takes the center stage- it is important to not lose one's serenity. 

It is important to not get discouraged by a certain section of people having narrow-minded thoughts. It is important to ensure that meaningful conversations don't take a backseat. It is important to understand the concept of inclusivity and apply it to our everyday lives. It is important to always stay positive and never fall prey to the negativity surrounding us.

In today's time where there are lots of expectations and comparisons, it sometimes so happens that people tend to presume things about your appearance. They rate your looks based on certain societal standards and expect you to fall into that bracket. If you don't, you are branded, but if you manage to fall into that category, you are venerated.  These double standards of people and their archaic thinking leads to something called 'body shaming'.

This problem is not something which has just been discovered. It has always been existent. The only difference this time is that people are now boldly opening up; are telling the world about their awful experiences.

 Every man who doesn't have a chiseled body and toned arms is the target for trolls. Similarly, every woman who doesn't have a flat stomach and toned legs is also the bait for trolls.

One must understand that there is a lot of difference between critics and trollers. Critics are the people who are genuinely concerned about you and your health; their sole intention is only to motivate you to shed those extra kilos.  But, trollers are the people who call you names; try to put you down in front of a crowd. Know the difference and don't distance yourself from the good people in your lives.

Many family members also keep bringing up the topic of weight. There is mostly a comparison done with cousins or relatives of the same age. Many-a-times even one's dressing sense is also chided. There are only two things we can do when a family member is involved: either ignore them or be brave and tell them your genuine feelings- the anguish and insecurity you feel when they always point you out.

At one point in our life, all of us have either been on the giving side or on the receiving side of comments about our body. How many times have we called someone 'motu' or even said 'tu intni patli hai ki meri phook se tu udd jayegi' to a person? These lines bring the loudest of laughter among friends. One might argue that such statements are only intended to be a joke and both the parties enjoy it. But the reality is that after a certain point, that person is known to the world only by their weight- not by their achievements. There is a certain sense of dislike developed towards one's own body. If remained unchecked, it goes to an extreme; the other person's confidence falters very badly and he/she goes into the labyrinth of self-doubt and depression. This is a vicious cycle to which a big full stop has to be put. Scars that happen in childhood can never be fully healed.

'There is awareness that body shaming is bad, but there is no acceptance of different body sizes.'  Even in a few popular shops, a woman's mannequin is generally represented as someone with a slim waist. A woman is generally presumed to be someone with a short height, small feet and who can easily wear all kinds of clothes without any apprehensions. Everyone has different body sizes yet shops choose to portray a body figure which most of the people don't even have. It breaks my heart to see no proper clothes for people having a bigger waistline than the conventional kind. Yes, there are separate shops for people who are bigger but the stigma around the topic makes some feel awkward while going to such places. 

A mother had conducted an experiment to teach her child what bullying does to a person. She asked the child to think of the paper as a person and call it names. As she started saying things, the mother kept crumpling the paper bit by bit. After the entire paper was crumpled, she asked her child to say sorry to the paper. She opened the paper back to its original size. The paper lost its entire form.

This is exactly what happens during body-shaming. You destroy a person's confidence like slow poison; he stops communicating, making friends and goes into a shell.

"I am not handsome, but I can give my hand-to-some when in need. Beauty is in the heart, not in the face."  This quote by Dr. Kalam makes people think- question their ways of assessment of others and their own hypocrisy while doing so.

Stop judging yourself based on your appearance. Love yourself no matter what people think about you. Having a healthy body is not wrong if you are active and flexible enough to do your own tasks. Keep yourself fit despite however you look because that will increase your longevity and will make your brain sharper. Lose weight only for your sake; don't do it due to the societal pressure to look appeasing.

 Finally, stop measuring a person's worth through one's body features and start measuring them through their kind gestures. Change the way you look at people and your life will surely change for the better.

                             - Anusha Sridhar

Independence

There is a popular saying- in order to achieve something, we must be independent. We must be aware of the losses and gains of our actions. That only happens when we understand the gravity of the situation and start taking responsibility for our deeds.

Now, what exactly is independence? Not being dependent and attaining liberation from something or someone. It is not a compulsion as such to be able to stand on your own feet and take a steadfast stance, but it is important to at least prepare oneself to be so when the need arises.

Independence is not something that is related to age. It is a quality that evokes from within depending on the circumstances and our understanding of ground reality. In other words, it depends on a person's maturity levels and how capable they are to grasp both the sides of the coin.

In this journey of becoming self-reliant, it is very important to respect our choices and not lament about them. Thinking a lot about the past will make us sink in the quicksand of regret and despair. There is nothing we can do to change what has happened. So it is important to always keep moving forward and ensure that each day takes us an inch closer to the penultimate goal. 

Not all days are going to be bright and not all circumstances will favour us. We mustn't stop working despite knowing beforehand that situations are not going to play out our way. It is important to be optimistic and look for a smarter approach that will bring us out. Believe that there is always a happy ending waiting and we can reach it only if we go the extra mile.

Being independent doesn't mean that when you are overcome by self-doubt and anxiety due to certain outcomes, you have to face it all by yourself. You must always acknowledge the people who are always by your side as a friend and as a guide. It is fine if you sometimes are not able to fit into the conventional model of a self-sufficient person. It is fine if sometimes you fall short of something. But it is important to comeback stronger after every setback.

Sometimes, being independent might make people arrogant and they start judging others for still living in someone's shadow and taking a second opinion. This is wrong. Everyone has their own understanding and way of doing things. We have no right to poke our nose and give unnecessary advice.

Independence- to an extent- would also mean to follow your daily routine meticulously and play an active role in the household work. It might look comparatively lesser to few, but knowing such things would surely be beneficial for us in the long run. We must learn to never look down at anything as insignificant.

Independence has its own cost. It is something that comes to some with choice and to some without a choice. Irrespective of that, we have to accept whatever comes to us. When we know some things can't be changed, instead of cribbing about it, we must either take it up as a challenge and aim to change certain aspects or must start enjoying the process and change the situation we are in. Either way, our sole aim must be to improve the condition we are in.

Nobody is fully independent. At some point or the other we need someone's assistance to cope up with situations. So one must always raise the bar high with each attempt. Must come up with novel ideas to sustain the competition. Must be aware of what is going on around. Must be conscious of the way we project ourselves and MUST understand that EVERYTHING has a price. Every breakthrough, everything achieved always comes with a price.

                                      - Anusha Sridhar

Navratri time

 If there is any festival that is celebrated with great pomp and splendor across the country in different forms- it is Navratri. Be it the garba in Gujarat, the Ram-leelas in UP, the Durga-pandals in West Bengal or the Golu in Tamil Nadu- every state has its own unique way of commencing the festival.

Navratri is one time of the year that I eagerly wait for. Arranging the Golu bommais, trying novel ways of setting them, making new kolams and buying new dolls every year really builds up the excitement. There needs to be elaborate planning, shifting of things and a proper arrangement while setting up the Golu padi. It is time consuming, but fun. 

This is the third year of keeping Golu in our house and trust me, every year I have learnt something new. It became a lot easier to set up all the items. I developed passion towards decoration and learnt how to keep things simple without over-doing it. 

                                                                   

Yes, sometimes we may not be satisfied with the outcome- so we have no apprehensions in spending extra time to re-do it. Sometimes, we may not agree with each other about certain ways of arrangement and have deep discussions about it, but at the end of the day, we are contended. We don't even get proper sleep-time, but still  wake up the next day and arrange everything for the morning puja and carry on with our daily chores. 

For me, Navratri is equivalent to great memories and new learning experiences. During Navratri, I get solid time to spend with my family. Dinner-time discussions on a variety of topics become more frequent. We watch films together, go outside and enjoy to the core!

One more reason why I like Navratri is because of the gatherings at home. For 9 days, our house will be brimming with people. Wearing a wide range of clothes, photographs, games, meet-ups with old friends, relishing the different kinds of prasadams- there is everything!

Navratri is a full-fledged festival. It gives immense satisfaction to everyone celebrating it. Wishing all my readers a very happy Navratri! Enjoy your holidays! Sit back, relax, savor new varieties of food and I will meet you very soon with my next blog!

Cheers till then!

                                    - Anusha Sridhar

 

Grandparents Day

 Grandparents. They have seen all generations and have observed the changes- both in lifestyle and in behavioral patterns. This makes them the most experienced persons who can guide and support during crucial times. Their tips regarding certain affairs prove how knowledgeable they are. 

 They might not agree with our viewpoint at times. They might strain themselves over trivial things. We might feel they are overprotective of their grandchildren. But the truth is that, it gives them immense satisfaction to always be by their grandchild's side. 

Old age is called a 'second childhood.' They may have mood swings. But we grandchildren must be considerate towards them. It is our duty to take care of them and get them accustomed to the new world.

They may lose their basic body functions. They might be dependent on others. But they regain all their lost energy and become a spring chicken when their grandchild is around. That is the true love they have towards them.

They are ready to learn new technology to understand them better. They don't want to be left behind in terms of connectivity to the Gen-Z.  Infact, now few grandparents have caught up with the trend very well! They have watched more films, serials and series than their grandchildren. They are even featuring on social media platforms, which is a positive sign of inclusivity.

They clap the hardest for your success. They sob the most when you are sad. They fight for you with your parents. They are your company whenever you feel bored. They are chirpy, emotional, savage, innocent and have a sweet little smile that instantly melts your heart.

Regardless of the fact whether your grandparents are physically present or not, they always hold a special place in your heart. These memories have to be cherished. And today, September 11th, on account of Grandparents Day, let us thank them from the bottom of our heart for giving us unforgettable memories and evergreen stories to share with the future generations. 

We always love you however you are. And remember, we always have your back.

Love you Tatagaru and Amamma! Happy Grandparents Day!

                                                - Anusha Sridhar

 

Ponniyin Selvan- the finesse

 Finally, back to blogging after a hectic 6 months! I am quite excited to be back on this platform which has given me a voice and an identity. Furthermore, I am thrilled to be back to my favorite routine i.e. reading books! Ah! How much I missed this pastime!

I got my hands on one of the most celebrated novels in Tamil literature- Ponniyin Selvan translated by Pavitra Srinivasan and Varsha Venugopal. 

I am grateful to them for translating this masterpiece and introducing me to the world of Chozhas. I am contended that I could finally read the book that has always been on the top for its themes that are even relevant in today's times. 

My excitement got piqued since there is a movie releasing based on the book. So without further ado, I immediately started reading, and my God! I couldn't resist myself at all. I was reading chapter after chapter without any pause. I was so engrossed, that I never knew the time. I became emotionally invested. Each character had equal importance in contributing towards the story. Subtle sarcasm, tragedy, revenge, conspiracy, friendship, romance, bravery- it has everything. The twists in the end leave you gasping for breath. 

Normally many people presume that this book is based on complete history. But it is a little different since its genre is historical fiction- meaning that few characters are the brainchild of the author. This has made it a riveting account of the Chozhas.

The author- Kalki R Krishnamurthy- gives vivid descriptions of all the palaces, temples, rivers and festivals. He uses allegory during the conversations between characters and uses similes and metaphors (with a lil exaggeration, of course) while describing the characters' looks, their venerable feats and titles. The book takes your imagery to the next level and no doubt cinephiles are awaiting this movie. 

The best part is that every person has their own imagination about the characters. But Mani Ratnam sir has chosen actors in such a way that has equally satisfied everyone's fantasies. Every actor looks perfect for their respective roles.

Making 'Ponniyin Selvan' has been the dream of Tamil cinema for 60 years. An unfulfilled dream film of several directors due to some constraints is now being released on September 30th 2022. The long wait of everyone is finally coming to an end.

As audience, let us first trust the director's vision. Who knows what is there under his sleeve? Let us not spoil the mood for the film by mere speculations or comparisons.

Remember that making a film of such grandeur is not a normal task and hats off to everyone who worked behind creating this project. 

For Non-Tamilians, it might be a little difficult to pronounce the names of characters. Even I myself struggled at the start because I found the names too long! (haha) But once you go forward with the books, you will even learn to pronounce them and why, you will even fondly remember them!

                            - Anusha Sridhar

(P.S My question to the people who read the book- who is your favorite character and why?  Let us have a discussion in the comments. To the people who have not, I urge you to either please read the book or watch the movie. If feasible, do both! :) Don't miss upon such literary classics. It gives you once in a lifetime experience which when you look back becomes very memorable.) 

 

A reflection

 After two long years, I finally went to the theatre to watch a film-'83'. Certain films are meant to be watched on the big screen and '83' was one of them. I was hooked to the story despite knowing how it would end. I cried hard for a few sequences and was very happy that there was no patriotism being forcefully injected. Everything that I felt in the theatre was something that sprung from the depth of my heart. The songs encapsulated the situation beautifully and we audience were elated to take the roller-coaster ride of emotions. This film, hands down, was one of the best movie experiences I ever had!!

After a week or so, there was an article which popped up on my feed. It stated ‘Pushpa has eaten up the market of 83.’ I was astonished. A movie which was so beautifully written and executed failed to rake in the numbers? Well, no qualms regarding Allu Arjun’s finesse as an actor and the blood and sweat he sheds to prepare for a role, but I still couldn’t digest the fact.  A movie having great reviews and good word-of-mouth, failed to capture audiences’ attention? Shocking, but not surprising.

In general, there are two kinds of audience. First are those who watch movies just for the sake of entertainment and don’t look for logic, and second are those who are very particular with their choices and scrutinize a film very aptly. Sadly, there are very few people who have the mindset of the second kind.

 “Why should we waste a Saturday by watching something serious, something which requires thinking”, is the first question that will strike a moviegoer’s mind. Anyone watching a movie with their friends or family just to pass time would prefer a breezy rom-com over a thriller or a message-oriented film or a biopic.

So, does that mean that no other genre gets a good BO income? That is not the case either. Films having a decent storyline, good songs and supported by a great performance by the main leads are deciding factors to make a movie successful. If a movie- regardless of the genre- satisfies all these conditions, it is sure to become a great film and something that would be remembered for ages.

Frankly, 83’s case is a complete exception. Maybe the hype surrounding Pushpa and Spiderman, killed the excitement for the film? Maybe people did not want to watch it because the audience was tired of biopics? Maybe they did not want to watch it because of the routine rising-from-the-ashes-like-the-phoenix theme? Nobody knows.

At the same time, there was an update that Pushpa would release on Amazon Prime. I was really excited to watch the rugged look of Allu Arjun and the raw, rustic and slick action sequences.

After watching the film, I had a mixed response. No doubt, I thoroughly enjoyed the film and was completely invested throughout the running minutes. But there were a few things that made me very uncomfortable and raised few serious questions in my mind.

Cinema is a very powerful tool. If utilized in the right way, it can make a profound impact on people. It can break old stigmas and start a new wave of universal acceptance. It can highlight our illustrious culture in an enchanting manner. It can transport us to a whole new different world through picturesque cinematography.

Our cinema has evolved over the years. We have broken cliched stereotypes and are showing progressive, real and grounded stories. But there is only one problem I have with today’s cinema-
‘GLORIFICATION’

If we observe, during olden days there was this quintessential hero, the heroine who was always the damsel in distress and the villain who was a psycho and a guy with flaws. This was the common plot for most of the films then.

But, now-a -days, filmmakers are not hesitating to write about a character with flaws. Actors aren’t reluctant to portray complex characters with grey shades and are accepting such roles with open arms. Audience too welcome this change and there is a breath of fresh air in the industry. The notion of the utopian hero has finally broken and flaws are being embraced as natural human tendencies.

Sometimes, a filmmaker might want the public to hate a character for a particular action. With that in mind, a scene is written. The problem arises when in such a process the imperfections are shown to be cool. This in turn glorifies the hero and the audience, instead of reprimanding the character for his actions, go gaga and pour in their full-fledged support. They start justifying the character’s actions and go to any extent to support him.

 What such people don’t understand is that there is a thin line of difference between reel and real. Characters we see in films- don’t always exist in real life.

I have another objection with today’s cinema. When we have such a glorious history and great source material, why don’t filmmakers make movies on that? Why should we remake most of the films when we have a storehouse of ideas? There are stories of gallantry and innovativeness from different parts of the country. We can reach out their stories to the masses. It is not necessary to have an extravagant budget to get things done. A simple story with lots of inspiration will surely captivate the audience.

One should always view the art over the artist. But it is completely opposite in India. The artist is given higher priority over the art. A star’s film is seen through a partial lens and given a clear chit despite lacking a solid story.

The day when CINEMA will stand for something that Captivates Interests, is Neutral, Enigmatic, not Monotonic and is Associative will be the day when this sheer form of art will achieve its zenith.

                                                                                                                   

                                                               -       Anusha Sridhar

 (P.S I can’t fathom the amount of hard work each and every person associated with the film 83 would have done. To get the cricketing mannerisms right, to select actors who resemble the legends is such a mammoth task. 2-3 years of practice, shooting all the matches in actual locations, I mean take a bow!! You guys have done a fantabulous job! This is one of the biggest gifts you gave to all the cricket fans who weren’t born during that era. We could relive that era because of you! My heartfelt thanks!!)

(P.S I don’t demean Pushpa in any way. It is also a good film. The actor’s conviction towards his character is evident in every frame. Big fan of Allu Arjun and his dance. How he managed to dance with his shoulders like that still remains a mystery for me….)

New year wishes

 One year has passed like a spree
Don't know whether to be sad 
or to jump in glee.

Few incidents left permanent scars
Few people turned into overnight stars
We witnessed the true essence of humanity
and walked hand-in-hand to face this calamity.

Sometimes we stumbled
But we never grumbled
We learnt through our experiences
every single day
We grew up to become matured individuals
and understood the roles we'd essay.

It is not wrong to be wrong
It is wrong to not accept we are wrong
We should understand this fact
and change our tact.

Our mistakes should not taunt us
They should teach us
Aim for excellence
Success will reach us.

Every sunset
is an opportunity to reset
Wish you all a happy new year
and a year ahead with no regret!

                        - Anusha Sridhar

(A very happy new year to all my readers who have been a constant support system for me...who have provided me ideas and tips to improve my writing....Hope you keep supporting me throughout this beautiful journey....)