'Timothy' ... for Halloween

Andrew, a lonely young man, receives an unusual gift from his recently deceased grandmother – her friend, Timothy. He receives a box, containing a child’s drawing depicting Ruby (grandmother) and Timmy, an ornate mirror and a letter explaining the gift. As the bittersweet ‘horror’ story unfolds, it becomes clear that Timothy is a “demonic entity”, but not really evil, rather a dark companion, a sort of protector. Timothy is mischievous and displays human emotions – including a love for strawberry milk! He gets angry when Andrew throws away the box in the garbage and intends to avenge himself; yet again Timothy intervenes to save Andrew from an armed street robber. Andrew is Ruby’s grandson after all.

Timothy is never shown on camera, the viewer is only given glimpses of his the dark demonic claws. Timothy appeared to Ruby in her childhood; he misses Ruby and feels lonely without her. This ambivalent other-worldly entity is an underexplored trope in horror films.

The film reminds one of the everlasting bonds with loved ones that transcend time, space and even death. The teardrops that fall on Ruby’s drawing are the testimony of deep sadness at the finality of loss.

Rain ...

College re-opens on a rainy day. And some rain drenched flowers outside our Staff Room window ...

Pride ... and a Fall !!

Goddess Jagadhatri, the “Divine Mother who upholds the Universe” sits elegantly on her lion and slays an elephant which symbolizes 'ahamkara' (ego / pride). Jagadhatri is a manifestation of Durga, both are revered feminine energies … but Durga is a slayer, Jagadhatri, a sustainer.

As per ancient scriptures, after the defeat of Mahishasura, the Gods who had collectively empowered Goddess Durga, felt great pride and reasoned that she was only a feminine manifestation of their divine masculine energies. To humble them, the Goddess challenged them to destroy a blade of grass. When they failed, Durga manifested as the regally adorned, four-armed Jagadhatri, proving that she alone has the power to sustain the universe. The iconography of Jagadhatri reflects this legend ... her lion signifies her strength and the elephant at her feet represents the ego (ahamkara) and vanity of the Gods. The elephant demon called Karindrasura (also known as Mahagajasura), is Mahishasura in a new manifestation. Jagadhatri has a snake coiled around her neck – like the sacred thread – which upholds the triumph of wisdom over pride and distinguishes her from the other manifestations of the Goddess Durga,

Jagadhatri Puja marks the end of the festive season in Bengal ...

Deepavali ...

 

Deepavali / Diwali literally means “a row of lights” and Diwali is celebrated across India as the ‘Festival of Lights’.  The lights of Diwali have a deep symbolic message. Just as the lighted lamps dispel the darkness around; they remind people to dispel the darkness within ... the light of awareness sparks an inner illumination, leading to transformation.

Kali Puja / Diwali lights are still twinkling in mt little corner in this big world. 

Light and Dark ...

 

On the darkest night of the year, some believers across India light lamps for Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth; while others invoke Kali, the Goddess of Time, Destruction and Death. Lakshmi and Kali are two aspects of the same cosmos which holds the mystery of all existence. Therefore, Kali Puja / Diwali night is a celebration of cosmic wholeness. By lighting lamps to dispel darkness on this night, people affirm Lakshmi’s light and also surrender to Kali’s darkness. Between the two polarities — the “white light and black void” of the cosmos – life renews eternally, attuned with the cosmic rhythm of creation and dissolution.

In Honour of Fourteen Forefathers

 

As India celebrates ‘Narak Chaturdashi’ – also known as ‘Choti Diwali’ – to commemorate the victory of Lord Krishna over the demon Narakasura, which symbolizes the triumph of good over evil; Bengal celebrates ‘Bhoot Chaturdashi’, a homely ritual.

It is believed that on this dark night, the veil between the worlds of the living and the dead disappears, and the souls of fourteen generations of forefathers come to visit their families. People light fourteen lamps all around the house to guide them home. The Sanskrit word ‘bhoot’ means “that which has passed”; colloquially in Bengali, ‘bhoot’ refers to the “ghost / spirit” of a deceased person i.e. “a person who has passed”. Bengali families also observe the ritualistic cooking of ‘Choddo Shaak’ (fourteen leafy greens) on this day in honour of their fourteen ancestors. It is not just a simple dish, it is the wisdom passed down generations. At the onset of winter, this superfood, rich in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and fibre, helps the body to build immunity and cleanse itself, especially after the gastronomic indulgence during Durga Puja. Based on the principles of Ayurveda, ‘Choddo Shaak’ aligns perfectly with the seasonal needs, blending age-old tradition and wellness as a humble recipe.  

Dhanteras - Gold Ornaments to Broom Sticks !!

‘Dhanteras’, or ‘Dhantrayodashi’, is the first day of the five-day Diwali celebration – the day to pray for health and wealth. Believers worship Lakshmi for wealth, Kuber for prosperity and Dhanwantari for health. However, consumerism has reduced this festival to a shopping spree of specific items, like ornaments and brooms; and yet this transformation of Dhanteras is actually a blend of enduring tradition and modern commercialism.

Dhanteras is inspired by the legend of King Hima’s son. When an astrologer foretold his death from snakebite, the young prince was saved by his wife from Yama (God of Death). She lit lamps and placed coins of gold and silver to create a blinding display that dazzled Yama, when he arrived in the form of a snake, to kill the prince. So, Dhanteras celebrations are also referred to as ‘Yama Deepam’ and buying gold and silver on Dhanteras symbolically wards off untimely death. Another legend states that Lakshmi and Dhanwantari emerged during the churning the cosmic ocean (Samudra Manthan) carrying gifts of wealth and health. Hence, celebrating Dhanteras is believed to invite their blessings. Indeed, gold and silver are stable investments and help to build a secure financial future. Buying brooms may seem ridiculous but it symbolizes sweeping away negativity and poverty, associated with Lakshmi’s elder sister, Alakshmi, from the household before welcoming Lakshmi. Moreover, myths suggest, when Lakshmi arrived in Vaikunth (Lord Vishnu’s abode); she used a broom to clean the place. Since then, the broom is regarded as a divine symbol for sweeping away negativity and ushering in prosperity. A clean home is believed to attract Goddess Lakshmi.

Originally, making purchases on Dhanteras was more about reverence and kitchen utensils were a popular choice. The recent emphasis on shopping for specific goods, usually expensive ones, is influenced by commercial and lifestyle changes. Retailers actively encourage shopping on Dhanteras with festive deals and discounts to boost the sale of ornaments, as well as electronics like Smartphones or even digital gold.

The commercialization of the Dhanteras has spread across the country, through mass media and social networks, and has popularized the trend of buying specific items from gold ornaments to broom sticks.