‘Picture Perfect’: Short Stories penned by Anjali Minanath Dhaske

Anjali Minanath Dhaske has done Post graduation in Education and was teaching at teacher training school for 3 years. Post this career stint she decided to enjoy her motherhood. While enjoying her motherhood, she pursued her hobbies. She is the passionate homemaker and Marathi writer. She is well-known for her elaborate Rangoli designs and the writing along side. She creates stories with an intrinsic love of storytelling. Her first story book, which was inspired by her own experience as a woman in modern-day, is proof of her dedication to self-expression.
Her entry in literature world started with her blog “Ashayghan Rangoli’ (आशयघन रांगोळी). She started writing alongside her Rangolis. Progressively she also started her own YouTube channel “Rang Majha Vegala by Anjali M Dhaske” for art, craft and Rangoli. Meanwhile she was also writing short stories on many online platforms.

Order your copy of the book ‘Picture Perfect’, which is a collection of short stories in the form of an ebook and hardcopy on the following websites.

👉 BLUEROSE STORE: https://blueroseone.com/store/product/picture-perfect

👉 AMAZON: https://www.amazon.in/Picture-Perfect-Anjali-Minanath-Dhaske/dp/9359898856

👉 FLIPKART:

https://www.flipkart.com/picture-perfect/p/itm04fbc25771963?pid=9789359898858

My thoughts about the book: Rashmi Malapur

All the stories written by Anjali are simple and so are the characters. You don’t have to stress about multiple characters or complex situations. All the situations or the backdrop are so relatable and true to real life. She makes no deliberate attempt to think out of the box in a bid to impress the audience. The ease in her writing flows seamlessly in the reader’s mind and at the end of each story you wish to get intuitive and reflect on the society we presently live in.

Few stories are about women and the way they try hard to fit into the mold of femininity, culture, and traditions. The struggles of women might seem so insignificant at times but they touch them at a deeper level. Even women shrug them off by saying, “Life is like that” or “Women are bound to face these challenges”.

Now what is impressive is Anjali’s approach, she isn’t criticizing or vehemently opposing the repressive culture. She intertwines her thoughts through the characters that live out of self-realization and progress to a better life. May it be Nisha from the story ‘Chakulya’ or Veena from ‘Teku’.

Deepak or Eshwari’s mother from her story ‘Eshwari: Ek Stri man’ understands her son’s sexual orientation and accepts it gracefully by supporting and making  him feel confident and independent.

Anjali presents the dilemmas we face in our daily life and choose to just ignore. Probably we all have become a little insensitive to observe and ponder. Here Anjali’s stories play that vital role of triggering thoughts that we shrug off, through relatable stories with daily incidences. She proves that while bringing to notice the complexities of daily life and the present society a detailed narration isn’t necessary. Simple short stories can do the job well.

But what I genuinely loved about the book is the thread of positivity that runs through all stories and the maturity with which she unfolds each situation and the characters as well.

Most of the stories are progressive and impress on the reader’s mind in the subtlest way to rethink the present societal norms we accept at a subconscious level.

Anjali avoids stretching the stories too much but that doesn’t mean she fails to take time and effort to weave each story. She is simply brilliant at touching the audience with minimum words.  Infact, some stories are light-hearted yet leave a lasting impression on your mind like ‘Promise Day’, ‘Picture Perfect’ and ‘Healthy Food’.

The book is written in Marathi but it would be great if these stories could be translated into English. Not an easy task though.

‘Picture Perfect’ by Anjali Minanath Dhaske is distinct due to its simplicity, brevity, and intuitiveness.

Copyright 2024 Rashmi Malapur

Is writing a solitary act?

Is writing a solitary act?

Image courtesy: https://www.themarginalian.org/2018/12/10/emily-dickinson-love-letters-susan-gilbert/

It is one of the most immersive experience a writer goes through. All that she watches, observes and absorbs gets assimilated within and is manifested in words. Writers might choose to be silent for a while but that only means something is brewing.

That space becomes so vital for a writer at times that she aggressively defends this right to sit in silence and choose to be away. I think artists are blessed with this space along with the will and desire to turn inwards and reflect.

Coming back to the act of writing being an immersive experience – I would like to reiterate and endorse the thought that a writer or an artist is nothing without people, nature and surroundings.

But, it is solely the prerogative of a writer either go out; step out of the four walls or be in a closed space and write. Surprisingly, Emily Dickinson wrote 1,800 poems in her bedroom. So, she was away – in the midst of the same surroundings.

Image courtesy: https://lithub.com/the-light-as-she-saw-it-on-sitting-in-emily-dickinsons-bedroom/

Thus, an artist is a creator and can imagine so much more – irrespective of the surroundings.

An artist has a world within – so does it mean that when she writes it’s a lonely process and a solitary act?

Still confused!! 🙂

Let us attempt to answer this question!! Hmm…a world within that no one else can see – yes, true.

But when the writer shares this world, it doesn’t remain her own. It is shared with the universe. But the act of writing is surely about being alone and describes the need to reflect and then share.

Conclusively, writing is a lonely process!!

Any thoughts on this? Share them!!

Love,

Rashmi Malapur

PIFF Diaries Pune International Film Festival

As an artist, it’s imperative that I ponder over social sensibilities, diversities, upheavals, economic challenges, social structure, cultures and customs. Movies reflect all these aspects through storytelling and visual aesthetics, which consume me.

I’ve been attending Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) for the past 3 years. In a span of 3 days, I watch 9 movies and still don’t feel satiated for the simple reason that these movies awe me. I carry these movies with me through the years, the stories, characters, locations, countries, emotions, cultural references so much more that cannot be expressed in words. This year too I’m here at PIFF for my sheer love for movies.

Hats off to Jabbar Patel sir and his PIFF team for their consistent, and sincere efforts to plan and execute such a well-organized event that brings the best movies around the world on a single platform.

The movies that I saw at PIFF 2023 screened at the Pavilion Mall, PVR Icon, Senapati Bapat Marg:

Day 1 – Monday – 7^th February 2023

Movie: Minsk

Director: Boris Guts

Estonia

Image courtesy: https://t1tallinn.com/en/film/minsk/

The movie is about the August 2020 street protests in Minsk, Belarus and the movie turns violent in the latter part.

It’s a single-take movie and was created without any editing cuts.

Reflections:

Though the movie gets violent and stuns you at the end, it is a must-watch for the way its shot and an understanding of the political scenario in Belarus. Democratic rule is what people wish but dictatorship is thrust upon them by rulers who refuse to acknowledge the right and the intellect of the people to believe that they need to be ruled, not empowered.

A series of mass protests were held against the Belarusian government and President Alexander Lukashenko. Protestors faced violent persecution, torture, sexual abuse, and rape. Viasna Human Rights Center has documented 1,000 testimonies of torture victims by the end of 2020.

Amidst the heightened emotions and violent scenes, I was pleasantly surprised to listen to a song by my favorite band Radiohead in the movie.

Reviews on IMDb – some reviews shared by Belarusians have criticized the movie saying that it is not the true picture of what happened during the protest.

Read more about the August 2020 protest: https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/08/11/belarus-violence-abuse-response-election-protests

You can watch the film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSVLFu4a9-A

Read more about the film: https://minskfilm.com/

Movie: The Blue Caftan

Director: Maryam Touzani

Morocco

Image courtesy: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt17679584/

The movie centers around Lubna Azabal (“Adam”) as Mina and Saleh Bakri (“Costa Brava, Lebanon”) as Halim. A married couple owns a store in Morocco’s oldest town in the city of Salè.

It’s a caftan store meticulously made by Halim a traditional art that seems to be challenged by machine-made embroidery. They try hard to catch up with the customer demands though Halim is passionate about the art and hardworking. They need a helping hand thus, hire a young apprentice Youssef (Ayoub Messioui). Halim is involved in Youssef and their life changes.

The movie is about the compulsion of concealing homosexuality since same-sex involvement or sexual acts are illegal and can be punished with imprisonment.

Reflections:

It’s a sensitive movie with superb performances by the artists. The scene where the three actors dance to the tune of a song being played in their lane is fantastic. The bond that the married couple share is so deep and beyond all practicalities. The intimate scenes are shot well.

I loved the music composed by Kristian Eidnes Andersen and Cinematography by Virginie Surdej.

Excellent work by Maryam Touzani!!

Movie: The Star is Moving –

Natchathiram Nagargiradhu

Director: Pa Ranjith

India

Movie Courtesy: IndiaGlitz

Image Courtesy: Movie Crow

It’s a Tamil movie set in the backdrop of a theatre group and weaved with complex thoughts about social issues pertaining to love in Indian society. It touches on many aspects like honor killing, arranged marriage system, casteism, the generation gap, transgender individuals and gay relationships. The theatre group is run by Subeer played by the actor Regin Rose.

Rene (Dushara Vijayan) and Iniyan (Kalidas Jayaram) living in a romantic relationship break up and the movie begins by stating ‘Love is political’. Rene is a Dalit and Iniyan makes her realize it which she despises. Later on in the movie, Rene speaks her heart out to Kalaiyarasan who plays the character  Arjun and transforms as the movie progresses from an orthodox person to a more receptive and open-minded person.

Reflections:

The opening scene begins with references to casteism and orthodox values that are losing their relevance among the young generation. Though it’s tough for the young generation too to live with the changing scenario of Indian social structure and rebellion. Biases are a result of our upbringing and education. Well, it isn’t that simple too. It’s a complex mesh of thoughts that we all prefer not to untangle. I like the fact that the movie is hopeful about the changing social scenario but the onus should not lie on a few.

I loved this movie the direction, acting, and dialogue.

Special mention about the music composed by Tiburtius Vinodh Rubin, better known professionally as Tenma and the leader of the indie band ‘The Casteless Collective’. Music is foot-tapping, melodious and fresh adding to the vibrance of the movie.

You can watch the film on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/in/title/81594244

That was about my Day 1 @PIFF2023.

To be continued….

Peace – Energy

Making peace with myself has been the toughest thing to do for me.

At present, I fail to understand why?

I’m quite receptive to energies, rather extremely sensitive.

I pick and absorb both negative and positive energy easily.

Working on myself is the toughest thing since it entails changing myself. But it is the best investment you can make.

Everything else will start falling in place automatically.

The awareness that I just absorbed and received negative energy is the first step to happiness.

Thanks, Riya Gaonkar your powerful sessions have made me aware and conscious.

Gratitude to everyone in my life!!!

Online theatre festival by Theatre Management Company

A few days back I received a message on Instagram from Theatre Management Company requesting me to participate in the online theatre festival. This was totally exciting – an online theatre festival? Wow!! I recited my poem and totally enjoyed the experience. The team is dedicated to art and I love the fact that they are so warm and comfortable to be with.

Well, I wished to know more about TMC and how it all started. So, here we go!!

The team: Theatre Management Company

Sikandar Khan, Muneera Surati, Anuj Khandelwal, Tanuj Khandelwal, Salim Parvez Khan, Shubhangi Shah, Anchal Agarwal, and Ruchika Rai.

Ques. What was the thought behind launching TMC?
I. Theatre Management Company was founded by Mr. Sikandar Khan who himself is a theatre artist and an evolving actor. The thought came when he realized the concerns like the improper structure of Indian Theatre, the burden on a director’s shoulder to market his play, and many more. When everyone else was saying that “Theatre is dead”, an idea struck him. He decided to organize Indian Theatre in such a way that it creates a win-win situation for artists, directors, and event organizers. That is how TMC was born.

Ques. Share with us the recent events.
II. Since TMC has just begun its operations in 2021 August, 2 Online Theatre Festivals have been organized under its banner. The third festival, however, is going to find its ground from December 24th.

Ques. Why online festivals? How do they contribute to art?
III. The idea behind an online festival was to make theatre accessible to its audience. It should become like a habit just as daily soaps have become a part of our daily routine wherein every month there will be new performances with different languages.  

Online festivals were started for an entertainment purpose for our audience. It was the response from the audience and performers that prompted us to think in a different direction of promoting Indian art and culture through online festivals. We have performances in Hindi, Urdu, English, Malayalam, Tamil, and the newly added Sanskrit that reflect the rich cultural heritage our country has. It hence becomes important for our new generation to interact with theatre in the form of Urdu Mehfil, Poetry Sessions, Short Plays, Folk Stories, Musical Performances, and many more.

Ques. What does art mean to you?
IV. Anything which is done with perfection subconsciously is art. We cannot grasp concepts of performance, it is something that comes from within. The art forms performed in ancient India are fairly rich.

Ques. Is regional art dying; folk music, affinity towards regional languages, and poetry in regional languages?
V. The regional art forms are not dying per se, but yes they aren’t demonstrated and marketed than often as much as other modern content is. The change of interests in people and lack of knowledge of regional art creates a gap between art and the audience. It still can be relieved if we start practicing and promoting these art forms individually. We all can join the movement started by the Theatre Management Company.

Ques. What are your future plans? Where do you see TMC 3 years from now?
VI. This is just the beginning and we wish to see Theatre at the place it belongs to and with the love and affection of the audience, this can certainly be done.

© Copyright 2021 Rashmi Malapur All rights reserved

Happy Teacher’s Day

Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan – Picked from https://www.brainpickings.org
Every artist’s art is their coping mechanism for the extreme sensitivity to aliveness that we call beauty — the transcendent and terrifying capacity to be moved by the world, to let something outside us stir deeply something within us. All great art — and only honest art can be great — is therefore the work of vulnerability and all integrity the function of fidelity to one’s fragilities.

That is what Bob Dylan (b. May 24, 1941) addresses with his penetrating poetics of insight in a 1977 conversation with Jonathan Cott — that uncommonly sensitive and erudite investigator of uncommon minds.

Image source;

https://www.newstatesman.com/culture/books/2021/06/double-life-bob-dylan-clinton-heylin-review?amp

Emotional tug a war

Copyright 2021 Rashmi Malapur

Fragile

Copyright 2021 Rashmi Malapur

Dost- Friend- yaar – humraaz

Friends brought a deeper meaning to my life-

they loved me for who I’m and of course, accepted that I’m mad and

I won’t compromise on my soul and calling !!

love them a lot and

I’m alive and survived because of them.

Thank you to all my friends!!

Happy friendship day!!

Source of image: https://happymothersdayquote.com/friendship-day-wishes-to-best-friend/

Stop it!!

Ive been reading this book by Alan Watts called, ‘Wisdom of Insecurity’. I quote a sentence from the book for reference.

“The hard-bitten kind of person is always, as it were, a partial suicide; some of himself is already dead”.

Alan Watts

I have come across tough people who have collapsed at some point of time. They become helpless and try hard to put an act of being tough.

Stop –

STOP Being so tough. Or rather putting an act of toughness.

STOP Searching for answers. Somethings are beautiful when left unanswered.

STOP – Masking – Unmask- start doing this, no matter how embarrassing it is. It benefits you and to hell with people who do not acknowledge.

STOP- being what you are not.

STOP being right all the time. Don’t struggle so hard to be right.

If you mask yourself too much, a time will surely come when you will be tired of this anti-thesis within you.

You will lose your own identity trying to confirm every time with the masked YOU.

No one is perfect, and I surely don’t want to be perfect.

Love your flaws!!

And something that I do subconsciously , laughing a lot without a reason. Well, what a blessing!! Keep laughing.

When I laugh a lot people think I’m insane and that I’m beautiful but brainless. I’m none, thank you very much!!

Rashmi Malapur

Maharani on SonyLIV

It’s a rare occasion when I feel like sharing my thoughts as a viewer of a film, or series since I’ve lost touch as a reviewer. Frankly I eagerly awaited the release of the web series ‘Maharani’ & began watching it as an admirer of Amit Sial’s @amit.sial work.

Undoubtedly he is fantastic in the role of an overconfident and impatient leader with his sophisticated, and restrained performance. His ability to change his body language based on his character and grasping the nuances of the character take root in his theatre background. I have watched his other performances as well. It’s a pleasure to watch his performances as his connect with the camera and audiences is strong.

Maharani is a tribute to each Indian who believes strongly in the Indian Constitution; it’s spirit and strength. They respect our Constitution immensely and consider it no less than a pious scripture. Our Constitution is a voice of hope and a voice of the Indian polity.

But politics overpowers our polity through populism and bare political ambitious where ideologies take a back seat.
The series shows a glimpse of Bihar politics and the role of the politicians, bureaucrats, spiritual gurus, naxalites, intellectuals and people as mere spectators. It’s clearly speaks about casteism and caste based politics, with the so called ‘rajnaitik daav pech’ and the ‘ayaraam gayaraam’ politicians.

Huma Qureshi @iamhumaq is another towering actress. The ease with which she performs is endearing. She doesn’t perform, she lives the characters. I saw her Malayalam film ‘White’ with Mammootty sir. She is intense. That’s the most befitting word for her. Needless she is extremely beautiful and with strong sensuality plus individuality.
Salute to Inaamulhaq for having played perfectly the role of an honest and daring government official. His casting is perfect and his execution of the role flawless.
Oh yes, Sohum Shah @shah_sohum has done wonders yet again. I loved him in Tumbbad and respect him for believing in such a unique project. It’s the best Hindi movie in recent times.
Kani Kusruti as Kaveri is adorable with her South Indian accent and touches you with her sincerity.
Gripping story written by Subhash Kapoor with lot of thought, holds your attention and builds suspense. Dialogues impact and excite the audiences. The direction by Karan Sharma is a lot more mature and natural. It gives time to each scene and actor to create a lasting impression. That’s the mark of a mature director.

Initially I did find it a casual watch but as the story built up I just couldn’t stop watching it.
Awaiting season 2 when Bheema babu is released from the prison and a different war awaits.
Thanks to the entire team and Sony LIV for creating a great watch!

© Copyright 2021 Rashmi Malapur All rights reserved

Pune International Film Festival- PIFF. Review: ‘The Empty Nest’.

Rapid urbanization in China has compelled young adults to live a lonely and solitary life. In Chinese “kongchao qingnian,” literally, “young emptynester” or empty nest youth is a harsh reality of China’s urban life.

Though the Chinese movie ‘The Empty Nest’ directed by Wei Zang is about an old woman who is an empty nester. It is a melancholic story based on the novel ‘THE EMPTY NEST’ by Xue Yiwei. The movie ends with hope and realization by the central character Zhao Yemie that life is about moving on and not about pondering over the sad moments.

Zhao Yemie is played by Zhu Xijuan, a superstar of 1960s in China

Image: Tom J. Cull (Twitter account)

Directed by

Zhang Wei

Cast

Zhu Xijuan

Zhang You

Zhou lives a lonely life in the city and is disillusioned with life. It’s tough for her to cope with her solitary life in old age. She suffers from urinary countenance and has a strained relationship with her son who keeps calling her. He tries to convince her to move in with him or move to a nursing home. Strained, dejected and lonely she feels hopeless. Zhou hardly steps out of her home and seems to be pushing her neighbours away and rarely trusts anyone.

But her life changes for good and Lei Xiaoding played by Zhang You who sells healthcare products enters her life to rekindle hope and optimism. Initially she distrusts him as well.

Though his caring and warm nature fills her life with joy. He gives her company and together they create some happy moments.

Lei is ambitious and wants to amass a huge fortune as quickly as possible. He cons Zhou who feels cheated and dejected.

The last 15 minutes of the movie are critical where the crux of the movie lies. Zho makes a choice to move on and realizes that she shouldn’t have pushed everyone away from her life.

While she was young her husband had betrayed her and she distanced herself from her son as well.

Actors are brilliant and seem to be living up to their character. Zhu Xijuan and Zang You are convincing. The scene where the old lady Zhao Yemie ties Lei Xiaoding to the chair and demands him to speak the truth is heart wrenching. Lei’s outburst and his pain v/s Zhao’s pain are juxtaposed.

Wei Zang’s direction doesn’t unnecessarily romanticize any scene. He has stuck to realistically picturizing the practicalities of living a lonely life.

Music composer Minami Nozaki’s music playing in the background in the last few moments of the movie express Zang’s emotional outpour.

The movie is simple yet profound, reflecting upon the effects of urbanization and loneliness it can drive people into. The race of achieving success, amassing wealth and the desire to make it big can drive youngsters to resort to dubious means ofcourse out of sheer desperation. It also reflects on the solitary life of empty nesters.

Reflections as a viewer and not a reviewer:

Moving on and enjoying the present moment is the crux of life. We might feel disillusioned about life, but it is just not the end. These moments of despair will end and happiness will revisit your life. But if you shut your heart to happiness you will sulk. So, move on.

© Copyright 2021 Rashmi Malapur All rights reserved

Pune International Film Festival- Review: ‘In the dusk.’

Image: Luxbox website http://www.luxboxfilms.com/

Directed by

Sharunas Bartas   

Written by:

Sharunas Bartas   

Ausra Giedraityte 

Cast:

Arvydas Dapsys as Jurgis Pliauga

Marius Povilas Elijas Martynenko as Unte

Alina Zaliukaite-Ramanauskiene as Elena Pliaugiene

Review:

It’s a lie that we crave for peace and contentment. Inherently we are happy with chaos, the struggle and revolution that brings a new order. We see conflict changing the present scenario and we like being in a dilemma. Do we strive for peace? If yes, then despite the painful experience of two world wars, why do we still witness attacks/ violence? Truth is just like the war; harsh and tough to accept.

Director Sharunas Bartas in the last 15 minutes of his movie ‘In the dusk’ numbs you; it captures the trauma and turmoil; pain people went through during and after the World War II. It is a movie about deceit and distrust.

The movie is set in 1948 in the Lithuanian countryside, where a detachment of Partisans is staying in a forest to resist the Soviet troops.

Unte (Marius Povilas Elijas Martynenko) is a witness to the harsh realities of the post war period while he becomes a member of the Partisan movement that resists the Soviets. He is innocent and views his father Pliauga (Arvydas Dapsys), political ideologies, and killings with raw, innocent eyes, which cannot be rejected as immature. Instead, he asks vital and critical questions. But doesn’t get to know the complete truth though he stays, probing more and ultimately drowns in silence, which is haunting.

The scenes have been crafted with restrained conversations though enough to reveal the realities of life in the post war period- blatant and harsh.

The slow pace of the movie doesn’t bother the audience much as the actors grip your attention with stark, raw expressions and direction, which is par excellence.

Image: Luxbox website http://www.luxboxfilms.com/

Pliauga is probed by his 19-year-old adopted son Unte about his life. Pliauga asks his son to be independent in his thoughts and use his own mind, not to be influenced by anyone or any ideology. Unte’s father reveals his past and Unte has nothing to say but being empathetic towards him.

Pliauga played by Arvydas Dapsys commands the screen with his tough, shrewd nature with a strong sense of self-belief. Scenes depicting the troubled relationship with his wife (Alina Zaliukaite-Ramanauskiene) are somber yet chilling. There is no denying that her limited presence on screen doesn’t stop her from creating a lasting impact on the audience’s mind.

The movie builds the background for the action at the end of the movie i.e., in the last half an hour. When the Soviets arrive asking for money from the already impoverished people living in the forest where the movie is set.

Unte has his questions and asks them to people with whom he manages to hit a conversation. He asks about where the money that the Soviets take from us is utilized? He gets a reply they are taking the money from those who have it and give it to the have nots. Bang comes the next question, “Do you believe them?” The reply is simple, “You have to believe someone.” Unte then asks if they believe in God to which the answer is, “They don’t believe in God.”

This conversation captures vital beliefs of Marxism in few words. Such significant dialogues and conversations make the movie realistic, and it refrains from romanticising war.

Soviets devastate lives of these few Lithuanians living in the farmland set in the forest. The scenes of Soviets killing anyone who oppose or question them are brutal. Infact the Soviets are troubled by their sense of insecurity, distrust, deceit and compels us to ask if the desperation was all worth it?

When Pliauga is probed at the end he stays undeterred and unapologetic. His expressions and reaction to the torture, shake you. The violence at the end numbs the audience. As the movie advances the audience has no clue that the melancholic mood throughout the movie will lead to a brutal end.  

The silence (the subtle tension) throughout the movie ends with a haunting scream. The scenes set in the harsh forest, depiction of the lifestyle, the use of light by cinematographer Eitvydas Doskus costumes designed by Nina Moravcova are brilliant.

The music (composed by Gabriele Dikciute and Jakub Rataj) is melancholic matching with the somber, cold mood of the movie. There is no unnecessary romanticising of the war making the characters heroic.

Truth has a shrill voice. In this movie it comes forth in the form of restrained words and lingering silence.

Reflections:

How beautifully we lie and mask ourselves. Humans love the feeling of triumph and victory. We are constantly in search of this feeling. So, we first start inflicting pain on ourselves and others, pose challenges in our lives and society that lead to wars. War benefits no one yet we are at war with ourselves and others. Countries are at war as human beings we are at war with ourselves. There is always a dilemma and anti-thesis in our lives no matter how much we would love to mask it.

© Copyright 2021 Rashmi Malapur All rights reserved

Genom parken. / Through the park.

Lovely Yolanda!! Visit her site and do follow her!!

Yolanda and her creative scream

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Fåtölj-vy / Armchair view

Check out these pictures guys. I love them all!! Yolanda!!

Yolanda and her creative scream

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Mary Oliver and Life (1)

words and music and stories

Mary Oliver (10 September 1935 –2019) was an American poet who won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1984 and The National Book Award for poetry in 1992.
Her poems are meditations on nature, spirituality and the human experience in a straightforward language that makes poetry “look easy.” However, if this gift appealed to the public, it attracted the derision of those who consider poetry as a more intellectual practice, consisting of layered allusions and complex symbolism.
In a 2012 interview the poet dismissed such erudite concerns, maintaining that “poetry, to be understood, must be clear” rather than “fancy.”

Here’s how she talks about life in a passage from her poem “Sometimes”, belonging to the collection “Red Bird” published by Beacon Press, 2008.

§ 4

Instructions for living a life:
Pay attention.
Be astonished.
Tell about it.

Mary Oliver (10 settembre 1935 –2019) è una poetessa…

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