Latest news with #Confessions
The Wire
3 days ago
- General
- The Wire
An Account of 19th-Century Western India in Narmadashankar Dave's Autobiography
Menu हिंदी తెలుగు اردو Home Politics Economy World Security Law Science Society Culture Editor's Pick Opinion Support independent journalism. Donate Now books An Account of 19th-Century Western India in Narmadashankar Dave's Autobiography Digvijay Nikam 6 minutes ago Originally titled 'Mari Hakikat', Narmad's autobiography was written in 1866 and is often considered the first autobiography written in Gujarati. A new English translation provides a riveting portrait of 19th-century western India. Narmadashankar Dave. Photo: Public domain Real journalism holds power accountable Since 2015, The Wire has done just that. But we can continue only with your support. Contribute now The 18th-century philosopher and writer Jean-Jacques Rousseau, knowing that he is no monarch nor an aristocrat nor saint, begins his pioneering autobiographical account Confessions with an announcement: 'I have resolved on an enterprise which has no precedent.' With a new class of the public beginning to narrativise itself, providing a satisfying rationale for its existence became a staple of the modern autobiography. In 19th century western India, Narmadashankar Dave's equally seminal autobiography begins with a hesitation: 'That someone like me should write his own account and then publish it during his lifetime may seem inappropriate to others – I am neither pandit, nor warrior, nor religious leader, nor dhoti-clad merchant-prince.' To exonerate himself of any charges of vanity, Narmad already has a list of objectives in place for his book – but like Rousseau, his first objective is: 'It is not a practice to write about oneself. I want to start this practice.' Originally titled Mari Hakikat, Narmad's autobiography – an account of the first 33 years of his life – was written in 1866 and is often considered the first autobiography written in Gujarati. Though, given his wish, the first complete edition of the book was not published until 1933, almost five decades after his death. Abhijit Kothari's excellent translation of the book published under the 'Chronicles' series of non-fiction translations by the Ashoka Centre for Translation and Penguin breathes new life into this portrait of a 19th-century intellectual from Gujarat. The making of an intellectual in 19th-century western India Born in 1833 in Surat, Narmad belonged to a Nagar Brahmin family. Over his lifetime he donned many hats including that of a poet, essayist, literary critic, reformer, lexicographer and historian. In the popular public imagination, he is celebrated as 'Kavi Narmad' for having written Jay Jay Garvi Gujarat (Hail to Thee, Glorious Gujarat), a poem delineating the sacred geography of Gujarat. The poem is now used as the state's anthem. On the other hand, for the Gujarati literary community, he is seen as the architect of modern Gujarati literature, not only for his remarkable role in shaping modern Gujarati language but also for enriching Gujarati prose by introducing genres like the essay and autobiography. My Truth is then a critical account for understanding how such a figure comes into being. Narmadashankar Dave, translated by Abhijit Kothari My Truth Penguin Random House India and Ashoka Centre for Translation, 2025 Narmad writes the book in the form of notes. Each chapter, which he calls a ' Viram ' (halt), consists of a series of notes that read like diary entries. Often, they do not follow a narrative logic. Surprisingly, the first 'Viram' gives an extensive account of his Nagar Brahminical lineage which Narmad argues is not to assert any pride but to educate his fellow caste members who are often ignorant of the community's history. A large part of the book following this is dedicated to Narmad's life in the education system both as a student and a teacher. In his introduction to the book, Kothari notes two important developments of 19th-century western India that constitute the intellectual environment for Narmad. The first is the advent of a new system of education that brought together vernacular and English language teaching. The second is the proliferation of a vernacular print culture with newspapers, periodicals, magazines and books, especially school textbooks, getting produced in Gujarati and finding circulation within an emerging reading culture consisting primarily of upper-caste Gujarati Brahmins and Parsi elites. Narmad's autobiography in many ways provides a window to the everyday life of this world of vernacular print culture. We come to know about issues of Buddhiprakash being read in his house or him submitting material to Rast Goftar and Samsherbahadur or controversies like the Maharaj Libel Case unfolding in the local newspapers. Unmaking the 'myth' of Narmad In public discourse, historical figures like Narmad are quickly turned into larger-than-life characters (novelist Saroj Pathak once called Narmad 'divine'). However, My Truth is a record that undoes the myth of Narmad. We learn about his nightmares as a superstitious child, his financial difficulties, his anxieties that drive him to be a poet, his failures but also his contradictions. For instance, the well-known episode of Narmad's turn to writing when he quit his job at Elphinstone School declaring: 'I came home and with tearful eyes, looked at my pen and said, 'Henceforth, I seek refuge in your lap.'' is preceded by a long period of depression at the death of his first wife and child. In another chapter we learn that the reformer Narmad who regularly writes and speaks about avoiding adultery and intoxicants is himself not distant from these practices. The honesty in revealing these details to the public provides a blueprint for later figures like Gandhi who also interestingly titled his autobiography My Experiments with Truth. One of the most engaging sections of the book is where we encounter Narmad's constant banters with his senior contemporary, the poet Dalpatram. On one hand, their difficult relationship is a reflection of the transformations underway in Gujarati poetry and its modes of patronage; and on the other, it is a story of aspiration and envy between two generations of writers. It is here that we witness Kothari's strength as a translator. He retains the simplicity and the informal quality of Narmad's prose. As readers we soon get used to the rhythm of the autobiography despite its absence of a narrative form. Yet it is essential to remember that My Truth is only a partial account of Narmad's life which was to take severe turns going forward. The reader would not know that the reformer (or ' sudharak ' as they say in Gujarati) who had advocated for a 'radical' transformation of Hindu society through 'reason' and 'justice' was to turn conservative by the end of his life, becoming an enthusiast of traditional caste and religious practices. For that we would need another translation, perhaps from Kothari – that of the Uttar Narmad Charitra, a compilation of Narmad's letters and notes from the last two decades of his life that was done by Natwarlal Desai in 1939. But that can wait. For now, we can immerse ourselves in this riveting portrait of 19th-century western India that Kothari's translation has made possible. Digvijay Nikam is a PhD student at the Centre for English Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University. His work deals with modernist print culture from western India. Make a contribution to Independent Journalism Related News Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o: The Kenyan Icon Who Wrote For Freedom Till the Very End 'More Important Than Ever to Speak Truth to Power': Stephen Sackur on BBC Exit and His New Book Their Shrines Demolished, Muslims in Gujarat's Gir Somnath Have Nowhere to Look for Hope Entries Invited For Third Edition of Rainbow Awards for Literature and Journalism Leaders' Silence Questioned After Gujarat Dalit Man Allegedly Killed Over Addressing Teen as 'Beta' The Politics of 'Heart Lamp' Is Profound, Urgent and Reflects the Lived Reality of Millions Interview | Tracing Maithili Writer Shivashankar Shrinivas's Literary Journey The Gujarat Evictions and the Weaponisation of National Security 'Gujarat Samachar' Co-Owner Bahubali Shah's Arrest and Bail: Here's What Happened View in Desktop Mode About Us Contact Us Support Us © Copyright. All Rights Reserved.
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
James Martin opens up about what he really cooks at home in rare insight
James Martin was joined by singer Louise Redknapp on his ITV show this morning, with the star asking the chef if he really cooks a feast every night Celebrity chef James Martin has given fans a glimpse into his personal culinary habits, revealing that even when he's off the telly, he still enjoys whipping up a meal for himself. While chatting with guest Louise Redknapp on James Martin's Saturday Morning, the conversation turned to what the famous chef cooks when he's not dazzling viewers with his skills on ITV. In today's episode, James was seen preparing an exquisite blackened cod, which had been marinated in miso, sake, and mirin for three days. The dish, featuring the fish roasted over coals accompanied by barbecue leeks and grilled broccolini, certainly tantalised taste buds. Louise, who appeared on the show to promote her new solo album Confessions, was curious about James's dining habits, asking him: "Do you cook dinner for yourself every night? Like, if you're just home alone do you still cook something..." "Absolutely!" James chimed in, confirming his passion for cooking doesn't wane even when the cameras are off. The conversation took a light-hearted turn as Louise confessed to having cereal for dinner the previous night, prompting James to offer: "So hopefully I'm going to cook for you some nice food." Acknowledging the complexity of the day's recipe, James conceded: "I don't cook like this every night. But if you can just cook a nice bit of fish, just pan fry it..." He then drew a parallel between their professions, jokingly asking Louise: "But yeah it's my job! You must sing in the kitchen don't you as you go along?" "I do, actually!" she admitted, which resulted in laughter and James concluding: "There you go! Similar sort of thing." James has previously shared insights into the more 'normal' meals he enjoys preparing on his weekend show, reports the Express. During his show last year, TV chef James Martin revealed some of the dishes he cooks on a typical day at home, starting with: "What do I cook on a regular day at home? Roast chicken. Easy." He elaborated on his culinary routine, saying: "An hour and a quarter in the oven with some nice veg - green beans from the garden, tomatoes from the greenhouse." Expanding on his approach to everyday cooking versus entertaining, James said: "As a chef, it's a funny one; if you're cooking for people at home, yes, you go and do your thing and get into the 'process'." For fuss-free daily meals, James prefers uncomplicated yet tasty options, stating: "But if it's just for everyday meals, most of us go for things like that - something simple but delicious; steak frites, or steak and a jacket potato, or a simple pasta, are my favourites." Regarding pasta, James shared his affection for simplicity, adding: "Just a couple of tins of tomatoes, with garlic and basil, and cook for 30 minutes with some good olive oil. Cooking it for a good time makes the difference." Today, James welcomed guests including singer Louise, chefs Francesco Mazzei and Tom Shepherd, and forager Alysia Vasey to his popular morning programme. The episode also treated viewers to sumptuous meals such as flatbread topped with blue cheese and nettle pesto, and an appetising asparagus tart featuring shallots, cheddar, and a golden shortcrust pastry. Completing the lineup of delectable dishes was James' own creation of lamb chops served with purple sprouting broccoli and a flavoursome harissa dressing. James Martin's Saturday Morning airs from 9.30am on ITV1 and ITVX.
Sky News AU
6 days ago
- Business
- Sky News AU
'A wrap': The telltale sign Meghan Markle's podcast Confessions of a Female Founder is over after eight episodes
Meghan Markle's podcast Confessions of a Female Founder has wrapped up after just eight episodes with no announcement to indicate if the series will ever return to the airwaves. Markle, 43, launched Confessions of a Female Founder in April as a weekly series in which the ex-working royal chats to high-profile businesswomen. The Duchess of Sussex spoke to the likes of Bumble's Whitney Wolfe Herd, Cassandra Thurswell of Kitsch and IT Cosmetics' Jamie Kern Lima for the project. Markle also used the podcast as platform to interview the heads of companies she has a financial stake in, including Clevr Blends' Hannah Mendoza and Kadi Lee of Highbrow Hippie. Sara Blakely, the founder of Spanx was the guest on the eighth and final episode, in which Markle opened up about her 'guilt' over having money. "I think so many women especially, we're taught to not even talk about money, and there's lots of guilt mentality surrounding having a lot,' Markle mused. The podcast is Markle's second attempt at the audio medium after her old employer Spotify canned Archetypes and sacked her and her husband Prince Harry two years ago. Confessions was much maligned by critics, while the series completely disappeared from the Spotify charts just weeks after its debut. On Tuesday, the curtain came down for the 'first season' of the podcast, with Markle signing off and appearing to leave the future of the project in the dark. "Well, that's a wrap," Markle announced at the end of the episode. "Thanks for your support as you heard my story, little bits of it.' And with that, Markle's second foray into podcasting appeared to be over after eight weeks and about seven hours worth of audio content. The series was produced under boutique producer Lemonada media, reportedly for a tiny fraction of the old Spotify deal, and it is unclear if Markle has pocketed anything from the series at all. The release of the final episode of Markle's series coincided with a new feature on the Duchess of Sussex published by business outlet Fast Company. The article reads as a glowing testimonial on Markle's many erstwhile projects, with lines that appear to be pasted in straight from an email chain with the Sussexes' PR team. 'There's interest in doing a second season of Confessions of a Female Founder, and many female founders have approached her to be a guest on the series,' the article said. 'But Meghan is now involved in such a wide range of projects, she's sure to find some way to tell her story.'
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
This Morning fans swoon over 'beautiful' Louise Redknapp - but are distracted by host's Rochelle Humes' unusual habit
This Morning fans swooned over 'beautiful' Louise Redknapp on Wednesday's episode of the ITV show - but were distracted by host's Rochelle Humes ' unusual habit. The 50 year old - who was part of R&B group Eternal in the 90s - took to the sofa to chat to Rochelle, 36, and Craig Doyle, 54, about her new album Confessions. The singer looked incredible in a black blouse, khaki trousers and black heels. Many rushed to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their thoughts on how amazing she looked. One wrote: 'Louise looking beautiful on #ThisMorning #confessions.' 'Gilf #thismorning.' From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. '#ThisMorning Louise and Rochelle,' with a smile, love smile and heart emoji. However while watching some were left puzzled by The Saturdays star Rochelle. One pointed out on social media: 'Rochelle watching herself again on the camera #ThisMorning.' Another questioned before the segment: 'Is Rochelle looking behind Craig to see herself on a monitor?' 'Rochelle STOP looking at yourself on the studio monitor.' It comes after Louise was all smiles as she stepped out of the ITV studios with her boyfriend Drew Michael on Sunday. The pair looked very loved up as they left the studio after she appeared on Tim Lovejoy and Simon Rimmer's chat show, Sunday Brunch. Just days before Louise revealed if there are wedding bells on the horizon with her younger boyfriend. Many rushed to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share how amazing Louise looked - as well as Rochelle's habit The pair have been dating since October 2023. Louise told The Sun: 'Drew's great. We're having a lovely time together. ' 'It took me a long time to get to that place and be open about anything. 'I was very guarded and scared. 'But I'm really enjoying having special times with someone. He's a great guy and super-kind.' Asked if there are wedding bells on the horizon she added: 'Oh, I'm not even thinking that far ahead. 'I'm not even going there. 'I just want to be proud of this and I want to really enjoy it. I've met a really great guy and I'm really happy. 'But you never know what the future holds.' Louise split from her ex husband Jamie Redknapp in 2017. The pair tied the knot in 1998 and share two sons Charlie, 20, and William, 16.
USA Today
19-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Thank goodness you're not a Maple Leafs fan
Thank goodness you're not a Maple Leafs fan Good morning, Winners! This is For The Win's daily newsletter, The Morning Win. Did a friend recommend or forward this to you? If so, subscribe here. Here's Mike Sykes. As a Wizards fan, it's very rare for me to find someone on the sports misery index who I truly believe has it worse than me. The Wizards stink and have always stunk. They'll probably always stink, too, as last week's NBA Draft lottery has demonstrated to us. But I'm not going to lie to you. Leafs fans? Y'all might have me beat. The Toronto Maple Leafs lost another Game 7 on Sunday night to the Panthers. Not only did the Leafs lose, but they got destroyed 6-1. The game was over after that quick burst from Florida in the second period. Toronto didn't stand a chance. When I say Toronto didn't stand a chance, I don't mean against Florida. Ordinarily, those Maple Leafs could absolutely beat the Panthers. Instead, what Toronto didn't stand a chance against was history. The Leafs were always going to blow this game. There was waaaaaay too much stink involved all around for Toronto to get it done. This was a Game 7, man. The last time the Maple Leafs won a Game 7 was in 2004. Usher's "Confessions" was the No. 1 song on the Billboard 200. The Marvel Cinematic Universe didn't exist. Neither did your iPhone. Some of you reading this probably weren't even born. More than two decades have passed. Since then, the Leafs have lost six straight game 7s, including Sunday night's loss. At this point, it feels like we'll get a President's Trophy winner taking home the Stanley Cup again before we get a Leafs Game 7 win. At least this time, the loss was in the second round and not the first. That's progress! Fans should probably be thankful it was over quickly and not simply some agonizing heartbreaker of a game. LEAFS FANS ARE DONE: They threw beers and jerseys on the ice after the loss. Leafs fans, I don't really know what to tell you. My favorite team sucks, but at least I don't get the delusions of grandeur that come with playing in a Game 7. You always believe your squad has a chance because it's one game! Any team can win one game. But nah. Not your team. Your team is doomed, for whatever reason. I'm sorry. I feel for you. One day, this will end, as all sports curses do no matter how long they take. Unfortunately, today is not that day. Scottie is back on top Last year's PGA Championship was all about Scottie Scheffler's arrest at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville. He didn't win it, but the fact that he competed at all after being detained was just an unreal sequence of events. This year? Sheffler won it all. This PGA Championship win is his third major title and his first since his arrest last year. He got off a well-deserved Gronk-style hat spike after finishing up the tournament. For the first time in a long time, golf does seem to finally have that guy again. Not only did Scheffler win here, but he dominated. He won by five strokes. There was never a doubt that it'd be him in the end, even if the trophy did slip out of his hands at least once. I won't call him Tiger Woods or Jack Nicklaus just yet. But I will point out that, at 28 years old, Scheffler joins those two as the only three players in PGA history to win 15 PGA tour titles before 29 years old, per Golfweek. The trajectory that Scottie is on seems very clear at this point. We'll see how the rest of the summer goes for him. Really big rings The New York Liberty played their first game of the season against the Las Vegas Aces and absolutely dominated. Once again, New York looks like the best team in the WNBA. But less on that and more on these gaudy championship rings. SHEESH, guys. These are legitimately some of the best rings I've ever seen. How fun, New York. Quick hits: Drake blames Beiber ... Alex Caruso explains OKC's greatness ... and more — Drake is blaming Justin Beiber for the Maple Leafs' loss. We all know it was you, Drake. Charles Curtis has details. — Alex Caruso had a three-word response on why the Thunder were better than the Nuggets. Robert Zeglinski has more on that. — Here's Mary Clarke with 8 photos of Scottie Scheffler after his championship win. — Cousins in the Conference Finals! SGA vs. NAW is going to be fun. — Stick to football, Gronk. Charles Curtis has more on him whiffing on a Bill Belichick joke. — Aaron Gordon is making some valid points here with the NBA's playoff schedule. -Sykes ✌️
