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Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Review: Broken Nest and Other Stories by Rabindranath Tagore
Madhabi Mukherjee in and as Charulata. The film directed by Satyajit Ray was based on Broken Nest by Rabindranath Tagore. (HT Archive) Broken Nest and Other Stories is a collection of three short stories and a novella by Rabindranath Tagore. Capturing the lyricism of the Nobel Laureate's prose, poet and writer Sharmistha Mohanty translated the stories, The Ghat's Tale, Notebook and Postmaster, and the novella, Broken Nest, from the Bengali, and Westland has presented the works in a volume with an exquisite red and white cover. 'For me the light of day and the shadows of night are cast daily upon the Ganga, and are every day wiped away- they never leave an impression. So, even though I look old, my heart is forever young. The algae of years of memories has not covered me so as to keep out the rays of the sun. Sometimes, by chance an algae floats in and clings to my sides, then it is once again carried away by the waves. But I cannot say there is nothing that has stayed. Where the waves of the Ganga do not reach, there, in my crevices, have sprung up creepers and weeds and moss; they are witnesses to my past, it is they who have held the past in their loving embrace and kept it forever green and tender, forever new. The Ganga recedes from me every day, step by step, and I too, step by step, grow older', narrates the ghat in The Ghat's Tale. 152pp, ₹299; Westland I hold on to each sentence as I feel my heart swell at the recreation of the beauty of the Bengal ghat. The rhythm of Tagore's prose takes me to the landscapes I know well – that of Bihar, where too life springs around the banks of water bodies, the ghats. The rituals of birth, everyday life, marriage, and death conclude there. Through it all, the ghat becomes a witness, wise in years. The Ghat's Tale is the story of a child bride who once played there and has now returned to the ghat of her childhood as a young widow. Speaking of the girl's displacement when she had to leave her home for her husband's, the ghat states, 'Someone had taken away the lotus from the water to plant it on land.' Tagore wrote about women being abandoned by love, by their families, and by society. He wrote about abhagini women, those who were abandoned by fate. One such story is that of Charulata in Broken Nest, which inspired Satyajit Ray's famous eponymous film. Through Charulata's experiences, Tagore wrote about the loneliness of married women. When Charu's husband's cousin, Amal, comes to live with them, she is initially annoyed by his demands. Yet, for the first time, she feels like someone needs her and she can't help being attracted to him. Tagore is possibly at his best in this story; what is left unsaid leaps out at the reader. Through shared moments in which they write and talk, Charu and Amal experience a togetherness that is lacking in her marriage. Small acts of companionship fill her life, and she finds herself looking forward to encounters with Amal. For the first time, she experiences jealousy as she fights with another woman, Mandakini (who is married to another man), for Amal. Tagore's minor characters, such as the married Manda, who too is charmed by the attention Amal pays her, further develop the theme of the isolation of married women in Broken Nest. Charulata's husband Bhupati is not particularly interested in literature. However, he pays his respects as a patron. 'Firstly, I don't read, over and above that if I don't even buy books I will be committing a sin which I will never be able to atone for,' he says. Touched by sorrow, he turns to poetry for the first time in his life. He wants to work on his writing so he can be a writing companion to Charu and help her write more. After Amal leaves, Bhupati senses her sadness though he cannot understand why she is sad. In an attempt to comfort her, he decides to translate Tennyson's poetry into Bengali and read it out to her. In Postmaster, a young orphan girl, Ratan, comes to care deeply for her employer, the postmaster. He arrives in the village of Ulapur for work but decides to return to Calcutta. Ratan asks him to take her with him but he laughs it off as impossible. However, once on the boat to Calcutta, he begins to regret his decision. 'When he got on the boat and the boat has set sail, and the rain swollen river appeared to be brimming on all sides like the earth's gathered tears, then the postmaster felt a great ache in his heart- the picture of an insignificant little village girl's sad face seemed to express an enormous, world encompassing, unarticulated pain. Suddenly he felt a strong desire. 'Let me go back, let me take that world abandoned orphan with me'- but the sails had caught the wind, the monsoon current was flowing swiftly, the village had been left behind and the cremation ghats could be seen on the river banks- and in the wistful heart of the traveller being borne away on the river there arose this philosophy, there are so many separations in life, so many deaths, what is the point of returning? Who belongs to whom in this world?' Rabindranath Tagore (HT Archive) But no philosophy arose in Ratan's mind. She only kept circling the building of the post office with tears in her eyes. Perhaps there was a faint hope entering her heart, maybe Dadababu will come back- caught in that hope she could not go far away from here.' The postmaster moves away from Ratan, abandoning her. Once again, water, an element important in the landscape of Bengal, plays a great role in the story. It forever separates Ratan and the postmaster. Her helplessness becomes acute as she is physically unable to move away due to delusion and hope. In the preface, translator Sharmistha Mohanty writes about women written by Tagore: 'These are women of unbearable dignity, forced into a suffering to which they are almost always equal, and the only travelling they do is towards an acceptance of stasis within which they must live.' Compassionate and meditative, Broken Nest and Other Stories exemplifies Tagore at his finest. As always, in prose rich with lyricism, the great polymath explores the depth of the human experience. Sharmistha Jha is an independent writer and editor.
Time Out
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Catch classic movies under the greenhouse canopy at SAMA Garden
It's not quite the end of summer, but the heat has slackened just enough to entertain the idea of sitting outside – not to sweat, but to settle in. On August 1-3, SAMA Garden offers a three-night escape from the indoors, swapping streaming queues for open-air screens beneath a gently lit dome and a canopy of leaves. What's on offer is less about spectacle and more about atmosphere. A garden cinema, framed by soft lights and easy company, where you're welcome to bring a date, a friend or even your dog (they've thought of everything – there's a pet-friendly zone with ample space for snoots and tails). Each ticket, priced at B550, includes a film, a snack-and-drink bundle and access to what may be the most indulgent detail of the evening – a complimentary 15-minute massage, courtesy of Divana, available only for those who register via Line@SAMA Garden at least a day before. The screening schedule leans into comfort. No high-stakes thrillers, no sudden death. Just gently plotted narratives, a bit of romance, a touch of nostalgia and the occasional tear. Film schedule Friday August 1, 6:30pm - The Intern Ben, a retired widower full of life, signs up as a senior intern at a booming fashion startup founded by the ambitious Jules. He's not just there to learn the ropes, but soon becomes a quiet force of wisdom and warmth for everyone around him. Saturday August 2, 5:30pm - 10 Things I Hate About You Kat is a beautiful and intelligent girl, which means that not many men are interested in her. Unfortunately, her younger sister, Bianca, is forbidden from having a boyfriend before her. Therefore, a little plan is needed to help the older sister experience love for the first time. The path of Kat and the handsome young man Patrick finally crosses, but the question is, will she open her heart to him? Saturday August 2, 8.40pm - Cast Away Chuck, a fast-paced executive, finds himself stranded on a deserted island after a plane crash. In solitude, with only a volleyball for company, he battles the rawest forces of nature – and his own mind. Sunday August 3, 7:30pm - Wonder Auggie, a boy born with facial differences, steps into school for the very first time. In a world full of stares and whispers, he navigates challenges, makes unexpected friendships, and teaches everyone around him a powerful lesson in compassion. Sunday August 3, 8:40pm - The Notebook Noah and Allie fall in love during the summer, but their romance is hindered by Allie's parents due to their different social status. At the same time, Noah has to serve in World War II. Afterward, Allie meets Hammond Jr., a wealthy young man, and she prepares to marry him. Will fate bring them back together?
Time of India
04-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Railway Board considering Attipattu–Gummidipoondi line expansion proposal
CHENNAI: After over a year's wait, the Railway Board is finally considering Southern Railway 's Rs 365.42crore proposal to construct third and fourth lines between Attipattu and Gummidipoondi -- a 22.52 km stretch that forms part of the high-density Delhi–Chennai route and the Chennai– Visakhapatnam and Chennai–Bengaluru industrial corridors. The proposal, submitted under the national umbrella for multi-tracking and bypass lines to ease congestion, has received endorsements from key railway departments. The railway ministry's formal approval is now awaited. Once cleared, the project is expected to boost capacity, cut train detention time and generate an additional 8.71 million tonnes per annum of freight traffic. Financial and economic returns are pegged at 15.84% and 28.88%, respectively. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai The stretch is already operating at full capacity, with utilisation projected to reach 107% by 2027–28. Southern Railway has completed the final location survey, and the alignment is free of major land acquisition issues. But for residents and regular commuters in Gummidipoondi and Northern Chennai, the relief has been a long time coming. 'This is not a new demand. The proposal has been gathering dust for over a year,' said Suresh, a Gummidipoondi resident and advocate. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Đường Phan Văn Hớn: Nhà tiền chế lắp đặt chỉ trong 1 ngày (Xem thêm) Nomad's Notebook Nhấp vào đây Undo 'This delay has disrupted commute, freight flow, and our region's economic momentum.' The corridor serves hundreds of suburban and freight trains daily and directly connects to Ennore and Kamarajar ports, SIPCOT Industrial Park and North Chennai thermal plants. With suburban services recently upgraded from nine-car to 12-car EMUs, passenger volume has also surged.
India Today
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Sonakshi Sinha shares the funny reason behind her pregnancy rumours
Sonakshi Sinha recently shared a humorous peek into her personal life, addressing ongoing pregnancy rumours with a light-hearted twist. On July 4, the actor posted a screenshot of a WhatsApp conversation with her husband, Zaheer Iqbal, giving fans a witty take on the speculation surrounding chat begins with Zaheer asking, 'Hungry?' to which Sonakshi cheekily responds, 'Not at all,' followed by 'Stop feeding me.' The banter continues with Zaheer teasing, 'I thought holiday had started,' prompting Sonakshi's sharp retort, 'I literally just ate dinner in front of you, stop it.' The sweet exchange wraps up with, 'I love you,' and 'I love you more.'advertisementAdding to the playful tone, Sonakshi captioned the screenshot: 'The reason why everyone thinks I'm preggos. Stop it @iamzahero.' Her post struck a chord online, using humour to address the swirling rumours in her own unique way. Take a look at the chat here: Instagram/Sonakshi Sinha On June 23, 2024, Sonakshi and Zaheer got married in an intimate civil ceremony at her Bandra residence in Mumbai. The low-key celebration was attended by close friends and the ceremony, the couple hosted a celebratory reception at Bastian restaurant in Mumbai, where they shared their joy with loved ones. The two reportedly met at a party hosted by Salman Khan, which marked the beginning of their made his acting debut in Salman Khan's home production, 'Notebook', and later appeared alongside Sonakshi in 'Double XL', which also starred Huma Qureshi. The couple also featured in the music video 'Blockbuster'.As for Sonakshi Sinha, she is currently promoting her upcoming film 'Nikita Roy', which is set to release on July 18. The film is directed by her brother, Kussh S Sinha, and also features Arjun Rampal and Paresh Rawal in important roles.- EndsMust Watch
Daily Mirror
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Peter Andre issues sad warning to daughter Princess on milestone birthday
Peter Andre tells daughter Princess to be 'careful in this crazy world' as he pays tribute to her to mark her milestone 18th birthday with heartfelt Instagram post Peter Andre paid tribute to his daughter Princess with a gushing post on social media to celebrate her 18th birthday. Taking to Instagram, it was clear the Mysterious Girl singer, 52, was choking on his words as he ended his heartfelt message with a sad warning, as he told her to be "careful" in this "crazy world." Princess is the daughter of glamour model Katie Price and Peter and the former couple also share a son named Junior Andre. Peter wrote: "Not enough words. So much love. My little girl is no longer a little girl. Keep being you. Kind, funny, sensitive, considerate and a bit bonkers….. oh, and a diva." He added: "But a diva full of heart. I know I tell you everyday but I'll say it again. I love you so much." The singer continued: "Happy 18th beautiful and please stay happy. But be careful in this crazy world. Im always here. Always. Dad @princess_andre." During an interview with Notebook magazine ahead of her milestone birthday, Princess revealed that she was not planning a raucous party to celebrate as she is not a big drinker. She said: "I'm not really a big drinker or a big party-goer, but it'll be nice to be able to go to pubs and stuff with my friends." She added: "I'm not the sort of person who'd embarrass myself. I'll never put myself in a position that would make me look bad." While it was clear to fans that Peter was struggling to come to terms with his daughter becoming an adult, it seems Princess is also aware too. In her chat, she went on to say: "He's so proud and so supportive, but I think it's hard to see your kid get older." Princess was treated to a brand new car to celebrate her birthday and passing her driving test. But when she took him out in the car for the first time, it seems the experience was too emotional for him to handle. Princess said: "He was the first person I took for a drive in the new car. We were listening to music and suddenly I heard him sobbing. 'I was like, 'Are you OK?' And he admitted it was weird for him to see me grow up." Unfortunately for the aspiring singer who plans to follow in her father's footsteps, her birthday was marred with a bit of upset following her recent split from her boyfriend. Speaking about the break-up she said: "I'm feeling good. I've always kept my personal life personal, so I don't talk too much about it, but now is the time to focus on me."
