Interview with an actor- nay, a doctor who dared to be an actor for a while....

The Malayalam short film titled "Acid" published on You Tube on March 13, 2019 is unique in a way.  Directed by  Dr Arjun Kartha, the think tank behind the project are all doctors.It highlights the problem of acid attack victims. 250 to 300  people are  attacked by acid in the country every year.  It was a surprise for me to learn that  the roles of the  main characters in the film are also  portrayed by doctors. They have  performed effortlessly like professional actors. In a short duration, not only does the film highlight the various dimensions of the problem but manages to maintain suspense ( the identity of the attacker is kept a secret) and interest of the viewers till the very end. This short flick already has a viewership of 10,498 and counting.

I got an opportunity to interview Dr Minu Surdas who played the role of Padmini Menon, the protagonist in the movie . Dr Minu is an ophthalmologist who did her MBBS from Thrissur Medical college and post graduate specialization from AIIMS, New Delhi. She is presently working at Nethra Eye care centre, Irinjalakuda, Thrissur Dist. I spoke to her when she was on a private visit to Bangalore recently. To secure her interview, the fact  that she is a cousin of my wife Jitha, helped quite a bit!

Rajeev Moothedath (RM): At the outset let me congratulate you and the entire team of doctors for collaborating on a wonderful, socially significant initiative! How did you come to be associated with the project?

Dr Minu Surdas (MS): A few doctors based out of Alapuzha in Kerala have been  contemplating for some time now  about  making a short film highlighting this menace. Although I live in Trissur, my name was suggested by Dr Sumesh of the Alapuzha team who is a friend. When prodded a couple of times, I agreed on the condition that shooting be done in the weekend so that there is less disruption in  my routine work. It is another matter that for accommodating various requirements we had to shoot on working days.

RM:  When amateurs get an acting opportunity, there is a tendency to be overtly dramatic and engage in overacting. I felt that you played your role quite naturally-  "Behaving" rather than "acting", as directors would say. How did you manage this?

MS:  In my heart, I knew and was clear that  I would play my role naturally. Director Dr Arjun Kartha also had the same approach. Further, I had been a big fan, right from childhood of the award winning Malayalam actor, Late Shobha who was known for her natural acting.

RM: The make up is very important for your character. How long did it take for putting on the make up and how many days of shooting did you do for this short film?

MS:  It took around two hours of make up to create the disfigured face. we did two days of full shooting in and around Thrissur. Later I went to Alapuzha for a day for completing the dubbing which was done in a studio there.

RM: Being a lady with a pretty face, did you feel uncomfortable and apprehensive about being seen on the screen with a disfigured face?

MS: Not at all. To tell you the truth, the make up helped me to feel free and act without inhibition. It felt as if it is not me, the doctor who is acting, but someone else.

RM: Tell us about your family:-

MS: My husband Dr Surdas. R. is a senior consultant Urologist and transplant surgeon at Mims Aster Hospital Calicut. I have two sons, Ram aged 12 and Bharath 10 years.

RM: One can see that the film has been well received on You tube and viewership is increasing by the day. would you be willing to act in future as well?

MS: Well. as you know all of us  are practitioners of another profession viz medicine. We associated with the project because of the social significance.Now that it has been well received, who knows, depending on the character on offer, I may look at it. 

RM: Thanks a lot Dr Minu. It was a pleasure interacting with you and understanding the challenges and nuances of treading on a new path.

MS:  Thank you. I enjoyed giving this interview as well.

Go ahead and watch the film - Emotions, pain and suspense has no language.... 

A brief  about the content of short film  for readers unfamiliar with Malayalam:

• ·         A person comes to his senior & says he wants to share a secret. This secret is revealed in the end
• ·         Girls visiting restaurant like the food , wants to meet chef/cook. Shocked to see they are all victims of acid attack.
• ·         Journalist visits house of “woman of the year” padmini menon to know more about her activities & motivation to work for rehabilitation of acid victims for over 10 years. She herself is an acid attack victim
• ·         In India the stigma is not on the attackers but on the victim which needs to change. Her foundation has a venture for photography and fashion ramp show to remove inhibitions about revealing one’s face in public- Aim to bring back colour, flamboyance & confidence to the soul. free eye surgery is arranged for victims at Shankar Netralaya chennai
• ·         During course of interview she informs of the relevant deterrent  sections : in 2008, Eighteenth Law commission  proposed section 326  and S 114 B. As per the 2013 amendment Act if an offender is caught he will get  minimum 10 years of imprisonment which can go up to life imprisonment and heavy fine.
• ·         Punishments: A man from Kottayam who attacked his wife with acid  when their two month baby was on her lap (Child lost its eyes) is presently in jail. Similarly, other cases from Cuttack, Mumbai  Delhi and Lucknow have all been punished.
• ·         In answer to question she reveals how she met her husband Hari , MD of an IT firm. She had initially rejected his offer of marriage as it could be out of sympathy. But his kindness during the trauma and reassurance helps her decide to marry him 

·    At this point of time, Padmini’s husband Hari  joins the interview. To the question "How is it that in your own case, you are still not able to trace the person who attacked you?" she says “ it is my fate”.

·   In the last part of film, the secret (identity) of   Padminii's attacker is revealed.

Glimpses from the Times Literary Fest Bangalore 2019- 3

In this third and final post on the Times Literary Fest Bangalore 2019, I am sharing the discussion that happened between Mr Devdutt Patnaik and Ms Shoba De on the subject "RAJNITI, RAJDHARMA AND THE GAME OF THRONES" The questions were posed by the latter. Here is a brief  profile of the two participants in the conversation:- 

Shobhaa De is a renowned journalist, columnist, social commentator, opinion-shaper and the best-selling author of more than 20 books. Her column in TOI named ‘Politically Incorrect’ is one of the most widely read columns in India.   

Devdutt Pattanaik is an “Author, Speaker, Illustrator, Mythologist”. He has written 30 books, his latest book being 'Ramayana Versus Mahabharata: My Playful Comparison'. He has also written 600 columns on relevance of mythology in modern time over the past 20 years. Some of his other books are 'Jaya', 'Sita', 'Business Sutra', 'My Gita', 'Girl who Chose and Boys who Fought', etc. 

Question :  How would you distinguish between "Rajneeti" and "Rajdharma" ?  

Answer:  In "Rajdharma", the duty is more important than the "Raj"(ruling) of the state. The duty of the administrator  is to help the helpless and remove anarchy (अराजकता). "Rajneeti" is more about winning elections. As between "Stage craft" and "State craft", in present times the former is thriving with everything having becoming theatrical.  

In the race of  "Winning" Vs" Being Right", the former has become the clear winner. The general  policy is "Everything is fair in love and war"  and that  "You become right if you win". It is about the winner taking all and applying the Matsya-nyaya (Law of the fish- the big fish has the right to eat the small ones). We celebrate successful people, not necessarily good people. 

Question: A good leader is said to be a good communicator. Our PM today speaks a lot, but not directly to the people?  

Answer: It is not a matter of just talking. The question is are we "talking to" or "talking at" people. Both the Shank( Proclamations and announcements) and the Chakra (Review)  of what we promised or set out to do are important. A good communicator also needs to engage in both-counselling and appreciation.  

Question: As a part of effective administration, there is an important need to travel  and get to know the needs and feelings of the people. Our PM does this a lot. Your comment?   

Answer: It is not the act of travelling itself that is important. The question to be asked is "Am I doing it for me or for you?" 

Question: India has had a great oral tradition of samwads and debates.The present generation of  people seem to be losing this art. They also seem to be uncomfortable taking instructions. Do political leaders need training in these aspects?   

Answer: I have conducted workshops for aspiring politicians. They are encouraged to speak out about their insecurities and feelings of not being respected. They are also told not to confuse 'Fear' with 'Respect'. Real leaders empower their followers instead of creating fear. 

Question: These days Rajneeti (politics) does not seem to be in the interest of general human good. It has more to do with 'Ahankar'(arrogance). Comment:   

Answer: Today, we have a situation of USA wanting "to be great again" at the cost of humanity or India wanting to be ahead at the cost of her neighbours. The family tends to become more important than the state. We have seen instances of this in our epics like Ramayana but have not learnt from them-  Rama who is more competent and suitable to rule the kingdom is banished to the forest by his father Dasaratha, due to family compulsions rather than the good of the people. 

Question: What sort of a leader is the need of the hour in India?- A Rama or a Krishna?  

Answer: What we need is a Ramakrishna having the qualities of both Rama and Krishna. The righteousness and fairness of a king like Rama and  a charioteer friend  like  Krishna, who can also play Holi with the ordinary folk and understand their needs and aspirations. 

Question: In the Mahabharata, at the end Arjuna has a breakdown seemingly smitten by Krishna?  

Answer: In the Gurukuls, the disciples adored the Guru. They loved him and listened to him but did not necessarily understand him. similarly, the words of Krishna helped Arjuna to tide over the situation of remorse and do his duty. Yet the teachings were too huge for him to retain and utilize effectively for a life time. 

Question: How do you see the strong polarization on religious lines these days? 

Answer: I see this as a reaction to incorrect implementation of secularism. Religion cannot be rejected. Denial of religion has resulted in its coming back in it's worst form. This too shall pass.

Question: What is the distinction between "Hindutva" and "Hinduism"? 

Answer: Hindutva is more about the 'samprataya' (concept-practice) which is a part of the big umbrella of 'Hinduism'. The ultimate aim is 'Atmagyan' ( Understanding self). Yet, one cannot understand self without understanding others.  

Another session at the Times Literary Fest, that I briefly attended was titled "Rethinking Pornography" and the participants were Ms SreeMoyee Piukundu (Dubbed the Queen of Indian Erotica, her latest book is a compilation of her own journey as a 40-year-old single woman interspersed with interviews of 3000 others, including disabled women and those belonging to the LGBTQ community) and Ms Richa Kaul Padte (the author of Cyber Sexy, a book on rethinking pornography publishing by Penguin Random House India) . The discussion was moderated by Mr Aditya Gautam  ( Author of Pornistan: How to Survive the Porn Epidemic in India).  

One would have thought that the subject would invoke interesting insights into why  a rethinking is necessary in respect of the way society looks at  pornography. How this change in perception will benefit society in general and children in particular?  Why the panelists believe that sexual freedom of both male and female is the need of the hour? In their opinion has the institution of marriage served its time and is no longer relevant in the present times? If so what is the alternative to it?

 Sadly, fifteen to twenty minutes into the discussion (on a topic one would have thought  very interesting)) . it became progressively dull with the panelists less interested in discussing issues I mentioned above. They were  reeling out statistics of the number of women in small towns and mini cities who have now become bold and are willing to satisfy their sexual needs and fantasies. This has been made possible by the huge opportunities and anonymity that the social media has provided.

According to the panelists, today many women even in  B / C class cities, cutting across  age groups order sex toys (object or device used for sexual stimulation or to enhance sexual pleasure)   on the internet. They gave out statistics and other details which I am unable to share with readers as I did not note them down.

The audience consisted of  predominantly the younger generation. After some time, I noticed a few young couples leave the venue. I had been feeling distracted and uninterested for some time. I took the cue and using the opportunity, quietly left the place of discussion midway. It would be fair to say that many of the things that I wished to be discussed, may have come up much later in the interaction.

Yes, it may well have. But if you have gone for a movie, the onus is on the director to retain the interest of the audience right from  the first half hour so that the full movie is watched.  I feel that if the moderator had been an older person the subject could have been directed by him/her in a more purposeful and useful manner  such as the impact of the changes in sexual freedom on society ( positive & negative) and the way forward.

In this post, I have discussed two subjects that are so very different from one another. But then that was precisely the USP of the Times Literary Fest. that will be remembered for the sheer variety of its deliberations.

    

Glimpses from the Times Literary Fest Bangalore 2019- 2

In the second blog on the Times Literary Fest organized in Bangalore in February, I would like to share about the discussion that happened on the subject " Money Matters- Then and Now". It was initiated and moderated by Mr Ravi Subramaniam renowned banker and author. The participants were Mr Gurcharan Das, Economist & author and Dr Radhakrishnan Pillai, author of a series of books on Chanakya Nithi. Before we start, a brief about each of the three eminent personalities:-

Ravi Subramanian is India's numero uno thriller writer, having written seven bestselling books. An alumnus of Indian Institute of Management (Bangalore), he is currently head of a leading financial institution. A career banker and financial services professional, Ravi has worked with various multinational banks (Citibank, ANZ Grindlays Bank and HSBC) for over eighteen years.

Gurcharan Das is a renowned author, commentator, and public intellectual. His last book, 'India Grows at Night' was on the FT’s best books for 2013. He is general editor for Penguin’s multi-volume ‘Story of Indian Business.’ He studied philosophy at Harvard University and was CEO, Procter & Gamble India before he became a full time writer. 

Radhakrishnan Pillai is the bestselling author of Inside Chanakya's Mind, and Chatur Chanakya and The Himalayan Problem. He has researched Kautilya's Arthashastra extensively and has a Master's degree in Sanskrit. he is a well-known management speaker, trainer, author and consultant.

Question:  What has been India's approach to taxation and tax rates since the ancient times? 

Answer: Gurcharan Das (GD) :  India has always had a concept of a just tax rate which was pegged at 1/6th of the earnings. The balance of payment between countries has also been in India's favour till the industrial revolution and  British entry on the scene.

Radhakrishnan Pillai (RP) :  As per the Chanakya Niti, taxation was based on the premise "Wealth belongs to the society". The policy of the state is to function as a regulator. Tax collection was to be gentle akin to a honey bee collecting honey from the flowers. Even on occasions when the tax payer was unable to pay the tax the aim was not to punish him immediately in a merciless manner but in stages of sama, dana, beda, danda ( first stage being that of counselling and ending with punishment)

Question: What was the significance of money and money matters?

Answer:  GD:  Wealth was held very important ( Artha eva pradhana). Once the economy is got right, everything else will follow.There was a direct connection between administration of wealth and the temples of ancient times. Often times, trade negotiations happened in the precincts of temples. The relationship between temples and the wealth of the administration is borne out by the recent instances of huge amounts of wealth discovered slashed away in the treasury located at the Sri Padmanabha Swamy temple in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.  

RP:  Under the Chanakya Niti, the four principles for dealing with wealth are (1) Wealth identification (2) Wealth creation (3) Wealth management and (4) Wealth distribution. Philanthropy is to be inculcated as a way of life. It is not something to be considered after one has become rich.

Question to GD:  In your writings on the East India Company, you have made some interesting observations. Could you elaborate?   

Answer: This was the time when the best goods were made in and available in India. The world did not wear any underwear until people were exposed to India's fine muslin cotton. On their first voyage to India, the Portuguese brought many things to exchange for the coveted Indian goods. But the Indians were not interested in any of their goods. 

Later, Portuguese ship returned filled with Indian spices. As it came near Sumatra, the British traders took permission from the rulers in Sumatra to destroy the ship after saving the Indian spices and in return offered to give them the goods at much lower prices.  

Question to RP: Economic models are changing by the day whether it is with regard to land, agriculture or patents.How does this impact business?   

Answer :  What it means is that today it is not about doing hard work alone but doing smart work is the key..  

Question to GD:  In your book " The Marwaris: From Jagat Seth to the Birlas ( The Story of Indian Business)", you discuss the importance of the trust factor, A lot of value was placed then on trust? 

Answer: Yes, if  one traces the life and times of Ramakrishna Dalmia, one can see that  a big success was achieved by him from humble beginnings.He took a lot of risk at a young age dealing in London silver in the stock market but this approach was possible because of the trust that he had in self and others even in trying circumstances. 

Question to RP: Trust levels are going down these days and we have also seeing a reduction in the risk taking appetite.On the policy side what can be done to revive these aspects in Indian institutions?  

Answer: Chanakya Niti advises to "test them before trusting." Spying and counter spying was resorted to then while appointing bureaucrats.  

Here GD added: There is a  need to revise and update the insolvency and bankruptcy law. we must raise the growth rate to 8%. Apart from this, if left alone, Indian entrepreneurs  have been doing very well since 1991,when the economy opened up. India grows at night while the Government sleeps.   
We need Governance reform. The problem of court cases pending for ages need to be addressed. Meritocracy should be the criteria for selecting and promoting public servants as well. Technology should be leveraged to cut bureaucratic red tape.  

Overall, I felt that this session was a rare gem, something one may not hope to find in a literary festival which would normally focus on social issues. Although the subject of discussion was "Money matters: Then and now" I had the feeling that the panelist RP chose to play it safe while speaking, and stuck to his expertise of  Chanakya Niti (Then) . He appeared to be very reluctant to share his thoughts on addressing the economic issues of "Now".

So readers it is bye from me for now, till I post the third and final edition on the Times Lit fest shortly. 

Missing Humaneness

Tender loving care is what
we are missing today
whether from a doctor, a nurse
a spouse, friend or close relative

Everyone wants to take more
than they are willing to give
every action is preceded
by a satisfactory answer to the question-
what is in it for me? 

As a way out of this pathetic maze
do we go back to the basics
or embrace understanding of new age thinking
that proclaims "We are all connected"
and that it is the feeling of separation
that sows seeds of greed and hatred! 

Embracement or rejection of "Oneness"
will determine whether we survive & thrive
or sink and perish in the wilderness
whether we still qualify to be called "Human"
or doomed, to be apologies for human beings!
  
This poem included in the the Current International Anthology of English poems edited by Seena Srivalson was recited by me on 10 th March at the Poetry fest organised at Kodungaloor, Kerala

At Ease with the World

Come, let 's go on this journey
a journey carefree, full of fun n frolic
towards the final  destination
the Shangri-la called "At Ease with the World"....

Being at ease, saves us from disease
you need to travel light though
to be eligible to board vessel
price of the ticket is shedding
baggage of chauvinism, of all kinds!

Meaning no notions of colour, race
of male-female, rich-poor
inferiority- superiority
just the feeling of the unity,
of all living beings, the connection
oneness of the entire universe

Come, let 's leave dis-ease behind
and joyfully set sail for our destination
"At ease with the World"....

Glimpses from the Times Literary Fest Bangalore 2019- 1

The Times Literary Fest Bangalore 2019 was held on 23rd  and 24th February at Jayamahal palace Bangalore.In this post, I share glimpses from the first day (only day) which I attended. In the key note address, at the inaugural session titled Astitva:Existence,Being,Identity", the modern day "Mythology man" Mr Devdutt Patnaik shared his take of the 21st century  definition of  mythology.  Later, he also participated in a discussion with Ms Shobha De which I propose to  cover in a separate post.

 Devdutt said that what we call myth is "somebody's truth". You exist only when you are heard and others acknowledge your existence. Today, nobody is listening. The TV channel debates are a clear example. According to him "being hungry" is what indicates whether you are alive. We are hungry for food, attention, meaning in life- "Whose life do I nourish? Are people hungry for me? Human beings want to voluntarily offer themselves as the food (Bhog) for other's hunger. Here consent is necessary. They don't want to be eaten up by a  predator against their will. 

We then had a conversation with celebrated novelist Ms Nayantara Sahgal whose latest novel " The fate of butterflies" was recently released. The questions were posed by the author, Mr Vivek Shanbhag.

  (Though part of the Nehru family, Vijayalakshmi Pandit being her mother, Sahgal developed a reputation for maintaining her independent critical sense. Her independent tone, and that of her mother's, led to both falling out with her cousin Indira Gandhi during the most autocratic phases of the latter's time in office in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. On 6 October 2015, Sahgal returned her Sahitya Akademi Award as a protest to what she called "increasing intolerance and  for supporting right to dissent in the country", following the murders of rationalists Govind Pansare, Narendra Dabholkar and M. M. Kalburgi, and the Dadri mob lynching incident)  

Question:  You can generally be described as a political novelist. How do you or from where do you get the courage to write such novels ?

Answer: writing novels of such nature was not by design. Given my family background, I was exposed to political situations whole through my life. Incidents that involve unmaking of modern India provoke me to write. It is not about courage. When one knows from inside that this is the "right thing to do", you do it. Period.  

Question: What triggered writing of your latest novel " The fate of butterflies" ?  

Answer:  It is on account of similar concerns that triggered my last book- The destruction, the unmaking of India and tearing apart of our basic ethos. 

Question:  In your latest novel, violence can be clearly perceived in the images- dead body and the butterfly being kicked by a child.  

Answer: One regularly sees on TV, mob lynchings, five eminent writers being shot dead and other forms of violence. It is not as if violence was not there earlier. Incidents were very much there but violence is now being celebrated! Non Hindus are being called foreigners. 

Question: What kind of politics do you envisage in the coming days? 

Answer: It is not about coming days. The change and tenor in the political discourse has already happened. It is identity politics related to religion. It is to be remembered that basically ours is a migrant culture that has been affected by multiple influences. we must continue to do what we do and not be silenced.  

Question: At the time of returning your Sahitya academy award, you had quoted the reason "attack on institutions" for doing so. Have you perceived any change in this regard? 

Answer: If anything, it has become worse. I was a thorn to the administration even during the emergency days and it is the same situation now. Today, writers are being threatened, persecuted or killed and the sahitya academy is silent.

Question: Recently you were dis-invited ( invited and then the invitation taken back) to a program in Maharashtra...Your comment?

Answer:  Although this happened, there was amazing support from the Marathi writers. Some went to the venue wearing my masks. The speech I had planned to deliver was read out in small towns.

Question: Of late, there is a lot of talk about war...

Answer:  It is not about a coming war. War is already upon us. The division of people on identities itself amount to war. The discussions about military and war on TV news channels is new, awkward and out of sync with a democracy.