In a pivotal scene in Govind Nihalani’s film 'Party' (1984), the air crackles with anticipation as Diwakar Barve (Manohar Singh), the enigmatic poet, stands before Damyanti (Vijaya Mehta), a prominent art patron in Bombay. Flickering candlelight casts shadows on his face, accentuating the lines etched by years of contemplation. Barve is about to unravel the very essence of his craft, challenging not only his own creations but the fundamental nature of artistic representation itself. Barve declares that his poetry is a mere cast-off of words (shabd ki kenchul). The statement, pregnant with meaning, leaves the audience suspended between confusion and revelation. He has disavowed the notion that his verses are windows into his soul or society’s collective consciousness. The very foundation of representation is shaken as he unravels the tightly woven threads connecting words to the tangible world. The paralysing bubble of individual experiences is punctured.
Denne historien er fra December 21, 2023-utgaven av Outlook.
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Denne historien er fra December 21, 2023-utgaven av Outlook.
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The 'Invisible' Dalits
The debate over sub-categorisation of castes is likely to shape the political discourse in the upcoming state elections
Caste Census: To Conquer Or Conserve?
The caste census is generating heated debate, but even its most ardent proponents are not able to articulate a plan about how to use the resulting data
THE FATEFUL COMEDY
Actor-director Rajat Kapoor talks about adapting Fyodor Dostoevsky's The Brothers Karamazov into a Hindi play
Mad Hatter
When a leader takes off his topi and holds it in his hands while appealing for votes, it signals something extraordinary
Circle Within Circles
The caste question in Muslims.
Backward March
The Maratha reservation question may continue to mire the next government in the state
The 69% Exception
Quota within quota: lessons to be learned from Tamil Nadu
United Indifference
The perils of tweaking tribal identities
Two Nations, Two Destinies
The widely differing balance of power between the military and civilian leadership in India and Pakistan has significantly impacted democracy in the two countries
Crème de la Crème
The mainstream society thinks reservations are against right to equality. It’s high time they are seen in the context of right to justice.
