Monday, March 31, 2008
THE GRAND NARRATIVE
You know how the blog began! I had to do a paper on The Ramayana and its functional capabilities and I refused to do it because it did not have a SO WHAT??? question. When I gave up and tried to ask Abhishake what I should do for my paper which was due for submission in three days, he said I had to dig deeper into the foundations of the human mind; sorry, the foundations of the house, leading to the sewage system and so on... You know the rest if you've followed our blog... I mean clog... The bathroom, sorry, brain is clogged! Ha, so where was I?
The paper. Yes, the paper. I refused to attack the sewage systems of the glorious "Dwapara Yuga" in which our dear friend Rama lived, and consequently, the So what question disappeared into thin air, along with the topic.
So, I'm wondering, what should now happen to the clog... sorry, blog?
Discovering the drainage systems of ancient India... What an ideal to achieve...
PS: I forgot to tell you why its called the Grand narrative. Since My fellow blogger refused to give me an authentic topic, I had to fall back on my teacher. Who told me about the grand narrative and how postmodernist theory does not accomodate the notion of grnand narrative. So, would this be a historic recording (or sub-altern history recording) of the grand narrative that told the tale of the toiletting practices of ancient India?
The paper. Yes, the paper. I refused to attack the sewage systems of the glorious "Dwapara Yuga" in which our dear friend Rama lived, and consequently, the So what question disappeared into thin air, along with the topic.
So, I'm wondering, what should now happen to the clog... sorry, blog?
Discovering the drainage systems of ancient India... What an ideal to achieve...
PS: I forgot to tell you why its called the Grand narrative. Since My fellow blogger refused to give me an authentic topic, I had to fall back on my teacher. Who told me about the grand narrative and how postmodernist theory does not accomodate the notion of grnand narrative. So, would this be a historic recording (or sub-altern history recording) of the grand narrative that told the tale of the toiletting practices of ancient India?
The "other" again
Since we have brought up the issue of the "other" anyway, let us dig deep into the foundations of subaltern history to find the "other" of the pot. If the pot is one way of doing it, how does the other way of doing it come into existence? Does it evolve from doing it on the forest floor to doing it inside a pot and hence, does the notion of something that is not a pot become primitive and un-universal and anti-colonial? Now I know why Arrow of God became so popular. They were all talking about their toiletting habits!
The "Other" Issue
After the understanding the importance of the mystical and magical "pot" in our lives, we came upon another problem in mythology. I am supremely confident that most of us are familiar with the way we work around the issue of the "pot".
Imagine how difficult it might have been for an ancient person, say for example, Ravana. The perennial confusion and the plague of the urge to visit the room is something that i do not think any one would fancy. Agreed that many people like spending time on the Pot, but a permanent fixture to the pot is not something anyone would fancy.
The dilemma that Ravana was probably in is an interesting way to curse a person. Not only does it guarantee the local corporation some definite pipe re laying work, but also a nice form of entertainment, especially for those who love reality television. The only setback i visualise is the constant use of the pot, especially when needed by you to relieve yourself.
Disclaimer:
The Author is not responsible for the real life consequnces of the actions mentioned above.
They are performed by professionals only. DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME!
Abhishek
Imagine how difficult it might have been for an ancient person, say for example, Ravana. The perennial confusion and the plague of the urge to visit the room is something that i do not think any one would fancy. Agreed that many people like spending time on the Pot, but a permanent fixture to the pot is not something anyone would fancy.
The dilemma that Ravana was probably in is an interesting way to curse a person. Not only does it guarantee the local corporation some definite pipe re laying work, but also a nice form of entertainment, especially for those who love reality television. The only setback i visualise is the constant use of the pot, especially when needed by you to relieve yourself.
Disclaimer:
The Author is not responsible for the real life consequnces of the actions mentioned above.
They are performed by professionals only. DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME!
Abhishek
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Once Upon A Pot
Seen that common picture of the statue of the greek thinker seated on a stone (a pensive chin-in-hand pose)? That stone's most probably a historical corruption of the pot.
The pot is the seat of great thinkers, of great thoughts. The pot's where you ponder in peace. Soon after I got rid of the potted-reading habit, I discovered the thinking spot on the pot. Many of my better ideas have occurred in the silence and security of the pot-room. Anywhere else, we're constantly at the mercy of some external stimuli or the other--till we go to bed. Few get the luxury of another spot of solitude everyday.
The pot is the best substitute today for the kind of spaces William Wordsworth had imagined when he talked about poetry being "the spontaneous overflow of powerful emotions recollected in tranquility."
I totally agree with my old man's dictum--which he asserts with ferocious authority at home--"never disturb a man when he's deep asleep or when he's on the pot. Never!"
--ISHMAEL XXI
The pot is the seat of great thinkers, of great thoughts. The pot's where you ponder in peace. Soon after I got rid of the potted-reading habit, I discovered the thinking spot on the pot. Many of my better ideas have occurred in the silence and security of the pot-room. Anywhere else, we're constantly at the mercy of some external stimuli or the other--till we go to bed. Few get the luxury of another spot of solitude everyday.
The pot is the best substitute today for the kind of spaces William Wordsworth had imagined when he talked about poetry being "the spontaneous overflow of powerful emotions recollected in tranquility."
I totally agree with my old man's dictum--which he asserts with ferocious authority at home--"never disturb a man when he's deep asleep or when he's on the pot. Never!"
--ISHMAEL XXI
The Big Confusion
This blog came into existence because of an anti-establishment conversation that was taking place, about The Ramayana. One of the contributors wanted to do a research paper on this epic, and was in a great dilemma over how to go about it. Then came an idea as to how everything is connected: like the sewers underground. Then came an idea.. what did Rama do for toilets during their time.
This important, or rather seemingly important question leads us to look at the disparity that exists between the indian style of the infamous "pot" and the western style pot. Also an account of this would help us understand the evolution of one of the most important tools/implements in our lives.
An understanding of how our modern pots came into being would aid us to improve them further. Also with the consent of my fellow contributors i would like to start publishing my collection of what i fondly term "The Pot Adventures".
Any further news or comments would be Pottily appreciated.
Abhishek
This important, or rather seemingly important question leads us to look at the disparity that exists between the indian style of the infamous "pot" and the western style pot. Also an account of this would help us understand the evolution of one of the most important tools/implements in our lives.
An understanding of how our modern pots came into being would aid us to improve them further. Also with the consent of my fellow contributors i would like to start publishing my collection of what i fondly term "The Pot Adventures".
Any further news or comments would be Pottily appreciated.
Abhishek
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