A LAB JOURNAL OF THE PG STUDENTS OF JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATION COMMUNIQUE CONCERN, COMPASSION, CONSCIENCE Rs. 5/-

VOLUME-10; ISSUE - 3 ST JOSEPH’S COLLEGE (AUTONOMOUS) SEPTEMBER 2017 Mixed response to SC’s 3T verdict Ameena Khan of the opinion that it was an for Talaq was not only wrong but had never been amended and it unilateral practice and hence also done to reduce the rights of doesn’t include aspects such as BENGALURU: The Supreme unconstitutional which also went Muslim women and stated the method of divorce and polygamy Court’s verdict on banning against the principles of equality, laws of Islamic countries like and so that law is as good as non- Triple Talaq has evoked the spirit of gender jurisprudence Turkey and Egypt which have existent. mixed reactions from Muslim and many international laws that abolished Triple Talaq. This being the case, it is clear Blue Whale leaders, lawyers and activists give equal power to women. Speaking to the Communique that this form of triple talaq is in Bengaluru. On the one hand, manifestly arbitrary in the sense challenge targets while the women organisations that the marital tie can be broken the emotionally welcomed this judgement, on by the Muslim man without the other hand, religious groups any attempt at reconciliation so weak stayed neutral about their stand. as to save it. This form of talaq Zakia Soman women’s rights must, therefore be held to be activist and one of the founding violative of thefundamental right Page 2 members of the Bharatiya contained under Article 14 of the Muslim Mahlia Andolan, said, Indian Constitution. “The key thing is that triple Commenting on how the talaq is not ‘Quranic’ and striking down of constitutional now the Supreme Court has validity of Triple Talaq would passed a judgment that it is not change the condition in which constitutional. It is a violation of women are living, M.F Saldanha, gender justice principles upheld former judge, Bombay High by the Quran.” Court said, “I don’t see it making GOOGLE Supreme Court of on much difference because people The Babusenan August 21 declared the practice Therefore, the 1937 Act, about how the movement who want to do it will still do Brothers as of triple talaq as unconstitutional insofar as it seeks to expression against the triple talaq started, it.” He added that people are by a 3:2 majority. Justices “laws in force” in Article 13(1) Zakia Soman said that the not scared of the consequences carriers of Kurian Joseph, U.U Lalit and have been struck down as void to Muslim women in India are now of such acts and this is because freedom R.F Nariman gave the majority the extent that it recognizes and becoming aware about Quranic the law and order situations are judgement. Chief Justice enforces Tripe Talaq. principles. Throwing light on falling. Condemning the verdict, Khekhar and Justice Abdul The bench also opined that the existing Muslim personal Shabana (name changed ) who is Page 3 Naseer dissented. Triple Talaq was itself un-islamic law, she said that it is the law of a victim of Triple Talaq said, The consenting judges were and the interpretation of Quran 1937, framed by the British that (Continued on page 2) Marital rape: law and reality Anit Joseph rape filed in courts in Bengaluru the right to privacy, it may be a practicing lawyer in the that we know of, because it is considered as a fresh ground of High Court said, BENGALURU: Forced sexual not an offence under the IPC. challenge to the exception to “Criminalising marital rape will Bookaroo fest is violence on women is repeatedly However, sexual violence in punishment for marital rape in become complicated and the being debated in the country. marriages comes within the Section 376 of the IPC. accused may face difficulties to the place for From the child brides to grown prove the justice in the court. kids to up married women, the woman The Supreme Court should be reading is a constant victim to man’s strengthen the ‘Protection Order’ sexual craving. under Domestic Violence Act The recent Supreme Court and ensure that the women are Page 5 comment, whether to make free to complain to get justice marital and child marital rape in from husbands. This will help penal law, has been extensively the women to get proof easily debated and now it cannot be that both are staying in the same considered as a criminal law. This house. The court can actually poses some serious questions for restrict the husband from society. entering into house. In case of marital rape, women may face Marital rape is not applicable GOOGLE in the Indian context due to difficulty to provide proofs that social customs and religious ambit of domestic violence, and “I cannot get into all the she was raped by her husband.” beliefs. Indian Penal Code (IPC) cases filed under the Protection arguments against the verdict, Donna Fernandes, activist, Danish Sait to Section 375, exception 2 defines of Women from Domestic because they are quite extensive. and founder of Vimochana, a debut on that forced sexual intercourse Violence Act do mention sexual Every progressive country in the women’s organisation says, by a man with his own wife, violence within marriage if it has world has criminalised marital “Any sexual relationship outside the silver screen the wife not being under fifteen occurred”. rape, and it is regressive on our the institution of marriage is years of age is not rape. The right to privacy also part to believe that there can seen as illegal. Marriage has the Darshana Mithra, a lawyer in extends to the bodily autonomy be no sexual violence within power to legitimise the sexual Page 6 the Alternative Law Forum said of an individual. Now that the marriage,” she added. relationship in society. “There are no cases of marital Supreme Court has recognised However, Akmal Razvi, (Continued on page 2) 2 COMMUNIQUE FEATURE SEPTEMBER 2017 Blue Whale challenge targets the emotionally weak Evelyn Kandur time-hashtag tracker, around the society and wanted to keep Keywords such as Dr Ali Khwaja of Banjara BENGALURU: Thanks to the 34.09% of posts regarding the society clean by eliminating #CuratorFindMe #F57 Academy said, “It is a potentially internet and the World Wide Blue Whale come from the them through the game. #WakeMeUpAt420 are some dangerous game and has very Web, there has been an increase United States of America and The Blue Whale Challenge of the regularly used hashtags bad repercussions. It is important in bizarre social crimes related 22.73% from India alone. The includes a list of 50 challenges, on Twitter by the people who to keep in mind that people who to the need for social acceptance want to be part of the Blue are lonely, frustrated or having that is crucial especially for Whale Challenge. The curator low self-esteem get addicted to teenagers. These teens try to apparently finds the target and and indulge in such activities.” fit in with their peer groups or then the game begins. Teenagers Hence, the need is to make become isolated, as the case between the age of 12-19 years young people aware of why might be. are said to be prone to it. The game someone would go to the extent Internet penetration in India, includes a series of 50 challenges of following such harmful according to a report by Internet right from carving ‘f57’ on one’s instructions and what they hope to and Mobile Association of India hand to jumping off an elevated achieve by harming themselves. (IMAI) is said to be 31%. This building. The taking of one’s The need is to inculcate life has not only helped in the growth own life needs to be performed skills in adolescent children so of internet but also caused unique by the participant to complete that they can take better choices problems. the game. Participants who fail and feel good about themselves, A huge concern in recent times, to do so are threatened with then there will not be incidents for instance, has been the Blue serious consequences including of suicide etc, he added. Killer on the loose GOOGLE Whale Challenge, also called cyberbullying and blackmail. Schools in Bengaluru like the “suicide game”, according demographics of the posts are put across by the curator or Instagram has issued an Frank Anthony Public School to a report by the Ministry of females 58.3% and males 41.7%. administrator, that a participant advisory for users who search (FAPS), Indus International Electronics and Information The Blue Whale Challenge was needs to complete. There is no the hashtags, #bluewhale School, and Inventure Technology, Government of reportedly launched by Philipp specified application for the #bluewhalechallenge #F57 Academy have taken little or India. Budeikin, a psychology student game. It is played through social among other related hashtags to no precautionary measures in This game has got a few from Russia who was later media platforms with secretive Blue Whale that states, “Posts educating the students about teenagers hooked onto it. The expelled from his university. groups. It appeared first on with words or tags you’re Blue Whale. game gets its name from a certain He devised this game in 2013, Vkontakte, a social media site searching for often encourage Regina D’cruz, the counsellor behaviour of whales where the aiming it at teenagers who are based in Russia. From there it behaviour that can cause harm at FAPS, said, “In our school, we creature purposely brings itself lonely, depressed or having low has gone onto platforms like and even lead to death. If have not had cases relating to the to the shore and dies. self-esteem. He believed that Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp you’re going through something Blue Whale challenge as of now. According to Keyhole, a real these people are of no use to and Instagram. difficult, we’d like to help.” (Continued on page 3) Mixed response to Marital rape: law and reality (Continued from page 1) access to the media. But still the courage to speak about it to many women are kept under them,” Donna added. triple talaq verdict After the marriage the women is the power of her husband; Latha Paul, faculty of (Continued from page 1) by the BJP which was not true. considered as a property for her physically, mentally and Department of Social Work in So, in the long run, people husband and consumed by him. sexually. Rape is ultimate power St. Joseph’s College, said, “The “The problem here is with will believe that this happened It is based on the power relation shown by man but there are type of atrocities may vary but the patriarchal system that has during the BJP regime, he noted. between men and women. In different kinds of sexual violence women all over the world face allowed men to misuse their Pointing out the reason behind every marriage relationship men that have been reported in recent atrocities. We have women in freedom.” She added that the the necessity of bringing in such are in control of the women’s times. Sexual intercourse during America and in India also facing focus of the verdict should laws, Malana Maqsood Imaran, body and everything related to menstruation period, watching domestic violence. The problem have been on the betterment of Khatibul Imam, Jamia Masjid, her.” porn videos with husband and in India is women do not want women and not restricting the City, said, “People are not aware “Women have been admitted acting accordingly with him, etc. to come out and inform people freedom of men. Throwing light of the method of giving talaq, with burned bodies in Victoria In most cases, women find these that they are facing violence. Hospital every day. but the incidents are filed under other reasons and kept aside. So it means that man can do what he wants to his wife,” she added. There are some gruesome cases reported in terms of marital rape. In one case, the husband was a chef and during the time of sexual intercourse he used to insert vegetables forcibly into his wife’s vagina. The pain and the shame she had to face through such acts in her life requires GOOGLE redressal. on how this verdict is cleverly hence people think that if they Another case was that of a being used by the BJP for its give talaq at once by pronouncing 16-year-old girl who got raped GOOGLE political interests, Khitij URS it three times the marriage ties by her boyfriend who abandoned former professor at the NLS are broken.” He added “Giving her after knowing that she was offensive,” she said. Because of the closed nature (National Law School) Action talaq through Whatsapp or email pregnant. Her parents tried to “All the structures like police of the Indian society, whatever Aid said, “BJP is trying to gain is an inhuman way which should marry her off to him but he system and court are dominated happens remains within the four mileage out of the judgement be condemned by the Muslim refused. The family has filed a by men and whom should the walls. So I think the problem as if the triple talaq verdict was community itself.” This is due case against the boy to get justice woman convey her difficulties is that of silence, that women of their own.” He said that the to lack of awareness among for the daughter. to? Can we talk about very face. Women do not know the social media machineries played Muslims and misinterpretation “But things are changing private experiences to a male existence of powerful laws. We an extremely important role to of the Quranic principles, and today with new initiatives policeman? These situations need progressive laws but it make people believe that the this problem can only be solved and movements, awareness may affect the cases reported should not remain on paper.” triple talaq is being challenged “if we educate people about it.” programmes and education, and by women. Women do not get 3 COMMUNIQUE FEATURE SEPTEMBER 2017 The Babusenan Brothers as carriers of freedom Anit Joseph denser with even more significant I cannot smash somebody’s nose go forward as a society, we need mind and the human condition. questions. To cut a long story and expect not to be booked for to examine our social codes and So our stories are always built BENGALURU: The arthouse change ourselves according to around existential questions... is film makers Satish and Santosh our convictions. Censorship it possible to find happiness, to Babusenan started their has no place in this time of the transform hatred, to find peace.... career as cinematographers in century. Certification is alright, etc. So once we decide on that, . After several years and that is what the CBFC is we build the story around it of experience, they moved to supposed to be doing. The only and after that we break it up Thiruvananthapuram and took censorship that can be useful is into the component scenes.. a break from the industry. They that of insensitivity. Every artist Most often we write scenes returned to filmmaking in 2015 must censor his insensitivity. after recceing the locations too, to direct movies which have Even in that case, it is an internal so the visuals that come up at been screened in film festivals in process and consequently writing time are more or less, nothing to do with any external completely authentic and rooted and outside the country. Directors Satish and Santosh Babusenan Q. You made the ’ Twilight Dream’ in 1998, and short, we decided to make ‘The it. So we went to the High Court after a 17-year-gap directed Painted House’ a good 14 years and won the case with absolutely ‘Chayam Poosiya Veedu’ later. no cuts or changes of any kind... (The Painted House). What’s Q. You fought against the About how this can benefit those the reason behind the gap? Censor Board to get permission making films in the future... A. Well... that was about for the movie’s release. How we’ve no idea. Well, our film the time we were doing pretty does this bring benefits for is there as a good precedent, well professionally in Mumbai those making films in future? but they too must fight. I am (it was called Bombay then) and What other issues of the Censor talking about filmmakers who becoming painfully aware that Board should be fought against look at cinema as art, not the we were losing our soul in the and how? mainstream, commercial chaps. dazzling playfield of professional A. Art serves the purpose of That second gang can do all success. So we decided to pack expanding awareness,... to take a the bending they want before our bags and go back home...in break from this sleepwalk which whatever boards...but Art has to everyone is engaged in...to be be about being uncompromising. pursuit of other, more serious Shooting location of The Narrow Path concerns. We worried about jolted into some sort of alertness. Art is about freedom... not what was the purpose of life and We did not like that the board - just about the freedom of self- agency. in the physical reality of the real was it at all possible to make any board - wanted to alter our expression, but the freedom from Q. While writing a story, what location. This helps us when we a philosophical breakthrough film to suit their ideas. If a board all the baggage of ideas people are your focus areas and how take the film from the paper to in our investigations in that wants a film to be in a certain have chosen to carry. That is why would you portray them? How the rehearsal floor. We do a lot direction. Well, little by little way, they will have to make we feel that our filmmaking is a do you decide on and write or of rehearsing with our actors so several things fell off...most of those films themselves, if you get Cinema of Freedom. choose a story/plot for your that they know everything about all, our love for cinema and art. what I mean. It is all a question What other issues should be films? their characters and their lines We stopped watching films in of individual freedom...within fought... All! All forms of A.The films which we make are and their movements well before 2000 when the terrain became the bounds of legalities. I mean, censorship are passé. If we must all about exploring the human the final day. Anti-Blue Whale app counters negative influence (Continued from page 2) media that now parents are well which aims at promoting positive aware of the signs that indicate challenges to counter the Blue But, we have sensitized the that a child might have fallen Whale challenge. teachers and medical team of the into the trap of Blue Whale. Even Speaking to the Communique, issue about the possible signs newspapers have done their part Waseem Gul, an 18-year-old that can be recognized if any. in prominently publishing the pre-engineering student and We’re doing our bit to keep the the founder of the Anti Blue children in a safer environment.” Whale app based in Peshawar, “As of now no measures have Pakistan said, "I was shocked been taken by our school in to see that 80% of the people regard to Blue Whale, neither who responded to my status on have most of the international a Facebook group regarding schools as there are many other the link for the Blue Whale issues concerning us. But in challenge were interested to play weeks to come, we’re going to the game. Therefore I created the take precautionary measures,” app called ‘Blue Whale’ initially said Ms Mathew, Asst. Special as I believed that people would Educator of Indus International Waseem Gul, founder of Anti download the application as they School. Blue Whale challenge TWITTER would think that the Blue Whale According to Prachi Vaish warning signs.” has friendly challenges. It was of The Hope Network, “The Though a few institutions are later taken down by Google Play Blue Whale epidemic has making some attempts to curb Store because of a copyright spread across the world, and its this activity, most of them are strike.” countermeasures spread equally aimed at trying to discipline the The application has friendly quickly and people responded students. The need is to look into challenges like, ‘Help your well in time. A lot of mental the deeper causes of depression, parents with household chores,’ well-being platforms have even peer pressure, anxiety and ‘Do 10 push-ups,’ and many Advisory by Instagram to its users regarding Blue Whale come up with counter challenges other mental illness as very other challenges. The application INSTAGRAM like the White Dolphin etc that little is being done about it, say is currently called Anti Blue Play Store under the name, curb the issue of Blue Whale. set positive challenges like counsellors. Whale challenge and is available ‘Green Whale.’ The government has also urged exercises, communication and Meanwhile, a flurry of as Android Package Kit(APK) As incidents of deaths due parents and guardians to remind meditation that boost mental applications like Pink Whale, file. to this game are on the rise in their children that they have the health. Enough awareness has White Whale, Yellow Whale, Gul plans to relaunch the new India, the government and other support of them as they confront been spread through social Anti-Blue Whale have appeared version of the game on Google institutions are doing their bit to life challenges. 4 COMMUNIQUE FEATURE /EDITORIAL SEPTEMBER 2017

A LAB JOURNAL OF THE PG STUDENTS OF JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATION Afrobeats: music and dance that COMMUNIQUE is both relaxation and resistance

CONCERN, COMPASSION, CONSCIENCE Evelyn Kandur Q. What inspires you to dance and social media is the only way and what is the takeaway a to do it. As it is cost effective. BENGALURU: Helen Okoroji, learner should consider? Q. What are the challenges you a dancer from Arochukwu, Every day I wake up to myself face? Nigeria introduces us to and say I inspire myself. There Challenges I face every day are Afrobeats, dancing to a music are people who are better than growing. Growing within myself The fate of journalism that originated in the 1960s me. But when I look back, I has been the biggest challenge and 1970s in Ghana and Nigeria motivate myself to be a better to me. I am not competing with may be at stake in India! of West Africa. version of myself in the next five anyone because I believe that The pioneer behind Afrobeat years. everyone needs to grow and Ashita Chopra is Fela Kuti, a multi-talented Well, there is something that I succeed. Considering Afrobeats, The nation was just recovering activists, are silenced and instrumentalist who used which is just growing as a from the loss of the renowned suppressed. According to a music to oppose the Nigerian movement in India, there is no Bengaluru-based journalist/ report, at least 51 murders and government run by the military need for competition. I learn activist Gauri Lankesh when five suicides have taken place in the late 1960s. Afrobeats every day and the movement the next blow landed. The between October 2005 to 2016 however emerged in the early is taking its shape. I hope by headlines hit every screen when of RTI activists. 21st century influenced by the the time I leave India there is this time a young, investigative Journalists in India were 1970s Afrobeat music genre. massive growth. journalist, Shantanu Bhowmik, enjoying their independence This new genre has gained its Q. Any memorable experience was stabbed to death in Mandai, until the Narendra Modi popularity outside Africa owing while conducting workshops? Tripura. government came to power in to popular artists like Wizkid, My workshop in Chennai was These developments raise 2014. The media system has Don Jazzy, Femi Kuti, P-Square, the first workshop in India. questions about the right voluntarily or under coercion Fuse ODG, Wande Coal, D’Banj, Bengaluru was my second to freedom of speech and bowed down to the powers that DaVido, Franko, Lola Ray, workshop. There are many expression and right to be. Timaya, etc. workshops in line as I’m touring life, which our democratic Some journalists are still Helen currently resides in India. Constitution guarantees in active and fearless about the Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh. She Workshops, in general, are the Article 19(a). Are the consequences which they was recently in Bengaluru on a different from taking regular Helen Okoroji EVELYN journalists given the rights to might face from the enemies workshop tour. Afrobeats dance classes. With exercise their freedom? Or are of freedom of expression or definitely give out to people. workshops, the few advantages these rights mere words in a speech, while others are neutral Q. Tell us about the genre That is my energy and vibes. are it gives me more energy, I written document?. or biased in encouraging the Afrobeats and how do you fall This not only makes me happy connect to more people than in love with Afrobeats? but I am proud of it. usual and most importantly To begin with, the people of Q. How does teaching dance I see myself growing within. Africa had to face a lot of differ from being a dancer My teaching skills have social problems. Africans yourself? grown immensely, which is in general faced issues like Being a teacher is quite different overwhelming. racial discrimination, colour from being a performer. As a Q. Are there any other dance discrimination when they went performer, you can do whatever styles you practice? to other countries to study as you want. As a teacher I am free, Afrobeats is my jam. But, as an they were termed as the ‘other’ I share knowledge, feel happy Afro dancer, it is important to and were thrown out of bars, about it and enjoy to see other know various forms like Afro treated inhumanely especially people do what I teach. house, Afro dance house. As of in countries like France and When I teach others I feel now, I practice a bit of hip-hop The job of a journalist still are dominant powers to oppress America. As a revolt again these like I’m passing on something and I aim to become a B-girl in to ask questions, investigate others – women, lower castes, issues, Africans started forming important and especially a near future. and hold the establishment to minorities, etc. their own dance style which was part of me. I feel that I am Q. Did you take part in any account and stand up for the Today, the space for welcomed by these countries contributing and doing my bit competitions in India and voiceless and the oppressed. independent journalism, which called Afrobeats. to the community just like how abroad? Journalists like Gauri Lankesh, does its job without fear or I started dancing when I was the professors in colleges and I have taken part in many and rationalist activists like prejudice and in serving the competitions in my country, but M.M Kalburgi, Narendra readers/viewers with truth and the only one I am proud of is, Dhabolkar, Govind Pansare fact is rapidly decreasing. There Nestle Dance Competition in were acutely conscious and is also the trend of information Nigeria. I was a five-time winner aware of the consequences of being filtered or manufactured of the competition. I recently their life mission and purpose. or faked to serve the purpose of participated in Blame it on the The fact is that there the powers that be. Boogie- a hip-hop event which still are journalists who The fear that haunts the minds was started in the remembrance are fighting violence and of budding journalists and of Michael Jackson organized in have been dissenters and activists is that the profession Hyderabad, this was an official rationalists,against the forces they would choose can now be throw down, I gave my best. of sectarianism and communal counted to be a very dangerous The dancing scene in India is hatred. A climate of intolerance one. Journalists like Karun quite overwhelming as everyone has built up against such, fuelled Misra, Dharmendra Singh, is very welcoming. Afrontal is the by politicians and extremist Indradev Yadav and Rajdev only crew in India that specializes organisations who operate in Ranjan were killed in India in in Afrobeats and dancehall and is the name of religion. 2016. Helen with her team at Afrobeats EVELYN based in Chennai, with dancers The Hindutva organizations This has had a chilling effect three years old. I never went to universities do. from Bengaluru too. It is an all- are at the forefront of fanning and journalists now know that a any classes as I was self-taught. Q. Having a social media girls’ crew who aim to expand hatred and intolerance and have bullet can be their fate. Growing up I hoped to dance as presence has become crucial their organisation in Bengaluru been suspected of being behind Worse, this fear is leading to a it was my calling, and that is how for artists. How do you use it to by mid-October with the help the killing of such journalists. spiral of silence that subjugates I am here in India spreading my your advantage? of Divya Easwaran, one of the Strangely enough, the people who are in opposition culture. Afrobeats is something I As there is a lot of talent out Afrontal dancers. A few of the Karnataka government has not to that violent majority that am comfortable doing and when there, showcasing one’s talent international organizations been able to nab the culprits! is seeking to enforce a single I dance I can hardly think of the has become an expensive affair. I promoting Afrobeats are Not only journalists, but ideology on the country and world and this makes me feel feel social media has given us the Afrobeats Dance NYC, Dance also right to information (RTI) seek to eradicate dissenters. free and gives me freedom. platform to showcase our talents Works by Verona Patterson etc. 5 COMMUNIQUE FEATURE AUGUST 2017 Bookaroo fest, the place for kids to be reading Ashita Chopra institutions and schools to make India. One such young illustrator literature which is also important Rourkela Steel Plant, Odisha reading fun. After 22 editions was Roshni Vyam from Madhya to be looked upon,” she added. is passionate about writing for BENGALURU: Ever across eight cities, Bookaroo Pradesh who is also a textile Her books are also translated children between 6-16 years. encountered an international has been successful in attracting designer. she shared about the in Nigerian, Vietnamese and He writes and recites stories on book festival only for children? children as well as their parents traditional Gond art which was Tibetan languages. fictional themes across different Bookaroo is one such festival to storytelling and poetry started by her uncle, the late “I work on the concept of . He said, “My fictional that celebrates children’s sessions, quizzes and creative Jangarh Singh Shyam who literature and their love for writing workshops. passed away in his trip to Japan. reading. Bookaroo won the Bookaroo saw events in spaces “My book Bhimayana deals Literary Festival Award at the like Kahaani Tree, Doodle Wall, with fictional stories and the London Book Fair's International Crafty Corner, which involved illustrations in book are made Excellence Awards 2017 in storytelling, crafting, making out of Gond art, which deals March this year. Targeted patterns using tea decoction, with geometrical shapes called towards kids between the ages and engaging children with “ dhinga” and figures. I want of 4 to 12, it made its debut in Amar Katha stories that left kids to think beyond their Bengaluru with its 23rd edition them intrigued. There was also imagination and entirely build on September 2 and 3 at Freedom a separate book store for the their own interpretation, deal Park . kids and parents who could buy with colours differently instead of being normative,” she said. Mini Srinivasan, who works with rural and tribal schools, loves reading stories to children Childrens actively engaged by surabhi singh ASHITA and said “I am always a little educating and going eco-friendly. book ‘Against all Odds’ adapts dismayed by how little children Kids cannot understand unless a metaphorical victory of a child read. When you ask a 12 year the concept is woven with the who has one arm, and with his old kid, what is he/ she reading, stories with illustrations, which guts, courage and conviction they are always confined to is a better approach to educate turns out to be a successful textbooks and things related to kids about environment and footballer fighting all odds.” This their syllabus. Parents should protection,” said Vijaylakshmi book is published by Doughball always encourage their kids to Nagaraj, an educationist and and his books are also used as read other books which will story teller. textbooks in Norway, Bahrain, expand their horizons and should “My books are circulated in Japan and China. regularly attend book reading a few schools of South India, “I write blogs and columns Crafty corner sessions at Bookaroo ASHITA festivals which will groom them where the kids are taught on satires, parenting issues, on the whole.” about planting trees and at the travelogues, couple relationships Bookaroo is a Delhi-based books and get them signed by “Kids today read fiction same time make them work which are carried by different charitable trust that works with their respective authors. mainly, which tends to be practically.” she added. online blogs,” he added. writers, illustrators, storytellers, Many renowned authors and overpowering today.But there A professional PR Executive editors, publishers, booksellers, editors came from all across is the other world of realistic Ramendra Kumar from the (Continued on page 6) The Babusenan Brothers as carriers of freedom in film (Continued from page 3) to everyone else except oneself have nothing in common and it’s and the imagined that we use in Messenger, a religion was born. (the stars, the producers, the about time people stop listening our films cannot be separated So we don’t trust messages. But What is common to both of astrologer). The kind of films to the ridiculous view that there wholly from each other. an experience of sublimation... us is this shared history (both we make are thought of by us, is nothing called mainstream Q. What are your new/next that we can trust. And that is hereditary and philosophical). written down by us and made by and art, but only good cinema projects? something we hope to achieve. What is divergent are our pet us. There is always that small, and bad cinema. They have such We have just finished ‘Maravi’ Not there yet. likes: Santosh gets excited with very selective minority to whom views only because they haven’t (Lost) and are sending it out the execution, I get excited with the work we do makes sense and thought deeply about either. to festivals. The earlier one, the writing. This means that ‘Ottayaal Paatha’ (The Narrow we can combine these diverse Path), is still being shown skills to get to the end. He has around in different places. We a fine eye for lighting and all are hoping to shoot another one technicalities including that of pretty soon. Ideas are circulating the post production tedium. I in the brain, not sure which one have a moderately good eye for will fall into place. what the characters do in a story. Q. How do you want the world A still of Neha Mahajan Well...so it all works out pretty to perceive you as, as successful well. directors or controversial movie Q. The rising trend of Q. “Directors have the right makers? conservative nationalism, how to direct and the audience has We don’t worry too much do you see it affecting film- Still from The Painted House the right to watch”. Is that about that. In fact, that was the makers like you? applicable only in film festivals it is for them that we make our Q. Your movies give viewers first thing we let go when we It affects us as it does the or in the commercial film films. two paradigms, either it will be left Mumbai. We make films average person on the street. It industry too? What is your take Q. What is your turning point in a stroke of reality or it will be because. It’s like Gunter Grass worries us when we hear of the on this? production and direction in the a string of imaginations. What writes in Dog Years. Because. atrocities being committed in the We have no take on the Mollywood industry? are you trying to convey through Q. What is more important, name of religion, when we hear commercial film industry. We We have nothing to do with these paradigms? writing a script or conveying a voices of dissent being silenced left that world of commercial Mollywood or any other Wood! Ah, but can one really ever message to the audience? with bullets rather than with production in Mumbai itself. You Someone in Kerala once created be sure that the ‘reality’ one Both. The films we make are debate. see, there is a clear difference the idea of ‘Middle Cinema’ perceives is really real? Can’t it personal stuff... ideas and images As filmmakers, we believe in between cinema as art and the meaning cinema which has one be imagination...I mean how can which we want to bring to the expressing whatever we wish to other one. In cinema as art, a foot each in the boats of Art and I be sure I am not dreaming right screen. It’s not necessarily about express. It is necessary to fight film maker must listen to no Commerce. You can imagine now? This is not to say that I am any message. Who wants to listen for our right to keep our art one else except oneself. In the what can happen when that dreaming right now, but how can to other people’s messages? The intact. That will have to continue, other, however, he must listen happens! Art and the Mainstream I be sure I am not? The reality last time someone listened to a whichever regime is on. 6 COMMUNIQUE INTERVIEW/MOVIE REVIEW SEPTEMBER 2017 Danish Sait to debut on the silver screen Ameena khan wasn’t a well calculated plan. I Awareness to the problem is really catering to the masses, that the audience started growing just went with the flow. I worked half the solution to the problem. eventually you build an audience bigger, people started having BENGALURU: Prankster, with an event company 7 to 8 So don’t be shy to talk to your of your own and that’s what fun with it. The concept of satire comedian and RJ, Danish years ago as a client service family. Sait has been one of the most executive. Through my college I would say look for successful - based I got to host alot of events professional help, essentially comedians in the industry for including tiny events for different find someone whom you can the past 6years. He was born and companies. I didn’t imagine it talk to and who would identify raised in Bangalore. He operates to be a complete career. One with you and immediately work one of India’s biggest Sound to one and a half years into the towards making you feel better. Cloud accounts. With over job in that company, I realised In my opinion it is good to seek medical help because this is just like the injury that you get while playing. Q. How do you develop content A still from ‘Humble Politician’ for the different characters that you play? is important. Essentially the started getting in because every Well, I think the first thing it to internet has made it challenging time I told people that I am a chart out what all the characters to stay on top but if you identify ‘humble clean politician’ or ‘I do, and understanding each your game and not play the game don’t do scams’, people knew character is very important. everyone else is playing, then I that I was lying beneath my skin. Once you have done that, you think that is enough. Once I realised that satire and the know what character fits in Q. Why did you decide on character had started catching up, what realm. For example, the holding on to the character I gave Saad a call and I said why character Nograj was always a Nograj over the other we don’t do this. So Saad being a bureaucrat or this uncle sitting characters? film-maker said the idea sounded Danish Sait in the house worried about his I am holding on to the others like something that could be daughter or his son and pulling still, it’s just that I wanted to take catapulted into something good. 32million plays, his prank calls, that maybe I needed a change a few strings here and there in a full length run with atleast one Q. How different is the film TV presentations and 8 alter and that is how this whole thing the government. That was my character and eventually go to the going to be, when compared to egos have reached people across came about from Bahrain. I just picturisation of his character, but other characters as well. I haven’t other movies? the world. He has hosted various jumped on to the opportunity. then one has to bring it out in full left the others. I love all of them In general, politicians are events like the Pro Kabaddi Q. What was the reaction and write down a script for radio as much as I love Nograj because portrayed to be dark. So the League and the ICC Cricket of your mother when she first prank calls to being Mr Nags, every character is unique. Every shade given to them is black World Cup 2015. He won the heard your prank calls? who is again a well-travelled character gives you a different over white. Our film is a comedy Gold at the World Championship She was laughing, I don’t think idiot but still has a flavour of joy. This is a make belief world, film, the idea is not like you will of Performing Arts, for acting at any point of time did she ever Karnataka in him. Then from there is very little that happens in watch this film and go out there and stand- up comedy. He has think that what I was doing was there to movies, with Humble movies that happens in real life. and change the entire country. also been the recipient of the not fun or not good, she was Politician Nograj, the threat was For us as a team it sounded like Humour is at the forefront. There Pride of Karnataka award. He laughing. There are times where like it is in the last 100 metre run. an idea that we could execute at is satire and we have a message is now working on his first I have done prank calls that I Q. How challenging is it for a full potential. going in. You see a mad man cinematic venture Humble think I have pushed the lines you keep the content fresh and Q.When did you decide to doing things that you possibly Politician Nograj, with film sometimes, so she has told me different from others? venture into a project like the see in daily life. The issues that maker Saad Khan. that you are pushing the border Well, what the internet has movie Humble Politician? are shown in the movie are things Q. When and how did you here. done is that it has given you This happened last year in that are relatable. We are not like decide that radio was something Q. Since you underwent the comfort to stay in your August. I was in New York where House of Cards or Raajniti. We you wanted to get into? depression, how do you think personality and do what you are I was studying comedy. Every are just filled with satire and Radio happened by chance, it people should treat it? comfortable with. You are not time I did a live video I realised humour. Bookaroo fest has children’s interests in mind (Continued from page 5) one of the first big game hunters and magazines. Keong, Paravathi Ramkumar, they planned a children’s turned conservationists of India Bookalore, a Bengaluru-based Priya Kuriyan, Shruti Bhat, literature festival, when like- “Parents should take their kids encountered situations in the book club, are a group of authors, Surabhi Singh, Tanvi Bhat and minded Joe Williams from to bookstores and also attend jungle. illustrators and storytellers who Trupti Srikanth were present England dropped in at the store as literature fest like these, where too. kids get to choose from wide Bookaroo was started from the range of books of different small beginnings in New -Delhi, genres. That is how they will when two friends M.Venkatesh develop the habit of reading and Swati Roy, who worked in instead of forcing them to read Outlook and a retail company, a book which is not of their respectively. Slowly they realised interest,” said Shi Min Xie, a small book shop, exclusively author from Singapore. for children, who could come “I really enjoyed the session down to read, play and enjoy in with kids, they were really that space. enthusiastic and organisers put While working as in a lot of effort into promoting professionals, they did not get the arts and it is different step up Kids shopping for books at Bookaroo ASHITA much time to spend at the store, from singapore,” she added. “Bookaroo is one such festival were also present to involve so they had young volunteers Arefa Tehsin,an animal lover which draws many children children in reading and to make to take care of the store and at who grew up treading jungles, to spend their time on books, reading fun is their main agenda. the same time they would have is from Udaipur and writes drama, storytelling and children Other authors like Ameen Ul events like the launching of Ng Kok Keong ASHITA about animals, nature, and are always full of questions, Haque, Arun Kumar Gonal, books by different authors, book customer, herself is a book-lover wildlife and she writes haunted energetic about new things that I CG Salamander, Karishma readings, etc and invite the kids and one who loved children. stories of jungle life and how enjoy to answer,” she said. She Mahbubani, Namkampani, and parents to the store. They launched the Bookaroo her grandfather, T.H Tehsin, is also a columnist in newspapers Nandini Ram Mohan, Ng Kok After getting a good response festival in New-Delhi in 2008. 7 COMMUNIQUE FEATURE/MOVIE REVIEW SEPTEMBER 2017 BISFF, a platform for budding filmmakers Reshma Ravi about a man’s touch. And such go to a car wash company. They young age grows by trying to There were discussions with discussions were seen even after wash the car themselves and the retain his father’s memories. the movie teams of Ayana, BENGALURU: With over a I grew up. I wanted to bring it situation is intense as it was the Agrinoui is a Greek film is about Huliraya, Dayavittu Gamanisi, thousand feature films made out as a but due to same day of Zohreh’s father’s mare hat comes last in a race and Ondhu Motteya Kathe was every year in a India, short some problems, I did just the first funeral. They relaize it was films too are increasingly being 10 minutes of it,” she said. She a bad idea washing the car by recognized as a worthy form. faced a lot of criticism for her themselves. So it was that the 7th Bengaluru movie but she was prepared for In Indian competiton, International Short Film Festival it and did not feel threatened by Memories Of A Machine by (BISFF) screened over 250 the criticism as she had made an Shailaja Padindala won the first movies selected from across the honest film, prize and Taandav by Devashish Makhija came second. Taandav is a movie is about a constable who is going through a rough phase in life. His wife and daughter won’t speak to him and to top it off he’s given the night shift. At one his shifts, he losses his mind, takes his gun out and starts dancing. Prakash Belawadi and Vinay Pathak at a discussion BADRI In the competition, Mahasamparka by Raghu and has disappointed her father. conducted. The director and Shimoga won first place and But with the help of a few new actor, Raj B. Shetty of the film Chowkabaara by Santosh friends, she gets the courage to Ondhu Motteya Kathe said, “I G bagged second place. take part again. have written a love story of an Mahasamparka, which also won The films are a new imperfect man (according to The entrance to the BISFF ABHISHEK the state award is a film about two section added to this year’s film the society) and tried to portray world. Paijana, a Marathi film by completely different people who festival. BISFF president, Anand the importance of this man by BISFF is hosted by the Rohin Raveendran, was just a meet each other through a TV Varadaraj said, “This is a new showing it from the perspective Suchitra Film Academy every one-minute film that showed screen. Chowkabaara is a of films we are looking of other characters in the film.” year and this year3820 short a couple who cannot express about a man named Balu who is at. In the next film festival we The lead role that Raj B Shetty movies were submitted from these desires because of their troubled by financial difficulties. will have special slot for Indian plays in the film is of Janardhan, across 42 countries, out of which animation movies as well.”. a 28-year-old Kannada lecturer only 250 films were screened. Leeches is an Urudu movie who is in search of a beautiful The competition was divided by Payal Sethi that received bride. And while doing so, he into four sections, International, special mention. She brings out faces a lot of obstacles and Indian, Kannada, and Animation. the system of contract-based criticism for his looks. The four-day film festival was marriages of children in the The highlight of the film conducted at the Suchitra Film Muslim community. The movie festival was the discussion with Academy from August 31 to is about two sisters who are raised Vinay Pathak, a actor September 3. The academy had by their mother and are forced to with Prakash Belawadi,a theatre three movie screens for showing get married. And so, a contract artist and an actor. films and it also conducted comes for the younger sister as ‘Prakash Belawadi said. “I did discussions with film directors at she is a virgin to get married my engineering first, got myself the end of the day. to an old man. Her elder sister a degree and then stepped into Of the 250 films screened, tries to save the younger one by theatre. I started doing theatre Paroksh, a Kannada film practicing an age old system that plays in Rangashankara and by Ganesh Shetty, is a 12 will restore her virginity. then went onto do films. I would minute that showed Audience at a BISFF discussion BADRI Payal Sethi has tried to show also suggest that young artists the importance of sound. The surroundings. In this crisis, he keeps getting a how Muslim women are being start their career either from suspense thriller had a good (Out)Caste, a Hindi film call from an unknown number. sold off. She said, “I have tried Rangashankara or Suchitra.” build up with a twisted end that by Shilpi Shikha is about a He ignores the calls and that to show the bond between Vinay Pathak spoke about how tells how people over react to a Dalit women works as manual backfires on him. two sisters in my movie and he was pursuing MBA and went situation because of superstitious scavenger for survival. Her Lastly, in the Animation also to bring out the contract to watch a play for the first time beliefs. Mahasamparka and 11 year old daughter goes to and was awe struck by it. He Chowkabaara are also thriller school but gets bullied by her knew then that he was unhappy films with a twisted and classmates because of her with what he was doing and unexpected ending. mother’s profession. started his career in acting. On the other hand, Memories The award winning films in “One of the main attributes of of a Machine, a each section were as follows: an actor is that he must have a short film by Shailaja Padindala in the International competition little bit of madness in himself. is about a woman who is being Varadero by Benjamin Villaverde Because the industry is hard. recorded as she shares her early took the first place and Exterior It’s a very hard job to do. From sexual experiences and how she Wash by Jaber Ramezani the outside it might seem very started to explore her sexuality second place. glamorous, but the reality is that from then on. This is a raw and Varadero is a Spanish film it’s not so,” he said. brave film that talks about a about an lady named Amparo Nikhil Bhardwaj, the women’s sexual desires. The film who is in her late 50’s. She has coordinator of BISFF, said, “We also won the first prize under the always dreamed of living in did not conduct the short film Indian Competition. Varadero. A banner of Varadero festival last year due to some Chowkabaara director, Santosh G BADRI Shilaja Padindala got the idea is but up near a bus stop. Amparo difficulties. So this year, we of writing this script as, from her stares at the banner every competition Lima by Afshin based marriage system that still have put in double the effort to school days, girls used to discuss morning on her way to work. Roshanbakht and Vahid Jafari continues in the rural parts of organise a good festival.” such issues and while growing She finally quits her job, packs bagged first place and Agrinoui India. As a woman, I find such The 8th BISFF work will be set up too these issues pertained. “I her bags and is all set to go to by Alexis Chaviaras won second systems horrific. But at the end in motion starting from October had the idea of writing the script Varadero. place. of the day this will continue this year and filmmakers can remembering my school days as Exterior Wash is a Persian film, Lima is a Persian film about because poor people need to start submitting their short films to how many girls used to talk Zohreh, her mother and Mahtab, a boy who lost his father at a survive.” from January 2018. 8 COMMUNIQUE ADVERTISEMENTS SEPTEMBER 2017

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