Inside WCC’s Theatrical Extravaganza | Today @ WCC ❤️

When the Human Meets the Divine | WCC’s Sister Act

Today at WCC | A Report

3rd September 2026 #theatre

Come September, and theatre enthusiasts of all hues flock together at WCC’s auditorium for their annual theatrical extravaganza.

Yes, staging an annual college play is a WCC tradition that dates back to the year 1917.

Following the massive success of the college’s live performance of The Sound of Music last year, WCC had decided a kinda sequel, (it ain’t a real sequel though!) to adapt Sister Act into a musical format.

Surprisingly, this evening had an abundant spell of rains, making traffic in namma Chennai a bit ‘more’ chaotic! But thankfully we were on time for the musical.

The play started sharp at 6.30 pm and ended at 8 pm.

As a regular participant over the past two decades, I’ve seen theatre in WCC evolve into such a professional medium, with the student-actors giving such astounding performances to a highly refined, responsive and a very well-behaved audience.

The play has been directed by Regin Rose, a National School of Drama graduate and theatre artiste who has been directing the college’s annual plays for the last five years now.

Although the script of the original has not been altered, the team has added fresh dramatological spice at a few places 😊 just to keep the audience engaged all through the performance! And how!

There’s this scene where Deloris walks into the alley from the right, with her large purse on her, when she witnesses Curtis (her boyfriend) shoot Ernie dead. Ernie falls to the ground lifeless, and on seeing this, Deloris lets out a scream. Curtis and the thugs immediately stare at Deloris, peeved that she had ‘witnessed’ the crime. In no time, Deloris adapts herself to the situation and remarks,

“I… saw nothing. Just now. Just a whole mess of nothing. I was coming here to… uh to…”

Curtis lounges forward to her and says, “Deloris, baby…”

Deloris replies, “Shhhh… We mustn’t ‘wake’ Ernie. I’ll just tiptoe outta here and see what else my fur goes with… Again… I saw nothing… nothing…”

Here, in this particular scene, the girl who played Deloris did an amazing and impressive performance that literally struck a chord with the entire audience.

From here she straight heads to the police station, and starts talking to the cop. Officer Eddie Souther is at his desk, and he begins listening to her complaint.

The dialogues here are so punchy without those boring long and winding sentences - kinda short and witty repartees. Sample this -

Help me! I just saw somebody kill somebody!

Who killed who?

Ernie Williams got killed.

Ernie Williams got killed?

Yeah!

He was our best informant.

Informant?

I bet Curtis Jackson killed him.

Yeah!

Dammit!

Ow! Wait a minute!

What?

I know you.

Well, I know you too, Doris Carter.

Yeah! That was me!

You had a crush on me.

Yeah! That was me!

I’d come around and you’d get so nervous, you’d start to sweat…

No, that wasn’t me!

Be it the rapid-fire, or the split-second timing - they make the interactions feel highly gripping, urgent and highly entertaining as well. 

The use of single words like for example, “Informant?”, “Yeah!”, “What?”, etc., where the actors don’t even have time to pause, literally add to the ‘cliffhanger-ish’ pace, pulling the audience to the edge of their seats!

Coming back -

There’s yet another scene, (Scene 5) at the Queen of Angels Cathedral, South Philadelphia, where the nuns are singing poorly and joylessly, even as they file sincerely through on their way to mass… when…

Mother Superior: Who is that at this hour?

The Philadelphia Police Department: They need to hide a wayward woman in our convent.

A wayward woman? But Monsignor, I don’t –

They are making a generous financial donation.

I see.

Think of it as a test.

Dear Lord, if this is a test, I cannot fail with you by my side. May she be of faith, of modesty…

Thank you, Mother Superior, for letting her hide here for a month.

Deloris: What?

Mother Superior: A month?

Deloris: This is the perfect place?

Eddie: Now you stay here, hide in this convent, and be inconspicuous.

Mother Superior: How can she be inconspicuous? A neon sign blinking, ‘Wawa food market”, is less conspicuous.

DELORIS Hey, I just wanna say thanks for letting me stay here and - and I say this to people all the time - I really dig what you nuns are doing. I love your work. I mean at the end of “The Sound of Music,” when you sisters steal the Nazi’s car parts so the singing children can get away. That’s good stuff.

Mother Superior: Thank you.

DELORIS So listen, while I'm here, these are my ground rules. I want three meals a day and I’ll need two rooms, one for my clothes, one for my down time.

Mother Superior: And these are my rules. You will stay in your room. When you are not in your room, you will behave as a nun. Do you know how a nun behaves?

DELORIS Hey, I went to catholic school when I was a kid.

Mother Superior: The benefits of which are quite apparent. Now. You will only come out of your room for meals or prayer - do you pray, child?

DELORIS Well, one time when I saw Donna Summer, she was wearing a white sequin dress and had a white fur - and I said to myself “Jesus Christ I wish I had that dress.” Does that count as prayer? 😊

Yet another farcical scene commanded the maximum laughs. This particular scene is set inside the Queen of Angels church, where the nuns are frantically scrambling to hide Deloris from the three thugs! 

Fast-forwarding to the last scene which is so gripping, especially the dialogues between a ‘transformed’ Mother Superior and a rejuvenated Deloris! 😊

Here goes –

Mother Superior: For all that you’ve done, I thank you. And may everything you hope for in life be yours. A white sequined gown with a white fox fur.

DELORIS: I don't know about that, Mother Superior. But I got Eddie and my friends here and - maybe they’ll, you know, help me get all that.

Mother Superior: So you will come back and visit us? After the Pope gig?

DELORIS: Pope gig. Check you out, getting’ all show bizzy. Yeah. I'll come back to this church. A lot.

Mother Superior: To pray?

DELORIS: To sing. You know, sometimes when I’m singing with these girls, I’ll just decide to take it up a half step, and everyone of them - all of them - just take it up with me. Without anybody sayin’ a word.

Mother Superior: Perhaps one day you will know that that is God.

DELORIS: Perhaps one day you will know that that is just being human.

Mother Superior: Or perhaps one day we will realise it is both. And they are the same thing.

(Deloris hugs Mother Superior)

Finally, comes the realisation moment, when Mother Superior and Deloris beautifully realise that the divine and the human are deeply intertwined through music!

And how!

Coming back -

The fact that the production is a massive collaborative effort shows!

Over 300 students from various departments, have worked day and night behind the scenes for the success of the play. The stage features 38 students performing as actors, choristers, and musicians. The core committee also includes student production controllers, assistant directors, and dramatologists, working closely with faculty coordinator Prof. Rexlin.

Tickets are sold at the venue (subject to availability) and are priced at ₹300, ₹500, and ₹750, with donor passes available for ₹1,500.

The play is indeed an amazing testament to the magic of student theatre - where sheer dedication shows in every scene of this wonderful masterpiece of sorts!

Be it the punchy humour, or the soul-stirring music, or the impressive sets, or the outstanding costumes, or the soul-stirring music - this production is a must-watch!

Just go for the laughs, and applaud the incredible talent of these vibrant performers on stage, who brought this masterpiece to life!

PS: Three cheers to all ye lovely performers today. The musical team was awe-inspiring. This play being a musical, every one of them sang so well! And the musicians – wonder-amazing! Be it the drums, the violin, the guitar, the organ, it was such a stellar performance! One extra word of appreciation is due - especially to the three cute thugs - Joey, TJ, and Pablo! OMG! You guys simply rocked! You literally lived it!😊

The Thugs Living out their Thug-Life on Stage! 😊

Congratulations Dr. Abhishek! ❤️

Congratulations, Dr. Abhishek I Singh, on successfully defending your thesis in today’s PhD Viva Voce Examination at the IGH Seminar Hall. Congratulations Dr. Mekala Rajan, our former HoD, English, MCC. ❤️

Cordially Inviting You...❤️

 

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2026

Dear Faculty Members, Researchers, Scholars & Students,

You are warmly invited to the International Conference on “Syntax and Semantics in the AI Era: Transforming Education, Narrative, and Communication” on Friday, 11 September 2026 at Indus Arts and Science International College, Erode.

🤝 Jointly Organised By

🔹 Trincomalee Campus, Eastern University, Sri Lanka 🇱🇰

🔹 Arasu Engineering College, Kumbakonam

🔹 Indus Arts and Science International College, Erode

🔹 Bishop Heber College (Autonomous), Tiruchirappalli

🌐 Focus Areas: Language • Literature • Education • Engineering • IT • Communication • AI

📝 Abstract: 250–300 words

📄 Full Paper: Max. 2500 words | MLA Style

💻 Online & Offline Participation Available

📅 Conference: 11 September 2026

📚 Publication Charge: ₹1,500

🔗 Registration

https://forms.gle/TuRmbL6BEQ8Y1BSW7

📞 Contact

Mr. M. Balakrishnan – 9629284850

Dr. V. Ravishankar – 9600960042

Dr. A. Esther Shanthini – 9566935319

✨ Research • Innovation • Collaboration • Communication

We warmly invite your valuable participation and academic contribution.

The Swan Song of the Newspaper Stacks ❤️

The Swan Song for the Daily Newspaper Stacks in Office

4th January 2007 | Memories | When newspapers were part of the ICA in my classes :-)

#reflections #newspaperinlearning

Well, today marked the swan song for the newspaper stacks in my office.

First, for a quick flashback! Well, for quite a few years now, I had made it a daily habit to purchase a minimum of fifty copies of the day’s English newspapers - specifically, The Hindu and The Times of India - and keep them in the office for students to take freely and make use of.

Whenever a student reached out for the newspaper, my heart would flutter with happiness. Watching students drop in from their respective departments (mostly Political Science, History, English and Economics), I would always sport a cheerful smile, silently acknowledging their passion for reading. In those moments, I felt that all the effort put into sourcing those daily papers had finally been rewarded.

And it was quite an effort! As some of you may know, this routine took an extra thirty minutes every morning. It meant hopping between three different vendors, gathering fifty copies, bagging them up, and hauling them all the way to my office! 😊

Just last week, during a Q&A session in my II MA English class, a student named Ebenezer asked me about the inspiration behind providing these free newspapers. I told him that it stemmed from my own memories.

When we were in school and college, I remember cycling for at least three kilometres just to get myself a copy of The Hindu or The Indian Express (yes, back then, it was simply The Indian Express). 😊

I recollected those good ol’ days when we used to stand in long queues just to read the newspapers in the library because papers were in such tremendous demand among students. Reading the daily newspaper was a habituated action, a default part and parcel of our everyday routine. Remembering the logistical hurdles we faced during our own college days, I thought it would be a nice gesture to make these resources easily accessible for today’s students on a daily basis.

However, as the days went by, the footfalls for reading the newspaper began to dwindle. Eventually, only about fifteen students came regularly to pick up their free copy. And last week, only five turned up.

So today, as part of my monthly assessment and review, I visited my regular newspaper vendors and broke the news: from the 1st of September, I won’t be buying extra copies of the day’s newspaper.

The vendors - who had by now become such good friends 😊were indeed slightly shocked!

Why, sir, they asked.

I think they’re just idling away in my office all day for want of readers. I don’t think it is serving its purpose, I blurted out, sensing a noticeable tinge of sadness that was flitting me by! 😊

Although I have stopped purchasing bulk copies starting today, I personally feel that reading per se hasn’t died out in the avid reader.

However, inculcating the habit of reading is a seed (that I personally feel) should be planted early. Introducing it in secondary school is one of the most effective approaches to imparting this lovely skill to students. In fact, catching them young normalises the newspaper as a daily tool for discovery, ensuring that the habit becomes deeply ingrained in their hearts and minds forever!

On a genuinely heartwarming note, a Professor from Theni [Theni Kammavar Sangam College Of Arts and Science]  had shared some wonderful news with me just this evening.

He mentioned that he has been regularly displaying clippings from ‘Education Plus’ on all his Department notice boards every Monday.

Most touchingly, he credited our established practices here at MCC as a partial inspiration for this initiative. I was deeply moved to hear how our routines can motivate and influence others in such positive ways.

A heartfelt thank you to Professor Sundhar for sharing this and for your commendable efforts! May all your noble efforts bear fruit!

P.S. For those of you who love to explore the true value of the daily newspaper - and how profoundly it shapes our language and real-world skills - you may want to gently scroll down to our past posts [HERE].

Why Research Matters | Insights from Today’s Research Writing Workshop at Loyola College ❤️

Reflections on Today’s Research Writing Workshop

Loyola College | PG & Research Dept of English

31 August 2026

It was an absolute joy to be part of the Research Writing Workshop hosted by the Department of English at Loyola College (Autonomous), Chennai. After a rewarding vibe over coffee and conversation, I was ushered into the MCA Hall for my session.

I was so happy to know that undergraduate students at the Department of English, Loyola College, undertake a dedicated paper on Research Writing, which culminates in a practical project.

The session began with the welcome address by Dr. Christina Sagaya Mary, who shared a touching personal anecdote that caught me pleasantly by surprise.

“It was the year 2004,” she recalled. “My father and I had come to Madras Christian College for my admission. The first person we met was Rufus sir. He assured my father that I had come to the best institution and that I was in safe hands.” Hearing her fondly recollect an incident from over 22 years ago was truly heartwarming. She further reflected on her time as a student, remarking, “I was privileged to be taught by illustrious stalwarts like Dr. Ganesh, Dr. Rajagopalan, and Dr. Victor Frederick, who shaped my values for life.”

The Department also extended a wonderfully thoughtful gesture that I personally cherished: presenting me with a Moses-in-the-Cradle (Rhoeo) plant - a lovely new addition to our home garden - 😊 along with a copy of Hermann Hesse’s classic, Siddhartha.

In my lecture, I focused on the profound importance of research in higher education. Research is not merely an academic requirement; it is a fundamental objective, privilege, and benefit of higher learning.

I drew upon Arjun Appadurai’s 2006 essay, “The Right to Research,” where he argues that research must be democratised and recognised as a fundamental human right, particularly in our era of globalisation.

In fact, Appadurai challenges the conventional view that research is an elite, highly technical activity reserved only for specialists. Instead, he posits that it is simply a specialised name for a universal human capacity: the ability to make “disciplined inquiries into those things we need to know, but do not know yet.”

To contextualise this within the Indian landscape, I shared some thought-provoking statistics. Although dropout rates have considerably declined in India and academia has been consistently encouraging scholarly pursuit, the number of individuals actively entering research remains abysmally low.

To illustrate this point, I contrasted our national data with global figures, highlighting the direct link between research investment and economic growth:

In America, for every one lakh people, 440 involve themselves in research.

In China, there are 130 researchers for every one lakh people.

In Israel, it is 825 researchers per lakh, and

In India, it is 27 researchers for every one lakh people.

And as far as expenditure on research is concerned,

In America, $1,866 is spent annually, for an individual researcher.

In China, it is $1,368 per researcher, per annum, and

In Israel, it is $1810, while in India it is $167 per annum.

Let us now try and connect these data with the economy of these respective nations.

In America, it is worth $ 23 trillions

In China, it is $17 trillions

In Japan, $ 6trillions

In India, $ 3trillions

In Israel, 400 billions

Israel has a population that’s a mere one hundredth the size of India’s. However, it is an astounding one eighth in its economy.

Moreover, new inventions, discoveries, production, and the obtaining of patents based on research, are considered of utmost importance in today’s competitive world.

In the market economy, in particular, patents have always had a close connect with economic growth.

Even in this aspect, these nations are a tad higher than us.

For example, up until the year 2018,

China tops the list with over 4.5 lakh patents,

America with 3.54 lakh patents comes second,

followed by Japan with 1.8 lakh patents.

India has so far obtained 25,000 patents.

[Source: Our 2021 Blogpost on 26th June 2021 HERE]

In today’s highly competitive market economy, new inventions, discoveries, and patents are intrinsically linked to national development. The data points to a clear conclusion: countries that invest heavily in research achieve faster and more robust economic growth.

I concluded the session by breaking down the practical mechanics of academic writing. We discussed the core components of an impactful research paper, the ideal structural flow of paragraphs, and five essential rubrics that double as a checklist for students to use before venturing into their final projects.

My sincere thanks to Dr. Sharmila Rani, for initiating this lovely workshop for their students today.

I felt like I was on home soil, with such familiar and vibrant professors Dr. Sharmila and Dr. Christina. Special kudos to them for the excellent way in which the programme was organised today.

I would like to mention one lovely point that Dr. Christina said in her concluding note that was very insightful and hence deserves special mention here. 

She emphasised on the need to break free from the colonial mindset that continues to plague research, especially in formerly colonised nations. For instance, she argued that our unquestioned reliance on APA or MLA guidelines should be replaced by a distinctly Indian style of academic formatting.

A wake-up call for academia. I’m sure this is sure going to have a transformative sea-change in academia in the years to come!

A highly pertinent and thoughtful observation, and I gladly second it to a tee!

Coming back -

A special word of appreciation to Mr. Vishal who did the MC today. Dr. Christina (with a teacher’s happiness) proudly told me that he was doing the MC for the first time. You did it with such confidence, Vishal. Kudos!

And to Mr. Dharun, for introducing me in such a graceful way. Thank you, Dharun.

Thank you dear Professors, and to all of you, our lovely students for the memorable interactions and discussions we had today. You made my day today.

A very rewarding day, in every way.

Amrithavarshini’s Journey to the University of Melbourne ❤️

Stepping into the Global Academic Arena

Event Report | VISA Episode #31

Speaker: Ms. Amrithavarshini Vethirajan (Alumna, Department of BBA, 2022–2025)

[Currently a Master of Management (Accounting) Student, University of Melbourne]

Today’s VISA Programme, [Virtual Interaction with Scholars Abroad] marks the 31st instalment of the ongoing VISA webinar series, continuing the initiative of the Deanery of International Programmes in connecting our current students with our illustrious international alumni.

During the VISA session today, Ms. Amrithavarshini shared from her personal journey and provided valuable advice for prospective international students, focusing heavily on the preparation process and profile development.

She said that, her motivation to study abroad was sparked by a one-semester study abroad experience at LeTourneau University, USA. The vibrant teaching methods, engaging assignments, and dynamic student-faculty interaction fundamentally shifted her perspective on global higher education, she observed.

While initially considering Germany, the challenge of achieving B2 language proficiency within four months prompted her to reorient her priorities, and hence she prioritised finding a secure environment, ultimately leading her to the University of Melbourne.

She emphasised that a strong profile speaks on the student’s behalf. Her successful application was supported by completing three internships, including a pivotal MNC internship encouraged by her Head of Department Dr. Armstrong Doss.

Seizing every opportunity is crucial, she remarked, and highlighted her active involvement in the Incubation Club, winning various competitions, and setting up artistic stalls during the “Excelsia” event.

Participation in student exchange programmes provides a significant competitive edge (acting as a 60-point advantage), while also offering invaluable opportunities to meet new people and gain transformative life experiences, she added.

On the strategies to be mindful of, during the application process, she said that, all academic and extracurricular experiences must be clearly articulated in the Statement of Purpose (SOP). Students should prepare for five to nine profile-based interview questions, maintain high academic scores, and carefully evaluate the Return on Investment (RoI).

The University of Melbourne maintains rigorous academic standards, utilizing assessment materials on par with institutions like Harvard.

While local transportation is highly accessible, the cost of living is steep, making shared housing advisable. She noted that students can manage expenses through part-time work (up to 96 hours a month) and scholarships, sharing that she successfully secured a scholarship of Rs. 20 lakhs.

The session concluded with a lovely message for all aspiring students! Comprehensive profile building is the key to higher studies, and students must have utmost clarity and preparation before stepping into the global academic arena, she signed off.

Of Nightingales and Metamorphosis | Unpacking the True Purpose of Art ❤️

Which is the truer measure of literary greatness? Its capacity to teach a profound lesson or its aesthetic and emotional resonance?

Debate Report: Aesthetic Value vs. Didactic Value of Literature

29th August 2026 | I MA English Class

#todayinclass #classactivity

The Official Transcriber [Rapporteur]: Ms. Andrea Bettina

Official Photographer: Ms. Bhavatharne

Time-Keeper: Ms. Terese

Group Leader for Team Nightingales: Ms. Glynis

Group Leader for Team Metamorphosis: Ms. Meenal

The debate happened on 29/08/2026 in the I MA English classroom. It was between Team Nightingales, headed by Glynis, who supported Herrick’s view of literature’s aesthetic value as therapy, and Team Metamorphosis, headed by Meenal, who supported Herbert’s view of literature’s didactic value as transformation.

The debate started with Team Metamorphosis. Meenal noted that transformation is essential in literature because it always addresses the crisis found in reality. This crisis could be of any social or political background and is always present in daily life. She noted how speaking is also a form of art and how the Jantar Mantar rebellion infused art form to voice out the crisis. She pointed out how the conventions that govern us are not true. For instance, in “Of Parents and Children” by Francis Bacon, he says how children are by you, not for you!, pointing out to self-individualistic expression.

Team Nightingales started out with Glynis’s enforcement of “Art for art’s sake.” She mentioned how art can be politicised, but it all began through escapism, which was a form of self-expression. For instance, cave art, wall art, music, etc. arose as a sense of community where one could communicate about his own life and immortalize art itself. She concluded with Shakespeare’s Sonnet 18, “So long as men can breathe or eyes can see, / So long lives this, and this gives life to thee,” enforcing the immortality of art as a form of escapism.

Kavin from Team Metamorphosis mentioned how art has the potential to transform. It is, in fact, a need, and if the potential is not exercised, the utility is lost. He also mentioned how the potential has an impact on society.

Gishma from Team Nightingales quoted William Wordsworth’s “Daffodils,” where the poet wants to escape the world. She mentioned how humans are always in need of connections.

Ashna Elizabeth from Team Metamorphosis critiqued how the aesthetic value does not really reflect life. She beautifully described the harsh cruelty of life and spoke about how life is unfair and not always sunshine, rain, and rainbow.

Veena from Team Nightingales once again defended the team using the life of Sylvia Plath as an example. She mentioned how her poems are not just transformative, but rather a liberative tool used to vent out her expression. The poems are, in fact, her own way to express her own feelings. She also quoted Robert Frost’s criticism on how he tells the readers not to dwell in the poem and impose the ideas but rather enjoy the momentary peace that it gives. She mentioned Frost’s question to the critics, “Why change the original poet’s interpretation and enforce theories on it?”

Ashna Elizabeth from Team Metamorphosis opposed the example of Sylvia Plath and mentioned how therapy rose only because of a crisis. She once again enforced how crisis is the major component through which art grew.

The Nightingales’ team leader, Glynis, defended the team by saying that before transformation, expression has to happen. And enforced the existence of art as its own utility.

The Metamorphosis’ team leader, Meenal, rose to defend her team again. She once again pointed out how expression can come only through crisis. It is only through crisis that communities mingled to create various literary forms like Black literature, Dalit literature, Indigenous literature, etc. The liberative tool is thereby a form to transform. She gave the opposition a reality hit by pointing out to how the entire class wouldn’t be studying literature if we were only meant to enjoy it.

Ashna from Team Nightingales mentioned the need for expression through art, which only gave rise to various literature such as feminism and post-colonialism, which in turn led to the rise of complex theories.

Blessy from Team Metamorphosis pointed out how literature has a permanency in the world. She strongly enforced the rise of therapy only through the existence of crisis in society by pointing out to Matthew Arnold.

Alena from Team Nightingales mentioned an example from the novel “WarD,” where a patient hesitates to talk to the doctors, but when the topic was on books, he decides to open up. She justifies as to how art can influence expression and pointed out to art acting as a connecting bridge between the patient and the doctor.

Gladia from Team Metamorphosis mentioned Romantic literature, which was the pioneer of expression serving a didactic purpose. Because the authors mention nature, which could be highly interpreted in an eco-critical lens.

Jeffy from Team Nightingales mentioned how art acts as a tool to preserve whatever one overcame in life. For instance, Maya Angelou’s “Still I Rise” not only expressed her own feelings but also influenced many others to get inspired by her and overcome whatever they are going through in life. It thereby acts as a liminal instinct and encourages others to move forward in life.

Blessy from Team Metamorphosis opposed the view on Maya Angelou and mentioned how the teaching of how people suffer and how people must be confident is itself didactic. Thereby, the sense of community is in favor of the transformative power. She mentioned how the novel “WarD” too enforces transformation.

Ruth from Team Nightingales defended the team, saying that before there is a transformation in society, there is a need for art to transform ourselves. This transformation happens through expression. She mentioned a novel “Silent Patient,” where the patient, who is a murderer, pours out the guilt through drawings on paper which cannot be comprehended by society.

Gracelin from Team Metamorphosis mentioned the need to identify the crisis in society for the betterment of both the individual and society. Novels themselves arise only because the author is aware of whatever happens in society.

Fiona from Team Nightingales mentioned how awareness alone doesn’t make the person experience what one has gone through. It is the expression that creates the experience. She points out to the African slaves who used various forms of music like Blues and Jazz as a way of escapism to escape the unjust world. Glynis added to the defense and mentioned how Romantic poets added to the beauty of self-expression. She questioned the opposition team with the term “I love you!” She questioned if they would take up the capitalistic terms of ‘I’ and ‘you’ from the phrase and theorize it or just feel it and interpret her love for them.

Briana from Team Metamorphosis pointed out how self-expression can be simply selfish if everyone only cares about their own feelings without giving heed to the crisis encircling them. She questions how one can experience reality and points to how literature is a blend of both expression and reality.

Jeffy from Team Nightingales rose with a generic question as to why people visit movie theatres. Isn’t it for the sense of escapism from reality? She mentioned how art is essential to preserve memories and happy moments.

Metamorphosis’ team leader, Meenal, rose in defence, saying we watch movies only because we feel a deep connection towards them. She brought in a philosophical point of view, questioning, “What is the purpose of our life?” and mentioned the professor’s question, “What is your contribution to society?” She argued that the purpose is not for ourselves but for a greater use. And she pointed out to the expression “I love you” and said that it is theory that helped us to view the expression as a form of love towards fellow classmates, friends, and family rather than the monotonous romantic idea of romantic relationships.

Beulah from Team Nightingales concluded the debate by mentioning how therapy must happen before transformation. Because for the crisis to be resolved, it must first connect with oneself. She mentioned how Shakespeare attained popularity in his writings only because he understood human nature, that is, their needs and conditions.

The debate concluded with the professor’s appreciation to the class and his mention of how “the spirit of debate won!” He applauded the dissemination of good, valid points and appreciated the class for their efforts and contribution. Debate Report: Aesthetic Value vs. Didactic Value of Literature

Teacher’s Remarks: As chronemics is an invaluable ethical aspect as part of the debating spirit, the inevitable constraints of time forced us to call it a day. 

And... in a world increasingly dominated by the instant gratification of artificial intelligence - my students did something remarkable today! They set aside their ChatGPTs and Geminis, and chose instead the raw, and rugged process of thinking for themselves, thus reminding us that the beauty of literature - whether it heals like a nightingale’s song or transforms like a metamorphosis - lies in its ability to be debated, to be felt, and to be lived.

And today’s vibrant exchange of scholarly ideas is ample evidence to that!

A special word of appreciation to Ms. Andrea who meticulously documented the entire debate, and submitted it to me by the end of the day, as she had promised her professor. Kudos, Andrea.

Transformers vs. Escapists: Art as a Shield or a Sword? | The Great II MA English Showdown ❤️

To Comfort or to Confront? The Great Saturday Debate

II MA English Class | #todayinclass #classactivity

29th August 2026

Today being a Saturday, the II MA English class was all geared up for their customary debate – a habituated weekend activity for the vibrant class.

Well, before we start out on a debate in class, I usually orient or rather re-orient them to the essentials of a good debate. In that vein, today, yet again, I reiterated to the class, on how a person’s arguments, should not tie to their personal identity!

‘Attack the argument, not the person’ is the mantra! 😊

Moreover, in a ‘timed’ or ‘time-bound’ debate, students are aware of the restrictions of time, and hence learn to put their ideas into a nutshell, and present them in such clear, impactful, and persuasive rhetoric.

Today’s debate had all the essentials of a lovely, lively interactive and engaging exercise, where each and every student spoke out their thoughts loud and clear.

So happy that every student got the chance to put across their own arguments in such a persuasive and convincing manner.

Time-keeper for today’s debate: Ms. Preethi

Official Photographer: Ms. Samitha

Group Leader for Team ‘Transformers’ - Ms. Swarna Rekha

Group Leader for Team ‘Escapists’ - Ms. Jothika

The topic for today’s debate -

What is the Purpose of Art? To Comfort or to Confront?

So happy to note that, the team had equal representations on both sides.

‘The Escapists’ won the toss, and asked their opponents – The Transformers - to open the first attack!

Then, before we went headlong into the debate, I outlined the debate prompt –

It is commonly acknowledged by literary souls far and wide, that, the primary function of literature and art in times of crisis should be to provide aesthetic comfort and emotional relief, rather than to provoke moral or spiritual questioning.

On the other hand, there are literarians who strongly believe that, art must confront difficult truths. Literature should challenge the reader, induce spiritual crisis, and force moral growth, even if that process is deeply uncomfortable or agonising.

So what then is the Purpose of Art? To Comfort or to Confront?

With these introductory debate prompts, the floor started out to give their arguments and their defences.

Aarthi began a spirited defence for the Transformers’, stating that, unless literature interrogates the maladies and social evils, there cannot be a transformation in society, and hence, the essence and purpose of literature is to inspect and to interrogate the status quo in society.

Joel, for the Escapists side, said that, ‘We come to the comforting power of good literature during our tough times, and it helps us overcome our tough times. As such, the main aim of literature is to comfort.

Rangineetha speaking for the ‘Transformers’, citing Lee Maracle, spoke of how her stories highlight the effects of colonialism and genocide on the physical, cultural, and spiritual well-being of Indigenous people, which helped in the transformation of the people. It is only by confronting the problems, and presenting the solutions that literature really lives out its full potential.

Lydia spoke for the ‘Escapists’, on how literature becomes therapy by helping us cope with loneliness. When we empathise with a character in a novel or in a short story, it reduces our sense of loneliness, and instantly we feel a great sense of solace, and comfort.

Preethi for the Transformers, then foregrounded the transformative power of good literature, saying that, only through a representation of the traumatic incidents of the past, like racism, sexism etc., do we come to know about the horrific pasts and the embodied experiences of the oppressed.

Jothika, for the Escapists, highlighted Philip Sidney’s views on poetry, saying that, ‘Natural world is brazen, limited and imperfect, whereas the poetic world created by the imagination is golden, rich, idealised, and superior’. In that sense, aestheticism contains within itself the ‘moral, transformative’ factors. So literature need not confront. It can remain as a ‘comforting, therapeutic’ zone forever.

Swarna, speaking for the ‘Transformers’, said that, if that comfort or therapy should be long-lasting and enduring, literature should focus on social change and transformation.

Jovita, speaking for the ‘Escapists’, said that, sometimes even when we scroll through a poem, we find that its power is so comforting or therapeutic, that we feel refreshed after reading it. That’s the comforting power of literature.

Samitha, speaking for the ‘Transformers’ quoting from the opponents, pointed out that, ‘tough times’, or ‘overcoming’ difficult situations, or ‘end-product’, itself means that literature has been ‘utilised’ for transformative purposes. Swarna added to augment the views of Samitha, saying that, ‘Too much of aestheticism in literature would be like keeping it on a showcase, with no other ‘use-value’. Hence to view literature for its aesthetic merits alone, is a passive engagement with literature!

Irene, speaking for the ‘Escapists’, highlighted the ‘happy little moments of life’ – be it as simple as the joys of viewing a sunset – they have a great therapeutic impact on us.

Jothika, disagreed with the view that, ‘To view literature for its aesthetic merits alone, is a passive engagement with literature’. Quoting from Coleridge’s concept of ‘the willing suspension of disbelief, from his 1817 Biographia Literaria, she said that, a reader or viewer temporarily puts aside logic and doubt to accept unlikely or magical things in a story for the joy of the art! Hence, viewing art as didactic means, art comes loaded with a pre-determined message. Art hence becomes propaganda!

Jesica speaking for ‘Transformers’, said that, while escapism is important, transformation is more important, as new ideas and new solutions can come up only when we challenge the existing status quo!

Nihita, speaking for the ‘Escapists’ said that, we experience something, for the sheer joy of experiencing it. It could be as simple as sipping a cup of coffee, or having a cup of our favourite ice-cream – likewise it is the felt experience that literature gives us – that matters more!

Natasha, speaking for the ‘Transformers’ said that, Literature has such immense potential. When we look upon literature as a mere comforting and therapeutic tool, we are not fully making use of its immense potential.

Joshua, speaking for the Escapists, said that, Poetry is a spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings. Poets hence express their raw emotions, their felt emotions, which proves to be a source of great comfort – not only for them but also for their readers. Citing his internship in May, at a famous museum, he said that, visitors were taught on how, even the very act of watching or paying attention to a work of art, could prove to be such great therapy. He also highlighted on how the ‘art’ of diary writing can be therapeutic. Art also has this power of uniting families especially during those memorable get-togethers, be it through the movies, or the music, he averred.

To be continued… (I’m running out of time now, 😊 so please excuse this abrupt end. Hope to continue it tomorrow…)

On the whole, it was a very rewarding debate in every way. For the first time, I could see students not using Geminis or ChatGPTs! Each of them spoke out their thoughts and ideas, from their hearts in such impactful ways.

And on a personal note, I feel that, the greatest takeaway from today’s session is that art refuses to be just one thing!

It is both a mirror and a hammer. It is both a shield and a sword!

It is the warm, comforting cup of coffee 😊 on a rainy day, and it is also the high-beam torchlight exposing the darkest corners of society.

And by defending these dualities in such sharp analytical ways, both the ‘Transformers’ and the ‘Escapists’ have proved beyond doubt that the ultimate function of literature is to keep us profoundly, unmistakably human! 😊

Kudos, II MA Class!

Beyond the Syllabus | The Inspirational Story Behind The Syntax of Scars 💜

When Scars Become Syntax: A Review of Rency Gabriella’s Debut Book

Ms. S. Rency Gabriella | The Syntax of Scars

Book Review

Well, there is indeed an unparalleled joy, and such unbridled happiness - when we witness our students transcend the boundaries of the ‘paper tiger’ syllabus and truly flourish in their academic lives, by contributing to scholarship in their own unique ways.

Added, this joy deepens when a student takes the time and the effort to go beyond the syllabus, and actively engage themselves in the wider scholarly arena, to consistently present their research at academic conferences.

One such vibrant presence in our MA English Programme (2024-26) is Ms. Rency Gabriella.

I have observed Ms. Rency as a scholar who has carved a niche for herself with her unfailing punctuality to her classes, and an unwavering, commitment to academic excellence.

In fact, her dedication to her MA English Programme in MCC, extends far beyond the four walls of the classroom space! Almost every other month, with such commitment, she would journey far and wide to present papers at academic conferences! In the process, she consistently engaged with new texts, new perspectives, new audiences, and thereby brought fresh perspectives to scholarship.

And whenever Rency returns from such intellectual treats, she would happily share her Certificates of Presentation awarded by various esteemed institutions. Watching this steady accumulation of accolades, we her professors saw in her a young and vibrant scholar who was actively shaping her academic identity, one presentation at a time.

And so it was, that, deeply inspired by her steadfast commitment to disseminating knowledge, a thought began to take root. During one of our conversations, we gently challenged her with a new proposition: What if you could publish your conference papers into a single, cohesive book?

From this gentle pedagogical nudge, something truly remarkable emerged.

And that is how this evocative and beautifully titled book, The Syntax of Scars, was born. 😊

[On an aside, we her teachers can never forget the wonderful assignment she did for me on her YouTube Channel, as part of her academic course work, in interacting with children with hearing-impairment.]

Coming back - 

Last week quite early into the morning, she was there in my office, as early as at 7.45 am – to present me with a hard copy of her first published book. 

In fact, it was such a joy to hold in my hands the physical manifestation of a student’s consistent, relentless hard work! A rare privilege!

The Syntax of Scars stands as a thoroughly impressive and compelling read - a brilliant testament to what happens when a student’s dedication and consistency goes far beyond the bounds of the classroom!

Rency’s lovely contribution to society in her own unique style!

Now for a quick review of the book, for us all - 

The Syntax of Scars: Scriptotherapy of the Fractured Interior is a very insightful compilation of academic papers exploring how literature and theology intersect to heal human trauma.

Interestingly, the book argues that both reading and narrative interpretation are highly therapeutic acts – Scriptotherapy - that mend the emotional wounds of the human psyche.

Be it the concept of Ethical Hermeneutics in the famous TV Series titled, The Chosen, or the theme of Trauma into Testimony in Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning, or the theme of the Institutional Gothic in That Hideous Strength, or the theme of Spiritual Transformation in Ben-Hur, or Care Ethics & Gender in the Book of Ruth, Ms. Rency skillfully connects vastly different genres - from ancient biblical narratives and mid-century dystopian fiction to contemporary crowdfunded television series - unifying them under the shared theme of the human search for meaning.

Moreover, one specialty of the book is that, Rency doesn’t stop with analysing texts for their ‘formal literary merit’ alone. Rather, she treats these texts as a lived, therapeutic experience by arguing that engaging with these narratives facilitates a great psychological and spiritual restoration.

As eminent critic Scupin Richard points out, “Without true liberation, there cannot be a true celebration”. As such, the book evaluates texts based on their ability to both liberate individuals from oppression or trauma and also celebrate the resilience and dignity of the human spirit.

And for this, the book draws on philosophers like Hans-Georg Gadamer and Paul Ricoeur, to provide an impactful rubric for modern audiences to “responsibly” interpret sacred or culturally heavy texts, maintaining a dialogue between the historical text and the contemporary reader's world.

It would be apt to conclude this review by highlighting the epigraph that Ms. Rency has given to her book –

“The light didn’t break the darkness; it made me recognise the shape of the brokenness within.”

Ultimately, Rency’s remarkable journey reminds us that when we find the courage to examine our own fractured interiors, our deepest scars can become the very syntax of our healing.

A must-read for those of us who view literature not merely as an academic exercise, but as a living conversation about what it means to be human in a fractured world!

And therein lies the success of this book!

PS: You may order copies of Ms. Rency’s debut book, The Syntax of Scars, at Amazon e-store HERE.