"Humour is so much an Integral Part to One's Life"

Acknowledging and Celebrating Lovely Literary Beings ❤️

The Past Week on ‘Literary Mode’: A Report

[8 – 15 July 2023]

Just this last week in one of my classes, I was telling my dear students, on how reading helps us to cultivate the power of empathy, and thereby enhances our personality, transforming us for the better, in the process.

A reader is known by the way they talk, the way they walk, the way they behave, the way they approach issues, the way they empathise with others!

So gentle, so refined and so graceful!

Reading about other cultures, other nations, other languages, their food habits and their lifestyles, teaches us to step into their shoes, and thereby helps us cultivate the power of empathy.

This past week was indeed quite a rewarding one on the literary arena, on many fronts, even as I wish to share, acknowledge and celebrate lovely literary beings who cultivated this beautiful power of empathy, in their own sweet ways. 

First and foremost, I was happy to be part of the comprehensive PhD Viva for two scholars from VIT Vellore, which was a very rewarding experience. I could see the enormous commitment and dedication of Dr. Anu Baisel in encouraging his scholars to come up with their best in their research.

Secondly, In Tandem, the Research Wing of the Department of English, launched its maiden Symposium for the new academic year, on Friday, 14th July 2023, which also happens to be the founding day of Queen Mary’s College, Chennai. The theme for this year is, ‘Interdisciplinary Literary Studies’.

I was happy to give my felicitations, joining a host of luminaries, on the occasion. 

Dr. Padma V Mckertich, Associate Professor of English, Stella Maris College, Chennai, inaugurated the Symposium with an insightful introduction to ‘Interdisciplinary Literary Studies’.

She began with a lovely quote from Roberta Frank that set the tone and the ambience for her talk.

Sharing the lovely quote here, for our benefit.

Thirdly, I also got the shocking news that Milan Kundera is no more. In fact, this news was simply a bolt from the blue, and a rude jolt for all of us, fans of the legend!

One thing I love about Milan’s personality is that, he always dons the ‘incognito’ mode and quietly goes ‘off radar’ for days and months in a row!

He also has this beautiful attitude of looking upon life as one grand celebration! ‘Life has loveliness to sell’, says he, with Sara Teasdale! 😊

In his first book, titled The Joke, written in 1967, Milan underlines the danger and the doom of living in a humourless world!

It indeed is damning to live without the ‘dominant rasa’ of humour, which has the charm and the charisma, the appeal and the allure to make life and all its burdens light, ain’t it!

To Milan Kundera, thence, humour is so much an integral part to one’s life, a key ingredient that gives added flavour, and added spice to our lovely lives on this ‘dwelling’ of ours! 

So much for the power of humour in our lives!

One reason why he’s so wary of being part of a society that lacks a sense of humour! 

I’m reminded of Woody’s lines – ‘It takes a worried man to sing a worried song’!

Milan is a melange and a medley! who celebrates the lightness of being to the very core of his 94-year dwelling on this sweet planet. May Milan Rest in Peace. Obeisance to a legend!

May Milan’s plenty continue to inspire, impact and invigorate all of us!

Fourthly, this past week, I was so happy to get a lovely and delightful message from Brindha, II MA English, after they had visited the Anna Centenary Library as a class. The message is on how the library had an amazing impact on her.

Reproducing it below, for our inspiration and motivation -

Hi sir,

Let me begin by saying how grateful I am to have got such a passionate professor who wants his students to learn and grow.

Sir, I'd like to mention a few things that I learnt and enjoyed during my visit to Anna Centenary Library.

There's something special about being surrounded by books and all the knowledge that they contain and I'm sure I felt it today.

The library had a huge collection of books and other resources.

To be honest I was clueless on what field to choose for my MA research, thankfully I found such a diverse collection of books.

I would say the trip definitely broadened my horizons.

Adding on to it, it was an ideal place to learn new things and when you look up from your book, there's this amazing view of the entire city.

Such a quiet and calming atmosphere sir.

The library also had a dedicated section for students who are preparing for competitive exams.

Blessed I would say.

We were there for 3-4 hours, we even had a small coffee break.

I'm sure I'll be visiting this amazing place pretty soon.

Thank you for guiding us sir.

I really had an amazing and positive experience.

Felt so happy on reading this lovely message. More power to you, dear kiddo!

Fifthly, this past week, again, I was so delighted to receive yet another message from Sai kiddo. The message runs thus –

Anna, we had been to the bookstop opposite to Krishna Temple in Koramangala today, and all three of us bought books for us, each in different genre anna.

Sai kiddo has always been such a passionate reader and writer. She’s a born poet as well. You may want to read our exclusive past post on Sai kiddo HERE.

Sai Kiddo's lovely haul from BookStop

Sai kiddo had also shared a delightful snippet from Kabir, which again, speaks to renouncing the ego, and thereby cultivating empathy.

Here goes the snapshot for us all from Kabir –

Sixthly, I was also delighted to know that Hemanth, II BA English, has started a delightful literary blog of his own, titled, “Language, Literature, Love, Life.”

You may want to look up his blog HERE.

Seventhly, Abraham from II BA English has also started a blog a couple of weeks ago, and it’s titled, ‘Anglistik with Abraham’.

You may want to look up his blog HERE.

Eighthly, just a few months ago, Vishnu, III BA English, had started a beautiful blog. His blog is titled, ‘Urslovingdiary: Where the heart stays’.

You may want to look up his blog HERE.

Ninthly, three students from II MA English conveyed the good news that their articles have been accepted for publication. Once it’s published, shall put up a congratulatory note here, on our blog.

Tenthly, Kekhrie Neika (2010 – 2013), had shared a sweet thought with me, which is exclusively meant for his juniors in MCC, via Whatsapp. It runs thus –

Dear Sir,

Hope this thought helps and inspires students for their betterment in all spheres.

Don’t make your pitstop situations to be a downfall for you, leading to failure. But rather, make it a source of replenishment of preparation to propel you for a marathon success ahead.

What a beautiful thought! More power to you, dear Kekhrie.

Eleventhly, this past week, I received a beautiful message from Krishna, BA History, MCC. Felt so happy to know that he had visited the British Council Library. He said that he was so impressed with the library’s collections. So happy for you dear Krishna.

Twelfthly, Vishnu, from III BA English came to meet us during the Coffee Break and shared a very delightful news with me.

He said that, they’ve started a lovely little gathering for readers titled, “Readers’ Roof”, and they meet up over books at our Library’s Research Room.

Felt so happy to know this lovely news. Great going, dear Vishnu. Keep up the good work.

Thirteenthly, I was so thrilled to receive a delightful, vibrant and lovely poem on ‘Puddles and Coffees’ by Dr. Nazneen, lines that are so spontaneous, and so delightfully penned!

Reproducing it here below for us, dear readers –

How sweet! More power to you dear Dr. Nazneen!

Fourteenthly, I was excited to receive the regular Friday Inspirational from Gayathri, A.K, [MA 2023]. One thing I so admire about Gayathri is her consistency; and her resolve to share with fellow readers her lovely inspirational thoughts. More power to you, dear Gayathri. Keep up the spirit. 

You may want to look up her regular Friday inspirationals on the Community Tab, in her YouTube page, HERE.

Penultimately,

I was so delighted to get the news from Mugunthan, Shane Christen, Sharan, Tamil Mani and others from the II MA Class, that they were having a rewaring time in the Anna Centenary Library. More power to you dear class. You are amazing. Keep up the spirit.

Finally, for the icing on the post –

I felt so happy to receive a host of lovely photos, from the inaugural of the Kalaignar Centenary Library in Madurai, yesterday. I was doubly delighted to see the veteran artist [late] Manohar Devadoss’s beautiful sketches adorning the library.

You may want to look up our past post on the legend, HERE.

More power to you Prof. Sundhar! Thank you for the live updates. 

Folks in and around Madurai, please do make a visit to the Library and please do share your observations with me. 

Would love to share it on our blog here.

To sum it all up,

What an amazing way in which we all celebrate our sweet literary lives in our own unique ways! 

Keep shining dear literary beings! You are invaluable! You are awesome! You’re priceless! ❤️