Tattvamala Diaries - Part I ❤️

Of Lush Green Roads and Living Newspapers

A Vibrant Goan Academic Sojourn

30th January 2026 

The road from Bangalore to Mapusa is less of a highway and more of a green tunnel carved exclusively for the nature lover - yes! I hazard a wild guess! 😊

I began the journey at noon from Bangalore, surrendering myself in toto for a ten-hour drive through the winding roads, flanked by lush green forests. And yes! there is this one particular stretch - a dense jungle road spanning 40 kilometres - where the drive became a rhythm of thrill and lubtub, the heartbeat too accelerating with every curve of the wild terrain. 😊

I arrived in Goa to a warm welcome by Prof. Subhash. My Sahridaya (kindred spirit), Dr. Ganesh, had already reached two hours earlier.

The next morning – 30th January - began with a ‘ceremonial ritual’ that Dr. Ganesh and I hold sacred for more than two decades now, whenever we travel on academic pursuits – our early morning’s long literary walks. 

En route to our delight, we also found a small, local tea jaunt, the kind that served special Goan tea that was a joy for the tastebuds.

What followed was a discussion on literature so spirited and consuming that we committed the cardinal sin of academia: yes! we both lost track of time - as usual! 😊

Well, we had promised Dr. Shanthi, the Vice-Principal of DMC College, that we would depart by 9:00 AM. But the discussions were too good to end. We eventually rushed downstairs, guilt in tow, to find our good friend Dr. Bishnupriya Dutt from JNU waiting for us.

We arrived at the beautiful Dnyanprassarak Mandal’s College (DMC) campus just in time. 

The atmosphere was electric, set by an inaugural song composed by a student just two days prior - a lovely testament to such raw and vibrant talent. You may want to listen to that traditional welcome song HERE on our YouTube Channel.

The Composer of the Welcome Song

Following the traditional lighting of the lamp (kuthuvilakku) and the warm welcome by Principal Prof. D. B. Arolkar, the stage was set for a deep dive into culture. This was followed by the release of the Book of Abstracts and the Conference Proceedings. 

The Chief Guest, Shri Tomazinho Cardozo, spoke next. 

A former Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly, a playwright, and a teacher, Cardozo is a titan of Goan culture, who also has a road in Candolim bearing his name. However, his true legacy lies in his mastery of Tiatr – a unique theatrical art form of Goa.

Shri Cardozo’s address on ‘Tiatr in Goan Culture’ was a revelation of sorts. Tiatr is not merely musical theatre; it is a rigid, unique format specific to Goa, acting as a vehicle for socio-political dissent, he observed. 

What follows - is taken from the PPTs that Mr. Cardozo had shared with us on screen.

Tiatr is a unique form of musical theatre specific to the state of Goa, India. It has a rigid structural format and a socio-political role that make it distinct from any other dramatic form in the world.

In between the acts of the serious play, singers appear on stage to perform songs called Cantaram. Interestingly, these songs have absolutely no connection to the plot of the play.

While in all other musical theatre traditions (like Broadway or Bollywood), songs are used to advance the plot or express a character’s inner feelings, in Tiatr, the songs are standalone interludes that break the tension of the drama.

One reason they are called, the “Living Newspaper” of Goa, since it is not just entertainment; but also a primary vehicle for political and social dissent.

Like for example, if a political scandal happens in Goa this week, it will likely be referenced in a Tiatr next week. The songs (Kantaram) are almost always satirical. They openly mock corrupt politicians, criticize government policies, and expose social hypocrisy. Tiatrists (performers) are known for their fearlessness in naming and shaming public figures on stage.

The story is divided into six or seven acts, called Podd’dde. Each Podd’ddo has a canto related to the story. Comedy is interwoven in the story.

Kantaram (side-show) – is totally unrelated to the story. While the story deals with one subject, each Kantar highlights different subjects.

17th April 1892 - The first Tiatr ‘Italian Bhurgo’ in Bombay.

It was an adaptation of English drama – ‘Italian Boy’.

Lucanzinho Ribeiro is the pioneer of Tiatr.

Joao Agostinho Fernandesis is the Father of Tiatr.

He produced the first Konkani gramophone record in 1910.

Zagor and Khell were dramatic forms before Tiatr took birth in 1892.

They were folk dramas.

The songs – Kantaram – sung between the Pordhes of the tiatr are equally responsible for the success of the tiatr.

The songs presented in the tiatr should also be of varied nature, i.e., Solos, Duets, Trios, Quartets, and so on.

If you analyse the songs composed by Kid Boxer, Alexinho de Candolim, M. Boyer, C. Alvares, Minguel Rod to name a few, you will find rich lyrical value in their songs. Such compositions will always remain for posterity.

The singer, lyricist and musician who made Konkani Kantar popular throughout the world was Alfred Rose.

The only musician and lyricist who had taken the Konkani songs to the highest level is Chris Perry. He created Lorna – the singer.

The other musician who has given excellent music to Konkani songs is Frank Fernand in the Konjani films, ‘Amchem Noxib’ and ‘Nirmonn’.

Other singers – Minguel Rod, Dioginho D’Mello, Mohana, Cecilia, Robin Vaz, Star of Arossim etc.

In modern times, Lawrie Travasso, Anthony San, Sharon Mazarello are well known singers.

Types of Tiatr

Any drama in any language in any state or country can be categorised into -

a) Historical b) Social c) Political d) Religious

These tiatr highlights different aspects of our lives.

Woman on Tiatr stage

On the tiatr stage, it was Regina Fernandes who acted first, way back in 1904, in the Tiatr Bhatkara. Regina also could act on the stage because she was the wife of Joao Agostinho Fernandes who wrote and directed the tiatr Bhatkara.

Formation of Tiatr Academy

Boosted all round development of tiatr.

During the first three years of TAG’s existence, it formulated 34 schemes in order to develop every aspect of tiatr.

Besides research work in tiatr and academic study of tiatr was also undertaken.

Tiatr literature was published.

Children’s tiatr was organised.

Popularity of Tiatr

It is the most popular dramatic form of Goa.

Each is performed over a hundred times that too without tickets.

There are about 20 commercial troupes some of which produce two tiatrs a year.

Religious tiatrs in Lent season are also a great success.

No feast in the village or wards is complete without staging a tiatr,

signed off Dr. Tomazinho Cardozo. 

It was a very informative talk for all of us on Tiatr.

Following the group photos, the keynote address was delivered by Prof. Bishnupriya Dutt on “Theatre in the Streets, amidst Protests and New Modes of Feminist ‘Artivism’.”

During our interactions, in the Principal’s room, we were delightfully surprised to discover she is the daughter of the legendary Utpal Dutt.

He revolutionized Jatra (Bengali folk theatre), taking it from open fields to political weaponisation. Much like the Tiatr artists of Goa, he used the stage to challenge the establishment, proving that comedy and revolution often walk hand in hand.

The day concluded with Dr. Ganesh’s talk on “Shifting Shapes: Texts, Spaces and Cultures”. 

This was followed by a brilliant solo performance titled “The Other Half” by Mr. Prasad Kalangutkar. The piece was so witty and observant about relationships that during dinner, Dr. Bishnupriya couldn’t help but ask, “Prasad, are you married?”

He nodded a solemn “Yes”, and the table erupted in laughter.

Dr. N. S. Gundur (Senior Professor and Chairman, Department of Studies and Research in English, Tumkur University, Tumakuru, Karnataka) spoke next on the topic, “Doing the Right Action: Theatre & Yajna”.

In the afternoons we had the technical sessions.

Dr. Ganesh and myself, we chaired one technical session each in the Conference Hall. We were so delighted to see lots of discussions and interactions from audience and chairpersons alike.

The Paper Presenters for Dr. Ganesh were –

1. Ms. Urvashi Mohinani & Dr. Jolly Puthussery: Reimagining Maricha: Mythic Textual Transformation through  Autoethnographic Choreographic Practice.

2. Prof. M. Shanthi & Dr. Deepa Prajith: Relishing Secular Verse in Sanskrit Drama: A Rasika’s Interpretation.

3. Dr. Tanvi Bambolkar & Ms. Sanchika Almeida Sharma: Aesthetic Variations of Angika Abhinaya in Classical, Folk and Modern Performances: An Insight

4. Dr. Shantanu Shivajirao Patil: Voice and Agency in Classical Sanskrit Drama: A Feminist Socio-Cultural Study of Gender and Power in Abhijnanashakuntalam.

5. Dr. Rajashri Barvekar: Decolonising the Epic: Indigenous Folk Theatre and Subaltern Voice in Mareech The Legend.

I was happy to Chair the session for the following delegates.

1. Dr. Reetika Negi: From Ritual to Performance: A Sociocultural Evolution of the Jāgar Ritual of Kumaon.

2. Priyanka Raju Verekar: Rereading Rasa Theory in Kathak Theatrical Performances.

3. Ms. V. Sharon Susannah: Beyond Adornment: Bangles and Bells in Tamil Theatrical Narration.

4. Ms. Mishail Sharma & Ms. Barkha: History in Performance: Delhi’s Mandi House as a Repository of Culture and History.

5. Mr. Niranjan Prabhakar Arondekar: Dashavtar (folk drama) of Sindhudurg as a Beacon of Moral Education and Ethics: A Study.

Later in the evening, we had a lovely time of fellowship over dinner at the Chairman’s hotel. The Chairman and the Vice Principal joined us for dinner. We had a hearty time of discussions over dinner that lasted for upto three hours, and little did we realise time flitting us by.

Then, while dropping back Dr. Bishupriya and her daughter back to our hotel, I exhorted her to publish a biography of her father. 

She said, “Yes, personally I’d love to. But I am a wee bit afraid that the personal / emotional element of being his daughter might subtly come in the way and have a sway over my writing”.

Valid observations at that!

From the lush jungles of the long drive to the intellectual precincts of theatre at DMC College, it was indeed a rewarding day in every way - truly Sahridaya.

And the evening and the morning were the first day! 😊

So happy to note that, like last year, the Organising Committee gave us all, lovely potted plants as souvenirs for the occasion. A beautiful thought, worth emulating!

‘Rufus, now, don’t expect me to wash the whole car for you!’ said my Principal 💚

Today is World Environment Day

5th June 2025

#reflections

#onthedaytoday

Well, the Office of International Programmes had three important events today.

Thanks a lot to the lovely, spirited and vibrant Associate Deans of International Programmes, Prof. Arun Kumar (Aided) and Dr. Millicent Serena (SFS), who go that extra mile to ensure that the Office of International Programmes always gives its best in the service of the Institution.

Yes, gotta introduce our lovely team on the go for all of us - 😊

Coming back – to the three important events we had today -

The first is, the arrival of Dr. Ruth Kattumuri to Campus at 9.30 am today.

Dr. Ruth needs no introduction. She is an illustrious alumna of our College, and presently Senior Director of Economic Development, Trade and Investment Directorate with the Commonwealth of Nations.

The second is, the engaging and rewarding meeting for collaborations and partnerships, we had with Ben-Gurion University, Israel, a public university, placed in the top 500 in the QS World University Rankings.

The third is, the rewarding interactions we had with officials from the University of Liverpool, UK. UoL is placed in the top 200 in the QS World University Rankings.

After the meetings, as we had planned much earlier, a few of us friends, went for a lovely Nature Walk, snapping away a lot of lovely birds and animals in the process.

We were also discussing ways in which we can raise awareness for environmental protection.

I shared with them all, on how our former Principal Dr. Alexander Mantramurti, was instrumental in showing me the way forward on conserving water. 

Added, when students sometimes forget to turn off the lights and fans after their classes, he used to go personally to the class and turn them off.

A paradigm for the “lead by example” principle, wherein, a person inspires and motivates others through their own actions, behaviour, and conduct, rather than just through words alone!

I wish to reproduce this particular incident, where he ‘had led by example’, from my own past blogpost.

Here goes –

Well, it was yet another relaxed Saturday morning. A day when the mind slows down its pace to a lethargic ‘lullaby’ish pace! I had just finished my walk, a wee bit early to be able to start quite ahead of time on a weekend sojourn!

So once back at home I take my hose tubing and start in all earnest - my car-cleaning chore!

Cleaning my car is something that I enjoy doing all of the time – what with a wonderful nylonish flexi-tubey for company, and water - water - water - all the way – I do relish and enjoy to the utmost the sheer delight in being ‘water-sportive’ when cleaning my car, and well, yes! it was my first car, a brand new car, a Santro XO car, a precious car, ha ha and what not!

Happily humming away a tune that rhymes to the spray of the shower of the tubey – I was shaken from the stupeficated-world-of-my-own’ by a neatly-dressed gentleman who taps gently on my shoulder!

With a startled surprise, and a bated sigh, I wish him, ‘Good morning Sir!!!’

He was just finishing his morning walk, and was on his way home, when either something about me or my car, bid him stop right on his tracks!!

He stood his gentle ground and asked in his usual inimitable style,

‘How are you Rufus?’

‘Doing fine, Sir. How are you? Please come home Sir!’

I request him as part of the cultural protocol ;-)

Having politely declined my impulsive ‘offer of the day’, he gently persuaded me to first turn off the water from the hose-tubey on a ‘priority-basis’!!!

I did.

He now asked me to quickly fetch him a pail of water and some soft cloth wipes.

I did.

Then he rolls up his sleeves and in a fraction of a second starts on a ‘mission-clean-up-op’ cleaning the car upfront.

He started to gently apply the cloth-wipes from the bottom of the vehicle up to avoid even the tiniest of streaks or the wimpiest of rashes in the vehicle’s polish.

After five or six ‘swipes’, he soaked the cloth-wipes in plain water and went about doing the task with a dignified alacrity and consummate ease. The spots and specks of dirt came off loose from the car’s sides, as easy as pie, and he didn’t stop with that.

He soaked the cloth wipes yet again, wringing it damp-dry, and cleaned the offside yet again, completely removing even the tiniest film of moisture in its shiny and lustrous teflon-coated surface! And very soon one quarter of the offside was as clean as a whistle!!!

Now he soaked the cloth-wipes again for the umpteenth time, and was starting off on the nearside, when he stopped, looked at me, smiled clairvoyantly and quipped:

‘Rufus, now, don’t expect me to wash the whole car for you!’

‘ha ha… okay Sir!’

‘This is how you go about washing a car, Rufus!’

‘Now, here’s the cloth wipe. Go ahead. God bless. Have a good day!’

And he was off, in as casual a manner as he had come down to help me out.

Indeed, it was not a help but an ignition! A spark for a life-time from the blue!

Well, instead of giving me a fish each day, here was a ‘mighty-senior-Professor’ teaching me how to fish!

The proper way of fishing!

Without wastage of water of any sort! Just four litres of water to clean an entire car!

With the limited resources available at one’s disposal!

Even as Newspapers from across Chennai threw up a surprise yesterday with ‘Smart Water ATMs’ all set to be launched in 50 locations across city, aimed at ensuring better access to clean drinking water in key locations! 

The Hindu, Chennai Edition, 4th June 2025

Conserving water, with the utmost respect and thought to the needs and wants of the vast humanity around you who are deprived of even a bottle of water at their disposal for days!!!

I had learnt my lesson! must have surely been two decades ago!

And how!!!

Luckily, from a teacher’s teacher!!!

From none other than the Principal of Madras Christian College - Dr. Alexander Mantramurti…!!!

The senior-most (Principal) of the College was not only giving valuable ideas to the junior-most (Lecturer) on how to use water judiciously, but he was also simultaneously teaching me those invaluable lessons in as non-chalant a manner as could be, and with a dignified ease!

On the occasion of World Environment Day today, let’s just try and lead by example –

By being mindful of our water usage - taking shorter showers, fixing leaky faucets, and watering plants efficiently.

By being alert to switching off lights and electronic devices when they are not in use, and unplugging devices (to avoid ‘vampire drain’)!

By creating a ‘Green Diary’, or a ‘Green Blog’ and thereby encouraging friends and family to record their observations and reflections on nature.

By going on a nature walk, and thereby appreciating the beauty of nature and learn about local ecosystems.

Happy World Environment Day! 😊

And yes! here are some lovely snaps that I had this past week, for our readers, and a memorable Tree-Plantation Drive we did a few years ago! 😊

 

Photos (c) this blogger, and it is free for everyone :-)

You may want to read this lovely article on “Dr. Alexander Mantramurti and Time” by this blogger, on our past blogpost HERE

To me, personally, that’s a crime! 💜💜💜

Gurudev and the Mahatma ❤️

Life Lessons from the Great Tagore-Gandhi Debate

Nobel Laureate Tagore | On His Birthday Today

7th May 2025 #Reflections #onhisbirthdaytoday

Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore, are two towering figures associated with the Indian independence movement.

Both shared a camaraderie and a bonhomie that’s evident in Tagore bestowing the title ‘Mahatma’ on Gandhi and Gandhi addressing Tagore respectfully as ‘Gurudev’.

Both Gandhi and Tagore placed immense value on education as a tool for individual and national awakening.

Both believed in the importance of selfless service to society.

Both envisioned an India that was inclusive and free from religious and social divisions.

Both were critical of the excessive materialism and industrialization of the West as well.

Yet… despite this mutual admiration and their shared goal of India’s upliftment, their approaches to various crucial issues, particularly in the realms of education and nationalism, revealed significant differences of opinion.

In fact, the “great debate” between Tagore and Gandhi foregrounds their contrasting perspectives to life, and bespeaks to the importance of celebrating other perspectives, other voices and other truths that life has to offer us.  

While Tagore envisioned a more holistic and creative education that’s universal in its appeal, foregrounding the arts, literature, music, and a connection with nature, Gandhi envisaged a nationalism that is deeply rooted in the Indian soil, emphasizing self-reliance (Swadeshi), non-violent resistance (Satyagraha), and the rejection of Western colonial influence.

Tagore’s institution - Visva-Bharati, aimed at fostering intellectual freedom, creativity, and a global outlook, blending Eastern and Western knowledge, that emphasizes self-realization and the harmonious development of the individual.

He was quite sceptical of narrow, aggressive nationalism, which he saw as a potential source of conflict and intolerance. Hence, he advocated for a more cosmopolitan and humanistic approach, that prioritised universal humanism over a strict nationalistic fervour.

Gandhi on the other hand, emphasised on self-reliance that favoured a rejection of foreign-made goods and a return to traditional, indigenous crafts.

In this regard, the charkha, or the spinning wheel, was a powerful symbol of self-reliance and economic independence for Mahatma Gandhi and the Indian independence movement, as it represented economic self-sufficiency, economic empowerment and resistance against British industrial dominance.

In short, although they were very good friends, they agreed to disagree on their perspectives to life and society.

While Gandhi, the pragmatic political leader, focused on mass action and self-reliance, Tagore, the visionary poet and philosopher, emphasized on universalism, cultural renaissance, and the holistic development of the individual.

This three-decade long friendship in fact speaks volumes to the celebration of differences between individuals.

As friends, as family, as siblings, as colleagues, we may all have our different / differing world views to life and living.

Like Tagore and Gandhi, it’s good to have healthy dialogues and debates that hinge on our differences.

But let’s not enforce our personal worldviews / perspectives on another.

To me, personally, that’s a crime! 😊

Let’s believe in celebrating every individual’s unique world view! Let’s agree to disagree! 😊

The moment we realise that, everyone has the right to their beliefs, opinions, perspectives and world views, that’s when we will stop judging, criticising and commenting on another person’s attitude to life and living!

As Hector Garcia says in their Ikigai –

“Our ikigai is different for all of us, but one thing we have in common is that we are all searching for meaning.”

This celebration of the quintessential differences in every individual makes life meaningful and rewarding, and helps us to look upon life as ‘a celebration of differences!’

To sum it up, in the words of the French enlightenment philosopher Voltaire –

“I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it”.

How beautifully he’s said it! Ain’t he? 😊

Image credits: gandhi.gov.in

PS: You may want to read Tagore’s take on Visva Sahitya, on our past blogpost HERE 

Talestra 2025 | A Report | Kristu Jayanti College, Bengaluru ❤️

A Rewarding Day | @ Kristu Jayanti College, Bengaluru Today

24th February 2025 | Talestra 2025

This morning at 5.30 I was up for my usual coffee-stroll in Narayanapura, Bengaluru. While walking down the road, I was surprised to see many bikers and walkers draped in woolen wear. Indeed the chill morning breeze of Bengaluru had enveloped us full-time! So for once, instead of having my regular coffee, today I took to chai to beat the chilly weather. 

At 8.30 am, Dr. Santhosh came to my room to invite me for breakfast. We walked across the main gate to the staff rooms, where Dr. Santhosh showed me around his cabin.

I was pleasantly surprised to see Dr. Ben Milton, Dr. Tejas, Dr. Brighton among others who were there to welcome me. We all had breakfast together in the Staff Canteen.

Then, we headed straight to the auditorium.

Kristu Jayanti College is an architectural marvel in itself.

Even Fr. Principal’s room was so pleasing to the eyes, and invigorating to the mind, as it was adorned all over with indoor plants of all hues and shades.

Fr. Joshy Mathew who heads the department, is commitment-personified. We had a lovely time of interaction over coffee as well. I was pleasantly surprised to know that, the Department of English has a staff strength of 53 faculty members, in a College strength of 15,000 students.

Talestra 2025, saw students from many city Colleges turning up with such enthusiasm on them. I was happy to give the Key-Note Address, as part of the activities of the Writers’ Association. Then, I was taken to the grand auditorium of Kristu Jayanti College, where the II MA English Literature students were about to perform a play. Entry to the play was free but students had to register in advance. To my surprise the entire auditorium with a seating capacity of 1,200 was filled to the brim.

When I asked the faculty members about student behaviour during a play performance, they said that, students always maintained the Jayantian Code of Conduct, and never disturbed their fellow audience when a play is performed.

True to his words, the audience was glued to their seats, applauding and cheering the players at the appropriate times.

It was indeed a mind-blowing performance by the students of II MA English.

I was so happy to be invited by Fr. Principal Dr. Augustine George to sit with him in the front row, along with Fr. Joshy Mathew, HoD, Dept of English to watch the stellar performance of the players.

With Fr. Principal and the HoD, Dept of English Fr. Mathew

The fact that the members of the audience gave a standing ovation to the cast and crew is testimony to the success of the performance. Interestingly, the play was directed by a student of II MA, under the supervision of a faculty coordinator Dr. Steffi. Everything about the play was impeccable, and everything went like clockwork, with no odd, jarring pauses, or noisome squealings from the microphones at any point of time.

I was glad to take a snap with Fr. Principal and the HoD along with a host of vibrant faculty members of the Dept, Dr. Santhosh, Dr. Brighton, Dr. Ben Milton and Dr. Tejas.

I was delightfully surprised to meet the architect of the College, a very simple, cool and calm personality, Fr. Som Zacharia, Director Infrastructure Planning and Development, who is the brain behind the brilliant architectural design of each of the buildings of Kristu Jayanti College. The best of all is the design of the Humanities block.

I told him, ‘Father, not even a single square feet of space has been unutilized or under-utilized here. Every space has been put to the best use’.

One has to see the architecture to believe it.

It is 10 pm now, and just now, got back from Bengaluru, by car. It was a long journey, of about six hours, 😊 that too, driving through the busy Bengaluru highways and byways was a challenging experience.

But at the end of the day, it was a rewarding one!

Hope to write more on this day’s memories, sometime soon.

For now, attaching a few memorable snaps of the day, thanks to Dr. Santhosh. 

Dr. Santhosh, is our past student, an illutrious alumnus of our Dept who is doing so well in KJC. His dedication to his vocation is phenomenal. 

And so are Dr. Ben, Dr. Brighton and Dr. Tejas, all our vibrant past students. I told them that I was thrilled beyond words to see them shine and making an impact, in such a blessed and wonderful college. 

MCC-ians rock wherever they are! So happy to see this in action today at KJC! 😊

Viva la MCC! Viva la KJC!!

You may want to follow their Official Instagram Handle - 

The stage is set, the vibes are electric—welcome to Talestra 2025! The madness has begun 🔥 

#Talestra2025 #UnleashTheMagic #KristuJayanti #Writersassociation

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DGcoXYcJ8bN/?igsh=MWxqZTY1cXg3YWZpYw==