Advika's [AdvikaLit]

                            "Where white is black and black is white, I won." Of Ted Hughes entire Crow   series " Crow's Fall" stands out as a striking instance of the recurring theme of arrogance leading to defeat. Hughes masterfully envelopes the theme using the paradox of black and white. Written sometimes between 1966 to 1969- this compact, explosive piece included in the landmark collection Crow: From the Life and Songs of the Crow ,  was first published in 1970. Here, in the poem the Crow is depicted as an once-white mythical creature symbolizing purity who blinded by his overreaching pride dares to assault the sun that ends up in his charred transformation. Yet, at the end, he croaks out- ' I won ' making the poem a perfect microsom of the series' bleaker themes - victory in defeat. As a modern poem " Crow's Fall  " follows no traditional rhythm and meter; it is written in free verse allowing th...

Today's most triggering concern is ' unemployment '- a single word that shakes an entire generation. Besides leaving individuals questioning their very existence it hammers the societal structure inside out - adults struggling to have self worth, households stretched by financial strain, soaring psychological distress, amplifying inequalities and stalling communities where untapped potential awaits the spark of inclusive governance to ignite the change in society.  According to recent data only in India the rate of unemployment has risen above ~4.7% (PLFS data suggests). Number of jobless youths remains shockingly high- almost triple that in urban pockets & specially among graduates- leaving them nearly frozen in their prime era. The global picture is even bleaker. As the ILO 's Employment and Social Trends 2026 report suggests globally youth unemployment is at ~12.4% in 2025, with around 260 millions neither studying nor working. This certainly poses a crucial ques...

  From heartbreaks to glory ,the women in blue created history when they lifted their 1st ever ICC Women's ODI World Cup defeating South Africa on 2nd November, 2025 at D.Y Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. The entire nation rejoiced in this much awaited triumph. In a nail -biting final match Indian Women's cricket team etched an unforgettable win bringing a wave of pride to the country. In the gripping finale, Indian Pitch Queens displayed complete mastery under Harmanpreet Kaur's captaincy. After winning the toss, when South Africa elected to bowl first, India posted with a challenging 298/7 immediately turning the pressure on to the chaser. Shafali Verma's blazing 87 off 78 balls laid the foundation which Deepti Sharma anchored with a composed 58 and finally Richa Ghosh's explosive 34 off 24 balls provided the finishing punch sealing a competitive total. At one point South Africa seemed convincing enough in finishing  the chase with their captain Laura Wolvaardt'...

Sujoy Ghosh's ' Ahalya ' brings to the table an age-old Ramayana myth of seduction and curse wrapped in modernity. This gripping 14 minute masterpiece weaves Ahalya's curse into a sleek, unsettling psychological thriller that leaves the viewer flabbergasted with its final curveball. What begins with a probing visit by a police officer to an aging artist's house in search of a missing model soon turns into a conundrum of seduction & punishment brilliantly reimagining the curse of Ahalya- Sage Gautama's beautiful wife whom he cursed to stone for her infidelity. With Radhika Apte's captivating performance, Soumitra Chatterjee's enigmatic presence & Tota Roy Chowdhury's flawless execution, Ghosh delivers mythology sheathed in a glossy layer of contemporary suspense that lingers even after the credits roll. In the ancient tale, Ahalya is portrayed as a victim- seduced by Indra under the guise of her husband and then harshly punished by the husband...

Life is a dynamic, ever-changing journey to depth, maturity & knowledge. Along this path we make countless bonds- some of these fleet leaving behind memories, others endure enriching our souls. Much like this the bond we forge with books evolves us, transforming them from mere shelfmates to soulmates that guide and uplift our lives. As an infant when we start discovering the world books become our teacher, in adulthood books impart knowledge & nurture  maturity while in oldage it becomes a companion with loving possession. Each page turned takes a step deeper into a relationship that grows with us in the moments of joy, sorrow & profound learning. Gradually this becomes more intimate. Apart from gaining the practical knowledge we turn towards book for emotional bandages too. As in moments of uncertainty it brings the worldly wisdom in moments of distress it becomes an age-old friend offering the solace nowhere else to be found. From being  shelfmate it transforms i...

                                                      Come, let’s all wear mirrors                             Everyone will see their own face                            Everyone will seem beautiful here                            What is seen is not what it is                            The face printed on the mirror                                   The mirror’s translation is never exac t "                             ...

  Metaphysical Poets: Acclaimed English writer and critic Samuel Johnson, in his book " Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets" coined the term 'Metaphysical Poets ' to denote a group of 17th century British poets whose poetry explored the philosophical & spiritual world going beyond the physical reality. With the use of complex paradoxes, metaphysical conceits, witty language blending logic and emotion together these poets  truly pushed the limits of poetic expression and despite Johnson's initial criticism the term has become a celebrated label for this group.  Popularly known as 'Metaphysical poetry' ; their works majorly deal with the themes of love, religion, political satire, death  and human experiences, often making comparisons between two seemingly unrelated & far-fetched things that surprise the readers. Prominent members of this group are:             John Donne   : ' The Good-Morrow' , 'The Sun-    ...

 Kudos to Arati Kadav for hitting the silver screen 🎞 with ' Mrs.'(2024).  Whereas high octane drama, saccharine romance mostly dominate the cinematic landscape ' Mrs .' certainly stands out as a quite yet thunderous commentary on the nature of patriarchy. Lead by mesmerizing Sanya Malhotra this Hindi remake of the 2021 Malayalam gem ' The Great Indian Kitchen ' aptly captures the original essence and delivers a story that is both universal and deeply personal. The story never screams its message but let the execution of daily oppression speak for itself. Somehow compelling the viewers to confront societal truths otherwise overlooked and making it a must watch for anyone willing to engage with the issue. When kitchen becomes the battleground for gender equality and fighting for self-respect a norm— ' Mrs .'  portrays the story of Richa (Sanya Malhotra) , a vibrant girl with dreams to become a professional dancer who enters an arranged marriage with Diwa...

  Amitavo Ghosh's  The Hungry Tide  is an intriguing novel that masterfully unveils Sundarbans’ fragile beauty where nature and humanity collide in a delicate often devastating way.  Set against the tidal landscape’s shifting currents, the novel juxtaposes the personal quests of Piya, a cetologist studying river dolphins, and Kanai, a translator uncovering his uncle’s revolutionary past, with the region’s ecological and socio-political tensions. Ghosh's lyrical prose captures the archipelago's unbridled essence- where merciless strom furies shatter lives, man-eaters prowl the darkness- while exposing the scars of colonialism. Intertwining myth ,like the folklore of Bon Bibi with stark realities of clim ate change Ghosh redefines our understanding of survival, coexistence, and the cycle of life and loss in the world, making  The Hungry Tide  a poignant reflection on humans' fractured relationship with nature. Piyali Roy, the protagonist is an American ceto...

  University Wits : This term coined by George Saintsbury refers to a group of 16th Century playwrights and pamphleteers who were educated at universities, predominantly Oxford or Cambridge with the notable exception of Thomas Kyd who is often associated with this group. Other prominent members of this group are :                  1) Christopher Marlowe: Doctor Faustus              Tamburlain the Great, Edward 2                  2) Robert Greene : Friar Bacon and Friar Bungay  ,   Greene's Groats , Pandosto                 3) Thomas Nashe :    The Unfortunate  Traveller                   4) John Lyly :  'Plays':: Campaspe , Sapho and paho,  Endymion , Gallathea , Midas                'Pr...

  Scottish Chaucerian : Originated in the 15 th Century by a group of Scottish poets who were influenced by Geoffrey Chaucer, “ father of English Poetry ”. ·         They were best known for their ‘narrative poetry’, ‘courtly romances’ , ‘dream allegories' , ‘use of long Latinate words,   and Middle Scots’ ·         Popularly cited as ‘makars’, these poets were believed to have introduced Chaucerian style to Scotland during the period of Scottish Renaissance. ·         Most notable of them are :       1.Robert Henryson: a) Testament of Criseyde   b) Orpheus and Eurydice       2. William Dunbar: a) Golden Barge b) Thristle and the Rose       3. Gavin Douglas: a) Palace of Honour       4. Sir David Lyndsay: a) The Fall of Prince    ...