Learning Literature with Purba : My Youtube Channel

Being an ardent lover of Literature, I always wanted to start my educational YouTube Channel so that I can share my knowledge on English Literature with others. On June, 2019, I qualified UGC NTA NET English in the first attempt with 63.33%. This strengthened my intention to start the channel "Learning Literature with Purba" so that I can help other UGC NET aspirants and students of English Literature.

I did my Bachelors in Microbiology but realized that writing is my calling. I pursued a Post Graduate Diploma in Creative Writing in English to hone my writing skills. After penning down 3 novels, I realized I want to study English Literature to have a better understanding of my craft. 

That was the moment I enrolled myself for a Masters in English course in IGNOU. The beautifully designed study material of IGNOU and my zest for learning helped me in understanding the various literary works, theories, and criticism.

After completing my Masters in 2018, I decided to devote 6 months of my life in studying for UGC NET English so that I can have a better and comprehensive knowledge of English Literature. I decided that when I will qualify for the exam, I will definitely start an education channel so that I can help other aspirants. Being an educator is indeed an enriching and humbling experience. 

The first video on T.S Eliot's "The Waste Land" is live on the channel. A new video will be uploaded every weekend on a literary work/author/literary movement/literary theory/literary device. 

If you are a lover or a student of Literature, do subscribe to my channel for amazing videos every weekend. 

The Serene Umiam Lake, Meghalaya

"I have Nature and Art and Poetry. And if that is not enough, what is enough?" ~Vincent Van Gogh

When we were traveling from Guwahati to Shillong, we encountered the beautiful, clean and serene Umiam Lake on the way. Umiam Lake (also called Barapani Lake) is a gorgeous man-made reservoir that is located about 15 kilometers from Shillong. 

We told our cab driver to halt the cab so that we could take a good view of the lake. Our cab driver told us that Umiam Lake was formed in Meghalaya after the construction of a dam for generating hydroelectric power. 

The mesmerizing blue Umiam Lake is surrounded by verdant East Khasi Hills. The beautiful panoramic sights is a treat for nature lovers like me.

As I gazed at the lake, I was bewitched by the serenity of the place. I could spend hours admiring the hues and sounds of Nature. 

The lake is encircled by dense coniferous forests. The colour of the sky and the lake were magically identical. The lush greenery amidst the cerulean blueness was like a beautiful embroidery work of Mother Nature. 

Visitors can also take a boat ride in the beautiful lake. As our cab was waiting, we had to cancel plans for boating. We decided to spend a few minutes, inhaling the immaculate beauty of the place. 

The native often comes to the Umiam Lake in search of grass and twigs. Our driver told us that during the summers, the shores of the lake are embellished by Gulmohar trees. During the winters, the water level of the lake recedes and the lake turns azure. We visited Meghalaya in December and so we were lucky to see the color-coordinated sky and lake.

Umiam Lake is untouched by chaos and cauldron. Therefore, if you surrender to the magic of the place, you will feel a plethora of peace and beauty washing over you. 

The biggest pollution that we suffer from, in the 21st century is the pollution of the mind. And when we spend a few quality minutes in such peaceful places, we get rid of the pollution and chaos of our own mind. Nature is indeed the best therapist a person can ever have. 

I fell in love with Meghalaya after spending a few minutes admiring the beauty of the Umiam Lake. It was like a soothing welcome hug from Mother Nature. 

I felt so blessed and peaceful for having one of the most tranquil experiences of my life. The true nature of our soul is Peace. And I felt so close to my inner Self. It was like a meeting with my own self, my own soul.

Finally, it was time to leave Umiam Lake and move towards Shillong. But I was happy with the realization that when I would be returning back to Guwahati, I will be able to visit the Lake again. 

We got into the cab and watched the Lake pass by. We soon reached the beautiful Shillong, endearingly known as Scotland of the East. I was excited to explore the beautiful places of Shillong and Cherrapunji in the forthcoming days. 

 Have you ever been enchanted by the serenity of a place while traveling?

Exploring the Mawsmai Caves, Meghalaya

Photo Tour of Laitlum, Meghalaya

Exploring the Mawsmai Caves, Meghalaya

"The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek." ~ Joseph Campbell

I have always wanted to go on a cave excursion to see what lies within the old caves. Being with Nature has always taught me something or the other. So, I could envision that an underground cave excursion would not only be an adventurous experience, but also a metaphorical journey. When I heard about Mawsmai Caves of Meghalaya, I was determined to explore the cave. And so was my father. So the next day, we both planned to explore the cave system of northeast India.  

Mawsmai Cave is located in the Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya, about 6km from the main town of Cherapunji. 

It is one of the most accessible caves in Meghalaya that travelers can explore even without a guide. However, a sane mind and a courageous heart are needed for the underground excursion. 

Before taking the staircase to reach the cave, we had to buy tickets from the ticket counter. There was a board on which instructions to the visitors were clearly given. The map of the Mawsmai cave was also included on the board. 

We had to take the staircase to reach the cave opening. Plenty of tourists were taking photographs outside the cave. Seeing the spacious opening of the cave, no one can tell that it would soon squeeze into a narrow lane.

If there were 50 people outside the cave, a maximum of 5 people went inside the cave to explore it. We were told that the Mawsmai cave is a one-way narrow road. Tourists need to enter from one end and keep walking until they reach the other end. 

Although the cave looked gigantic, I was determined to explore it. We were told that the cave is lit with electricity. Therefore, we do not need to carry candles with us. Moreover, it meant that we can observe the colors and patterns of each and every rock formation. 

The cave looked beautiful and inviting. I saw a few college-goers entering the cave with a lot of enthusiasm. My father and I followed them after taking a few pictures. We knew that as the light inside the cave would be minimal, it will perhaps not be possible to take many pictures.

The weather was quite pleasant as it was a sunny day in December. I was excited to embark on the thrilling adventure of my life. 

Once we entered the cave, we noticed that the pathway is getting narrower. At some places, we had to bend and squeeze our bodies in order to get through. 

I realized that obese people would have a hard time exploring the cave because some passages are too narrow. Fitness is an important criterion to get through the smaller openings of the cave, without getting hurt. We also had to climb a few rock formations in order to walk forward. 

A few rock formations looked like the gigantic feet of elephants. There was no option of going back. The only way was to move forward with hope and courage in the heart. 

The rock formations glinted beautifully in the light. We could find water dripping from the tips of the rocks. Mawsmai Caves helped me understand the powerful force of Nature that created such hard limestones. 

As the realization dawned on me, I surrendered to the beautiful, mystifying force of Nature. And once I surrendered to it, the rest of the journey became much easier. 

I was no longer being desperate to come outside the cave.  Rather, I observed each and every stone formation without the fear of being trapped inside the cave. Yes, I was able to overcome my fear with every step I took. 

Although the length of the cave is only 150 meter, it feels like a long journey due to the narrow passages and gigantic rock formations that do not allow a person to walk faster. 

Finally, we noticed a beam of sunlight that made us squeal with delight. Once we came outside the cave, we couldn't help celebrate our successful cave excursion. My father and I took a selfie with the cave. It was indeed an unforgettable experience, a metaphorical journey that taught me so many important life lessons. 

When we are trapped in a problematic situation (cave), we often feel that it will never change (never-ending journey). But if we walk forward with hope and courage in the heart, we will notice the ray of light at the end of the tunnel. At the same time, if we enjoy each and every scene that we come across without cribbing about the problem, we will have great stories to tell later. 

We explored the nearby forest after the cave excursion. I knew that this underground experience will always stay with me, making me a better, patient, courageous, and resilient human being. I have always believed that Nature has answers to all our questions. Exploring the Mawsmai Caves gave me not only a beautiful experience that I can talk about but also provided answers to the questions I was contemplating during that time. 

I hope you enjoyed reading about my cave excursion. In my next travel post, I will take you to another beautiful place in Meghalaya. You can also check out my photo essay on Laitlum, the Grand Canyon in Meghalaya. 

Have you ever gone for a cave excursion or embarked on any other adventure while traveling? 

Do you feel Nature is the best teacher?

Photo Tour of Laitlum, Meghalaya

It was a beautiful December morning when I visited Laitlum grand canyon in Meghalaya. It took around 90 minutes in a cab from Shillong. Laitlum is located in the East Khasi Hills of Meghalaya. The minute I alighted from the cab, I was mesmerized by the landscape in front of me. The curelean blue skies and the verdant greenery were bewitching my soul. I stood, mesmerized and speechless. The soothing wind pampered my hair and whispered softly in my ears to live the moment. 

It was the first time I ever visited a grand canyon. Laitlum means "end of hills" and this place offers the view of breathtaking azure mountains and steep winding stairways snaking their way down to the gorgeous valley. The sky was a beautiful canvas of fluffy cumulus clouds. 

Laitlum was not at all crowded. It is an ideal place for trekkers can explore the canyon by trekking from one end to another. It is extremely difficult to capture the raw beauty of Laitlum in camera. The place is nothing short of paradise. One needs to see the beauty through one's own eyes to believe that such a soothing place exists in North East India. 

As I kept looking at the azure mountains and the deep valley, I was overwhelmed with powerful emotions for the Creator who created this beautiful world. I could feel a sublime connection with Mother Nature. I could sense a deep harmony with every element of Nature...the mighty mountains, the modest valley, the jubilant sun, and the healing zephyr.

I felt blessed for the five senses that allow me to grasp the beauty of Nature. I felt immense love and gratitude as I kept gazing at the landscape. 

I thought about the villagers who stay in Laitlum. Such a peaceful existence they have! They are fostered by the raw beauty and spirit of Nature. William Wordsworth had rightly said in the poem Tintern Abbey: "Nature never did betray the heart that loved her."

In the cities, we destroy Nature carelessly and selfishly. And what's the end result? Depression, Stress. Anxiety.

Whereas the people who live in the mountains and hills are so happy, peaceful and content. They allow Nature to guide them at every step. The people of Meghalaya give high priority to cleanliness. The roads are extremely clean. The people are polite, patient and hardworking. The women of Meghalaya run their own business and are sometimes, assisted by men. At every tourist stop, I could see independent women busy with their work. It was a heartwarming thing to witness. 

I love adventure especially when I am traveling. So, I trekked till I reached the white rock-like structure from where the view was incredibly magical. 

I fell so much in love with the place that I felt like staying there forever. I felt that I am wrapped in the arms of Mother Nature, safe and secure. Wherever my eyes traveled, there was only beauty and serenity. 

Such places are perfect for soul searching. As I inhaled the beauty of the place, I contemplated the journey and purpose of my life. I felt so blessed that this experience of my life will find its way in so many of my poems and stories. After all, as William Wordsworth had said, "Poetry is a spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings recollected in tranquility."

I was reminded of the theory of transcendentalists, a literary movement headed by Ralph Waldo Emerson. A human being must have three relationships in order to live better: relationship with one's own soul, relationship with Nature and relationship with the Super Soul/Divine Energy. How beautifully true! That's what I felt at that moment in Laitlum...perfectly at peace with my existence...in sync with my own soul, Nature, and Super Soul. 

Almost 2 hours passed in Laitlum and I must say that those 2 hours are one of the best hours of my life. Even now when I close my eyes, I can visualize the beautiful valley beckoning me. I had to travel to the next tourist spot, but I felt like staying for a few more minutes. My heart was not ready to leave the place. 

I sat on the grass and gazed at the mighty mountains and the modest valley. I have fallen so much in love with the place. I knew that no matter wherever I go or stay, this place will always stay with me. And a part of me will stay in this place.

Wordsworth had coined a beautiful term called "spots of time" to define a moment when time seems to stop, senses get heightened and life gets a deeper meaning. I am sure that I experienced one such moment in Laitlum.

I was rejuvenated with positive energy. Every cell of my body felt healthy and happy. What a joy it felt being alive at that moment!

Someone has truly said, "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the number of moments that take our breath away." With a jubilant heart, I said goodbye to the beautiful grand canyon of Meghalaya and headed towards my next destination.

I hope you enjoyed the photo tour of Laitlum. In the next travel post, I am going to take you to another beautiful place of Meghalaya.

Have you been to Meghalaya?

Which is your favorite place in Meghalaya? Let me know in the comments below. 

Movie Review of Jadu Kadai, a ZEE5 Bengali Original

We all get fascinated by tales of magic and wonder. Therefore, when I saw the trailer of Jadu Kadai (magical wok) on ZEE5, I was tempted to watch it right away. Jadu Kadai is a Comedy drama starring popular Bengali actors such as Rahul, Sayani Dutta, Joydip Kundu, and Dipanwita Nath in the lead roles. The 132 minutes long movie has a fresh and refreshing concept.

Plot and Characters

Jadu Kadai tells the story of an ordinary man, Bikram whose life changes magically after he gets a wok endowed with special powers. When the movie starts, we can see Bikram daydreaming about the girl he loves. A timid and under confident man, Bikram has made peace with his mundane 9 to 5 job instead of pursuing his passion for cooking.

One day, Bikram buys an old vintage wok from a mysterious man who claims to be from Bikram’s village, Palashpur. Before leaving, the man warns Bikram not to say about the wok to anyone. It creates suspicions in Bikram’s mind but he soon dismisses it.

We get to see Bikram’s monotonous life from close quarters. A descendant of the zamindars of Palashpur, Bikram stays in a modest apartment with his friend, Timir. He is in love with a PhD scholar, Rupsha who doesn’t reciprocate his feelings. According to Rupsha, Bikram is not smart and confident enough to win her heart. Bikram is passionate about cooking and aspires to be a chef. However, he does not have the courage to take a loan for starting his restaurant. Despite being a talented and good person, Bikram lives like a loser and we feel sympathy towards him.

However, Bikram’s life magically changes when he starts cooking in the magical wok. Rupsha falls in love with him and he gets a great offer to start his restaurant from business tycoon, Maganlal. A baffled Bikram embarks on a journey to find out the truth of the wok. He also has to protect the wok from greedy Maganlal who is the main antagonist of the movie.

Pace and Climax

Jadu Kadai picks momentum post interval. The first hour has a few dull moments and can test your patience. However, once Bikram understands the power of the wok, the movie becomes fast-paced and interesting. The last 30 minutes of the movie is filled with nail-biting moments. The climax is gripping and does justice to the plot.

Performance

Rahul who essayed the role of Bikram has done complete justice to his role. He effortlessly displayed a wide range of emotions such as fear, confusion, anger, and wonder. Sayani Dutta was pleasant as the confident and well-read Rupsha. Joydip Kundu as Maganlal was pretty good.

Screenplay, Direction and Background Score

The screenplay could have been better especially in the first half of the movie. The direction justified the script. I really enjoyed the background score associated with the wok. It was both funny and mysterious. It reminded me of the fantasy adventure film, Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne.

Final Words

Jadu Kadai revolves around the magical wok and the miracles and problems that occur in Bikram’s life due to the wok. If you enjoy watching fantasy adventure films with dollops of humour, you must watch Jadu Kadai on ZEE5 right away. The innovative and fresh concept will definitely leave a smile on your face.

Kolkata Knight Riders Roster: Performance in 2019

Kolkata Knight Riders are known for their consistency and persistent efforts. Although the team couldn’t win in 2019, they began this season pretty well. KKR had won the coveted IPL trophy in 2012 and 2014, acquiring loyal fans. The Baadshah of Bollywood, Shahrukh Khan is the proud owner of Kolkata Knight Riders. There are great talents on the Kolkata Knight Riders roster such as Dinesh Karthik, Robin Uthappa, Andre Russell, Chris Lynn, Sunil Narine, and Piyush Chawla.

In 2019, Kolkata Knight Riders, Chennai Super Kings, and Sunrisers Hyderabad had a great start. They were consistent in their performances. The players in purple and gold showed an impressive performance in the beginning by winning 4 matches comfortably. Although KKR began so well, they lost 6 matches back to back which made them struggle to get into the playoffs. They secured the 5th position this year. Let us take a look at the strength and weakness of the team.

Strength of KKR

There are some good power hitters on the Kolkata Knight Riders Roster such as Chris Lynn, Sunil Narine, and Andre Russell. Apart from the power hitters, the team has technically strong batters such as Dinesh Karthik, Robin Uthappa, Nitish Rana, and Shubman Gill.

Due to such an impressive list of players on the Kolkata Knight Riders roster, the team could successfully chase down a big total of 206 against Royal Challengers Bangalore. In 2019, Andre Russell grabbed all the limelight in KKR batting by hitting the ball straight out of the pavilion and rescuing KKR from hopeless situations. Andre Russell had an outstanding strike rate of 268.83 in the initial 5 matches.

Weakness of KKR

Kolkata Knight Riders had a strong bowling unit in the last years. However, this year, the bowling of the team lacked the spark. The trio of Sunil Narine, Kuldeep Yadav, and Piyush Chawla have not been at their best. They have leaked a few runs that have hampered the team.

KKR suffered the worst against Mumbai Indians when they lost the match by 9 wickets. In an earlier match at Eden Gardens, they have beaten MI by a whopping margin.

Thoughts on Captaincy

Dinesh Karthik’s team selection and leadership are questionable. Some crucial questions that disturb the fans of KKR are as follows:

Why was Andre Russell not batted higher?

Why it took so long for Shubman Gill to get the opening role?

During a press conference after the match, Andre Russell spoke of “bad decisions” that have hurt KKR. It is easy to gauge what exactly Russell was hinting at. Despite such promising players on the Kolkata Knight Riders roster, the team had to endure the poorest game of the season against Mumbai Indians.

The best player

There is no debate about the fact that Andre Russell is the best and valuable player on Kolkata Knight Riders roster in 2019. The West Indian All-rounder gave a stunning performance this year with an impressive strike rate. As 75% of 510 runs came between the overs 16 and 20, we can easily say that Russell was the most dangerous striker. Every time, Andre Russell came to bat, he was feared by the opposition team. He was also the leading wicket-taker of KKR with 11 wickets.

Disappointment

Kuldeep Yadav’s performance was disappointing. He played 9 matches and took 4 wickets. His bowling average of 71.50 per wicket is his worst performance in the history of IPL.

Play IPL matches on Dream 11

In case you are disappointed with the performance of KKR this season, you can build your own fantasy teams on Dream11 and play the match to your heart’s content. You can choose between numerous cash contests. If you are passionate about cricket, play and win prizes on Dream11 today.

My 5th book, "Letters from the Soul" launched in Blogchatter eBook Carnival

It's a very special day because my 5th book "Letters from the Soul" is launched today in the coveted #BlogchatterEbook Carnival Season 4 along with other wonderful eBooks. 

"Letters from the Soul" is a collection of 55 poems on soul healing, soul searching, and soul companions. I started working on it last year when I participated in the A-Z blogging challenge. I wanted more than 26 poems in this book and therefore I didn't publish it last year after the blogging challenge. I have experimented with more than 24 poetry forms in the book apart from writing in free verse. That was creatively so satiating.

I have divided the book into 4 seasons: Autumn, Winter, Spring, and Summer to show that life is just like a seasonal cycle. The way autumn gives way to spring, emptiness gives way to abundance. I got this idea after reading Toni Morrison's novel "The Bluest Eye".

If you enjoy reading my poetry, please go to the link mentioned below and download a free promotional copy of the eBook. 

 https://www.theblogchatter.com/download/purba-chakrabortys-letters-from-the-soul/

The eBook will be free for a limited time. So grab your copy and let me know your feedback. I can assure you that the poems in the book will give solace to your heart and soul. 

After the eBook carnival ends in June, I plan to launch the book on Amazon Kindle and then hopefully, release the paperback edition of the book by end of the year. 

The book is dedicated to all the believers, fighters, dreamers, and go-getters. I will need your support and reviews on this journey. Written with a lot of love, "Letters from the Soul" is now all yours. I welcome you on this soulful journey!

Trailer Breakdown - The Lovely Mrs Mookherjee, an intriguing ZEE5 Bengali Original

When I watched the trailer of ZEE5 Bengali Original, The Lovely Mrs Mookherjee yesterday, I was baffled and surprised. Is it a woman’s fantasy movie? Is it science fiction? Is Mrs Mookherjee a robot? These were a few questions that popped in my mind immediately after watching the trailer. And if a trailer can keep a person wondering for hours, then that’s a victory for the filmmaker. Watch The Lovely Mrs. Mookherjee online now to crack the mystery.

She is beautiful. She is mysterious. She is extraordinary. She is the Lovely Mrs Mookherjee.

Directed by Indranil Roy Chowdhury, the movie looks promising with its innovative concept and amazing star cast. The titular role is played by one of the famous names in Bengali cinema, Swastika Mukherjee and her husband’s role is essayed by acclaimed actor, Bratya Basu.

Trailer Breakdown

The trailer of The Lovely Mrs Mookherjee starts with a girl’s voice, eager to tell a story that we might find interesting. We are shown a laboratory where a person is gearing up to perform a scientific experiment. We can see an injection and a helmet-like instrument that is placed on a man’s (Bratya Basu) head. There is a mention of millions of electrochemical impulses. We are told that all our thoughts and feelings, sadness and joy are electrochemical impulses.

Now, the trailer takes us from the laboratory to a typical middle-class Bengali household. We can see a demure and homely married Bengali woman (Swastika Mukherjee - click here to know more about her) who is referred to as Minu Mashi by the speaker. Although the narrator tells with a conviction that Minu Mashi is an extraordinary woman, we can find nothing extraordinary or even borderline interesting about her.

She is living a dull and mundane married life. Her husband does not care to look at her even once. She is often ignored and ridiculed by her husband. We can see the pain and dejection in her eyes that makes us feel pity for her.

The Twist

At this moment, the narrator is interrupted by the attentive listener who wonders why she is telling a tragic story. With twinkling eyes, the narrator reveals that the story is now going to take an unexpected twist.

The trailer takes us back to the laboratory again. We can see the face of Mrs Mookherjee’s husband on a big screen. There is a drastic change in the dynamics of the husband and wife. Mrs Mookherjee sits in front of a computer screen and orders her husband to entertain her. The husband from inside the screen obeys the orders of his wife. He also finds his wife interesting and alluring.

The homely wife now gets to live the life of her dreams in front of a computer screen where all her fantasies can come true.

Unveil the mystery

The trailer ends with such a cliff hanger that only after watching the movie, one can understand the plot and the mystery. From the trailer, it is evident that we can expect great performances and an innovative story. If you are wondering whether The Lovely Mrs Mookherjee is a woman’s fantasy tale or a sci-fi movie, you need to watch this ZEE5 Original today to unveil the mystery.