Anecdotes With Anushree

In Words of Daniel Perlman & Letitia Anne Peplau –

“Loneliness is the unpleasant experience that occurs when a person’s network of social relations is deficient in some important way, either qualitatively or quantitatively.”

Solitude Vs Loneliness

How is Solitude Different?

Is Loneliness Painful?

The Existential Loneliness

Emotional Loneliness

Social Loneliness

Now, how to combat loneliness?

Find out about the political, social, and intellectual contributions of the Tawaifs in the Freedom struggle of India with the help of narration, pictures, enactment, and music. The tales of Begum Hazrat Mahal, Azeezun Bai, Gauhar Jaan, Vidyadhari Bai & Husna Bai – the story of their sacrifices and how they strategized, acted as allies with the freedom fighters and provided their places for meetings and for hiding them when the country needed them the most. 

 The word ‘Tawaif’ was not always associated with abuse, but the Tawaifs of the pre-independence era enjoyed a high status in society, and were known for their etiquettes and art of conversation. Many of the Tawaif gloriously participated in the freedom movement and took charge physically and intellectually in the face of adversity. Although, many of the stories of valor, heroism and patriotism have long been forgotten because Britishers tagged them as ‘Nautch Girls’; however contributed immensely to the revolution.  “In Delhi and Lucknow, even colonial accounts mention a few Tawaifs who took part in the battle,” says Saba Deewan in her book “Tawaifnama”. We must remember these women fighters as we remember the acts of Rani Laxmi Bai. 

Perhaps, it’ll be possible to share the chronicles more easily if society burns the prejudices that are associated with one’s profession and look only at the intentions and contributions.   Watch the video and learn more about the brave acts of the Tawaifs who played a glorious role in India’s Freedom struggle. Let’s also discover other such stories, like that of Dharmman Bibi who rode into the battlefield with her newborn twins, strapped to her - let’s go beyond what is mentioned in the history textbooks and discover the real truth of India’s freedom Struggle.

Fakir Lalon Shah is the most significant figure in the history of Baul tradition in Bangladesh and West Bengal, India. He composed more than 2000 musical pieces on love and life, the lyrics were simple yet thought-provoking. The Baul singers use a one-stringed instrument called ‘Ektara’ for the musical renditions and preach the ways of life that originate from humanity and peace. The teachings and ideologies of Lalon are spread by the Baul wanderers for ages now.

It was Khayaam’s ideas that traveled through different times and spaces. Pressed under the flakes of hedonism, perhaps we can find some moments of peace if we just look deeper and reach the mystic level that Fitz refers to in his book.

Sylvia Plath was a gifted poet, she was just 20 years old when she tried to commit suicide for the first time. In the span of 10 years, her life changed drastically and she went through feelings of bitterness, hopelessness, and despondency. She became an insomniac, preoccupied with negative thoughts and hysterical.   

'The Bell Jar' is Sylvia Plath's semi-autobiographical depiction, where certain circumstances around the protagonist 'Esther Greenwood' caused her mental health issues. This audio is meant to narrate the story of Esther and create awareness around Mental Health. Over the years, Sylvia Plath's Bell Jar has also become a symbol of feminism and has been shown in pop culture to make a statement - 10 Things I hate about You, Sabrina, Simpsons

Listen to the story where the whole town is asleep under the clouds of opium and a baby starts crying..there is also suspicious death in the town. Listen to know how everything is related.

#horrorstory #baby 

While we were listening to Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, AC/DC, Pink Floyd and Linkin Park, we were completely unaware of the Evolving Indian Rock scenario. This documentary by Abhimanyu Kukreja discusses the unsung heroes of Indian Rock in different cities.   We talk about the evolving Rock scenario in the Park Street of Kolkata, Visit of the Beetles, The White Album, Women In Rock and much more.

#Rock #India 

Milkman by Anna Burns is an enchanting read – the one which you would like to devour in a ‘may-be-the -most-favourite’ way, because that’s what she narrates. No names, only relations and maybe that is how we perceive others, why use names when we can just say – father, mother, sister, middle sister (the auther), wee sisters, older sister, second sister, sister in law’s husband, mother’s pious friends, ex-pious women (after an incident that extracted their piousness), neighbour, maybe-boyfriend, the real Milkman and Milkman.

Listen to the full review here 

Brokeback Mountain, needless to say, is epic.Perhaps the best story written about love and the only one that made me cry! It is not so much ‘a story’ about love, it is love itself. A love without hope, without fantasies and declarations and still, a love so all-encompassing that it is enough in itself.

Listen to the full review here 

We know about Mata Hari’s sagas of seducing soldiers and getting privy to secrets that could change international equations, but behind that is the heart of a weeping mother who was separated from her daughter.

Listen to the full story of Mata Hari 

Discussing ' The Life of Noor Inayat Khan' - The Spy Princess with Srabani Basu (author, journalist and historian). The forgotten Muslim princess who fought against the Nazis. A descendent of Tipu Sultan who fought bravely for peace.

The novel is soon to be converted into a series with Freida Pinto in the leading role.

Nora Inayat-Khan or Nora Baker, was a British spy in World War II. She was the first female wireless operator to be sent from the UK into occupied France to help the  French Resistance during World War II.

The very Geisha that resembles this contemporary image can be traced back to the 1700s. This was the time when the Geisha broke from the ongoing trend and began to entertain their clients by playing musical instruments. Geishas are known for their distinctive make-up style, elegant dancing skills, and demure conversations.

Listen to the podcast to know more. 

Playboy - This American magazine was designed for men, first of its kind to present female sexuality in a relatively classy way. 

The logo – rabbit in a tuxedo bow tie, became one of the exemplary symbols of all time. The first magazine was published in 1953 with Marilyn Monroe on the cover page. Although Marilyn never posed for the magazine, Hugh Hefner – the founder of the magazine , bought her famous nude picture from Tom Kelly. 

Listen to the podcast to know more.

At a time when media was controlled by the powerful authorities. It was an outlet for the working class to ridicule the social mores . Soon the solo songs transformed into café concerts. Listen to the podcast to know more about the 'History of Cabaret'. 

How often do you dream? And by this, I mean, while you are asleep? And do you remember those dreams, if yes, then what part of it? And don’t you feel that it will be really cool if you can just control your dreams. You can travel across planets, have coffee with the Sun, have lunch on a random cloud and dinner on the Moon.

Yes, I am talking about lucid dreaming, a stage when you are aware that you are dreaming

Listen to the podcast for some anecdotes on Lucid Dream 

Black Lipstick - although it may look like a new fashion trend and a way to go edgy, it is much more than that. Right from the Egyptians to Maori tribe in New Zealand, the the black and white Hollywood actresses, Black Lipstick has been used to portray different things. 

Listen to the podcast to know about the "History of Black Lipstick."