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Admissions 2018

Confusion in B.A. Programme Cut-offs Leaves Students in Despair in Daulat Ram

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The University of Delhi released its second cut off list on 25th of June for all courses of Arts, Commerce and Science stream.

Many students who withdrew their admission from previous colleges and came to Daulat Ram College were denied admission into their course of choice because they did not meet the prerequisite cut-off. Due to miscommunication and lack of awareness regarding the B.A. Programme course, many students assumed one cut-off to be applicable to all subject combinations.

A case of avoidable circumstances can be observed here. The cumulative cut-off list released by the University of Delhi is divided into two parts. While the first part comprises only of the cut-offs in the respective courses, the second part comprises certain remarks about these cut-offs. It tells about the colleges that are offering relaxation for girl candidates, the subjects that one should have studied till class 12th to apply for certain courses, etc.

The course B.A. Programme offers many combinations to the students, depending on the subjects taught in a particular college. However, the cut-offs for different combinations are different in many colleges. This information is only mentioned in the second part of the list, and is also available on the respective college’s website.

Unfortunately, a lot of aspiring candidates have skipped this part which has led to a lot of chaos and confusion. Students who withdrew their admission from previous colleges and came to Daulat Ram College had to face such this situation. Believing that the cut-off for the entire course was 91%, they tried to seek admission, only to find out that the said cut-off was just for some particular combinations.

Therefore, it is advised that the entire list is carefully checked before seeking admission in any college. The second part of the list is not supposed to be skimmed, but rather it is supposed to be read thoroughly. If a candidate doubts the cut-off or is even a little unaware of it, he/she should not hesitate to call up the college authorities or even visit the college campus if their calls are going unanswered.

A volunteer from Daulat Ram College who wished to remain anonymous was quoted saying, “Because the candidates did not clearly check all of the varied combination cut-offs a lot of confusion and chaos happened on the first day of admission, after the declaration of the second list.”

 

Anukriti Mishra

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DUB Speak

Ways to Deal with the Gory Moments of a Writer’s Block

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Writer’s block is as scary and frustrating as it sounds. When you are unable to pen down your thoughts, millions of questions arise in your head and the self- doubt starts taking a toll. No moment can be more petrifying and dispiriting than the one in which you realise that you have exhausted all your creativity. Suddenly, you find yourself empathising with Coleridge’s poetic paralysis in Dejection: An Ode.

Fortunately, the writer’s block can be easily removed with time and practice. One just has to be patient and give the techniques a little time to work their charm. Here are a few exercises that go a long way in removing a writer’s block.

  • Take a little time off– Taking time off can give you new perspective, which gets lost somewhere when you are constantly writing. Sometimes while overexerting, we lose the flow as to what we wanted to write about in the first place. Therefore, it is extremely important that we give ourselves the chance to rejuvenate.
  • Change the scenery– Inspiration is a must when we write. Without inspiration, one becomes really weary of writing. It is true that a lot of the times inspiration strikes from within. However, many-a-times it becomes important that we go out and seek inspiration somewhere else. Something as small as changing your mundane surroundings and going to a new place for a while can ignite the extinguished spark within you.
  • Read books– Re-visit your favourite books or buy the books from your reading list that you still have not crossed off. Someone else’s words might spark a brand new idea. This might be exactly the inspiration that you were seeking and before you know it, you are back to writing again.
  • Write about a personal moment- There are these moments that we do not share with anyone else –they are very intimate. Open your personal diary and start writing about that moment. The passion and emotion attached to that time might help you get your creative juices flowing again
  • Talk to different writers– every writer goes through a block. If the above steps do not help at all, then the best recourse is to ask other writers what they do to overcome these roadblocks. You might discover a brilliant exercise which might help you get past your block.

Here is to hoping that dejection of not being able to write does not last long the next time you face a writer’s block. Hopefully, this cruel spell breaks as soon as possible and fairy dust sprinkles on your creative juices making it glow everlastingly.

 

Feature Image Credits: Pinterest

Anukriti Mishra

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DUB Speak

Mental Health Issues in Young Adults

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Our generation is suffering from increased mental health problems and it is time we started talking about it.

All of us know at least someone who is either suffering from anxiety or depression. This is because we, as a generation, are putting too much stress on ourselves. We battle more than one fight every day and still try to land on our two feet. We put on a brave face and keep fighting the fight. However, what we need to understand is that while waging our internal wars, it is okay to talk about our vulnerabilities with someone.

It is hard to point out one specific reason as to why our generation is much more prone to anxiety or depression. It may be because we are the first to have felt an overwhelming presence of the Internet and social media in our lives. We consciously or unconsciously play the game of faking happiness on social media. Such an exhaustive exercise is certainly going to hinder our peace of mind. This perfection and competitive streak takes a toll on our life. On top of it all, there is a taboo attached to mental health. Therefore, when we see our friends struggling with it, we have no idea about how to approach them and be of any help.

Mental health is undoubtedly a sensitive problem which requires delicate treatment. Therefore, due to the sensitivity of the issue and lack of proper knowledge, it becomes really difficult to approach our acquaintances when we know they are suffering. We are not equipped to tackle their behaviour. However, I have found out that it is not about what we do exactly but the fact that we are there for them. In the long run just being present and initiating a conversation goes a long way. Trying to establish a conducive environment for such talks is the need of the hour because millennials are succumbing to health problems.

 

Feature Image Credits: BARE JokesZ

Anukriti Mishra
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Reviews

Film review: The Hungry

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The Hungry is a modern retelling of Titus Andronicus, the Shakespearean tragedy. Titus Andronicus is Shakespeare’s first ever play and is also considered his most gory revenge tragedy. Though it is not considered one of his best pieces of work. Bornila Chatterjee makes a daredevil move in adapting one of the not so famous Shakespearean plays so early in her career. However, the credit goes to her for pulling it off with perfection. Amidst the revelry of New Year party, a horrible incident takes place which shakes everyone up to the core. Ankur, a young, passionate, and ethical businessman, played by Suraj Sharma from the famed Life of Pi, is murdered. His mother Tulsi, played by the very talented and beautiful Tisca Chopra, decides to avenge the unjustified death of her son. The movie jumps two years forward where Tisca Chopra is seen marrying the son of a business tycoon, Naseeruddin Shah. This obviously seems a marriage with an agenda as Naseeruddin Shah had a hand in her son’s murder. Caught in this widespread net of revenge are the younger lot who will have to pay for the sins of their families. What follows is a tale of deceit that claims the loss of innocent lives until no one is left standing. Tisca Chopra’s inaction of a flawed person filled with revenge, remorse, and motherly instincts, who is trying to find a path which even though dark, but not completely deprived of humanity, is absolutely mesmerising. Naseeruddin Shah’s performance of a corrupt businessman who will go to any lengths to get things done his way is undoubtedly breathtaking.  Sayani Gupta, Antonio Aakeel, Suraj Sharma, and Neeraj Kabi also give delightful performances. However, it is Nick Cooke who needs to be credited for such a wonderful cinematography that takes the movie to a completely new level. He captures the scenic beauty of the place and encapsulates the gloomy and dismal world of the Ahuja’s and the Joshi’s. The movie which has been screened at several film festivals has gained much critical acclaim. When director Bornila Chatterjee was asked why she chose this particular play to adapt, her response to Times of India was, “For starters, the film came about as in 2015 in London, and they were celebrating 400 years of Shakespeare. They basically decided that they are going to fund one Indian adaptation of a Shakespeare play because India shows tremendous interest in adaptations of Shakespeare plays.” The movie which is available on Amazon Prime Video should be definitely next on your watchlist.   Feature Image Credits: Hindustan Times Anukriti Mishra [email protected]]]>

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Arts & Culture

Anna Karenina’s Playlist

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Fyodor Dostoyevsky declared Leo Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina “flawless as a work of art”. Just like the novel, the character herself is beautiful. Here is an account of what her probable playlist would sound like:

Anna Karenina remains till date one of the most loved, tragic characters. There is a beauty and poise to her that attracts you instantly. Every time I read the novel I end up getting more and more mesmerized by the character. She is an ocean in herself and you cannot help but drown in the multitude layers of complexities. As I was reading this novel yet once again, I started wondering what her playlist would sound like.

Music is a driving force in everyone’s life. It is said that your playlist speaks a lot about your character and your insecurities. To show someone your playlist is equivalent to baring your soul. It is the one thing that describes almost every aspect of your life. Here is an insight into what Anna Karenina’s playlist sound like:

 

My Funny Valentine by Frank Sinatra

Anna Karenina is one classic lady. Therefore the one image that always pops in my mind when I try to imagine her in somewhat modern times is of her sipping a glass of red wine while she listens to Sinatra croon to this tune on a gramophone. There is something so melancholic about this song that you lose yourself in it and no other song could express her in such a manner.

 

Feeling Good by Nina Simone

Anna’s despair feels like a knot in your stomach. It refuses to let go and as the novel progresses and the feeling of this knot only escalates. When at last she decides to jump in front of the train, there is a sudden calm about her. Feeling Good by Nina Simone is just the song to play at this moment as you feel the same calm descending upon you while listening to her.

 

Cheers darlin’ by Damien Rice

Imagine Anna longing for Vronsky after she has met her. She does not understand this desire for him, she understands nothing but that she seems to be falling in love with him. She knows the prohibitions that come with this love because she is married. There is a certain rush to this infatuation which lies beyond her comprehension. This song perfectly captures the complexities of emotions Anna goes through during this time in the book.

 

Dream A Little Dream Of Me by Ella Fitzgerald

Anna is rejected by the society because of her bold decision to live with Vronsky. Her heart longs for her child while Vronsky seems to be ignoring her. As her insecurities grow there is only one thing that she asks from everyone and that is to dream a little dream of her too.

 

Non, Je ne regretted rien by Edith Piaf

Anna Karenina is inspiring because she refuses to bow down to the rigidities of the society. She understands that what her heart desires is not wrong and she understands where her happiness lies, and tries to achieve the same against all odds. I would imagin her saying, ‘No, I regret nothing” with the same force as Edith Piaf when she decides to live with Vronsky after leaving her husband.

 

Feature Image Credits: Thoughtful Tomes

Anukriti Mishra

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Arts & Culture

Mrs. Scooter: A Film Review

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Shiladitya Moulik’s movie ‘Mrs. Scooter’ released in 2015, now available on Amazon Prime Video, tells the story of a scooter and a bride. Here is a review on the same:

The movie which marks the debut of Shiladitya Moulik was part of the official selection at New York Indian Film Festival. Set in Aligarh, this movie rotates around how a bride and scooter both get abandoned.  Aashima and Bhushan who get married arrive at Bhushan’s place on the new, shiny scooter. The landlady is the only person concerned about orphan Bhushan’s personal life helps them to settle in. The married couple discovers bliss in each other and their new life. However, this does not last for a very long time.

Soon they are dealt with a cruel blow of fate when both Bhushan and the scooter disappear. The movie draws a parallel between the scooter and the bride as they both try to find a footing in their lives after this tragedy. When the scooter was sparkling and new, the bride was in a happy phase of her life. However, when the scooter goes missing, her life also loses its direction.  As the scooter is being manhandled and its different parts are stolen, the bride finds herself in a dangerous situation where the men around her are trying to sexually exploit her. It is only when the scooter at the end of the movie goes through a makeover that all the pieces in her life seem to fit perfectly.

At certain points, Mrs. Scooter becomes really depressing as it shows how hard life is for a widowed young woman in a small city. She is prone to exploitation of all kinds in such a society, be it economical or sexual. Her helplessness in such situations leaves one agitated. However, the movie embeds hope even in such circumstances by ensuring that the protagonist never tries to settle with any kind of injustice meted out towards her. She tries to discover what she wants from life and ensures that no one dictates the way she is supposed to live her life. Anjali Patil as Aashima, Satyakam Anand as Manu, and Madhu Kandhari as the landlady give stellar performances. Their hold on their craft is so new, refreshing and unique that it leaves you with a smile. This movie reminds how important it is to give space to new directors like Shiladitya Moulik. It has been really long since such a romantic movie which is so innovative, unusual and original has been seen. Sandeep Salariya and P. Sai Bhardwaj as Directors of Photography, however, are the ones who are responsible for making this movie even more beautiful. The film which is available on Amazon Prime Video is a must watch if you are a lover of small, independent cinema. It brings to you a story that is sweet, eye-pleasing and unconventional.

 

Feature Image Credits: Pinterest

Anukriti Mishra

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Arts & Culture

The Musical Delight that Bollywood Qawwali is  

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Qawwali is a Sufi form of music that originated in the 13th century. Amir Khusro, a Sufi musician, poet, and scholar is regarded as the godfather of Qawwali. It provides a synthesis of the truth and divine love and its rendition of creates a ‘sama’ that transports you to a completely different place. It is one of the most exhilarating musical experiences to listen to Qawwali live.

Bollywood has been successful in composing some of the best Qawwali, some of which have survived the test of times because of their sheer beauty. Here is a list of the best Qawwali’s that you will find in Bollywood –

 

1) Nigahein Milane Ko Jee Chahata Hai

‘Nigahein Milane Ko Jee Chahata Hai’ was released in 1963 as part of the album of ‘Dil Hi To Hai’ movie. Starring legends like Raj Kapoor, Nutan, and Prana, this album is perhaps best known for the song ‘Laga Chunri Mei Daag’ but hidden in the album is this gem. Sung by Asha Bhosle and composed by Roshan, this Qawwali is perfection in itself. Sahir Ludhianvi has weaved magic into the lyrics of this song that renders it a unique quality.

 

2) Murshid Khele Holi

A very recent Qawwali that won hearts was ‘Murshid Khele Holi’ of the movie D-Day. Sung by some of the most talented singers of this era such as Munnawar Masoom, Shankar Mahadevan and Javed Ali, this is nothing short of a masterpiece. Munnawar Masoom is a magical artist, whose work needs to be seen live in order to be fully experienced.

 

3) Na To Caravan Ki Talash Ho

Sung by Mohammad Rafi, Manna Dey, Asha Bhosle and Sudha Malhotra, this Qawwali which is around twelve minutes long defines what perfection is. It is from the movie ‘Barsaat Ki Raat’ which has some other famous Qawwalis and will leave you in awe of the composer Roshan and lyricist Sahir Ludhianvi. It remains a personal favourite and has an other-worldly element to it.

 

4) Jee Chahata Hai Choom Loon Teri Nazar Ko Mai

‘Barsaat Ki Raat’ starring Madhubala and Bharat Bhushan was an immense hit when released in 1960. It was also one of the last movies to star the very beautiful Madhubala. The movie album which has four Qawalis became really popular back in its day. This Qawwali which is sung by Asha Bhosle, Sudha Malhotra, Balbir, and Bande Hassan deserves a spot on this list for all the right reasons.

 

5) Teri Mehfil Mein Qismat

There is no movie that can ever reach the heights that Mughal-E-Azam has achieved. This remains to be one of the iconic movies that Bollywood has produced. People remember this movie for its direction, sets and, music. Composed by Naushad and sung by Lata Mangeshkar and Shamshad Begum, the ‘Jugalbandi’ is sure to enchant you and move you with its magical element.

 

Anukriti Mishra.

[email protected]

 

Feature Image Credits- Pinterest

 

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Top Picks

Pages You Should Follow On Facebook

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Whenever I scroll Facebook, I come across some really great articles. The write-ups or articles sometimes put a smile on my face while also making me resonate with them on a deeper level. These pages have given me a way to utilise my long metro travel hours by always enriching my knowledge in some way or the other. For all art and literature lovers, these pages are sure to be something that you look forward to every time you open Facebook.

The Artidote

 

This page is on the top of the list for a reason. The art, write-ups, or quotations that they put up makes you stop for a while and catch your breath. It is sometimes so relatable that it gives you satisfaction to think that someone can draw or write your innermost fears on a piece of paper or just the fact that someone else is also facing the same insecurities as you.

Berlin ArtParasites

Their writings are inspirational, romantic, and bound to touch your heart. They make you connect with yourself and explore a side of yourself that you may have lost in the hustle bustle of the life. The calm that descends on you after going through their writings is unparalleled. So following this page is a must.

The Scribbled Stories

 

This small community has grown tremendously in the past few years. Their success is inspirational, and so is their content. There is a certain depth to their writings which makes it very easy to connect with the text. The Scribbled Stories continuously keeps on improving their standards, and hence you may find yourself going back to them again and again.

Wordscave

 

A friend of mine recently introduced me to this and I cannot be more grateful to her for doing so. Their write-ups have the ability to put a smile on my face even in the direst of situations. They are sweet, crisp, and heart touching. Therefore, they surely deserve a mention in this list.

The Anonymous Writers

 

The Anonymous Writers was one of the first pages that I followed on Facebook. They still remain one of my favourites. I used to get so hooked up by their writings that it became a habit of mine to read them again and again, almost a hundred times. The place that this page holds in my heart cannot be replaced by any else.

So I hope that this list helps you with your leisure readings and may you find words to things and feelings that you can’t spell.

 

Image Credits: The Artidote

Anukriti Mishra

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Arts & Culture

Dastangoi: The Experience

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I had the privilege of watching Dastangoi by Mahmood Farooqui and Danish Hussain for the very first time, some eight or nine years back. It seldom happens after watching a performance that you feel a sense of fulfillment.
The entire performance is etched in my memory, and I remember the performance as if I had just watched it yesterday. This is the power of Dastangoi. One can simply not forget how it transforms you to another realm. Dastangoi is a 13th century Urdu oral storytelling art form that evolved in the 16th century. The art form was at its pinnacle in the 19th century but is said to have died with the death of Mir Baqar Ali in 20th century. It was revived in 2005 by Mahmood Farooqui and has since then garnered a lot of praise, adulation, and admiration. In the Persian language, the word ‘Dastan’ means a tale and the suffix ‘goi’ is added to it. Thus, it translates to “tell a tale”.
I remember when I reached the auditorium, the entire stage was empty except for a cushioned mattress in the centre of the stage. During the entire performance, not even a single property was used to enhance the aesthetics of the performance. Yet, we all were enchanted by the story of ‘Amir Hamza’. I was laughing, crying, and was left at the edge of my seat. Dastangoi evokes the fantasy world where there are tricksters, fairies, princes, sorcerers, kings, slaves and warriors. However, it is still rooted in the reality of today’s times as it also talks about poverty and discrimination.
Since then I have watched other people perform Dastangoi too.

However, none of them have managed to be as successful as this duo in leaving an everlasting impression. Every year, Jashn-e-Rekhta has a Dastangoi performance by different artists. Although they are not quite as impressive, they will certainly leave you with an idea of how great and mesmerising this art form is. A performance that I have not been able to catch up with and is gaining a lot of appreciation is Topi Ki Dastan by Wings Cultural Society. This dastan is based on Topi Shukla by Dr. Rahi Masoom Raza.

If you get a chance to watch them, please do catch up with them. I guarantee you that the entire experience of watching Dastangoi will not be less entertaining than watching a movie in multiplex. You will be left saying “waah” for the nth time at the end of the performance for certain.

Feature Image Credits: Youth Ki Aawaaz

Anukriti Mishra
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