The Ass and the Frogs

Aesop's Fable
copyright Anuj Daga

Stipplers

Ideas for stippling instruments.
copyright Anuj Daga

My first letter

My mother says this was my first letter to her when I was away from her at my native place.
Dated: 28th April 1994,
During Summer vacations.

I was in Class 3. Hindi wasnt officially a subject then. It was home-taught.

A translation:


Dear Respected Mummy and Papa,

Warm regards. I hope you are keeping well. I remember you a lot. The pain in my tooth has receded. Now I don't need to take any medecine. I am keeping well here. I and Lalu (my brother) reached Dhanbad on the 27th. Here, I go to the temple with Bai (my grandmother) everyday. Lalu, Keshav and Harsh (my cousins) play a lot of mischiefs. Here, in Dhanbad too, they have taken a fridge. In Calcutta, we were put up at Mandir Talla. In Calcutta we visited Soni House, B. K. Pal, Shivpur and at Giriraj bhaiya's place. Sushil mama (uncle) brought us here to Calcutta. In this letter, you will find a lot of mistakes.

Yours
Anuj.


(the last line says: 
इस  पत्र में आपको बहुत गलितयाँ नजर आएगी .

meaning 

"In this letter, you will find a lot of mistakes - Although I guess I wasn't referring to the content, but the amount of strike-offs as mistakes)

And for a change,
this time the archivist was my mother :)

On Satyamev Jayate

After about 3 weeks, I have begun to understand possible ways responding to Aamir Khan’s new show Satyameva Jayate. Amidst and after a lot of entertainment shows that have taken artistic talents to new status, emerges a show called Satyameva Jayate – meaning Truth Triumphs. With a serious talk show format, the host Aamir Khan presents every week a well researched social problem. The methodology of the show has primarily been ethnographic, in which people are called and asked to narrate that part of their lives that concerns the show. The other method they use is case study based, depending on other already existing material on the topics raised.

When a show  like Satyamev Jayate introduces itself on its website as follows:

“What you will see is the truth. The truth that lives alongside us all… in the house down the street, in the next room, on your pillow, in tomorrow’s breakfast.
The truth in all its facets – beautiful, inspiring, thought-provoking, stark.        
We believe that Satyamev Jayate is not afraid to look the truth in the eye, take its hand and embrace it. After all, it belongs to all of us. And when we recognize the truth, when we discover that it is part of us, part of the things we cherish, then what? Then we know it Is time to think – perhaps to act.”

They almost proclaim themselves as the torchbearers of truth.

By far, the program has had 3 episodes focusing on female foeticide, child sexual abuse and dowry. All the episodes were presented quite well – they were researched quite extensively and presented very plainly, but strategically. Critical reflections at the mood that the show has created by far in three weeks shall bring me a lot of criticism for this post. However, at the risk of inviting more serious and provocative dialogue, I shall continue to write.

My problem is that instead of talking about the issue that the host presents, people talk about the show – its success and failure. This success or failure is attributed to the channel, presenter and the show. This in turn is talked about as TRPs, popularity and brings in more money in the form of more work to the channel or the host. That is the case with almost every show that is aired. My proposition is that it would be rather fruitful if people discuss the issue and instil in them the value that the show talks about than Aamir Khan.

We could assume the same for "Kaun Banega Crorepati" – more than concentrating on the positive aspect of knowledge dissemination, people want to see and participate in it because of their affinity for Amitabh Bachchan. In such cases, I feel is the failure of the shows for the society. It is the image at work, and not the message. If not that, how would KBC not work as good, when Shahrukh Khan would host it? However, a show like KBC was meant for entertainment anyway.

But it's a different ballgame if Satyamev Jayate falls into the same trap. You can draw a lot of audience for the show through a celebrity, but there is a risk of overshadowing the concern that you are trying to raise. Try changing the host for just two episodes and I wonder if it would perform as good as now. People are more interested in seeing Aamir Khan on the small screen, not as much as the issue that is discussed. If that was so, people would regularly tune in to the various talk shows that appear on Lok Sabha channels and Rajya Sabha proceedings that on a daily basis screen proceedings of the Parliament or air people who actually have the power to change policies. There are so many unpopular channels that bring extremely well structured and much intense and beautiful topics which  are only seen by a handful of people. There are extremely well designed shows on Zee Marathi or other regional channels that talk of a selected issue more closely, but non flamboyantly. How many of us know about them? Rather, how many of us would be interested in watching non-glamorous low budget productions like those? And the fact remains that these are all free, non paid channels, airing much relevant and localized content. 

The truth is that we like polished products. But I want to assert that this show is not about how perfect Aamir Khan is or how he is right every time! To evade such notions,  I want to mention that the issues that the channel has chosen by far already have a decision – there is nothing for you to decide...(you have no choice to make really)! You are made a mere spectator to clap at the end of every show. The more pressing issue lies somewhere else.

To give an example in relation to the marriages and dowry episode, my cousin who recently got married, fought a lot with his parents for a court marriage instead of a flamboyant one. He almost stopped talking, resisted eating food for 3 days, persisting on his idea of a no-frills wedding. It was his parents who wanted to have a ‘big’ thing, to show off to the society. It didn’t matter whether they could or could not afford the arrangement. The societal code was much more pressing. Finally he succumbed to their decision. The moral choice he had to make was between a plain wedding and keeping his parents happy...

The show has to bring up such moralistic issues which are anomalous, ambiguous; to be really able to change the society. We as middle class citizens agree with the values expressed as positive on the show, but we are not able to execute it in our day to day lives due to various other pressures that exist (like the example above). That I believe, has to be the area of concern.

However, what I like about Satyamev Jayate is that the production house has managed to screen it on Doordarshan as well as Star Channel  together and at the same time (I believe it's screened at the same time over 15 channels). This aspect of Aamir Khan is commendable. The second appreciable aspect of the show is that it acknowledges research and published items on the same topic by other channels and other people. The non existence of ego in such matters is a quality I appreciate.

On the other hand, the show has only brought up issues that are very popular – dowry, child sexual abuse and female foeticide - issues which have been in media for a long time. The show does open up really interesting grey areas without focusing on them. To cite an example, in the first show, it was able to identify a nexus of doctors and instrument producers that see a ‘business’ in female foeticide. In the latest show, they identified the irrational aspiration of the average Punjabi boy to move to a foreign country. Such issues, which are purely a capitalistic byproduct need to be addressed more sharply. I believe that if the reason behind the issue at hand is attacked than the issue itself, results would be much more tangible (like the ayurveda system of medication instead of allopathy which works bottom up, rather than top down). Mr. Khan shall keep on working towards making laws - but laws often become static and redundant.

What shall happen otherwise is that we shall develop absolutely binary outlook to all such social issues that are presented. There is an inherent bias already in all issues present at hand. What shall help address such issues is a historical perspective, which the show got in the first episode – the history of the family planning policies. That to me is more interesting, because it brings the critical undesired patterns that policies can manifest. To us, what should be more important is that we foresee such manifestations of policies or laws that we construct. The show generates an extremely strong ‘good’ &‘bad’ or ‘positive’ &‘negative’ or ‘this is to be done’ &‘this is not to be done’ with every episode, creating strong moral stances, even without explicitly expressing them on the show. With evolving societies, this can be problematic, just like the female foeticide. We would go ahead and make laws based on assumed morals that the show silently constructs for us. But we have to be more aware of how, in future, we anticipate the society to evolve, such that our laws remain sustainable and don’t creep up as negatives in future (like the family planning drive).

Truth, as the show dictates otherwise, is not singular. There are many truths, and their channels are to be understood. Truth is cultural. Culture is multifarious. There appears a strong undercurrent of desire and capitalistic nature of humans in evolving social problems. We need to understand the value of money more seriously; otherwise it would become a serious trouble eventually. I guess, soon, in schools we shall have a subject called ‘Domestic Economics’ where students shall be, rather should be, explained the importance and manifestation of the quantum of money that they have and use. I guess that will not only be beneficial, but shall become necessary to make students empathetic towards those who may not have luxuries to afford otherwise.

Lastly, it would be so much more beneficial if people talk about the issues instead of posting ‘likes’ on facebook. We remain passive admirers of such shows. All such shows are reduced today to facebook likes and google likes and number of hits or TRPs. In such sense, I appreciate more, the dance and music talent shows which are atleast able to circulate some money into the talented, by virtue of providing them the much needed opportunity by means of exposure...(such is one of the positive developments of globalization and, my subject of image culture).

Nevertheless, I look up to the show. Only if we see positive developments in our society in future through this show, shall I truly respect it. After all, a lot of people have already spoken about it previously. Why should the entire credit then go to Mr. Aamir Khan?

aspects and language of this post has been revised on 23rd May 2012

Observations and Complaints against BEST Bus Infrastructure and Services

Date: 17^th May 2012

To,The Chairman,BEST,Mumbai.

Subject: Observations and Complaints against BEST Bus Infrastructure and Services

Dear Sir,

I am a regular traveller in Mumbai since birth (1985) and I use the BEST buses daily to commute in and across the city (Mumbai & Navi Mumbai). I am writing to you to bring to your notice the extreme changing condition of the BEST buses and other related affairs in the past few years.

Before I begin, I must introduce myself as an architect – only to be able to assert that I have keen understanding of how people interact with objects in their surrounding environment, and adequate knowledge of design to critically reflect upon urban infrastructure. However, it may not even require a designer to point out the issues below, since they are very basic and every-day. I have found multiple discrepancies in these very aspects of BEST services over the last few years. Let me enlist them one by one.

1. While initially the best buses had seats made up of steel framing and had enough steel rods to hold on to, they have been replaced by plastic ones reinforced by steel rods. The quality of most of these seats is extremely poor. Most buses have deformed seats which don't even remain fixed to the bus floor. Moreover, the leather of these seats gets torn more frequently than the earlier ones.
2. The plastic framing of these seats, which also doubles up as handles we hold on to during sitting or standing come out due to bad quality. Such a situation exposes the reinforcing metal hollow sections. These exposed sections are extremely dangerous since one can hurt oneself due to jerks in the bus and rough roads. Since the plastic is of poor quality, it develops cracks which can hurt public.
3. I want to say that sharp metal corners that remain exposed all around in the interiors of the bus are extremely dangerous. All commuters are extremely vulnerable to fatal mishaps because of the rash best drivers and extremely bad state of roads in our city. There are multiple times when my family members and I have experienced bruises due to sharp pointed edges of the bus and torn our clothes do to unexpected jerks by the driver or extreme crowd in the buses.
4. According to me, the earlier windows that opened upwards were far better than the ones that slide sideways. Apart from being ugly, they do not allow a clear view of the outside from within, since there are far too many framing members that obstruct our vision.
5. The red LED indicators seem fancy but we can't figure them out in the sun. One has to rationalize this kind of frantic 'digitization' and upgradation. In many buses, I have also found these LEDs to be frequently non-functional and thus, rendering the flashing text unreadable. A clearly legible painted text earlier (which was white on black), now fragmented into red flashing dots is extremely difficult to read.
6. Lastly, I want to bring to your notice the extreme carelessness that the conductors and drivers display at bus stops. Many drivers or conductors do not stop at the bus stops even if the buses are absolutely vacant. They don't wait for all passengers to board properly. I have seen small children, middle-aged and old ladies slip and fall down multiple times because bus drivers start the buses before passengers are completely in the bus. Sometimes we are not even able to board the bus because they do not stop. When we argue, they are almost indifferent and don't take any responsibility of the event. This is a direct question to the kind of recruitment and training you offer them. I hope you will look into this matter since it directly affects the well being of the people using and paying for your services.

I could actually go on with this list; however I only feel it may be wise to stop here owing to the time constraints you may have to respond to this letter. It is my sincere request that you understand that matters of design have become important in urban environments for the well being of people. The above matters are all utilitarian & functional. I have taken special care to not point out any matters concerning visual aesthetic of BEST facilities.

BEST infrastructure has not remained the same as it was before. I wish to have the older spirit of BEST buses back in Mumbai. Although I appreciate the networking and connectivity initiatives that BEST has undertaken in the past few years, basic quality of infrastructure must not be compromised upon. I have not taken a majority poll on the above issues for two reasons: I hear people complaining and taking about the above issues all the time and secondly, I believe people in this city are far too busy to write an official note like this and pursue a complaint.

Looking forward to an earnest reply and some constructive action.

Anuj Daga

Architect, Mumbai.

anujdaga1@gmail.com

a.daga@aoamumbai.in

+91 98191 41118

201, Hill View Society, Yashodham, Film City Road, Goregaon (East), Mumbai – 400 063.  

People and Places

Just Travelling in the city can fill you up so many questions of where, whats and whys. These days I am doing rounds of te city to fin out information about scholarships and loans. Buildings that seemed everyday and were overlooked in the precinct of old Mumbai have become suddenly important now. Statues around the city and in the buildings that seemed useless seem important because you realize that they built the city and are still pumping in money.


But apart from that, these historical buildings suck you into a completely different space. The quality of light, the smells of offices and the scale of spaces you encounter fill you will a sense of pride and certain lavishness. You breathe deeper and walk with an air of control. Such feeling makes one ponder of the lives which lived in these buildings.

Apart from all these, I have encountered several people, a similar kind of people I must say in these places. Firstly, making a list of scholarship trusts and then visiting them one by one has made me realize that most of them are Parsis - Godrej, Tata, Netarwala, Davars...all are actually Parsis. Then, the buildings in which they are housed also have a distinct Parsi feel - orderly, quiet, not necessarily neat places. However, the most noticeable of all Parsis is their distinct way of greeting and welcoming:

1. The space itself quietens you down. If not, the Parsi ladies or gents will sneakily look at you hinting you to sit down. If you look impatient, they will order you to sit down. Making you sit down is almost ritualistic. 
2. After you compulsorily sit down, you will be asked to wait. 
3. When the waiting time is over, you shall be asked to put your plea. 
4. Then you will be given an answer, almost as if you posed it to an answering machine. You wont know whether to feel scared or elated. 


Most Parsis / people in Parsi setups whom I have come across for official purposes in their offices behave in a very typical manner - under a strong code of conduct stipulated for them presumably by their forefathers. They transcend you into a different world - mystical and magical. But their quintessence is something that is also adorable. As they talk to you with so much promptness, you feel they almost know your future and are just exactly expecting you to say what you would say anyway. Their expressions are exaggerated and they use every muscle on their face to express amusement. All this makes interaction with them really interesting. 


Suddenly a thought came: whether it would have been different if I didnt have to encounter Parsis for all such affairs. But this led to another big question - how are most philanthropic institutions parsis? Where did parsis get so much money from? Who left them so much money? Why hasnt it exhausted yet?


With this I am reminded of Ranjit (kandalgaonkar's) project on philanthropic institutions and trust buildings in Mumbai. I shall ask him how is it so...?

Baghban VI

There comes a time often when we think critically of our relationships. It's a time when we ponder over what more can we draw out of the relationship that we nurture. We mostly fall into a relation because we need it - socially, psychologically or physically...but there comes a time when this 'use value' of the bond is over. 


However, on the other hand, relationships can grow with time. Maturing relationships are satisfying and keep things going, since there is something to gain from it all the time. If nothing, one can look forward to sharing vulnerabilities in a maturing relationship. Our relationships with parents seldom grow with time - or atleast it happens so in my case? Or I am not really sure. For example, I think a boy doesnot need a father after a certain age - say about 25 years, or may be it varies from person to person. But at that age, one looks for a new dimension in that relationship. This new dimension allows to explore life from a new standpoint. A relationship has to be able to offer a lens that allows such perspective. Otherwise it can become hindering. Two issues are involved here - one is the condition of a maturing mind and the othr is the hegemonic parental purview.


Children are often looking up to find people to discuss their newer problems, and newer dimensions of life with someone, during their changing or liminal ages. Parents seldom become mediators in such ages. That's why we take on to friends - whom we believe to be in the same boat as ourselves and who seem to be equally concerned and affected by the circumstances that influence us. Contrastingly, parents are always wanting to 'show us the way' implicitly commanding a hold over the 'moral' ways of dealing with a situation rather than exploring it. Exploration of a situation is important to be able to learn from it. Exploration is the very nature of an evolving mind - just like we explore objects as toddlers. The exploration of the intangible becomes more fascinating in our young years like the tangible during infancy. We want to deduce our own results or formulas of dealing with the kinds of situations we fall in. We also experiment ourselves with putting ourselves in new kinds of situations.


But the instituion of parenting is about getting the end results of all the situations 'right'. Although we need to understand that our elders too may have gone through such situations. What one needs to extract is the mental landscape of our elders during fresh situations of their times. In the realm of the intangible, often the basic nature and structure of interrelationships between people remain unchanges. The manifestations they result from and result into may be different. Parents could do a great deal if they share their life with heir children. This helps the children to feel about their parents as their friends. It also gives the children confidence to share internal conflicts with them.


This again brings me to my age old theory on expression. It may be difficult to express for a lot of people - into words. Many people write, very few draw. Most people express through the tangible world. It may be very difficult for some people to articulate their experiences. There exists no institutions on releasing formula for expressing oneself. Expression in our society gets suppressed to an extent that it may manifest into material life. The material life around us thus gets coded with such values and expression. Therefore it becomes very difficult to detach from the material life. This kind of relationship with the material is complete contrast of the consumerist. It is a relationship similar to that we develop with a certificate or a medal. But in our real lives, would materials be able to hold us down to our relationships?


I do not know. But larger ideas with maintaining relationships are related to ideas of freedom and independence. I do not feel mature enough to deal with it. Hence it will be only wise to stop here.

Earlier threads of 'baghban' can be searched at "Search This Blog" Section (Type Baghban)

Appliances and Music

I found out today that the musical pitch the exhaust fan in my bathroom produces due to its vibration is 'E'.

For a long time I wondered how I could perfectly attune myself to any song in my bathroom. Why would I feel so comfortable singing any song in the drone of my bathroom? Today, it occurred to me that I must try and tally it with the notes on the Tanpura app that I downloaded on my mobile some time ago. And to my surprise, the resonance was the same!!

Although I am not a bathroom singer, bathroom almost becomes my singing room - not only for the bathroom tenor, but also due to the drone of the exhaust fan - Every space has a frequency! Similarly, the tubelight at Opolis architects where I used to work used to make a distinct hum. I would occassionally reach office early, and switch on the tubelights without the fans to have that resonance in the space. In the absence of any one, I would be humming along songs comfortably. I am sure it too must be on a similar pitch. 

Chaitanya had helped me find out my pitch recently when we met for a singing session. He suggested me to sing at E, which is generally the pitch for male voices. It was E! 

How interesting it is to find out such trivialities around our everyday lives. Some great coincidences! I will try to record the hum of my exhaust fan and put it here. Some great intersections of men and machines.

Till then, happy singing!

Unfinished Poems

The following examples trace how it became more and more difficult for me to write poems as I indulged more and more into architecture. 

After finishing first year of Architecture, 2004

Rajasthan Study tour, 2006-7; On the sand dunes, Jaisalmer.

But there are many examples and I shall be embarrassed if I put them all here.
I shifted to prose over the last 8 years, gradually.
Poetry now translated into architecture.

Objectification & Nuance

notes from Chaitanya Karnik's class.
Interior Design, 2011-12