The Literati

The cold rain falls incessantly,

The thunders roll on without a stop.

Outside, the temperature drops,

as the rage of the storm thrashes about.

The raindrops hit against the windows,

threatening to shatter the glass.

The fire crackles beneath the fireplace,

as I stare at the clock counting hours.

My eyes fall on the piano,

looking grand across the hallway.

I wish you were here to play our song,

The one you always did on my birthday.

I run my hands on the slippery keys,

and press a few out of curiosity.

And before I know, I begin to play,

The song you always did on my birthday.

The music spreads like a forest fire,

And the voices in my heart are set free.

The notes touch each nerve in my brain,

and my heart connects in pure symphony.

The storm doesn't bother me,

I don't mind the rain anymore.

I can't hear the raindrops fall,

The bursting clouds don't scare me at all.

The thunder rumbles throughout the night,

And the streets overflow with water.

The lightning flashes and the fire burns,

But the waves of joy fail to falter.

I wake up stiff and tired,

I'd slept near the piano all night.

Pulling the curtains aside, I smile,

At the first rainbow in the morning sky.

- Jasmine John

‘Jest a Minute’, conducted by The Literati, was the first official debate event hosted by the same. It served as an apt prelude to the series of debate-related events The Literati intends to conduct. The event was held on Friday, 28 August 2015, between 12 and 1 pm in the afternoon, in the classroom II JPEP, Block 1. The venue was packed with over fifty students, inclusive of both participants and the audience. There was a generous mix of students from various departments.

The Jam Master for the day was Brian Tom. He is a fellow student at Christ University and is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Commerce. He is a member of the Cultural Team, having won first place in JAM in the intra-collegiate fest “Darpan”, and has also participated in several inter-collegiate fests.

The event began with the Jam Master proposing the topic ‘Jam is Not My Bread and Butter’, which set the tone for the first round of the JAM. A perfect blend of humor, thrill and exhilaration went into fuelling the students’ enthusiastic involvement in the event. There was a good deal of friendly banter combined with a competitive spirit that enlivened the event.

The second round began with the proposition of the topic ‘You are a Marvellous Book in a Sea of Twilight and Shades of Grey’. The excitement stayed intact as we traversed a wide range of bizarre topics such as ‘Atheism is a Non- Prophet Organisation’. The Jam Master came up with a unique rule in the course of this round, which entailed singing a song before stating one’s opponent’s mistakes.

With the conclusion of the second round, the participants who had qualified for the finals were decided. The finale of this event is to be held on the 9 September 2015.

With this, came to an end, the first official debate event held by The Literati. It has been successful in igniting the zeal of both organizers and participants alike, and has certainly set the keynote for future events.

- Sambhavi Sudhakar
II PSEng

Students begin to open their eyes to what cinema truly is.

The Literati presented its second film screening on Friday, 7 August 2015 at 12 pm in I PCM, Block 1. Around 25 students were left with a feel-good warmth after attending the screening of a movie called “Where is the Friend’s Home?”, one of the earlier works of Iranian film director, Abbas Kiarostami, which was inspired by a poem by Sohrab Sepehri, followed then by a Question and Answer session.

Being one of his most celebrated works, with the British Film Institute including the same as part of its top 50 movies to be watched before turning 14, it explores the metaphors of loyalty and civil duty, through a rather simple tale of a schoolboy wanting to return his friend’s notebook, failing which the latter would be subject to penalisation in school.

With the Q&A session moderated by Christ University’s very own Prashant from II MA Eng, the audience was challenged to ‘read a film’ like any other book, looking beyond the regular parameters, students generally set themselves, when it comes to cinema, like the story or the actors’ performance.

The film screening session on Friday gave insight to the students that films are primarily a visual medium of communication, highlighting the significance of cinematography and editing as a means to convey an idea and bring about emotions from the audience.

The audience gained a new found respect for Abbas Kiarostami’s simple style of cinema that transcends barriers while not being gimmicky or pretentious.

It doesn't matter if you missed this screening, we will be having another one (or two) in the month of September. We will keep you updated.

- Mohammed Essam, I CEP

The Literati says hello to its first Poetry-reading session

The first poetry reading session by The Literati was held on Wednesday, 5 August 2015 at Room 116 (I PSEng), Block 1. The participants recited the poems they wrote and explained their contexts after the recitation. With over 12 participants and 30 people as audience, the first session was indeed fruitful. The theme of the poems ranged from personal anecdotes of love, longing and self-validation to vivid experiences and epiphanies. From musings of a bored back-bencher to inspirational pieces of strength and hope, the writings were thoroughly varied and stimulating.

"I promise the world is not that dark a place. It may be unfamiliar, but it’s yours to reach out, explore and dare" said Jasmine Yadav. A performing arts student, with provocative buoyancy, had kindled the hope in our hearts with her moving poem advocating each one of us to smile at strangers, dare the world and unravel its sweetness.

The aim of introducing poetry reading sessions under The Literati was to motivate young and budding writers to channel their creative energies by giving them a platform enough to encourage and not intimidate them.

"The emerald trees are trembling in the blanching cold breeze so is my heart, for the fear of all things anew; why can't I live in the past? Why can't these summer days, for a lifetime last?" said Ekasmayi in her nostalgic poem, "An Evening in May", a beautiful reflection on nature and joys of summer days.

The session provided a platform to share and relate to the writings of our peers. Not only does it allow up-and-coming poets to connect with things old and new, but also inspires us. It validates their reflections and thoughts and gives them more ground.

All students are encouraged to keep their apprehensions aside and send in their poetry to literati.esa@gmail.com. We don’t judge, we appreciate. See you at the next reading which is scheduled to happen sometime in the first week of September. We'll keep you informed.

- Sai Shravani, I JPEng

I once knew this irksome colleague
who on my first day at work, said
“Girl, this job is way out of your league”
and asked me to leave instead.

Why? I wondered, ‘I barely know this guy!
What does he have against me?’
My assistant at length chose to reply
and told me the whole story.

“Ma’am, you see, before you came
to work for this renowned newspaper,
that man you met the other day – his name
…pardon me, I don’t remember –
had burned the candles at both ends
for the post of Editor-in-Chief.
Alas! The boss instead recommends
your name for the post, to his grief.”

Later, however, I began to realize
that it did not end just there.
The reason for his strong despise
was neither legit nor fair.

The reason why he hated me more
than the men who held my post before
was because I was no man at all
but a woman – which made me ‘small’.

My mother once told me to live and let live
regardless of gender, beliefs or race.
Sadly, not all were taught to give
regard to everyone’s grace.

- Sruthi Veeraraghavan

Date: 17th July 2015

Time: 12:00pm

Venue: Campus View, 10^th floor, Central Block

The inauguration of The Literati– English Students Association was held on 17^th July 2015, Friday at 12pm in the Campus View. Ms. Naureen Aziz, Head of the Department, Communicative English, Jyoti Nivas College was the Chief Guest for the day. Oshin and Roshni kick started the inauguration by singing the invocation song. Dr. Abhaya N.B Head of the English Department, Christ University gave the inaugural address. Registrar Dr Anil Joseph Pinto addressed the students by talking about the importance of discipline and creativity. Ms. Naureen Aziz in her motivating lecture threw light on the importance of creativity and happy and enthusiastic interaction among students.she also spoke about the importance of drawing parallels instantly while learning and encouraged students to learn by going beyond the system. The students actively participated in the session and answered many questions which were raised by Ms. Naureen Aziz in an effective way with simple language. Dr. Abhaya gave a token of appreciation to Ms. Naureen Aziz.

Then the core committee members of the association were decorated with badges by the Registrar Dr Anil Joseph Pinto.Dharani Dhavamani from 2^nd Year JPEng gave the agenda of the association highlighting the various events and activities that will be organized by the association. Last but not the least, Sherin Dsouza from 2^nd Year PSEng delivered the vote of thanks.

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