The White Tiger: Movie(Ramin Bahrani) and novel(Arvind Adiga)

THE WHITE TIGER 

---RAMIN BAHRANI

A Brief Introduction to the novel

 The 2008 novel called 'the white tiger' which was adapted by Ramin Bahrani in a film. Arvind Adiga born in India but educated from Australia, UK and USA. Though a doctor by profession and involved in formal education, had portrayed the everyday struggles of Indians, observing around him. In this manner, it is believed that the novel depicts brutal injustices being inflicted upon the poor people living in India.

Where he had depicted many scenes as such. Some of which are 'a variety of buffaloes, difference between the concept of river as well as ocean(in general manner, nothing can be generalized) it seems from the portrayal of this scence that he cast aside the things, which seems to him, trivial and indicates as something, which should only be destined to poor people. While embraces the prospect of ocean as a rich source of wealth. Moreover a scence from  education system is taken, where a teacher is spitting a jet of paan, spotting on the floor and then how in typicality the lips are licked by teacher, that doesn't give a good image from teacher's side but conveys an embarrassing and ridiculous tone towards education system.

Impulse behind writing this novel

It is said by Arvind Adiga that though he was belonging to the middle class family and by profession was a doctor as well as was knowing formal language the most. But the observance of surroundings made him write the realistic picture of life in India, based on brutal injustice,  the treatment exchanged with people. it seems his outlook towards seeing life is based on subjectivity while V. S. Naipaul's is based on objectivity(an example of 'An area of darkness' is given). Particularly sympathizing with the down-trodden but not in real sense so. The persona who belongs to the poor family but all able to break all the shackles binded by the society, considering society as a fake frost, melted by coming out of chilling. But one has to dare for for without dare nothing is possible in present generation. The white tiger dared and made his name though with such a speedy pace by committing many indirect mischiefs but succeeded in end, getting his own car agency. Though not appealing to a few but attracting too many this is how his survival is sustained.

A Glimpse from Rano Ringo's Article

Referring to Rano Ringo's article on 'An insight into the facets of globalized India'. In his novel the facets like love marriage, capitalism, relativism vs Intransgient, corruption, poverty, struggle to come out of rooster coop etc are described. Where he sees Balram as representing relativist identity regarding his religion and therefore is cynic about God existence, gives himself due importance, which seems to be an act of selfishness, but in novel it is mere an attempt to break free from rooster coop, where one has to act obligely and comform to the invented laws of the house. His brother Kishan seems to be implying premature kind of tenacity, regarding his helplessness towards coming out of rooster coop. That has made him subjective towards his own life. Though he tried enough to come out but can't as it seems the love of his family has made him blind not able to see his truest self and where the thrivance of life. And in doing so gradually dragging himself in an area of darkness, darkness of emotions never letting him to face his "you" while complying to false acclaimations of love, sufficing only materialistic values ascribed to the love beings. In such situation though the self is deeply involved by stacking his own life, who can't peep from this window and made a vacuum of his own universe without calculating what things this going to be served but also corrected the falsity implied though.

How far the India represented by Arvind Adiga in the white                           tiger, is true to itself?

The question of whether one agree with the India represented in Arvind Adiga's novel: The answer must be formulated as "yes" at some extent, it is the truth of India. People are compelled to do corruption; not because they used to do but those are their circumstances that make them to do so. While it is the different matter, when the innocent people are killed, who had no role to play in such hazards of life. The thing will be only identified by those who know such games, but those who haven't gone through and even not confronted in life, would be dumbfounded.

For Example: Balram knows us and downs of life and so he has chosen the path, of becoming an entrepreneur of India. He has tread upon this journey as such that at some point it seems as naturally destined to but matter isn't so, the background is almost different. On the contrary Ashok Sharma, "the master" is dumbfounded. As it seems that he sees the entire world through only his glasses, he is blind to the other happenings in an around. It can be assumed that 'these fissures are captured by Arvind Adiga to show actually the case'. So that people can see, it isn't poor Balram but poor Ashok. Who trusts Balram, while he doesn't deserve to be trusted.

In this manner many ongoing things; background, foreground in between the gaps can be seen. Where the things that denotes to be unfair and bad for people to commit are highlighted.

Thus in this manner we can see the problems of India are given voice in Arvind Adiga's novel.

Can it be believed Balram's Story as an archetype of all                                   stories from Rags to Riches

If we observe Balram's Story as resembling to anyone, who uplifts themselves from rags to riches, we're to see it isn't so. It differs rather from person to person's point of views.

Having taken example of Ramin Bahrani's movie the white tiger, based on an original novel and Danny Boyle's Slumdog Millionaire. The former represents the realistic picture of India that is portraying the brutal injustice confronted by people. Who're still in rooster coop. Those only can uplift social ladder like Balram, who dares to do. We also have otherwise the rest of the family members, belonging to Balram Halwai, living in Laxmangarh. One of which is Kishan, who has to conform to his grandmother's obligations, that one is suppose to provide his/her hardwork's reward to the family, unconcerned of whether where the money goes. It seems to be the traditional point of view, to run family and altogether a manipulative one. Where one who can't speak, seems to be exploited and suppressed under the pressure of family demands. Therefore in this way one is still in rooster coop and another is able to break free from all shackles of society, imagining to live life freely. But at some extent, though not under pressure of family, but something else is surfaced in life and one has to rather cope up with and through this find solutions or just escape from the situation is the ultimate way of freeing oneself. While in literal manner, noone can free oneself from any curbing chains. This seems to be the reality of life and who strives against reality, will definitely be going opposite to naturality,  consequently transforming the entire coming life into shallowness and emptiness.

On the contrary Danny Boyle's movie, "Slumdog Millionaire-Danny Boyle." Where we see, 'the screen of Kaun banega crorepati' drew to the illusion of becoming crorepati, the screen recurs often as representing symbolic image; this is the medium through which the protagonist would win and become crorepati gradually. This gives a fanciful outlook towards life, but when the attention is drawn towards the background of the protagonist, there we don’t get anything of his education  and qualification in particular. We can solely assume that perhaps from reading newspapers/other magazines/internet he had developed such temperament solidly and he is able to crack this and becoming a millionaire in the movie. But still without evidence and enigmatic reality, it seems to be mere an illusion towards life. At the end, his very beloved is the reason/push through which he becomes millionaire. It gives a pinch in the spectators mind, of an ideal life that a protagonist can have everything with him at the end; money as well as his love. Which happens rarely. Therefore it gives imaginative texture of the movie, where the rich and well qualified are becoming puppet of his hands.

Thus presenting these two texture of the movies forward; one is representing indirect manner and another direct manner of becoming millionaire. While in literal manner, noone can become millionaire as such. In some scenes in the movie, Danny Boyle has tried to present an enigmatic point, where the hero is illusively abduct by someone, what has literally happened in background isn't depicted clearly and only as he was suppose to come at other day, he is appearing and winning the final prize of the game.

In a way both represents reality of life, where one is digestible on the other another is still in unchewed form, thus can't be digestible. Therefore both can be justified with some modifications, but noone can endorse anything in general as if this is the definite story from rags to riches for anyone, who endeavors to do so.

The deconstructive reading of the novel

As it is said by Derrida: "Language bears within itself the necessity of its own critique, deconsructive criticism aims to show that any texts inevitably undermines its own claims to have determinate meaning, and licenses the reader to produce his own meanings out of it by an activity of semantic freeplay (Derrida 1978, 1988 in Lodge, P. 108).

Yes it seems to be. When we read a text, it has a specific language to speak(sympathy is being sophisticated) that represents one entity, identity/ideology. While the other things, which aren't discussed, are marginalized and in this manner it is bearing the necessity of its own critique.

The people who had been faced with injustice since long in india have masquerade their faces with goodness to favor their masters who are badly engrossed in their work not seeing what other portion of their being is doing thus the unknown has overpowered and therefore the fall is stumbled upon.

For example: The white Tiger

The picture that is appearing in mind is of a real white tiger as seen in movie, caged in a cage. If symbolically seeing, it has many meanings as such, which can be seen in context of the movie as well as novel. As Balram Halwai says, there are only two castes in particular, the people with small bellies and the people with big bellies. And as such small bellies become stepping stone, to mount to something significant and the is what big bellies, is denoting.

In this manner, it is deconstructive power, to disparage the very context of the novel as well as film.

Review of netflix film adaptation in brief: "the white tiger"-                              Ramin Bahrani

In Ramin Bahrani's film adaptation, it is portraying at some extent the realistic picture of India, is agreeable but is it in whole that is giving the entire outlook of Indian life? Then we may don't agree and try to justify the statement with the evidences, watched in the movie.

The movie generally portrays from the first, the slave-master personality. Where the slave is sitting in tea-shop and conversing about elections and the master(Ashok Sharma) enters that gives a heroic look, from his dressing manner. That gives an altering personality look, that is going to transform later on. We literally see, how such incidents take place in the movie. Starting from crashing car with a child, committed by Pinky madam but entangles Balram as played a ploy by storks, so they can be extracted out easily from the scene. Pinky Madam already is a controversy for the storks as she belongs to Christianity and they belong to Hindu religion and so the storks have some grudges from Pinky's side. If incase this matter is becoming public, what would be its repercussions? Thinking in this way, they make Balram a puppet of their hands and traps in this case. Which gradually leads him to understand what actually the strength of white tiger is, and in general, this can't be overcome, but only through his murder and he kills him, and gets his entrepreneurship, coming in Banglore.

When watching the movie, it feels as how a man who himself is struggling to overcome the social ladder and tread forward in life, can destroy another man, who also seems to be doing big corruptions. One is indulged in meager level of corruption, while another in higher level of corruption.

For example: In one scene when the demand from socialist leader isn't fulfilled, she reaches to the landlords house and there is symbolic representation of the scene. Where she summons Balram to come near her, and try to instigate him against the landlords. Which indirectly denotes that the landlords have come far through this, by stepping on society and in reality, they also belong to Laxmangarh(Bihar). Where the lady threatens them to be thrown into.

Thus in this manner, if reading through gaps, it uncovers many hidden meanings and gives watcher an extra and additional insight into.

The difference between movie and novel

As it said, "the book in nature is an ocean and movie is like a river."It can't be specified so in particular, the insight of the watcher/reader matters the most. But yes one thing need to be agreed upon  that how the description is given in book, it isn't so reflected in movie, where it feels as the given description is portraying a clear image of a scene(a depiction of a teacher, spitting a jet of pan on  floor, the symbolic representation of ocean and river, the different shades of buffaloes etc). In movie one can't see clearly and has to stretch the mind, in specificity to get the essence of the scene or the entire movie/book.

Referring to the review, given by David Ehrich about both the movies; the slumdog millionaire as well as the white tiger movie, claimed to be the damned corrective of slickly subaltern fairy tale named as the Slumdog millionaire.  Both have same strategies for application, but the cost is such, where one can disagree. The technicality concerning its music, the rating score of A. R. Rahman and also the ending, where the dance has taken over the stage and leaves audience with smile on the face.

This doesn't happen in the white tiger movie and left reader/viewer with many conclusions as it isn't providing poetic justice which can be justified on the grounds of punishment given to the culprit.

Conclusion

Thus in this manner, we saw many points relating to this movie as well as novel; the representation of realistic picture in India, the applicable to all, an archetype of rags to riches, the deconstructive tendency of this novel, the film review of adaption of this novel, the difference between tone and texture and the film review presented by David Ehrlich.

Works Cited

Adiga, Arvind., "Indian novel: The White Tiger." Published in 2008.

Bahrani, Ramin., "The Film Adaptation: The White Tiger." Released in 2008.

Boyle, Danny., "The Film: The Slumdog Millionaire." Released in 2009.

Ehrich, David., "Review: The White Tiger-a corrective of the Slumdog Millionaire."

Elt-2: Teaching Language through Literature

 When getting to teaching English through literature, the elements, interwoven aspects, factors, perspectives, reflections as well as refractions are as such that will make a learner, unconcerned of belonging to which faculty, learn. As in a way, all happenings, surfaced in literature are directly or indirectly connected with the society in which we live. The society of everyday life; an atmosphere, its connection with people, people surrounded with several circumstances for living life etc.

As TEACHING ENGLISH THROUGH LITERATURE comprises many ways, for imparting English Langauge Learning to students, primary we're concerned with how to design tasks so that they can read, imbibe and learn poems, novels, plays, films etc.

The method to impart language teaching that is literature, here concerned with English language, that stimulates learner's autonomy by indicating teacher isn't the fount of knowledge, this leads them to interact with text creatively, not concerning about the author but the text and in this way the text is open for interpretation. 

As it is opened for interpretation, it enhances evaluative and critical skills that can help later on in developing tertiary like advance level language skills. It makes one curious for knowing what is going to happen next, it provides cultural variability along with genre classification.

How to make learn language through novel

Using beginnings and endings

Recitation

Developing personality through role plays of highlighted characters

Altering endings

Lateral Thinking 

Developing Comparative and Critical Skills

Research Resources

Soap-Opera

I-Gap Activities

How to make learn language through poem

How to impart language through videos/films and what are the roles of teacher as well as learner/student.

Elt-2: Testing & Evaluation

Since the initiation of kindergarten schooling, different parameters are implemented to examine the work, assigned to the students by respective teachers. It was subsequently working in assessing manner since learning was given more priority rather then judging the quality so that the children, studying in schools, can't be trodden  down but upskilled continuously, considering maturity level there. But as time passes, it is being applied in higher education system also but with different nature, where learning process is ongoing and through students negotiation and feedback giving manner the process is enriched and students are motivated to learn more. Thus it goes on.  As students gradually go from one term to another and respectively other two remaining terms, the evaluation aspect reflects upon, but still in confusing state.

Under kinds of tests, there are some key concepts for testing. Where validity and Reliability like concepts come.

1. Write on Validity and Reliability of the test

Two types of Validity

Content Validity: Content validity depends on what the test is meant for and whether it is testing that or not.

E.G.: Take as a sample piece this only blog, where we're suppose to see keyconcepts in the form of content validity. The test is meant practically to make us understand, what is content validity. It demands from us, how by being a student of PG we can present our understanding by giving some examples in infographics/writing the content following the technicality of language or can present our understanding by variety of befitting charts to this specific concept.

In Google classroom, on some of the tasks we're given some criteria to take into consideration. Following these variants, we're suppose to write our writings, given in the form of blog writing. When the task is submitted, the marks are reflected against marking area considering these criteria if these are being followed by the students or not.

Criterion-related Validity: Relates to examining the test results to highly dependable and independent alternative sources.

E.G.: A difference between self-learning or given specific training-In criterion related validity, examination results can be considered. If it is highly dependant or independant by using alternative sources from various platforms. Similarly can be seen for preparing season wise presentations and assignments.

Reliability: Depends on two factors

The test can be repeatedly used: As some current and vibrant events keep on happening in contemporary times, which can't be eradicated but as established its own roots can be restricted to a history and as it is said: History keeps on recurring therefore it is necessary to repeat to make aware the students of present times.

For example: In 21st century of Science and Technology, it seems religion is thrushed backward in history. Where once upon a time, when religion was reigning over, today science and technology has taken over and so most of the solutions are filtered out from Science rather than placing belief in faith. Thus we're able to see in many works that two personalities are presented, contrasting each other, through which we're able to see, how they represent a specific ideology and how much successful those are in their approaches.

(Albert Camus: The Plague, R. L. Stevenson: The strange case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, William Shakespeare: Othello)

The test can be used for various levels of students: If it is assigned to Sem-1 students, it can be assigned to sem-2 students. With some modification in application of theories, approaches, main content etc.

2. Write on practicality of the test: It is one of the criterias 'under evaluating multimedia materials'. Which considers: The material is feasible to use under practical conditions, material fits the infrastructure and if it befits in social and cultural context.

Having relevance in contemporary times, it can be seen through 'ongoing online education' aspect. Where one needs to consider all parameters pertaining to the topic and so time arises, can it be made feasible in front of audience/readers. Is the procured digital device transperant relating to infrastructure aspect and if it is, is the presented content as per the social and cultural environment, thriving in university campus.

3. What do you understand by backwash: The effects that tests have on learning and teaching. It can be of two types; negative and positive.

While there are various definitions by a variety of writers.

4. Difference between assessment and evaluation.

If we consider this infographic, it indicates that assessment is an ongoing process, that identifies areas for improvement, diagnosis ongoing learning process if faultery improves the learning process, happens during the learning process therefore learners are motivated to learn from each other.

Evaluation system in higher education considers the final result(what is being learnt), arrives at overall score, judges the quality, happens at the end of the year therefore competitive in nature.

5. How do you define good assessment: There are many definitions for good assessment, which I'm not mentioning here but yes as overall overview of this process, it seems that it is learner-centered, happens sometimes with some constraints, sometimes without, basing on learning environment influence, which can be seen on respective learner, how far it was impactful and served the intended purpose that has been predicted to make students learn. Sometimes it gives positive results, sometimes negative and teacher has to adapt accordingly. In a way it can be said: It is an ongoing process of assessment  for teachers also, who assesses students performance and dispositions till the year ends.

Works  Cited 

Barad, Dilip., "Evaluation and Testing-Handouts from Atanubhattacharya." 19th February, 2020.

Thinking Activity: One night @CC-Chetan Bhagat

 One night at the call center, a novel by Chetan Bhagat, published in 2005. The story of the novel revolves around 'the six characters' who are working in connexions call center in Haryana, Delhi. The novel comprises many aspects such as; popularity, globalization(Thomas Friedman: The world is flat), mennipean satire, self-help  book aspect(God representation), and some advises to build one's self-confidence: one should write down what fears one, why one is getting angry on and often and why one dislikes one another.

The entire book is representing characters who seem to be weird in their nature not something stemming from inheritancy but a disturbance the life itself has created poisoning the entire living leaving untraceable past footprints immersive in misdoings. Therefore the drama of life,  gathering its  pile in anyway, marching in consistency, unrealized the entire trauma.

If one is writing down the fears and weaknesses, teasing one can understand the reasons and the factors working behind such stimulation, working over this it can be overcomed. 

The story furthers in such a way that we see an aspect of popular culture, where there is lack of sustained plot, characterization and intellectual analysis. It seems though it is serving philosophical depth from the writer's side, it doesn't seem so as having this aspect, because at surface level the novel only portrays the seemingly problems and difficulties of six characters happening in their lives. Where one can find impact of globalization on work culture and society, the perceived anti-american sentiments(which seems to be coming out from insecurity and inferiority), how from the struggle of youth and all these conflicting factors, there the need of self-helpbook is emerging. Which seems to be an actual twist in all six characters's lives.

The life of Radhika, who is fade up of her mother-in-law's behaviour and wants to take divorce from her husband Anuj, craving for the past life to be enliven, freely, which was lived with her own mother. 

It seems, even though the self-help book is providing help in the form of God by giving some advises; to be self-confident, to utilize some intelligency with a bit of imagination and to accept failure. She has understood but seems to be using it in facilitative mode by supporting her own view towards living life and that is why rather coping up with disturbing aspects of life and facing it, she chooses to escape the situation.

It compels us to think

Whether this is an appropriate approach, and if it is, then how far is this viable?

At what extremity escapism is approached by a person?

Is escapism good for keeping humanbeing intact with the happenings of life?

If it is then, is it something that is making new way for a humanbeing?

Is Radhika's attitude towards living life, morally justifiable?

Etc etc..

When one reads Priyanka's character(when postulating complaint in front of the God), she wants to live her life on her own rather than confining to her mother ideals as 'family a source of support, one should obliged to it'. But she thinks why life goes in this way and why my mother doesn't want me to live on my own and can't believe that it is in one's reach and search to find one's happiness and that her mother must do on her own, rather than expecting from her daughter. 

Similarly Military uncle's character can be seen, how by being once with his daughter-in-law, he had detested the way she was living: to have a job and staying lately outside. Which wasn't objected in US like country but can be scathingly criticized in India like country. But now he realizes that this attitude has left him alone from his own belongings, why he hadn't given enough space to her daughter-in-law to live the way she wants to live and interfered in their lives. It is their life their choice, how one can interfere as such?

Observing all the happenings in this novel, it seems as the conflict between traditionality and modernity going on. What at once seems to be conflict, emerges out later on as confinement to the established rules and regulations by sensing and observing the time and the time where people are living. One can't make someone comply to self-perceived  beliefs and notions because it also keeps on evolving. What was popular at once, becomes obsolete/odd after sometime. Nevertheless such people don't understand the simple thing and try to force someone to do so. Similarly the another party, who conforms to modernity, isn't able to understand that one can't uproot the sense of traditionality in this way, but has to tread forward, getting sense of traditionality as T. S. Eliot emphasizes upon in "traditional and individual talent essay that: One must have pastness of past as a base to invent a new novel modern concept. And in this manner only, the life can be lived peacefully rather than in anarchy.

Thus this is how globalization, anti-american concept(where they're represented satirically as following their ways of living life, in inferiority and insecurity) self-help book aspect,  menippean satire, the world is flat idea by Thomas Friedman ae reflected in this novel.

Works Cited

Bhagat, Chetan., "One night at the call center."

Friedman, Thomas., "the world is flatten."

Menippean Satire.

Popular Literature.

Self-help concept.

Anti-American Sentiments.

Movie-Screening-Committee: Life-of-Pie-2012

By being movie screening Committee leaders, we leaders; Tamsa and Samiya organised movie screening of an action movie called, 'Life of Pie'. Which is situated in South India, shifts to Canada but remain in between the sea. Where exactly the life of pie(the protagonist) is described.

For which one needs to see the entire movie..

A sixteen year old boy struggles to survive, remaining in middle of sea.

....

Yann Martel's interview on life of Pie(2002)