Newfound love for language and grammar on Internet

My body cells divided and redivided themselves somewhere between 'grammar' and 'grmmr', 'love' and 'lve'. Now the complexity in this case is that ‘lve’ can stand for both 'love' and 'live'.

Hash tagging every important word and being part of the new trend, sending ':D' even when one doesn't curve his lips in the shape of a crescent moon after those lame jokes, is by the way, a trend these days! What say do you have regarding 'stahp' in place of 'stop'? Typing another alphabet didn't cost u much, did it? We live in a world where "switch off" has a lesser significance than "fuck off".

In the process of growing up, we abridged our texts, trimmed our feelings and conquered emotions. Not to forget blaming the prediction software every time the 'Grammar Nazis' point out our mistakes. Introverts get a chance of exposure while extroverts make every unnecessary and sadly, very necessary things for themselves, public. That summarizes the social media in today’s generation. I know you can read "Iliad" if you decide to read it just then but sadly e-books neither smell as sensuous as old books nor are as voluptuous as the new books do. Due to some mysterious reasons, I have always preferred flipping pages over clicking mouse buttons to slide the page forward, favoured ransacking different libraries for an appropriate criticism on Alexander Pope, than being satisfied with Wikipedia and the copy paste of its contents on several other less important sites.

I know that the internet is an inexpensive, easily accessible and extremely economic source in its terms and conditions but don't blame me when suddenly the airtel 3G net pack and wi-fi stop being sympathetic towards your endless demands. Though at some point I fear I cannot defend my arguments since they have their own set of advantages too, in today’s fast paced life, where I will sound like the 'meek lamb' and the people who love the Internet as a medium for learning or propagating language will be represented as the ferocious 'tyger'.

But if one claims his preference for long-term relationships over those one night stands, so can I for my 'old school of thoughts' and learning.

About the Author:

 Ahana Bhaumik is an English Honours student at Loreto College. A determined atheist, she will be found doodling anytime, anywhere. A writer and amateur photographer, she lets music speak her mind.

Good Hair Days!

‘I want a hair cut!’

- by a hair cut you mean a wave, a curl, maybe the steps? Hey! The fringes are definitely one whole step ahead of the hair game.

But, you know what? You're old. Your haircut is old. Your take on hair cuts are old. Your entire thought-process regarding haircuts are old!

Because, you can't even begin to think 

what the new haircut is all about. So maybe it's not the trend. So maybe it's not what you

 see everyday. But, these haircuts that a lot of people all over the world support aren't just

 unusual. They are quirky! They are quirk redefined. They are quirk personified. Could you

imagine a haircut that is cut in the form of a horse?

Would you want a pineapple on your

head? You could want anything on the planet and you would get it because these hairdresses aren’t just plain talent- They have a vision and capability that is beyond the

world - for they are artists! Now this whole take on hair cuts has been taken up by the film industry itself in the movie ‘blow dry’ where a small town sees a whole hair-dressing 

competition and one of the competitors is our very own Alan Rickman!

Now the next time you decide on cutting your hair - watch the movie. Check out these pictures from Google. Think of your hair in a different light and voilà - you've got art on your head!

About the Author:

 Joyeeta Majumdar is pursuing her passion - English, at Loreto College and continuing to believe in the small joys of life that are basically photography, poetry and debating. Never failing to understand that in the end it's your mother's kiss on the cheek, the best friend's smile and the smell of mint and paper backs that matter.

Overtoun Bridge- A Mystery

A number of spooky mysteries have been taking place through ages now that have remained unheard to most of the people. Media and social messengers haven't really gone to spots to scrutinize and hence get to the bottom of such concealed affairs. 

But, no wonder the incidents kept recurring over the span of vast time period. 

An arch bridge near Milton, Dumbarton, Scotland, called the 'Overtoun Bridge' has been identified lately as a creepy locale where dogs have been recorded leaping off the bridge. Well, you might call it 'committing suicide'. Needless to state it sounds pretty weird, but repeatedly since mid '90s, long-nosed variety like Collies have been marked falling fifty feet to their death. However, the dogs that luckily escaped the danger climbed up the bridge again to fall off it. Locals termed them 'second timers'. 

Now, what will creep you out more is that many of such dogs have been found jumping almost from the same spot: between the end two parapets on the right-hand side of the bridge. The question that is disturbing your psychological system a degree more is why! Why in the world is it happening? 

Some believe the bridge to be haunted. A tragic past event has been referred to now and again that could possibly be a reason valid enough to justify the mystery. In 1994, a man threw his baby son off the bridge claiming it was the Anti-Christ. Later the man himself attempted suicide there. A lady years down took her dog out for a walk and to her utter surprise she found her dog pulling its leash to the right side of the bridge.

Perhaps because dogs are sensitive to the paranormal.

Many mark the Overtoun Bridge "a thin place" where the partition between the world of the living and the world of the dead meet, and sometimes cross over.  Compiling these arguments can we reach out to the conclusion that these are a few reasons that are responsible for this gruesome happening? Debatable nevertheless. 

Getting goosebumps eh?

About the Author:

 Manjima Sarkar is an English Honours student and also the founder of 'Quirkopedia'. A dance enthusiast and music fiend, Manjima nurtures an immense love for writing. 

Seven reasons to party!

Though you never really need a reason to party, sometimes it's good to have one, just to satiate your own guilt conscience. In the absence of a legit reason, you can always make one up for yourself. And if nothing suggests itself at the moment, you can  refer to these absolutely ridiculous (but solid) ideas:-

1. Because it's 102 days to go to your birthday!

2. Because one of your friends finally got his or her car fixed. 

3. Because you finally reached the next level in Super Mario. 

4. Because your ex just got fired from his new job.

5. Because you took your driving test, failed and will never own a license.

6. Because your crush finally smiled at you.

7. Because you are amazing. Period.

Stacked with reasons? Now go ahead, get hold of your cronies and get wasted. Cheers!

About the Author:

 Debopriya Samanta is a First Year student of English Honours at Loreto College, Kolkata. A movie buff, dedicated viewer of 'Sherlock' and a sincere Kathak dancer, Debopriya is a promising writer.

Six Interesting Facts on Republic Day

'Republic' is proposed to be a state where the supreme power is held by its people and the decisions are taken by their 'Elected Representatives'.
It is a system in which India was finally declared to be freed from monarchy or foreign colonisation and was legally termed to be 'Independent' in nominating its elected head.

Now, why is it 26th January? The date people across the country celebrate as its 'Republic Day'.

India was awaiting its Independence like a starved animal eater does. The hungry eyes were counting on the days. It was the very '26th January',1950, that the country became a 'Republic' in true sense with a democratic government and when the Constitution of India came into force. However, the date was particularly chosen because it was the anniversary of 'Purna Swaraj Divas' (26th January, 1930).

So, would you like to give your ear to some interesting facts that revolve around this date? Hold your horses!

• Okay, so for how many days do you celebrate this event? Is it all about just a date? Well, to bring it to your notice, the 'Republic Day' celebration actually lasts for three days! The gong beat at the end of the third day of celebration marks the end of 'Republic Day'. 
  
•   The Constitution of India is the longest in the world that one definitely cannot finish reading in a single day. Penning it down wasn't easy as well. It took 166 days that extended further to 2 years, 11 months and 18 days, for the Assembly to form its final version. Nevertheless, the entire Constitution was hand-written.
• The two original copies written in Hindi and English, are carefully preserved in helium-filled cases in the Parliament House's library. 
• 'Abide by Me' is the song that marks the end of the 'Republic Day' celebration along with the beating retreat. 
   
  
• President addresses the 'Republic Day'. A 21 gun salute is fired as soon as he unfurls the tricolour denoting it as the military signature of honour. 
• The most surprising of all is that it takes only 52 seconds to sing the complete National Anthem! So would you like to give it a try?  

About the Author:

 Manjima Sarkar, the founder of 'Quirkopedia' is presently pursuing her Graduation in English Honours from Loreto College, Kolkata. An art enthusiast, Manjima nurtures a  keen passion for writing columns. 

Five weirdest painting techniques

'Creativity' knows no bounds. It dares to shock you and cares to awe you! A number of painters over decades have kept creating wonders showing up the 'Artist' in them on the canvas they choose to knit their tales fine.

A true artist asserts that when a brush stroke brings along with it a jaw-dropping experience, when the viewer, flabbergasted, stands in awe before the picture he makes, the 'Artist' justifies his 'Art'.

Gain an insight into the bizarre art techniques that a few crazy 'Artists' have adapted through years. Taste the awesome sauce they create! Trust me, it's heavenly!

1. PAINTINGS MADE WITH HUMAN BLOOD:

 

'Vinicius Quesada' is a Brazilian street artist who prefers to add a different dimension to his artwork. The Brazilian artist has made a chain of Psychedelic paintings and Apocalyptic illustrations in the series 'Blood Piss Blues'. To each one of the main colours, i.e, red, green/yellow and blue, he adds a certain amount of blood and urine that concoct well. Finally what he creates is magic!

2. PAINTINGS MADE WITH PENIS:

 

Australian artist Tim Patch, who is popularly known as 'Pricasso' marks himself as 'The World's Greatest Penile Artist' for he uses his penis to paint portraits. Pricasso takes his canvas on streets at a number of sex trade shows demonstrating his art work live. His one of the most talked about works is the portrait of Australian Prime Minister John Howard.

3. SALT PORTRAITS:

San Antonio artist Rob Ferrel has been communicating with his Instagram followers with the realistic portraits he makes with nothing but 'salt'. All he needs are pinch of salt, brushes of varying sizes and a piece of card stock. Once he gets done with his portrait, he clicks a snap and post it on Instagram.

4. PORTRAITS USING LEFTOVER HAIR:

 

Chinese barber Li Hailing from Lingbao uses leftover hair to shape it to something he is passionate about- 'Art'. He collects the leftover hair in his salon, and after he frees himself from his scheduled work, he arranges every strand putting his skills into practice and makes beautiful celebrity portraits out of that. He draws inspiration from 'Sand Art' and incorporates his own innovative ideas keeping the technique same, in his quirky paintings.

5. PAINTINGS MADE WITH VOMIT:

 

Millie Brown, the 'Vomit Painter' creates actual art using her vomit. I know it is making you feel nauseous. But this weird technique has already received a good deal of appreciation across the globe. She has mastered the art of regurgitation and uses the method in her art work. She goes through the strenuous process of drinking coloured milk and ends up vomiting on the canvas. 'Art' happens! So strangely yet obviously.

Art is growing bizarre. But isn't losing its aesthetic flavour. Such vast is the expanse of 'Creativity'.

About the Author:

 Manjima Sarkar is the founder of 'Quirkopedia', pursuing her graduation from Loreto College, Kolkata. She is an Odissi dancer, a music enthusiast and also a passionate writer. 

Indians and their Hypocrisy

Ask Indians how dirty the streets are, they are likely to get excited and talk in lengths about the corrupt politicians, poor implementation, lack of planning et al, and then you ask them what they have done to change this, they would run out of words. Yes, that's how we are.We the Indians!From the early morning till late evening one can find food stalls along the streets and people relishing on the hot samosas and other delicacies, unaware of what they are littering on the streets and doing nothing to keep the city clean. Yet we can lecture you about why our country is way behind other developed countries. We are really unique in our way you see!

We would express our aversion to Bollywood song and how the lyrical content damages our 'Cultural legacy'. Nevertheless, we match our steps with its very rhythm while partying somewhere. Wouldn't you call it a sheer hypocrisy?!
                         We would recall our good old days, our childhood before technology took over, how we used to play on fields and not fixate our heads on smart phones; how kids these days are glued to their smart phones and other gadgets, we lecture them the value of regular physical activity and maintaining fitness. However, we never think twice before uploading a picture of a recent place we have been to on social media, do not hesitate to 'like'  profile pictures of our friends and relatives.

Even we are much delighted to order a pair of cushion covers online, scroll through the 'Online Shopping Sites' and let me talk about something worse now, we even 'whatsapp' our kids to come home early! Yes, that's true! but we never admit that technology has made our lives faster, easier and comfortable as much as we loathe its harmful impact.

                     We Indians, and especially the Bengalis, like to talk behind people. We have got so much expert views to throw at them, albeit from behind! We only have worse things to say about them, regardless of who or what they are! we are experts in criticizing others, we confine such analysis of human behaviour in our small groups, where such discussions tend to sum up becoming a 'hot topic' and a great game to pass the time.

But we fear to tell such things upfront and are even weary of picking up a fight or facing confrontations. Yes we are cowards, deal with it!
                     And finally, the most hilarious one. The entire nation went abuzz when Maria Sharapova declared that she doesn't know who Sachin Tendulkar is, the man whom we all consider the 'God of cricket'. We designed a number of memes on every social media platform, of course, to humiliate her statement shedding light to its 'idiocy'.

But sometime later when an Indian named  Kailash Satyarthi won Nobel prize for 'Peace' we were caught with our pants down when we had to google him. Surprisingly another Nobel laureate in the same category is known to all of us! Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani national! 
                       Interestingly we don't care about our shortcomings, rather we are cool about it, we take little interest in straightening ourselves, our problems hardly bother us! We believe in 'Chalta Hai' ( willingness to easily compromise )attitude and the 'Jugaad'(a quick fix to a seemingly difficult problem) without addressing to the real problem.We like working on our own terms.

'Indians' we are, a 'laid back' race!

About the Author:

 Sandipan Mandal is presently studying information and communications technology at Jadavpur University. A movie buff, Sandipan holds a keen interest in writing and voicing social issues out loud.

The Love Ballads

Everyone of us has seen one of the many glorious love ballads played out on screen at one point of time or another.  And at least for a moment or more we have marvelled at the larger than life cinematography of these songs. 

Now let's take a moment here.  All of us have in our heart of hearts framed an idea as to what love is, what it looks like and other blah.  Although some of us,  have this hypocrisy of the new age 'Love is crap!'.  But come on, we do take ourselves down to Earthly pleasures. Attachment sounds sense. Isn't it? 

Anyway,  now as all the great minds and philosophers of the world have put it,  love is a relatively simple matter of fact. It is something which exists in everyone's life in one point of time or another. So what is this larger than life unreal portrayal of something that is so corny and common?

  Yes,  we all agree that the average mainstream movie making IQ of our times is terribly low.  But I am referring to a routine  which has been in place for more than half a century. Romantic songs shot in a dream sequence, a surreal location.  Ask yourself.  Why?

Somewhere in our underlying subconscious do we feel that 'romance' is a far fetched notion? As in getting attached to someone romantically is a misnomer in itself?  Hold your knives.  I hope not as well.  But just food for thought. Why is it then that famous directors(read brilliant cinematic minds)  have always portrayed love songs in otherwise grandeur sequences?

  And we always seem to lap it up easily. On the other hand, the 'sad' songs are shot in commonplace settings, mostly. Apparently,  if a person with no understanding of human emotions would perceive love as intangible and heartbreak as very very real.

Perhaps(or maybe not),in some abyss of human psychology,  we all know for a fact that true love,  Like the one we eulogise can never truly exist and what we see around us is too plastic to debate.
Does 'Love' really require such exaggerated depictions?

Think.!!

P.S -  From a believer. Not a pessimist. 

About the Author:

 Kunal Gupta is a Software Engineer by profession. A music aficionado and Literature enthusiast, Kunal is a big time foodie and admires 'Chandler'.

Knock on Wood!

By no ways I aim to insist that everyone is normal completely, but there are some, who behave to be abnormal COMPLETELY!

With due respect to all beliefs:

        Case 1:When you are about to cross the road and suddenly a black cat does that before you, someone from the crowd will prevent you crossing the road immediately , on the condition that you may fail in your tasks or your day will be bad.Diligently raise your eyebrows and tell them that the poor cat has no idea of how she delays millions of people everyday .They fail in their jobs because they have lost their time after the cat.Also there are many black souls on the streets, so how does the cat matter anyway?

           Case 2:When you are ready to start your day and leave your house, accompanied by a sneeze, someone from the neighbourhood will spring up to tell you that it wasn't the correct time for you to sneeze.Wave your hands to them and ask them that if they were travelling in a train and some fellow passenger got rid of the pollutants that infiltrated his nose, would they pull the chain of the train?

           Case 3:While boiling milk, beware!!!If it spills you are sure to face unfortunate happenings.This is what many say when they see the spilling milk and equate it with bad luck.First put off the gas and  while wiping off the milk tell them that a mixture of fat, calcium and lactose is not supposed to decide your luck, which is what you decide for yourself and not the milk.

                 Superstitions and beliefs in them only make life more complicated. Live peacefully and allow others to do the same.

About the Author:

 Akanchha Khettry is currently an English Honours student in Loreto College, Kolkata. Akanchha is a passionate reader, a keen believer in music and holds a special interest in writing.

Rest in peace Professor

"After All this time?"

"Always".

Alan Rickman added 'life' to the character of Professor Severus Snape. The Man who will breathe fresh in our memories for several years from now. Won't he?
A man of words. A wizard with skills. A baritone that reverberated through and through the walls of Hogwartz.

 
C'mon....He'll be missed like a heart misses its beat. 
Won't he?

Get to know about a few untold stories about him:

•  Rickman's directorial debut "The Winter Guest" marked as a stepping stone in his walk of life. However, Harry Potter put a hold on his film directing career. “Harry Potter got in the way,” said Rickman. “When I said yes to doing that in, I think 2000, there were only three books and I didn’t know if I’d be in the fourth. You can’t direct a film unless you’ve got a year or more of your life, and I would spend several weeks a year on those.” But, despite, He continued to direct in the Theater.
  
   
• Although Theater was lurking inside , Alan studied Graphic Design at the RCA between 1968-1969, and his first ambition in life was to grow as a 'Graphic Designer'.
• Rickman disliked the experience he gathered in the prestigious Royal Shakespeare Company. He preferred to term it "A factory" that doesn't "look after the young actors". It seemed more a Factory to him that churns out product without bothering about the process.
  
• Rickman had been in a relationship with Rima Horton since 1965. He shared a home with her at London. 
• Alan had a speech disability in his childhood years. His lower jaw was very tight which disturbed his speech making his words indistinct and deadened. He continued suffering this slight speech defect till the later years of his life.
  
  

About the Author:

 Manjima Sarkar is pursuing her Graduation from Loreto College, Kolkata. An Odissi dancer, a music buff and the founder of 'Quirkopedia', Manjima cultivates in her an immeasurable love for writing.