Serene girl

March 20th was an interesting yet slightly perplexing day as we explored John Keats’ famous poem, Ode on a Grecian Urn . At first, it felt as though the entire poem revolved around just one object—an urn , making it difficult to understand its deeper meaning. However, as we dissected the verses, we began to uncover the rich themes of art, time, beauty, and eternity that Keats intricately wove into his words. The poem describes an ancient Greek urn, adorned with images of people frozen in time. Keats marvels at how art captures moments of beauty and preserves them forever. The scenes depicted— lovers about to kiss, musicians playing, and a sacrificial ritual— remain eternal on the urn, untouched by time or change. This led to a key philosophical question: Is frozen beauty more perfect than real-life experiences, which are fleeting and subject to change? Despite its artistic beauty, the poem also raised confusing contradictions. While the urn’s images never fade, they are also lifeless...

 March 18th was a day of deep reflection and critical thinking as we watched two powerful TED Talks—"India's Green Revolution: More Harm Than Good" by Vandana Shiva and "It's Not a Solution If It's Not Affordable" by Dr. Devi Prasad Shetty. Each talk challenged conventional perspectives, pushing us to rethink how progress is defined in agriculture and healthcare. TED Talk 1: India's Green Revolution – More Harm Than Good by Vandana Shiva In this thought-provoking talk, Vandana Shiva, an environmental activist and scholar, dismantles the myth of the Green Revolution as a purely positive development. While it is often credited with increasing food production and preventing famines in India, she highlights its long-term consequences—soil degradation, water depletion, loss of biodiversity, and an overreliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides. One of the most striking aspects of her talk was how the Green Revolution shifted power from traditional fa...

 March 17th was a day of literary discovery and creative expression. We delved into Ecology by A.K. Ramanujan, a poem rich with imagery, emotions, and environmental consciousness. As we analyzed its themes, Dr. Sushyni Kothuri introduced a unique idea—encouraging us to tap into our own creativity by writing poems. Little did she know that this exercise would uncover hidden talents among our classmates. The discussion on Ecology was thought-provoking. Ramanujan’s poem beautifully intertwines personal and ecological narratives, showing how nature is deeply embedded in human memory and experience. We explored how the poet’s mother associates the blooming of red gulmohar flowers with her migraines, blending personal discomfort with the beauty of nature. This led to an engaging conversation on how we all have personal memories connected to nature—certain seasons, flowers, or landscapes that evoke emotions. To make the session even more interactive, Dr. Sushyni Kothuri assigned us a tas...

Our final session brought us to the end of Carvalho, leaving us with profound questions about storytelling, perception, and truth. Reading Carvalho was not just an academic exercise; it was an intellectual adventure. From its sharp humor to its complex narrative structure, the novel challenged us to think beyond conventional storytelling. The combined class and enactment session on March 3rd made the experience even more immersive, proving that literature is best understood when it is performed, discussed, and debated. This journey taught us that stories are not just about what happens in them but also about how they are told and retold. And sometimes, the mystery itself is more important than its solution Final Discussion Points: Does Carvalho have a real resolution, or is the mystery left open-ended on purpose? How the novel critiques human nature – our tendency to embellish, exaggerate, and believe in myths. The lasting impact of Tejaswi’s storytelling – why does Carvalho remain rel...

As we approached the end, discussions got more heated. Some felt the ending was perfectly fitting, while others thought it left too many unanswered questions. Key Events: Mandanna’s Fate: The story takes a more serious turn as Mandanna’s future remains uncertain after his arrest. Carvalho’s Influence: The scientist’s role becomes more prominent, as he tries to bring logic and science into the chaos surrounding the narrator’s life. The Narrator’s Growing Frustration : With every new event, the narrator begins questioning everything—his expectations, his knowledge, and even his understanding of rural life. Classroom Discussions: The Novel’s Satirical Take on Society: We discussed how Carvalho mocks bureaucracy, social customs, and blind faith. Human Struggles and Resilience: The characters, despite all odds, continue striving for their desires, whether it’s Mandanna’s pursuit of marriage or the narrator’s wish for order. The Novel’s Shift in Tone: While the humor remains, darker themes o...

As we neared the final chapters, we started peeling back the layers of Carvalho. What at first seemed like a humorous adventure novel revealed deeper themes: Key Events: Revelations : The narrator uncovers deeper layers of the mysteries surrounding Carvalho and Mandanna. Philosophical Dialogues : Engages in conversations that challenge perceptions of reality, knowledge, and existence. Classroom Discussions: Quest for Truth: Debated the nature of truth and the human pursuit of understanding amidst ambiguity. Science vs. Superstition: Explored the tension between scientific reasoning and traditional beliefs depicted in the novel.

When Literature Becomes Theater This was a day to remember. Dr. Sushyni Kothuri combined classes for BBA A and B, making it a larger, more interactive discussion. But the real highlight? BBA B students staged an enactment of a few chapters. Watching our classmates bring Mandanna and Carvalho to life was both hilarious and eye-opening. Certain satirical dialogues became even more impactful when performed aloud. This day proved that literature isn’t just meant to be read—it’s meant to be experienced.

You know that awkward moment when you’re physically in class, but somehow, according to the attendance sheet, you were off exploring another dimension? That was me on February 27th. I was right there, sitting in my usual spot, but my mind? Oh, it was deep inside the world of Carvalho, flipping through the next chapters while the rest of the class was engaged in a discussion. Then came the moment of doom—Dr. Sushyni Kothuri asked a question. I heard the silence. I felt the class looking around. And yet, there I was, blissfully unaware, lost in the pages of the book. The next thing I knew, my name was called, but my voice never made an appearance. No answer. No reaction. Just the sound of my internal monologue realizing, “Oh no.” Naturally, she marked me absent—because, well, what’s the point of being present if you’re not actually present? And did I go up to her later and explain? Nope. Because honestly, it was my own. Moral of the story? If you want to exist on the attendance sheet, ma...

By February 24th, the novel had taken a slightly more serious turn. The narrator’s dog, Kiwi, goes missing, leading him into the dense forest. Meanwhile, Mandanna disappears as well, jobless and feeling defeated. Key Events: Kiwi's Disappearance : The narrator's dog, Kiwi, goes missing, prompting a frantic search in the forest. Mandanna's Vanishing Act : Mandanna disappears, overwhelmed by his joblessness and societal pressures. Bee Infestation : The narrator's home becomes overrun with bees, adding to his mounting troubles. Classroom Discussions: Themes of Loss and Search: Reflected on the emotional and symbolic implications of the disappearances. Human-Nature Conflict: Discussed how the bee infestation symbolizes the unpredictable intrusion of nature into human life.

On this day, we encountered one of the funniest yet most relatable parts of the novel. Mandanna, convinced that becoming a beekeeper will secure his marriage to Norway Ramaiah’s daughter, sets out to impress people in the most ridiculous ways possible. From an unsuccessful attempt to get a government job to a disastrous stunt during Independence Day celebrations, where his bees cause absolute chaos, the novel takes a comedic turn. Key Events: Mandanna's Beekeeping Ambitions : Mandanna aspires to become a beekeeper to win Norway Ramaiah's daughter's hand in marriage but faces rejection from the Khadi Board Chairman. Independence Day Chaos: Mandanna's attempt to impress the Minister during celebrations backfires when his drumming agitates bees, causing pandemonium. Agricultural Concerns : The narrator discusses issues plaguing his paddy fields with Carvalho. In class, we debated: Why does Mandanna believe that a stable job is the only way to earn respect? How does Tejaswi...

By February 17th, we had settled into the novel’s rhythm. The day’s reading focused on the unexpected delays caused by rain—a common occurrence in rural India but one that city dwellers rarely consider disruptive. While the narrator waits, Mandanna continues to amuse us with his hilarious views on life, work, and love. What stood out was how the novel portrays rural patience versus urban impatience. The humor woven into these everyday situations kept the discussion light yet insightful. A key takeaway from the day was how nature plays an active role in rural life. Unlike the city, where life moves mechanically, here, nature dictates the rhythm, and people must adjust accordingly. Key Events: Rain-Induced Delay : The narrator's return home is postponed due to heavy rainfall, leading to unexpected interactions. Mandanna's Musings: Mandanna entertains the narrator with his unconventional views on employment and marriage. Classroom Discussions: Acceptance of Nature's Rhythms: ...

Chapter Covered: Chapter 1 Our literary adventure began on February 13th when we opened the first chapter of Carvalho. At first glance, the plot seemed simple: a man searching for honey for his ailing father. But soon, it became clear that this was just the beginning of a much larger and stranger journey. Key Characters Introduced: The Narrator : An educated farmer looking for pure honey. Mandanna: A quirky villager who adds comic relief and unexpected wisdom. Carvalho : A scientist and botanist whose presence is mysterious at this stage. Key Themes Discussed: Rural vs. Urban Perspectives: The contrast between city life’s urgency and rural life’s patience. Humor as a Narrative Tool: How Tejaswi uses Mandanna’s exaggerated speech and actions to set the tone. The Significance of the Journey: Is the honey just an object, or does it symbolize something deeper? By the end of the session, we realized that the novel was much more than a simple story—it was a window into a world filled with h...

The semester's beginning was marked by Dr. Sushyni Kothuri renewed sense of structure and discipline. The blueprint for the upcoming classes was laid by Sushyni Kothuri. During her speech on February 10th, she provided us with a comprehensive overview of what to expect, outlining how this semester would differ not only in terms of academics but also in the way students and teachers would be involved.  She emphasized that the evolution of management was crucial to education.'... Due to changes in academic structures and the growing need for student accountability, both faculty and students had to adapt. Her words indicated that this semester would be a challenging time for her due to the increased emphasis on discipline, punctuality, participation and following regulations. We didn't just have to do our homework and sit for tests; we wanted to be professional, confident enough to tackle real problems.  Furthermore, she outlined specific protocols and guidelines that everyone...