July Meeting Notes

One new member Mr. Kapadia was welcomed by the Group. Also this was Dr. Khan’s last meeting before going back to UK.

Topic 1. Feminine traits in male characters as depicted in Literature and vice versa

Four speakers spoke on the first topic.

Mr. Kaushik started with the story of Ardhanarishwar. How the three goddesses asked God to give them power to be better than the others.

Kusum Gokarn spoke about the movie Jogwa and how under the name of religion young girls and boys are sacrificed to Goddess Yellamma.

Mr. Mehrotra spoke of Shrikhandi’s character in the Mahabharat.

Mr. Rajagopalan spoke of how women can display the emotions of men but it is difficult for men to display emotions like women. He quoted the anecdote of how when a General asked all those who are afraid of their wives to stand aside. He saw one person not going out. When the General probed the man said his wife had warned him not to go where there are crowds. He also quoted Julius Caesar.

Topic 2. Rituals and traditions as depicted in literature.

Five speakers spoke on the second topic.

Brig Inamdar pointed out that all lady prime ministers of different countries have led their countries to war, thus displaying masculine characteristics.

Rahul Mate quoted a few films in which this topic is portrayed. Gone with the Wind was one of them. He also spoke of the movie Jogwa as well as Chocolat . He also mentioned Elton John’s tribute to Princess Diana.

Dr. Khan spoke on the topic of rituals and traditions. He read some part of the book Pride and Prejudice wherein Mr. Darcy proposes to Elizabeth and her reply to him.

Mr. Rajagopalan spoke of how rituals followed during marriages and death ceremonies depict the traditions in any community.

Vasu spoke about how tradition is well depicted in the Movie Fiddler on the Roof. Where the hero is caught between whether he should follow tradition or allow his daughters to marry those they fall in love with. The movie also has a song called tradition. Vasu also spoke about the book to kill a mocking bird in which the main character Atticus Finch takes up a case of a black boy who is wrongly charged with rape of a white girl and how his family has to face the brunt.

Thanks to Lalita for this update