Friday, July 18, 2025

Poem :" One-Eyed,” by Meena Kandasamy

This blog is written as part of a group discussion task assigned by Prakruti Ma'am. The focus of the blog is on the poem “One-Eyed” by Meena Kandasamy.

About Meena Kandasamy :-
        Meena Kandasamy is an Indian poet, writer, and activist born in 1984 in Chennai. She writes in English and focuses on caste discrimination, women's rights, and social justice. Her famous books include the poetry collections Touch and Ms Militancy, and novels like The Gypsy Goddess and When I Hit You. Her writing is bold and powerful, giving a voice to the oppressed and lower caste communities. She has received many awards and is known for using literature to fight against injustice.


Question:

What kind of treatment is given to the untouchables? Discuss with reference to the poem “One-Eyed” by Meena Kandasamy.


Answer:

       In the poem “One-Eyed,” Meena Kandasamy gives us a real and painful picture of how untouchables or Dalits are treated cruelly and unfairly in society. The poem talks about a young Dalit girl named Dhanam, who is beaten and loses her eyesight simply because she tries to drink water from a pot meant for upper castes.

        This act something as simple and basic as drinking water  becomes the reason for violence against her. Kandasamy uses this incident to show how deeply caste-based discrimination is still rooted in our society.


Lines 1–3: Nature Sees Innocence:-

 “the pot sees just another noisy child
the glass sees an eager and clumsy hand
the water sees a parched throat slaking thirst”


Explanation:

         These lines are very poetic and full of personification. The non-living objects like the pot, glass, and water are described as if they can see and feel. But they don’t see caste.

They see only what is natural:

The pot sees a child being playful.

The glass sees a child trying to drink.

The water sees a thirsty throat that needs relief.

       This shows that nature treats everyone equally. Water, pot, and glass do not judge who is Dalit or upper caste. They respond only to human need, not to social rules.

     This part of the poem shows the innocence of the Dalit girl  she is just a child, like any other, doing something very simple: drinking water.


Lines 4–7: Society Responds Cruelly

 “but the teacher sees a girl breaking the rule
the doctor sees a case of medical emergency
the school sees a potential embarrassment
the press sees a headline and a photo feature”


Explanation:

        Here, the poem shifts tone. Now we move from the natural world to society’s response  and it is filled with prejudice, selfishness, and inhumanity.

       The teacher is not worried about the child’s thirst or rights  instead, she thinks the girl broke a rule (because Dalits are not allowed to touch water or drink from the same pot in some caste-based spaces).

       The doctor sees her injury but only as a medical case, not as a victim of caste violence.The school is concerned about its image. It doesn’t support the girl; instead, it wants to avoid being blamed.

      The media sees a chance to make news, not to fight for justice. Her pain becomes a “headline”  a story to sell.

          This shows how each part of the system education, medicine, institutions, and media  fails her. Instead of protecting or helping Dhanam, they ignore the real reason for her suffering  caste discrimination.

        This reflects how Dalits are treated as invisible or unimportant in many public spaces. Their pain is not taken seriously, and they are often blamed for the injustice they suffer.


Lines 8–10: The Girl’s Pain and Caste Reality :

“dhanam sees a world torn in half.
her left eye, lid open but light slapped away,
the price for a taste of that touchable water.”


Explanation:

    VIn these final lines, we finally hear Dhanam’s view the view of the victim.And it is heartbreaking.

        She sees the world as divided: One part for those who are allowed to drink water, and the other part (where she belongs) that is punished for touching it.

        Her left eye is injured  it is open but cannot see. She has lost her eyesight, not by accident, but as punishment.

      All she did was drink "touchable water" water meant for upper castes. But since she is “untouchable,” her act of touching that water becomes a crime in society’s eyes.

        This line “the price for a taste of that touchable water”  shows the cruel reality of caste. Even today, in many places, Dalits face violence just for using a public water source.

       This part of the poem shows the physical and emotional damage caused by untouchability.
Dhanam doesn’t just lose her eye  she loses faith in the fairness of the world.

What Kind of Treatment is Given to Untouchables?

1) Dehumanizing :-

      People from lower castes are often not treated as full human beings. Their basic needs, such as drinking water, education, and self-respect, are ignored or denied. In the poem, the girl is not treated with kindness or care  instead, she is punished for simply trying to drink water. This shows that lower caste individuals are seen as unworthy of the rights that others enjoy freely. Society judges them unfairly and sees them as less important.

2. Violent and Brutal  :-

        The response to the girl’s action is not just verbal or emotional it becomes physically violent. A small girl becomes blind in one eye only because she touched a water pot. This act of violence shows how cruel the treatment of lower caste people can be. Even innocent actions are seen as offenses, and the punishment is extremely harsh. It reflects a deep hatred and cruelty that still exists in caste-based discrimination.

3. Ignored by the System :-

          When injustice happens to people from lower castes, institutions like schools, hospitals, and officials often ignore them. In the poem, the teacher focuses only on rules, the doctor treats the case without asking why it happened, and the school worries about its image. No one thinks about the injustice faced by the girl. This shows that the system does not support lower caste individuals  instead, it tries to hide their pain or avoid taking responsibility.

Conclusion :-

Through the poem “One-Eyed,” Meena Kandasamy gives us a powerful message: Caste violence is still real, and the untouchables are still not treated as equal citizens. Dhanam’s story may seem small, but it represents the pain of many Dalits in India who are punished just for existing, for touching, or for being seen in the wrong place.


What does the “one eye” symbolize in the poem?

       In Meena Kandasamy’s powerful poem One-Eyed, the “one eye” is not just a description of a physical injury  it becomes a strong symbol of caste discrimination, injustice, violence, and painful awareness. The poem tells the story of a lower-caste girl named Dhanam, who loses vision in one eye after being beaten for drinking water from a pot that was meant for upper-caste people. Through this event, the poem explores how deeply rooted caste-based hatred can destroy not only the body but also the dignity and freedom of an individual.

1) Caste-Based Violence and Cruelty :-

           The “one eye” is a direct result of physical violence done to a lower caste girl for doing something as natural as drinking water. This act of cruelty is a punishment for crossing a caste boundary even though it was an innocent action by a child. The poet writes:

 “her left eye, lid open but light slapped away,
the price for a taste of that touchable water.”


      These lines show that Dhanam’s eye is open, but she has lost the light her vision is gone forever. This image is not just about blindness it becomes a symbol of how violently the caste system punishes those who try to live equally.

    This tells us that caste discrimination is not just about untouchability in words  it leads to brutal actions where even children are harmed for touching water that is not “allowed” for them. The “one eye” becomes a mark of caste cruelty.

2. Loss of Innocence and Basic Rights

The poem begins with nature’s view of the girl:

“the pot sees just another noisy child
the glass sees an eager and clumsy hand
the water sees a parched throat slaking thirst”


        These lines show that non-living things like the pot, the glass, and the water do not discriminate they accept the girl as just a child. But the teacher sees a girl breaking a rule, and the school and doctor also focus on discipline or embarrassment, not justice.

       The “one eye” in this case becomes a symbol of how a child’s innocence is destroyed because of caste rules. A child should be free to drink water when thirsty  but here, her thirst leads to punishment. The injury becomes a symbol of lost freedom, stolen childhood, and denied basic human rights.

3. Failure of Institutions and Society :-

         The “one eye” also reflects the failure of society’s institutions  school, teacher, doctor, and media to support the victim. Each one avoids the truth:

The teacher only sees a broken rule.

The doctor only sees a medical case.

The school worries about its image.

The media uses the story for headlines and photos.


        None of them sees injustice. But the girl, even with just one eye, sees the truth clearly:

 “Dhanam sees a world torn in half.”


         Her one eye sees a world divided by caste, where power lies with those who can choose to ignore pain, and suffering is reserved for the powerless. So, the one eye becomes a symbol of truth and painful awareness. Even though she is injured, Dhanam is the one who understands the real face of society.

4. Permanent Scar and Silence :-

       The one-eyed girl now carries a permanent scar both physical and emotional. This scar is not just her injury but also a reminder of how society silences the voices of lower caste people. The violence done to her is also a message to others: “stay in your place, or suffer the same.”

      She does not speak in the poem, but her injured eye speaks for her. It represents:

Pain that cannot be erased

Injustice that cannot be forgotten

Fear that controls others silently

      The “one eye” becomes a symbol of oppression, showing how caste society uses fear and violence to maintain its power.


conclusion :-

    In the “one eye” in Meena Kandasamy’s poem One-Eyed is not just about a girl losing her eyesight. It shows the pain and unfair treatment that lower caste people, especially children, face in society. Dhanam is punished for doing something very simple  drinking water. This shows how cruel and unjust the caste system can be. The people around her  the teacher, doctor, school, and media  do not help her or understand her pain. But even with one eye, Dhanam sees the truth: that the world is divided and unfair. The “one eye” becomes a strong symbol of suffering, truth, and the need for justice and equality for everyone.


group discussion addressing the following questions:


Which poem and questions were discussed by the group? Was there any unique approach or technique used by your group to discuss the topic?

          In our group, we discussed the poem "One-Eyed" written by Rachana Joshi. The poem is about a woman named Dhanam, who belongs to a lower-class community and has suffered a lot in her life. She lost one of her eyes, which becomes a powerful symbol in the poem. We talked about how this loss is not just physical, but also emotional and social. The poem shows how women like Dhanam, who come from poor and oppressed communities, are often victims of violence, injustice, and discrimination.

      We also discussed how the image of Dhanam with one eye represents the idea that even though society tries to silence and ignore her, she still sees the truth. Her one eye becomes a symbol of strength, survival, and awareness. Dhanam may have lost one eye, but she has not lost her spirit or her ability to observe and understand the cruelty of the world around her. This makes the poem very emotional and powerful.

      One of the most important points we discussed was how this poem is still very relevant in today’s time. Even now, many people from lower-class or Dalit communities face class discrimination. They are not treated equally in society. They suffer from poverty, lack of opportunities, and social injustice. Many of them, especially women, go through similar pain and suffering as Dhanam. The poem gives voice to these people who are usually ignored or unheard.

       Our group also talked about the different ways we can understand and look at this poem. Some of us focused on Dhanam’s pain and helplessness, while others saw her as a symbol of courage and resistance. We discussed how the poem allows us to see the reality from many angles like gender, class, and power. This shows that the poem is not only about one person, but about many women and lower-class people who face similar struggles.


Which points were easy and which ones were difficult for everyone in your group to understand?

       In our group, all the members understood the basic idea of the poem One-Eyed by Rachana Joshi. Everyone understood what the poem is about and how it is connected to real life and society. We talked about how the poem shows the pain of lower-class people and how they still face discrimination even today.

      Some members had a little difficulty with a few points when we tried to look at the poem in a deeper and critical way. But we all discussed together and helped each other. Because of this, everyone was able to understand the poem better and learn more about its meaning.


Thank you for reading..

Reference:-

Kandasamy, Meena. “ONE-Eyed.” PoemHunter, 4 Aug. 2016, www.poemhunter.com/poem/one-eyed-2/. Accessed 16 July 2025.





Tuesday, July 15, 2025

Maharaja: Analysing Editing and Non-linear Narrative.

This task was assigned by Dr. Dilip Sir Barad. It is related to film studies and focuses on how we analyze the editing in the movie Maharaja. For further information Click here .



PART A: BEFORE WATCHING

THE FILM : -


What is Non-Linear Narration in Cinema?


            Non-linear narration is a storytelling technique in cinema where the events of the story are not shown in the correct time order. Instead of starting from the beginning and going step by step to the end, the story jumps between different time periods like from the present to the past, or from the middle to the beginning. This technique is often used to make the story more interesting, emotional, or suspenseful. It keeps the audience curious because they don’t know everything at once. As the story moves forward, small pieces of the past or future are revealed, helping the viewer understand the full picture slowly. This method also allows the filmmaker to focus more on emotions, memories, or the inner world of a character, instead of just following a timeline. By showing important events out of order, non-linear narration can make a story more powerful, thought-provoking, and engaging for the audience.


How Can Editing Alter or Manipulate the Perception of Time in Film?


         Editing is the process of selecting, arranging, and joining different shots and scenes to tell a story in film. It doesn’t just connect scenes  it also controls how the audience feels time while watching the movie. Through editing, a filmmaker can jump between different times in the story, such as showing a memory from the past or hinting at something that will happen later. This changes the audience’s experience of time and can create more emotion, suspense, or drama. For example, flashbacks are used to show past events that help us understand a character's present situation. Ellipses are used to skip over unimportant moments, like long travel or waiting, to move the story forward quickly. Cross-cutting and parallel editing show two or more scenes happening at the same time in different places, which increases tension or shows connection between characters. A sound bridge can also connect two different scenes through continuous sound, helping us move smoothly from one time or place to another. These editing techniques help filmmakers to manipulate time, making it feel fast, slow, emotional, or even broken  depending on the mood and message of the film.


PART B – WHILE WATCHING THE FILM

Scene / Sequence

Approx. Time

Time Period

Visual or Editing Clues

Narrative Purpose

Maharaja files complaint about stolen dustbin

00:23:17

Present

Real-time pacing, flat lighting, long takes

Creates mystery; audience questions why he cares about a dustbin

Flashback of truck crash and Ammu saved by dustbin

02:15:20

Past

Flashback with fade-in, soft lighting, emotional tone

Shows emotional value of “Lakshmi” (dustbin) and introduces Ammu’s (Jothi’s) origin

Maharaja finds receipt from the attackers

01:00:36

Past

Match cut from present to past; object triggers memory

Begins his hidden investigation into the culprits

Maharaja tails Dhana and kills him

01:09:21

Past

Handheld camera, intense pacing, sudden silence after kill

Shows first act of revenge; reveals motive behind false complaint

Jothi’s assault (true version revealed)

01:40:36

Past

Flashback, dim lighting, emotional silence, close-ups

Reveals trauma; truth hidden until now through narration twist

Maharaja narrates story to police (Jothi’s story shown)

01:40:36

Present + Past

Voiceover narration over flashback visuals (sound bridge)

Creates dramatic irony — police think it’s his story, audience sees the truth

Nallasivam identified as rapist (via “ear” clue)

01:58:51

Present

Close-up on ear, slow zoom, suspense music

Maharaja confirms identity; prepares for final revenge

Reveal of Jothi's true identity as Selvam’s daughter

02:17:09

Present + Past

Parallel editing; scar triggers memory; warm-to-dark color shift

Final twist; connects all past and present — guilt, regret, and emotional closure


PART C – NARRATIVE MAPPING COMPARISON

(Chronological Timeline vs. Story Timeline)

Chronological Timeline (Real Time Order)

Story Timeline (Order Shown in the Film)

1. Selvam and Sabari commit crimes (rape & murder).

1. Maharaja begins with Maharaja working quietly in his barber shop.

2. Selvam forgets Ammu’s chain at the salon.

2. Maharaja files a police complaint about a missing dustbin(Laxmi). Police mock the complaint; audience is confused.

3. Maharaja visits Kokila’s house to return the chain.

3. Maharaja narrates a robbery story involving the dustbin.

4. Truck accident kills Kokila; Ammu survives under a dustbin.

4. Flashback shows the truck crash and how dustbin “Lakshmi” saved the child.

5. Maharaja adopts Ammu and renames her Jothi.

5. Scenes of Jothi’s childhood and bond with Maharaja shown.

6. Jothi grows up and returns from a sports camp.

6. Maharaja finds a receipt and begins following Dhana.

7. Selvam, Dhana, and Nallasivam break in to kill Maharaja.

7. Flashback reveals how Maharaja killed Dhana.

8. Maharaja isn’t home; Dhana and Nallasivam rape Jothi.

8. Police decide to close the case using a fake culprit (Nallasivam).

9. Jothi is hospitalized and gives clues to her father.

9. Maharaja narrates the incident; visuals show it actually happened to Jothi (not him).

10. Maharaja kills Dhana.

10. Nallasivam is brought to Maharaja’s house as “culprit.”

11. Maharaja files fake complaint to access police station.

11. Maharaja identifies Nallasivam as the rapist by the “ear” on his back.

12. Maharaja investigates other culprits at the station.

12. Maharaja kills Nallasivam with police support.

13. Police discover the truth and support Maharaja's revenge.

13. Maharaja brings Jothi to confront Selvam.

14. Jothi throws jewellery at Selvam and leaves.

14. Flashback + scar reveal that Jothi is actually Ammu, Selvam’s daughter.

15. Selvam realizes the truth and jumps to his death.

15. Selvam dies; his blood touches Jothi’s footprint — symbolic ending.


 Question 3: Brief Reflection :-

            The editing in Maharaja (2024) helps the audience understand the story step by step. In the beginning, Maharaja seems like a quiet barber who files a strange police complaint about a missing dustbin. The audience feels confused. But slowly, through flashbacks, we learn the truth: the dustbin saved Jothi during a past accident, and later, Maharaja used the story of the missing dustbin to secretly search for the men who raped his daughter. This method of editing hides the truth and reveals it piece by piece. It creates suspense, emotion, and surprise.

    The most shocking part was when we find out that Jothi is actually Ammu, Selvam’s daughter. This twist is very emotional and was kept hidden until the right moment. The editing made this moment more powerful.

    If the film was told in a straight, time-based order (linear), the audience would know everything from the beginning, and the emotional impact would be weaker. But because of the non-linear editing, the audience feels what Maharaja feels — confusion, pain, and strength. This way, the editing makes the film more powerful and moving.

PART D – EDITING TECHNIQUES IN MAHARAJA (2024.)

Editing Technique

Where It Happens in the Film

Purpose / Effect

Flashback

When the story reveals past events like the truck accident, Jothi's rape, her adoption, and Dhana’s murder

Slowly reveals the emotional truth; creates suspense and connects the audience to hidden pain

Voice-over with Flashback

When Maharaja narrates the robbery to police, but the visuals show the real events that happened to Jothi

Creates dramatic irony — what Maharaja says and what really happened are different

Ellipsis

Time gaps are skipped — for example, the film does not show how Maharaja tracked the full movements of every criminal

Keeps the story focused; avoids unnecessary details to keep pace tight

Parallel Editing

Shows Maharaja’s secret investigation and the police's fake solution being planned at the same time

Builds tension; shows different people working on the same case in different ways

Sound Bridge

When sound from a past event (e.g., Jothi’s memory) continues over present scenes or during transitions

Smoothly connects past and present; helps guide the audience through emotional shifts

Slow Motion

Used during emotional scenes, like Selvam’s realization and suicide, or during Jothi’s assault

Adds emotional weight and helps the audience feel the pain and shock

Cross-cutting

Between Maharaja’s narration and the flashbacks that show the actual truth

Builds suspense; helps contrast what is being said and what really happened

Visual Match (Motif)

Seeing the scar on Jothi’s shoulder, which triggers Selvam’s memory of Ammu

Helps connect the final twist visually; confirms Jothi’s true identity

PART E – FINAL INSIGHTS & REFLECTIONS :-

In Maharaja, editing is not just a technical craft but a storytelling strategy.”


In most films, editing is used to connect scenes, remove unwanted parts, and make the movie flow smoothly. But in Maharaja (2024), editing is used for much more than just technical work. In this film, editing becomes a way of telling the story. The editor helps control what we see, when we see it, and how we feel. The film does not follow a straight timeline. It moves between the past and the present, and this helps the audience understand the story step by step. This kind of storytelling is called non-linear narration, and editing is what makes it work.

The film starts in the present. Maharaja, a silent barber, walks into a police station and files a complaint about a missing dustbin. The police laugh, and the audience is confused. Why is a man so serious about a dustbin? But as the film moves forward, we begin to learn the truth. The dustbin has a deep emotional meaning. Years ago, it saved a little girl, Ammu, during a house accident. That girl was adopted by Maharaja and raised as his daughter, Jothi. Later, Jothi was brutally raped by two men. Maharaja, filled with guilt and pain, used the “stolen dustbin” story as a cover to get into the police system and secretly find those who hurt his daughter.

This truth is not shown at the beginning. It is revealed slowly through flashbacks and visual clues. The editing decides when to show each piece of information. This creates suspense. The audience wants to know more. Why is Maharaja so silent? Why does the dustbin matter? What happened to his daughter? These questions are answered one by one, and that’s what makes the film powerful. If the story had been told in a simple straight order (from beginning to end), the effect would not be the same.

The reveal that shocked many viewers was the moment when Selvam, one of the criminals, finds out that Jothi is actually his own daughter, Ammu. This twist is emotional and painful. But what makes it even more powerful is that the editing hides this truth until the final part of the movie. The audience, like Selvam, feels the shock all at once. Editing plays a big role here. It manages the timing of this reveal, and this changes how we feel about the characters and their actions.

The film uses many editing techniques to support this storytelling. For example, flashbacks are used to show memories and past events. Voiceover is used when Maharaja is talking to the police, but we see the real event happening to Jothi. This creates dramatic irony — where the audience knows more than the characters. Parallel editing is used to show two things happening at the same time — like Maharaja’s investigation and the police's actions. These techniques help connect scenes across different times and places. They also keep the audience interested and emotionally involved.

Another technique used is ellipsis, where unimportant time gaps are skipped. For example, we don’t see how Maharaja follows every criminal step-by-step. Only the important moments are shown. This helps the story move faster and stay focused. The editor also uses match cuts and sound bridges to connect past and present scenes smoothly. These techniques help make the transitions feel natural and meaningful.



Conclusion :-

The film Maharaja (2024) uses non-linear narration and powerful editing techniques to tell a deeply emotional and suspenseful story. Instead of showing events in time order, the film moves between past and present, slowly revealing the truth. Editing tools like flashbacks, sound bridges, and parallel editing help the audience connect with the characters and feel their pain, anger, and sadness.

We learn that time in cinema is not just about when things happen, but how they are shown. The film hides important truths until the right moment, which makes the story more powerful. If the story was told in a straight line, the emotional and shocking moments would not feel as strong.

Overall, Maharaja teaches us how editing and story structure can shape the way we understand the film, feel for the characters, and stay engaged until the very end.


Reference:-

Dilip Barad. Analysing Editing & Non-Linear Narrative in Maharaja. ResearchGate, July 2024, www.researchgate.net/publication/393653801_ANALYSING_EDITING_NON-LINEAR_NARRATIVE_IN_MAHARAJA.

Maharaja.Directed by Nithilan Saminathan,Sudhan Sundaram, Jagadish Palanisamy, 2024.

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Poem :" One-Eyed,” by Meena Kandasamy

This blog is written as part of a group discussion task assigned by Prakruti Ma'am. The focus of the blog is on the poem “One-Eyed” by M...