IE Chris (FA20)

  Mahabharata Reading Notes Part B link Sources used:  Arnold ,  Besant ,  Devee ,  Dutt ,  Ganguli ,  Kincaid ,  Macfie ,  Mackenzie ,  Nivedita ,  Seeger , and  Tagore . 21. Here, we become familiar with the character Vidura. Vidura is the brothyer of Pandu and Dhritarashtra. He is not eligible to be king since his mother is a servant. He is loyal to the sons of Pandu. He warns them of Duryodhana's plan to burn them alive, so they build an escape tunnel.  22. The Pandavas are living out in the forest. Here, Bhima meets the rakshasa chief Hidimba, who plans to trap the Pandavas. The two go and fight in the forest. 23. Hidimba's sister, Hidimbi, meets Bhima and becomes smitten with him. She betrays her brother for Bhima and they have an affair. Hidimbi has a child as a result: Ghatotkacha. 24. Kunti and the Pandavas go out to the town of Ekachakra, where they find that the chief Baka is terrorizing the village. Bhima decid...

  Mahabharata Reading Notes Part A I really enjoyed using the PDE version of the Ramayana, so I'm going to continue using the PDE version here. link Sources used:  Arnold ,  Besant ,  Devee ,  Dutt ,  Ganguli ,  Kincaid ,  Macfie ,  Mackenzie ,  Nivedita ,  Seeger , and  Tagore . 1. We are introduced to Vsaya as a narrator and a character. The elephant god Ganesha is taking notes.  2. We meet Devavrata, who we learn is the byproduct of an... interesting relationship between King Shantanu and Ganga. 3. After his entanglement with Ganga, King Shantanu falls in love with Satyavati, who will soon become the mother of Vsaya. 4. Devavrata learns of a predicament with his father. Any children born by Satyavati will not be eligible for the throne. Then Devavrata makes a vow and renounces his claim to the throne.  5. After Satyavati passes, Satyavati's eldest, Vichitravirya is in line for the throne. Devavrata (Bhishma) kidnap...

 Tech Tip: DDG I certainly try to not think about how much of our info Google tracks, so it was nice to use DDG and have a refreshing change. I also used the bang search to pull up stuff instantly from YouTube. It was pretty neat, and I'm definitely weighing the options of throwing it on my Chrome Browser

Rama Goes to Therapy: On the vahana  ride back to Ayodha, it was a tense environment. Rama and Lakshmana, with the help of the ape king Sugriva and Hanuman, had just rescued Sita. Upon rescuing her, she was thrilled to be reunited with her love but Rama had turned cold, for he doubted her fidelity and believed that she had slept with Ravana during her capture. Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana sat there in an awkward silence the likes of which had never been experienced by any of them before. Finally, in an attempt to cut the tension, Lakshmana spoke: "So, Sita? How are you holding up?" She sighed, "I'm okay. Though that was certainly not fun to be detained for so long. Thank you for rescuing me." She nudged Rama gently, who was holding the reins on the vahana . "Of course I would rescue you, Sita. You are my wife." Rama replied, though it seemed that his thoughts were diverted elsewhere.  They land in Ayodha and Rama is welcomed back with a true celebration b...

Reading Notes: Sita Sings the Blues Part B link Sita Sings the Blues --- by Nina Paley (Question Copyright) So, I actually ended up watching all of the film last night because it was so enthralling that I couldn't put it down. I got notes on the main plot points last night, but I wanted to jot down some more thoughts about storytelling devices and just give general impressions about the film now that I've had some time to let the content sink in.  I absolutely loved this film. My biggest critique of the Ramayana was how unsatisfying the ending was. I felt this way solely because of how the relationship between Rama and Sita died at the end. While it would be disingenuous and would actually damage the story (in my opinion, I'll get to that in a bit) to have their relationship be magically repaired at the end, it was refreshing to consider things from Sita's point of view. Realistically, it shifted the protagonist from Rama (as it would be in a more traditional rendering ...

Reading Notes: Sita Sings the Blues: video  - by Nina Paley I really enjoyed the opening scene, with the anachronism of the record player. It was also really cool how the lotus petals where used as lilypads in the opening scene.  After the intro, I'm rather confused --- why are there two people in San Fran with a cat? Oh this is such an accurate representation of how loud Tux is in the morning. The animation style is very different here.  The way of using three different narrators is fascinating! Especially when they comically bicker about the details of the storytelling.  They definitely start in the story in media res  though. Rama has already met Sita and he his facing exile at this point. Animation style change, and now it's a musical number, an interesting way to switch narrative method. This is used to tell their time in the forest.  The overlying theme of anachronism as Sita sings the blues is not lost on me.  Their perspective on Rama is intere...

  Tech Tip: Canvas Calendar Starting my sophomore year of college, I got hooked on using Google Calendar to manage my daily tasks. It's been super helpful and I would recommend this to every body looking to organize their college tasks. That said, learning how to export the canvas calendar into other calendars was super useful.

Storybook: Tales of Tails and Talas (Hanuman Chasing the Sun -  image credit)

Week 4 Story Lab 1.  Crash Course: What is Myth? 2.  Crash Course: Theories of Myth 3.  Crash Course: The Hero's Journey and the Monomyth 1. I loved that the writers of the show made it a point to distinguish between myth and religion. If we separate myths from their religious background and treat them as stories that have been passed down, we can critique and analyze them a little more objectively.  I also loved the codified approach to discussing myths. What exactly is  a myth? According to the folks at Crash Course, their working definition is as follows:     "A myth is a special type of story that has two primary characteristics: significance and staying power"   Furthermore, their generative approach defines significance and staying power.   "A myth having significance means that the subject matter is about something important, usually something about how the world works. how the world itself got going, or how things came to b...

 Reading Notes: Ramayana Part D Sources used:  M. Dutt ,  R. Dutt ,  Gould ,  Griffith ,  Hodgson ,  Mackenzie ,  Nivedita ,  Oman ,  Richardson , and  Ryder . 61. Rama and his army consult Nala to build a bridge so that they may cross from the mainland to Lanka. Thus Rama's Bridge was created.  62. As Rama's army approaches, Ravana attempts to worry Sita by creating an illusion that Rama has been captured and killed. Sita sees through Ravana's deceit. 63. Indrajit has done quite some damage to our heroes. Rama and Lakshmana are quite injured by Indrajit's Nagastra (Naga-weapon). However, Garuda, the vahana of Indra, comes to their rescue and heals the brothers back to full capacity.  64. Ravana, getting desperate, wakes his brother, Kumbhakarna. Kumbhakarna, one of the fiercest warriors on Ravana's side, charges out on his chariot to confront the ape army. He fells many an ape, including Hanuman, and captures Sugriva. Whe...

 Reading Notes: Ramayana Part C Sources used:  M. Dutt ,  R. Dutt ,  Gould ,  Griffith ,  Hodgson ,  Mackenzie ,  Nivedita ,  Oman ,  Richardson , and  Ryder . 41. Rama and Lakshmana wander in the forest in pursuit of Sugriva, the ape king. Sugriva notices the two and sends his right hand man, Hanuman, to investigate. Hanuman meets the pair and after introductions, escorts them to Sugriva. 42. Rama and Lakshmana meet Sugriva. Sugriva tells the pair that he has been similarly exiled by his brother, Vali. Rama agrees to challenge Vali in combat to clear Sugriva's name.  43. The wife of Vali, Tara, consults with her husband. She pleads with him to reconcile with his brother and not fight Sugriva and Rama. Vali, ever stubborn, plans to continue with the fight. 44. Vali and Sugriva fight. Rama is waiting for Vali, catches him off guard, and injures him.  45. Vali mourns her dead husband. Sugriva mourns his brother. He is instal...

Wikipedia Trail - Week #3 Carnatic Music Raga Tala Shruti I started looking at Carnatic music from doing research for my project topic. Then, I stumbled across Raga, Tala, and Shruti, which are all basic elements of Carnatic music. Shruti is the pitch, raga is the mode/scale, and tala is the rhythm. This would be nice to incorporate into a sort of cross-cultural theory program.  (Shruti pitches compared to the Western 12TET pitch system -  image - Wikipedia)

Review: Week 3 Part I: I did the Google backup. Part II: I did the Canvas Checkup Part III: Theories of Myth: CC World Mythology #12 This was a really interesting video. I especially like the bit about the etymology of "mythology" from "mythos and logos" or "myth -ology". An extra bonus was the Protoindo European mention, as that helps to explain a fair bit of the similarities between cultures.  This is just a beautiful painting listed below. It was really nice to come across.  (image: Rama and Sita on Garuda -  Credit - Posterazzi)

Outside of School: This technically isn't outside of school, as it pertains to school but is not relevant to the coursework I'm doing now. That said, as of last week, I started sending emails out to different professors inquiring about grad school. I actually have a Zoom call in about 12 hours that I am very much looking forward too. But it's stressful sending these emails for me because I totally and concerned with the first impression. I think that one of the last emails I sent, I checked the email about four or five times to ensure that everything was spelled correctly and that they grammar was all in the right place. It's a very nerve-wracking event. I also started the actual application for some schools, which is obviously a fair bit of paperwork. But the reason why I'm preparing and starting on this now ties into my " Next Week " blurb. Next week, starting on Tuesday, Sept. 15th, a LOT of grad school postings are finalized, which is when the nitty gr...

Tech Tip: Canvas Gradebook I just finished inspecting the new gradebook system for Canvas (which I guess I hadn't noticed when it first came out) but now I feel more comfortable with consulting the gradebook in this course. 

  Feedback Strategies: Part 3 Feedforward, not Feedback How to Give Bad Feedback Without being a Jerk I read the articles listed above and had some interesting thoughts generated as a result.  The "giving feedback without sounding like a jerk" article was interesting. The concepts within about leveling yourself on the same level as of who you're giving feedback to is good. I also like it framed from the aspect of "I've received this such feedback and it helped me". Also, avoiding compliment sandwiches for the reasons spelled out in the article was an interesting concept. Usually I find it nice to hear positive feedback but I guess it can come off as insincere if you're not careful about the wording. As far as the feedforward article, I thought that it made a good point in terms of we should give criticism that focuses on the future and not the past. At first and still to an extent, this seems like a bit of a silly oversimplification to me. The future doe...

Project: Storybook Topic Research: Hanuman Hanuman Kirtan Nataraja Damaru Indian Folk Music Carnatic Music Anuja Kamat - Introductory Episode Anuja Kamat - TEDxPanaji I was really trying to find a way to create storybook entries out of the music researcher. The music theorist in me really wants to develop a multi-cultural Music Theory Curriculum that incorporates Indian music and demonstrates the parallels between the two (hence the Anuja Kamat video links).  However, for pure story book options, my immediate thoughts evidently drifted towards Hanuman (which I suppose blends my suggested topics of Shiva and Music, right?) For story book options, I considered the following:  Hanuman, as a child, Reaches for the Sun Thinking it is a Fruit     (when I read this, it feels like parallel to the myth of Daedalus and Icarus) Hanuman, the Warleader, as he is sent bu Sugriva on a rescue mission to find Sita       (in Part C or D of the Ramayana, I guess? I ...

Storytelling Week 3: Vishnu's Choice Indra and the Council of the Gods finally had to convene. They met and conversed for a long time, drinking coffee until the night sky overwhelmed them like a flood on the plain. They had finally agreed on the course of action. The next morning, they woke up and set out on their journey. They were headed to the heaven of Brahma. Just beyond the pearly entrance, Indra was able to make out the figure that was Brahma.  "It is good to see you again, my friends. To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?" Brahma's deep voice echoed throughout the air.  "It is good to see you as well, old friend. We need to speak to Vishnu. It's about Ravana." Indra replied. "Very well. Let us make haste then." replied Brahma. He began to escort them to the Ocean of Milk, where the palace of Vishnu resided.  The gods slowly trekked inside the palace. It was as opulent as ever, and crown jewels adorned the long stretches of hallwa...

Course Bookmarks and Links Semester Calendar Progress Chart EC Descriptions (from Week #2)

Reading Notes: Ramayana Part B Part B Sources used:  M. Dutt ,  R. Dutt ,  Gould ,  Griffith ,  Hodgson ,  Mackenzie ,  Nivedita ,  Oman ,  Richardson , and  Ryder . 21. Bharata learns of his father's passing and is devastated. He also learns of what his mother did to ascertain his position on the throne. Mourning the physical loss of his father and the social loss of his brother, he vows to get his brother Rama back and restore his rightful place on the throne.  22. Dasharatha's funeral has come. It is the duty of Bharata to perform the funeral rites for his father. He must do this before he can begin to search for Rama. 23. Bharata treks out into the wilderness to find Rama. They lament over the loss of Dasharatha and discuss the future. They seem to be at an impasse, for Rama refuses to violate the command of his father and return to the city.  24. As a compromise, Bharata has Rama wear a pair and sandals and then gift the s...