Tumgik
#and urdu while we're at it
rosefulmadness · 1 year
Text
bro why are languages so hard like come on now I just wanna be able to communicate
with friends? with family? with my roots? all of them THAT'S A LOT OF LANGUAGES WITH THEIR OWN ALPHABETS there's never enough time
32 notes · View notes
.
9 notes · View notes
stormflower8 · 8 months
Text
we're back with more south asian!ballister headcanons
part one is here
I did not expect such a positive reaction to part one, so here are some more that I wrote down while going about my day today!
starting with building on what I was doing in part one, relating to the transition to primarily speaking urdu to always speaking english
sometimes ballister forgets english words for things
now, there are two routes you can go with this
either, A, he does that thing where he snaps his fingers a few times to remember
eg, "And then I picked up that," Ballister trailed off, snapping his fingers a few times in frustration. "What's it called? Unda..." he furrowed his brow. Ambrosius tilted his head, "Unda?" he echoed. Ballister waved a hand. "That's the Urdu word for it..." he snapped his fingers definitively, face brightening. "Egg! It's an egg."
or, option B, he just makes crap up
think those videos by Dez the Lez on youtube where she talks about her mother making up random phrases in english to describe words that she forgot (eg. "horse tornado" for carousel)
for example, "Where's my hydration unit?" Ballister asked, opening a cabinet, closing it, then opening another. Nimona stared at him. "Hydration unit?" "You know, the thing," Ballister clicked his tongue as he spoke, as if he was making even a lick of sense. "The hydration capsule." Ambrosius looked up from the book he was reading. "Do you mean a water bottle?" "Water bottle, right!" Ballister laughed, as if it was totally normal to call a water bottle a hydration unit. "Where is it?" "You left it in our room," Ambrosius said offhandedly. Ballister sighed. "Thanks," he said, then left to go find it. Nimona gaped at Ambrosius. "How?" she breathed. "How the hell did you get 'water bottle' from 'hydration unit'??" Ambrosius shrugged. "You get used to it."
both are great options
while option B is way funnier and opens up more opportunities for fics, I think option A might be a little more in character
or he just alternates between the two. that is absolutely an option.
uh, fun fact, I myself have actually called a water bottle a hydration unit before, but I think that's more of me being a dumbass than anything because english is my first language LMAO
chai. ballister LOVES chai.
he is more devoted to chai than he is to ambrosius (/J /J /THAT WAS A JOKE)
if he sees starbucks "chai tea latte" or whatever they call it in his house he is KICKING YOU OUT
ambrosius's favorite hobby is to hug ballister from behind while he's stirring the chai pot and it's a very warm and cozy moment that smells like chai and it is one of their favorite things to do, both during their institute days and post-canon
there was also this one time ambrosius and ballister were kissing (actually, they were probably making out) and the chai boiled over because they were too distracted to tend to it, but the two of them try not to bring that incident up
at first, nimona made fun of ballister for his mildly obsessive chai drinking ("tea?? you're drinking tea?? my god, how old are you? just hop in the senior center now")
then, he finally just forced her to try some, and suddenly he was making three cups instead of just two
and on the topic of drinks,
ballister also really loves mangos, and has fond memories of climbing huge mango trees as a kid and picking them (this memory is stolen from my pakistani dad, shoutout to him akjdhaskj)
this has led to a love of mango juice
he knows ALL the brands. ALL OF THEM.
his favorite is Shezan, because let's be real, Shezan is the best mango juice and I CAN AND WILL throw hands on this
I can vividly imagine ambrosius and ballister grocery shopping and ballister asks ambrosius to go grab some mango juice and ambrosius returns with like the first thing he saw on the shelf and Ballister took the bottle from Ambrosius and examined it. "This one?" he asked skeptically. "Uh, yes?" Ambrosius chuckled. "It was the first one I saw." "This one has a strange aftertaste," Ballister said idly, putting it back on the shelf. Instead, he selected a pack of juice boxes. "These are the best." He then started to ramble about other brands and their pros and cons, but Ambrosius barely heard him. He was fairly certain that, if he were a cartoon character, he'd be making heart eyes at Ballister. Ballister noticed, trailing off when he caught Ambrosius's gaze. He tilted his head to the side. "What?" Ambrosius felt an uncontrollable smile spreading across his face. "Nothing." Ballister watched Ambrosius for another second before snorting out a small laugh and ducking his head to break eye contact. They moved on after that, but Ambrosius made sure to commit the brand name of that mango juice to memory after that.
mango juice is important, alright? bad mango juice is a crime.
this is already super long, but here's one more I sometimes see people talking about
kajul. kohl. whatever you want to call it, ballister uses it.
okay, let me get something straight. sometimes I see fics where one character puts kohl on another, and I just wanna say I could NEVER
for those of you who think kohl is like an eyeliner, it's not. not really.
grab a mirror, and pull your bottom eyelid down. the lower eyelid that connects to your bottom lashes? THAT'S where the kohl goes.
my sister is the one who introduced kohl to me, and she was like "okay storm, you can use mine, but I can't put it on you" to which I responded "wait, why not?" and she showed me where it goes and let me tell you I GASPED in that public bathroom
needless to say I chickened out and did not end up wearing kohl that evening
but enough about me
ballister boldheart is a braver man than me
kohl is cool because it's a culturally, historically, completely inarguably gender-neutral makeup product which is so awesome tbh
anyways he wears it fairly often and it really brings out his stupid gigantic sad wet kitten eyes
ambrosius adores it
nimona wants to try putting it on but ballister is paranoid she'll stab herself in the eye, despite her complaints that she can just "form a new one"
this was, again, so much longer than I expected, but I still have more headcanons! I'll probably make a part three soonish, but until then, enjoy these!
-Storm
88 notes · View notes
Text
Google Translate Writes: Will, the Bog Monster
Hey, look what day it is - it's April Fool's Day! We all know what that means: It's time for the fourth annual Google Translate Writes! For those who haven't read them yet, every year I take a light-hearted oneshot of mine and put it through ten layers of Google Translate, then post the results here on Tumblr (and now on ao3 too!). This year, we're doing Will, the Bog Monster, a quick lil thing I wrote nearly a year ago. Read it at the link - then look below the cut (or on ao3!) to see how this simple story survived being translated into Corsican, Shona, Basque, Hausa, Belarusian, Nepali, Afrikaans, Lao, Sindhi, and Urdu!
Yes, Demon Lord
After five years, Hill thought he would learn about parenting. He left Will in the ward for the long missions, traveled to Will and stayed with the people on the short missions. In a few years from Wensley, when she's more confident, maybe start dating him. Will was now loud and reckless, preferring to play rather than be quiet, and Halt saw no harm in being quiet for a while.
Love is a good thing, all things considered. It is very social, social and social. He was slightly intimidated by Helt and sometimes tried to mimic Helt's expressions, but his quick smile disappeared after a few minutes.
Now the wand is ready for reception. He put Will's things on one seat and his on the other, but that meant he didn't have to pay a lot for two seats. He finishes packing Will's things and tries to figure out how to get Will's horse in—Will has trouble sleeping without him.
He got up and sat on the table. "Father?
"Huh?" He stopped without looking. He tried to be a horse.
- what do you study?
He stopped and looked. - What do I know?
"Children are doctors. I was a child," said Mrs. Cherry from the ward.
A smile tugged at the corner of Halt's mouth. "He said you are alive, don't wake up."
Thinking this, Halt tried to mount the horse. He gave up and decided to wear some clothes though he left the rest.
But he had to remember that Will had repeatedly asked follow-up questions, and then Will had asked him what he was afraid of. - Where did you find me?
Several possible answers flashed through Hilt's mind in a split second. For some unknown reason the solution is "I went into the ground, dug a hole, and found you on the ground."
- Did I go in the water?
He stopped and took off the rest of his shirt. After a while he thought he could get away with it, he couldn't go back now. "Yeah, it took weeks for the stomach odour to go away."
He will have a smile on his face. "I know I have feathers in my hair!"
And trees also came out of the mine. Get Abelard out of his bed, go,” said Halt, lowering the chair.
*
Stop forgetting all about the second day of the conference. He collected a large log, occasionally listening to and watching other first-timers.
Crowley walked down the hall, still looking at them. - Is he waiting?
"Huh?"
"Do you know why Willy spends all day looking at people like this monster?"
"I don't know," Halt said with a knowing look on his face. If Crowley had known the truth, Holt would never have heard the end of it.
Crowley raised an eyebrow. 'Are you sure? No one understands us.'
"Sure," said Holt. He put the figs in the pot and stood up. "Now stop asking awkward questions and help them prepare."
6 notes · View notes
gougerre · 6 months
Text
I think its extremely important at this time to talk about MEMRI TV
MEMRI aims to expose Arabic-language media to Western audiences, but has faced ongoing accusations of selectively distorting its translations to portray Muslims/Arabs negatively.
Tumblr media
You have ABSOULTELY seen memes and screenshots from this "source" and its VERY prevailant in our responses and manner of reply. They make for the funny reaction. But remember that MEMRI TV is:
1: MEMRI (Middle East Media Research Institute) is a non-profit think tank founded in 1998 that monitors, translates, and analyzes media from Arabic, Farsi, Urdu, Pashto, and Turkish sources.
2: It was co-founded by former Israeli military intelligence officer Yigal Carmon and Israeli-American political scientist Meyrav Wurmser.
3: MEMRI publishes translations and reports which it distributes to lawmakers, media, and others. It aims to bridge the language gap between the Middle East and the West.
4: Critics argue MEMRI selectively chooses extreme/objectionable articles to portray the Arab/Muslim world negatively, while ignoring moderate views in the same media. Supporters say it reveals hate speech that should be exposed.
5: MEMRI's main projects focus on jihad/terrorism, U.S.-Middle East relations, reform in the Arab world, inter-Arab relations, and anti-Semitism. It also monitors TV and social media.
6: MEMRI is funded by around 250 private donors and foundations. It has received praise from some commentators for increasing understanding, and criticism from others for bias.
7: Translation accuracy is debated - some examples indicate possible bias, others show high quality work. MEMRI insists its translations reflect real discourse in the region.
THIS SUMMARY WAS DONE WITH AI I DONT HAVE TIME TO TYPE SHIT
Tumblr media
Look how they phrase this headline. They phrse the language to make the islamic world look barbaric and as if they disregard life.
If we're going to talk about Palestininan liberation and their freedom, we NEED to address our use of these images
I will not tag this, I dont want the flak
14 notes · View notes
Text
This is a very niche Muslim issue (about accessibility of the religion due to language barriers) but
Today my sister invited her friend over to our apartment for iftaar (dinner you eat to break your fast). Her friend is a revert (Muslim for ~4 years now) whose first language is English.
I invited a friend too and all three of us (myself, my sister, my friend) are desi Muslims. So much of our language concerning religion is in Urdu cause that's how we were raised. Ex. ablution is wudhu, dates are kadjoors, prayer is dua, prayer mat is janamaaz, intention is niyaat, etc. As we threw around these words my sister's friend would ask for clarification and she looked kinda lost.
It made me reflect on how a lot of language surrounding the faith can be exclusionary towards reverts because unless they know Arabic or Urdu (at least in the communities here) it's hard to "break in". So it can probably contribute to feeling isolated.
It also made me realize that as someone born Muslim and raised with Urdu, I don't even know the difference between terminology that's in Arabic (that most Muslims would probably know) and terminology that's in Urdu because Urdu has loan words from Arabic. While rediscovering my own faith, I had do shift some things from Urdu to English, like how I would express my intention during prayer, to make them more deliberate. Talking to my sister's friend made me realize there's more work to do with switching over my religious practice to English since English is my first language 🤔
Lastly, I think the prevalence of too much Arabic terminology can also be off-putting. I'm not a native Arabic speaker (I can only read Arabic badly, not even understand it) so it's a bit intimidating going into a space where people are exclusively using Arabic terminology (ex. consistently using "tawakkal" to talk about trust in God and assuming everyone understands it instead of explaining the concept in English). It would be more accessible to define Arabic concepts in the speaking language (whether English or other) as they're brought up.
But specifically, I think it would be useful to first-generation desis (Urdu as a second language) to dissect the language we use to refer to our religious practices and ensure we're not only catering to other desi Muslims. 🤔
37 notes · View notes
Text
Pakistani Thalia who struggled with English because her mother spoke primarily in Urdu.
Because what kind of Pakistani drama star would she be if her own children didn't know their mother tongue.
Imagine the headlines, she'd be disgraced.
English didn't come natural to her, often leaving her frustrated especially when she saw Annabeth and Luke converse so easily.
While she struggled with the language barrier.
Once they went to a cafe with their small amount of money and Thalia was enraged when the staff seemed amused at her struggling to get her order out.
Thalia stormed out, Annabeth tried to explain that they probably struggled to understand her because of her accent and it wasn't their fault.
And she snapped.
Thalia:... Do you know how frustrating it is to have to translate everything in my head before I say it?!
She gestured at the staff
Thalia: To have people like them laugh at me because I'm struggling to find the words?
Annabeth: feeling bad Thals...
Thalia: You should try talking in my shoes for a mile... She huffed, throwing her hands up annoyed... I know what I meant to mean!
Luke: We didn't know, we're sorry.
Thalia: sad smile I'm so much smarter in urdu but you wouldn't know... Tears in her eyes... Just for once, I wish I could speak to someone in my own language in my own home.
She goes off to cool down.
Later that night while Thalia is asleep, Luke and Annabeth sit under the streetlights going over the Urdu alphabet.
They had no idea Thalia was struggling so much.
How lonely she'd felt.
This was their home... And they would do their best to make it one for her 2.
@desi-rrverse
24 notes · View notes
khaleesiofalicante · 1 year
Note
Tumblr media
Not my friend randomly sending me this, while we're supposed to be studying for our second language exam tomorrow.
Anyways,the first thought I got in my head after reading this was- this is truee af. Next thought I have is, this sounds exactly like something Max or Alec would say. Then I begin to go down a mental rabbit hole of in what scenario, my favs would say this. Alec would burn someone with the sass he would say this with. And then it hits me, this is the perfect comeback for Mr Magnus Hot-Sassy-Science Nerd Bane. This is definitely something NYU professor of Engineering, Mr Bane would say. Dani, you are a witch. You've bewitched all of us. Now, whenever I see a movie, I start replacing it with which characters it would suit. And it's mostly LBAF characters. Lightwood Banes most of the time. What I wanna say is that you have to be an amazing writer for the readers to get so into the story, it becomes a part for their lives. And you made it possible. Ive never been this obsessed with any written work before, be it a book Or fanfic.
You make my day better whenever I read your fics or even just scroll through your tumblr. Your sense of humor makes me laugh so much. So, I wanna say thank you for being the wya you are.
Sorry for going all emo on you and ranting over here. I hope you don't mind.
Gotta go now and study Hindi😭. For someone whose mother tongue is Hindi/Urdu,i sure as hell don't like studying it. I much prefer English. Idk why. Anyways bye. Already embarrassed myself in front of you today by being so senti
Thank you so much 😭😭😭
I had a very blah day and this really made me feel better. FYI - I spend more of them my time thinking about them too so we're bad bitches hehe.
As David would say (in the next chappy), life is about finding people you can be senti with <3
4 notes · View notes
bywayofmemory · 1 year
Note
To return the Spotify favour: 15, 45, 52
15. Mohabbat, Arooj Aftab
[no lyrics for this one because it is in urdu, which i do not speak]
Okay so this one is funny because...I've already written the fic that goes with it! This is on my Aravis playlist, it's a gorgeous song full of longing and little sharp edges in the music and instrumentation that just sound like her. I listened to it over and over while writing my NFE treat for Nasim this year, which is how it ended up so high on my list (that, and it's just a really fucking good song). It was the perfect soundscape for a lonely woman full of aching, delicate desire, looking at a man she knows she shouldn't want but can't keep her eyes off of. So that's exactly what I wrote off it.
45. Cornelia Street, Taylor Swift
baby, i get mystified by how this city screams your name/and baby, i'm so terrified of if you ever walk away
This is a hard one for me because it's such a modern song lyrically and I so rarely write anything set in the modern world! I think I could get a Darklina fic out of it though, with the lines quoted above - something where the Darkling muses on how the people love their Saint Alina in the way they never loved him, and what that means for her and their relationship. After all, if she has the love of the people, does she really need him at all? And since it's the Darkling we're talking about, if he did lose Alina, it wouldn't be a matter of never being able to walk down a single street full of memories again...he'd probably just obliterate the entire city. My darling meow meow!
52. Choreomania, Florence + the Machine
you said that rock and roll is dead/but is that just because it has not been/resurrected in your image?/like if jesus came back, but in a beautiful dress/and all the evangelicals were like, "oh, yes"
OBVIOUSLY this is a Susan-as-Jadis (or Jadis-replacement) song. No doubt about it. Not sure if she's also a Narnian rock star a la Lestat in Queen of the Damned at the same time, but either way. She is full of rage at what happened to her and the expectations that were placed on her and her world(s), and she is going to freak out with the complete conviction of someone who most definitely had something very bad happen to them. I feel like she'd end up wearing a lion cloak by the end, and Narnia would absolutely worship her.
3 notes · View notes
notjustanyannie · 1 year
Text
ACLU
Well, here we are. Election Day.
With so many of our rights on the line in these elections, we know just how many countless hours of hard work that dedicated people like you have put in. Now, it's finally time to vote for a democracy we can believe in and show elected officials what "We the People" means.
And just to make sure you have all the information in one place, we've gone ahead and made you this concise Election Day guide below. Screenshot and save this so you can refer back to it.
Election Day Guide
(Made Special for You by Your Friendly ACLU Email Team)
1. Know Your Rights on Election Day:
If the polls close while you're still in line, stay in line. You have the right to vote.
If you make a mistake on your ballot, ask for a new one.
If the machines are down at your polling place, ask for a paper ballot.
If a poll worker says your name is not on the list of registered voters, you can ask for a provisional ballot. (You're entitled to this provisional ballot, even if you're not in the poll book).
If you run into any problems or have questions on Election Day, call the Election Protection Hotline:
English: 1-866-OUR-VOTE / 1-866-687-8683
Spanish: 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA / 1-888-839-8682
Arabic: 1-844-YALLA-US / 1-844-925-5287
For Bengali, Cantonese, Hindi, Urdu, Korean, Mandarin, Tagalog, or Vietnamese: 1-888-274-8683
For more information on exercising your voting rights, resisting voter intimidation efforts, and accessibility assistance at the polls, check out the ACLU's Know Your Voting Rights resource.
2. Go Over Your Plan Before You Vote:
Double check your state's voter guidelines for your poll site location, materials you might need to bring with you like your state ID, ballot return deadlines, and other details.
Be sure you've researched what's at stake in your local races and ballot measures.
If you have a mail-in ballot that you have not returned yet, use a drop box or return it in person, if your state allows.
If you are voting in person, pack a few essentials in case your line is long: water, food, and entertainment (a book, music, a podcast like ACLU's At Liberty, a quiz to test your knowledge on the Midterms, etc.).
For guidance on where to find more help with voter information, your plan to vote, the issues at stake, and any other last-minute voting questions, visit our Vote Your Values page.
3. Repeat After Us (Especially If You're Stressed):
It's unlikely that the election results in every single state will be clear on Election Night. That's okay and completely normal. Have patience. Remember with absentee ballots, mail-in ballots, and other considerations, it takes time to count every vote – and that is what's most important.
Our legal and advocacy teams are at-the-ready to protect your civil liberties at the polls – and wherever we may be needed on Election Day and beyond. Remember, the ACLU has national reach: We're in all 50 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico. We'll be here to defend democracy no matter what. Count on it.
We hope this helps for today. We know this election year has been a long one, and we cannot thank you enough for being with us at every turn protecting voters' rights – and all civil liberties – through it all.
Let's vote our values today – and then, together, we will continue our critical fight for a nation that is truly just and equal for all.
For democracy and the people,
The ACLU Team
American Civil Liberties Union
125 Broad Street, 18th Floor
New York, NY 10004, USA
6 notes · View notes
crisishauntline · 6 months
Text
After she begged me to stay and I said yes, again
What I wrote a couple days ago, about her hurt breaking like dawn and constricting the sky, reminds me now of a Ghalib couplet I once shared with her:
kyā tang ham sitam-zadagāñ kā jahān hai jis meñ kih ek baiẓah-e mor āsmān hai*
Yesterday she woke up sobbing, and I woke up to the sound. She told me she even thought of leaving me for the first time this past weekend, before she took a long walk. We cried together in bed for a while, then I asked if we could go to Land's End, and get cinnamon rolls from the bakery where I used to work on the way. She asked if I was taking her there to give her bad news. I said we were going to go on a long walk.
We sat on the beach—we decided on Ocean Beach instead, I think because Land's End felt too on-the-nose—and cried some more while throwing the ball for Harpo. I told her that being with her felt like being on a sailboat on a beautiful sunny day. She is sitting on the edge of the boat, her legs dangling in the water. I watch the sun dance in the gentle lapping waves and illuminate her skin with refracted silver. She sees me seeing her, and smiles like the open sky. And then we feel a rock scrape the bottom of the boat.
As I run to check for damage and adjust the sails to correct course, she stands up on the edge of the boat and asks why I hit the rock, and why I'm not looking at her as much anymore—why am I doing this to her? Clouds begin to gather, and the wind picks up. I say to her that it's only a scrape, we're not going down, and can she please help me with the sails? She asks, "How could you ask me that when you know I'm standing on the edge and holding on just for you? Don't you care that I'm in danger?"
We cried and cried and cried. Like the past few crises before this, she seemed to suddenly understand, she apologized and promised and begged. I told her I couldn’t keep breaking the promise I’ve made to myself after each crisis—that whichever one we’ve just survived is my last one, that the next time the storm comes, I will know that it’s time to end it and feel capable of doing so. I asked her to promise that the next time, if there is one, she will let me go—no more begging. My heart cannot fucking bear the grief of being begged to stay.
She said yes. A promise like an ant’s egg, like the whole sky. How could I call this love narrow? But how narrow and fragile it is!
*From Fran Pritchett's blog:
Translation(s): 1a) how narrow is the world of us oppressed ones! 1b) is the world of us oppressed ones narrow? 1c) what-- as if the world of us oppressed ones is narrow!
2a) in which a single/particular/unique/excellent ant's egg is the sky 2b) in which the sky is a single/particular/unique/excellent ant's egg
Analysis: In its richness of possibilities and undecideability of tone, this verse is one of the true 'meaning-machine' gems of the divan. It's the kind you could take to a desert island with you, and savor its every possible interpretive nuance. We know by now the excellently multivalent uses of a phrase like this one in the first line that is introduced by kyā : it can be an exclamation, the way the commentators insist on taking it ('How narrow this world is!'); it can be a yes-or-no question ('Is this world narrow, or isn't it?'); or it can be a scornfully negative exclamation ('What-- as if this world is narrow!'). Right away we have a sufficiently intriguing set of possibilities to energize the whole verse; after the first line we are eager to hear (after the usual mushairah-performance delay) the evidence for the narrowness (or non-narrowness) of the world.
Then the second line opens up for us an even more undecideable and enjoyable display of 'symmetry': since Urdu is much less dependent on word order than English, to say 'A is B' is also to say that 'B is A'. As so often with Ghalib, both possibilities work intriguingly with the various permutations of the first line. And, as Faruqi points out, the tone too can vary: the possibilities include not only sarcasm but also wonder, despair, perplexity, indignation, and ruefulness.
Compare {165,2}, which offers a similar range of possibilities through exactly the same sequence of devices ( kyā in the first line, symmetry in the second).
Who are the 'oppressed ones'? They are us, but who are we? We suffering lovers, no doubt; and more widely, we who are victims of injustice and tyranny. And ultimately, we human beings, living our cramped, oppressed, and all-too-limited lives under an ant's-egg sky. But then, maybe it's just the opposite, maybe our lives are not limited at all. It could be that our wide-ranging minds find ample freedom even in such a tiny ant's-egg space; or maybe the sky itself is a mere ant's egg to us in our boundless mental (and spiritual?) inner spaces (as in the similarly dismissive treatment of Rizvan's garden in {10,1}). We oppressed ones, we readers, end up being allowed-- or required-- to invent the verse's tone and meaning for ourselves.
For another verse in which the sky is compared to an egg, see {217,4}. For another verse in which the ant provides a limit case of smallness, see {123,3}. Another enjoyable verse for comparison is the irresistible {68,5}, in which the round dome of heaven becomes not an ant's egg but-- even more dismissively-- a mere wastebasket. And what else is as small as an ant's egg? Why, an inner chamber of the heart of the Moth: {81,3}.
Compare Mir's own striking 'ant' verse: M{733,2}; and another verse in which Mir's sarcasm (or is it?) is as tempting as Ghalib's: M{1056,2}. Here's one in which Mir uses kyā kam as cleverly as Ghalib uses kyā tang : M{775,4}.
And of course there's Hamlet: 'O God, I could be bounded in a nutshell and count myself a king of infinite space, were it not that I have bad dreams'.
0 notes
ramakantthinks · 6 months
Text
Discover 5 Must-Hear Underrated Artists
Do you ever find yourself bored with the same old tunes on the radio? Or maybe you're tired of listening to the chart-toppers that everyone seems to be raving about. Well, fear not! In this blog, I am going to introduce you to five incredibly talented but underrated artists that you absolutely must listen to. So, let's dive right in and explore these hidden gems in the music world.
Tumblr media
The Local Train
Let's kick things off with The Local Train, a rock band hailing from New Delhi. Formed in 2008, this band is all about capturing the experiences of today's youth, often blending Hindi and Urdu seamlessly in their songs. Comprising members Raman Negi, Paras Thakur, Ramit Mehra, and Sahil Sarin, The Local Train has released two albums filled with amazing tracks that range from rocking anthems to slow, soul-soothing melodies.
One of their standout tracks is "Aaftab" from the album "Vaaqif." This song, with its slow and moving rhythm, has the power to stir your emotions, leaving you unable to resist hitting that replay button. If you're looking for more, give songs like "Choo Lo," "Vaaqif," and "Aaoge Tum Kabhi" a listen.
Also Read: Find Your Next Favorite Podcasts With These Apps
Anuv Jain
Anuv Jain may have been a singer for some time, but it was during the lockdown that he decided to go full-time, and we're glad he did. His music is dominated by acoustic sounds, with lyrics that resonate with emotions we all can relate to. In Anuv's words, "It's nice to see how people have liked my music, and more people are listening to it."
One of his tracks, "Mishri," reached over a million streams on Spotify. This slow and lyrical song is bound to tug at your heartstrings with its extraordinary lyrics. For more of his soulful tunes, try "Alag Aasmaan," "Baarishien," and "Riha."
Advait
Advait is perhaps the most underrated artist on our list. This musical maestro blends English and Hindi in his songs, creating haunting, slow, and stirring melodies. One of his remarkable tracks is "Tu Hain Kahaan," which incorporates elements from the soundtrack of "The Perks of Being a Wallflower." It's truly an amazing piece of art.
Advait's songs are like your best-kept secrets, those pieces of music that you don't want to share with anyone because they are your personal gateways to peace and warmth. Dive into his enchanting world with songs like "Befikar," "Manzile," and "Main So Gaya Hoon."
Prateek Kuhad
You might have heard Prateek Kuhad's name after his song "Kho Gaye Hum Kahan" featured in the movie "Baar Baar Dekho." However, this independent artist deserves much more spotlight than he currently has. His album "cold/mess" caught the attention of former US President Barack Obama, who listed it in his favorite music of 2019.
In 2020, Kuhad made history as the first Indian artist to sign with the American record label Elektra Records. His music effortlessly combines Hindi and English, offering a mix of slow and pop vibes. Don't miss out on tracks like "Kho Gaye Hum Kahan," "Kahan Ho Tum," "Cold/Mess," and "For Your Time."
When Chai Met Toast
Our final discovery takes us to the picturesque landscapes of Kerala, where "When Chai Met Toast" emerged. This band's enchanting music came to my attention when I stumbled upon their song "Firefly" while searching for tunes by Owl City. The band was originally a duo consisting of Ashwin and Achyuth, and later, Pai Sailesh and Palee Francis joined the lineup.
Their songs predominantly feature English lyrics, sprinkled with a touch of Hindi and Tamil. With tracks like "Beautiful World," "Khoj," and "Believe," they've created a refreshing soundscape that will leave you hitting the replay button. Thanks to platforms like YouTube, we have the chance to discover this incredible indie band. Once you listen to their music, you'll find it hard to stop playing their songs on loop.
Also Read: Boost Your Workouts With These Music Apps
Conclusion
The music industry is teeming with hidden talents waiting to be discovered. These five underrated artists offer a refreshing break from the mainstream and bring a unique blend of sounds and stories to your playlists. So, if you're in the mood for something fresh and exciting, give The Local Train, Anuv Jain, Advait, Prateek Kuhad, and When Chai Met Toast a listen. You won't be disappointed!
0 notes
sassylassy123 · 11 months
Text
The Sun And The Moon
Chapter 10 - Threatened
The ceremony was short and pretty boring. Divyanshi spent her time eating with Krishnn and clicking pictures.
"Can I click your picture?" She asked Krishnn.
"I suggest you to not do that. You know what happens to people when they try to sneak in the Prem mandir at night." He said.
She sighed, "Not gonna try to do that."
She clicked more pictures, mostly of Karn. No one noticed her doing that except Krishnn, of course and Jaydrath. He had his eyes set on her the moment he entered the palace. He knew that she was the girl from the future and was curious to know her deeply.
After the ceremony, Divyanshi was stuffed. She decided to walk around the palace. Not knowing that some other person might have the same idea, she bumped into someone while blindly walking.
"Ouch! My head!" She held her head as it ached.
"Does it hurt?" Karn asked, he looked sad when he realised that his armor hurt her.
"Obviously it does!" She said.
"Let me." He said and touched her head, she looked in his eyes while he set his hand on her forehead observing the injury. "There isn't any blood thankfully. The bruise has faded so it won't pain now."
"What are you-you doing at this hour?" Divyanshi asked out of the blue.
"I could ask you the same." He said.
They both stayed in silence looking at every possible direction but not eachother. "I am sorry for what I did that day. I panicked and it was inappropriate according to this yug."
"No, it was good!" He said, "I-I mean it's ok. I don't blame you. I raised my-my voice too." He stammered.
"We're square?" She confirmed.
"I guess." He softly spoke, "We can walk together. We should I guess."
"Yes, yes. You are right." Divyanshi agreed.
It was awkward for them to look at eachother without those hundred questions popping up in their mind.
"Your yug, how do people talk? You seem to struggle a bit to translate a few words." He asked, they stopped at the corridor at a balcony.
"Bharat is now a smaller country comparative to this time. It has been invaded a lot so there are many languages. Most of them are ours but languages like English and Urdu are foreign, not ours." She explained.
"So, you people use English a lot, right?" He asked.
"Mostly but I like Hindi more. It has emotion. Hindi is a sanskari language to be honest. But it can be romantic." She said.
"How does a man greet a woman in your yug?" He asked.
She smirked, she thought that her smirk would distract him from the loud thumps of heartbeat, "Well, romantically he takes her hand and kisses it."
He slowly took her near his mouth and kissed it gently, "Like this?" He asked.
"Oh this is nothing!" She smirked.
"What is then? A kiss?" He asked. He brought his brought his lips near her's and waited.
"Don't keep me waiting." She said.
He smirked and kissed her passionately. She enjoyed the moment while holding on his neck as he grabbed her tight by the waist. They both were distracted by eachother that they didn't notice someone looking at them.
~~~~~~~~
"He is Guru Dron." Duryodhan introduced Divyanshi to Dronacharya.
"Pranaam!" She greeted him, "You must be Aswathama." She looked at a tall man who had a blue stone studded on his forehead.
"And you are correct." He said.
"As always!" She smiled.
The morning after the 'incident' was good for Divyanshi as she enjoyed everything she did. From dressing up to talking to the person she didn't like much, Dushasan; she was calm.
"What has happened to you?" asked Draupadi.
"You don't want to know, trust me." Divyanshi said remembering the last time she told her about her kiss.
The next event was haldi, Divyanshi couldn't stop looking at Karn. Draupadi knew something had happened between the two them because they made it obvious by passing eachother smirks.
"What are you doing?" Draupadi inquired when she saw Divyanshi taking a picture of Karn, when Karn spotted Draupadi, he ran away from her sight.
"Oh just taking pictures of a beautiful view!" Divyanshi answered.
"What is it between you two," Draupadi said, "I can help you both."
"Trust me, whatever is going between 'us' is going fine." Divyanshi told her.
"I hope so." Draupadi said.
"By the way, this Sindhraj looks awful in that outfit." Divyanshi whispered to her, "It's so basic."
"Don't say that. It's rude." Draupadi scolded.
"Truth is often brutal, darling." Divyanshi said.
Sindhraj got off the alter, he was covered in haldi, he bumped into Divyanshi on his way out.
"Oh! I didn't see you." He said.
"No, it's ok." She tried to wipe of the haldi stain of her saree but it was one nasty stain.
"Could you help me with this?" He asked.
"Sure." Divyanshi had to agree as she had no option. She gave Draupadi a look, Draupadi nodded.
Washing of the stains was a mess. Divyanshi sighed when her favourite saree was ruined. "This was my favourite." She said.
"I can gift you the exact same saree." He said grinning.
Knowing his intentions she denied, "Good gesture but please no."
"Why not?" He asked.
"I just don't want another." She said and tried to leave.
"I saw your yantr filled with Karn." Jaydrath smirked. She stopped, she knew what he meant. He had seen her clicking Karn's pictures. "So you agree." He set his' lustful gaze on her.
"How will you even prove it?" She asked confidently.
"They know I won't lie. Also, they know what you are like." He walked closer to her, "What would their reaction be when they hear what you and 'him' did last night?"
"You saw it?" She asked, "Are you jealous?"
"If you spend one night with me, just one, I will not tell anyone about what happened." He smirked and tried to grab her by her waist.
She slapped his hand and pushed him back, "What if I say 'no', ball-chined!" She sneered.
"How dare you!" He yelled.
"There! You messed up." She smirked.
"What's happening?" Karn asked. He was followed by Duryodhan and Krishnn.
"Look at him, such shameless person he is!" Divyanshi said dramatically.
"What do you mean?" Duryodhan inquired.
"He is trying to threaten me to sleep with him. How disgusting! The audacity he has-I mean look at his face, ew!" Divyanshi explained the situation
"She is a shameless girl. You have no idea what she did!" Jaydrath defended himself.
"Don't you dare say that about her!" All the three men said in unison. Divyanshi looked at them in awe, she smiled to herself knowing she had good people in her life.
"You don't trust me, Yuvraj Duryodhan? You have no idea what they both have done!" Jaydrath continued, he pointed at Karn and Divyanshi.
Divyanshi signed Karn that Jaydrath knew about the kiss. Karn nodded understanding the situation whereas Krishnn was smiling enjoying the drama.
"What have we done, Sindhraj? Do you care to explain?" asked Karn.
"You both kissed last night, I saw it!" Jaydrath said.
"You did?" Duryodhan asked to Karn.
"You trust him? Not me?" Karn asked him back.
Divyanshi and Krishnn snickered and hid their face.
"Of course, I trust you, mitr Karn." Duryodhan patted Karn's shoulder. He turned to Jaydrath, "But I don't trust you. What were you doing late night?"
"I know I saw them. I know it because I was troubling the maid to sleep with-" Jaydrath paused.
"How dare you! You are marrying my sister for the sake of the peace treaty. Had not I swear to not kill you, you would be dead by now!" Duryodhan grabbed his neck.
"Oh man! Such a disgusting personality he has!" Divyanshi whispered to Krishnn.
"Exactly! How will Dushala manage with him!" He whispered back.
"He sucks!" She whispered.
"The show had a better looking actor but him? He is awful!" Krishnn whispered.
"Wait! Which one?"
"The 2013 Mahabharat. I like the actor who played me."
"Yeah, Sourabh Jain is a fine actor."
"Mere bacche, is everything ok?" Shakuni walked in.
"It's not! He threatened Divyanshi moments ago and forced a maid to sleep with him last night." Duryodhan explained.
"That's unpunishable!" Shakuni exclaimed.
"Great! Now, execute him!" Divyanshi mumbled and Krishnn laughed. "I should leave. It would be awkward if so many people get missing from the event."
"Yes, you should leave." Duryodhan said, "I apologise for what he did."
"It's fine. You saved him from my punch, you better beat him with yours." Divyanshi said, "Angraj, Krishnn, let's go."
They all left the room and joined th party as though nothing had happened. Draupadi noticed the awkwardness between Karn and Divyanshi and approached her.
"What happened there?" She asked.
"You have no idea!" Divyanshi said.
..................
1 note · View note
is-solarpunk · 1 year
Text
Solarpunk Writing Prompts #8
Here you can listen to original podcast
Here is the source of the podcast's transcript you can read below
Solarpunk Prompts - The Electronics Graveyard
Hello world. I'm Tomasino.
This is Solarpunk Prompts, a series for writers where we discuss Solarpunk, a movement that imagines a world where technology is used for the good of the planet.
In this series we spend each episode exploring a single Solarpunk story prompt adding some commentary, some inspirations, and some considerations.
Most importantly, we consider how that story might help us to better envision a sustainable civilization.
If this is your first time here, I'd recommend checking out our introduction episode first, where we talk about what Solarpunk is, why you should care, and why this series came into being.
Today's prompt is: "The Electronics Graveyard"
A shantytown sits next to an electronic waste site in the Global South, where the electronics are remixed, remade and cannibalized to repair and maintain the local hospital. It's parts are needed as no Northerner will ever come with newly-milled replacements. The town slowly evolves into their own version of Shenzhen, a hub of innovation and production, one where all knowledge is shared and all kinds of crazy inventions are born.
Solarpunk has a lot of influence from the Global South. Though the concept floated around blogs as early as 2008, it was really a short story collection published in Brazil in 2012 that put the movement into the public eye. Solarpunk: Histórias Ecológicas e Fantásticas em um Mundo Sustenavel
And while the Art-Nouveau aesthetic would bubble out online, the ideas of technologies and practices it would draw from were already well established in the Global South.
Solar energy and urban agriculture became shiny cover art, but scrappy reuse of material, up-cycling, creative hacks, organic architecture, these innovations of daily reality helped prevent the idea from becoming a vague optimistic futurism and instead a viable movement for activism.
It is because of this foundation that Solarpunk can so firmly say, "we are a real thing trying to create real change, not just a utopian fantasy."
Solarpunk is no utopia. It may be speculative, but it is realistic.
The term Utopia was created by Sir Thomas More for his book of the same title published in the 16th century. He created the fake word using Greek roots meaning "not and place". Utopia as a term was meant to literally mean an impossible place, not an achievable society at all.
Solarpunk isn't a Utopia. It's what More would have called an Eutopia (phonetically, Evtopia), or "the good place". He actually addressed the name contradiction in an epilogue to Utopia, saying, "Wherfore not Utopie, but rather rightely my name is Eutopie, a place of felicitie"
And yes, if you were wondering, Eutopia was the inspiration for the TV show's name.
Solarpunk innovation isn't even necessarily about futurism. A community being in balance with nature doesn't require massive new technological advances. Think about the old adage: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. The most effective of those ideas is reduce. Just use less. Then, if you needed to make "stuff" for some reason, reuse it. That's the second most effective. And it's the focus of this prompt.
Though the prompt begins with a shantytown and a waste site, we're not calling for a story about poverty or seeking to glamorize the suffering of people. This is a story of innovation through remix. That electronics waste site is a key resource. And the power of the community is non-conventional, frugal innovation.
Conveniently, India has a word for this concept: Jugaad
This idea can mean anything from a creative workaround of a problem to a hack (think hackers and hackerspaces from our earlier episode) to using a resource in an unconventional way.
The word Jugaad (or Jugaar in Urdu) is also the name for a type of homemade car popular in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. These are usually cobbled together from some wooden parts, a hodgepodge of waste SUV parts, and something to make it go, often old irrigation pumps.
While these aren't the safest vehicles and they aren't regulated, they demonstrate that spirit we're looking for. They creatively solve the problem with a flexible design that can use whatever is at hand.
The ideas is something to compare against "frugal innovation", a practice more common in the North.
Confusingly the term is sometimes used in stories about Jugaad where people are unfamiliar with the Indo-Aryan term.
In reality, this is a different model where an invention or good has its costly parts stripped away to make it marketable in developing countries. Rather than being a solution designed to serve these communities it's a way to squeeze the most profit.
A common place we see this is in healthcare manufacturing. The cost of a typical low-end centrifuge runs between 1 and 5 thousand US dollars. A frugal innovation machine with calibration parts removed, using sub-standard materials, may cost as little as half that amount.
But Jugaad offers a totally different path. In 2017 a hand powered blood centrifuge was designed using the principles of a whirligig, a child's toy. It costs 20 cents to build and no electricity to operate.
It was invented by Manu Prakash, an assistant professor of bioengineering at Stanford, who has a number of inventions to his name. He credits his style of innovation directly to Jugaad and growing up in that culture in India.
So lets turn that eye for creative, unconventional innovation back to our story prompt.
What would the history of this site look like? It began with people living in poverty, but would evolve as these local "tinkerers" began to use their skills to repair and augment machines that they needed in their day-to-day lives.
When the nearby hospital realizes it's not getting replacement parts for its expensive equipment, where does it turn? Our repair community, of course. And as more and more importance is placed upon them the idea of them as tinkerers slowly changes. Now we may call them engineers.
What might happen as that activity grows? What might it look like when the entire town gets involved, and people begin traveling to join them for training or to share skills?
It may look a little bit like Shenzhen, China, where life revolves around invention, where open source hardware is everywhere, and where people copy and build upon each other's designs. In a place like that some of the most unique things come into being, like a simple dumb-phone with a single advanced feature bolted on, a GPS arrow always pointing towards Mecca.
Local technology innovation should be, and often is, appropriate to the needs it fills. In your story, try to think about what sort of appropriate, targeted inventions may arise. Sites like Appropedia may help.
Places with this type of culture don't need to wait around for silicon valley to share their latest ideas. Innovation is the life-blood of the Global South.
M-PESA is a mobile-payment service, developed by Kenya's largest mobile-network operator, Safaricom. It launched in 2007, before smart phones, using simple GSM platforms. They already had tap-to pay as the first iPhone was releasing. And it doesn't need an internet connection. That technology is packaged and resold across the Global South.
Consider also the Mobile Alliance for Maternal Action, SMS Maama in Uganda, and Mama Bangladesh, mobile-phone SMS based systems for monitoring pregnancy an reproductive health. Platforms and services addressing issues of infant mortality and using infrastructure already in place in new creative ways.
It's important to avoid negatively stereotyping these communities in our stories. Solarpunk envisions a healthy future for southern communities, and we can help that idea into shared understanding through respectful representation.
Take the film, Sakawa as a lesson. It was an incredibly biased movie about an e-waste site in Ghana and scammers operating from around it. It had a very particular vision it wanted to paint in people's minds. At the very time that documentary was filming, Ghana hosted a global conference, re:publica ACCRA with over 2000 technologists from 32 countries across the continent and beyond just next door, all discussing the rising digital society and innovations in Africa.
Finally, try to consider the other angles you can take in your story. Is this story taking place during the buildup of the reuse-oriented community, or after? Is your point of view from within, or a new set of people just arriving? Is there a specific need for their skills at the forefront?
How does Jugaad play into the development of your plot? Do the characters act in a way that demonstrates their nature of creative problem solving? How do they deal with new hardships? How do they express joy in unique ways?
Try to explore new creative ways that your characters' culture might influence their decisions and let that innovate new story directions for you. Jugaad for plots!
Until next time, I'm Tomasino. I hope you'll join me for the next Solarpunk Prompt.
Music in this recording is Unlatching The Escape Pod's Lid by Bubble Keiki from Global Pattern's compilation Solarpunk: A Brighter Perspective
0 notes
Text
We offer Online Quran Classes for kids and Adults to learn Quran Online at home
Learn Quran Effectively With Online Quran Classes
Onlinequranclasses.us offers 1-on-1 classes with Totally checked, hand-picked eminent Quran Tutors from uncommon Islamic universities all over the planet. Our understudies may explicitly demand an educator in light of variables like accessibility, character, show style, information, and course educational plan. Quit slacking! Book your Free Fundamental Quran Recitation with Tajweed Rules, Hifz Quran with Tarteel, and Quranic Duas.
Online Quran Learning for adults:
Fundamentally, Online Quran Learning does not simply offer sorts of help to kids, it is moreover to adults. You can learn Quran paying little mind to what your age is, by the help of Online Quran Learning you can without a doubt manage your work/home/survey with Online Quran Classes. It shows how much Online Quran Learning is profitable as far as we're concerned.
Overall Online Quran Academy
Onlinequranclasses.us is an overwhelming and particular Online Quran Showing Academy in Lahore Pakistan. We deal with somewhere around one Online Quran Classes notwithstanding Fundamental Islamic Examples to all or any individual going from the age of 4 to 70. We are not a neighborhood of any social occasion, Islamic affiliation, or Masjid. We welcome all students enthused about Quran learning.
Tumblr media
ONLINE QURAN CLASSES Through SKYPE
How could that be a need to learn Quran for young people?
In case you are living in another country so you ought to stand up to inconvenience while finding a tutor for your kid. In case you are living in a non-Muslim country, you ought to understand that there is less number of Quran Establishments USA and Quran establishments in the UK. This legitimization keeps the incredible greater part of individuals from showing the Quran to their youngsters. Subsequently, we have settled your anxiety by offering online Quran training. We are offering identical entryways for adults and youngsters and we have quality teachers for both. We are offering online classes for your youngsters and we have teachers from all countries who can prepare Quran for kids living in any country. They can impart in different vernaculars so you will not need to worry about language. Due to the shortfall of Quran tutors, Quran learning is seriously affected in like manner we have given techniques for Online Quran Learning.
Benefits OF LEARNING FROM US
Nowadays advancement is working better in training calls. Quran learning is an affiliation source among teachers and students. So start to Learn Quran Arabic With Our Online Quran Academy. We have outstandingly qualified Quran Teachers who have capacities in English, Arabic, and Urdu talked. Our teachers are hafize Quran and they can introduce Quran in Arabic articulation
How might it Work?
1. Select Course
Select a course from our given ventures or pick a custom course.
2. Book a Free Primer Class
We will find a sensible hand-select superb tutor and book a free fundamental class.
3. Start Learning Quran
Are you content with the tutor, come and start learning!
BEST COURSES FOR YOU
Learn Quranic Arabic online and Appreciate
Quran and Tajweed
 As of now! you and your children can learn Quran with Tajweed Rules and hold it proficiently. With scientists from Al-Azhar School. Similarly, you can Learn the meaning of the refrains and the clarifications for uncovering them. By the day's end, you can create a cognizance of Allah's Book and apply it to your life.
Arabic Language
Thusly, you can overwhelm Arabic, the language of the Quran, with exhaustive courses. Isolated into 4 courses (Youngsters Arabic Course, Egyptian Tongue, Conventional Arabic, and Undeniable level Arabic Assessments). With astounding learning process, through 4 capacities (Scrutinizing, Making, Tuning in, and Talking).
Islamic Assessments
Without a doubt, all Muslims need to learn Islam well. Counting the vital basics of their wonderful religion. Along these lines, we have made a sweeping system that covers Aqidah, Fiqh, Hadith, Seerah, Tafseer, and Islamic History. Despite an Extraordinary Islamic Course for learners.
0 notes
kdramasurdu0 · 2 years
Link
0 notes