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Desiring audiences: We will go to the cinema if…?

Film & Media Studies/V16N22024

327 views

Bikash Ch. Bhowmick
Assistant Professor, Department of Media Studies and Journalism, University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB), Bangladesh

^{Rupkatha Journal, Vol. 16, Issue 2, 2024. https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v16n2.16g}
^{Full-Text PDF Issue Access}

Abstract

Beginning in the 1990s, Bangladeshi cinema began to lose its audiences significantly. This leads to the continual closure of cinema halls, one after another. Popular perception is that Bangladeshi audiences watch foreign films, Indian popular films in particular, and television programs using home-viewing facilities. Mainstream filmmakers and producers in Bangladesh argue that when audiences can almost effortlessly access similar contents at home and so they do not go to the theatres. This study, therefore, explores how the audiences decide about a film (irrespective of the origin of production) to watch, what satisfies their viewing, and their disinclination to watch cinema at the theatre in Bangladesh. A total of 100 regular movie-viewers participated in the survey interviews. The findings confirm that for most of the viewers, the trailer of a film, known or favorite actors and/or actresses, and cinema viewers or cinema-goers’ feedback are the three key sources based on which they decide whether to watch a film or not. Relying on these sources, they want confirmation that the film(s) they will watch must have all the necessary components contributing to their viewing satisfaction. The story itself, the craft of storytelling, performance, and dialogues through which characters of the story reach the audience, good making that creates reality, known (star) actors and actresses, and visual spectacle are found to be the primary elements that produce audiences viewing satisfaction. Though most respondents conditionally agreed that they prefer to watch films at theatres, films screened there are found unworthy of watching. Their leisureless lifestyle considerably contributed to this disinclination toward cinema-going.

Keywords: Cinema-going, cinema-viewing, desiring audience, storytelling, viewers’ satisfaction.

Conflicts of Interest: The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
Funding: The Office of Faculty Research of the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) funded this work.
Article History:Received: 21 February 2024. Revised: 05 June 2024. Accepted: 06 June 2024. First published: 07 June 2024.
Copyright: © 2024 by the author/s.
License: License Aesthetix Media Services, India. Distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Published by: Aesthetix Media Services, India
Citation: Bhowmick, B. C. (2024). Desiring audiences: We will go to the cinema if…?. Rupkatha Journal 16:2. https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v16n2.16g

The Rhetorical Uneasiness: A Study of Rebecca Whittington’s Translation of Jibanananda Das’s Malloban

Bangla Literature/Translation/V16N22024

680 views

Sampriti Bhattacharyya^1* , Mallika Ghosh Sarbadhikary²
^1,2Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur. *Corresponding author.

^{Rupkatha Journal, Vol. 16, Issue 2, 2024. https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v16n2.15g}
^{Full-Text PDF Issue Access}

Abstract

This paper aims to explore the translation of socio-cultural and rhetorical nuances of language between Bangla and English with a case of the translation of Jibanananda Das’s 1973 novel Malloban by Rebecca Whittington in 2022. The act of translating such a rich and culturally nuanced text poses substantial challenges, as it involves the delicate balance of preserving the essence of the source text while making it accessible to a new linguistic and cultural context. In the process, the translator, whose native language is American English, is led to straddle domestication and exoticism, thus creating linguistic, semiotic, and syntactic variations in her rendition of the source language text. This paper attempts to assess the fidelity of the translation to the original work while scrutinizing the translator’s choices in capturing the intricate wordplay, colloquial expressions, metaphors, and narrative subtleties that are hallmarks of Jibanananda Das’s writing. This paper also examines the instances where the translation may inadvertently alter or dilute the original text’s impact and the implications of such alterations for readers of the translated work. Furthermore, this study delves into the emotional and cognitive dimensions of bilingual reading.

Keywords: Translation, Jibanananda, Whittington, Equivalence, challenges, domestication, foreignization, dynamic, reception.

Conflicts of Interest: The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
Funding: No funding was received for this research.
Article History:Received: 21 February 2024. Revised: 05 June 2024. Accepted: 06 June 2024. First published: 07 June 2024.
Copyright: © 2024 by the author/s.
License: License Aesthetix Media Services, India. Distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Published by: Aesthetix Media Services, India
Citation: Bhattacharyya, S. & Sarbadhikary, M. G. (2024). The Rhetorical Uneasiness: A Study of Rebecca Whittington’s Translation of Jibanananda Das’s Malloban. Rupkatha Journal 16:2. https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v16n2.15g

Employment Skills Revisited: A Qualitative Exploration of Multi-Stakeholder Perspective in China’s “3+1” Higher Education Context

Higher Education & Research/V16N22024

556 views

Wanyu Wang^1* , Muhammad Hussin² , Mohamad Zuber Abd. Majid³
¹Universiti Kebangssan Malaysia/Baicheng Normal University.
^2,3Affiliation: Universiti Kebangssan Malaysia.

^{Rupkatha Journal, Vol. 16, Issue 2, 2024. https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v16n2.14g}
^{Full-Text PDF Issue Access}

Abstract

The issue of employment for university students is receiving significant attention in China, leading to educational reforms aimed at enhancing students’ employment skills and prospects. One such initiative is the “3+1” higher education programs, characterized by work-based learning. However, the effectiveness of this initiative falls short of expectations due to insufficient understanding of the up-to-date employment skills required by the industry. As such, this qualitative study explored stakeholders’ perceptions regarding the employment skills needed by students enrolled in “3+1” programs. Key challenges and strategies associated with developing students ‘ employment skills were identified through interviews with students, teachers, curriculum planners, industry leaders, and human resource professionals. Findings revealed a consensus among stakeholders on the importance of developing a holistic skill set, acquiring practical experience, increasing adaptability and resilience, embracing lifelong learning, and improving communication skills. Challenges included mismatches between academic learning and industry demands, limited industry exposure, soft skill deficiency, inadequate assessment, insufficient university-industry cooperation, and students’ low motivation, for which corresponding strategies were proposed. This study provides valuable insights into enhancing the employability of “3+1” graduates, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive education aligned with industry needs.

Keywords: Employment skills, higher education, “3+1” programs, stakeholders, China.

Conflicts of Interest: The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
Funding: No funding was received for this research.
Article History:Received: 16 March 2024. Revised: 05 June 2024. Accepted: 06 June 2024. First published: 07 June 2024.
Copyright: © 2024 by the author/s.
License: License Aesthetix Media Services, India. Distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Published by: Aesthetix Media Services, India
Citation: Wang, W. & Hussin, M. & Majid, M. Z. A. (2024). Employment Skills Revisited: A Qualitative Exploration of Multi-Stakeholder Perspective in China’s “3+1” Higher Education Context. Rupkatha Journal 16:2. https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v16n2.14g

Becoming a Tradition: Presentation of Ti Qin Opera in Funerals in Chongyang County, China

Cultural Studies/East Asia/Fine Arts & Visual Studies/V16N22024

423 views

Li Shijie^1* , Julia Chieng² , Chan Cheong Jan³
^1,2Department of Music, Faculty of Human Ecology, Universiti Putra Malaysia. *Corresponding author.
³Center for International Affairs, Tottori University.

^{Rupkatha Journal, Vol. 16, Issue 2, 2024. https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v16n2.13g}
^{Full-Text PDF Issue Access}

Abstract:

Ti Qin Opera, a popular local performing art in Chongyang County, Hubei Province, China, was mainly performed during the birthday celebrations of the local people and the Chinese Spring Festival to enliven the atmosphere. However, in the last two decades, Ti Qin Opera has been frequently performed at funerals, forming a new practice—the mourning ritual—which has been widely accepted by the locals and has become a tradition. In this regard, two questions arise: Why does Ti Qin Opera appear at local funerals? How did the mourning ritual become a tradition? This study applies an ethnographic approach to investigate the performance of Ti Qin Opera at funerals. The emergence of the mourning ritual in funerals is attributed to the emotional need for filial piety and the local people’s competitive mentality. The family of the deceased believes that if other families hire a Ti Qin Opera troupe to perform the mourning ritual, their family should not miss out on holding this last event for the deceased. Ti Qin Opera performers rely on their reputation and prestige accumulated over the centuries, and acceptance by the locals is a key factor in making the mourning ritual a tradition. Increased economic status among the Chongyang people and, subsequently, better financial capacity to hire Ti Qin Opera troupes further contribute to the development of the mourning ritual tradition.

Keywords: Ti Qin Opera, mourning ritual, funeral, tradition.

Conflicts of Interest: The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
Funding: No funding was received for this research.
Article History: Received: 23 February 2024. Revised: 04 June 2024. Accepted: 04 June 2024. First published: 06 June 2024.
Copyright: © 2024 by the author/s.
License: License Aesthetix Media Services, India. Distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Published by: Aesthetix Media Services, India
Citation: Li, S., Chieng, J., & Chan, C. J. (2024). Becoming a Tradition: Presentation of Ti Qin Opera in Funerals in Chongyang County, China. Rupkatha Journal 16:2. https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v16n2.13g

The Prototype and Political Mythical Connotations of “Drowning Death” in Kenzaburo Oe’s Death by Water

East Asia/V16N22024

514 views

Jiang Wanting
Graduate School of International Studies, Hanyang University, Seoul, South Korea.

^{Rupkatha Journal, Vol. 16, Issue 2, 2024. https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v16n2.12g}
^{Full-Text PDF Issue Access}

Abstract:

This article meticulously examines the interplay of myth and memory in Kenzaburo Oe’s novel Death by Water, with a central focus on the protagonist’s relentless investigation into his father’s death by drowning. Oe skillfully intertwines personal tragedy with the collective consciousness of Japan, invoking the ‘Meiji Spirit’ and the ‘Spirit of Postwar Democracy’ to frame the narrative. The study identifies the ‘drowning death’ as a mythological archetype, analyzing its symbolic representation of life, death, and rebirth cycles within the novel’s context. Through a close reading of the characters’ experiences, particularly the deaths of the father and Daio, the paper explores the multifaceted nature of mythical thinking shaped by historical zeitgeists. The findings suggest that national spirit, or Zeitgeist, exerts a profound influence on societal values and actions, leading to a discourse on the nation’s relationship with the concepts of sacrifice and offering. Employing political mythology, the study delves into the nuanced connection between national identity and the sacrificial ethos, proposing that such narratives reflect deeper cultural and political undercurrents.

Keywords: Kenzaburo Oe; Death by Water; Prototype Criticism; Political Myth.

Conflicts of Interest: The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
Funding: No funding was received for this research.
Article History: Received: 23 February 2024. Revised: 01 June 2024. Accepted: 02 June 2024. First published: 06 June 2024.
Copyright: © 2024 by the author/s.
License: License Aesthetix Media Services, India. Distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Published by: Aesthetix Media Services, India
Citation: Wanting, J. (2024). The Prototype and Political Mythical Connotations of “Drowning Death” in Kenzaburo Oe’s Death by Water. Rupkatha Journal 16:2. https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v16n2.12g

Royal Fabrics: The Politics of Apparel in Tudor England as Reflected in Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall Trilogy

Film & Media Studies/Shakespeare/Theatre/V16N22024

531 views

Masum Janid¹ & Anjali Daimari²
¹Research Scholar, Department of English, Gauhati University.
²Professor, Department of English, Gauhati University

^{Rupkatha Journal, Vol. 16, Issue 2, 2024. https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v16n2.11g}
^{Full-Text PDF Issue Access}

Abstract:

Costumes played a significant role at the royal courts of King Henry VIII, and courtiers maintained scrupulous cautiousness regarding their presentability and dress. Theatricality is a persistent trope in Mantel’s Neo-Tudor novels, often exercised through strategically displayed extravagant fabrics. This study interprets the clothing culture at the courts of King Henry VIII, as represented in the three Wolf Hall novels. As social classes became increasingly stratified during the Renaissance, the bourgeoisie distinguished themselves from the commoners and sustained inclusivity into the monarchical elite by enacting strategic theatricality. This paper demonstrates how the theatricality of magnificence was performed through the politics of apparel, ornamentation, and distinguished fashion. Referring to works by John Matusiak, Tracy Borman, Maria Hayward, and Elizabeth Currie, this study argues that fashion was at the core of Royal Tudor governance, and Mantel utilises this trope to camouflage or amplify the magnitude of a political persona. In the context of the Tudor Sumptuary Laws, this paper also analyses how Mantel used dress as a motif of theatricality to demonstrate class segregation during sixteenth-century England. The gendering of clothes and its political ramifications shall be another issue tackled by this paper, focusing on the sartorial choices of the characters of Anne Boleyn, Katherine, and Jane Seymour.

Keywords: Fashion, Gender, Tudors, Cromwell, Sumptuary Laws, Virginity, Wolf Hall.

Conflicts of Interest: The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
Funding: No funding was received for this research.
Article History: Received: 28 February 2024. Revised: 30 April 2024. Accepted: 03 June 2024. First published: 06 June 2024.
Copyright: © 2024 by the author/s.
License: License Aesthetix Media Services, India. Distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Published by: Aesthetix Media Services, India
Citation: Janid, M. & Daimari, A. (2024). Royal Fabrics: The Politics of Apparel in Tudor England as Reflected in Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall Trilogy. Rupkatha Journal 16:2. https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v16n2.11g

Exploring English Teaching Materials and Methods at the HSC Level: An Empirical Study

EFL Studies/V16N22024

580 views

Md. Munibur Rahman¹ , Marium Jamila^2*& Farhana Yeasmin³
^1,2Department of English, Jashore University of Science and Technology, Jashore, Bangladesh. *Corresponding Author.
³Department of English, Jashore University of Science and Technology, Jashore, Bangladesh.

^{Rupkatha Journal, Vol. 16, Issue 2, 2024. https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v16n2.10g}
^{Full-Text PDF Issue Access}

Abstract:

This study focused on the teaching-learning materials and methods used by the teachers at the Higher Secondary Level in Bangladesh. This study tried to find out the types of methods and materials used by the teachers, how they used these, and how these catered to the diverse needs of the learners. This research followed a quali-quantitative method using questionnaire surveys and semi-structured interviews. A total of 530 students, 28 teachers, 10 teacher-interviewees, and 5 key informants participated in this study. The findings revealed that the materials and methods employed in teaching English at the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) level do not align with the curriculum objectives. Moreover, the teachers follow a medley of methods and materials that neither significantly match the latest teaching-learning approaches nor serve the purpose of making the students proficient in English. It was also found that most teachers have no training in language teaching methods, materials, and pedagogy. So, this study felt the necessity for arranging teacher training, redesigning materials, and creating interactive teaching-learning environments to ensure learners’ more comprehensive grasp of English language proficiency in real contexts.

Keywords: ELT, Teachers’ Training, HSC Level, English Classrooms.

Conflicts of Interest: The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
Funding: No funding was received for this research.
Article History: Received: 05 February 2024. Revised: 01 June 2024. Accepted: 02 June 2024. First published: 03 June 2024.
Copyright: © 2024 by the author/s.
License: License Aesthetix Media Services, India. Distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Published by: Aesthetix Media Services, India
Citation: Rahman, M. M. & Jamila, M. & Yeasmin, F. (2024). Exploring English Teaching Materials and Methods at the HSC Level: An Empirical Study. Rupkatha Journal 16:2. https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v16n2.10g

Folklore of the Himalayan Foothills: Weaving Traditions in Bodo Folklore

Cultural Studies/North East Literature & Culture/V16N22024

558 views

Rishma Basumatary^1* & Teresa L Khawzawl²
¹PhD Scholar, Department of Anthropology, Cotton University, Guwahati, Assam. *Corresponding author.
²Assistant Professor, Department of Anthropology, Cotton University, Guwahati, Assam.

^{Rupkatha Journal, Vol. 16, Issue 2, 2024. https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v16n2.09g}
^{Full-Text PDF Issue Access}

Abstract

The Bodos, inhabiting the foothills of the Himalayas in northeastern India, are considered the indigenous population of the region. They possess a unique cultural identity characterised by their language, beliefs, rituals, and traditions. The primary objective of this paper is to explore the complex interrelationship between Bodo folklore and the practice of weaving, with the intention of providing insight into the culturally significant fabric that has been influenced by women’s expertise. The dynamic relationship between women’s folklore and the weaving traditions of the Bodo serves as evidence of the inherent interconnectivity of art, culture, and the human experience. By acknowledging and examining this dynamic relationship, we not only commemorate the ingenuity and perseverance of women but also get a deeper understanding of the fundamental principles that govern the Bodo society. Similar to the way in which every intricately crafted textile conveys a distinct narrative, the interconnectedness between folklore and weaving traditions serves as a collective account of resilience, cultural heritage, and timeless wisdom.

Keywords: Bodo, weaving, folklore, cultural expression, cultural heritage.

Conflicts of Interest: The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
Funding: No funding was received for this research.
Article History: Received: 29 January 2024. Revised: 23 May 2024. Accepted: 30 May 2024. First published: 02 June 2024.
Copyright: © 2024 by the author/s.
License: License Aesthetix Media Services, India. Distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Published by: Aesthetix Media Services, India
Citation: Basumatary, R. & Khawzawl, T. L. (2024). Folklore of the Himalayan Foothills: Weaving Traditions in Bodo Folklore. Rupkatha Journal 16:2. https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v16n2.09g

Politics of Symbolising Female Characters in Paulo Coelho’s By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept

V16N22024

499 views

Rajat Sebastian
Assistant Professor, Department of English and Cultural Studies, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bangalore.

^{Rupkatha Journal, Vol. 16, Issue 2, 2024. https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v16n2.08g}
^{Full-Text PDF Issue Access}

Abstract:

Brazilian writer Paulo Coelho’s works are generally known for inspiring readers and using literary symbols to narrate complex philosophical concepts. Out of the seventeen works of Coelho, By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept describes the conflicts faced by two lovers who are brought together by fate after eleven years. Re-joined, they set out for an excursion together as the issues in their relationship emerge again. Though Coelho explicitly uses water as a literary symbol in the novel, this paper closely analyses how the female characters in the same novel are also symbolised, making them symbols of self-submission. It thereby probes the complexity of the connection between female characters and water as literary symbols within the same context.

Keywords: Fiction, novel, Paulo Coelho, symbols, female, water, self-submission.

Conflicts of Interest: The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
Funding: No funding was received for this research.
Article History: Received: 29 January 2024. Revised: 23 May 2024. Accepted: 30 May 2024. First published: 02 June 2024..
Copyright: © 2024 by the author/s.
License: License Aesthetix Media Services, India. Distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Published by: Aesthetix Media Services, India
Citation: Sebastian, R. (2024). Politics of Symbolising Female Characters in Paulo Coelho’s By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept. Rupkatha Journal 16:2. https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v16n2.08g

Art Deco Architecture in Pune from the 1940s to the 1960s

Architecture/V16N22024

471 views

Nikita Mahajani
Assistant Professor at Vishwakarma University School of Architecture and Planning, Kondhwa, Pune.

^{Rupkatha Journal, Vol. 16, Issue 2, 2024. https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v16n2.07g}
^{Full-Text PDF Issue Access}

Abstract:

Art Deco is a visual arts, architecture, and product design style. It first emerged in Paris in the 1910s, shortly before World War I. This style reached its height in Europe and the United States in the 1920s and early 1930s. The early to mid-1930s saw the emergence of Art Deco architecture in India, which ended in the mid to late 1950s. Indian cities like Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, Jaipur, Jodhpur, and Patiala are home to Art Deco structures. In terms of architecture, the Art Deco movement represented a dramatic departure from the colonial Neo-Gothic/Victorian Gothic model. The pursuit of modernity, multiculturalism, and cosmopolitanism were all reflected in Art Deco architecture. UNESCO declared the Victorian Gothic and Art Deco ensembles of Mumbai (Maharashtra’s capital) a UNESCO World Heritage Site in June 2018. Nevertheless, Pune City’s Art Deco buildings are not recognized as heritage buildings or documented. The study involved photographic documentation of Art Deco buildings in Deccan, Swargate Prabhat Road, Bhandarkar Road area of Pune. This paper examines the various motifs and their underlying symbolism that can be seen in Pune’s Art Deco buildings. The results of this study show that the Art Deco buildings in Pune are now on the verge of extinction due to the age of the building, structural deformities and lack of awareness of the conservation of this historical heritage. The art deco features on the elevations of many buildings have been hidden/erased by renovation and commercial hoardings.

Keywords: Art Deco, symbolism, Heritage, Architecture, Conservation, Pune, Maharashtra, Urban Planning, UNESCO World Heritage site.

Conflicts of Interest: The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
Funding: No funding was received for this research.
Article History: Received: 20 March 2024. Revised: 21 May 2024. Accepted: 30 May 2024. First published: 02 June 2024.
Copyright: © 2024 by the author/s.
License: License Aesthetix Media Services, India. Distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Published by: Aesthetix Media Services, India
Citation: Mahajani, N. (2024). Art Deco Architecture in Pune from the 1940s to the 1960s. Rupkatha Journal 16:2. https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v16n2.07g

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