Rodevra Republic

Different languages, different expressions—but the same quiet wisdom about what truly matters in life What does it matter, क्या फर्क पड़ता है Qu'importe શું વાંધો છે Que importa এটার মানে কি அது என்ன விஷயம் काय फरक पडतो What does it matter to have money, fame, or recognition. What matters is creating—creating for the sheer joy of creating, and then sharing it. क्या फर्क पड़ता है about the number of followers you have, or the likes, comments and shares your posts receive. What matters is the number of people who will be there when you are sick, who will wipe a tear when you lose a dear one, who will remember you on a special occasion, or who will make a special effort to be with you. Qu'importe worrying about things that do not really matter. What matters is spending more time with people and activities that you truly love. શું વાંધો છે when the past is over. What matters is believing in carpe diem . In the circumstances we are given, is there love in your heart? Ar...

If our understanding of money begins to shift, then the way we organise our lives and our economies may also begin to change. In times such as these, when both the individual and the larger economy are under strain, it is the spirit of cooperation and a willingness to share and sacrifice that can uplift us collectively. In our monetised world, almost every action carries an assigned value. Individuals seek to convert their efforts into economic gain, and in doing so, keep the wheels of the economy turning. During periods like a lockdown, when many activities come to a halt, this flow is disrupted. Money, which acts as the fuel for this engine, depends on exchange. When that exchange stops, economic indicators such as GDP begin to fall. But what does a “falling economy” really mean to us as individuals? Our lives do not come to a standstill. We continue to act, to contribute, to care. What changes is that much of this activity is no longer monetised, and therefore remains invisible to...

I was delighted when I was granted an appointment with Money. He did not seem to have an official name. People, it appeared, addressed him as they pleased. When I introduced myself, he smiled and said, “I don’t have a particular name. You may call me whatever you like.” I thought for a moment and asked if I could call him Daulat . He agreed at once. “That suits me,” he said. He was tall, well-built, and carried himself with quiet grace. Clean-shaven, with a clear and gentle expression, he was casually but neatly dressed—in chinos and a checked shirt. There was a pleasant fragrance about him, and yes, he wore a mask. By our definitions, he would fit what we call a metrosexual individual. His manner was expressive and engaging, yet there was a softness to it. But what stayed with me were his eyes—deep and penetrating, as if they could see through everything. Wasting no time, I asked the question that is on everyone’s mind. “Daulatji, why are you so elusive? Everyone seeks you. You seem t...

Our society has developed an unusual, almost unnatural, preoccupation with money. Originally, money was simply a means of exchange—a substitute for goods being traded for goods. Barter, as we understand it, was need-based. There was little idea of accumulating beyond what was required. As long as basic needs were met, life moved on. Money, however, is a human construct, a product of civilisation. Over time, it came to represent not just present needs, but also future, known and unknown. Since these could never be clearly defined, the tendency to acquire and hoard took hold. Gradually, money became a symbol of social status and a claim to imagined superiority. Its ostentatious display made it both desirable and a measure of success. In the process, the means of acquiring money were often compromised. Alongside wealth came its familiar companions—corruption, power, greed, and a gradual erosion of values. In today’s consumerist society, no amount of money seems enough. A vast array of pro...

Engelbert Humperdinck in The Last Waltz —a timeless voice that continues to resonate  It is always a pleasure listening to Engelbert Humperdinck, and this remains one of his most enduring hits. Those who have enjoyed this song may find it interesting to listen to the French version sung by Mireille Mathieu. She has an exceptional vocal range and brings a distinct character to the rendition. Petite and understated in her presence, she has a natural charm and an instinctive sense of style. When she sings in French, she rolls her r’s in that inimitable Gallic manner, lending the song a unique texture and flavour. Born in 1946, she was the eldest of fourteen children, and her family lived in considerable poverty. Those early years left a lasting impression on her life. If her style at times lacked polish in the conventional sense, it was more than compensated by the sheer power and individuality of her voice. Listening to both versions offers an interesting contrast in style and exp...

A still moment on the river—calm on the surface, yet part of a larger journey Here is a beautiful Bengali song sung by Hemanta Mukherjee, better known to many as Hemant Kumar. It is one of my favourites. Do listen to the soulful rendition and the rich tonal quality of his voice. The song is also superbly picturised. For a full thirty-four seconds—from 2:06 to 2:40—the camera rests on the actor’s face, slowly moving closer, capturing each shift in expression, the breath, and the quiet play of emotion. It is handled with great sensitivity. While the English translation appears alongside the song, there is a deeper resonance beneath the words. The river, as it flows, becomes a quiet metaphor for life. At times it meets resistance; at others, it moves in calm and stillness. Yet it continues with a single purpose—to merge with the ocean. Along the way, it gives, it serves, and it accepts all that comes its way. It moves forward with a quiet urgency, aware that in reaching its destinatio...

The Starry Night —a sky alive with movement, beauty, and an undercurrent of unrest The link above is a wonderful use of technology, bringing together some of Vincent van Gogh’s most celebrated paintings into a seamless visual experience. It begins with The Night Café , and as one scrolls across, it moves through Portrait of Doctor Gachet , Café Terrace at Night , The Starry Night , Starry Night over the Rhône , and At Eternity’s Gate . Each work flows into the next, creating the impression of a single, continuous canvas. There is, in many of these paintings, a quiet but unmistakable melancholy—a reflection perhaps of a deeply troubled and sensitive mind. Van Gogh’s life was marked by poverty, emotional struggle, and mental illness, yet from this turmoil emerged art of extraordinary beauty, intensity, and feeling. Much of his most significant work was created during his time in an asylum. He died young, at the age of 37, from a gunshot wound, widely believed to have been self-inflict...