Sunday, 25 January 2026
Life in Frames, January 25, 2026
Saturday, 24 January 2026
Booker Prize Winner 2025
Hungarian-British writer David Szalay won the Booker Prize for his novel Flesh, a stark, pared-back narrative that traces the life of a Hungarian man from youth to middle age against the backdrop of post-socialist Europe. Praised for its sparse prose and unsettling honesty, Flesh offers an unflattering exploration of masculinity, class, migration, power, trauma, and bodily existence, resisting sentimentality or moral resolution. Across reviews and critical essays, the novel is positioned alongside works by writers such as László Krasznahorkai, sharing a concern with late- and post-socialist European life where institutions persist, freedoms feel procedural, and individuals adapt rather than transform. Critics note that Flesh records lived experience rather than delivering judgment, documenting how people endure history’s slow movements—through military service, migration, precarious labour, sex, and exile. Judges described the novel as “singular” and “extraordinary,” highlighting its disciplined minimalism and its focus on an often-overlooked working-class male subject. Collectively, the articles frame Szalay’s Booker win as part of a broader literary turn toward unsentimental, anti-nostalgic narratives that preserve the textures of ordinary life in contemporary Europe, especially in the shadow of political rupture, institutional memory, and ongoing conflict.
Life in Frames, January 24, 2025
A common collectible found in curio and souvenir shops in tourist locations. This is part of the games played during picnics and excursions. This image also symbolises the need to hit the bull's eye in our lives. Focussed and goal oriented life is important. As a teacher, I should be focussed and goal oriented only then I can transfer the knowledge to my students.
Friday, 23 January 2026
Remembering Derek Walcott
Born on January 23, 1930, Derek Walcott was a distinguished West Indian poet, playwright, and teacher. He is best known for Omeros (1990), an epic poem that reimagines the Trojan War as the struggles of Caribbean fishermen. As a playwright, Walcott’s works probe the complexities of the West Indian experience, engaging deeply with the socio-political and epistemological legacies of post-colonialism while drawing on forms such as fable, allegory, folklore, and the morality play. One of his most celebrated plays is Dream on Monkey Mountain. Walcott was also an influential educator, having taught at Columbia University, Yale University, Rutgers University, and University of Essex. In addition to the Nobel Prize, he received numerous honors, including the MacArthur Foundation’s “genius” award, the Royal Society of Literature Award, and the Queen’s Medal for Poetry in 1988. He was also elected an honorary member of the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters.
Reference
Life in Frames - January 23, 2026
This photo was taken in a hotel in Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh. The place is famous for the Dharamshala Stadium, officially known as the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium and for McLeod Ganj , famous as the residence of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government-in-exile, earning it the nickname "Little Lhasa”. The room with a view is a good marketing strategy for most of the hotels and resorts.
Thursday, 22 January 2026
A Retrieved Reformation by O Henry - Vocabulary, Summary, and Visual Summary
Essential Vocabulary from the Lesson
Identity – who a person is or pretends to be
Reformation – positive change in behaviour
Redemption – saving oneself by doing good
Forgiveness – letting go of punishment or anger
Mercy – kindness shown instead of strict punishment
Sacrifice – giving up something important for others
Bravery – courage in difficult situations
Love – deep affection
Trust – belief in someone’s honesty
Fear – feeling of danger or worry
Hope – desire for a better future
Compassion – concern for others
Choice – decision between options
Transformation – Change / Growth
Summary of the Lesson
A Retrieved Reformation is a short story by the famous American writer O Henry.
Jimmy Valentine, a skilled safecracker who is released early from prison.
After his release, Jimmy returns to his old habit of breaking into safes.
While traveling, he reaches Elmore, Arkansas, where his life begins to change.
He adopts a new identity as Ralph D. Spencer and starts an honest shoe business.
Jimmy falls in love with Annabel Adams, the daughter of a respected banker.
Determined to reform himself, he decides to give up his criminal past.
He even writes to a friend asking him to remove his burglary tools.
An emergency occurs when Annabel’s niece, Agatha, is accidentally locked inside a bank vault.
To save the child, Jimmy uses his safecracking skills, knowing it may expose him.
Detective Ben Price who was following Jimmy recognises Jimmy’s true transformation and mercifully allows him to go free.
Life in Frames, January 22, 2026
Wednesday, 21 January 2026
Life in Frames, January 21, 2026
The plasticity of Corn
This is a common sight in India during the winter. Barbecued or grilled corn are sold either by applying lemon juice or some special masala. This image was taken somewhere in the hill stations of Himachal Pradesh. The striking factor about this image is the way these corn stalks are sold under unhygienic conditions. The heat from the corn has kind of created a dent in the box which is made of plastic.
Tuesday, 20 January 2026
Life in Frames - January 20, 2026
Unfettered Beas River
Rivers are an integral part of life and literature. Poets and novelists have written pages about the beauty and the destructive power of rivers. A.K.Ramanujan's River is a classic example. This image was taken during our trip to Kulu Manali in 2014. This river runs parallel to the road towards these tourist destinations. The Beas River disaster occurred on 8 June 2014, when 24 second-year engineering students—including six women and eighteen men—along with a tour operator from V.N.R. Vignana Jyothi Institute of Engineering and Technology, Hyderabad, lost their lives in the Beas River in Himachal Pradesh. The incident happened in the Thalout area of Mandi district after a sudden release of water from the upstream Larji hydroelectric project, which caused an unexpected surge in the river.
Best Movies of 2025 - 25 Day Challenge - 25/ 25
A period drama directed by Clint Bentley, adapted from Denis Johnson’s novella of the same name. Starring Joel Edgerton, the film portrays a quietly moving portrait of an American life shaped by labor, loss, and changing landscapes. Premiering at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, the film was later released in theaters and on Netflix, earning strong critical acclaim for its direction and performances. It was named among the top ten films of 2025 by major film bodies, with Edgerton receiving a Golden Globe nomination for his role.
Monday, 19 January 2026
Best Movies of 2025 - 25 Day Challenge - 24/ 25
A comedy-drama anthology written and directed by Jim Jarmusch that explores three estranged family relationships set in different countries around the world. Featuring an ensemble cast including Tom Waits, Adam Driver, Cate Blanchett, and Charlotte Rampling, the film examines connection, distance, and reconciliation through distinct yet thematically linked stories. Premiering at the 2025 Venice International Film Festival, where it won the Golden Lion, the film was later released theatrically in the United States and internationally.
Sunday, 18 January 2026
Best Movies of 2025 - 25 Day Challenge - 23/ 25
A mystery horror film created by Zach Cregger that centers on the unsettling disappearance of seventeen children from the same classroom, all vanishing on the same night at the same time. Featuring an ensemble cast led by Josh Brolin and Julia Garner, the film builds suspense around a shared, inexplicable event. Released in August 2025, Weapons was both a critical and commercial success, earning widespread acclaim and strong box-office returns, with Amy Madigan’s performance receiving particular praise and major award recognition.
Saturday, 17 January 2026
Best Movies of 2025 - 25 Day Challenge - 22/ 25
A documentary directed by Sam Crane and Pinny Grylls that chronicles the attempt to stage William Shakespeare’s Hamlet inside the video game Grand Theft Auto Online during the UK’s COVID-19 lockdowns in 2021. The film follows Crane and Mark Oosterveen as they cast and produce a live virtual performance while confined to their homes. Shot entirely within the game using machinima techniques, the documentary presents all participants through their in-game avatars, blending theatre, gaming, and pandemic-era creativity.
Friday, 16 January 2026
Best Movies of 2025 - 25 Day Challenge - 21/ 25
An epic historical drama written and directed by Lav Diaz, marking his first film made outside the Tagalog language. Starring Gael García Bernal as Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, the film portrays Magellan’s involvement in Portuguese and Spanish colonial expeditions in Southeast Asia during the early 16th century. The film premiered at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival and was later released theatrically in the Philippines, where it was selected as the country’s entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards.
Thursday, 15 January 2026
Best Movies of 2025 - 25 Day Challenge - 20/ 25
A Chinese animated fantasy adventure film written and directed by Jiaozi and a direct sequel to Ne Zha(2019). Drawing from Chinese mythology and Investiture of the Gods, the film continues the story of Ne Zha and his companion Ao Bing. After a great sacrifice, Ne Zha’s body is restored while Ao Bing survives within him as a spirit, aiding Ne Zha in his battle against the powerful Master Shen.
Wednesday, 14 January 2026
Best Movies of 2025 - 25 Day Challenge - 19/ 25
A dystopian drama directed by Gabriel Mascaro that centers on Tereza, a 77-year-old woman forced into retirement and placed under her daughter’s guardianship amid a government policy to relocate the elderly. Refusing to submit, Tereza embarks on a personal and defiant journey through the Amazon, asserting her autonomy and dignity. Starring Denise Weinberg and Rodrigo Santoro, the film premiered in competition at the 2025 Berlin International Film Festival, where it won the Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize, and was later released theatrically in Brazil.
Tuesday, 13 January 2026
Best Movies of 2025 - 25 Day Challenge - 18/ 25
A coming-of-age drama written and directed by Chie Hayakawa that portrays the inner world of 11-year-old Fuki growing up in late-1980s Tokyo. Through her everyday experiences, the film gently explores childhood, emotional awakening, and family tensions during a period of social change. Starring Yui Suzuki alongside Lily Franky, Hikari Ishida, and Ayumu Nakajima, the film premiered in competition at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival and was later released theatrically in Japan.
Monday, 12 January 2026
Best Movies of 2025 - 25 Day Challenge - 17/ 25
A black comedy directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and written by Will Tracy. An English-language remake of the South Korean cult film Save the Green Planet!, the movie follows two young men who kidnap a powerful CEO, convinced that she is an alien plotting to destroy Earth. A multinational co-production involving the United Kingdom, Ireland, South Korea, and the United States, the film stars Emma Stone, Jesse Plemons, Aidan Delbis, Stavros Halkias, and Alicia Silverstone. Premiering at the Venice Film Festival in 2025, Bugonia blends absurdist humor with paranoia and social satire, staying true to Lanthimos’s distinctive cinematic style.
Sunday, 11 January 2026
Best Movies of 2025 - 25 Day Challenge - 16/ 25
A drama written and directed by Petra Volpe, inspired by Madeline Calvelage’s book on the realities of healthcare work. The film follows Floria, a young nurse who works with tireless commitment in an understaffed hospital ward, where a single demanding shift turns into a tense race against time. Highlighting the emotional and physical pressures faced by frontline healthcare workers, the film premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2025 and was later released in Switzerland. It was also selected as Switzerland’s entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards.
Saturday, 10 January 2026
Best Movies of 2025 - 25 Day Challenge - 15/ 25
The Mastermind is a heist drama written and directed by Kelly Reichardt, set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War in 1970 America. The film follows a struggling family man who secretly plans an art theft from a quiet suburban museum, reflecting tensions between personal desire and collective responsibility. Inspired by real-life art robberies and the crime films of Jean-Pierre Melville, the movie blends historical context with moral inquiry. It premiered at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, competing for the Palme d’Or, and was released in the United States later that year by Mubi.
Friday, 9 January 2026
Rip Van Winkle - Summary
Rip Van Winkle is a short story written by Washington Irving.
Rip goes into the forest with his dog to escape from his nagging wife.
In the forest, he meets some strange men.
He plays a game of nine-pins with them and drinks their liquor.
After drinking, Rip falls into a deep sleep for many years.
When he wakes up, his dog is dead, his gun is rusty, and he has become very old.
Rip returns to his village and finds that his wife has died and everything has changed.
In the end, Rip lives peacefully with his daughter and her family until his death.
It shows that life keeps moving forward, even if a person tries to escape from responsibilities.
The story teaches us that we must accept change and adapt to it.
Tagore's Kabuliwala - Unit 2.1
Rabindranath Tagore, the author of Kabuliwala, He is from Kolkata West Bengal.
Mini as a young child, highlighting her innocence, cheerfulness, and talkative nature.
Rahmat, the Kabuliwala, a dry-fruit seller from Afghanistan who travels to Kolkata for work.
Mini and Rahmat sharing nuts and talking, representing the warm friendship and emotional bond between them.
Rahmat being arrested by the police, which marks the turning point of the story and leads to his imprisonment.
Mini as a bride meeting Rahmat after many years, symbolising how time has passed and childhood has ended.
Rahmat holding the handprint of his daughter, symbolising his love, longing, and memories of his child in Kabul.
Rahmat’s conversation with Mini’s father, where both men understand each other’s pain as fathers.
Shows the emotional farewell and shared humanity between Rahmat and Mini’s family, highlighting the theme of universal human emotions.
The story teaches us that human emotions like love, memory, and separation are universal.
Best Movies of 2025 - 25 Day Challenge - 14/ 25
A black comedy-drama written and directed by Eva Victor in their feature directorial debut. The film follows a reclusive college literature professor coping with depression in the aftermath of a sexual assault. Premiering at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, it won the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award and received strong critical acclaim. Released by A24 in mid-2025, the film achieved modest box-office success and earned Eva Victor major recognition for both acting and filmmaking, including awards and nominations from the Golden Globes, National Board of Review, and Critics’ Choice Awards.
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