Class-XII Project on - Fictitious interview of an eminent personality

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MEMARI V.M. INSTITUTION (UNIT-2)

HATPUKUR * MEMARI *EAST BURDWAN

Project Work

Submitted by

Name of the student: ___________________________

Roll No.: _____________

Section: ______________

Registration No.: ____________________(2019-2020)

In partial fulfillment to category – XII English Course

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Project Work

A Fictitious Interview of an Eminent Person

Sunil Gangopadhyay

Sunil Gangopadhyay (7 September 1934 - 23 October 2012) was a renowned Bengali writer active in the late twentieth century. In the four decades leading up to his death in 2012, he was widely known as one of the leading figures in Bengali literature among the global Bengali-speaking population. This Bengali-speaking Indian writer has presented many memorable works as a poet, novelist, short story writer, editor, journalist and columnist. He is one of the prominent poets of modern Bengali poetry in the post-Jibanananda period. He is also a modern and romantic poet. Many verses of his poems are memorized by common people. Sunil Gangopadhyay has used pennames like "Nillohit", "Sanatan Pathak", "Neel Upadhyay" etc.

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Acknowledgement

This project has given us golden chance for learning and self-development through cooperative activities. I want to thank respected Mr. /Mrs.__________________________ to whom I owe especially for preparing this project based on “A Fictitious Interview of an Eminent Personality”, Sunil Gangopadhyay, a renowned Bengali writer active in the late twentieth century.

I do want to extend my heartfelt thanks to my friends, parents and others who helped me in various ways to make a final draft of this work and submit the same to our school.

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Signature of the student

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CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that this Project Report entitled “A Fictitious Interview of an Eminent Personality” submitted by ___________________ Class XII Roll No._______ Registration No. ______________ Year_________ submitted in partial fulfillment to class XII English Course during the academic year 2018-2020 is a bonafide record of project work carried out under my guidance and supervision.

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Signature of the Project Guide

Name: ……………………....

Designation: Assistant teacher

Department: English

School: Memari V. M. Institution (Unit-2)

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1. Introduction

An interview could be a speech communication wherever queries area unit asked and answers area unit given. In common formulation, the word "interview" refers to a one-on-one conversation between an interviewer and an interviewee. The enquirer asks inquiries to that the respondent responds, usually so information may be transferred from interviewee to interviewer (and any other audience of the interview). Sometimes, information can be transferred in both directions. It is a communication, unlike a speech, which produces a one-way flow of knowledge.

The interview in question is hypothetically structured according to the outline of the Higher Secondary syllabus. The character of the questioner in the interview is completely fictional. And the famous person mentioned here is Sunil Gangopadhyay, a famous personality in Bengali literature.

The interview was conducted on foreign soil in Stockholm, Sweden. To foreigners, Indian literature means Rabindranath. But there is nothing to say about Indian literature. Because literature is language based. There is no Indian language. There are Bengalis, Punjabis, Gujaratis, hundreds more. So, as a writer of Bengali literature, I am talking about Bengali literature. He presented this simple eternal truth to the Swedes. And by overcoming the influence of Rabindranath, innumerable stories, poems, novels and dramas are being created in Bengali literature even today.

1.1 Project in our syllabus:

As per the new syllabus, Project work has been included as a part of the curriculum. We have created the selection per the provision of works.

1.2 Objectives: We will be capable of

(i) Identifying the characters, plots in the story

(ii) Dramatizing the story as a play by writing dialogue and adding dramatizing elements.

1.3 Guiding Principle:

(i) A narrative may be remodeled into a drama by adding dramatic components.

(ii) Every portion may be increased by giving correct dialogue to the characters.

1.4 Limitations

(i) The period for the whole project was solely 10 periods.

(ii)We don’t know much about a full-length drama.

(iii) Before this project, we tend to didn’t have a lot of plan regarding dramas. So, our notion regarding this specific style was terribly restricted.

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2. Procedures and Input

For the project entitled “A Fictitious Interview of an Eminent Personality” we worked in groups and sometimes in pairs through a systematic process. Our teacher mounted ten interventions for making the project effective. The details of our activities are enumerated below:

First intervention: On the first day, we chose the subject “An Interview of an Eminent Person, Sunil Gangopadhyay. We planned that a rich pleasant script can be made to develop step by step. Then we went through the main events of the interview and studied the characters and setting.

Second intervention: On the second day, we explored the behavioral types of each of the characters.

Third intervention: On the fourth day, we were divided into groups and the story was divided into different parts. Then we started writing dialogues. Our teacher sketched the necessary improvisations and modifications.

Fourth intervention: On the fifth day developed a draft script as per the directions that got by our teacher.

Fifth intervention: On the sixth day, we distributed copies of the draft script to each group and the instruction was to go through the script. We incorporated a number of dialogues and erased some of them according to the suggestions made by the teacher for a better impact.

Sixth intervention: Roles were distributed through tests. Then short listed students were asked to read out their script roles

Seventh intervention: On the seventh day, the copy of the final script was distributed to each student. Rehearsal of the drama started. Some students got off-stage duties like taking part in music, preparing the stage, arranging props etc. our teacher were unanimously selected the director to conduct the rehearsal.

Eighth intervention: On the eighth day, a rehearsal was performed while not taking facilitate of the script and any enhancements were created in our acting skills.

Ninth intervention: On the ninth day, the drama was performed in our school auditorium. We were asked to evaluate the performance. This was given as our Homework.

Tenth intervention: We read out the evaluation report of the performance and then a general discussion started. Finally the Project Report was submitted for evaluation.

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3. Output of the Project

One evening I sat in a two-story flat in Workstad Gatan. There were some few pictures on the wall, a microphone in front of a small table. Sunilda sat on the sofa in Punjabi. The beginning is a rain of questions that are stuck in our minds. This interview is soaked in that rain.

Q: I want to know about your birth, childhood and adolescence and the beginning of your literary life.

Sunil: I was born in Faridpur, Bangladesh. My father used to teach in Calcutta. September 6, 1933 is my date of birth. There was not much abundance in the world. We were in the village at the time of the Second World War. There was a great shortage of rice at that time. At school we ate potatoes. I was quite scared at night. There was darkness all around. I moved to Calcutta before partition. Childhood memories are not so vivid, but I remember the green plants, the old river. Those days feel like a dream.

Q: Has any poet or writer influenced your life or writing? Or did you get any inspiration from a poet or a writer?

Sunil: Who has influenced or has influenced me, maybe others can say better than me. But motivation can be talked about.

I made it myself. I showed the way. There was no guardian in this regard. My mother loved to read story books. I used to bring books from the local library twice a week. I would drop it myself once before returning it. Adult books or children's books would not go near these understandings. I was addicted to reading. I would fall. Later in college, I would choose my favorite author from the library and read all his books. I have read many books like this. I didn't read much poetry at a young age. Even then the taste was not created. However, due to participation in the recitation competition, many of Rabindranath's poems could be memorized. Modern poets, such as Jibanananda Das, found their way much later, in the second or third year of college life.

Q: Any of your favorite writing?

Sunil: The answer I will give may seem polite to many, but the truth is, none of my own writing is my favorite. I was not satisfied with writing any text, at least completely. I just tried to write. I think I may be able to write a really good article in the future.

Q: What is your opinion or idea about Rabindranath?

Sunil: I have read about Rabindranath. Many criticized him without reading his writings. I didn't do that. My perception of Rabindranath has changed long ago. It can be said that the rise and fall of thought. I think he is undoubtedly a high priced writer. The rates were very high. From what I have read in world literature, it can be said that a great writer like him has not been born lately. The biggest thing is, no writing is inferior to him. I may not like to read his poems anymore, but there are songs, there are short stories, essays, which I still like very much. In short, he has many things that still have appeal today.

Q: Who among the foreign writers has influenced your writing or which writer do you like?

Sunil: I can't talk about the effect. But reading Dostoevsky's writing seemed great. I was fascinated. Such a big book of seven hundred pages proceeded slowly. There is no incident. But what a deep range of life it was. Amazingly, it was impressed. And I had a strange idea Shakespeare had to understand. There are so many names, there must be something. If you want to be a poet, you have to read his poems.

Q: What do you think about contemporary Bengali literature?

Sunil: I would say that the condition of contemporary Bengali literature is not bad at all. Many people are writing about different topics. Various aspects of life are being dominated by literature. I will not name any particular author. There is danger. I will name someone, I will not name anyone. The situation is better in the case of poetry than in prose. There are many good poems in Bangladesh too.

Q: What is your opinion about Bangla music?

Sunil: Modern Bengali music is absolutely useless. Everyone is still singing Rabindra Sangeet. If there were such good modern songs, would anyone sing centuries-old songs? Modern Bengali music is of very low quality.

Q: What do you think about Swedish and Swedish literature?

Sunil: Our knowledge of Swedish literature is always fifty years old. For example, I have read Strindberg's writings. Our knowledge of modern Swedish or indigenous art-literature is Bergman's film. Since his film is a high-end art, we see it. I am happy to see. I got to know modern Sweden through him. Nothing more is available. Lack of communication is responsible for this. I think so.

There are different ideas about Sweden from afar. Even a few days ago, Sweden's per capita income was almost the highest in the world. My idea was that Sweden is the country of the rich.

Q: Do you remember the Indian independence movement?

Sunil: I was a school student during the independence movement. The age was short. But I was very idealistic. If I was old, I would have joined the freedom struggle. I also ate sticks. There is no doubt about it. Then forty-six years. What a day! Rashid Ali Day is very likely. I lined up from school. What the bullets were all about. Another time I was living near the elephant garden. The procession is going down the street; I peeked out. Suddenly an English policeman hit me in the face and pushed me away. There was hatred, and then my hatred towards the English increased. Not exactly the age to actively participate.

Q: Tell us about your views and role in the freedom struggle of Bangladesh. I mean, how did you feel?

Sunil: I was very excited about it. Some people joked, exaggerated. They said it was Euphoria. Naturally, I am more attracted to Bangladesh. There are memories there. The fight first started with language. The long nine months never thought that would happen. Sometimes the bad news actually felt very bad. I used to go out a lot of the time. I would go inside Bangladesh. In short, I became very emotional.

Q: What is your attitude after the assassination of Sheikh Mujib?

Sunil: I am very saddened by his death. I have a poem about his little boy Russell. Russell is an ignorant child. I don't remember the lines. Sheikh Mujib was a great leader, revolutionary or agitator. At first I couldn't believe it. I was in great pain when I heard the news that morning. Now I don't mind saying, I was a supporter of him. As a national leader, I still support him.

Q: Have you ever met him?

Sunil: Yes. For just a few minutes! I went to Dhaka as a member of a delegation from Calcutta. His reception at Ganobhaban was very cordial.it was very warm. He had just returned from London -very busy. He is busy harassing various employees and reporters of domestic and foreign embassies. He also talked to us from time to time. He hugged me and said you are my Faridpur man. Yes, he could draw people closer. He was not like many people forget and move away when they go to high position and power.

Q: Tell us about some of your favorite things, such as favorite colors, favorite foods, etc.

Sunil: No favorite color. But I like the color blue. The name is not Sunil but. I like the color blue, but not the name. There is nothing to say about favorite food. I eat everything. I like fish more than meat. It is better to eat raw chilies. I also ate elephant meat. Love to see pictures. I like to see the Impressionist art of European painting.

Question: What should the expatriate Bengalis do to promote and enrich Bengali literature?

Sunil: As in the country as well as abroad. Literary culture has always involved very few people. Most people come abroad to earn a living. There is a family. There are many problems. But if those who are compatible in exile do something for art and literature, they will prove that they are partners in this civilization. Humans have a kind of biological matter. You have to live, you have to earn money, you have to eat, you have to make your wife happy, and you have to make people as children. Another is the matter of civilization. Literature, culture, music, art, civilized people should also participate there. And if everyone does that, that's a good thing.

Q: What should be done about the alliance between the two Bengalis?

Sunil: There is a lot of sweet talk about the friendship between the two Bengalis. There is nothing new in this. West Bengal is an estate in India. One government is here at the center, another in Calcutta. We have no hand in how the central government does or is doing. The people have no hand in how the government of Bangladesh does. We have nothing to do with politics. Yet socially something can be done. There is no difference between Bangladesh and West Bengal, the same language, the same culture and literature, only in the religious field which is different. Most people in Bangladesh believe in one religion, people in West Bengal believe in another. If the religion is in everyone's house, then the problem is solved. I think so.

Q: How can the Bengalis of two Bengalis in exile contribute to the friendship?

Sunil: As a result of propaganda, the relations between India, Pakistan and Bangladesh have deteriorated. The reason for political propaganda abroad becomes trivial. Let me tell you a story in this context. Marilyn Dietrich was once questioned about marrying Eric Maria Remarque. Rema, do you like Americans? No. Do you like the British? No. Do you like Germans? No. So who do you like? I like my friends. I like my friends. How beautiful is his answer.

Q: I want to know your opinion about birth, death, etc.

Sunil: People don't want to end their life easily. That is why the Egyptians used to leave mummy bodies in the pyramids. Servant Baker kept all of the gold. If he survives, everything will be needed. Different religions also have a matter after death. It is either Heaven or hell. Sadly, I don't believe in any of that. I will take my last breath, I will end up there. Then some will hang the picture for a while, some will not hang. This is the difference. That's all I understand with knowledge, science, logic, death after life.

Q: Do you have any memorable events in your Childhood?

Sunil: Poverty. He did not go out in the morning as he had only one shirt during the swing. After leaving in the afternoon, a boy suddenly patched and dyed his shirt. I am angry. I slapped him. The boy cried in astonishment and said, 'Why did you kill me, why did you kill me? I did not know. In fact, the color will go up after a while. I was not a serious student. My condition with my father was to pass the exam. There is nothing more.

Q: If you were brought back to life after death, would you want to get Sunil Gangopadhyay back to life again?

Sunil: No, I don't want that. I want the life of girls. Because I don't know life is well, so. (Laughter) I knew there was a story in the Mahabharata. Although in today’s era the story has become irrelevant. That one king became a girl. Yudhisthira asked him, well who gets more sexual pleasure between boy and girl? It's too hard to say. Bhisma said, ‘Look, there was a king. She became a girl while bathing in a pond while hunting. He got married after having a daughter. She has a baby in her womb. After a long time he gets the news that he will be freed from the curse, he will become a man again. He was told to return to his kingdom. On hearing this, the king said, No, father, I do not want to go back. The joy that I got in this life, I will not get there again. This story strikes me. What a fool Yudhisthira is. Who did he ask this question to? Not Bhisma. I never knew the girl in that life.

Q: Has there been any frustration or failure in your life?

Sunil: There was no ambition. There is no anger. What I got, I got quite well. A lot of times I think I didn't get it. This is what I went around in Sweden. Was that right before? As a result, whatever I get, I think, is good, pretty much.

Q: Are you happy then?

Sunil: Yes, happy but not satisfied. As a human being, I am dissatisfied. The artist is not dissatisfied with the mind.

Q: Dissatisfaction with love or something else?

Sunil: No, not love. There was something else. I wonder why I could not be a taller and better person. I begged someone for five rupees. At the last moment I thought why I didn’t give ten rupees. By then the man was gone. This is the smallness of the mind, why could not be more generous. I could not be great. Why I didn't give ten rupees in the first place.

Q: In two thousand years, the Bengali nation will be able to come on par with the first countries in the world in science?

Sunil: Bengalis have everything - Knowledge and intellect, gen and mentality. However, due to the large population, not everyone is getting good opportunities. That must change.

Q: Do you dream of a Bengal where people will not be discriminated against?

Sunil: Yes, of course. I have a dream in my head. If all the statesmen of the world were right, I would not make weapons from tomorrow. What would have been better? No one can occupy anyone's state in this twentieth century. Yet what is the benefit of increasing the border force just by buying weapons? What makes profit armies? Stupidity is just stupidity. They have no common sense.

Q: Don't you consider yourself a poet or a novelist or both?

Sunil: Everything is written. Yet when I am alone, I think of myself as a poet. And poetry I love. When someone on the street calls me and says, what happened to such writing, or something else, I immediately remember, oh, I also write stories. I don’t consider myself a poet but a poetry writer. The poet may not have been there yet.

Q: Will the form of poetry change much after twenty-five years?

Sunil: This has been said many times before. ‘Art literature will not last long.’ But it has survived. There are tickets. Everyone is talking about the modern computer machine; he will remove all the music literature. But I believe that the hunger for what we mean by art will remain in people forever. For example, no matter how much a person does, no matter how much the computer works, when he comes home and sleeps, he dreams. That dream is not a reality. It doesn't matter what the argument is. He who does not dream does not go mad. The rich also dream. Even the poor people dream. I think the dream has a connection with the art, and the art has a lot to do with the dream. People can't go on without dreams. Similarly, the industry also inspires him to walk the path of life while maintaining his mental balance.

Q: But will that form of art remain the same?

Sunil: Maybe it will change - but not in a hurry. What changes quickly does not last long. The music has changed as well. Earlier there was a song of slow steady melody. But I don't think poetry or novels will change so quickly. The form of the poem is still classical.

Q: Where is the place of first love in human life?

Sunil: If that love is true love, then people cannot forget it. I still can't forget that girl of my first love. I may not be able to recognize where he got lost in time, but his image is immortal in my mind. Don't take Rabindranath's words (don't think I'm comparing myself to him). He fell in love with his Baudi Kadambari Devi. When Rabindranath was twenty-three years old, Kadambari Devi died. Yet Rabindranath wrote poems about him even at the age of seventy. His name appears in the poem. In various ways, he dedicated a total of seven books in the name of Kadambari Devi. Think about whether the first love is strong in his life.

Q: What is the best first love? Reconciliatory? Or what...?

Sunil: If it was reconciliation, there would be no second love. But the first love becomes the last love and becomes immortal. Even, people have differences. I heard that my first girlfriend lives in London. How many times have I been to London, but haven't found him. But I have not stopped fearing my wife. Rather another fear. My memories will not match with those dreamy memories. And the pain in it is the excruciating pain of breaking memory. Faridpur is my birthplace. I went to Bangladesh but did not go there. It was my reminiscence of that grapefruit tree, that river, paddy field. There is no such thing. There may have been a building. How much has changed. If you see it now, the pain will increase. The gain will be nothing.

The interview ended here. The night was deep. Silence in the surrounding flats. The sky that day was cloudless, clear. The wind was gusting. I came back from him with memories and dreams in my eyes and heart.

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4. Conclusion

The Project is entitled as “A Fictitious Interview of an Eminent Personality”, Sunil Gangopadhyay, a renowned Bengali writer active in the late twentieth century. The project work offered us a great scope to learn in detail about the process of writing an interview in view of the Indian context and made us learn diverse aspects of literature. We discovered the art of classroom management and rudimentary principles of writing an interview.

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