Thoughtful Thursdays: Sonnets, Lyrics and Music

Thoughtful Thursdays star Brinda Ghosh, Subhashish Ghosh and Jatin Soni!

 📧 Echoes in the Inbox: The Challenge of Engagement

Sandeep Dutt and Brinda Ghosh addressed the concern of low email open rates among teachers, which hover between 7-19%. Recognizing the digital clutter teachers face, they explored ways to enhance engagement, including structured messaging via WhatsApp and Telegram for better accessibility.

📜 The Melody of Poetry: A Journey Through Time

Brinda Ghosh introduced a fresh format blending poetry  and music, tracing the roots of lyrical poetry from Greek 🇬🇷, Sanskrit , and Hindi 🇮🇳 literature. She emphasized the enduring magic of rhythm and rhyme, highlighting the ballad as a timeless lyrical form.

🖋️ Sonnets: A Dance of Words and Rhythm

Brinda Ghosh illuminated the beauty of sonnets, explaining their 14-line structure and iambic pentameter 🎵. The discussion celebrated Shakespeare's mastery 🏰 while acknowledging modern poets like T.S. Eliot and Ezra Pound, who embraced free verse. The session also explored Indian lyrical poetry, particularly the Ghazal and Geet 🎤.

🌼 Verse in Bloom: Shakespeare & Wordsworth in Harmony

Through an analysis of Sonnet 18 ("Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?"), Brinda Ghosh highlighted themes of eternal love ❤️ and poetic immortality. The discussion then turned to Wordsworth's Daffodils, exploring its song-like quality, rhythmic flow, and evocative imagery.

📖 Lyricism Across Cultures: Dickinson, Ghazals, and Beyond

The lyrical depth of Emily Dickinson's Because I Could Not Stop for Death  was examined alongside the rich heritage of Indian poetry. The discussion extended to translations of Indian poems, emphasizing their significance in modern education.

🎵 Harmonizing Words and Notes: The Art of Musical Poetry

Jatin Soni introduced the concept of art songs, where poetry and melody merge seamlessly. Using Franz Schubert's Erlkönig 🎻, he demonstrated how emotion, melody, and storytelling  intertwine in music. The role of voice, accompaniment, and animation  in enhancing poetic depth was also explored.

🎭 Art, Music, and Poetry: The Fusion of Expression

Brinda Ghosh and Sandeep Dutt emphasized the profound integration of art, music, and poetry  in education. They highlighted the irreplaceable human touch  in teaching and the value of time ⏳ in fostering creativity. Ethical concerns regarding the misuse of voice data by AI were also discussed.

🔮 Looking Ahead: The Canvas of Thoughtful Exploration

The session concluded with a commitment to further artistic exploration, previewing an upcoming session on art appreciation. The speakers emphasized the interconnectedness of words, music, and art, reinforcing the teacher's role in cultivating holistic artistic sensibility.

🌟 Thoughtful Thursdays continues to be a beacon for educators, illuminating the path where literature, melody, and creativity converge. 🎶✨

We invite you to share your thoughts, reflections, or even your own poetry in the comments below. Let’s celebrate the beauty of words, music, and art together! ✨📜🎶

Map of Success & The Last Lap : Masterclass Saturday March 29 , 2025

Chapter 20, Map of Success and Chapter 21, The Last Lap: Shomie Das The Man Who Saw Tomorrow by Naga Tummala

Q1. Failures are the stepping stones on the road to success. Instead of fearing failure, how can we help students develop a growth mindset where setbacks are seen as valuable learning experiences rather than obstacles? 

Q2. Success is not just about intelligence or talent but about the ability to take risks and adapt. How can we encourage students to step out of their comfort zones, take calculated risks, and embrace new growth opportunities?

Q3. "Thank God I Was a Backbencher." The author reflects on how not following the conventional path led to unexpected opportunities. How can we, as educators, identify and nurture the potential of students who may not excel in traditional academic settings?

Q4. "The choice of place shapes our journey." The author highlights how location and environment influence success in The Man Who Saw Tomorrow. As educators, how has your conscious decision to participate in this book reading session contributed to your growth and impact as a teacher? How can the insights gained from this discussion further benefit your students?

The Last Lap 

Looking back, that was the only way this story could have been taken ahead further. Shomie’s journey from Sanawar to Dehradun to take charge as headmaster of Doon School was not only one of pride; it would also lead to his fullest development as an educator with a vision. His stint at Doon would also toughen him up as a person, making him uncompromisingly tenacious when needed. The beneficiary, needless to say, would be Oakridge. 

With this the biography section of the book closes and we are set to read the closing section Back To The Future.