(not) in tune

Fragmented Narratives

April, 2023

Welcome to an experiment where madness meets method, intertwining four Navrasas – Sringara, Karuna, Bhayanaka, and Shanta – in my unique interpretation.

Using the artful style of fragmentation, each story captures life's moments, inviting readers to decipher the method behind the madness or uncover the madness behind the method. This literary journey challenges the boundaries of storytelling, celebrating the beauty of emotion through writing within constraints.

Theme:
Madness as Method

"Though this be madness, yet there is method in’t." – Shakespeare

This line from Hamlet perfectly encapsulates the essence of my book, (not) in tune. It invites an appreciation for what the world calls 'madness' and highlights the seemingly irrational nature behind it. This is the core of my project: exploring madness as method.

In both nature and our artificial world, chaos and madness are ever-present. Yet, behind each instance of apparent randomness lies a distinct method. By decoding this chaos, the underlying rationale becomes clear. This journey through my book is an exploration of interchangeability between method as madness and madness as method.

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Introduction

Welcome to a project born from a lifelong love of stories and words. Reading has always been my joy and refuge, guiding me and bringing profound fulfilment. My literary journey took a fascinating turn with Shakespeare, sparking a deep interest in madness as a storytelling technique. I believe these chaotic narratives can reveal new dimensions of the human experience.

My background in classical dance, particularly the Natya Shastra and Kathak, has also shaped my artistic vision. These expressive arts have enriched my understanding of emotions. Despite my reserved nature, dance has become my language, enabling me to express myriad sentiments through movement.

This project explores the intricate relationship between literature and expressive arts, delving into the beauty and emotional depth that emerge when these forms intersect. Join me in uncovering the layers of meaning and emotion in this creative journey.

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Idea & Concept

As a writer, I've always seen storytelling as limitless, but writing this book gave me a new perspective. Ordinary moments can transform into imaginative narratives. This realisation showed me that creativity is both the freedom of thought and the constraint of language.

This project explores the dual nature of creativity. It's not just wild ideas, but the art of crafting words. This collection defies the ordinary, blending love, sorrow, fear, and peace into a cascade of emotions.

Fragmentation, a key literary technique here, uses non-linear and unconventional narratives to add complexity, inviting readers to actively construct meaning.

To add an Indian and personal touch, each narrative centres on one of the Navrasas, the nine fundamental emotions in Indian arts. I focused on four:
- Sringara: Love and beauty.
- Karuna: Compassion and sorrow.
- Bhayanaka: Fear and suspense.
- Shanta: Peace and tranquillity.

These rasas are vital in traditional Indian dance, music, and drama, capturing human emotions. This collection experiments with fragmentation to deeply explore these emotions.

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About the stories

The book comprises four stories, each written in a unique style of fragmentation. The titles are AI-generated anagrams of the rasa they portray. For example, "pain fragments" transform into "panting frames." Here, I play with the concept of madness as method and method as madness. Though the titles are generated randomly (madness), each name holds a meaning that resonates with its respective story (method). After each story, an interpretation explains the intent and meaning.

An intriguing aspect of the book is that it can be read back to front. Doing so reveals the meanings before the stories, giving readers a preview of what lies ahead. This approach ends the book with a deeper philosophical understanding, rather than starting with it.