Abstract
Caesurae introduces a creative section specially for the youth. We invite students to contribute their thoughts, poems, stories, paintings, their innovations, songs, books, photography, clips from performances and what they feel like sharing with us, nationally and globally. This is the space where their worlds can meet. The theme of this issue (Vol 6: 2) of the Caesurae Journal is “Tales from the Cityscape.” The existence of the cities can be traced back to the ancient human civilization, with Uruk (fourth millennium B.C.) of Mesopotamia being recognised as the earliest proto-city. The cities, as we know today, became widespread in the 18th century, as a result of Industrial Revolution. With people flocking there for new opportunities, the cities have also struggled with poverty and homelessness. The rapid, unplanned urbanization has contributed to ‘urban decay,’ which is brilliantly captured in Titli Kundu’s painting “Lost in Directions.” While the cities have become the host of myriad aspirations, the economic downturn also force the inhabitants to confront the brutal reality. Within the confines of the apartments, they search for comfort in vain, in spite of their efforts to put up a resemblance of ‘home.’ The poem, “Symphony of Silent Sorrows,” by Subrata Barman, addresses this loss of human emotional warmth. At the same time, the cities are also witnesses to celebrations and festivities, whose glimpses are offered by Sagnik Bhaduri’s photography series, “‘Evoking’ the CHINMOYEE: A Journey through Kumortuli.” And amidst all hardships, one finds people striving to attain their dreams, and also lend helping hands for the others. Sagar Rakshit, in “Teesta Parer Vidyamandir, Where the New Generation Teaches the Next, and Dreams are Dreamt,” pens down one instance of such commitment to the noble cause. The saga of people’s resilience continues to shine through.