Aswini Ashok

                Lately, there is a surge in the movies centered on women. Don’t ask why there is no such thing as men-centric anything. Men are by default everything. However, the more relevant phrase to describe the so-called women-centric has to be “women-body-centric politics”. The politics around women’s body have been done to death by men (in real and reel), yet, there seems to be no end to their impositions. Women across the world are still fighting for political control over their own bodies. From anti-abortion laws to marital rapes the politics around women’s body has always been at the receiving end of the arrogance of predominantly men lawmakers than the plight of fighting women. Cinema in the form of pop culture has always been adamant in infusing regressive (mostly about women) thoughts so much so that it has become a norm. Three movies I watched this week brought into picture 3 different aspects of women’s body politics. Parvathi’s ‘Uyare’ dealt with men’s notion

People usually, ask why some like to travel alone, but, I would ask why most people don’t. There are few things in life that can be enjoyed only in absolute solitude. Solo trips are one of such kind. While traveling in a group has its own charm, solo travels fill the inner souls. As an active doer of both, I can easily say, one cannot be looked over the other. All of us deal with our crisis mostly by ourselves all the time, but we never acknowledge how brave we are for waging our own battles, but, in solo trips, one could instantly acknowledge their courage and presence of mind for dealing crisis in a minute-to-minute basis and nevertheless making the best out of it. From finding places to visit, stay, eat and having proper time management or addressing the lack of it, solo trips teach us life skills in the most intriguing way. There is a power in extending our boundaries by ourselves. So, if you haven’t been to one, get started already. You may not even need to have an elaborate i