Feedback Strategies: Indian Epics

The two articles that I read really highlighted some of the same beliefs that I have about feedback. The two articles were How to Craft Constructive Feedback and Be a Mirror. I have always tried to be positive when I give others feedback. I have always tried to keep a positive mental attitude and not be negative in my feedback. It can be hard at times to constantly stay positive. I think that there is a nice balance when giving feedback. You should not be afraid to give suggestions, but you also do not want to make the receiver feel like their work is not good. I really liked what one of the articles suggested. It said to focus on what the reader is doing. It is sometimes easy to nitpick someone's work and look at what they do not have. Instead, we should focus on what they do have and give positive feedback based on that. Another great point that the first article made was to "suggest" what the creator might do. I find this one particularly useful especially when I am receiving feedback. 

My advice when giving feedback is to just be confident in offering suggestions while also being mindful of the person you are giving feedback to. You should put yourself in their shoes and think about what would be useful to you. I would like to try being more honest with the people I am giving feedback to. Overall, once you find a method that works for you just roll with it. 

(A photo of a man trying to provide feedback. Source: Flickr)

Topic Research: Indian Epics

I decided to research more about different heroic figures. I am not completely decided on using this as my project topic, but I feel like it is a great start. I can also use these sources to possible tie into one of the other project topics that I have.

The first stories that I researched cover the hero Krishna. They comics are found here. These stories would be used to detail the travels of Krishna and his accomplishments. The stories about him killing demons would be a real attention grabber for my project.

The second set of stories involve the King Vali. I would like to read about his adventures due to his flawed arrogance. I could present the story in a way that teaches a lesson. I'm still pondering this idea. His wiki page is here. The comic is in the library.

The third set of stories involves the King Harishchandra. I think these stories would tie in well with the idea of teaching a lesson. I read his wikipedia page (here). I though that he would be a great character to fit into the storybook if I do indeed go down the route of highlighting good/bad characteristics. I will look at purchasing it from amazon using the link on this page.

I am still spitballing different ideas for my storytelling style. I might choose the traditional path of just recreating different heroes and detailing their travels. I might also choose to highlight the good and bad characteristics/deeds of certain heroes.

(A photo of a super hero graphic. Source: Pixaby)

Week 3 Story: The Exiled Son

I had finally returned to the kingdom that I had been missing for so long. I was eager to see my father as it had been quite some time since I was able to embrace him. I missed the people of the kingdom. There were many people that I had longed to see since my long journey began. I missed my mother, Kaushalya, and my brothers. I was anticipating a warm welcome from the people of the kingdom and my family. I had heard a rumor that I was going to be crowned as the Yuvarajah (crown prince) upon my return to the kingdom. I was excited to see if this rumor would come to fruition. I had long awaited this moment, and I was hoping that my father would finally recognize me as the crown prince to take his place once he is gone. This was something that I had dreamed of for years, and I did not want to be met with a disappointment.

As I returned to the palace I noticed the vast amount of decorations that adorned the walls, ceilings, and halls. There was a joy amongst the people, and I could tell that their was excitement on everyone's face. I strutted into the throne room and immediately saw my father sitting on his throne. I was very eager to greet him. I continued to march forward. However, as a I got closer I noticed that something was wrong. My father looked sick. His face was sagging and he looked pale. He did not have his normal glowing face. He looked like he had been poisoned by something or someone. I saw that one of his queens was hanging on his shoulder. She was whispering in his ear and starting at me. I looked intently upon Kaikeyi as I did not trust her in the slightest. I began to move towards my father to embrace him, but she swiftly put that to a stop. She did not let me father stand, and she did not let me get any closer.

I was confused by her actions, so naturally I questioned what she was doing. Kaikeyi began to explain the boons that my father owed her. She told me of my fourteen-year exile. I noticed the smirk on her face as she delivered the message. My father looked down in agony, as he could not come to terms with the events that were transpiring. I began to tremble with anger as Kaikeyi kept speaking. My father was being poisoned in the mind. I knew that I should not act out of anger. It was not the right time or place. However, I felt an uncontrollable urge consume me. I tried to fight it but it began to take over my body. In my frustration I let out a yell and lunged towards Kaikeyi...

(A photo of King Dasharatha as he is asked to banish Rama. Source:Wikimedia Commons)

Author's Note: My story is based on a retelling of two of the sections in the Ramayana Online. The sections follow the events that take place as Rama returns to his father and Kaikeyi. Rama is unaware of the events that have transpired recently. Kaikeyi has requested the banishment of Rama for the next fourteen years. King Dasharatha was forced to grant the boons that Kaikeyi requested. Rama accepts the terms of his banishment without hesitation out of the love he has for his father. I decided to take these events and create a story that had a unique ending. In the Ramayana, Rama leaves the palace to fulfill his banishment. I thought that it would be interesting to change Rama's mindset and have him take out his frustrations on Kaikeyi. I set up the story to where Rama was returning from a long journey. I also told it from a first person perspective to better capture Rama's mindset. I ended the story with a cliff hanger so that I could possibly continue the story for another week.

Bibliography: Ramayana Online from Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie. Source: Blogspot

Reading Notes: Ramayana Online, Part B

I read through the next twenty sections of the Ramayana today. I enjoyed quite a few of the different segments, but I decided to take notes over the two that I thought I would have the best time retelling. I focused my notes on those two sinceI have a good idea of how the storytelling should be done.

• The emotional distress that the death of King D caused was apparent
• It was an emotional scene that was captured well within the story
• Bharata had no clue of the events that had been taking place recently
• It was interesting to see that Bharata had no interest in assuming the throne
• He vowed to return his brother Rama from the forest
• I think this shows the loyalty that the brothers had for each other
• This could also be seen from the fact that Rama did not venture exile alone
• Bharata showed self restraint by not taking his frustrations out on the person that had caused such distress
• I think the emotional level will be hard to recreate in a retelling
• He was dealing with the death of his father like any other normal person would
• He was confused by his father's actions and what the purpose of banishing his brother could have been
• The people and the family wept for their fallen king and father
• I think that it would be fun to explore this moment and tap into the emotions of everyone involved
• The dedication that Bharata displays is of note
• He is determined to find his brother that had been banished
• In the end both brothers decided to honor the will of their father
• I am sure that this decision was tough for them to accept 
• However, they abide by what their father wished out of love and respect for him

(A photo displaying the birth of the brothers. Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Bibliography: Ramayana Online from Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie. Source: Blogspot

Reading Notes: Ramayana Online, Part A

I found the wide variety of names and terms to be a bit confusing when I started to read. I decided to abbreviate names and other terms with one letter to make it easier on myself.

• King D is stuck in a dilemma as he wants to produce an heir to his throne
• He carries out the animal sacrifice to receive the god's blessing to have children
• It was interesting to see that there was a separate storyline going on with Ravana
• I did not expect to see Rama be born as a human avatar
• Rama and his brother V went off to take care of the problems Ravana was starting
• Rama gains possession of his celestial weapons after his first battle
• The story of Ganga is interesting and I could use that for a story idea iteslf
• I could do the same with Ahalya's story
• I think that the love Rama has with Sita is interesting
• I did not expect there to be more avatar's of different gods
• The challenge to marry Sita reminds me of King Arthur and the sword
• I was not surprised to see Rama bend the bow before everyone else
• I liked the character of Para. I think he could play in integral role as he is also an avatar
• I found the wedding ceremony to be confusing with the language used
• I could probably retell it in a way that is easier to follow
• King D is adamant on making Rama the next king
• The many great traits of Rama and won over the hearts of the people

After reading the rest of the sections I decided that I liked the Rama is Banished and Rama Goes Into Exile the best. So, I took some notes on those sections.

• The scene between Rama and his father is very intense and saddening
• The grief that his father is going through is noticeable and very moving
• Rama understands the will of his father
• He does not protest to his banishment
• It says a lot about Rama and his character
• He wants to fulfill the will of his father and be the best son he can be
• The scene was saddening to everyone involved. The attendants wept
• Rama was unmoved and left
• Sita is deeply loyal to Rama and vows to go with him on his journey
• It was nice to see Rama's devotion to him as well
• Rama, his wife, and brother set off for the forest
• I thought it was of note that Rama's wife did not wear the bark as well
• Sita did not have to be bound by the rules that Rama was bound to
• I could not help but feel bad for Rama and the unfortunate events that had fell upon him

I think the last two sections I took notes over are very powerful and integral to the rest of the story. What happened to Rama was unfortunate, but I was happy to see his wife and brother would be accompanying him. I believe that these two sections would be a great story to retell in the future.

(A picture of statues representing Rama and Sita by Ayan Gupta. Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Bibliography: Ramayana Online from Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie. Source: Blogspot