National Symbols

National Symbols

Many e-zines include a page or more of reviews of such things as movies, books, television shows, CDs, and so on. Here's a format I might use for my reviews.

Indian National Song

The Indian National Song Vande Mataram,

composed by Bankimchandra Chatterji,

was a source of inspiration to the people

in their struggles for freedom. It has a

similar status with jana-gana-mana.

The first political session when it

was sung was the 1896 session

of the Indian National congress.

Ke bale ma tumi abale
Bahubala dharineem
Namami tarineem
Ripudala varineem
Mataram!
Tumi vidya tumi dharma
Tumi hridi tumi marma
Twam hi pranah shareere
Bahute tumi ma shakti
Hridaye tumi ma bhakti
Tomarayi pratima gadi
Mandire mandire!
Twam hi Durga dashapraharana dharinee
Kamala kamaladala viharinee
Vani vidyadayinee
Namami twam
Namami kamalam
Amalam atulam
Sujalam suphalam
Mataram
Vande Mataram!
Shyamalam saralam
Susmitam bhushitam
Dharaneem bharaneem
Mataram!

Books

Motherless Brooklyn
Jonathan Lethem

A mystery novel told in the first person by a young man who suffers from Tourette's Syndrome. The mystery plot itself is stretched a little thin, but this is a real tour de force by a writer to watch.
- Submitted by Sheila

Music

Home
Josh Rouse

A quirky sophomore effort by a singer-songwriter to watch. Starts strong ("Marvin Gaye" and "Direction" are standouts) but eventually all the songs begin to sound alike, which is unfortunate. Josh should maybe hire a producer more willing to experiment with his sound.
- Submitted by Patricia