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Going native
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Regional blogging has seen a slow but steady rise as unheard Telugu voices are expressing themselves through their blogs, reports Neeraja Murthy
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Photo: S. Siva Saravanan
Online diary Multi-language use has given bloggers a platform to be more expressive
Can you imagine relishing a cup of hot noodles, delicious paramannam, tangy pachchadi or a simple tomato pulusu virtually on a Karthika Pournami day? On November 21, when women across Andhra Pradesh celebrated Karthika Pournami, Jyothi Valaboju stood hunched staring at her computer screen. “I have never seen someone prepare noodles on a Karthika Pournami day,” she says with a laugh.
Her invitation for an online vanabhojanam among her community of friends across the world turned out to be an irresistible affair. “Last year, the online vanabhojanam saw only women participants. This year, both men and women gave their choice of food for the special day. Bachelors even sent us a picture of the rice cooker in which they prepared their food item,” she says.
Four years ago, Jyothi Valaboju was a 40-plus housewife spending her time cooking and watching television serials and was absolutely clueless about the computer. A chance discovery later, she found a companion in the internet when she began blogging in Telugu. Now, she manages ten blogs, she takes care of her home and the free time is not wasted on a tearjerker but by writing and sharing with her online friends. It's not just her personal thoughts as she discusses the happenings around the world and if she is not happy about some development, she vents her anger through it (jyothivalaboju.blogspot.com) and has a healthy discussion with like-minded people.
The trend of regional blogging (check out koodali.org for Telugu blogs) has seen a slow but steady rise as unheard Telugu voices are expressing themselves and connecting with each other across the world. Based on a survey, a recent newspaper report published how English blogging has spread its tentacles in the cyberspace. While English blogging has seen a decline as bloggers are opting for Facebook and Twitter, regional blogging has been vibrant.
Expression with ease
Krupal Kashyap , a project manager believes it is the power of expression which makes all the difference. “Since I am a Telugu guy, I am comfortable in expressing my feelings in my own language,” he says. “Earlier I would not write a Telugu sentence without mistakes. Now, I can write a story and also read, understand and appreciate Telugu poetry,” he says.
The software has improved and has enough tools that make it easier for bloggers to write in their own mother tongue. If blogging has given people a platform to vent their feelings, it has also given a scope to people to hide their identity and use filthy language and post rubbish comments. “I used to get healthy comments to improve but after a point people started using dirty language. I would get upset initially but later would hardly be bothered,” says Samhita, who closed her blog recently.
The best thing for many is that one can rave and rant about one's life and loves and have endless views on endless subjects. However, Sushumna, an avid blogger feels, some youngsters start blogging when they have an identity crisis. “One blogger appeared confused about her boyfriend's gender when he gifted her a pink shirt. She wrote, “What's wrong with him? I feel he is gay' All this because the poor guy gifted her something in pink. When teenagers have nobody to talk to, they share it on line,” she says.
Next time you want to share your dreams, regrets and fantasies or have a wish-list for the new chief minister, try blogging. But, make sure, it is not a silly comment but has effective inputs.
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