Long long ago....

That's how ninety percent of my childhood stories begin. Another ten percent begin with the words "Once upon a time..." Isn't story telling an art? I remember the good old days where I used to hear stories from my elders and sometimes I was forced narrate stories in 'story telling competitions' (Man! I hate such competitions!!)

Getting use to conventional story narration from childhood, when I came across different styles of telling a story in later days, I could do nothing to stop me from being suprised. It was not known to me till recent past that such a simple story of jackal cheating the crow can be told in numerous ways and ofcourse be interesting at the same time!

The one page short stories in weekly magazines that were my favorite in my schooldays and teens mostly told a story from the beginning to the end either in a third person view or in a 'first person singular' style (mostly the first person being the author). Almost all the movies that I had seen then also had such a narration (if I ignore the oft repeated flashback technique).

Later (actually in the recent past) when I got a chance to read some sci-fis or watch some flicks that did not have a linear narration or the usual first person narration, I understood the importance that a narration holds more than the story itself! The short stories of Kalki or Devan that I have been reading now and then for the past few months have most of the stories told through some other person who is neither involved in the story nor he the author. I don't know how such a style is categorized. The short story "Mudivu" by Sujatha where three letters explains the events is classified as sci-fi. What? It was a story without even a tint of science in it. Experts say the stlye of narration was unconventional and hence the story could be called a sci-fi. Okay, that's fine. Then what you call about films that have back and forth narration and where the story is told in bits and pieces (sometimes so confusing and profound to contrieve a conclusion!) and don't have anything that is scientific?

Anyways, I realized that the power of the story lies in the way in which it is told. Influenced by such elements, I tried some uncoventional way of explaining things. My earlier post on Dude and Buddy is a perfect example of a lame attempt of explaining a story through script sheets (similar to letters). So the post that explains about the anonymous meeting in the eyes of a third person. Hmm! People often are reluctant to accept their weaknesses. I must soon shed my reluctance.....hopefully....very soon!