Reflecting

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Stories Passed was created for the goal of curating and analysing the stories that have had an impact on my identity.

I used Anchor to record, build and distribute the podcast; WordPress to publish blogs which contextualised and introduced episodes; and Facebook to bridge all platforms and to connect to my audience. On each platform, the brand Stories Passed was maintained through name and cohesiveness of content.

WordPress was also used to distribute the RSS feed from Anchor, and to embed Facebook posts. This ensured interconnectivity between platforms. However, I was unable to link Anchor to the other two platforms.

The three platforms worked in complement to create a dynamic experience for my audience. They were engaged aurally and visually.

In the future, I would ensure that episodes are released in a timelier manner. I would add video to facilitate a wider audience. I would also create content that fosters greater engagement from the audience.

Through this project, I had the opportunity to collaborate with Andrea K, whose project is Humans of Trinbago. As both our projects rely heavily on stories, it was natural that we collaborate. Because of the lockdown, we had a WhatsApp call, where we discussed our projects, and why we decided on them. This conversation formed the base of our collaboration.

Andrea appeared on my podcast to tell the story of her project, its importance to her, and what the wider audience could learn from it. She featured me on her platform to share my journey with stories and podcasting.

Stories Passed is a passion project that has been very fulfilling. Through this project, I’ve gained valuable skills as a media practitioner. I have been fortunate to feature the recital of Love After Love by the late Sir Derek Walcott from the documentary Poetry is an Island by director Ida Does. I was also able to present Colombian singer, Gregorio Uribe, on my final episode. This episode will serve as a bridge for a future season of the podcast.

Stories in Music

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Music is centred around stories. Every genre has a history; every song has a narrative; and every singer tells a story.

Recently, I was granted the privilege to feature Colombian singer-songwriter, Gregorio Uribe, on my final episode of Stories Passed. During our interaction, Gregorio shared with me his journey with music. He also gave me some insight into Cumbia, and shared his thoughts on the role of the artist.

Unlike previous episodes, I shifted from the usual format, and examined the narratives around Gregorio’s career. This episode provides a base for me to bridge a possible season two of the series.

Find Gregorio on: Facebook, Instagram & YouTube.

The Virtue of Another’s Story

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In my most recent episode, I collaborated with Andrea K. of Humans of Trinbago. Like its antecedent (Humans of New York), HoT presents images of individuals and the accompanying captions tell stories from their lives. You should already know that I am deeply interested in this project.

My journey to understanding how the stories I’ve been exposed to have shaped me has been somewhat exhausting. So, it was great to remove myself from all the retrospection, and instead focus on how the stories of others impact us as humans. While one may argue that many of the same processes are involved, I think it is a less daunting process.

I welcomed the opportunity to listen to Andrea’s perspective. It was refreshing to hear her speak about how the stories she heard stirred her compassion. It is no doubt that these exact emotions are what I’ve also felt throughout my own journey as a storyteller.

Whether we would admit to it or not, we have always been influenced by the stories of others. We would, also, continue to be. However, what we choose to take away from these stories are solely up to us.

Listen. Think. Act.

And never forsake compassion.

Story within Poetry

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Stories are ubiquitous. And they’re even within poems.

In a previous post, I explained how movies are stories. The same criteria apply to poetry.

Derek Walcott’s Love After Love, shares a story that is universal. And regardless of its shortness, at the end of the poem one is left with a clear sense of understanding. The poem is able to take the reader from one point to another, and one is able to appreciate the transitions within the narrative.

While I’ve always been aware of the element of story within epic works, I hadn’t considered how stories are also passed on in shorter forms.

This realisation has been an eye-opener. It has helped me to recognise differing forms in storytelling. As I’ve grown to understand throughout this project, there is no limit to stories, and perhaps won’t ever be.

P.S. Episode 6 has two versions. The earlier version is the original version. The alternate version features the voice of the late Sir Derek Walcott. This recitation is taken from the documentary Poetry is an Island by director Ida Does.

Looking Back

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The story of Indian Indentureship in Trinidad & Tobago is one I’ve heard every year for as long as I can remember. And without a doubt, it will be one of those stories that many would continue to share.

Undoubtedly, there is always much inspiration to be gained from remembering our history, and to see how far we have come as a people. We often hear many remark on the tragedy of a people who do not remember and pay tribute to the struggles of their ancestors.

While I acknowledge that throughout history there have been different narratives that have emerged from this phenomenon, it would have been impossible to share them all in a singular episode.

Many of these portraits have motivated us to be our best. What I wish to show through these historical accounts is that hope has infinite possibilities. The story of Indian Indentureship has left an indelible mark in history. But how we choose to move forward can only be decided by us.

Movies as Stories

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Picture this: you’re talking to your friend, when suddenly they announced that they just watched a “real” good movie. Your response is, “Tell me the story, na!”

We might not always realise it, but movies do in fact tell stories. Sometimes these stories might be based on true (or partly) events, or they may be fictitious.

How can we know this? Well, a movie consists of the same basic elements of a story. These are: setting, plot, characters, conflict, resolution, and theme. Sounds familiar, right? We use these words in talking about both stories and movies.

So next time you want to stun one of your friends, tell them you just watched a “real” good story. Wait for them ask you what you mean by that, and then tell them the name of the movie.

Are children’s stories only for children?

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In preparing for the third episode, in which I share the story of the squirrel that helped to build a bridge, I considered how I could extend the reach of the story to an adult audience. I found myself asking the question: Would adults connect to, and appreciate a children’s story? That’s when I had a realisation.

During the building of the bridge, the monkeys and the squirrel help to carry rocks.

Every story has a moral, and that moral is usually a universally-accepted truth. Therein lay my answer. I didn’t have to worry about making a story relatable. I just had to understand the moral, and communicate it appropriately. Children’s stories aren’t only for children. If they were, I don’t think they would continually be told.

In this story, we learn valuable lessons from the squirrel that can help us become better persons. These teachings are not only for children, but a reminder to ourselves. After all, don’t we all seek to become better individuals?

History-telling

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Over the past two weeks, I have shared stories of historical significance to me. It is important to note that both these stories are in different contexts. This has helped me realise that I have been exposed to different types of history. The first story relates an event that has directly affected me. The second has indirectly influenced me. Yet, both these stories have given me critical perspectives.

I understand that in telling and sharing stories, we are passing on historical information about ourselves. I believe such information contains, among other aspects, cultural insights into ourselves. We are able to document attitudes and values of a particular period, and we are able to immortalize moments. We are able to pass on lessons, or even just narrate a lighthearted story.

Whatever the purpose for sharing these accounts, these pictures are necessary to transfer the messages we want to tell others, whether it be future generations, or even strangers. By telling our stories, we are given an opportunity to shape history. We are allowed the power to add to the discourse, and I suggest we wield it.

Stories Passed

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Stories are everywhere. We all have them, and we love sharing them. Every story that we tell, or choose not to, adds another layer to our lives. Stories are an expression of our identity.

Stories Passed is dedicated to curating and analyzing stories that have left impressions on me. These stories are a mix of Hindu Mythology, family stories, and historical interpretation. It is through these lens that my worldview has been shaped.

These stories of my past have been passed on to me. Now, I share them with you.