By Kollengode S Venkataraman Written in January 1997
In the wake of the last issue, we received an anonymous letter that faulted your magazine on several things. We thank the writer – we refer to him/her as Mr./Ms. Anamik(a) now on we for his/her interest in the magazine and taking time for writing the long letter. Though publications generally ignore anonymous letters, we respond to the letter here to clarify the points raised in the letter.
* On An Indo-American Odyssey, the writer says, “… …[It) was neither new nor humorous… … You are the most confused person on earth.” The writer of the skit did not call it humorous, nor did he claim any universality or originality in it. It was a single man’s odyssey. That the man undertaking the odyssey was confused was clear in the very first paragraph itself. If the skit stung a little, well, it is not entirely surprising.
* Secondly, the writer generically questions the credentials of your reviewers: “What are their titles? Are they journalists?”
Our reviewers have the same privilege for openly doing what Anamik(a) did anonymously in critiquing The Patrika. That aside, we are fortunate to have people among us who have the skills for the task. They are quite knowledgeable about their material (music), and are emotionally detached from the musicians they review. Further, they have the temperament to sit through concerts taking notes and articulate their impressions and opinions, pro or con. Finally, they are confident enough to affix their names to what they write.
For the record, The Patrika received or heard NO negative comments on any of the past reviews. Even Anamik(a), while generically questioning the credentials of reviewers, makes no specific complaints about any of them. Considering that the aficionados of fine arts, as a breed, are punctiliously picky, this fact is a testimony for our reviewers’ understanding of their material. Every one of us — whatever be our educational background and “titles” — is free to hold opinions on subjects affecting us, or on matters of eclectic taste. If these people are ready to articulate them in words, we will publish them on paper.
* On another matter, Anamik(a) finds that “the supposed to be non-profit Patrika is turning to be full of running commercials like yellow pages.” We only wish that the writer has kept his/her facts straight. For, nowhere did we claim — or even imply — that we are a nonprofit enterprise.
* Too many ads? Early on, we decided that all facing pages should have, on average, at least one page of reading material. After receiving the anonymous letter, we checked random issues of US News & World Report, Business Week, and India Abroad. All these have 55% or more pages of ads. In The Patrika it is under 50%. Also, stories in these magazines have glitzy graphics that reduce the space for text. The Patrika has no graphics – we cannot afford it.
Further, these magazines have paid subscriptions. The Patrika is mailed free. With a magazine mailed free, there is no way anyone can run it without advertisements. Ventures will survive only if they are self-sustaining financially. Even when patrons underwrite initially, enterprises can function only if they generate revenue to meet all expenses.
* Seeking advertisements from small businesspeople — Indian grocers, restaurateurs, and financial planners — has given The Patrika a better insight into our community. It is too precious to squander. The Patrika will build on the confidence of our advertisers.
* The Patrika, while trying to stay afloat by serving as a link between entrepreneurs and their customers through advertisements, offers a forum for readers for airing their views. We thank our advertisers for their confidence in us as a vibrant community and our readers and writers.
The Patrika again thanks Anamik(a) for giving us an opportunity to place these matters before readers. We only wish that (s)he revealed his/her identity. We would have then printed the letter verbatim.
The Patrika welcomes this type of dialogue. But please include in your letter your name, address or telephone number.