Scribbles of Karthik

Music Review: Yuvan Yuvathi, Maruthavelu, Thambi Vettothi Sundaram, Mambattiyan, Vandhaan Vendran & Rowthiram

2011-08-10T09:37:00.000-07:00

Not writing about all the songs in the albums..

Yuvan Yuvathi - Vijay Antony
This is my favorite among the recent releases. A vibrant album by Vijay Antony. 'Oh My Angel' is a good melody with some interesting usage of instrument in 2nd interlude. 'Mayakka Oosi' is another typical Vijay Prakash song.. A decent melody.. '24 mani neram' sung by Haricharan has a brilliant flow in Charanam! 'Kola Kuthu' is the next Nakka Mukka.. Enna kuthu!! Snehga's voice has added lot of peppiness to the song..Waiting for this song to be played in next DJ night :).. Vijay Antony has proved yet again that he is the real kuthu master. He sees to that there is some 'music' in kuthu song too.. Great work! ' 'Ullangai' has a wonderful musical piece in interlude..

Maruthavelu - James Vasanthan
What is interesting about this album by James Vasanthan is his voice selection. All of them are unique and un-conventional. 'Kala Kalakkura' is a good rhythm number. I loved the progression in pallavi. I would rate 'Thookanam Kuruvi' as his 3rd best melody after Kangal Iranda and Oru Vetkam Varudhe.. 'Varom Kanavodu' is new genre for James Vasanthan. He might have got inspired from some north Indian songs.. A philosophical song and very nice to hear.. In 'yetho yetho' he has tried to give a melody like the contemporary young music directors.. A decent attempt..

Thambi Vettothi Sundaram - Vidyasagar
'Kolakaara' and 'Netru illai ' are good melodies. Interludes of Netru illai are too good. I somehow feel that the rhythm section of that song could have been better..

Mambattiyan - Thaman
'Karuppanasamy' and 'Malayooru' are energetic rhythm numbers. 'Yedho Aagudhe' has lot of feel.. A good melody! I prefer not writing about the re-used/re-mix songs in this album.

Vandhaan Vendraan - Thaman
A refreshing album by Thaman. 'Anjana' is the song that has been mostly heard by me in recent past. He has intelligently handled scale change in this song. Other songs have lot of 'Harris' effect and so obviously they are nice to hear when we are in good mood. So no specific mentions about them.

Rowthiram - Prakash Nikki
As a debutant (film music) , I would call it as a decent work by Prakash Nikki. Some people who are desperately looking for melody might like 'Maalai Mangum Neram'..

Engeyum Eppodhum - Satyan
I liked 'Uyir Arunthadhe', an eery song and 'Govindha' for using that old sound... Somehow I felt that lyrics and music didn't go together properly..

Mangatha - Yuvan
Comments reserved as I have to hear the album some more times..

Thandavakone - Ilayaraaja
Yet to hear

Bangalore - Coimbatore

2011-05-31T09:23:00.000-07:00

Perur Temple

I had been to Coimbatore last weekend (May 18-19) with my friend Vinodh in car. We went in Maruti Swift. The aim of the trip was to attend the marriage of our friend Chandrashekar. It is worth mentioning that me, Vinodh and Chandrashekar got introduced to each other through an Orkut community for Ilayaraaja.

We started from Bangalore at 6AM. We had breakfast at Vasavi Cafe Krishnagiri. Most of the times, the hotels between Hosur and Krishnagiri (Kamath, Krishnaand Adayar Anandha Bhavan) are crowded. So I recommend this hotel for people going in that highway, just that you have go into Krishnagiri town.

Isha Yoga Center

It was an ultra-smooth drive till 40 Kms before Coimbatore. From there, since road construction was going on it took more time than expected. We reached Coimbatore at 1PM. We stayed at Hotel Vijai Paradise, NSR Road. The hotel was pretty decent and the good thing is that Annapoorna hotel is near Vijai Paradise. 'keerai' they served for Saturday lunch was awesome!

Mahalakshmi Temple

Luckily, I had my UG friend Arun working in Coimbatore for more then 3 years. He joined us in the afternoon. We went to Kovai Kutralam (though we returned back without seeing since entrance is open only from 10AM to 3:30PM but we went there only at 4PM). From Kovai Kutralam, Isha Yoga Center (Velliangiri hill base) is just 15 Kms away. One has to take left at Iruttupallam while returning back from Kovai Kutralam. Velliangiri trek is considered to be one of the toughest and interesting trek in south India. It seems it will take 8 hrs to go up and ladies are not allowed to climb that.

From Isha Yoga center we went to Perur Patteswarar temple (It was built by Karikala Chozhan) and finally we went to Marudamalai Murugar temple. We started from Coimbatore city at 3PM and returned back to city after seeing all those places by 8PM.

Next day, we started at 7AM and went to Eechanari Vinayagar temple and Mahalakshmi temple. Both the temples are present close-by in Coimbatore-Pollachi route.

Hydro Meteorological Project

After attending marriage, we started back to Bangalore at 1PM. For a change, we took Sathyamangalam-Bannari-Chamrajnagar-Kollegal-Malavalli-Kollegal route. Though distance wise it is short by 40Kms, it took more time and also the drive wasn't very comfortable. But all those inconveniences can be accepted for that spectacular route. It was completely green on both the sides. 27 hair pin binds have to be crossed and all of them were steep.

Vinodh, Arun and me in front of Marudamalai temple

A hydro meteorological project on that route after Karnataka border was a surprise package (We were not aware of that place). That place can be made as another tourist place like Thekkady. It was 9PM when we reached Bangalore.

Family tour to Kerala

2011-04-23T09:55:00.000-07:00

Disclaimer: Don't expect information like name of God, sthala puranam etc about divya desams in this blog post. My intention with regards to Diyadesam is to just give precise information about the route which is kind of not explained satisfactorily in other blog posts. To know the spirituality part of those temples, better refer to other web pages.

Our complete family ( My parents, 3 sisters, 3 brother-in-laws, 1 nephew and 3 nieces) went for a trip to Kerala from April 16 to April 19, 2011. Our plan was to see some divyadesams and a hill station. So we decided on Thirunaavai, Thiruvithuvakkodu, Thirumoozhikalam, Thirukaatkarai for divyadesams and Munnar for hill station.

We chose Thrissur as the starting place. A 12 seater A/C tempo traveller was already booked at the Rate of Rs. 2500 rent per day with max 100 Kms and Rs. 14/- for every extra Km. It is bit costlier than usual but the condition of vehicle and the behavior of driver were worth that money. It was an advantage that Guruvayoor can also be covered in our trip.

4 peoples started from Bangalore and rest all started from Chennai on Apr 15th night to Thrissur through train. Room was already booked in Hotel Elite international, Thrissur at the rent of Rs. 1350/- for AC room. The rooms were pretty decent and the best part about that hotel was that there was a restaurant named "Hotel Bharath" near Elite hotel which serves good vegetarian food.

Day 1 (Apr 16, 2011)

We started to Guruvayoor at 10AM and reached Guruvayoor at 11AM. Guruvayoor is just 30 kms away from Thrissur. Guruvayoor temple timings: 3AM to 1PM; 4:30PM to 8PM. Since being a weekend (saturday) I was expecting a heavy crowd. But the crowd wasn't too much on that day. We stood in the queue and some how managed to have dharshan by 1PM; well it seems 2 hrs is not a big time these days in Guruvayoor.

We had planned to see Thirunaavai and Thiruvithuvakkodu on the same day. But all the Kerala divyadesams will usually close by 11AM and will be opened only at 5PM. So we took rest for few hours in a accomodation maintained by Brahmin association near Guruvayoor temple.

We started from those rooms at 3PM and reached Thiruvithuvakkodu at 4:15PM. Thiruvithuvakkodu is near Pattambi and Shoranoor. Do a search for "Tirumittacode Siva Temple" in google maps and you will know the exact location of temple. I was surprised how a Vaishnava divya desam was named as Siva temple.Actually there are 4 Vishnu idols in that temple believed to have been established and worshiped by Panja Paandavaas (one by Dharmar, one by Beema, one by Arjuna and one by Nakula and Sahadeva together) after Mahabaratha war out of which Arjuna's pradhishtamoorthy is considered to be an important moorthy and it is present behind Kaasi Viswanathar (Siva) idol and hence the temple might have been named as Siva temple in maps. This also explains the silliness of Veera Vaishnavites and Veera Shaivites who fight :)

Then we started to Thirunaavai at 5:45 PM and reached the temple at 7PM. Compared to other Malai naattu divya desams which we saw, Thirunavaai (Thirunavaya) is relatively famous and the temple won't be closed early. Search for "Thirunnavaya Navamukunda Temple" in Google maps. Thiruvithuvakkodu and Thirunaavai are 40 Kms apart. After seeing Tirunavaya temple, we returned back to Thrissur Hotel.

Day 2 (Apr 17, 2011)

We checked out from Hotel Elite, Thrissur and started to Ernakulam at 8AM. Since we started early, we were able to see Thirumoozhikalam and Thirukatkarai before 11AM, the closing time of those temples.

Thirumoozhikalam is near Angamaly (Thrissur-Ernakulam route). While coming from Thrissur, one has to take a right near Karukutty (40Kms from Thrissur). To know the exact location of the temple, search for " Prakkadavu Panchayath Office, Kurumaseri, Kerala" in google maps. Actually the temple and Panchayath office are adjacent.

While coming from Thrissur to Ernakulam, one has to take left after Little flower Engineering institute, Ernakulam and travel for 3 Kms to reach Thirukatkarai temple. Search for "Thrikakkara temple" in Google maps to know the exact location of temple.

After lunch, we went to Cochin beach with the intention to go for boating. But unfortunately, there was some strike on that day and boats were not operating. But it is also good in one sense that we could reach Munnar on time (7:30 PM) since Cochin boating got skipped. We started to Munnar at 3PM.

Cochin to Munnar is a 130 Km journey. The roads are kind of narrow and we can feel that the vehicle is gradually climbing up. Kothamangalam-Adimaly-Munnar (70 Km stretch) is a treat to watch with falls, tea estate etc on the way. I have already been thrice to Munnar but I had taken either Devikulam route or Chinnar route but I had never traveled through Kothamangalam route.

As far as I know, there are only 2 pure vegetarian restaurants Hotel Annapoorna and Hotel Saravana Bhavan (it is not a branch hotel of Chennai Saravana Bhavan) in Munnar. We had dinner on Apr 17 at Annapoorna and rest all of the time had food only at Saravana Bhavan. Saravana Bhavan is definitely the best Vegetarian restaurant in Munnar. Saravana Bhavan is present in proper Munnar town (M.G Road).

We stayed in Hotel Munnar inn. Rooms were pretty decent and the advantage was that it was in town; so we need not walk long to get something or have food. But it may not be advisable for people who would like to have a silent environment since you will be hearing some vehicle sound even during night times. We paid was Rs. 1900/- per day as rent.

Day 3 (Apr 18, 2011)

It was full day sight seeing at Munnar. We took Mattupetty route. We straight away went to Top station (the last point in that route which is around 30 kms from Munnar town), started our sight seeing from there and then saw spots like Echo point, Kundla lake, Mattupetty Dam, Speed boating, Elephant ride etc in return. While top station was an ultimate spot as usual, speed boating was another interesting thing on that day. Right from kids to my parents enjoyed it a lot.

We finished all the spots in Mattupetty route by 4PM. Then we thought of going to Aattukad falls. We have to take Cochin route and take left after Tea factory (few kms from Munnar town). Falls can be seen from distance but the road to falls was very narrow for our tempo traveller. So we returned back half way.

Day 4 (Apr 19, 2011)

We had our return tickets booked from Coimbatore. So the plan was to take Chinnar route, see Anaimudi/Rajamala/Eravikulam National Park, get down from hills, see Azhiyar dam and then catch train at Coimbatore. Things went as per plans. As I told earlier, I had already been to Munnar thrice and all the times, I had been to Anaimudi but I have never got an opportunity to see the rare animal Tahr close by. But this time we were lucky to have a Tahr walking along with us for some time. After enjoying a great climate at Munnar, it was a sweaty evening at Azhiyar dam. Still kids enjoyed playing in the park.

Next year, by the same time, I am hoping to write a blog post about our travel to rest 9 malai naattu divyadesams and any of the coastal Kerala place.

Post dedicated to the person who named me

2011-03-26T04:55:00.000-07:00

It was a cool Margazhi month (Dec 15-Jan 15, Winter). My mother was carrying her 4th baby (first 3 were girls). On Jan 4th, 1986 when she was sleeping, she was very sure that she will give birth the next day. So she woke up early on Jan 5th and prepared food for everyone by 7AM itself.

As expected my mother got pain. No relatives were staying in our home. My father rushed to Door No. 115 (We lived and are still living in Door No 41) to get help from the lady in that house to assist my mother. Don't know why my father went all the way crossing few streets to get her help instead of calling neighbors. May be she told earlier to call her during delivery time.

I have to mention few lines here about my place - NGGO Nagar, Chengalpattu. It is a very attached community and all were Govt servants (NGGO stands for Non Gazetted Govt Officers). It was the first layout allotted to Govt servants in Tamilnadu. Almost all were of helping nature. What is so significant about that place is people being identified by their door numbers (97 maama, 110 maami etc)..

One such person is 115 Chitti Babu sir and his wife's name is Prema. She was the person who was assisting my mother during her delivery. Her smiling face, big size pottu (bindi) and of course helping tendency is well-known in our Nagar.

All 3 deliveries of my mother till then happened in Govt. hospital only. There were some complications during 3rd delivery. So my mother and father had decided to go to private hospital (Panneer Nursing home) for this delivery. I am not sure if there was any sentiment also behind that decision because all born in Govt hospital were girls and they might have thought that if they change the place they might get a male baby. But definitely my father and mother were eager to have a male baby.

It was Sashti day (auspicious day for Lord Muruga's devotees). So Mrs. Prema being an ardent Murugan devotee was reciting Kandha sashti kavasam sitting next to my mother in hospital with a prayer that the delivery should be fine and the baby should be male.

My mother was taken to labor ward and a male baby was born at 8:32 AM. Mrs. Prema told my father about her prayer and asked him to name the baby as Karthik and here goes the reason for me having this name. (This also answers people who ask/doubt how come an Iyengar has a name Karthik)..

She will be seen on all mornings at NGGO nagar temple. I am a person who rarely goes to temple. Whenever I see her in temple, she will definitely stop-by and speak few words with me. But not even once, she had told "Naan dhan unakku per vechen" (I am the person who named you). I know it is not something very great to suggest a name. But we normally see people who try to emphasize even the smallest thing they did (Naan dhan indha koil kattum podhu modhal sengal vechen, Naan dhan nee chinna vayasa irukkum podhu unna daily killuven). But I was expecting that she will tell that one day or other.

Thursday (Mar 24, 2011) evening I got a call from my father. He informed me that Mrs. Prema expired that day morning. He recalled about the story which I narrated in the earlier paras. Well I was not shocked, neither was I very much affected about that death news (just like no death affected me very much so far). She should be in her 70s, reasonably old, settled children with kids. But definitely there was a hard feeling for some time and I decided to write a blog post dedicated to her and that is this post.

My expectation of she telling me about the story of my name never happened!

Ahobilam Trip

2011-01-10T09:15:00.000-08:00

Ahobilam is considered as a must visit place for any vaishnavite. Me being a vaishnavite and also a sishya of Ahobila mutt, it took so many years to visit Ahobilam. But finally it happened last weekend (Jan8 – Jan 9, 2011).

Lots of information about Ahobilam is available in the following link. http://www.ahobilamutt.org/us/information/visitingahobilam.asp

I went to Ahobilam from Bangalore with 4 friends Jithu, Vinodh, Sanjay and Guru. While I knew one person (Jithu) very well, one more (Vinodh) relatively well, I haven’t met other two before. After this trip, even they became nice friends of mine. We went in Maruti Swift.

Day 1: Jan 8, 2011

Bangalore-Ahobilam route map (via Kadappa)

Vinodh, Sanjay and Guru started from BTM at 4:50AM, I joined them in silk board at 5AM and Jithu joined us at 5:45AM in KR Puram. We took Bangalore-Kolar-Madanapalle-Rayachoti-Kadappa-Allagadda-Ahobilam route (approx 400kms). We took a break at 8:30AM in Madanapalli for breakfast (Thanks to Vinodh’s mom for preparing Idli). Regarding road condition, while Bangalore to Kolar road (67 kms) was relatively good, it was foggy and we couldn't go beyond 50KMPH. Road from Kolar to Rayachoti (170 kms) was very bad. Every 100mts we had to handle a heavily damaged portion of road. After Rayachoti, the road was good till Allagadda (135 kms). Allagadda to Ahobilam (31 kms) is a narrow road.

Ahobila Mutt

We reached Ahobilam at 1:30 PM and had a good lunch at Ahobila Mutt (Lower Ahobilam). Though we already informed Mutt about our visit and requested for accommodation, they were not able to provide accommodation immediately after we reached there. Even Mutt administrators were helpless since there was good crowd. Actually Ahobila Mutt has built some new residential places and also in the process of building more. There is a hotel run by APTDC, Hotel Haritha which also provides accomodation. We were told that we can get an accommodation at 6PM.

Ahobilam temples route map

6. Karanja Narasimmar

We hired a guide (Prem Kumar aged 15) and started our dharshan. The plan was to visit 5 narasimmars on Day1 and other 4 on the Day2. The temples can be seen in different groups (for example, Paavana can be grouped with Ahobila or can also been grouped with Chatravada and Yogananda). So unless you are very sure, it is better you just tell the guide about your schedule and leave the route planning part to him. I am numbering the temples the same way they are referred to by archakas, mutt and local people.

We started at 2:30 PM in our car (actually Vinod

5. Varaha (Krodha) Narasimmar

h’s car :P). First we went to 6. Karanja Narasimmar temple. Then we went near Ahobila Narasimma temple and parked our car. From then onwards, we had to walk for seeing other narasimmars. Since we were told that Ahobila Narasimmar temple will be opened till 7PM and we have to climb down before it gets darker, we bypassed Ahobila Narasimmar and started climbing up the hill.

7. Malola Narasimmar

We reached 5. Varaha (Krodha) narasimmar temple at 3:10 PM, 7. Malola Narasimmar temple at 3:25 PM and 8. Jwala Narasimmar temple at 4:30 PM. The happiness which spreads inside us after reaching Jwala cannot be explained by words. After an hour long walk, we have to cross a small water falls and ever red Raktakundam (well it is actually a color which is close to red wavelength. It is believed that it was the place were Narasimmar washed his hand after tearing apart Hiranya Kasibu) to reach that small and great Jwala Narasimmar temple surrounded by scary and at the same time scenic green hill.

8. Jawala Narasimmar

Though we were eager to see Prahladha Gruha and Ugra sthamba (They are not part of 9 narasimmar temples), it was already getting darker and our small guide wanted us to start getting down before it becomes completely dark though we weren’t in the mood to leave that place. If Prahladha Gruha and Ugra Sthamba (it will be a tough climb) also has to be seen, then one should start in the morning and see them also along with 5 narasimmar temples as they all are almost in the same route.

Raktakundam

I would rate the difficulty of climbing between easy and moderate for a person with an average physique. If some one is scared that we have to walk through sloppy rocks, the happy news is that the complete path has steps.

4. Ahobila Narasimmar

While getting down, guide took us through a different path (calling it as short cut) which was not having steps. It took almost 45 mins to get down but the walk was nice and interesting across the flow of water from hill. We reached 4. Ahobila Narasimmar temple at 6 PM and had dharshan.

After that we went back to Ahobila Mutt, got a room (with 3 beds), refreshed, had delicious Upma served at Mutt and had a good sleep with the satisfaction that we completed seeing 5 Narasimmars as planned. FYI, Ahobila Mutt charges just Rs. 400/- for a 3 bed room (1 day).

Day 2: Jan 9, 2011

Lakshmi Narasimmar

We woke up early and started from room at 5AM itself to see Lakshmi Narasimmar temple. Though this temple is not one among 9 narasimmar temples, it is considered to be the main temple.

Path to Pavana Narasimmar

It was good that we went to temple early in the morning. We had a chance to see Dhanur Maasa Seva with Ghoshti and most importantly we got delicious Pongal as prasadam ;). After having breakfast (in a Iyengar hotel opposite to Mutt), we started our Day 2 Narasimmar temple visit at 7:45 AM in Jeep. Pavana and Bhargava Narasimmar temples can be reached through walk (which would take too much of time) or through jeep/tractor.

9. Pavana Narasimmar

After a tough 16km travel in a path (I don’t like to call it a road) full of heavy jerks, we reached 9. Pavana Narasimmar temple at 8:50 AM. Saw some structures established by tribes opposite to temple where they give bali (goat, hen etc.) to God on Saturdays. This kind of tribal practices in a traditional vaishnavite temple is unusual. But the history of God marrying Chenchulakshmi (Mahalakshmi who took avataram as a tribal girl) explains for that practice.

2. Yogananda Narasimmar

We started back from Pavana at 9:15 AM and visited 2. Yogananda Narasimmar temple (10:30 AM) and 3. Chatravata Narasimmar temple (10:45 AM) which were on the way back lower Ahobilam. From there, we took another route for 1. Bhargava Narasimmar temple. Even that path (again not a road) was tough to travel except that it wasn’t long (just 2kms from lower Ahobilam). Flowers near that temple which look the same as thiruman of ahobila mutt is a wonder!

3. Chatravada Narasimmar

Though we got some negative feedback from people that we may not be able to cover those 4 narasimmars before afternoon, we finally did it. Thanks to the jeep driver who took us to Pavana in just 1 hr. We heard that tractors take almost 2:30 hrs to reach Paavana from Lower ahobilam but on the other hand it is less tough travel compared to jeep. But we wanted a quick travel and not a comfortable one. We paid Rs. 1800/- for jeep and gave Rs. 300/- to guide (though Ahobila Mutt website suggests only Rs. 200/- as guide charges).

1. Bhargava Narasimmar

We packed our things, had lunch (Pongal, vada and curd rice) in the same Iyengar hotel opposite to mutt and started back to Bangalore at 12:40 PM. For a change, we took another route (Ahobilam-Allagadda-Jammalamugudu-Tadibatri-Anantpur-Somandepalle-Chikballapur-Bangalore) for our return journey. While the worst road from Allagadda to Jammalamagudu (60 kms) disappointed us for taking that route, the nice road from Jammalmudugu to Tadibatri and Tadibadri to Anantpur relieved us. Then came the 4 lane Anantpur-Bangalore highway on which we were literally flying over 120 KMPH with frequent ‘ah’, ‘uh’ and ‘iyyo’ from Vindoh since it was a rash driver named Karthik on driver seat ;)

Thiruman shaped flower

I would definitely recommend Anantpur route compared to Kadappa route barring the worst experience you may have to bear between Jammalamadugu and Allagadda. I am not sure how much Naxal threat is there in Anantpur area. We didn’t face any problem. We reached Bangalore city outers at 8PM, had nice dinner together at Adayar Ananda Bhavan before getting down at our respective places.

Ahobilam-Bangalore route map (via Anantpur)

As Vinodh told at the end of trip (he had been to Ahobilam earlier but was not able to cover all the 9 narasimmar temples), the trip was convincing especially because we were able to cover all the temples in effectively just 1 day and most of them had archakas (not locked).

Ilayaraaja’s songs in music player during the total 800 km travel was just awesome! Of course, travelling with friends is always a delight. I would like to tell two words at the end of this blog.

“Mission accomplished”

Tiruvannamalai trip

2010-12-14T09:51:00.000-08:00

After quite some time, I went for a trip last weekend (Dec 11 and 12, 2010) with my friends Senthil and Vinodh. We went in Vinodh's car.

Day 1: Dec 11, 2010

It was 9:30 AM when we started at electronic city. We took Bangalore-Hosur-Krishnagiri-Tiruvannamalai route (200 Kms). Road till Krishnagiri (NH7) was very good (90kms) but the 110Kms from Krishnagiri to Tiruvannamalai was horrible. Road was badly damaged due to recent rain.

We reached Tiruvannamalai at 2PM. Lunch was not very great but didn't mind much about it since we were pretty hungry. We booked a room in Ramana Towers hotel for a rent of Rs. 1400/- per day. The facilities were very nice and worth for the money given.

We started girivalam (14 kms walk around Arunachala hill) at 3:30 PM and completed it at around 7PM. There are 8 lingams in that perimeter and few more temples. After visiting the main temple (Annamalai and Unnamalai are the main deities), we ended the day.

Day 2: Dec 12, 2010

We started from room at 8AM. It was very wet outside and when enquired, we came to know that there was heavy rain from 2AM to 6AM. We went to Ramanashram and started our Arunachala hill trek from the way behind Ramanashram.

Our initial plan was to see Skandashram, Virupaksha, return back to Ashram by 11:30, have lunch and then leave to Bangalore. But near Skandashram we met a person by name Jothi who gave us some information about Tiruvannamalai and how the whole worship was earlier (right from his great grandfather's time). It seems he is one among the persons who light the Jyothi at Arunachala hill top during Karthigai month.

When I asked him about his take on Vijay TV program which was spreading some information that the annamalai jyothi went off, he gave some explanations and called it as a rumor. We asked curiously if we can go to the place where jothi is lightened, he said that he can take us. While Vinodh was not able to proceed further up, he went down to Ramanashram. Myself and Senthil along with our guide Mr. Jyothi started climbing to the top of hill.

It took around 3hrs from Skandashram to the top of hill and the climb was pretty tiring. But as soon as we reached the peak, all the tiredness vanished and we were so happy to be in that place. We were physically on a place which we were just seeing on the TV for 20+ years during every Karthigai Deepam.

After taking some photographs, we met some youngsters who are sishyas of Narayana Guru Swami. It seems Narayana Guru swami is a saint from Kanyakumari who did Thapas in Arunachala hill for 16 years and then went back to Kanyakumari again. They served us herbal tea.

Our guide Jothi asked us to get down by our self. We started climbing down. But only after some time (around 45 mins) we realised that we were getting down in a route which we didn't see while climbing up. But still we proceeded in the path of a water falls with the belief that we will get down somewhere. We got to see a person on the middle and came to know that we were climbing down on the other side of hill.

We were kind of happy that there was some exploration element in the trip. We got down on the other side of hill at 2 PM and went back to our starting point (Ramanshram) in auto. We had a surprise news over there. It seems music director Karthik Raja (son of Isaignani Ilayaraaja) visited Ashram at 11:30 AM and Vinodh took some pics with him. I would have felt jealous if I had missed a meeting with Ilayaraaja. Karthik Raja.. Worth missing for that nice trek ;).

Weather at Tiruvannamalai was cool and that was really the best part in this trip.

We had lunch in Ramakrishna hotel (Taste was good) and took alternate Tiruvannamalai-Vellore-Krishnagiri-Hosur-Bangalore route while returning back. Though we had to travel extra 80Kms, the roads were pretty good.

I actually went to to this trip without any expectation. But it turned up to be one of my best trips. Thank you Vinodh and Senthil for the nice company!

My conversation with Bombay Jayshree about Ilayaraaja

2010-12-04T01:29:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, I had been to Garden City college to see (most importantly, to listen) concert of Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia (6:30PM-8PM) and Bombay Jayshree (8PM-9:30PM) organised by SPICMACAY. Myself, my friend Jithu went with Prof. Sadagopan and his wife. We went early and Bombay Jayshree also came at 6PM itself though her program was scheduled only at 8PM.

No wonder, Bombay Jayshree was aware of Prof. Sadagopan. He introduced me to Bombay Jayshree. We had some casual discussions about how 'Bombay' got attached to her name, her view about current form of concerts etc. I was waiting to get her thoughts about Ilayaraaja.

Here goes my conversation with Bombay Jayshree about Ilayaraaja.

Me: I would like to call myself as a devotee of Ilayaraaja. You have sung so many popular numbers..
B.J : (Interrupted) Not many (with a smile)
Me: At least most of your numbers are popular. My favorite song of yours is 'Kai Veenayai Endhum Kalaivaaniye' from the movie 'Vietnam colony', Ilayaraaja's composition. I would hear that song in loop for hours together.
B.J: You know what? It is my favorite song. But it didn't become very popular.
Me: Can you tell one line about Ilayaraaja?
B.J: How can I tell just one line about such a great composer?
Me: Well, I would like to hear more about him.
B.J: Working with him is a great learning experience. If I sing one song for him, it will be a lesson for one year. I learn a lot while working with him.
Me: It is usually told that Ilayaraaja does not give much freedom for singers. Being a classical singer, does he consider your improvisation?
B.J: The notion of 'freedom for singers' itself is wrong. Singers are just part of a song. There are many more factors like situation, actors etc. About Ilayaraaja; he would have already set some high standards for singers while composing. It will be a big task to accomplish that. We won't have anything more to make it better because he is already at the top. At times, if I add something and if it is nice, he will appreciate and accept. If it is not ok, he will say a strong No. A movie will be in some form before Ilayaraja gives his music. The moment, Ilayaraaja adds his music, the movie will take a completely different dimension. So he knows what is needed for a song.

Actually, it was looking like she would speak more and more about Ilayaraaja. But it was already 6:30PM and it was time for Pt. Hapriprasad Chaurasia's concert. Organisers were asking everyone to get settled. So I thanked her and took a leave.

It is a known factor that most of the people in music industry are fans of Ilayaraaja. But it is always a nice feel for a fan (a devotee) like me to hear about him from people who are popular musicians.

No doubt, performance of both Pandit ji and Bombay Jayshree were so soothing. It was definitely a satisfying day.

Nandalala BGM (Theatre Recording)

2010-11-28T05:30:00.001-08:00

I recorded some BGMs in my mobile phone. Kindly bare with the bad quality of recording.

Nan1.mp3
Nan2.mp3
Nan3.mp3
Nan4.mp3
Nan5.mp3
Nan6.mp3
Nan7.mp3

--------------
Appended on Dec 8, 2010

Found 2 links which has a better quality BGMs of Nandalala

http://www.indianbackgroundscore.com/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=599&start=0

http://ilayaraja-mp3songs.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2010-12-03T00:38:00-08:00&max-results=3&reverse-paginate=true

Why (modern) arranged marriages fail?

2010-11-20T09:11:00.000-08:00

Slow rate of decrease of men domination and high rate of increase of (pseudo) women liberation is a common factor for the increased failure of both love and arranged marriages! Discussing about that common factor is not the intent of this post.

First of all, why do love marriages fail? What is positively said about love marriages is that the girl and boy already get to know about each other and so they form a 'Perfect Match'. Even then, why do love marriages fail? Leave the cases where the trouble is created by some external forces. There are good amount of love marriage failures because of the mis-understanding between husband and wife. The whole idea behind love marriage, i.e 'Understanding' is in a shake.

Yes, the boy and girl 'get to know' about each other when they love. But what do they get to know is a big question. Most of the lovers project only their positive side when they love. So the misunderstanding after marriage is because of 'not enough understanding' before marriage.

"Ok fine Karthik. The topic is about arranged marriage. But you are discussing about Love marriage???"

Yes I am coming to the topic now. The same problem, 'not enough understanding' has crept into arranged marriages too. 'Pre marriage flirting' is what I am referring to. This started even before cell phone penetration. That time 'cordless phones' were helping. After the penetration of mobile phones, there is a multi-fold increase in flirting. (First of all, is it right to call the telephonic conversation between 'would be' husband and wife as flirting?). Getting the phone numbers and talking over phone (between engagement and marriage) is approved by parents (though with some murmurs).

A month back, I boarded Mysore-Chennai (via Bangalore,Kanchipuram) bus at Bangalore. The person in the next seat was a girl (I am still surprised how they allotted a male and female in adjacent seats. What was more surprising is that most of the seats in that bus were allotted in the same manner. Something wrong!).

She was already over phone. After hearing a minute of her conversation (things falling on our ears without our consent is not overhearing ;) ), I understood that she was talking with her future (who can assure about future?) husband. With more hearing, I realised that she is talking with him since she boarded her bus (at Mysore). Since I was not very comfortable in having a lady at the next seat (u know? I am a gentleman :P), I was not able to sleep comfortably. I was awake at least till the bus was crossing Vaniambadi (100 kms from Bangalore) and she was talking till then. When I left the bus at Kanchipuram, she was sleeping. So I am not sure, when they completed. Hope all of you have heard such conversations with ENTROPY = 0 :)

"Karthik, their phone, their battery, their money, their life. What's your problem?"

See I can't be selfish not thinking about others ;)

Just like lovers chat where only positives are projected, even in these Pre marriage flirting, only positives are projected both by the man and woman. She will try to project herself as a a best woman a family can get, so adjustable, so caring blah blah blah. He will try to project himself as an intelligent person, hero, highly humorous, person FOR women liberty blah blah blah.

When he/she sees the reality after marriage, which will definitely be different from what they were thinking, full disappointment. What is worse was the guy's projection about his mother as a caring lady who will treat his fiance as her daughter which will definitely be considered false by that girl after marriage (To know more, read 'in_laws'). If they think more and more about that disappointment, it will get bigger and bigger, thereby ending up in failure.

The idea behind pre (arranged) marriage conversations is to add the positive of love marriage (i.e understanding before marriage) to arranged marriage. The transition after marriage (esp for girls) will be somewhat smooth when they already have an idea about the better half's likes, dislikes, family etc. But when it becomes over-dosage, then it will definitely add the negative of love marriage also (i.e not enough understanding).

What is the moral? "Adakki Vaasi"

P.S: There is a bit of selfishness in this post. If some one see me doing too much of Pre marriage flirting after my engagement, please remind me about this post. Thanks in advance! ;)

2 hrs at Tirupathi Bus Stand

2010-09-28T08:24:00.000-07:00

I had been to Tirupathi last weekend for tonsuring and ear boring ceremony of my nephew. Since I had a bad experience during my last visit to Tirupathi in getting tickets back to Bangalore I did advance booking in Airavat volvo bus this time.
(Snippet from the blog I posted in Mar 2010: We Bangloreans had a tough time in catching a Bangalore bus. As you all know, there is always a Black ticket option. We payed extra Rs.80/- per ticket and got seat in KSRTC bus)

Tirupathi-Bangalore bus I booked was scheduled to start at 4PM (Sunday, Sep 26, 2010). I reached bus stand at 2:45 PM itself and waited in the platform meant for KSRTC buses to Bangalore.

"Karthik, stop stop! Then the blog title should have been 1:15 hours at Tirupathi Bus stand right?"

You will get answer for this question in the later part of this post.

In bus stand there is no other way to pass time than to just observe people present around us. My primary focus was on a Third gender person who had dressed up like a lady (Please stop your dirty imaginations my dear fellows [:P]). I would like to call that person as "XLady" or "(H)She" from now on. (Sorry if a social reformer considers this a wrong way of calling them).

I believe (h)she is a niche player in the beggar market of that bus stand :). She gets money only from people seated in ultra deluxe or volvo buses. This is what I was seeing. Whenever a Garuda (A/C) or Rajahamsa bus comes to platform and passengers board the bus, she gets into the bus, clap hands (you know how loud their clap will be) in each seat and demand money. After getting money from a bus, she sits outside a "pay and use toilet" and groups the collection based on denomination and keeps it in her hand bag (you all know that those people collect lot of currency notes while the usual beggars find it difficult even to get coins). She chats with that pay and use toilet in-charge till the next volvo or ultra deluxe comes. I saw her repeating this cycle for at least 8 buses (but no Airavat bus came to platform till then).

Well she was just helping my eyes pass the time. For mouth?? I had an old friend of mine to chat with. "Old friend??" Yes it is the black ticket wala (BT wala) from whom I got ticket during my last Tirupathi visit. Have a look at snippets of the conversation I had with him (It actually happened in Thamizh)

BT wala (as usual): Bangalore a sir? You need tickets?

Karthik (with a smile) : Anna, this time I have my tickets reserved. If I had not, I would have directly come to you

BT wala (with surprise): You visit here regularly? When did you get tickets from me?

(I told him the history)

(He started confessing, but in a casual way without any regret in his tone)

BT wala: What to do sir? I was working in court as peon. I got suspended 10 years before because of my mis-behavior. I will stop this black ticket work in some more days as I am going to get appointment in court again. But one thing sir. Money got illegally will not stay with us. I earn Rs.400/- per day on average. I give 100Rs for my family, spend 100 Rs for my food outside and 200 Rs for drinks. I have not saved any money. Today I already got 300 Rs, drank for 250Rs, had full meals, nothing much in hand.

(We had more discussions about black ticket profession like bribe for police every day, different kind of customers he met etc etc.)

.
.
.

Karthik: Will that Xlady get into Airavat A/C bus also and ask for money? (Though I knew that she will, I was expecting a "No" from him just for the sake of my relief)

BTwala: Of course, (h)she will get into all the luxury buses. You know? (H)She earns minimum 1000 Rs (after giving bribe to police) every day in bus collection itself.

I decided not to board the bus until that Xlady completed her collection in the bus I am going to board. I definitely didn't want to give money and at the same time I had no guts to deny in front of her. You all know (at least guys will know) what those people will do if we say that we won't give money.

It was 3:45PM and the BTwala took his leave and I was waiting for the bus in that platform. 4PM, 4:15PM, 4:25PM..and finally an Airavat bus to Bangalore reached platform. Cursing Indian standard (delayed) time, I went near the bus and asked conductor if it was 4 o clock Bangalore bus. He told that 4 o clock bus left and it is 5 o clock bus. He took me to the KSRTC time keeper (Till then I never knew that there was a time keeper sitting in a corner).

Conversation with Time keeper (It actually happened in Kannada)

Karthik: Sir I am waiting here since 2:45 PM. No Bangalore Airavat bus came to platform till 4PM

Time Keeper: Don't play drama. You came late, missed the bus and now putting blame on us, is it? No bus goes without coming to platform.

He literally started shouting at me. After a stage I couldn't argue. So I started requesting him for some other arrangement. He arranged a seat in Rajahamsa (non-AC). Since he arranged seat in at least some other bus, I thanked him and boarded a Rajahamsa bus which started from Tirupathi at 4:45PM (Got the 2 hr count?[:)]).

But I could not digest the allegation that I missed a bus, being so early to bus stand and that too didn't move anywhere away from platform. I was completely puzzled.

The Rajahamsa conductor was curious to know my story. After telling him what happened, he told me that the 4 o' clock Airavat is a bus to Belgaum which goes via Bangalore.

OMG! After hearing that, the puzzle got solved and the plot became clearer.

<~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Flashback

3:30PM

I heard engine start sound and it was an Airavat (in parking place which was approx. 100 metres away from platform).

Though the BTwala told that the bus will come to platform, I was curious and so went near the bus (it was a bus to Belgaum via Bangalore) and asked the driver if it was 4 o' clock Bangalore bus. He told "No". I was not aware that the final destination of the bus I booked was Belgaum. If I had known, I would have asked him if it was 4 o' clock Belgaum bus.

But I didn't just go with the answer of driver. I was waiting for that bus to come to platform and thought of inquiring again if it left the platform at 4PM. But the bus left directly from the parking lot at 3:45PM itself without even coming to platform. So I convinced myself that it was not the bus I had booked.

Flashback Over

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~>

Now after hearing from the Rajahamsa conductor that it was the bus I had booked, I can't stop myself from cursing the Airavat driver for saying a "No", for leaving the bus stand without coming to platform and I can't stop myself from badly cursing the time keeper for trying to hide his mistake by blaming me. I realised that his generosity of arranging a seat for me in Rajahamsa was to just shut my mouth.

Getting cheated is not something new for me ;). But this was the first time I took so long to realize that I was cheated.

Definitely, I can never forget those 2 hrs at Tirupathi bus stand!

Note: I have sent a grievance mail to KSRTC and NOT expecting any reaction from them :)

Being 'House Wife' is not a sin

2010-08-14T09:30:00.000-07:00

Disclaimer: Lot of generalizations have been done in this post. I would consider this post to have accomplished its purpose even if a single reader find it reflecting the reality.

Even before I start discussing about this topic, I am bound to clarify those people who think, the term 'House Wife' is not correct and it should have been 'Home Maker'. I recently read an article in which a lady has written that women community is thinking of some other better name than Home maker. Whatever be the name, it is no way going to change the way of life of those women who stay at home giving preference to welfare of family. All those people who keep these names are those high class women who have no work spending time at clubs. 'House wife' is no way an inferior term. If you think it is inferior, then you are thinking your house itself as an inferior one.

Ok lets get into the topic.

If we look back, say some 30 to 40 years back, women going for a job was a rare event. May be, that time, 'Not being a house wife' might have been considered a sin. Later, some women started working in govt sectors like bank, post office, schools etc since those works didn't have much pressure and the time was comfortable for them to manage both family and work.

Since husband and wife started working, the economic situation of the family was good enough to make even their girl children study till they wish. Girls started doing masters courses like MSc, MA etc.. Still I am in early 90s. Parents started thinking, "Having studied till masters. Why should she waste her education? Let her go for a job at least till marriage".

We were and are always in a mindset that education is a source of income. If some one studies and then decide not to go for a job, whatever he/she has studied straight away goes into bin and gets wasted.

Going to a college and doing a course is not just for degree and making money out of that degree. It is the exposure a person gets outside in a place like college which matters a lot. The decision of sending girls to colleges and making them do masters is healthy but not the thinking that a educated person should definitely go for a job.

Ok fine, all those MSc, MCA girls started working in private firms. Many colleges were started and good amount of these girls became lecturers in college. Even after marriage, their husbands didn't have problem in they going for a job. After all, they will get more money every month and most of the husbands didn't want to lose it. Yes, more women started working but things didn't become worse even till late 90s. There were good amount of house wives too.

Then came our IT followed by development in all industries. Lot of work force was needed. In parallel, many engineering colleges were started. Those girls who were joining prestigious arts and science colleges earlier started joining BE. When non-conversion of BSc/MSc to job itself was considered waste, who will accept a girl with BE degree to not go for a job?

Most of those engineering graduate girls started working in IT firms. Arts and Science students started going to same IT firms either for a lower profile jobs or started working in ITES industry. Girls working 10hrs/day started becoming common.

They mostly married an IT guy. Both earning a lot every month. Own flat, sedan type car, searching land for investing.... Everything for EMI... "Ok fine, so what is the problem? Things sound great, right? By the time their son/daughter completes their UG, they would have saved some good amount of money for sending their children to US for masters.. Everything looks good. What a prosperous life!" All these are only at abstract level.

Now, let us zoom into their daily life. Let us say, the working wife don't have a helping husband (we will see who is a helping husband in next paragraph). The girl will wake up at 5AM. Cook, get her husband and children ready. Breakfast, pack lunch for everyone and also take for her. Hurry hurry to office. Full pressure from manager at office.. Come back home.. prepare dinner.. help kids in home work... What will that husband do? He will reach home only at 10PM, sit before television for some time, go to bed and wake up only half an hour before starting to office. No help from that husband in household work..What will that pity guy do? He is in the pressure to double his salary in next 5 years.. She will be under pressure for at least 15 hours/day. I started sweating just while writing about their life style. How are women doing all these and still have their face creams intact even at the end of day? ;) They are naturally born as 'over-time' workers or they were trained like that by this society which calls women going for job as 'Women freedom'? I don't know..

So who are those helping husbands? They are men who accept sandwich as breakfast, have lunch at office and take dinner parcel from hotel for everyone at home. The girl announces holiday to kitchen on all working days. There are some women who feel guilty. So she will prepare noodles (the toughest dish to prepare) for everyone during night. But definitely, those men are helping husbands. They at least share a bad life with their wife.

"Hey hey Karthik. Stop.. You are speaking as if they were forced to work.. This is the life they have chosen and they are happy with it. They earn a lot. They plan their retirement even at their 30s. They make their kids join International schools. Everyone at their home (including their children) have a personal laptop. You should also look at the GDP growth because of women working.. Because both earn, they consume a lot and our economy grows. Why are you stopping the economic growth of India?"

I can make fun of all the statements in the earlier paragraph. But that is not the aim of this post.

I am concerned about those minority girls existing in this IT era who don't like that mechanical life and decided not to go for a job even after having a good education. Fortunately, those girls some how get a man also who has put 'Job Not Must' in matrimonial columns.

But this society irritates her all time. Every time she goes to a shop in the next street at 11AM, she will encounter this question (mostly from a 50s lady).. "what are you doing whole day at home? no work right? see all those girls flying like birds to office with their hand bags."... 'chumma dhana irukka?' is the most hurting question a house wife would ever encounter.

Things get so worse that at some point of time, she starts feeling inferior about herself.. She is made to think "I am waste. No purpose in my life".

What do I have to tell those house wives?. Oh lucky lady. Laugh at people around you who are having dirty life. You have got a peaceful life. Your life is the most purposeful one. You are taking care of a family with utmost care. You are a woman who is not running after money. While women around you are trying to increase the family income from 5Rs to 10Rs, you are a great economist who can run a family with that 5Rs itself. Be happy and ignore those useless ones on the next street.

What do I have to tell those husbands of house wives?.. Let the world tell whatever it wants. But you never ever tell "What work do you have? You are idle at home, right?". That will hurt her a lot. Please check what interests her. She might have been a singer or a trained classical dancer or an artist or she might have got interest in something recently. Advice her to join classes and learn something which interests her. If she is good in music/dance/arts or anything, encourage her to teach others for few hours every day. Just because she is not going for a job, it doesn't mean she is good for nothing. You understood her feelings and married her. Please understand her feelings forever.

Beyond Time

2010-07-05T04:46:00.000-07:00

Today I am going to discuss 2 songs from a same movie which got released in 1999.

It was time when trend changed but this man (since being a trend setter) didn't change. He didn't use those fancy sounds which ate up lyrics and feel. He kept composing those simple and soul touching melodies.

Only we classify his compositions as 70s, 80s, 90s etc. But his compositions are beyond our perception of time.

The 2 songs 'Kadhal Neethana' and 'Thavikkiren' from the movie 'Time' which I am going to discuss can be put in "I think I have heard these songs" category

Kadhal Neethana

In the earlier paras, I told his compositions as simple. It is simple only for ears of lay-man like me. But the amount of complexities that have gone behind each song will be known only to Raaja's close associates and few expert audiences.

This lay-man ears can sense some rhythm pattern magic in this song but couldn't explain what it is. One could sense that in the prelude itself.

Unnikrishnan is known for carnatic based or 'tough to sing' melodies with high range of pitch. But he needed a music director named Ilayaraaja to show case just the melody in his voice without gimmicks. Sujatha is known for her soothing voice.

The Q&A kind of charanam with these romantic voices... Awesome.. Especially the lines like

"Enna Kanavu kandai" in higher half of octave

and

"Nee Vandhai Mutham thandhaai" in the lower half of octave. Raaja's touch!

Next song from the same movie is a peppy melody

Thavikkiren

This time its Bhavatharini with her unique voice and Hariharan with his evergreen voice.

The prelude will no way appear like approaching the tune of pallavi but raaja (and only raaja) can do a fast and smooth transition in just 1 or 2 bars. Briliant!

We could get some jazzy feel in 1st interlude. The 2nd half of 2nd interlude is so interesting to hear. No rhtyhm. Harmonium and bass guitar doing all the job. Intelligent!

In 2nd charanam, there is a line

"காலமே காலமே காலத்தால் அழியா வாழ்வு கொடு"

The lyricist might have prayed to Time that the songs of IR should last long. But he is not aware that Ilayaraja already got the boon of composing songs which will last for milleniums.

Today I am posting about these songs.

Even after 100 years, there would be a guy writing about this is in some form in some medium. Yes after 100 years, everything might have changed. Blogpost, Orkut, Internet, the way we type, the medium through which we hear.. Everything... But there will be comething constant. It is those gifted group of people hearing the compositions of our isaignani.

Because, his compsotions are beyond Time.

Download link

Kaadhal Neethana

http://music.cooltoad.com/music/song.php?id=464274

Thavikkiren

http://music.cooltoad.com/music/song.php?id=464279

My Life at IIIT-B

2010-06-28T05:36:00.000-07:00

June 2008

From a small town to the IT hub of India. From a college known for notorious things to an institute known for its unique way of education and great professors. Dirty and dry campus to a green and clean campus. Chalk piece to smart board. The transition was beyond my expectation.

First day induction at the big main class room... New faces. No known friend with me. I was looking dumb like a lay-man who doesn’t know anything. I was sitting amidst an elite group which has idea about anything and everything. I was not sure whether I will be able to understand what others speak. My name in the scholars list was a shock. “What is wrong with those people? Why choose me?”

First time at hostel. When my father left me at hostel and told “I need not advise you since you know things better. Take Care” I was just stopping the tears that was about to flow like a flood. The individual room MH1-429 was looking like a hell. “Who is that guy in the next room, Senior? Will he rag me?.... Wi-fi? Proxy? Ubuntu?”. Lot of questions and doubts were lingering in my mind!

June 2010

2 years passed like a second. I have changed a lot and IIIT-B too has seen lot of changes. Both myself and IIIT-B have put extra weight :) Great to see renovated IIIT-B campus with an extra floor and lot of space for tech firms and incubation companies.

Now I have many close friends from IIIT-B. The number of people with whom I share a smile and wave hands while passing in campus is huge. Being part of ‘Student Activity Committee’ facilitated me to move with many and organize many events.

I have completely enjoyed the stay away from home (the number of tours I had gone with friends and the number of movies I have seen in theatre during last 2 years are enough to explain the amount of fun I had).

Now, I am telling myself “Karthik, you are not that dumb”. It is because, I have learned a lot from everyone and everything around me. Even now, I am no where near my geeky friends of IIIT-B.

The wrong notion I had about professors vanished and I started showing great respect to that profession. I came to know a ‘Prof.’ who is known by everyone right from Gates to Narayanamurthy, Clinton to Sibal. Now I am in that Prof’s ‘known people’ list. What more can I ask for?

Yes, I decided not to sit for placements after UG. I was adamant to do masters rejecting the advice from many that I will regret for this decision. I believed (a blind belief), I will get something better after completing MTech course, but I never thought I will join Siemens research group. Thanks to my parents for leaving me decide my own future and thanks to IIIT-B for setting a strong basement. I am indebted!

Thanks to all my friends at IIIT-B for making these 2 years a blissful one. I am looking for a day I meet you as managers, CEOs, scientists, founders of your own firms, billionaires and you still remember and recall the incident of me sleeping in class room during pre-sem which got projected in screen ;)

Wishing everyone a happy life :)

P.S: I just posted whatever that came in my mind. Sorry for the unstructured post.
------

My father's Sashtiapthapoorthi Invitation

2010-06-21T18:10:00.001-07:00

Sashtiapthapoorthi Invitation

Beware of Doctors

2010-05-19T07:41:00.000-07:00

I have been visiting a dentist at Bangalore regularly sine last week. I had a root canal treatment. I will be going there for some more days since I have few more repair works :)

I am always afraid of doctors other than ones I visit regularly in my hometown. But having got (almost) settled in Bangalore, I had to find some doctors here too. I some how landed with this dentist.

The dentist would be around 35 and he claims that he is member of American dental association (It could be true too). He has 2 good looking lady assistants [;)] and they call the dentist as 'The Chief Doctor!' They always smile (extra smile while looking at me [;)]).

Don't know why but there was a cosmetic effect in that clinic. Was not appearing like a typical clinic. Or may be, the 'not so clean' clinic and simply looking doctors at my place made me feel this one as cosmetic.

Even before finding fault with the dentist, I have to accept that I was given a good treatment and my root canal problem got solved (may be at a higher cost). I am going to tell about another patient.

The clinic has a beauty parlor effect with 2 adjacent treatment seats. The Chief Doctor(!) will keep shifting between 2 seats and handle 2 patients at a time (parallel processing!)

When I was having treatment, a lady (around 30) with lip-stick (I should say this), layers of make-up and really slow walk sat in the adjacent seat. Obviously, the Chief stopped my treatment in the middle and went to that seat [:P]

I had no other go than to overhear what that lady is telling to the dentist [;)]

Now lets see the conversation. I will call that lady as 'Beauty' just to add glamor to this post[;)]

Dentist: Tell madam. Whats your problem?
Beauty: I had tooth pain for some time yesterday but never had pain after that. I am worried!
(Why worry? you should have been happy)

After closely inspecting the teeth, the doctor couldn't find any problem. But how can he miss the opportunity to make money?
Doctor: This is not a complete dental problem. But I won't say you don't have a dental problem completely.
(Best way of confusing the patient)
Now the patient started giving clues...
Beauty: I actually had migraine problem
Doctor: Oh, then it could have been a migraine and dental problem occurring together. There are cases where tooth pain intrigues migraine (Full bluffing)
Beauty: My kid was not feeling well for past few weeks. I didn't have proper sleep
Doctor: Oh, then it is sleeplessness+ migraine+ dental problem... As I said earlier, this is not a complete dental problem. I have to say that one of your teeth is very long and it has to be removed. But you can do it later. (Creating an opportunity for future business). Anyways, I will cure this problem now.

He prescribed a toothpaste, a toothbrush, mouthwash and some vitamin tablets (Should I explain more about the links he might have with the pharma companies producing those items). He collected a consultation charge of Rs. 500/- The lady was happy

The doctor was very happy that he made business out of nothing. Suddenly he got reminded of me and started back the drilling work.

May be, the lady has lot of money and loads of fear that she came to doctor for no reason. The doctor behaved like yet another business man and used the opportunity.

Now arises all these questions from a lay-man like me.

Where are those doctors who say "You don't have any problem. Don't worry" and collect no fees?

Where are those doctors who don't prescribe medicines unnecessarily (even if they prescribe, the medicine cost will be not more than Rs. 30/-)?

Where are those doctors who give sample medicines (which they get from medical reps) free of cost to poor patients?

Where are those doctors who don't ask for all the test reports (blood, urine, motion, saliva, sweat... hooof..did i leave anything?) and that too tested only from place they recommend (for what else other than getting commission)

I won't generalise this for the entire doctor community. Still there are genuine doctors. But it is unfortunate that they are becoming fewer and fewer.

Public! It is time we all have to be very careful with them. Medicine is not a (real) service industry any more and many doctors don't deserve a 'God' status any more. They have opened the shop and now it is all left with us not to get cheated. Pure business!

I have been so far speaking about doctors who got graduation. There are group of fake ones who look and speak like professional doctors.

The list of complaints go on... I hear voices from all sides. Karthik, you forgot to mention about the Kidney theft. Hey Karthik, what about medicine tests on poor people causing long term non-curable diseases?.......

Man, I am getting frightened as I dig more and more.

Beware of doctors!

Holiday Special: Parents, don't forget your past!

2010-04-27T10:26:00.000-07:00

I have been traveling a lot (approx 800kms per week) since last month. Traveling gives lot of thoughts and insights (but only problem, it doesn't give time to write!)

Last weekend, when I was at my hometown, I had to stay at my sister's home (of course, for escorting!) which is 4kms away from our house. I went to her house at 8:30PM. My sister's 2nd daughter Sriranjani (2.5 yrs) was watching a movie (Abhiyum Naaanum) from DVD player. I was tired and went to bed immediately.

Next day morning, I woke up only by 7AM. Sriranjani was seeing another movie (Poo) from the same DVD. I went to my home and then came back to my sister's house, that day evening for some other work. Again 'Poo'. I came to know that a round of Abhiyum Naanum-Poo-Abhiyum Naanum was over in the time between morning and evening.

This was crazy! I asked Sriranjani (in a polite manner), why she was seeing those movies repeatedly. She replied in her own way by putting some nail marks on my nose ;) Then I inquired about this to my sister (applying coconut oil on the marks) and told her that this was something crazy and unusual!

She gave a mild knock on my head ('kuttu' ku enna pa english la?) and asked me why I was seeing 'Thanga Padhakkam' and 'Gowravam' for months together when I was in my school days? Yeah I forgot my past!

It was the time Video cassettes were slowly losing existence but we had a functioning Video cassette player in our house. We know a person who was having a Video Cassette shop. He wanted to dispose some old movie cassettes and so gave us some 10 cassettes. 'Thanga Padhakkam' and 'Gowravam' were the 2 movies among the 10 (Vallavanukku vallavan, Paalum Pazhamum etc. were the other movies which I saw only once or twice)

I don't know why but just liked seeing those 2 movies in loop. This was happening for some months till I could tell the complete dialogue of both the movies. I will see at least 1 of the movies after returning from school and surely watch both on weekends. I don't remember why I stopped seeing those movies (may be I got bored and started doing some other crazy thing).

Kids, be it yesteryear or yesterday or today or tomorrow, do similar things (just in a different way like DVD player instead of Cassette player, cricket in hot sun instead of goli in hot sun, full day video games instead of full day ludo, the list goes on....)

Daughter lost her eraser at school. The advice+scolding lasted for more than a hour and now it became "how can I buy you scooty when you become older? You will loose that too" (Adangonnia!). My dear mother, you forgot that you ate '1 chalk/day' and was telling some lies to your mother for chalks getting over quickly.

Most important thing parents forget is the marks they got during their school days. Why is it that almost all kids don't have the guts to question their parents about the marks they scored? Where will most of the parents keep their face if their kids ask this question?

An auto driver was slapping his son outside his school in front of all for failing in a subject. "My father didn't make me study in a nice school and because of that I became an auto driver. I didn't want you to become like me and hence I am working hard to pay your fees in this big school but you are failing. Look at other kids....................................................". Stop. Stop. Mr. Auto driver, I respect your care and the hard work you put in making your son get a good education. One question. If I am not wrong, your father might have admitted you at least in the nearest govt. school. There are great personalities who have studied in govt school in remote villages. Why didn't you become one like them? Why did you stop going to school from 8th standard and learned to smoke even at the age of 14?

(Well, parents are going to kill me :P) I am not telling that parents should not keep a watch on their kids or advice them but just don't intervene them all-time. All of us have evolved over years. We have corrected ourselves over time. Give them that time. Don't pour all your 30-40 year experience on them. Show them the path but don't curb them (kadivaalam podaadheenga ndradha english la solla try panninen pa)

Remember, You have done everything when you were young! Don't forget your past!

Happy holidays, Kids! :)

Thinking of a sequel titled "Youth Special: Parents, don't forget your past!" . But I have to be even more harder. Keep watching this space! :)

------

Angadi Theru - Movie Review

2010-03-30T19:33:00.000-07:00

Posted in my Movie Review blog!

http://karthiksmoviereview.blogspot.com/2010/03/angadi-theru-fine-and-clean-movie.html

காலம் தலைகீழாய்த் தொங்குது கண்ணம்மா!

2010-03-18T07:46:00.000-07:00

Courtesy: Dinamani

தொலைபேசி ஒலிக்கிறது; வெளியே நிற்பவன் வீட்டுக்குள் ஓடி வருகிறான் அதை எடுப்பதற்கு. இது ஒரு காலம்.

இப்போது ஒலிக்கிறது; கையளவு தொலைபேசியோடு வீட்டுக்கு வெளியே பாய்கிறான்; இல்லாவிட்டால் சமிக்ஞை கிடைப்பதில்லை.

முன்பெல்லாம் தொலைபேசியை எடுத்தவுடன், "எப்படி இருக்கிறாய்?' என்று கேட்பார்கள். இப்போதெல்லாம் "எங்கே இருக்கிறாய்?' என்று கேட்கிறார்கள்.

ஒரு பெரிய மனிதரைப் பார்க்கச் செல்லும்போது இரண்டு எலுமிச்சம்பழங்களை எடுத்துச் செல்வது ஒருகாலத்துப் பழக்கம். அவற்றின் விலை நான்கணா. இருபத்தைந்து காசு. அவற்றுக்குப் பயன்பாட்டு மதிப்புண்டு. இன்று பிளாஸ்டிக்கில் பொதிந்து வைக்கப்பட்டுள்ள கண்ணைப் பறிக்கும் பல வண்ணங்களையுடைய மணக்காத மலர்களைக் கொண்டு செல்கின்றனர். அதைக் கொடுத்தவர் சென்ற பிறகு, அது குப்பைத் தொட்டிக்குப் போய்விடும். அதன் விலை முன்னூறு ரூபாய்.

முன்பெல்லாம் மாவு அரைக்கும்போது குழவி சுற்றும்; ஆட்டுக்கல் நிலையாக நிற்கும். இப்போது குழவி நிற்கிறது; ஆட்டுக்கல் சுற்றுகிறது.

பழைய நாள்களில் சாமியார்கள் குளத்தங்கரைகளில் அரசமரத்தடியில் இருப்பார்கள். குளத்தில் குளித்து, உடல் முழுவதும் திருநீறு பூசிக்கொண்டு, ஓர் அன்னக்காவடியைத் தோளில் வைத்துக்கொண்டு, சித்தர் பாடல்களையும் தேவாரத்தையும் பாடிக் கொண்டு வீடுகளுக்கு முன்னால் வந்து நிற்பார்கள். வீட்டுப் பெண்கள் அவர்களுக்கு அரிசி போடுவார்கள். பொங்கித் தின்றுவிட்டு கோயில்களில் சாம்பிராணி போடுவது, மணி அடிப்பது போன்ற இறைப்பணிகளைச் செய்து கொண்டிருப்பார்கள். உடைமை எதுவும் இல்லாதவர்கள் என்பதால் அவர்களுக்கு ஆண்டிப் பண்டாரம் என்று பெயர். அவர்களுக்கு மதிப்புண்டு.

இன்று அதே ஆண்டிப் பண்டாரங்கள் காலத்திற்கேற்றவாறு ஆங்கிலம் பேசுகிறார்கள்; அமெரிக்காவுக்குப் போகிறார்கள்; நூற்றுக்கணக்கான ஏக்கரில் ஆசிரமம் அமைத்துக் கொண்டு வாழ்கிறார்கள். "ஈசனோடு ஆயினும் ஆசை அறுமின்' என்பதற்கு மாறாக "அத்தனைக்கும் ஆசைப்படு' என்று வேறு போதிக்கிறார்கள். விபூதிப் பைகளில் டாலர்களை வைத்திருக்கும் இவர்களுக்குச் செய்யும் சேவையை கோடம்பாக்கத்தில் சந்தையை இழந்துவிட்ட கோல மயில்கள் பகவத் சேவையாகவே நினைக்கிறார்கள். சாமி சமாதி நிலை அடையத் துணை புரிந்தால், போகிற கதிக்குப் புண்ணியமாவது கிடைக்காதா என்ற எண்ணம்தானாம்.

அன்றைக்குச் சாமியார்களிடம் இருப்பு இல்லை; ஆகவே வழக்குகளும் இல்லை. இன்று சாமியார்களின்மீது இந்தியக் குற்றவியல் சட்டத்தின் அத்தனை பிரிவுகளின் படியும் வழக்குகள் உண்டு. அதனாலென்ன? அரசுகளுக்கு விலையும் உண்டு; கொடுப்பதற்கு இவர்களிடம் இருப்பும் உண்டு.

காந்தி, ஆசிரமத்தில் வாழ்ந்தார்; ஆசிரமம் காந்திக்குச் சொந்தமில்லை. தென்னாப்பிரிக்காவில் தனிச் சொத்துடைமை கொள்வதில்லை என்று காந்தி உறுதி பூண்டார். இந்திய அரசியலே ஆன்மிகம் ஆனது.

இன்று அரசியல்வாதி யோக்கியனில்லை; அதிகாரி யோக்கியனில்லை; சாமியார் மட்டும் எப்படி யோக்கியனாக இருப்பான்? பிரேமானந்தாக்களும், நித்யானந்தாக்களும் நவீன காலச் சீரழிவுக் கலாசாரத்தின் தத்துப் பிள்ளைகள்.

வழிநடத்த வேண்டியவனெல்லாம் அயோக்கியனாக இருக்கும் உலகத்தில் மதிப்பீடுகளெல்லாம் போலியாகத்தானே இருக்கும்.

காலையில் நடப்பதன் மூலமோ ஓடுவதன் மூலமோ வியர்வையை இயற்கையாக வெளியேற்றி உடல்நலம் பேணலாம். இவன் தலையை மட்டும் வெளியே வைத்துக் கொண்டு, உடலை ஒரு பீப்பாய்க்குள் வைத்துச் சுற்றிலும் நீராவியைப் பாய்ச்சி வியர்வையைக் கூடப் பிதுக்கி எடுக்கிறானே!

தோட்டத்தில் வளர்க்க வேண்டிய மரத்தைத் தொட்டியில் வளர்க்கிறான். அது மீறி வளர்ந்து தொட்டியை உடைத்து விடாதபடி அதை அப்போதைக்கப்போது வெட்டி விட்டு, தன்னுடைய பிடியை மீறி விடாதபடி அரசை முதலாளித்துவம் கட்டுக்குள் வைத்துக் கொள்வதுபோல மரத்தைச் செடியாக்கி வைத்துக் கொள்கிறான். அதற்குக் "குள்ள மரம்' என்னும் நாமகரணம் வேறு.

ஒவ்வொரு நாளும் கழியும்போது தன் வாழ்வின் ஒரு பகுதி தொடர்ந்து அறுபடுகிறது என்றும், நம்முடைய பயணம் ஒரு நாளைக்கு அமெரிக்காவுக்கும் பிறிதொரு நாள் பிரான்சுக்கும் என்று நாம் எக்காளமிட்டு மகிழ்ந்தாலும், விசா தேவைப்படாத தொடர்பயணம் மயானம் நோக்கியதுதான் என்று நம்முடைய அறநூல்கள் வரையறுத்துச் சொன்னாலும் ஒவ்வோராண்டும் அறுபட்டுக் குறைவதை பிறந்த நாளாகக் கொண்டாடிக் குதூகலிக்கிறதே நவீன காலத் தலைமுறை!

பிறப்பு என்பது துயரம்; அது ஒருவகையில் செய்ததையே செய்வதுதானே! உண்டதையே உண்கிறோம்; உடுத்ததையே உடுக்கிறோம்; உரைத்ததையே அடுத்தடுத்து உரைக்கிறோம்; கண்டதையே காண்கிறோம்; கேட்டதையே கேட்கிறோம்; சலிக்கவில்லையா என்று கேட்பார் பட்டினத்தார்!

"பிறப்பதற்கே தொழிலாகி இறக்கின்றாரே' என்பார் அப்பர். வான்புகழ் வள்ளுவனிலிருந்து கடைசி அறநூலான ஆத்திசூடி வரை அனைத்துமே பிறவாப் பெருநெறிக்கு வழி சொல்ல எழுந்த நூல்களாதலால், துயரத்துக்கு வித்திடும் பிறப்பைக் கொண்டாடும் பழக்கம் தமிழனுக்கு இல்லை. ஆங்கிலவழிக் கல்வி நமக்குக் கற்பித்த ஒரு புதுவகைக் கொண்டாட்டம் இது.

புத்தன், வள்ளுவன், ஏசு, நபிகள் நாயகம், காந்தி ஆகியோரின் பிறப்பால் உலகம் மாற்றமுற்றது. ஆகவே இவர்களின் பிறப்பை இவர்களையல்லாத மக்கள் கொண்டாடினார்கள். நம்முடைய பிறப்பால் நிகழ்ந்த மாற்றம் என்ன? நாமே கொண்டாடிக் கொள்வது அசிங்கமாக இல்லையா?

ஐரோப்பியக் கலாசாரம் இன்னொரு கொண்டாட்டத்தையும் நமக்குக் கற்பித்திருக்கிறது. அது "திருமண நாள்' கொண்டாட்டம்!

வெள்ளைக்காரர்கள் மூன்றாம் திருமணநாள் என்று கொண்டாடுவதற்குக் காரணம் அடுத்த திருமணநாளை அந்த வெள்ளைக்காரி யாரோடு கொண்டாடுவாளோ?

மூன்றாண்டு நீடித்ததே அதிசயம் என்பதால் வெள்ளைக்காரர்கள் கொண்டாட வேண்டியதுதான்!

தமிழர்களின் நிலை அதுவல்லவே. கட்டக் கடைசியில் அவனுடைய தலைமாட்டில் உட்கார்ந்து, விரித்த தலையோடு கூவிக் குரலெடுத்து அழுது, வாசல்வரை வந்து அவனை அனுப்பிவிட்டு, எஞ்சிய காலமெல்லாம் அவன் தன்னைப் போற்றி வைத்துக் கொண்ட நினைவுகளைச் சுமந்து கொண்டும், சுற்றியிருப்பவர்களிடம் சலிப்பில்லாமல் சொல்லிக் கொண்டும் வாழ்கிற ஒரு தமிழ்ப்பெண் எதற்காகத் திருமணநாளைக் கொண்டாட வேண்டும்? மூச்சு விடுகிற நினைவே இல்லாமல் நாம் மூச்சு விட்டுக்கொண்டிருப்பதுபோல், இன்பத்திலும் துன்பத்திலும் இணைந்தும் பிணைந்தும் வாழும் நினைவே இல்லாமல் இயல்பாக வாழ்கிறவர்களுக்குத் திருமணநாள் என்னும் பெயரில் கொண்டாடுவதற்கு என்ன இருக்கிறது?

காலில் வலி இருந்தால்தானே கால் நினைவுக்கு வரும்; தலை வலிக்கும்போதுதானே தலை இருப்பதே நினைவு வரும். காலையும் தலையையும் தொட்டுப் பார்த்து ஒருமுறை நினைத்துக் கொள்வோமே என்பது வேலையற்ற வேலைதானே!

பிறந்தநாள் விழா, திருமணநாள் விழா என்று கொண்டாட்டங்களைக்கூட இரவல் வாங்கத் தொடங்கி விட்டார்களே தமிழர்கள்.

இவை மட்டும்தானா? அழகிப் போட்டி வேறு நடத்துகிறார்கள். இந்திய அழகி, தமிழ்நாட்டு அழகி, சென்னை அழகி, வேலூர் அழகி, வந்தவாசி அழகி என்று ஊர் ஊருக்கு அழகிகள் தேர்வுகளும் அறிவிப்புகளும் நடக்கின்றன.

ஒரு கடைக்காரனிடம் போய் ஒரு குறிப்பிட்ட வார இதழின் பெயரைச் சொல்லி, "இருக்கிறதா?' என்று கேட்டால், "அது எதுக்கு சார்? அது பழசு; நாளைக்குப் புதுசு வந்துவிடும்; காலையில் வாருங்கள்; தருகிறேன்' என்கிறான்.

போன வார இதழ் இந்த வாரம் வெறும் எடை மதிப்பை அடைந்து விடுவதைப்போல, சென்ற ஆண்டு அழகி இந்த ஆண்டு தள்ளுபடி நிலைக்குப் போய் விடுகிறாள். இது என்ன அழகு?

தமிழர்கள் அழகைப் போற்றத் தெரியாதவர்களில்லை. "நலம் புனைந்து உரைத்தல்' என்று பெண்ணின் அழகைப் போற்றத் தனித்துறையையே வகுத்துக் கொண்டவர்கள் அவர்கள்.

ஒரு பெண் ஊருணியில் தண்ணீர் குடிப்பதற்காகக் குனிந்து, இரு கைகளாலும் மொண்டு நீரைக் குடிப்பதற்காக முகத்தருகே கொண்டு போனாள். அந்த நீரில் மீன்கள் துள்ளுவதைப் பார்த்து, "ஐயய்யோ' என்று கூவிக் கொண்டே கைகளை உதறினாள். கரையில் மீன்களைக் காணாமல் திகைத்து நின்றாள் என்று ஒரு பெண்ணின் கண்களை மீன்களாகப் போற்றுகிறது விவேக சிந்தாமணி.

ஓர் அழகி, ஓர் இளம்பெண் என்று பொதுமைப்படுத்தி நலம் பாராட்டுவதுதான் தமிழர்களின் இயல்பே அன்றி, ஒரு குறிப்பிட்ட பெண்ணை, அவளை "இன்னாள்' என்று பெயர் சுட்டி, அவளுடைய வடிவத்தை, அதன் வளைவு நெளிவுகளை, ஏற்ற இறக்கங்களை பாராட்டுவது தமிழர்களின் பண்பு இல்லை."

"உன்னுடைய அகன்ற மார்பைப் பல பெண்களின் கண்கள் உண்கின்றன; நீ பரத்தன்; பொதுப் பொருளான உன் மார்பை நான் புல்லேன்'' என்று சண்டைக்குப் போகும் தலைவியை நமக்குக் காட்டுகிறான் பேரறிவாளன் வள்ளுவன் (1311). அது ஒரு பெண் ஊடலுக்குப் படைத்துக் கொண்ட கற்பனைதான் என்றாலும் தனக்கு மட்டுமே உரித்தானவனாகவும், உரித்தானவளாகவும் இருக்க வேண்டும் என்பதுதான் தமிழர்களின் காதல் வாழ்வின் அடிப்படை.

அதே பல பெண்களை மேடையிலே நிறுத்தி, ஒவ்வொருத்தியையும் உறுப்புவாரியாகப் பலரும் ஆராய்ந்து மதிப்பெண் போட்டு, "இவள்தான் சென்னை அழகி' என்று அறிவிக்கப்படுவதைத் தமிழ்நாட்டால் எப்படி ஏற்றுக்கொள்ள முடிகிறது?"

ஹ்ர்ன்ழ் ஜ்ண்ச்ங் ண்ள் க்ஷங்ஹன்ற்ண்ச்ன்ப்' என்றால் வெள்ளைக்காரன், "பட்ஹய்ந் ஹ்ர்ன்' என்பான்! தமிழன் காலில் போட்டிருப்பதைக் கழற்றி அடிப்பான்! அந்த நிலைகளெல்லாம் தகர்ந்து வருகின்றனவே. தமிழனுக்கு வந்திருக்கும் நோய்தான் என்ன?

ஒரு மோட்டார் சைக்கிளில் ஒரு பெண்ணை நடுவே வைத்து முன்னும் பின்னும் இரண்டு இளைஞர்கள் அமர்ந்து செல்கின்றனர். கேட்டால் நட்பு என்கின்றனர். இரண்டு பேருக்கும் நட்பு; அதனால்தான் நடுவில் அமர்கிறாள்!

கண்ணகி தன் உயிருக்கு உயிரான கணவனை "நண்பன்' என்கிறாள். "நறைமலி வியன்மார்பின் நண்பனை இழந்தேங்கி' (சிலம்பு-துன்பமாலை 38)"

"உடன்பிறந்தாள் உடனாயினும் ஒரு வீட்டில் தனித்திருக்க நேரிடின் அதைத் தவிர்த்து விடுக'' என்று அறிவுரை கூறும் ஆசாரக்கோவை அதற்குக் காரணமாக ""ஐம்புலனும் தாங்கற்கு அரிதாகலான்'' (65) என்று வரம்பு கட்டுகிறது!

அதியமானும் ஒளவையும் பால் வேறுபாடுகளைக் கடந்து நண்பர்களாய் விளங்கி இருக்கிறார்கள். அறிவு முதிர்ச்சி, வயது இரண்டும் அந்த நட்பு திரிந்து போகாமைக்கான காரணங்கள்.

இவள்தான் காற்சட்டையும், "கர்ர்ந் ம்ங்' என்று அச்சடிக்கப்பட்ட பனியனும்தான் பெண் விடுதலையின் அடையாளங்கள் என்றல்லவா நினைக்கிறாள்.

இதிலே "பறக்கும் முத்தங்கள்' வேறு! உதடு பொருந்தாதவை எப்படி இனியவையாய் அமையும்! எல்லாமே ஒரு பாவனைதானே! பாசாங்குதானே! போலிதானே!

ஆளுகின்றவன் போலி; அதிகாரி போலி; சாமியார்கள் போலி; பழக்கவழக்கங்கள் போலி; பண்பாடு போலி; அனைத்துமே போலி!

இரண்டாயிரம் ஆண்டுகளாகக் கருதிக் கருதி உருவாக்கப்பட்டுப் போற்றிக் காக்கப்பட்ட அடிப்படைகள் தகரும்போது, எல்லா மட்டங்களிலும் அந்தத் தகர்வு பிரதிபலிப்பது இயற்கைதானே!

காலம் தலைகீழாய்த் தொங்குது கண்ணம்மா!

Maathi Yosi - Movie Review

2010-03-14T11:10:00.000-07:00

http://karthiksmoviereview.blogspot.com/2010/03/maathiyosi-yosikkave-illa.html

Tirupathi Visit - March 2010

2010-03-09T05:06:00.000-08:00

Tirupathi is not something new to many of you and me too. I had been there many times right from my childhood but always with my family.

This time, it was a different experience since I went with my UG friends. We were 10 in number (8 UG friends Ajith, Ilayathulasidharan, Karthik Raja, Manikandan, Raghu, Sathish, Yuvaraj, Myself and 2 friends of friends Gopi and Dhinakar).

The other reasons this Tirumala trip being different was that this was the first time I climbed up by footpath and most importantly this was the first time I went to Tirumala after I started a blog :P

We planned for a weekend trip, Mar 6 and 7' 2010.

3 of us started from Bangalore, 6 from Chennai and 1 was already working in Tirupathi. We all reached Tirupathi by 3:30AM. We started climbing by 4AM. After taking many breaks (including a long tiffin break at 5:30AM on the way), we reached Tirumala by 9AM. All of us were sweating a lot and very tired.

Rooms were already booked. We had rest in the room till 1PM. Meanwhile, 2 of us inquired for dharshan tickets. Yeah, tickets are given in the footpath. But we didn't collect it since there was a long queue.We got to know about 'Sheekra Dharisanam' for which we have to pay Rs.300/- per head. There were specific timings for it, like 4AM to 6AM, 7AM to 6PM, 9PM to 11PM on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and some other timings on other weekdays. The queue was appearing like a fast moving one. So we decided to go by that on Sunday, 7AM.

We planned for a local sight seeing on saturday afternoon. After a bargain, we settled with a Jeep wala for Rs.800/- to show 7 places in Tirumala.

Those 7 places were

1. Srivaari Paadalu
2. Rock Garden (Silathoranam)
3. Temple behind Rock Garden
4. Sri Venugopalaswami Temple
5. Aakasha Ganga
6. Paapavinasam &
7. Jabbaali

This number 7 has nothing to do with 7 people in the photograph put above :)

Among the 7, Jabali was the only place we found it very pleasant and enjoyable. After a 15 min walk from road, we reached an Anjaneyar temple and a pond bounded completely by forest with tall trees. The temple was very nice. Some North Indian saints are staying there permanently. If we had been there during night, we might have got some 'Sivabhaanam' :P

We had a good sleep on Saturday night. Sunday morning, we woke up early and reached near Vaikuntam complex by 7:30AM after having breakfast. To our surprise, the 300Rs queue was heavy that time, unlike the day before. We had no other go than to find the tail of queue and make it even more bigger.

It took 3 hrs to reach the Deity but we had a wonderful time waiting in the queue, making fun of each other, discussing a lot about many things etc. There few more things we did which are censored ;)

We collected the Laddu, vacated the room and came down by bus. We reached Keezh Tirupathi by 2PM. Chennai guys had a bus reserved at 3PM. We had a good lunch. It was very hot down in Tirupathi. We couldn't tolerate the heat. We Bangloreans had a tough time in catching a Bangalore bus. As you all know, there is always a Black ticket option. We payed extra Rs.80/- per ticket and got seat in KSRTC bus. Bus reached Majestic by 10PM.

Every time I visit Tirupathi, I admire the wonderful administration of TTDevastanam. With such a crowd, how cleanly they maintain the premises, the clean toilets being a good example to mention. Though I am not a firm believer of God, I believe in the divinity in Tirumala. That 4 mada streets, speakers always chanting some songs/slokas/Bhagavad Geetha recital... Such a wonderful ambience!!

It is always an enjoyable experience to go with friends. Divinity+Enjoyment. This Tirupathi trip is one of the trips which will reside permanently in my heart! :)

Vinnaithaandi Varuvaaya - Movie Review

2010-03-02T05:36:00.000-08:00

Posted in my Movie Review blog

http://karthiksmoviereview.blogspot.com/2010/03/vinnaithandi-varuvaya-chemistry-or.html

Asal - Movie Review

2010-02-21T10:12:00.000-08:00

Take Diversion to my Movie Review Blog

Leader(Telugu) - Movie Review

2010-02-21T09:21:00.000-08:00

Take Diversion to my Movie Review Blog

Bangalore-Wayanad-Calicut

2010-02-16T09:31:00.000-08:00

Wayanad has always been my dream tourist destination and it happened last weekend (Feb 12,13 and 14 - 2010).

Myself and my IIITB batchmates Bala, Jithu, Sid and Vikram had a wonderful time in the most interesting tourist spot of Kerala.

There are good number of web pages having details about the tourist places of Wayanad. So my post is not intended to repeat the same stuffs. I would like to share our own experiences in this trip and some information like entrance charge, transport facilities within Wayanad etc. which is not available in many web pages.

Few things to be known if you are planning for a Wayanad tour.

1. Wayanad is a district and Kalpetta is its Headquarters
2. At least 1 week is needed to cover all the tourist spots of Wayanad. So don't be very optimistic to see all places if you are planning for a shorter tour
3. Be ready to have good amount of small and large trekking. Most of the places can be seen only after a tough walk
4. Don't forget to take your shoes.

Now let me start our story :)

Bangalore-Kalpetta

We booked a Rajahamsa bus which goes from Bangalore to Calicut via Kalpetta. Ticket cost including reservation charges was around Rs.700 (to and fro) per head.The return bus boarding was at Calicut. Hence we planned half a day on Sunday (Feb 14) for Calicut and rest 2 1/2 days for Wayanad. The bus started from Shanti Nagar (Double Road) bus stand by 8.15PM (Thursday, Feb 11). Myself, Jithu and Bala boarded at Shanti Nagar while Sid and Vikram boarded at Satellite Bus station (Mysore Road). The bus stopped for around 3 hrs early morning since Bandhipur forest roads are closed during night (usually 6PM to 6AM). We reached Kalpetta by 7AM on Friday (Feb 12).

Day 1: Friday, Feb 12

We 5 like to plan on the go. So, with a little googled knowledge about Wayanad and a map on hand, we landed Kalpetta. First task was to book a room. After making enquiries in 3 hotels near Kalpetta bus stand, we booked a single room (which can accommodate 5) for Rs.925/- per day in Prince Hotel. We booked room for 2 days only.

Next task was to hire a vehicle to go for sightseeing. Though the hotel person suggested few travels, we decided to find a taxi on our own. There was a taxi stand near the hotel. After some bargaining, we booked an Omni for Rs.1200/- per day. We started our sightseeing at 10AM after having a good breakfast at Udipi restaurant. (It is hard to find a Pure Veg hotel in that area).

First spot was Soochipara Falls. (Entrance Charge: Rs.20/- per head) We reached there by 11AM. It was very hot. We need to walk for more than a km from road to reach the water falls. Sid started feeling tired from then and it continued till Sunday :). The place was not crowded. Tourist can actually plan here for their morning bath. It is very good with not much risks (unlike Meenmutty falls).

We had lunch in some nearby hotel. After seeing the kind of rice served, we decided not take rice food anywhere in Wayanad. It was so horrible. After having so many fruit juices, we kind of got back the energy lost in Soochipara climbing.

The next place for the day was Edakkal Caves. (Entrance charge: Rs.10/- per head and Rs.25/- for camera). We reached there by 3PM. Cars will stop at a place and we can take a jeep (Rs. 16/- per head for jeep) will leave us near (not very near) Edakkal caves. We have to do some adventurous narrow climbing to reach the place where ten thousand years old inscriptions are present. While climbing, there was a place where stream water was leaking out. It was so pure and tasty.

The next spot was Meenmutty falls. We reached there by 5PM. But we were informed that entrance is closed after 4:30PM. While we were thinking what to do next, a person came and asked whether we needed guide for Neelimala view point (which was not in our plan at all). He said that it will take 2 hrs to go up and come down. The guide charge was Rs.150/- which we realised as worth after climbing the hills. What a beautiful place! Meenmutty falls on the other hill, sun set, cool breeze, mist starting to cover,alternating bright and dark places in forest!!! Wow, this place is a must see in Wayanad. One has to be careful while climbing up. There are few risky places, a slip will take you 1000 feet down.

We came down by 7:30PM and went to a nearby Shiva temple since it was Shivrathiri on Feb 12. Could see lot of typical Kerala girls there ;)

After a day full of tiresome walks, we realised that the omni was standing idle most of the times since all the spots took long hours to see. So we decided not to hire a vehicle for a whole day for the next 2 days.

We decided to wake up early next morning since we have to start climbing Chembra peak ASAP. All had a sound sleep.

Day 2: Saturday, Feb 13

We asked the omni wala to give a drop at starting point of Chembra peak trekking. He charged Rs.200/- We went there by 8AM. The guide charges for that is Rs.500/- (max 10 ppl) collected by Forest department. We got a boy named Jishad who is doing his 10th standard as guide. Sun had already started to fry us and the climbing path was very steep. Paths were eroded at some places due to the heavy rain which troubled western ghats a month back. It is advisable to carry some chocolates, glucose and most importantly at least 2 lit of water per person. While we were taking a stop every 5 mins, the guide boy never felt tired. Not even a single drop of sweat came from his face.

Even we will become that tough after 10 such climbs, I think so :) The heart shaped lake is the famous spot to see over the hill. It seems, that lake never got dried up. Climbing down was very risky. It was slippery in many places. Here comes the importance of shoes with good friction. Those who were wearing slippers found it very difficult to cimb down. We came down by 2PM. Meppadi is the nearest town. We went there in a jeep (charge Rs.150/-) After having lunch (of course, not rice food) at Meppadi, we took an auto to Meenmutty falls (charge Rs.150/-). This time, we were very cautious that we should reach Meenmutty on time.

We reached there by 4PM. From road, we have to walk 1.9Km inside, to reach the Meenmutty falls entrance ticket counter. (Entrance Charge: Rs.300/- max 10 ppl). From there, another 1 km tough walk. This is one of the most adventurous spot in Wayanad. We have to first climb down (almost -90degree slope) to reach the falls and then climb up (almost +90 degrees slope) back. Good that there were ropes tied to trees in slippery places. People will surely fall down if they walk without holding the rope. All the hardships vanish when we see the gigantic falls.

Letting our body get hit for few secs in that rapidly flowing falls is a great experience which can't be explained by words. All were looking reddish after having bath in that wonderful place.From meenmuty falls, we hired an auto to Vaduvancha (Rs.30/-). From Vaduvancha, we boarded a bus to Kalpetta (Ticket Rs.12/- per head). We had the satisfaction of traveling in all kinds of road transport. I would say, a tour is never complete without a bus ride with local crowd. That 1 hr travel gave us a good feel for the place. Since Malayalam is very close to Tamil and all of us knew Tamil, it was not difficult to manage in many places. We could comfortably pretend like a Malayali with frequent ivvade, avvade and cheta :)

If you had noticed, the total travel charge for saturday was less than Rs.600/- which was half the amount we paid for omni on first day. We took a right decision! (which happens very rarely :P)

Day 3: Sunday, Feb 14

It was the last day and we have to board Bangalore bus at Calicut at 9PM. Calicut was around 100kms from Wayanad. We planned to spend half a day in wayanad and then go to calicut by evening, spend some time in beach and catch the bus.

We vacated the room but we needed some place to keep the luggage and see few other places of Wayanad. We saved Rs. 925/- (which would have costed if we had extended the room till afternoon) and rented a Omni for half a day (Charge Rs.600/-) so that we can keep luggage in car and go for sight seeing (We should have replaced Pranab for Finance minister post :P). We asked the driver to show Banasura dam, Pookote lake, Chain tree and give a drop at Vythiri (this place is on the Wayanad-Calicut route)

We reached Banasura Sagar dam by 9:30AM (Entrance Charge:Rs.10/- per head). The place was very pleasant. Mist was still covering. Banasura dam is famous for speed boat ride (Charge: Rs.300/- max 5 people). Speed boat ride in that beautiful climate with birds flying in groups along with us was a beauty. Speed boat ride in Banasura dam during mornings or evenings is an ideal thing every Wayanad tourist should go for. For the first time, I was wearing a life jacket :)

Next place was Pookote lake. It was crowded with many tourists in big groups. There we have pedal boats. But when we went to buy boating tickets, we were asked to wait for 1 more hour since 65 people made a bulk booking. We were also not much fascinated looking at it after having a great ride in Banasura.So we just had a walk around the lake and went to see Chain tree which was near Pookote lake.

Chain Tree is a dumb spot which has nothing except for a tree tied up with a chain and a ghost story behind it. Only Jithu liked that spot :P

After having lunch, the driver dropped us at Vythiri. Calicut buses which start from Kalpetta, Mananthavadi and other places of Wayanad will go through Vythiri. But all the buses which came there were crowded. After leaving few buses, we had no other option but to go standing (Ticket Rs. 34/- per head). This road was climbing down the Western ghats with many hair pin bends. We climbed up the western ghats from Bangalore on first day and climbed down to Calicut on 3rd day. I was wondering looking at the live geography classes and also regretted for not understanding about mountains and other related stuffs during school days. Now, if I look at the terrain view of Western ghats in Google map, it is fascinating. This is the take away from tour (of course every tour is an educational tour).

Before moving to the last few hours at Calicut, let me list some final observations about Wayanad.

1. We can't see many honeymoon couples unlike other hill stations. The couples will become extremely tired after a day long trekking is the justification I could think of. (Should I elaborate more? :P)
2. There are good amount of kids (aging between 8 and 15) climbing all the places with great energy and surprised smile. They were the motivators for their parents to climb and also aged young people like us ;)
3. The auto/jeep/car walas are not very greedy. There won't be any necessity for a bargain in most of the places.

We reached Calicut by 3.45PM. We managed to find a cloak room in bus stand. Most of the buses in Calicut were privately owned. We had to some how spend time till 9PM (bus boarding time). We came to know that beach was 3Kms away from bus stand. We saw something strange in Calicut. People were depending a lot on autos. Whenever an auto reaches bus stand to drop some one, there will be another group rushing inside the auto. People were running behind autos even before it stopped so that they get chance to get a place. We people who were used to seeing autos which stand empty in road corners and auto drivers calling us "Sir, Auto beka?" could not compete with the localites in catching an auto.

So we decided to take a walk (walking was not a big deal after having a Wayanad trip) instead of waiting for autos. To be frank, we had no expectation from Calicut beach. Except for seeing Calicut near Arabian sea in map, we had no clues about the beach. We were little skeptic whether it will be just a fishermen area. But we were taken by surprise looking at the crowd in beach and the festive mood spread all over that place. It was the last day of 13th Malabar Mahotsav. Sanjeevanam's food festival, Daler Mehndi's show, food stalls, busy beach road.... Calicut visit was a wonderful finishing for the tour. After so many days, I got a chance to fly kites. Not bad, I haven't lost touch.

I had been to many places in the past 2 years after joining IIITB. I would rate this tour as the best one. The places being the obvious reason, another important factor is our group. All were in same tuning and all of us had 'Simplicity and Sense of humour' as a common character. I wish to go for many more tours with this group!

I feel like Wayanad welcoming me again to visit the places that were left by us! I will come back soon, my dear! :)

Lord Muruga Controversy

2010-01-30T01:44:00.000-08:00

Well this post has nothing to do with my atheistic inclinations. Just thought of sharing my doubt.

I have always known Lord Muruga (Shiva's 2nd son) as 'Thamizh Kadavul' (Tamil God). That is the insight(!?) I got, watching movies like Agathiyar, Avvayar etc. For a long time, I didn't mind it.

One day, I came to know the reason for keeping my name as 'Karthik'. It seems some well wisher near our home prayed to Lord Muruga (Karthikeyan) that at least that time (4th time :P) my mother should give birth to a male baby (I have 3 elder sisters) and if that happens, 'His' name will be kept for that child. So came this name. After hearing my own story, my interest towards Muruga increased ;)

I started thinking. If Muruga is a Tamil God, then how many sons does Shiva have according to rest of India. And if Muruga is a Tamil God, how come the name Karthik is kept even in other parts of country. No one could clarify me.

Later (probably 4 yrs back), when I was in a Karnataka tour, I went to Subramanya temple, Shiva's 2nd son in another name. (I don't know whether he is called Kannada God there:P).

So someone has to clarify me. If Muruga is not a Tamil God, then what about Agathiyar, Avvayar stuff? False information??? Or does Muruga also has different avatars(like Lord Narayana) in different Indian states?

Let me bring the email and SMS trend to blog too. "If you clear my doubt, you will get the blessings of Muruga. Or pass this doubt to 100 people and get salvation. If you neglect this post, you will also suffer like Muruga with 2 wives (for women, 2 husbands)" :D

Naanayam - Movie Review

2010-01-27T09:06:00.000-08:00

The trailer of the movie was very good. But it was unfortunate that all the good scenes were put in the trailer.

The expectation was a fast and thrilling first half and may be a boring and slow 2nd half. But the movie was very boring during first half and relatively less boring during 2nd half.

The story is new to Tamil. But screenplay is old model. There are many bank robbery English movies. Director could have copied some scenes from them properly and given a good entertainer.

Prasanna is a good actor and he is perfect in this movie too. He is a promising young actor!

I was expecting a surprise from Sibiraj. But he is not good even as a villain. He tried to imitate his father as a 'casual villain' but couldn't reproduce even 10%. 'Sibiraj is not fit for acting'. Hence proved! :)

SPB. No scope for him too.

Heroine waste. Chumma edhaavadhu side role pannalam!

Other characters are not even worth mentioning.

The songs were sounding like OK type. But in the movie, it was a complete show stopper. Audience were just pissed off when each song came.

I would say, it is a good decision to have chosen Thaman for BGM though some pieces were recycled ones.

The director would have got encouraged by the success of 'Eeram'. But with a slippery screenplay, it became another mokkai movie.

Watch this movie if you are also 'vetti' like me ;)

Let me end with a positive note.I liked the message which the movie was trying to say.

"Illegal relationship with a woman and Relationship with an illegal woman. Both are dangerous" :)

Karpoora Mullai BGM

2010-01-23T06:29:00.000-08:00

A long awaited search ended today!

I had been home for weekend and was sleeping today afternoon. When I woke up at 4, I saw Amala and Srividya on Jaya TV. OMG! Karpoora Mullai. I just can't believe. It was a dream or true or 'dream come true'?

This movie has a wonderful BGM which will just stir your heart and surely make you cry. We had an audio cassette in our home which had this BGM as bit music to fill the gap on 'A' side. It was unfortunate that I missed that cassette.

Then it had been a long search on net. I never got this BGM :(

Today I don't want to miss it. 2 cellphones with recording facility and recording tool in my laptop. All set to record the wonderful BGM! And I finally did it.

Yes I recorded that brilliant piece of music and I am going to share it with you all.

The audio quality is not good. But something is better than nothing.

Enjoy the great musical piece by Music maestro, God of Music, Isaignani, 'Ilayaraaja'.

D/L Link 1:
http://www.4shared.com/file/205083417/a984f20/karpoora_mullai.html

D/L Link 2:
http://music.cooltoad.com/music/song.php?id=469778

Voice of Karthik: Ponmaalai Pozhudhu

2010-01-15T09:30:00.001-08:00

Movie: Nizhalgal
Music Director: Ilayaraaja
Original Singer: SP Balasubramaniam

My Voice:

mp3 Download link:

http://www.4shared.com/file/197799806/931b7838/ponmaalai_karthikvoice.html

Original song:

Kutty - Movie Review

2010-01-14T10:48:00.000-08:00

Even the original telugu movie Arya didn't inspire me a lot.

So obviously, watching this movie was one boring 2:30 hrs for me.

They need not have taken xerox copy of the original. Frame by frame replica. Tamil cinema industry is known for fresh thoughts. Please don't spoil our name.

Dhanush is one actor known for doing some intelligent chap kind of roles. Indha nalla payyan role lam suit aagala. But by all means, he is not irritating.

The newcomer Sameer is good. But I am worrying if he will also become some one like Abbas or Kunal :P

I always felt, Shreya is a heroine who can just be used for glamorous roles. Some homely looking heroine would have been a better choice.

Comedian. One expert comedian would have come in handy.

Devi Sri Prasad has done lot of recycling work. All tunes and BGMs are heard ones.

Regarding story, screenplay stuffs. We have seen a lot like this in old Tamil movies. 1980s had a lot of romantic movies like this.

On the whole, Kutty is one boring movie. May be, with family, if you want to see some recent movie, you can go for this.

Ayirathil Oruvan - Movie review

2010-01-14T10:38:00.001-08:00

I don't want to reveal the plot and spoil the suspense.

What a movie!!!!

One of the best movies I have ever seen!!

This movie will entertain and also educate you.

We should be proud to see such movies coming from India and that too from Tamil cinema industry!!!

Kudos to Selvaraghavan!!

Karthi's is entertaining. Reema sen is the most important character in the movie. Andrea is silent beauty. And finally Parthiban. A surprise package.

Songs are already hit. Even the BGMs are good.

Cinematography is just par excellence. This man Ramji deserves all awards!

This movie is beyond ratings.Sheer hard work. A must watch!

Please watch this movie in theatres and encourage this kind of works.

At least I am seeing it multiple times in theatres! :)

Vinnaithandi Varuvaya - Music Review

2010-01-11T09:38:00.000-08:00

Post removed considering the fact that lot of Rahman fans were hurt by my review.

Some are asking me to re-review. Sorry friends. Even after repeated hearing, (as it is advised by many that ARR songs will become more and more good after we hear many times) I was not inspired by VTV songs.

Yes, the post was sarcastic and hard. But it was more of a frustration from a person like me who had enjoyed great melodies of ARR during 90s and early 2000s. Yet, there are people who claim themselves as ARR fans accept everything they get. I appreciate their bakthi towards ARR.

Thanks for visiting my blog at least for scolding! ;)

P.S: Mail to karthickphd@gmail.com if you really want to see what I posted earlier

in-laws

2010-01-08T09:59:00.000-08:00

"70% of in-laws don't like each other. Rest 30% are good actors ;)"

Though there are many 'in-law' relationship, I will restrict to the most interesting and notorious relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in law alone.

We all say that this is a male dominated world. It is true too. But there is one area where it is female dominated. Where else? It is in maintaining Family relationship. Family head is a male just for a sake. Men as they age, kind of stop dealing the family related issues (it is the most complex issue). [If you are going to say "No, It is not the case in my family". I am simply going to reply "Yours is an exception". Even my family is an exception :)]

Lets move to the next family issue.

Right or wrong, we are having a social system where a girl who was living in a system for 20+ years is suddenly unplugged and plugged into another system with completely different setup after an event called marriage. Foreign agent in a system will always lead to chaos. [Multi Agent System students can elaborate more :)].

Got the picture?

A woman who has lot of powers vested with her gets an additional post called 'Mother- in-law'. Another woman with lot of confusions steps into a family to create more confusions. Though ppl utter this sentimental dialogue "you are like my daughter", they are called 'Daughter-in-law' to indirectly say "you are not my daughter"

"Karthik. You are a male chauvinist. Not all in laws have a strained relationship. I know in laws who live like mother-daughter" Please read the first line again. They are just good actors.

So having set the ground that in-laws will always have some problem between them, let us see what could be the reasons for that. There are many. Each one of use have a lot of stories in our own families. There are plenty of reasons to develop hatred. But I feel, everything boils down to 2 root causes.

1. Mother's possessiveness towards son. They just don't know how to react when another girl is asking for a share. Biological curse erases the fact from their memory that they are (/were) also a daughter in law to another women.There is another peculiar problem in a family with boy and girl. Usually Mothers show a lot of love towards her son than daughter. But this is only till both of them get married (I am yet to experiment this in my home since all my sisters are married and my mother shows lot of love towards me till now. Have to wait and see). Comparison done between the daughter-in-law and daughter is a major cause for problem again all because of the possessiveness problem.

2. For the girl, it is a complete change in lifestyle. The girl has to adapt right from wake up time to dinner time of that family. Some eat lunch at 2PM, some at 12 noon. Some families don't eat breakfast at all and some family eat 4 times a day. Which chore to share with mother-in-law? How much tamarind to be added for Sambar? Am I allowed to wear night dress during day time too? My mother in law maintains a shabby kitchen. Hooooof. Complete mismatch

So what can be done to solve this problem? First of all, can it be solved at all? Is there any desired solution that is defined? Lot of questions before us.

For sure, we can't ask people to change. There is no point in asking too. But we can at least try to change the system and increase the actors percentage from 30 to say, 70.

The probability of in-laws fighting decreases as their proximity decreases. [Who is going to write a mathematical model for this? :P].

So whats the suggestion from my side?

"Karthik. Wait wait. I got it. Are you going to suggest atomic family? Don't you know the importance of nuclear family? Isn't it good for children to grow under the care of grand parents? Who will take care of the parents who have been taking care of us these many years?"

Come on. Atomic families need not be 10000 kms apart meeting once in a decade. They can be in the same city too. Why not, in adjacent streets too.

As soon as a boy gets married, he should be made to stay in a separate house with his wife. Let the couples visit both their houses during weekends, festivals etc. Let the children spend the entire vacation with their grand parents.

If one needs the help of other, say, a working daughter-in-law needs her mother-in-law's help to take care of children or an ailing mother-in-law needs the care of her daughter-in-law, both the families can live together during that time. Now won't there be a problem?. Simple. When people become dependent, they won't create problems.

Making the in-laws to stay at a 'handshaking distance' will avoid 'hair-holding fights' :)

I am pretty much open to your comments and especially suggestions. After all, your inputs may help me too :P

Touching mail. Everyone who is planning for an arranged marriage must read

2010-01-07T08:03:00.000-08:00

Good for gals as well as guys....... who have or will be going for Arranged Marriage. Sending this to others too, so that they may understand the mentality of people who cud never find a mate for themselves, n had to finally settle for an Arranged Marriage. This is a real nice piece -

Author unknown…but well written…

Every girl's desire who go in for an arranged marriage.............

The woods were lovely dark and deep. Walking slowly beside her, in the

damp mud road, was her husband whom she barely knew. He was very

relaxed, happily watching a group of kids playing at a distance.

Her "mehandi" was still dark and smelling fresh, reminding of the

excitements and tension 2 days back. "It can't work this way

mom...please stop this", she kept telling her mother till the last

moment, who wouldn't listen but carry on with beautifying her. She had

been crying all night and her make-up had to be patched up twice or

thrice to hide her awkwardly swollen face.

It was too late now. She had to get married "NOW" to the guy...The guy

whom she had seen once and talked thrice. The guy about whom she knew

nothing at all but for his name and work. Everything happened in a

hurry and everything was over before she could breathe again... here

was she with this guy, all alone in this hill station... how can

anybody send their daughter such a long distance with a stranger???

"Hey look at that....!!!" he shouted in excitement... she shrugged and

looked where his finger pointed...

Bright colored balloons dotted the sky. Children were jumping in joy

and he seemed to be completely absorbed into it...colors are always

exciting...but not now. She was not with her friends, not with her team

mates, not even with her parents. This was not a 3 day tour or team

building trip. This was her life and she has been forced to start off

with this person.

Loneliness and discomfort with this stranger was sickening...She

looked at him in wonder... does he even realize that he has married

me? Does he understand that he has to love me, protect me, care for me, a

new girl, a stranger, all his life?

The marriage morning started like a daylight nightmare for her. The

first time in life she felt she should have fallen in love and then

married somebody. Some man who she would have felt more comfortable

with, someone whom she could call by name and introduce to friends,

someone whom she could trust. But marriage morning was obviously not

the time to think all these.

Her parents would never have said "no" if she had declared that she

was in love. But she was not emotionally attached to anybody she

met, especially guys. She was very friendly, playing, teasing, but never

had second thought for any man around her. That brought the entire

responsibility of looking for a groom on her parents' shoulders. Her

parents had had a very bad time with this entire process. They started

their groom search with unending "&" operation. The concatenation of

"Horoscope matching" & "Decent family" & "Good looking" & "Good pay" &

"same cast" & so on... that always gave 0 output. Now after all that 8

months hunt, they were not ready to hear her "ifs" and "buts" for this

'good guy'.

She had explained to her father. She does not feel anything for this

person. He is nothing more to me than any other software

professional. Like list of names she sees in the chat rooms. Distant

and usual...Her father asked her to talk to him and even meet him and

discuss their likes and dislikes. That meeting started like the

induction programme self introduction and ended like a 3 hour

seminar. She was waiting to get away from that place." So did you talk

with him?"."yes"."was he polite and decent"."Yes"."Oh he got that

special flavored tri-color ice-cream...!!!".OK. All her family and

relatives discussed...She was given the chance to "understand her life

partner" and that they have understood each other "well" and she is

ready for the marriage now.

All arrangements geared up and it was 24 days after her first meeting

that she was getting married to her man... perfect match as everybody

else described. Marriage hall was full with excited people, kids got

the chance to play, ladies got the chance to wear the silk saree.The

smell of rose and jasmine filled the hall. Different poses for the

photographer and artificial smiles for the videos. The moment he had

tied the sacred thread was unexplainable vaccum in the head. It was

over. She was his wife. Accepted by the society and law. Her proud

parents were relaxed. This was their duty they had been planning to

fulfill since she was born. All this crowd will fade away, leaving her

to explore her new world...

He pulled her hand gently to sit on the stone bench. The bench was wet

and the chillness was indeed enjoyable." So what are you thinking

about?"... that was an unexpected ball. Should she reply? Should she be

silent? She remembered the two hour presentation she had taken last

month. Bold and confident, she kept answering all the queries with a

broad smile. Now she remained silent." Do you know honey... I was not

for this marriage too..." Oh my God... what did I hear??? Did HE tell

that or did I think aloud? What does he mean? Didnt he like me? Was he

forced into this? He must have noticed the quizzical look on my

face...with a gentle smile he continued..."I wanted to look for a girl

myself, buy her everything, care for her, argue with her, laugh and cry

with her, then get married to her... Anything otherwise would be a

drama. Traditional drama and I was not for it anytime. But my love for

my work and also my stress would not give me time and mind to search

that girl...When your parents talked to me 2 weeks before our

marriage, about your fear of getting married, to a stranger, I could

completely understand your mind. I could see myself in you and that

was the moment I decided I will marry you. There was no time to prove

myself to you, make you trust me, everything happened in a hurry. But

there was the entire life before me, to please you, to love you, to

make you trust me. This is no less than what I had dreamt, the girl i

was waiting for, is you. Now tell me... will you love me???" Tears came

down her cheek. Her parents had done more than their duty. They had

found her the perfect guy. Thank you Mom!!! Thank you Dad!!! His

question remained unanswered yet both knew the answer....

Ilayaraaja 2009

2009-12-31T22:19:00.000-08:00

Thought of giving a list of Ilayaraaja's music which got released in the year 2009 and also discuss briefly about my favorite song of 2009.

Ilayaraaja has given a lot of gifts for us in 2009 unlike previous years.

*Dubbed ones not numbered in the list.

Tamil

1. Naan Kadavul
2. Nandalala
3. Azhagar Malai
4. Valmeeki
5. Kadhal Kathai
6. Jaganmohini
7. Kannukulle
8. Mathiya Chennai

*Pazhassi Raja came in Tamil too

I think IR is the composer who has got most number of Tamil albums released in 2009

Hindi

1. Paa
2. Chal Chalein

Malayalam

1. Bhagyadevatha
2. Pazhassi Raja

Telugu

1. Om Shanti

*Jagan Mohini, Naan Kadavul (Nenu Devudni) and Pazhassi Raja (?) were also released as dubbed version in Telugu

Kannada

1. Nannavanu
2. Bhagyadha Balegara
3. Prem Kahani
4. Suryakanthi

*Pazhassi Raja had a Kannada version too(?)

It is very difficult to tell one favorite 2009 IR song. Anyway let me try to discuss one song which inspired me a lot.

It is the song Koodavaruviya from Valmiki.

Wow! What a song! Fresh!

Percussion sounds are interesting to hear.

Interludes are soothing.

Bela Shende has such a wonderful voice.

This song deserves a better reach.

Sabarimala - Why do men flock in?

2009-12-24T06:57:00.000-08:00

With 45-50 million devotees going every year, the world's 2nd largest pilgrimage (after Hajj in Mecca), me questioning why people put Mala and visit Sabarimala in large numbers may sound silly.

Yes, Lord Iyyappan may be a powerful god (Other Gods have less power and are in need of glucose eh? [;]) but there should be some more attractive things. One could be the kind of clean feeling which Individuals get with 2 times bath, sandal thilak etc. It could also be the respect (at least orally) which others show calling 'Saami'.

No no, I am not satisfied. There should be something more.

Yeah, now I got the clue.

It is the restriction to women (typically aged between 13-50) which should be one of the most important attracting feature of Sabarimala.

"What?? Karthik, Are you crazy?"

Any man would recall he being Bachelor as the best part of his life. Post marriage life is hectic to the core. Wife, children, electricity bill, telephone bill, motor pump repair, aging parents...... Hoof.....Men just get stuck up with all these commitments. Don't we see men telling "It has been years since I saw a movie in theatre". Of course, even women get equally(or even more) committed and become busy. It is unfortunate that women don't get any opportunity to hang out.

For men, Sabarimala is the savior. More than Sabarimala, it is the tour they plan which gains importance. Free from office. Free from doing driver duty for children dropping them and taking them back from school. Free from scoldings of wife [:P]. Free from mother's complaints about wife [;)]. 1 week Bachelor life. Enjoy!!!!!!

Some one is going to stand on me shouting "You are an atheist". I can't say anything but "Swamiye Saranam Iyyappa!" [:)]

P.S: I have never put Samarimala Mala (may be because I am not yet married [;)]). So my views are completely secondary. I have taken typical middle class family as example (not people who go in car, take short route and finish Sabarimala dharshan in 1 or 2 days)

Vettaikaran - Movie Review

2009-12-19T06:57:00.000-08:00

With all bashings through SMS and emails, Vettaikaaran got released. I got the precious [:P] opportunity to see the film today. No disappointments. The movie is as bad as expected. So how bad is it? Lets see the bad things one by one [:)]

Story
All old stuff. Vijay coming to chennai. Some rowdies there. Vijay fighting with them.... Hooof. Same crap.

Anushka
There were guys who went to theatres expecting something(!!!!???) from her. Complete disappointment. She is not a good looking heroine in the movie. No scope even in songs. Cha Cha. Engal ilaignargal saabam ungala chumma vidaadhu Anushka.[;)]

Songs
Actually the songs are hit. But they were not positioned properly except 'Puli urumbudhu'. Audience were sleeping during 'Chinna Thaamarai' song. Vijay's hair style in that!!!! He he. Enga oor la oru paithiyakaaran, pathu varushama thalaikku ennavaikkaama kulikkaama suthikittu iruppan. Vijay was looking exactly like him in that song.

Villains
Again, old stuffs. I was expecting something different from Salim Ghouse (Vetri Vizha, Chinna gounder fame). Avarayum dummy aakitaangale!!!!!

Comedy
Sema mokka. Even Rajinikanth haves some good comedians as support for him. Vijaye ellathaym pannanumna epdi? Vadivelu's presence was deliberately neeeded in the movie.

Sun Pictures
I am a Sun Pictures hater. Now I start hating it even more. I don't know how am I going to control myself from beaking the television while seeing "Tamizhagamengum ippozhudhu paaparapaaga pesapattu kondiruppadhu Sun pictures vazhangi Vijay naditha Vettaikaaran Thiraipadam. Vetri nadai podugiradhu" in SUN News.

Vijay
Here comes our hero. Avan thirundha mattaan. Thirundhave mattan. I don't know when he is going to realise that even his fans are frustrated with the same type of movies. Actually, Vijay is one talented hero. Good dancing skills. Wonderful comedy timing sense. Good style. But he is trying his level best to use all of them to give consecutive bad movies. Keep the good(!?) work going, Vijay!

Vijay, Ajith and Simbu. 3 Idiots who are pulling Tamil industry down.

So, what's the verdict? Vettaikaaran is a MUST WATCH MOVIE

What(???????????!!!!!!!!!!!)

Yes, Must watch movie for Vijay haters. Your hatred will be justified once again. [:P]

My Favorite Songs (2009)

2009-12-08T10:47:00.000-08:00

2009 is going to end in few more days. Thought of listing my favorite songs from Tamil movies which got released in 2009. I am a melody lover, so all the listed songs are melodies.

There is no ranking or order. Just listed them in some random order

1. Uyiril Edho – Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu

2. Lesa parakkudhu – Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu

3. Om Sivoham – Naan Kadavul

4. Pichai Paathiram – Naan Kadavul

5. Maa Ganga – Naan kadavul

6. Amma Un Pillai – Naan Kadavul

7. Oru Kaatril – Naan Kadavul

8. Vizhi Moodi – Ayan

9. Chinna Sirisu – Kunguma Poovum Konjum Puravum

10. Oru vetkam varudhe – Pasanga

11. Kooda Varuviya – Vaalmeeki

12. Oru Devathai Paarkum – Vaamanan

13. Kannil dhaagam – Achamundu Achamundu

14. Azhagai Pookudhe – Ninaithaale Inikkum

15. Nila Nee Vaanam - Pokkisham

I have taken some pain to give link for each song. Enjoy hearing!

Also feel free to post your favorites of 2009 tamil songs.

P.S: All the songs in Nandalala are too good but unfortunately, the release of movie is getting delayed. I hope to mention those songs at least in 2010 list.

Feedback Needed

2009-12-05T19:34:00.000-08:00

Hi,

Thanks for having a look at my blog.

I have done some changes in template, layout design etc. to the blog.

I need your feedback.

It can be anything like font color, background theme, post arrangement etc. Let me help you with some sample feedback too :P

"Oh Karthik, please don't write. You are horrible"

"The template is some jingucha color. Don't you have even a minimum color sense?"

"Your display picture is scary. That alone is enough for ppl to get away from blog"

"I have never seen such a bad English"

"Everything is fine. But don't post your singing and all. It sounds bad"

Nothing like you should only curse me. You can give some appreciations too ;)

So please feel free to post (as comment to this post) a general feedback about my blog.

Thanks.
Karthik.R

Suryakanthi(Kannada) - Music Review

2009-12-01T00:26:00.000-08:00

Chan Chanaare
I guess it be heroine intro song. Nicely sung by Shreya Goshal

Jaikara Hakoona
Varieties of rhythm patterns. Hear the way both the interludes start (I guess, in this song 2 parallel sequences will be shown, something like vaanile thenila)
IR is the best in putting song for the movie. So there is no point finding fault in some of his compositions. He can't put anything else for that sequence.

Mauni Naanu
Nice melody. Soothing voice of Karthik. Wonderful orchestration! Interludes are brilliant! This song has 2 versions.

Swalpa Soundu
Lot of tala gimmicks done. Ilayaraja has tried some weird stuffs with his voice. Don't know why but the violin sequence which repeats often in this song reminds me Kadhal Kondain theme.

Edaya Baagilu
Song of the album. What a feel in voice! Nice and soft interludes. How can we believe if some one say that this song is composed by an old village man? Shreya Goshal has become everyone's favorite including IR. She has a magnificent voice. The only present singer who has all chances for becoming a legendary singer like Lata Mangeshkar, Suseela, Janaki etc. IR is using Kunal Ganjanwala often these days. He has a different voice!

Overall, a decent album by Ilayaraja.

Kids - God or Devil?

2009-11-28T23:56:00.000-08:00

"Oh Karthik! How can you even think of comparing kids with devils? Are you so hard-hearted?"

"Don't you remember the tamil song 'Kuzhandhayum dheivamum gunathaal ondru' (kids and God are same by character)?"

Well, even I am going to end the post as "Kids are like God" BUT NOT in the sense you all think.

I always take examples from my family. So have my Family Tree in another tab (or window) for easy reference.

I am typing this post with complete noise around me.

Sriranjani (2 yrs old) is eating for more than a hour. My mother almost lost her energy but still she manage to shout. While my mother got some hope that Sriranjani will finish eating in 10 more mins, Sri told "Paatti aai poganum" (Grandma, I have to go for toilet). Going, cleaning..... 30 more mins of eating after that.

Sriranjani is one super active kid. No one can match her energy level. She ll eat camphor, draw something on walls, go and pinch Nambirajan..... Hoof. Uncontrollable kid!

Nambirajan (1 months old) has got high fever. Yesterday only, I took his mother Kavitha to doctor since she too had fever. Kavitha is almost damaged. I call "Kavitha........." She started shouting "No one should call me"

Sudha is helpless in another room with fractured leg.

Vinu and Samvardhani are not troublesome now. But they were also troublesome till the age of 5. Vinu used to vomit everyday till her UKG. Sami had some breathing problem till the age of 3.

So how am I going to conclude that Kids are like God?

Believers of God usually say that God gives troubles to devotees so that they will always remember His presence.

Kids are also of same nature. They too give a lot of trouble and will always have our attention around them.

I insisted 2 children during my previous post. But also have in mind. You are going to have a tough time till the children attain at least an age of 5.

Marri 'age' - At what age?

2009-11-23T21:51:00.000-08:00

Please have my Family Tree in another tab for easy reference.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

20^th Nov 2009

2:30PM

My father: Karthik, Bad news. Sudha fell down in her office while climbing down the stairs and got her leg fractured.

Karthik: Appa, shall I come?

My Father: Wait I will let you know

FYI, Sudha works and lives in Chengalpattu only.

--------------------

3:15PM

My Father: It seems the injury is heavy. It is difficult to cure in Chengalpattu. So we are going to shift her to MIOT hospital, Chennai through ambulance. So you start from Bangalore now and come to MIOT hospital straight away.

Karthik: Ok Appa, I will start now. I ll reach hospital probably by 10:30PM

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Kavitha is already in Chengalpattu since she gave delivery to Nambirajan a month back. Latha also came to Chengalpattu and later she along with my father came to MIOT hospital. We 3 took different responsibilities.

Kavitha and my mother are taking care of Vinu, Sriranjani and Nambirajan. I was with my father helping him throughout the process. Latha is going to be the attender for my sister in hospital.

Sudha was operated on Saturday (21^st Nov) and she was shifted to general ward from ICU yesterday (23^rd Nov) and then only I returned back to Bangalore.

Only because, we 3 siblings were there, my parents were able to tackle the problem without any one else's help.

I have never felt, 4 children were too much for my parents. I (we) have always felt the importance of each sibling throughout my (our) life time.

Now I compare this with the ‘one child’ culture widely getting spread in our society these days. Our generation is planning a lot. We plan till retirement and come to a conclusion that 1 child is more than enough.

Leave alone disappearance of relationships like periamma, periappa, chithi, chithappa,mama etc (uncle, aunt) , leave alone population explosion of our country, there is another side to this 'one child' culture.

Who will be there for that son/daughter after the demise of their parents? Who will be there to participate in the goods and bads?

I am not recommending everyone to have 4 children. But it is advisable to have at least 2 children (be it of any combination boy-boy, boy-girl, girl-boy, girl-girl). People need some one of their contemporary age as a close relation.

"Ok Karthik, how is this related to the post title?"

Wait wait, I am going to address that only now.

One of the reasons for this ‘one child’ policy is the late marriages happening these days. Boys tend to marry between 28-30 and girls during 26-28. There are proven research about miscarriages during 30s. When a girl, marries after 26, then she will probably give birth to the first child during 28-30. After that, 3 yrs gap for the next child is necessary. So the 2nd child birth ll happen only in 30s.

This is where the couples start thinking like what will be our age when the child attains an age of 20, Will I be able to settle these children before I retire and so on.

I think, the couples should give birth to 2 children before their early 30s for which the marriage should have been done when the guy is during 25-26 and girl during 23-24.

To quote example from my own family, Sudha got married at 24 and she has 2 children now. Even Latha got married at 24 but she had some other issue, so only 1. Kavitha got married during her late 26 and she got a baby just a month back (when she was 28). Now she is reluctant towards 2nd due to age factor.

This is just my personal opinion. You may completely agree, kind of agree or completely disagree . Whatever it may be, pls feel free to share your thoughts.

I know, some well-wishers of mine are now going to ask “Karthik, when is yours?” :)

Don’t worry. Application form will be available online, shortly ;)

My Family Tree

2009-11-22T06:26:00.000-08:00

Voice Of Karthik: Karunai Deivame

2009-11-21T23:04:00.000-08:00

Raagam : Sindhu Bhairavi
Thaalam: Aadhi

Sorry to music connoisseurs who detect couple of wrong notes sung in between. After all, I am not a professional or even an aspiring singer

Download here

Paa - Music Review

2009-11-16T09:43:00.000-08:00

The tune of Mudi Mudi (and all other versions) is something which only Ilayaraja can produce. A continuous wave like flow. The way charanam blends back to pallavi is brilliant! The way instruments are used largely differentiates each version

Gum Sum Gum - One more dimension to Thumbe vaa. Great guitar and piano works! (Hear all the older versions here)

Halk Ke Se Bole - Again I am stuck how come the old female solo beautifully fitted in this children chorus. I hope this song will see the screen at least this time. (Old Version is must hear)

Hichki Hichki - Complex rhythm pattern followed. Sheer brilliance of Ilayaraja. I like the rendition "Jaane Do na". Waiting to see the picturisation of this song [;)]

Paa Song - "Full Lights On [:D]" Kudos to Amitabh. This song should be the crowd puller.

Paa Theme- Grand orchestration! Have you guys ever heard these kind of music? I hope now you will stop saying Ilayaraja is some south Indian folk music composer. Should I mention whom I am referring as 'you'?

A wonderful album by Ilayaraja! Wishing the movie a great success!

Inter * Marriages

2009-11-13T09:57:00.000-08:00

No no, * doesn't refer some censored word. Being a techie [;)] I used * in the context that it refers to anything.

Inter national (Rajiv-Sonia), Inter state (all in Chetan Bhagat's 2 states fever), Inter religion (Jain-Christian why always hindu-muslim?), Inter caste (Mudaliar - Thevar), Inter sub-caste (Iyer - Iyengar), Inter sub sub caste (Vadakalai-Thenkalai).I heard there were marriages conducted between human beings and donkeys too.. Not sure [:P].

hoof..how many divisions? Yes, * really refers to anything.

The level of tolerance towards such marriages differs between individuals. Some are OK till inter caste but nothing more than that. Some are OK as long as both belong to India, thanks to IT.

But most of the Indian marriages are not Inter*.

This post is not trying to speak for one and ridicule other. There have been successful stories in both sides and for sure, failures too. I will just show the roots of issue and leave it to the discretion of readers to take a stand.

First let me tell how I perceive these divisions/groups/societies. It is something like the "Divide and Conquer" algorithm. Divide a bigger problem into smaller ones, solve each small problem so that the bigger problem automatically gets solved. Probably, that should be the reason for these divides. People belonging to a group will help each other for their welfare. Similarly if all the groups does that, the entire human race will prosper. In this angle, division is not a problem.

Problem starts when one society wants to improve at the cost of other. We don't know who started what. But the problem never ends. I will drag you down because you will any way drag me down. That is the mentality.

With this existing less tolerant social system, 2 people (obviously men and women, this post does not speak about homosexuals) start loving each other. Most of the times, those 2 will belong to different sides of the 'Inter boundary lines' their parents have drawn.

Why do parents draw those boundaries? In most of the cases, those boundaries are drawn to ensure that they and their children don't get neglected from the society or group they belong to.

Here comes the interesting scenario. All parents in that society draw that line, afraid of being neglected by others in their society. So a parent won't draw a line if there is no fear of neglect. This is the reality. "I am afraid of others but I am also an other to others". Got it? :) Come on Karthik, what a philosophy! It has to be inscribed in some monument ;)

Inter* marriages happening at high class families (very rich) and low class families (very poor) usually don't face much problems. One don't care much about others and other have better problems to think of. Only in middle class, this is considered as a big problem.

Now what should those 2 true(!?) lovers do?

If they go ahead and marry against the wishes of parents, they may have to face tough time. They would be happy of their marriage but bitter consequences have to be faced. There may be a situation where no one will be there to help that girl during her delivery. Whose group will the child belong to? Struggle struggle struggle. Even though they struggle. most probably, they won't stop their children from doing Inter* marriages. So if many more marriages of that sort happens, then the reluctance towards Inter* marriages will go off and the entire social system may change.

But should those 2 face such a long battle just for changing the social system? Rather, why don't they understand the reality and part away leading a smooth life with so many relatives, so many well-wishers from their communities. But chances are that they won't allow Inter* marriages of their children too with the same ground of being neglected. Whats the result? No change in social system.

There is no trade-off. Either live with an angel in hell or live with a ghost in heaven. Which one to choose????

How can I say? :)

But I want to tell one thing. Don't think, more Inter* marriages will lead to a division-less society. Groupism is human's nature. Lets say Inter religion marriages is accepted by everyone. Then new combo groups like HinduMuslim, ChristianHindu, JainMuslim will form and there will be again 2 lovers from 2 different combo groups trying to break this and such people will eventually form another group, say HinduMuslimJain and that may be called as a caste "HMJ" some centuries later. Breaking and making divisions is a cycle. You and me won't be alive to see all those transitions.

Feel free to post your comment :)

P.S: I have done lot of assumptions while writing this post. So if you are going to counter argue on something, I may possibly say that an assumption ;)

A girl's scrapbook

2009-11-04T01:25:00.000-08:00

I recently got a friend request. I opened that profile and I believe, it is for sure, a fake one created in a girl's name.

Look at some of the scraps written to that profile by some foolish guys.

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is the photo of yours or not?
if yes ,then you look so cute...

Is this how you start a communication with an unknown girl?

hiiiiiiii dearrrrrrr

I still don't understand the context where dear is used.

heeiii...hw cn i find abt u.....

haan. do a google search.

y u didn't scrab me
first learn the spelling

hi shruthi hasan
why are you bringing in Shruthi Hassan nd all in this issue?

hi honey r u there
honey!!!??? again I don't understand this term

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Leave it. It was just a fake profile.

Many genuine girl profiles receive such non-sense scraps from some cheap guys. It is actually a shame to those guys and entire men community.

I have never seen a girl post such non sense thing in a guy's scrapbook.

When girls are so clever and controlled of not showing their dirty side ( IMO, All minds irrespective gender are dirty), why are you guys so foolish?

I usually call it a show off when girls put "Strangers pls stay away", "Fuck off strangers", "I don't accept friend request from strangers" etc. in their profiles.

But now I realise that most of them are not just show-offs.

P.S: Flirting is a different issue all together and this post has nothing to do with it.

Peranmani - Movie Review

2009-11-02T20:14:00.000-08:00

This is a brilliant movie. It was more than my expectation. Theatre was House-Full. Nice to see people encouraging movies like this.

Jeyam Ravi has done a great job. Good homework. Typical forest officer from tribal community.

5 girls. They have done a decent job. A good amount of importance given to them.

The movie was taking a different trajectory in first half showing "girls' world" ( like Shankar showed Boys' world) and so many muted dialogues. But later, the movie was in track and from then, movie went at jet-speed.

Sateesh Kumar (Cinematography). No one in Tamil industry has shown forest, hills and rivers like you.Wonderful!

Jananathan (Director). This man is a wonderful director. Hats off for his hard work. Jananathan is known for showcasing things which were not touched erstwhile in Tamil cinema like harbour,sea life in Iyarkai; bio war in ee and now it is about hills,forests,tribes,rocket launch,girls' world in Peranmai. He is successful in educating the audience.

This movie could have been taken even better. But I am not asking anything more :) It is far better than Aadhavan and Kanden Kadhalai.

Good movie Jananathan!

Please see this movie in nearby theatres!

Kanden Kadhalai - Movie Review

2009-11-02T19:54:00.000-08:00

I went to theatre with high expectation that the movie will be very fresh. But disappointment at last!

Bharath just don't know what to do. He just stands dumb. He got confused whether to act the same way like Shahid Kapoor or be original. In that confusion, he didn't do anything. Bharath is still looking childish. He can act manu more Chellames. He dances like a good side actor (side dancer). He is not dancing like a hero.

Tamanna's negative is her face, especially mouth. This movie was showing her mouth very closely. Acting wise, she has done a decent job. If not Jyothika or Jenilia, only Tamanna fits in.

Sapan Saran as Tamanna's relative girl Roja. Vera nalla moonji kidaikkalaya ungalukku? Saranya Mohan would have fitted or even some other new south indian girl would have been perfect.

Sathanam is the hero of movie. Trying to replace Koundamani void and he is almost successful. Briliant timing!

Vidyasagar's songs were not bad. But the songs were show-stopper in the movie. The theatre shouted "Iyyo Paatta?" before each song.

Sun Pictures. Another bad movie from their banner. But they would some how make it a HIT. I hate Sun Pictures like anything

Poove Poove - Siddu Plus Two First Attempt

2009-11-01T21:20:00.000-08:00

Siddu Plus Two First Attempt is a movie to be released, directed by Bhagyaraj. Audio got released few days back. Music by Dharan , Babu Shankar and Thaman S.

All the songs are ok. Very energetic.

One song 'Poove Poove' sung by Yuvan and Chinmayee is very nice to hear though it is little similar to Kadhal Kadhal Kadhalin fro 7G. The violin interludes are interesting to hear.

Click here to download the song

P.S: Link provided only to hear. Please buy original CD. Kill Piracy

My Monthly Budget

2009-10-31T06:29:00.000-07:00

	Debit	Credit
Scholarship		7000
Food Expenses (Avg Rs.100/- per day)	3000
Room Rent	1500
Electricity	200
Interest for Educational Loan	2000
Internet Charge (5000/6)	833
Total	7533	7000

I have already submitted a deficit budget. Think I ll some day become Finance minister of India :P

In addition I have to buy groceries, go for movies, travel home etc. etc. Hooooooffff!!!! Very difficult......

What if Siemens had not given me scholarship? :O

Pazhassi Raja - Movie Review

2009-10-30T10:40:00.000-07:00

Movies like this are not taken just for making money. So much efforts and pains. Such works should be applauded and they should become block buster. I am happy that Pazhassi Raja has become a hit. I am looking forward for its reception in other languages too.

Cast

Mammotty (Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja)

Majestic and Matured King role. Whatever language this movie would have been taken, only Mammotty will fit in this role. Though he is the protagonist, no unnecessary importance is given for him. Mammotty don't show his face every time. Even his intro scene is simple unlike the intros which chota heroes have in other south Indian films. This is something special about Malayalam movies. No aarpaattam.

Sarathkumar (Edachena Kunkan)

This man had a more heroic entry than Mammotty (The Tamilnadu wave? :P). This is Sarathkumar's first Malayalam movie. I don't know why there was a big applause for Sarath than Mammotty in theatre in his first scene though the audience were 90% malayalis. But Sarath deserves it. A brilliant performance. Lot of importance given to Sarath.

Manoj K Jayan (Thalakkal Chandu)

He has done a tribal warrior role. He is a very important person in Pazhassi Raja's army and in the movie too.His Guerrilla war tricks were interesting to watch.

Padmapriya (Neeli)

I actually pitied on her for acting in Pokkisham and was doubtful about her future. But she has come back strongly. The action scenes in which she comes were really mind blowing. So is the interaction scene with Manoj when they go for the tribal festival. What a performance!!! You deserve a National award.

Suman, Kanika, Thilakan and all other actors have done their role perfectly.

Technicians

Cinematography (Ramanath Shetty)

He has beautifully shown the the already beautiful Wayanad forests. It was a real treat to see those places. I feel like going there and be in the forests itself. So beautiful was it.

Sound Design (Resul Pookotty)

The Oscar fame Resul expects that there will be audience who will come just to hear the sounds he has given It can be even true to some extent. We have not heard such sounds of swords, rain, spitting, table moving etc in any other Indian movie before. But I feel there was a little over dosage. I remember Thotta dharani one time told that best set is something which people don't appreciate as a set. This is true to Sound effects too. It not be explicit.

Music (Ilayaraaja)

He is the hero of the movie according to me. Who else in India can give such a wold-standard music? Brilliant!!! Awesome!!!!! Great!!!! I can watch this movie 100 times just for the BGMs and of course songs are wonderful as I have written in my music review.The OST of the movie should be released. Hear one of the BGMs which was used quite a few times during fight scenes in the official website and it can be downloaded here. Ilayaraja has actually produced a part of the score at the Hungarian National Philharmonic (Hungarian State Symphony Orchestra), Budapest.

Screenplay (MT Vasudevan Nair)

I have not seen any other movie written by him. But I have heard a lot about him. Historic movie is always a tough job. A lot of research should be done. I want to clarify one thing. There was some complaints from some Tamilians that the movie projects Pazhassi Raja as the first freedom fighter. It is not true. No where in the movie was anything like that told. Pazhassi Raja in one scene tells about the Sivagangai freedom fighters too.

Direction (Hariharan)

Hats Off. Thanks for giving such a wonderful movie. Looking forward to see many good movies from you.

I would like to make a special mention about the action scenes. Lot of efforts have been taken to shoot those scenes. All the action scenes were interesting to watch.

Pazhassi Raja is a must watch movie!

I will watch it again in Tamil :)

புவி வெப்பமாதல் ஒரு விஞ்ஞானத் தில்லுமுல்லு!

2009-10-28T23:51:00.000-07:00

புவி வெப்பமாதல் என்பது வெறும் சுற்றுச்சூழல் சார்ந்த பிரச்னை மட்டுமல்ல; வளரும் நாடுகளின் எதிர்காலத்துடனும் பல லட்சம் கோடி ரூபாய்களுடனும் பின்னிப் பிணைந்திருக்கும் பிரச்னை.

புவியின் சராசரி வெப்பத்தின் அளவு அதிகரித்துவருகிறது. வளி மண்டலத்திலுள்ள கரியமில வாயு உள்ளிட்ட பசுமை இல்ல வாயுக்களின் அடர்த்தி அதிகரிப்பதுதான் இதற்கான முக்கிய காரணம் என்பதே புவி வெப்பமாதல் கருதுகோளின் அடிப்படை. ஆகையால், பசுமை இல்ல வாயுக்களின் அடர்த்தியை - குறிப்பாக, கரியமில வாயுவின் அடர்த்தியைக் குறைப்பதற்கான இலக்குகளை நிர்ணயிப்பதே இப்பிரச்னைக்கான முடிவாகக் கருதப்படுகிறது.

கரியமில வாயு அதிகரிப்புக்கு மிக முக்கியமான பெட்ரோலியப் பொருள்கள் பயன்பாட்டை வெகுவாகக் குறைப்பதும் அதிக மாசற்ற "செம்மையான இயந்திரவியல்' கொள்கைக்கு மாறுவதும் புவி வெப்பத்தைத் தணிக்க முக்கியத் தீர்வுகளாக முன்வைக்கப்படுகின்றன.

"செம்மையான இயந்திரவியல்' என்பதை விரிவான பொருளில் சொல்வதென்றால், இப்போதுள்ள பழைய தொழில்நுட்பத்தை அப்படியே கடாசிவிடுவது என்பதேயாகும். விறகு அடுப்புக்குப் பதில் சூரிய சக்தி அடுப்பு என்பதில் தொடங்கி ஹைட்ரஜனில் இயங்கும் மொபெட்டுகள், ஹைபிரிட் கார்கள் வரை எல்லாமே புதியவையாகும். "கார்பன் கிரெடிட்ஸ்' வர்த்தகத்துக்கு வழிவகுக்கும் (ஏற்கெனவே, தூய்மையான முன்னேற்றத் தொழில்நுட்பத் திட்டங்களில் (சிடிஎம்) 32 சதத் திட்டங்களில் இந்தியா பங்கேற்றுள்ளது).

இன்றைய தேதியில் உலகிலுள்ள பெரும் தொழிற்சாலைகளை மட்டும் "செம்மையான இயந்திரவிய'லின் கீழ் கொண்டுவர மட்டுமே ரூ. 16 லட்சம் கோடி தேவைப்படும் என்று மதிப்பிடப்படுகிறது. அதாவது, 2030-ல் உலக மாசு அளவை 2007 அளவுக்குக் கொண்டுவர ரூ. 20 லட்சம் கோடி தேவைப்படும் என்று மதிப்பிடுகிறார்கள்.

இங்கு கவனிக்க வேண்டிய முக்கியமான விஷயம்-இத்தகைய தொழில்நுட்பத்தை உருவாக்குபவர்களாக வளர்ந்த நாடுகளே இருக்கிறார்கள் என்பதாகும். அதாவது மாசற்ற உலகுக்கான இந்தத் தொழில்நுட்பம் அவர்களுக்கு லட்சக்கணக்கான கோடிகளை ஈட்டித் தரும்.

இந்தியாவின் கரியமில வெளியீட்டில் சரி பாதி அளவு இந்தியத் தொழிற்சாலைகளால் வெளியிடப்படுவதாக வளர்ந்த நாடுகள் குற்றஞ்சாட்டும் நிலையில், "செம்மையான இயந்திரவிய'லுக்கு மாற இந்தியத் தொழில்துறை எத்தனை லட்சம் கோடிகளைச் செலவிட வேண்டியிருக்கும் என்பதும் சர்வதேசத் தொழிற்போட்டியில் இந்தியாவுக்கு இந்தச் செலவு எத்தகைய பின்னடைவுகளை உருவாக்கும் என்பதையும் விவரிக்க வேண்டியதில்லை. உண்மையில், கரியமில வாயு வெளியீட்டைக் குறைக்க முதலில் தலைப்பட வேண்டிய நாடு அமெரிக்காதான்.

தனி நபர் கரியமில வாயு உமிழ்வு அமெரிக்காவில் 19.70 மெட்ரிக் டன்களாக இருக்கிறது. இந்த உமிழ்வு ரஷியாவில் 11 மெட்ரிக் டன்களாகவும், ஐரோப்பிய ஒன்றியத்தில் 9.17 மெட்ரிக் டன்களாகவும், இந்தியாவில் 1.31 மெட்ரிக் டன்களாகவும் இருக்கிறது. மேலும், 2030-ல்கூட இந்தியாவில் தனிநபர் ஆண்டு கரியமில வாயு உமிழ்வு உலக சராசரியான 4.22 டன்னை தாண்ட வாய்ப்பில்லை என்று ஆய்வுகள் தெரிவிக்கின்றன.

ஆனால், மாசின் உச்சத்திலிருக்கும் அமெரிக்கா இன்னமும் கரியமில வாயு வெளியீட்டைக் குறைக்க சர்வதேச ஒப்பந்தங்கள் எதிலும் கையொப்பமிடாத நிலையில், இந்தியாவையும் சீனாவையும் நிர்பந்தித்துக் கொண்டிருக்கிறது. ஏனைய வளர்ந்த நாடுகளும் அமெரிக்காவுக்கு ஒத்தூதுகின்றன.

புவி வெப்பமாதல்பற்றி முதல் பேச்சு எழுந்த காலத்திலிருந்தே இந்தக் கருதுகோளே தவறு என்ற பேச்சும் வலுவாகத் தொடர்கிறது. ""புவி வெப்பமாதலும் குளிர்தலும் தொடர்ந்து சங்கிலித் தொடராக நிகழ்ந்துகொண்டிருப்பவை; இயற்கைச் சீர்கேடுகளுக்கும் இந்தக் கருதுகோளுக்கும் தொடர்பில்லை'' என்று ரஷிய விஞ்ஞானிகள் தொடர்ந்து கூறி வருகின்றனர். ""புவி வெப்பமாதல் மிகப் பெரிய விஞ்ஞான தில்லுமுல்லு'' என்கிறார் ரஷிய விஞ்ஞானி ஆந்த்ரே காப்டிசா. இது தொடர்பாக அண்டார்டிகாவில் மேற்கொள்ளப்பட்ட ஆய்வின் முடிவை வெளியிட்டுள்ள அவர், 1970-களில் பெரிதாக இப்படிக் கிளப்பிவிடப்பட்ட புவி குளிர்மயமாதல் இப்போது புஸ்வாணமாகிவிட்டதையும் சுட்டிக்காட்டுகிறார். வளரும் நாடுகளைப் பின்னுக்குத் தள்ளும் ஓர் உத்தியே புவி வெப்பமாதல் கருதுகோள் என்று ரஷிய விஞ்ஞானிகள் தீவிரமாகக் குற்றஞ்சாட்டுகின்றனர்.

இது ஒருபுறமிருக்க, ""மாசடைந்துவரும் சூழல் - அருகிவரும் இயற்கை வளங்கள் - மாறிவரும் தட்பவெப்பம் ஆகியவை புவிச் சூழலில் மிகப் பாதகமான அம்சங்களே. ஆனால், பூமி ஓர் உயிருள்ள செல். தன்னைத்தானே தகவமைப்புக்கேற்ப மாற்றிக்கொள்ளும் தன்மை புவிக்கு இருக்கிறது'' என்ற கருதுகோளும் காலங்காலமாக விஞ்ஞானிகளிடையே இருந்து வருகிறது. புவி வெப்பமாதலின் நம்பகத்தன்மையே கேள்விக்குறியாக இருக்கும்போது அதன் பெயரால் முன்வைக்கப்படும் தீர்வுகள் எந்த அளவுக்கு நம்பகமானவை?

புவி வெப்பமாதலுக்கு முன்வைக்கப்படும் தீர்வுகளை, நிர்பந்தங்களை ஏற்றுக்கொண்டால், அதனால் கடுமையான விளைவுகளைச் சந்திக்க வேண்டிய நாடாக இந்தியாவே இருக்கும். தொழில்துறை சார்ந்து மட்டுமல்ல; இன்னமும் மின்சாரத்தைப் பார்க்காத கோடிக்கணக்கான இந்தியக் கிராமவாசிகளையும்கூட அது பாதிக்கும். அனல் மின்சாரத்துக்கு மாற்றாக அவர்களுடைய உள்நோக்கம் அணு மின்சாரத்தை விற்பதாகவே இருக்கிறது. பெட்ரோலியப் பொருள்களுக்கு மாற்றாக உயிரி எரிபொருளையே முன்வைக்கிறார்கள். இதனால், ஏற்படும் உணவுப் பொருள் தட்டுப்பாட்டுக்கு மாற்றாக மரபீனி மாற்றுப் பயிர்களை முன்வைக்கிறார்கள்.

உண்மையில் இவையெல்லாம் இப்போதுள்ள சூழலியல் அபாயங்களைவிடவும் பேரபாயங்களையே தோற்றுவிக்கும். கட்டாய மழைநீர் சேகரிப்பு, கிராமங்கள்தோறும் பாசனக் குட்டைகள் அமைத்தல், கட்டாய மர வளர்ப்பு, வனப்பரப்பை அதிகரித்தல், திட, திரவக் கழிவு மேலாண்மை, பிளாஸ்டிக் பொருள்களுக்குக் கட்டுப்பாடு, சூழலுடன் இயைந்த தொழில் வளர்ச்சித் திட்டம், நதிகள், கடல், காற்று மாசுக்களைத் தடுத்தல்... இப்படிச் சுற்றுச்சூழலை மேம்படுத்த இந்தியா மேற்கொள்ள வேண்டிய காரியங்கள் ஏராளம். இவற்றையெல்லாம் தீவிரமாக அரசு செயல்படுத்தலாம்.

ஆனால், வளர்ந்த நாடுகளின் நிர்பந்தத்துக்கு அடிபணிந்து அவற்றின் நிலைப்பாட்டுக்கு ஒத்திசைத்தால், இந்தியாவின் வளர்ச்சிக்கும் அடிப்படைக் கட்டமைப்புக்கும் அது பெரும் ஆபத்தையே விளைவிக்கும். இன்னொரு வரலாற்றுத் தவறுக்கு வழிவகுக்கும்!

Courtesy: Dinamani

Global Warming: A Half-Cooked Dosa

2009-10-28T23:41:00.001-07:00

I wrote this article for 'report writing' assignment given during summer semester Technical Communication course. I didn't upload it so far in my blog. But today I read an article in Dinamani newspaper which delivered the same thought i wrote in my report (I have CP the article in another blog post).So decided to post my report today.

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Global Warming: A Half-Cooked Dosa

We all tend to believe something if it is said by a celebrity. What if that celebrity is former US Vice President? Obviously, it will be believed by many. I hope you got it. Yes the ‘something’ is nothing but ‘Global Warming’ and the ‘celebrity’ is 45^th Vice President of United States, Mr. Al Gore. Why do I call the concept Global Warming a half-cooked dosa? You all should have got served, at least once in your life-time, a brown dosa which is completely white (not fried) on the other side. Global warming is also like a half-cooked dosa served with the well-cooked brown side up (Al Gore’s face) and uncooked side hidden (Some climatologists’ scepticism). This essay tries to highlight some of the issues raised by those climatologists.

Is it really warm?

Earth has been warmer than today as seen in its history. The thought is that global warming is nothing to get afraid of because it just takes us back to a more natural set of environment of the past. Animals and plants appeared to do just fine in those eras of warm climate on the earth. The present chilly climate on the earth is an abnormality when judged over the geographical scale. The only fact that human beings are feeling it hot to live will not quantify it for global warming. Over geologic time, the earth’s mean temperature is 22 degrees C, as compared to today's 15.5 degrees C.

It is not just green house gases

‘Arctic shrinkage’ is projected as the effect of global warming but not much is spoken about ‘Antarctica cooling’. Is Antarctica not a part of globe? It is regional warming and not global warming, the reason for Arctic melting. Between 1940 and 1970, global temperatures went down slightly, even though carbon dioxide levels went up. So there is something beyond green house gases which govern earth’s temperature.

Is it all because of human beings?

Human beings are accused for the present warming up of earth. It has been stated that the build-up of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, mainly from your fossil fuel emissions, is the most significant cause of global warming. Our fossil fuel emission is because of the economic growth we have attained in the due course of time. Will we have the guts to deny the growth caused by Industrial Revolution? Do you think Al Gore will be car pooling?

Gore had noted that five states set record temperatures in the first five months of 1998, proving beyond a doubt that global warming had arrived. There are 37 states whose records were set before 1940 i.e., before modern industry started emitting substantial amounts of greenhouse gases. People might not have been aware of green-house gases that time, but why so much heat?

We the human beings are very small compared to nature. We don’t have enough power to either disrupt or save the gigantic earth.

Global Warming – Have some positives too

In fact, if it comes, global warming, in the projected likely range, will bring major benefits to much of the world. Central Canada and large portions of Siberia will become similar in climate to New England today. So too, perhaps, will portions of Greenland. Growing seasons in the North Temperate Zone will be longer. Plant life in general will flourish because of the presence of more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Weird Thoughts by Sceptics:

This essay is not just trying to defend the sceptics. They are trying to be too casual. Some climatologists suggest an idea that the disappearance of Arctic ice in summer time will shorten important shipping routes by thousands of miles. What about the species living there? And what about the amount of flooding that will happen? The study projecting sea level rise of 0.18 to 0.59 meters (0.59 to 1.9 ft) in 2090-2100 can’t be taken lightly. We can’t afford human lives for shortening ship routes.

What made ‘Global Warming’ a popular topic?

This is the graph which Al Gore is constantly emphasising on. There is an unusual rise in average temperature from late 1980s. The extrapolation of this graph till 2100 has created a lot of panic among politicians. But we should also not forget the fact that there was a lot of global warming in the 1930s and '40s, and then there was a slight global cooling from the middle '40s to the early '70s. And there has been warming since the middle '70s, especially in the last 20 years.

So only time will tell us (we may not be alive to know) whether global warming is just a natural phenomenon or a human driven disaster.

APEC Alumni DEtails

2009-10-27T06:03:00.001-07:00

APEC Alumni Network

Hi friends,

I am not sure whether there is any comprehensive information about the current status of those who studied in APEC.

So I thought of creating a google docs, get the information of you all and then publish it (read only).

Here is the link to fill the form.

http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dFRhdzdoR0tRUmxNbnl0SmJyLVE5QWc6MA

Link to view the filled spread sheet

http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0Ag3FQGQ4fxASdFRhdzdoR0tRUmxNbnl0SmJyLVE5QWc&hl=en

Revert back if you have any problems in submitting or viewing the spread sheet.

Disseminate this information to your friends and make every one put an entry.

An thread is already created for this in APEC community

http://www.orkut.co.in/Main#CommMsgs?cmm=11164911&tid=5397158296229054495

வேட்டையாடப்படும் வேட்டைக்காரன்

2009-10-26T22:58:00.000-07:00

Courtesy: Dinamani

எம்.ஜி.ஆர். நடித்த வெற்றிப்படமான "வேட்டைக்காரன்' என்கிற தலைப்பால் ஈர்க்கப்பட்டோ அல்லது கற்பனை வறட்சியால் பீடிக்கப்பட்டோ அதே தலைப்பிலேயே தற்போது இன்னொரு படம் தயாராகியுள்ளது.

வேடிக்கை என்னவென்றால், எம்.ஜி.ஆர். நடித்த படங்களின் தலைப்பில்
உருவான "அன்பே வா', "நாடோடி மன்னன்', "ரகசிய போலீஸ் 115', "நம் நாடு', "நாளை நமதே' உள்ளிட்ட எந்தத் திரைப்படமுமே இதுவரை வெற்றி பெற்றதில்லை. பரத் நடிப்பில் "எங்க வீட்டு பிள்ளை' என்ற தலைப்பில் தொடங்கப்பட்ட படமும் நின்றுவிட்டது. செல்வராகவன் இயக்கத்தில் தொடங்கப்பட்ட "ஆயிரத்தில் ஒருவன்' படம் இரண்டு வருடங்களாகியும் இன்னும் பிரச்னைகளைச் சந்தித்துக் கொண்டிருக்கிறது.

இந்தப் புதிய "வேட்டைக்காரன்' படத்தை பாரம்பரியம் மிக்க ஏவி.எம். நிறுவனம் சார்பாக ஏவி.எம்.பாலசுப்ரமணியனும் பி.குருநாத்தும் தயாரிக்க, நடிகர் விஜய் நடித்திருக்கிறார்.

அவரோடு, தெலுங்கின் முன்னணி நடிகை அனுஷ்கா கை கோர்த்திருக்கிறார் கதாநாயகியாக! வியாபார ரீதியான இயக்குநர் தரணியின் உதவியாளர் பாபு சிவன் இயக்க விஜய் ஆண்டனி இசையமைத்திருக்கிறார்.

ஆக, ஒரு கமர்ஷியல் திரைப்பட கூட்டணியின் பின்புலத்தோடு கடந்த ஆண்டு இறுதியில் "வேட்டைக்காரன்' வெற்றிக் கனவோடு பயணிக்கத் தொடங்கினான்.

கடந்த இரண்டு வருடங்களாக, அவ்வப்போது தனது அரசியல் அபிலாஷைகளை வெளிப்படுத்தி, மன்றத்துக்கென தனிக்கொடி, இயக்கம், இலச்சினை (ப்ர்ஞ்ர்) உருவாக்கி ரசிகர்கள் மத்தியில் ஓர் எதிர்பார்ப்பை ஏற்படுத்தி வரும் விஜய்யின் இந்தப் பயணத்தை அரசியலில் வெற்றிக் கூட்டணி அமைத்து வருபவர்கள் கூர்ந்து கவனித்து வந்தனர்.

சுமார் 25 கோடி ரூபாய் பட்ஜெட்டில் உருவாகும் இந்தப் படம் தீபாவளிக்கு வெளிவரும் என அறிவிக்கப்பட்டது. படப்பிடிப்பு தொடர்ந்து நடைபெற்று வந்த சூழ்நிலையில் கடந்த ஜூன் மாதம் இந்தப் படத்தை சன் பிக்சர்ஸ் நிறுவனம் வாங்கி வெளியிடுவதாக எதிர்பாராத அறிவிப்பு வந்தது.

பொதுவாக, எந்த நிறுவனம் தயாரித்த படமாக இருந்தாலும் அதை தங்களது விளம்பர சக்தியைக் காட்டி மிகக் குறைந்த விலைக்கு வாங்குவதே சன் பிக்சர்ஸின் வழக்கம் எனக் கூறப்படுவதுண்டு. அப்படிப்பட்ட படங்கள் ரசிகர்களின் மனதில் இடம்பெறாவிட்டாலும் கூட சன் டி.வி.யின் "டாப் டென்' பட வரிசையில் முதலிடம் பெற்றுவிடும்.

படத்தைத் தயாரித்து வியாபாரம் செய்ய முடியாமலோ அல்லது பணம் குறைந்தால் கூட பரவாயில்லை; நல்ல விளம்பரம் கிடைக்கும்; அதை வைத்து அடுத்த படத்தில் காலூன்றிவிடலாம் என நினைப்போர் தங்களது படங்களை "சன்' வசம் தருவதாகவும் பேச்சு உண்டு.

விளம்பரங்களில் ஏவி.எம்.மின் "வேட்டைக்காரன்', இளைய தளபதியின் "வேட்டைக்காரன்' என்றெல்லாம் பயன்படுத்த முடியாது; சன் பிக்சர்ஸ் கலாநிதி மாறனின் "வேட்டைக்காரன்' என்றுதான் வரும். அதனால் வேட்டைக்காரனாக இருந்துகொண்டு சன் பிக்சர்ஸ் கூண்டில் அடைபடுவதை விஜய் தரப்பும் தயாரிப்பு தரப்பும் ஆரம்பத்தில் விரும்பவில்லை என்றே அவர்களது வட்டாரங்கள் தெரிவிக்கின்றன.

மேலும், சன் பிக்சர்ஸ் வசம் படம் போய்விட்டால் தங்களுக்கு சென்னை ஏரியா விநியோக உரிமை கிடைக்காது என்பதும் விஜய் வட்டாரத்தில் மன உளைச்சலை ஏற்படுத்தியது. ஆனாலும் என்ன காரணத்தாலோ, வேறு வழியில்லாமல் வேட்டைக்காரனே வலையில் சிக்கிக்கொண்டான். படம் சன் பிக்சர்ஸ் வசம் மாறியது, விஜய் தரப்பே எதிர்பார்க்காத... குறிப்பாக, அறியாத ஒன்று எனவும் சினிமா வட்டாரத்தில் கூறப்படுகிறது.

இதற்கிடையில் சில நல விரும்பிகள் மூலம் தில்லி சென்று அகில இந்திய காங்கிரஸ் பொதுச் செயலாளர் ராகுல் காந்தியையும் சந்தித்துவிட்டு வந்தார். உடனே காங்கிரஸில் சேரப் போகிறார்; இளைஞரணித் தலைவர் ஆகப்போகிறார் போன்ற ரீதியில் தகவல்கள் வெளிவந்தன. இந்த நிலையில் செய்தியாளர்களை திடீரென அழைத்து "எனக்கு எல்லாமே சினிமாதான்; "வேட்டைக்காரன்' படம்தான் என் தற்போதைய இலக்கு. இப்போதைக்கு அரசியலில் ஈடுபட மாட்டேன்' என திடீரெனப் பின்வாங்கினார் நடிகர் விஜய்.

அவராகப் பின்வாங்கவில்லை; சில சக்திகளும் சூழ்நிலைகளும்தான் அவரை அப்படிப் பேசச் செய்தன என்று கூறியவர்களும் உண்டு.

விஜய்யும் அவரது குடும்பத்தினரும் எதிர்பார்த்தது போல, தில்லி காங்கிரஸ் வட்டாரங்களில் அவருக்கு வரவேற்பு இருக்கவில்லை என்று தெரிகிறது. தனது தந்தைக்கு மத்திய அமைச்சர் பதவி, தனக்கு மாநிலங்களவை உறுப்பினர் பதவி அல்லது தமிழ்நாடு இளைஞர் காங்கிரஸ் பதவி, தனது ரசிகர் மன்றத்தினருக்கு வட்ட, மாவட்ட, மாநில அளவில் கட்சிப் பதவிகள் என்றெல்லாம் கனவுகள் கண்ட நடிகர் விஜய், காங்கிரஸ் மேலிடத்தின் "ஆகட்டும் பார்க்கலாம்' நமுட்டுச் சிரிப்பைப் பார்த்ததும் தகர்ந்தன. அதிகபட்சம் நடிகர் விஜய் மாநிலங்களவை உறுப்பினராக்கப் படலாம் என்பதுதான் காங்கிரஸ் தரப்பில் வாக்குறுதியாக இருந்ததாம்.

அது ஒரு புறம் இருக்க, "இளைய தளபதி'யின் அரசியல் ஆசையும், காங்கிரஸில் இணைந்து கட்சியை பலப்படுத்தும் முயற்சியும் ஆளும் திமுக தரப்பை எரிச்சலூட்டியதில் ஆச்சரியப்பட என்ன இருக்கிறது?

அதையடுத்து உருவான அரசியல் திட்டமே "உறவாடிக் கெடு' ப்ராஜெக்ட். அதன் முன்னோட்டம்தான் "வேட்டைக்காரன்' படம் கைப்பற்றப்பட்டதன் பின்னணி என்கிறார்கள்.

தீபாவளிக்கு வர வேண்டிய படம் வெளிவரவில்லை. இதற்கு துணை முதல்வர் ஸ்டாலினின் மகன் உதயநிதி ஸ்டாலின் தயாரித்த "ஆதவன்' படம்தான் காரணம். கலைஞர் தொலைக்காட்சி தொடங்கக் காரணமாக இருந்த காரணிகளைக் காலமும் பணமும் மாற்றிவிட்ட சூழ்நிலை நிலவுவதால் வேட்டைக்காரனும் ஆதவனும் ஓரிடத்துப் பிள்ளைகளாகிவிட்டனர். அதனால் தீபாவளிக்கு "ஆதவன்' அதன் பிறகு "வேட்டைக்காரன்' என முடிவு செய்யப்பட்டது.

விஜய்யின் முந்தைய பட வெளியீடுகளின்போது இருந்த அவருடைய தலையீடு முதல்முறையாகத் தகர்ந்தது. "வேட்டைக்காரன்' வெளிவராமல் தள்ளிப் போவதால், அடுத்த படத்தின் தயாரிப்பும், ரிலீசும் தள்ளிப் போகும் என்பது ஒருபுறம் இருக்கட்டும். இப்படி தீபாவளி, கிறிஸ்துமஸ், பொங்கல் என்று "வேட்டைக்காரன்' தள்ளித் தள்ளிப் போகிறதே என்கிற கவலையில் "விஜய்' வட்டாரம் நிலைகுலைந்து போயிருக்கிறதே... சினிமாவைப் பொருத்தவரை ஆறிய கஞ்சி பழங்கஞ்சி தானுங்களே..!

Voice Of Karthik: Poongatru Pudhiraanadhu

2009-10-23T07:01:00.000-07:00

Movie: Moondram Pirai
Music Director: Ilayaraja
Singer: KJ Yesudas

My Voice

mp3 Download Link

1. http://www.4shared.com/account/file/142998651/311d08b7/poongatru_with_karaoke.html

2. http://music.cooltoad.com/music/song.php?id=454615

Original Song

Voice Of Karthik: En Iniya Pon Nilave

2009-10-23T06:31:00.000-07:00

Movie: Moodupani
Music Director: Ilayaraja
Singer: KJ Yesudas

My Voice

mp3 Download Link

1. http://www.4shared.com/account/file/142989481/2ebec41/en_iniya_with_karaoke.html

2. http://music.cooltoad.com/music/song.php?id=443413

Original Song

Voice Of Karthik: Kanne Kalaimaane

2009-10-23T06:25:00.000-07:00

Movie: Moondram Pirai
Music Director: Ilayaraja
Singer: KJ Yesudas

My Voice:

mp3 Download Link

1. http://www.4shared.com/account/file/142989032/7f1fccec/kanne_kalaimaane_with_karaoke.html
2. http://music.cooltoad.com/music/song.php?id=443420

Original Song:

Rajapakshe-Sonia Gandhi-Karunanidhi : Murderers

2009-10-21T21:36:00.000-07:00

Courtesy: Dinamani

A wonderful article written by Mr. Karuppayya.

அடிவயிற்றை முறுக்கவில்லையா?

பழ . கருப்பையா

First Published : 21 Oct 2009 12:35:00 AM IST

ஒரு தமிழ்ப் பெண் தன் தோளைத் தழுவச் சம்மதிக்காமல் தனித்தே வாழும் திருமாவளவன், ராஜபட்சவுக்குச் சால்வை போர்த்தித் தழுவியிருக்கிறாரே! தழுவும்போது கம்பளிப்பூச்சி ஊர்வது போல் உணரவில்லையா?
கட்சிகளெல்லாம் கிடக்கட்டும்! எழுபதாயிரம் ஈழத்தமிழர்கள் சாகவும், ஐந்து லட்சம் தமிழர்கள் புலம் பெயரவும், மூன்று லட்சம் தமிழர்கள் சிங்கள அரசின் முள்வேலிகளில் சிறைவைக்கப்படவும், இரண்டு லட்சம் தமிழர்கள் அகதிகளாய்த் தமிழ்நாட்டில் கதி கெட்டு அலையவும் காரணமான ராஜபட்ச வைத்த விருந்தை உண்ணவும், அவரோடு மனங்கொள்ளாமல் சிரித்துப்பேசி மகிழவும் டி.ஆர். பாலுவாலும், கனிமொழியாலும், திருமாவளவனாலும் எப்படி முடிந்தது?
""ஏன்டி... உன் புருசனைக் கொன்னவனோட உனக்கென்னடி சிரிப்பு வேண்டிக்கிடக்கு'' என்று தாய் மகளிடம் சினந்து கேட்டாளாம். ""போனவன் போயிட்டான்; நான் இருக்கேனே'' என்று மகள் புன்முறுவலோடு விடை இறுத்தாளாம்!
""கடைசி நேரத்தில் நீங்களும் பிரபாகரனுடன் இருந்திருந்தால் உங்கள் கதையையும் முடித்திருப்பேன்'' என்று இலங்கை அதிபர் ராஜபட்ச தமிழ்நாட்டில் இருந்து சென்ற நாடாளுமன்ற உறுப்பினர் திருமாவளவனிடம் நேருக்குநேர் நின்று சொல்லியிருக்கிறார்!
நாடாளுமன்ற உறுப்பினர் என்றால் ஏதோ வாழைக்காய் பஜ்ஜி, வெங்காய பஜ்ஜி போல ராஜபட்சவுக்கு அவ்வளவு சாதாரணமாகத் தெரிகிறது. பஜ்ஜி மாவுக்குத் தனித்து எந்த மதிப்புமில்லை! அது வெங்காயத்தோடோ, வாழைக்காயோடோ சேரும்போதுதான் அதற்குப் பெயரும் கிடைக்கிறது; வடிவமும் கிடைக்கிறது!
இந்தப் பஜ்ஜி மாவுக்கெல்லாம் வடிவம் கொடுப்பவர் கருணாநிதி என்பது ராஜபட்சவின் எண்ணமாக இருக்கலாம்! அப்படிப்பட்ட கருணாநிதியின் உயிர்நாடியோ, சென்னைக் கோட்டையில் இருக்கிறது. சென்னைக் கோட்டையில் கருணாநிதி நீடிப்பதோ, சோனியாவின் தயவில் இருக்கிறது. சோனியாவோ சிங்களவர்களின் உற்ற நண்பர். ஆகவே, சோனியாவின் தோழமை இருக்கும்வரை இவர்களை எல்லாம் ஒரு பொருட்டாக நினைக்கத் தேவையில்லை என்பது ராஜபட்சவின் எண்ணம்!
ஆனாலும் விடுதலைப் புலிகளைப் பார்த்து விடுதலைச் சிறுத்தைகள் என்னும் அமைப்பைத் தோற்றுவித்துக் கொண்ட திருமாவளவன், ராஜபட்ச "உன் கதையையும் முடித்திருப்பேன்' என்று சொன்னதைக் கேட்டுத் திகைத்துப்போய்த் திரும்பி வந்திருக்கலாமா? திருப்பிக் கொடுத்திருக்க வேண்டாமா?
""ராஜபட்ச! உன் கதையை முடிப்பதற்குப் பதிலாகப் புத்திகெட்டுப்போய் இந்தியா ஈழத்தின் கதையை முடித்துவிட்ட காரணத்தால், உன்னால் இவ்வளவு எக்காளமாகப் பேச முடிகிறது. எந்த விடுதலை இயக்கத்துக்கும் பின்னடைவுகள் வருவது இயற்கை; ஆனால், ஒரு விடுதலை இயக்கம் என்றாவது ஒரு நாள் தன்னுடைய இலக்கை அடையாமல் முடிந்ததாக வரலாறு இல்லை''-என்று ஒரு வார்த்தை சொல்லிவிட்டு வந்திருந்தால் திருமாவளவன் உலகத் தமிழினத்துக்கே தலைவராகி இருப்பாரே!
ராஜபட்சவின் நாட்டுக்கே போயும் ராஜபட்சவை நேருக்குநேர் நின்று உலுக்குகிற வாய்ப்பைத் தவற விட்டுவிட்டாரே! அதுவும் ராஜபட்ச, "ஈழத்துக்கு நீ வந்திருந்தால் உன்னையும் சுட்டிருப்பேன்' என்று சொல்லி அசிங்கப்படுத்திய பிறகும், அங்கு வாயை மூடிக் கொண்டிருந்துவிட்டு, இங்கே நம்முடைய மூலக்கடை முச்சந்தியில் நின்று கொண்டு, "இரத்தம் கொதிக்கிறது' என்று திருமாவளவன் முழங்குவதை, இனி யார் நம்புவார்கள்?
அப்படி நேருக்குநேர் கேட்டிருந்தால் என்ன செய்திருப்பார் ராஜபட்ச? கொழும்புச் சிறைக் கொட்டடியில் அடைத்திருப்பாரா? அடைத்திருந்தால் திருமாவளவனை விடுவிப்பது ஆறு கோடித் தமிழர்களின் கடமையாகி இருந்திருக்குமே!
இப்போது முகத்தை அழுத்தித் துடைத்துக் கொண்டு, தலையைக் கவிழ்ந்து கொண்டு, ராஜபட்ச அசிங்கப்படுத்தியதற்கு என்னென்னவோ அமைவுகளைத் திருமாவளவன் சொன்னாலும், யார் கேட்பதற்குத் தயாராக இருக்கிறார்கள்?
போன இடத்தில் அப்படியெல்லாம் பேசினால், "நன்றாக இருக்குமா?' என்று திருமாவளவனாகச் சொல்லிக் கொண்டிருக்க வேண்டியதுதான்! தன்னுடைய நாட்டுக்கு வந்த விருந்தாளியிடம் அப்படிப் பேசியிருக்கலாமா என்று ராஜபட்ச கவலைப்படவில்லையே!
இகழ்பவனின் பின்னால் போய்ப் பெறப் போவதென்ன என்று நம்முடைய அப்பன் வள்ளுவன் கேட்பான்! ""என்மற்று இகழ்வார் பின்சென்று நிலை'' (966).
முன்பொருமுறை தமிழ்நாட்டில் இந்தி எதிர்ப்பு உச்சத்திலிருந்தபோது மாநிலங்களின் அமைச்சர்களெல்லாம் பங்கேற்ற கூட்டத்தில், செல்வாக்குமிக்க மத்திய அமைச்சர் மொரார்ஜி தேசாய், "இந்தி இல்லாமல் இந்தியா இல்லை' என்று பேச, "இந்தி இருக்குமானால், இந்தியாவே இருக்காது' என்று அன்றைய தமிழக அமைச்சர் செ. மாதவன் பேசிவிட்டார் என்பதற்காக, ஊர்ஊராக நான்கு குதிரைகள் பூட்டிய சாரட் வண்டியில் செ. மாதவனை உட்காரவைத்து ஊர்வலம் விட்டு, ஐந்து ஆண்டு அரசியலை இதைச் சொல்லியே ஓட்டினார்களே தி.மு.க.வினர்!
அன்று மாமன்னன் அசோகன் இலங்கைக்குத் தன் மகள் சங்கமித்திரையை அனுப்பிப் பௌத்தத்தை வளர்த்ததுபோல, இன்று தன் மகள் கனிமொழியை அனுப்பிச் சிங்களவர்களோடு நேசத்தை வளர்க்கும் கருணாநிதி, ராஜபட்சவை எதிர்த்துத் திருமாவளவன் பேசுவதை ரசிக்க மாட்டார் என்றாலும், கருணாநிதி ரசிக்காததை எல்லாம் செய்யாமலிருப்பதற்குத் திருமாவளவன் என்ன தி.மு.க.வின் ஆயிரம் விளக்குப் பகுதிச் செயலாளரா?
தமிழுக்கும், தமிழனுக்கும் கேடு என்றால் சீறிவரும் சிறுத்தையாக இருந்தவரை, நாடாளுமன்றப் பதவியைக் கொடுத்து அடங்கிப் போகும் நிலைக்கு ஆளாக்கிவிட்டாரே கருணாநிதி!
முள்வேலி முகாம்களைப் பார்வையிட, அவற்றின் உண்மை நிலையைக் கண்டறிய மனித உரிமைப் பாதுகாப்புக் கழகத்தினரையும், செய்தியாளர்களையும் அனுமதிக்காத ராஜபட்ச, காங்கிரûஸயும் தி.மு.க.வையும் மட்டும் அழைத்தாராம்! ஈழத்தைச் சுடுகாடாக்கிய ராஜபட்ச, சோனியா, கருணாநிதி என்னும் முக்கூட்டணி தங்களின் சிதைந்துபோன முகங்களைச் சீர்படுத்திக் கொள்ளும் முயற்சிதானே இது? பொத்துக்கிழிந்துபோன பெயரை இழுத்துவைத்துத் தைத்துக் கொள்ளும் முயற்சி அல்லாமல் வேறென்ன?
முள்வேலி முகாம்களில் ஈழத் தமிழர்களை ஆடுமாடுகளைப் போல் அடைத்துவைத்துக் கொடுமைப்படுத்துவதை ஓர் அமெரிக்கப் பெண்மணி சத்தம்போட்டு உலகுக்குச் சொல்லிக் கொண்டிருப்பதைத் தமிழ்நாட்டுக்கும் வந்து சொல்ல விரும்பியபோது, அவருக்கு "விசா' வழங்கவிடாமல் தடுத்து நிறுத்தியவர்தானே இந்தக் கருணாநிதி! அந்தப் பெண்மணியின் வருகை தன்னுடைய சாயத்தை வெளுக்கச் செய்துவிடும் என்னும் அச்சம்தானே காரணம்!
இந்தப் பத்து நாடாளுமன்ற உறுப்பினர்களின் "உல்லாசப் பயணத்தில்' இங்கிருந்தே இலங்கை அதிகாரிகள் உடன்வந்தார்களாம். கொழும்பில் சிவப்புக் கம்பள வரவேற்பு அளிக்கப்பட்டதாம்; ஹெலிகாப்டர்களில் பறந்தார்களாம்; ஐந்து நட்சத்திர விடுதிகளில் தங்கினார்களாம்; முப்பொழுதும் முப்பழங்களோடும் விருந்துகளாம்; வேதமே பாராட்டிய சோமபானங்களுக்கும் குறைவில்லையாம்! அரசியல் நெறியற்ற டக்ளஸ் தேவானந்தா கூட்டிவைத்த கூட்டத்தில் கலந்துரையாடினார்களாம்! இதற்குச் சிங்களவர்களோடேயே உரையாடியிருக்கலாமே!
ஈழத்துக்கான போர் சிங்களக்காடையர்களோடு மூன்றுமுறை நடந்தது; முப்பதாண்டுக் காலம் நடந்தது; அப்போதெல்லாம் இடையிடையே போர் நடக்கும்; சிங்களக்காடையர்கள் முண்டிப் பார்ப்பார்கள்; பின்பு பின்வாங்கி ஓடிப்போவார்கள்.
ஈழத்தில் வரிவசூல் நடந்தது; காவல் நிலையங்கள் இருந்தன; நீதிமன்றம் நடந்தது; பராமரிப்புப் பணிகளும், நிர்வாகப் பணிகளும் செவ்வனே நடந்தன. அந்தக் காலகட்டம் முழுவதும் அறிவிக்கப்படாத சுதந்திர நாடாகவே ஈழம் இயங்கியது!
நான்காம் ஈழப் போர் ஈழத்தைச் சுடுகாடாக்கியது. சிங்களக்காடையர்கள் ஒன்றும் ஓரிரவில் வீரர்களாய் மாறிவிடவில்லை. இந்தியப் பெருநாடு சிங்களவர்களை முன்னிறுத்தி அந்தப் போரை நடத்தி இந்தக் கொடுமையை அரங்கேற்றியது!
பாரதி சொன்னதுபோல எல்லாமே "பொய்யாய்க் கனவாய்ப் பழங்கதையாய்ப் போனதுவே!'
நேற்றுவரை சிங்களத்துக்கு நிகராகத் தமிழுக்கு ஆட்சிமொழி உரிமை வேண்டும்; அரசு வேலைகளில் உரிய பங்கு வேண்டும்; இலங்கையின் வடக்கு - கிழக்கு மாகாணங்களை உள்ளடக்கிய ஈழத்துக்குச் சுயநிர்ணய உரிமை வேண்டும் என்றெல்லாம் போராடியவர்கள், இன்று முள்வேலிச் சிறைகளில் இருந்துகொண்டு குடிக்கவும், குளிக்கவும் தண்ணீர் வேண்டும் என்று கண்ணீர்விடும் நிலைக்கு ஆளாகி விட்டார்களே! பிள்ளைக்குப் பாலில்லை; முதியோருக்கு மருந்தில்லை; கர்ப்பிணிப் பெண்கள் பிள்ளை பெற வசதியில்லை.
ஈழத்துக்கு முற்றாக விடுதலை கேட்டவர்கள் இன்று முள்வேலிச் சிறை முகாம்களிலிருந்து வீட்டுக்குப் போக மட்டும் விடுதலை கொடுத்தால் போதும் என்று கேட்கிறார்கள்; இந்த நிலைக்கு இவர்களை ஆளாக்கிய சோனியா காந்தி, கருணாநிதி கட்சிகளின் நாடாளுமன்ற உறுப்பினர்கள் ராஜபட்சவைச் சந்தித்து,""நாட்டுக்கு விடுதலை கேட்கவில்லையே; வீட்டுக்குப் போகத்தானே விடுதலை கேட்கிறார்கள்; கொடுத்துவிட்டுப் போங்களேன்'' என்று எடுத்துச் சொல்லப் போய் இருக்கிறார்கள்! தமிழனின் தலைவிதியைப் பார்த்தீர்களா?
இவர்கள் போனதன் விளைவாக 50,000 தமிழர்கள் முள்வேலி முகாம்களிலிருந்து மறுநாளே விடுவிக்கப்படுவார்கள் என்னும் அறிவிப்பு இலங்கையில் வெளியாகவில்லை; கோபாலபுரத்தில் வெளியாகிறது; ராஜபட்சவும் கருணாநிதியும் வேறுவேறல்லவே; யார் வெளியிட்டால் என்ன? ஆனால், வெளிவிடப்பட்டவர்கள் ஐம்பதாயிரம் பேரா? ஐயாயிரம் பேரா? அல்லது வெறும் அறிவிப்போடு முடிந்துவிட்டதா என்பதெல்லாம் யாருக்குத் தெரியும்? யார் இதை அந்த அரக்கர் நாட்டில் சரிபார்க்க முடியும்?
இப்படிக் கருணாநிதி அறிவித்த மறுநாளே சிங்காரச் சென்னையில் சுவரொட்டிகள் மின்னின. ""நான்கே நாளில் ஈழத் தமிழர்களுக்கு விடுதலை வாங்கிக் கொடுத்த கலைஞரை வணங்குகிறோம்.''
அண்ணா விடுதலை இயக்கமாகத் தோற்றுவித்த ஒரு கட்சியில் விடுதலை என்பதை எவ்வளவு கொச்சையாகப் புரிந்து கொண்டிருக்கிறார்கள் என்பதுதான் இதிலுள்ள அவலம்; அதையும் ரசிக்கிறார் கருணாநிதி என்பதுதான் அதைவிடப் பேரவலம்!
உலகத் தமிழ் மாநாடு நடத்த முற்பட்டிருக்கிறார் முதலமைச்சர் கருணாநிதி. ஈழப் பேரழிவுகளுக்குப் பிறகு உலகத் தமிழர்கள் இந்த மாநாட்டைக் கருணாநிதி நடத்துவதை ஏற்கவில்லை! சில மாதங்களுக்கு இந்த மாநாட்டைத் தள்ளிவைத்து அவர்களை அமைதிப்படுத்தலாம் என்னும் கருணாநிதியின் எந்த முயற்சியும் எடுபடவில்லை. இப்போது உலகத் தமிழ்ச் செம்மொழி மாநாடு என்று பெயரை மாற்றி நடத்தப் போகிறார்கள். உலகத் தமிழர்களின் சினம் நியாயமானதுதானே!
உலகத் தமிழ் மாநாட்டை அண்ணா நடத்தினார்; எம்ஜிஆர் நடத்தினார்; ஜெயலலிதா நடத்தினார்; ஆனால், கருணாநிதியால் நடத்தவே முடியால் போய்விட்டதே!
தமிழைத் தாயாக உருவகிப்பது தமிழர்களின் வழக்கம். தாய் ஒருத்தி; பிள்ளைகள் இருவர்! இரண்டு பிள்ளைகளுக்கும் இரண்டு மார்பிலும் தமிழ்ப்பால் சுரந்தாள் அவள்! அவர்கள் இனத்தால், நிறத்தால், ரத்தத்தால், பழக்கவழக்கங்களால், பண்பாட்டால் அனைத்தாலும் ஒன்று; நிலத்தால் மட்டுமே வேறு, வேறு!
அண்மையில் அவளுடைய சிறிய பிள்ளைக்கு ஊறு நேர்ந்துவிட்டது; பொறுப்பாளா அவள்? அந்தப் பிள்ளைக்கு ஊறு விளைவித்த அரக்கன் அழிந்து, அந்தப் பிள்ளை தன்னுடைய மண்ணில் காலூன்றும் வரை உறக்கம் வருமா அவளுக்கு?
அந்தச் சிறிய பிள்ளையின் மண்ணைப்பிடுங்கிக் கொள்ள ஓர் அரக்கன் முயன்றான் என்பதைப் புரிந்துகொள்ள முடிகிறது. அந்த அரக்கனுக்குத் துணைபுரிய தில்லிவாசிகள் விரும்பியதையும் புரிந்துகொள்ள முடிகிறது! ஆனால், மூத்த பிள்ளையின் மண்ணிலிருந்தே சிலர் தில்லியின் விருப்பத்தின்பேரில் அரக்கனுக்கு உதவியாக இருந்ததைத்தான் தாயால் பொறுத்துக் கொள்ள முடியவில்லை! கண்ணகி அழுததைப் போல் அரற்றி அழுகிறாள் தாய்! தன் இளைய மகனின் வம்சத்தில் எண்பதாயிரம் பேர் மண்ணைச் சிவப்பாக்கி விட்டு மாண்டுமடிந்ததை எண்ணி அழுகிறாள். இளைஞர்களெல்லாம் செத்து, இளம்பெண்களே விஞ்சி நிற்கும் கொடுமையை எண்ணி அழுகிறாள். அறத்தை "மடவோய்' என்று வாயாற வைகிறாள். நான் உயிர் பிழைத்திருப்பேனோ என்று அரற்றுகிறாள்!
மறனோடு திரியும் கோல் ""மன்மோகன்'' தவறு இழைப்ப
அறன் எனும் மடவோய் யான் அவலம் கொண்டு அழிவலோ?''
(-சிலம்பு, துன்பமாலை 40).
இளைய பிள்ளையின் வம்சத்தை அழிக்க மூத்தபிள்ளையின் வழியினரில் சிலரே மாற்றானுக்கு உதவிவிட்டு, தன்னுடைய வெக்கை தணியத் தனக்கே விழா எடுக்க நினைக்கிறார்கள் என்பதை அறிந்து, அவர்களின் விழாவினைப் புறந்தள்ளி விட்டாள் தாய்! உலகத் தமிழ் மாநாட்டை அவள் ஏற்கவில்லை! தாயல்லளோ அவள்!
அது மட்டுமன்று; தமிழ் மாநாட்டில் அகதிகளாய் வாழும் ஈழத் தமிழர்களுக்கு இந்தியக் குடியுரிமை அளிக்கப்பட வேண்டும் எனக் காஞ்சிபுரத்தில் தீர்மானம் போட்டிருக்கிறார் கருணாநிதி!
சென்ற மத்திய ஆட்சிக் காலகட்டத்தில் சோனியாவோடு சேர்ந்துகொண்டு ஈழத்தைச் சுடுகாடாக்கியதை இது போன்ற தீர்மானங்களால் ஈடுகட்டிவிட முடியும் என்று கருதுகிறார் கருணாநிதி!
""ஈழத் தமிழர்களுக்கு எந்தச் சலுகைகள், உரிமைகள் அளித்தாலும் எனக்கு உடன்பாடே! ஆனால், இங்கே ஈழத் தமிழர்கள் மட்டும் அகதிகளாய் இல்லை. திபெத்தியர்கள், பர்மியர்கள், வங்கதேசத்தினர் என்று ஏராளமானோர் அகதிகளாய் இருக்கிறார்கள். ஈழத் தமிழர்களை மட்டும் மத்திய அரசு தனித்துப் பிரித்துப் பார்க்குமாறு கருணாநிதியால் செய்ய முடியுமா?
ஈழத் தமிழர்களுக்குக் குடியுரிமை என்றால் அவர்களுக்கு உயர்கல்வி, அரசு வேலைவாய்ப்புப் போன்ற எல்லாம் உண்டா? அப்போது தானே அது முற்றான குடியுரிமையாய் இருக்க முடியும்!'' என்றெல்லாம் அடுக்கி அடுக்கி எதிர்க்கட்சித் தலைவர் ஜெயலலிதா கேட்டாரே! ஒன்றுக்காவது விடை சொன்னாரா முதலமைச்சர் கருணாநிதி?
கருணாநிதி தான் அங்கம் வகிக்கும் மத்திய அரசை ஏற்கும்படி செய்ய வேண்டும்; அல்லது அரசை விட்டு வெளியே வந்து அதற்காகப் போராட வேண்டும்! அப்படியெல்லாம் இல்லாமல் ஏதோ ஒரு பேச்சுக்குப் போட்டு வைப்போம் என்று, தான் நம்பாததையே தீர்மானமாக்குவது முழு மோசடி இல்லையா?
ஈழத் தமிழர்களுக்கு மத்திய அரசிலிருந்து என்ன உரிமைகள் பெற்றுக் கொடுத்தாலும் அனைவருக்கும் இசைவே!
கருணாநிதியும், சோனியாவும் அந்த இனத்துக்குச் செய்த கொடுமைகளுக்கு ஈடுகட்டவும், பாவங்களுக்குக் கழுவாய் தேடவும், எந்தச் சலுகை வேண்டுமானாலும் அளிக்கட்டும்; அளிக்க வேண்டும்! வெறும் 500 கோடி ரூபாயை அளித்துக் கைகழுவி விடும் ஏமாற்று வேலை வேண்டாம்!
ஆனால் அவர்கள் பிறப்பால் ஈழத் தமிழர்கள்; ஈழம் அவர்களின் தாயகம்! அங்கே அவர்களுக்கு வீடு வாசல், நிலம் கரை அனைத்தும் உண்டு. அவர்களுக்குச் சொத்துகளும் அங்கேதான்; சொந்தங்களும் அங்கேதான்!
ராஜபட்ச, சோனியா, கருணாநிதி என்னும் முக்கூட்டணி அரசியலில் ஆக்கம் இழந்த பிறகு.... அது நடக்காதா என்ன? முன்பு தெருவிலிருந்தவர்கள் இப்போது திருவை அடைந்திருக்கிறார்கள்; மீண்டும் திருவை இழந்து தெருவுக்குப் போக எவ்வளவு நேரமாகும்?
அப்போது தாங்கள் விரும்பும்வண்ணம் தங்கள் தாயகத்தை ஈழத் தமிழர்கள் உருவாக்கிக் கொள்வார்கள்!
தமிழர்களுக்கு இரண்டு தாயகங்கள் உண்டு. ஒன்று தமிழ்நாடு; இன்னொன்று ஈழம்!
போர்த் தோல்வி காரணமாகச் சோர்வுற்றிருக்கும் தமிழர்களை விரட்டிவிட்டால், இலங்கை முற்றாகச் சிங்களவர்களின் நாடாகிவிடும் என்பது ராஜபட்சவின் எண்ணம்! கனடா, அமெரிக்கா, பிரிட்டன், பிரான்ஸ், ஜெர்மனி, நார்வே, தமிழ்நாடு என்று போனபோன இடங்களில் ஏதாவதொரு உரிமை பெற்று அவர்கள் ஆங்காங்கே இருந்துவிட வேண்டும் என்பதுதான் ராஜபட்சவின் விருப்பம்! அவர்கள் ஈழத்துக்குத் திரும்பிவிடும் எண்ணத்தைக் கைவிடச் செய்வதற்காகத்தான் கொடுமைகள் மிகுந்த முள்வேலிச் சிறை முகாம்களின் காலத்தை நீட்டித்துக் கொண்டே போகிறார் ராஜபட்ச!
இறைமகன் ஏசுவை சிலுவையில் அறையக் காரணமான யூத மத போதகர்கள் யாரையாவது ஏசுவின் உண்மைச் சீடர்கள் பதினோரு பேரில் எவனாவது கட்டிப்பிடித்ததுண்டா?
யூத இனத்தையே கருவறுத்த மன நோயாளி ஹிட்லருக்கு எந்த யூதனாவது பட்டாடை போர்த்திப் பாராட்டியதுண்டா?
கல் தோன்றி மண் தோன்றாக் காலத்தில், முன் தோன்றிய மூத்த தமிழினத்தைக் கருவறுத்த ராஜபட்சவுடன் நாடாளுமன்ற உறுப்பினர்கள் பத்துப் பேரும் சிரித்து மகிழ்வதையும் சிலர் கட்டித் தழுவிக் கொள்வதையும் நிழற்படங்களில் பாருங்கள்!
அடிவயிற்றை முறுக்கவில்லையா?

Aadhavan - Movie Review

2009-10-18T10:38:00.000-07:00

“A killer is trying to kill a magistrate for money”. K.S.Ravikumar’s masala and Surya’s recent consistency added to that fancy one liner is Aadhavan. I usually don’t write a conventional review. There are better reviews like that on net. Let me write just a 10 mark essay about the movie :) 1 mark for each point ;)

1. Surya
The crowd was pulled only by showing Surya’s face.
Even I went only for him believing that he had done a good job atleast like Ayan though not like Vaaranam Aayiram. Not a Surya like that. This Surya is something like Perazhagan villan surya. No big scope for him. It is well established that Surya wants to do movies like Ayan, Aadhavan, Singam etc. and utilize the 6 packs he developed for VA. Titles a paakum podhu varuthama irundhudhu. Edhukku Surya ungalukkum heroism? Surya, please remember that we are expecting something else for you. Ungala Kamalin vaarisa paakarom. Pera kaapaathunga.

2. Nayanthara
There are directors who can show even an ordinary girl as a beautiful angel. KSR is opposite to that. The heroines in his movie will always be less beautiful than what they are in other movies [remember Simran(natpukkaga), Meena (Muthu) etc.?] . Aadhavan is no exception. Nayanthara was looking ordinary. Nayanthara we are expecting a lot from you too ;)

3. Vadivelu
He is the hero of the movie. Only because of him I was able to see the movie. Wonderful performance. If Surya is the crowd puller, Vadivelu is the crowd retainer. He would be the main reason if this movie becomes a hit

4. Saroja Devi
Kooptu kalaachirukaanga. Saroja devia Vadivelu nalla otti irukkaru. I always hated Saroja devi for her ‘konjal pechu’. So she adds to the irritation in this movie.

5. Anand Babu
Real surprise. Are you alive man? Thanks to KSR for bringing back hidden people like him. I hope to see him in many more films.

6. Other cast
Shayaji Shinde, Rahul Dev, Murali, Anuhaasan, Riyaz khan, Ramesh Kanna…The list goes on. So many characters and all come for some time to make the movie a 2.5 hour one.

7. Music
As all of us know that with 7 swaras tons and tons of tunes were and are composed. Similarly, Harris can compose tons and tons of songs with just few tunes. I don’t know how he manages to do that and that too successfully. Songs are not bad but, for sure, a show stopper. Most of the songs were just forced on audience.

8. Graphics of Surya as 10 yr old child
Though the graphic was not nearing perfection, I appreciate the idea and efforts put to bring that. Hope to see many more efforts like that with perfect output.

9. Cinematography
This is another factor that saved movie. Showed some fresh outdoor spots.

10. K.S.Ravikumar
You too became like Perarasu? Why to put photo and all during titles? Don’t we know your face? Adhaan vanakkam sollikittu epdium kadaisila vandhuruveengale! No offense with KSR. He did his job of adding masala well.

So how is the movie all together? It is better than any recent past Vijay or Ajith movie but not good like previous Surya movies. Ayan was way better than Aadhavan. It is time for Surya to re-think about his trajectory.

Watch Aadhavan for Vadivelu!

Death to funeral: Lesson on Diwali day

2009-10-17T23:09:00.000-07:00

Oct 17’ 09, Deepavali. All my sisters had come to our house to celebrate. All of us were enjoying some TV show.

A call to my father’s mobile. My father said “Iyyo”. My father’s mother’s sister’s daughter expired. (Got the relationship? :P ). In simple, she is sister to my father and so ‘athai’ (aunt) to me. It was she who gave shelter to my grandmother
when she migrated from village to Chennai with her 7 children 50 years back. It was she who gave advance amount of Rs.2000/- 35 years back for the house which we are living now. She is very important person in my family circle. So my father was little disturbed after hearing the news. I have never worried for any death so far. This is no exception.

She is 85+. She stepped out of home to buy something in shop, Slipped, Fell down, Dead. A best death one could ever get. All over in few seconds. She had no disease till now and never troubled anyone. Rather she helped everyone. Recently she finished even her great granddaughter’s marriage. She had a complete and satisfactory life. We call demise of such people as “kalyana saavu” [Marriage Death if literally translated ;)]. Such deaths are usually not considered as a shocking event. We can see people laughing and chatting about something else near dead body (of course there will be little opparis [death cry] in between).

My mother’s parents and father’s father passed away even before my parents’ marriage. My father’s mother expired when I was in 6th. Since I was a small boy, I was not allowed in that death ceremony process. I was just curious to attend this death ceremony and get a feel for how the entire flow from death to funeral ground happens. Burning dead body is not something new to me since my house is pretty close to crematory ground. When dead bodies are burning, I will be playing cricket near that right from my childhood days. But I have never observed the entire process of ‘death to funeral’ completely.

Therefore I wished to utilize this death. I was with my father, participating throughout the entire process. It was a great experience. I wish to participate in few more death ceremonies like this and gain more experience. Don’t think I am one hard hearted cruel guy. I will be happy if at least one person like me gets an experience during my death ceremony. After all death is also another event like marriage, upanayanam, seemandham etc. whose procedures should be known. Am I right? :)

Another Karthik is born

2009-10-17T23:06:00.000-07:00

pada..... Oh started!

pada pada...... Hoh :(

padapadapada.......sssssssssssssssssss

padapadapadapadapadapadapada......... Iyyo! Why are you all making this much noise?

Now comes my elder sister and starts questioning me. "What were you doing
till your school days? How annoying were you? How much noise and smoke you generated? Most importantly I know how much paper garbage used get accumulated outside our house since I was the one who sweeps the next day morning"

I can't deny anything as it was 100% true. I was a most annoying creature.

Rewind. 10 years before....

On Deepavali, we will wake up at 4AM (sometimes at 3AM too). My mother, my 3 sisters (!), my father and I, totally 6 members. It will take solid 2 hours for every one of us to finish taking oil bath. I will be the first one to get ready, wear new dress, eat deepavali marundhu (it is a bitter paste kind of stuff) and start burning crackers.

I was the alarm for our neighbors. They will wake up scolding me. From early morning to 10AM, i will burn walas, lakshmi vedi, high decibel naattu vedi etc. Idli tiffin in between. I will complete all the comparatively costly crackers by 10AM. Then follows the 'bijili' session from 10AM to 6PM. Packets and packets of Bijili under hot sun. My hands will get black. My nails will get damaged because of continuously removing the paper wrapper of all those crackers. [My sister will say ‘Dey konja neramaavadhu ulla vandhu iru da’] Those days, it will always rain on during deepavali ( Don’t know why no rain these days on deepavali). In that rain gap, I will have diwali special lunch. Evening: rocket, flower pot, chakra and all colorful stuffs. I will end deepavali with snake tablets. Full house will be under smoke.

My sisters will curse me. No one from my house will come out and enjoy the cracker show. All will be held up with Solomon pappaya pattimandram, movies and other special TV shows. I will mock at them and will think that they were wasting their life without enjoying the great festival.

As I became older and older (I am still young :P ), I slowly lost interest in many things and my ears got less and less tolerant. I became someone whom I mocked earlier.

But I have to start burning cracker again with my nephew. This deepavali is something special since my 3^rd sister Kavitha gave birth to a male baby on Oct 11 (other 2 sisters have girl children).

Another Karthik is born! Get ready to close your ears :)

Padapadapadapadapada…..

Stay away from good looking girls

2009-10-06T07:05:00.000-07:00

(Just for fun! But take it serious :P)

Preamble:

· What is ‘good looking’ is a subjective issue which is beyond the scope of this chapter :P.

· Author has assumed that guys tend to move closer with good looking girls which may not be true in few cases.

· ‘Close’ need not be thought as something to do with physical proximity :P

· The entire article is written in men’s perspective. So I am sure more girls will read this ;)

· The word ‘attitude’ is used by author in a broader sense. Please don’t map it to something specific that your imagination coins.

· Read ‘ the author’ as ‘karthik’ wherever applicable :)

Chapter 1:

Imagine that a guy is moving closely with a girl who is looking good according to him (issue is serious if it is according to me :P). There are at least two problems in moving closely with a good looking girl

1. If the attitude of that good looking girl is very inspiring, then automatically they guy feels “How nice it will be if I marry her and have her as my life partner?”. There is nothing wrong in that thought and it is quite natural. But the road is not very smooth. First of all even you should appear good (in look and attitude) to her. Then comes the social structure which is not pro-love marriage. Nationality (Mind, I am studying in an International Institute :P), Religion. Caste….. the list goes on. Why to face these many problems? If you don’t have such restrictions, then you are a fortunate person (not many are fortunate enough). So (unfortunate) guys stay away from good looking girls with good attitude.

2. Now the other side of coin. In my limited experience, what I reckon is, 50% of good looking girls don’t have a good attitude (at least in men’s perspective). So if you find that the good looking girl has a bad attitude after moving closely with her, then whenever you see that girl, only her attitude comes up in your mind, NOT her face, smile, attire (or whatever you found as good looking :P ). Then what is the purpose of she being a good looking girl? ;) Her beauty is of no use to you ;) [Sight adikka mudiadhu machi]

So this is the verdict guys. Beware of good looking girls.

Just enjoy sighting them from distance :)

Pour in your thoughts too.

More chapters to be written in future. Suggestions invited :)

(I wish my parents don’t see this post :P )