memories
Happy Navarathri to everybody out there.
Friday, September 29, 2006
memories
A Record of Sorts
Mohanlal, one of India's finest actors is on his way to achieve an unique record. More than 20 years back he was paired with Poornima Jayaram in his debut "Manjil Virinja Pookal"(Flowers that Blossomed in the Mist."
Now Poornima and director K.Bhagyaraj's daughter Saranya, who made her debut with Prithviraj in Parijatham, is all set to play Mohanlal's heroine in the new movie "Photographer."
Thus Lalettan has become the first actor in the world to act as a hero with both mother and daughter.
Cheers.
A Record of Sorts
Mohanlal, one of India's finest actors is on his way to achieve an unique record. More than 20 years back he was paired with Poornima Jayaram in his debut "Manjil Virinja Pookal"(Flowers that Blossomed in the Mist."
Now Poornima and director K.Bhagyaraj's daughter Saranya, who made her debut with Prithviraj in Parijatham, is all set to play Mohanlal's heroine in the new movie "Photographer."
Thus Lalettan has become the first actor in the world to act as a hero with both mother and daughter.
Cheers.
memories
DVD Review 1
I saw this movie called "The Hero". It stars Jet Li and a host of other actors whose names I do not know. The movie was in Chinese with English sub-titles.
It is based on a true story taken from Chinese history. A king plans to unite the seven warring tribes in China and goes on a violent conquest of the opposing tribes. The tribes are fiercely independent and have no interest in being ruled over by a tyrant.
Many assassination attempts are made but all end up in vain. Here comes our hero Jet Li, he organises an elaborate plan in which he captures and kills some people who made a previous attempt on the king's life, to gain a private audience with the king.
He specializes in a martial art form called-"Death within ten feet" The scenes showing his excellence with his sword and the war scenes are excellent. In the end Li realises that the king's plans are honourable and good in the larger interest of the people. He allows himself to be killed by the king's soldiers.
The movie ends with a message saying that the king united all the seven tribes and established a new dynasty.
The music and camera-work is top-notch and is definitely worth watching.
Mahesh's-Rate-o-Meter-3 out of 5.
Cheers.
DVD Review 1
I saw this movie called "The Hero". It stars Jet Li and a host of other actors whose names I do not know. The movie was in Chinese with English sub-titles.
It is based on a true story taken from Chinese history. A king plans to unite the seven warring tribes in China and goes on a violent conquest of the opposing tribes. The tribes are fiercely independent and have no interest in being ruled over by a tyrant.
Many assassination attempts are made but all end up in vain. Here comes our hero Jet Li, he organises an elaborate plan in which he captures and kills some people who made a previous attempt on the king's life, to gain a private audience with the king.
He specializes in a martial art form called-"Death within ten feet" The scenes showing his excellence with his sword and the war scenes are excellent. In the end Li realises that the king's plans are honourable and good in the larger interest of the people. He allows himself to be killed by the king's soldiers.
The movie ends with a message saying that the king united all the seven tribes and established a new dynasty.
The music and camera-work is top-notch and is definitely worth watching.
Mahesh's-Rate-o-Meter-3 out of 5.
Cheers.
Thursday, September 28, 2006
memories
The DVD Club
I finally got a DVD player. I wanted to buy one right from my college days, and the desire got postponed due to lack of funds. I finally saved enough money to buy one. I got ideas galore from my friends and colleagues about the various models in the market and their various features. Most of them suggested a Sony DVD player, but the best things in life don't come cheap and so the Sony factor was overruled by the price factor. The next options were Philips and Samsung. I decided to experiment and visited various shops to compare prices and features.
I did some research and found out that the main component of the players would cost about Rs 650/-(I think its the disc reader), courtesy of my friends in Ritchie Street. So I decided to buy an assembled DVD player. It is MP-4 compatabile(Video form of an MP-3).
I paid Rs 2000/- for it. It is silver in colour and has the Samsung logo on it(Marketing Genius). What I like about my player are the LED lights that flash a myriad of colours when the player is in use.
I hope to start another series tiltled DVD reviews, that will carry a review of the movies that I watch on my player.
Cheers.
The DVD Club
I finally got a DVD player. I wanted to buy one right from my college days, and the desire got postponed due to lack of funds. I finally saved enough money to buy one. I got ideas galore from my friends and colleagues about the various models in the market and their various features. Most of them suggested a Sony DVD player, but the best things in life don't come cheap and so the Sony factor was overruled by the price factor. The next options were Philips and Samsung. I decided to experiment and visited various shops to compare prices and features.
I did some research and found out that the main component of the players would cost about Rs 650/-(I think its the disc reader), courtesy of my friends in Ritchie Street. So I decided to buy an assembled DVD player. It is MP-4 compatabile(Video form of an MP-3).
I paid Rs 2000/- for it. It is silver in colour and has the Samsung logo on it(Marketing Genius). What I like about my player are the LED lights that flash a myriad of colours when the player is in use.
I hope to start another series tiltled DVD reviews, that will carry a review of the movies that I watch on my player.
Cheers.
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
memories
Guru Greg and his dadagiri
India's dismal performance at the DLF Cup in Malaysia has set the panic bells ringing in the Indian camp. "Too much of anything is good for nothing." I think our coach Guru Greg should understand this. There is no harm in experimenting, but don't toy around with your top order and reduce it to a bunch of school kids playing street-cricket with a rubber ball.
The great batsmen-Dravid, Shewag and Yuvraj Singh have failed miserably in the series. Harbhajan and Sachin were the only saving grace for us in this series. Greg's determination to make Irfan into another Kapil, is taking its toll on Pathan as a bowler. He is no longer able to swing the ball and take wickets in his opening spell.
I do not understand the point of playing Sreesanth in just one match. The kid has genuine talent and speed. He has already been omitted from the Champion's Trophy. So he should have been played in more matches. Agarkar has made a comeback of sorts for perhaps the twentieth time. I sincerely believe that the team has to stick with him regularly. He has to head the bowling department for the World Cup.
I do not know what happened to Zaheer and Balaji and why are we kicking Anil Kumble out of the ODI squad. The Aussies and the West Indians were troubled by Harbhajan's spin. I am sure Kumble could have won us the series if he would have played.
I am waiting for the pompous Kiran More to leave the selection panel. The new selector Dilip Vengsarkar is sure to give Ganguly and perhaps Laxman a chance in the ODI squad. Being a batsman he knows the importance of a solid batting squad.
The Challenger Trophy beginning on October 1, should be interesting as many players will be fighting for a return to the national squad. Let us keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best. We really need to put up a good show in the Champions Trophy, or else I think all hopes for even a place in the last four in the World Cup will vanish.
Guru Greg and his dadagiri
India's dismal performance at the DLF Cup in Malaysia has set the panic bells ringing in the Indian camp. "Too much of anything is good for nothing." I think our coach Guru Greg should understand this. There is no harm in experimenting, but don't toy around with your top order and reduce it to a bunch of school kids playing street-cricket with a rubber ball.
The great batsmen-Dravid, Shewag and Yuvraj Singh have failed miserably in the series. Harbhajan and Sachin were the only saving grace for us in this series. Greg's determination to make Irfan into another Kapil, is taking its toll on Pathan as a bowler. He is no longer able to swing the ball and take wickets in his opening spell.
I do not understand the point of playing Sreesanth in just one match. The kid has genuine talent and speed. He has already been omitted from the Champion's Trophy. So he should have been played in more matches. Agarkar has made a comeback of sorts for perhaps the twentieth time. I sincerely believe that the team has to stick with him regularly. He has to head the bowling department for the World Cup.
I do not know what happened to Zaheer and Balaji and why are we kicking Anil Kumble out of the ODI squad. The Aussies and the West Indians were troubled by Harbhajan's spin. I am sure Kumble could have won us the series if he would have played.
I am waiting for the pompous Kiran More to leave the selection panel. The new selector Dilip Vengsarkar is sure to give Ganguly and perhaps Laxman a chance in the ODI squad. Being a batsman he knows the importance of a solid batting squad.
The Challenger Trophy beginning on October 1, should be interesting as many players will be fighting for a return to the national squad. Let us keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best. We really need to put up a good show in the Champions Trophy, or else I think all hopes for even a place in the last four in the World Cup will vanish.
memories
"Mohana" is no more...
Padmini India's greatest classical dancer and a great actress passed away in the early hours of Monday September 25. She was the last surviving member of the Travancore sisters. Lalitha, Ragini and Padmini were accomplished dancers and actresses. Padmini broke linguistic barriers and acted in Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi and dubbed in her own voice for all these languages.
She acted with M.G.R., Shivaji Ganeshan, Gemini Ganeshan, Prem Nazir, Raj Kapoor and many other leading men of her time. Some of my favourite movies in which she starred were-Vanji Kottai Valibhan-with Gemini and Vyjayanthi Mala, Thilana Mohanambal and Vietnam Veedu with Shivaji Ganeshan, Nokkatha Doorathu Kannum Nattu-Fazil's movie starring Nadiya and Mohanlal(remade as Poove Poo Choodava in Tamil)
She married Doctor Ramachandran and settled in the U.S. where she started a dance-school. She was an intelligent and humble woman who was a constant bundle of energy. A great artist and a beautiful person. Indian cinema will miss her.
"Mohana" is no more...
Padmini India's greatest classical dancer and a great actress passed away in the early hours of Monday September 25. She was the last surviving member of the Travancore sisters. Lalitha, Ragini and Padmini were accomplished dancers and actresses. Padmini broke linguistic barriers and acted in Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi and dubbed in her own voice for all these languages.
She acted with M.G.R., Shivaji Ganeshan, Gemini Ganeshan, Prem Nazir, Raj Kapoor and many other leading men of her time. Some of my favourite movies in which she starred were-Vanji Kottai Valibhan-with Gemini and Vyjayanthi Mala, Thilana Mohanambal and Vietnam Veedu with Shivaji Ganeshan, Nokkatha Doorathu Kannum Nattu-Fazil's movie starring Nadiya and Mohanlal(remade as Poove Poo Choodava in Tamil)
She married Doctor Ramachandran and settled in the U.S. where she started a dance-school. She was an intelligent and humble woman who was a constant bundle of energy. A great artist and a beautiful person. Indian cinema will miss her.
Friday, September 15, 2006
memories
The Boss is Back-Sachin's century no. 40
Sachin made a strong comeback to the Indian team after a long lay off due to injury. He punished the Weat Indian bowlers mercilessly with some superb shots. He scored 141 runs and carried the bat through the innings(he remained notout).
This was just the second time in his career when he opened the innings and remained notout till the end. He was provided good support by Irfan Pathan who scored a swashbuckling 64. India posted 309/5 in 50 overs.
Unfortunately rain and Gayle played spoilsport. West Indies were 141/2 at the end of 20 overs when rain stopped the proceedings. The Duckworth/Lewis rule was enforced and the West Indins were declared the winners by 29 runs.
Hope Sachin plays even better against the Aussies and that it does not rain and cause problems.
The Boss is Back-Sachin's century no. 40
Sachin made a strong comeback to the Indian team after a long lay off due to injury. He punished the Weat Indian bowlers mercilessly with some superb shots. He scored 141 runs and carried the bat through the innings(he remained notout).
This was just the second time in his career when he opened the innings and remained notout till the end. He was provided good support by Irfan Pathan who scored a swashbuckling 64. India posted 309/5 in 50 overs.
Unfortunately rain and Gayle played spoilsport. West Indies were 141/2 at the end of 20 overs when rain stopped the proceedings. The Duckworth/Lewis rule was enforced and the West Indins were declared the winners by 29 runs.
Hope Sachin plays even better against the Aussies and that it does not rain and cause problems.
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
memories
Terrorism on the rise
This year has not gone well for the average Maharashtrian. Seven blasts at important railway stations on the Mumbai local train service, made the people remember the '93 blasts. The police are yet to find a proper perpetrator of these blasts and are just providing hazy assumptions based on even hazier Identikit photos of possible terrorists.
A few days back terror returned in the form of the Malegaon blasts. Today afternoon another explosive device was recovered from a bsy shopping-complex in Malegaon.
A couple of days back the Chennai police recovered a cache of rockets being sent to Andhra Pradesh supposedly to be used by the Naxals. Further investigation revealed that these were manufactured in the Ambattur Industrial Estate in suburban Chennai. A high ranking AP police official has issued a statement saying that he was aware of this rocket manufacturing unit for the past three years. I wonder if he was swatting flies and mosquitoes all this while.
The point is that stringent surprise raids and checks should be undertaken in all industrial units big or small across India. We have close to 40 million engineering units both small and big that manufacture things ranging from nuts and bolts to helicopters.
Many unscrupulous factory-owners are using their manufacturing and explosive licence to herald terror. It is high time that the government opens its eyes to the evil that is spreading like wildfire.
Another disturbing factor is that more and more educated youth from affluent families are turning to a life of crime and terror. Specially susceptible are the youth staying in small and mid-size towns.
This is not an isolated case. A well-planned and financially supportive mastermind is building a network for something really big and destructive. Recent statements by the Lashkar-e-Toiba add fuel to fire.
You and me as responsible citizens should do our bit. If you see any suspicious person or object immediately notify the police. While travelling by public-transport ensure that there is no unclaimed baggage or package, and do not pick up anything from the street or on the beach.
There is only one way to fight terrorism to be alert and careful.
Jai Hind.
Terrorism on the rise
This year has not gone well for the average Maharashtrian. Seven blasts at important railway stations on the Mumbai local train service, made the people remember the '93 blasts. The police are yet to find a proper perpetrator of these blasts and are just providing hazy assumptions based on even hazier Identikit photos of possible terrorists.
A few days back terror returned in the form of the Malegaon blasts. Today afternoon another explosive device was recovered from a bsy shopping-complex in Malegaon.
A couple of days back the Chennai police recovered a cache of rockets being sent to Andhra Pradesh supposedly to be used by the Naxals. Further investigation revealed that these were manufactured in the Ambattur Industrial Estate in suburban Chennai. A high ranking AP police official has issued a statement saying that he was aware of this rocket manufacturing unit for the past three years. I wonder if he was swatting flies and mosquitoes all this while.
The point is that stringent surprise raids and checks should be undertaken in all industrial units big or small across India. We have close to 40 million engineering units both small and big that manufacture things ranging from nuts and bolts to helicopters.
Many unscrupulous factory-owners are using their manufacturing and explosive licence to herald terror. It is high time that the government opens its eyes to the evil that is spreading like wildfire.
Another disturbing factor is that more and more educated youth from affluent families are turning to a life of crime and terror. Specially susceptible are the youth staying in small and mid-size towns.
This is not an isolated case. A well-planned and financially supportive mastermind is building a network for something really big and destructive. Recent statements by the Lashkar-e-Toiba add fuel to fire.
You and me as responsible citizens should do our bit. If you see any suspicious person or object immediately notify the police. While travelling by public-transport ensure that there is no unclaimed baggage or package, and do not pick up anything from the street or on the beach.
There is only one way to fight terrorism to be alert and careful.
Jai Hind.
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
memories
Reflections on 9/11
Five years have passed since the fateful day on which the American pride was hurt really bad. Till then terrorism on such a large scale was only dreamt of in movies. Recent research by eminent scholars throws open a whole new aspect on the incident. They say that the whole thing was rigged by the American government. There are many websites that support and document this conspiracy theory.
We might never know what really happened, but the failure of the Americans to capture Osama with all their modern gadgets adds fuel to this theory. Remember Osama was helped by the American government to fight the Russians in the eighties.
All said and done a silent prayer for all those who lost their lives on 9/11
Reflections on 9/11
Five years have passed since the fateful day on which the American pride was hurt really bad. Till then terrorism on such a large scale was only dreamt of in movies. Recent research by eminent scholars throws open a whole new aspect on the incident. They say that the whole thing was rigged by the American government. There are many websites that support and document this conspiracy theory.
We might never know what really happened, but the failure of the Americans to capture Osama with all their modern gadgets adds fuel to this theory. Remember Osama was helped by the American government to fight the Russians in the eighties.
All said and done a silent prayer for all those who lost their lives on 9/11
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