BIG MAJOR RAMBLING RANT - BE FORE-WARNED
It's been a long journey now, the humble diary that held my jottings and scribblings found a voice through this blog. The blog has been responsible in many ways to give me solace, a place that has helped me find friends, some who have become such an integral part of my daily life that I don't know what will happen to me in their absence and continued support.
My short stories, my poems, my movie reviews, rants about the state of the government, cricket, jobs and salaries, friends and foes, back-stabbers and random kind strangers; this blog has been with me through all my personal highs and lows.
700 is a number - that my dear reader is the number of posts that have been published on this blog. If I were to integrate all my blogs that I have maintained all through these years those deleted those hidden and lost in the vast and complex world of cyber-space - the number would about 1500 posts.
I think I have reached a point - a point of no return - my insecurities, my fears, sins of the past are all coming back to haunt me. I am 31, perennially hunched, I can't run as fast as I used to; the champion kick-boxer's frame now looks like a disillusioned shadow of himself. My marriage has become a joke; relatives and so-called family well-wishers rub the fact with undying accuracy that I should have studied engineering, joined TCS or CTS, gone on-site and returned and married a sweet little Iyer girl after all the mandatory horoscope-matching!
I smile at their concern; knowing that none of them will ever dare to give me their daughter's hand!Old-age and ill-health of my mother - a problem that haunts me; even when at work; my mind is at home hoping that amma took her medication on time and is resting comfortably.
Everyday is a mad-rush to work; racing against time and the great system called Indian Railways ensures that every working day is ruined at the start by screwing up the train schedules. Somehow by God's grace I reach in the nick of time and life goes on!
There have been some postives as well; a house to call my own; an enviable collection of books and movies, a pet-dog of my own; who teaches me something new everyday; friends who I believe will help me in a crisis and the beautiful network of bloggers called The Chennai Bloggers Club.
There are so many different people here; each one has a special quality; have learnt so much from fellow bloggers; both young and old.Chennai Bloggers for Social Awareness and Action - seems to be a brilliant concept on paper - but things are not moving as envisaged! That does not deter me; I shall step in with renewed vigour and focus my energies on various wonderful projects that some friends have highlighted. Things will change for the better in good time :)
As every day brings a fresh set of challenges; I keep asking myself how can I make a difference to the world that I live in? can I make at least one random stranger happy today? I am not going to offer someone money; but can I buy someone a simple meal; help a blind man cross a road; or guide a foreign tourist through the maze of this city.
I have this desire to start afresh - a new perspective to LIFE - I do not want to be haunted or comforted by memories any more; I am not going to chase a dream that is never going to be real. I relax in the comfort that one can still live alone and be content.
I dreamt of an old man; who lay calm and quiet on an easy-chair; a couple of dogs lying at his feet.Suddenly there was the sound of a bell ringing and the old man rose gently and the two dogs followed suit following their master. The man walked slowly up to the door and asks 'yaar pa'. A familiar voice answers ' Naan dhan'- the door is opened and I see myself and then I realize that the old man was no one but an image of me in the future.
My dream broke the space-time continuum and I saw myself! Perhaps this is what life has in store for me.
Now after all this idle rambling; you might wonder has Mahesh finally broken his vow and if a couple of beers and a couple of generous shots of rum and vodka have gone in; or if Mahesh has smoked a joint? I assure you dear readers - "evalo dhan aasai patalum idhu yellam nadakadhu"!
I write this to let you know that this blog is shutting down!!!!!!!!!
I shall henceforth write and publish posts at http://teerthadanam.wordpress.com/
I know, I know, pudhu blogku ivalo build-upaa!
Vaazhkaiye oru vilambaram dhaney - some forgettable, some sweet and some special :)
Friday, April 26, 2013
Inch by Inch
Al Pacino is an actor whom I admire a lot; it was his birthday yesterday. In his honour, I present the lines from an iconic inspirational speech he gives in a movie - Any Given Sunday.
Inch By Inch speech from Any Given Sunday
I don't know what to say really.
Three minutes
to the biggest battle of our professional lives
all comes down to today.
Either
we heal
as a team
or we are going to crumble.
Inch by inch
play by play
till we're finished.
We are in hell right now, gentlemen
believe me
and
we can stay here
and get the shit kicked out of us
or
we can fight our way
back into the light.
We can climb out of hell.
One inch, at a time.
Now I can't do it for you.
I'm too old.
I look around and I see these young faces
and I think
I mean
I made every wrong choice a middle age man could make.
I uh....
I pissed away all my money
believe it or not.
I chased off
anyone who has ever loved me.
And lately,
I can't even stand the face I see in the mirror.
You know when you get old in life
things get taken from you.
That's, that's part of life.
But,
you only learn that when you start losing stuff.
You find out that life is just a game of inches.
So is football.
Because in either game
life or football
the margin for error is so small.
I mean
one half step too late or to early
you don't quite make it.
One half second too slow or too fast
and you don't quite catch it.
The inches we need are everywhere around us.
They are in ever break of the game
every minute, every second.
On this team, we fight for that inch
On this team, we tear ourselves, and everyone around us
to pieces for that inch.
We CLAW with our finger nails for that inch.
Cause we know
when we add up all those inches
that's going to make the fucking difference
between WINNING and LOSING
between LIVING and DYING.
I'll tell you this
in any fight
it is the guy who is willing to die
who is going to win that inch.
And I know
if I am going to have any life anymore
it is because, I am still willing to fight, and die for that inch
because that is what LIVING is.
The six inches in front of your face.
Now I can't make you do it.
You gotta look at the guy next to you.
Look into his eyes.
Now I think you are going to see a guy who will go that inch with you.
You are going to see a guy
who will sacrifice himself for this team
because he knows when it comes down to it,
you are gonna do the same thing for him.
That's a team, gentlemen
and either we heal now, as a team,
or we will die as individuals.
That's football guys.
That's all it is.
Now, whattaya gonna do?
Links - http://essaysfromexodus.scripting.com/stories/storyReader$1492
www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9CD7uj2TL0
Inch By Inch speech from Any Given Sunday
I don't know what to say really.
Three minutes
to the biggest battle of our professional lives
all comes down to today.
Either
we heal
as a team
or we are going to crumble.
Inch by inch
play by play
till we're finished.
We are in hell right now, gentlemen
believe me
and
we can stay here
and get the shit kicked out of us
or
we can fight our way
back into the light.
We can climb out of hell.
One inch, at a time.
Now I can't do it for you.
I'm too old.
I look around and I see these young faces
and I think
I mean
I made every wrong choice a middle age man could make.
I uh....
I pissed away all my money
believe it or not.
I chased off
anyone who has ever loved me.
And lately,
I can't even stand the face I see in the mirror.
You know when you get old in life
things get taken from you.
That's, that's part of life.
But,
you only learn that when you start losing stuff.
You find out that life is just a game of inches.
So is football.
Because in either game
life or football
the margin for error is so small.
I mean
one half step too late or to early
you don't quite make it.
One half second too slow or too fast
and you don't quite catch it.
The inches we need are everywhere around us.
They are in ever break of the game
every minute, every second.
On this team, we fight for that inch
On this team, we tear ourselves, and everyone around us
to pieces for that inch.
We CLAW with our finger nails for that inch.
Cause we know
when we add up all those inches
that's going to make the fucking difference
between WINNING and LOSING
between LIVING and DYING.
I'll tell you this
in any fight
it is the guy who is willing to die
who is going to win that inch.
And I know
if I am going to have any life anymore
it is because, I am still willing to fight, and die for that inch
because that is what LIVING is.
The six inches in front of your face.
Now I can't make you do it.
You gotta look at the guy next to you.
Look into his eyes.
Now I think you are going to see a guy who will go that inch with you.
You are going to see a guy
who will sacrifice himself for this team
because he knows when it comes down to it,
you are gonna do the same thing for him.
That's a team, gentlemen
and either we heal now, as a team,
or we will die as individuals.
That's football guys.
That's all it is.
Now, whattaya gonna do?
Links - http://essaysfromexodus.scripting.com/stories/storyReader$1492
www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9CD7uj2TL0
Monday, April 15, 2013
The Scent of a Book
There is something about a book,
A scent of a book,
Is similar to the scent of a woman!
Every book has its own tale to tell,
A misty fragrance that makes it special.
Every woman uses a perfume that is unique.
Many a man has tried in vain,
To woo a woman and found only pain.
Sometimes I wish it would just rain.
So I could stay back home.
With a book in hand all alone.
And find comfort in a book and a cup of coffee!
As the aroma of coffee, mixes with the misty-
Fragrance of an old book and the gentle smell of wet earth arises.
I wonder - If only, she would have said 'yes'!
I would not be all alone.
On this rainy day sitting here with this book.
We could have been together and read this book in one go!
Instead all that I have -
Are some memories of a time well-spent with you.
And I keep wondering - If only you would have said 'Yes'?
Life goes on;
I don't chase women;
All I do is hunt books!
Striking a deal with some wily book-seller!
Searching for gems in some unknown street-corner!
Hoping to find a gem!
That will offer me comfort -
From the pain of your separation!
The scent of every book is unique!
Wednesday, April 03, 2013
CBC Wordless Wednesday Series
My first presentation in the CBC Wordless Wednesday Series, which reflects the maxim a good picture is worth a thousand words!
Picture Credit - Self shot at Dakshin Chitra - Kodak Digital Camera!
Picture Credit - Self shot at Dakshin Chitra - Kodak Digital Camera!
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Royal Magnum Icecream Launch
Product - Royal Magnum Icecream
Venue - The Hyatt Regency - Chennai
PR company - Edelman
The Royal Magnum ice cream launch at Chennai's Grand Hyatt was a brilliant success; the programme started a bit late, but then the great spread of snacks was enough to keep me occupied! Met lots of CFG friends for the first time - Fazil, Danny, Lalitha, Kamali, Sara.
The chef spoke patiently and Cary the host took over, there were a couple of kids who were the spotlight of the show answering honestly to the questions asked by the chef!
We were made to choose from chocolate nuggets and identify the origin of the same - Swiss, Belgian or French chocolate.
Then we were given the actual Royal Magnum classic flavoured icecream bar to eat - made in Thailand and priced at Rs 75. I am not someone who is that much into icecreams, I am more of a fresh fruit and flavoured wafer chap :)!
The icecream was rich and the Belgian chocolate made the experience divine!
Then we were asked to create sundaes of our own using 5 ingredients, a chocolate sauce and the Royal Magnum icecream bars!
We chose orange cake, pepper, mint instead of rosemary, kiwi fruits and chocolate sauce to make a delightful sundae, which we named Harry's Citrus Blast / Delight - dedicated to the original angry cop Dirty Harry - Clint Eastwood :)
An enjoyable experience - thank you CFG, Edelman and Royal Magnum :)
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
The Liebster Blog Award
I have been awarded the Liebster Blog Award by blogger Gayathree Ganeshan. She has a way with words and I admire some of her poems! She has also written guest posts on some websites and is a singer as well!
http://gayathreeganesan.blogspot.in/2013/03/the-liebster-blog-award-is-mine.html
Essentially one states 11 facts about oneself, answers 11 questions presented by the person who gives us the award; we then proceed to set up 11 eleven questions and pass it on to 11 other bloggers.
I have tagged people for quite some time, in the recent past at least three tag-posts to friends and bloggers and I have realized that not everyone has the time and patience to sit and answer questions posted by others. Plus a few bloggers by principle do not publish tag-posts. A few I have noticed readily publish and answer tag-posts initiated by others but choose to discard my questions without batting an eye-lid.
Hence this time around I am not selecting anyone - it is an open post; every blogger is special and every blogger deserves an award!
If you wish to accept the award feel free to answer my questions!
11 Things About Me:
Crazy about books, movies, Ilayaraja, The Beatles and dogs.
Aim to make a movie some day.
Believe that TASMAC should be banned and state-sponsored alcoholism should end.
I have played Brutus, Julius Caesar and Mark Antony in a play at school! From class 10 to class 12, every year I played a character! Brutus is my personal favourite :)
I find myself more comfortable in the company of four-legged friends and young children than adults!
I love cooking but for the life of me cannot roll out a perfect chappathi.
Curd Rice Rocks :)!
I analyse movies frame by frame scene by scene and usually pin-point which scene in a Tamil or Hindi movie has been lifted from which foreign movie - this drives my friends crazy!
I believe that rapists, child-molesters and men who physically and emotionally harass women deserve to be deported to an uninhabited island and left there to rot - cut away from all civilization.
I usually remain very calm and composed even during the craziest situations; but woe betide if you anger or rub me the wrong way - I promise I will hunt you down and make you pay!
I dream of a better tomorrow where merit gets precedence over what community I was born in or what religion I practise!
Q-n-A - Gayathree's questions and my answers:
1. If you were born a saint, what would your message to the society be?
2. How did you start blogging?
3. Why do you think modern poetry is not well-recognized in the world of literature?
4. If you are to become young again and shape your career afresh, what would you choose to be?
5. What is the first thing that you would do if you wake up to find yourself (alone) stranded in a uninhabited desert?
6. What is your take on water conservation?
7. If you are in a powerful position in the government or the UN, what would your reforms be on poverty alleviation?
8. If you are born to a terrorist father, can you keep the same composure and non-violence that exists in you now?
9. If you are secret agent who is appointed with a mission to find the root cause of terrorism, what will be the first thing you will accomplish?
10. What is your opinion on the sky being blue? (NON-SCIENTIFIC)
11. State one compliment and one criticism about me deserving this liebster blog award.
Believe that God exists in every living creature animal or human; respect every living creature!
Free time at work and the necessity to write!
Poetry does not deliver the thrill of a crime-novel; publishers need to create incentives for aspiring poets and promote them! Can a poetry book see the same fanfare as the release of a JK Rowling novel????
A monk in a Buddhist monastery!
Go back to sleep!
Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink! Re-use waste-water, ensure that your offices and residences have rain-water harvesting resources!
Freeze all black-money accounts in the Cayman Islands, Switzerland, London, Monaco, etc. and use all that money to ensure that no one starves to death. Make it mandatory for every company having an annual turnover of Rs 1 crore or more to invest 1 % per crore of their turnover towards social awareness and food-sustainability and drinking water projects!
Terrorism does not only mean that you need to carry a gun and blow up people and places; any man who does not know how to treat his wife and children with respect is a terrorist! I have suffered and seen my mother and sister suffer and my only promise to myself every single day of my life has been - if and if I ever get married I will treat the lady whom I get married to with the same respect, love and admiration that I shower on my mother and sister. If I have children they shall be showered with affection and care and never be hurt physically or emotionally! Read Roald Dahl's - 'Danny the Champion of the World' and I wish to be like Danny's dad for my kids!
Freeze all suspected money-laundering accounts! Ensure that all state and central intelligence services and the police-forces come under one unified command. Initiate a Zero Dark Thirty like operation to flush out Dawood Ibrahim. Zero-tolerance to veiled attacks on us by Pakistan and Bangladesh. Focus with the central and state governments to make the Northeastern states of India secure, as China is slowly brain-washing the people by supporting insurgents there!
Because the Lord decided that whenever you have the 'blues' just look up at the sky, the sun, the moon and the stars and thank God that these are free; smile and face every problem as it comes.
The poems are a big plus :) Nothing negative to say :) You can only improve and be a better blogger and writer :) Keep smiling, keep blogging :)!
11 questions for those who choose to answer:
Can a man and a woman just remain friends?
What ails Indian television?
If you could dedicate two hours every month to a social cause of your choice - what would that social cause be?
If someone offered to kill someone for you - no questions asked - who would you choose to be 'bumped-off' and why?
Did you cast your electoral vote?
Will you be ready to contest the elections as an independent candidate?
If God exists, why would so much of unrest and chaos still exist? Your thoughts on this!
Who are the most under-rated actors / actresses in Indian cinema!
Does another dimension of time exist? Are there parallel worlds existing on this planet that we call earth?
If you were just allowed to keep one book with you; which book would you choose?
Sometimes one tight slap works wonders instead of an hour of talking! Your thoughts on this statement!
http://gayathreeganesan.blogspot.in/2013/03/the-liebster-blog-award-is-mine.html
Essentially one states 11 facts about oneself, answers 11 questions presented by the person who gives us the award; we then proceed to set up 11 eleven questions and pass it on to 11 other bloggers.
I have tagged people for quite some time, in the recent past at least three tag-posts to friends and bloggers and I have realized that not everyone has the time and patience to sit and answer questions posted by others. Plus a few bloggers by principle do not publish tag-posts. A few I have noticed readily publish and answer tag-posts initiated by others but choose to discard my questions without batting an eye-lid.
Hence this time around I am not selecting anyone - it is an open post; every blogger is special and every blogger deserves an award!
If you wish to accept the award feel free to answer my questions!
11 Things About Me:
Crazy about books, movies, Ilayaraja, The Beatles and dogs.
Aim to make a movie some day.
Believe that TASMAC should be banned and state-sponsored alcoholism should end.
I have played Brutus, Julius Caesar and Mark Antony in a play at school! From class 10 to class 12, every year I played a character! Brutus is my personal favourite :)
I find myself more comfortable in the company of four-legged friends and young children than adults!
I love cooking but for the life of me cannot roll out a perfect chappathi.
Curd Rice Rocks :)!
I analyse movies frame by frame scene by scene and usually pin-point which scene in a Tamil or Hindi movie has been lifted from which foreign movie - this drives my friends crazy!
I believe that rapists, child-molesters and men who physically and emotionally harass women deserve to be deported to an uninhabited island and left there to rot - cut away from all civilization.
I usually remain very calm and composed even during the craziest situations; but woe betide if you anger or rub me the wrong way - I promise I will hunt you down and make you pay!
I dream of a better tomorrow where merit gets precedence over what community I was born in or what religion I practise!
Q-n-A - Gayathree's questions and my answers:
1. If you were born a saint, what would your message to the society be?
2. How did you start blogging?
3. Why do you think modern poetry is not well-recognized in the world of literature?
4. If you are to become young again and shape your career afresh, what would you choose to be?
5. What is the first thing that you would do if you wake up to find yourself (alone) stranded in a uninhabited desert?
6. What is your take on water conservation?
7. If you are in a powerful position in the government or the UN, what would your reforms be on poverty alleviation?
8. If you are born to a terrorist father, can you keep the same composure and non-violence that exists in you now?
9. If you are secret agent who is appointed with a mission to find the root cause of terrorism, what will be the first thing you will accomplish?
10. What is your opinion on the sky being blue? (NON-SCIENTIFIC)
11. State one compliment and one criticism about me deserving this liebster blog award.
Believe that God exists in every living creature animal or human; respect every living creature!
Free time at work and the necessity to write!
Poetry does not deliver the thrill of a crime-novel; publishers need to create incentives for aspiring poets and promote them! Can a poetry book see the same fanfare as the release of a JK Rowling novel????
A monk in a Buddhist monastery!
Go back to sleep!
Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink! Re-use waste-water, ensure that your offices and residences have rain-water harvesting resources!
Freeze all black-money accounts in the Cayman Islands, Switzerland, London, Monaco, etc. and use all that money to ensure that no one starves to death. Make it mandatory for every company having an annual turnover of Rs 1 crore or more to invest 1 % per crore of their turnover towards social awareness and food-sustainability and drinking water projects!
Terrorism does not only mean that you need to carry a gun and blow up people and places; any man who does not know how to treat his wife and children with respect is a terrorist! I have suffered and seen my mother and sister suffer and my only promise to myself every single day of my life has been - if and if I ever get married I will treat the lady whom I get married to with the same respect, love and admiration that I shower on my mother and sister. If I have children they shall be showered with affection and care and never be hurt physically or emotionally! Read Roald Dahl's - 'Danny the Champion of the World' and I wish to be like Danny's dad for my kids!
Freeze all suspected money-laundering accounts! Ensure that all state and central intelligence services and the police-forces come under one unified command. Initiate a Zero Dark Thirty like operation to flush out Dawood Ibrahim. Zero-tolerance to veiled attacks on us by Pakistan and Bangladesh. Focus with the central and state governments to make the Northeastern states of India secure, as China is slowly brain-washing the people by supporting insurgents there!
Because the Lord decided that whenever you have the 'blues' just look up at the sky, the sun, the moon and the stars and thank God that these are free; smile and face every problem as it comes.
The poems are a big plus :) Nothing negative to say :) You can only improve and be a better blogger and writer :) Keep smiling, keep blogging :)!
11 questions for those who choose to answer:
Can a man and a woman just remain friends?
What ails Indian television?
If you could dedicate two hours every month to a social cause of your choice - what would that social cause be?
If someone offered to kill someone for you - no questions asked - who would you choose to be 'bumped-off' and why?
Did you cast your electoral vote?
Will you be ready to contest the elections as an independent candidate?
If God exists, why would so much of unrest and chaos still exist? Your thoughts on this!
Who are the most under-rated actors / actresses in Indian cinema!
Does another dimension of time exist? Are there parallel worlds existing on this planet that we call earth?
If you were just allowed to keep one book with you; which book would you choose?
Sometimes one tight slap works wonders instead of an hour of talking! Your thoughts on this statement!
Monday, March 11, 2013
The Writer's Dilemma
In this tag, the first participant would write the first scene of a love story. The second participant would continue the story. Likewise, 21 participants would write one scene each. It’s basically a love story with 21 chapters, each scene written by different participants. Here is the link for previous scene in this CBC Valentine’s Day
The Writer's Dilemma
It all started with a wonderful post by Bragadeesh! There was a mention of a tablog and my curiosity was piqued! I never learnt of my involvement in the whole scheme of things till Bragadeesh confirmed that I was supposed to write a chapter in the CBC Valentine's Day Tablog as well.
Since then it has been a wonderful experience reading the posts of people from various walks of life in different countries! Interesting conversations with some writers - forging the first foundations of some friendships, which I hope will last a lifetime!
My confusion started with Sowmya's post and the chandeliers falling and the bomb explosion ripping the cafe! Then VJ Eshwar created a brilliant diversion inspired by Viswaroopam! As plot after plot, twist after twist happened - Sivaranjini crafted a swift transition of the plot to Chennai and things were favourable for a super carry-forward of the narrative!
To once again complicate this tale of love Vishnu Vardhan set up a hospital scene with Ahalya battling for her life. I have read the chapter at least five times but I am still not able to get it how Ahalya landed up in the hospital - accident / suicide / life-threatening pre-existing illness? Too many questions!
Now lies in my hands the tough of task of deciding who lives and who dies! There is a strange sense of dread on what to do as one is sure to receive brick-bats and the rare bouquet for what one decides to do with a tale that is being viewed with such interest! So what shall I do, how do I continue this tale... As I travelled all over Chennai yesterday with a few members of the CBC gang - my mind was in constant turmoil - what to do, who dies, who lives...!
At Beasant Nagar Beach, I saw two newly married couples and that gave my answer to this complicated conundrum!
Mangalyam tantunanena mama jeevana hetuna: kanthe badhnami subhage twam jeeva sarada satam !
“This is a sacred thread. This is essential for my long life. I tie this around your neck O maiden having many auspicious attributes. May you live happily for a hundred years (with me).”
Getimellam!Getimellam - "Thaaliya kettungo" "Periyava yellam akshadaiya podungo"
Tie the sacred thread; elders bless the couples by showering the akshadai on the couple!
As I tied the thread around Ahalya's neck; she smiled at me; the smile that had melted my heart a few months back! It seems like an eternity after all we went through! The bomb explosion in Sweden, the mad-rush of hacking into complicated network protocols, preventing more deaths, meeting Ahalya's dad who had a mysterious past, chance encounter with Geetha on the flight, childish jealousy of Ahalya, ego-tantrums, the wait at EA mall; the phone-call that forced me to rush to the hospital, where I found Ahalya battling for her life. The doctors operating on her and she was declared to be out of danger. These scenes rushed past me like a Christopher Nolan movie in fast-forward!
At the adjoining mandapam Varun and Geetha were all smiles!
I looked at Ahalya, and Ahalya said to me "Guru, nanbavey mudiyalai le?" - "Unbelievable isn't it Guru". I nodded at her and said “Never ever leave me again.”
That's how I choose to complete my chapter!
Because I believe in a simple truth - "True love is hard to come by in real life, everyone has their fair share of heart-breaks; but never ever think that your love failed, perhaps the person whom we choose to shower our affections on - might have been a wrong choice by us! But the purity of one's love is never lost!
For someone somewhere is waiting for you! As perhaps, I believe that someone somewhere is waiting for me as well!
The next chapter in the tablog will be written by Karpagam Pugalendi. She blogs here - She writes fiction and poems and is an ardent dog-lover with a lovely Lhasa Apso; pups and an affectionate Indian mongrel!
The Writer's Dilemma
It all started with a wonderful post by Bragadeesh! There was a mention of a tablog and my curiosity was piqued! I never learnt of my involvement in the whole scheme of things till Bragadeesh confirmed that I was supposed to write a chapter in the CBC Valentine's Day Tablog as well.
Since then it has been a wonderful experience reading the posts of people from various walks of life in different countries! Interesting conversations with some writers - forging the first foundations of some friendships, which I hope will last a lifetime!
My confusion started with Sowmya's post and the chandeliers falling and the bomb explosion ripping the cafe! Then VJ Eshwar created a brilliant diversion inspired by Viswaroopam! As plot after plot, twist after twist happened - Sivaranjini crafted a swift transition of the plot to Chennai and things were favourable for a super carry-forward of the narrative!
To once again complicate this tale of love Vishnu Vardhan set up a hospital scene with Ahalya battling for her life. I have read the chapter at least five times but I am still not able to get it how Ahalya landed up in the hospital - accident / suicide / life-threatening pre-existing illness? Too many questions!
Now lies in my hands the tough of task of deciding who lives and who dies! There is a strange sense of dread on what to do as one is sure to receive brick-bats and the rare bouquet for what one decides to do with a tale that is being viewed with such interest! So what shall I do, how do I continue this tale... As I travelled all over Chennai yesterday with a few members of the CBC gang - my mind was in constant turmoil - what to do, who dies, who lives...!
At Beasant Nagar Beach, I saw two newly married couples and that gave my answer to this complicated conundrum!
Mangalyam tantunanena mama jeevana hetuna: kanthe badhnami subhage twam jeeva sarada satam !
“This is a sacred thread. This is essential for my long life. I tie this around your neck O maiden having many auspicious attributes. May you live happily for a hundred years (with me).”
Getimellam!Getimellam - "Thaaliya kettungo" "Periyava yellam akshadaiya podungo"
Tie the sacred thread; elders bless the couples by showering the akshadai on the couple!
As I tied the thread around Ahalya's neck; she smiled at me; the smile that had melted my heart a few months back! It seems like an eternity after all we went through! The bomb explosion in Sweden, the mad-rush of hacking into complicated network protocols, preventing more deaths, meeting Ahalya's dad who had a mysterious past, chance encounter with Geetha on the flight, childish jealousy of Ahalya, ego-tantrums, the wait at EA mall; the phone-call that forced me to rush to the hospital, where I found Ahalya battling for her life. The doctors operating on her and she was declared to be out of danger. These scenes rushed past me like a Christopher Nolan movie in fast-forward!
At the adjoining mandapam Varun and Geetha were all smiles!
I looked at Ahalya, and Ahalya said to me "Guru, nanbavey mudiyalai le?" - "Unbelievable isn't it Guru". I nodded at her and said “Never ever leave me again.”
That's how I choose to complete my chapter!
Because I believe in a simple truth - "True love is hard to come by in real life, everyone has their fair share of heart-breaks; but never ever think that your love failed, perhaps the person whom we choose to shower our affections on - might have been a wrong choice by us! But the purity of one's love is never lost!
For someone somewhere is waiting for you! As perhaps, I believe that someone somewhere is waiting for me as well!
The next chapter in the tablog will be written by Karpagam Pugalendi. She blogs here - She writes fiction and poems and is an ardent dog-lover with a lovely Lhasa Apso; pups and an affectionate Indian mongrel!
Thursday, March 07, 2013
Maa, Didi, Behna aur Khushi
This post is part of the Chennai Bloggers Club series of posts by men in the group to celebrate a week long "marathon" in the honour of womanhood.
Four women who have played a major role in my life; and perhaps I shall play a major role in one person's life!
Maa:
Married at 15,
Pushed away to a distant land,
Mad-cap dysfunctional family,
That only gave you tears,
A man who did not deserve you,
A man who stifled up your dream,
But you chose to shoulder all responsibilities,
Bore two children - Didi and Me
Years of abuse,
Emotional torture,
Made you strong,
You just studied till Class Seven,
But with your basic knowledge,
A simple girl from a nondescript village in Kerala,
You travelled all over India,
And let your children grow with love and knowledge.
Sacrifices that you have made,
Are too many to be listed here,
You are special,
For the Lord chose your womb,
And made me see the light of day,
And grow in your loving care!
As old age takes its toll on you;
As various illnesses torment you,
And the both of us battle them every day.
I hope I can live up to your expectations!
And always see you happy.
Whatever I do -
I hope never ever hurts you!
Didi:
A second mum to me,
A special person,
Who got me pens and comics,
When I was young,
Who would shield me from the wrath of elders,
When I perennially flunked the Maths tests.
Of visiting pooja pandals,
In the streets and by-lanes of Calcutta,
Of helping you pick dresses and hand-bags,
During the shopping-sprees!
Of watching you get married,
To a gentleman from a distant land,
Of me getting into an emotional tangle,
On seeing you go away,
To your new home.
I am proud of you,
Of being a lovely wife,
A loving mom to a smart son,
And being my dearest Didi,
Love you always!
Behna:
Dear little sister,
You bring so much joy,
To all of us,
From travelling abroad,
For higher-studies,
Winning scholarships,
Visiting countries and cities,
That I can only see in movies.
A splendid dancer, singer, artiste,
You are everything,
That I always aspired to be.
I am happy for you,
As you inspire the younger generation,
In the extended family,
Who now look up to you,
As their idol.
Wishing you joy and success - always!
Khushi:
I have told you -
What you mean to me!
I stand by what I said,
Every smile that you smile,
Every good luck wish,
That I always get from you.
You have a special place,
In the little heart of mine.
Whatever you say,
Whatever you do,
Wherever you go,
Wherever life takes us,
Far or Near,
I want you to know,
That you shall always,
Be that one true love;
I know this is foolish,
I know I am being an idiot,
I can never,
Ever see you feeling hurt,
Sad or in tears,
I will never ever hurt you,
By word or deed,
I can't bear,
To see that
Precious smile of yours,
Change into anger or sorrow!
So I shall wait,
With hope for you to say - 'Yes'
Khushi for you....forever!
My promise - Wherever I go - I shall not watch women being abused physically or verbally - consider every lady and child as my own family-member and fight for them!
My Prayer to the Lord - never let me succumb to temptation or be misguided into hurting any lady or child by word, deed or thought!
Four women who have played a major role in my life; and perhaps I shall play a major role in one person's life!
Maa:
Married at 15,
Pushed away to a distant land,
Mad-cap dysfunctional family,
That only gave you tears,
A man who did not deserve you,
A man who stifled up your dream,
But you chose to shoulder all responsibilities,
Bore two children - Didi and Me
Years of abuse,
Emotional torture,
Made you strong,
You just studied till Class Seven,
But with your basic knowledge,
A simple girl from a nondescript village in Kerala,
You travelled all over India,
And let your children grow with love and knowledge.
Sacrifices that you have made,
Are too many to be listed here,
You are special,
For the Lord chose your womb,
And made me see the light of day,
And grow in your loving care!
As old age takes its toll on you;
As various illnesses torment you,
And the both of us battle them every day.
I hope I can live up to your expectations!
And always see you happy.
Whatever I do -
I hope never ever hurts you!
Didi:
A second mum to me,
A special person,
Who got me pens and comics,
When I was young,
Who would shield me from the wrath of elders,
When I perennially flunked the Maths tests.
Of visiting pooja pandals,
In the streets and by-lanes of Calcutta,
Of helping you pick dresses and hand-bags,
During the shopping-sprees!
Of watching you get married,
To a gentleman from a distant land,
Of me getting into an emotional tangle,
On seeing you go away,
To your new home.
I am proud of you,
Of being a lovely wife,
A loving mom to a smart son,
And being my dearest Didi,
Love you always!
Behna:
Dear little sister,
You bring so much joy,
To all of us,
From travelling abroad,
For higher-studies,
Winning scholarships,
Visiting countries and cities,
That I can only see in movies.
A splendid dancer, singer, artiste,
You are everything,
That I always aspired to be.
I am happy for you,
As you inspire the younger generation,
In the extended family,
Who now look up to you,
As their idol.
Wishing you joy and success - always!
Khushi:
I have told you -
What you mean to me!
I stand by what I said,
Every smile that you smile,
Every good luck wish,
That I always get from you.
You have a special place,
In the little heart of mine.
Whatever you say,
Whatever you do,
Wherever you go,
Wherever life takes us,
Far or Near,
I want you to know,
That you shall always,
Be that one true love;
I know this is foolish,
I know I am being an idiot,
I can never,
Ever see you feeling hurt,
Sad or in tears,
I will never ever hurt you,
By word or deed,
I can't bear,
To see that
Precious smile of yours,
Change into anger or sorrow!
So I shall wait,
With hope for you to say - 'Yes'
Khushi for you....forever!
My promise - Wherever I go - I shall not watch women being abused physically or verbally - consider every lady and child as my own family-member and fight for them!
My Prayer to the Lord - never let me succumb to temptation or be misguided into hurting any lady or child by word, deed or thought!
Tuesday, March 05, 2013
A Secret in a Smile
She smiles a smile,
An enigmatic smile,
How does she always,
Manage to smile?
I have travelled many a mile,
But have never seen anyone,
Smile a smile,
Like her beautiful smile.
Dressed regally in blue,
With matching ornaments too,
She smiles that smile,
That special smile,
Ah-How I wish this moment,
Moment would last forever!
Frozen in time,
Like your beautiful smile!
Your enigmatic smile!
What does she think?
What does she wish?
What secrets lie hidden!
In that smile?
Does anyone know?
Well I don't know!
If you do know,
Please let me know-
The secret behind her beautiful smile!
An enigmatic smile,
How does she always,
Manage to smile?
I have travelled many a mile,
But have never seen anyone,
Smile a smile,
Like her beautiful smile.
Dressed regally in blue,
With matching ornaments too,
She smiles that smile,
That special smile,
Ah-How I wish this moment,
Moment would last forever!
Frozen in time,
Like your beautiful smile!
Your enigmatic smile!
What does she think?
What does she wish?
What secrets lie hidden!
In that smile?
Does anyone know?
Well I don't know!
If you do know,
Please let me know-
The secret behind her beautiful smile!
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
FRIENDS
Who is a Friend?
Is a friend someone:
Who is always there to listen to you?
Who patiently listens to your advice.
Gets tickets for a movie for you.
In spite of you saying something nasty.
Smiles at you and says - "Chal Yaar Jaane De"
Can someone whom you have never met before!
Be your friend!
Ages back we had pen-pals.
Now we have Facebook friends and Twitter followers.
Then those who blog and photograph-
We have followers and commenters!
Then there are folks at work!
Who are colleagues!
But do colleagues qualify as friends!
And how does one distinguish between:
Friends,colleagues and acquaintances?
Who is a Friend?
There have been best of friends!
Who have parted because of another man or woman!
There have been friends,
Who have let us down!
On close self-examination,
We shall find that-
In the past, we too might have let down---
Some of our friends!
Does it hurt to think of them now!
Is there a tinge of pain or regret?
Who is a Friend?
After all these years of existence-
If I asked you to name one friend-
Who would give your life for you?
Would you have an answer?
And will you ever-
Gladly give up your life-
For at least one friend of yours?
Is this tough to answer?
Who will shed tears for you?
When you leave this mortal world?
Who is a Friend?
Is a friend someone:
Who is always there to listen to you?
Who patiently listens to your advice.
Gets tickets for a movie for you.
In spite of you saying something nasty.
Smiles at you and says - "Chal Yaar Jaane De"
Can someone whom you have never met before!
Be your friend!
Ages back we had pen-pals.
Now we have Facebook friends and Twitter followers.
Then those who blog and photograph-
We have followers and commenters!
Then there are folks at work!
Who are colleagues!
But do colleagues qualify as friends!
And how does one distinguish between:
Friends,colleagues and acquaintances?
Who is a Friend?
There have been best of friends!
Who have parted because of another man or woman!
There have been friends,
Who have let us down!
On close self-examination,
We shall find that-
In the past, we too might have let down---
Some of our friends!
Does it hurt to think of them now!
Is there a tinge of pain or regret?
Who is a Friend?
After all these years of existence-
If I asked you to name one friend-
Who would give your life for you?
Would you have an answer?
And will you ever-
Gladly give up your life-
For at least one friend of yours?
Is this tough to answer?
Who will shed tears for you?
When you leave this mortal world?
Who is a Friend?
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
A Musical Friday Evening
It was an adventure reaching the venue in time; jumping in and out of buses, wading through puddles created by a sudden rain-shower and finally meeting the blogger friend Sandeep who kindly arranged for seats at the musical event - Rhythms, Roses and Raja concert.
The event started with a group of children singing "Paruvamae..." This was followed by the key artistes for the day making an entry. Anil Srinivasan on piano, Naveen Iyer on the flute, Keith Peters on the guitar, Sridhar on drums and Bala percussion. Harini, Saindhavi and Bala contributing vocals.
Then it was sheer magic starting with "Nee Parrtha Paarvai ku oru nandri " from Hey Ram a musical symphony of the piano and the flute which overshadowed the other instruments!
The theme was the elements like - Sky,Rain,Moon, Wind etc, songs included - "Andhi Mazhai" from Raajaparvai, "Oho Megham Vandadho" from Mouna Ragam "Thendral Vandhu Theendum Bodhu" from Avatharam and other hits. .
Anil entertained the crowd with information on classical progression of notes, Bach and how one main song's tune was used as a BGM for another and vice-versa.
Tanna Na Na Na - the BGM from Punnagai Mannan and BGM from Johnny were really well done.
Gautham Vasudev Menon landed up to attend the concert!
A Friday well spent!
The event started with a group of children singing "Paruvamae..." This was followed by the key artistes for the day making an entry. Anil Srinivasan on piano, Naveen Iyer on the flute, Keith Peters on the guitar, Sridhar on drums and Bala percussion. Harini, Saindhavi and Bala contributing vocals.
Then it was sheer magic starting with "Nee Parrtha Paarvai ku oru nandri " from Hey Ram a musical symphony of the piano and the flute which overshadowed the other instruments!
The theme was the elements like - Sky,Rain,Moon, Wind etc, songs included - "Andhi Mazhai" from Raajaparvai, "Oho Megham Vandadho" from Mouna Ragam "Thendral Vandhu Theendum Bodhu" from Avatharam and other hits. .
Anil entertained the crowd with information on classical progression of notes, Bach and how one main song's tune was used as a BGM for another and vice-versa.
Tanna Na Na Na - the BGM from Punnagai Mannan and BGM from Johnny were really well done.
Gautham Vasudev Menon landed up to attend the concert!
A Friday well spent!
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Rhythms, Roses and Raja - A Tribute to Ilayaraja
It all started with a Facebook post by blogger friend Sandeep about a musical evening! I was intrigued - the name - Anil Srinivasan - a Google Search showed up a website under construction a blog that had not been updated for a while but loads of YouTube videos that held me captivated.
Tomorrow at the Music Academy Alwarpet, a lovely show titled - "Rhythms, Roses and Raja - A Tribute to Ilayaraja" is being held.
For more details visit the link below:
http://allevents.in/Chennai/RHYTHMS,ROSES-and-RAJA-A-Tribute-to-Ilayaraja/451119838294051#
Also visit Facebook Page – Anil Srinivasan – The Madras Pianist and like his musical tributes and compositions!
Hail the Maestro :)!
Tomorrow at the Music Academy Alwarpet, a lovely show titled - "Rhythms, Roses and Raja - A Tribute to Ilayaraja" is being held.
For more details visit the link below:
http://allevents.in/Chennai/RHYTHMS,ROSES-and-RAJA-A-Tribute-to-Ilayaraja/451119838294051#
Also visit Facebook Page – Anil Srinivasan – The Madras Pianist and like his musical tributes and compositions!
Hail the Maestro :)!
Thursday, February 07, 2013
A Tale of Two Weddings
Two weddings this week - one that of a friend's sister - typical Hindu Malayali wedding at Mahalingapuram Ayyappan Temple; great food in traditional Kerala sadhya style! The bride and the groom all happy and hopeful for a new life. Wishing Ramya and Praveen a happy married life. Excessive crowd of people and met friends from school and days gone by when this same batch would play and fight over cricket and football!
Dearest - Note to you - kab samjhogi humein!
The other wedding was unique - the first Marwari wedding that I attended - a colleague's brother's wedding and I am great friends with both my colleague and her brother. I missed the baraat as there were some calls and never-ending meetings at work. When I finally reached the venue - I was flabbergasted at the sheer number of people; it looked like all of Sowcarpet had landed up to bless the couple.
Loads of children everywhere; running about playing versions of chor-police and hide and seek. The groom Sourav who looked resplendent and royal like a prince and Preethi bhabhi dressed like a princess made a handsome couple. Sourav's sister and my colleague looked like a princess from an Arabian fairy-tale with a stone studded crown-like hair-band on her head.
It was a royal affair as elders from both families blessed the couple. The music group belted out some hit songs - Pal pal dil ke pass, Tujhe dekha to ye jaan sanam, Sau Saal Pehle humein tumse pyaar tha. It was great fun!
The food spread was unbelievable with mind-boggling varieties of food and the special moment was when the groom's sister came and personally fed a rasgulla and jalebi to me and three of my colleagues!
Wishing Sourav and Preethi bhabhi all the best for a beautiful and joyful married life!
Dearest - Note to you - kab samjhogi humein!
The other wedding was unique - the first Marwari wedding that I attended - a colleague's brother's wedding and I am great friends with both my colleague and her brother. I missed the baraat as there were some calls and never-ending meetings at work. When I finally reached the venue - I was flabbergasted at the sheer number of people; it looked like all of Sowcarpet had landed up to bless the couple.
Loads of children everywhere; running about playing versions of chor-police and hide and seek. The groom Sourav who looked resplendent and royal like a prince and Preethi bhabhi dressed like a princess made a handsome couple. Sourav's sister and my colleague looked like a princess from an Arabian fairy-tale with a stone studded crown-like hair-band on her head.
It was a royal affair as elders from both families blessed the couple. The music group belted out some hit songs - Pal pal dil ke pass, Tujhe dekha to ye jaan sanam, Sau Saal Pehle humein tumse pyaar tha. It was great fun!
The food spread was unbelievable with mind-boggling varieties of food and the special moment was when the groom's sister came and personally fed a rasgulla and jalebi to me and three of my colleagues!
Wishing Sourav and Preethi bhabhi all the best for a beautiful and joyful married life!
R.I.P: Resurgent Indian Patriots – Mukul Deva – 'Thrill-a-minute book'
Name of Book - "R.I.P: Resurgent Indian Patriots"
Author - Mukul Deva - ex-Indian soldier
Publisher - Westland
Genre - Action-Political Thriller
Cover - Paperback
Price INR 200
This is my second book as part of the Blogadda Book Reviews Program. "R.I.P: Resurgent Indian Patriots" by Mukul Deva is like watching a fast-paced 'Mission Impossible' movie or rather an episode from the hit TV-series '24'.
Are you frustrated at the growing corruption around you? The never-ending scams from fodder-scams, Bofors, coffins for dead soldiers, plot allotments, 2G scams - do all these scams anger you? The growing sense of disappointment that successive governments have tried to create a welfare state doling out freebies and keep the mouths of the general public shut hurts one and all.
The media for all its worth with the likes of Arnab Goswami and Rajdeep Sardesai can go hammer and tongs and provide the same 'breaking news' again and again of one scam or the other; the nation has been bled dry by successive generation of corrupt politicians and a section of public who know that 'We the general public' are screwed!
Well you may ask why I rant like this for a book review?
The book has a lovely cover with the silhouette of a soldier in battle-gear and the image lingered in my mind for quite some time. I am a sucker for secret-ops and assassins and political thrillers and this book has it all. Well my dear friends because this book does not make any bones and goes about in detail about a group of vigilantes who assassinate powerful politicians and judges. The book starts with a set of three killings in three different cities. Close aides of three corrupt politicians are killed by lethal injection at a public place. One at a marriage party, one at a public art gallery and the other in a seedy hotel bar.
Set in modern India riddled by scams and corrupt politicians - the author cleverly plays around with the names of real politicians to give us characters with similar sounding names and equally corrupt natures. Sample these: Ranvijay, Kamble, Karunakaran --- there is a dig at a silent PM and an all powerful Madam head of the ruling party as well. All major scams the 2G scam, defence deals, plots for Kargil warriors find a mention. Anna Hazare has been replaced by Hazarika!
The story is about how a group of ex-paratroopers and special operatives calling themselves RIP go about systematically killing corrupt people. They issue a threat stating that if the government does not take strict action more deaths will follow. RIP is led by by Colonel Krishna Athwale a widower who lost his wife an airhostess during a plane hijack shoot-out.
Colonel Krishna and his renegades are pursued by two groups one led by mercenary and disgraced soldier Raghav and another Vinod Bedi from the CBI. A three-way cat-and-mouse game plays out with shootouts, bomb explosions and killings.
To complicate matters Raghav's wife Reena who is in the process of getting a divorce and Krishna find themselves mutually attracted to each other and this makes Raghav extremely jealous.
There is an emotional aspect as well with Raghav and Reena's son Azaan and Krishna's son Sachin being best friends. The scene where Raghav's son longs for his son; but also knows that he can never be faithful to his wife or any woman for that matter and goes on to have sexual intercourse with his maid-servant brings out the manic nature of a man with clearly disturbing schizophrenic tendencies. If this book gets made into a movie; I would love to see who gets Raghav’s role.
Other emotional scenes are Reena's doubts on whether to forgive Raghav and go back to him for the sake of her son. The turmoil as she realises that she is falling in love with Krishna. The scene where she accompanies Krishna to the temple on the death anniversary of Krishna's wife is well written.
Read this book to find out if RIP team succeeds in its mission or if Vinod manages to track down the renegades or if Raghav and Krishna have a final showdown.
Published by Westland this book is enjoyable; has all the potential for a slick movie-production and at Rs 200 is definitely worth a read. Will rate this book four stars out of five!
This review is a part of the biggest Book Reviews Program. for Indian Bloggers. Participate now to get free books!
Author - Mukul Deva - ex-Indian soldier
Publisher - Westland
Genre - Action-Political Thriller
Cover - Paperback
Price INR 200
This is my second book as part of the Blogadda Book Reviews Program. "R.I.P: Resurgent Indian Patriots" by Mukul Deva is like watching a fast-paced 'Mission Impossible' movie or rather an episode from the hit TV-series '24'.
Are you frustrated at the growing corruption around you? The never-ending scams from fodder-scams, Bofors, coffins for dead soldiers, plot allotments, 2G scams - do all these scams anger you? The growing sense of disappointment that successive governments have tried to create a welfare state doling out freebies and keep the mouths of the general public shut hurts one and all.
The media for all its worth with the likes of Arnab Goswami and Rajdeep Sardesai can go hammer and tongs and provide the same 'breaking news' again and again of one scam or the other; the nation has been bled dry by successive generation of corrupt politicians and a section of public who know that 'We the general public' are screwed!
Well you may ask why I rant like this for a book review?
The book has a lovely cover with the silhouette of a soldier in battle-gear and the image lingered in my mind for quite some time. I am a sucker for secret-ops and assassins and political thrillers and this book has it all. Well my dear friends because this book does not make any bones and goes about in detail about a group of vigilantes who assassinate powerful politicians and judges. The book starts with a set of three killings in three different cities. Close aides of three corrupt politicians are killed by lethal injection at a public place. One at a marriage party, one at a public art gallery and the other in a seedy hotel bar.
Set in modern India riddled by scams and corrupt politicians - the author cleverly plays around with the names of real politicians to give us characters with similar sounding names and equally corrupt natures. Sample these: Ranvijay, Kamble, Karunakaran --- there is a dig at a silent PM and an all powerful Madam head of the ruling party as well. All major scams the 2G scam, defence deals, plots for Kargil warriors find a mention. Anna Hazare has been replaced by Hazarika!
The story is about how a group of ex-paratroopers and special operatives calling themselves RIP go about systematically killing corrupt people. They issue a threat stating that if the government does not take strict action more deaths will follow. RIP is led by by Colonel Krishna Athwale a widower who lost his wife an airhostess during a plane hijack shoot-out.
Colonel Krishna and his renegades are pursued by two groups one led by mercenary and disgraced soldier Raghav and another Vinod Bedi from the CBI. A three-way cat-and-mouse game plays out with shootouts, bomb explosions and killings.
To complicate matters Raghav's wife Reena who is in the process of getting a divorce and Krishna find themselves mutually attracted to each other and this makes Raghav extremely jealous.
There is an emotional aspect as well with Raghav and Reena's son Azaan and Krishna's son Sachin being best friends. The scene where Raghav's son longs for his son; but also knows that he can never be faithful to his wife or any woman for that matter and goes on to have sexual intercourse with his maid-servant brings out the manic nature of a man with clearly disturbing schizophrenic tendencies. If this book gets made into a movie; I would love to see who gets Raghav’s role.
Other emotional scenes are Reena's doubts on whether to forgive Raghav and go back to him for the sake of her son. The turmoil as she realises that she is falling in love with Krishna. The scene where she accompanies Krishna to the temple on the death anniversary of Krishna's wife is well written.
Read this book to find out if RIP team succeeds in its mission or if Vinod manages to track down the renegades or if Raghav and Krishna have a final showdown.
Published by Westland this book is enjoyable; has all the potential for a slick movie-production and at Rs 200 is definitely worth a read. Will rate this book four stars out of five!
This review is a part of the biggest Book Reviews Program. for Indian Bloggers. Participate now to get free books!
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Spare a Thought - A Poem
This piece has been submitted for a photo=post conducted by The Chennai Bloggers Club. The CBC is a Facebook group where bloggers with a Chennai connection interact with each other. The prizes for this contest have been sponsored by Cuponation. Cuponation is India's largest coupon portal, specially designed to meet the needs of all online shoppers.
Image Courtesy - Dr. Ganesh Puttu
A poem on what life on the other side of the spectrum means.
Spare a thought;
For us as well,
Oh you suited and booted;
Men and women,
Who look down,
Upon us with -
Disdain and anger!
It was not our fault,
That we were born,
In the slums,
Do you think,
We enjoy toiling,
Like this in the morning!
Instead of going to school,
Watching cartoons,
Wearing jeans and tee-shirts,
Going to malls,
And watching movies at Escape!
But then these are just dreams,
I have to rush,
On this bullock cart,
Move a load of bricks.
To the construction site.
No Sundays or weekdays!
Everyday is a working-day!
Diwali, Christmas and Pongal,
Are the only holidays!
I will work hard,
Make lots of money.
I want to build a small house.
Move Amma and Ammu to our house.
A small house the house,
Of our dreams,
And for that,
I will toil,
Toil as much as I can.
So oh dear Annas and Akkas,
You with the cameras
Straddled around your neck.
Listening to songs,
With headphones plugged,
Into your ears,
Spare a thought for us.
We are not spectacles or circus freaks,
We are humans and want to live,
As well as you do!
Spare a thought for us....
Dear photographers please do not be offended after reading this poem; this poem is meant for the competition; not to be taken as a critique on any photography group; keep smiling and keep clicking!
Image Courtesy - Dr. Ganesh Puttu
A poem on what life on the other side of the spectrum means.
Spare a thought;
For us as well,
Oh you suited and booted;
Men and women,
Who look down,
Upon us with -
Disdain and anger!
It was not our fault,
That we were born,
In the slums,
Do you think,
We enjoy toiling,
Like this in the morning!
Instead of going to school,
Watching cartoons,
Wearing jeans and tee-shirts,
Going to malls,
And watching movies at Escape!
But then these are just dreams,
I have to rush,
On this bullock cart,
Move a load of bricks.
To the construction site.
No Sundays or weekdays!
Everyday is a working-day!
Diwali, Christmas and Pongal,
Are the only holidays!
I will work hard,
Make lots of money.
I want to build a small house.
Move Amma and Ammu to our house.
A small house the house,
Of our dreams,
And for that,
I will toil,
Toil as much as I can.
So oh dear Annas and Akkas,
You with the cameras
Straddled around your neck.
Listening to songs,
With headphones plugged,
Into your ears,
Spare a thought for us.
We are not spectacles or circus freaks,
We are humans and want to live,
As well as you do!
Spare a thought for us....
Dear photographers please do not be offended after reading this poem; this poem is meant for the competition; not to be taken as a critique on any photography group; keep smiling and keep clicking!
13 Things to Avoid in 2013
This is part of a competition conducted by The Chennai Bloggers Club and Cuponation. The CBC is a Facebook group where bloggers with a Chennai connection interact with each other. The prizes for this contest have been sponsored by Cuponation. Cuponation is India's largest coupon portal, specially designed to meet the needs of all online shoppers.
The Competition deals with 'New Year Resolutions' - 13 things to avoid in 2013. So here comes my don't do list :)
Stop impulse buying of books and movies. In the small 2BHK flat that I reside; one room just occupies my collection; so take a guess on how many books and movies that I own?
Stop putting up hospital and train-delay posts on FB; tough luck as unknowingly I keep doing this!
Stop trying to sort out issues by taking the brunt of the work-load on my head. It's every individual for himself / herself! Self-preservation society; do your work and go home.
Spend lesser time reading tech-reviews. There is a devil inside my head that has to be fed non-stop with information, tech-reviews, movie-reviews, news-items; I keep reading so much!!!!!
Stop thinking about spirituality, monks, mountains and the pursuit of enlightenment! What is destined to happen will happen!
Stop being Dr. Love Guru; giving guidance and suggestions to love-struck friends and colleagues. An amazing conundrum of my life that for a guy who helped so many chaps, wrote love-poems for their loved ones; namma sondha kadhai oru art-film madhiri forever pause mode liye stuck aaghi irukku :(
Stop analysing the minds of the people whom I meet and interact.
I have this insane habit of cuddling every doggie and pup, stray or pure-bred that I see!
Don't know why but I am hundred times more comfortable with animals than I am with humans.
Stop writing scripts and discarding them! This year the movie, at least a short-film will be scripted, directed and made by me! I have the power :)
I am extremely fickle-minded and schizophrenic in many aspects of my life; perhaps it is time to bring all the broken minds together and act as one. Damn; I am rambling like Jason Bourne again :)!
Stop thinking and start doing! A fantastic year lies ahead with loads of possibilities. The Chennai Bloggers for Social Action will have to be set up proper and hopefully by God's grace we shall make a difference in the lives of people who face problems!
Stop doubting people; I can never trust someone; it is a disturbing habit; I always have this nagging doubt that these peeople who smile at me in my presence are actually pulling me down by words and deeds in my absence. Only the paranoid can survive :)
Stop worrying about the past or be in agony and fear about the future; just make my peace with the Lord and thank him in his infinite grace and live in the present. For I have so many promises to keep and go miles and miles into the setting sun; through the woods and vales; across the seas; before I finally lie down to sleep!
The Competition deals with 'New Year Resolutions' - 13 things to avoid in 2013. So here comes my don't do list :)
Stop impulse buying of books and movies. In the small 2BHK flat that I reside; one room just occupies my collection; so take a guess on how many books and movies that I own?
Stop putting up hospital and train-delay posts on FB; tough luck as unknowingly I keep doing this!
Stop trying to sort out issues by taking the brunt of the work-load on my head. It's every individual for himself / herself! Self-preservation society; do your work and go home.
Spend lesser time reading tech-reviews. There is a devil inside my head that has to be fed non-stop with information, tech-reviews, movie-reviews, news-items; I keep reading so much!!!!!
Stop thinking about spirituality, monks, mountains and the pursuit of enlightenment! What is destined to happen will happen!
Stop being Dr. Love Guru; giving guidance and suggestions to love-struck friends and colleagues. An amazing conundrum of my life that for a guy who helped so many chaps, wrote love-poems for their loved ones; namma sondha kadhai oru art-film madhiri forever pause mode liye stuck aaghi irukku :(
Stop analysing the minds of the people whom I meet and interact.
I have this insane habit of cuddling every doggie and pup, stray or pure-bred that I see!
Don't know why but I am hundred times more comfortable with animals than I am with humans.
Stop writing scripts and discarding them! This year the movie, at least a short-film will be scripted, directed and made by me! I have the power :)
I am extremely fickle-minded and schizophrenic in many aspects of my life; perhaps it is time to bring all the broken minds together and act as one. Damn; I am rambling like Jason Bourne again :)!
Stop thinking and start doing! A fantastic year lies ahead with loads of possibilities. The Chennai Bloggers for Social Action will have to be set up proper and hopefully by God's grace we shall make a difference in the lives of people who face problems!
Stop doubting people; I can never trust someone; it is a disturbing habit; I always have this nagging doubt that these peeople who smile at me in my presence are actually pulling me down by words and deeds in my absence. Only the paranoid can survive :)
Stop worrying about the past or be in agony and fear about the future; just make my peace with the Lord and thank him in his infinite grace and live in the present. For I have so many promises to keep and go miles and miles into the setting sun; through the woods and vales; across the seas; before I finally lie down to sleep!
Friday, January 18, 2013
A Wedding Poem for My Niece
Dear little niece of mine,
A ray of sunshine you have been,
Spreading joy in your family
And amongst your friends
All these years of your life.
Having seen you grow up,
From a cherubic angel,
A teen and now a lovely lady,
Who is married to a charming gentleman.
I feel happy for you!
Remember that marriage is a beautiful institution;
The two of you are now intertwined,
By a beautiful thread of love and mutual admiration.
There will be fights, there will be patch-ups,
There will be hugs, kisses and tears.
But always remember,
The two of you,
Born and bred in different cities,
Have been brought together,
By this beautiful bond.
Always love each other,
No matter what happens;
As you grow older and wiser,
May the love and respect,
Grow stronger and deeper.
May God in his infinite grace,
Bless you and your hubby;
With joy, good health and prosperity.
As you begin a beautiful journey;
Wishing you all the best!!!!
Wednesday, January 09, 2013
CBC - Tablog - Three Cities - Three Phases - One Individual - Many Lives
This is part of a series of blog posts written by various members of a motley group of people who have a 'Chennai Connection'. Visit The Chennai Bloggers Club on Facebook for more information.
I was passed the baton of writing by my friend and former colleague Karen an amazing lady of many talents - fabulous cook, pastries and cakes made by her are worth their weight in platinum, an artiste - she has a way with colours and paper and lamps, check her photography blog as well.
The next post will be by - Destination Infinity!
Now to head to my attempt; a warning this might meander aimlessly; so be prepared for a long read and I hope you will care to share your valuable thoughts and feedback! So without any further pretensions of literary merit - my post begins....
I was born in Calcutta; Feb 23, 1982 at 5:30 PM in the evening to be precise. It was an extremely difficult delivery for my mother and I was a miracle baby - born 12 years after my sister. I was born silent and still and the doctors were at a loss as my tiny heart that was still beating slowly with an abnormal rhythm. As my uncles waited outside in despair and hope the good doctor who attended my mother's delivery tried a trick; he gave a whack on my buttock as a last desperate measure. 'Waaa' the wail rang loud and clear and I was born. Naming me was never in doubt as I was born after my parents prayed at Kashi and a mystic had blessed my mother on Shiva-rathri saying that 'Beti, bholenath aayenge - har-har mahadev' and since then Lord Shiva has played a mystical role in my life.
After this my mother took me to Gorakhpur, Auranagabad, Calcutta and finally Poona; where my dad finally found a good job and invested in a beautiful flat. Poona is what I call my first city whose memories remain clear, we lived in a mini-township called Ajmera Cooperative Society and that's where my spirit of adventure and cricket started. Playing with friends, celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi and Christmas with equal fervour and devotion. Another transfer and pack bag and baggage and land in Calcutta.
Calcutta where I had to unlearn Marathi, learn Hindi and eventually pick-up Bangla; learnt that I had an elder sister who doted on me, a cousin, a sister my younger maternal uncle's daughter, maternal grand-parents; so much love, care and affection. Around ten years in Calcutta; where I grew up, learning to love books, movies and dogs in that order. Years of Durga Pooja and Kali Puja, football in the rains, first childhood crush; adrenaline rush of hitting the winning runs in a local club cricket tournament and the tears of saying goodbye to friends and moving to another city - Madras!!!!!
May 1, 1998 - The Coromandal Express arrives at Madras Central and the weird smell of jasmine flowers, filter coffee, sweat and piss that is the fragrance of Madras Central and which continues to remain an integral part of my everyday life assailed my senses.
We lived in Tiruvallur about 44 kilometres from Madras, every given opportunity I would land up in Madras hunt for books in Moore Market; watch movies at Devi Theatre - the Rs 6.50 paise ticket - first three rows - Armageddon was a masterpiece that I enjoyed there. The Marina Beach - the ocean has a strange aura to it; more than the beach it is the ocean that always intrigued me and I learnt its fury first-hand during the Tsunami!
College was at Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda College - English Literature; what else? The three years the best years of my life when as a team me and my mates won practically every collegiate quiz and debating / oratorical competition in the city. If not first, a podium finish in about 85% of the events we attended - from Loyola to WCC to Stella Maris and Ethiraj life went by in a flash!
These were the years when I learnt many sad truths that pushed the envelope of responsibility, made me understand the sacrifices that my mother had made for me and I realised the value of every single paisa. As I worked part-time, doing a smattering of jobs from tuition-classes to selling savouries and coconut bolis made by my mother; the importance of money in one's life and a mad urge to make money; money and more money got deep into my mind. I had plans; huge plans to do this, do that, set up a restaurant offering simple, high-quality food at affordable costs.
Then I attended a campus-interview and got placed at Sify e-learning and the restaurateur's dreams were traded for long hours in front of a computer; understanding there existed a world of writing beyond poetry and crime fiction. It was about software, hardware, automobiles and turbines - the fascinating world of Instructional Design!
Since that fateful day, when I attired in full-formals with my mother's blessings walked up to a corporate-induction; 8 years have gone by; these years have seen me change jobs, but my love for writing has never diminished; similarly my love for Madras beloved city - I can never fathom it being called Chennai has increased manifold.
There was a time when Calcutta was the whole world for me! It all changed on that fateful day - May-1, 1998 when I landed here! My God what a long introduction!!!!!!
Madras Nalla Madras
The smell of freshly ground coffee,
The intricate kolams at the front of the house,
The divinity in temples be it Kapaleeswarar,
Or the simple charms of Luz Church or the Sunday Mass at St. Theresa's.
The craze for first-day first-shows.
The rush for the 'rasikar-mandram shows' -
Mad celebrations when the film can would arrive at 3 AM
The customary pooja and whistles and claps during the special 4 AM show!
Getting claps, smiles and congrats from unknown girls at collegiate events.
Being the guy who would help lovers unite.
The joy of helping friends getting married!
Getting honoured at the naming ceremony of their first-born!
Of getting seriously injured,
Going into a coma,
Losing all sense of time and being,
Labelled a mental wreck.
Of rehabilitation, rejuvenation and proving detractors wrong!
The will to fight and survive and smile and move on!
Life in the professional lane,
Rushing in and out of trains,
Getting scolded for coming late,
Getting applauded for completing projects ahead of time.
Seeing Devi Theatre giving way to Sathyam Cinemas.
Landmark becoming the one-stop destination for all books, music and gifts.
Attending the Landmark Quiz every August-15
Watching tests give way to the madness of IPL.
Spencer's losing its sheen to Express Avenue and Citi-Centre!
The joy of buying a house in my name!
And seeing the smile of contentment on my mother's face!
The pangs of never mushrooming the courage to walk up to someone special -
And say 'Lady, you mean the world to me! Will you marry me?'
Of never having tasted alcohol despite of so many opportunities!
The sorrow when the one time I managed to confess my feelings,
And tasting the bitter pill of rejection,
Dejection changing to a sense of gratitude,
When she said - 'Let's remain friends!'
The idiotic optimistic self-belief!
That the purity of my love,
Will melt her heart!
These are all the beautiful gifts that Madras has bestowed upon me!
Madras a mocktail of memories pleasant and bitter!
The city that made a man out of a boy!
A city that I will always love - whatever its shortcomings be!
There is no other place in the world that I would care to be!
For my friends reside here and without me being here,
How would I ever have become a part of the Chennai Bloggers Club :) !!!!
I was passed the baton of writing by my friend and former colleague Karen an amazing lady of many talents - fabulous cook, pastries and cakes made by her are worth their weight in platinum, an artiste - she has a way with colours and paper and lamps, check her photography blog as well.
The next post will be by - Destination Infinity!
Now to head to my attempt; a warning this might meander aimlessly; so be prepared for a long read and I hope you will care to share your valuable thoughts and feedback! So without any further pretensions of literary merit - my post begins....
I was born in Calcutta; Feb 23, 1982 at 5:30 PM in the evening to be precise. It was an extremely difficult delivery for my mother and I was a miracle baby - born 12 years after my sister. I was born silent and still and the doctors were at a loss as my tiny heart that was still beating slowly with an abnormal rhythm. As my uncles waited outside in despair and hope the good doctor who attended my mother's delivery tried a trick; he gave a whack on my buttock as a last desperate measure. 'Waaa' the wail rang loud and clear and I was born. Naming me was never in doubt as I was born after my parents prayed at Kashi and a mystic had blessed my mother on Shiva-rathri saying that 'Beti, bholenath aayenge - har-har mahadev' and since then Lord Shiva has played a mystical role in my life.
After this my mother took me to Gorakhpur, Auranagabad, Calcutta and finally Poona; where my dad finally found a good job and invested in a beautiful flat. Poona is what I call my first city whose memories remain clear, we lived in a mini-township called Ajmera Cooperative Society and that's where my spirit of adventure and cricket started. Playing with friends, celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi and Christmas with equal fervour and devotion. Another transfer and pack bag and baggage and land in Calcutta.
Calcutta where I had to unlearn Marathi, learn Hindi and eventually pick-up Bangla; learnt that I had an elder sister who doted on me, a cousin, a sister my younger maternal uncle's daughter, maternal grand-parents; so much love, care and affection. Around ten years in Calcutta; where I grew up, learning to love books, movies and dogs in that order. Years of Durga Pooja and Kali Puja, football in the rains, first childhood crush; adrenaline rush of hitting the winning runs in a local club cricket tournament and the tears of saying goodbye to friends and moving to another city - Madras!!!!!
May 1, 1998 - The Coromandal Express arrives at Madras Central and the weird smell of jasmine flowers, filter coffee, sweat and piss that is the fragrance of Madras Central and which continues to remain an integral part of my everyday life assailed my senses.
We lived in Tiruvallur about 44 kilometres from Madras, every given opportunity I would land up in Madras hunt for books in Moore Market; watch movies at Devi Theatre - the Rs 6.50 paise ticket - first three rows - Armageddon was a masterpiece that I enjoyed there. The Marina Beach - the ocean has a strange aura to it; more than the beach it is the ocean that always intrigued me and I learnt its fury first-hand during the Tsunami!
College was at Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda College - English Literature; what else? The three years the best years of my life when as a team me and my mates won practically every collegiate quiz and debating / oratorical competition in the city. If not first, a podium finish in about 85% of the events we attended - from Loyola to WCC to Stella Maris and Ethiraj life went by in a flash!
These were the years when I learnt many sad truths that pushed the envelope of responsibility, made me understand the sacrifices that my mother had made for me and I realised the value of every single paisa. As I worked part-time, doing a smattering of jobs from tuition-classes to selling savouries and coconut bolis made by my mother; the importance of money in one's life and a mad urge to make money; money and more money got deep into my mind. I had plans; huge plans to do this, do that, set up a restaurant offering simple, high-quality food at affordable costs.
Then I attended a campus-interview and got placed at Sify e-learning and the restaurateur's dreams were traded for long hours in front of a computer; understanding there existed a world of writing beyond poetry and crime fiction. It was about software, hardware, automobiles and turbines - the fascinating world of Instructional Design!
Since that fateful day, when I attired in full-formals with my mother's blessings walked up to a corporate-induction; 8 years have gone by; these years have seen me change jobs, but my love for writing has never diminished; similarly my love for Madras beloved city - I can never fathom it being called Chennai has increased manifold.
There was a time when Calcutta was the whole world for me! It all changed on that fateful day - May-1, 1998 when I landed here! My God what a long introduction!!!!!!
Madras Nalla Madras
The smell of freshly ground coffee,
The intricate kolams at the front of the house,
The divinity in temples be it Kapaleeswarar,
Or the simple charms of Luz Church or the Sunday Mass at St. Theresa's.
The craze for first-day first-shows.
The rush for the 'rasikar-mandram shows' -
Mad celebrations when the film can would arrive at 3 AM
The customary pooja and whistles and claps during the special 4 AM show!
Getting claps, smiles and congrats from unknown girls at collegiate events.
Being the guy who would help lovers unite.
The joy of helping friends getting married!
Getting honoured at the naming ceremony of their first-born!
Of getting seriously injured,
Going into a coma,
Losing all sense of time and being,
Labelled a mental wreck.
Of rehabilitation, rejuvenation and proving detractors wrong!
The will to fight and survive and smile and move on!
Life in the professional lane,
Rushing in and out of trains,
Getting scolded for coming late,
Getting applauded for completing projects ahead of time.
Seeing Devi Theatre giving way to Sathyam Cinemas.
Landmark becoming the one-stop destination for all books, music and gifts.
Attending the Landmark Quiz every August-15
Watching tests give way to the madness of IPL.
Spencer's losing its sheen to Express Avenue and Citi-Centre!
The joy of buying a house in my name!
And seeing the smile of contentment on my mother's face!
The pangs of never mushrooming the courage to walk up to someone special -
And say 'Lady, you mean the world to me! Will you marry me?'
Of never having tasted alcohol despite of so many opportunities!
The sorrow when the one time I managed to confess my feelings,
And tasting the bitter pill of rejection,
Dejection changing to a sense of gratitude,
When she said - 'Let's remain friends!'
The idiotic optimistic self-belief!
That the purity of my love,
Will melt her heart!
These are all the beautiful gifts that Madras has bestowed upon me!
Madras a mocktail of memories pleasant and bitter!
The city that made a man out of a boy!
A city that I will always love - whatever its shortcomings be!
There is no other place in the world that I would care to be!
For my friends reside here and without me being here,
How would I ever have become a part of the Chennai Bloggers Club :) !!!!
Monday, January 07, 2013
Oh! Brother Where Art Thou? - A Post for a Competition
This post is inspired by the writing-style of my dear friend, mentor, guide and brother - the one-and-only, first and foremost XXX blogger from Chennai - Dr. Ganesh Puttu!
This is on the lines of the movie 'Being John Malkovich' - this is a fictitious post and this is imagining me entering the mind of Ganesh and living his life. Ganesh and Mahesh only two letters difference :)!
May 12 - Saturday - 9 PM
What a week! What a week I say! The number of patients landing up at the Government Hospital seems to be increasing like the mercury in the thermometer. 'Kathiri veyil' is too taxing; damn I have to change three shirts in a day now within my compact car.
The sacrifices that I have to make for my lovable patients!
Tomorrow is Sunday, I would love to sleep till 10 AM and then relax with some nice piping hot idlis and amma's filter coffee, but then I have promised to be a part of the Chennai Photo Walkers gig - the 49th one to be precise!
May - 13 - Sunday
I wake up bright and early and after a quick shave and bath and suitably attired I land with my camera at Sydenhams Road sharp at 5:30 AM. The early morning cold, forget cold I am joking, it was sickeningly warm and I dreaded at the poor souls who would be toiling in the boiling sun later in the day!
As the remaining members finally arrived, we began our walk and we surprised a flower-seller, some stray dogs, a couple of early-morning walkers, a traffic cop with our cameras and took some intersting pictures.
People focused on different objects and were busy snapping stuff, I was waiting like the proverbial Hamlet waiting for something brilliant and unique and walked with self-belief and resolution. I found my moment, sharp at 6:41 AM I clicked a photograph, a solitary white bullock being goaded by an energetic young lad to run faster as two boys lay asleep on the cart and a black dog stood erect on the cart barking to motivate the bullock to run faster. I had captured a moment when man and beast worked in synchrony; there was a bit of irony as well as the lad whipped the bullock; but then that's the way the world moves. I was fascinated at the two boys asleep in the cart; so early in the morning to which destination was this motely crew headed? Some questions in Life remain sadly unanswered; perhaps some questions are better left that way - unanswered!
OK-OK no more philosophy! Sorry for transgressing from the topic :) - I continued to walk with the other members and we clicked some nice pics.A flower-seller who asked me to take his picture; the smile on his face will remain in my mind for a long time - 'a son of the soil'.
The highlight of the walk was the imposing architectural beauty of St. mathias Church in Vepery. I need to return to this beautiful church alone sometime later. It was an interesting motley group full of enthusiastic photographers amateurs and professionals. I made some interesting chit-chat with a few people! The walk culminated with masala dosas and filter coffee at Doveton Cafe.
Then it was time to go home and relax! What a beautiful photo-walk; the flower-seller, the boys on the bullock-cart; the charming church; memories that I will cherish for quite some time. Damn, I am becoming a bit too sentimental these days!
This piece has been submitted for a photo=post conducted by The Chennai Bloggers Club. The CBC is a Facebook group where bloggers with a Chennai connection interact with each other. The prizes for this contest have been sponsored by Cuponation. Cuponation is India's largest coupon portal, specially designed to meet the needs of all online shoppers.
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