13 B/Yaavarum Nalam Movie Review

Movie-13 B/Yaavarum Nalam.
Starring-Madhavan, Neetu Chandra, Sachin Khedekar and others.
Music-Shankar, Eeshan and Loy.
Direction-Vikram Kumar.
Genre-Horror/Thriller.

In Bollywood horror is a genre that is terribly stereotyped. You have haunted mansions, tantriks, spirits, and young girls possessed by ghouls. All this ends in a showdown between the hero and the evil spirits. Ram Gopal Verma showed a bit of change with Bhoot.

Madhavan's latest movie 13 B titled as Yaavarum Nalam in Tamil is a new intelligent movie that treads between a thriller and a horror flick. Two brothers with their wives and mother and two kids move into a new apartment on the thirteenth floor. Strange happenings like the milk getting spoilt, the inability to affix nails on the wall begin to happen. Madhavan is troubled because the lift never works when he is all alone and wants to use it.

Then we have a TV serial that is broadcast at 1 PM and only visible on the TV in Madhavan's flat. Slowly Madhavan realizes that the serial and his life is interlinked. Neetu Chandra as Madhavan's wife looks like a million bucks and has done a good job. Sachin Khedekar plays a doctor/psychiatrist and has a plum role.

What is the mystery? Why is Madhavan alone able to interpret the story from the serial. Why does a dog of Madhavan's neighbour a blind man-refuse to enter Madhavan's house? The tension builds slowly and the climax answers all the questions. This is one of those films whose second half is much better than the first. Interesting cameos by Sampath Kumar and the characters who appear in the TV serial.

Director Vikram Kumar uses the TV as a medium for the spirits to interact with the protagonist. What is the mystery behind Apartment 13 B and is Madhavan able to save his family and himself from the starnge forces in his house. Great music by Shankar, Eeshan and Loy and nice cinematography by PC Sreeram.

Watch the movie to find the answers.

The Week in Review

Well so many things happened in the past 1 week. I embarked on a quick trip to Nagpur to participate in the house-warming ceremony of my sister's new flat. The trip was really fascinating and it will be a separate long and juicy post. Met some really beautiful people:) on the trip! Then again those friends are just people who are forgoten who just provide conversations on the train to battle a boring journey.

India won the one-day series in New Zealand a record after 40 odd years. Sehwag broke the psyche of the New Zealand attack with his heroics but India lost the last one-dayer. Elsewhere West Indies won a test-series against England 1-0.

Political equations keep changing with Patnaik in Orissa flummoxing everybody. The third-front being launched by Deve Gowda and Co.

The IPL seems to be doomed and it still does not have a schedule approved by the state governments.

Work seems to be going on. One more colleague quit. Best of luck to you:)

Horoscopes are flying through couriers to all parts of the country and responses are being awaited. Saw a lot of movies on Saturday and Sunday-Dev D, Vennila Kabbadi Kuzhu, Delhi 6, Colours (Malayalam and absolute rot). Detailed reviews will appear soon. VKK was really touching but the director seems to be from the Bala school of film-making and spoiled the end by killing the hero.

Under Maintenance

There are about 200 to 250 men working in our office. At any given time an attendance of 200 men is confirmed. Now there is the mens' restroom. It has 4 urinals and three toilets/latrines[Pardon my language but if there is a beter word-do let me know].

It is almost a month since one of the latrines has been locked and an "Under Maintenace" sign has been stuck on the door. Now this is really disturbing. To assume that among 200 men no more than 2 men would want to use the latrine/toilet at the same time is insane.

God knows when the third latrine is going to become operational!

Till then it is a matter of luck and timing!!!!!

In the Name of My Father-2

Years of alcohol abuse and he continues to drink on the sly even after the doctors have warned him. A broken family, an unhappy childhood, a mother who was forever sad but nevertheless continued to toil and stayed with her brother practically doing every task in the house so that her children would not suffer. I continue to wonder at my mother's inner strength.

My father never managed to stick to one job for more than two years. The sole exception being his 18 years of service in the Indian Navy. If not for my two uncles I would have been on the road-begging to survive.

I feel like slapping my father and holding him by the scruff of his neck and ask him-"Why did you do this to us you bloody....! What mistake did my mother do to bear this tortured life? What was my crime to have suffered such a psychologically painful childhood?"

He shamelessly continues to pretend to be a great devotee of a plethora of Gods and yet drinks, utters lies, and torments us psychologically. People often ridicule me for being cynical and negative in many of my actions. I guess my father has a big role in the negative traits of my character. One good thing that his actions have done is my absolute hatred for alcohol! I am 27 and yet to have a beer!

Oh Lord! Give me patience, one of these days I am really going to end up slapping my father! His latest fad is to pretend that he is suffering from a big heart ailment and he needs to have a big surgery done. I have taken him to two different cardiologists and all they say is that he has to stop drinking and nothing else is wrong with him. He is staying with my sister and he is feeling the heat there as he is afraid of my brother-in-law who is a strict disciplinarian.

He cannot go out to drink and he feels his freedom is stifled. The only solution that I see now is to get him admitted to an alcohol deaddiction centre. But I am sure once he gets out of there he will start drinking again.

How am I ever going to find a solution and with this messy state of affairs, how am I going to find the courage to move ahead and start looking for a life-partner!


Life is too complicated!
Death is an option for the weak!
Is there a state in between?

Taxi Driver

So after years of hearing praises about Taxidriver. I finally got to see it.

Martin Scorcese’s classic that catapulted Robert de Niro to fame. A movie that is relevant even today. Travis Bickle[De Niro] is a taxi driver. He drives the taxi in the streets of New York. He is a lonely man who suffers from insomnia. He drives the cab all through the night but he can’t sleep. He visits 24 hour porn theatres but he still can’t sleep. He is disgusted with the city and its people.

He is attracted to Betsy who works in the campaign office of a Presidential candidate-Senator Pallantine. He asks her out on a date. He takes her to a movie-confoundedly to a porn movie. I still don’t get it. Why would a man on his first date take the girl to a porn movie? Is Bickle naive/sex-maniac/crazy? As the movie progresses we realize his frustrations coupled by his service in Vietnam. The movie moves aimlessly till we get to see Iris a twelve-year old prostitute[Jodie Foster].

Travis becomes emotionally attached to the girl and all his suppressed anger erupts when he finds out how Sport uses the naive girl Iris as a prostitute by making her a cocaine-addict. Travis buys a lot of guns and a knife and decides to become the vigilante-one man army and decides to clean New York of its filth and scum.

He shaves his head[mohawk style] and decides to start by assassinating the Presidential candidate. His uneasiness is spotted by the Secret Service agents-and Travis flees the scene. The climax is bloody and violent as Travis goes on a shooting/killing spree and shoots Sport and other runners of the prostitution racket. He is also injured in the shooting spree.

The next scene shows the wall of Bickle’s room full of newspaper clippings proclaiming him to be the hero. We also listen to the contents of a letter from Iris’s father to Bickle. He thanks Bickle for his heroism.

The movie ends with Bickle dropping Betsy home and refusing to accept the fare. The movie is an intense study of the psyche of the American male. Times of war and unstable economic conditions, drug-use the tough seventies, black-white conflict, prostitution-many facets of American life that have been touched upon in the movie. We sympathise with Bickle and secretly wish that he finds true love in Betsy. But in our minds we know that Bickle is a drifter and he can never find calm and inner peace or true love.

Robert de Niro and Jodie Foster shine in this movie. The back ground music is haunting and cinematography simple and effective.

Iconic lines-”You talking to me….” “Flush it out.”[To clean New York]

A powerful movie that leaves a bitter taste in our mouths and a long-lasting impression on our minds.

The biggest upset was when Rocky won the Oscar for best movie in 1977.

Cross-posted at www.mramani.wordpress.com

India in New Zealand

India have lost a thriller.


The batting was disappointing and a target of 150 was set.
The match went down to the last ball and the Mc Cullum brothers won the match for the Kiwis.

A big doubt! Why was Sehwag not given a chance to bowl? Yuvraj's 50 went in vain and

Dhoni and Co. have a long trip in New Zealand with three tests and 5 ODIs to be played. We can't sit and analyze too much. The batsmen need a crash course in shot-selection and the team has to play together properly.

This series will test and decide Dhoni's success outside the sub-continent.

Let us see what happens!

Nan Kadavul-Movie Review

Movie-Nan Kadavul.
Director-Bala.
Cast-Arya, Pooja and others.
Music-Ilayaraja.
Year of Release-2009.
Genre-Drama.

Bala is one director whose movies mix the commercialism and realism in the right proportions. His three previous movies have been box-office hits but this time I believe Bala might be lucky if the movie recovers its production costs. The problem being it took more than 3 years to make with several heroines being cast and then replaced. The movie presents a stark portrayal of the organized beggary in India, specially in Tamil Nadu.

If you thought Slumdog had difficult scenes, then this movie will shock you. Bala presents a coterie of real life beggars-Eunuchs, midgets, deformed people, physically challenged people, blind people. The attention to detail is indeed detailed.

A man visits Kashi/Benaras to find his son Rudra-whom he had abandoned 14 years ago in the holy city based on the advice of an astrologer. The beginning is flawed and a bit unbelievable when the man spots an aghori-Arya and faints. He realises that Arya is his son Rudra in just one glance.

The story shifts to Malaikottai in Tamil Nadu, where a tall bald man is a kingpin running the beggar-mafia. Pooja is introduced as a blind girl singing in the train and getting alms.

Pooja is inducted into the bald man's group and is made to sing at a temple atop a hill. Arya stays there smoking ganja and uttering mantras once in a while. A Keralite businessman comes to the bald man and pays money and takes beggars to Kerala.

He comes again with an offer of Rs 10 lakhs to buy Pooja as a companion for a man whose face is deformed. When his goons come to kidnap Pooja, Arya bashes the group and kills the businessman.

Then a court case scene follows. A bit of forced humour perhaps!

A final confrontation with the bald-headed villain follows with Arya killing the villain.

Then comes the twist-an expected one-Bala killed the heroes in his earlier movies-here he kills Pooja. Pooja pleads with Arya to save her from the pains of the world. The next scene shows her lying in a pool of blood. So we assume that Arya kills her to guide her to her salvation.

A role worthy of an award by Pooja. Arya has worked reallly hard for his role and deserves applause for his physical makeover. Music is great.

We can only sympathise with Bala and pray that his next venture has a strong script.
How about a crime thriller Mr Bala or an urban college romance?

India in New Zealand

So reality hit Team India hard at the end of the first T:20 match.

Vettori won the toss and decided to bowl.

Sehwag plastered the first three balls he faced for sixers. The small ground theory was proved right. Then the madness started-Gambhir was out and the procession of wickets started as the star batsmen fell quickly. At 101 for the loss of 7 wickets things were looking tough. Somehow Raina and Harbhajan played sensibly and a decent target of 163 runs was achieved.

New Zealand started on a disastrous note with Ishant and Zaheer firing on full steam. But Brendon Mc Cullum who is become Mr. Dependable for the Kiwis ensured that New Zealand won comfortably.

The second T:20 tomorrow will be a challenge for Dhoni's Team and the team is likely to undergo changes. The batsmen need to play with maturity and responsibility and not throw their wickets. Let us see what happens!

At the Oscars

So the Oscars have been announced and what a show by Hugh Jackman! A special mention for his wit, charm and dancing skills.

Slumdog Millionaire won 8 awards including best picture and best director. The big hit was A.R. Rahman who won two awards.

Resul Pookutty won for best sound-mixing and Simon Beaufoy won an Oscar for best adapted screenplay.

A summary of the list of nominees and winners is provided below:


Best Motion Picture
Slumdog Millionaire: Winner
The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button
Frost/Nixon
The Reader
Milk


Best Director
Danny Boyle – Slumdog Millionaire: Winner
Stephen Daldry – The Reader
David Fincher – The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button
Ron Howard – Frost/Nixon
Gus Van Sant – Milk


Best Performance by an Actor
Richard Jenkins - The Visitor
Frank Langella – Frost/Nixon
Sean Penn – Milk: Winner
Brad Pitt – The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button
Mickey Rourke – The Wrestler


Best Performance by an Actress
Anne Hathaway - Rachel Getting Married
Angelina Jolie - Changeling
Melissa Leo - Frozen River
Meryl Streep - Doubt
Kate Winslet - The Reader: Winner


Best Performance by an Actress In A Supporting Role
Amy Adams – Doubt
Penélope Cruz – Vicky Cristina Barcelona: Winner
Viola Davis – Doubt
Marisa Tomei – The Wrestler
Taraji P. Henson - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Best Performance by an Actor In A Supporting Role
Josh Brolin - Milk
Robert Downey Jr. – Tropic Thunder
Michael Shannon - Revolutionary Road
Philip Seymour Hoffman – Doubt
Heath Ledger – The Dark Knight: Winner


Best Foreign Language Film
The Baader Meinhof Complex (Germany)
The Class (France)
Departures (Japan): Winner
Revanche (Austria)
Waltz With Bashir (Israel)


Best Animated Feature Film Of The Year
Bolt
Kung Fu Panda
Wall-E: Winner


Original Screenplay
Frozen River - Courtney Hunt
Happy-Go-Lucky - Mike Leigh
In Bruges - Martin McDonagh
Milk - Dustin Lance Black: Winner
Wall-E - Andrew Stanton


Adapted Screenplay
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - Eric Roth
Doubt -John Patrick Shanley
Frost/Nixon - Peter Morgan
Slumdog Millionaire - Simon Beaufoy : Winner
The Reader - David Hare


Best Animated Short Film
La Maison en Petits Cubes: Winner
Lavatory - Lovestory
Oktapodi
Presto
This Way Up


Best Art Director
Changeling - James J. Murakami
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - Donald Graham Burt: Winner
The Dark Knight
The Duchess - Michael Carlin
Revolutionary Road - Kristi Zea


Best Costume Design
Australia - Catherine Martin
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - Jacqueline West
The Duchess - Michael O'Connor: Winner
Milk - Danny Glicker
Revolutionary Road - Albert Wolsky


Best Makeup
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - Greg Cannom: Winner
The Dark Knight - John Caglione, Jr. and Conor O'Sullivan
Hellboy II: The Golden Army - Mike Elizalde and Thom Floutz


Best Cinematography
Changeling - Tom Stern
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - Claudio Miranda
The Dark Knight - Wally Pfister
The Reader - Chris Menges and Roger Deakins
Slumdog Millionaire - Anthony Dod Mantle: Winner


Best Film Editing
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button- Kirk Baxter and Angus Wall
The Dark Knight - Mike Hill and Dan Hanley
Frost/Nixon - Wally Pfister
Milk - Elliot Graham
Slumdog Millionaire - Chris Dickens: Winner


Best Live Action Short Film
Auf der Strecke (On the Line)
Manon on the Asphalt
New Boy: Winner
The Pig
Spielzeugland (Toyland)


Best Original Score
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - Alexandre Desplat
Defiance - James Newton Howard
Milk - Danny Elfman
Slumdog Millionaire - AR Rahman: Winner
Wall-E - Thomas Newman


Best Original Song
Down to Earth - Wall-E - Music by Peter Gabriel, Thomas Newman; Lyric by Peter Gabriel
Jai Ho - Slumdog Millionaire - Music by AR Rahman; Lyric by Gulzar : Winner
O Saya - Slumdog Millionaire - Music and Lyric by AR Rahman, Maya Arulpragasam


Best Documentary Feature
The Betrayal (Nerakhoon): Winner
Encounters at the End of the World
The Garden
Man on Wire
Trouble the Water


Best Documentary Short
The Conscience of Nhem En
The Final Inch
Smile Pinki: Winner
The Witness


Best Visual Effects
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - Eric Barba, Steve Preeg, Burt Dalton, Craig Barron: Winner
The Dark Knight - Nick Davis, Chris Corbould, Tim Webber, Paul Franklin
Iron Man - John Nelson, Ben Snow, Dan Sudick, Shane Mahan



Best Sound Editing
The Dark Knight - Richard King: Winner
Iron Man - Frank Eulner, Christopher Boyes
Slumdog Millionaire - Glenn Freemantle, Tom Sayers
Wall-E - Ben Burtt, Matthew Wood
Wanted - Wylie Stateman


Best Sound Mixing
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - David Parker, Michael Semanick, Ren Klyce, Mark Weingarten
The Dark Knight - Lora Hirschberg, Gary Rizzo and Ed Novick
Slumdog Millionaire - Ian Tapp, Richard Pryke, Resul Pookutty: Winner
Wall-E - Tom Myers, Michael Semanick, Ben Burtt
Wanted - Chris Jenkins, Frank A. Montaño, Petr Forejt

The big surprises were Slumdog winning best picture and Mickey Rourke being pipped to the post by Sean Penn.

Heath Ledger's Oscar was assured and he became the second artiste to win an Oscar posthumously.

Kate Winslet has done a much better role in The Revolutionary Road but somehow this outing with "The Reader" finally got her a long-belated Best Actress Award.

27

So here I am sitting in front of my computer in office. Taking a break from work typing this post. I turned 27 today. Nothing special just another day. The past year was full of varied experiences. A new job and a new office with a new work-profile and staying in a new house-albeit a rented one. One of the most tumultous years of my life as I realized-"It is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all."

I realized that sometimes it is better to be silent when you realize that someone else has won a prize that you deserved. One does not win all the games that one participates.

A couple of phonecalls in the morning from relatives in other parts of the country wishing me on my birthday. Some messages from friends!

I still pine for a call at least a message from her. Have I become such an alien that I have been totally erased from her psyche. I don't know. Perhaps in this world at least from her point of view there can be no platonic friendship between a man and a woman.

Last year around this time my heart was up in the clouds! Today if there is a place below rock bottom-it has reached there.

If things go the way they are going now, by the time I type a post titled 28 I might be actually married.

Let me see what happens!

The Reader

Well Kate Winslet is as ravishing as usual. But if you tend to overlook the fact that the lady is practically naked for most of the movie, one realizes that it is a powerful role that she has enacted.

Ralph Fiennes is a succesful lawyer who recounts his past. His affair with a ticket-checker Kate, when he is just a 14-year old boy. They make love on the sly and Kate forces the boy to read works by folks like Shakespeare and Marx.

She is convicted of persecuting Jews and commits suicide in jail. There are too many loose end s and the big secret that Kate is illiterate and the other secret which you figure out by watching the movie.

The movie is likely to be seriously censored and folks preparing to salivate in the theatre better go buy a dvd and watch the movie.

This could have been a movie on a totally different plane and explore the anguish and helplessness of the young boy and the tortured Kate but somehow peters down into a well cinematographed piece of soft-porn with mainstream actors, a decent background score and a story that tries to recreate Germany during the Second World War.

The chap David Kross (young Fiennes) would have enjoyed the most I feel. Jokes apart the movie covers a wide range of topics-sexual awakening, forbidden relationships, persecution of Jews, war crimes tribunal, wrong judgements, guilt, emotional self-punishment, etc……

Somehow I felt that the movie was an attempt at winning an award and not a genuine effort from the director Stephen Daldry.

West Indies deny England a Win

Strauss would be frustrated with all of England for failing to get the last wicket and redeem English pride after the debacle at Sabina Park.

Jerome Taylor and Fidel Edwards somehow managed to hold their wits and managed to secure a draw against a buoyant English bowling attack.

With Flintoff ruled out of the series the next match will be crucial.

Let us see what happens.

In other cricketing news the Indian team has reached New Zealand. The first T:20 will be held on Feb 25.

The Judiciary versus the Police

[Image courtesy sify.com]

I sensed something amiss when the bus going to Broadway took a detour. Instead of going via the Secretariat and Madras High Court the bus took the road adjacent to the Government General Hospital to reach Broadway. The road was blocked and there was heavy police security. The stretch from Broadway busstand to Parrys corner was dark as all shops had closed their shutters. Traffic was practically closed.

I learnt from other commuters that a big fight had broken out between the lawyers and the police and C.R.P.F. and additional police reinforcements had been called in.

I decided to take one of the narrow lanes that criscross the Parrys area to reach Beach station. There was silence and darkness and even the stray dogs seemed to have gone in to hiding. I was walking along with four other men returning home from work when we heard a shout behind us.

To our horror a bunch of law college students about 15 in number were running shouting obscenities. The five us were shocked and immediately ran in to one of the open doorways and pulled the shutters down.

I never ever thought that I would be in such a situation. Mob violence is a serious thing. When both the lawyers and the policemen go crazy no one is safe.

Fifteen minutes later we raised the shutters and walked quickly to the Beach Railway Station.

The video clips on the news channels showed the magnitude of the violence of the infuriated lawyers and policemen.

If this is the state of affairs, nobody can save us!

V-Day, Fever, Movies, Insecurity, and Bride-Hunting

Well so another Valentine's Day has come and gone. By the grace of a couple of my friends some really fiery discussions thru' e-mail happened. Nothing important but then some people do not understand humour and I better stop using "superfluous" words and take care of my punctuation marks while drafting e-mails.

I never celebrated V-Day as I never had a Valentine. Last year was an exception(2008) when I was too damn confused to figure out if it was infatuation or true love.
By the time I figured out it was love on my part the chapter was already closed by the "other party."

This year I was bundled at home with a nasty cold and fever. I popped Paracetamols and Erythromycins while half the world was feasting on cakes and starwberry milkshakes.

I saw some movies on my DVD player. I saw "Rock-n-Rolla," "Revolutionary Road," "Charade," and "From Here to Eternity."

There is a definite feeling of insecurity. People at the office are glued to their desks semingly trying to focus on their work. There have been assurances that no more lay-offs will happen. But you never know!

I don't know what the future holds. It seems a couple of horoscopes matched. Now the next round of discussions have been initiated and there is a genuine possibility of an "official sighting" in March. I will be travelling to Kolkatta in March for a family function and it seems the conspiracy to conduct my marriage will reach the next level there.

Wish me luck folks!

Five Years!

Time flies so fast.

Five years back on this day I met with a horrible accident.
I would have died and even the doctors gave up on me.
I was in a coma for a week.
I was on life-support.

Somewhere deep within me a point of light glowed and I realized my purpose.

My guardian angel took me to heaven and to hell and said-"Mate! There is a time to live and a time to die."

On the eighth day I showed signs of consciousness. I was in the hospital for three months and after two complicated surgeries I survived and am alive and typing my tale here.

I may no longer have a Valentine, but the significance of Valentine's Day will continue to haunt me till my guardian angel calls me.

V-Day Cartoon

Another forward. Who ever drew this cartoon deserves a prize.

The Origin of Valentine's Day

I got this as an e-mail forward.

It is too funny.

In spite of what you have been told by everyone, the truth is that Valentine's Day originated hundreds of years ago, in India , and to top it all, in Gujarat !!

It is a well known fact that Gujarati men, specially the Patels, continually mistreat and disrespect their wives (Patelianis). One fine day, it happened to be the 14th day of February, one brave Pateliani, having had enough "torture" by her husband, finally chose to rebel by beating him up with a Velan (rolling pin).

Yes....the same Velan which she used daily, to make chapattis for him....only this time, instead of the dough, it was the husband who was flattened.

This was a momentous occasion for all Gujarati women and a revolt soon spread, like wild fire, with thousands of housewives beating up their husbands with the Velan.

There was an outburst of moaning "chapatti-ed" husbands all over Anand and Amdavad. The Patel men-folk quickly learnt their lesson and started to behave more respectfully with their Patelianis.

Thereafter, on 14th February, every year, the womenfolk of Gujarat would beat up their husbands, to commemorate that eventful day.The wives having the satisfaction of beating up their husbands with the Velan and the men having the supreme joy of submitting to the will of the women they loved.

Soon The Gujju men realised that in order to avoid this ordeal they need to present gifts to their wives....they brought flowers and sweetmeats. Hence the tradition began.
As Gujarat fell under the influence of Western culture, that day was called 'Velan time' day.

The ritual soon spread to Britain and many other Western countries, specifically, the catch words 'Velan time!'. Of course in their foreign tongues, it was first anglisised to 'Velantime' and then to 'Valentine'.

And thereafter, 14th of February, came to be known as Valentine's Day!

The person who wrote this-
Three cheers:)

Lines for Whom?

I no longer smile,
I no longer cry,
I no longer look,
At your photos.

When you left me,
You took away a part,
A part of my heart,
And a bigger part of my mind.

I never realized,
You were toying,
With me and my emotions.
All the while laughing behind my back.

Perhaps I deserved this,
For trusting someone,
And loving someone,
With all my mind and heart.

All I can say is that,
The time you spent me,
Shall be treasured forever,
It might have been a game for you.

But for me-you were everything,
You were my life.
Now that you have left me for someone else.
All I can say.....

No I have nothing more to say.
But I do foresee,
Another fool like me,
Writing something similar down the line.

Latest Cricket News

Sri Lanka won the final ODI convincingly. India won the series 4-1.

Australia won the third ODI and trail the series against New Zealand 2-1.

West Indies demolished England in the first Test at Sabina Park as the English team was bowled out for 51 runs in its second innings. Jerome Taylor scalped 5 wickets and spinner Suleiman Benn got 4 wickets.

England have to regroup themselves quickly and play positive cricket.

Cricket News

New Zealand defeated Australia convincingly in the second ODI and the result-India have moved to second place in the ICC ODI Rankings. A 5-0 whitewash of Sri Lanka will consolidate India's position.

Flintoff has been snapped by Chennai Super Kings and Kevin Pietersen has been bought by the Bangalore Royal Challengers. Other players that were bought by various teams include the Protean super-player Duminy, Fidel Edwards George Bailey, Tyron Henderson, Dwayne Smith, Paul Collingwood, Moshrafe Mortaza(Kolkatta Knightriders) for $600000, Shaun Tait(Rajasthan Royals).

Looking at the obscene amounts of money that have exchanged hands one wonders what happened to "Economic Recession."

Waiting for Season-2 of the IPL.

Cricket News

India have won the series against Sri Lanka. They have won nine matches in a row under Dhoni's captaincy. The fifth one-dayer is yet to be played.

Australia and New Zealand are fighting it out in the current one-dayer.

West Indies have made a confident reply against England in the first Test match.

Zimbabwe have defeated Kenya 5-0 in the one-day series.

The IPL auction for Season 2 is going on Flintoff and Pietersen are the highest paid cricketers in the IPL now.

BACHELOR DAYS SEEM TO BE ENDING SOON!

Well the way things are going on I am likely to get engaged by June 2009. Do not ask me who the girl is? Even I don't know:) I am the Transporter[Damn Jason Statham will kick me if he reads this!]I am suppose to take one dozen horoscopes from my uncle's house to my mother.

It seems prospects of escaping marriagedom[am not sure if it is a correct word] is a prospect that is diminishing with each passing day.

Let me see!

Folks wish me luck. If everything goes on track, the first official "sighting" "ponnu pakkiradhu" ceremony might happen by the end of February.

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON

I am sorry I have not yet found time to see "Rock n' Rolla" and "Revoultionary Road."
So I present the review of "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button."

The movie is an adaptation of a short story of the same name written by J Scott Fitzgerald. The movie stars Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett. The story starts in a hospital where a lady on her death-bed asks her daughter to read from a diary. The diary narrates the life and times of Benjamin Button.

Brad Pitt is Benjamin Button. When he is born he is born with the features of an aged person who is about to die. He is abandoned by his rich father and left at the door-step of an old-age home run by an Afro-American couple. The lady takes great care of him and treats him like her son. He mingles with the other aged people in the building who treat him as an old man. They do not know that he is a child. He makes friends with Daisy the grand-daughter of a rich widow. The widow teaches Benjamin to play the piano.

A fascinating transition takes place as Benjamin grows younger with each passing day. He joins a shipping trawlwer, fights in the Second World War, has his romantic misadventures. He sends postcards to Daisy from all the cities that he visits.

Benjamin returns to the old-age home were his father meets him and tells him the truth-'Benjamin I am your father-Thomas Button." He continues running the family business of manufacturing buttons, is attracted to Daisy who has become a ballet dancer in New York.

Their paths cross again and after a series of incidents get married. They buy a house have a daughter and seem to enjoy life. Benjamin keeps worrying and says-" I want my daughter to have a father not a playmate."

He keeps growing younger and sells his company and creates an account/trust for his wife and daughter and leaves his home. He returns many years later as a teenager. His wife in the meanwhile has married another man and runs a dance-school. She is shocked to see Benjamin!

He once again goes. Then one day Daisy receives a phone call and goes to a child-welfare centre. A boy who is extremely incoherent and whose bag contains a letter addressed to her has been found. Daisy realises that this is Benjamin, Benjamin no longer remembers who she is!-"Excuse me, do I know you?"

Daisy takes care of the small boy as her son. She leaves the city and travels to another city as the boy grows younger and younger finally an infant. This is a really touching scene when Daisy realizes the infant has died.

When the girl reaches this part of the story in true cinematic style Daisy[the old lady] if you have not figured that out dies!

The movie is brilliant. Make-up(simply superb).Acting is top-notch and I have a feling Brad Pitt might win the coveted Oscar for Best Actor this year. The sets chronicling the changes in America across three generations is portrayed brilliantly. As usual David Fincher continues to mystify satisfy the audience with his works.

Go watch this movie. Deserves every bit of praise being showered on it and much-much better than the disillusioned, myopic, and Westernised opinion of Slumdog Millionaire.

Conversations, Ruminations, Exasperations and Frustrations!:]



mahesh: hi ashwin


aswin.ganesh: hi buddy


mahesh: i will check into the openings u sent


aswin.ganesh: okie
sure da
All the best
There are lots of openingfs
You are in a meeting and yet active
:)


mahesh: just came back man
someone else pinged


aswin.ganesh: :)
So, is the situation back to normal


mahesh: yedho company meeting today
CEO will be addressing
let us see what happens


aswin.ganesh: pakkalam
Hope it isn't another bullshit "We are forced to do...." thing


mahesh: will let u know man


aswin.ganesh: sure


mahesh: will be
as of now job is safe


aswin.ganesh: whatever happens, the end result will be good da


mahesh: next cut will be three months later


aswin.ganesh: well, is that good news or bad news :O i am still wondering
Anyways, don;t you worry
Your elearning background will always come to your rescue


mahesh: i am not very worried man


aswin.ganesh: :)


mahesh: even if they fire no problem


aswin.ganesh: Good


mahesh: 1 month's salary
time to search for a good job


aswin.ganesh: Yup, you will get a good job anytime da
:)


mahesh: no need to worry about notice period too


aswin.ganesh: Not even recession can stop ya
:)


mahesh: i keep looking at the positives


aswin.ganesh: Yes


mahesh: if nothing comes to nothing
i will start free-lancing
with photos and movie reviews
if that too goes for a toss
i will join palakkad mani iyer's catering service


aswin.ganesh: dei dei dei
Podhum da


mahesh: michel madana kama rajan
:)


aswin.ganesh: Oh


mahesh: taangalaya


aswin.ganesh: then find a bride like OOrvashi yeah ;)


mahesh: seri velaiya paaru
ha ha ha
dei someone better


aswin.ganesh: Dei naan velaiya thaan da parthuttu irukken
Multi-tasking u see
:D


mahesh: summa thamasu


aswin.ganesh: :)
I want to try for the post of CEO for Satyam
Wanna join
me


mahesh: vendam pa


aswin.ganesh: yenda


mahesh: teakadai nadathi poichukiren


aswin.ganesh: ha ha ha


mahesh: low investment maximum returns


aswin.ganesh: he he he
Naa kodutha idea'avai yenakke solraya
Dei
;D

mahesh: hi da
conversation is too comical


aswin.ganesh: huh


mahesh: i am putting this as a post


aswin.ganesh: oh oh


mahesh: becoz u r not blogging


aswin.ganesh: seri super
:)


mahesh: i want your name to come on blogspot


aswin.ganesh: You see I left my brain at the banl
:)


mahesh: my free service to you


aswin.ganesh: thank you sire


mahesh: we can be like cho and nagesh of blogspot
or laurel and hardy

aswin.ganesh: He He He/hahahaha

Nagesh-A Legend-Emperor of Comedy-No More

Nagesh is no more! I stopped looking at the news and started typing this post. At the moment I am at a loss of words to describe the immense joy and happiness he used to bring to viewers and the feeling of intense. Shivaji, MGR, Kaml, and Rajni are superstars but one man who defied all their stardom and acted with all of them leaving his own special charm-Nagesh.

There was a period when no Tamil movie would be made without Nagesh. Clean comedy, natural slapstick and buffoonery. He formed a great on-screen pair with Manorama. The two gave many memorable hits together.

An unforgettable role was of Dharmi in Thiruvalayadal. Other hits were given by him as a solo hero in "Server Sundaram" and "Ethir Neechal."

A longer post is on its way soon.

At the moment al I can say is-"Continue to delight angels in heaven."

UNCERTAIN TIMES

200 people asked to quit in the past 2 days!

So was I an ass?

No, now I am still here though very insecure!

So it is back to updating resumes and scouting the Web!

Nothing remains stable!

Nothing man-I have been unlucky in love, not too lucky with the jobs, only good thing a couple of good friends.

I am beginning to sound more and more cynical and pessimistic with each passing day.

God save me!

INDIA DRAW FIRST BLOOD

India defeated Sri Lanka by six wickets to win the first ODI at Dambulla. Sri Lanka posted 246 runs powered by Sanath Jayasurya's 107. The man continues to mystify and fox critics and admirers alike.

India lost Sachin early, but good knocks by Gambhir, Raina, and Dhoni ensured that the year 2009 started on a winning note for India.

Jayasurya becomes the second highest run-scorer in ODIs followed by Sachin.

ABOUT THE RECESSION DURING RECESS

The situation is not at all bright. Everyday there is news about Microsoft cutting jobs, or IBM cutting jobs, the list continues with all industries getting affected by the global economic meltdown. Earlier the lunch session used to be a time when colleagues would discuss movies and cricket. The past two-three months have seen a big change as everyone is worried and insecure about their jobs.

Rumours about three senior managers quitting, people being asked to leave, well I just don’t know. Things are not rosy and it looks that there is going to be a lot of heartburn by the end of March.

Hastily convened meetings asking employees to stay calm and focus on improving productivity does not work wonders.

Let me see what happens!

In all probability it might be curtains here too:]

INDIA vs SRILANKA ODI SERIES-A PREVIEW

The first ODI between India and Sri Lanka will be played tomorrow. Sri Lanka is high on confidence after a morale-boosting 2-1 series victory over Pakistan. India have had a decent break after the England series and will play confidently under Dhoni. The problem seems to be the unplayability od Ajantha Mendis and his wizardry. Sehwag seems to be the only player who can play him confidently. Muraltharan can win matches all by himself, Mahela Jayawardene is battling poor form and he is due for a big knock. The absence of Harbhajan do to an injury might be a problem. We have Ravinder Jadeja debuting for the national team and is sure to get a chance. There are five one-day matches and one T-20 match.

Let us see how the Indian team fares against the Lankans.

A DOUBLE FOR THE PROTEAS DOWN UNDER


A great partnership between Hashim Amla and A.B. De Villiers ensured that Australia suffered a defeat that ensured a series defeat. The Proteas will relish the fact that they have managed a historic double by defeating Australia in both the one-day and test series.

Australia batting first on a sporting pitch squandered a chance to post a big total from 110 runs for the loss of two wickets they were bowled out for 219. Ponting scored 63 runs and James Hopes added a valuable 42 runs lower down the order. Ntini and Steyn took thre wickets each.

The Proteas chased down the total with more than 10 overs to spare. Amla scoring 80 and de Villiers scoring 82.

Australia will have to regroup and start afresh when they face New Zealand in a week's time. Is this the beginning of the end of Australia's dominance in world cricket?

DEATH OF A DUTCHMAN.....

This was a novel that I picked up on the pavement. It is by Magdalen Nabb. I had never heard of this writer before and it was the book's title that attracted me to it. The price was Rs 20.(Used Book).


This is a series of books set in Florence and Marshall Guarnaccia is an inspector who investigates mysteries. In this novel he investigates the death of a Dutch goldsmith. It appears to be a case of suicide, but slowly clues and a list of suspects appear.

The book is slow in its pace and intensity. There is a good description of the city of Florence and some of its landmarks. Who murdered the Dutchman?

Read the book to find the answer.

A decent book but this will not appeal to readers of fast-paced thrillers.
I need to check if I can get other books in the series for the same price.

Of Hospitals and Marriage Propsals!

Monday evening I get a call on my mobile from an unknown number, I answer it and surmise that a distant uncle has had a massive heart attack and has been admitted to a hospital. It is his neighbour who calls me and gives me this information. I pack a change of clothes in a duffel bag take some cash and rush to the hospital.

I hire a taxi and wonder at the man who served as a source of inspiration to me and all the other kids in the extended family. Seshumama was a bachelor, a man who was an enigma. He had studied Law and then been to Oxford to pursue a slew of degrees. He was a man of incredible physical strength. I remember me and my cousins four of us hanging on to his powerful arms and he would lift us and again set us down with incredible ease. He had gone on to join the United Nations and worked in various countries in Africa. It seems his work was top-secret. It was something to do with Crisis-Prevention and Disaster-Management. No one knew where he was and when he would suddenly land up at their doorsteps with a bag full of goodies for the kids.

The elders in the family considered him to be the "black sheep" as he had not married and settled to lead a normal life. He had retired about seven years back and used to shuttle between his cottage in Munnar and flat in Chennai. I had always stayed in touch with him, and he used to treat me like his own son. He would often remark to my parents" Watch out Meshu(he used to call me that) is going to be a great man." I have not achieved any greatness yet. I have a regular job and a normal life. He used to gift me books and stamps and would always listen patiently to the stories that I would narrate to him. It is a matter of pride for me that in spite of there being so many relatives, he had two sisters and a younger brother; it was my name and number that was given by my uncle as an emergency contact number.

I am lost in my thoughts, when the taxi-driver announces that we have reached the hospital. I pay the fare and rush to the reception. My uncle's neighbour is waiting there and he informs me that my Seshumama is undergoing surgery; and that he has also informed the other relatives and all of them were on their way to the hospital.

As the clock ticks my nervousness increases and slowly the relatives troop in to the hospital. People whom I had not met for more than seven or eight years years arrive and they are surprised to see that the lanky Meshu has grown up into a man. Meena Aunty comes up speaks to me and in a most embarrassing situation asks her husband-Raju Mama-"Ennanga Maheshkku namma Shriyava ponnu pakkalama?"(Why don't we seek an alliance for Mahesh with our Shriya [Damn! of all places and times an alliance/proposal in a hospital]

The doctor comes out and says Seshumama is out of danger and he will be moved into the General Intensive Care Unit after a couple of hours. I heave a sigh of relief and thank God and the doctors who saved his life. When I see him he is still in a drug-induced sleep. He is tired and weak but even then with an enigmatic smile on his face.

As I return home I wonder if I am going to end up like him all alone and without any one! My thoughts are interrupted as I get another call this time it is Meena Mamai-" Dei Meshu Ammakitta sollu njan Shriya jadhakatha courierla send panren!" (Hey! Mahesh tell your mother that I am sending Shriya's horoscope through courier." )

I manage by saying-"Mami signal weak a irukku aathukku call pannunga"(Aunt the signal is weak try calling home.)

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE-Movie Review




Danny Boyle who made the intense yet enjoyable "Trainspotting" has taken the basic plot of Vikas Swarup's novel "Q and A" and added lots of characters, masala, the proverbial presentation of India as a land of poverty and roped in the services of A.R. Rahman to provide the music score, to make a movie that is breaking records and winning awards.

Honestly it is nothing monumental. It is a good movie. We all love movies that are about the triumph of the human spirit and have happy endings.

Two kids Jamal and Salim witness the Mumbai riots, there mother being killed, caught in a network of goons who run an organized syndicate of child-beggars. How the kids escape, go on a trip across India, (Taj Mahal and Agra), return to Mumbai. The story has twists and plots but beyond Jamal winning a quiz show and becoming a millionaire it is his quest for the girl he loves-Lathika(played by Frieda Pinto)that draws more interest. Dev Patel as Jamal does a good job. Anil Kapoor as the quizmaster is nice. Irrfan Khan and Surabh Shukla in brief roles as policemen do justice.

It is the chap who plays Jamal's brother the boy-who-became-a-gangster whom I liked. The kids who portray the role of slum kids are real slum kids. The child jumping into a pile of human faeces to get an autograph of his matinee idol is gross but conveys the message of the madness that cinema is!

The movie is much better than what is on fare from Bolywood-Ghajini, CC2C, RNBJ and the other stuff. So do watch it. I am eagerly awaiting Anurag Kashyap's "Dev-D." He is one chap who is really willing to experiment and radical in thought and belief. Watch "Black Friday" and "NO Smoking" to understand. I hope Abhay Deol does a good job, as the Law of Averages is against him.

Let us see.

The next reviews will be of-"Revolutionary Road" and "Rock n' Rolla."

Bye folks!

A Conversation, Smile, and a Farewell

To have spoken to you,
Was such a great feeling,
But sadly it is never going to bring back,
The joy that it used to,
When times were different.
Life goes on..
In all its monotony...
Interspersed with brief vignettes,
Of nostalgia.

I wish I could go back in time,
And change events,
So that you would-
Once again be mine.
But then we are all bound-
By the rules of time and space.
And a code of honour and faith.

So I will stay back and smile,
And wish you good bye.

Blogged with the Flock Browser

The Fox and the Child



A simple tale that transports us to the world of the bedtime stories of a childhood long gone. Kate Winslet narrates the story of a little girl who meets a fox.

The story just has these two characters. The fox which the girl learns later is actually a vixen. The movie appears to have been shot in some France. The girl tries to befriend the vixen and names her Lily.

The cinematography is pleasing and the transition from winter to spring is shown aesthetically. Music is OK. It is just that there is a documentary-like feel to the whole thing.

The movie is directed by Luc Jacquet, the same guy who gave us "The March of the Penguins." French actress Bertille Noël-Bruneau plays the little girl who tries to befriend the vixen.

Some things are unclear. Does the child have nothing to do except run in the woods in search of her friend Lily. Are her parents so sure about their daughter's safety?
Are all vixens/foxes so meek? In one scene the girl chases away a pack of wolves by bursting an empty paper bag and shouting at them. Maybe it is better than watching Dhanush bash up twenty goons who are five times bigger than him:).

Good movie to watch on idle Sunday afternoons.

AT THE BOOK FAIR

The 32nd Chennai Book Fair is on at the St. George's School Grounds opposite Pachaiappa's College, Kilpauk.

The usual trend continues this year and the number of stalls offering Tamil books continues to increase.

The big offer this year is offered by Indian Thought Publications, Mysore. The complete works of R.K. Narayan for Rs 1,500.

Software stalls offering lots of stuff ranging from games to rhymes. The big draw was the Shakti Office stall. Visit www.shakti.office.in to find out an Indian alternative to MS-Office.

All the usual stalls were there and the kids this year were surprisingly less. It was more of the 20 to 35 years age-group that was in prominence.

Food stalls doing super business. Sri Krishna Sweets being the highlight.

On the pavement adjoining the Pachaiappa's College a group of old-book sellers have set up shop. Books for as low as Rs 5. There are some real gems available for Rs 20 go check them out too.

HAPPY PONGAL FOLKS!:)

May the harvest season bring in joy, prosperity, and good health to all.
People who have adopted the Tamil New Year dictate issued by M.Karunanidhi

HAPPY TAMIL NEW YEAR

A WEB OF LIES


How the wings of time fly,
To be a king one day-
Reduced to a pauper on another.
It was a Wednesday unlike all others.

The dreams of thousands crashed,
As one man confessed,
To a heinous crime,
At a most unfortunate time.

He had misused the trust-
And money that thousands-
Had entrusted with him.
The future is dark and dim.

Will justice be denied yet again?
As the rich and powerful,
Continue to make a mockery-
Of the laws of the land........

This was written in the aftermath of Satyam Raju's confession of misappropriation of funds.

The future is bleak for the thousands employed across Satyam's various branches.

The point to be noted is Global Trust Bank which had a similar fiasco some years back and Satyam-the shares of both these companies were traded aggressively by Ketan Parekh who rigged the stock market.

As more skeletons tumble out will SEBI and the government finally open their eyes and take stringent and prompt action.

I doubt, because in India if you have money, power, and have the right connections you can get away with anything.

AUSTRALIA STILL NUMERO UNO

The last day of the Sydnet Test had twists and turns like a crime thriller. One momentyou thought that Australia had sealed the game and the next moment there would be Protean resurgence. When the ninth wicket fell in walked Captain Courageous Graeme Smith with a fracture and other injuries. He endured the fiery spells for a while but ultimately with eleven balls remaining in the day he was bowled to a beauty by Mitchell Johnson who was ecstatic as Australia managed to salvage their pride and the disgrace of a series whitewash.

South Africa return to their land preparing to host the Aussies who would want to avenge their defeats on home soil. Let us see what happens.

NJAN KADAVUL MUSIC REVIEW

A friend sent me the songs of this movie and after listening to them I am thoroughly lost in thought. Bala has always been a director who has given meaningful cinema and the songs in his movies have always been chart-toppers-be it Sethu, Nanda, or Pithamagan.

This album is definitely not going to sell like hot cakes. The reasons being it does not have foot-tapping disco-themed songs, songs with hip-hop rap and ridiculously written songs that sound more foreign than Tamil, electronically reengineered melodies picturised in Europe, item-song with lewd lyrics during which the camera focusses on the assets of the heroine/item-girl.

All said and done I definitely am going to buy the original music CD because the album is one of its kind. A movie which has a dark theme about crime blending with spirituality cannot definitely have melodious extravagances. This album has six songs all with a bhajan-type feel.

Three songs continue to play in mind. Om Siva Om is a proper hymn. Oru Kaatril Alai reminds one of Kannadasan's philosophical songs of a bygone era. Pichaipaathiram is a plea for alms which is most likely to be picturised on Pooja who plays the role of a beggar.

Music is by Ilayaraja, songs have been sung by Madhu Balakrishnan, Sadhana Sargam, Vijay Prakash,Ilayaraja and others. Lyrics are by Vaali.

Thanks to Dr. Vijay for providing information. The lyrics for Pichaipaathiram have been written by Ilayaraja.

Look at his comment for further information.

Thanks Doc!

Australia vs South Africa final test

Things are delicately poised and tomorrow might well be a red letter day in international cricket. Australia might lose its ranking as Number 1 Test side in the world or South Africa might lose the match and Australia will salvage some pride.

Brief scores:

Australia-445 and 257/4 declared.
South Africa-327 and 62/1.

South Africa require 314 runs to win of 90 overs. Nine wickets in hand but Smith being ruled out due to injury its going to be a tough task.

Can the Proteas end Aussie supremacy?

Will Ponting have the last laugh and salvage the Aussie pride?

Or damningly will it rain and the match end in a draw?

THE FACE OF MY FIRST LOVE


The sea remains tranquil.
As I stare out of my window,
With nothing to show,
For my week's of solitude,
In trying to create my masterpiece-
Which keeps eluding me.


I stare at the sands,
Glistening in the soft silvery gleams,
Of the shining moon.
The occassional call of some nocturnal bird,
Calling its mate, is the only sound,
Breaking the stillness of the night.


I finally take my brush,
Dipping it into my palette,
I just close my eyes,
Letting my instincts guide my hand.


I continue my painting in my trance,
Opening my eyes to look at the canvas.
A face stares back at me-
A face from my childhood.
A pretty face from my past.

I continued to look at my painting-
And I realized-
That she still held,
A place in my heart.


Years have passed,
Since I saw her last,
Dressed in her bridal attire.
I no longer know,
Where she lives,
Or what she does.
Perhaps I can meet her.


Then again I wonder-
Some things are better,
Left unsaid and unwritten.
Like my unrequited love for her.


Perhaps she too,
In a small corner of her heart,
Has a special place for me.
I shall be happy with that notion.
And continue to be like this......

Bala's Njan Kadavul

Bala's magnum opus Njan Kadavul is ready for release. Arya plays the role of a don turned into a monk/sanyasi. Pooja is a beggar.

The initial still photos are out and the intrigue behind the plot keeps heightening.

The music has been released, no reviews of it yet.

People wait and watch this might well be the movie that changes our ideology of Tamil cinema.

Wait and watch

THE NEW YEAR

Well so officially in to the second day of the year 2009-things are pretty calm and quiet. The usual new year, get up in the morning, go to the temple, seek the blessings of your elders, have lunch. In a way it's good because I remember last year I had to go to office-this year I have the luxury of a holiday.

Read a couple of books and saw two movies-"Appaloosa" and "Beowulf and Grendel." Both movies were average the first one being a revisionist western with Ed Harris and Viggo Mortensen and the second one being the fantasy/legend.

For the second year in a row I did not see a movie in a theatre on New Year's day.
We have just about settled in our new house. The neighbours are quiet and the street is a calm and silent one. There are lots of small kids who enjoy playing hide and seek. It is fun watching them.

The new year brings in lots of challenges and hopes. Around the same time last year I thought I was in love and was in the clouds. This year I have realized my folly and grown saner and realized that the affairs of the heart are best kept hidden to oneself. The way horoscopes are zipping around in couriers and through e-mail it seems that my whole extended family is conspiring and hellbent on inducting me into holy matrimony.

Well as they say-"Life is a box of chocolates, and you never know what you are going to get."

Wishing all of you a year filled with joy, strength, good health and prosperity.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009

So one more year is about to end and a new year is going to start.
Wishing everyone "HAPPY NEW YEAR"

Cinemascope-Looking at the movies of 2008

The initial list-"The Top Movies of 2008" had some of the movies that I liked. Once I finished writing that post realized there were lots of other movies that I enjoyed and totally forgot about:

Mithya:

Rajat Kapoor's movie with Ranvir Shourie, Nasiruddin Shah, Vinay Pathak and Neha Dhupia a story of double identities, amnesia, dons, intrigue, unrequited love and death. The part that I enjoyed most was Ranvir's Hamlet soliloquy in Hindi.

Eastern Promises:

London, the mob, Russian gangsters, lots of F words, punches and fights, couple of gross scenes and the final fight in the buff. Viggo Mortensen does a great job in David Cronenberg's violent gangster story.

Kannum Kannum:

A beautiful love story where sacrifice gains a new meaning. Prasanna in a great role. Beautiful cinematography no vulgar comedy or item-songs. A simple story told aesthetically. A pity that the movie was not a big hit.

Raman Thediya Seethai and Pirivvom Sandhippom:

With Cheran in both movies, the first one as an actor and the second one as both actor and doctor both movies were good family entertainers. The first one was the search of a man for a wife the second the problems faced by a city-bred woman coming to terms with a large joint family after marriage. Pasupathy excels as a blind radio jockey in Raman Thediya Seethai.

Alibaba:

Directed by a debutante and starring director Vishnuvardhan's brother Krishna, this is a really taut thriller. Just think you are a good for nothing thief who lives with his brother and father(also thieves). One day to your surprise you find that there are close to 40 lakhs in your bank account and with every passing day your bank balance keeps increasing. Then the fun starts young girls been raped and killed, a senior police officer being killed, the plot keeps thickening and just when you think that the climax is here, there is another twist. "Saroja" was OK with its thumping music track and Tom and Jerryish antics, but Alibaba really scores on the surprise factor.

Welcome to Sajjanpur:

When India's most acclaimed and respected director returns after a long gap and returns with a Malgudish comedy you are excited. This movie is a brilliant satire of the life and times of modern northern India the casteism, rogue politics, and development problems, Good performances by all and Shreyas Talpade keeps excelling with each movie. A must watch.

Taken:

I saw this on DVD. This stars Liam Neeson as an ex-CIA agent who works as a security guy along with his friends. He is separated from his wife but is close to his daughter. when his daughter goes on a pleasure trip to Paris and gets kidnapped. He returns to his super spy ways and tracks down his daughter's kidnappers who run an international prostitition and trafficking ring. Powerful performance by Neeson and good action sequences. Watch this movie when it hits the Indian theatres.

In Bruges:

Two assassins on a sight-seeing trip. A boss who is angry and wants to kill them. A midget who is an actor, a young woman who is a con. Great cinematography and background music. Directed by Martin McDonagh the movie stars Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, and Ralph Fiennes in one of the finest black comedies in recent times.

Remembering Moksh....

Mate! I know you are up there in the skies looking at the foolish antics of the gang down here. Mark got married this week. Arul and Towfik could not make it to the party. It was left to me to enliven the proceedings. I sung a song at a gathering after a really long time. Mark joined me too to the surprise of everyone. He started playing the drums and suddenly the flow came back. I sung "I will be there for you" remember it was the first song that all of us performed together. At the end of it there was lot of applause but no one could figure out why Mark and me were crying.

Moksh! even in your death you signified that we could be good and help each other. It was horrible to watch you die, with me on the bed next to you. I could hardly move with all the tubes and bottles attached to me. I don't know when I went into my anaesthetic-induced sleep. When my surgery had been done Arul said that you were dead. I wanted to cry but the tears did not flow. There was just silence and dejection.

The band broke, we went about with our studies, all of us have jobs now. Mark is in Bangalore. Towfik is in Delhi and Arul is in Sydney working on his research project.
I still look at the photos on Sunday afternoons and remember our jamming sessions. How Arul's dad would join us and sing with us. Mark's mother preparing sandwiches and cakes for us.

Mate! take care of all of us.
The gang salutes you as always!
Adios!

Merry Christmas!

Another Christmas has gone by. An unusually calm and silent one. I did not visit any of my friends or go to a movie. I just stayed at home reading a couple of books. I saw some movies on TV in the evening.

Chrismom/Chrispa

I got a beautiful leather planner with a pen as a gift from my Chrischild. I gifted my Chrischild a figurine of a dog and a greeting card. My Chrispa gave me a pen-stand and I gave him a pen. Coincidence!

We are having a New Year Bash this evening organised by the office management.

A PRAYER

A prayer for all those who lost their lives in the Tsunami. Four years have gone by-the memories of that dreaded day still haunt me.

Man may make great progress and claim to have conquered everything. But when Mother Nature decides to launch her fury we are nothing but helpless puppets.

Monday Morning Blues......

Waking up on Monday mornings and getting ready to start for office, I feel like Mark Twain's boy-hero Tom Sawyer. It is not that I hate my job or I am bored with what I do. It is the sheer necessity to get up from my bed.

For almost two years I worked in a KPO and worked at the oddest possible hours and my whole physiological system went for a toss. To report to work at 6:30 AM I had to get up at 3:45 AM so that I could catch the 4:35 train and reach office on time. Night shifts meant sleeping from 11:30 AM to 7:30 PM boarding the 8:30 PM train to report to office by 10:30 PM.

Now when I have got a job with regular working hours it takes a Herculean effort to get up at 6 AM. I do not know if it is because of the winter or if I have gone plain lazy. Somehow I just do not feel like getting up in the mornings.

The Top Movies of 2008

Wall-E
The Dark Knight
Anjaathe
Subramaniapuram
Taare Zamin Par
Rock On
Thirakadha
Verude oru Bharya

Wall-E-The beautiful presentation of a romance between robots. There is also the representation of the future where our planet is reduced to a gigantic dumpyard.

The Dark Knight-Brilliant performances by Heath Ledger as the sadistic psycopathic killer and Christian Bale as Batman.

Anjaathe-Good script, powerful characterisation, awesome acting by Naren Prasanna, and Ajmal, brilliant background score. A great entertainer.

Subramaniapuram-New director, new team, James Vasantham's melodious music, Kangal Irundal-the melody of the year, Swathi-best new face of 2008, good acting by Jai and Sasi(also the director). The movie had a huge overdose of violence but the presentation was impeccable with the 80's era recreated in detail.

Taare Zameen Par-Brilliant in every department. The kid Darsheel steals the show. A fantastic subject and Aamir gives a mellowed performance as an art teacher. Inspiring soudtrack by Shankar, Eshan and Loy.

Rock On-Farhan Akthar's debut in front of the camera, convincing singing by the lead artistes themselves and Arjun Rampal in a role that showcased his true potential. Peppy songs and the last rock show performance is the highlight of the movie.

Thirakadha-Ranjit strikes back as a great director with this tale based on the Kamal-Srividya relationship. Superb performances by Prithviraj, Priya Mani, and Anil Menon.

Verude oru Bharya-Jayaram's comeback hit that outdid everyone's expectations. The tale of a middle class family were the husband shies away from his responsibilities. A great performance by Navya Nair that might win her an award.

Sorry as I did not include Dashavatharam, Twenty:20 and many other blockbusters. At the end of the day it is not about box-office collections it is about matter and substance.

The Margazhi Season

The Margazhi season has started and lovers of Carnatic music have arrived in Chennai from all parts of the world. Events will be held in various auditoriums and sabhas in Chennai. Leading singers like Unnikrishnan, Balamuralikrishna, Yesudas, Nithyasree, Sudha Raghunathan, and many more whose names I do not know will be enchanting the audience.

If I get tickets and find time in my schedule and above all if the weather holds[everyday there is some cyclone alert-although after Cyclone Nisha things have been calm]I might go for a concert or two.

Musically yours....

41 and still counting.......

Yesterday when Kevin Pietersen set India a target of 386 runs with less than four full sessions of play, the chips were definitely in favour of England.

Sehwag and Gambhir began the chase in contrasting manners. Viru played as if there were no tomorrow and it was raining boundaries. At end of play on day four India had scored 131 runs for the loss of Viru's wicket. Viru laid the foundation for a possible Indian victory with a defiant 83 of 63 balls.

On day five Dravid's misery continued as he was out for 4 runs. Sachin and Gambhir consolidated the Indian chase before Gambhir was out for 66 runs. Yuvraj came out with immense pressure on him to deliver and under Sachin's patronage he produced a wonderful knock of 85 runs of 131 balls. As the afternoon progressed and the crowd continued its support with chants of "East or west Sachin is the Best," England lost all hope of winning the match.

Sachin in an extremely sedate manner reminding me of Dravid's double ton against Australia in 2003 scored the winning runs. He hit a boundary to score 103 and complete his 41st test century. His innings holds special significance as there were no sixes at all in it. Nine boundaries but we still love him for his passion and dedication. The victory is significant as this is the fourth highest successful run chase in tests.

Dhoni's winning run continues and Sehwag won the man of the match award for his blitzkrieg-like 83. One should feel sorry for Strauss who scored centuries in both innings but still ended up on the losing side.

The second test at Mohali is evenly poised. Let us see what happens.

Flock

No I am not using an incorrect expletive, I am using Flock a new browser that rocks and am blogging through Flock's integrated composition tool.

I am yet to figure out a lot of features but this indeed a superb experience.

So what are you waiting for flock to Flock.

Blogged with the Flock Browser

INDIA vs ENGLAND TEST SERIES

There was a lot of uncertainty if England would return to India after the Mumbai blasts. Now things are OK and cricket once again binds broken souls. The first test at Chepauk has so far gone the way of the English. They scored 316 in their first innings and bowled out India for 241. Barring Dhoni and Harbhajan and to some extent Sachin and Laxman all the batsmen failed. In fact it was Dhoni and Harbhajan's crucial partnership that brought some respectability to India's first innings total.
Dhoni scored 53 and Bhajji scored 40. Flintoff, Swann, and Monty bowled well with Freddy and Monty picking three wickets each.

The English started their second inings disastrously losing three quick wickets. Strauss on 73 and Collingwood on 60 are playing well. At close of play today England
lead by 247 runs. A target of 375 plus and India might lose the plot.

Let us see what happens.
I really hope Dravid gets a good score, even a fifty will do his confidence a world of good.
Or perhaps it is time for him to retire gracefully.

Comics....

It was just another Sunday afternoon and I had nothing better to do. So I took out some cartons from the attic and cleaned and dusted the books in them. I discovered a bunch of old comic books. It was like discovering a diamond. I quickly kept the remaining cartons aside and looked at my collection.

I was transported to my childhood days. Indrajal comics-Phantom, Mandrake, Flash Gordon, Tarzan and a host of other characters. I still remember the pleasure of searching for old comics with my uncle in second hand bookshops in Kolkatta. It was nostalgia all over again. I shut the door of my room, relaxed in my easy chair, and started reading my beloved Phantom comics.

Phantom was my favourite hero, this was before someone gifted me a Batman comic. Things and times may have changed but the sheer pace and intensity of the Phantom comics guaranteed 100% entertainment.

Today my 10 year old nephew has Jetix and all the Japanese animes for company. He does not know what he is missing.

Well times change and the tastes of a new generation may vary.
But I am sure all of us however old we may be still enjoy reading Indrajal and Amar Chitra Katha comics.

Musings......

It is going to be hard,
But life has to go on,
So as a first step,
Towards forgetting you,
I am going to stop writing about you,
Then maybe I will stop thinking about you,
So one final farewell to you on this blog.......


Hey! hold on, someone just entered the periphery of my vision.
Hmmm........
Life does have to go on:)

Musings.....

I deleted your photo from my mobile phone,
I deleted our photos from my computer.
But you are stuck, nailed, and pasted to my heart.
How am I going to remove your image that's embedded in my heart and mind.

In the Name of My Father.......

"Father" a word that means a lot for everybody. Someone who is one's role model and superhero during childhood. There are so many things that come to one's mind when one utters the word "Father."

To me my father was just an individual of whom I did not have a clear picture at all. I hardly ever saw him. He was in the Navy and then on contract jobs across the Middle East. He was maybe for one year with us-when he took a break. Other than that it was just my mother who took care of me. Later when he left for Muscat we moved to my maternal uncle's house in another city.

Gradually the image of my father faded from my psyche and it was replaced by the strong and contrasting personalities of my two maternal uncles. One was a strict and silent disciplinarian the other was a jolly man full of life always ready to crack a joke.

At the tender age of six or seven I failed to realize that my father had drifted away from us. As I grew up and adolescence brought in all its doubts and confusions, I realized that I was part of a broken family. A couple who were never meant to be together had been joined in matrimony by fate. By the time they found out their incompatibility it was too late and the offspring-my sister and me bore the brunt of their failed relationship.

My sister was twelve years elder to me and she was at my elder maternal uncle's house from the age of ten. She was a sensible child and was hardly perturbed by the conflicts that I underwent.

No one knew where my father was, sometimes we would receive a card from some remote corner it would be a notification that he was still there. It was both mocking and reassuring. Years passed my sister was married and my father made a fleeting appearance so that no tongues wagged from the groom's side. Then he went into exile once again-this time he left for Delhi.

Two weeks before my sixteenth birthday my uncle received a long letter from my father. My father wanted to start a life with his wife and son afresh. He had found a job in a small firm in Chennai and he promised to look after us.

As that academic year came to a close two train tickets arrived by post and finally the two of us reached Chennai and met my father. It was not exactly an emotional reunion. Years of suppressed anguish and feelings of hatred did not erupt immediately.

As the days progressed I realized that my father had a serious drinking problem. It was this alcoholism that was the primary cause of all problems. The problem continues till date. There were verbal-fights at home, swearing, threats, and all kinds of mental torture.

It did not help that my mother was always waiting to pick on my father. Not a single day passed without a fight.Ten years have passed since we rejoined our father. His tryst with the bottle continues, the number of verbal fights have gone down, but the mutual feeling of anger, frustration, and a strange sense of hatred fuelled by incompatibility continues to haunt both my parents.

I wonder what went wrong. What did my mother do to deserve such a life of torture? Why does my father continue to drink? Why do I continue to hope things will turn right? Why did we return to my father?

These are questions that will remain unanswered.

My marriage is on the cards. The astrologer is confident that I will be engaged in 2009 and by February 2010 the marriage will take place. Looking at the history of the failed marriages that I have witnessed the problems that so many of my friends and relatives have faced and are facing. I fear that I have lost faith in the institution of marriage.

If I indeed do get married and have kids. I hope that I can be a good father and an ideal role model for them.

Twenty:20

I saw Twenty:20 on Sunday.
I enjoyed the movie. It has something for everybody. Mohanlal, Mammooty, Suresh Gopi, Dileep, Jayaram, and Indrajith get major screen time.

Almost all important artistes of Malayalam cinema figure in the movie.
The movie directed by Joshiy is produced by Dileep and his company Grand Productions.
A string of flops and now Dileep is as happy as the Cheshire Cat laughing all the way to the bank.

The movie is essentially a suspense and revenge drama. Indrajith is accused of murder in a Bangalore Medical College. Mammooty as the dashing lawyer Rameshan Nambiar saves him and secures his release.

Indrajith is found murdered while returning from a party and Mohanlal is arrested for the crime. Sukumari and Kavya plead with Mammootty to save Mohanlal. Mammooty visits Mohanlal in jail and after some inquiries argues on his behalf. All circumstantial evidence is found to be misleading and Mohanlal is found not guilty.

The movie moves in to top gear from this point. Watch out for the scene where Lalettan transforms from a meek and simple vegetable dealer to the powerful Deva Devan. The way he folds the mundu and wears the glasses. The theatre erupted with claps and whistles.

Mohanlal says that he was indeed the killer and will kill two more people. Slowly the pieces fall into picture Dileep was Mohanlal's brother who was killed by Indrajith. Dileep and Bhavana were in love and Bhavana testifies against Indrajith in court.

The confrontation scenes between Lalettan and Mammooka are top-notch and Suresh Gopi does a super job as Inspector Anthony Punnakadan. Mammooty locks Mohanlal in his flat daring him to escape. Mohanlal breaks the windows and jumps into the swimming pool from the top floor. The young brigade of Prithvi, Jayasurya, and Kunchako are reduced to item-boys.

There are a couple of songs in the movie. One a Dileep and Bhavana duet in Mauritius and another a sizzler by Nayanthara who looks fabulous. In a later twist it is revealed that Bhavana is Mammooty's sister.

The customary climax fight is there and the movie ends with justice being done and the villains Shami Thilakan, Manoj K. Jayan, and Siddique being killed.

Full paisa vasool go watch it.

John Lennon

Today is December 8. On this date in 1980 a fanatic shot John Lennon dead.
John Lennon was an integral part of The Beatles.

More than being a musician he was also an avid activist, protesting against war and championing the cause of the environment.

Nearly 30 years since you died but the songs that you wrote with Paul Mc Cartney continue to inspire another generation.

Rest in Peace.

MUSINGS....

Those readers who were following the platinum ring track of my life....

An announcement....

The previous post, the poem-"Good Luck and Good Bye" is self-explanatory.
No more questions and answers.
Life has to go on......

I think I am free now. Free of all emotional bonds and commitments, the heart still hurts, but then-"You can't win them all."

So that "Special Someone" wherever you are please materialise or I am going to end up mad, drinking beer, growing long hair, wearing faded kurtas and blue denims, strumming the good ol' guitar, and singing love ballads:)

On a more serious note, maybe I should post a profile on Bharat Matrimony.Amma and Akka are circulating copies of my horoscope among relatives both near and distant.

Who knows.....
I might end up getting married by the end of 2009.

Keep you posted.....

Cheers:)

Good Luck and Good Bye

There was a guy.
There was a girl.
They were friends for long.
Somewhere down the line.
They fell in love.

They hid their feelings from each other.
Wondering what the other would think.
The guy got a ring.
Planning to propose to the girl.

He thought-
One day I am going to give it to her.
I will fall on my knees,
And propose to her.

Time flew by...
They lost contact with each other.
Both were busy with their professional lives.
The guy kept trying to meet her.

But somehow the girl no longer bothered.
He could never fathom why.
Then he got a surprise.
When she landed up at his house.

He was too surprised to speak.
She looked as beautiful as ever.
He kept staring at her confused for words.
She gave him a card, and added-

"Do come for my wedding."

He smiled at her and wished her luck.
She left and he stood dejected.
He cried for a while and then smiled.
He took out the ring and smiled again.

The wedding day dawned.
He was dressed in his finest,
And wished the newly married couple the best.
He said to her..

"I have a small gift for you."
He took out the ring,
And gave it to her.
For a moment there was silence.

As they stared at each other.
Lost for words.
Wondering why this had to happen.
She thanked him.

He said "Good Luck and Good Bye"

Musings...

Dearest,
I don't know if you are reading this.
I don't know if you have ever read anything that I have written here.
I don't know if you ever will understand what you mean to me.
I don't know if you ever will realize that you were, you are, and you will be the one and only one.
I don't know why you are silent.
I don't know why you are doing this.
Perhaps this is the end.
If it is....
Can you just tell me.
I promise you-
There will be no fighting, no ego hassles, no blaming.
We will depart as good friends.
This is the only thing I ask of you.
Please for old times sakes at least.

Dearest!
I am sorry I am not sure if I can continue to call you Dearest.
But old habits die hard!
Perhaps a few weeks, or months, maybe a couple of years.
Till then I shall cherish the memories of the time I spent with you.
Those memories will continue to be a part of me.
You shall remain as always in a special place in my heart.

For you forever,
Nevermore.............

THE NAME'S BLAND-JAMES BLAND

Never ever did I dream in my worst nightmares that I would be writing this about the Quantum of Solace.

The movie had raised a million expectations after the intense tension built by the superhit Casino Royale.

Daniel Craig carries on from where he left in his first outing.
Sadly the second movie in his portrayal of Bond is full of car chases, motorboat chases, bomb blasts, and that is about it.

The movie is no beter than any B-Grade bang and fight thriller coming from Bangkok or Bombay.

I don't know but Craig seems to have aged a lot and looks frighteningly wooden in some scenes.

Olga the Russian lady does a good job and 'M' Dame Helen Mirren is as good as ever.

The villain the environmentalist billionaire is the weakest Bond villains ever.

The movie is a box-office hit worldwide. It disappoints the purist Bond lover.
I hope the next installment in the franchise is better.

Musings....

Your silence continues to frustrate me....
Tell me-
Tell me you are nobody.
Nobody worth caring for.....
I will go away....
Never again to trouble you.....

This elusive silence is dreadful.....
Dearest have I lost you forever?

A SCHIZOPHRENIC DIVIDE

It pains to write this...
The Mumbai terror act that happened last week is not the first terror attack in India.
Mumbai blasts in 1993. The train blasts. The Godhra carnage. Attacks in the northeast. There have been numerous incidents, but what was special this time. Why so much hue and cry?

The bare facts are as follows:

Last week the terrorists struck at the Taj, the Oberoi, Nariman House and the Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus. If you would have observed the various news channels they kept showing clips from the Taj, Oberoi, ans Nariman House. The CST attack got the least coverage.

It was really frustrating to see the the Page 3 crowd Alyque Padamsee, Rahul Bose, Shefali, Farooq Sheikih and a host of other theater and cinema personalities with their debate.

Is the common man really so different from the rich.
Does the blood of the common man come cheaper than that of a millionaire?
Lots of disturbing and unanswered questions.
It is very evident there is a clear schizophrenic divide when news is being portrayed in the media.

I hope this is the last post by me on these attacks, I have just not been able to focus on anything else for a week. The picture of the little child Moshe crying in the synagogue haunts me and keeps coming back. The dead bodies piled up in the hospital.

The anger, the plight, the desperation.....
I hope this is the end....

What Now?

So one terrorist was caught alive. 200 people have been killed, quite a few have been injured. Two landmarks of Mumbai have been partially burnt. The pride and safety of an entire city/nation has taken a severe beating.

We can just be angry and frustrated and suggest measures like war on pakistan, killing all politicians, calling for a new revolution and a hundred other things.

Nothing is going to happen as a result of our rants.

The government in all its procastinating best will do something or the other, some heads will roll in the political circles. Life will continue.

A couple of anniversaries will pass candles will be lit; then another attack in some other city and the whole cycle shall start again.

We can only pray for a better tomorrow.
The present is an extremely distorted picture of fear, paranoia, and violence.
Hoping for an end to this endless whirlpool of violence and terror.

It happened in Mumbai?

The events that happened in Mumbai have proved that as Indians we are no longer safe. We may leave for office or school or college in the morning and there is no assurance that we are going to return home safely in the evening.

I am not going to write about the dastardly act of terror, the damage to the landmarks of Mumbai,or the stupid and comical comments of our politicians.

All that is there is anger and frustration. Once again it is the common man who has had to pay the ultimate price for a lax and lazy government.

Is it not time that we punish the perpetrators? We know that Pakistan is the hotbed of terror and directly or indirectly it is funding the proxy war against India.

Time for we as a nation to stand united and revolt against the spineless politicians.
I would like to know where Raj and Bal Thackeray are now? No jingoistic Marathi manoos comments now. The commandoes and police officers did not think about their nativity. They braved the terrorists as part of their duty and laid down their lives for the nation.

Will Raj continue his stupid rhetoric again?
Let him do it! He is sure to be stoned by his own supporters.

A prayer for the innocent people and the brave police officers and commandoes who lost their lives in the Mumbai carnage.

Another prayer to God that such things do not happen again.