An Eventful Day

E-mail 1

There is a bomb scare at XXXX.The bomb squad has been summoned to carry out necessary precautionary checkup.

YYY is coordinating with them and they have informed us that there is no need for panic. They are in constant touch with us. We request all of you to maintain your calm and carry on with your work.

E-mail 2

Dear All,

With reference to our previous mail on the subject, the bomb squad has declared that the building is safe and informed that it was a hoax call.

We thank all the associates for the spirit displayed and the co-operation extended.

Well folks to cut a long story short, some chap who needed a break from his monotonous job called the building administration office and said that a bomb has been planted. All mayhem broke out and the building was quickly evacuated and the bomb squad, dog squad and the police were called in. Our company decided to remain silent as the smokers gang spotted the sudden rush of people trooping out from other floors. A while later the first e-mail confirmed our worst fears. But even then no signs of evacuation and the blokes joked about "End of Days" and "The Apocalypse." Some of the women staff were really worried and began to panic.

Two hours later some of the brave guys went out and found out there was no danger. Another two hours later we received the second e-mail.

Now just imagine if the hoax had been real. Well I cannot imagine anything. Any way the folks at the company are a sporting lot and continue to work without too much complaints. A great company and its brave employees.

I traded on the stock exchange today. Spent close to Rs 2000 and already I am running a loss of Rs 300. Hope things turn for the better tomorrow.

Folks Chennai are thru' to the semis with a win over Kings XI Punjab in yesterday's low-scoring spinners'-thriller.

This was my post no. 400.

Thanks to the encouragement of my beloved readers and friends.

Thanks Ashwin (Common Man Dreamer), Priya (cool dudette), Kavitha (The Book-Lover), Sowmitha (Editorial Trainer and dog-lover), Siva(handsome rocker), Sudha(wish you posted an actual comment), Sevi(Great News Soon).

Thanks again everybody!

The race for the IPL semi-finals heats up as Rajasthan Royals play the Kolkata Knightriders and Kings XI Punjab play the Chennai Super Kings. CSK had a rude wake up call when Mc Cullum and Hodge blasted the CSK bowlers to snatch an awesome victory by overhauling the improbabale 189-run target.

The Royals are on to a horrible start and are at 46/4 in the seventh over now. If Chennai win today then they will not have to worry about run rates. The way Kumble-led Bangalore Royal Challengers are playing I think net run-rates will play a big part in deciding the final 4. Let us see what happens.

In other cricket news-England defeated West Indies to retain the Wisden Trophy. Chris Gayle has a lot of introspection to do now after his T:20 v/s Test cricket comments. Symmonds has been left out of the Australian squad for the Ashes. India will play Pakistan in an invitational T:20 at the Oval before the ICC T:20 World Cup.

Is Prabhakaran Dead?

The struggle in Sri Lanka has ended! Or is it the beginning of another struggle? The bloody war against terrorism and the Tamil cause has cost close to 80000 lives on both sides. In addition to several high-profile assassinations and the first suicide bomb killing of India's former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. What started as a fight for a real cause, lost its initial impetus as the LTTE slowly morphed into a demon led by a leader who lost sight of his original mission.

News came in yesterday that Prabhakaran had been killed but no photos were released. This morning photos were circulated with Prabhakaran's dead body. He had been shot in the head above the eyes, very similar to Veerappan's end. The real struggle will start now and the government led by Rajapakse has to ensure that the Tamil people are not abused.

Let us see how things go about in the island nation. Supporters continue to claim that Prabhakaran is alive and the dead body is of a decoy/dummy. Only the Lord knows the truth and perhaps Prabhakaran too.

We can only wish that the country stabilises itself. The Sri Lankan army inspite of all the claims by agencies of harming civilians has done a thorough job. Why can't India with more resources and a powerful well-equipeed army put a stop to the cross-border terrorism in Jammu & Kashmir?

Maruti Suzuki Ritz Goof-Up

The Maruti Suzuki Ritz is one of the most eagerly awaited hatchbacks of the year. They spend millions on R&D and marketing but make an error in spelling. Look at the image. "Compliant" is spelled as "Complaint." Click on the image to see it in full-size.
The website is http://www.marutisuzuki.com/.

Measuring Productivity

The sorry state of affairs of "Under Maintenance" continues. Just imagine you have important work to be completed an internal deadline. You visit the loo to answer the Second Call of Nature and to your consternation both stalls are occupied and the third stall mocks you with the "Under Maintenance" poster. Well that is life. If all loos function properly that means reduced waiting time in the restroom. So more time to sit in front of the computer and complete the official work! That translates into increased employee productivity and more profitability for the company.

Well who bothers to listen to the rants of a disgruntled blogger. When I get to run my own company I will ensure that all loos are fully functional. Damn! I am beginning to sound like a phony politician begging for votes:)

SMS

Read this SMS:

10 Terrorists came by Boat.
539 Terrorists will be coming by VOTE.
Vote Responsibly.

Great SMS!

Mother

In celebration of the "Living Divine" dedicated to all Mothers and of course my Mother.


MOTHER

You sheltered me,
In your womb.
So that I could see,
The light of this world.

You nourished me,
With your love and care.
Ever present to help me.
Guide me when I was confused.
Comfort me when I was frightened.

You were there to comfort me,
In my failures,
Be it in exams or in love.
A story to put me to sleep,
When I was a little boy.

In my troubled teens,
When I was confused!
And on the verge of entering the troubled vortex,
Of a life of crime.
You reiterated the importance of "Good Company."
I brushed away your advice and paid the price for it.

Even then-you stood by me.
And guided me to recovery.
Nursing my wounds both physical and mental.
I am what I am!
Because of your love and care.

If there were an after-life!
My only plea to God!
Would be to make me a woman!
So that I can undergo the pain and suffering that you felt!
And be a loving mother to my child!

England the Lords at Lords

West Indies were thrashed by England in the first test. Onions the rookie England bowler and Swann the spinner shared the honours as the West Indian batting order crumbled under the Ebglish bowling attack. Chanderpaul had his lowest test aggregate score of 4 runs. Ravi Bopara's wonderful century should England's No.3 batting woes to rest. Graeme Swann was named the man-of-the-match for his excellent all-round performance.

Brief scores:
England-377 and 32/0.
West Indies-152 and 256.

Another Resignation!

"I am sending my resignation through this e-mail. It has been a great pleasure to work under your guidance and leadership, but I guess it is time for me to move on to a more challenging assignment. Please send this e-mail to HR so that the relieving procedures can be put into action and I am relieved at the end of my notice period."

Well folks that was my resignation e-mail. Is it a moment of madness in this recession? I do not know. I guess it will be forwarded to HR and I might be relieved in the first week of June. It has been fun working here and I have met a wide range of people and have had the best boss so far in my stint with various companies.

I am moving back to my core area of expertise Instructional Design. The field has changed in this gap of 2 years and there have been lots of improvements and changes in the various associated models and theories of learning. Lots of new tools and technologies have come in to vogue too.

So like the Prodigal Son returning to his father's house I have chosen to return to Instructional Design. Will keep you posted on all updates!

Wish me luck folks!

DVD Reviews

Well I guess more reviews are headed your way! You folks must be wondering how does this guy get time to see so many movies! Well I just manage my time-the same 24 hours that God has provided to everyone is what I get too. No more philosophy. The reviews follow:

THE ODESSA FILE

Based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Frederick Forsyth this is a fast-paced thriller with the tension building slowly. A Nazi plot to regain power, a secret society called the Odessa, a group trying to infiltrate the Odessa, a journalist who discovers the truth based on the suicide of an old Jew. Lot of plots and sub-plots ending in a shootout. Starring Jon Voight as the journalist Peter this is a definite must-watch. Shot on location in Europe good cinematography and simple but interesting action sequences keep up the tempo of the movie.

FELON

Star Cast-Stephen Dorff, Val Kilmer and Harold Perinneau.
Director-Ric Roman Waugh.

This is the saga of a man who ends up in jail after accidentally killing a burglar. The ramifications of his action on his family and his personal life are brought out well. In prison a sadistic warden creates a mini=arena of sorts where the prisoners indulge in fighting with each other to remain alive. The movie shows the bitter truth about life and racist divisions American prisons. Val Kilmer gets a solid role as Stephen's protector and old-timer in prison. A grim looking movie with excellent performances by all.

DVD Reviews

It has been a while since I posted movie reviews here So folks get ready for a bunch of reviews.

FRENZY

Star Cast-Jon Finch, Barry Foster, Barbara Leigh-Hunt, Anna Massey, Alec McCowen.

This Alfred Hitchcock classic is about a serial murderer who rapes women and strangles them with a silk tie. The movie has a scene in which the killer puts the corpse of a woman in a sack and loads the sack on to a van carrying potato sacks. Then he realizes that his tie-pin is missing and returns to the van and hunts for the sack with the corpse. The van starts moving an he panics and struggles in trying to retrieve the pin. A well-made thriller.

INKHEART

This Brendan Fraser movie is a nice fantasy tale. Based on the best-selling Inkheart series of novels. It describes the adventures of a book-doctor(Fraser) who has the power to bring characters to life when he reads aloud. A well-made movie thorough family-fare for the long summer.

BEDTIME STORIES

Starring Adam Sandler this Walt Disney production has a similar premise like Inkheart. Sandler works as a handyman in a massive luxury hotel which was built on the site of his father's old motel. Sandler gets to baby-sit his nephew and niece and when he tells them stories the next day it happens to him. A good family-movie.

THE DARK CITY

Star Cast-Rufus Sewell, Kiefer Sutherland, Jennifer Connelly, William Hurt, Richard O'Brien

Directed by Alex Proyas this 1998 movie went surprisingly unnoticed. Imagine you wake up in a hotel having no memory of what you are and what you do. You find the corpse of a young woman in your room and you are on the run. The police wants you a young woman claims to be your wife and a sinister group of bald-headed men are out to kill you. To add to the confusion a strange psychiatrist also follows you. What is the mystery? Watch this movie to find the answers. The suspense quotient is high and the dark locales are complimented by the stunning cinematography and massive sets.

IPL News

So some good news for the Chennai Super Kings after three consecutive wins we are at the top of the table with 9 points from 8 matches. Most other teams have just played 7. So in all probability we will slide to place 2 or 3 by the end of today's matches. Dhoni and Raina played well, with a mature knock by M. Vijay. Jakati the spinner is doing a good job and has been instrumental in CSK winning the last two matches.

Hope that Kolkata Knight-Riders win today I feel terribly sorry for them and Mc Cullum who has tried every possible thing but he has been weighed down by the burden of captaincy. Let us see if he can recreate the fiery 150 of IPL-1 today.

Good Morning!

This happened to me to this morning.

I was waiting for the elevator, when I noticed one of the top bosses of the company also waiting for the elevator. As a matter of courtesy I went up to him and said-"Good Morning." To my consternation I did not even get a blank stare. A minute later one of the beauties of our office walked in flashing her pearly smile and you know what happened? The top boss walked up to her and said-"Good Morning. How are you?"

Damn! I never knew being born as a woman had such advantages.

Any way life goes on.....

IPL News

Things are pretty bad for Chennai, Kolkata, Rajasthan and Bangalore. The teams have performed horribly and with Hyderabad and Delhi comfortably perched at the top with Mumbai Indians following the leaders it is time for the other teams to perform.

Shahrukh and Shilpa must be fuming with the mediocre performances of their teams. Kings XI Punjab had bad weather spoil their chances but the other matches that they played they have done well.

To early to say anything but it looks like Delhi and Hyderabad are serious title contenders now. The way things are going the fourth semi-finalist will be the place which the teams will fight it out for as Mumbai Indians are likely to be the third semi-finalist.

The big news is the person who is running this blog- www.fakeiplplayer.blogspot.com
Some posts are real vintage humour. No one knows who the author is though I doubt if any actual KKR player is behind the blog.

Come on Superkings with Flintoff gone now play Ntini for God's sake. Dhoni you better score runs or you are going to end up like Laxman and Dravid. Remember no individual is greater than the team. Come on Superkings set the stadiums afire!

CSK vs DD

Chennai Superkings lost the match to Delhi Daredevils by 9 runs. A match that should have been won.

De Villiers got a super century 105 not out that ensured that DD won. Hayden provided a solid platform but Dhoni's boys panicked and made a mess of it. Dhoni you better start scoring runs and play Ntini for God's sake. We have lost two matches now.

Buck up boys!

In the Name of My Father-3

The great man whom I greatly hate-my Father-has decided that come what may he will continue to drink himself to death. All medication suggested by doctors will not be taken. He feels that a great injustice has been meted out to him. Two sets of sleeping pills prescribed by the doctor are rotting in their strips untouched by him.

The fights continue at home. I am losing my sanity and returning home has become a dreaded prospect. I am seriously contemplating some drastic step and just do not know what to do! Perhaps I will be forced to admit my father to an alcohol de-addiction centre. That remains the only option now.

I wonder how he manages to sleep for just three hours every night go to work drink all he can and again get up early in the morning at 1 AM to disturb me and my mother's sleep. Will there ever be a possible solution. I don't know. I try to stop thinking about him but there is a constant fear at the back of my head that he has fallen down somewhere and is lying injured or in an alcohol-induced stupor.

God give me strength in times of darkness and suffering!

The sins committed by men continue to haunt their sons and daughters!

I am a living testimony to this fallacy.

IPL-2 News

Chennai, Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi and Hydearbad have one victory each to their name. Hayden's batting heroics were awesome. Kumble the old war-horse deserved a MOM award for his 5-wicket haul in their match against RR, but justice was once again denied. Rajasthan Royals have made a bad start. Today's double-header promises much. If the weather holds we will have a pair of interesting matches.

Let us see what happens!

IPL Season-2

So folks after all the political tamasha, security concerns and a hundred other lame reasons the second season of the IPL is beginning in South Africa tomorrow.

Wishing all the teams best. With KP at the helm of Royal Challengers Bangalore and many Australian players expressing their inability to participate you don't know what is going to happen.

So folks may the best team win.

HAPPY VISHU

Wishing everyone HAPPY VISHU

May the year bring in joy, success and good health!

Another Corporate Cultural Show

So folks a long break from blogging. Well lot of stuff-firstly a lot of work, secondly a corporate cultural show that has six teams with four teams in the branch that I work in. Folks in office are busy with work, the people who ain't got work are creating a proper tamasha with their campaigns.

India won the series in New Zealand. The last match ended in a draw because of rain. Well if Dhoni had declared at least an hour or two earlier we would have won the series 2-0.

The IPL-2 will start on April 18. So expect more articles on cricket.

On the personal front nothing seems to be happening. When I think that I have forgotten her, I get a phone call from her and suddenly I feel happy. But then again we know that things are over for the better. Life is indeed a cocktail and I guess my drink is a bit on the stronger side now.

Horoscopes as usual are flying thick and fast. But it seems that my horoscope is a muddled mess and lots of special parameters have to be matched to find the perfect match:)

I promised that I would write a detailed post on my trip to Kolkata and indeed I will write it.

So long folks!

You will get to read about six movie reviews soon. All old classics. So keep reading and have fun.

Can Team India Create Cricketing History?

Many summers ago the Nawab of Pataudi led the Indian cricket team to a famous series win over New Zealand in Wellington. Unfortunately that was India's last series win in New Zealand. Now Dhoni and his men have a chance to recreate history by winning the third and final test. Napier was a bad dream and Gambhir, Dravid and Laxman saved India the blushes with useful contributions from Sachin and Yuvraj too.

Will Balaji be playing tomorrow? Will Dhoni be fit enough to play?
Let us see what happens tomorrow!

From Calcutta to Kolkata

I was born in a city that was called Calcutta. When I left the city more than a decade ago it had a strange old world charm about it and I thought that there can never be another city like it.

12 years later when I returned to the city of my birth I realized that the city had changed. It had gone back to its native name - Kolkata. The occasion was the sacred thread ceremony of my cousin.

A trip on the Coromandal Express with my parents and my uncle, aunt and their son. The trip was delightful as the other passengers in our compartment included two kids aged three years old. It was fascinating to look at them play, fight, eat, sing and dance. It was truly a memorable journey.

We reached Kolkata at around 12:30 in the afternoon. A Bolero was hired after much haggling over fares and we reached our hotel-Komala Vilas. A quick bath to wash away the grime and sweat of the long journey and we visited the restaurant to have a sumptuous lunch.

Later in the evening I went around the city and was fascinated by the changes that had taken place. Huge malls have come up in places that were vast plots and closed factories. The traffic has increased with bikes, cars and pedestrians jostling for space. The popular tram service has been relegated to a bare minimum because of road-work. The locals say that the trams will be fully operational soon.

I visited Esplanade, New Market and College Road revisiting my memories of a childhood when Sundays meant going shopping on Mirza Ghalib Street for second-hand books, sampling "jhaal muri" and "puchka" ended by a glass of fresh orange juice.
I travelled by the underground train service-the Metro. The system is efficient and well maintained. The service is well used and the trains are crowded. The girls look beautiful and one can see a fashion parade with the bevy of beauties outdoing one another with their elegance, grace and make-up.

Also managed to visit the Kalighat temple and seek the blessings of the all powerful Mother Goddess. The temple was thankfully not crowded and we had a good "darshan." I also visited the South City Mall on Prince Anwar Shah Street and was amazed by the design of the building and the facilities and range of products/shops in the mall. Spencers' and Citi Centre can learn a lot from this mall in Kolkata.

The ceremony went well and I returned to Chennai with a multitude of memories and thoughts about the city. One more update could be a possible bride for yours truly from Kolkata. Nothing is being finalized and I don't know any details but if the horoscopes match well it will be Mr & Mrs. Iyer.

So folks wish me luck!

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.

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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.