Tuesday, February 10, 2009

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:)

Monday, February 09, 2009

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.

Saturday, February 07, 2009

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.

Friday, February 06, 2009

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.

Tuesday, February 03, 2009

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.

Monday, February 02, 2009

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

Saturday, January 31, 2009

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."

Friday, January 30, 2009

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!

Thursday, January 29, 2009

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.

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

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:]

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

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?

Thursday, January 22, 2009






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.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

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.)

Monday, January 19, 2009

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!

Sunday, January 18, 2009

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

Saturday, January 17, 2009

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.

Friday, January 16, 2009

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.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

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

Friday, January 09, 2009

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.

Thursday, January 08, 2009

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.

Tuesday, January 06, 2009

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?

Monday, January 05, 2009

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......

Friday, January 02, 2009

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.

Wednesday, December 31, 2008


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"

Friday, December 26, 2008

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.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

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.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

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.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

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....

Monday, December 15, 2008

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.

Sunday, December 14, 2008

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

Saturday, December 13, 2008

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.

Friday, December 12, 2008

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.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

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.

Monday, December 08, 2008

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:)

Friday, December 05, 2008

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.............

Thursday, December 04, 2008

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....

Wednesday, December 03, 2008

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.

Monday, December 01, 2008

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.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Back in Business.....

So folks after much deliberation various permutations and combinations; I accepted an offer and joined another company.

First Impressions:

There is one huge floor where close to 400 people work. There are various teams dealing with different clients and business verticals. To my untrained eye it appears that every fifth person is a manager here!

By the way my new designation is that of a content writer. From Instructional design to Copy editing and now Content writing it has been a hectic journey. Hope things work out well. The office is on the tenth floor of an architectural wonder. The property is sea-facing and I have a marvellous view of the beach and the sea from where I sit.

The team that I have joined is one of the smallest ones in the company and is close-knit. we have a wonderful manager; just think third day at work and I get invited to a team lunch:)

I am in charge of a Web site and have to manage all content that goes into it.
I pray to God to give me patience, strength, and enthusiasm to do a good job.

Wish me luck:)

Monday, November 17, 2008

You want to get out?

 

 

Leaving......

 

I got signatures from the various department heads as per office procedure. I did not have access to certain rooms, so once the formalities were done I had to leave the Travel Department room. I was waiting for the security guard to open the door for me(access card based entry and exit).

A senior employee of the company walked up to me and asked-"So you want to get out....?"

 

I answered with a smile-"Yes, sir both literally and figuratively."

 

So that is it folks.

 

Goodbye to one more company, one more set of colleagues, heaps of memories good and bad!

 

It is time to move on.....

 

See you soon with a new set of office experiences, at a new office, with new colleagues and new blunders and glories.

 

So until we meet again:)

 

Adieu!
 

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Mother

Last week there was a conversation about motherhood. An elderly person whom I know spoke about his mother the sacrifices she had made and the problems she faced to raise him and his brothers.

The following is a summary of his thoughts on "Mother."

As a young bride she undergoes pain so that you take shape as a seed of life in her womb. She undergoes pain as you grow in her womb. She has to undergo severe restrictions on diet and change her lifestyle so that you come in to this world safe and sound.

During delivery even when the pain becomes unbearable her only worry is about you her loving baby. Once you are born, every single demand that you have is met by her, when she feeds you milk and you bite her breast, she ignores the pain that you inflict on her and she continues to feed you.

She ensures that you get the best of everything possible and you grow to be responsible adults.

Think of all the sacrifices that she makes. Never let her feel sad; never ever let her feel alone and depressed. You are a young man now, probably you are in love, or maybe you might have an arranged marriage. Remember young man never ever let your feelings for your wife become an obstacle to fulfill your duties to your mother.

Think on what I said and be a responsible son and in the future a dutiful husband and father.

At the end of his emotional outburst I just nodded my head and remained silent. My cousin and his friend were silent and continued to eat their dinner.

I looked up at the clear moonlit sky and prayed " Dear God! I hope I can play my role to perfection and keep everyone happy."

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Three days more


Three days more to go.......


 


I am leaving my job. Do not know what I am going to do next:) Caught you there right:) I am not telling you where I am joining. There are spies everywhere:)


 


Jokes apart 18 months is a pretty long time. Met some interesting people, made some good friends, met some really quirky/crazy/strange characters.


 


Got a digital camera, got a portable music player, moved to a large and spacious house closer to the city. Worked in the night shifts. Missed two Diwalis because of work.


 


I have lots more to write, but I guess it has to be at some other time.


 


It was fun working here. I am carrying some memories from this place and hope that I have left a lasting impression on the minds of the people with whom I worked.


 


It is time to prepare to say goodbye!


 


So wait for the final farewell!



India Victorious

 

All talk about luck and pitch and swing and spin went for a toss as India comprehensively defeated Australia by 172 runs in the Nagpur Test to win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2-0.

 

Kumble left the team at the end of the previous match. Dada had announced his retirement at the beginning of the series.

It was ironic that Sourav Ganguly was dismissed for a duck in his last Test innings. A poster by a fan said it all-"Even the great Don Bradman was dismissed for a duck in his last Test innings." Dhoni handed the captain's cap to Ganguly in the last hour of proceedings; it was fun to see the Tiger lead his band again. Dhoni should be commended for his sharp thinking; asking Ganguly to control proceedings and then inviting Kumble to accept the trophy. His thinking and maturity is way ahead of his years. The future of the Indian cricket team is in safe hands.

 

My biggest worry is Dravid's miserable form. Unless he gets some runs there is no point in continuing to retain him in the team. Rather it would be better for Dravid to take a break go back to the Ranji Trophy get some runs and stage a comeback like Dada did; or he can simply call it a day!

 

Three more days for the series against England to start, it would be interesting to see if Sreesanth will get a chance; after the slapping incident with Harbhajan he seems to have disappeared.

 

If India can put up a spirited performance against England it will do a world of good to the team and its supporters! 

 

 


 

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

Musings


Lines for Her.....

 

I know you are there in my heart,

I hope that I have a place in your heart too...

Sometimes when it rains in the evenings....

I wish I was with you.

Holding your hands and looking into your eyes.....

 

Listening to the waves crashing on to the rocks,

Admiring the silvery moonlight,

Glistening on the white sands.

I wish I was with you.

So many dreams so many desires.

 

I fear all of them will come crashing down.

Dearest both of us know-

What runs in our hearts?

I don't need to say it,

Neither do you.

 

All I know is that,"I love you."

And that you love me.

Maybe circumstances shall cause us to drift us apart.

Lead separate lives.

But promise me!

I will be someone special in your heart-

As you were, are, and will remain in mine.

 

Dearest-

You are stuck, nailed, and pasted to my heart.

 

© R. Mahesh 2008.


 

Obama...

Barack Obama created history as he won the American presidential elections to become the 44th president of the United States of America.

So the change has been initiated and America has got its first Afro-American president.. The whole world wants Obama to initiate measures that will restore pride to America.

Troops should be recalled from Iraq and Afghanistan. The economy should be stabilized.

Let us hope for the best.

 

Best of luck- President-elect Obama.


 

Tuesday, November 04, 2008

Leaving....

 


Leaving my current job.


Another fortnight to go.


Have got lots of offers, have to choose one.


Life goes on as I enter another phase of my career.


What is next?


Only time will tell.


Saturday, November 01, 2008

My Diwali Experiences



My Diwali Experiences


 


Diwali-The Festival of Lights-The celebration of the victory of good over evil-There are a thousand ways to describe this festival. I recount my Diwali experiences at different stages of my life.


 


My first memories of Diwali are from the time when I was staying in Pune. I was around four years and we lived in a huge colony. It was called Ajmera colony and there were about 300 flats in it. There was a big ground in the middle of the colony and all festivals irrespective of religion were celebrated with great pomp and joy by all the residents of the colony. I was frightened by the sound of the crackers and would always shudder when someone would burst crackers. I enjoyed lighting flowerpots and the ‘chakras.’ I loved to see the chakras spinning and spreading light. On Diwali evening a lavish feast would be arranged as all families would prepare a variety of dishes and it would be a huge ‘potluck dinner.’


 


When I was seven I moved to Calcutta, it was still Calcutta then, not Kolkatta! In Kolkatta the puja season started with the month of September. A long list of festivals Durga Puja, Saraswati Puja, Diwali/Lakshmi Puja. In Calcutta, huge pandals are constructed and the idols of gods and goddesses are kept. The crowds throng the pandals to admire the beauty of the idols and the innovative designs of the pandals. There would be song and dance events organized by the various puja committees and it would be great fun to participate in them and cheer one’s friends when they would sing or dance.


 


When I was sixteen, I moved to Chennai. In Chennai, it is all about light and sound. The mind boggling variety of firecrackers coming from Sivakasi, ensure that every Diwali is a special occasion. In Chennai, the tradition of celebrating ‘Golu’ where dolls are arranged in shelves during Navarathri is an added attraction that sets the tone for Diwali. How can one forget cinema during Diwali. During Diwali there is a clash of the titans as big-budget movies of leading actors’ release. It is great fun to watch a movie first-day-first show; that to on Diwali, as the opening of the theatre and the bringing of the film cans are celebrated with the bursting of fire crackers and distribution of sweets.


 


When I was in college my friends and me decided to go on a road trip from Chennai to Pondicherry on bicycles. It was great fun and we celebrated Diwali in a small fishing hamlet . The joy and warmth with which the fishing community welcomed us cannot be described in words. We gifted the children there sweets and notebooks and pencils.


The evening was memorable as we burst crackers on the beach and played with the children on the sand.


 


This Diwali was special as we shifted to a new spacious house. Life goes on as another year is about to come to a close.


 


Monday, October 27, 2008

DIWALI


 

 

                                           HAPPY DIWALI 2008

 

May the festival of lights bring joy, light, hope, and prosperity in all our lives.

Wishing everyone a safe and Happy Diwali:) 

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Musings


Musings


 


Cheating death......


 


I almost got killed on my way to work tonight.


 


The bus that I boarded, took a different route, I questioned the conductor and he said that the bus shall go via another route. He whistled but the driver did not stop. I had one leg on the road and another on the footboard of the bus. The rain was pounding and I was dragged for close to 15 metres before the blasted driver stopped the bus. Thankfully I was uninjured and the only damage done was to my trousers that were splattered with mud.



 


Once again a close call; to think of a horrible end, so early, when I have so much more to do... I keep wondering what does God intend me to do. This is the eighth time that I have come so close to death in this lifespan.



 


I thank God for his grace.


 


Life goes on.....


Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Musings

 

Lines


When you were far away from me, I knew that I held a place in her heart.

Today when you are close to me, I am no longer sure if I have a place in your heart.


 


This restless life, continues in its monotony,


Ambling to work


Returning home,


Finishing the daily chores,


Returning back to work the next day.


 


Is this all that is there to life.


No time to love.


No time to enjoy life.


Chase a butterfly,


Or smell a fragrant rose.


 


This endless pursuit of perfection,


In work, in earning money-]


For a better tomorrow, continues…..

Will there ever be a time-

When you will be mine?

Tuesday, October 07, 2008


Movie Review

 

A Wednesday starring Anupam Kher, Nasiruddin Shah, and Jimmy Shergill, is another venture from UTV Motion Pictures that has become a sleeper hit. The Mumbai train blasts, how the blasts change the perceptions of a common man, and how he avenges the cause of "the stupid common man."



Anupam Kher plays the role of the police commissioner who on the eve of his retirement recounts the toughest case of his career. Nasir plays a man who walks into a police station to file a complaint regarding his walllet getting stolen. Then he walks to the restroom and leaves a bag full of explosives and walks out of the station. He calls the commissioner's office and says he has planted four bombs across the city and unless four terrorists are relesed by 5 pm and brought to a private airport the bombs would explode triggering bloodshed and mayhem.

 

Two inspectors Jimmy Shergill and another TV artiste Aamir Bashir are the investigating officers and escort the terrorists to the airport.

Who is Nasir? What is his aim? Do the bombs explode?

 

Watch the movie for answers.

 

A taut thriller by debutant director Neeraj Pandey;great acting by all, watch it.

 

My rating-*** out of 5.

 


Movie Review

 

A Wednesday starring Anupam Kher, Nasiruddin Shah, and Jimmy Shergill, is another venture from UTV Motion Pictures that has become a sleeper hit. The Mumbai train blasts, how the blasts change the perceptions of a common man, and how he avenges the cause of "the stupid common man."



Anupam Kher plays the role of the police commissioner who on the eve of his retirement recounts the toughest case of his career. Nasir plays a man who walks into a police station to file a complaint regarding his walllet getting stolen. Then he walks to the restroom and leaves a bag full of explosives and walks out of the station. He calls the commissioner's office and says he has planted four bombs across the city and unless four terrorists are relesed by 5 pm and brought to a private airport the bombs would explode triggering bloodshed and mayhem.

 

Two inspectors Jimmy Shergill and another TV artiste Aamir Bashir are the investigating officers and escort the terrorists to the airport.

Who is Nasir? What is his aim? Do the bombs explode?

 

Watch the movie for answers.

 

A taut thriller by debutant director Neeraj Pandey;great acting by all, watch it.

 

My rating-*** out of 5.

 

Wednesday, October 01, 2008


007 is back!

 

The superspy is back! Daniel Craig rocked the screen with his portrayal of Bond, James Bond in Casino Royale. The new movie-Quantum of Solace-is set to hit theatres worldwide in October-November.

 

The trailer looks awesome and the story starts right where it ended in Casino Royale.

 

Check out the trailer and the featurettes @ www.screenrush.co.uk

 

There are spies and then there is Bond!

 

Everything else is secondary.

 

Catch you folks at the theatre when they screen Quantum of Solace.


The Game is Afoot....

 

Prologue

 

In college, I never thought I would be working in a corporate sector. I had always planned to become a lecturer and then gravitate into writing and theatre. March 2005 saw me as well all our batch preparing in full gusto for the final year exams. I think it was the third week of March, when a notice was stuck on the English Department Notice Board, it announced the arrival of a major IT firm who were on a campus recruitment drive. I just wrote the selection test along with 750 other students. I remember the anxious looks on the faces of the students. Many of them especially the students from the Commerce and Economics departments had come prepared with printed resumes and me just another lazy fellow had just managed to scribble my details on a sheet of paper that I had torn out from my Linguistics notebook.

 

As the afternoon meandered and the students became impatient and many of them left for the playground to indulge in our favourite pastime of cricket and football. At 3:30 pm there was an announcement and two students were asked to meet the recruiters. I was one of the two students. A long conversation with a group of four people and then a round of talks with the senior HR Manager; at 5 pm I had an offer that I could not refuse and I was placed.

 

It is 3 and a half years since I entered the big, bad, mysterious, and unpredictable corporate world and on the verge of leaving my third job; I

will be honest-it has not always been fun, there have been tough projects, boring monotonous stretches of mundane work, and some really brilliant, challenging, and intellectually satisfying projects.

 

I am back in the hunt for another job, I posted my profile on naukri.com and guess what my inbox is flooded with e-mails from companies and recruiters. Most of the stuff does not match my profile, but there have been a couple of good interesting offers. I have been to a couple of places and written tests, got some offers too, I am biding my time, I know I deserve better, and I am sure there is something out there that will satisfy me both intellectually and monetarily.

 

There is a sense of tension and nervous excitement as I attend these interviews and prepare for forthcoming ones. The element of risk, the sense of

a challenge, the frustration of being offered a salary way below my current pay! It is a learning experience.

 

Epilogue

 

So folks the game is afoot! The quest for the perfect job continues.



Wednesday, September 24, 2008


Another Day

 

It was just an ordinary day,

A day like any other day,

Children going to school,

Men and women going to work.

Everyone busy with their lives.

 

Suddenly there was a boom,

The serenity and monotony of everyday life-

Shattered with a ball of fire.

There was anger and chaos.

Blood and mayhem, everywhere.

 

Why were they targeted?

What was their crime?

No answers-just anger and a sense of hopelessness.

Governments may come and governments may go-

But terror continues-

As innocent lives continue to be lost.

 

Will there ever be an end to this mindless violence?

Or is it just going to be endless violence?

 


© Mahesh Ramani 2008


 

Monday, September 22, 2008


On Naukri..

 

Thanks to Tata Indicom's superfast Plug n' Play modem-230.4 kbps I spent 30 minutes to open my gmail inbox. Then I realized the speed was too slow so I switched to the HTML mode and thankfully Mozilla made the inbox open quicker. Then I created a profile for myself on naukri.com. Let me see if someone wants to hire-"A postgraduate in English Literature with 3+ years experience in Instructional Design and Copy editing."(That is my headline).

 

Let us see what happens seven weeks to go before I receive my relieving letter, hopefully will find something by then.

 

Hope, that is the pillar on which our lives rest.:)

Thursday, September 18, 2008


The Letter

 

So after three months of contemplating, weighing options, and postponing my decision, I took the plunge and tendered my resignation yesterday. Will be serving a notice period of two months. After that.., I do not know, am going to sit jobless in my house for two months and study like the devil for my IAS Prelims 2009. Perhaps find a simple 9 to 5 job. Guys and girls any openings in your companies:)

 

This time I will have to score much higher than the cut-off to ensure that I do not get caught in the caste quota thing.

 

Some interesting conversations with people from HR. I guess I have made up my mind. So people wish me luck.

Monday, September 15, 2008

Job hunting

Job hunting on a serious front, nothing seems to click, everywhere it is the same response-"Sir, you are already being grossly overpaid for what you are doing?"
If things go on at this rate, I might once again go back to writing stuff like-"At the end of this course the learner will...."

Let us see what happens...

Sunday, September 14, 2008


Delhi Blasts

 

SIMI and the Indian Mujahideen struck Delhi yesterday as five blasts ripped different places in Delhi, thankfully a sixth bomb was defused near Regal cinema, or the number of dead would have been more.

 

Atleast 30 people are dead and around 120 people are injured.

 

So while the politicians are breaking their heads over a nuclear agreement, terrorists are striking at will in different parts of the country.

 

Bangalore, Ahmedabad and Surat and now Delhi, so which city is going to be targetted next.

 

Is Shivraj Patil-honourable home minister planning to use the same reports that were issued after the Bangalore and Ahmedabad blasts?

 

It is time that POTA or a similar act is brought once again into place.

 

National morale is at an all time low and fear looms large in the mind of the common man.

 

No one knows when the  next terror attack will happen?

 

May the souls of the victims who died in the blasts rest in peace.


SNIPPETS ....

 

Manager: Hello there take a seat. Sorry to keep you waiting.

 

Max-(With a fake smile, bloody fellow kept me waiting for more than an hour)-No problem.

 

Manager-So you are working with SS Earnley, why do you want to quit your job?

 

Max-Well there are lots of reasons, two important ones are the tiring night shifts and a lack of proper vertical growth.

 

Manager-(Looks at Max's CV) Oh! you worked as an ID with XXX, tell me something about ID.

 

Max compresses the core of ID principles in a nutshell and gives a lecture for 5 minutes, the Manager is impressed but totally lost.

 

Manager-(Stares at Max for a while) Good you gave a good explanation(Max is sure that the manager did not understand head or tail.)

 

Manager-OK you can meet the HR Manager, I am through, best of luck.

 

Max is made to wait for another half an hour before he meets the HR Manager.

 

HR Manager-So what do you know about our company?

 

Max-Recollects and recounts the data he had carefully gathered from google the previous night.

 

HR Manager-I am impressed by your knowledge. So what is your current CTC?

 

Max-Mentions the amount.

 

HR Manager-So what is your expected CTC?

 

Max-30% more than my current CTC.

 

HR Manager-See you have to understand we are not a BPO, you get such high salaries because of night shifts, no night shifts here, alternate Saturdays holidays, gift vouchers on your birthday, and a defined growth plan.

 

Max-(Obviously getting frustrated by the HR Manager's monologue) So what salary can you offer me?

 

HR Manager-Rs 5000/- less than your current CTC. Think it over and send me an e-mail.

 

Max-Thank you.

 

End of conversation and interview.

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