Thinking aloud

Nanban

2012-01-22T00:22:00.000-08:00

One ought to watch films like Nanban once in a while. It makes your film watching experience a memorable one. No time to think about logic gaps, non-stop laugh riot and ego-less performances by the main cast make Nanban a must watch.

I have seen 3 Idiots and can vouch that it is in a class of its own. The equally divided portions of the main cast(Maddy was a delight to watch!), the All izz well song and Rancho's quirky antics are cuties. So what made me watch the remake? There are some films which you love to watch in your local language, with the right cast, no changes in the story. Nanban is an apt foil.

You have to watch your stomach. Take a pill to stop it aching. Such is the message driven, yet simply crafted screenplay. The dialogues are a draw.

When have we last seen Vijay being beaten up, slapped, poked at by the heroine(avanaa nee?), chased out of college? We see it here. And what an effortless performance! The man shines. And looks eons younger. His antics as Panchavan Parivendan earn repeat claps-be it the repertoire to Sathyaraj's opening speech, the 'treatment' to the bully senior at the fresher party, the Teacher's Day scenes where he' bulbs' Sathyan....great.

Shrikanth was a surprise package. I loved his negative role in Varnajalam. The man had been in hiding with a lightening performance here and there-Kana Kandaen, Parthiban Kanavu, Poo, to name a few. He carries on the role of the wildlife photographer Venkatraman with aplomb. Kudos, sir.

Jiva. The way he responds to Sathyaraj's call in a drunken slur(ullaen ayya) and answering the' motor' Q-LOL! He scores sharply in the emotional scenes-when he jumps out of the window, when facing the interview board with stoic confidence, his fervent prayers at the beginning to make him pass and his reactions at the hospital..

Sathyan has gone a step higher. That is definite. The man is a perfect fit as Silencer aka Sreevatsan. Be it fuming over his humilation on the eve of Teacher's Day, the speech he gives with utmost seriousness and when he gets bashed up by Sathyaraj, his bet to his buddies and the way he gets bulbs repeatedly(LOL). His voice is a plus point.

And there is Sathyaraj and S J Surya, outdoing each other with their antics and timings. It is a perfect coup for Shankar to get these two stalwarts in their respective roles.

Ileana reminds one more of Kareena, what with her repeating the entire attire that Kareena wore(must she also wear the same helmet?) Her drunken antics are a hit. Anuya makes a superb impression in her few scenes.

En frienda pola leaves a lasting impression. The cinematography is refreshing, especially in the last scenes.

Pants down!!!

The Evening News

2011-12-18T21:34:00.000-08:00

It is always a delight to read your favorite books once in a year. Every time you get a new perspective. Especially if the plot is an evergreen one, the pleasure is all yours.

The Evening News by Arthur Hailey is one such which keeps me turning the pages even now after many years. The story deals with the media news agency and has a kidnapping as the background. A popular TV news anchorman's(Crawford Sloane) family is kidnapped by foreign terrorists (Sendero Luminoso, in this case) and thr travails of the anchorman and how his network puts up a team to effect a rescue operation.

Add to this the fast paced world in the TV station and the nuances of covering a breaking story-say a burning airbus about to touch ground-with all thrills and panache only makes it more interesting. A dose of love, camarede, jealousy and politics make up a good recipe for a week of feverish page turns.

The narrations are realistic-the openinng scenes where Rita, Patridge and Minh cover the airlines crash, when Crawford's family is kidnapped , the cool way in which the terrorists effect the coup, the signals that Jessica sends via the tape to her husband, Nicky's anguish at having his fingers cut off, the daring resue mission which ends in near tragedy, Patridge's reminiscenes of Gemma and Jessica, the use of stockholm syndrome-all bring a smile to your lips.

The politics in the news business is well plotted-Leslie Chippingam's dilemma in facing Margot and his escapades with his women is one-yes, you cannot ask for more...and thre professional rivalry between Sloane and Patridge which gets put down in the crisis, the excellent network of boys under Uncle Arthur who do the detective work, the trail of money that leasds the search team to Miguel the terrorist-are only some of the interesting things in the novel..

Yes, a good read.

Sutri Sutri Varuvaen

2011-11-22T00:11:00.000-08:00

Whoever shall revers the Divine Jakkamma and shall surrender at her feet, shall be Lord of all he chooses

I am an ardent fan of Indira Soundirarajan, who writes novels on mythology. His novels are a delight to read and offer a plethora of information on our culture and deities. The man is a virtuoso in this genre and there is none to equal him on this aspect. Previously, I have reviewed his Vikrama Vikrama, a wonderful novel which is based on the legendary King Vikramaditya of Ujjain. I am sure that you will find this review also interesting.

Sutri Sutri Varuvaen (which means I will keep on chasing you/I will not leave you in a ghostly fashion) is one which you will find hard to put down, once you have spotted on the shelf. It will send shivers down your spine. The story spans around two generations of two warring families of royal lineage. A common ancestor of the families, who was a zamindar, is a past master of occult science and the story revolves to the past and present as how the present generation arte plagued by the practices of their ancestor.

Jangamar, a London educated zamindar returns to his homeland to take care of his estates. During the course of his soyujourns, he meets an astrologer who foretells his future that he would be a Prince of the Occult Sciences and his succeeding generations would either suffer or reap the benefits based on his actions in the present, and that he was an extraordinary birth. Intrigued, Jangamar falls into questions.

But everything goes as per the predictions, in a manner which even Jangmar least expected. His two warring wives fight for his love and riches. One of them triumphs, leaving the other craving for revenge, which extends to the next generation. And there is the practice of occultism by Jangamar, which gives the whole a new twist. For Jangamar does not die.....

The rest can be read from the novel. It is a chilling account of what befells a person who sets out to master the occult science and the resuklting consequences.

Get ready for a spine chilling read.

7 am Arivu

2011-10-31T08:06:00.000-07:00

100th Post

Expectations have been running high on this one. I had none save a curiosity over what they were going to tell. What sort of link does a Pallava prince share with a circus acrobat? The answer stares right at you from the beginning. The concept is a riveting one. The director has been subtle in letting you in on the secret in all the promos. Kudos to the team!

What impressed me more than the film was the National Anthem film at the start of the movie. It was rendered by deaf and dumb children with such fervour that I was moved to tears and felt proud of my country. May be they play the Anthem for this film alone as a special, considering the subject it trod on.

And the film was stupendous. Save the two duet songs that marred the show, it was a delight watching it. What a clever way to delve into the past and the present and explain that it a way the audience accepts. Half the claps went to the villain-no ordinary villain he is. The action sequences are a plus to the narration.

Suriya shines in both the roles. Kudos to him for executing the roles to perfection. Bodhidharma seems very real. Why did none of us study about him in our school days? The acrobat Aravind is a romantic brat who falls hopelessly in love with the genetic research girl(a splendid performance by Shruthi). The contrast between the royalty of Bodhidharman's time and the present state of the erstwhile scion who is an acrobat is sharply shown.

The screenplay does not lag anywhere. Johnny is splendid as Dong Lee. The stunt scene in the middle of the road where he almost kills Aravind and Subha with his mental ability is a delight. The BGM when Johnny makes his moves deserves a shot in the arm. Good mystery element.

The message at the end urging us not to forget our roots is a nail on the head. And you will not forget it, once you watch the film. Such is the presence of Bodhidharma.

Value Added Tax Simplified

2011-09-27T06:46:00.000-07:00

With Goods & Services Tax around the corner, let's take a quickie look at VAT. This article, I hope , will be interesting to students of finance, taxation and the interested layman.

Introduction

Since its introduction in 2003 in India, much has been written about and discussed on Value Added Tax or popularly known as VAT. This article explains in a simpler way how VAT is applied across various industries through selected case studies.

History

· Originally proposed by German Industrialist Dr. Wilhelm Von Siemens in 1918.

· Direction générale des impôts (France) was first to introduce VAT on April 10, 1954, originally targeted at huge industries. Now 50% of France’s state revenue comes from VAT.

In India, Haryana was first to introduce VAT in 2003. Rest of India followed in 2005. Power to decide and levy VAT rates rest with respective State Governments.

General Facts about VAT

· 1. A form of consumption tax.

· 2.Taxed on the ‘value added’ at each stage of a product.

· 3.Did away with Sales Tax’s cascading effect.

T Tamil Nadu Value Added Tax (TNVAT) covers 550 items from Bullion to books to everything in a categorical way. Rates are 1%, 4%, 12.5% and Exempted or Zero Rate. Input and Output tax, Input Credit are characteristic features of VAT.

Terminologies used in VAT

Term	Description
*Input Tax*	Tax paid on purchases
*Output Tax*	Tax charged on sales
*Input Credit*	Amount of input tax that is permitted to be set-off against Output Tax
*Composite Dealers*	Dealers with annual gross turn over not exceeding a certain threshold decided by respective State Governments can opt for a composition scheme whereby they will pay tax as a small percentage of their gross turnover. Those opting for composition scheme will not be eligible for Input Credit. The State Governments fix the periods and procedures for the payment of the lump sum.

Application of VAT

Having gone through the basic facts of VAT, let us see how VAT is applied across industries through some case studies. Note-All case studies covered here are as per TNVAT rates only.

Case Study #1-Giri Traders

S.NO	Product Name	Rate	Qty	Amount
1	Sri Mariyamman Songs	10.00	2	20.00
VAT	Gross	Tax	Total
2% 4% 12.5% Exempted	0.00 0.00 0.00 20.00	0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00	Qty Amount Offer	2 20.00 0.00
NET	20.00		NET	20.00

Explanation

· In the above bill, the product (book) is taxed at 0% VAT. i.e. it is in Exempted category.

· TNVAT Act 2006 Fourth Schedule Item#11 states that-Books, Reading Books, Text Books, Periodicals and Journals including Maps, Educational Charts, Braille Book and Globe are categorised under the Exempted Category. i.e. they are NOT charged VAT.

Case Study#2-Narasu’s Coffee Company

Product Name	Qty	Amount
Udhayam – 500g	0.500 Kgs	145.00
Value including VAT VAT value-5.58	#Items-1	145.00

Explanation

· In the above bill, the product (Udhayam Coffee Powder) is priced at 4% VAT.

· TNVAT Act 2006 First Schedule Part B covers the items covered under 4% VAT.

· Item #30 of TNVAT Act First Schedule Part B states that Coffee Beans and Seeds, Cocoa pod and beans, chicory fall under 4% VAT.

Case Study#3-Annapoorna Hotel

S.NO	Particulars	Quantity	Amount
1	Coffee (Add) VAT @ 2%	2	28.00 0.56
	Total		29.00

Explanation

· In the above bill, the product (coffee) is charged at 2% VAT.

· When we talk about a product as like coffee served in a hotel, we see the elements that constitute the product as a whole. In this case, coffee=milk+sugar+chicory/coffee beans.

· Sugar is an essential commodity. Hence does not come under the purview of VAT charge.

· Milk is covered in Item #82 of TNVAT Act 2006 First Schedule Part B (4%) which covers the following items-Milk food and milk products (including Flavoured Milk, Skimmed Milk powder, Tanned, bottled or packed) Baby Milk food, panneer, milk powder and UHT milk.

· Chicory is covered in Item #30 of TNVAT Act First Schedule Part B which states that Coffee Beans and Seeds, Cocoa pod and beans, chicory fall under this category of 4% VAT. Since the hotel falls in the Hospitality sector, and provides service, VAT is charged @ 2%.

Case Study#4-Kumar Stores

Product Name	Qty	Amount
Chicory500gmpkt Garlic100gm Maida500gm N.PB500gm Sooji500gm	0.100 Kgs 0.100 Kgs 0.500 Kgs 0.500 Kgs 1.000 Kgs	10.00 18.00 13.50 150.00 31.00
Value including VAT VAT value-8.55	#Items-5 Bill Amount	222.50

Explanation

· In the above bill, VAT is charged at 4%.

· Among the items in the bill, Chicory alone falls under Item 30 of TNVAT Act First Schedule Part B (4%). Hence 4% VAT is charged for chicory only.

Case Study#5-Healthcare Pharmacy

Qty	Product	Pack	MRP	EXP	Amount
7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7	Glucobay Nebula Olmezest Rx Plus Nebicip Rozavel Revlol Telma Fourtis	10 10 10 15 10 10 10 10 10	58.14 81.40 19.00 109.00 49.00 61.50 88.00 145.00 24.30	09/12 09/12 09/12 09/12 12/12 12/12 09/12 12/12 02/12	40.70 56.97 83.29 108.99 34.30 43.05 61.60 101.99 17.00
Total Items-9				VAT @ 4%	15.17
				Total	492.70

Explanation

· In the above bill, VAT is charged at 4%.

· Item #44 TNVAT Act 2006 First Schedule Part B covers the following items under 4%-Drugs and medicines including vaccines, syringes and dressings, medicated ointments produced under drug license, light liquid paraffin of IP grade.

· TNVAT Act 2006 Fourth Schedule Item #52 covers life saving drugs as notified by the Government as Exempted.

· Since none of the medicines above fall under the life saving drugs category, they are charged under 4% VAT.

Conclusion

The above case studies serve as examples in understanding the application of VAT across various segments of the industry in a layman’s point of view. The Government is all set to roll out GST in 2012. The present article will be helpful in a way to understand how the State level taxes are levied and to consider avenues which are hitherto not thought of by the consumer as well as the service provider and also understand the present system.

Capital Punishment

2011-09-26T21:40:00.000-07:00

As society develops, changes happen. People's mentality change on hitherto existing notions. Time factor also plays an influence in this so called change. One such thing is going on now. Or should we call it the cry uttered at the spurt of the moment?

The question that is doing the rounds among all is-should death penalty be abolished/ Should we, as a civilized and developing nation, allow death penalty to continue? Does it add value to our reputation as a nation seeking to break all shackles and march into a new era?

In order to answer this question, it is first necessary to look into a few points:

The sudden hue and cry over the death penalty arose when the President rejected the mercy petitions of the three convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi Assassination case. Those opposing the death sentence claim that an inordinate amount of delay has been caused in rejecting the petitions, which should have been done quickly, not after 11 years.

The second argument put down is that over 130 countries around the world have abolished death sentence and we, a nation known for our benevolent nature(!) must follow suit and show that we are ready to put behind our sufferings and move forward.

The third argument is that the Constitution provides for the commuting of the death sentence to life sentence.

The sympathizers and intellectuals who constitute this group are supporters of the LTTE and their slain(?) chief. The dastardly act committed by the so called Leader has left deep scars not only on the former Prime Minister's kin, but on the numerous others victim's kin who are fighting for their livelihood because of the loss they suffered. The Gandhi clan has a nation to hold on. What do these people have?

Now for reasons on why death penalty should not be abolished and why these convicts should be hanged immediately-

Every nation has a different atmosphere and nature. One thing doesn't suit all. In this context, abolishing death sentence in another country doesn't mean that we should follow suit. Each has his own affairs to be taken care of.

The nations which abolished death sentence had reason to do so. They have other stringent measures in place of capital punishment. Whether we have such a system is to be debated, given the state of affairs here.
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The present conditions do not warrant for the death sentence to be abolished. Doing so would set a bad example for perpetrators to unleash more mayhem. There will be no fear of retribution or punishment for the criminals.

Moreover, such a move would embolden the criminals and give them hope to do more such acts. Remember the most developed nation, US has not done away with death penalty.

The fear of immediate punishment will bring down crime to a great extend and help bring order. Examples can be drawn from Humayun and Shershah, Balban, Akbar's reigns. They were great rulers, but never went to the extend of abolishing death sentence, save Humayun.

Such historical comparisons may be frowned upon, but we learn our lessons from history, or rather from our past.

Commuting the death sentence of the three convicts will lead to a request in similar from the rest on death row. Already such request are being readied. Take Omar Abdhullah's remarks on Tamil Nadu's Assembly resolution. A mere Assembly resolution does not change anything, but such an action makes fun of the President's role and the very Constitution we adore.

The latest Delhi High Court blast and the adjourning of the Parliament has already sent wrong signals among all. They should have gone about in their business. That would have shown that we mean business and are not clowns.

Last-justice delayed is justice denied.If we really want to take it out, the Constitution should be amended to abolish capital punishment.

Now for some points on why death penalty should be abolished-

(After a long while of thinking) I do not find any reason for doing so.

Paris Hilton and $100

2011-09-26T21:30:00.000-07:00

A report in today's Times of India states that the fashionista Paris Hilton, who is on a trip to India, was so moved by a beggar's plight(a woman and her baby) that she gave her $100.

Now I wonder-

What would have been the thought in Hilton's mind? Did Hilton think that giving $100 to a beggar would help her for good? Will it help her settle for a good life out of her penury? How will the beggar cash the $100? Which bank or exchange dewaler will do her a honest service?

The state of our beggars are well known. We are ready to shoo away a beggar because we do not want our status to be affected. We bother about our social status. How long will the $100 remain in the hands of the woman? What prevents some one from bashing her up the moment Hilton turns her back and vanish with the money?

We do ourselves a great injustice. We talk about culture, status, pride and economy. But the things that are in display before the roving eyes of any foreigner are the shabby roads, beggars seeking alms, irritable cabbies/auto drivers. It is time we changed our outlook. The status of a country or an individual is decided by how it/he projects the self before the world. Time we realised and did something to clean it up.

I do not find fault with Hilton helping the woman, but the plight that reduced her to be in a state that it is reported in the papers as if it was a big scoop.

Mankatha

2011-09-02T04:08:00.000-07:00

The trailers were promising. Thala's 50th film, Ajith and Arjun's rocking combination, a cute Trisha, Venkat & Team. So it was game for a shot.

And the team has hit the jackpot! Ajith and Co have done a stupemndous job. To say this is an out and out Ajith film will be robbing the credits of the others. So, let's go one by one.

Ajith

The man has the courage of a devil. To portray shades of gray and a salt and pepper look a la George Clooney is a thing only he can try. After all, we cannot forget his other negative shades which rocked the BO-Billa, Varalaru, Vali. But Vinayak Mahadevan stands tall. Let it be saving the prisoner from encounter at the opening credits, making a scene of himself by admitting candidly, "ethana naalaikki dhaan nallavanaave irukkuradhu?", acknowledging his true age before Trisha's dad and mouthing profanities, planning the biggest heist of all, challenging Prithvi(Arjun) in his own game-the interrogation room scene- until the end, the man reigns supreme. The stunts are superb-the scene where he cartwheels in his bike is a treat.

Arjun

The man has done it again! In a different game where he is pitted against a rival of his own class and calibre, guessing his every move, trying to outmaneuver him at every turn, stunning actions-the scene where he saves the witness with a sweep of his car is one-till the very last when he outlines his masterstroke-Action King rocks! And we get to see Thala and Action King call each other as such, much to our delight and applause.

Trisha

She is a perfect spoil to the greedy Mahadevan. The combo made our hearts flutter in Kireedom. This is a different ball game for her. The romantic scenes are a good one-especially the scene where Mahadevan sends his friend away and fibbs to Sanjana and her reactons are a pem to watch.

Premji, Lakshmi Rai & Co
They have done a commendable job. None of them are wasted. Who would have Premji in that role? And Lakshmi Rai in an unexpected role makes the film only more interesting.

The Rest
The stunts are a treat to watch. Two of the songs are catchy. The screenplay goes in a racy manner, cleverly deceiving the viewer. On the whole a jackpot.

Krishna Parundhu

2011-08-31T22:55:00.000-07:00

Malayalam fiction fascinates me like nothing else. The language has a magnetic force like nothing I read in English or in my native Tamil language. Not that I am fluent in Malayalam, but the translated versions of Kottayam Pushpanath, P.V.Thambi, Thnagazhi, M.T.Vasudevan Nair, Neela.Padmanabhan always take me to a different world.

P.V.Thambi's Krishna Parundhu Karpagam Puthagalayam (made as Sri Krishna Parundhu in Malayalam film starring Mohanlal) is one such fiction work which you will love to read again and get lost in that fantasy worls.

A fantasy world it is, no doubt. It delves in a period in Kerala when tantrics and occult practitioners were in huge demand and mantravadhis were revered. This novel talks of one such tantric, a brilliant one and how he meets his end by his own misdoings.

In general, a tantric, or a man chosen to become a tantric is expected to adhere to certain disciplines. He should remain celibate, do his routine rituals and poojas and generally maintain his powers gained so for the well being of the society.

Pappu, one such tantric and a well known one, comes to know that his time is up and against the wishes of his sister, decides to initiate his good for nothing nephew Kumaran, as a tantric. Kumaran is a womanizer, pot smoker and what not, having earned the ire of the hamlet folk.

So it is a surprise when he succeeds his uncle as the next tantric of Pudhumanai Illam. Vultures are waiting to pounce on him, evil doers, his uncle's enemies wait to do him ill. Inspite of them, Kumaran initially succeeds to a level unimagined by all. And then his personal demons take charge and it is a fight until the finish.

A series of astonishing characters hold the reader sway by their appearance. The huge vulture known as Krishnaparundhu, the family deity of Pudhumanai Illam who appears whenever he is summoned via Garuda Seva by Kumaran, the rakshas and gandharvas who answer the tantric's call and start on a spree of vendetta, the tree that falls by itself on uttering a few syllabi, the air of mystery that surrounds the very place, the power that the tantrics of Pudhumanai Illam hold for eternity, the c;losely guarded secrets embossed in the palm leaves, the five headed serpent who guards the secret ante chamber(Nilavarai) of Pudhumanai Illam,all make for an engrossing read.

If you are one who is fascinated bt stories of tantrics, Devi coming to slay tye demons and occultism, this should be on your shelf. Do also watch the movie.

The Day of the Jackal

2011-08-10T00:39:00.000-07:00

"It seems to me, Minister, that the SDECE cannot disclose this man through their agents in the OAS, since not even OAS know who he is. The Action Service cannot destroy him since they do not know whom ro destroy. The DST cannot pick him up at the border for they do not know whom to intercept and the RG cannot provide anything on documentation because they do not know what documents to search for; the police cannot arrest him, for they do not know who to arrest. The CRS cannot pursue him, for they do not know who to pursue.

The entire structure of the security force of France is powerless for want of a name. The first task, therefore is to give this man a name. With a name, we get a face. With a face, a passport, with a passport an arrest." - excerpts from the novel

"Allo?"
"Ici Chacal"
"Ici Valmy"

Fredrick Forsyth's The Day of the Jackal is one of the finest political thrillers I have read. It never bores as you read the book after the initial first time. For the pace is gripping, the setting catches your imagination, and as each page turns, your tempo increases.

The novel traces the assasination attempt on one of the most guarded political figures-the French President De Gaulle -and how the investigation pursuing the plot discovery leads to a chain of events culminating in a racing finale.

Added to the excitement is the protogonist-The Jackal, the unknown Englishman, the blond who is contracted to carry on the job by De Gaulle's enemies and the meticilous preparations the assasin puts in his every step.

From the moment he arrives to the interview and accepts the contract till the very last page, the Jackal reigns supreme in the mindss of the reader, to be distracted by only Claude Lebel, the detective who doggedly pursues the Jackal's every move and counters it. A sort of cat and mouse game follows in the subsequent pages as each acknowledge the other's intelligence(the Jackal curses Lebel in a page and at last comes to a grudging admiration, and likewise)

Edward Fox(what an apt name!) portrayed the Jackal in the excellent adaptation of the novel by the same name. Bruce Willis did a fair job in the remake, years later, in a different way. The pace is eye catching in both the films. But it is a delight watching Fox as the Jackal.

A fantastic novel. A fine companion to take in your train/flight ride and have a good read. Imaginative, ingenious and chilling.

The Bourne Triology

2011-07-25T23:23:00.000-07:00

Alpha
Bravo
Charlie
Delta
Echo
Foxtrot
Gamma
Hanoi
India....Zulu

Delta is for Cain, Cain is for Delta!

Trap Carlos! Kill Carlos!

Medusa. Snake Lady.

I have a special place for the three excellent novels chroniciling Jason Bourne's adventures and his hunt for the elusive terrorist known as the jackal. So what best than to re-visit them back in memory?

If you are one who have never read the books, I urge you to read them. They are a fine read. Kamal tried out the first part in his Vetri Vizha directed by Prathap Pothan and starring Amala, Kushboo, Prabhu and Salim Kausal as the jackal/Zinda. The story in the movie and the books is that of a foreign service officer who goes undercover to track a terrorist and loses his memory in a skirmish with the bad elements and his subsequent efforts to trace his identity. In Kamal's film, it is a police official, but the scenarios are similar

The Bourne Identity(I do not remember when I first read it, but it is a habit of mine to read it once a year) was refreshing, mesmerising and fast paced. Attention to details, detailed procedures-especially thw Zurich bank scenes are a treat to read. As Bourne struggles to come to terms with his sudden fortune and learns of tyhe price on his head, our own adreline zooms fast. Nothing can beat the written word, for it gives you a freedom to visualize in your mind the scenes, never mind that Matt Damon made a fine impression as Delta.

The Bourne Supremacy is refreshing for the change of scene-Kowloon, Hongkong but is none less in pace to the prequel. As there are two Jason Bournes and only one can survive, it is a race to the finish as well as a delightful read.

The last part Bourne Ultimatum is the crowning piece. Delta is older, the jackal is ill but venomous enough to cause pandemonium in Jason's family, forcing him to come out in the open, driving him nuts...and we know the final verdict but yet read till the last. That is the trick of Ludlum. Master story teller that he is.

Yes. Delta will make you wonder.

Kolaiyudhir Kaalam

2011-07-06T01:42:00.000-07:00

Kolaiyudhir Kaalam(Season of Murders) is a murder thriller from Sujatha, the famous creator of Ganesh-Vasanth duo.

I have previously reviewed some of Sujatha's works here. This one is no different in the plot genre and the characters juxtaposition, but the difference is that it deals with two different tracks at the same time toeing the main line. There is a thin line between labelling a crime as done by human elements and labelling it as superstitious elements. Sujatha takes this thread wonderfully and woes a story around it.

Ganesh and Vasanth are sent to an estate to settle certain succession related disputes by a friend called Deepak. There they find that the legal heir apparent is an 18 year old girl named Leena Vyasan, taken care of by her uncle Kumara Vyasan.

The estate has some strange things to offer. Kumara Vysan fills them up on the legend that runs in te family-of a ghost haunting the Vyasan family members, especially female members and the latest to be affected by it is Leena who had committed a murder two years back, but is unaware of the fact.

Ganesh and Vasanth decide to investigate and are perplexed at the nature things take shape. Whsipering voices in the dark, murder attempts, Leena's strange behaviour, apparitions walking in the night with no clue as to how it all happens make them pinch themselves and pull at their hair.

Ganesh, ever the logician, rationalist refuses to believe the supernatural element and investigates deeply, injuring himself in the process. Vasanth is not so convinced in the science element and draws his own conclusions from the events. And all points to Leena, who denies any knowledge of the events.

As gradually Ganesh uncovers the reasons behind the strange happenings, a great blow falls...and all is blank for Ganesh and Vasanth. More characters join towards the end and a stunning climax awaits the reader, leaving him wondering whether it is all science or supernatural elements that play foil.

A good interesting read indeed.

Avan Ivan

2011-06-28T03:07:00.000-07:00

It is a delight to watch good movies, that too by yourselves. Even better if it is a rip roaring comedy which makes you LOL scene by scene.

Bala's Avan Ivan starring Vishal, Arya, GM Kumar, RK, Ambika, Prabha et al is a rip roaring roller coaster of laughter, fantastic performances and a weak screen play.

The opening scene was itself enough to make you ROFL. My God! Is it Vishal of Sandakozhi, Thimiru fame? The squint eyed Vanagamudi is a delight to watch. Reluctant to take to his trade of thievery, but gifted in emoting which he puts to good use, even when others make a mockery of him. Vishal shines throughout the film. His body language, hard work, voice-excellent. The reaction he gives each time are a delight to watch. Especially in the opening dance sequence,. the scene where he meets Surya, when he romances Janani Iyer in the criminals get together function and gives romantic overtures to her are typical casanova style, making him adorable. He is a good imitator.

Arya takes on a completely different role from his earlier Naan Kadavul role. The very scene where he comes out on being whistled to is a laugh riot, explaining clearly his mischievous streak. He does have his moments also-when in an inebriated state he praises Vishal before Highness GM Kumar and the last scene where he cries out silently in the climax, his competitive streak in out running Vishal at every stroke and enjoying to the hilt(that dance he does with his mum on his completing the assignment in the Judge's house is a treat to watch)

Ambika and Prabha shine in their respective roles. GM Kumar does a superb job as the fallen Zamindar who is a king to his his people. RK is menacing as the slaughterhouse villain.

Whoever bothered about the music? Even minus the songs the film is enjoyable. But one Q lingers as one comes out of the hall-is Bala getting predictable in his screenplays? Those who have watched his previous movies will see the similarities in the sequences.

The Firm

2011-06-28T02:23:00.000-07:00

On a boring day, I was browsing the books in my local lending library-the source of many of my reviews-when The Firm came to my hands. I had heard a lot about it, but somehow did not feel like reading it all the time. But now, it was appealing to me, asking me to take it hoome and read it. And voila!

Playing for Pizza was something out of Grishm's legal world thrillers. Italian football, salami, pasta(I was reminded of Godfather all the while!) was an enriching read and being of a curious mind, I wanted to see how the famous Firm was.

The story is predictable-a young rookie hunted down by the best law firms and taking an offer which he least expected and the consequences he faces as a result. The narration is compelling, making you turn the pages slowly, enjoying each moment, savouring each minute of McDeere's life with Abby, The Firm, his encounters with the FBI, his dilemma, his family, his whole attitude-the way he bargains at the beginning for his benefits and the 360 degree turnover he takes after realising where he had gotten into are well brought out without boring the reader.

Even one with a little bit of legal knowledge will find this novel an excellent read. The techniques McDeere uses to gather evidence are not new, but the way he formulates each strategy and keeps his head above the mess is a read worth your leisure.

I am yet to see the movie starring Tom Cruise, will be back with the review. Till then, enjoy The Firm.

Trains & Me

2011-05-11T04:33:00.000-07:00

I have always been fascinated about trains from my childhood. Who doesn't love trains? I remember when in my school summer holidays I used to go to my grandparents' house @ Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu. They had a house near the railway line and I used to go with my grand faher daily evening to watch the trains.

The habit turned into a love for train travel and I have since loved travel by train, esp the day time travel. Such an interesting array of landscapes and trees which cross you in a hurry, that you are transported to fantasy land (I dunno about the rest of you, but I dream a lot on seeing these landscapes. helps you pass the time well) I also love reading a good book in the train. Nothing to beat that sensation.

Traveling by Duranto recently brought back my passion for train travel and I am writing this note in a nostalgic tune. The food was excellent, I enjoyed train food in leisure after a LONG time. The tea, idlis, soup, bread sticks, lunch were excellent.

As much as eating train food is a delight, it is even more delightful in eating home cooked meals in a train. Makes the food ee more tastier. You might brand me a foodie, but try this once, you will love it. In this season of fake pilots, trains seem to be safer. My long time desire of traveling via NMR remains unfulfilled.

Waiting for that lovely day..meanwhile enjoy your train journeys and return home safe!

Champions!

2011-04-08T03:59:00.000-07:00

Nothing succeeds like success-How true!

Team India's resounding victory at the ICC World Cup 2011 is yet to sink in, with every one celebrating even now. And The IPL is beginning today..What does this victory teach us?

Unlike the other times in the past, the whole nation prayed for the MIB. Even foreign players were rooting for us. MIB's victorious stints in all forms of cricket and its ebullient captain cool Dhoni only made us wish for more such block busters. And added to the fact that this was a young team(including the God of Cricket who is still young at heart) only made the cup even more salivating.

I would say-

Setting a goal 18 months before the cup was to begin made a good beginning in the psychological make up of the team

No papers; no TV; no unwanted diversion made the team totally focused on the game and no room for negative impact was left behind. This point was highly recommended as the reason by my mum, who is not a cricket affectionado.

Having no shred of doubt, the team made use of every opportunity presented and romped home winners.

The fierce commitment and dedication of the players, especially Yuvaraj Singh, made this cup a memorable one.

Many years back, in my 10th standard, we had a lesson in our English prose on the historic win Kapil's Devils had in Lords in '83. I could only imagine the impact the win had over the nation known for its conservatism. It was then that we opened up our frontiers and began progressing in all stages. It takes a success to bring success. The confidence that we can do it. That matters most. JAI HO INDIA! This will be remembered for an eternity. For the cup and I share one thing in similar-we both are 28 years old.

Rob-B-Hood

2011-03-26T09:58:00.000-07:00

I am an ardent fan of Jackie Chan and a repeat watcher of his movies. His films pack a good deal of martial arts, humor, non-violence(no where would you see blood and gore in there) and materials suited for children. So it is no surprise that Rob-B-Hood drew my attention to it.

Jackie's films have a good theme. Do good and live good. Never think ill of anyone. He even helps his enemies and has a similar line to our own late MGR, albeit in a different manner. The film is a laugh riot, with every scene providing an opportunity to make your belly ache to the core.

Jackie Chan and co are professional thieves, drawn to the trade by circumstances as poverty and other reasons. But they are good thieves and see that they don't hurt anyone in their adventures. The very first scene shows them saving a rich millionaire's baby from being kidnapped(they steal the same baby later!). The local inspector has a soft corner for them, but keeps an eye on them.

Chan's mentor gets a one time offer to plan a big job and retire for life. The amount promised is huge and he draws in Chan and his buddies to help do it. The job involves stealing a baby and giving it to a client. The job back fires and Chan is left with the baby in hand, while his mentor gets caught.

Itis then the fun starts. As Chan and his friends learn the 'value' of the baby, they make every effort to keep him hale and healthy-changing his diapers, feeding him, singing him lullabies(they go to sleep singing and the baby remains awake!) and lots more. The beauty is the team hates babies but have no choice left except play baby sitters to that little prankster. Reminds you of Baby's Day Out, but this is different.

The stories of Chan's team members are told in a convincing way, making us connect with the main story line. Octopus, Chan's friend has a pregnant girlfriend and doesn't want babies. Chan's mentor Landlord is childless and plans to adopt babies to help heal his wife's mental illness and Chan is an outcast in his honest family. The stunts are a delight to watch(especially the one involving Chan and the baby in busy traffic and the last one where he tries saving the baby by CPR). The last scene where Chan and friends save the baby from a cold storage room is touching in nature.

Who doesn't love Jackie Chan?

Manidhan Marivittan

2011-03-26T01:34:00.000-07:00

There are quite a few films in the multiple role genre which delve into some serious questions beyond the usual ones. Most go into the introduction and switching of places of the look-alikes(Enga Veetu Pillai, Abhoorva Saghodharargal, Vani Rani, Rajathi Raja, to name a few) and close the door hence, leaving the rest to the viewers imagination. A few, however, beg to differ. Manidhan Marivittan is one among them.

Mike Mohan or Silver Jubilee Mohan is one hero whom few would forget. His films are a regulars even today in television channels. His Greek God looks and the way he played his characters-be it the singer turned death sentence convict in Udhaya Geetham or the money chasing psychopath in Nooravudhu Naal or the lovable Sahhadevan in Sahadevan Mahadevan, Mohan has a fan base unlike any one here.

Coming to the film, it was a pleasant surprise to see him enact a dual role and that too portray the emotions in so subtle a way. The script is lagging at certain points, but Mohan stands tall. The story is about the psychological traumas suffered by an unemployed young man named Viswanathan(Mohan) when he learns that he is an exact duplicate of Uthaman(Mohan again), a criminal wanted bu cops and goons alike. Viswanathan comes to know of Uthaman through his inspector friend Raja(Daggupathi Raja) and the game starts there.

Soon, Viwanathan is hounded by one and all mistaking him to be Uthaman. A girl arrives with her mother claiming to be his wife. He is in a jinx when as a result of the mistaken identity, his family disowns him and refuses to acept his explanation that he is not a criminal. He secures a job in a company but is driven out by his boss mistaking him to be Uthaman. Matters are complicated when his ex-boss is murdered by Uthaman on the very day Viswanathan is fired. Viswanathan is contacted by a client of Uthaman for finishing an assignment and takes payment for it, unable to explain anything.

At last he is hounded by his look alike Uthaman himself and in an altercation, Uthaman dies as a result. Uthaman's body is taken by Viswanathan's family and cremated. Viswanathan is in a fix and after much deliberation, takes on Uthaman's identity(title justified-man has changed) saying he needs to carry on living. He explains the truth to his father and the film ends there.

Though devoid of any heroics or romances, the film is a good one in terms of the focus on the psychological side of a person in such a situation and how he is forced to take a decision which he never intented to take. Mohan does a splendid job as the harassed Viswanathan and as the villainous Uthaman(who appears in the last fight with Viswanathan). No great technical wizardry showing the double acts, but purely on a good story telling skill. The director has very cleverly shown us the extend of Uthaman's nature without showing it actually but portraying through Viswanathan. A nice one to watch.

A retrospective film to ponder about.

Tips 4 board exams

2011-03-03T06:11:00.000-08:00

And here come the SSLC and Matriculation exams. The terror of students and parents alike(as of the latest reports, parents are more stressed than their kids!). So here are some tips from a guy who crossed these barriers:

1.Relax a lot.
2.Take notes before hand and cover all that is needed
3.Be precise when you take notes.
4.On the day before your exam, go through the notes you have taken and nothing else.
5.For problem papers, go through the illustrations and remember the strategy for each model of problem.
6.Listen to a lot of soothing music. Instrumental will do wonders
7.Never, never, never watch TV until your exams are over(Never mind the World Cup and IPL. They will be repeated the next day. Not your attempts!). However easy paper it might be, any unwanted image which you see may get stored in your memory and block your flow the next day. (I cleared my board exams with this idea, courtesy my mum and got good scores)
8.Sleep well.
9.Be on time to the center. Maintain punctuality.
10.Do not get into any arguments/fights with any one as it will affect the overall outcome
11.Never bother about what marks you will get while writing/preparing.
12.No junk foods
13.Be in good health and sound mind.
14.Never discuss anything after writing the exam with your friends. It may be an adverse effect on the next day's paper. Once you have finished the exam, forget about it.
15.Maintain your cool if anything does not go well.
16.Pray to God. That will help cool your taut nerves.

Adios, mes amis! Do well, get good scores!

The Last Lecture

2011-02-20T06:04:00.000-08:00

Note: I thank my brother Zico who introduced me to this wonderful book.

What do you do when you are diagnosed with a terminal illness like Pacreatic Cancer with barely six months to live? Retreat into a shell, avoid contact and spend your last days brooding? Hasten to write out that will you have been postponing for sometimes? Check your bank accounts? Or gather your relatives and see them one last time?

Randy Pausch( Oct 23, 1960-July 25, 2008), the late Professor of Computer Science & Human Computer Interaction at Carnegie Mellon University,Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US did the opposite. He gave a wonderful lecture called Really Achieving your Childhood Dreams in his university. He is famous today because of that lecture and the book called The Last Lecture he co-authored with Jefferey Zaslow.

Pausch delivered his Last Lecture on September 18, 2007 as part of an ongoing lecture series in which professors are asked to give a lecture called the last lecture which they are asked to deliver in the note that if they are dying, what would they say? His book by the same name remains as a testament to his spirit of living and giving it all you have. The important message that Randy conveyed through his lecture and his book was that whatever happens, you have only one life and you gotta live it to the fullest, give your best cause yopu can't change the cards you are dealt with but you can change the way you play them.

Really Achieving your Childhood Dreams is a set of dreams that Randy had as a child. The list goes like this:

Being in Zero gravity
Playing in the National Football League(NFL)
Authoring an article inthe World Book Encyclopedia
Being Captain Kirk
Winning stuffed animals
Being a Disney Imagineer

But the way he tells you how he achieved them makes you sit up and take notice. This is not a story of a Hollywood action film, but the story of a simple, brilliant man who learnt certain good values from life and tried his best to give 'em back to people who deserved to be helped.

Randy also writes about his childhood, the freedom he got as a child from his parents, encouragement to think and act freely(the chapter where he and his friends paint his room is an example), his wonderful family-wife Jasi and children-and the role his wife played in his life which makes you feel happy and positive about life. It is all about treating your life in a positive manner that sets you apart from the whiners.

This is a book which must be on every one's shelf. For more details on Randy Pausch, read his The Lst Lecture book and visit the below link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randy_Pausch

Coimbatore Bomb Blasts-A Flash back

2011-02-15T23:16:00.000-08:00

It has been 13 years since Coimbatore came close to a hair length of being wiped out of the map. Still, the cries and sorrowful looks of the victms can be seen and heard here. We gripe and promise ourselves that we will not allow such things to happen, but it is not so.

In 2003 & 2008, similar attacks, albeit in the form of terrorists took Delhi and Mumbai by storm and nearly wiped out India's name. Then why aren't we learning?

I remember that day vividly. It was a saturday, I was in my tenth standard. We were watching Kadhalan in SUN TV when a small flash news at the bottom of the screen made our heads turn. And life was never the same for all of us hence. The irony was my tuition master bemoaned my not attending the evening class by stating, "That's only a rumor. Why don't you come?"

And then there was that car bomb in R.S.Puram. Had it gone, there would have been a BIG ground in it's place and subsequent youngsters would have used it to play N number of 20 -20s. Horrible.

I say this with a blend of humor, but the uncrtain period which existed then was to change everything forever. We could have learnt from Coimbatore and prevented the subsequent attacks-on the Parliament, Mumbai and what nots. The accused atre still walking free with bail or for lack of evidence. That's another shame.

The only way to completely prevent these attacks are to immediately put the culprits to death without any delay(no lifers, please) and strengthening our forces and equipping them well. Even a common rowdy has access to modern weapons compared to those rifles our people have. No offense, but facts are facts.

Playing for Pizza

2011-02-03T02:22:00.000-08:00

John Grisham's Playing for Pizza is a refreshing turnaround from his legal thrillers. It is all about football-American football and Italian football. This is the first John Grisham I have read, but I find this one a delightful read. I am not an enthusiastic sports fan, but the narration and style made me sit up and enjoy the book.

The story is about Rick Dockery, third quarterback for the NFL, in US. He fouls up in a most deserving moment of victory and screws up his team's chance of winning. He is washed off the team's hands, shunned by every other team available and at the age of 28, looks at a premature retirement and disgrace.

All that changes when at his behest his agent Arnie manages to find him a place in a team called Parma Panthers in Italy(there is really a Parma Panther team there). Their version of American football is very different and to add to the milieu, Rick has never been in Italy, let alone know where the little town of Parma is. And to add to his injury is the delightful fact that the players are amateurs and get paid only in free meals and beers.

But to offset a great disgrace and to mend his wounds, Rick accepts reluctantly to go to Parma and the fun begins. Right from the coach who is a part time guide to each of the players comprising of different backgrounds-one is a judge, one is a cafe owner, one a cook, etc-colorful indeed make Rick's stay a memorable one. They in turn hope for a Super Bowl victory with the famous American hero (no word of Rick's past deeds had reached them!) and poor Rick has no ideas how it will be.

What follows is a delightful tale of cross culture adjustment filled with pasta, olive oil, cheer leaders, opera, arrests, bear hugs, expressos, capucinos, and what nots. Some of the pages are a laugh riot. Some make you chuckle. Some make you giggle. The description of the footbal training and games are fantastic and brings a sense of reality into them.

A delightful read indeed.

சிறுத்தை

2011-01-26T02:48:00.000-08:00

நம் எல்லோருக்கும் 'லட்டு தின்ன ஆசைதான்'. ஆனால் லட்டு சுலபத்தில் கிடைப்பதில்லை. லட்டும் தின்று விட்டு வயிறு கிழிய சிரித்து விட்டு வர வேண்டும் என்றால், கார்த்தி, சந்தானம் நடித்த சிறுத்தை பார்க்கவும்.

படத்தின் ஆரம்பம் முதல் இறுதி வரை சிரிப்போ சிரிப்பு. இந்தப் படம் ஒரு remake என்றாலும் சுவையும் கலாட்டாவும் குறைவில்லாமல் இருக்கிறது. கார்த்திக்கு இது முக்கிய படம். முதல் முதலாக இரட்டை வேடம். அதிலும் ஒன்று முறைப்பான போலீஸ் அதிகாரி. இன்னொன்று சிரிப்புத் திருடன் சிங்காரவேலு வகை. இரண்டிலும் தூள். அதிலும் சில நேரமே வந்தாலும் அந்த போலீஸ் அதிகாரி நச்சென்று நம் மனதில் இடம் பிடிக்கிறார்.

முக்கால்வாசி கார்த்தி-சந்தானம் கூட்டணி குத்தகை எடுத்து நம்மை மருந்து கடை நோக்கி விரட்டுகிறது. ரொம்ப நாள் ஆச்சுப்பா இப்படி சிரித்து! சேட்டு வீட்டுக்கு திருட போவது, 'லட்டு தின்ன' ஆசைப்படுவது (கண்ணா, லட்டு தின்ன ஆசையா?-காட்சி பார்த்து சிரிக்காதவன் ஒரு ஜடம் என்று தான் சொல்லவேண்டும்.), மாட்டியதும் அப்படியே plate-ஐ திருப்பி தப்பிப்பது என்று காமெடி கலக்கல்.

ரத்னவேல் பாண்டியனாக வரும் கார்த்தி நம்மை எழுந்து உக்கார வைக்கிறார். வந்து இறங்கியதும் அவர் ஆரம்பிக்கும் வேலைகள் கனகச்சிதம். குறிப்பாக வில்லனின் ஆட்டங்களுக்கு ஈடு குடுத்தவாறே அவர் தரும் பதில் அடி-பிரமாதம். ரொம்ப நாளைக்கு பிறகு குறைந்த பஞ்ச் வசனத்தில் ஒரு போலீஸ் கதாபாத்திரம். தேவையான அழுத்தம் நன்றாகவே குடுத்து இருக்கிறார்கள் அந்த போலீஸ் வேடத்தில் அந்த குழந்தை யாருப்பா? chchoo sweet.

தமன்னா? ஜோர். அழகு. குளிர்ச்சி. இசை? ராக்கெட் ராஜாவும், ராக்கம்மாவும் தாளம் போட வைக்கும் வகை. வசனம்? சபாஷ்.

சில வசனங்களை தவிர்த்து பார்த்தால் படம் ரொம்ப நன்றாகவே இருக்கிறது.

The Man who knew Infinity

2011-01-24T06:53:00.000-08:00

Stunning. That's how I would describe this book. I remember having a lesson on Srinivasa Ramanujan, the renowned Indian mathematician in my school days. It was there that I first came to know about him and his immense contributions to the mathematics world in a very short period(1887-1920).

The Man who knew Infinity is a wonderful biography of the great legend by Robert Kanigel. Kanigel traces the life of Ramanujan from his birth in Kumakonam, South India with excellent descriptions of the places where he roamed about from his childhood-the Cauvery river, his growth, his introduction to mathematics by the book of Carr, his extraordinary mathematical powers, his staunch devotion to Namagiri Thayaar or the Godess of Namakkal, his strong bonds with his mother who was a major influence in his life till the point when he embarks on his journey to England.

The book also lays down beautifully the early struggles undergone by a genius of Ramanujan's stature in finding a recognition for his works, his stumbling into Hardy, his subsequent invitation to England, his extraordianry mind, and all that.

Not only that, we get to read about the other side of the coin also, the negative impacts on Ramanujan's life, the early Indian times during the first world war, his affliction with TB, his marriage, the very persona speaks to us from the 300+ pages.

That such a man was nearly unrecognized in his own land, only to be lapped up with gusto and given a red carpet welcome by the west only strengthens the view that we seldom know our own treasures. On finishing the last pages, my eyes were filled with awe and tears on getting to know such an eminent personalty and an icon of Indian Mathematics.

Ramanujan is known for:

Landau–Ramanujan constant
Mock theta functions
Ramanujan conjecture
Ramanujan prime
Ramanujan–Soldner constant
Ramanujan theta function
Ramanujan's sum
Rogers–Ramanujan identities

Bullies

2011-01-24T01:28:00.000-08:00

There was an article on Saturday's (Jan 22, 2011) edition of Indian Express titled Kindergarten Queen Bees. It laid down the problem of children bullied by children in school due to many factors, most of all, a gap in the living standards. So, why not add my own thoughts on the matter?

I was bullied often in my school days. There were various reasons. Simple reasons like wearing a glass with big goggles(I had cataract and hence had to wear big goggles as a result), being extremely gifted, shy, all. I remember that often as a result of the bullying nature and pranks of some of my classmates, I often went home with a broken glass. And adding insult to injury was the label that I was mentally retarded(however they managed to get that idea, God knows), a label which my classmates(some) felt very happy to paste on me. In those days, even a minuscule reason as wearing a specs or being to oneself was looked upon as different and you got beat up for no reason of yours. Added to the fact that no one had time to observe and counsel the 'bad boys'.

As if this was not enough, there were some teachers who did not know how to handle the children softly and used a harsh manner in handling them. I have often been called kannaadi, or glasses, labeled as arrogant or rude by my teachers and classmates for no fault of mine. I particularly remember two of these wonderful teachers -one had a harsh way of talking to students, and the other meted out punishments for minor errors/mistakes that we did-like twist our ears till they turned red and causing pain, slapping hard on the face, a stinging blow in the head, etc.

So what happens as a result? In the case the perprerator is a student, the victim develops an aversion towards him/her, learns never to cross his/her line, never to even think of helping that bully in time of need. In the case of the teacher, it is even worse with the result is a pure dislike for whatever subject the teacher handles, ultimately affecting the student's performance(after all, who is bloody concerned of marks in the real world?)

An effective way to tackle this problem, especially in today's competitive world where everything is result-driven, is to have a whole time in-school psychologist/psychiatrist. That will solve 70% of the problems. Good, I would say if there are two such psychologists-one for the students and one for the teachers.

If we want to see bright leaders of tomorrow who are going to take our nation forward in all fields, better start from school. Or repent the opportunities missed.

மன்மதன் அம்பு

2011-01-09T04:53:00.000-08:00

பார்க்கப்போகிறேன் மன்மதன் அம்பு
என்று கொஞ்ச நேரம் முன்பு
என் நண்பனிடம் சொன்னேன்
அவன் சொன்ன பதில்
மன்மதன் அம்பு ஒரு நசுங்கிப் போன சொம்பு என்று!
படம் பார்த்த பிறகு தெரிந்தது
அது நசுங்கி போன சொம்பல்ல
வெள்ளிச் சொம்பென்று!
படம் ஆரம்பித்தபோது
போட்டான் 'ஒய்யாலே'
படத்தின் இறுதியில்
என் மனதில் ஓடிய வார்த்தை
ஹைய்யாலே!
காந்தியார் கஷ்டப்பட்டு போதித்த அஹிம்சையை
ஒரே வரியில் கமல் சொன்னார்
வீரத்தின் உச்சமே மன்னிப்பது தான். அஹிம்சைதான்-என்று
ஆஹா! என்ன நயம்
என்று வியந்து நின்றேன் நான்!
ஆரம்பம் முதல் இறுதி வரை
தொய்வில்லாமல் அழகாக நகர்கிறது படம்
இது கதை அல்ல நிஜம் என்று
அடித்துச் சொன்னது காட்சிகள் படமான விதம்!
மன்மதன் அம்பு அடித்து விட்டது வெற்றி இலக்கை
இதில் எள்ளளவும் எனக்கு இல்லை சந்தேகம்.

Banker to the Poor-The story of the Grameen Bank

2011-01-05T07:30:00.000-08:00

This book can be summarized in a line-He can who thinks he can.

Yes. One idea can change the world. Time and again we have seen examples of people who with their seemingly ordinary gestures have created wonders. There are examples right from the Mahabharata to the present to prove this point. The Grameen Bank is a sterling example of how a simple idea has transformed the lives of millions of poor people across the globe.

Banker to the Poor is the story/biography of the Grameen Bank founder Muhammad Yunus, written by Muhammad Yunus(Nobel Peace Prize winner in 2006) along with Alan Jolis(Penguin Books).

You don't have to be an economist/banker/student of finance/intellectual to understand or read this book. For this is the story of people, of grassroot revolution, or rather the story of how poor people rallied to create a world free of poverty and strive to create a better living world to come. This is the story of what a simple idea with strong convictions can do. This is the story of faith.

This is also an excellent case study for bankers, financiers, economists, micro credit organizations and students of finance, management & economics.

We will read about Yunus' early childhood and the strong influence of his mother which fashioned his destiny to come, his upbringing, studies, visit to America, his return and teaching assignments, his discovery of the real world from the books and how he sets out to first understand it to change it, the struggles and hardships he underwent at each stage, the changing political environment in Bangladesh which fuelled his conviction that he is right in his visions, the impact of the floods, the war and the birth of Grameen Bank Project, and lots more.

In whatever form we read, the basic concept that when one has very strong visions and the will power to follow it the end of the world, all falls in place. Defy convetional models, make your own way. Believe in yourselves. You will succeed. If one wants to solve a problem, one must first understand the very roots of the problem. That is the crux of this book. I have nothing else to say except that this book made me proud that I had purchased it and strongly urges me to follow my heart.

A definite read for all of you.

இது ராஜபாட்டை அல்ல

2011-01-03T05:38:00.000-08:00

எனக்கு மிகவும் பிடித்த, என்னைக் கவர்ந்த புஸ்தகங்களில் இது ராஜபாட்டை அல்ல (அல்லயன்ஸ் வெளியிடு) ஒரு தனி இடத்தைப் பிடிக்கும். மிக இளம் பிராயத்தில் என் அம்மா எனக்கு படிக்க குடுத்த புஸ்தகங்களில் இது ஒன்று. எழுத்தும் நடையும் வித்தியாசமாக இருந்து என்னைக் கவர்ந்தது.

பொதுவாக ஒரு நடிகன் தன் சுயசரிதத்தை எழுதுகிறான் என்றால் அதில் என்னன்ன இருக்கும்? அவனின் இளமை பிராயம், சினிமா காதல், ஊரை விட்டு ஓடி வருவது, வறுமையில் வாடி வாய்ப்பு தேடுவது, நடிகனாக/இயக்குனராக/பாடலாசிரியராக/கதாசிரியராக ஜெயிப்பது போன்ற சமாச்சாரங்கள்.

ஆனால் திரையுலக மார்க்கண்டேயன் சிவகுமாரின் இது ராஜபாட்டை அல்ல முற்றிலும் வேறுபட்டு இருக்கிறது. இளமையில் வறுமை, ஓவிய ஆற்றல், ஓவியனாகும் கனவுகளோடு சுற்றிக்கொண்டிருந்த அவரை சினிமா உலகம் தன்பால் ஈர்த்துக்கொண்டது. கிடைத்த சந்தர்ப்பத்தை தக்க வைத்துக்கொள்ள அவர் என்னன்ன முயற்சிகள் எடுத்தார், எப்படி பேரும் புகழும் சம்பாதித்தார் என்பது விளக்கமாக சொல்லி இருக்கிறார். 1991-92 வருடத்தில் லயோலா கல்லூரியின் பாட திட்டத்தில் இந்தப் புஸ்தகம் ஒரு அங்கமாக சேர்க்கப்பட்டது இதன் சிறப்புக்கு ஒரு எடுத்துக்காட்டு.

பொதுவில் சிவகுமாரை நமக்கு ஒரு நடிகராகத் தான் தெரியும். சிந்து பைரவி, சிட்டுக்குருவி (மாறுப்பட்ட இரட்டை வேடம்), வண்டிச்சக்கரம், பாசப்பறவைகள், சித்தி (நெடுந்தொடர்), அண்ணாமலை (நெடுந்தொடர்), உயர்ந்த மனிதன், வெள்ளிக்கிழமை விரதம், ராமன் பரசுராமன் போன்ற படங்கள் சில உதாரணங்கள். அவர் ஒரு சிறந்த ஓவியர், பேச்சாளர், நடிகர், எழுத்தாளர், பண்பாளர், ஒழுக்கசீலர், உதவும் மனம் கொண்ட மனிதர் என்பது மிகச் சிலருக்கே தெரியும். இந்த புஸ்தகம் ஏன் விசேஷம், படிக்கப் படவேண்டும் என்றால், தன் வாழ்வில் உயரத் துடிக்கும் மனிதன்-அது எந்தத் துறையாக இருந்தாலும்-அவன் கடை பிடிக்க வேண்டிய ஒழுக்கம், நேர்மை, தொழில் பக்தி, தன்னம்பிக்கை போன்ற குணங்கள் அவசியம் . அந்த வகையில் நடிகர் திரு. சிவகுமாரின் இந்த சுயசரிதை ஒரு முக்கிய வழிகாட்டி.

வழிகாட்டி மட்டுமல்லாது இது 40 ஆண்டு கால தமிழ் சினிமாவின் ஒரு பதிவு பொக்கிஷம். சினிமாவைப் பற்றி தெரிந்து கொள்ள விரும்புவோர், வாழ்வில் முன்னேற நினைப்போர் இதை அவசியம் படிக்க வேண்டும்.

இன்றைக்கும் கடவுள் வேடம் தாங்கிய நடிகர்களில் முருகன் வேடம் கச்சிதமாக பொருந்திய ஒரே நடிகர் இவர்தான். கந்தன் கருணை படம் அதற்க்கு சான்று. அவரின் அற்புதமான நினைவாற்றல் பலரை அதிசயம் கொள்ள வைக்கும் ஒரு பொக்கிஷம்.

ஒவ்வொரு அத்தியாயமும் ஒரு விசேஷம். அம்மாவைப் பற்றி, பிறந்த காசினஞ்சே கவுண்டன் புதூர் கிராமத்தைப் பற்றி (அடேடே, அது எங்கள் கோவையிலிருந்து கொஞ்சம் பக்கம் தான்!), ஓவிய ஆர்வம், ஓவியப் பள்ளியில் பயின்றது, திரை உலக பிரவேசம், பணியாற்றிய படங்கள், உடன் பழகிய மனிதர்களின் நிறை குறைகள் என்று அத்தனை விஷயங்களைப் பற்றியும் அற்புதமாக வடித்திருக்கிறார்.

சில கட்டங்களை படிக்கும் பொது நம்மை அறியாமல் கண்ணில் கண்ணீர் தேங்கும். சில நம்மை சிரிக்க வைக்கும். சில நம்மை ஆச்சர்ய படுத்தும். சில நம்மை கோப படுத்தும். இது ஒரு கலவை. சினிமா என்ற கவர்ச்சிகரமான விஷயத்தை எடுத்துவிட்டு பார்த்தால் எவ்வளவு நல்ல செய்திகள்! யோகாசனத்தைப் பற்றி அருமையான குறிப்புகள், சிக்கனத்தை கடை பிடிப்பது பற்றி உதாரணத்தோடு விளக்கங்கள், அறிய குணாதிசயம் கொண்டவர்களைப் பற்றிய வர்ணனைகள், இப்படி நிறைய்ய.

தான் சந்தித்த மனிதர்களில் தன்னை பாதித்த நல்ல விஷயங்களைப் பற்றி அவர் விவரிக்கும் அழகே தனி. நடிகர் திலகம் சிவாஜி, சோ, MGR, ரஜினி, கமல், இயக்குனர் புல்லையா, மணிவண்ணன்,இயக்குனர்கள் ராபர்ட்-ராஜசேகரன், ஜெமினி கணேசன், ஏவிஎம், முக்தா சீனிவாசன், KB, ஸ்ரீதர், 'அதே கண்கள்' புகழ் ரவிச்சந்திரன், நாகேஷ், மனோரமா, முத்துராமன், ராதிகா, என்று எத்தனை பேர்களுடைய அற்புத குணங்களைப் பற்றி அருமையாக சொல்கிறார்.

அதே போல் என்னன்ன அவமானங்கள் சந்தித்தார், எப்படி அவைகளில் இருந்து பாடம் கற்றார், எப்படி அவை அவரை செம்மைப் படுத்தின என்ற விஷயங்களும் படிக்க சுவையாகவும், சிந்திக்க வைக்கும் விதத்தில் உள்ளன.

புஸ்தகம் முழுக்க அவர் வரைந்த அற்புதமான ஓவியங்கள், நடித்த படங்களின் புகைப்படங்கள் இருப்பது ஒரு சுவாரசியம்.

அவசியம் படித்து சிந்திக்க வைக்கும் நூல்.

ஒரு குட்டிக் கதை

2011-01-02T08:07:00.000-08:00

எல்லோருக்கும் புத்தாண்டு வாழ்த்துக்கள்.

இந்த புது வருடத்தை ஒரு குட்டிக் கதையுடன் ஆரம்பிப்போம்.

அது ஒரு கிராமம். ஒரு நாள் ஒரு சிதார் வித்துவான் அங்கு வந்தார். அவருக்கு நாடு முழுவதும் உள்ள கோவில்களைப் பார்க்க வேண்டும் என்று ஆசை. அவர் வட நாட்டைச் சேர்ந்தவர். வடக்கே உள்ள கோவில்களைப் பார்த்துவிட்டு தெற்கே வந்திருந்தார்.

தெற்குப் பயணம் முடிந்து அவர் ஊருக்கு கிளம்பும் நேரம். அவர் மனதில் ஏதோ ஒரு குறை. வந்த வேலை இன்னும் முடியவில்லை என்ற எண்ணம். அது என்ன என்று அவருக்குத் தெரியவில்லை.

இது இப்படி இருக்கையில் அவர் அந்த கிராமத்திற்கு வந்தார். அங்கு ஒரு பழமையான சிவன் கோவில் இருந்தது. அங்கு சென்று ஒரு அதிகாலை தரிசனம் முடித்து பக்கத்தில் உள்ள ஒரு மாந்தோப்பில் நடந்து கொண்டிருந்தார். அந்த அதிகாலை நேரம், ரம்மியமான காற்று, அற்புதமான தரிசனம் அவரை பரவசத்தில் ஆழ்த்தி இருந்தது. ஒரு மரத்தடியில் துண்டை விரித்து தன வாத்தியத்தை மடியில் வைத்து மீட்ட ஆரம்பித்தார்.

கான வெள்ளம் பரவிற்று. தன்னை மறந்து அவர் இசை வெள்ளத்தில் முழுகி இருந்தார். அப்பொழுது அது நடந்தது.

அந்த கிராமக் கோவிலில் அந்த சமயம் திருவிழா. அதன் விளைவாக இரவில் நாடகங்களும், இசை நிகழ்ச்சிகளும் நடந்தவண்ணம் இருந்தன. அன்றைக்கு முன்னிரவில் ஒரு நாடகம் நடந்து முடிந்து இருந்தது. அதிகாலை நேரம் நாடகம் முடிந்து நடிகர்கள் குழு அந்த மாந்தோப்பு வழியாக வந்து கொண்டு இருந்தனர்.

அதில் ஒருவர் சிவன் வேடம் போட்டிருந்தார். பெரிய இசை மேதை இல்லையென்றாலும் அவருக்கு அதன் மீது பற்று இருந்தது. வித்துவானின் அற்புத இசையை கேட்ட அவர் மெய் மறந்து அங்கேயே நின்று விட்டார். தான் வேடத்தைக் கலைக்கவில்லை என்ற நினைப்பே இல்லாமல் இசை வந்த திக்கு நோக்கி சென்றார். அந்த வித்துவான் முன்னால் போய் அமைதியாக நின்று இசையைக் கேட்க தொடங்கினார்.

இது எதுவுமே வித்துவானுக்குத் தெரியவில்லை. அவர் தன ஆலாபனையில் லயித்துப் போய் இருந்தார். ஒரு ஆச்சர்யம் போல அவரின் வாத்தியத்தில் இருந்து சிவனின் ஸ்தோத்திரங்கள் உதிர ஆரம்பித்தன. அவர் மனத்திலும் அந்த கைலாய நாதன் நிறைந்திருந்தான்.

பக்திப் பரவசத்தில் நாத ஆலாபனையை முடித்து அவர் கண் திறந்த பொது எதிரே சிவன் வேடத்தில் நின்ற நாடக நடிகரின் உருவம் அவர் கண்ணுக்கு சிவனாகத் தெரிந்தது. அப்படியே சாஷ்டாங்கமாக சிவனின் காலில் விழுந்து விட்டார் அவர்.
கண்ணில் இருந்து கர கரவென்று கண்ணீர் சொரிந்தது. தன மனதில் இருந்தக் குறை நீங்கியதை உணர்ந்தார். இந்த தரிசனத்திற்க்காகவே தான் வந்தது அவருக்கு புரிந்தது.

நடிகனின் பாடோ திண்டாட்டம். எதுவும் பேச முடியவில்லை அவரால். அமைதியாக நின்ற வண்ணம் இருந்தார். ஒரு அற்புதம் போல அப்பொழுது மேலே இருந்து ஒரு மாங்கனி அவரின் கையில் கச்சிதமாக விழுந்தது. என்ன செய்கிறோம் என்ற நினைவே இல்லாமல் அந்தக் கனியை வித்துவானுக்குக் கொடுத்தார்.

வித்துவான் மெய் சிலிர்ந்து போனார். இப்படி ஒரு தரிசனம் அவர் எங்கும் கண்டதில்லை. எதிரே இருந்த சிவனின் முகத்தில் அப்படி ஒரு தேஜஸ். கம்பீரம். சாந்தம். மௌனமாக கை தூக்கி ஆசிர்வதித்தார் சிவன். பிறகு எதுவும் சொல்லாமல் வந்த வழியே சென்றார். வித்துவானும் தன பயணம் பூர்த்தியான சந்தோஷத்தில் ஊருக்குக் கிளம்பினார். அங்கு மௌனமே நிலவியது.

Fai'lure'?

2010-12-22T04:28:00.000-08:00

What is failure?

I ask

is it failing to lure

luring to fail?

is failing to lure

important than luring to fail?

a dialogue from

a Hollywood film

runs in my head

as I think of this

"Why do we fall?"

ask a character

and answers it himself

"so as to rise again!"

what a reply!-I muse

as I lick my old wounds

perhaps I too fall to rise again

or to gain

a better understanding

of the game I play

or to

instill in me

the fire;

the urge;

the power;

to try again

till I succeed?

I ask my self

again

What is failure?

does it break you into

bits & pieces or

crushes your strength?

givets you more pain?

NO!

my mind says

Rather, it is far more

different

it makes you

reconsider your strategy;

reconsider your route;

review your weapons;

and try again

as the legendary

king Vikramaditya did

YES

I am too a VIKRAMADITYA

I tell myself

I will succeed where

no one has succeeded;

no one came out victorious;

no one tasted

the nectar of victory

Cyclops

2010-12-13T00:57:00.001-08:00

It is one thing to wish for something. And one thing to be that for what you wished. I got a taste of this statement the past week-through Conjunctivitis or better known in our midst as Madras Eye.

I am an ardent fan of X Men and have often fancied how it would be if I possessed one or more powers of those heroes and villains. Magneto, Cyclops, Wolverine, Mystique were considered. Since I had some of Logan's mutation in my system, the next best was Cyclops. Magneto remains to date my favorite villain.

I got to be Cyclops for a week when I discovered that I had a red eye with irritation and an aversion to look at light. Subsequent examination confirmed the diagnosis given above and I wandered about in my rooms with a wraparound dark glass, courtesy Cyclops.

Apart from the fact that it was irritating during the first two days to even glance at light (including sunlight), I got a fantastic view via the dark glasses. The effect was none second to the best cinematographic views I had seen in films, with all items shown to me in a kaleidoscope of vibrant colors, albeit in a darker sense. The Cyclops effect was fulfilled to the condition that if I removed the glass, the virus would spread out, albeit Scot's laser eyes.

So I pranced about, imagining myself to be a hero, nonetheless getting to see my personality in the mirror every given opportunity, making my dad regret why he lent those glasses in the first place for at least 100 times. :)

And yesterday, the Cyclops avatar ended and I am back to being my old self. But the view was fantastic, I would say.

Next time I am gonna wish to be Magneto...and see what happens!

Robocop Series

2010-11-25T07:59:00.000-08:00

All ye fans of Robot and Terminators, have ye watched a film called Robocop starring Peter Weller, Nancy Allen, directed by Paul Verhoeven, released in 1987?

During my trip to US in 1997, I picked up the novelization of the film Robocop and immediately fell in love with the cyborg soldier. Watching the movie made me even crazier and am now a die hard fan of Murphy a.k.a Robocop.

Watching Endhiran recently only made me wonder at how far the technology and story telling were advanced in Hollywood even then. Remember they made the Terminator series then and we are making our Robot only now. They have a passion and craze for new things which are educative in nature, explorative. Whereas we are still grinding our love story grinders.

The story-Alex Murphy a cop who joins crime ridden Detroit is killed in a skirmish with a local gang. He is resuscitated as a cyborg soldier called Robocop who plays a perfect spoil to the city's criminals. Not only this, he has competition in the form of a rival cyborg machine created by a group of hard nosed lobbyists aiming to bring the city under their control. He also battles with his cyborg memory and his haunting human memories in his past life. The rest is as they say breath taking stunts, stunning visuals, excellent emotional scenes-especially after Murphy rediscovers his past-and he is lovable! Especially when Robo hunts down the very gang that killed him when he was human makes you jump with joy and contentment.

There were two sequels that came after Robocop I and both were smash hits. Do watch when they get telecast in Star movies/HBO/Zee Cinema next time or get a copy of the CD. Great one to watch!

Robocop-I

Peter Weller as Alex .J .Murphy in the film.

Robocop-II

Robocop-III

Escape from Alcatraz

2010-11-13T06:16:00.000-08:00

Have you read Papillon by Henry Sharriere or watched the movie called Escape from Alcatraz starring Clint Eastwood? Both are great in their own way. They have the same theme-of prisoner(s) trying to escape and the subsequent consequences they face. While in Papillon it was the French Guayana prisons, it was the Alcatraz, the unbreakable prison in Escape from Alcatraz.

Well, I will tell you about the book Papillon later, this time, we will see about the movie starring Clint Eastwood and directed by Don Siegal. It was released in 1979.

I am a great fan of good, interesting movies which offer a stimuli to my ever demanding mind. Star Movies & HBO do a fantastic job in this aspect and it was in HBO that I chanced upon Escape from Alcatraz.

The film, as I have stated in the beginning has the theme of a group of prisoners making an escape from the notorious Alcatraz. Here it is Clint Eastwood and co(This is the first Eastwood film I have seen) plotting their freedom. The film is about how they plan their route and what they do in the process.

From the first scene when Frank Morris(Eastwood) is brought in the boat, the film takes a ride forward. There aren't breath taking John Woo stunts to highlight the mood, but subtle underplay by the actors and a fine brain work execution which leaves you clamoring for a repeat view.

The various inmates in the prison who are introduced as the film progresses-Litmus who has a mouse as companion, the hard nosed warden who demands that the prisoners play by his rule or face the consequences-the way he treats his painting and the results to the painter are a mark of the heavy character etching done-the Negro prisoner who challenges Frank at the steps, the D Block separate cells which are in darkness as a solitary confinement, ebbing the inmate's confidence, Morris' unshakable will power and the way he uses everything to his turn-class!

The BGM is classy in it's own way, adding tempo to the mood.

This is a must watch film. Nowhere will you find it boring. It may seem slow moving at times, only so because we are used to the fast paced movies of John Woo and the likes of today.

So folks, enjoy the film the next time it is telecast or get a copy and see it. For more details, visit www.imdb.com and type the movie name to learn more.

Merger

2010-11-09T04:58:00.000-08:00

Reaching into a humidor on his desk, he pulled out a Cohiba. Warming it slowly near the flame, but never touching it, he slowly puffed on the Cuban to light it. A bright orange flame erupted at the end of the cigar and an aroma of luxurious decadence quickly filled the room. Most corporate chieftains considered fine cigars to be one of the essential accessories of success, and Vik was no exception.-From the novel.

Merger is a financial thriller.

Set in the corporate world where shady deals and the fight for being at the top of the list is a common feature, Merger by Sanjay Sanghoee is a racy express to catch. The story is set in Manhattan city, centered around an investment banking firm and two companies-one a media powerhouse(Trinet) and the other a satellite company(Luxor).

What makes it more interesting is that one of the central characters-the CEO of Trinet is an Indian named Vikram Suri. Tall, handsome like a Greek God, powerful and charming, Vikram Suri or 'Vik' to all steals the show from all the other characters. There is Tom Carter the investment banker, Amanda Fleming the reporter, Craig Michael the CEO of Luxor, et al, but Vik is a mile apart.

Wait. To the plot-Trinet makes a deal to merge with Luxor and approaches Morganthal Winters(MW), an investment banking firm-a boutique firm in corporate parlance- to get it done. Usually when a merger or acquisition is on the cards, an investment banker steps in to smooth out things and sees that everything is taken care of. For his troubles, the investment banker gets a hefty package as a fee and every one goes home happily.

Tom Carter is a Vice President in Morganthal Winters. In processing the deal, Tom has reasons to suspect that all is not going well with the merger deal as it is intended and starts to investigate. Subsequent events strengthen Tom's suspicions that all is not well as everything goes on too fast to believe that it is a fair execution. Tom joins hands with a New York Time reporter Amanda Fleming to gather proof and find out the truth. As Tom discovers, some truths are best as they remain..

The novel reads like a finely edited action flick as each page offers a plethora of excitement. Even a layman who is new to the corporate world lingo will understand the crux. Such is the way the author takes it over. What more, at one point, you start to admire Vik, even though he is the one who plans all this from the start. The way his character is shaped and the plans he executes will make you wonder in awe.

It is an interesting novel, as it offers you a literal behind the scene world in the deal making world-Sanjay's stint as an investment banker is put to use nicely. You will love it. As Vik says in one of the pages, corporate world is a billiards game. It is how you pocket the deals that matters.

"Pool is a great game, Steve. It tests the ability of your mind and body to work together in an exquisite continuum. The physical shot is just an extension of what the mind conceives. You don't really pocket the ball with your cue stick-you pocket it with your mind. You see the ball going into the pocket long before you actually send it there. Once your mind and body get used to working together, the actual shot is just an extension of what you have already done-in your mind's eye."-Vikram Suri.

As we read these words and the novel, we can only agree. Happy reading!

Plus:
You get a first hand account and exposure(in literature sense) to the corporate world and particularly to the world of investment banking and deal makings.

Minus:
If you aren't clued into the story properly and do not follow the scenario, it may seem boring at times.

இரா.முருகன் கதைகள்

2010-11-05T23:41:00.000-07:00

சிறுகதைகள் வாசிப்பது என்றுமே ஒரு அருமையான அனுபவம். ஒவ்வொரு கதையிலும் ஒரு தனி உலகம், புது கதாபாத்திரங்கள், சூழல்கள் என கதை, களம் எல்லாம் மாறும். வழக்கமான சிறுகதைகளாக இல்லாமல் வித்தியாச நடையில் உள்ள கதைகள் இன்னும் விசேஷம்.

அன்மையில் நூலகம் சென்ற போது இரா. முருகனின் கதைகள்(கிழக்கு பதிப்பகம்) கண்ணில் பட்டது. நான் ஏற்கனவே அவரின் மூன்று விரல் நாவலைப் படித்திருக்கிறேன். மேலே சொன்ன விதிகளில் எனக்கு ஈடுபாடு இருந்ததால் முருகனின் கதைகள் என் பையில் வீடு திரும்பியது.

அருமையான வாசிப்பு அனுபவம். ஒவ்வொரு கதையும் ஒரு ரகம். என்பது கதைகள் உள்ள இந்த தொகுதி நிச்சயம் படிக்கப் பட வேண்டியது-ஆற அமர. எல்லாக் கதைகளிலும் பிரதானமாக இருக்கும் தேடல், கனவுக்கும் நனவுக்கும் இடைப்பட்ட சஞ்சரிப்பு, யதார்த்தமான உண்மைகள் பளிச்சென்று சொல்லப்பட்ட விதம் இப்படி எல்லாம் சேர்ந்து என்னை புதியதோர் பயணத்திற்கு இழுத்து சென்றன.

குறிப்பாக எனக்கு இன்ன கதைகள் தான் பிடிக்கும் என்று பட்டியல் போடுவது கஷ்டம். அப்பேர்ப்பட்ட தேர்த்தி. நடையிலும் ஒரு கூர்மையான பாணி. இருந்தாலும் ஆழ்வார், எழுத்ததிகாரம், எழுத்துக்காரர், வீதி, கோயில் துரை கதைகள் என்னை கவர்ந்தவை. சாதாரண மனிதர்களின் சாதாரணத் தேடல்கள், அதற்க்கு அவர்கள் மேற்கொள்ளும் முயற்சிகள்-ஆழ்வாரில் ஆஞ்சநேய பஜனைக்காக ஆள் தேடும் அந்த பெரியவர், எழுத்துக்காரர் கதையில் உள்ள கடித வடிவிலான நிஜம் (எதிர்காலத்தில் நமக்கும் அப்படி ஒருவர் தேவைப்படலாம், யார் கண்டது?), பல ஆண்டுகளுக்கு முன்னாள் எடுத்த சினிமா படத்தைப் பற்றி விபரம் தேடி வரும் வெளி நாட்டவனுக்காக படக் குழுவினரை தேடி போகும் இரண்டு அறிவாளிகள் -வீதி, இப்படி நிறைய. A walk between reality and fantasy coupled with the harsh truth as it is-excellent!

அருமையான வாசிப்பு அனுபவம் வேண்டுவோர் அவசியம் படிக்க வேண்டியது.

The Phantom

2010-11-03T01:36:00.000-07:00

In my reading sojourns, I have been introduced to many interesting characters. But none stole my heart like the Phantom, known as மாயாவி in Tamil.

Watching The Phantom in HBO yesterday night stirred up my Phantom memory bank and here I am.

Have you read a Tamil comics by name of Rani Comics? It was an old comics magazine/book published weekly for Rs.2/- long back. The Phantom was the prime attraction in Rani Comics then. And I was it's chief patron(in my childish mind) then.

My grandfather introduced me to Rani Comics and in particular to the Phantom, a.k.a the ghost who walks. The immortal man who lives on for 400 years(in actual sense, he is the 21st descendant of a line of Phantoms protecting the Bengalia jungles and often venturing out into the city on dangerous missions). The way he would read aloud the story seating me on his lap, with his own cacophony of special effects(all produced from his mouth of course just like how 20th Century Fox films open) made me a hooker to the comics.

I would wait with impatience as every week he would get me that weeks Rani Comics. There were a variety of other heroes like Mandrake the magician, Lothar the strongman, Garth the hulk, Modesty Blake, but Kit Walker/Phantom remains till now my favorite.

His strong physique, his masked dress with a purplish color with a gun belt, the two rings that he wore-one having the symbol of a skull as a warning to his enemies and the other bearing two crosses-a symbol of protection to his friends and well wishers, his horse and wold named Hero and Devil, his skull shaped cave in the jungle housing the throne and archives of his ancestors, his lady love Diana Palmer, his close friend Guran the midget who is his confidant and ally, the jungle tribesmen who beleive in the legend of the 'ghost who walks' -all made an interesting fantasy land to a boy like me.

I bet my imaginative and risk taking ideas came after I started reading the Phantom comics. Watching the film starring Billy Zane yesterday night still made me feel high spirited as I felt when I was reading the comics in my childhood days.

I still am his ardent fan. Long live The Ghost who walks! Hail Lee Falks!

Billy Zane who played The Phantom in the film:

The Rani Comics cover featuring The Phantom:

The Phantom as illustrated in Rani Comics(Tamil)-in B & W:

The Phantom ring embossing the skull:

The Phantom Belt with slings for the guns:

Another huge draw in Rani Comics and my favorite-Mandrake and Lothar:

The Complete Robot

2010-10-29T21:09:00.000-07:00

Sometimes doing a particular thing stirs up our interest to learn about another thing. It is a chain reaction as we get interested in one thing from another thing and get to know about this one.

Watching Endhiran got me interested in robots and I decided to start off with a few robot stories. What better place to start than Issac Asimov, the man who coined the term robotics and is considered the pioneer in that area? So voila!

The Complete Robot is a collection of short stories on robots by Asimov. For those who are familiar with Asimov's robots, this will be a pleasant journey back as you savor the stories you've read. To the rest, you will find this collection stimulating to your intellect.

As Asimov himself writes in his foreword and as a prelude before every collection-there are stories on various robots grouped together-Non-Human robots, Metallic Robots, Humanoid Robots, Immobile Robots-the stories are a collection of wit, humor, logic, ticklish, philosophical in nature. There is this story of a robot designed for Lunar Orbit which goes astray in Earth(Robot AL-76 goes astray) and the havoc it creates in entering a farm. And yet there is this thinking robot who reasons out who he is and what his purposes are-Reason and the politician robot in The Tera centenary Incident-intelligent out of ordinary robots. And there is the battle of wits between man and robots in Mirror Image, the automataban robots who are self defensive in Sally and lots more.

Telling too much would spoil the fun. So read and enjoy the positronic brains and the intellectual stimuli they offer. Good reading, folks! I am already wondering how it would be if all these come true...I will be back with more.

நாய்ப்பயல்

2010-10-24T21:01:00.000-07:00

'லொள் லொள் லொள்'
என்று குறைக்கும் எங்கள்
பக்கத்து வீட்டு நாயப்பயலின்
வீர தீர சூர பிரதாபங்கள்
ஏராளம் ஏராளம்!
அவனுக்கு அறிவும் அதைவிட
ஏராளம் ஏராளம்!
பகலெல்லாம் சமர்த்து பயல்
இரவானால் வால் பயல்
கட்டவிழ்த்துவிட்டால் போதும்
தொடங்கிடுவான் அவன் விளையாட்டுக்களை
திவ்ய திருவிளையாடல்களை!
உள்ளே வெளியே வரமுடியாது யாரும்
பேப்பர் கீப்பர் படிக்க முடியாது ஒருவரும்
சாப்பாடும் திங்க முடியாது ஒருவரும்
'என்னை கவனிக்காமல் உனக்கு என்ன வேலை?'-என்று
கேட்க்கும் விதத்தில் பிடுங்கி எடுத்திடுவான்
அவனுக்கு சாப்பாடோ வித விதமாய்!
ஒரு நாள் பால் மட்டும்
குடித்து உபவாசம் இருப்பான்
பிறிதொரு நாள் ஆசையாய் தோசை தின்பான்
இன்னுமொரு நாள் பிரட் மட்டும் போதுமென்பான்
இன்னும் ஒரு நாள் அதுவும் பத்தாதென்று
சமயலறையில் வந்து நிற்பான் வாலாட்டி
சரிக்கு சமமாக உக்கார்ந்து டிவி பார்ப்பான்
வீட்டிலுள்ள எல்லாவற்றையும் முகர்ந்து
இருப்பவனை எல்லாம் பயமுறுத்தி விட்டு
ஒன்றுமே தெரியாது போல் பாவமாய்
படுத்திருப்பான் வாசல் படியில்
என்னைத் தாண்டிப் போய விடுவாயா?
முடியுமா? என்னும் விதமாய் பார்ப்பான் ஒரு பார்வை
மாடிக்கு போனால்
கீழே போனால்
வாக்கிங் போனால்
நானும் வருவேன் என்று வீராப்பு பண்ணுவான்
நினைத்தது நடக்காவிடில் பண்ணுவான் ரகளை
அவனை சமாளிப்பது ஒரு தனி கலை!
பண்டிகை வந்தால் நமக்கெல்லாம் துணிமணி
அவனுக்கோ நித்தம் ஒரு துணிமணி!
எல்லோரின் ஞாபகர்த்தமாக லவட்டிடுவான்
ஒரு துணியை
போனது போனதுதான் என்று விடவேண்டியதுதான்
'கடன் கேட்டால் எலும்பு முறியும்'-இது பழசு
'துணி கேட்டால் எலும்பு முறியும்'-இது புதுசு!
விளையாட பந்து, ரப்பர், கழி இருந்தாலும்
நாங்களே அவனுக்கு ஏற்ற விளையாட்டுப் பொருட்கள்!
எங்களின் நண்பன்
எங்களின் பாதுகாவலன்
எங்களின் டாமி
எங்கள் பாஸ்
எல்லாம் அவனே!
அவனுக்கு வாலும் நீட்டம்
நாக்கும் நீட்டம்
அவனுக்காகவே ஸ்பெஷல் பதார்த்தங்கள் செய்வாள்
என் அம்மா
'பாவம்டா பயல். நாக்கு செத்து போய இருப்பான்
நல்லதாய் போட வேண்டாமோ?' - என்று விசனத்துடன்
அவனுக்கு தினமும் விருந்து வைப்பாள்!
'நான் போடுறதை அவன் ஒருத்தன் தான்
கேள்வி கேட்காமல் தின்கிறான்
உங்களைப் போல் இல்லை' என்று அவனுக்காக பரிந்து பேசுவாள்!
'மவனே யோகமடா உனக்கு
போன பிறவியில் என்ன பண்ணினாய்?' - என்று
என் அப்பா கேட்க்கும் அளவிற்கு அவன் அம்மா செல்லம்!
எல்லாம் இருந்தும் ஒரு நாள் அவனை பார்க்காவிடில்
வருத்தம் தான் ஏக்கம் தான்
இதுவே எங்களின் பக்கத்து வீட்டு நாயப்பயலின்
வரலாறு இதற்க்கு ஈடு கிடையாது! கிடையாது!

Mathilukal

2010-10-16T09:19:00.000-07:00

The habit of reading takes you to territories you have never thought of. It opens you a new world which no one can imagine. I have been a traveler to many such dreamy lands through my books. Today I write about yet another one of my journeys-Vaikkom Mohd. Basheer's Mathilukal.

I must thank my friends and readers for instilling in me the interest to delve deep into literature. Thanks to you, I have discovered the nectar of Malayalam literature. I have read Neela.Padmanaban and MT's works and enjoyed every word of it, but Basheer took me far away to a land I have not seen through his work.

The story is well known as it also came out in the form of an award winning film by the same name by Adoor Gopalakrishnan, starring Mammootty. It is about a convict who gets transferred to the central jail. He is lodged in a cell next to the womens' jail. The only thing that separates him from the womens' block is a wall, called mathil in Tamil and aptly named so. His acquaintances with a woman prisoner and the aftermaths are brilliantly captured here-albeit the play of human nature and emotions.

This is the first work of Mohd.Basheer I have read and am reviewing, and I must say I am floored. Such realistic portrayal without mincing anything, especially the wonderful play with human emotions, drawing from his own life experience is a wonderful read. I have read Neel.Padmanaban's Pallikondapuram and Thalaimuraigal, but Basheer is a different nut to crack open, rich in taste and content.

The way he portrays the convict's character as he enters the prison, his mannerisms, his disappointment when the warder confiscates his 'treasures' and the clever way he gets them back, his humaneness as he tends to flowers and helps the other prisoners, especially death row inmates by fulfilling their last wishes, his imaginative ideas in using the blade and match sticks-that part is a must read and will bring a smile to your lips, his dreamy world and confidence-all are wonderful indeed. The way he bemoans his fate when his freedom is taken away in the nick of time is a delight to read.

When he get a 'whiff' of what is in store for him in his latest visit and rejoices that he is next to the women's block, his sudden change of demeanor when he gets to talk to Narayani, a woman inmate and does things for her in the hope that he would meet her somehow and the way he nurtures hope, what reality has in store for him at the end-such straightforward, artistic treatment!

The end is a jolt of reality which some of us may find unacceptable, but is an apt one. A must read for all lovers of serious literature, especially Malayalam literature lovers.

எங்கும் தமிழ்! எதிலும் தமிழ்!

2010-10-11T22:12:00.000-07:00

உள்ளே உங்கள் ஆங்கில பூர்வீகமே இருக்கலாம், ஆனால் கண்டிப்பாக தலைப்பு தமிழில்தான் இருக்க வேண்டும்.
-இம்சை அரசன் 23-ம புலிகேசி படத்தில் இருந்து.

எதை நினைத்து சிம்புதேவன் இந்த வசனத்தை வைத்தாரோ, இன்றைய நிலைமைக்கு கச்சிதமாகப் பொருந்துகிறது. இன்றைக்கு வெளிவரும் படங்கள்-குறிப்பாக தமிழ் படங்களின் நிலைமை இதுதான்.

தலைப்பை மட்டும் தமிழில் வைத்துவிட்டு, வரி விலக்கை அனுபவித்துக் கொண்டு இவர்கள் செய்யும் 'கலை சேவை' இருக்கிறதே, அடாடா! பிரமாதம். ஒன்றிலும் கதை இல்லை, கருத்து இல்லை(அதெல்லாம் எவன் கேக்கறான்? நமக்கு காசு வந்தால் சரி!), குறைந்த பட்சம் நல்ல வசனமே இல்லை. எல்லாம் ஏடாகூடமான வார்த்தைகள். ஒரு சில படங்களே பிடிவாதமாக நல்ல கருத்துக்களோடு வருகின்றன-ஆனால் ஓடுவதில்லை.

சினிமாவில் தான் இப்படி என்றால் அரசிலும் இதே நிலைமைதான். இது ஜனநாயக நாடு-சிலர் பணநாயகம் என்று கூறினாலும் நமக்கு கொஞ்சம் நம்பிக்கை உண்டு-நாம் கருத்து சொல்லலாம். எல்லா கோப்புகளிலும் தமிழில் தன் இருக்க வேண்டும் என்று உத்தரவு இட வேண்டும், வழக்குகள் தமிழில் தான் வாதாட வேண்டும் என்று கோரிக்கை, போராட்டம், திடீரென்று எங்கிருந்து பீறிட்டது இந்த தமிழ் பற்று? எல்லாம் தமாஷாக இருக்கிறது. தமிழல்லாத வேற்று மொழிக்காரர்கள் என்ன செய்வார்கள்? ஒரு கேரளா அதிகாரி எப்படி தமிழில் இருக்கும் கோப்பில் கையெழுத்திட முடியும்? அவருக்கு எடுத்து சொன்னாலும் செய்தி சரியாக போய சேரும் என்று என்ன நிச்சயம்?

ஆமாம், தமிழை பாடமாக எடுத்து படிக்கும் எல்லா மாணவர்களுக்கும் வேலை கிடைக்கிறதா? எம். ஏ. தமிழ் படித்த புண்ணியவான்கள் எந்த வேலையில் இருக்கிறார்கள்? மொழி வளர்ச்சி தேவைதான், ஆனால் இந்த அளவில் போனால் அவ்வளவு தான்.

நாட்டு முன்னேற்றத்திற்கு செய்ய எவ்வளவோ வேலைகள் இருக்கும் போது இந்த வேலை தானா அகப்பட்டது இவர்களுக்கு?

பி.கு:
சினிமாக்காரர்களுக்கு சில தடாலடி(!)யோசனைகள்:

உங்களின் தமிழ் பற்றை வளர்க்க-

#தமிழ் நாட்டில் பிறந்தவர்களுக்கு மட்டும் படங்களில் வாய்ப்பு

#தமிழர்கள் மட்டும்தான் தமிழ் படங்களை பார்க்க வேண்டும் என்று கோரிக்கை வைத்தல்

#பக்கத்து மாநிலங்களில் மறந்து போய கூட நம் படங்களை வெளியிடாமல் இருப்பது

#அப்படியே வெளியிட்டாலும் அங்குள்ள தமிழர்கள் மட்டும் படத்தை பார்க்க அனுமதித்தல்

இதையெல்லாம் செய்வதால் பணம் வரும் என்று எதிர்பார்க்காமல் இருப்பது...ஏன்னா நாம தமிழர்கள் இல்லையா, நமக்கு மொழி தான் முக்கியம்..காசு அப்புறம் தான்!

மேலும் யோசனைகள் வரும்...எப்புடி???

Punctuality

2010-10-09T23:26:00.000-07:00

May be we should strike out the word from our dictionary. So used are we in not keeping time that we can call ourselves as Punctuality Violators or even better non-punctualites.

Why do we maintain time? Literally to do the work on time. To reach a destination on time. To do our job correctly. It is not a thing to be taken easily. It is to be taken seriously. Cultivated as a quality. Not to be lectured upon.

Go to a function which advertises that it starts by 10 AM. No one arrives until the hour. Even the chief guest arrives at 10.20AM and marches in as if nothing happens. There are very few instances where the show or event begins on time. I went to a seven day yoga session some time back. The classes began at 6AM sharp come what may. The volunteers shut the door at 6.01 AM and did not allow any one to enter. And even better, the participants arrived and assembled in the class by 5.55AM on ALL THE DAYS. Now that is a quality we ought to look upon. And yet there are very few people who make it at least 10 minutes early to the place. I have a friend who is a stickler for time and would feel uncomfortable if he goes 1 minute late to an appointment-be it a doctor or anywhere. To him, punctuality is a virtue. Not something external.

This late-comer habit has taken such an impression that no student turns up in class on time. Take a class at 6 PM. We are so punctual that we turn up at 6.30 and the faculty has no option but to admit us inside. Because if the faculty bars us from entering the class because we are not punctual, we report this as if our rights are curtailed. Save instances when we are genuinely delayed due to traffic(even then we ought to plan our departure and arrivals) or any unforeseen events, we MUST maintain time.

Think of the person responsible for taking the class or running the show or event. We are humiliating him/her by our late arrival. Think-when our teacher arrives early to take a class/when the speaker arrives on time to make a presentation or speech, why can't we be responsible?

Some of my readers may disagree with my views, but it is a fact which you cannot ignore. We call ourselves professionals. But the basic quality of a pro-keeping time is not there. It starts from a simple step-taking the initiative. We do everything else. We act like a sheep rather like a lion.

எந்திரன்

2010-10-05T03:17:00.000-07:00

சுஜாதா

இப்பொழுது சுஜாதா இருந்திருந்தால் நிச்சயம் சந்தோஷப்படுவார். அவரின் விஞ்ஞானக் கதைகள் இந்த அளவுக்கு அருமையாக திரை வடிவில் வந்ததில்லை. கதை ஷங்கருடையது என்றாலும் அதன் உருவாக்கத்தில் பெரும் பங்கு சுஜாதாவுக்கே. அதில் எந்த சந்தேகமும் இல்லை. இந்தக் கதை அவரின் 'என் இனிய இயந்திராவை' ஞாபகப்படுத்துகிறது. நிச்சயம் இது ஒரு மைல் கல். இந்த படக்கதை நாவலாக வந்தால் இன்னும் நன்றாக இருக்கும் படிப்பதற்கு.

ரஜினி

அடடா, எவ்வளவு நாளாயிற்று ரஜினியின் வில்லன் நடிப்பைப் பார்த்து! அதுவும் இதில் ஒன்றுக்கு இரண்டு, இல்லை இல்லை நூறு ரஜினிகள்....களைகட்டுகிறது ஆட்டம். நிச்சயமாக என் வோட்டு சிட்டிக்கே. விஞ்ஞானி ரஜினி அடக்கமான பாத்திரம். ஆராய்ச்சி, காதல் என்ற இரண்டு வட்டங்கள் அவருக்கு. சிட்டி என்கிற ரோபோட்டாக வரும் இரண்டாம் ரஜினி தூள் கிளப்புகிறார். ஒரு இயந்திரத்தின் நடை, பாவனை, பேச்சு எல்லாம் அப்படியே தத்ரூபமாக இருக்கிறது. முதல் முதலாக சிட்டி வரும் போதே விசில் பறக்கிறது. அதற்க்கு மேல் எல்லா குத்தகையும் சிட்டிக்கே! டிவியை 'போடுவதிலிருந்து' கார் ஓட்டுவதில் இருந்து ஐஸ்வர்யாவை டாவடிப்பது, விஞ்ஞானி ரஜினியைக் கலாய்ப்பது, என்று முதல் பாதியில் அவரின் ஆட்டம் அபாரம்.

இரண்டாம் பாதியில் வரும் சிட்டி...ஆஹா...அட்டகாசமான வில்லன்! கண்ணாடியில் தன்னை பார்த்து சிரிக்கும் அந்த சிரிப்பு, தெனாவட்டாக சவால் விடும் அந்த தன்னம்பிக்கை, அசால்ட்டாக எல்லாவற்றையும் அடித்து நொறுக்கும் அந்த குரூரம், சபாஷ்!

இவ்வளவு இருந்தும் முதல் பாதியில் வரும் சிட்டி மீதி இரண்டு ரஜினிகளையும் தூக்கி சாப்பிடுகிறார். இறுதியில் மானிடத்தைப் பற்றி சிட்டி சொல்லும் வார்த்தைகள் ஒவ்வொன்றும் நிஜம். ரஜினிக்கு இது மறக்க முடியாத படம்.

ஐஸ்வர்யா

இந்த கதையே அவரை சுற்றிதான் இருக்கிறது. வசீகரனும் சிட்டியும் போட்டி போட்டுக்கொண்டு ஐஸைக் காதலிக்கும் இடங்கள் நல்ல romance. அதிலும் உணர்ச்சிகள் வந்த பிறகு சிட்டி அவருக்காக செய்யும் வேலைகள் தூள் ரகம். ஐஸ்வர்யாவுக்காக கொசு என்ன, மலையைக் கூட கொண்டு வரலாம். அவ்வளவு அழகு. வெறும் பொம்மையாக இல்லாமல் சிறந்த நடிப்பையும் வெளிப்படுத்தி இருக்கிறார். சிட்டிக்காக வசீகரனிடம் வாதாடுவது, சிட்டியின் பிடியில் இருந்தும் அவனுக்காக பரிதாபப்படுவது, முதல் முதலாக சிட்டி மேடை ஏறி பேசும் பொது சந்தோஷப்படுவது, தமாஷாக Toy Friend என்று அவனைக் கலாய்ப்பது என்று ஐஸ்வர்யா புகுந்து விளையாடிருக்கிறார்

ஷங்கர்

நான் அநேகமாக ஷங்கரின் எல்லா படங்களையும் பார்த்து இருக்கிறேன். எல்லாவற்றிலும் நல்ல கருத்துகளோடு பிரம்மாண்டம் இருக்கும். எந்திரன் அவரின் முந்தைய படங்களில் ஒரு திருப்புமுனை. குறிப்பாக இறுதி முப்பது நிமிடங்கள் அட்டகாசம். சண்டைகாட்சிகள் நம்மை once more கேட்க வைக்கும். A good entertaining, message oriented film.

ரஹ்மான்

இப்படி ஒரு கதைக்கு எப்படி இசை தர வேண்டுமோ அப்படி தந்திருக்கிறார் இசைப் புயல். குறிப்பாக காதல் அணுக்கள் பாட்டு நல்ல மெலடி. இடைவெளிக்கு பிறகு வரும் இரண்டாவுது சிட்டி அறிமுகமாகும் போது பின்னணி இசை ஜோர் ரகம். சிட்டி-சனா ஆடும் அந்த நடனம் நம்மை தாளம் போட வைக்கும். உறுத்தாத இசை.

கவிப்பேரசு வைரமுத்து இந்த படத்தின் இசை வெளியிட்டு விழாவில் ரஜினியை மந்திரவாதி என்றார். அது மிகையல்ல. ரஜினி மந்திரம் நம்மை முழுவது ஆட்டுவிக்கிறது.

நிச்சயம் பார்க்க வேண்டிய படம். குறிப்பாக குழந்தைகள் ரசிப்பார்கள்.

???

2010-09-30T00:51:00.000-07:00

They say that you develop your knowledge by asking questions. The questioner is a fool when he asks the Q, but is a wise man when his question is answered. For, he is enlightened. Goethe Sauthon says-Know thyself. So do our own Rishis and scriptures. This is done by asking questions. But, are all our questions answered readily?

I have been an ardent questioner right from my childhood-that's what my mum says and is proud to admit it. I have a beloved aunt who recollects how I pestered her about how potatoes are fried when I visited her as a child. Well, questons are not as simple as about potatoes. They are bigger as you grow up.

A guy with an inquisitive mind has a hurdle at the very first time he puts his mind to work-the jealousy of the ignorant mind. I have been labeled as rude and arrogant for questioning my school teachers and for possessing knowledge beyond the text books. In college, I was treated differently, labeled an eccentric and a book worm. I was not surprised, but calmly dismissed the labels and went about in my way, knowing that there are very few minds which are ready to answer questions. As long as I kept my mind working, I would learn more.

I would be the first to spring up and ask a Q in every seminar in my college. I was ridiculed, bullied and threatened(!) for asking questions and prolonging the sessions(who wants to sleep in that hall? finish up and let's go!) I surrendered in the library to quench my thirst. I was the only guy in my class to spend my spare time in the library. The recognitions were few, but rich in nature, encouraging me in every aspect.

An inquisitive mind is a constant workshop for new ideas. The fact is the ideas stay on the drawing board alone and are seldom given chance to see the light of the day. If at all they are able to see the day light, they aren't appreciated properly. Some bastard takes away the credit. My innovations in my work place went unrecognized, leaving me seething with rage. Even when you question common things like the running of a bus or a punctuality issue, you are met with scorn and resistance.

The road an inquisitive mind treads is a hard one, albeit with rewards so promising that it is worth traveling that hard road. I round off by recollecting a story I read in a magazine-

There was a parrot vendor offering parrots for sale. A customer asked him about the price range and the vendor says, "Sir, these three parrots are the best among my collection. The first one can recite poetry from any language and costs you 150 bucks. The second one is a gifted painter and can paint any image in a matter of minutes. It costs 200 bucks. The third one is 1000 bucks." " Why 1000 bucks for the third parrot?" asks the customer. The vendor replied, "Sir, this is fixed by the parrots themselves. The third one does not have any special qualities nor does he do anything, but the other two call him BOSS."

How is this???

To Madam, with love

2010-09-10T05:39:00.000-07:00

Nothing grieves you much than losing your teachers. I lost one of my teachers recently. She was my Finance department HOD, Ms.L.Kokilavani M.Com, M.B.A, ICWA, M.Phil, who passed away due to a heart attack.

We at the finance department were introduced to Kokilavani madam in 2005, when our HOD Dr.Nateson left to pursue much richer opportunities. We were at first apprehensive on how she would be, since she came in at an important time in our career-our transition to final year. But all our fears were put to rest by her tender, caring approach. She gave the department a woman's touch-not to miss that we had two women lecturers already. With Vani madam's addition, it certainly acquired a colorful look.

From handling our accounts paper to guiding us through our coursework to helping us in every other bit, Vani madam sealed her place in our hearts and minds by her motherly approach. The most exciting days with her were when we prepared for our inauguration and during our industrial trip to Banglore. She gave us a free hand in everything, at the same time keenly watching us and ready to correct any unwanted errors. We made the inauguration a super hit with accolades raining from all quarters.

The industrial visit was more like a picnic than an industrial visit. Madam's keen attention to details made us the most benefited in the experience. Her guidance in our project work was an invaluable one as every one of us were able to gain a first hand idea about how the entire process should go. The viva voice was even more easier as we became confident under her tutelege. When we were not accorded our due place in the placement interviews, she solved it in her own unique way and saw to it that all of us got a shot at the interview.

These were her words in my scrap book:

Do not lower your goals to the level of your abilities; instead raise your abilities to the height of your goals.

We will always remember you, madam.

நடிகர் முரளி

2010-09-08T08:25:00.000-07:00

பல நாட்களுக்கு முன்பு ஒரு வார இதழில் படித்தது:

நடிகர் சங்கத்தினர் தமிழக முதல்வரை பார்க்க சென்று இருந்தனர். அப்போது ரஜினி தான் எல்லோர் சார்பாக பேசினார். முதல்வர் அறைக்கு வெளியே அவர்கள் காத்திருக்க, நடிகர் சத்யராஜ் அவசரமாக ரஜினியை அழைத்தார். "என்ன? என்ன?" என்று ரஜினி பரபரக்க, சத்யராஜ் குறும்பாக சொன்னார், "தலைவா, நம்ம முரளி ஒரு பத்து பதினஞ்சு படமா காலேஜ் பையனாவே நடிசிட்டுருக்கார். இம்சை தாங்க முடியல. நம்ம சி.எம் கிட்ட சொல்லி அவருக்கு ஒரு பாஸ் மார்க் போட சொல்லுங்க."

இதைகேட்டு அங்கிருந்த எல்லோரும் டென்ஷன் மறந்து சிரித்து விட்டார்கள்-முரளி உட்பட-வெட்கத்துடன்!

இது தான் இன்று அதிகாலை காலமான நடிகர் முரளியின் சிறப்பு. அவர் ஒன்றும் முதல் மூன்று இடத்தைப் பிடித்த கதாநாயகன் இல்லை. அதிரடி ஹீரோவும் இல்லை. ஆனால் யாருக்கும் இல்லாத ஒரு விசேஷம் அவருக்கு இருந்தது. சராசரி யான, யதார்த்தமான கதாபாத்திரங்கள் அவருக்கு அல்வா சாப்பிடுவது போல. பந்தா இல்லாத மனிதர். என்றும் இளமையாகவே காட்சி தந்த நடிகர்களில் அவரும் ஒருவர். புது வசந்தம், பொற்காலம், இதயம், சமுத்திரம், இரணியன், கடல் பூக்கள், சுந்தரா travels போன்ற எண்ணற்ற படங்களில் அவரின் பாத்திரம் ஒரு யதார்த்த மனிதனைப் பிரதிபலிப்பதாக இருந்தது. அதிலும் சுந்தரா travels படத்தில் வடிவேலுவுடன் அவர் அடித்த கூத்து வயிறு கிழியும் சிரிப்பு. சிறந்த நடிப்பாற்றல் இருந்தும் அதிக படங்களில் காதலுக்காக ஏங்கும் கதாநாயகனாகவே அவர் வலம் வந்தார்.

பெற்ற விருதுகளை மட்டும் வைத்து ஒரு நடிகனை எடை போட முடியாது. மக்கள் மனதில், ரசிகர்கள் மனதில் ஒரு நடிகன் எந்த அளவுக்கு இடம் பிடித்திருக்கிறார் என்பதே முக்கியம். அப்படி பார்த்தால் முரளி கடைசி கிராமம் வரை பிரபலம். தமிழ் சினிமாவில் திறமையான நடிகர்களில் அவரும் ஒருவர்.

நடிகர் முரளிக்கும் நடிகர் கார்த்திக்கிற்கும் ஒரு ஒற்றுமை இருந்தது. முரளியின் உண்மையான பெயர் கார்த்திக். கார்த்திக்கின் பெயர் முரளி. அவரின் இழப்பு இனி ஈடு செய்யமுடியாத ஒன்று. தமிழ் சினிமாவில் திறமை இருந்தும் அதிகம் பயன்படுத்தப் படாத நடிகர்களில் நடிகர் முரளியும் ஒருவர்.

ஒரு ரசிகன் என்ற முறையில் அவர் ஆன்மா சாந்தி அடைய இறைவனை வேண்டுகிறேன்.

Teacher's Day

2010-09-03T01:42:00.000-07:00

We must be the only nation to celebrate a day honoring our teachers. And yet, in the recent years, all our celebrations have rather become a routine activity. We seem to have forgotten the true value of these celebrations. The true significance of the day itself is eclipsed in our attempts to prove something else.

It is a known fact that Teachers are the backbone of an educated nation. And yet, it is here, in the knowledge center of the 21st century that we are forsaking our teachers. Rather to say correctly, we do not properly appreciate the true value of our Guru.

There are good teachers and bad teachers. A good teacher needs only five minutes to make a good impression on the students and strives hard in not only teaching the lessons, but does it in such a way that the student never forgets the lesson for the rest of his life. In a way, a good teacher is a good motivator also.

I had an English teacher named Shanti Devi in my school days. We had a lesson on Louie Braille and wonder how she taught that lesson? She asked us to take a paper and punch out our names with a pin and trace it with our fingers-a simple demonstration of Braille's method. She also narrated to us a story of how one of her friends who was blind used to recognize her friends by the sound of their bangles. When we met years later and I narrated how she took that particular class, my teacher was awe struck. She commended me on my memory, but I would say that it is the result of her excellent teaching techniques.

My Hindi tution teacher Reeta used to give me books to read and nurtured my reading habits. I had a Hindi teacher in my school named Sita Krishnan who encouraged us to learn speaking the language by talking in Hindi in our classes. I realized the importance of learning to speak Hindi when I visited Indore for my IIM PhD interview. I am indebted to her always for making us get interested in learning to speak Hindi. We had a Zoology teacher in our school whom we affectionately called Begum Miss. She would encourage us to do small projects to make us practically understand the subject.

There are still many examples of a good teacher. A good teacher makes his/her students participate actively and understand the subject thoroughly, that the student recalls the concept any time. My English teacher in my eighth standard, Ms.Surya Prabha is a perfect example. She made us understand every word in the lesson and even allowed me to take a couple of classes, seeing my enthusiasm in the subject. I gained a love for taking classes and a passion for talking before people. That was the foundation for my confidence building.

In my PG course. my HOD Dr. Nateson would spend the first five to ten minutes in updating us about the current trends and news. We would discuss on all topics, analyze every nook and corner and then proceed to the class. We thus never found his classes boring. He also went a step further in organizing a Friday Forum every week in our class. The forum was a platform to discuss case studies, update on new finance topics and hone our presentation skills. He also encouraged us to take as many seminars as possible and was always present to guide and offer fantastic suggestions to us.

A teacher does all these wonderful things, making the foundation of a student strong and instilling in him an urge to learn more and more. And yet, our teachers are not properly remunerated. This is a shameful fact even in the best schools in India. A teacher does his job selflessly. It would be proper if he is paid well, making him happy and encouraging him to do more. After all, teachers are also human.

It is not enough if we remember what our teachers taught us. We must remember the wonderful values which our teachers inculcated in us. That is the only dakshina we can pay our Gurus. Never forget your teachers.

Madarasapattinam

2010-08-19T08:15:00.000-07:00

I know that I am a little late in reviewing this film. I saw the film only today and am penning my views on the film.

There are a few films which provoke an interest in them even from the start of shooting. Madarasapattinam is one of them. The audio release function was a huge draw with biggies like Kamal Hassan attending the function. So, what is special in Madarasapatttinam? It is a love story, but treated so simply, so lovingly and so poignantly. It makes you sit down and get engrossed in it.

The story of a lower class man and a higher class girl(here the wrestler/dhobi and the Governor's daughter) falling in love is not new to us. But the treatment(set in pre-independent India) is simple, eloquent in emotions and performance-especially from Amy Jackson, touching visuals, melodious songs and fantastic direction.

The film has its lighter and heavier moments. The lighter moments when Arya is introduced chasing a speeding car only to resque his donkey, Arya and gang going to the Governor's palace to say 'Thank you' to the girl(the eloborate preparation they put is a laugh riot, bungling the exact words half way) and heavier moments-when Arya fights the British officer and saves the dhobis' place from being demolished, when he valiantly fights for his love and struggles to come to terms between independence and accepting his love, when the British lady comes to India in the present day seeking to find him and finds him at last- there are such poignant moments in the film.

The songs are melodious, making me hum them after a long time-the vammaa duraiyammaa number is my favourite. When the Indian flag is raised on August 15, 1947, I did shed a few tears, hearing the vande matram shouts. The film, in it's own way instils in you a patriotic fervour. This is the power that the film possesses. And sensible dialogues-when Arya argues as to why Amy should be sent away because she loves him after independence, when the airport authorities make fun of the old lady in Tamil and she gives them a fitting reply-in Tamil, making them fools, et al. The director's subtle message to the audience that we do not realise our own worth but a foreigner knows our value is very clear.

I have been in Chennai for some time and often go there, but have never imagined a Chennai to be so beautiful and full of colors. Thanks to Nirav Shah. I love Madras!

I came out of the theater in tears which I shed last for Aamir's Taare Zameen Par.

The Third Twin

2010-08-18T07:02:00.000-07:00

Imagine you are the only child to your parents. Suddenly you discover that you have a twin brother. Even interesting-his birth date does not match your own. But you are alike in all other aspects including DNA. And that's only the beginning....he is a serial killer.

Ken Follet's The Third Twin takes this interesting knot in hand and gives it a scientific twist. Only here the twins are more than two. There are eight identical persons with the same character and mannerisms, all possessing a brutality in nature-brutal enough that when provoked leads to a dangerous end.

The story starts with Jeannie Ferrami, a scientist studying the charcteristics of identical twins raised apart. In the course of events, she comes across an interesting candidate for her study-Steve Logan, a law student who is charged with a brutal crime which he says he is not guilty of. Events lead to Jeannie discovering that Steve has a double lodged in prison-Dennis Parker who might have committed the crime Steve is accused of. But as it turns out, Parker is not guilty and is only the first of the 'Steves' that turn out, leading to a series of stunning events culminating in a press conference with all the Steves making it onstage.

In stories where two of the characters are identical in appearance(The Man in the iron Mask by Dumas, The Prestige by Christopher Priest, et al), there are some traits that differentiate them, like the flicking of a thumb, manner of walking, voice. But in this story, all the Steves are exact xerox copies of each other-they have the same mannerisms-closing the door with their heel, voice pattern, strength, IQ, everything. It is a battle of wits as the real Steve fights to regain his identity and his love, Jeannie Ferrami.

As you go into the story, you will be engrossed in the way Follet takes you to visit each of the Steves-alike yet subtly different. The ingenious plot that lead to the creation of eight identical Steves is a diabolical one in nature. It will make you sit back and wonder in horror.

A must read for Follet fans and readers of interesting stories.

Birthday Flashbacks

2010-08-04T23:51:00.000-07:00

I always welcome my birthday with a feeling of euphoria and contemplation. Euphoria to the feeling that I am the toast of my friends that day and accorded a hero's welcome, contemplation to the fact that I look back and see what I have done worthy.

In my school days(and even now) I fill my bag with chocolates and distribute among my friends-school/college/office whichever circle I find myself in. The joy of sharing my happiness is a feeling I enjoy very much. When I wish them a happy birthday and see the expression on their faces, nothing gives me more joy than that. I used to look forward to my birthday in my school days. Color dress, sweets, no scoldings, visits to the staff room, Principal's room, library, wishes from friends, it was sweet innocence. Earlier for a couple of years, I would cut a cake at home and would carry the pieces to school. Then I opted out and chocolates replaced cakes.

In college it was a different exposure. Cakes, a layer of cake over my face as a token of my friends' affection and fun, taking them to the canteen for a free treat(all on account, of course!) bunking classes, movies, etc.

As I celebrate my birthday, I also contemplate on what I have done to deserve such love and affection from my fellow homosapiens. The feeling that I ought to do something big, help them and bring a smile to their faces is a recurrent reminder as I come on each birthday. No birthday is complete without a visit to a temple to perform an archana in my name and star-I am a Rohini and am amply rewarded by many friends and well wishers.

And at bedtime, all returns to normal!

Friendship Day

2010-08-01T22:10:00.000-07:00

Come August, a thrill runs down my spine as I get ready for the events and celebrations that follow. Friendship day, my birthday, my bro's birthday, my parents' wedding anniversary, my relatives' birthday all fall on august.

I fondly recollect my college days when we used to celebrate Friendship day w/ lots of fanfare and gusto. We had no restrictions and only needed an excuse to throw down our books and get wild. And Friendship day was one hell of a celebration. How many bands-we used to go home with bands adorning upto our elbows, lol! How many outings, how many cakes we would've devoured! And to top it all, my birthday some time fell on the same day and it was even great to feel the current in the atmosphere.

I should say I am fortunate to have so many lovely friends in all walks of life. It is not restricted to school or college alone. School was a different experience. We either didn't know or were restricted in celebrating friendship day, but the gusto existed in a different tempo.

In my office, we used to have great fun and frolic. Being an outsourcing company, no limit for fun and jumping about. Balloons, pranks, treats, cakes, blah blah blah. They only cared that you finished your files on time. Great, to have experienced a celebration in three different views.

Even as I have and still continue to cultivate friends around the globe, books remain my ever green buddies. For they are with me all the time. Many of my friends are far away in different parts of the globe and I satisfy myself in seeing them over FB, orkut and photos taken long ago. But books....are a different matter.

Whenever I am in the blues I turn around a few snaps of my friends and am rewarded with a feeling of positive vibration and energy. Such is the feeling and warmth a friend can bring, even if he is far away. Celebrate my friends, and most importanyt of all celebrate life, for it offeres you lessons no one can teach you any where.

சுஜாதாவின் குறுநாவல்கள்-மூன்றாம் தொகுதி

2010-07-18T00:26:00.000-07:00

எனது அலமாரியில் என்றுமே சுஜாதாவின் புஸ்தகங்களுக்கு தனி இடம் உண்டு. அதிலும் கணேஷ் -வசந்த் கதைகள் என்றால் இன்னும் விசேஷம். இதோ உங்களுக்காக இன்னுமொரு விமர்சனம்.

நான் நீண்ட நாளாகத் தேடிக்கொண்டிருந்த கணேஷ் வசந்த் கதைகள் இதில் அடக்கம்-சுஜாதாவின் குறுநாவல்கள்-மூன்றாம் தொகுதி-கணேஷ்-வசந்த் (உயிர்மை பதிப்பகம், விலை ரூ. 400/-).

இதில் உள்ள கதைகள் கிழ் வருமாறு:

பாதி ராஜ்ஜியம்
ஒரு விபத்தின் அனாடமி
மாயா
காயத்ரி
விதி
மேற்கே ஒரு குற்றம்
மேலும் ஒரு குற்றம்
உன்னைக் கண்ட நேரமெல்லாம்
மீண்டும் ஒரு குற்றம்
அம்மன் பதக்கம்
மெரீனா
புகார்..புகார்..புகார்
ஐந்தாவது அத்தியாயம்.

இனி கதைகளைப் பற்றி பார்ப்போம்.

பாதி ராஜ்ஜியம்: நைலான் கயிற்றில் அறிமுகம் ஆன கணேஷை நாம் மறுபடியும் டெல்லியில் சந்திக்கிறோம். நீரஜா என்னும் பெண் அவனைத் தேடி வருகிறாள்-அவள் பணக்கார அப்பாவின் சார்பாக. மோதலில் ஆரம்பிக்கும் கதை போக போக ஒரு blackmail நாடகத்தில் சங்கமித்து இறுதியில் ஒரு எதிர்பாராத திருப்பதோடு முடிகிறது. பாதி ராஜ்ஜியம் அந்த பணக்காரர் கணேஷுக்கு குடுக்கும் பரிசு. தனியாக இருந்தாலும் கணேஷ் காட்டும் சாமர்த்தியம், ஒவ்வொரு நூலாக அலசி ஆராய்ந்து அவன் முடிவை யூகிக்கும் தேர்ச்சி நம்மை வியக்க வைக்கும்.

ஒரு விபத்தின் அனாடமி: டெல்லியின் பரபரப்பான சந்து பொந்துகளில் ஒன்றில் ஒரு கோர விபத்து நடக்கிறது. விபத்தில் பாதிக்க பட்டவரும் அந்த விபத்தை பார்த்த ஒரே சாட்சியும் கணேஷின் உதவியை நாடுகிறார்கள். எந்த தடயமும் இல்லாமல் கணேஷ் விபத்திற்கு காரணமானவனைக் கண்டுபிடிக்கும் கதை இது. வெறும் கற்பனையாக மட்டும் இல்லாமல் மூளைக்கு நல்ல வேலை குடுக்கிறார் சுஜாதா. ஒவ்வொரு செங்கல்லாக கணேஷ் நகர்த்தும்போதும், இறுதியில் குற்றவாளியைக் கண்டுபிடித்து அவனை அணுகும் பொது குடுக்கப்படும் poetic justice நம்மை நிமிர்ந்து உக்கார வைக்கும். A very excellent story.

மாயா: இது போலி சாமியார்களின் காலம். இந்தக் கதையும் ஒரு ஆசிரமத்தில் நடக்கிறது. வழக்கு ஒன்றை நடத்துவதற்காக ஒரு ஆசிரமம் செல்லும் கணேஷ் அங்கு எதிர்கொள்ளும் சவால்களே கதை. கூடுதல் ஊக்கமாக இதில் வசந்த் அறிமுகமாகிறான். முதல் கதையிலேயே வசந்த்தின் குறும்புத்தனங்கள் நம்மை 'அட' போட வைக்கின்றன. உதாரணமாக:

"ஒன்று: வாசுதேவனை போய பார்க்க வேண்டும்".

"ஒ.கே."
.
"இரண்டு: இந்த கேஸ் சம்பந்தப்பட்ட எல்லா தகவல்களும் வேண்டும்".

"ஒ.கே"

"மூன்று: ஒரு பாட்டில் பீர்".

"பீரா? எப்பொழுது?"

"இப்பொழுதே!"

"ரெடி". என்றான் சிரித்துக்கொண்டே.

இந்தக் கதை நிறைய விமர்சனங்களை சந்தித்ததாக சொல்வார்கள். ஆனால் ஒரு விறுவிறுப்பான கதை என்பதைத் தாண்டி ஒன்றும் ஏடாகூடமாக நமக்கு இதில் தெரிவதில்லை-கூர்ந்து வாசித்தால்.

காயத்ரி: இந்த பெயரில் ரஜினி, ஸ்ரீதேவி நடித்த படம் பற்றி நான் அறிவேன். ஆனால் கதை இன்னும் சுவாரசியமாக இருந்தது. கதாசியரே சொல்லுவதாக அமைந்திருக்கும் இந்தக் கதையில் கணேஷ்-வசந்த்திற்கு வேலை கம்மிதான். ஆனால் இறுதியில் ஈடுகுடுக்கிரார்கள் அபாரமாக. அவர்கள் இருவரையும் விட கதாநாயகி காயத்ரி நம் மனத்தில் அதிக இடம் பிடிக்கிறாள்.

விதி: ஒரு பஸ் விபத்து, காணாமல் போன ஒரு அண்ணன், அழகான தங்கை, இதில் என்ன முடிச்சுக்கள் இருக்கும்? உண்டு என்கிறது விதி. சம்பந்தமே இல்லாத முடிச்சுக்களை வைத்துக்கொண்டு கணேஷ் ஓட்ட வைக்கும் இடங்கள் புத்திசாலித்தனத்தின் ஆச்சர்ய உதாரணங்கள்.

மேற்கே ஒரு குற்றம்: கணேஷை ஒரு நடனக் குழுவை சேர்ந்த பெண் காண வருகிறாள். ஆனால் எதுவும் சொல்லும் முன் கொல்லப் படுகிறாள். விசாரணை கணேஷ்-வசந்த்தை ஜெர்மனி பக்கம் ஒரு போதை மருந்து கடத்தல் கும்பலிடம் கொண்டு செல்கிறது. அவர்கள் அதை சமாளிக்கும் விதமே இந்த கதை. காகிதத்தில் வரையப்படும் வட்டங்கள், கணேஷ் அதை வைத்து ஆடும் ஆட்டம் அருமையான இடங்கள்.

மேலும் ஒரு குற்றம்: ஒரு அனாமநேய டெலிபோன் அழைப்பு வருகிறது கணேஷுக்கு. பிறகு அழைத்தவர் கொலையுண்டு போகிறார். ஒரே சாட்சி கணேஷ்! எப்படி இருக்கும்? கொலையாளியின் சாதுர்யமான அணுகுமுறைகள் கணேஷை குழப்ப வைக்கின்றன, நம்மையும் சேர்த்து.

உன்னைக் கண்ட நேரமெல்லாம்: 'ப்ரியா' படித்தவர்கள் இந்த கதையை அதன் தொடர்ச்சியாக பார்க்கலாம். மற்றவர்கள் புதிய பார்வையோடு நோக்கலாம். ஒரு நடிகையை மிரட்டும் கடிதங்கள் கணேஷ்-வசந்த்தை எங்கெல்லாம் இழுத்துச் செல்கின்றது என்பதே கதை.

மீண்டும் ஒரு குற்றம்: சுஹாசினி தயாரித்த தொடர்களில் இந்த கதை இடம் பெற்றது. மர்மங்களுக்கும் திகிலுக்கும் பஞ்சம் இல்லாத கதை. விடுமுறைக்காக மெர்க்காரா செல்லும் கணேஷ்-வசந்துக்கு ஒரு சவால் காத்திருக்கிறது. அவர்கள் ஜெயித்தார்களா என்பது....படித்து தெரிந்து கொள்ளுங்கள். சதுரங்க ஆட்டம் போல சிந்தனைக்கு வேலை வைக்கும் கதை இது.

அம்மன் பதக்கம்: அம்மன் கோவிலில் இருக்கும் ஒரு விலை உயர்ந்த பதக்கம் காணாமல் போகிறது. பதக்கதோடு ஒரு பெண்ணும் ஒரு பைத்தியக்காரனும் சம்பந்தப் படுகிறார்கள். பதக்கத்தை கணேஷ் வசந்த் கண்டு பிடித்து மேலும் முடிச்சுக்களை அவிழ்க்கும் சுவாரசியங்கள் நிறைந்த கதை.

மெரீனா: மெரீனா கடற்கரையை மையமாக வைத்து பின்னப்பட்ட கதை. மெரீனாவில் பொழுது போக்கிற்காக செல்லும் ஒரு பணக்கார இளைஞன் கொலை குற்றத்தில் மாட்டிக்கொள்கிறான். சாதாரணமாக இதை அணுகும் கணேஷ்-வசந்த் இதில் இன்னும் புதை குழிகளைக் கண்டுப்பிடிப்பதே கதை. இறுதி முடிவு நம்மை திருப்திபடுத்தும் விதமாக இருக்கும்.

புகார்..புகார்..புகார்: ஒரு pipe ரிப்பேர் விஷயம் கணேஷ்-வசந்தை பாடாய் படுத்தும் சுவாரசியமான கதை. அள்ள அள்ள குறையாத பணம் போல் இதில் அள்ளக் குறையாத பிணங்கள் நம்மை பயமுறுத்தும். Raskol Nikov Syndrome என்ற சிந்தாந்தத்தை வைத்து பின்னப்பட்ட கதை. சட்டம் படித்தவர்கள், சட்டம் பயிலுவோர் இந்தக் கதையை அதிகம் ரசிப்பார்கள்.

ஐந்தாவது அத்தியாயம்: மர்மக் கதையில் வரும் சம்பவங்கள் நம் வாழ்க்கையில் நடந்தால்? அதுவும் வரிக்கு வரி நடந்தால்? இது தான் இந்தக் கதையின் முடிச்சு. பிரபல இருதய மருத்துவர் ஒருவரின் மனைவிக்கு இப்படி ஒரு நிலை வருகிறது. அதுவும் அவள் வாசிக்கும் மர்மக் கதையின் ஐந்தாவது அத்தியாயம் முடிவதற்குள் அவள் கொலையுண்டு போவாள் என்கிறது கதை. அந்த கொலை நடப்பதற்குள் கணேஷ் -வசந்த் அதை தடுத்து நிறுத்துவார்களா என்பது suspense. விறுவிறுப்பு கம்மி என்றாலும் (என்னை பொறுத்தவரையில்) இறுதியில் முடிச்சுக்கள் அவிழும் பொது கணேஷின் மூளை இன்சூர் செய்யப்பட்டதோ என்னும் கேள்வி நம் மனதில் எழுவது என்னவோ நிஜம்.

இப்படி சுவாரசியம் குறையாத பதிமூன்று கதைகள் இந்த தொகுப்பில். பிறகு என்ன? வாங்கி படித்து மகிழுங்கள்!

MFC or M.Sc?

2010-07-13T22:51:00.000-07:00

Every time some one asks me about my qualification, I brace myself for an explanation. For when I state my qualification-MFC, they ask me promptly back, "M.Sc? In what discipline?" I patiently tell them that it is not M.Sc but MFC and proceed to explain the abbreviation. May be it was rhyming enough for them to get it wrong. Even then they do not get the gist and I go into a lengthy one. After a few times, I ignored the curious questions and stares and just grew to love it. Where would you get a chance to give an explanation about a degree that you love so much? "MFC-yaa? appadinaa enna?" " MFC nnaa....blah blah blah"

There is another aspect in this scenario. For when I finish explaining, the reply comes promptly-"Oh, accounts! You study accountancy, isn't it? You work as an accountant?" In vain I tell them that it is not limited to accountancy alone but includes a whole gamut of financial exploration. Even the fact that Delhi University has the very same programme in its roster fail to get my listener grasp the point. This isn't restricted to the common listener, but to professionals as well-bankers, of all people. They promptly ask me another Q-why didn't you do an MBA? Why MFC? And I reply back-why not MFC? It is an interesting one to match word to word with my questioners. I dunno how my batch mates answered this questioning round :D

I have been defacto acting as an unofficial marketer of this unique qualification, albeit the fact that Bharathiar University changed the degree's name to M.Com(FC) and very few are aware of what MFC or Master of Finance & Control means. All the offers I had on stating this degree name was accountant/accounts executive, blah blah, blah..The KPO company that hired me promptly shooed me away to the accounts section, ignoring my pleas that I was interested in other sections which called for a challenge to my language skills.

I am much indebted to Dr.Nateson who was the Head of the Finance department for his splendid presentation about the programme on my expressing interest to join it. His explanations were simple and in a manner to make you want to get into the programme, attracting the curious ones. Thank you sir. Not to miss the various seminars and guest lectures I attended and the exposures I gained in them.

It is never wrong to take up a degree you love. Never mind what others assume or ask you about it. You get to have interesting exposures, like this. You just have to be clear about it. It is a happy feeling you get in not getting yourselves typecast or not following the flock in the beaten path. So, dare to follow your wishes; and be prepared for the questions!

Villains & Anti-heroes

2010-07-08T21:52:00.000-07:00

This is the time of baddies, villains and anti-heroes, it seems. Mani Ratnam makes a Ravanan/Raavan to give us the other side of the picture. It's a hard time finding guys to do negative roles. So what makes the negative role tick?

W/out a villain, a film is not complete. A film, that too a action film w/out a baddy/anti-hero makes the hero seem puny-that doesn't leave out the fact that heroes of tiny size in Tamil are bashing up baddies twice their size. At least the equation is incomplete. It gives you a fascination to see the villains defeated and makes you wonder what if? Apart from being on the other side, they have all the qualities as much as the heroes have.

So here goes a list of some of my favorite negative roles and the actors those played 'em:

Two Face: I went to see Batman Forever solely for Tommy and Carrey. That too for Tommy's much publicized make-up as the evil Two Face. There are theatrics and shouting("Blast him!") with that coin, but Jones did send a chill down my back as I gobbled up every dialogue. He was for some times my most favorite villain. Watch him challenge Val Kilmer in the opening scenes and his gibberish laugh as he goes about his job, not to miss out Jim Carrey's skinny antics.

The Joker: Nicholson made the Joker look like a clown in Batman. Not to blame him, for Jack always has that impish, mischievious grin up every time he dons the make up. That's why they called him Neurotic Jack. Heath Ledger did a job that no one did before and can do in the future. Such uncanny presence radiating danger in The Dark Knight. Not for one moment do we get to laugh at that face with its war paint and wild cards. The Oscar was truely deserving. Why so serious?

The Godfather: An unparellelled presence, methodical acting made Brando go beyond the role. He became the Don. The novel itself gained more popularity with his enactment of the mafioso role. Such was his portrayal that you adore the Sicilian mafioso at one point. No amount of words can do justice in describing the uniqueness of the role and the actor, which was a trendsetter sparking many sequels and spoofs.

Face/Off: This futuristic film had John Travolta and Nicholas Cage gunning for each other in opposite roles. A performance that would put any one to shame. As they reverse their roles(after that famous surgery changing faces) and the fun begins, we can only wonder about the way John Woo takes us for a roller coaster ride. Such villainy! Both scored equally. Travolta is a fun to watch with his gleeful manners.

Deewar: The quintessential anti-hero image that got defined with Bachan playing it to cool perfection that along with his mother in the film, we too get to love him, despite his chosen path. The dialogues are a classic as they are mouthed even now among all lovers of Indian cinema, especially Hindi films-Mere paas bangala hain, abh tak main phainke huye paise...dialogues that draw a round of applause even now That was indeed a meaty role enacted.

Rajavinte Makan: Mammukka made a trend with his Tharadas role in Adhirathram. Lal went one step further with his Vincent Gomez. The famous lines Mohan Lal render as Vicent Gomez-My phone number is 2255 is an evergreen one in Malayalam film lovers' minds. Though the film is a take off on Sheldon's Rage of Angels with the story based on the mafioso's side, Lal's performance and natural acting makes it a treat to watch.

NTR: No one could match up to Annagaru in enacting mythological roles. He was the only choice for the role of Krishna. That didn't prevent him from enacting the pratinayaka roles of Ravana-Bhookailas, Seetharama Kalyanam, Sri Rama Pattabhishekam, and that of Duryodhana-Dana Veera Soora Karna(the famous emantivi dialogues, maya sabha monologue), Sri Krishna Pandaveeyam(diametrically opposite roles of Krishna and Duryodhana), Shrimad Virat Parvam(he also donned four other roles including that of Keechaka, an untried idea, besides directing the film). Though S.V.Ranga Rao won an international award for his pratinayaka role of Keechaka in Nartanashala, it is NTR who remains my favorite. As one watches his roles in DVSK, SKP, SVP, one cannot but take sides on the villains.

Ninaithadhai Mudippavan: MGR as villain? Oh yes. He has done a couple of anti-hero roles, if not villain roles. The speciality is that the anti-hero turns a new leaf at the end or is finished off, leaving the good one to continue. His role of the diamond dealer Ranjith Kumar and Sundaram the band player remains one of my favorite MGR characters. That too the role of Ranjith as he cunningly lures the naive Sundaram in his trap with a convincing story, his charm oozing out of the role makes you like the negative role even better than the protoganist role. There is a sword duel at the climax-makes you whistle at the swiftness he handles the sword.

Billa: Rajini carried the whole film effortlessly, notwithstanding the fact that it was his first dual role. The gangster Billa with his trademark pipe and the classic lines-DSP, indha Billava yaarum pidikka mudiyadhu. Indha Billa yaar kittayum pidipadavum maattaan (DSP, no one can catch Billa. Billa does not get caught in anyone's hands), Eppovume sol thavara mattaan Billa(Billa always keeps his words) are a rage even now. His manner of flicking the cork out of the bottle(in the opening scene) and the gun swinging style makes him stand out a mile from the others who did the role.

Mr.Bharat: Ennamaa kannu, sowkiyama? Can any one forget the delivery and the effect it created even now? Those who watched Mr.Bharat will agree that Sathyaraj is a villain par comparison. What more, he outshined Rajini in every scene in the film, particularly when each outwits the other. The song in the golf course is a treat to hear and is evergreen.

Ghilli Muthupandi: Hai Chellam. Prakash Raj made more impression than Vijay and Trisha with just two words. Every time he utters them, I burst out laughing, marvelling how the man converted it into a best selling line and catchy phrase. He makes a good comedian than any one, albeit in a villainy sense.

50!

2010-07-04T23:39:00.000-07:00

This post is dedicated in thanking :

My brother, whose blogging encouraged me to take up writing as a passion. Thanks to him, I have now discovered a new base and interesting activity, not to miss developing my writing skills. I should acknowledge the fact humbly that he is a better writer than I am. Thanks, Zico.

My uncle K.Ramesh Kumar. He was the first person outside my dad n mum to recognize the spark for the written word and encourage me at every instance. I was reluctant and shy in accepting my strengths. But his persistent nagging made me to try it out and the rest is as we say, history. Thanks, mams for those great words("you are a Hanuman and you don't know your strengths.").

To mum, who reads my every post(in answer to my persistent nagging!) and corrects it, giving valuable suggestions in the point of a layman reader. She is an excellent orator and a professional lady well known in all circles for her writing and oral skills. Thanks mum, for that great belief you have in me.

To dad, for playing the role of the critic. He is the one who polishes me every now and then, seeing that I don't go astray. Who has great expectations, but never reveals anything outwards. A silent guardian. Thanks, dad.

To the libraries and librarians in school, college and lending ones whose staff patiently helped me in the discovery and collection of those wonderful books-the food for my thoughts and the many reviews I have written here. Truly you are indispensable, people!

And to all my friends and readers who patiently read my posts and offer comments and suggestions. You are my inspiration to write more-warning that I will continue to write more!

The Magic Show

2010-07-04T21:42:00.000-07:00

Note: This post is dedicated to all the magicians in the world.

Every great magic trick consists of three parts of acts. The first part is called "The Pledge". The magician shows you something ordinary: a deck of cards, a bird or a man. He shows you this object. Perhaps he asks you to inspect it to see if it is indeed real, unaltered, normal. But of course... it probably isn't. The second act is called "The Turn". The magician takes the ordinary something and makes it do something extraordinary. Now you're looking for the secret... but you won't find it, because of course you're not really looking. You don't really want to know. You want to be fooled. But you wouldn't clap yet. Because making something disappear isn't enough; you have to bring it back. That's why every magic trick has a third act, the hardest part, the part we call "The Prestige"." Dialogue from 'The Prestige'(2006) *ing Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, directed by Christopher Nolan.

Now don't laugh. One of my childhood goals was to become a magician. Who wouldn't be fascinated by magic shows? How many of you have seen a magic show or have done magic tricks amidst your friends? It is a sweet memory as one recalls those fun filled days.

I don't know what made me get interested in magic tricks-may be the glamor and lights, the fame, fascination. I really thought they could do it, part of me debating the ridiculous idea, knowing that all was a trick. But the desire of going to a magic show was there and I was just waiting for the right chance.

And it came. In the form of K.Lal and Lal, world's greatest magicians-the father -son duo. I pestered my parents to take me to the show. It was in Maharaja Hall (what a memory!) for a month. And off we went.

And I was impressed and traveled to wonderland immediately. The whole evening was an unforgettable as the magicians pulled out tricks after tricks from virtually anything available in their hands and from the poor audience who happened to be the volunteers. From floating in mid-air to making a maruthi 800 car vanish to staging the Houdini trick(the magician returned in two minutes from the back entrance, grinning), it was all hey presto!

That show left a lasting impression in my mind as I began thinking about it days after the show got over. I tried to analyze how they did the tricks(by the time aware that all was scientific tricks and mind power) and I am still fascinated by magic tricks. When I visited the United States, one of the things I did was borrow book from the library that taught you to do magic tricks and card tricks by yourself. This went to the extend of getting a few trick items and practising on my unsuspecting school mates when I returned home. I certainly discovered my flair and interest in theaterics and was a good impressor among my gang.

I do have a few 'magic' friends and now read anything connected to magic, let alone watch movies which have magic as their subjects.

The Post Office

2010-07-02T00:35:00.000-07:00

It is a well known fact that those working in Postal and Telegraph departments (except a few) have zero politeness. I was reminded of this fact when I went to dispatch a Speed Post.

There are three counters in my area post office. The first one deals in issue of stamps, weighting of letters. The second one deals in post office savings passbooks, paperwork. The third one is speed post. The next room is the office room for the post men. I found out that each post office has a different 'method of dealing' for the speed post category which we are expected to remember and not question those intelligent people.

When I handed over my letter to the elderly 'gentleman' at the Speed Post counter, he took five minutes to collect it("Wait. I have to finish stamping these letters first."). He sealed it with the regular Speed Post label and then delivered the whiplash-"you haven't pasted any stamps". I asked him (politely) whether I should, since the last postal office I dealt with didn't ask me to in dispatching the speed post and this is where I got an inkling that each office had their own 'methods'.

Instead of replying yes or no, the 'gentleman' shot back-"I also don't know sir. Do you have to paste stamps for speed post? Go and ask that lady in the next counter". And turned back to his system without even a glance in my direction. Incensed but keeping an impassive face, I approached the next counter, got my letter stamped, dispatched it. What should have taken a matter of minutes to get the job over with took half an hour due the negligent and rash behavior of the people at the counters. I wonder-is it the public's duty to research on the 'procedures' a post office follows in letter dispatch before stepping in? Aren't they supposed to ask simple directional questions? Does sitting behind a counter make you king?

I came out chagrined. At this excellent rate of behavior, any one would think twice before stepping into a post office. Politeness is a virtue which is rare to see nowadays.

Letter to Director Maniratnam

2010-06-28T08:04:00.000-07:00

Dear Sir,

Saw Ravanan today and would like to jot down my impressions.

I have a special place for your films. They are chips off the old block of stereotype films we see today. Your films are a deep journey into the inner self of the characters concerned and can be understood perfectly by people who get that point. That's what I feel each time I watch one of your films. Be it Anjali/Thalapathi/Iruvar.

I should say that Ravanan/Raavan has been bandied much about by the media. There was a news on how Reliance lost 100 cr on this film - The 100 crore lemons. The promos were high in quality and somehow that built up the frenzy. That may be the reason for the Hindi version not faring well as per analyst's view.

It was refreshing-no. Wonderful to see the forests shown in such a manner. No where have I been utterly affected in my senses. I felt like I was in the forests. Kudos to the fantabulous cinematography.

To the actors-Vikram was at his best. Balancing the film cleverly and potrtaying the role of Veera/Ravana. He re-invents himself every time. The man is past any profit/loss margins and is in a league of his own.

Aishwarya Rai Bachan after a long time in Tamil. How matured a performance from her you have extracted! The very strength of your films are that dialogues are less. Visuals are more. Aishwarya does a neat job of the abducted Ragini who discovers the cunningness in her husband and the tenderness in her abductor.

Karthik and Prabhu after a long gap together. I loved them in Agni Nakshathram-the way they did a neat job of the siblings rivalry. Karthik is a treat to watch, with his antics of jumping from tree to tree(too obvious. You could have added more elements). Prabhu underplays his role as the top man in Veerayya's gang. Seasoned actors, they are.

Prithviraj was a surprise. I admired his villainy in Kana Kandaen. His chocolate boy looks are famous. But to put in a role of this dimension, it needed a Mani. Hats off Prithvieaj! Good show.

Priyamani's role looked a bit old fashioned. Wasn't there any other role you could have cast her in? That girl is haplessly raped yet again. She deserved more space or a different role.

No unwanted scenes. The songs could have been trimmed. The stunts are a treat-esp the last one over the bridge. Dialogues could have been more sharper.

Positive Points:
Good acting
Excellent cinematography

Negative Point:
Screenplay-could have been made more tight.
Timing of the songs-after the interval

The message was perfectly understood. A journey deep into oneselves. Your own words on the film were enlightening. Awaiting your next film eagerly.

Yours,
An ardent fan

Anger

2010-06-22T08:37:00.000-07:00

They say anger is the cause of misery. Anger destroys you. It vanquishes you, they say. True. But can you survive without anger? Any one out there without anger in your souls? I bet no one is out there who claims to be free of that navarasa-anger, the eternal flame. It is that flame that has guided many a great to victory. Saved many a kingdom from oblivion.

It is not that one gets angry for silly things. For anger has it's own virtues. Anger directed in the right sense and direction can rake in phenomenal results. One of my favorite quotes about anger is that it is a flame burning low, like a fire, in your heart. Like the fire in the stove which can be used in a constructive way to cook delicious dishes, so must anger be used-in a productive way.

My anger is some times taken as stubbornness/rudeness/ruthless nature. I am sometimes referred to as the angry young man in my circles. But I beg to differ. That is the eternal flame that comes out and shows it's head. A man without anger is a snake sans tooth. Each one has his own reasons for lighting that flame.

Anger is expressed in two ways. The red and blue way. The red way is the direct, brutal, dangerous. It is spent immediately. The blue one is the blue of ice. Ice cold. It is preserved anger. What is the difference? Ice cold anger goes a long way. It is a flame that is seldom extinguished. I possess that anger in me. I see that I don't spill it out. For it is my only refuge in my moments of despair and needs of courage.

Anger guides one to compassion also. It teaches us to be ourselves and to look deeply within us. It is that anger which so characterizes Shiva, the destroyer. Anger makes him vanquish all evils and make way for a new creation. The Rudra Tandava is that personification of intense anger, each step a blow on the unwanted and evil things. It is samhara of the negative senses and blooming of thr positive energy within us. It is that anger which helped Bheema vanquish the entire Kaurava force in the battle and gave goosebumps to Dhridhrashtra. He was solely afraid of Bheema's eternal anger which was kept untamed for thirteen years. But which did not destroy him.

Look what a bout of anger has produced! A contemplative post. Then why not miracles and wonders? Analyze your angry selves, folks.

தொடத் தொட தங்கம்

2010-06-14T09:46:00.000-07:00

கேளப்பா..!
கோரக்கன் உரைத்ததிந்ததி உண்மை!
கோளறு பெற்ற வாலறிவாளர் கரம்
கோரைப் புல்லையும்
தங்கமாக்கும்.
தங்கமாக்கும் அந்த மூல ரகசியத்தை
இதன் மூலம் உரைப்பேன்
மூலமிது சொர்ண ஜாலத் திரட்டாமே!
- சொர்ணஜாலத் திரட்டு குறிப்பு.

நாம் வாசிக்கும் சில கதைகள் இது நடந்தால் எப்படிஇருக்கும்? இப்படியும் இருக்குமா? இப்படியெல்லாம் இருக்குமா? என்ற சிந்தனையை நமக்குள் ஓட வைக்கும். அப்படிப்பட்ட ஒரு கதை இந்த 'தொடத் தொட தங்கம்'. ஆசிரியர் திரு. இந்திரா சௌந்தரராஜன். பதிப்பு திருமகள் நிலையம்.

நான் ஏற்கனவே இந்திரா சௌந்தரராஜன் அவர்களின் 'விக்ரமா விக்ரமா' நாவலை விமர்சனம் செய்துள்ளேன். அவர் எழுதும் கதைகள் வெறும் கதையாக இல்லாமல் நம்மை புது கோணத்தில் சிந்திக்க வைக்கின்ற ரகமாக இருக்கும். குறிப்பாக ஆன்மீக விஷயங்களை, அதில் இருக்கும் மர்மங்களை மிகச் சுவையாக சொல்வதில் இவருக்கு இணை இல்லை என்றே சொல்ல வேண்டும்.

தொடத் தொட தங்கம் நான் வாசித்த முதல் இந்திரா சௌந்தரராஜன் கதை. இதை நீங்கள் படிக்கையில் ஏன் இது இவ்வளவு சிலாசிக்கப் படுகின்றது என்பதைப் புரிந்து கொள்வீர்கள். ஒவ்வொரு பக்கமும் நமக்கு புது செய்திகளை அள்ளி வீசுகின்ற வகையில் முடிச்சுக்களோடு இருக்கும். குறிப்பாக இதில் பிரதான பாத்திரம் வகிக்கும் அதிசயப் பெண்ணான மீனா, பிரகாஷ், சந்திரகாந்த சிவம், இரும்பை தங்கமாக்கும் வித்தையான ரசவாத ரகசியம் தெரிந்த கனக சிவம் எனும் தங்கச்சாமி நம்மை வேறு உலகத்திற்கு அழைத்து செல்வார்கள். இதில் உள்ள சொர்ணஜாலத் திரட்டு குறிப்புகள் நம்மை ஆச்சர்யக் கடலில் முழுக்கடிக்கும்.

பொதுவாகவே தங்கம் பற்றிச் சொன்னாலே நாம் நம்மை மறந்து கவனிக்க ஆரம்பிப்போம். இதில் தங்கம் ஒரு முக்கிய அங்கமாக கதை முழுக்க வலம் வருகிறது. சாதாரன பெண்ணாக இருக்கும் மீனா அதிசய சக்திகள் பெற்ற பிறகு உலகம் அவளை பார்க்கும் பார்வை, அவளின் சக்திகள், குறிப்பாக விஷத்தையும் மின்னலையும் ஜெயித்த விசேஷம், கையால் வருடிக்குடுத்தே காயங்களை குணமாக்கும் தன்மை அவளைப் பற்றிய பார்வைகள் நிஜமோ என்று என்ன வைக்கும்.

அதிலும் சதுரகிரி மலையில் தொட்டுத் தொட்டு நடக்கும் பல மர்மங்கள், மரணங்கள், தங்கத்துக்காக நடக்கும் வேட்டை நம்மை அடுத்தது என்ன என்ற கேள்வியோடு பக்கங்களைப் புரட்ட வைக்கும். அங்கு நாம் சந்திக்கும் வித்யாசமான சன்யாசிகள் நம்மை நிஜமாவகவே அப்படி ஒரு மலை உண்டா? அப்படியெல்லாம் அங்கு நடக்குமா? என்று ஒரு கணம் யோசிக்க வைக்கும்.

இறுதியாக வெளிப்படும் சொர்ண லிங்க குளமும் அதில் பல காலமாக உறைந்திருக்கும் பூஜிக்கப்பட்ட சொர்ணலிங்கம் எனப்படும் மரகதலிங்கம் நம்மை பக்திப் பரவசத்தில் முழுகடிக்கும்.

இந்தக் கதை வெறும் கதை அல்ல. அதை நீங்கள் இதை படித்த பிறகு உணர்வீர்கள்.

சொர்ணஜாலத் திரட்டில் இருந்து -

கேளப்பா..!
அணுவைத் துளைக்க அகப்படும் சக்தியும்
கருவைத் துளைத்து உருப்படும் சக்தியும்
விதைக்குள் வெடித்து வெளிப்படும் சக்தியும்
ஒளிக்குள் ஒளியவே ஒல்கிப் பெருகுதாம்
ஒளிதான் மூலம்-அது ஆதித்த ஜாலம்
ஆதித்தன் அனுவேறி அமர்ந்தொரு உலோகம்
அருந்த்தங்கம் என்பது அதன் பேராகும்!

கந்தியுடன் அந்திமழை நீரைச் சேர்த்து
மந்தி வளர் சொலைபடர் தாதுவளை கோர்த்து
கந்தகமன் சல்லியுடன் கந்தவேளின்
கார்த்திகைச் சுடர் கனலும் சேர
அந்தகனும் அறியும் வண்ணம்
தத்தகதக தத்தகதகவென தங்கம் தோன்றும்
தோற்றும் கரம் தேற்றம் கண்ட மானிடப் பிறப்பெனில்!

கேளப்பா..!
பொன்னைந்தில் முதலொன்று தாமிரம்
அரிமணல் படுகை இதன் பாத்திரம்!
பொன்னைந்தில் இறந்தது வெண்கலம்
பேணும் இது கொள் பொருள் பெருநலம்!
பொன்னைந்தில் மூன்றது பித்தளைத் தாது
துலக்கிடத் துலங்குவதில் இது பொது மாது!
பொன்னைந்தில் நான்கது சந்திரவெள்ளி
மன்நீந்த மகத்தான விடமுறிக் கொல்லி!
பொன்னைந்தில் ஐந்ததே அருந்த்தங்கம்
நாற்ப்போருளும் இதனடியில் நலிந்தே இலங்கும்!

இப்படி இன்னும் பல!

வெட்டி சிந்தனைகள்

2010-06-13T08:35:00.000-07:00

ஜட்டி போட்ட குட்டி பயல்-நீ
ஒரு புட்டி போட்ட வெட்டி பயல்
-வெட்டியா இருக்கும் போது புனைந்த கவிதை.

வெட்டித் தத்துவம் - வெட்டியா இருக்குற நேரத்துல பண்ற சிந்தனையெல்லாம் வெட்டியாதான் இருக்கும்ன்னு யாரோ ஒரு வெட்டிப்பயல் சொன்னா அத நாம ஏன் வெட்டியா கேட்டுட்டு உக்காரணும்?

ஏன்னா வெட்டியா இருக்கும் நேரத்துல வரும் சிந்தனைகள் எப்பவும் வெட்டியா இருக்குறதில்ல. நல்ல விஷயங்களும் நம்ம சிந்தனைக்கு எட்டும். நான் வெட்டியா இருந்த பல சமயங்கள்ளதான் பல விஷயங்கள யோசிக்கிறது உண்டு. அப்படி இருக்கும் பொது சில சமயம் திடீர்ன்னு கவிதை கொட்டும்-மேலே நீங்க பார்த்த கவிதை அதுக்கு ஒரு உதாரணம். சில உருப்படியான யோசனைகளும் வரும்.

என்னைப் பொறுத்தவரையில் எவனும் வெட்டியா இருக்குறதில்லை. எதாவுது யோசனை ஓடிக்கிட்டேதான் இருக்கும். இல்லைன்னு யாரும் மறுக்க முடியாது. இன்னும் ஒரு விஷயம் கவனிக்கணும். வெட்டியா இருக்குறதா நாம சொல்லுற நேரத்தில நம்ம மனம் ரொம்ப சுறுசுறுப்பா வேல செய்யும். அதே வேலை செய்யுறோம்ன்னு சொல்லிக்கிற சமயத்துல ஒன்னும் ஓடாது-வேலை விஷயம் கூட! ஏன் இந்த முரண்பாடு?

நம்மில் பல பேர் நம்மை நாமே வெட்டி officer ன்னு சொல்லிக்கிறோம். அதுல நமக்கு ஒரு பெருமை வேற. ஆனா அந்த நேரத்துல தானே நாம பல பிரமாதமான காரியங்கள செய்யிறோம்? சில விஷயங்கள் விளையாட்டா செய்யும் போது நல்லா வரும். அதுவே முனைஞ்சு செய்யும்போது தப்புத் தப்பா வரும்-சமையல் உட்பட. அலெர்ட் ஆறுமுகம் சொல்லுராப்புல "விளையாட்டா இருந்தாலும் அலெர்ட்டா இருக்கணும்" ரகம் தான் நாம்

எனில் அந்த விளையாட்டு நேரத்துல தான் நாம விளைவுகள பத்தி யோசிக்கிறதில்லை. எந்த கவலையும் இல்லாம நிம்மதியா நம்ம காரியத்தை பார்க்கிறோம். விளைவு? விளையாட்டா செஞ்சது அமோகமா வரும். இதை நான் சொல்ல காரணம் நான் ஒரு விளையாட்டுப் பேர்வழி. நான் பிளான் பண்ணி பண்ணுற வேலை புட்டுக்கும். தமாஷா பண்ணுற வேலை பிச்சிக்கும். வடிவேலு சொல்லுற மாதிரி, "எதையும் பிளான் பண்ணி பண்ணனும்." என்கிற விஷயம் என் வரையில் எதிர்மறை. மத்தவங்களுக்கு எப்படியோ, எனக்கு இப்படி.

இந்த சிந்தனைகளை வெட்டியா நினைக்காம நல்லதா நினைச்சா உங்களுக்கு நல்லது. இல்லாட்டியும் நல்லது!

குறிப்பு: இதில் வரும் 'வெட்டி' என்கிற வார்த்தை எத்தனை முறை வருதுன்னு எண்ணி சொல்லுறவங்களுக்கு இன்னும் பல வெட்டி சிந்தனைகள் ஆலோசனையாக வழங்கப்படும்!