How much out of touch I am with what's happening in Tamilnadu! Looks like DMK's primetime Tamil newspaper – Murasoli has started an English edition. Can someone confirm?
Otherwise, HINDU has leased out part of it's news division to Murasoli.
You think I am bluffing??? Then, explain to me how come we have this as a news item???
June 28, 2005
June 17, 2005
Knocking up a blog post!
I hear that Chennai is blazing hot still. It is summer time in UK as well. Even though cold at times, it is dry as well. Given my earlier career-change thinking, the current job seems all dry suddenly. It has further crept into my blog posting as well. The thought process is so dry, that have not been able to post anything for close to a week. Perhaps one of those Valaichikkal times…
But, thanks to AF…AF has given me a banana to ease myself out of the blostipation . Oh, by the way, Banana is supposed to help in easing constipation – so my analogy is not a tasteless PJ, but more health-oriented. See, I give useful information as and when possible.
AF has given me something to knock up a post.
While in my college days, I used to take keen interest in Multi-Level marketing (MLM) – the amway type of thing. Those meetings used to promise stuffs like I need to sell only so many of those things, and join only so many members. After that, I need not sell anything or even work. I will get loads and loads of money, and can conduct such meetings.
Lured by the "no-work-later-on" concept, I will buy something, and start canvassing to get a bunch of gullible people to join my team. But only after I start talking to people, it will become apparent am almost at the end of this MLM chain, and moist likely I have coerce my dad to buy atleast one item from me.
In a similar way, the book-tagging has come a long way, and almost many people are already book-tagged. But Thanks to AF for the generosity in book-tagging me and getting me to do a post. And like my Amway technique, it is my wife, whom I am going to book-tag .
Coming to the book-tag part itself:
Total Number of Books I Own: 2 or 3[I consider Ponniyin Selvan as one book]; rest are borrowed, robbed, sneaked .Last Book I bought: Ananda vikatan-Sujatha's "Katrathum Petrathum"Last Book I was gifted: Something got to do with Jack Welch and his gut(ter)
Last Book I read: Triple by Ken FollettFive Books That Mean a Lot to Me: 1. Jonathan Livingston Sea Gull – Richard Bach
2. Bridge across forever – Richard bach
3. Katrathum Petrathum – part 2
4. Dilbert
5. Thirupoonthuruthi by Balakumaran
Tag five people and have them do this on their blogs:
As I said earlier, I am the far-end of this Book-tagging MLM, so its my wife, am book-tagging
But, thanks to AF…AF has given me a banana to ease myself out of the blostipation . Oh, by the way, Banana is supposed to help in easing constipation – so my analogy is not a tasteless PJ, but more health-oriented. See, I give useful information as and when possible.
AF has given me something to knock up a post.
While in my college days, I used to take keen interest in Multi-Level marketing (MLM) – the amway type of thing. Those meetings used to promise stuffs like I need to sell only so many of those things, and join only so many members. After that, I need not sell anything or even work. I will get loads and loads of money, and can conduct such meetings.
Lured by the "no-work-later-on" concept, I will buy something, and start canvassing to get a bunch of gullible people to join my team. But only after I start talking to people, it will become apparent am almost at the end of this MLM chain, and moist likely I have coerce my dad to buy atleast one item from me.
In a similar way, the book-tagging has come a long way, and almost many people are already book-tagged. But Thanks to AF for the generosity in book-tagging me and getting me to do a post. And like my Amway technique, it is my wife, whom I am going to book-tag .
Coming to the book-tag part itself:
Total Number of Books I Own: 2 or 3[I consider Ponniyin Selvan as one book]; rest are borrowed, robbed, sneaked .Last Book I bought: Ananda vikatan-Sujatha's "Katrathum Petrathum"Last Book I was gifted: Something got to do with Jack Welch and his gut(ter)
Last Book I read: Triple by Ken FollettFive Books That Mean a Lot to Me: 1. Jonathan Livingston Sea Gull – Richard Bach
2. Bridge across forever – Richard bach
3. Katrathum Petrathum – part 2
4. Dilbert
5. Thirupoonthuruthi by Balakumaran
Tag five people and have them do this on their blogs:
As I said earlier, I am the far-end of this Book-tagging MLM, so its my wife, am book-tagging
June 10, 2005
Career change
I am bored of Tech-coolie job, and considering a career shift. I am wondering if I should be a "De-motivation Consultant" or open "Organic Isthiri Shop". This doesn't imply, am giving up my pet project of writing those books - Desi Dilbert, Who moved my underwear, Of boobs and asses....
As a de-motivation consultant, I would tell people they are possibly deemed to be doomed. I will ask them to cut all the motivation crap, and simply do their work properly. My principle would be very simple –
Be practical, do your work properly
If you are not getting things done properly, it probably means you are dumb and doomed, and ask them to give up. And best, will ask them to get proper professional help
There is no such thing called 'Motivation'. Saying that you get inspired or motivated by something or someone else is stupid. Either you do it, or leave it.
This is what my de-motivational therapy will be all about.
Next running an "Organic Isthiri Shop"
This is a trendy service offering from me for the upmarket clientele, who prefer to have their clothes ironed in an organic way. This means, the iron box will not use electricity. But, it will use the certain mineral that has been refined by nature subjected to pressure for several years, and is formed the most natural way and is the most organic item next to diamond on earth. This will be subjected to intense heating and in the most hygienic way, without touching the mineral, the hot mineral would be used in the iron box with help of tongs.
To iron those splendid organic cotton clothes, I will use this "organic Isthiri" mode. Yes, by the way, the organic isthiri mineral is called as "COAL"
As a de-motivation consultant, I would tell people they are possibly deemed to be doomed. I will ask them to cut all the motivation crap, and simply do their work properly. My principle would be very simple –
Be practical, do your work properly
If you are not getting things done properly, it probably means you are dumb and doomed, and ask them to give up. And best, will ask them to get proper professional help
There is no such thing called 'Motivation'. Saying that you get inspired or motivated by something or someone else is stupid. Either you do it, or leave it.
This is what my de-motivational therapy will be all about.
Next running an "Organic Isthiri Shop"
This is a trendy service offering from me for the upmarket clientele, who prefer to have their clothes ironed in an organic way. This means, the iron box will not use electricity. But, it will use the certain mineral that has been refined by nature subjected to pressure for several years, and is formed the most natural way and is the most organic item next to diamond on earth. This will be subjected to intense heating and in the most hygienic way, without touching the mineral, the hot mineral would be used in the iron box with help of tongs.
To iron those splendid organic cotton clothes, I will use this "organic Isthiri" mode. Yes, by the way, the organic isthiri mineral is called as "COAL"
June 07, 2005
Tamilnadu abolishes Common Entrance Exam
Just read from Hindu the title of this post.
Imagine all those training institutes going bust. I wonder what will be the implication!
Personally, I feel it's a good idea. The entrance test merely is another kind of examination testing pupil skills with their school final year course knowledge. But that’s what they already undergo in their final exams. Why repeat the same stuff again?
CET is anyway made a mockery by lateral admissions, payment seats, so on and so forth. Why waste money and time?
If a student is indeed bright enough to get into a professional course, the student might have secured good marks anyway. And if the student can afford payment seat, but not got enough marks, the CET is but a mere step.
Announce the results and get on with it. Again, going by personal experience, people from other system of education like CBSE/GCSE might be affected. Because of the way, the tests – final exams – are evaluated. Perhaps, setting aside a percentage of seats for other board students might be helpful.
Imagine all those training institutes going bust. I wonder what will be the implication!
Personally, I feel it's a good idea. The entrance test merely is another kind of examination testing pupil skills with their school final year course knowledge. But that’s what they already undergo in their final exams. Why repeat the same stuff again?
CET is anyway made a mockery by lateral admissions, payment seats, so on and so forth. Why waste money and time?
If a student is indeed bright enough to get into a professional course, the student might have secured good marks anyway. And if the student can afford payment seat, but not got enough marks, the CET is but a mere step.
Announce the results and get on with it. Again, going by personal experience, people from other system of education like CBSE/GCSE might be affected. Because of the way, the tests – final exams – are evaluated. Perhaps, setting aside a percentage of seats for other board students might be helpful.
June 02, 2005
S. V. Sekar
10-15 years ago, S. V. Sekar was a rage down in Tamilnadu and elsewhere in Tamil-speaking world with his witty and on-the-spot humorous jokes. He was something close to a stand-up comedian successful in stage drama, and to some extent in films too. His jokes were very timely, and cheeky at times.
Along with songs, full-length movie dialog cassettes (like Tiruvilayadal, Capt Prabhakaran, Saraswathi Sabatham), all S. V. Sekar drama cassettes were selling in full swing.
If I remember right, Crazy Thieves in Palavakkam was his first drama cassette to be released. It was such a big hit. And then, many of his dramas were hit. It was the time when private serials were being made for TV Channel (Note there is no plural, we had only DD), and his 'Vana kolangal' was a completely hilarious TV serial that was a major hit. I remember recorded video cassettes were being sold then, and many people bought them.
In our house, every night before going to sleep, we will play a S. V. Sekar drama audio cassette and go to sleep laughing all the way.
His dramas up to recent times till Periappa were quite good and attracted audiences to the drama halls despite the invasion of private channels. That was S. V. Sekar.
While S.V. Sekar was very timely, he also had good script writers with him – initially Gopu-Babu and then Venkat. After doing Periappa, I think he parted ways with Venkat also. He wrote his own script and story which were bordering on being frivolous and lacked the witty storyline, he used to have. He was a phenomenon for nearly 15 years in stage drama.
Now-a-days we don't get to see much of S.V.Sekar, we hear a lot about Ess. Vee. Shekhar not in drama field or movie, but on political front. But his drama and some of his characters are still admired by many.
Some of his good dramas, which I like, are:
-- Vaal Paiyan
-- 1000 uthai vaangiya aboorva sigamani
-- One more exorcist
-- Crazy thieves in Palavakkam
-- Mahabarathathil mangatha (Kunthikinay remmy vilayadalaam…enna, kunthi deviyaarudana?)
Can't recollect more, but there are many more, am sure.
And the movies,
-- Simla Special
-- Poovay poochuda vaa
-- Thangamani Rangamani
-- Another movie with Mohan – totally hilarious – forgot the name
-- And with Pandiarajan – ''Gaja ka dosth'' – name again forgotten
He was also highly timely and gave Kamalhassan an equal performance.
June 01, 2005
3 movies and a weekend
Thanks to KPS! I got to watch two movies in his home, and thanks to Screenselect for another Hindi movie.
KPS lives in Birmingham with his family, we (Myself, my wife – Subhashree and my son – Sriram) had been to his place this weekend and had a nice time at his place. With catching up generally about friends and specifically bitching about our employers. We have been with same employer for past 6-7 years and we still do that. It is also traditional among us to talk about quitting the job, which we still haven't done!
Ok, first things first!
The movies at KPS place – 7G Rainbow Colony and Chandramukhi
Chandramukhi was a pleasant surprise. Quite a good story line, nice Rajini antiques and some fantastic acting from Jyothika. It was also good to see Prabhu again in action, but unfortunate he had a diminutive role like in Vasoolraja MBBS. Chandramukhi is definitely no Guru-Sishyan. Rajini reminded me of his 'Ninaithaalay inikkum' days in his final and now famous – lakalakalaka character, while in other normal get-up, reminding us of his Rajathi Raja days. While Baasha, Annamalai was a different dimension, this cool get-ups are another one. Rajini is indeed a versatile actor. Jyothika – I was a bit scared after her dance with eyes and her ruthra thandavam. Good acting Jo! Music was a big letdown. It takes a Ilaiyaraja, Deva, Chandrabose or a Hamsalekha to give the beats one expects out of Rajini movies.
7G Rainbow Colony sounded a bit uncomfy at the beginning to watch with family, but the pace of the movie takes you in. College-going tapori! I have seen many such rogue guys who seem to talk excellent dialogues. Forget the seriusness part of the movie, it was a good entertainer. Many of the funny sequences are something I have actually seen in real-time. It seemed like Selvaraghavan didn’t know how to complete the movie at last, and was just meandering. Sharp editing would have given a sharp ending, but was not boring anyway. YuvanShankarRaja deserves a special mention. In young generation of Tamil movie musicians, where A.R.Rehman is not all that specialised or very effective, Yuvan scores effortlessly – the background score.
After seeing Black, I was discussing about this movie to my colleague – Pawan. He felt Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Khamoshi was a more honest movie than Black. He emphasised Black was more dramatic, something exciting keeps happening every other scene and everyone is authoritative in a movie about deaf, blind and dumb girl. In contrast, Khamoshi was more honest in depicting the deaf and dumb parents. While I agreed his comment about Black, I hadn’t seen Khamoshi yet to have an opinion. After seeing Ab Tak 56 by Nana Patekar, I was more curious to see him in Khamoshi. So for these two reasons, I had booked Khamoshi through screenselect. True to my colleague's words, this movie was all about living against odds. Honest acceptance was part of the movie with some great music. Not a dramatic movie, but a slow soft emotional movie. It also showed how versatile Nana Patekar is. With so many facial movements and strong actions, it is quite a task for Nana Patekar to give a very suppressed body lanuage for the cop in Ab Tak 56. With Salman Khan in the movie, it was clearly a Nana Patekar movie. Of course, there are SalmanKhanisque scenes, but he has acted with his vaal-suruttified (curl the tail between legs). The wild affection, anger and the deaf and dumb fear for acceptance in the society without Annie was a very honest depiction indeed.
I didn’t regret seeing any of the mentioned-movies in this post so far. And I look forward to watching Fahrenhiet 9/11 which is now with me.
Of course, I saw three other English movies as well in month of May – Nottinghill, School for seduction and Lost in translation. They were supposedly the romantic comedies, and lacked both romance and comedy!
KPS lives in Birmingham with his family, we (Myself, my wife – Subhashree and my son – Sriram) had been to his place this weekend and had a nice time at his place. With catching up generally about friends and specifically bitching about our employers. We have been with same employer for past 6-7 years and we still do that. It is also traditional among us to talk about quitting the job, which we still haven't done!
Ok, first things first!
The movies at KPS place – 7G Rainbow Colony and Chandramukhi
Chandramukhi was a pleasant surprise. Quite a good story line, nice Rajini antiques and some fantastic acting from Jyothika. It was also good to see Prabhu again in action, but unfortunate he had a diminutive role like in Vasoolraja MBBS. Chandramukhi is definitely no Guru-Sishyan. Rajini reminded me of his 'Ninaithaalay inikkum' days in his final and now famous – lakalakalaka character, while in other normal get-up, reminding us of his Rajathi Raja days. While Baasha, Annamalai was a different dimension, this cool get-ups are another one. Rajini is indeed a versatile actor. Jyothika – I was a bit scared after her dance with eyes and her ruthra thandavam. Good acting Jo! Music was a big letdown. It takes a Ilaiyaraja, Deva, Chandrabose or a Hamsalekha to give the beats one expects out of Rajini movies.
7G Rainbow Colony sounded a bit uncomfy at the beginning to watch with family, but the pace of the movie takes you in. College-going tapori! I have seen many such rogue guys who seem to talk excellent dialogues. Forget the seriusness part of the movie, it was a good entertainer. Many of the funny sequences are something I have actually seen in real-time. It seemed like Selvaraghavan didn’t know how to complete the movie at last, and was just meandering. Sharp editing would have given a sharp ending, but was not boring anyway. YuvanShankarRaja deserves a special mention. In young generation of Tamil movie musicians, where A.R.Rehman is not all that specialised or very effective, Yuvan scores effortlessly – the background score.
After seeing Black, I was discussing about this movie to my colleague – Pawan. He felt Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Khamoshi was a more honest movie than Black. He emphasised Black was more dramatic, something exciting keeps happening every other scene and everyone is authoritative in a movie about deaf, blind and dumb girl. In contrast, Khamoshi was more honest in depicting the deaf and dumb parents. While I agreed his comment about Black, I hadn’t seen Khamoshi yet to have an opinion. After seeing Ab Tak 56 by Nana Patekar, I was more curious to see him in Khamoshi. So for these two reasons, I had booked Khamoshi through screenselect. True to my colleague's words, this movie was all about living against odds. Honest acceptance was part of the movie with some great music. Not a dramatic movie, but a slow soft emotional movie. It also showed how versatile Nana Patekar is. With so many facial movements and strong actions, it is quite a task for Nana Patekar to give a very suppressed body lanuage for the cop in Ab Tak 56. With Salman Khan in the movie, it was clearly a Nana Patekar movie. Of course, there are SalmanKhanisque scenes, but he has acted with his vaal-suruttified (curl the tail between legs). The wild affection, anger and the deaf and dumb fear for acceptance in the society without Annie was a very honest depiction indeed.
I didn’t regret seeing any of the mentioned-movies in this post so far. And I look forward to watching Fahrenhiet 9/11 which is now with me.
Of course, I saw three other English movies as well in month of May – Nottinghill, School for seduction and Lost in translation. They were supposedly the romantic comedies, and lacked both romance and comedy!
May 26, 2005
Sensation, indulgence and cherishing!
I am the kind of person who wants sensation first, followed by indulgence and ending with cherishment! So much so that it feeds the passion. First thing is my sense must be aroused. Am going to talk something personal here…
Ah, Malteasers!
The best thing about European countries is the chocolates. And my favorites is 'Malteasers'. What an amazing concept is this Malteasers!
It has a very wonderful chocolate coating with a malt kernel inside it. The moment I pop it in my mouth, it arouses my senses, and after the chocolate coating is sensed in competely, it's time for indulgence with the Malt itself. Lolitting the malt between different parts of cheek, teeth and tongue, it's sheer indulgence. Even before I realise it, it's all done. But the cherishing lingers on. Slowly when it starts wearing out, I know it's time for another one.
Eating malteasers is not addictive, but more of a passionate experience.
Best part about malteasers is that they are small, round balls. You don't have to worry about taking care of holding the bar of chocolate and all that. Pick one up, pop it up….
There is also a malteaser icecream - wonder how will that be!!!
Ah, Malteasers!
The best thing about European countries is the chocolates. And my favorites is 'Malteasers'. What an amazing concept is this Malteasers!
It has a very wonderful chocolate coating with a malt kernel inside it. The moment I pop it in my mouth, it arouses my senses, and after the chocolate coating is sensed in competely, it's time for indulgence with the Malt itself. Lolitting the malt between different parts of cheek, teeth and tongue, it's sheer indulgence. Even before I realise it, it's all done. But the cherishing lingers on. Slowly when it starts wearing out, I know it's time for another one.
Eating malteasers is not addictive, but more of a passionate experience.
Best part about malteasers is that they are small, round balls. You don't have to worry about taking care of holding the bar of chocolate and all that. Pick one up, pop it up….
There is also a malteaser icecream - wonder how will that be!!!
May 10, 2005
Researching food market
Any staple Indian food loving person need not feel left out or starving on foods in UK, because in UK most of the supermarkets have ready-to-eat chapathi, naan, paratha and lot of Indian curries. Just pick them up, and heat in a microwave and presto - have a full-fledged Indian dish.
But, BUT…
You would notice the chapathi or naan does not hold same taste as a home-made one, and may not get them at proper heat level to have a fluffy chapathi always. The curries might smack of oily, but not really close enough to our own curry.
Suddenly, serendipitously made a discovery that the following Mexican or western food items are actually similar to our own foods.
Tortillas - they are also made of wheat, but much softer. Gets really fluffy.
Mexican wraps - rumali roti types
Crumpets - Aappam
Pitta bread - Naan
Tomato onion dip - Thakkali vengayam thokku (ofcourse not as spicy as our food is)
And then we have Long grain rice that is like our normal rice in India. If specifically needed, the Thai jasmine rice is close to our Ponni raw rice. Good tomato thokku is available under the guise of Tomato Salsa Sauce! Beware, you have to add bit of pepper and salt.
There is Greek style yoghurt which is our curd, and if you need a curd closer to our sour taste, you could try Onken Yoghurt, or simply add sour cream to normal yoghurt. Sooji (Rava) is hidden under the name Semolina and sweet pepper is our capsicum
Best part about these stuffs is that they are made of same ingredients as our traditional Indian food items, and are closer to our taste, than the food items branded under ''Indian food items'' in UK.
What more do the veggies need???
May 09, 2005
Metti Oli, Engiruntho vandhaal...
It's been a long time - almost 6 months, since I am out of India and out of touch with Tamil TV channels. I miss the various junk that is telecast all day long in the channels - ranging from 'Ungal choice' to 'Neengal kaetta paadal' to 'Comedy time' and so on.
Can someone update me what's happening in Metti Oli? Has the story moved any further? Are all the daughters and sons-in-law of Chithambaram alive?
Engiruntho vandhal was a production from KB's stable after Sahana and Ethir neechal, what has the story been about? And how has it moved?
May 05, 2005
kaala CHAKRAm suzhalumbothu…(when the wheel of time spins…)
Last weekend I had been to Chakra's place – Bournemouth.
In fact, we got in touch with each other through blogs.
We studied from Class 6th to Class 12th in the same school – Hindu Senior Secondary School in Triplicane. After school, we lost touch with each other. Then when we completed our graduation, and waiting for next move to make – either PG or job. I was introduced by my friend to an agency that was contracting people to Ramco. But I couldn’t take up the job as I had just then got admission into MCA. This job was still available, and I met Chakra on the bus. It was after a 3 year time. We were generally talking, and I told him if he would be interested in looking if job is fine, and gave him the contact number. It was a mere 10 minute conversation.
And then, we lost touch again. He had written a letter to me telling me he had got job at Ramco. Unfortunately, I couldn’t respond to that.
Cut to recent past's recent past!
I was browsing dubukku's blog. I used to click at every person's link who leave a comment there. I had seen Chakra's comments, and went to Chakra's site. I did not know it was the same Chakra.
It was a very shocking site, because I could not minimise the site and read it. He had a big banner in top frame, and whatever I do, the frame would still be visible. It was not possible to thiruttuthanam-ly see the site in the workplace. I got so annoyed, and vowed never to visit this site again.
Cut to recent past!
Talk about fate. Dubukku was guest-editing some onsite Tamil blog, and he had inadvertently posted his family photo introducing the family members. I understand lot of casteist comments came for that photo from many fellow surfers, and he had removed the photograph. I was quite curious, how would a dubukku look like? So googled for the photo, and landed up at Chakra site. And followed by Dubukku family photos, there was a photo with Chakra carrying Dubukku's daughter. It just struck me I had seen this guy somewhere, I then mailed him to ask if he was the same Chakra whom I knew from school. That’s how our relationship got acquainted again.
Cut to recent!
When I came to UK, he gave lot of information – especially about various experiments with O2, calling cards and other premium line numbers to call India. He was very, very helpful. In fact, he was the first one to call me on my landline number at office. I didn't even know my number, he somehow found it out and let me know. I was very anxious with my first trip to a foreign country. His presence meant comfort. At least there is someone whom I know.
Cut to last week!
I was a bit apprehensive as to how it is going to be meeting him after long time. Maybe our aspirations had changed, maybe our attitudes changed, may be may be may be…so many may be's. Every thing was set to rest, the moment we met. We hit it off like those two Hindu Senior students we were 9 years back!
Chakra had not changed much – his attitude and drive still the same. His wittiness is good, and we could relate to each other quite well.
I was so happy to be with a school mate again. We were able to relive our school moments, few school gossips and it was just amazing. Chakra's multi-faceted personality was a revelation to me, and oh boy, I like him so much for that too.
He is also very patient and generous. He is a very good host, putting up with us. His house was so neat and tidy, we just littered the place with our kid's playtoys and all that. He took it with a smile.
My wife and son also felt very comfortable to acquaint with him.
The height of this meeting was enjoying Maya bazaar movie with him, passing comments and all that!
[I discovered a new recipe - French Fries sprinkled with chocolate powder tastes amazing]
In fact, we got in touch with each other through blogs.
We studied from Class 6th to Class 12th in the same school – Hindu Senior Secondary School in Triplicane. After school, we lost touch with each other. Then when we completed our graduation, and waiting for next move to make – either PG or job. I was introduced by my friend to an agency that was contracting people to Ramco. But I couldn’t take up the job as I had just then got admission into MCA. This job was still available, and I met Chakra on the bus. It was after a 3 year time. We were generally talking, and I told him if he would be interested in looking if job is fine, and gave him the contact number. It was a mere 10 minute conversation.
And then, we lost touch again. He had written a letter to me telling me he had got job at Ramco. Unfortunately, I couldn’t respond to that.
Cut to recent past's recent past!
I was browsing dubukku's blog. I used to click at every person's link who leave a comment there. I had seen Chakra's comments, and went to Chakra's site. I did not know it was the same Chakra.
It was a very shocking site, because I could not minimise the site and read it. He had a big banner in top frame, and whatever I do, the frame would still be visible. It was not possible to thiruttuthanam-ly see the site in the workplace. I got so annoyed, and vowed never to visit this site again.
Cut to recent past!
Talk about fate. Dubukku was guest-editing some onsite Tamil blog, and he had inadvertently posted his family photo introducing the family members. I understand lot of casteist comments came for that photo from many fellow surfers, and he had removed the photograph. I was quite curious, how would a dubukku look like? So googled for the photo, and landed up at Chakra site. And followed by Dubukku family photos, there was a photo with Chakra carrying Dubukku's daughter. It just struck me I had seen this guy somewhere, I then mailed him to ask if he was the same Chakra whom I knew from school. That’s how our relationship got acquainted again.
Cut to recent!
When I came to UK, he gave lot of information – especially about various experiments with O2, calling cards and other premium line numbers to call India. He was very, very helpful. In fact, he was the first one to call me on my landline number at office. I didn't even know my number, he somehow found it out and let me know. I was very anxious with my first trip to a foreign country. His presence meant comfort. At least there is someone whom I know.
Cut to last week!
I was a bit apprehensive as to how it is going to be meeting him after long time. Maybe our aspirations had changed, maybe our attitudes changed, may be may be may be…so many may be's. Every thing was set to rest, the moment we met. We hit it off like those two Hindu Senior students we were 9 years back!
Chakra had not changed much – his attitude and drive still the same. His wittiness is good, and we could relate to each other quite well.
I was so happy to be with a school mate again. We were able to relive our school moments, few school gossips and it was just amazing. Chakra's multi-faceted personality was a revelation to me, and oh boy, I like him so much for that too.
He is also very patient and generous. He is a very good host, putting up with us. His house was so neat and tidy, we just littered the place with our kid's playtoys and all that. He took it with a smile.
My wife and son also felt very comfortable to acquaint with him.
The height of this meeting was enjoying Maya bazaar movie with him, passing comments and all that!
[I discovered a new recipe - French Fries sprinkled with chocolate powder tastes amazing]
May 03, 2005
Election campaign
Come elections, we all know what happens !
It's not so unusual to have a vehicle fitted with a megaphone, and the party supporter reeling out long speech to campaign for the party and leader.
It is not so uncommon to hold election procession, affect traffic and hold big meeting to campaign for your party.
This is the usual election hungama in India.
But the thing which is so unnatural is that, all this happened in UK.
For national elections due this weekend, I saw a car with a megaphone, and two campaigners asking people to vote for Labour party in the heavily Asian populated East Ham in London.
Only 'Thaanai Thalaivar Annan Tony Blair' was missing.
Well, maybe it is just a matter of time, UK adopts itself totally to global Indian Election Code of (Mis)Conduct and (sub)standards. They are well on the path already - vote rigging, blasphemous personal remarks are quite common.
Chakra, you do have a good political future here in UK!
It's not so unusual to have a vehicle fitted with a megaphone, and the party supporter reeling out long speech to campaign for the party and leader.
It is not so uncommon to hold election procession, affect traffic and hold big meeting to campaign for your party.
This is the usual election hungama in India.
But the thing which is so unnatural is that, all this happened in UK.
For national elections due this weekend, I saw a car with a megaphone, and two campaigners asking people to vote for Labour party in the heavily Asian populated East Ham in London.
Only 'Thaanai Thalaivar Annan Tony Blair' was missing.
Well, maybe it is just a matter of time, UK adopts itself totally to global Indian Election Code of (Mis)Conduct and (sub)standards. They are well on the path already - vote rigging, blasphemous personal remarks are quite common.
Chakra, you do have a good political future here in UK!
April 26, 2005
BLACK
Amazing poem!
Learning never stops - even basic thing you learnt as a kid. You might have to learn it again. Like Amitabh with Alzheimer.
Learning can start quite late - even basic thing you think you have learnt as a kid. You might not know or learn things properly. Like Ayesha Kapur born blind, deaf and dumb.
Never ridicule teacher or education. Never take it light. It matters so much to many. They have to fight for it, struggle for it, put in hardwork and come through successfully. Like Rani Mukherjee who attains a degree at 40, when people like you and me can normally achieve one at 20.
Lucky you and I are having all instruments in life to make education a piece of cake-walk. You might think you are smart enough you can read and understand anything devoid of a teacher and a classroom. But what if you are born blind, deaf and dumb? And what if you lose everything in a stroke of Alzheimer?
And then, not everything is gone if such a thing happens, because if you are sincere enough, you will always get a teacher. And you will always look at life with hope and inspiration.
That's Sanjay Leela Bhansali with his Black.
Vibrant and Colourful Black.
Don’t miss it!
Learning never stops - even basic thing you learnt as a kid. You might have to learn it again. Like Amitabh with Alzheimer.
Learning can start quite late - even basic thing you think you have learnt as a kid. You might not know or learn things properly. Like Ayesha Kapur born blind, deaf and dumb.
Never ridicule teacher or education. Never take it light. It matters so much to many. They have to fight for it, struggle for it, put in hardwork and come through successfully. Like Rani Mukherjee who attains a degree at 40, when people like you and me can normally achieve one at 20.
Lucky you and I are having all instruments in life to make education a piece of cake-walk. You might think you are smart enough you can read and understand anything devoid of a teacher and a classroom. But what if you are born blind, deaf and dumb? And what if you lose everything in a stroke of Alzheimer?
And then, not everything is gone if such a thing happens, because if you are sincere enough, you will always get a teacher. And you will always look at life with hope and inspiration.
That's Sanjay Leela Bhansali with his Black.
Vibrant and Colourful Black.
Don’t miss it!
April 20, 2005
Serious movie???
Recently saw a movie called 'Rakht'. Supposedly a englipease-type, saucy, slick, thriller movie.
Starring skimpy dressed hot throbs like Bipasha Basu, Amrita arora and Neha dupiya. Co-stars Sanjay Dutt, Dino Morea, Sunil Shetty, so on and so forth.
Am not going to review the movie. It's not worth one.
What was so baffling for me was:
1. Why does Sanjay Dutt in any movie wears such an expression on the face as though his diaper is full?
2. If the main character always speak in a base tone, why does it have to qualify as a no non-sense movie (Samay - Sushmita Sen; Rakht - Bipasha Basu for example)?
More bafflements later, as and when I get them.
Starring skimpy dressed hot throbs like Bipasha Basu, Amrita arora and Neha dupiya. Co-stars Sanjay Dutt, Dino Morea, Sunil Shetty, so on and so forth.
Am not going to review the movie. It's not worth one.
What was so baffling for me was:
1. Why does Sanjay Dutt in any movie wears such an expression on the face as though his diaper is full?
2. If the main character always speak in a base tone, why does it have to qualify as a no non-sense movie (Samay - Sushmita Sen; Rakht - Bipasha Basu for example)?
More bafflements later, as and when I get them.
April 12, 2005
Aroma of philter kaapi....
Am back at my favorite topic again -- raving about filter coffee.
I don’t know how many of you remember the Narasus coffee advertisement with 'Thengaai' Srinivasan explaining the preparation mode for filter coffee to his wife 'Chachu'…that particular variety of filter coffee, I crave for it! As such, there was no dearth of such a wonderful coffee for me when I was in Chennai.
A fantastic coffee would always be brewed at our home - thanks to my amma and wife. Most importantly to Saravana Coffee in Triplicane - he knew what ratio of chicory-peaberry went into mixture for our home. They knew I needed that caffeine drip down by blood thrice a day and knew the timing as well.
Morning -- Nothing like sipping a fresh coffee, breathing in the aroma of decoction and drinking that coffee from a super hot level to a mildly warm level - it takes min 30 minutes, mind you, to complete that session of coffee…accompanied by that day's HINDU or Ananda Vikatan or some Sujatha novel - Madras A/Vividhbharathi channel in background on radio. After that, like the Cheshire cat effect, a tinge of bitter coffee taste will be waddling in the inner tongue - enough to keep one motivated to go to work!
Afternoon -- Best had around 3:30 or 4 pm, when I am on the brink of falling asleep after a good lunch.(Having a ceremonious lunch is the item for a new post altogether!!) This coffee wakes me up. Tough to get the same home-level-quality while at work, but nevertheless, something better than a Nescafe!
Evening -- back home around 7pm or so, I would delight myself with a mildly hot, little diluted version of morning's filter coffee. Here the essence of coffee powder would have blended nicely into decoction. This settled down (mature???) coffee is apt for a relaxing evening ahead. When my work schedule started getting heavier, it is this evening home coffee that started getting affected. I needed a nice, frothy filter coffee someplace nearby, so that I could have it and get back to work again for another hour or so.
Hotel Saravana bhavan was the only place that catered to this varying taste levels of mine. Then it became kind of habit that whenever I used to pass by Saravana Bhavan, I will simply have a cup of coffee.
------------------------
Back to present. I came to UK bravely armed with 1Kg of Saravana Coffee Works filter coffee powder with chicory mixed. I even got an eversilver filter to brew the decoction. It lasted for 3 months. In the initial fervour, I would invite colleagues to home and proudly serve a cup of authentic filter coffee. But when the dwindling started, and I couldn't generally find someone who was willing to get me another KG of filter coffee powder from Madras, it was a complete debacle. I started getting desperate. Nescafe Gold Blend came a bit close, but not close enough.
Highly unsettling!
------------------------
Cut to the future...
HOTEL SARAVANA BHAVAN is opening two branches in LONDON, UK -- next week. One at East Ham and another one at Wembley Central.
I don’t know how many of you remember the Narasus coffee advertisement with 'Thengaai' Srinivasan explaining the preparation mode for filter coffee to his wife 'Chachu'…that particular variety of filter coffee, I crave for it! As such, there was no dearth of such a wonderful coffee for me when I was in Chennai.
A fantastic coffee would always be brewed at our home - thanks to my amma and wife. Most importantly to Saravana Coffee in Triplicane - he knew what ratio of chicory-peaberry went into mixture for our home. They knew I needed that caffeine drip down by blood thrice a day and knew the timing as well.
Morning -- Nothing like sipping a fresh coffee, breathing in the aroma of decoction and drinking that coffee from a super hot level to a mildly warm level - it takes min 30 minutes, mind you, to complete that session of coffee…accompanied by that day's HINDU or Ananda Vikatan or some Sujatha novel - Madras A/Vividhbharathi channel in background on radio. After that, like the Cheshire cat effect, a tinge of bitter coffee taste will be waddling in the inner tongue - enough to keep one motivated to go to work!
Afternoon -- Best had around 3:30 or 4 pm, when I am on the brink of falling asleep after a good lunch.(Having a ceremonious lunch is the item for a new post altogether!!) This coffee wakes me up. Tough to get the same home-level-quality while at work, but nevertheless, something better than a Nescafe!
Evening -- back home around 7pm or so, I would delight myself with a mildly hot, little diluted version of morning's filter coffee. Here the essence of coffee powder would have blended nicely into decoction. This settled down (mature???) coffee is apt for a relaxing evening ahead. When my work schedule started getting heavier, it is this evening home coffee that started getting affected. I needed a nice, frothy filter coffee someplace nearby, so that I could have it and get back to work again for another hour or so.
Hotel Saravana bhavan was the only place that catered to this varying taste levels of mine. Then it became kind of habit that whenever I used to pass by Saravana Bhavan, I will simply have a cup of coffee.
------------------------
Back to present. I came to UK bravely armed with 1Kg of Saravana Coffee Works filter coffee powder with chicory mixed. I even got an eversilver filter to brew the decoction. It lasted for 3 months. In the initial fervour, I would invite colleagues to home and proudly serve a cup of authentic filter coffee. But when the dwindling started, and I couldn't generally find someone who was willing to get me another KG of filter coffee powder from Madras, it was a complete debacle. I started getting desperate. Nescafe Gold Blend came a bit close, but not close enough.
Highly unsettling!
------------------------
Cut to the future...
HOTEL SARAVANA BHAVAN is opening two branches in LONDON, UK -- next week. One at East Ham and another one at Wembley Central.
March 03, 2005
As white as...
Last time I saw snow in my life, was in a movie song, where Amala will be dancing barefooted on the snow, while Rajinikanth will be completely clad in nice, warm clothes walking with nice boots, watching Amala dance & sing - "Vaa vaa vaaaaaa vaa, kanna vaa";
before that, it was Mandhira wooing Prabhu with low-neck, mini-skirt dress, singing "Alps malai kaatru vanthu, ennai killutho"; Prabhu not so much really amused by song or snow, perhaps because of cold weather despite the fact that he is totally wrapped up in nice thermal wear, and Mandhira barely covering herself;
First time, I saw snow was when our Puratchi Thalaivar MGR would sing "Puthiya vaanam, puthiya bhoomi, engum pani mazhai pozhigirathu" with a suitcase and stick in his hand!
But all these were on "Velli thirai" - silver screen.
A fortnight ago it started snowing here in UK. It was so fascinating and amusing to watch little white flurries of ice, floating in air and falling on pavement; after some hours of snowing, everything outside the window totally covered with snow. It was so exciting to watch it for real. I rang up from office to home to tell my wife to watch it, and show it to my son!!!
We were very excitedly talking about snow! A fortnight later, it is still snowing…and, we are pretty bored! Cant go out, always at home; road is very slippery, and it is painful to wait at a bus stop or a railway station…and to go out anywhere, even to a nearby potti kadai, I have to wear thermals, normal dress, gloves, insuation kulla, scarf, coat, thermal socks, shoes, apply vaseline….
Nowhere near the comfort of simple shorts and a t-shirt and a hawai seruppu to just walk to a nearby shop…
Boy, I long for the scorching Chennai sun…
Any fellow blogger from chennai, can you upload some?
before that, it was Mandhira wooing Prabhu with low-neck, mini-skirt dress, singing "Alps malai kaatru vanthu, ennai killutho"; Prabhu not so much really amused by song or snow, perhaps because of cold weather despite the fact that he is totally wrapped up in nice thermal wear, and Mandhira barely covering herself;
First time, I saw snow was when our Puratchi Thalaivar MGR would sing "Puthiya vaanam, puthiya bhoomi, engum pani mazhai pozhigirathu" with a suitcase and stick in his hand!
But all these were on "Velli thirai" - silver screen.
A fortnight ago it started snowing here in UK. It was so fascinating and amusing to watch little white flurries of ice, floating in air and falling on pavement; after some hours of snowing, everything outside the window totally covered with snow. It was so exciting to watch it for real. I rang up from office to home to tell my wife to watch it, and show it to my son!!!
We were very excitedly talking about snow! A fortnight later, it is still snowing…and, we are pretty bored! Cant go out, always at home; road is very slippery, and it is painful to wait at a bus stop or a railway station…and to go out anywhere, even to a nearby potti kadai, I have to wear thermals, normal dress, gloves, insuation kulla, scarf, coat, thermal socks, shoes, apply vaseline….
Nowhere near the comfort of simple shorts and a t-shirt and a hawai seruppu to just walk to a nearby shop…
Boy, I long for the scorching Chennai sun…
Any fellow blogger from chennai, can you upload some?
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