My Jottings!

New Website for Home Decor & Lifestyle: ChennaiDecor

2011-06-08T12:26:00.000+05:30

Managed to pursue one of my passions - home decor & lifestyle; went ahead &created a website http://www.chennaidecor.com.
You can like the website & get the updates in your facebook.
You can expect blogs on home decor ideas, art & culture - places of interest, interior decoration inspirations, home tours etc. If you take pride in good spots in home, share your photos with me. I shall publish it in the website.

The Engineering Marvels - Just 1000yrs old

2011-05-17T18:52:00.000+05:30

Had visited Tanjavur Big temple, Gangai Konda Cholapuram & Darasuram; all in the chola belt of tanjavur - kumbakonam, Tamilnadu.

The majestic architectural beauty simply blew me off. Lots have been written abt tanjavur & Rajaraja Cholan , the great king, under whose reign the temple was built. But, you have to visit these places to experience the joy! This time around, we had the rare opportunity to climb up the big vimana & actually see the 1000 yr old paintings, the stone karanams (bharathanatyam - poses: there are 108 karanams, but only 81 was carved), and the hollow space that went right up to the kalasam. The temple was built in the 10th century. If you are a historical novel buff - I would recommend u to read Balakumaran's Udaiyar, a book on how the temple was built & the caste politics of that time.

The son of Rajaraja Cholan, Rajendra Cholan shifted the capital from tanjavur to Gangai-Konda-Cholapuram . He had defeated the kings up there & bought Ganga water to perform abishekam in the temple. This temple looks very similar to the tanjore temple. The vimana is unique, in the sense, the base structure is square, becomes hexagonal & finally becomes a circular top. How difficult it would have been, for the entire structure is of stone! This place has lesser buzz than the tanjore temple, so more peace.

Gangai Konda Cholapuram was the last capital of cholas. Due to the repeated wars with Pandyas the city was completely destroyed & the temple partly destroyed in the late 13th
century. The ASI has done a good job in renovating the compound walls & the other structures. The temple was built in 11th century.

The grandson - RajaRaja II also wanted his share in history, so he went ahead & built a temple in Darasuram which oozes beauty in everynook & corner, every pillar, every step. This is an epitome of skillful craftsmanship. The temple was built in the 12th century.

All these temples come under the "UNESCO - World Heritage Sites - The great Living Chola Temples". Looks like the funds are utilized properly. All of them have beautiful lawns & proper maintenance. Must visit places, if you are looking to tour Tamilnadu.

How to reduce 15 Kgs weight

2011-05-03T14:59:00.000+05:30

** Self-Reminder Post! "reduced 15 kgs..can't you knock down 5 kgs again?"**
*** Had posted this in my office blogs, way back in 2007..Its action time again ;-( ***
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Mind you..It is almost a self-declared WAR. It tests your physical stamina & also your determination to see it through.

Last March, I was weighing 68kgs, now I am hovering between 53-54kgs…thought it would be beneficial to share my experience. Strict Diet & Exercise are the prime reasons for the change.

1. Morning - brisk walk for 45 min
2. Breakfast – 3Idlies/2 dosas/2 chappatis/ two servings of rice
3. Lunch @ office – 1 chappati / uthappam + 2 servings of poriyal + 1 serving of kootu + 1 cup rasam + one serving of rice with curd + appalam
4. Evening gym – 30 min @ treadmill + 5-10 min of cycling..etc
5. 7 p.m – one cup of milk(half sugar)
6. Dinner – fruit salads (one big apple + one orange + one banana).
7. One cup of milk at night

I was very strict about this schedule for the first month – and THERE WAS NO CHANGE.

Learning: Do not expect drastic changes immediately & lose heart.

I continued to do the same for six months and from the second month onwards there was a gradual decrease in weight. After sometime, I eased my diet a little - fruits were given a farewell.

Fighting obesity is more of a mind game. First, you have to believe you are going to lose weight. Then the toughest part.. start thinking that the fruits dinner is the most royal food that any man can wish for…have this contended feel always.

My goal was to reduce 15kgs, so I was strict about the fruits dinner part, but if your target is much lesser, you can go for your normal dinner. (not the heavier one..mind you). It is always better to have your dinner atleast 1- 2 hrs before you hit the bed. If possible, avoid rice at night.

Tips:

Consciously avoid Sweets, Fried Snacks like samosa, chips, pickle, coconut.

Reduce the number of times you take tea or coffee. The culprit is the sugar that goes along with it.

When you are dieting, if you feel that you are losing out on your fav. dishes, once in a while.. indulge in it. Do not think you are sacrificing something. If you keep on resisting, then at one point of time, you are going to throw up and say ‘Hell with dieting’ and return to your old ways. (I once in a while, took pizzas too

In whatever manner possible, get some physical workout. It is not necessary that you have to do some serious walking, one game of a well-fought shuttle match would do.

Have some partner at the Gym, it is always nice to have somebody with you. (thanks to Jaya. Actually 30 min of monotonous walking on the treadmill was terrible, we found a way out - we mastered the art of reading books while walking!)

Last but not the least check your weight whenever possible - the guilt pang will help you strengthen your resolve to get back in shape.
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Yeno Kuviamilla..

2011-02-09T17:17:00.002+05:30

You must have heard this latest hit song from the movie Ko [Music - Harris Jeyaraj, Director - KV Anand, Lyricist - Madan Karky (vairamuthu's son & prof.@ Anna University)]

Yeno kuviyamilla.. kuviyamilla oru kaatchi pezhai.. oh ohh..uruvamilla uruvamilla naalai,
Yeno kuviyamilla.. kuviyamilla oru kaatchi pezhai.. oh ohh.. araimanadhai vidiyithu en kaalai

Given the present scenario where people are having a penchant for inane lyrics, 'Kuviamilla' is a pleasant surprise.

Kuviyam/குவியம் means Focus, kuviyamilla - out of focus. pezhai - display The hero is a photographer in the movie & sees the uncertainty of his love as out of focus ! Wow!

The other words which I had earlier google-d for meaning

En padhagai thaangiya un mugam endrum maraiyaadhe - Vettaiyaadu Vilayaadu - Padhagai -flag Lyricist - thamarai
Kalabha kaadhala - Kaaka Kaaka - varied meanings!

[கலாபம் - முத்து மாலை,மயில் தோகை,மேகலை,அணிகலன், யானையின் கழுத்தில் உள்ள கயிறு, அம்பு,நிலவு,அறிவு, ஒரே சந்தத்தில் அமைந்த கவிதைத் தொகுப்பு ]

Kadhalenum mudiviliyil kadikaara neram kidaiyaadhu - from Vaseegara in Minnale: mudivili means infinity - Lyricist - thamarai

Anna Centenary Library - South Asia's largest @ Kotturpuram

2010-09-16T12:38:00.000+05:30

I'm super excited. The Big library which was opened yesterday is just a stone's throw away from our quarters. Take my word - It IS really massive. But, I guess, need to wait for some more time....
From Deccan Hearld

To start with, four floors of the centrally air-conditioned Library are ready. The more than two-year-long project will take some more time to be fully operational. However, sources said, this delay has been offset by a number of novel and attractive features of world class standards incorporated in the ACL. These include a Braille section for the visually impaired, a captivating separate section for children’s books with a huge replica of the “Tree of Knowledge” rooted in its heart, a 1,280-capacity auditorium, two conference halls to hold major seminars and an amphitheatre that can take in more than 800 people at a time. A food court with a range of cuisine is another facility. All these should attract more youths in particular, officials hoped.

Junk

2010-09-03T12:46:00.000+05:30

I don't like the fact that an article sounding this stupid would get me back to blogging. But..
Swagatham fiasco: Rahman's top 10 duds got on my nerves.
Any music director worth his name has his share of tunes that didn't click. I'm sure not every single tune of mozart is worth bragging about. So, at the outset, writing a piece on tunes that didn't work, is a lost cause. Worse, putting Rahman's Vinnai Thaandi Varuvaaya under dud album list clearly shows the writer didn't do any homework. It is one of the best albums to have come out this year and it was both critically and commercially acclaimed. There are many other such factual errors.

Hello..People out there, if this article can be published in ibnlive.com, my skills are much better...I'm open to freelance writing.

Disclaimer: I'm not a die-hard fan of A.R.Rahman.

Middle Class Crisis

2010-08-04T18:41:00.003+05:30

A lengthy but insightful Financial times article on the middle class crisis in America
[Hat tip - Badri]

Haven - Sampoorna - Velachery

2010-07-23T16:08:00.003+05:30

Sampoorna Global restaurant was in my wish-list for quite sometime. By the time, our gang could attack, they changed their name to Haven Sampoorna. We went there with quick lunch in mind. It's a very small place near Sri Krishna Sweets, 100 ft rd, velachery. The interiors are functional, Hollywood-Quote photographs catch your eye. They are veg and their menu had more of continental stuff...which is actually scarce here. We ordered pasta, baked vegetables, diet lunch, french fries, & lunch combos. The starters were vegetable rolls. My pasta had too much cheese, but baked vegetables was awesome. They give more quantity unlike a saravana bhavan where quantity can be measured in spoons! Diet lunch (2 chappathis, subzi, soup, salad)was good but that was not worth the 115/- they charged. The fruit salad that came with the diet lunch was a winner. The lunch combo came with parathas & veg pulao. It didn't disappoint us. The prices are also not too heavy on the purse. (came to around Rs.150 per head) Overall, its a welcome addition to velachery.

Concrete-il pootha Chinna Hibiscus

2010-07-23T16:00:00.003+05:30

Gender Stereotypes

2010-07-17T12:28:00.004+05:30

Vidya tagged me for ‘My Sins against Gender-Stereotypes’...and so..this

Gender Dacolties List

Well, women are generally considered to be the most pious creatures on earth. True..most of the temples and their trustees owe their livelyhood to the religiously religious womenfolk who faithfully throng the temples, keep the vrathas and do their daily poojas at home..Somehow, I managed to escape..and lo! became an atheist. I don't remember the last time, I prayed to 'god'...been a very vocal atheist since childhood despite being in orthodox surroundings. Self reasoning guided by Periyar books might hold the clue..!
Getting Emotional is something I can't. Cannot even say comforting..soothing words to near and dears who are in distress. People say, I'm awkward while cajoling the Boy. Crying doesn't come easily...still openly gape at people who cry at the drop of the hat.[ made of sterner stuff..or..yerumamaatu thol]
No fear...may be the conditioning came with me being an atheist. At home, in any dark, lonely place. [nammala paarthu vera yaaravadhu bayandhathan undu!]
State, National politics are my favorite subjects of discussion. An election around the corner gets me mighty excited. Could reel out the 40 constituencies of TN, track VIP election campaign, minute by minute election result announcement, etc..Next, would be history & archeology.
Abt cooking..Hmmm..cookery shows are one of my fav. in TV. But never had a passion to enter the kitchen. Here..is a big bow to my amma, MIL & husband ;-)
Comfortable being the single girl in all boys gang. Always had a big circle of guys to hang out with.
Would be the first girl to join the 'dance floor'..match every step with the guys...kuthu..all the way!
Would keep my mouth firmly shut, if my hubby is in mood for a slangfest..you can never catch me raising my voice or fighting. No big time drama[ Confession: I irritate the life out!]
I'm darn sure of what I want to buy.., my clothes, jewels selections have not been more than a few minutes. I'm most sought out for making bulk purchases in the family ;-)
Foot-board travel generally means..standing in bus steps.but, was part of a peculiar specie that sat on the foot-board in the college buses!!

But at the same time, I

am fanatically obsessed about a spic and span home. House in disarray would send me into depression. Wet towel on the bed would spoil my entire day.
love re-re-re-re-reading Ramanichandran novels (cha..enna book idhu - nu feel pannalum..therupi padipom)...& would be ready to give my right hand for a dreamy romantic Mills&Boons. Sucker for romantic novels
believe in Retail Therapy. 'am a match match person...have a fetish for accessories..proud owner of a huge bangle collection,running into dozens.
wanted a teetotaler partner..thankfully landed up with one.
believe my elixir of life is chit-chatting with friends..into big time gossip.
am prone to asking questions like 'don't you think, I have lost a little bit of weight?'...[Rajesh shakes his head which looks like an yes from one angle and a no from another angle!]
collect all my gifts and treasure my greeting cards..

Uff..this is one difficult post, sooo.. much of 'I's..which 'I'm not comfortable with!

How to write novels?

2010-07-15T12:43:00.002+05:30

Kadugu's hilarious take on novel writing for dummies. I particularly liked the conversion of a present day happening into a historic piece of writing.

முதலில் எழுதப்படும் கதை:

"தலப்பாகட்டில் பிரியாணி சாப்பிட்டுவிட்டு ஸ்கூட்டரில் ஏறிச் சென்று கொண்டிருந்த மணியின் பார்வை சட்டென்று எதிர்த் திசையில் சென்று கொண்டிருந்த மாலினியின் மேல் விழுந்தது. அவள் ஒரு பெரிய கட்டடத்தில் நுழைந்தாள். அவள் அணிந்திருந்த `சைனா' புடவை மாலை வெயிலில் பளபளத்தது.

இதை சரித்திரக் கதையாக மாற்றுவது எப்படி?

"பால் சோறும் பலாக்கனியும் உண்டுவிட்டு புரவியில் ஏறிப் பாதை வழியே மெல்ல வந்து கொண்டிருந்த இளவரசன் மார்த்தாண்ட மணிவர்மனின் பார்வை ஒரு கணம் எதிர்ச்சாரியில் மலர்ப் பூங்காவின் பின்புறம் சென்று கொண்டிருந்த ராஜ பாதையின் மேல் சென்றது. அங்கே அழகு மயில் என ஒயிலாகச் சென்றுக் கொண்டிருந்தாள் எழில் மங்கை மாளவிகா. அவள் பூப் போன்ற பாதங்களால் நடக்காமல் அன்னமென மென்காற்றில் மிதந்து செல்வது போல் சென்றாள். அருகே இருந்த மாட மாளிகையின் வேலைப்பாடுகள் அமைந்த மணிக் கதவுகளைத் திறந்து சென்றாள். அவள் அணிந்திருந்த முத்து மாலையும், காதில் நடனமாகிக் கொண்டிருந்த குண்டலமும், சங்குக் கழுத்தை தழுவிய நவரத்னாபரணமும், -இவைகளும் சாவகத்திலிருந்து கொண்டு வரப்பட்ட மென்பட்டாலான மேலங்கியும் அந்தி வெயிலில் தகதகவென்று பளபளத்து ஒரே தேஜோமயமாகக் காட்சி அளித்தது...

Paa - Splendid

2010-06-16T16:17:00.003+05:30

Saw Paa. Amazing movie.
Amitabh's infuses life into the movie without ever being Amitabh. If you had not heard that Big B is acting in the movie, you will never ever make out that the 13 yr old boy, Auro who impresses you onscreen is a 60+ old man. I think, credit should be shared with the Pa director, Balki and the technical crew to have executed this master piece which on paper would have simply read 'Abhishek plays father to a 13yr old Amitabh'. Divya Balan, acts like a dream and looks like a million bucks in sabyasachi sarees. Abhishek held his own even when pitted against author-backed mom & son roles. Ilaiyaraja's magic returns with haunting melodies. Media bashing was the only off-key note in this outing.

Soderling - The Leveller

2010-06-02T12:36:00.002+05:30

Last French Open, Robin Soderling removed Nadal from Federer's path to Clay Court Glory. But, this time around, he levelled it by handing out a QF defeat to Federer. Federer's record streak of reaching the semifinals in 23 consecutive major events ended with this!!

Soderling is fast becoming the French Open Shocker Specialist. Would love to see a Soderling Vs Nadal final at Roland Garros.

Sri Krishna Sweets - Velachery

2010-05-31T15:49:00.004+05:30

Wanted to blog abt this for quite sometime.But.....

Well, The latest addition to the colourful landscape of velachery is Sri Krishna Sweets - on the 100 Ft road - more towards Guru Nanak College. Within a week of it's opening, I landed in the well decorated shop. Parking space is much better than the other shops on the road. They have caught hold of a good corner space. Immediate attraction is the centrally placed - Sweet Buffet Stall...It is really huge and there are upteen varieties of sweets & savouries..Since, I'm on this 'Diet' mode, I skipped the center piece. The restaurant, which is on the periphery, is kind-of cramped with tables and chairs put very closely. I knew the hiccups of a newly opened eatery, so safely ordered a simple - Dosa.

Man, what a disappointment! The waiters had no clue about serving the customers. I had to do a mini-dance to get the attention of a waiter and then gave my 'big' order. Then , I joined the 'There is no sign of the food ordered' fellow people. A good ten minutes passed and I was really getting restless. It would have been OK..if people who came before me were getting their orders. I saw only one pongal, two chaat items being served in a crowded place. After another 5 minutes..the couple who sat before me got their orders. I told the waiter to hurry up - After all, its just a plain dosa. Another five minutes passed, the waiters are running up and down, I wonder for what!I had a good mind to walk away..and finally my dosa arrived ..but...hey..what a pity - it was a cold-dosa. Had it been on another day, I would have returned the dosa..but that would be mean another 15 minutes of argument and was already running late. So, quickly ate the food and made a hasty retreat after paying a 'thendam' 25 Rs.

Would not write them away after the first experience..Another visit would go into the decision making exercise.

Kites

2010-04-28T18:13:00.003+05:30

Looking forward to Hrithik's 'Kites' release ...would complete the 'Jollu'- trilogy of Dhooom2 and Jodha Akbar.

Monuments @ the mercy of granite industries

2010-04-20T18:20:00.003+05:30

Lot has been written about the threats to the heritage Jain monuments in the hills of Madurai. Justice was quickly met out - Granite Quarrying can happen but not exactly in the heritage site, just few meters further. What an insightful judgment!
Times of India has a big article condemning this ruthless act.

Jainism was present in the region for over 1,300 years and its relics have survived till now,providing evidence of a rich civilization,culture and academic excellence of a bygone era. But their survival is threatened and they may disappear in the next 100 years due to the quest for granite,he says.The Tamil Nadu State Archaeology Department has under its control 16 such monuments,including four Jain caves and four Brahmi culverts in Keelavalavu near Melur,Perumalmalai in Karadipatti and some other places in Madurai,including the one in Thiruvadavur.The site in Thiruvadavur contains Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions and prehistoric paintings that date back to the second century BC.Sources in the office of the assistant director,department of archaeology,say that a survey would be conducted within the next two weeks to see if the two granite quarries had exceeded their limits based on the specification of the gazette notification.

Shashi Tharoor - Political journey

2010-04-19T10:57:00.002+05:30

I'm looking forward to Shashi Tharoor's Memoirs! Bet that would be rocking entertainment ;-)

Chamki Assault

2010-04-15T12:16:00.003+05:30

Its omnipresent now, everywhere you turn around, you can spot women sporting chamki work dresses..right from 200 rs salwars to 20000 rs sarees...chamkis..chamkis and more chamkis..Cotton chudidhars are available within the bracket of 1000 rs..but, if you want to get some high end salwars, be prepared for the relentless attack of bling. Inspite of the hot & humid climate of tamilnadu, I pity the women folk who have started wearing those polyster sarees with assorted chamki work. Wish 'The Cotton' makes a grand comeback.

Knorr Soupy Noodles

2010-04-08T17:27:00.003+05:30

I bet the Kajol-Ad for Knorr Soupy Noodles [ both noodles and soup in one offering] would bag the trophy for the most repeated ad on TV. Off late, there is more of chutti TV, Pogo and their likes in our TV..may be that's one reason why I felt HLL almost carpet bombed the ad on our heads. The effect was so much that I bought a packet to try out the new 'food'.

What a disappointment - it tasted exactly like Maggie Noodles. I usually like maggie noodles with the little slosh effect (rather than the stiff noodles)and knorr gave just the twin-sister act. After Horlicks's Foodles, I am let down by this wannabie new star - Knorr Soupy Noodles. It just reiterates the fact that Maggie is the king..err..queen.

Swingers Dance School

2010-03-30T17:34:00.002+05:30

Long long ago..so long ago..I had attended few dance classes in Swingers Dance school in velachery. Every time they start a new batch, I dutifully get a call from the people at swingers. They politely inform me about the new class and ask me if I want to join. I'm amazed at how strong their contact - knowledge base is and how effectively the system functions. A good point to note for all marketeers.

Nigeria & India

2010-03-22T17:51:00.003+05:30

I have often quoted Jeyamohan in this blog. But this time, When I read this blog post of his [warning: has disturbing picture], I wanted to bang myself. A reader asks him abt the violence in Nigeria and our man comes out with a terrific theory. Like India, Nigeria too was made up of different races, ancient culture but with the advent of Islam, violence had started. There is a huge following for him which believes every letter he writes and this type of irresponsible reply should be condemned.

"இந்தச் சூழலில் அங்கே அரேபியாவில் இருந்து இஸ்லாம் வந்தது. இஸ்லாம் எல்லா பழங்குடி தெய்வங்களையும் நம்பிக்கைகளையும் அழித்து ஒற்றைநம்பிக்கையை முன்வைத்தது. நைஜீரிய வரலாற்றில் பத்தாம் நூற்றாண்டு முதல் எண்ணூறு வருடம் ஒவ்வொருநாளும் குருதி கொட்டியிருக்கிறது. அதுவும் இந்தியாவைப்போலவே.
...
இந்தியவரலாற்றில் என்ன வேறுபாடு? இங்குள்ள இஸ்லாம் அல்லாத பேரரசுகள் இஸ்லாமை கட்டுப்படுத்தி பேரழிவில் இருந்து இந்தியாவைக் காத்தன என்பதே. தங்குதடையிலா அதிகாரம் இஸ்லாமுக்கு எப்போதுமே கிடைத்ததில்லை. ராஜபுத்திரர்கள், அதன்பின் விஜயநகரம், அதன் பின் மராட்டியர்கள் என வலுவான எதிர்விசை எப்போதும் இருந்தது. எந்நிலையிலும் போர் நிகழ்ந்துகொண்டே தான் இருந்தது. ஆகவே சமரசம் மூலமே இஸ்லாமியர் ஆளமுடிந்தது. நேரடி ஆட்சி அமையவில்லை, கப்பம் கட்டும் நாடுகளின் தொகையாகவே இஸ்லாமிய ஆட்சி நீடிக்க முடிந்தது.
...
அதன்பின் நைஜீரியாவில் காலனியாதிக்க காலகட்டம். இந்தியாவைப்போலவே முதலில் போர்ச்சுக்கல்காரர்கள். கடைசியில் பிரிட்டிஷார். இஸ்லாமாகாமல் எஞ்சிய மக்களை காலனியாதிக்க சக்திகள் கிறித்தவர்களாக ஆக்கினார்கள். நைஜீரியாவின் மக்கள்தொகை கிட்டத்தட்ட சரிபாதியாகவே இஸ்லாமியர்களாகவும் கிறிஸ்தவர்களாகவும் ஆகியது. இரண்டுமே தங்களுடையது மட்டுமே மெய் என்ற ஒற்றை தரிசனம் கொண்ட மதங்கள். எந்தவிதமான சமரசத்துக்கும் இடமில்லாதவை.மரபான மதநம்பிக்கை கொண்ட நைஜீரிய சாதிகள் இன்று உதிரிநாடோடிகளாக வரலாறே இல்லாமல் வாழ்கிறார்கள்.
...
இந்தியாவில் என்ன வேற்றுமை? இந்தியாவை கிறித்தவ மயமாக்கும் காலனியாதிக்க முயற்சிகளை இந்துமதம் அனுமதிக்காமல் எதிர்த்து நின்றது. இஸ்லாமின் ஆதிக்கத்தை வென்றதுபோலவே கிறித்தவ ஊடுருவலையும் அது வென்றது. அதற்கான காரணம் என்ன? மிக எளிய விடைதான் ஏற்கனவே இந்து,சமண,பௌத்த மதங்களால் இந்தியாவின் சிறுவழிபாட்டுமரபுகள் தத்துவார்த்தமாக தொகுக்கப்பட்டுவிட்டிருந்தன. ஆகவே அவை நைஜீரியா போல தனித்தனி வழிபாட்டுக்குழுக்களாக தேங்கி இருக்கவில்லை. ஒன்றுடன் ஒன்று உரையாடி வளர்ந்து ஒருங்கிணைந்த சக்தியாக, வலுவான தத்துவ – வழிபாட்டு அடிபப்டையுடன் விளங்கின. ஆகவேதான் நைஜீரிய பழங்குடி மதங்களுக்கு நிகழ்ந்தது இந்துமதப்பிரிவுகளுக்கு நிகழவில்லை..."

McDonald's @ Velachery

2010-03-22T17:32:00.002+05:30

Saturday Lunch was at the newly opened McDonald's at Velachery - a few blocks away from A2B ( towards Pallikaranai). Didn't disappoint.
Surprise: I could spot a sizable school population..(Hmm..flashback..never actually went out for lunch in school uniform...)
Our group ordered the customary Burger (Rs.45), Veg Paneer Wrap (Rs.66),nudgets, ...all of them were good...The meal was an easy option - A burger, finger chips, coke - 95/-..Wish the sauces were more manageable. Didn't like the experience of tearing sachets while eating.. sauce sachets belong to door delivery only.
Inspite of the surging crowds, the place operates like a well oiled machine. It's a duplex structure, so ordering had to be finished downstairs. Not sure what happens, if there is an extra order during the course of the meal..Do we have to go down for every order?
The order and delivery happened quickly and we had a sumptuous lunch with gossip being the main course ;-)

Sentiment

2010-03-12T15:11:00.001+05:30

Net Thathuvam:
"என்னதான் நீங்க செண்டிமெண்ட் பார்த்தாலும், கப்பல் கெளம்பறதுக்கு முன்னாடி எலுமிச்சம் பழம் எல்லாம் வைக்க முடியாது... சங்கு ஊதிவிட்டுதான் கெளம்பனும்..."

Queue in India!

2010-03-11T12:41:00.002+05:30

Was taken aback, when I saw random people who were sitting in Mettupaalayam railyway station, suddenly jumping and forming a queue to board a train that had just arrived. I don't remember the last time I saw, queue formation anywhere in India. There were two policemen also.. they regulated the entry of people. Then came to know that the queue was for boarding the unreserved compartment. Things like this also happen in India..Hmmm..

Saamiyars Exposed

2010-03-03T12:32:00.003+05:30

In tamilnadu, every now and then, there is a news about a saamiyar caught in a scandal..But then, those were local saamiyars (like the madipaakam saamiyar)..of course the greatest scandal would be the arrest of jeyandra sankarachaariyar [Now, the case is nowhere - that's another story by itself]..but yesterday, Nithyananda swaamigal - a bigger league spiritual guru was caught on 'A' -rated video and Sun TV went all out with the expose [My view: SUN TV shouldn't have streamed the video without camouflaging the explicit content...quite a shocker to watch it in living room TV]. Another set of big time 'spiritual gurus' - Kalki Bhagvan and his wife Amma Bhagvan's fraud is the subject of discussion in an Andhra TV.

I just wish, the people who flock to these 'spiritual gurus' pause for a minute and reflect on these developments..

Should wait and watch the next move...

Subbunagam Ammal

2010-03-01T14:51:00.002+05:30

An interesting anecdote by Mr.Sriram (Madras Heritage and Music blog) in the Hindu -

Here goes the story...In 1895, Subbunagam Ammal, a 16 yr old Brahmin shocked the conservative madras society by converting to Christianity. After the usual uproar, she became the prize catch and along with Ms. Stephans (her mentor), she toured USA in 1900, lecturing abt her conversion. Then in 1905, there's a story about her kidnap, but finally it turned out to be case of 'going back to the roots'.

Quite a personality!

Maggie Noodles - Just Two Minutes

2010-02-22T15:51:00.003+05:30

Happened to taste the new Horlicks - Foodles yesterday. It tasted just like Maggie noodles... so much for differentiating.

Maggie Noodles is way past its 25 years mark and still happens to be my fav. I vividly remember the day when Maggie was the cause of excitement in our school(then NES, now NPS), we were in our primary class ..all of us were given a packet after a small demonstration and from then on, Maggie is one brand that has stayed with us. The 'Bus Two Minutes' ad jingle was also a rage.

Maggie had everything going for it - Instant food, easy to cook, good taste and it focused on children - A sure shot recipe for success. Top Ramen was a late entrant but I guess, it is still a very distant second.

For all kitchen-challenged people like me, Maggie is a dream come true ;-))

The tale of two TV serials

2010-02-17T16:31:00.003+05:30

'Madras Eye' forced me to take a day off and I was almost quarantined in my house. By afternoon, boredom had set in and I took to TV surfing.

A scene in a serial
Lady 1: can instantly say, she is the villi. With over the top makeup, garish saree, high tempo BGM, and that iconic creepy looks.. there was no doubt about it.
Lady 1 hands over a small red packet to Lady 2. Lady 2 receives it with equally creepy looks
Lady1 : "This contains a certain drug. Mix it with her food, she is bound to misbehave and create a scene, use this opportunity and throw her out"
Lady 2 nods...Lady1 and Lady2 exchange the 'conspirator' smiles [ atleast 4 closeup shots of each are shown in a loop ]

Yeppa..mudiyale...I change to cricket and move on to other channels..

Another channel, another serial
Lady 1: can instantly say, she is the villi. With over the top makeup, garish saree, high tempo BGM, and that iconic creepy looks.. there was no doubt about it.
Lady 1 hands over a small red bottle to Lady 2. Lady 2 receives it with equally creepy looks
Lady1 : "This contains slow poison. Mix it with her food gradually. she will die after 10 days"
Lady 2 nods..Lady1 and Lady2 exchange the 'conspirator' smiles [atleast 4 closeup shots of each are shown in a loop ]

Enna koduma saravanan idhu!!
The infection in the eye, which had sobered down a little came back with a vengeance..

Two States

2010-02-10T17:32:00.002+05:30

'Two States' happens to be the second book I have read after Chetan Bhagat's First one - Five Point Someone. 'Thank your stars' that's what my friends, who have read the other books - one night at the call center, three mistakes tell me. I thoroughly enjoyed Five Point Someone and the jokes continue to flow in Two States too. The story as such is not new, but the challenge is the format in which it is presented. Chetan Bhagat is bestowed with amazing sense of humor and he puts it down in a cute manner. My fav. was the campus part of the story and the efforts taken by Krish to impress Ananya's family . But, there are few occasions where he goes overboard like krish buying rings for Ananya's entire family, Ananya solving the cousin's marriage problem, the wedding at mylapore etc. Chetan Bhagat also falters by giving a generic picture of south Indian/ tamilians as veg, music loving, academics oriented people. Can safely say 80% of tamilians are non-veg, and also 95% don't understand Carnatic music ;-)). My verdict: Safe Buy !

The Soup and Salad Cafe

2010-01-27T16:49:00.002+05:30

Somebody did hear this?

Visited the newly opened Soup and Salad cafe on TTK Road, Alwarpet, opp to Raj Park. Amazing Ambiance is what that struck me first. Was greeted by friendly waiters. The menu was exhaustive, and it is not just Soups and Salads, they have sandwiches, wraps, smoothies, desserts, etc. But the names are mumbo-jumbo! We ordered a Soup-something Italian and Mexian - corn & pepper salad with mayo dressing. Both were awesome. Soup was heated just in front of us. They have a soup & salad counter and we could actually see whats going on.

The first visit culminated with only a soup & salad. Guess, we need to go as a big group to taste all the stuff. And hey, not all salads come under the 'healthy' tag, there were many salads with boiled potato, chips and paneer as ingredients ;-) The prices are a bit expensive - soups 50+, salads - 70+ but OK..when chaat can be 50+, it is worth paying for a salad. And something remarkable happened afterwards, I got a thankyou mail from S&S team. [ I had left my mail-id in the feedback form]. That was a nice touch to customer service.

GRT - Radio FM Ad

2010-01-27T16:34:00.003+05:30

Creating Ads is very difficult. Creating Radio Ads are very very difficult. Arresting the attention of listeners with just sound medium is a real challenge. The latest GRT jewelery ad that conveys the simple message that they have opened a new branch in Purasaivakkam gets a thumbsup from me.

I automatically switch off when ads come in between the songs in Radio FMs but GRT ad starts with a lead music to a block buster song. Now, it gears everybody into listen mode, falsely alluring the listener who thinks the song has started and the ads are over. After few seconds there comes the announcement of the new branch. And Nobody misses the ad.

Pondicherry Weekend

2010-01-20T16:08:00.002+05:30

Had been to Pondicherry for the christmas weekend...One day visit from chennai was the single most factor that tilted our decision towards Pondi. Wanted to enjoy the ECR scenery, but unfortunately, our Van didn't have the permit to use the route, so had to take the NH45..The travel was smooth, went to our native village near tindivanam, enroute to Pondicherry..Around 12 of us were there. lots of fun. Chennai was at it's coolest best during that time, thought Pondicherry would also be cool, packed my boy in full sleeves, full pant..but sun was out in its full force and there was stuffy feeling all around.

First stop was at Auroville, a town by itself. In its own words - Auroville wants to be a universal town where men and women of all countries are able to live in peace and progressive harmony above all creeds, all politics and all nationalities. The purpose of Auroville is to realise human unity." So, the place was teaming with Foreigners and tourists from other states. The Mantrimandir is the center piece for meditation and it was a good 1 km walk so we decided to skip it. I don't fancy herbal products at exorbitant amt. Auroville has a well stocked shop that sells candles, t-shirts, kurthas, soaps, etc and are priced for NRIs and Foreigners. A small video presentation gave us an insight into what Auroville was all about.

It was lunch time and we went to Hotel Ram International - waiting period was a good half-an-hour. The food was good. Next was Aurobindo Ashram. I could see pious devotees all around. I liked the calm atmosphere. Thats it. Wonder, why they converted it into a tourist place..half the crowd didn't know what it was (Heard a man comment : I think, it is some foreign temple built here) Few steps ahead was the Manakula Vinayagar, contrary to the silence we saw earlier, the decibel levels here were high as in a typical south Indian temple...A small elephant was at the entrance and was doing brisk business.

Beach was our last stop. On the way to beach, we had some snacks at Le-Cafe opp to the French Consulate. The masala puri there is divine...try it. The buildings near the ashram were a scream, very majestic. Lovely architecture.

Beach is not like the ones we find in chennai, there is very little of the beach as such..there is small stretch of sand and then the rocks. We were there exactly on Tsunami anniversary.. a small group was seen saying a prayer to the loved ones. We left pondicherry at around 7 pm..reached chennai around 9.30 p.m

Well, Pondi is not a great place for family visit. I think, checking into a resort would have been a better choice. Pondicherry by itself is not alluring for a chennai-vasi..the beaches in chennai are far better than those in Pondicherry...Can be seen once, just for the heck of it.

KarishmaDress.com

2010-01-05T17:46:00.003+05:30

I had always noticed Karishma - Exclusive dress material ads in newspapers, wanted to check it out for a long time..Good that they had a website - karishmadress.com. Well..the dresses are under the designer label, carry the 'exclusive' tag and therefore way above my budget. Salwar suits range anywhere between Rs.1375 - Rs.9295..Ok..Nice site..thanks..it saved a visit to the shop.

Tamil Padam Rocks

2009-12-31T12:05:00.002+05:30

Its the biggest spoof film in tamil movies..Tamil Padam was already making waves in print ads. The trailer just sets the expectations roaring..and Oh..Maha Zeeya song rocks.
Eagerly awaiting the movie's release.

December Season

2009-12-24T15:32:00.003+05:30

December season is something that is unique to chennai. Carnatic Music is in the air..and residing just behind Music Academy, there is no escaping the joyous spirit (and the traffic snarls!). Yet to see any live concert this year ;-(

Aruna Sairam is one of my favorites - You can enjoy the Marathi Abang here - Vrindavani. While flipping channels, Podhigai came up with something on the lines of Krishna Jayanthi celebrations with the audience mainly children dressed as krishna and Radha..And I saw Aruna Sairam delivering Vrindavani Venu..with such gusto that you wanted to dance to the mesmerizing tune. Njoy!

Shibu Soren - the new King

2009-12-24T15:12:00.002+05:30

Just three years ago, Shibu Soren had the dubious distinction of being the first union minister to be convicted. Now, he rules the roost at Jharkhand. In the recent assembly elections, people have handed over a fractured mandate, which places Shibu Shoren in a comfortable position where his word is the command.

"I do not want to be kingmaker, I want to be king. It's not important now what Arjun Munda (of the BJP) and Babulal Marandi (of the JVM-P) are stating. Now everything depends on me," Soren told reporters in Bokaro - IBNLive..

- Vaazhga Jananayagham!

Kailash Parbhat @ Velachery

2009-12-10T17:57:00.002+05:30

Kailash Parbhat is the latest food joint to set up shop in velachery. It operates out of Naihaa complex on 100 ft road, along with Noodle House and French Loaf. Around a month back my friend and I weren't impressed much with the first tryst. Wanted to play safe and ordered Kailash Parbhat special - it looked good with lots of yummy curd but it was too spicy for my taste, emptied almost two glasses of water before finishing off the dish. My friend had ordered corn basket and that was a joke with just a smattering of corn here and there.The place was also full of flies..did not suit the upmarket chain image they are part of. But it was a different experience the second time around. We had Samosa, Channa tikki, dahi papdi everything was damn good. Did I tell you.. the chaats.. all have a distinct flavour that is different from everything else in chennai (gangotri comes a distant second). The pricing is a tad expensive. A third visit would help me decide to give a thumbs up or down ;-))

Child's Mind

2009-12-07T16:57:00.003+05:30

My friend's six year old son wanted to become a doctor. I kind of told him, you need to really slog, get amazing marks to become a doctor..The kid considered this fact and quipped " OK..let me not become the big doctor..Hmmm..may be I shall become a children's doctor" ;-)

Talakona Waterfalls - Andhra

2009-11-18T12:09:00.004+05:30

Finally we stepped out of TamilNadu!! Went to Talakona - Eco Forest for the weekend. It is near Tirupathi. It was Dheeru's [my 16 month old son] first outing, so I was a liitle bit edgy. Thanks to my friends at office, things fell in place and by saturday afternoon, we were vroomingg across thiruvalur, puthur, chandragiri..and reached a wet thalakona forest. Talakona does not have any shops, so if you want to buy anything plan it before and stock it.

Surprisingly the government guest house accommodation was very neat and clean. The food needs to be ordered at a local hotel [it is better that you don't actually see the kitchen], they bring it to the rooms. The guest house by itself doesn't have cooking options. The food was typical Andhra - lot of kaaram. On sunday, we set out to tackle the waterfalls - a 2 km difficult trek. With a kid in tow, it becomes all the more difficult. Caution: The place is full of aggressive monkeys. Any sign of plastic cover is sure to get a friendly attack from one of those ever watchful vaanara padais. The waterfalls was a scenic sight. But when compared to kutralam, the water was less [inspite of the rains] but was very forceful. . So don't have high expectations. Next we decided to hit the Forest dept' Eco-tourism division. I opted out of it because Dheeru was sound asleep. The team came back after an hour and half, by then Dheeru got up and we were ready to go for it. The canopy walk was long and good - it cut across some awesome trees with medicinal value. Boating was a farce, it was some huge swimming pool kind. Didn't go for it. The forest dept guesthouses were different - hut kind of structures. Saw some siddha college students take a study tour inside the forests. Atleast their educational tours have some meaning unlike our engg. educational tours to Ooty, Kodaikanal and Goa.

Left the place around 3.30 p.m and reached chennai at 8.30 p.m. Had dinner in Jain Motel in Poonamallee [ actually very good food and ambiance for a roadside motel..would love to go back there]...Guess overall a nice experience. But not one of those great places you want to go again and again.
Our organizer - Ranjith's blog on Talakona visit.

Behind the car...

2009-11-17T17:05:00.003+05:30

Well..Well..somebody got mighty romantic and declared it to the whole world.
saw this quote[in very big font] behind a car,
"Without Wife
No Life"

Windsurfing on Road?

2009-11-10T18:24:00.004+05:30

You can try windsurfing with your bikes in velachery roads! Continuous rains have once again successfully converted even the main roads into oceans with wave effects. The place you see is Halda junction - near Raj Bhavan.

Quote

2009-11-09T14:40:00.002+05:30

"Apologizing does not mean that you are wrong and the other one is right... It simply means that you value the relationship much more than your ego."

This quote popped up in facebook today. After a major showdown, now peace reigns. period.

Agassi comes OPEN

2009-11-02T14:13:00.003+05:30

Agassi is in the limelight again. His autobiography - OPEN has infact opened a pandora box of secrets . He has admitted that he took drugs, lied abt it, and well..his oh-so-great hairstyle was one big wig. [Getty Images] But then..Agassi has scripted one of the wonderful comebacks in the game - at the age of 33 , he was the oldest man ever to hold the No 1 ranking.

I'm sure this book with the all the publicity it is generating would join the all time best sellers list.

Harris Jayaraj - Haunting Melodies

2009-10-29T14:21:00.002+05:30

Harris Jayaraj = Consistent Performer

The latest song that has possessed me is Vaaraaiyo Vaaraaiyo kaadhal kolla excellently rendered by Unnikrishnan & Chinmayee from Aadhavan.

Just reflecting back, it struck me that Harris has an almost enviable 100% track record in tamil films. Starting from Minnale - to the latest Aadhavan - his albums come under the 'most of the songs are really good'. Top of my mind blockbuster albums - Minnale, kaakha kaakha, chellame, anniyan, ghajini, vettaiyaadu vilayaadu, pachaikili muthucharam, unnale unnale, vaaranam aayiram, ayan. Even in a dud like bheema , mudhal mazhai was a block buster..may be satyam was one of his rare flops (even in that En Anbe was hummable)..May be the negatives will include a certain repetitive thread that runs along his songs.

I'm no expert in music..so from a layman perspective - I think his forte is simple - rhythmic - most importantly 'any body-can-sing-along' tunes - no complicated stuff.

Velachery's Uncle Mess

2009-10-23T16:22:00.002+05:30

With Mami's mess cornering all the glory in the food world, can Uncle's mess be far behind? For long, Uncle's mess has been famous in velachery - catering to the ever burgeoning bachelor population. They were previously operating out of Dhaneshwaram and the current place is behind ICICI bank, Vijay Nagar bus terminus. We went around 12. 45 p.m, there were few people around. But by 1 pm, the mess became very crowded. Guess.. North Indian culinary has an the upper hand. Soft chappathis with two very tasty subjis, sambar vada, poriyal, mor kozhambu, rasam, curd completed the simple menu. I would have preferred a sambar, extra poriyal/kootu. Anyways, the food had the home-made feel and a certain freshness associated with it. Overall Rs.45/- well spent. The 'Uncle' sits with the curd cups and appalams. He seems to be very shrewd, he could spot me as a new customer and in the course of our meal, he kind-a of urged me to come in the evening to taste aloo paratha (which uncle's mess is famous for).

Awards

2009-10-20T15:03:00.004+05:30

Couldn't resist from posting - From Luckylookonline.com-CM's State Film Award for Uliyin Osai.. The debate has slowed down because of another award - Obama's nobel peace prize.

Kalapirar - Tamil History

2009-10-12T12:26:00.003+05:30

களப்பிரர் - Kalabhras come into Tamil history around 3rd century. They ruled over the tamil heartland for over three centuries. Later from the 7th century onwards, we get to see the dominance of Pallavas, Pandyas and cholas. Unfortunately, there is very little "popular" historic details about this clan. Very easily the historians have skipped three hundred years and termed it as an interregnum - இருண்ட காலம். The joke is, the most famous tamil literature - Thirukural is from this period. Other classics are Naaladiyar, Inna Narpathu, Iniyavai Narpathu..and many such works..so much for being இருண்ட காலம்!

Jeyamohan, in one of his recent blogs - களப்பிரர் has undermined the importance of researching about this period and why the three hundred years of history has been showcased as a virtual black hole. Interesting read for history enthusiasts.

Velachery's Chocolate Room

2009-10-07T14:28:00.003+05:30

Chocolate is Good for you!
The above said board welcomes you to the newly opened The Chocolate Room at velachery[100 feet road - opp to spencers/foodworld]

Yummy! For all those choco addicts and for those not so fond of chocolates too, The Chocolate Room offers quite a handful. Very impressive decor. The menu itself was interesting, the detailed history behind the breads, drinks etc was neatly laid out. We tried out assorted stuff like Greek Salad (dressing was great ++, too much onions --ve), vegetable stuffings [all had fancy names], Hot chocolate with pancake, chocolate with icecream, mocktail..everything was simply great. Diet flew out of the window and we ransacked the entire 'room'.

A welcome addition to the ever widening foodline in velachery.

Cholas & Deepankudi

2009-10-05T12:46:00.002+05:30

Deepankudi is a little hamlet in Thiruvarur dist, Tamilnadu. A new inscription belonging to the later cholas, 11th century has been found there.

The inscription belonging to the period of Rajendra II, is found in a pillar of six ft height in the temple premises which is under renovation. Inscription is engraved in all the four sides of the pillar. It starts with the praising of the King. It registers about donations offered to the presiding deity, Kailasanatha of Siva temple by Arulmozhinangai, sister of Rajendra II and the daughter of Rajendra I. On her behalf, it was inscribed by Aramabanandi, a Jain who belonged to Deepankudi temple. The inscription also records about the donations for offering rice, vegetables and curd rice daily for the presiding deity. The Jain temple of Deepankudi is in worship now.
An inscription found in Sttambur near Chenji in Tamil Nadu speaks about a Jain known as Aramanandi.

Way back in 2005, similar pillars with inscriptions have been found.

Well, another titbit - Deepankudi is the place where Jayamkondar, the author of "Kalingathu Parani" - a massive collection of war poems, was born.

Dan Brown - The Lost Symbol

2009-10-03T20:37:00.004+05:30

Announcing a competition in this blog... How many times would have Dan Brown used the words- Mystery, Secret in his latest thriller novel - The Lost Symbol.... Dan Brown has definitely got a knack to narrate a simple sequence in a loaded mystic manner.
Immediate thoughts after finishing the novel [not going to reveal anything abt the plot]

Nice hard bound book - sleek looking . Comfortable font
The story is within the 24 hrs limit. Same pattern of events
Dan Brown tries hard to fit in the GenX - iPhone, Twitter...Hmm..
Robert Langdon looks almost like an atheist - questioning every possible theory proposed. But guess Dan Brown has become more religious - 'scientifically' accepting faith healing was the limit.
Langdon actually solves very little of the mystery.. Less action..He actually admits that he did nothing much.
Other characters tutor Langdon on the next course of action, he is almost like the vodafone puppy.
Masons - would be the next wikipedia search that everybody would do after reading Lost symbol
The villain is powerful, pitiable and likeable (!)
Dan Brown has read abt India & Hindus, so touches upon Hindu mythology - U might smile knowingly when u read the references to Krishna, Bhagavad Gita, Ganesh, Vedas, Bindhi in the forehead and Kubera Kolam of all things!!!!!!.
Dan Brown is painting a bigger canvas - u can see the movie in the making
EQ is very low
The mystery is gripping...I had every mind to turn to the penultimate chapter to know how the events met its logical end
I had figured out the villain's identity earlier itself, so was more interested in knowing how he would steer the story.
Science and Religion make a heady potent mix
The 'truth' is very simple
Washington DC would get another tour - the lost symbol route
Somehow, the destination is very subdued when compared to the thrilling journey - I felt the same in Da Vinci Code too...the climax is a downer.
The joke was not on 'myth' but on 'science' - Faith healing, power of mind to move physical bodies, collective mind power and the likes. Experiments are conducted to analyse the human soul..fine..but the eurekha moment is when the human soul is weighed. YUCK....[I couldn't resist this plot stuff]
All in all, not an earth shattering book. But nevertheless, an interesting read.

Goonj - Old Clothes have Diginity

2009-10-01T11:23:00.003+05:30

Over the past two weeks, I came across 'Goonj' through various links. [Unfortunately, I think, their website was under virus attack, but now seems to have recovered]
Goonj is an NGO which channels our old clothes to the poorest of the poor in remote villages across India. Its easy to type this sentence, but the logistics behind this effort is mind blowing. GoodNewsIndia has a very insightful writeup on Anshu, Meenakshi and Goonj

Till three years ago, the collection used to arrive in Gupta's small house, where volunteers and paid staff processed the clothes. [Goonj has a separate office and work place now]. Intimate wear is rejected. Torn clothes are set aside for conversion into usable products. Good but dirty clothes are removed for washing. Then, requisitions from organisations are taken up. These contain requirement by gender, age and size. These are selected and packed in used sacks. Sacks are numbered and the numbers recorded in a database. And finally they are on their way to close to 200 destinations around the country. No cloth is ever wasted. They are converted to school bags, tote bags, quilts, and mats. A great quantity is converted into narrow tapes to be used as drawstrings for petticoats. The ultimate, unusable waste is chopped up and stuffed into pillows and quilts. Perhaps, the most poignant of all products that Goonj makes are sanitary napkins of its own design.

Now, you know whom to call for giving away your old clothes. There might be pride in giving, but we should not forget that there is dignity in receiving too.

Noodle House - Velachery

2009-09-29T12:19:00.002+05:30

Decided to hit Noodle House for lunch. Noodle House is located in 100 ft road, velachery - Naihaa complex...French Loaf was also there, but it was closed for renovation. The interiors were good and the ambiance - very 'china'. The menu was exhaustive but for a poor veg - the scope was very limited. Decided to play it safe and ordered a combo - clear soup, fried rice, icecream [decent - rs. 125]. Starters - Veg rolls, Dumplings tasted good. One of my friend had ordered spinach noodles..that was yummy... All the combo deliveries were good..but an order of Hongkong noodles [some non-veg stuff] proved to be a downer. Icecream was ok..but fruit salad was pathetic [served in the smallest bowl I have ever seen]. Overall, once in a while its ok to come to this place, just for the heck of trying out a different cuisine and definitely, it was not a disaster like kumarkom. But for a staunch veggie, Noodle house may not be a good hangout.

Fashion & Fusion - Alwarpet

2009-09-24T12:36:00.004+05:30

One of the strong marketing tools of textile shops is window display. Two shops that come to my mind are Her Choice - Opp Sankara Hall - TTK road and another one - Fashion & Fusion on K.B.Dasan road, (near SIET)...They have theme based display - very eye catchy..I have actually got a couple of salwar suits from Her Choice. They have a very good variety of salwar materials and stiched ones too. Off late, I have been traveling by the SIET road, so Fashion & Fusion would be on my mind whenever I pass through that shop. One fine day, I decided to check it out..Excellent work but exorbitant prices. A choli with kutch work costs around 2500/- only. [blouse-e indha velai-na..Sarees??...]So..just skimmed through the dresses there and made a hasty retreat...The shop is for people with deeeeeep pockets and for people who have parties to attend wearing those expensive clothes. [nammaku rendume illa..]

Tailpiece: You might be wondering ..who is this K.B.Dasan?..well the authorities decided to shorten Kavingar Bharathidasan as K.B.Dasan. Tamil Vaazgha!!!

No Salad Bars in Chennai?

2009-09-16T18:05:00.002+05:30

I am a die-hard fan of Namdhari salads [another link] in Bangalore, Sadashivnagar. There are quite a few outlets that cater to healthy eating in Bangalore. But somehow, the concept of salad bars has failed to reach chennai. There are a few organic vegetables and fruits outlets thats all...The Pizza Hut garden fresh salad is the best that I have tasted in chennai. Subway salads are overrated.
Wanted: Salad bars in Chennai..Is somebody hearing?

Aadhavan - HasiliFisiliye - Lyrics

2009-09-15T16:50:00.002+05:30

Which is more irritating?
Inane lyrics that have no meaning like
Hasili Fisiliye yen rasamani
or supposedly romantic lyrics like
nan unnaku pookalin uppuma [I'm a flower uppuma to you..ughhh]..or is the lyrics something else..?
Full lyrics of this current blockbuster song [thanks to tamilyrics.wordpress.com]
---------------------------
Anbe unnal manam freezing
adada kaadhal endrum amazing
excuse let me tell you something
Ne sirithaal Iphone tring tring
Ne pesum ambu yenmel paaya
Kaadhal vandhu yennai aala
varuvayo yennai kapaatra
vandhaal madisaaiven vazha

ulllalala lelele luma luma
ulllalala lelele luma luma
ulllalala lelema lema lema le

Hassily Fisiliye yen rasamani
un siripinil srithidum kathakally
yen elamayil elamayil paanithithuly
kudhugallyy………….

Yennakum unnakum yenoru edaively
ne iravinil iravinil emai vassi
yen pagalilum pagalilum nadanisai
pudhu rusii…………….

Anjanaaaaaaa anjanaaaaaaaaaaaah konjinaaal theyn thaaanaaaaaaaaaaaa….
yenkana yenkanaaaaaaaaaaaaah endrume neethaanaaaa

Hassily Fisiliye yen rasamani
un siripinil srithidum kathakally
yen elamayil elamayil paanithithuly
kudhugallyy………….

Yennakum unnakum oru edaively
ne iravinil iravinil emai vassi
yen pagalilum pagalilum nadanisai
pudhu rusii…………….

get on me gonna get on me gonna
honna honey
get on me gonna get on me gonna
honna honey

i wanna prechy maka wana taka
hit me buddy
un wanna take me ready gonna shaka
you are the mesmerizer
wanna be kinda gotta be righta

i’m cruising the coast of porto rico
bitme running in the sand of hot jamaica
double up life better be there for the taking a little
till i met you happy sleeping really tighter
and i aint goida away reach out to me

get on me gonna get on me gonna
honna honey
get on me gonna get on me gonna
honna honey

urasaamal alasaamal uyirodu oorudhu aasai
adhillamal idhillamal irundhaalthaan oidhidum osai
iruvizhile yevuganai idhukedhudhaan eduinai
un edaiyo oosi munai undidhidumo seru ennai

yen ennai theendinaai veppama
nan unnaku pookalin oppuma
virallil ullathey nutpama
nee konjam konraai konji thinraai

Anbe unnal manam freezing
adada kaadhal endrum amazing
excuse let me tell you something
Ne sirithaal Iphone tring tring
Ne pesum ambu yenmel paaya
Kaadhal vandhu yennai aala
varuvayo yennai kapaatra
vandhaal madisaaiven vazha

uyirodu uyirodu ennai kolla nerunguhiraaye
viralodu viral serthu edhalukkul iranguhiraaye
yaaridhalil yaaridhalo verthuvidum vengulalo
uchimudhal paadham vari ethaniyo methaihallo

ne aadai paadhiya paadhiye
ne puliyum maanum konda jaadhiya
un azhagin meedhithaan boomiya
ne muthappeya methai theeya

Hassily Fisiliye yen rasamani
un siripinil srithidum kathakally
yen elamayil elamayil paanithithuly
kudhugallyy………….

Yennakum unnakum oru edaively
ne iravinil iravinil emai vassi
yen pagalilum pagalilum nadanisai
pudhu rusii…………….

Anjanaaaaaaa anjanaaaaaaaaaaaah konjinaaal theyn thaaanaaaaaaaaaaaa….
yenkana yenkanaaaaaaaaaaaaah endrume neethaanaaaa

Fashion Tracker

2009-09-04T15:36:00.003+05:30

Some amazing stuff out here- http://www.highheelconfidential.com/
If you are into fashion, whats in ..whats out, page 3 dressing...this is the place to be..
Really appreciate the people behind this venture, they meticulously track the events and do matching, evaluate the fashion sense and give out their verdicts.

You might get heart-attack to know that the Preen Power Bandage dress worn by Shilpa Shetty costs around - 680 pounds -
just Rs. Fifty Four Thousand plus

Onam Sadhya - Kumarakom

2009-09-02T18:38:00.003+05:30

We are a bunch of enthus..would never miss an occasion to go out and hog. After some hectic parleys on where to eat out on Onam, we decided to celebrate our national integration feelings at Kumarakom, velachery [None of us are from god's own country..u get the drift?]. At 12.30 p.m kumarakom was brimming with festive crowd..we joined the fun with Rs.200 per head..We managed to find a table for six and I adjusted with an extra chair. With amazing speed plates were served..porclein plate for rice and platic/thermacol (not sure) plates for side dishes !, plastic cups for water!..we should have sensed what was coming..the GRAND ONAM SADHYA was just reduced to just spoonful of assorted kootus, avaiyal and poriyal. It tasted good ok, but the quantity was abysmally less..It was supposed to be unlimited, but getting to serve the extra dish was painful..[can you get that light green dish?] And even though we were mentally prepared for the red-kerala rice, when it was starring at us, we were kind of unsure about our decision. But then there was no option to look back..with some sambar, rasam and buttermilk, we made a mixture of all dishes (didn't know what to eat first, eat with rice or not?) and had a go at it..The worst case was the crowd was building up every minute and the waiters were clueless about managing the crowd [ but they were dressed up nicely, we couldn't differentiate them from the customers who were wearing ethnic dress]..We finished it quickly and were back to office even before the closure of our usual lunch session. The lone consoler was the payasam.
Lesson learnt: Never eat 'onam sadhya' on onam...that too in a restaurant. With a tongue that is eight foot long - nurtured by full plate tamilnadu meals, it was a wrong decision to try out bland coconut stuff.

Password

2009-08-31T14:36:00.002+05:30

Soon, human race is going to live in the fear of the 'unknown'...I can see it coming...
Passwords...Passwords ...Passwords...Every damn thing on this earth needs a password.
Wish life was simpler with lesser passwords to remember ;-(

History Destroyed

2009-08-18T11:15:00.002+05:30

Heritage means nothing to most of us. But, ASI's prime job should be to atleast protect the heritage sites that are abundant in India (leave alone restoration, promotion, excavation, research etc). Last month, we saw a report that was tabled in Rajya Sabha, saying 35 monuments, under the 'protection' of central government were not traceable.

In Madurai, Tamilnadu, granite quarrying and vandalism are threatening the ancient Tamil-Brahmi sites. FrontLine reports

SANGAM age Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions on the brows of caves, hundreds of beds known as Jaina beds sculpted on their floors, beautiful bas-reliefs of Jaina tirthankaras and exquisite paintings by prehistoric artists are facing destruction in the hills in the vicinity of Madurai in Tamil Nadu owing to large-scale granite quarrying and vandalism. Real estate sharks have destroyed Iron Age burial sites near these hills. The sites, datable from 2nd century B.C to 3rd century A.D., constitute an invaluable cultural treasure. The inscriptions offer evidence to Tamil’s classical language status and throw light on the advent and spread of Jainism in the Tamil Sangam age and the later period in the region. The sites hold a wealth of information on how kings, chieftains, traders, village chiefs and even ordinary people patronised Jainism and made donations for the sculpting of Jaina beds. They also provide interesting information on the trade guilds that existed during the period because many of these hills lie on the trade routes of that period.

Tiruvadavur is now the most disturbed Tamil-Brahmi site in the State, with a huge quarry situated right at the foot of the hill. Quarrying has progressed so deep that the site looks like an open-cast mine. All round the quarry, for several kilometres, granite blocks as big as a truck or a car, are stacked on either side of the village roads. There is a surreal scene too: a nearby hill has been sliced in half, as if it were a cake. An official of the State Archaeology Department admitted that quarrying was under way within the prohibited/regulated area, that is, within 300 m of the protected limits of the monument.

Hattip: Varalaaru.com

Gangotree Sweets & Snacks - Sucks Big Time

2009-08-17T17:39:00.003+05:30

Had a terrible experience at Gangotree sweets and snacks, Gopalapuram. Their Lacha Tokri Chat was foul smelling, after two spoons we realized we were eating some rotten stuff. Badam milk was pathetic and the much hyped 'Gangotree Falooda' was tasting like plain rosemilk. Yuck! The only saving grace was the masala puri chat. I returned the stale chaat at the counter, the staff didn't even bother to hear me out. That's bad customer service.

And I understand, something can go wrong on a really bad day. This was not my first time I was annoyed with them; few months ago, I had got Bhelpuri parcel from them, after coming home, it had mud in it - apparently something was not washed properly. I made it a point to walk back [ a good ten minutes from my house] to the shop, met the manager and gave it back..With a little murmur he gave a new pack.

But now, they have lost a loyal customer. With the all the popularity in the world [ they are still considered the best place in chennai for sweets & snacks], they have lost focus. Quality has definitely taken a back seat.

Its Rainingggg

2009-08-17T14:53:00.002+05:30

The skies opened up at Eight in the morning and is relentlessly drizzling from then on [now almost 3.p.m]...It was a pleasant feeling to watch the rains through the windows of my cozy home but I'm not sure if Velachery is prepared for this onslaught. Driving back home is not going to be fun.

Swine flu in velachery

2009-08-11T12:17:00.002+05:30

It was rather sad to hear that a four year old boy in velachery, chennai had succumbed to Swine flu. His school and residence is very near to my office. Couple of schools in velachery have declared holidays. Our office took some initiative and bought masks for everyone, but guess that is not needed. Only if you have cold and cough it is good to cover your face. Washing your hands frequently will also help. Just keep track of things. At present there is information overload only.

NetFlix Presentation on Culture

2009-08-06T12:37:00.001+05:30

Amazing clarity on how to run the company. Great presentation
http://www.slideshare.net/reed2001/culture-1798664

Swine Flu Alert

2009-08-05T15:10:00.002+05:30

Swine Flu is spreading its tentacles everywhere. The quickness of death is just spine chilling.

Chronology of events (collected from media):
- Rida Shaikh, the 14-year-old in Pune may have contracted the virus at a clinic on the July 23 or 24.
- Rida was admitted to Jehangir Hospital on July 26
- The doctors decided to send her samples to Ruby Hall Clinic on July 29
- After Ruby Hall sent negative reports, the doctors sent the throat and nasal swabs to National Institute of Virology (NIV) the same day.
- She tested positive for H1N1 on July 31. She was put on Oseltamivir or Tamiflu. But unfortunately, she passed away on Aug 3rd.
Its all over within 15 days.

Dilip Bhan, divisional commissioner of Pune, says “Testing can’t be done in every hospital lab. Certain care has to be taken while taking samples. The doctor or the technician has to wear protective gear. If it is not taken carefully, more people could be infected,” he added.

So government hospitals are the only hope.

The dreaded swine flu has no special symptoms, that makes it even more deadlier. The symptoms are like the ordinary flu - Cough, Cold, fever, throat infection, body ache.
So, Be cautious and alert.

Amazing Paintings

2009-07-29T16:02:00.004+05:30

Its a sight to behold. Artists are doing a brilliant job on the walls of Nandanam YMCA, Cosmopolitan golf club..

Butterfly effect - Swiss Knives, 9/11

2009-07-28T15:45:00.002+05:30

9/11 had many repercussions. Not even in their wildest dreams, the makers of The Swiss Army knives would have thought their business would see a fall because of a terrorist attack. Post 9/11, all sharp instruments were banned from being taken into airflight. That included the famous Swiss Knife too. CEO of Swiss Knife maker - Victorinox, Carl Elsener Jr says "September 11 was our worst moment because practically from one day to the next our output dropped 30 percent."
Caught this fascinating piece from Ergo.

Bajaj Allianz - Jiyo Befikar - Song

2009-07-23T15:29:00.002+05:30

With all the talk about recession, selling financial - insurance products is not a rosy affair. But I think Bajaj Allianz has struck gold with its latest Promo.

The jingle - Yeh kis pyaari hifaazat main ho befikrii kii haalat hai..is soulful.

M&C Saatchi, the ad firm has invested in the best brains of the industry - Lyrics by Gulzar, Music by Vishal Baradwaj and rendered brilliantly by Sukhwinder Singh. The jingle is making waves in Tamil RadioFMs too. The TVC [ YouTube] is also to the point - "Njoy a carefree life - there is some one to protect you" - a certain freshness is associated with it [ parachute is old though!]. Now they have tied up with Love Aaj Kal - the Saif, Deepika film also. Its also complimenting each other.

"Yeh kis pyaari hifaazat main ho befikrii kii haalat hai,
badi mazabut baahon main ho suraj ki hararat hai,
tumhare vaaste tufaan sehlein muskuraon tum,
jiyo har lamha tumko zindagi pine kii aadat hai…”

What is this lovely safety, Being carefree (not worried about anything) is my state.
On strong arms I'm in, entangled in the sun's rays.
For your sake, I can even bear the storm.
Live each moment, you have a habit of drinking life. [ My friend at office translated this shayari]

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

2009-07-20T16:42:00.005+05:30

Its been ages since I went to theater and watched a movie. But Harry Potter is not something that I could give a miss..So, went ahead and indulged in the Harry Potter mania (a night show - just the second time in my life!)

Zoom.. Action starts from Frame one itself. Some splendid visuals - greet us as London is terrorized by the Death Eaters. Let me not go into the story. But list out the superb scenes
1. Opening London attack
2. Prof. Horace Slughorn's intro as an armchair [ Dumbledore observes ' U make a very good Arm Chair']
3. Harry succeeding in making a great potion in the first class itself, when even Hermonie couldn't. The look on Hermonie's face is priceless.
4. Chase between Harry and Bellatrix and the subsequent destruction of Burrow.
5. Ron under Love potion effect
6. The retrieval of the Locket and the last fight against the Inferni, the flames are a great piece of Graphics work.
I love the small nuances like Harry and Ron fighting it out for the Potions book, Harry trying to look occupied when Lavender Brown proclaims her love for Ron on their train compartment door, the girls make a move to inhale the love potion and are disappointed when the lid is closed, Harry twitching his head when he touches the Ring Horcrux, the 'knowing look' on Harry, when Hermione tries her best to remind Ron about his hospital talk [Daniel Radcliffe looks really smart in that scene;-)]

Also, there were some amazing dialogues -
At the weasley twins' store
Ron: how much
Fred: 5 gallons
Ron: I'm your brother
Fred: 10 gallons
--
After the Slughorn's Party
Ron: How was the party?
Hermione: "Boring, though..pauses...Harry enjoyed the dessert" [ implying Ginny joined the party late during dessert time], much to the embarrassment of Harry.
---
After some action in the room of requirements
Innocent Ron: Did u and Ginny do it?
Rattled Harry: Whattt?
Again Innocent Brother Ron: Did u hide the book?
Relieved Harry: Oh .Yess
--
Prof.Slughorn: Students are not supposed to roam around after school hours
Harry under the influence of Good Luck Potion: Why don't you come along with me..
--
Prof.Filius Flitwick, while doing security check : Tell me your name, Potter
Exasperated Harry: You know me for the past six years
Prof: Rules are rules

Emma Watson simply radiates on the screen, from her intro applause in the theater, one can gauge her popularity. Rupert Grint spreads goofish charm as Ron. And it is hard to differentiate Harry Potter and Daniel Radcliffe.
Now coming to minuses - obviously it is with comparison to the book
1. I didn't take a liking to Ginny's casting, also the book explores a far more romantic angle.
2. Ron-Lavender Brown- Hermione - scenes are shallow, Ron, Hermione, per say don't have action scenes, they just don't use their wands
3. Many scenes are alerted - I would have preferred the Harry serving detention - misses the crucial match - Ron & Ginny win it big - Harry snogging Ginny - Ron giving a nod to their relationship.

But Harry Potter series is beyond the minuses..You have to simply relish it.

Chennai walls become art galleries

2009-07-18T12:40:00.004+05:30

For long, the Chennai walls were a riot of colours - a thriving ground for movie publicity and political reminders. But with the digital age and posters, instead of paintings, posters and banners took over.. Sometime back, I think there was a ban on posters too (even now, there are posters, but the numbers have come down significantly).

The OMR road was the first to be dressed up in myriad hues - statues (not like the marina ones - but artistic in nature), paintings, mural works..and what not..., I thought 'why waste so much of money, it would be vandalised soon' but to my pleasant shock, the structures still hold on (1.5 - 2 years since then) [ Flickr photos]

I stumbled upon Cooks Road, Perambur and what a surprise - all the politicians were coming alive on the walls. The immensely talented artists have unleashed their creativity and the likes of Jayalalitha, Vijayakanth retain their larger than life image. Today's TOI has a vijayakanth picture. [A TOI writeup on the artists of Cooks Road]

And, far the past three days, the Anna Salai stretch at Nandanam is getting a face-lift with professional artists painting some scenic stuff on the walls. It is part of the Chennai beautification plan , it seems.

Let see, if Chennai really becomes Singara Chennai ;-)

Nancy Drew

2009-07-18T11:44:00.004+05:30

Read this article - Nancy Drew and her Grand Daughters in NYTimes with much interest and lots of flashback to my school days and Easwari Lending Library.

"..Nancy Drew’s popularity persists, even though the series has been rewritten, chopped and churned out with contemporary inflections — like cellphones — that make traditionalists quietly ill. Melanie Rehak, who wrote “Girl Sleuth: Nancy Drew and the Women Who Created Her,” said that the target age for readers has dropped since the series’ 1930 debut. Originally intended for girls ages 13 to 16, she said, the books are now read by elementary school-age girls."

"Lisa Von Drasek, children’s librarian at the Bank Street College of Education, analyzed the series’ continuing appeal. “Familiar characters, cliffhanging adventures and predictability,” she said. “Everything will be explained in the end. Kids still gobble them like peanuts: they’re viral in the best sense.”

Justice and Lack of Evidence

2009-07-18T11:29:00.000+05:30

The whole nation watched the horrific murder of Ujjain professor HS Sabharwal on all the news channels. We saw the entire drama unfold - elections in college annulled - Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) mob enters college - demonstration - and finally the professor is being taken to the hospital almost dead. It was a very shocking footage.

Now, what we get to see in the courts.. the accused are set free citing lack of evidence.

Whats happening in Bengal?

2009-06-19T15:52:00.000+05:30

Lalgarh is literally cutoff from the rest of the country. It is virtually a challenge to the democracy of this country and what we get to see: another round of shameful politics being played out.

The state ruling party says, opposition is giving tactical support to the protests; wants to avoid another Nandigram (Elections have taught the Reds a bitter lesson). Heights was yesterday, when our beloved home minister PC said 'Use your own forces'. But guess.. better sense prevailed and paramilitary troops have been dispatched.

It all started with an assassination attempt at the CM and police scooped down to harass tribals. People retaliated and maoists found a good reason to push their own agenda. Naxal- Maoists show of strength shows on one hand growing unrest among common people and on the other hand utter collapse of the political machinery.

Roger Federer - All time great?

2009-06-16T16:14:00.003+05:30

Yes..I would certainly think so...Fedex finally made peace at Roland Garros..would have been happier if the other guy had been Nadal..
p.s: In the euphoria that followed his historic win, I missed the timing of the post..better late than never ;-)

Change

2009-06-12T16:36:00.002+05:30

AdventNet has now become ZOHO Corporation..cool ;-)

Tragic demise of Engg. student

2009-06-02T15:29:00.001+05:30

Quite upset that human life can be of no value. A first year mechanical engg. student had hanged himself in St.Joseph's Engg hostel. The reason: He was not allowed to appear in the model examination ..it was a punishment for malpractice in an earlier practical exam. He was asked to meet the director for excuse, but couldn't meet him even after three days of standing outside the office room. In his suicide note, he has asked the college management to return his capitation fees and tuition fees to his father.

Really sad, that horror stories are still emerging out of our college. 'Outstanding student' 'office room' 'meet the director' 'bring your parents' 'make them wait outside for three days' 'spy - give ur ID card' 'humiliation' it is just deja-vu - sad memories.

And these people pride themselves on being one among the best colleges in city and parents are falling all over to send their loved ones to this strict atmosphere.

Another aspect to this, is how fragile the young are..these 'punishments' are common there and we were all quite quick to adapt to those and have fun inspite of the draconian rules. All of us had our share of 'office-standing-meet-the-director'. We were thick skinned enough to tide over bad times.

Links
The Hindu-1
The Hindu-2
Times of India

Amazon T-Shirt

2009-05-21T18:23:00.004+05:30

Anything is possible in the big bad world of Internet...

"A T-shirt has become one of the most popular items sold by online retailer Amazon in the past few weeks. Sales of the kitsch Three Wolf Moon T-shirt shot up 2,300% after a spate of ironic reviews went viral.
The first review gave the shirt five stars, saying it "Fits my girthy frame, has wolves on it, attracts women" but "cannot see wolves with arms crossed".
That prompted hundreds of others to post frivolous reviews, turning the page into an internet phenomenon.
"When I put this T-shirt on for the first time, my wife left me! Thank you, Three Wolf Moon T-Shirt," wrote one wag,

.....
Amazon's senior manager of community content, Russell Dicker, said the T-shirt was currently the top selling item in their clothing store."

More - From BBC

Dharma adi

2009-05-20T15:39:00.002+05:30

It happens in every family-a?

Blogger introduction

2009-05-19T12:39:00.002+05:30

Off late.. I'm hooked to this guy's blog...clear thinking..amazing writing skill..
http://blog.nandhaonline.com/

Wish I could blog in tamil too, but oru vari adika oruman-neram aaghudhu..onbadhu yezhuthu pizhai..sigh!

Vijayakanth ensures DMK's win

2009-05-19T12:24:00.002+05:30

So much for policies and campaigning....DMK can now heave a sigh of relief. Shrewdly they left out Vijayakanth from their alliance knowing it would favour them at the end.
DMDK has emerged as a third force, by cutting into AIADMK's vote base and splitting the anti-incumbency votes. In many constituencies DMDK has polled more votes than the winning margin. They have significantly increased the vote share from 8% to 10% - i.e, almost 30 lakh votes. Quite impressive. Tamilnadu has traditionally seen only two party system..a third alternative is welcome.

Now, the comedy circus would begin in Delhi...M.K.Alagiri, M.K.Kanimozhi, Dayanidhi Maran would become ministers and would continue their service to the poor and downtrodden of the tamil community. Long live Democracy.

Eelam Genocide

2009-05-19T12:18:00.003+05:30

My colleague Kudi's thoughts

இலங்கை
-----------------

தெற்கு ஆசிய வரைபடத்தில் - இலங்கையை

பள்ளிப்பருவத்தில் பார்த்தபோது
தண்ணீர்த் துளியாய்த் தெரிந்தது !!

கல்லூரி நாட்களில்
கண்ணீர்த் துளியாய்த் தெரிந்தது !!

இப்போது
ரத்தத் துளியாய் மட்டுமே தெரிகிறது !!

Vote - anti climax

2009-05-14T18:34:00.002+05:30

My name was deleted from the voters list. This is the first election that I didn't get to vote. The process needs serious improvement.

1837's Madurai

2009-04-24T15:02:00.003+05:30

World Digital Library gives a rare glimpse into 1800s Madurai

This illustrated manuscript made in southern India in 1837 consists of 72 full-color hand-painted images of men and women of the various castes and religious and ethnic groups found in Madura, India, at that time. As indicated on the presentation page, the album was compiled by the Indian writing master at an English school established by American missionaries in Madura, and given to the Reverend William Twining. The manuscript shows the Madura region's Indian dress and jewelry adornment, as they appeared before the onset of Western influences on South Asian dress and style. Each illustrated portrait is captioned in English and in Tamil, and the title page of the work includes English, Tamil, and Telugu.

Link: http://www.wdl.org/en/item/3081

But interestingly only 'low level' - like kuravan, snakemen etc represent tamil people [they come towards the end of the manuscript], most of the depictions are maharashtrians, punjabis, moghuls etc. Felt odd.

Nanayam Vikatan - Zoho

2009-04-16T18:26:00.003+05:30

Nanayam Vikatan is the business magazine from vikatan group. This week they have covered Zoho. Good that, they could smell a success story here.

Out of mind

2009-04-10T14:53:00.003+05:30

Clear signs of being 'out of mind'. Karunanidhi is trying desperately to hold on to 'இனமான காவலர்'tag but failing miserably..his latest statement is sure to add fuel to the fire.
"Even if Prabhakaran loses, treat him like Porus," the DMK patriarch said, pointing to the historical episode involving Alexander the Great and Indian ruler Porus who was treated with dignity and honour by the Greek emperor despite losing against him in a battle. "When asked by Alexander, Porus said he wanted to be treated like a king, which Alexander duly obliged. "It shows the magnanimity of Alexander who gave equal respect (to a man defeated by him)," he said. [ source: chennai online]

Meanwhile, Vijayakanth has fired his next salvo: Vijayakant has said his party was ready to boycott the Lok Sabha elections in Tamil Nadu on Sri Lankan Tamil's issue, if AIADMK and DMK also do so.

All of them are busy scoring brownie points here and the Genocide continues there :-(

Yavanika

2009-04-09T15:23:00.002+05:30

Read Sujatha's Yavanika recently...It came as a series in Anandha Vikatan..
Its the usual gripping - Ganesh - Vasanth thriller...In the prologue, he says parts of yavanika were written from Apollo hospital. that shows the commitment..

Liked:
story plot, amazing style akin to slickly edited cinema , humour, the way he takes potshots at tamil film industry, the heroines (i should read kanavu thozhilchalai), and that superb climax (almost looked liked an atheist viewpoint)
My grouses:
Unnecessarily made a local story an international one.. need not have involved international gangs - chumma cinema shooting spot varuvaanghalam - 10 pera sututu poiduvaanghalam..pre-climax could have ended in ganesh- vasanth office- itself...why take ganesh to a building - email - find out that the statue was duplicate - then fight - subham..
also, i felt sujatha was trying to showoff his knowledge - uvamai-lam...over the top, english translation in brackets..trying to fit in 1 or 2 lateral puzzles is O.K..Indha book-le neriya...!!

Tamil Cowboy Movie?

2009-04-07T18:05:00.004+05:30

Sometime back, I have seen few scenes from a Dabba JaiShankar movie - based on cowboy theme. Hope Simbudevan, (who gave historicals a new lease of life with Imsai Arasan) doesn't dole out one such movie..Irumbu kottai Murattu Singam is the new cowboy movie on the floors. Raghava Lawrence is the hero, sandhya, padmapriya, lakshmi roy are the heroines.

Veera Thalapathy

2009-04-06T15:25:00.003+05:30

Amazing....
Veera Thalapathy J.K.Ritheesh, the super star in the movie 'Nayagan' gets to fight for LS seat in Ramanathapuram. No more movies from him?..sad..we will miss the fun..
http://jkritheesh.com/portfolio.htm

Parenting Bulbs

2009-04-06T14:51:00.000+05:30

Bulb No.1. In the process of putting your baby to sleep, the probability that YOU go to sleep FIRST is very high

Vijayakanth - Early Bird

2009-03-27T14:23:00.001+05:30

While the other parties are still breaking their heads over alliances, Vijayakanth has announced his first list of contestants and has already started his campaign. I was quite surprised to see - K Pandiarajan, founder of Ma Foi Management Consultants limited, as a DMDK candidate for virudhunagar constituency

Always thought the input to politics were - 1. political family 2. Film 3. Local gundas who graduate to councilor, வட்டம், மாவட்டம், MLA, Minister..

Adichchanallur - History buried

2009-03-25T18:58:00.004+05:30

An eye-opener ...Jeyamohan writes abt his journey to Adichchanallur, near Thirunelveli and his meeting with a local elderly person.
Issues raised:
1. Adichchanullur supersedes Indus valley civilization, why no proper research on this - dravidian - aryan conflict?
2. Why there is no museum in this historical place. no indicator what so ever?
3. All excavated items have been moved to many places, and the area is now buried again.
and many more.
The elderly person raises all these issues, cites tamil literature but the surprise is, he is not a learned person but a person who looks after cattle!!

Fashion?

2009-03-21T14:04:00.008+05:30

May be I'm fashion-challenged??

I tried deciphering the fashion/sense behind these lovely creations, No Luck...;-(

Photos taken from MSN Lifestyle..Showcased in the Will LifeStyle India Fashion Week, that's currently going on in Delhi.

BJP's Google Adwords Campaign

2009-03-21T12:33:00.002+05:30

Advani for PM
A Leader Committed to
Clean Politics, Good Governance

lkadvani.in/bjpleadership

Reasonably good Adword optimization! for Indian Politics - keyword search

LK Advani's Official Blog
Shri Advani shares his thoughts
on issues of national importance.

blog.lkadvani.in/

Ad for keyword - LokSabha Elections

So, you have people sitting in BJP's office trying all options to get the best CostPerClick, impressions and conversion... But they are coming on top for all such keywords - simple, they are the only people bidding for these keywords!!

Wonder ..what would be BJP's adwords budget!!!

SundaraRamasami to Sujatha

2009-03-12T17:15:00.001+05:30

Casually opened the State board Class XI Tamil supplementary reader that my mother had got, was pleasantly surprised to see short stories from eminent people in the literary world. It covered the entire gamut - Pudhumai Pithan, SundaraRamasami, Vanna Nilavan, Sivasankari, Thopil Muhamed Meeran, Dr.Mu.Va, Jayakanthan, Sujatha...
How lucky are the present set of students..they get initiated into a world of books so early..(heard from 9th class itself they have these kind of stories).
For a CBSE student, who had tamil till Xth class only (that too some boring mundane stuff), this came a whiff of fresh air
What more entire textbooks are available online
http://www.textbooksonline.tn.nic.in/

Houses get brighter

2009-03-06T16:23:00.001+05:30

Nowadays, there is a trend in Chennai, to paint houses in fluorescent colors esp. in yellows and oranges. Why would people who painstakingly build houses, paint it so garishly. It seems they are vaastu colours :-(

Used Syringes - Barbaric act

2009-03-02T15:47:00.002+05:30

This one left me shocked for words.
Used Syringes racket has left 64 dead due to hepatitis B in Gujarat. Seven Pharma companies have been identified and five doctors have been booked till now. Is the lure of money so big??? This rattles the already weak faith on humanity.
Was surprised to see a wiki entry on this issue.

Medical Scan Industry

2009-03-02T15:10:00.002+05:30

Yes, you read it right. The medical scans and imaging is a $100 billion a year industry in US. And the 'stomach-burning' news...

..recent studies show that as many as 20 percent to 50 percent of the procedures should never have been done because their results did not help diagnose ailments or treat patients.
“The system is just totally, totally broken,” said Dr. Vijay Rao, the chairwoman of the radiology department at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, in Philadelphia.
....
Radiologists are struck by the wide variation in the quality of scans, and they say there is little patients can do other than to ask why the scan is necessary and, if it is, to ask about accreditation, the credentials of the person reading the scan and the age of the scanner.
...
Another concern is the growing number of doctors who refer patients for imaging done by scanners they own and profit from.

More at NewYork Times

Who is Muthalik?

2009-02-14T16:05:00.002+05:30

The latest fad to gain instant political popularity is to project a carefully cultivated 'culture-vulture' image. Muthalik joins the likes of Raj thackerays, who would be so-so's, had they not fed the media with their 'culture-guardian' image. Muthalik should be treated as a normal law-breaker [ in the sense, get a solid case of assault on the rowdy gang that attacked the pub and hand over jail sentence] , the media and the public should shut him out. I'm not for sending pink cards, chaddis etc. The media plays it out and in turn, Muthalik gets a platform to address his rebuttal. These people are like parasites, they thrive on Flash bulbs and mikes. Switch that out, crush them with the strong iron hand of law.
BTW, Who gets to define culture?

Aval Vikatan

2009-01-28T06:45:00.002+05:30

Aval Vikatan [needs registration] is a popular women's magazine in Tamilnadu. The current issue has an article on the impact of recession on IT sector in chennai. It is OK with me, if few issues are hyped and exaggerated for reader attraction, but this one went over the top. An IT guy went to his ex- Project leader's house who was given the pink slip. It seems the PL's family was reeling in abject poverty and had not eaten for the past three days. As though this was not enough, some more sympathy factor was thrown - the PL's wife was pregnant. Come on.. how more ridiculous it can get.
There should be some journalist ethics while drafting an article. Journos just get carried away, not realizing that many people actually believe what is written.

Apartment Syndrome

2009-01-28T06:27:00.002+05:30

Sunlight is the only source of Vitamin D apart from mother's feed. Now, with babies being raised in closed a/c comforts of apartments Vitamin D deficiency is on the raise. As exposure to sunlight is reduced, the bones are affected. The irony is Chennai sees just hot, hotter, hottest climate.
More about Apartment Syndrome

Chennai Sangamam - 2009

2009-01-21T16:24:00.002+05:30

Had been to Nageshwara park in Mylapore on the penultimate day of Chennai Sangamam - the annual gala of folk arts. The mood was clearly one that of joy and merry making. The park was teaming with the affluent and the common man too. Gypsy song & dance [Narikurava koothu] was going on, I must admit that was a not a pleasant one on the ears ;-( but had a feast for the taste buds ;-). Coimbatore, Madurai and Kumbakonam food specialities were on the offering. To my surprise, the area was clean and the food was hygienic. Then noticed that the stalls were from the likes of Taj, Raintree etc. Kudos to the people who are organizing this massive festival. The popular face behind is Kanimozhi, the now famous daughter of CM. Congrats to the organizational committee for this mammoth effort.[Managing thousands of artists, huge crowds across the length & breadth of chennai is not an easy job].

Anyways looking forward to the next edition.