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Curd rules!

2011-05-09T21:32:00.001+05:30

In South-Indian cuisine, Curd RULES! That's pure "Thayiranny".

பூ Movie - Too long

2008-12-06T18:58:00.003+05:30

Tamil cinema sees success in 2 contradicting ways. On one end it is the high budget, corporate funded movies, featuring grand stars; and in the other end is the surprisingly low budget movies, casting mostly new talents.

The best examples of the latter are Anjathey, Chennai 600020, Subramaniyapuram, Kanchivaram, Paruthiveeran, and the likes. Poo is the latest movie which was made to attract such audience once again. I must say that I like all the above movies, but think that Poo failed miserably as a story.

The truth is there is no story. Just the time, moving very slowing; which makes one wonder will something ever happen. But nothing happens until the very end, except for a bad feeling of having wasted some time. Atleast I am happy I didnt go to the theatres.

the end.

Kamal Hassan the best!

2008-12-05T19:04:00.003+05:30

I wanted to pen this down for a long time: Kamal is my favorite director as well as actor, who can sing, dance, and do wonders on and off screen. He is also the most handsome actor.

There is no one like Kamal in the tinsel world.

the legend continues...

Kanchivaram - Beautiful attention to details

2008-11-30T19:23:00.002+05:30

I saw the movie kanchivaram yesterday. Just beautiful. No kuthu songs, no comedy tracks, just pure story to keep me glued for 2 hours.

The story happens pre-independence continuing a bit post-independence until 1948. The picturization and attention to details makes the journey of PrakashRaj very enjoyable.

The story itself is very touching and focusses on a poor weaver's life, and his dream to weave a silk saree for his daugher, on her wedding.

And the beauty of the story-telling was many things were explained visually.

No need to comment on Prakash Raj's performance. As usual, awesome. The supporting characters including Shriya Reddy and his friend fitted in perfectly. All in all I think it is a very well-made, enjoyable, and to an extend disturbing movie.

the end.

P.S. :Talking about PR's performance, I think one of his best performances (and the one I liked the most), was in the movie Appu. I think it is a brilliant role, and only he could have done that.

Word of thought...

2008-11-30T19:21:00.002+05:30

I wonder what Veena's parents mean when they call me mapillai. Is it:

1. "ma"-pillai - meaning Amma pillai

2. ma -"pillai"- meaning big-son a.k.a. son-in-law

3. "ma-pizhlai"- meaning big-mistake.

the end.

Finding Mrs. Me

2008-11-27T17:58:00.001+05:30

Finding Mrs. Me

I am just an ordinary guy. My schooling, college, and professional life was somewhat void of one thing - ladies. While I had good friends in school, I was an unofficial member of the "anti-kadalai" gang in college... and was content looking at couples (actually only ladies) from a far distance in the SW firm I worked for. Though I don't take pride in not socializing with them, I thought it was an extra effort to actually maintain some amount of contact with them. Knowing that I was not good in that aspect, there were few concerns that crossed my mind. "Will I get married? Will I find my better half?" And some other times it was the inquisitiveness to know who it was. "She's there somewhere", Amma would say often. Wish it was cinema where the next frame would be heroine intro.

As fate be it, the passive but eternal search for Mrs. Me ended in Cincinnati. There she was waiting all this time for me :- well actually she landed some days before. The wind, the birds, the waves which stopped still after my separation with Amma - resumed. I acknowledge the best relation in this world is a mother. Actually its a mother who makes this world the best place. Either way,I was happy to find traces of Amma in her, in everything.

Cinematically speaking she saved me from desperation. Honestly I am too young to be desperate on marriage, or to comment on the long-wait some people have to find the ideal-self. But finding her at the right time saved me from resembling the Chinna Thambi "yenakku kalyanum" guy. Long before I started thinking about the thesis proposal, I actually proposed, and defended successfully. While she could have chosen to say the easy NO, she took the hard YES path. ("S" is hard - see how curvy it is). And she diligently followed it with efforts to convince her parents that I am in fact from the same planet. And finally, in a few days, I will have a new role to play. "With new role comes new responsibility?" NO. I am responsible to the extend of being myself, knowing that someone is there to take care of things.

And I can develop added-irresponsibility. NO more caring about washing dishes, washing clothes, cleaning house, and cooking something edible - the jobs I did since leaving home. After all, its home again.

Hmmm... looking back the things we shared, 2 years didn't look a long time to know each other so well. Probably it was longer than 2 years, much longer. I don't know, but it feels so. And when we feel something we acknowledge it. And when we acknowledge it, we know how important it is. Ofcourse we are important to each other. I wonder why I even brought this sentence. But then, you cannot stop feeling blessed when you know how important you are to the people you love the most.

Goodbye bachelorhood, I am leaving you for good.

the beginning...

Original Post: http://sites.google.com/site/subrowedsveena101908/finding-mrs-me

Majic Jack

2008-11-27T00:33:00.002+05:30

I recommend this product, majic jack, which is an intermediate step between VOIP and internet chat. Technically it is a jack, to be plugged into your computer USB. Any telephone can be plugged into the other end of the jack and used. One great feature is that it autoloads the drivers necessary from the jack itself, so you just have to wait for 5 minutes on a computer with internet connection, and you are ready to go.

It is comparable to traditional VOIP for reasons:

1. You get a US based number

2. Caller ID, Answering Machine, etc.

3. Portable: connect to any computer, anywhere and still use the same number.

However it differs from VOIP in sense:

1. It needs to be plugged into a computer, which means the computer should be ON while using it.

2. Technically its a phone, but practically the computer cannot be ON 24 hrs, so thats a downside. However you can go online and check the messages you missed.

Cost: $20 per year which is lowest possible VOIP connection.

Verdict: I bought one for my mother in India. She uses airtel connection and the connection and call quality is brilliant. I think its a cheap, alternate way to connect to India or other international locations.

the end.

Vaaranam Aiyuram

2008-11-27T00:17:00.002+05:30

One of the most awaited movies of the year, VA, is a technically solid, sound, and enjoyable movie. Surya is brilliant. It was unbelievable to see him as a school boy, and an ageing old man, all in the same movie. Due praise to the brain behind it, Gautam Menon.

But I found the movie a confusing mix of too many things. Were they trying to portray the strong yet mostly unnoticed father-son relation?

Were they showing the journey of a young man, and how his father played an important step moulding him along the way. I dont want to confuse more adding the possibilities, but the movie was a heavy mix of many complicated things. There was too much to stuff in the 3 hr long movie, that many relations or scenes were minimal. Like the romance between Surya and Sameera in US was very short lived.

And taking this movie to be a contribution to father-son relation, I am inclined to compare it to Thavamae Thavamirunthu, a technically normal, but high-impact movie. With due respects to VA team and their great efforts, I think it is nowhere close to TT.

Overall, the outstanding feature of this movie remains Surya's acting, makeup, and possibly the last composition of Harris Jayaraj for Gautam Menon, though the screenplay could have been more comprehendible.

the end.

Since then...

2008-11-16T18:38:00.003+05:30

Welcome Home.
Its been quite long since I blogged.

And a lot has changed since then.

No, I am still in school and in the verge of graduating.

But something more important has happened.

I am no longer a carefree bachelor (actually I have never been).

And it gives me a sense of pride to say that.

Now there is someone else whom I am more than happy to share my journey of life with.

I thank my mother for making it happen.

I thank my recently discovered parents for gifting my wife.

And I am happy God is with me for the most pressing matters in life.

I am happily married ever after...

Dasavatharam - Finally!

2008-06-17T19:49:00.002+05:30

Finally last week Dasa was released. How long a wait for Kamal fans worldover, and for Kamal himself. He could have easily done a comedy flick inbetween to keep his presence felt, but for his dedication and hardwork. And with about 2 years of expectations building up, Dasa had to be top notch to really satisfy his fans.

I hope to touch the story line only when needed, but instead think of what really striked or stinked. The problem with the movie (as is the case with most Kamal movies) is it is ahead of its time, and really takes some background work and discussion to understand the storyline fully. Many of the details just go unnoticed. It is definitely Kamal's problem, since a good Prof. is one who not only has knowledge but can get it across to students. The details should be obvious to the audience, who make a decision based on how much they can understand. I didnt understand much after seeing the movie, until I read some reviews and blogs. Probably that was the reason he used K.S. Ravikumar, but one gets the feeling Ravikumar wasn't given the freedom he needed. It was Kamal's movie all the way, with a poor and desperate effort to make it commercial with not-at-all-funny and already-heard-many-times comedy.

Kamal has given some of the best performances. Some characters which leave a lasting impression are Vincent(Dalit), CBI Naidu, Nambi, Fletcher and the Japanese. Ullah, Krishnaveni Patti, George Bush fail to make an impression. Govind was nothing new and Singh was ok. Ullah failed to impress because he looked like an alien, and his makeup - plastic. I read somewhere they used the same makeup man as the Mask. Ullah looks like a character out of the movie.
Krishnaveni Patti's makeup was good, not as striking as Avvai Shanmukhi, and looked a bit odd. She looked more like an Egypitian mummy in motion.

Fletcher was a perfect villan. He looked like an American, spoke like an American and his body language projected him a baddie in every frame. Also the BGM for him was well suited and increased the pace of the scenes. I liked this character the most, followed by Vincent. Naidu's accent resembled Junior Balayya, and provided some comic relief.

Flipsides:
1. Asin as Andal. Very Talkative and the dialogues were repetitive. She had just one dialogue to say - Give back my Perumal. Wish she was given better characterization.
2. It was lame that Asin in the climax suddenly fell in love with Govind. They could have avoided that relation since both of them had different priorities and definitely not Asin since she always differentiated Kamal as Naicker.
3. Govind, Andal and Fletcher jump at the wierdest places and still are in tact. It should have been more realistic.
4. Govind as a Scientist and Nambi as a Priest can fight. Interesting.
5. Govind transported to India in Cargo.
6. Tsunami graphics looked like a toy project out of a home computer.
7. Ullah, Singh, and George Bush were unneeded, except to make perfect 10.
8. George Bush cannot be called a role, it is just an imitation.
9. Jayalalitha footage could have been avoided, it looked cheap.
10. Many a times Govind forgot the vial needs cool temperature. It is surprising it survived the courier delivery and the chase in hot climate.
11. Messy comedy which was frustrating, especially between Kamal and Asin when hiding after the accident and in the hospital with Ullah. The brother-in-law comedy was pathetic, and felt never-ending.
12. Mediocre music, but does not influence the movie.

Great Visuals:
1. Hanu death graphics was very nice and realistic.
2. Fletcher's reaction to vial poison was great.
3. King torturing Nambi and Nambi's reactions when pushing back the idol to its place and when Napolean asked you know what happened to (someone), when he refused to reveal the whereabouts of Sri. Ramanujar, can only be done by Kamal.
4. Japanese guy doing stunts and also a split. Not sure if it was Kamal or dupe, but still great.
5. Vincent's body language was stiff and overconfident. Only Kamal can do it.
6. All in all a great effort by Kamal and team.

The movie is of the highest class in India and is the closest we get to Hollywood movies. It definitely has class and substance, but the screenplay was a bit jarry. Kamal had too many things to concentrate on, and hence has given more importance to his roles, than the flow of the movie. They could have cut down some chases, and explained more concepts.

I feel Kamal tried to infuse 2 concepts:
Events are related - Chaos Theory and
Everything happens for a Reason - Bhagavat Gita.

Kamal once again failed to explain the motive behind the movie - probably a Hollywood style approach, but it doesnt work for us. This will affect the reach of the movie. A simple movie like Avvai Shanmughi is more appreciable than Dasa for a simple reason that we can feel it better. I am not sure why Kamal still turns a deaf-ear to this law, even after so many failures.

the end.

The Strangers - Review

2008-06-01T22:54:00.005+05:30

Being a fan of suspense/thriller movies it didn't take much deliberation to watch "The Strangers" in the first week of its release (that too in theaters :)). Also masked killers increased the curiosity about the movie since similar movies were thrilling and entertaining to watch (though quite predictable).

So my expectations were very simplistic when I went in, masked people trying to kill a couple, the movie having the same old suspense seen through the ages, yet would have something new to offer. Also since I read the preview and how only a couple is taunted, I didn't expect a dozen killings before the climax, so not seeing a dozen killings wasn't a disappointment for me from this movie, but more generally as a fan of thriller movies. I think SAW leads in innovative killings and will easily be my all time favorite for its goriness.

But this movie was far from being racy or catchy. Really far. It was dragging from the start till the end. The story was quite simple, 3 masked people (a man in formals and 2 ladies) marked an isolated house and attempted to scare, frustrate and then kill the the couple in it. The location and the atmosphere was well set and the lighting was perfect. But what missed was an equally good gameplay to support the field.

They scared the couple for about an hour, and then killed them in the morning in a very mild manner, by just tying them to a chair and stabbing with a knife. How un-gory. I think this should be the first movie a first-time horror movie watcher should be introduced, for its mildness. The director had a simple one-line story: 3 Masked people... kill a couple, but didnt know how to hold it on for the length of a movie. I think the movie would be better appreciated had it been crisp and shorter by an hour.

It clearly shows that the director was helplessly depending on... well nothing, to increase the length of the movie. I mean, how hard will it be to kill a woman with a broken leg who can barely crawl, when your motive is to kill her and you have an axe in your hand. Well, It takes a whole night! The murderers remove their masks before killing the couple but the director doesn't wish to show their faces to us. All I can infer from that scene is that, they are serial-killer wannabes, and just picked on this random couple since the couple don't recognize them, and will attempt many such murders. So it wont be a surprise if we see a Part -2, since the climax dialogues suggest something like that:
Christian Missionary Boy: Have you sinned?
Lady 1: Sometimes.
Lady 2: It will be a lot easier next time.

Lady 2 suggests that there will be many more of such killings.

Coming back to the movie, I would highly recommend to keep away from it. Not worth the $10 of your money unless you know the director/ believe in charity.

Scene I liked: End credits
Scene I disliked: Everything else.

the end.

Technology Update Blog

2008-04-07T02:37:00.002+05:30

Found this interesting blog which has useful information.

the end.

Sandai - The Movie

2008-04-04T18:07:00.003+05:30

This movie is 100% commercial aimed at only entertaining and making a handsome profit.

Sundar C: Good acting, suits the role. Though tries to immitate Rajni and Vijayakanth style together - doesn't look bad. Atleast there is not much of punch dialogues to hurt our ears.

Nadiya: The actual star of the movie. Nice to watch. Looks like a young actress herself.

Heroine: No role.

Namitha: The glam queen of Tamil cinema did justice to her role.

Vivek: Same old double meaning jokes, and Naatamai role. Not as good as Thoondil but helped in increasing the length of the movie.

Villans: 3 of them, but no role.

Dhina (Music): Effort spent in identifying old tamil devotional songs and changing the lyrics. Now if some one wrote the lyrics then effort spent only in identifying old dev songs. Thats fine considering the budget of the movie.

Storyline: Nadiya, who made 5000 crores (do they believe in what they say?) in Bangkok wants to get her daughter married in a village in Tamil Nadu. The reason behind it is she wants to take revenge on her brother, and entire family who supposedly killed her husband. What happens in the village is the story.

The movie is a good entertainer and can easily kill a couple of hours, just like Satyaraj movie.

the end.

Mokkai No 1.

2008-04-04T17:27:00.002+05:30

While listening to a popular song in youtube one of the comments read as quoted:
"This is one of my husbands favorite song."

The baddy in me was so much inclined to ask - "Which one?"

the end.

Did you know? - Sudden Motion Sensors

2008-04-04T05:38:00.004+05:30

"In January 2005, Apple introduced the Sudden Motion Sensor™ (SMS) in its high-end laptops. The SMS is a three-axis accelerometer linked with the hard disk, so that if the laptop suddenly finds itself in free fall it can anticipate an impact and park the hard disk heads in a safe area, thus reducing the effect of the impact. Apple included the SMS in all its laptops starting in July 2005. IBM had begun including a similar feature, the Active Protection System™, in its ThinkPad laptops two years earlier; Acer Inc. is just now releasing its GraviSense™ utility."

-Source: http://www.seismosoc.org/publications/SRL/SRL_77/srl_77-6_es.html

Cool isn't it. Whats better is the fact is that the accelerometer reading, usually of (x,y,z) axes can be read and used by programmers, though Apple didn't intend it to happen!

One such application is Seismograph reading (the above link.)

Some other cool programs found in youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6ZpsqOD4rU&eurl=
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBJQ5085kSo

With such an interesting tool, the possibilities are just infinite.
A brief description on how it works can be found here.

the end.

Ode to my Advisor

2008-04-04T05:21:00.002+05:30

The word brilliance is an subjective term, one should agree. Its like the "two-lines" theory, one line looks small in the presence of a bigger line... which in itself is an infinite process.
I am easily overwhelmed at the sheer breadth of diverse topics in a library, or the infinite depth a narrow-topic traverses.
Clearly Evolution through its 4 Billion-year growth has so much to offer.

There are very few people who can talk about many things, it feels like they know everything under the sun. One such soul is My Advisor.

The sheer diverse things he can handle and talk about reminds me of "The Village School Master" by Oliver Goldsmith.

"Yet he was kind; or if severe in aught,
The love he bore to learning was in fault.
The village all declar'd how much he knew;
'Twas certain he could write, and cipher too:
Lands he could measure, terms and tides presage,
And e'en the story ran that he could gauge.
In arguing too, the person own'd his skill,
For e'en though vanquish'd he could argue still;
While words of learned length and thund'ring sound
Amazed the gazing rustics rang'd around;
And still they gaz'd and still the wonder grew,
That one small head could carry all he knew."


the end.

S Ve Shekar Dramas

2008-04-04T05:17:00.003+05:30

I came across this link which has comprehensive list of S Ve Shekar dramas.
http://www.musicindiaonline.com/music/tamil/s/artist.1319/

the end.

Mokkai No. 1

2007-09-14T19:13:00.000+05:30

I am much relieved when my University advisor magazine read "you cannot work more than 20 hours as a part-time student worker when the school is in session". Now I can work more in the evenings and weekends.

the end.

My top 10 funny tamil songs - Revised

2007-08-29T05:49:00.000+05:30

Comedy in songs are not as much appreciated as comedy scenes. But none the less they solve the purpose and does lift our mood. I would like to enlist my top 10 funny songs as below. I would like to mention 2 more songs which is not funny by itself, but in the context of the movie: Aatama Paatama from Nadigan and Kai Vechalum from MMKR.

10. a. Oh Pyari Pani Poori - video link. (Movie: Poovae Unakaga, Starring: Vijay)

This song has funny lyrics and typical 90's picturization, which makes this foot-tapping number fun to watch and hear.
b. Hello Chellama - video link. (Movie: Karna, Starring: Arjun)

Similar to the above song, this song depicts the funny ways the hero tries to reach his lover over phone.

9. Aiya Gnanam - video link. (Movie: Indhu, Starring: Prabhu Deva)

Funny lyrics and good dance by PD. I don't enjoy it now as much I did when it was released.

8. Come on Come on Kamachi - video link. (Movie: Love Birds, Starring: Prabhu Deva)
I like the lyrics of this song, which is funny and catchy. I feel it deserves a higher place in the list.

7. Avvai Shanmugi - video link. (Movie: Avvai Shanmukhi, Starring: Kamal Hassan)
Nice fast song a father faces dressing as a lady!

6. Take it easy Urvasi - video link. (Movie: Kadhalan, Starring: Prabh Deva)

Vadivelu's second movie. His comedical presence along with PD's brilliant dance made this a super hit.

5. a. Yenna Samayalo - video link. (Movie: Unnal Mudiyum Thambi, Starring: Kamal Hassan)
Brilliant song, kitchen wars as who is a better cook.

b. Nooru Varisham - video link. (Movie: Panakaran, Starring: Rajini Kanth)

Rajini dressed in sari, as a tall man, as a fat man... perfect entertainer from thalaivar.

4. Bambai Maami - audio link. (Movie: Villadhi Villan, Starring: SatyaRaj)

Nice catchy song, and funnny dance. I especially like the dialogues, wherein Rahika asks Satyaraj if he likes her or his mother better. He says "neethaan", and she bangs his mother's head with a vase. I am sorry I cannot find the video link for this song.

3. Puyale Puyale - audio link. (Movie: Ullam Kollai Pohuthai, Starring: Prabhu Deva)

PD romantizes and dreams about the heroine, and does funny things for her. I especially liked the part, wherein whenever he sees her rain pours over him. Nice video, but sorry I can't find it online.

2. Kaasumela Kaasuvanthu - video link. (Movie: Kadhala Kadhala, Starring: Kamal Hassan, PD)

Good use of graphics and funny lyrics makes this video funny and enjoyable. Kamal's expressions are amazing. The line "Ramalingam kaila kaasu, Sundaralingam vaila dosai" is quite popular.

1. Mamavukku Kuduma - video link. (Movie: Punnagai Mannan, Starring: Kamal Hassan)

I think everyone will agree if I say this is the funniest song that can be ever made. And again everyone will agree that Kamal made it the funniest song. Ever.Enjoy.

the end.

Pomona Ranganathar Temple, Pomona, New York

2007-08-27T22:45:00.000+05:30

Pomona Ranganathar temple established in 2001, is the only temple dedicated to Lord. Ranganathar in U.S. and probably the only one outside India. It is a wonderful temple, unique and captivating in many ways. It is the only Vaishnavite temple in U.S. Though it is modelled after Sri. Rangam temple, there are some minor differences deliberated between the two idols.

The residing deities also include Tirupathi Balaji, Sri. Krishna, Kodandaramar, Chakrathalwar, Garudar and Anjaneyar, and beautiful bronze idols of the 12 Alwars. (Temple layout) . All Sannidhis are beautifully decorated and the "moolavars" are very captivating.

The temple was founded with the pious notion of treating the people of U.S. with the grace of Sri. Ranganathar. The project was itself a grandiose one, but unfortunately the temple ran into debt. even before it opened. The situation brought out the devotion of the priests who even agreed to work without salary. With God's grace and donations from devotees, the temple cleared all its debt. this January (2007).

The spiritual experience in this temple is very rewarding in many ways and cannot be expressed by words. For people living outside India, this is divinity at its best.

The place:

The temple is situated in a small town, Pomona in New York. It is an hour away from the New York city. The town is sparsely populated, although the temple neighbourhood is filled with farm houses, bungalows and office spaces. The Village hall and post office are closest landmarks to the temple.

How to get there:

If you have a car then it's about an hour drive from NY city. Google maps should get you there easily.

If you dont have a car, and rely on public transport you can take a bus from Union station, NY. Though the schedule sheet shows Pomona Heights as a stop, since the town is sparce, the drivers would prefer to drop you at a place you like. In any case the designated Pomona Heights stop is where you need to get down, in the intersection of Rt. 202 and Rt. 306. Its a 10 min walk from there to No.8, Ladentown Road. The return journey is fairly simple too. Come back to the intersection and wave to the bus as it approaches. (Remember I said no designated bus stop, so stand in a place good enough for the bus to stop!)

There are some points to note:
-> The bus service keeps up the time :) but there are few scheduled buses, so you have to time your trip carefully. The ideal trip would be to leave NY at 8:45 am and leave Pomona at 11:45 am.

-> Since there are no designated bus stops you have to make sure the driver sees you. Be vigorous in waving, you dont want to look like a bunch of school children waving the bus goodbye.

All in all its a great temple to visit, especially if you are anywhere close to NY.

For more information, do visit the temple website.

the end.

A word of thought

2007-08-27T22:31:00.000+05:30

I am sorry for the people who have to put up with my long first name, while i manage easily with "I" and "Me"!

the end.

New photoblog initiated

2007-08-16T08:24:00.001+05:30

Well this might serve as a self-professed blog about my new photoalbum, which might interest you. Please leave a comment if it does.

http://amomentinlife.aminus3.com

the end.

Ode to the "dark" spirit

2007-07-13T20:22:00.000+05:30

I believe in spirits.

The ones that prey on the living, manipulating them, to get their fantasies fulfilled. I have also heard stories about "haunted" houses, and heard first-account narration about people calling-on the spirits. But this post is to caution about the spirit everyone succumbs to - knowingly or unknowingly, willingly or unintentional. I call it the "dark" spirit and I thought of writing on it, when it let go of me today.

The "dark" spirit gets hold of anyone and everyone on a regular basis; a diurnal ritual it performs. When I say everyone, I mean EVERYONE. You, me, billions and billons of other humans; the rich and the poor; the educated and the illiterate. It's boundaries are not confined to only humans, it pervades every living being and even controls its every cell!

This spirit extends its dark shadow on posession. It covers our vision with its dark infinite form, never ending in space and the posession often recurring in time. Yes it is dark, so very dark. And has no form, shape or voice.

Maybe it has a form, and it controls and instructs us on possession. But it also attempts to erase any trace of such events from our memory. And even if some traces are left behind when we regain consciousness; the story is often absurd, graphical and hard to believe even for our own family and friends. Everyone is forced to undergo the same spell by the "dark" spirit, which is sometimes mischievous and likes to confuse us, with its incompatible traces forming absurd stories and linkages.

This spirit leads us through abysmal darkness, but in the process we are so entranced by it, we never realise we are possessed. And in the end it is a small routine battle to regain ourselves. We are in a way a slave to it. Ironically, without its control and periodic possesion of us, we turn weak, frail and pale. Though we often lie motionless, unconscience and speechless when it takes over, we might even faint without it. Such is its addictive power. The "dark" spirit ruled over the living, for ages known and will no doubt do so in the future.

We forget the whole world; our home, family and even ourselves when it reigns over us. Anything might happen by the time it decides to leave. A war may start, or it might just have ended, our loved ones might have left, or come back. Anything from a natural disaster to a personal tragedy. The world at large changes when we are under its spell, yet we know nothing. We see nothing. All we see is its darkness spanning across our vision, intellect and cerebrum, the reason why I termed it "dark".

Perhaps thats the beauty of this spirit. It takes our time, our capability to act, our resolution to work, and our determination to make a motion. We lie incapable of action except for an occasional jerk; helpless, with no one caring to help us out of it. Not even our loved ones come to our rescue. Often we are left alone, to slowly regain based on our determination, at its willingness to let go.

This has been the case throughout evolution. Alcohol and other drugs also inebriates and incapacitates humans. But I should classify this as a more powerful spirit. It spares none. Not even a new born child or ill and frail elder. Not even the richest man or a poor beggar who eats
quarter-meal once a couple of days.

The "dark" spirit rewards people who obey its control. It leaves behind something to rejoice after its posession, often more energy. But it trades it for our time and posession of our body.

A few determined people have throughout the ages have tried not to fall for it. But as time passes by they are allured by its conveniences, the attractions it offers and at some point are forced to succumb to it. However we have succeeded in developing many methods to regain consciousness. The most common is to wade off the "dark" spirit by using exotic sounds which in its most common form a series of beeps.

Luckily, before we are captured, we have a premonition about it. Once we realise the process is inevitable, we decide a way to shake it off, often through a spell of sounds at a predetermined period of time. Unless its grip is strong, wherein we are unconsciously or subconsciously manipulated to stop the chant, we often succeed. This is some consulation to us humans.

Largely, we are rather helpless before this inevitable "dark" spirit, mute on its actions, and fear to stand against its call. Often we try to resist and delay its possession, but hardly can we deny its influence at somepoint or the other. One idiosyncrasy of the "dark" spirit I would like to mention is we are often aware it is going to take us over in sometime, but by the time it actually controls us, we lose our consciousness. And by the time we realise who we are, and where in the world we are, and what day and time it is... the "dark" spirit has already left. Without a trial. Only the time, and onlookers vouch that it had taken over all this while.

This spirit has also embarassed us on many occasions. Many a times I had been its slave in class and work, but seldom at play. We are more liable to it during boredom, or after a heart-filled meal, and least when we are happily engaged in doing something we like. But even then, it is hard to put off its call more than a day. Such is its power.

As I write this blog, a series of yawns and my half closed eye lids serve as a premonition:
The "dark" spirit is ready to control me. It will take over me anytime, and I will be led through the same process again:

Me... forgetting who I am... where I am... just the word: me... revolving and travelling in an infinite space of darkness, not knowing the start or the end, not knowing when I will see the light again. Just plain me... sleeping.

the end.

Two moderate disappointments on the BOSS

2007-07-13T20:05:00.000+05:30

Rajni is simply a super hero, without the signature outfit any super hero is provided with. He is immortal, brave and most importantly finds his way out of any adverse crisis. His will to succeed and strong belief in God and strict NO to corruptions and baddies, is a strong plus in his movies. When Rajni as Sivaji is looked forward as the BOSS, the expectation is multiplied.

I am a bit disappointed in this front for two reasons:
1. Rajni bribes to get his work progressed. He is doing good for the people, and he is educated and knows the law. When later he says he would go to any possible court of law to get justice, he could have done it earlier. Bribing was negative on Rajni, and more so on Shankar whose superhit Indian was invalidated.

2. Rajni decides to commit suicide. He is a superhero, and not expected to lose his heart or never-say-die attitude. Rajni attempting a suicide is negative on his image. Had they showed it like the thugs almost killed him to death (like in Dhool), it would have been better.

the end.

A word of Thought...

2007-06-07T01:35:00.000+05:30

In movies, if the purpose of make-up is to make a person look unlike him... why not put a different person instead!

the end.

On the turning away...

2007-05-20T19:20:00.000+05:30

On the turning away
From the pale and downtrodden
And the words they say
Which we wont understand

Dont accept that whats happening
Is just a case of others suffering
Or youll find that youre joining in
The turning away

Its a sin that somehow
Light is changing to shadow
And casting its shroud
Over all we have known

Unaware how the ranks have grown
Driven on by a heart of stone
We could find that were all alone
In the dream of the proud

On the wings of the night
As the daytime is stirring
Where the speechless unite
In a silent accord

Using words you will find are strange
And mesmerized as they light the flame
Feel the new wind of change
On the wings of the night

No more turning away
From the weak and the weary
No more turning away
From the coldness inside

Just a world that we all must share
Its not enough just to stand and stare
Is it only a dream that therell be
No more turning away?

- PINK FLOYD

Listen to the song at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OvVdDLs_kc

the end.

Mokkai No. 1

2007-05-17T20:57:00.000+05:30

Some of the advantages of a foreign education I can think of:

1. Wonderful oppurtunity to interact... with fellow Indians of other origins
2. Broaden the horizons... of your appetite
3. Exposure to top-class ... sun-bathing girls

the end.

L. U. C. K.

2007-05-17T05:22:00.000+05:30

Dictionary defines luck as: The chance happening of fortunate or adverse events.

I define luck as chance of integrating probability into what you normally would get.

We use the word "luck" liberally, especially when we fail at something, or when we want to put it mildly that we didn't expect the other guy to make it.
On the other hand we almost forget the word when we are... well... lucky! When mother fortune is kind to us, we owe our success to hardwork, sincerity and other things we think of at the spur of moment... anything except luck.

One can't deny that this 4-lettered word does have a larger than life influence on the world. It makes or breaks a person, his/her fortune or life. Luck can deliver a blessing or a disaster. We attribute the success of many stars and celebrities through luck, though it usually is a lot more than that.

In a small world, surrounding us; everyone would have personal experiences or at least seen cases where in everything we did was right and the result was just opposite. Many other times we would do the needful and wait for mother luck to tip the result in our favour.

I can attribute the influence of luck to question two things:
1. Is luck alone enough to get us through life?
2. If hardwork and efforts are needed, still why does it all comes down again to luck?

An apt example I can think of is applying to colleges for Grad studies. After taking the efforts of studying well, scoring high in acads and GRE and completing the apping process well, it comes down to a single factor that decides your admission.

As we grow up, life is becoming more dependent on one issue - Luck. Contrasting with our childhood where in our parents encouraged us to do things, saying, "if you do this well, then you get this"... many things in life no longer has the same cause-effect relation. "if you do this well, then you qualify for a game of chance. sit down and hold tight". Through experience we learn that it is no longer enough to be capable, efficient and hardworking... there is one undeniable factor which tops it all. From study to work to life to everything... luck has the final word.

BUT it still gives a sense of pride and satisfaction, when we put in our efforts to the best level and if luck fails us. It is any day satisfying than when we do nothing, but just get lucky. And this sense of fulfillment makes life worth living, and efforts worth investing... for we take the challenge put forth by luck, on the face, and dare it to change things for us. We put everything we have, to prove that hardwork does spell success. And in this battle against luck, we sometimes win, sometimes lose. But even losing at that stage is still a success!

the end.
P.S. inspired by the H1B lottery system for 2007.

"Welcome Home" after a long time

2007-05-17T05:20:00.000+05:30

Well its been long since I have updated my blog. It sure is frustrating when you link to my blog just to find that the pages are static, like the wall papers... unmoving. Its time to move on and after a hiatus I hope to share some more of my thoughts. Thanks for keeping up with me.

the end.

Voicemail messages

2006-12-03T19:48:00.000+05:30

My roomie wanted me to customize my voice mail. Guess its a good idea. Some of the greetings I could think of are:

1. "You have reached the voice mail of SP. Please leave your name, number and a message, but if you know me, rest assured I won't call you back!"

2. "You have reached the voice mail of SP. Please leave your name, address and SSN, so I can sell it off!"

3. "You have reached the voice mail of SP. Please leave a pizza and diet coke on my doorway!"

4. "You have reached the voice mail of SP. Please leave your name, number and a message, after the beep... the bomb will set off in 5...4...3...2...1 (*****)!"

5. "You have reached the voice mail of SP. Save space, don't leave a message!"

6. "You have reached the voice mail of SP. Had I wanted to talk to you, I would have picked up the phone. Now why leave a message!"

the end.

Did you know?

2006-11-24T22:21:00.000+05:30

that a driver is called "conducteur" in French.

the end.

Mokkai no.1

2006-11-23T18:33:00.000+05:30

Seeing me constantly getting average marks in tests, my friend comforted me saying "It's easy to put an A". I couldn't tell more than "Looks like my name is the only place I will put an A!"

the end.

my clock is accused

2006-11-11T06:59:00.000+05:30

the end.

Mokkai no.1

2006-11-08T19:06:00.000+05:30

I am beginning to believe the superstitions about number 13. The 13th floor in my friend's apartment is missing!

the end.

Ode to my success...

2006-11-07T22:44:00.000+05:30

Wow! I am in the USA doing my MS. And the secret of my success is I use colgate toothpaste, that gave me confidence to apply to Universities; Red label tea, that always kept me alert, and sudarmani undies that made a hero out of me. Ofcourse, I cannot forget the help rendered by Pepsi, head and shoulders, arogya milk, bournvita, xa, xa, xa... without which I would have been a farmer in a remote village, ploughing the field, with buffaloes as best friends... that is if they accept me!

What wonder these products do, they produce heroes out of mere mortals. And what genius these ad companies are, trying to bring out the stupidest ad, to sell their product. They kill the product rather than make it. Have you ever felt bad about a product and resolved not to buy it just because of a bad ad they put. I have.

A small boy catches a criminal, with a biscuit as bait. Why dont our military load their backpacks with them, or better if they can tie up with the US Army, who can ingeniously use it to trap Bin Laden. Wont it be a proud moment for all us Indians.

And guys, if you are desperate to get married, wear Viking ok. Sure the next girl you see, will be mesmerised by your "irresistable" beauty. Hey, you may even win her sister's hand, since they see you as a stud... just because you are wearing some deadly sure-fire-combo undies. Or you can conduct an informal suyamvaram, as you please, by just spraying AXE. When you walk across a street, all beautiful girls will rush out of their house, to hug you. But be careful, if you use more than the recommended dosage you might start a stampede.

Will the madness ever end? Or is this just the beginning. I wish the ads were natural. A dejected girl tries a powder, gets through the interview, and lives happily ever after,... just because she used the powder. Imagine all the airhostess-wannabes getting through with a 50 rs. product.

The fairness cream ads are the most hilarious. First they hire a fair model, roll her face in grease. Then in their ad, the product falls from heaven. The model desperately uses it and you know what? After 4 weeks, her skin is fair and glowing. And whats with hiring models for ads. Are these products meant only for them? then why waste our time.

I am happy Gandhi, the icon of our nation is not here for one reason, endorsement. Imagine Gandhi sporting RayBan, using Talwalkers walking sticks, adidas lightweight slippers, and co-optex Khadhis. And a multilingual punch dialogue, to go with it.

Anyway, the idiot box, is getting worse day by day, thanks to the funny ads. Some ads are creative and logical. But thats just a handful. As for others, its heartening they last for 20 secs or so.

Having said so, I still wonder why I havent found a girl, inspite of trying most of the sure-fire methods listed. Must buy mint-o-fresh on my way out.
Laila! here I come...

the end.

Being contended with what we got:

2006-08-04T10:23:00.000+05:30

I know a couple who had baby last week, after a decade of turmoil. After the initial appreciation and thanks giving to God, and feeling proud of themselves, they moved into the next stage – analysis;

The baby was a bit dark compared to its wheat-ish parents. “I wish the baby was as fair as either of you”, commented the maternal grandmother. “He does have a stub nose like me, which I didn’t want”, said the father. The material world and the feeling of relentlessly searching for something better took over.

They did easily forget the 10 years of turmoil, wherein their only prayer was, “We just need a baby, bless us God”, and that how lucky they were to have their prayers answered. Mind wanders like a mad monkey, it instantly forgets the past sufferings… instead of enjoying the gift of progeny, the couple looked for perfection, thus inflicting further sufferings onto themselves. They failed to realize people below them: an aged couple dying without children; spinsters over 50, who wanted to marry, but couldn’t, and many more similar grim stories.

For living a contented life, it is best to compare ourselves with people below us. They don’t die, if they don’t drive a Benz, or have a 20K mobile, neither will we. And for achieving we should compare ourselves with people above us. If Dr. APJ can work 18 hours a day and be a rolemodel to millions, we can make a difference to at least 10. We can!

Our lifestyle warrants that we crave and strive for more materialistic possession. A middle class family strives to buy a car, while a maid working in their house strives to buy a TV. A highly paid employee wants to buy a bungalow, and the rich boss wants everything of the best brand.

Money can buy all the comfort we desire, but then it takes our desire itself to next level. And the more we feed our desire, the more it grows, only to swallow our peaceful life. There can be no ceiling to our desires, unless we are contended.

Look around; you can comprehend what I write, and are reading this from your own computer in the comfort of your cubicle or room. Aren’t you a lot more lucky than people who cannot read/write, are mute, or don’t know what a computer is. And after reading this, you might be a little tired, (even though the AC comforts you, unlike people who are dying of sun-stoke after working relentlessly for a half meal,) you always have the vending machines at your disposal, or the phone to order your hot yummy food.

What more do you need except contentment?

A typical Mastercard ad to compliment:

Buying a Santro car for the middle class family stated above: Rs. 4 lakhs.
Buying a Porsche for the millionaire stated above: Rs. 1 crore.
Being contented with what God has given us: PRICELESS.

- The End.

Sivasankar son of Hariharan!

2006-06-20T09:28:00.000+05:30

It is quite common to name brothers as Ram and Lakshman. It sounds logical. But some relation ships looks so harmonius except namewise.

We name our progeny with Gods' names desiring a part of their virtue to stick on to them. As a result, in real world with so many Gods and Goddesses unleashed, the relationships change and history is being rewritten, day after day.

The reception party I attended last was my friend Sriram's with his wife Parvathi. I witnessed many other cases where Rama wed Ahalya, Gayathri and even Margerette.

Sometimes even the order gets a change. My schoolmate Ganesh has an elder brother Saravanna. Radha and Krishna are siblings as per our neighbours' parents and Aunt Anjali's son was Arjun instead of Hanuman... atleast he looked like a monkey.

Last but not the least, I am Subramani myself, the name carefully selected by my parents and grandparents to represent Lord Muruga... only so that to be born to Perumal, who was himself born to Subramani, my grandfather!

the end.

The Da Vinci code - movie

2006-06-17T09:46:00.000+05:30

The Da Vinci Code is a must watch for the lovers of the book. On the other hand those who haven't read the book, wont understand a thing. In a brave and successfull attempt to recapture the excitement of the movie, the director has focussed more on the screenplay and thrill, sacrificing a chunk on story. This means a complete boredom for people ignorant of the book.

It is more like a summary to the book, and one can feel going through the various chapters and movie runs. I think Silas character was exceptional, other than that no other character really needed the depth of performance. Some parts of the story have been altered and many puzzles truncated. One part where the jizz was lost, is where Sphie showed the photo of her dead grandfather and the words "P.S. Find Robert Langdon." It was pretty ordinary and looked like she showed her lower grade report card which he didn't bother looking.

The BGM was very apt and added to the thrill. The movie was made with an intention not to hurt any sect, as seen by the blunt dialogues and over emphasis on Opus Dei, rather than Christianity itself. I see no purpose in banning the movie, for it is neutral from start to end. The book was considerably harsh. By banning the movie, its raining profits for the piracy market.

Overall, its a rich movie experience. But it is not a must-theatre watch movie. A home theatre would do. Or even a PC.

the end.

So what is my character?

2006-06-16T10:43:00.001+05:30

This is a introspective analysis I am doing for quite sometime. Theoritically I thrive to be kind, generous, and caring... but I wonder if I am all that.

I can say I am Kind, but really, AM I? For I am indeed kind to the people who speak sweet and are friendly, but not to the people who hurt me, or divulge with my line of thought. A harsh word thrown at me, sees a harsh word back.
Am I kind? NO. I just act as a mere mirror which reflects the person interacting with me. He smiles at me, I smile back. He hates me, I hate him more. Kindness is not my Character, but a feeling based on the circumstances around me.

Atleast I am generous. I helped the neighbour Akka with Rs.1000 last year and waited patiently till she repayed it.
Er... I still feel I am generous, though I failed to help my maid servant when she literally begged for money for buying gas cylinder. But I helped her many times, she failed to return. Hey, is generosity not expecting anything in return. Did I fail?
I think so... since it is for the same reason I don't help people begging on the road or genuine destitutes. I just help people near and dear to me, and more important, people whom I am sure will repay me somehow. Generosity is not my character but a means of helping people, whose help I seek eventually.

Hmm... surely I am not caring then. Ofcourse I run errands for my mother, I thought that would earn me that virtue. I haven't even donated blood, did no kind of voluntary work (though I was with NSS for 2 years),given clothes or money to the
poor or atleast stop haggling for minutes with the person selling water mellon on the road, for one and two rupees, not thinking of his life and the family he needs to support. Caring is not my character but an illusion to help myself.

There is so much to do in this world, to my fellow humans, who are a spark from the same flame as I am... but all I thought about for so long was ME. Maybe I do have a character to call myself... Selfish!

not the end.

Driving thoughts;

2006-06-16T10:43:00.000+05:30

I turned the meter, ready to run,
It was a fierce bargain, the customer had won.
For all I get from Parry's to Guindy,
Is a paltry Rupees sixty.

I drive an Auto, which is not mine,
I start early morning and not rest until nine,
All I earn through this job of mine,
Still keeps my family below poverty line.

A major share goes to the owner's call,
Another for petrol, service and all,
what is left is just enough,
to keep my wife and kids alive.

Yet the rich people haggle skillfully,
Afterall there are many like me, which makes their job easy,
If I refuse to attend their call,
My family gets a harder fall.

the end.

Mokkai No. 1

2006-06-16T10:42:00.000+05:30

I saw a middle aged man with a broken jaw and blood all over. Asked the cause of the accident, for which he said,
"The lift was open, and a voice said Dive senchu kadhavu adaikavum. I slipped while diving."

the end.

Blog revived...

2006-06-16T10:41:00.000+05:30

It's been long since I blogged; very long. I could say that I ran out of topics to blog or maybe I was busy. The truth is while I was employed I had enough free time for work like this, but after that I ran out of inspiration.
Hmmm... the reasoning doesn't please my employer though!

A tribute to Infy

2006-04-29T11:16:00.000+05:30

Infosys has changed the lives of millions, for good. Just a modest number considering the good they are doing to the society. I am one of them.

I joined Infy less than 2 years back. All people I told abt my future at Infy, echoed and iterated one point. IT'S UNDIVIDED CARE FOR ITS EMPLOYEES. Again, I am one of the few lucky people to realise it, enjoy it.

Looking back now, certainly Infy has done more to me, than what I had done to it. And its the element of care it gives to its employees, that made people stick with it for years. Its never easy maintaining an organisation of 50K+ employees. Never easy for Infy, but real tough for other guys in business.

After nearly an year @ Infy, they had greatly helped me secure a place for MS in USA. Selfless acts are rarely recognised, but their HR policy is too good that I would like to mention one of my relatives' own episode.

He was working with Infy for 7+ years. He worked the last 3 years from US. He married a fellow Infoscion, and wanted to live happily ever after. His dreamt of doing MBA in US. He resigned his job, followed his dreams, only to be rejected thrice by Visa counsellate in Chennai. Desperate, he approached Infy, which welcomed him again, embraced him. Not only that, they posted him to a place near to his wife's place of stay.

The final overwhelming gesture was when Infy advised him to resign from the US office itself, and take MBA to avoid the Visa problems. He did it, and would complete his course in few months. He was grateful to Infy, for the gesture. It would be only inhuman if I am not, for what they have done to me, to stand behind me in troubling times, urging me to go on...which ever way I wanted... and I chose to pursue research in US.

Thanks Infy.

Reflex is great

2006-04-21T10:50:00.000+05:30

I was sleeping yesterday night, and sometime around midnight I changed positions. My fingers touched something when it reached my neck and instantly my brain visualised it to be a cockroach and bang, I was doing Karate in sleep. This made me write a post on this Reflex which is simply great. No matter how dull you are, the communication between your brain and sense is automatic.

Afterall this is what protects the kids when they touch something hot, or when something pokes them. The physics of human body cannot be fully understood, any day, but the experience yesterday was overwhelming for me to say, Reflex is great.

the end.

Do you know anyone pursuing MS at University of Cincinnati from Fall 2006?

2006-04-06T12:25:00.000+05:30

If you dont, note me as one.

Got into Computer Science, for Fall-2006.
Aiming to specialise in AI fields of Vision or Machine Learning.
Got scholarships which cover my tution fees.

I wanted to call you people and inform personally, but isnt this the best way to know, who reads my blog regularly?

the end.
Next event: Visa on July, 21st. 2006.

What future holds... God told.

2006-04-06T12:03:00.000+05:30

Have you ever wondered where life is going to take you?
Have you ever felt frustrated on how things are going, and really wish it was something better. It is a similar yearning you have when you see the serene scenery hanged up on the wall, or the deep forests with a lone wood house, lined by a river, which makes your heart say, "Wish I was there".

But when I think about the things happened so far and things I am yet to take control of, I question myself on the purpose of this life...

I think I brought out the comparison in a earlier post that God doesnt care if you are a Stanford MBA, or a 4th standard fail. So why should we.
The materialistic things have constantly gained importance in our life. We fret a day without TV, computer, cell phone etc, but hardly remember our spiritual duties.

I am no exception. I dont mind failures to connect to God, for the sake of a TV show, or picnic with my friends. Sometimes standing in front of the Pooja, itself is a big ordeal. But the fact is that, realising the God in us is the utmost goal of our worldly life.

Materialistic world is a illusion. This whole life is an illusion. The joy we feel and the sorrow we express are all illusions, based on Karma. Some of the simplest examples are, think how you would have felt, when you flunked a test. You would have fretted it out, thought it to be the end of world, and felt you were the unluckiest person on earth. Think about it today, do you feel the same way about it. I hope not.

What is more important than what we got is what use we made of it. What use is a billion dollar house, if you cant feed a beggar who needs help. And what use is praying to God, and dropping loads of money into the Hundi, if you cant feed a hungry naked child.

And what is the use of praying in the first place. I remember myself praying that I want a bike, a cell phone etc. But yeah, now I think it is kiddish. For, doesn't the eternal father know what to give you... when? Also my prayers were materialistic. I like to stress on this materialistic factors because when we reach the eternal abode, what you own is not what you are evaluated on.
"What you own is not yours, but what you give is yours."

Everything is strongly linked with fate. And faith, can never alter the fate, it will give us the strength to face it. For in every test we are put into, we are promoted to the next level of sainthood, sharpened for next bigger test. God is a shoulder to rest, to lean on, to cry, to fight, to argue and thank. Let's make every minute count in remebering Him.

Happy SriRama Navami.

the end.
P.S. I know this is a collage of random thoughts, and has no connection with the title, whatsoever.

Guess who's told to Naukri?

2006-03-21T13:42:00.000+05:30

Naukri.com, launched an ad about an angry manager named "Hari Sadu", and his sub-ordinates, who make fun of him, after having heard from Naukri. The AD was a success, and along with the Resumes, the company also received a file suit, from a 11 year old boy named "Hari". The petition seeks money upto 1 Crore for the adverse effect it had on him.

For further details click here.

Guess I should also call on my lawyer to charge the "Moonramberai" team for naming a dog - "Subramani". bow wow.

the end.

Pandemic dispute in discrete mountain tops!

2006-03-20T08:57:00.000+05:30

I have known this mountain for a very long time, from the time I was born. It was very densily populated, and the population was obviously happy with the state of affairs. They were simple people, physically too, who had no materialistic property other than a well.

I was its unanimously selected head. I had to be. I was very passionate about it, and this mountaintop grew on me (literally!).

But over the last 5 years there has been some sort of disputes going on. I don't know what. As a result the population is getting scarce. There were 3 partitions eminent from then: the right, the left and the bottom. The bottom looks like a peaceful dense group - atleast at present. But there is constant war between the right and the left. As the result there is growing scarcity of population, and the partition between them has become from a "Kodu", to a "Rodu" - as a common tamil expression.

This conflict has led to a new region which is disowned by all 3 regional population. It has literally no population, still none wants to take over. Its called "No-mire land", and it is fast infringing, and might soon form the major share of the mountain top. As the leader, I tried many ways to resolve the conflict, offered medicines to carm their nerves, and applied gel to arouse patriotic feeling in them. It seems to work to an extent, but I have a feeling that in a decade or more, it might win over.

Afterall this dispute is common, and many leaders like me don't know what actions to take. Our MBA's, PhD's are all put to test. Peace leaders, like Gandhi himself suffered. It is a bane of a male leader, but some people will experience this attack after 5 decades, at which stage the "No-mire land" is actually admired and accepted.

Certainly the growth of the No-mire land and the transformation of the well, I mentioned earlier, into a pond now has its own disadvantages, with the leader bearing its brunt. In my case I am a 20 odd leader. The external affairs get badly affected, and other leaders of opposite sex might have yet another reason to reject me. Since it is the mountaintop, it becomes the cynosure - the intensity inversely proportional to the age factor.

Though this population is highly revolting, I request it to hold position for atleast 10 years, save its land and population from extinction - for the sake of its leader's marriage and posterity, more than anything else.

the end.
P.S. this post is inspired by my visit to barber shop yesterday, who brought forward my bitter reality.

Some ongoing and completed research at MIT in the News

2006-03-18T11:20:00.000+05:30

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology, is known for its R&D and Nobel Prize winners (61 as of now). But I would like to quote few of their research, that caught my eye.

1. Lover's CUP
Two cups, interlinked through Wi-Fi communicate the usage of one to another, however far they are. The two cups can even be at opposite ends of the globe, but still communicate with each other, conveying signals through LEDs.

Newscientist.com report

2. Neurosurgery restores eyesight to blind rats
This is a very important breakthrough in medical field. On injecting some neuroparticles, it formed a scaffold like arrangement around the damaged nerves, thus allowing it to recuperate. This can be possibly used on humans in 5 years time to cure brain damages, spinal cord problems and vision related issues.

Mit News

3. MIT is working on $100 PC project, due later this year.
For the benefit of economically backward countries, and to make PC accessible to them, especially students and childen, MIT is trying to build a $100 laptop. This laptop might have the config of 500Mhz, 1GB and will run on open source.
Bill Gates, has mocked this project as unviable, and this has already triggered great expectations.

CNN report

Cognizant employees get Apple iPOD

2006-03-17T16:56:00.000+05:30

Congnizant employees were treated with the latest 30GB, Video iPOD, as a part of its billion dollar + yearly celebrations. The iPODs were distributed on 9th March, to employees over 6 months old in the company.

"It is true. And it was all celebrations on Thursday. I don't take it to office though. Loaded 4 songs, and yes can see movies in it too", confirmed my close friend Rajaram.

the end.

Ghana sensation Ulaganathan

2006-03-16T17:32:00.000+05:30

I was ignorant of the song "Vaalai Meenu..", until last week. Till then I got glimses of a guy in yellow shirt, contrasting coolers, singing in front of a mike. Thought it was one of those low budget songs for low budget films. But suddenly, the frequency of seeing this "yellow guy" increased while browsing through channels, and I paused to listen. What wonder...

Beautiful song, it immediately earlooped me. It was a pretty straightforward song. No fancy lyrics, no expensive settings and no glitzy glamour. Ofcource there was glamour in the form of Malavika, but it was cautiously added, and that is one of the main reasons it became a hit, and that is what seperated this song from the ever-growing line of "item" numbers.

Ulaganathan, the Ghana singer is little known, but this song certainly deserves a mention. The way he presented himself, with a stiff body and only waving the wrist was fun to watch. The dance movements were all stiff and set in a Rural background. The song though about fishes was alluding to the humans present there, and was meaningful.

Again Malavika has done a good job in the cameo, and now has 2 songs in her hit list. This after "Karuppu thaan...", which rocked a couple of years ago, this hit will go a long way helping her career. And what a reception Ulaganathan got. It seems he has 5 more films lined up for him now. Hope he doesn't repeat the same act and make this unique piece, banal.

Ulaganathan tried to imitate MGR in this song I guess, from the attire he wore, and the attitude he presented. I bet there will be more clan songs, which will spoil the elegance of this original. That is the bane of Tamil industry. But till then, this song will rule the Ghana genre.

Pic source: indiaglitz.com
the end.

Some Quotes...

2006-03-16T13:53:00.000+05:30

BEAUTIFUL QUOTES I RECEIVED BY EMAIL TODAY

1. Faith is the ability to not panic.

2. If you worry, you didn't pray. If you pray, don't worry.

3. As a child of God, prayer is kind of like calling home every day.

4. Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape.

5. When we get tangled up in our problems, be still. God wants us to
be still so He can untangle the knot.

6. Do the math. Count your blessings.

7. God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts.

8. Dear God: I have a problem. It's me.

9. Silence is often misinterpreted, but never misquoted.

10. Laugh every day, it's like inner jogging.

11. The most important things in your home are the people.

12. Growing old is inevitable, growing up is optional.

13. There is no key to happiness. The door is always open.

14. A grudge is a heavy thing to carry.

15. He who dies with the most toys is still dead.

16. We do not remember days, but moments. Life moves too fast, so
enjoy your precious moments.

17. Nothing is real to you until you experience it, otherwise it's
just hearsay.

18. It's all right to sit on your pity pot every now and again. Just
be sure to flush when you are done.

19. Surviving and living your life successfully requires courage. The
goals and dreams you're seeking require courage and risk-taking.
Learn from the turtle it only makes progress when it sticks out its
neck.

20. Be more concerned with your character than your reputation. Your
character is what you really are while your reputation is merely what
others think you are

Source: sai-thoughtforday@yahoogroups.com
the end.

The Dishyum movie punch

2006-03-16T13:44:00.000+05:30

I saw the movie Dishyum, with my College friends yesterday at Sathyam.
The movie started at 3.30pm and ended at 6.00pm, including a 20 min break.
It was not a special movie to remember but I would like to recall somethings
before it fades away completely.

Jeeva, (the hero in the movie), is a stuntman by profession. He happens to meet
Sandhya, an arts college student by chance, and time plays the cupid between them.
Jeeva, the character is honest, straightforward and is never afraid of anything.
He proposes his love to Sandhya, and whether she accepts it or not,
forms the story (Although, everyone knows how stories like these ends :)

The storyline deals with a practical, common situation. No middle class or upper class girl would want to marry a stuntman, who is at constant danger of harming himself anytime. Also, as a stuntman, Jeeva lacks the grace and demeanor Sandhya expects out of her lover. She is filled with dilemma whether to compromise good behavior, with comforts for a honest guy, without any "extra fittings".

I applaud the film for bringing to light the problems faced by "stuntmen", who
are never recognised for their daredevil stunts. Very true. They deserve a mention
for all the troubles they handle. Its sad that the hero gets credit for what they do. This movie, to an extent, favours their emotions.

There is a character called Amitabh, who is a dwaft, etched for comedy in this movie.
But the comedy is enjoyable only for the callous spectators. Once you start emphatising with him, it is a pain to watch him. But again, in the end the senti dialogues by him, makes audience feel for people like him. Some remorse, but still I feel the comedy could be avoided.

Dishyum is a love story, targetted for couples. The movie was thronged by couples,
and I think they would have enjoyed it. But more than a movie, Dishyum looked like
a onstage drama, revolving around the 2 main characters. Though some scenes are enjoyable, the movie as a whole gets a bit lengthy and boring after sometime. Some people moarned, we know how it ends, lets get there quickly.

Jeeva has done a very good job, and its pleasing to see him on screen. He has done the climax stunt himself, and his hardwork is well seen here. Sandhya is like the-next-door-beauty (though there is no beauty next to my house). Malavika (Sandhya's Mom), has done some over-performance, which is unbearable in this already effusively senti movie.

All in all, I feel, Its OK if you miss this movie.

the end.

Office humour

2006-03-13T16:25:00.000+05:30

I had to make a really important call to a Mkt. Mgr. in Germany.

"Hello Sir, this is Subi speaking from F&S, India."

"Oh really. I can hear you in Germany!"

(I laughed for the sake of a good discussion, which I got!)

the end.

Australia Vs South Africa - The Match

2006-03-13T12:35:00.000+05:30

This would be the most blogged topic now, and I have nothing more to add, for I didn't follow the match, except the Austrialian scores. I later knew that SA won the match. It was impossible to imagine then, but later I dwelled into the validity of the word "Impossible" itself.

Impossible is based on others' experience. Its simple. If others can't do it, we are not expected to do it. Worst still we are sometimes discounted from even trying. We have heard many such stories of a deaf donkey trying to come out of the well it fell into, while its master kept on shouting it cannot. Also another story wherein a student slept in class, woke up, noted the problem on the board and solved the impossible in 2 days.

These may be stories, just fables built out of thin air to build our confidence. But this cricket match yesterday, is the perfect testimony of what attitude and inspiration can do; no matter how big the task is.

Afterall the Aussies are also humans, and they achieved something. So how different will it be for SA to achieve it. Sadly the world doesnt look it that way. At half way through many would have thought the match was over. If SA had thought the same, it would have been indeed over. This is what happens in this competitive world today. Others speak for us, they decide what we can and what we cannot do. But who else knows better about us, than ourselves. Don't we have the right to decide, and also the qualities to achieve something?

I savour the match for the inspiration it gave, to the points it proved wrong and for the stories it will tell forever. I thank the Aussies for being the greatest team ever. Any other team would not have set the stage in the first place. I profoundly thank the SAfricans, for living the fables, that anything is possible, if we only set the mind to it.

I wish to recall a famous quote:
"One who does not hope to win, has already lost."

So the next time you hear someone tell you, "You, cannot. Dont try, etc..."; be happy. It is your greatest inspiration to go after the impossible.

the end.

Miss Munimma, the supercop

2006-03-09T14:48:00.000+05:30

It was 6 in the morning, the sun doing its routine, shining through the windows of her bedroom.
Miss Munimma working for NYPD dressed up to do her morning routine exercise -- cycling 10 miles up north.

Her boyfriend, Karuppusami was sleeping late. "better not disturb him he has a long day ahead of him".

By about 7.10 Munimma returned home. when she opened the front door she was bewildered to find Karuppusami lying on the floor, face down with blood soaking the carpet by the bullet piercing his head from the sniper shot. The ominous silence of the room was destroyed by the creeking of a fan over his body.

Munimma knew too well who did it. She was expecting this.

She immediately reached for her gun kept in the draw next to the door. She knew that the killer was still in there from the fresh smell of cigarettes.

Munimma inched her way to the corpse, removing her shoes to keep out the noise, "he must have been alerted by the door knob anyway", she thought.

The only way out of the house was through the front door, so he had to pass through her to get out.

"I am going to kill him this time, that ..." her thoughts were disturbed by the apparent noise of vase breaking.

"in the kitchen" she thought.

She jumped her way into the kitchen with the revolver aim following her vision. There in the far end she saw a man donned in black pullover. "It is you Muniyandi!... you, YOU didnt have to kill Karuppu."

Muniyandi was a sniper shooting expert, the best in business, working for kingpin Saathappan. Munimma was interfering too much with their dealings and they wanted to get rid of her once and for all.

She charged at him diving the whole length of dining table aiming the revolver at his forehead.

++swoosh++

She fell on her back thrown back, by the bullet force piercing her heart. Everything around her was dark and her ears still resonating the swift sound of bullet.

She was too slow for him.

"Child's play" were the last words she heard as she saw him disappear through the front door.

Laying down still in the last moments of her life she thought ,"i am betrayed! they all fooled me. "

"where did it go wrong?"

"am i not a hero?"

"but no, this was how it always worked, hero's and heroine's always worked their way through villians killing hundreds of thugs and evading thousands of bullets effortlessly. That’s how they even show in movies."

“but yes, this is reality. the movies fool people showing a super hero. There is no super hero. No super hero, no sup …”

++tring tring++
++tring tring++

"Where am i?". "Phone service in heaven, you must be kidding right?"

++tring tring++
++tring tring++

The voice became louder and louder as she regained her conscience. "Am i not dead?"

"hello Miss Munimma. Nayanthara here. Director asked me to brief you about today's shoot"

"You enter your house, find your boyfriend dead, search for the killer, dodge his bullets, kill him, escape from 40 thugs surrounding you dodging their bullets and get out of the house before the whole place blows out. Thats it."

"This is more like it", she thought replacing her receiver.

the end.
*Names retained on request.

Office Humour

2006-03-08T09:15:00.000+05:30

I was on long leave for 4 days straight and reported to duty yesterday.
My colleague was quick to pounce on me:
"What was the occasion?".

"Well, first I wasnt feeling well and then I was out of station for my
grandpa's Sathabisekam and...".

"...For coming to office", he interrupted.

the end.

Lack of concintration in his work, for a guy aspiring for MS and waiting for admits...

2006-03-07T12:25:00.000+05:30

Asutria is a big market for machine tools and motors. (Thinking of ASU)
Though the size is 01710 euros, it is strongly expected to rise in the future. (Thinking of OHIO State Univ)
The companies are keen on UCINg the latest technological advancements. (Thinking of Univ. of Cincinnati)
Surely it is at Penn-ultimate State of saturation and in the next 2 years,we can expect more results. (Thinking of Penn State University)
The market is ruled by monopoly and the companies try to Umass profits before others join the act. (Thinking of Univ. of Massachusetts)

the end.

Meaning of Thiruvananthapuram

2006-03-03T16:12:00.000+05:30

I never realised that Thiruvananthapuram, meant something in the first place, not to mention its divinity. Thiru Anantha Puram, stands for the abode or city ("Puram") of the sacred snake ("Anantha"), which is respected and worshipped and hence ("Thiru").
Lord Vishnu, as AnanthaPadmanabha, rests on the sacred snake in this place. This temple, built by Trivandrum Maharaja, is probably the biggest Ananthapadmanabha idol, which can be only seen through three doors.

A miniature replica is at Adyar, Sri Padmanabha Swami Thiru Koil, and a statue of the Maharaja who built it is also erected in the lawns. Long ago, this place in Adyar was the Raja's rest place when in Chennai.

I thought of writing about it today since I will be heading towards TVM in a couple of hours, and hopefully visit AnanthaPaddu, tomorrow, if he wishes.

the end.

Note on Glaucoma

2006-03-03T15:02:00.000+05:30

Well, I am hearing about this pandemic chronic disease for some time now, and thought I could post an article on it, however limited by my knowledge and expertise in this field.

Glaucoma is a condition and not a disease. The disease which causes it is unknown. The hero of the story is the aqueous humour secreted by the cilliary gland. The purpose of this humour is to reduce friction of the eyes, and to supply oxygen and nutrients to different eye parts.

After doing the door delivery to different parts, the aqueous humour drains through a meshwork arrangement from the eye. The humour it plays with glaucoma patients is that, it fails to drain at the rate it is produced. From another perspective, it is produced more than it can be drained.

The subsequent effect is the increase in the IntraOcular Pressure(IOP), due to the stagnant fluid. This pressure ruptures the optic nerve and damages it. Slowly and unknowingly the patient loses valuable eyesight, from the periphery. Since the early loss is from the periphery, it is not often detected until it reaches near the center of vision. More unfortunate is that this disease has no symptoms or pain.

Good news is that doctors can detect it easily from the pattern of optic nerve and often prescribe a field test as a first step. The field test is an easy and simple test wherein the patient has to stare at a cross sign in the center of a screen, while dark and dim lights periodically glitter at all points. This is done one eye at a time, and to check until which point in a person's periphery, he can actually detect the spot. This tells the extend of the periphery vision damage.

The second test may be the optic nerve photo session, where glamourous photos of the optic nerves are taken. This is usually followed by some tests, if the doctor is still not convinced that the person is a glaucoma patient or not.

Usually the tests cost between Rs. 500 to Rs. 2000, not bad at all considering the damage this condition causes.

If the person is a Glaucoma patient then he must be put into immediate medication and/or surgery depending on the severity. Usually two types of medication are available:
One to reduce the production of aqueous humour and two to improve the drainage systems in the eyes to accomodate better aqueous flow.

Usually drops are given with surgeries reserved for later stages. Advanced surgery measures are available now, but that doesn't warrent not using drops after that.
Glaucoma being a chronic disease, the person has to take the drops/medicines life long(although life is short, doctors prefer the term lifelong); and check his/her IOP condition regularly. This is because to check the activities of the medication.
If the pressure increases inspite of the medication a different medicine is prescribed or surgery is done.

If untreated the Glaucomic condition may lead to blindness as a very final stage. Before that people gradually lose vision. The current advancement in Glaucomic care, can prevent further optic nerve and vision damage, from the stage it was detected. However, Glaucoma is not a reversible process, till now, but doctors are hopeful it will be soon.

Some factors about Glaucoma:
1. Rated second largest cause of blindness by WHO.
2. Glaucoma is hereditory. Do check if you have it if your family members are affected. usually it is enough to check every 3-5 years below 50 years and every 2 years above 50 years.
3. Glaucoma affects any age. There are also children born with Glaucoma, called congenital glaucoma.
4. It affects mostly Afro-Americans and Asians more than other races in comparision.
5. The normal eye pressure should be between 10-20 mm Hg. If anything above that, it might lead to IOP resulting in Glaucoma.
6. There is also a Normal Pressure Glaucoma, hence pressure is not the determining factor.
7. It is not known as to what causes Glaucoma, but its conditions and treatment are advanced.

There is nothing to worry about Glaucoma. A Glaucoma patient is like every other normal person, can do everything, but he/she has to stick to his/her medication and visits the doctor regularly.

I wish you all a very happy and healthy life.

the end.

What's wrong with the desktop?

2006-02-27T18:27:00.000+05:30

There is some mistake in the picture. Can you spot it?

The mystery of Swimming Pool...

2006-02-25T20:54:00.000+05:30

I went for Swimming Pool today. The movie was put up under the "Pure Cinemas" banner in Sathyam Cinemas. Usually it is showed at 9.45pm, and unusually today it was shown at 4.00pm. Pure Cinemas is one dubious title, for if you don't like a movie and argue on the title, the rebuttal, often a safe one, is that you are naive or unsophisticated, to enjoy its intricate details. But if Swimming Pool means that, then I prefer to be called naive, rather than to act as if I understood even one bit of the movie.

Well the movie started like an art movie, bits and parts, left for the viewer to assemble in their own perspective, and make a meaning, which was obviously missing.
The movie involved some obscenes, but since it was supposed to be "pure", they were edited, not with stars or blurred images but edited in the sense, the whole scene had been removed! Now that not only removes the nudity, it also removes the whole plot.

The movie on the whole was a bit over 90 minutes, which without editing would be atleast 30 minutes more. On the whole the movie looked like a poor assembly of different pieces which made no meaning or moral. It was like stumbling upon 4 tires, a torn engine and an old chassis, then building a car on it, moreover expecting it to run. Ofcourse, I bet the movie is not so bad or meaningless, but the way the Satyam guys presented it was useless. I wonder how they kept it running for over a week. It was a letdown by Satyam, by any standards.

The audience were puzzled, throughout the movie, not to mention the shock when the end-credits came up. I think this is what they meant by a suspense movie. It was a suspense till the end, and even after that, on what the movie revolved around. It was also stated as a thriller movie. But again I suspect the thriller was when some person in the audience lost his cool and stripped the movie screen or stabbed the person sitting next to him. Sadly it didn't happen in my show. So I didn't get to see the thriller part.

All in all its a strict NO-NO movie in Satyam (might be better in DVD). The mystery of the swimming pool is a joke on the audience. Ofcourse when a movie is made and released it is with the best of intensions to please the audience, so let me recap the positives of this movie.
Here goes:

the end.

Did you realise

2006-02-23T18:32:00.000+05:30

that some private companies "offer" extra salary,
to compensate for the "extra" medical expense,
that the job incurs.

That's why it is called COMPENSATION!

the end.

How the name Subro came up

2006-02-23T15:53:00.000+05:30

My name is Subramoniam.
The oddity lies in the "O", after the "M", where it
should have been an "A".
An oddity in Chennai, and neighbouring places, for
this is how my name is spelt in my native place,
in Kanyakumari District.

I was called Subi, in school, at home, everywhere
around when people chose to escape my long name.
It was in college, first year, that my friend Vikram
first called me "Subro". He thought he was right,
because he knew there was an "O" somewhere, but he misplaced
it. He didn't ask for my approval. The name spread
quite fast among college friends.

Subro I was called from then, in college. They didn't
even know I was called Subi, in the first place.

What's in a name? Well there is...

Subro is quite a catchy term (atleast for me), and when people call me
like that it feels more like a title, than a name.
Bro usually stands for a brother, I interpret my friends
take me as a brother. (no crying please)

Whats the Su stands for, you may ask. Well they may think
I am hot, hence the expression, "Su".
Just for the sake of explanation and to provide you with some
comic relief for reading my blog.
Again, just for explanation, they don't think I am
very hot or a piss off, in either case I would have been
called... "Susu-bro".

Very recently, this very name was famous for the wrong reasons.
And I thought of giving up this identity. But I didnt.
This is me, my character, my personification. I am proud to be me,
hence why shouldn't I, to be called "Subro".

I have an email ID with that name, also this very blog is named so.
But I am not attached to it, not more that a person needs to be,
to his name.

I felt that the very reason why I am called Subro, needs to be stated
somewhere to the puzzled readers, who shouldn't confuse it with the
famous "Subro Case". Actually this should have been one of my first
messages in this blog.

There are few mods to my name. I heard my friends
Vivek and Vijay call me "Super" Subro.

But doesn't "Sappa" Subro rhyme better?

the end.

Am I the body?

2006-02-23T12:49:00.000+05:30

Every born kid is a little beauty,
If it is a girl people call her sweety,
as we grow our features change a lot,
afterall we are living and not a robot!

Till I was 12 I was very thin,
I was tall, friendly and can sing,
things were different after my teen,
When I came out, I was no longer lean!

Somewhere in the middle, facial hairs grew,
there were changes, experiences were new,
I was conscious about my actions and sound,
I was sensitive to the world around.

In college another transition began,
This time I changed from boy to man,
just when I thought changes were over almost,
Another trouble, my hair was getting lost!

The transition is a lifelong process,
More to come are white hairs and weekness,
"How different will I be tomorrow?",
The thought takes me to deep sorrow.

But should I be worried about my body,
Surely not, for I am a man, but not even if I was a lady.
for more important than what beauty I got,
IS what good I did with it, to honour GOD.

The body is like the name we give,
to recognise ourselves from another when we live,
It is not our own, but belongs to the earth,
Identify yourself with your soul, which has many births.

the end.

AIRTEL rings the wrong tune

2006-02-22T17:44:00.000+05:30

I wanted to write a bit on the advertising techniques used
by Airtel for long, but another fancy tactics by them, yesterday,
urged me to post it today.

There are hundreds of ways Airtel uses to advertise its products,
but what's with the calling?

Six months back, my grandmother was taking her mid-day rest, when
at around 2.30pm the telephone rang incessantly.
It took sometime for her to realise that infact the phone
was ringing and it was not a dream, as she earlier imagined.

She stumbled across the room, in a rush, not wanting to miss the
call, since if it is a call at mid-day, it has to be important.

Half awake she instinctly pressed the handset to her ear, only
to hear the computer blabber, "Boring ringtones, Change to
Airtel Hello Tunes...".

What can be more boring.

Telephone is an important device, integrated into our diurnal activities
in this modern world. There has to be some restrictions, which we as
humans should and do realise, like not calling after 10 pm, or before 6 am
or at noon, because people need Privacy.

But the computer from airtel has no norms. The poor advertising
technique reflects the "cheap" behavior of a leading communications
brand.

I am sure many of you guys, who used airtel cellphone would have
received plenty of SMS's notifying that new towers are added...
everywhere.

How important is this message, or how pressing is the need to send
an SMS. A couple of times, I had stopped my bike to check the message,
only to find a report on towers added in unknown areas.

A couple of times, I had missed messages from my family members,
assuming it is one of those unwarrented messages. What poor judgement,
but everyone I guess will fall for it.

I once got a call at 10pm in my landline, which broke my slumber, only
to find the boring hello tunes message once again.

I had complained about it twice, but I guess Airtel turns a deaf ear
to the things they don't want to listen.

Nowadays I get the call in my cell phone too. I cut it on seeing the
121 at the end. But that doesn't save me from stoping my bike,
after cutting the traffic, digging deep into the pocket
in a frenzied attempt to save the call, only to find the computer calling...

The call and message frequency has increased notably both for landline and
cell phone and it haunts me like the terminator one-liner "I'll be back".

I know it will come back, but dont know when. It may be this instant
I am typing this post, or tomorrow, or probably next week.

My phone is ringing... just as I thought, I see 121 in the end.

Is it wrong to ask for some privacy?

the end.

The last hour...

2006-02-19T07:50:00.000+05:30

I am from a middle class family. Very middle class.
In the sense that owning a car is a big dream.
But I can see at the end to the dark tunnel of hope,
the light which I hoped would change my desires to actions.

Truth unfolds what lies in store, on instructions from time.
For time alone knows what happened when, and what goes beyond.

Time gifted me the job I wanted with an American MNC,
and thats when I felt closer to my dreams,
of enjoying the worldly pleasures I deserve.

Work was normal at first. I never noticed the nuances of
foreign MNC's leaving the job for Indians to do.
It is an irony that my MNC, has most number of employees in India,
than all the world centres put together.
I vaguely remember proudly boasting to
a couple of friends. Or maybe it was three, it was long back.

"No, this is not outsourcing", I defended. "They notice raw talent
in India. Lets appreciate their efforts for knowing what our Indian
companies failed to acknowledge".

I guess it was I who failed to notice their intentions, until I
got a call from my manager in US last week. I was happy giving him
my regular updates of my work I did. By character, he is known
to little appreciate the efforts of others, I suspect it is out of
fear that complacency would creep in.

Also by character, he is known to push people to their maximum
possible level, physically and emotionally. This was my first such
personal experience.

"Only four modules completed in one week. This is critically emergency
situation. Let me see..."

He made me feel like an underproductive hog.
I was pretty sure it wasnt all that emergency. Afterall, last week
was a busy one, with personal jobs taking over my professional time.
It was this same manager who talked hours on prioritizing jobs.
He was shocked when I implemented it.
How should I know it was only "theoritically" speaking?

He ranted on his multi-viewed advices on how to present myself to the customer
in the best manner. Another point I noticed in this company is they were
happy giving "free" advices more than deserving salary. I accepted
his comments. I felt I was being obsequious. For the very few times I was,
I remember when I am obsequious.

This week I promised to do much better, though physically I was weaker.
He set unrealistic targets of three modules a day, to be strictly followed.
But I had no targets, except to perform better.
This is when I got a reminiscence of my dream.

I am from a middle class family. Very middle class. But that does
not mean my dignity is also middle class, or for rest of my Indian friends.
The pervasive notion on dogs by their owners, is that dogs should always
wag their tails irrespective of how bad the owner treats it. Beat it, scold it,
starve it, and still expect it to wag its tail.

But hope he knew I wasn't one. Or perhaps he didn't.
I was optimistic he didn't think so.
But I had this question lurking inside me, why don't the people
in US or UK office work atleast half as hard.

Maybe because they are masters. They thought they were masters.
They were not.

This week I had infact done three modules a day.
That was because I was extremely lucky, so was he to find me.

He called again on the last day of the week, and asked about
my performance. He was not happy with nine modules that week.
He wanted more, more, more.

I feel it is always easy to give commands, and tell how we should go about
working. Like in cricket, a bunch of jokers rant for hours as to how a player
must have handled the ball, or how another player should be removed from the team.
Respectable fools, you should be in the middle to realise the game.
In my case, maybe he thinks I am a Robot, who can just repeats the monotonous work
irrespective of whether it is day or night. Maybe he thought I was a cheap
slave gifted to him.

Mahatma, lived by setting an example and then requested people
to follow him. My manager wanted me to do things he probably didn't try.
Afterall he is not Mahatma, he is just another ambitious manager, who has
his own problems and deadlines. But even I have my own problems.
There was a sense of emotional pressure, as feelings tried to vent out of me.

I asked my friend for a minute with him. He said he was busy,
rightly so his manager was on phone.
Maybe he was falling into the same trap I was in. I wanted to warn him.
He was smiling on phone.
I minced my words and wished him luck. I never wanted to burden him with my problems, or intimidate him on the job, for he may have different
perspective on his work. The perspectives may be blatantly contrasting
like the mid-day sun shine above our heads, when it is midnight in the US.

I wanted to scream at the top of my voice, but I imprisoned my emotions.
I was tight lipped, but my eyes gave way to the persistant tears.
It must have pained for it, as it did for me. What is this
life with all work, rewarded with more work.
I haven't even seen the day...for many days.

I phoned the number I easily remember as my date of birth.
"Hello, heLLo, hellOO, hello...", I waited for her to hang the phone.
My mother blessed me with four different tones.

I moved into the pantry, and felt cozy in the company of the vending machine.
I thought of blurting out my feelings to it, well then, it was also a servant
in place. People just demand what flavours they want, and it is expected
to perform. I had seen people swearing on it, lastly a week ago. I can
emphatize with it now, "I feel it", I cried.

I pressed a button at random, and waited for it to complete the call. "I
am your friend, I dont want to order you". My cup was filled with elachi tea,
I inferred that I pressed it. I was in no mood to drink it though.

I moved to the open verandah space, and peeped out of the window, I could see
a couple quarreling on the road, the crowd was least bothered. Everyone
has his own set of problems, for problems define life. They say it makes up a
man and builds his character.

I disagee with it. If you want a reason, I am a coward.
I found out today. Maybe I use this as a tool to show my incompetence.
But I am a coward, and I dont want to take it anymore.

I am from a middle class family. But the tunnel I saw is suddenly
closed. I inturn closed my eyes to the outside world, and breathed in
deeply. I remembered the song by pink floyd:

"Goodbye cruel world, I am leaving you today,
Goodbye, Goodbye, Goodbye.
Goodbye all you people, there's nothing you could say,
to make me change my mind, Goodbye!"

I turned back to check the lobby. A tired security, probable bored with work,
yawned and had my back against me. "Hey security, I am bored to death. I lead."
I was proud that I am controlling my life at last, er. my death. My sense
of humour never lost me. I am going to murder it now.

I am a coward, so I needed inspiration even to do the simplest things then
possible; to jump out of the window. I raised my hands, eyes still
closed, looping the lyrics of the song in my mind.

It felt good. I thanked God for the life I had, and requested for a
place by his feet. Standing still with my eyes closed for a minute,
my mind went blank.

In an instinct I darted out of the window, five floors felt too long.
The air against my face was a new experience, and my stomach was really tickling.
I could have laughed easily with that sensation, but I didn't. I thought
how the guys doing that trick, with the rope tied to their legs would feel,
can't get it's name now. What was it...

I knew I reached the ground, but surprisingly there was no pain. I landed
chest first and I felt the cement floor trying to pierce my chest. But
no pain. I imagined that I must be lying crippled. I feared moving even a bit,
because I feared pain.

It sure is strange to see the vehicles from underneath. I can hear the sound of guard screaming for help. But I couldnt hear anything after that. I must have
lost my hearing capacity, and who knows I might also be muted.
I didnt try to talk or scream till now.
If I had to talk I would have done it on my manager's face.
My ego tells me not to let out a shrill. I decided to obey it,
afterall it was with me all my life, and I wanted to honour its wish.

I can see clouded images with my right eye, but all in black and white,
that too for a circle of about 6cm diameter.
I feared my left eye was out of place.
The first thing I saw was my right foot almost upto my face.
Maybe I denied my body the pleasures of yoga, and it is fulfilling itself
in the final possible stages. I last saw a stream of water flowing. I could not
dstinguish its colour. I assumed it was blood.

There was a sudden excrutiating pain in my hip, like a thousand thorns
pricking through my groin. But the pain soon became comfortable.
May be my brain cells were failing to recognise the pain. My circumference of vision became smaller, and smaller until it was an unrecognisable dot.
I knew I was near the end. I was happy about it.

I hoped I posed the best picture for the photos, and not naked anywhere.
I am a man of self-dignity, and wanted to die the same way.

The last thing I got right was the word "bungee jumping".
I was happy I figured it out.
My mind was with me all the time. I am a widow now, since it failed, after
helping with the last puzzle. What show of faith.
But I am not a widow for long, my soul soon followed, into the righteous
path, this transition to eternal life, I hoped will be better than
my life at earth.

I am from a middle class family, and my life ends now, taking with it
my dreams. The light I saw, was that of solution; and the solution was
to end my life.

Again time will only tell if it is the right move. I hope my eternal dreams
gets fulfilled. But one problem if I am troubled there...

I cannot die again.

the end.

Did you realise

2006-02-19T07:49:00.000+05:30

That "STOP" signals are painted RED,
because it is the shortest word,
hence easiest to read and react!

the end.

Did you realise

2006-02-18T08:53:00.000+05:30

That the concept of the vending machine put in Tamil is:
"Mothala mukkanam, apparam kakkanum!"

the end.

A word of thought

2006-02-17T18:56:00.000+05:30

Thalaivar sonnar...

"Kadavul ketavangulukku, narai kuduppar,
aana kai vituruvar;
nallavangallai sodhipaar, aanal kaivitiramaataar"

Aanal ippo namalukku nalathu nadantha,
nammo last stages of nalavangala,
illai first stage of ketavangalla?

Ithukku thaan Nayagan modhalaiyae sonnar:
"Theriyilaiyaeppa".

Enna semma mokkaiya?

mudivu.

Punch dialogue by my colleague

2006-02-17T11:08:00.000+05:30

My colleague had a punch dialogue to show up yesterday:

"Naan namburavangalukku Saami,
Yethiringulakku Tsunami!"

the end.

My Love

2006-02-15T07:54:00.000+05:30

I glanced her through my window sill,
Everytime I saw her, my heart would fill,
Completing her picture time inbetween,
She was tall and very lean.

I was captivated with what I saw,
My eyes were fixed with an open jaw,
Observing all the things she did,
Re-living the joy of a five year old kid.

What lovely voice,
What elegant poise,
She had everything nice,
She was also equally wise.

She was perfect in many ways,
The best girl I would find in any case,
Dreamt of marrying her and living happily forever,
Wait a minute! Who is that beauty behind her!

Our age finds pleasure in mindless attractions,
Don't pay heed to such infactuations,
For you will know when you find your true love,
I haven't till now, so dont ask me how!

the end.

NFS 5 is the greatest racing game... ever

2006-02-13T16:10:00.000+05:30

The gaming world also is not spared of the community divide, just like the real life. Based on the community, the members have their own set of best games, and enjoy playing them time and again happily living ever after.There are communities which still enjoy solitaire on their best machine, 486, 100Mhz, run with win 3.1. I would say that this commnity is almost extinct.

To show the blatant variations, I present the best community,which proudly displays the features their machine can out-perform,usually spilling their monitors with super 3D images while they try their hand at the games, taking the best possible screenshots.Easily gulpable by this community is Prince of Persia - the sands of time, and GTA vice city.

My machines stands inbetween, a P3, 650, 196 MB Ram cannot do much, right?Wrong!

My machine does push its performance to the extremes, easily with my64MB Geforce. And I would like to say, the best game for my PC is "NFS - 5 Porsche". This game is so creatively made, that you would never like to leave its trail.I bought this game in pirated CD market, the first game I ever bought, for Rs.250. I didnt know anything about this game, or anygame for that matter,because I bought this the very next day after I owned a computer.

That time, I had just 64MB ram and 8MB graphics card.But the game was a roar. I have never seen such a flawless(or can I say with least bugs) game ever since.The music and songs, a new technology introduced by EA, surely worked.What great songs, you can feel the adrelin pumping on hearing them.

Technically too, the cars are physically the way Porsche wanted them to be.The handling, braking and turning differs car to car, so does the maximum speed,and manuevring skills.
A 356 Coupe rides like a boat and can easily go off balance if you try to over-turn, in a average speed. But the Carreras and GTs define the fast cars and controls, the way they should.

Surely Porsche is many a car lover's dream machine and its way too costly for a common man to afford. This game provides the best alternative to your dream of driving a porsche. The game modes are plenty, the best is "Evolution", wherein your car and driving skills mature and advance over time - real time in years. You start with the 356 and probably end with the latest, I have come as far as the 959.

Other than that there is the knockout, lap race, single race and the attractive multiplayer option. There is also a multimedia presentation called "timeline", which shows how Porsche evolved through time. All in all this game provides a rich gaming experience and redefined the world of racing games.

This game is one of my all time favorite and my best racing game.

Producer: EA GAMES
Year of Release: 2000
Title: Need for speed Porsche Unleashed, Porsche 2000
No. of Players: Single player mode(1 player), multiplayer (8 players)
System: P3, Celeron, and above. But graphics card a must.

the end.

Whats with Valentine's day celebrations?

2006-02-13T13:56:00.000+05:30

Valentine's day is surely becoming more and more important in our lifestyle. But do we need such a day to show our love?

Its understandable what effect Valentine's day has in the West, but our culture is different.We had traditionally followed the arranged marriage system, live with our parents till we get married, and depend on them emotionally and moniterally.

It would be better if we celebrated the day when we show them our gratitude for their efforts. There is this mother's day, which few people know and acknowledge.The father's day has a grimmer response. How many of you know there is a family day, much like the "thanks giving" in the West.

We recognise friends day to an extend, but that doesnt answer my point; what do we show in return to our family?

I could have accepted Valentine's day, if it had been wife's day or something similar, because again it is a respect you show to your family.

What is this valentine's day? And who is your valentine?
Many a times I have seen TV commercials showing hunks with roses, kneeling down and asking time and again: "Will you be my Valentine?" Can your love be decided in a day?
And also that same lot of people willing to spend thousands of rupees for one day celebration,which is utterly meaningless.

I prefer to stay away from disco parties anyway.

But that is a different issue. What I am trying to bring out here is Valentine's day celebration is useless, when compared to mother's or father's day celebrations,and people attach funny values to Feb. 14th, and start celebrating!

You see the papers, there are hearts everywhere. You see the TV, lovers' ads and movies all around.At this rate Valentine's day may soon be declared a national holiday, and very soon we are also going to see Valentine's day parades and speeches from our leaders!

There should be a sense of responsibility and clarity in knowing what is what?You want to celebrate Valentine's day...Fine.

Atleast see that its with the same girl every year.

not the end.

Aren't we lucky?

2006-02-13T08:51:00.000+05:30

On my way to a party in a hotel, a five star,
I came across a family in despair from my car,
Scrambling through the bins in rush,
In the main road not caring about the vehicles that hush.

A lone cry of a nude child,
Barely five, having a tiny body, hanging on life,
Screaming as loud as its quenched throat can say,
The lungs clearly visible, he was skin & bones all way.

The father who looked visibly unkempt,
Fighting with dogs and cows in a fitful attempt.
The family looked drained and frail,
No food for three days, had made them pale.

The mother was scrambling a hotel bin for food,
I felt "for all the party I enjoy, let me do them some good".
Gave the lady ten rupees - her face finally looked happy & good.
She rushed to a roadside shop across, and ordered for some cheap food.

As the food packets reached her hands, she must have thought,
My family is saved for the day, let's think of tomorrow when it dawns.
Though her body visibly aches and wanted to lay,
Her will-power made the steps back the way.

An overspeeding truck blaring hard its horns,
Couldn't control its motion and overran her all.
A crowd gathered around the corpse, noise was around.
The irony was; when she needed them, they were not found!.

All this view, I had from the car I was in,
Looked around to see my costly cell phone and everything.
God what value is ten rupees to me,
Yet there lies this lady, her story for tycoons to see.

As I saw the father and son move into the crowd,
I couldn't help thinking how they would react.
Two minutes after going in, I heard no uproar,
God, maybe they were too weak to cry their hearts to the core.

Near the body,which was drenched in blood,
There was no commotion, not even a fret.
Sitting in a corner was the man with his son,
Scavenging on the food packet...eating till it was all done.

The whole incident left an impression on me,
I skipped my dinner and thought of life of these three,
God I am grateful and I promise to be glee,
I ask the people who read this: "Aren't we lucky?"

not the end.

Do we perceive GOD?

2006-02-12T17:02:00.000+05:30

A scene at the darshan queue in Tirupathi devasthanam...

"Jai Jai Govinda...Ambika, Latha-va parthalai enakku pidikartha illai di. Avalum, aval moonji yum.Avaluku rendu purushan-aamae?''
"Seri thaan Akka. Nethi karthalai kooda aval yein veetuku vanthu, 100 rupai ketaal. Naan ilainu tein"
"Solumpothu thaan niyabagam varuthu, Perumal undila poda 1000 Rupai eduthutu vanthiya di, illai maranthutiya."
"Pona vaarame eduthu vechutein akka. Marapeina naa."
"Intha trip namo evalov naal-a plan panrom, illaiya di. Perumal iniku thaan kuputar".
"Solamaranthutein akka, Vijayanu yein colleague iruka illaiya, avalum varanum na...nalla velaiku
aval varela, aparum nambo freeyavum comfortablea vum irukka mudiyathu."
"Aval namavaala?"
"Illai Akka."

"Inum evalove nerum ahumnu theriyalaiyae? Kaal valikarathu"
"...Narayana Hari Narayana..., yein pa, vera engaiyavathu poi pichai yedu. Onum thara mudiyathu po po."
"Ava solitae irukka, po paa. Thodathai, po po".
"Akka vango, line novrathu."

"Yein munadi irukara thadi saniyan ellam maraikurale."
"Thalli vudungo akka, namakku Perumal tharisanam thaan mukiyam."
"aa haa. Perumal therirar. (Saniyan saniyan eval naala enaku mulusa theriyalae.)"

"Aiyayo anga parungale akka, oru paati vulunthuta, thooki vudalama."
"Va va, kootam kamiya iruku, vera yaravuthu thooki viduva"

"Haa, Perumale elarum nalla irukanam, elarukkum nalla manasayum, santhiyayum kudu"

"Ena alaga irunthaar Perumal."
"Nammo nariya poniyam panitoom di, Bhagavan santhoosam aiyuruppar... ilaiya?"

not the end.

Mr. CLOCK

2006-02-12T15:46:00.000+05:30

My name is Mr. CLOCK, known to everyone,
I have three hands, which always run.

I tell you when it is morning, I tell you when it is night,
I always keep up with time, and I am placed before people's sight.

My face is either round or square, and numbered one to twelve,
There are five divisions between any two numbers, you should remember this well.

My shorter hand is little thick and also slowest by far,
the number to the left of which, tells you the correct hour.

My longer hand, which is not the fastest of the three,
Gives you the minutes, but multiplying the number on its left with five, holds the key.

My thinnest hand and also the longest one,
tells you the seconds, when every division is counted in the run.

If you need the minutes as accurate as possible,
adding the number of divisions to the product it is findable.

If you understood what I taught, can you tell my time,
Yes, its 5 hours and 5 minutes, and you have learnt a new rhyme.

the end.

Did you realise

2006-02-10T19:46:00.000+05:30

An idol's mind is a devotee's workshop.

the end.

Did you realise

2006-02-10T19:44:00.000+05:30

It is peculiar how God creates man, creates God.

the end.

Ode to Mother

2006-02-10T19:23:00.000+05:30

Today morning I read the sad news,
Letter from my son, who went in recluse.

I am now guilty of what I did to you,
twenty five years is too long a due.

Now I look at myself with shame,
Was I so rude, was I insane.

So cheap was my love for skin,
I overlooked your true beauty within.

Many a times I have told, "I love you",
All to her, none to you.

Why did you have a heart of gold,
worse still your true beauty untold.

Mother, I cant imagine the pain I have caused,
In your sweet smile, your miseries were lost.

How many days you must have cried?
Still praying for me, my wife and child.

My wife is also a mother now,
She played here path with true faith and love.

Her son has disgraced her the same ways,
repeating my old dirty days.

Mother, I am coming home today.
To cry for you and mend my ways.

Thank You God, atleast now I knew,
MOTHER THE BEST THING EVER HAPPENED TO ME IS YOU.

not the end.

It happened to me

2006-02-10T19:18:00.000+05:30

Five minutes back I was all right,
Now I am going down without a fight.

My vision is blurred by tiny droplets,
It is a bright sunny day, but things are hopeless.

The suffocation is much worse than the cooum,
How much longer will I suffer with no room.

I am going to faint, I am going to die,
My hand instinctly pulled up the vizer up high.

Freshed air gushed in bringing new life,
I feel spirited, lively and nice.

Thank God I am alive to complete this song,
I will never ever sneeze with my helmet on.

the end.

Colleague on kumble's parents

2006-02-10T15:30:00.000+05:30

My colleague today had an interesting perspective on Kumble's parents' names.
Father - "Amble". Mother - "Pomble". Kuzhanthai - "Kumble".
Now thats a google.

the end.

Did you realise

2006-02-10T15:00:00.000+05:30

That ladies are very attractive to men. Thats why they are called WOO-MEN.

the end.

Did you realise

2006-02-10T14:50:00.000+05:30

That there is a proverb, 2 heads are better than one, but no one with 2 heads!

the end.

Did you realise

2006-02-10T14:34:00.000+05:30

That Lunch is not the food, but the excuse we give for not working.

the end.

Tamil serials today

2006-02-10T14:18:00.000+05:30

I am a regular serial buff, in the sense that my hands shiver, my legs wobble and I would likely suffer from mental seizure, if I dont have my daily dose of Tamil serials.
But there is a trend portrayed or rather stereotyped in all serials today which I completely despise.

WOMEN SHOWN AS BAD VILLIES, just to bring out the goodies of the main character.

I dont think there is nothing wrong to have a villian/villi for a series, and portray them with some gundas to do a mean job. For tamil cinema standards, it would be 5 murders, 2 rapes and also some random pyromaniac and theft cases. For a series, which is supposed to be more like the home food as against the hotel food called Cinema, small misdemeanour should suffice.

WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE.

The idiot box is showing some character, an inclination towards the dark side. Today, all series has a bad villi, who goes to any extent to get her things done. Killing has become an easy task, as depicted by the serials. Bribing doctors, engineers, food manufacturers etc, with a typical household situation, does have an everlasting bad effect on the people.
Are people safe anymore?

Previously, say for killing, only gundas were appointed. Nowadays any common man is shown to kill either out of fear for villi or for money. Anything shown time and over again, gets picturised as normal in humans, that is the nature. Else why do you think they are showing commercials over and over. All I presume is that if serials have a similar effect... God knows where this world would head.

UNHEALTHY DEPICTIONS IN SERIALS SHOULD CHANGE FOR THE GOOD OF THE PEOPLE.

Why is it the Government has banned showing liquor and cig. advertisements?
If it is for the betterment of the people, then such infectious serials should also be banned, or atleast there should be a censorboard for serials. Or is there?

And my last request is:
IN INDIA WOMEN ARE RESPECTED AS SECOND TO GOD. SHOULD WE STOP DEFAMIN THEM>

the end.

Did you realise

2006-02-10T14:17:00.000+05:30

That it is not your shirt, but you who has a paunch.

the end.

A joke in everybody's life

2006-02-10T13:55:00.000+05:30

2 weeks ago there was a family get together, wherein our entire circumference of family members got together, for the infortunate incident of last-rights for my maternal grandfather.
As it is easy to imagine, the scene is always copious with old people, first and second cousins, who are coming together after a very long time.

One of my grandfathers, wanted to know who an old lady sitting and chatting the family stories was. He came up to her, wherein I was also seated, and asked who the lady was to me. I took charge and explained starting, "Well you know thatha, there is one K. Achi". He was quick to answer, "I know K. Achi, but how is this lady related to her". The patti beside me was quick to answer, "I am that K.Achi". We had a small laugh at the unintended comedy life poses. These two started talking a bit, and patti, couldnt recognize who this man was.

Again I took the charge. "Well you know V. Thatha." She was quick to reply, "I know V. Thatha, and how is he related to him". Then the thatha interrupted "I am V. Thatha". That got the group roaring with laughter, much like a solace in that situation.

I guess old age is a fun time to be. Take a look around and Imagine how the people surrounding you, will look in 30 years time. Will you recognize them. Now that sure is something to laugh about.

the end.

Satyam Cinemas... the best in Chennai

2006-02-10T13:43:00.000+05:30

Chennai hosts many multiplexes, quite famous among them are Satyam, Devi, Mayajaal, Abhiraami, Udayam. But none beats the Satyam in Ambience and feel.
Though Abhiraami comes a close second there are a few features, unique to Satyam like,
Get tickets from any line, internet booking, telephone booking, best HR practices etc.
Also the Satyam cinemas is a frontier in technology introducing the RDX format.
Whats more, it also plans to build an IMAX in the same complex, and also 2 other complexes in Poonamallae High road, and the second in Vadapalani (???).
Its always fun time at Satyam, with the rich cinema experience and variable showtimings, there is a movie for everyone at any instant you enter the complex.
The parking lots are equally organised, as is the entrance, exit and pantry areas.
I should also comment that the pantry areas and the restrooms become quite crowded at times.
But that is understandable.
The sound quality and picture quality, along with the rich upholstry and sophisticated ambience,
provides the best cinematic experience possible.
And I should also add that this comes at no extra cost, infact any price you give for the tickets, Satyam always tops it with value added service.
They recently received awards for best HR practices.
With so many people turning out at Satyam, especially during the weekends, you might just be lucky enough to catch up with your old friend or rub shoulders with the famous.

the end.

Did you realise

2006-02-10T12:56:00.000+05:30

That the loudest sound in your cell phone is the silent vibrator mode!

Did you realise

2006-02-10T12:55:00.000+05:30

Did you realise that the costliest item in a hotel is the bill. Everything else comes free and this comes uncalled for!

Triplicane Parthasarathy Temple

2006-02-08T12:27:00.000+05:30

I was fortunate to make my first visit to this magnificient temple on Saturday, 4th Feb,2006. It is about 2 kms from the beach road. A small lane after police quarters leads to the temple pond first.

The temple surroundings surprisingly retains the traditional look, much like Mylapore. There is enough parking place for vehicles and good shoe store.

The temple has an ancient feel to it. Its origin is dated back to 700AD. A foray pillared on both sides, leads to the main gate. Behind the gate is the main hall, which hosts the kumbam and some small shops for cassette and photo sales.It also has provisions for drinking water and places to sit and rest.

Another gate, much like the first one, leads to the main devastanam. Though you cannot see the shrine or its architecture from there, you know you are near and a sense of excitement captures your steps.

There are 2 lanes to the main shrine, a darma darshan, and paid line. These 2 lanes, leads to another room, which hosts the main shrine.

As you enter the room through the bell door you face the the Lord VenkataKrishna.But since people, esp. the guards urge you to move on, you follow the curved line which takes you away from the sight of Lord, but takes you to other shrines.

There is a shrine of Sri Ramar with Sita and Lakshman, and also a miniature of Sri. Ranganathar.

The main shrine of Lord.VenkataKrishna stands about 10 feet tall, and is grandly decorated in a war like costume. The Lord with mushtache and a smiling face, has counch on his right hand and his left hand points to his feet.The couch denotes knowledge and the hand position denotes that HE is above all else.There is a sword to his left and also a small knife tucked in his belt.His brother stands besides Him, on HIS left side and to his right is the idol ofAndal, very well decorated.

Thulasi is offered as prasad, and the return path is lighned up with idols of alwars, and ends with Lord Anjaneya, facing the statue of Lord Rama, I mentioned earlier.

The outer circumference is covered by many more idols, including Andal, Krishnar, Anjaneyar etc.

This is one of the ancient temples of the three:
1. Kapaleeshwarar Temple in Mylapore.
2. Parthasarathy Temple in Triplicane.
3. Murugar Temple in Vadapalani.

The main lord is called VenkataKrishnar, because a king (Sorry for my ignorance of not knowing his name or complete details) wanted Lord.Venkatesa of Tirupathi, to give him darshan as Krishna, who was Parthasarathy(Partha- Arjuna, Sarathy-charioteer) in the battle of Kurushetra in Mahabharata.

THE END.

Welcome home

2006-01-07T09:26:00.000+05:30

Hope this note gets buried deep inside the deluge of exciting happenings I hope to carve in this fascinating journey, called life.

The End.