6:55 AM
Meera
For clear reading go to http://www.tamilonline.com/thendral/MoreContentnew.aspx?id=128&cid=13&aid=7285
Let's keep our kids safe!
9 years ago
Monday, July 18, 2011
Monday, July 11, 2011
T.H.A.L.A.I.V.A.R
"It would be blasphemous to call Rajnikanth, Rajnikanth. He is and will always be Tamil cinema’s Thalaivar. The response and the verve that single epithet evokes cannot be expressed in words. When Thalaivar was rushed to the hospital for alleged food poisoning, it was not just his family but millions of fans stopped what they were doing and prayed."
Read on....
http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-articles/movies-08/thalaivar-09-07-11.html
Read on....
http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-articles/movies-08/thalaivar-09-07-11.html
Monday, June 27, 2011
Nootrenbadhu - Maintain 180 degrees of separation
If Shankar had directed this movie, it would have lasted all but 30 minutes. The movie boasts of stunning visuals but we can soak it in quickly, you don’t have to pause to ensure we really do enjoy. Think Siddharth taking two steps backward after opening a door, this lasts for roughly a minute. Yawn!!!
The movie opens up in the banks of Ganges and your thirst for an urbane, crisp movie stops right there. The dialogues, characterization and intrigue are best portrayed here and are completely lost in the remainder of the movie. It becomes predictable and clichéd.
Every director has to be a good writer. You need to get the screenplay taut before you let the camera do its work. Obviously, Jayendra doesn’t believe in that. Just because you play golf with Mani Ratnam does not mean you can direct another Idhayathai Thirudathey. That was a classic, this is a wannabe.
Nithya Menon starts off on a good note and keeps it there. There are many highs in her performance -Movie Theater, enquiring about Mano, lost in love, she has talent and scores well. Priya Anand is a different story. She has a meaty role and lets it slip through her whinny and over the top act. She has a great figure but that is simply not enough, especially when we have to watch her for roughly half the time.
Siddharth delivers. Confused yet angry when Vidhya falls for him, Confused and excited when in love with Renu, he uses this movie as a great comeback vehicle. We have already acknowledged and accepted him as a city boy who charms the girls so it would have been refreshing if he had attempted a different tangent.
Jayendra makes his debut as a director. When it’s your first movie, there is always a scene or a part of the movie that is a testimonial to your brilliance. Having waited a really long time to make this movie, you expect details and care, not in just the visuals but the finer aspects - plot and screenplay. He misses that bus completely. There are scenes that are quirky but we have already seen that. Like the puthu vellai mazhai, Gautham Menon did that in VTV. There is no innovation, no twists and the movie plods along in the path well-travelled without attempting anything novel.
The part before the intermission is good on many levels. Chennai looks beautiful, costumes blend into scenes and mostly it’s fun to see Mano live life. The part after, is like nails grating on blackboards - annoying and you can’t wait to get out. Instead of appreciating and agreeing to AJ's quest for anonymity we label him a self-absorbed jerk and that is where the movie plunges downward. But one of the merits of watching a movie in theaters is that the audience starts guffawing at the director’s ill attempts. That makes it easier to sit through.
Balasubramanien has extraordinary talent - everything is fresh, colors melt into the background, lighting is adequate and he takes the burden of the crew single handedly. Banu wields her magic touch and the leading ladies look even more beautiful. Shareth's music becomes repetitive and he could have worked the BGM better.
Nootrenbadhu (180) could have been that urbane love story - old wine in a new bottle but it just reeks of stale odor.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Columns
I should be calling myself a writer... so i'm a writer with humble beginnings.
Links to my columns on behindwoods.com - your best source for tamil cinema - news, interviews, scoops and columns :D
Links to my columns on behindwoods.com - your best source for tamil cinema - news, interviews, scoops and columns :D
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Reality Shows - No Brains Please!!!
Just when i was cheering Mavericks ousting Lakers from NBA and booing Lamar for his unsportsmanly conduct, i caught a glmipse of Khloe & Lamar - The reality show which aims to take a peek at the lives of Khloe Kardashian(ring a bell) and Lamar Odom. Frankly, i just wish they shut their windows tight...nobody wants a peak at anything. So as a confused follower of the first amendment to air anything, i turned off the idiot box.
Reality shows are where the big bucks are. I'm not even sure what constitutes to reality shows anymore. I thought MTV hosting candid camera was a reality show until you see the beelines of Kardashians, Jersilicious, Jersey shore, Real Housewives, Bachelor, Bachelorette, Apprentice etc... The only one i have watched an episode of is The Bachelor to satiate my curious mind.
From my (limited) knowledge, the first few episodes of the reality shows are astonishingly similar.
Reality shows are where the big bucks are. I'm not even sure what constitutes to reality shows anymore. I thought MTV hosting candid camera was a reality show until you see the beelines of Kardashians, Jersilicious, Jersey shore, Real Housewives, Bachelor, Bachelorette, Apprentice etc... The only one i have watched an episode of is The Bachelor to satiate my curious mind.
From my (limited) knowledge, the first few episodes of the reality shows are astonishingly similar.
- If the show is about a couple, their fairy tale wedding with cleavage sporting bridesmaids would be aired. Friends would ooh and aah about the proposal he made and how deep and meaningful their love is. Kekaravan kenaiya iruntha...
- If the show is about a group of girls, it would talk about how they were best of friends and how their shared everything from lip gloss to life partners..Ahem..
- The wife would have OCD and the husband would be ABCD...no...ADHD.. and we would be BOHH(banging our head heavily)
- The wife's/girlfriend/housewife's ovulation cycle and how it is in their calendar to do it. You will even have an assitant consuting her black book to read this out to you... Its a matter of time before facebook status feeds have this information. Manangetta makkal, i say
- They would fight about which frangrance their perfume line should be about, what color their million dollar nursery would be, which island they should vacation in...Thupuketta pasanga.
- Finally it has to be about, how he doesnt spend any time with her, he is always at work, having fun with his men-friends etc.. sweetheart all our lives are like that!!
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
India Chronicles - Part 3
- Chennai's Theater scene truly rocks - Margazhi Maha Utsavam, Washingtonil Thirumanam and Dirty Dancing... all in one city.
- Sandwich shop outside Alsa Mall is chennai's equivalent to Italy's pizzerias. Divine.
- Melt in your mouth bondas from Sangeethas - Priceless.
- Shopping at Pondy Bazaar beats bargainning at Canal Street
- Chennaites take the raving beauty of Elliots for granted. Time stands still when you are sitting in the beach lost in idle banter with a dear friend.
- Perumal koil Puliyotharai ... need i say more?
- Public transport rocks but the auto anna will charge half an arm. Yaruku bun?
Friday, March 11, 2011
Qatar
Doha, Qatar. Vast expanses of desert, tip of the country bordering the ocean, home of the FIFA World Cup 2022, Qatar is a country bursting with possiblities. And it doesn't dissappoint. The fact that we had family to provide us with great food and excellent company was a bonus.
Desert safaris, sand bashing is a favourite past time and a tourist must-do here. We can rent a buggy(medium or large) or a Jeep for an hour(~$45). The buggy is easy to maneuver and since you are in the middle of nowhere(literally), speed is a thrill. Many locals drive the buggy over the sand dunes but that is strictly not for the faint hearted. Driving to the dunes, one can spot one too many of the desert's favourite companions - Camels.
Al Corniche offers an excellent beach and downtown view. The promenade around the doha bay is frequented by joggers and is a great spot for a leisure stroll. Doha's skylines is impressive and the construction boom would only add to it. You could also head to a beach resort(Sea Line) which offers private entrances to the beach. Visting beaches around the world has only made me appreciate, the wonder that is Marina.
Al Corniche offers an excellent beach and downtown view. The promenade around the doha bay is frequented by joggers and is a great spot for a leisure stroll. Doha's skylines is impressive and the construction boom would only add to it. You could also head to a beach resort(Sea Line) which offers private entrances to the beach. Visting beaches around the world has only made me appreciate, the wonder that is Marina.
The market place in Middle East is often reffered to as Souk. Souks have an old fashioned architecture and have everything to offer from spices, shoes, carpets, clothes to pets. Cafes outline them and smoking hookah is an evening indulgence for localites.
(Hookahs are originally from india but have gained popularity in the Middle East)
Citi Center and Villagio are places to hit if shopping is on your mind.
We missed spending a night in the desert(reminds of Jaisalmer days) and belly dancing. The latter made the Mr bang his head in agony. To each one's own...
Sunday, January 30, 2011
India Chronicles - Part 2
* Chennai highways kicks ass - NH 45 truly rocks. Would love to wield the wheel but would be stumped without taking orders from GPS. Bengalooru are you taking notes?
* Radio mirchi - This was an obsession of sorts, so am listening to FM everytime we drive and my dad aint happy about it. He hates the annoying RJs and their lame jokes and i actually miss them :D He thinks i'm cracked in the head... too late appa.
* New addiction - Yathey Yathey ennachoo... Dhanush sent Vijay into oblivion.
* World Cup is all you need to know. NFL or World Cup.. which do you think is more popular?
(Any suggestions on how to catch the Superbowl in india.. i know SIGH!!)
* SRK, Rajnikanth, Amitabh, Aamir Khan are all part of Indian of the year.. for what exactly? Guess the same reasons for why US is obsessed with Brangelina more than healthcare and yes Brad enough with the babies.
* Radio Tags on Indian students is causing a huge outcry. Why do i think that is not the issue we should be worried about?
* As promised... Internation Pheeling... Take it Rasa!!
(to be continued)
* Radio mirchi - This was an obsession of sorts, so am listening to FM everytime we drive and my dad aint happy about it. He hates the annoying RJs and their lame jokes and i actually miss them :D He thinks i'm cracked in the head... too late appa.
* New addiction - Yathey Yathey ennachoo... Dhanush sent Vijay into oblivion.
* World Cup is all you need to know. NFL or World Cup.. which do you think is more popular?
(Any suggestions on how to catch the Superbowl in india.. i know SIGH!!)
* SRK, Rajnikanth, Amitabh, Aamir Khan are all part of Indian of the year.. for what exactly? Guess the same reasons for why US is obsessed with Brangelina more than healthcare and yes Brad enough with the babies.
* Radio Tags on Indian students is causing a huge outcry. Why do i think that is not the issue we should be worried about?
* As promised... Internation Pheeling... Take it Rasa!!
(to be continued)
Thursday, January 27, 2011
India Chronicles - Part 1
CHENNAI - This city is in my blood... the sweat in my forehead, the noise ringing in my ears, the quickness in my step are all genetic from being born here. So when i landed, i anticipated thrills, shocks, laughter,amusement, smiles and chennai.
* You can feel your ears and they can listen. Not just the horns, the pressure cooker, television, phone... all from your neighbours house.
* It is not ok to be brown to be indian. So please apply fair & lovely or vivel if you want to be visible.
* Every "friendly" neighbour and your maid servant will be interested in the US economy and your green card status.
* I dont care if the seat belt sign is on, the minute the landing gear hits ground, i will get up, grab cabin baggage, jostle the queue, race immigration and wait forever for baggage to arrive(tirupathila balajiya kooda parkalam check in baggage .....)
* Pallavan -> Auto -> share auto -> Jeep -> Volvo Pallavan ( Life does come full circle). Obama should take a leaf out of chennai for public transport.
* Indian advertisements rock. Watched some really funny ones... video links soon :)
...to be continued.
* You can feel your ears and they can listen. Not just the horns, the pressure cooker, television, phone... all from your neighbours house.
* It is not ok to be brown to be indian. So please apply fair & lovely or vivel if you want to be visible.
* Every "friendly" neighbour and your maid servant will be interested in the US economy and your green card status.
* I dont care if the seat belt sign is on, the minute the landing gear hits ground, i will get up, grab cabin baggage, jostle the queue, race immigration and wait forever for baggage to arrive(tirupathila balajiya kooda parkalam check in baggage .....)
* Pallavan -> Auto -> share auto -> Jeep -> Volvo Pallavan ( Life does come full circle). Obama should take a leaf out of chennai for public transport.
* Indian advertisements rock. Watched some really funny ones... video links soon :)
...to be continued.
Friday, January 07, 2011
Rewind
Before any of you start thinking this post is about my memories or incidents that qualified as the best of 2010, i shall stop you here. This is the best of 2010 but with regards to music.
Everybody who knows me, know that am a sucker for Tamil Cinema. Please to note Tamil in the cinema, i haven't watched Inception or Break ke Baad, so am not great in other languages but Tamil Cinema, oh yes.
When we were in college and ghotting for exams, we had Illaiyaraja hits playing in the background. There were some songs that always used to go on a loop, rewind, play, rewind, play.. you get the idea. That would go on until the tape started to squeak. This was before the i's(iPhone, iPad, iPod) and the shuffle, MP3 zamana...(i know, i'm ancient). Such was the fate of Pani Vizhum Malar Vanam and Idhayil Kathai ezhuthum...
Music is integrated into my life and i would play cinema songs in the car, while cooking, taking a shower(??!!) and sometimes while praying(i cant help it, it just comes to my mind. Pillayar..please to forgive ). So why not round up on the Best of 2010 in Tamil Cinema and am only listing the songs where i liked the video too.
* Arima Arima(Endhiran) - It has to start with Thalaivar, otherwise it would be Blasphemy
* Aaromale(Vinnai Thandi Varuvaya) - Simbu ..SIGH!! But loved the guitar and ARR.. u rock Rahman.
* Karigalan(Vettaikaran) - This is foot tapping and Vijay songs just gets your adrenaline pumping. (K, i get reminded of Mudhuri cake too when i listen to this now, so send some my way soon).
* Idhu Varai(Goa) - Andrea is mesmerizing and this doesnt follow the standard structure which makes it more unique.
* Iragai Pole(Naan Mahan Alla) - Yuvan totally rocked in this song. The Mr. still doesnt get it but i like the hum and the voice.
* Thakuthey Kann(Bana Kathadi) - Did i say Yuvan rocks?
* Adada Mazhai Da(Paiyaa) - This song was great for both the dance and the music. Good work.
* Usurey Poguthey(Raavanan) - There is a funny story i recollect when i listen to this song(Thanks to K again). I wish it wasnt Aishwarya but i think Mani has learnt his lesson.
* Who's the hero(ManMadhan Ambu) - This song is again by Andrea and man can this women sing.
So here i go tagging K, Jawz, KP and Anu. List the Best of 2010 and make your own criteria.
Everybody who knows me, know that am a sucker for Tamil Cinema. Please to note Tamil in the cinema, i haven't watched Inception or Break ke Baad, so am not great in other languages but Tamil Cinema, oh yes.
When we were in college and ghotting for exams, we had Illaiyaraja hits playing in the background. There were some songs that always used to go on a loop, rewind, play, rewind, play.. you get the idea. That would go on until the tape started to squeak. This was before the i's(iPhone, iPad, iPod) and the shuffle, MP3 zamana...(i know, i'm ancient). Such was the fate of Pani Vizhum Malar Vanam and Idhayil Kathai ezhuthum...
Music is integrated into my life and i would play cinema songs in the car, while cooking, taking a shower(??!!) and sometimes while praying(i cant help it, it just comes to my mind. Pillayar..please to forgive ). So why not round up on the Best of 2010 in Tamil Cinema and am only listing the songs where i liked the video too.
* Arima Arima(Endhiran) - It has to start with Thalaivar, otherwise it would be Blasphemy
* Aaromale(Vinnai Thandi Varuvaya) - Simbu ..SIGH!! But loved the guitar and ARR.. u rock Rahman.
* Karigalan(Vettaikaran) - This is foot tapping and Vijay songs just gets your adrenaline pumping. (K, i get reminded of Mudhuri cake too when i listen to this now, so send some my way soon).
* Idhu Varai(Goa) - Andrea is mesmerizing and this doesnt follow the standard structure which makes it more unique.
* Iragai Pole(Naan Mahan Alla) - Yuvan totally rocked in this song. The Mr. still doesnt get it but i like the hum and the voice.
* Thakuthey Kann(Bana Kathadi) - Did i say Yuvan rocks?
* Adada Mazhai Da(Paiyaa) - This song was great for both the dance and the music. Good work.
* Usurey Poguthey(Raavanan) - There is a funny story i recollect when i listen to this song(Thanks to K again). I wish it wasnt Aishwarya but i think Mani has learnt his lesson.
* Who's the hero(ManMadhan Ambu) - This song is again by Andrea and man can this women sing.
So here i go tagging K, Jawz, KP and Anu. List the Best of 2010 and make your own criteria.
Monday, October 11, 2010
ENDHIRAN - Get Ready folks!!!
ENDHIRAN - About time i wrote something about this movie. There has so much hoopla over it that i spent all my time reading about it, watching and revelling...now its time for my two cents.
I'm definitely not reviewing ENDHIRAN ..what can i say that you have not already heard..
Right from the time pictures leaked from Manchu Pinchu, audio launch in Malaysia, Trailer release - we have followed the movie's release and when Endhiran hit theaters - it was Diwali a month sooner.
No, i don't want to hear about the ticket price, his age, budget etc.. redirect to my review of Shivaji and you will know why.
Rajnikanth has a charm, a personality that will always enthrall his fans and when directors like Shankar understand that and deliver on our expectations, it is a bonanza. We get to see Superstar in our favourite avatars - If shivaji had Billa & Baasha to please our palette, Endhiran has Avargal, Mullum Malarum and the new age scientist. Aishwarya Rai is so tolerable in this movie that i almost like her.
Although Endhiran is not for die hard fans like me, it definitely is a movie par excellence and am i grateful that Kamal and SRK refused. It has set new standards, silenced critics and has once again proved us worthy of being Thalaivar's fans :))
Next time Superstar movie releases make sure you get tickets FDFS, the crowd, mayhem and the screams will make you understand the adrenaline rush and the brand value of Rajnikanth.
Un Pear Sonnathum, Perumai Sonnathum Kadalum Kadalum Kai thatum... - Ithu eppadi iruku?
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Raavanan - Plunges
Thumbs-Up
- Vikram, Vikram and Vikram: He shines throughout the movie. The effort, portrayal and passion is flawless. The entire movie rides on his wide shoulders and when he plunges everything goes down with him. Makes me wonder if Abhishek would fit the bill...
- Cinematography - Breathtaking visuals and never-seen-before angles. Applause to Santhosh sivan & Manikandan
- Priyamani - She eludes strength and almost goes unnoticed, but deserves credit. Perfect, clean shot.
- Rohini - Dubbing for Ash... its was not very easy for her but you win even when ash fails.
- Story & Screenplay - Weak.. which is very surprising for Mani Ratnam as a director. He was the one who gave us everyday lives with finesse and conviction, made us beleive in the protoganists, perfect air-tight scripts. A big let-down.
- Dialogues - For heaven's sake Suhasini, please let us be... go do your talkies or something else....
- Prithvi - Mani Ratnam movie was a feather on his cap but his role gets nothing but a big yawn.
- Aishwarya - No expectations to begin with, except for her eyes, i can think of a handful of heroines who would have essayed her character 10 times better. Mani look beyond the bachan clan... there is talent, beleive me.
- Costumes - Even i could have dressed up aishwarya better. She is a dancer but what is with the giant skirt salwars and 50s hair style? Nalini Sriram would have been a better pick.
- Stellar Scenes - S-O-R-R-Y(Roja), Kambili poochi uruthu(Mouna Ragam), Thundering(Agni Natchathiram), Nee azhaga irukenu nenaikala...,Neenga nallavara Kettavara, En Devava konutiyeda.. No such scenes. SIGH.. Double and Triple SIGH!!!!
Lets hope next time around Mani takes the time to read my blog before directing a movie. WINK!!!WINK!!!
Wednesday, July 07, 2010
What's in a name?
Ok.. am opening Pandora's box now!!!
It all starts when you get married... for many its not an option, for some its an inconvinience and for some its a required hindarance... ofcourse am talking about the SURNAME fiasco!
Some of us change our surnames without worrying too much about it, others have nightmares about it and worry that our identity would undergo a massive destruction at the face of such a change.
So what's in a name? For years you are called using a certain surname and then to change it in the middle, would you start feeling like a different person.. should you feel like a different person? Is that the whole logic behind such an illogical fiasco? Why does society, legal entities demand such an ill-possessed change? Or am i the only person who ponders in vain for such small changes in letters?
That being said, there is sense in having a family name... something that unites the members like that of a league or a club name. Society was predominantly a male oriented community since they were the earning members(once upon a time) but with so much that has changed should we start making a change with surnames too? Or should we let it be, since this is least of the problems which we have amidst us?
Now if you are wondering what i did with mine... i will not appease your curiosity that easily :):)
It all starts when you get married... for many its not an option, for some its an inconvinience and for some its a required hindarance... ofcourse am talking about the SURNAME fiasco!
Some of us change our surnames without worrying too much about it, others have nightmares about it and worry that our identity would undergo a massive destruction at the face of such a change.
So what's in a name? For years you are called using a certain surname and then to change it in the middle, would you start feeling like a different person.. should you feel like a different person? Is that the whole logic behind such an illogical fiasco? Why does society, legal entities demand such an ill-possessed change? Or am i the only person who ponders in vain for such small changes in letters?
That being said, there is sense in having a family name... something that unites the members like that of a league or a club name. Society was predominantly a male oriented community since they were the earning members(once upon a time) but with so much that has changed should we start making a change with surnames too? Or should we let it be, since this is least of the problems which we have amidst us?
Now if you are wondering what i did with mine... i will not appease your curiosity that easily :):)
Friday, April 30, 2010
SILENCE
A month spent amidst family ~ BLISS!!! It is very rare to get such occasions even if siblings live in the same continent.. spending 30 days with your family. That said, i treasured and cherished every minute of it. Having a new born added more ecstasy to our jubiliant lives.
Now am back home.... PAUSE!!!
What is the first thing that hits you when you are at home after a vacation from India.. the silence!! That is what always hits me, then comes nostalgia, home sickeness et al. But the first blow is always the silence. The quiteness of our neighbours, the purr of the hybrid vehicles, occasional bow wow's from dogs, non-existent comcast... a stark contrast to the vivid, noisy, colorful, blarring that is almost always interwined into our lives.
To add to this silence, we have shrunk the family to the smallest possible unit. What once consisted of parents, grandparents, great grand parents, children now consists of the "nuclear"set of two/three people.
We have shrunk family to such a tiny scale, each person in his or her own private space, completely dislodged from others.
Some of us can recall our childhoods.. every second filled with friends, grannies, relatives, neighbours, siblings. There was never a moment of privacy and we dint care for it either. We were happy and content sharing our otherwise mundane lives with others.
I'm not saying i dont like this life, doing things we are passionate about, having the time to cook international cuisine, learn a sport or two.. but my question is when will the mind ever learn to unlearn the noises that filled our lives? When will it learn to stop yearning for the countless strangers who were an integral part of our lives? When will we learn to make our peace with the silence?
Now am back home.... PAUSE!!!
What is the first thing that hits you when you are at home after a vacation from India.. the silence!! That is what always hits me, then comes nostalgia, home sickeness et al. But the first blow is always the silence. The quiteness of our neighbours, the purr of the hybrid vehicles, occasional bow wow's from dogs, non-existent comcast... a stark contrast to the vivid, noisy, colorful, blarring that is almost always interwined into our lives.
To add to this silence, we have shrunk the family to the smallest possible unit. What once consisted of parents, grandparents, great grand parents, children now consists of the "nuclear"set of two/three people.
We have shrunk family to such a tiny scale, each person in his or her own private space, completely dislodged from others.
Some of us can recall our childhoods.. every second filled with friends, grannies, relatives, neighbours, siblings. There was never a moment of privacy and we dint care for it either. We were happy and content sharing our otherwise mundane lives with others.
I'm not saying i dont like this life, doing things we are passionate about, having the time to cook international cuisine, learn a sport or two.. but my question is when will the mind ever learn to unlearn the noises that filled our lives? When will it learn to stop yearning for the countless strangers who were an integral part of our lives? When will we learn to make our peace with the silence?
Sunday, March 07, 2010
Trespassers should be prosecuted
We live in a democracy which promises freedom and equality to all. It is the same democracy that also advocates privacy. It is appalling to see media exploit this privacy in the name of awareness. Nothing justifies peeping through a person’s bedroom through your camera lens. That is off-limits, crossing boundaries and trespassing. It is for this reason we have the censorship board, government and officers of the law.
The telecast by Sun TV of a Swamiji being intimate with a woman was akin to pornography which should have been censored. It is for this reason that certain uncouth words are beeped out and scenes completely removed from cinema. When one form of entertainment is subject to regulations how can we let the Television which brings news and advertisements right into our homes go scott-free. One can argue that we could always change the channel to avoid convoluting the minds of young and children but shouldn’t the laws hold all forms of media in the same scale?
There are numerous organizations that would resort to violence for certain opinions expressed by celluloid heroes, crimes committed by godmen. We are always ready with weapons to tear down homes, offices and ashrams. Is there not a better way to appease our mind and calm our senses? Isn’t the pen mightier than the sword?
Although it is frustrating to see the world at war in the 21st century, it is even more frustrating to see such blatant acts of evading privacy. Nobody is justifying the acts in question, but it does not give media the power to publish material without care and consideration. These acts are not synonymous with freedom but what is pulling this country back from going forward.
We cannot call ourselves a true democracy unless we hold such acts accountable and along with power comes responsibility. If you trespass, you should and will be prosecuted.
The telecast by Sun TV of a Swamiji being intimate with a woman was akin to pornography which should have been censored. It is for this reason that certain uncouth words are beeped out and scenes completely removed from cinema. When one form of entertainment is subject to regulations how can we let the Television which brings news and advertisements right into our homes go scott-free. One can argue that we could always change the channel to avoid convoluting the minds of young and children but shouldn’t the laws hold all forms of media in the same scale?
There are numerous organizations that would resort to violence for certain opinions expressed by celluloid heroes, crimes committed by godmen. We are always ready with weapons to tear down homes, offices and ashrams. Is there not a better way to appease our mind and calm our senses? Isn’t the pen mightier than the sword?
Although it is frustrating to see the world at war in the 21st century, it is even more frustrating to see such blatant acts of evading privacy. Nobody is justifying the acts in question, but it does not give media the power to publish material without care and consideration. These acts are not synonymous with freedom but what is pulling this country back from going forward.
We cannot call ourselves a true democracy unless we hold such acts accountable and along with power comes responsibility. If you trespass, you should and will be prosecuted.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
CHICAGO - Broadway's Sure Thing!!!
If you know me well enough, then you know how much i love the City - NYC!! Just walking through the streets, exploring shops and tasting fine cuisine sold @ carts by the roadside - all bring great thrills to my otherwise rotting mind. So when it was a special celebration of our lives together for a year where else do we head??
This time we wanted to finally watch a Broadway Musical. We have been planning and cancelling for a year now and as if it was meant to be - we had tickets for CHICAGO!!!
Ofcourse this had to be preceded by a belly-full(literally) of Saravana Bhawan Full meals. The Mr. even took the time to lift his eyes of the thali plate to recommend entrees to the friendly americans seated next. I did not commit any such mistake - it was a hand to mouth fight.
When we finally walked in to the Ambassador Theater, i thought it was quite small for a broadway theater. After a few minutes, i realized that size did not matter and was completely mesmerized by the performances.
We have all heard and probably seen the Academy Award winning movie CHICAGO, but watching a Broadway musical is a completely different experience that i would recommend.
You can read all about the cast and the songs in their website, so i'm not going to repeat that. I'm also not going to write about the russian who was snoring away to glory two seats away from us, or the wild teenager who was texting her boyfriend in front of me or the man who was secretly clicking pictures from his Iphone even though it is forbidden - this is quite the normal theater going audience isn't it?
Velma played by Deidre was my favourite. Her attitude and elegance oozed from the stage. You want to laugh, cry and scheme with her and that is the true victory of an artiste. She has a certain confidence about her abilities and a casual elegance that makes you want to watch more of her on stage. She wins us over even when she is losing to Roxie Hart.
When the cast was being credited, all i could think of was how stimulating it would be if the stalwarts of Tamil Cinema sat and watched a musical. They could bring certain class and quality to the movies dished out today. Sigh, i know no matter what i watch it always circles back to one place!!!!
A must-see Chicago - universal tale of fame, fortune and all that jazz; one show-stopping-song after another; and the most astonishing dancing you've ever seen. We enjoyed it and am sure you would too....
This time we wanted to finally watch a Broadway Musical. We have been planning and cancelling for a year now and as if it was meant to be - we had tickets for CHICAGO!!!
Ofcourse this had to be preceded by a belly-full(literally) of Saravana Bhawan Full meals. The Mr. even took the time to lift his eyes of the thali plate to recommend entrees to the friendly americans seated next. I did not commit any such mistake - it was a hand to mouth fight.
When we finally walked in to the Ambassador Theater, i thought it was quite small for a broadway theater. After a few minutes, i realized that size did not matter and was completely mesmerized by the performances.
We have all heard and probably seen the Academy Award winning movie CHICAGO, but watching a Broadway musical is a completely different experience that i would recommend.
When the cast was being credited, all i could think of was how stimulating it would be if the stalwarts of Tamil Cinema sat and watched a musical. They could bring certain class and quality to the movies dished out today. Sigh, i know no matter what i watch it always circles back to one place!!!!
A must-see Chicago - universal tale of fame, fortune and all that jazz; one show-stopping-song after another; and the most astonishing dancing you've ever seen. We enjoyed it and am sure you would too....
Monday, November 16, 2009
The joy of getting it right
These days i'm becoming experimental with cooking. Now you need to know how my cooking evolved to appreciate the experimentation.
2006, Bangalore
Breakfast - Bread sandwich.
Lunch - Dal, Subzi, Rice
Dinner - Kichdi or Rotis with left over dal
Breakfast - Yours Truly. Lunch & Dinner - Roommate's generosity.
2009, Danbury
Breakfast - Cereal/Muffins/Idli,Dosa/Pongal
Lunch - Veg Curry, Sambhar, Rasam, Curd, Rice & Pickle
Dinner - Rotis with Kurma or Subzi.
All - Yours Truly
If this is not evolution what is. Atleast for me these are giant steps where cooking is involved. C'mon i make kurma, not in the likes of navrathna kurma but Egg Kurma and Peas Paneer kurma.
Cooking started with amma's e-adichan copy recipes. Or reading and somewhat memorizing Mallika Badrinath cookbooks. Now i can google a dish, surf recipes, pick and choose ingredients that i find most alluring and combine them all. Best part - the end product is still delicious.
Making muffins, Chocolate cup cakes to Mexican flan has elevated me into a seasoned chef. I can make onion sambhar without referring to recipes. Improvised to ginger kuzhambhu which sets your throats on fire and even have facebook friends who want my recipes.
There have been two inspirations for this cooking quest. First when you are trying a new recipe, there is a thrill and when it comes out delicious, you are soaring high in the air. Second when the hujband takes one puddi and says "Man your food is to die for"... SIGH!!(I know, too much illa)
Glossary
e-adichan - copy cat kill the rat.(somebody can volunteer with the exact explanation)
puddi - one mouthfull.
2006, Bangalore
Breakfast - Bread sandwich.
Lunch - Dal, Subzi, Rice
Dinner - Kichdi or Rotis with left over dal
Breakfast - Yours Truly. Lunch & Dinner - Roommate's generosity.
2009, Danbury
Breakfast - Cereal/Muffins/Idli,Dosa/Pongal
Lunch - Veg Curry, Sambhar, Rasam, Curd, Rice & Pickle
Dinner - Rotis with Kurma or Subzi.
All - Yours Truly
If this is not evolution what is. Atleast for me these are giant steps where cooking is involved. C'mon i make kurma, not in the likes of navrathna kurma but Egg Kurma and Peas Paneer kurma.
Cooking started with amma's e-adichan copy recipes. Or reading and somewhat memorizing Mallika Badrinath cookbooks. Now i can google a dish, surf recipes, pick and choose ingredients that i find most alluring and combine them all. Best part - the end product is still delicious.
Making muffins, Chocolate cup cakes to Mexican flan has elevated me into a seasoned chef. I can make onion sambhar without referring to recipes. Improvised to ginger kuzhambhu which sets your throats on fire and even have facebook friends who want my recipes.
There have been two inspirations for this cooking quest. First when you are trying a new recipe, there is a thrill and when it comes out delicious, you are soaring high in the air. Second when the hujband takes one puddi and says "Man your food is to die for"... SIGH!!(I know, too much illa)
Glossary
e-adichan - copy cat kill the rat.(somebody can volunteer with the exact explanation)
puddi - one mouthfull.
Posted in: Cooking
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
A peek into the future
Disclaimer: After hearing a lot of unflattering responses about my blog template, i finally set forth to change it. Hopefully this one is more readable. I admit there is a lot of work to do but atleast the wheels are in motion.
The new template had widgets which made things easy. I dint have to dig through the html code and replace bits and pieces, all i had to do was click on Add Gadget and everything was done.It took me all but 3 mins to figure out that(i know) and in that three minutes i was panic-striken!!!
It was like your entire life flashing in front of you in five minutes - Haven't you watched Armageddon or Gladiator? I can't bookmark my favourite blogs, can't link the labels in my post, can't tell the world that am a budding photographer.... This is a wee dramatic. But thats how things are told these days. If you dont scream, you wont be heard. Now is it the same everywhere or did living in the US rub it on me?
But back to Widgets. In that ignorant three minutes i was able to comprehend the helplessness and frustration my parents feel when i tell them they can watch Sun TV in a laptop.
When i taught my father how to start mailing,read news online,chat using the webcam, view photographs online, i thought it was an information overload and the minute i disappear he is going to abadon the laptop. But as always, he proved me wrong. He is doing his own research, marking his websites as favourites, helping my mother choose online magazine subscriptions when she comes to the US and am sure he is going
to tell me that he is bringing his laptop with him during his next visit. My parents have become tech-savvy alright. The bubble has embraced them or have they embraced it?!!!
For my mom, the laptop was the sign of technological leaps and bounds. She viewed it with aversion and blamed it for the distance between people in the same room.Ofcourse it was in stiff competition with the mobile. She completely disapproved of children below 10 using it and never understood why it kept us hooked on for hours. Its the same way i look at teenagers typing furiously in their cell phones racing against time.I think she has finally made her peace with this mini-idiot box while i continue to stare at the fingers that would fly on keyboards. (I'm not that old and i've been there, done that. Its impolite to stare but you cant help it esp when you have nothing else to do in a crowded train).
My efforts at keeping abreast with technology are going to fail at some point. My kids are going to call me backward and wonder how long it would take for me to catch up. I can hear them sighing and smirking at our rather slow pace of advancement. They would call us old-fashioned, look at Iphone, Ipods, Droids as antiques.
These days generation gap exists between siblings so the rift is going to be more pronounced. But like my parents, i would learn to make my peace with techonology. If you cant fight them, Join Them!!!
The new template had widgets which made things easy. I dint have to dig through the html code and replace bits and pieces, all i had to do was click on Add Gadget and everything was done.It took me all but 3 mins to figure out that(i know) and in that three minutes i was panic-striken!!!
It was like your entire life flashing in front of you in five minutes - Haven't you watched Armageddon or Gladiator? I can't bookmark my favourite blogs, can't link the labels in my post, can't tell the world that am a budding photographer.... This is a wee dramatic. But thats how things are told these days. If you dont scream, you wont be heard. Now is it the same everywhere or did living in the US rub it on me?
But back to Widgets. In that ignorant three minutes i was able to comprehend the helplessness and frustration my parents feel when i tell them they can watch Sun TV in a laptop.
When i taught my father how to start mailing,read news online,chat using the webcam, view photographs online, i thought it was an information overload and the minute i disappear he is going to abadon the laptop. But as always, he proved me wrong. He is doing his own research, marking his websites as favourites, helping my mother choose online magazine subscriptions when she comes to the US and am sure he is going
to tell me that he is bringing his laptop with him during his next visit. My parents have become tech-savvy alright. The bubble has embraced them or have they embraced it?!!!
For my mom, the laptop was the sign of technological leaps and bounds. She viewed it with aversion and blamed it for the distance between people in the same room.Ofcourse it was in stiff competition with the mobile. She completely disapproved of children below 10 using it and never understood why it kept us hooked on for hours. Its the same way i look at teenagers typing furiously in their cell phones racing against time.I think she has finally made her peace with this mini-idiot box while i continue to stare at the fingers that would fly on keyboards. (I'm not that old and i've been there, done that. Its impolite to stare but you cant help it esp when you have nothing else to do in a crowded train).
My efforts at keeping abreast with technology are going to fail at some point. My kids are going to call me backward and wonder how long it would take for me to catch up. I can hear them sighing and smirking at our rather slow pace of advancement. They would call us old-fashioned, look at Iphone, Ipods, Droids as antiques.
These days generation gap exists between siblings so the rift is going to be more pronounced. But like my parents, i would learn to make my peace with techonology. If you cant fight them, Join Them!!!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
New York Babieee
In true New York style, i state - The city never stops to amaze me.
It was pouring when we strolled through Union Square and Broadway but the weather was not going to stop the city from having a good time.
We started the day with BOOTS. Yes, leather and women are an intoxicating couple. The minute i stepped into DSW i knew what i wanted and although there was lot of distraction, i was focussed on my first love. After a bit of tamil cinema kind of climax we finally found the size i was looking for and headed out as a proud owner of Steve Madden boots.
Now we were in desperate need of coffee and headed towards Veniero's Pastry Shop. Needless to say, the cannoli melted in my mouth and the hazelnut coffee added spark to the day.
We stopped by Lush which sells handmade cosmetics and some of them smell divine. You need to remind yourself not to taste them. They are handmade and last only a few weeks but that dint stop me from picking up a face pack with Garlic. I know Garlic is a first but the face pack is doing wonders.(I hope so)
We picked up dim sum and falafel for our dinner and headed to the subway. The carts that are parked on the curbside tantalizes your taste buds and i hear some of them are gourmet rated.
Later on, i figured that there is a dessert truck which runs around NYC and they were featured on Throwdown with Bobby flay. Their bread pudding is superior to Bobby Flay's but its something i have reserved for later.
Rain or shine the Big Apple never disappoints and although we dint party there, even a casual evening is well spent.
It was pouring when we strolled through Union Square and Broadway but the weather was not going to stop the city from having a good time.
We started the day with BOOTS. Yes, leather and women are an intoxicating couple. The minute i stepped into DSW i knew what i wanted and although there was lot of distraction, i was focussed on my first love. After a bit of tamil cinema kind of climax we finally found the size i was looking for and headed out as a proud owner of Steve Madden boots.
Now we were in desperate need of coffee and headed towards Veniero's Pastry Shop. Needless to say, the cannoli melted in my mouth and the hazelnut coffee added spark to the day.
We stopped by Lush which sells handmade cosmetics and some of them smell divine. You need to remind yourself not to taste them. They are handmade and last only a few weeks but that dint stop me from picking up a face pack with Garlic. I know Garlic is a first but the face pack is doing wonders.(I hope so)
We picked up dim sum and falafel for our dinner and headed to the subway. The carts that are parked on the curbside tantalizes your taste buds and i hear some of them are gourmet rated.
Later on, i figured that there is a dessert truck which runs around NYC and they were featured on Throwdown with Bobby flay. Their bread pudding is superior to Bobby Flay's but its something i have reserved for later.
Rain or shine the Big Apple never disappoints and although we dint party there, even a casual evening is well spent.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
When the grinding stops...
If you grew up in India and ended up married in USA, you would have a fair idea of what am talking about.
Right till my 12th, i dint pause a moment to think about why should i go to school everyday. It just happened and all i wanted was to ace my exams, score well in the entrance and get into a college that i dreamed off.
As with the rest of the flock, stayed put in college for 4 years, dint try to ace the exams. Fitting in, making friends, learning something about life and computers, i graduated(little bit of color). There were campus interviews to worry about and i did get through them and got a nice job in Chennai. Happy about the fact that i was returning home, i boarded the train as a graduate. Something to be proud off.
Worked hard for 5 years, raced the rats, got some accolades, travelled a bit and met some interesting people. Finally life catches up with you and i got married.
Disclaimer: Now this has nothing to do with marriage, USA or being a NRI.
With the economy hitting rock bottom, many of us ended up as dependants, students and entreprueners. When the grinding and racing stopped, am stranded. We are a generation spoilt for choice but then there is such a thing as too many. It doesnt help when you need to factor in 5 years of future into your decision.
I'm thankful that am not part of the race anymore. I've had the time to reflect on what i truly want(which seems to be taking a long time) and i have learnt not to be too hard on myself. I can finally take a break but i am still trying to enjoy it.
So its true.. the grass is greener on the other side huh?
Right till my 12th, i dint pause a moment to think about why should i go to school everyday. It just happened and all i wanted was to ace my exams, score well in the entrance and get into a college that i dreamed off.
As with the rest of the flock, stayed put in college for 4 years, dint try to ace the exams. Fitting in, making friends, learning something about life and computers, i graduated(little bit of color). There were campus interviews to worry about and i did get through them and got a nice job in Chennai. Happy about the fact that i was returning home, i boarded the train as a graduate. Something to be proud off.
Worked hard for 5 years, raced the rats, got some accolades, travelled a bit and met some interesting people. Finally life catches up with you and i got married.
Disclaimer: Now this has nothing to do with marriage, USA or being a NRI.
With the economy hitting rock bottom, many of us ended up as dependants, students and entreprueners. When the grinding and racing stopped, am stranded. We are a generation spoilt for choice but then there is such a thing as too many. It doesnt help when you need to factor in 5 years of future into your decision.
I'm thankful that am not part of the race anymore. I've had the time to reflect on what i truly want(which seems to be taking a long time) and i have learnt not to be too hard on myself. I can finally take a break but i am still trying to enjoy it.
So its true.. the grass is greener on the other side huh?
