Lakshmi in Chennai

Lakshmi was a bundle of mixed feelings that evening. She just realized that her guardian Muthu, was taking her to the city - Chennai. Not that Lakshmi had a cheerful life in Pazhanjanallur, her native village, but, she had lived there all through her life and got used to it. Though, she had to slog it out for food, get beaten up and chided by Muthu, she could escape into the landscape, roam around with friends and return late in the evening. Her friends, Shenbagam and Gauri had also gone to Chennai, but she never heard from them again. Being an orphan, she didn't think she had much choice. However, she was excited about the journey! This is her first long travel or probably the first travel outside the village. Though, she was disappointed about Muthu taking her in a cement truck, she was thrilled enough to stay awake the whole night.

It was obvious, that Muthu was going to sell her off or hire her out to some domestic household in the city. Her only prayer was that, she should get a kind master. The truck dropped them off in some road at around 4.00 AM and the driver told Muthu, that they could walk to the house. They went to a tea shop and Muthu bought a tea for himself. He cared a damn about Lakshmi's hunger. Her sleeplessness, hunger and fear had made her so weak and meek, that she could hardly look around.

They walked for about an hour and the only thing that excited Lakshmi a little was the numerous film posters. Film posters were rare in Pazhanjanallur. Even if they stuck a few, it would be at an un-reachable height or the kids, would have already torn them to stick it in their houses. Lakshmi thought, when I am left alone, I should definitely come looking for these posters.

Muthu and Lakshmi finally reached a huge gate around 5.00AM. The one hour walk in hunger had made Lakshmi so tired, that she almost fainted. She feebly heard Muthu talking with the security guard. After about 10 mins, they were called in. She met her master, Srinivasan sir, and his wife, Kamala amma, at the enterance. They had a kind and sympathetic look on their face. Kamala amma almost immdeiately realised that Lakshmi was tired, hungry and scared. They summoned Padma akka, their cook, and told her to take Lakshmi to the out-house. When Laksmi last saw Muthu, he was counting currency notes with a sly grin. 'Good Riddens Muthu Anna' she thought!

The out-house was relatively very clean and Lakshmi stayed there for a couple of days. She realized that her master was giving her time to muster energy. They gave her food at regular hours and though it was left-overs and dry food, she thought, it was the best. She had never had better food in her life. In these 2 days, she understood that there were 2 kids also in the house - Rahul and Raji - Her master's kids. Lakshmi loved to play with the kids, but they didn't play with her. They go to school and in the evenings, occasionally peeped into the out-house. Lakshmi decided that she should befriend them soon and probably they will take her out.

Though Lakshmi didn't have a chance to step out of the house, she thought Chennai was the best thing that ever happened in life. She decided to be very good and earn her master's goodwill. Just when she thought her life was going smooth, she heard Kamala amma talking to her husband. She said, 'Our neighbor, Krishnan, wanted to know if Lakshmi could go to his house for clearing their garden. Chinni and Raja from the Police Colony are also going. Shall I send Lakshmi over? He wants to clear it out completely and plant new plants' Srini sir just nodded his approval. He also added, 'Tell them to have an eye on her and keep the gate closed. I don't wanna go searching for her in the roads'

With all the necessary warnings, Lakshmi was sent to Krishnan's house. With all the nurturing and rest, Lakshmi was looking very beautiful. The phrase 'Lakshmi-kalai'* fitted her aptly. Kamala amma and Padma akka mentioned that, and Lakshmi was proud. She was thrilled about meeting Chinni and Raja. ‘They must be like me, but living in the city for a longer time’, she thought.

When Lakshmi went there, Chinni and Raja were engrossed in their work. It was obvious, that Chinni and Raja were friends and that it might take some time for Lakshmi to break the ice. But she was determined in making friends with them. Chinni and Raja lifted their heads up, looked at her. Chinni went back to work, but Lakshmi could see from the corner of her eyes that Raja was looking at her. She also realized that Chinni was turning green with envy at Raja’s new-found interest.

It was a full day’s work, and throughout the day, Raja was trying to make a pass at her. He seemed to be too interested in her and wanted her to share her Pazhanjanallur experiences with him. Raja also offered to help Lakshmi in places where the grass was very rough and sharp. Though Lakshmi thought Raja was smart and handsome, she did not want to give him any ideas. She didn’t want to get into any trouble the new place. What will her master’s family think of her?!

Lakshmi was very happy that day and came back home hopping. Just when she was passing by the patio, she heard Kamala amma talk. Kamala amma told her husband, ‘Annamma from the police colony had come. She said that Raja seemed to be okay with Lakshmi. We could send Lakshmi to their place whenever we want’

Lakshmi was SHOCKED to the core!!! Yes, she liked Raja and he was sweet to her. But, Isn’t this too early? How can Kamala amma ever think of this? What did she come to Chennai for? Lakshmi got all worried. She couldn’t concentrate on anything else for the rest of the night. She sat there, alone thinking.

In the morning, Lakshmi was very clear. She had realized, that being an orphan, sold to somebody in Chennai, she does not have too much of a choice. She also realized that she was indeed bought and brought for this. She will have to succumb and prove her worth for survival. Does a ‘karavai-pasumaadu’** from Pazhanjanallur have any other choice?

She thought to herself, ‘Should demand Raja for some film posters. Unlike dry hay and left-overs, they are very tasty and spicy'.


*'Lakshmi-kalai' - The beauty of wealth and serenity in one's face
**'karavai-pasumaadu' - a Cow that gives milk

Kids say the Darndest Things - 2

Did you know that 'Whose dress is this?' is a probable interview question and the kid is expected to answer 'Mine' and not "my", "my's", "Enadhu' or "En's"!! We should check with these interviewers if they are saying 'Mr. X and I are conducting interviews' correctly and not stating 'Me & X'!!

This pattern, definitely needs some re-thinking! What are we testing here? Why are we testing the depth in a foreign language? Aren't we supposed to check only the kid's mental ability? Is this a gimmick for elimination? If a 3 year old has mastered a foreign language so much, why would it need admissions to LKG? What is left for the school to teach in Kindergarten?

Above all, what if the kid is wearing his/her sister's or cousin's dress?

On a lighter note, here is another interview saga

The interviewer had to rate the candidate on 'responsiveness to command?!' (Is this some interview for military camp? or a dog-training session?) So, threw a tennis-ball across the room and asked the tiny-tot to bring it back to her!
The candidate comfortably sitting in her chair, amidst some dolls, snapped back, almost spontaneously, with an air of sarcasm: "Nee dhane thooki potte? Neeye eduthuko!"

Needless to say, she got her admission in this school! She must have scored a 100/10 for 'responsiveness' and another 100/10 for 'command' though not together.

Dance of Destiny - II

Amma said that it will be impossible for 3 adults to manage 9 kids. As that made so much sense, I didn’t press any further. So we started playing, amidst two cricket teams, few dogs, a karate class and many on-lookers. The next one hour was full of fun, laughter, joy, tussles. I too had become a kid amidst the group.

7.50 AM

Amma realized that she has to go home to make breakfast. She thought it would be un-reasonable to let the guests, my aunts, cook. She asked us to wrap up, and surprisingly, none of the kids protested! They were arguing, watching the ships and discussing about harbors and light houses, but were walking towards the car. We reached our car, packed ourselves inside and started in about 10 mins.

Harish(7th Std.) had read about the harbor in his lessons, and asked dad if we could take a closer look at it. Dad was driving on the Beach road, and thought we could just go further down, closer to the port and then go home. We crossed the Napier’s bridge went straight, but by now, amma was getting worried. She wanted to get back ASAP and nudged dad. Dad showed the cranes at a distance and told the kids, ‘It’s kind of misty there and they wouldn’t let us inside’ and turned to go home.

After about 40 minutes drive, we reached home at 8.40. All the people at home, by then had got some news about water entering the city. They also had heard about the earthquake and asked us if we spotted anything different in the beach. We assured that the beach was calm and it could all be rumors.

In about an hour, when there was enough information about the heartbreaking disaster, we just couldn’t believe it. We saw that Sea Goddess had attempted to swallow the same beach road, the same Vivekanada hall! That day, that hour, that minute, that moment was actually gifted to us by God! Till date, am in a trance and it all feels like a magic!

· If my brother had gone jogging, we would have waited for him
· If Amma had agreed to go to the waters?
· If the kids had pleaded for extra time?
· If we had gone to the harbor?
· If amma didn’t have to make breakfast?

The beach scene as we left it was so vivid in the memory. We prayed and wished that everyone should have left just as we did.

It is one year now, and I share this miracle with heartfelt Thanks and pay homage to the victims. Praying to God to give all the strength and support to the surviving…

Dance of Destiny - I

December 25th 2004 - Saturday 6:30 PM...

Our home was filled with laughter and fun! It had been temporarilyconverted into a play school, with kids ranging from age groups5-15.classes 1 to 11. About 8 of them, my cousins, had come down to myhouse for a vacation. We also had a next generation kid, my nephew(Ist Std). I was at home exhausting my holidays, playing with the crowd and managing them.

In the evening, Chintoo, my 6th std cousin, makes a request. 'Akka. Canwe go to the beach tomorrow morning? It will be nice to see the sunrise andplay in the beach'. All the other cousins second it. My nephew is alreadylooking at his mother for permission. Soon the request turned into a plead and I agreed.

My brother said he'll also join us and would go jogging while I mind the kids. As it was too big and naughty a group to manage, Amma said, she'll join and dad agreed to drive us down. The kids were too excited, had a quick dinner, and were ready to sleep! They had challenges as to who will be up first by 5.30 and wake up the rest of them. They warned their parents not to over-sleep. We stretched out big mats in the living room and with all the kids around I was in deep sleep.

Around 4.00 AM, chotu (2nd std) wakes me up, and I thought it was for nature call…but he asks 'Is it time? Can I brush?' I cajoled him to sleep and almost closed my eyes. I could hear whispers and giggles. The kids are already up and waiting to get ready.

December 26th 2004 6.30 AM

My brother opted out and went back to sleep. We were all ready, about 12 of us, stuffed ourselves in one car and started off to Marina. The sun was just out, but it still was a calm day. We went through Radhakrishnan Road, parked the car opposite Ice house (Vivekananda Hall) and walked to the sands at around 6.50 AM.

The kids have brought a big ball and a frisbee and are getting ready for a match. Amma says ‘Just 2 hours…not more than that’. We started playing, amidst a cricket team, a few walkers and many other kids.

Under popular demand, I asked my mom, ‘Amma, can we just walk up to the waters?’

To be Contd.

Kids say the Darndest Things

Mrs.and Mr.Dhanashekar, in our apartment looked terribly worried! Tomorrow was their only daughter's maiden interview. This interview would decide her destiny! This interview will pave way for her future. Yes, it is the time of the year for LKG admissions! They have applied for a few schools in the neighborhood, and are in the nail-biting phase - waiting for interview cards. The couple are in hypertension and the kid is very kiddish!

It is a daily routine of this couple to revise alphabets, numbers, shapes, colors, animals, names, what not! and prepare the toddler for the interview. The kid is totally oblivious to the importance, but is enjoying all the attention and sometimes gets irritated when her mom scolds her for not identifying septagon?!!

On the D-Day, the toddler left home proud, with the entire apartment complex wishing her the best. Her parents are giving last minute tips

Dad : Dhairyama paesanum seriya?
Mom : Nee seriya sollita, amma narya toys vaangi tharen
Dad : Kutty chamathu aache! Azhave koodadhu
Mom : Avanga edhu kaetaalum theriadhu nu solladhe da chellam.
Dad : yosichu badhil sollu, mudinja udane ice-cream saapida polaam..

Junior Dhanashekar shook her head and was enjoying this!
After a couple of hours, they came back, parents looking a little grim, and the junior licking an icecream . The interview went okkkay...and an excerpt from that:

Interviewer : (showing a red color paper) Idhu enna color?
Toddler : Apple color
Interviewer thinks, may be it's because I am showing it in a paper..points a red color chair and repeats 'Idhu enna color?'
Toddler : Apple color
Interviewer : seri, apple enna color?
Toddler : Indha chair color
Interviewer : !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Idhu, karagaatakaran, vaazhaipazha joke madhiri irundhaalum, Junior Dhanashekar got her admission! and according to me, she has got the wisdom of a management graduate! Never say 'I don't know'!!

Pledge

How many of us Indians, remember the school pledge?
For some reason, I tried recollecting, but couldn't go beyond 3 lines. Then, I wondered, how many might remember and started asking. After sometime, this curiosity soon became a quest. I conducted a quick survey at work and friends circle. I wanted to identify at least one person who remembers it and publish his/her name here. After a 3 hour hunt and asking about 52 people, there was one...just one. I proudly present her, 'Roopa Sudarshan'!! my buddy and a former NCC cadet! Did she remember it from school or NCC? I didn't probe...But Hats Off to her!

I felt a little ashamed for not remembering it and memorized it up. Though, this is more a test on memory than a test on patriotism, I think it will definitely be nice if everybody can live upto the pledge :-) India would definitely become a better place to live in!

Before you go further, stop and try recollecting...and if you fail, here it is:

India is my country.
All Indians are my brothers and sisters. I love my country, and I am proud of its rich and varied heritage.
I shall always strive to be worthy of it.
I shall give my parents, teachers and all elders respect and treat everyone with courtesy.
To my country and my people, I pledge my devotion.
In their well being and prosperity alone lies my happiness.

Jai Hind!

Thoongu Moonji

Some characters get etched in your mind even before you know their names, and she is just one. I have grown all my life seeing her live across the road and I still don't know if she has a name! Everybody in the neighborhood refers to her as thoongu moonji(Sleepy faced) and so is she known. She sits there all day long, sells flowers, fruits and greens occasionally which people seldom buy. She has got her select customers and will readily give it to them even for free. But, she never complains.

What surprises me the most is her ability to follow a rigid time table! She runs a guest house in the locality and works on an accurate clock! I have never seen her sleeping in the mornings. She is usually up before almost everybody in that neighborhood. There are many families living in her guest house.. They are small portions, but many of them. She primarily rents it out to folks who are early-birds, working on early morning shifts. Though she is woken up as early as 3.00 AM or 4.00 AM by her tenants, she doesn't yell at them. She is such a sweet landlady. My mom, who has seen her in the neighborhood for 30 years now, never recollects one sour instance, when this land-lady got angry and asked her tenants out! I have never seen her chat with anybody either. In most of the conversations, gossips and chit-chats, she is only a silent spectator. She also does baby-sits when her inmates are off to work. Mostly, she doesn't agree to feed them, but definitely makes sure they don't get hurt. She is such a gem and I adore her..

In a way, am jealous of her...jealous of her sleep.. Rain or shine, storm or calm, she starts dozing by 6.00 PM and is in a deep slumber by 7.00! In my childhood, I would be surprised about that. Everyday, at around 6.30 in the evening, it was my habit to check is she has gone off to sleep and most likely, she would have. When I am strictly not allowed to go to bed by 6.00 PM (Godly hours - Sridevi enters you home and you shouldn't be sleeping), however tired I am, she just doesn't care!! Probably, that is why, everybody in the neighborhood calls her 'Thoongu moonji' (sleepy face), but she cares a damn about it!

For all her sweetness, it is quite unfair, people call her thoongu moonji! But she never complains, coz, she is a tree...Thoongu moonji maram (Rain tree) near my house!!

PS:
Customers - Cows and Goats
Guest house - Branches
Tenants - Birds
small portion - Nests

Pongal Recipe

Ferrari, for you to try it out.
Ingredients:
Green Rice (Goldie preferably)* 1 cup
Moong Dal(Paithamparupu) 1/3 cup
All the below ones as per your wish..
pepper
cumin seeds
Ghee
cashew
curry leaves
Ginger
salt
Directions:
1. Mix rice and moong dal add 3 cups of water and pressure cook for 4 whistles
2. Take this out and mix it well enough to mash it out slightly
3. Semi-powder pepper and cumin seeds(If you don't feel like powdering, use the full ones)
4. Fry them in little ghee with curry leaves and add it to rice,dal mix
5. chop or paste ginger and add it as well
6. Add salt and and mix everything together
7. Add some extra ghee and mix them again
8. Fry cashews in ghee again and garnish with it

Voila! your Venn Pongal is ready!

Important Note:
1. Don't ever do a naivedhyam of this. Enaku Dheivakutham aagidum
2. Try it on some other human being before you taste.

Caution: Testing on animals is strictly prohibited and is a punishable crime

Disclaimer: This reccipe is just the way I make and might not result in Venn Pongal. For better recipe, refer the net.

*Pachai arisi(ponni preferably)

Maadhangalil aval Margazhi!

It's Margazhi tomorrow! and for me, Margazhi is so full of mixed experiences!! Just recollecting some of them. My Margazhi Autograph!!

School days:
This is half-yearly exams time, with a cold climate that you never feel like getting off the bed....I usually, give myself 5 mins leverage and continue to extend that. 5 mins..5 more mins, 5 more mins... But the problem is, my big mommy is up by 4.00!! She whacks, and wakes me up! She, not only makes sure that I am out of bed, but also ensures, I don't doze off at the study table.. On the study table, I'll almost close my eyes and suddenly hear her voice...
'Yadhvi!! Ethana dhadavai koopidaradhu? Stove ai niruthu..sonnen illa? 4 whistles ku apuram niruthunu!! Naivedhya Pongal ippo koozh aagidum... padikaama thoongariya?!!!'

(uphh..1st whistle kaetuchu...2nd, 3rd, 4th? appo naan ZZzzzz...)

College Days:
In her anxiousness to make me get some involvement into the culture and customs, my mom passed a law. I should get up at 4.00 and draw a kolam at the entrance before my mom is ready for prayers. I agreed!(as though I can refuse..)the deal being, I can go back to sleep after finishing my kolam! When I agreed, little did I realise that I was falling into a trap!
As it is am bad at drawing! Idhule, paadhi thookathile, ezhundhu, dots count panni vechu, lines join panni kolathai mudikuradhukulle thookame poidum...Idhu ellam andha jil climate le, Eeramaana vaasalle...
Going back to sleep was out of question! appadiye iruttle aandhai madhiri muzhichitu utkandhu irupen, counting the whistles accurately.
Soon, I discovered a counter law, Murphy's type. The lesser the time you spend on the kolam, greater the possibility to get back to sleep. What started as '15 pulli kolam', soon became '5 pulli kolam' much to my mother’s dismay.

Work Days:
These days, amma has become very considerate. 'Paavam ponnu night 11ku dhan vandha' or probably she thinks I'll be married off soon or probably she thinks she just can't instill it in me. She never wakes me up! I get up at around 7.00 come out of the room and feel a little guilty that her prayers are almost over! The Suprabatham, Sahasranamam CD is all done!

Today:
Today, on the eve of Margazhi, I am planning to get up early, bathe and read Thirupaavai everyday!!

Why? Why the change in me?
Am I getting old?
Is the customs & culture finally into me?
Is it because they say 'You will get a good husband’?
Is it because scientifically, the ozone layer is a li'l lower and is good for health?

Well, I don't know the reason. But I am sure it will make mom happy and me a little content! Will I stick to this for the entire month?! Well, that is for time to answer!

Philim style - Mistaken Identity

Scene: Elevator of a 12 storeyed office complex
Time : 8.12 PM

I was waiting at the 10th floor lobby to get home after work. The elevator door opens and in it are 7 tired men with saggy posture and an empty glance. I get in and join the crowd for a downward journey. The elevator again stops at the 8th floor and when the door opens, there are 8 tired people(including me) with a saggy posture and one just about to enter. Till then it was so eventless. The guy comes in, the door closes. Now there are 9 people inside.

12th floor Man:'HIIIIII' (quite excited)

(Exclaimed the man who was already inside, looking at the man who just entered.
Seven others, glance at the man who said 'Hi' and turned to the second man to see his response.)

8th floor Guy: Bewildered look…quite lost…could not re-collect or associate the face

(Then the conversation continued in Malayalam. Thanks to movies, Kiran TV and my friend Ranj, I understood every bit of it. Translating the same in Minglish)

12th floor man: (Chammi poyee) I've seen you somewhere...Are you from CT?

(I wipe the grin off my face, and stand between them...Of course hearing)

8th floor guy: (grins) Adhu, enda twin. My twin brother studied in CT (grins)

12th floor man: Quite lost..doesn't believe.. 'Ninde paer endhaa?'

The rest seven in the elevator, straighten up...they all have a twinkle in their eyes, some smiling, some widely grinning.. Mez, looking down and grinning, thinking of Engal Veetu Pillai movie..

8th floor guy: Enda paer Anoop, and, my brother is Swanoop. 2004 pass out

12 floor man: You look so much like him :-) Was he in the hostel? nyaan 2002 pass out.

By now, we had reached the ground floor...12th floor man and 8th floor guy walk out chatting and the remaining seven, walked out quite briskly... This conversation had definitely enlightened us...I was thinking of all the movies - Engal veetu pillai, Naalai Namadhe, Moondru mugam, apoorva sagodharargal...

I was also thinking, the brothers could probably switch their workplace if they are bored, their wives would get confused...filmi style imaginations followed..

PS: It was a very ordinary event of mistaken identity. But for the 'twin' story, the conversation wouldn't have been worth mentioning. The existence of 'twin' cheered everybody! I am curious to see if they are look alike.

Eurekha somebody?

In this rainy season, a common problem for most of the car drivers, is the mist that settles on the wind shield. Chinna thambi Goundamani madhiri, 'Naan appadiye kannai mudipenam, nee vazhi solluviyam, naan ottuvenam' range ku dhan ottanum.

In almost all the cars, the best solution is turning the heater on. Scientifically, the heater would vaporize the moisture and clear it out. But en car le if I turn the heater on, it blurs it out all the more! Th moisture becomes extensive.. After some trial and error, I found that, if I turn the A/C on, the moisture is cleared out!! Idhuku naan kodukura explanation, the heater is not hot enough to vaporize, hence liquefies the cool air that adds to the moisture, while the A/c is effective enough to condense the moisture into cool air.. Any Newton, Archimedes agree with me?

Whatever be the reason, mazhaile nananjitu, indha kulir le A/c pottutu one hour ottradhu rommmmba kashtam :-(

PS: Any suggestions to overcome this, is MOST Welcome!

Chennaiyil Oru Mazhaikaalam!

No, It's not about the torrential rains, inundated roads or the abandoned match...

It's about how relationship-friendly rain is! A li'l more than a 'Hot cup of coffee'.
Yeah, this is the season you start with 'How about a hot cup of coffee' and discuss about everything under the universe with someone you are interested in building a relationship... But the heavy downpour has provided more opportunities than the just coffee.

1. First one obviously is, sharing the same umbrella. Either you hide yours or bring it out depending on whether the 2nd person has or doesn't have one.

2. God forsaken two-wheelers

2A. If you have a vehicle and she doesn't, pretend that the mechanic shop is in her street, push the vehicle and walk with her. (Un thalai ezhuthu!)
2A(1). Do not have your jerk-in. She'll hold the umbrella for you!!(if you are lucky and if shez interested)

2B. If she has the vehicle and it is conked...wherever the mechanic is, vazhiye illai...nee dhan thallanum!! but 2A(1) still applies.

2C. If she has the vehicle and it works fine (curse it) you still can say, 'Are you sure you'll be able to manage? Do you want me to come along?
2C(1). If your vehicle is stable, drive along and make sure she reaches safely
2C(2). If your vehicle is not trustable.. free ya vidu! you don't want her to curse you..
2C(3). If you are lucky, you can say, 'I'll be a pillion rider and guide you thru'. But, adhuku apuram, oru auto, share-auto, bus pudichu thirumbi varanum!!


3. Blessed 4-Wheelers

3A. If you/your dad has a car, magnanimously, give her a ride. Make sure you don't take your foot off the accelerator in inundated roads. It's embarrassing to make her push the car!

3B. If she has the car, you can ask for a ride. Pakkathile utkaandhu mazhai/traffic a vedikai paathutu poga koodadhu. Got to help her. Glass le mist form aagum, kerchief, tie, edhavadhu vechu thudaikanum..

3C. Of course, pray that she should take her foot off the accelerator! Irangi thallanum!

4. Pallavan maama

4A. She travels by Pallavan? she got a window seat? prachanaiye illai...stand by her seat to help her down/up the shutters.

4B. you still can use Point#1 after getting off the bus, or inside the bus..adhaan bus ellam ozhugudhae..

4C. Give your kerchief, tie to wipe the seat..or if you are lucky borrow hers

Disclaimer: All the above points are based on instances observed on the road. Any resemblance to real-life incidents is purely coincidental - I happened to see you!

Tiramisu

History has it that Tiramisu is a classic Italian Dessert. Well, I haven't heard about this before. The first time I came across this was in 'Food world' chocolate rack yesterday when my brother picked up one. This is one of the flavors, Cadbury's have introduced under the Desserts genre.
I told him, am not sure, if this will be good. 'I have tasted Kalakand, and it is not all that good!'. This is enough reason for my brother to pick it up.

'Ka..kaa..kaa..' Sani Baghwan utchathile irukum bodhu enaku ippadi Asareeri ketkum! and I usually ignore that...today again!

We did some window shopping in Spencer's and went to the car park. Dad and mom in the front and their 2 good kids in the rear seat. Yeah, good kids! good enough to spend the sunday evening with parents. Good enough to go to Spencer’s with them. Good enough to share a chocolate bar with them. Good brother, especially, as he opens the chocolate and gives a small slab to his sister. Alright, you are not watching a Vikraman movie. So, I stop here…

Now, if the sister was also good, she should have said 'brother you have it! and if there is anything left over, give it to me'.. Eppadi? adhan 'kaa..kaa.' kathuche! So, I put it in my mouth. (idhuvaraikum ellam okay...)

apuram dhan en naakule Sani thandavam aadinaar! And the conversation follows

Me: 'Aha..Rum madhiriye irukku!, yeah, definite Rum flavor dhan! idhule liquor irukka enna?'
Brother: 'cha, idhu Dairy milk dhan..ularaadhe'
Me:(excited) 'nejama, it's reaching the head..quite strong'
(by then, dad, mom and brother had popped it into their mouth)
Brother: 'Aama Rum e dhan! ippadi vaasanai adikudhu!'
Mom : (naively) 'enaku onnume therialai!!' and asks dad 'Appadiya irukku?'
(tricky question, but dad answers carefully!)
Dad:(smiles) 'smell varudhu!'
Brother:(excited) night le full bar(note the word!) saapitutu, police oodha sonna prachanai ayidum pola irukku!
Mom: 'Adheppadi Rum nu ivangaluku therium?' (pudichanga da point ai!!) 'Enaku appadi onnum therialai?'
Brother and me: sethom!!
Me: 'Rum taste therinja, idhu therium' (nakkaluku idhuva neram)
Mom: 'Ungaluku eppadi theium?' (konjam stern a)
Brother : silent...
Me: amma, idhuku munnadi US le irundhu kondu vandha liquor chocolate saapitu irukom illa?
(smart answer)
Mom: Eppo? nee vaangitu varaliye? (cross examination!)
Me: Naan illai ma!, pakathu veetu Kalyani aunty kodutaangale?!

Mom didn't seem to believe...but atleast the conversation stopped... but, dad, had a smug!

Thinking back, Tiramisu, was actually not that strong!! but definitely tasted like rum.
Thevai illama, over a build up koduthuten. The wrapper did not have any indication of liquor in the ingredients.

After googling, I found that, Tiramisu is a classic Italian dessert with liquor as an ingredient!

Observations on TV over the weekend

Oxymoron of the weekend:
'A time for heroes' - stage show in Sun TV for HIV/AIDS awareness sports the song
'thathai, thathai, thathai,
pala athai petha thathai
andha thathaiKELLAM pottu vaithen poo methai'

with some ugly dancing!

Haughtiness of the weekend: The sitting posture of Sania Mirza's mom in the same show.

Humility of the weekend : Jayaram on stage "I am Jayaram, an actor from Kerala film industry"

Wonder of the weekend : Drummer whizkid Siddharth!

Dialogue of the weekend: Captain in Vijay TV
'Gramathule Kaathu, karupu adikaama irukka karuppu pottu vaipaanga..
Naama ellam karupu vairam..nammalai endha kaathum, karuppum onnum pannadhu'

Sentiment of the weekend: (Ofcourse..only next to samudhram movie)
TSW-2005, MGR's campaign vehicle, was given to our Captain by MS.Janaki Ramachandran , and captain entered politics in 2005! 'yaarukum kedaikaadha adhrishtam?!!' Annike avar(MGR) sollitaar!! Pullarikudhu pa!!

Pledge of the weekend:
' 5 mukkiya thuraigalle lanjathai ozhichu, lanjam illadha nallaatchi' by Captain

Irony of the weekend:
DD still has "Kaanaamal Ponavargalai patriya arivipu" notification on Saturdays! The only improvement being, photos are clearer and are joomed closer! But how many do really watch DD? and how many will be able to identify people from these pictures? Why shouldn't private TVs allot some time for such social cause?

Lazybones of the weekend:
well, yeah, It's me...Didn't do much other than reading Ponniyin Selvan and watching TV!

Thin & Slim

If it is ‘Fair & Handsome’ omen for men, it is the ‘Thin & Slim’ thingy for their opposite sex. I am personally against the concept of fairness creams, be it for any gender. What is in the color? Since many blogs bragged about it already, I am not elaborating with my justifications. But its counterpart is far more dangerous, causing serious devastation!

I am still not sure when ‘Thin & Slim’ came en vogue?! Mona Lisa was not portrayed skinny! None of the Queens were painted bony! Ravivarma’s models were not lanky! Even if you look at movie stars of the 70’s and 80’s, be it Hollywood, Bollywood or Kollywood, they were brimming healthy!!

Then, what exactly did influence the success of a plethora of weight reduction programs? Where was the need for those drastic (some horrid) measures to stay ‘Thin’?
* Was it Princess Diana? Man, she was suffering from Anorexia Nervosa! Why do people want to model her?
* Is it the popularity of beauty contests? Man, Beauty is skin-deep (actually, skin shallow)!
* Is it ‘50 Kg Taj Mahal’ song? If Taj Mahal was 50 kgs, it would have been carried away by invaders!

In the quest for ‘a great shape’ most of the women are compromising on strength and sometimes nature! I am not arguing for a ‘rotund’ look. But I think, women haven’t understood the difference between staying fit and staying thin. Fitness and Helath is very, very important! You obviously will be the ‘weaker sex’ if can’t carry your own suitcase or a pail of water! Forget, protecting yourself from sexual abuse.

Talking about the weight reduction programs, they are ironical! People pay thousands and lakhs to put themselves into trouble and hardship!
* Organizations charge Rs. 1000/ kg reduction and makes you live on spoonful of food and hours of workout every day
* Surgical procedure costs lakhs to drill holes and suck the fat?! Out of you
* Surgical procedure coils and clips your stomach, so that you don’t feel hungry often…ugh.

I do agree, these methods may be required for some with medical ailment and in need for reduction, but for the rest of the community, won’t a controlled diet and regular workout suffice?

Lost Names!

Till date, my exposure to tamil literature had been limited only to Anandha Vikadan, kalki, and their deepavali malars. Heee.hee..Well, that is another way of saying N-I-L. Thanks to srivat, Mohandoss and many other buddies, the tamilian in me felt incomplete without having read Ponniyin Selvan. The thought of 6 huge volumes did scare me a little, but I was pretty determined. There were 3 encouraging factors. 1)Every single soul who has read it, applauded, and was full of praises, 2) None ever told me, that they left it half way through, 3) I like history

So, I dived into the world and am swimming across!! Whew! It's wonderful, awesome. I just completed 1 volume and am starting the 2nd. But this post is not about Ponniyin Selvan as a book. I don't think I even deserve to review that masterpiece! It is about something that I observed. The NAMES. As I said earlier, I have just completed 1 volume, and am already flabbergasted by the names of the characters! Almost all the names stood etched on my head.

How poetic! What a variety! How majestic!

Vandhiyathevan, Kandhan maaran, Parthibendhran, Arulmozhi varman, Malayamaan, Sendhan Amudhan, Madhuranthagar...and that is just a few of the male fraternity!

I did not find a single name with 2 or 1 syllables and found a very few with 3 or 4. The name expressed the character! Why on earth did we lose out these names to time?! Why are we stuck with monotonous world of Srirams, Balajis, Ravis, Sanjays, Srinivasans, Karthiks,Aruns in the name of modernity? What is the need to keep it short? When Long is sweeter and meaningful! Apart from the art, architecture, culture and wealth, we definitely have lost out on names as well.

After reading this, you might wonder if I would name my kid Vandhiyathevan or Kundhavai! The answer is a sad 'No'. In my quest for antiquity, I wouldn't jab into my kid's confidence and make him/her a laughing stock. I can't imagine my kid complaining, 'All my friends are calling me 'Vaandhi' or 'vandi'! If it is a daughter, it is even worse - 'Kundha vai' in Chennai slang!

Guess I only can sigh and post a blog on this!

Settlement

Mr.Kursi Singh joined my company as a lateral. Unlike the sardars we hear about oft, Mr.Kursi was quite intellectual. He was making a lot of friends and was getting active at work. Days, weeks and months went by, but, there was just one glitch. Even after 8 months at work, if somebody asked him, 'So Kursiji, have you settled down?', he would sigh and reply 'Nahi bhai, not yet!'.
So, what was his problem? Well, the problem indeed was.. Kursi...He just couldn't settle down in one seat! one place! When Kursiji joined,
They allotted North wing seat no 144 -> N-144.He walked to the manager’s cabin and the conversation follows
KS: My team is in the south wing, I can't walk across every time I have a question or an answer. Please shift me closer!
Manager: But we have phones at every desk
KS: But, it is never like seeing face-to-face and talking
Manager: This is an MNC. We'll have questions and answers from onsite too :(
KS: But, that is okay. Atleast here, I want to talk directly
Manager: Okay, I'll work on this.

Kursiji was moved to S-075, South wing. After a couple of days, Kursiji is at the manager’s desk again
KS: I am wearing glasses, and the bijili(no, no, not gujili) right above my head is glaring at me
Manager: Hey, but, there is a light every 3 feet, almost over every desk
KS: You should find a better place, my eyes are itching and I can't see after sometime. It hurts.
Manager:(helpless) I will try to work it out..

Kursiji shifted to SE-002. One corner, where there was no light above, but close to large glass window. Needless to say, KS is at manager's desk
KS: The light thru the window, hits directly on my monitor, and I can's wee anything except the sky
Manager: Aren't there Venetian blinds?
KS: Yeah, when I cover with that, I see the blinds, instead of the sky in my monitor
Manager(sighs) Can't you angle the monitor in such a way that it's not glaring?
KS: Then I have to keep it on the chair, sit on the desk and work, Is that okay?
Manager:(last attempt) I will request the admin to provide extra cover!

As the extra cover could not cover, Kursiji was moved to SW-083

To be continued in the next post as the saga continues...

HAPPY CHILDREN'S DAY!

Childhood is a boon and continuing to be one is an art! Happy Children's Day to each of you, who still have the child in you alive and happy! You definitely can celebrate this day
If YOU...

* Can pick up a conversation in Gibberish and can continue for more than 3 minutes
* Take scoops of lactogen, horlicks or sugar and fill your mouth or lick jam/ketchup spoon
* Watch more of Pogo, Disney Toons(No, not just Tom & Jerry) than soaps
* Order the same dish that somebody in the neighboring table had ordered for
* Feel like asking, 'Can you give me a little of that?' when somebody is having a toffee or snack
* Don't open an umbrella when its raining
* Jump into a puddle of water or shake a tree branch after the rains
* Play games and tricks with friends
* Draw figurines in dust or water
* Imagine a heroic act and of course you as the hero in it
* Always wanna ring the bell in temples/pizza corners
* Like watching Ads, commercials, hoardings
* Laugh when somebody falls down (This is wicked isn't it?! But, we did it as a child!)
* Feel excited about driving thru the fly-over
* Watch an airplane on flight/ train till it disappears
* Check your weight where ever there is a machine

There are many, many more. The list is quite endless...

PS: A special mention on Radio Mirchi and Mirchi Suchi for bringing kids from Cancer Institute and Abacus to do Hello Chennai this morning! Nice way to start the day!

Yaaru Loosu?

I always enjoy Ferrari's he-she encounters! But never did I think I'll be posting one such on my blog... This one is quite typical! Might be the first and last of its kind in my spot.

Stolen snippet from the fag end of a chat script!

he:hullo u there?
she: came back
he: enge pone
she: logged out
he: oHo
he: appuram yen vanthe ?
(how romantic?!)
he: saw my msg just when u logged off eh ?
(nenaipu dhan)
she: Got angry..so, logged out
he: En ma?
he: nee thaane poren nu sonne?!?
she: eppo da 'poren' solluvanu wait panna madiri iruundhudhu!!
(pudicha da point ai)
he: dei
he: seri, will you give me a few mins to reboot my machine -its pretty slow now
she: okay
he: thanks
she: naan 'No' sollitu 'bye' solluven nu dhane nenaiche?
(kandu pidichitaa!!)
she: anti-climax da unakku!!
he: LOOSA DA NEE

Any guesses on what happened after this? God save he!

COPYRIGHTS:
he, she characterization - Courtesy - Ferrari
transcript courtesy - Anonymous

DISCLAIMER:
This is definitely not an imaginary script. There are no doubts about the authenticity of the source.

In Deep S***

15 kms drive back to home from work is something I cherish the most in a day. That's all the time I have just for me. Listening to the radio, reflections, reactions, recreation, problems, solutions and sometimes, nothing are the things that flash across my head during this drive. Be it rain or shine, peak or wee hours, I make sure there is never a reason to rush. But, today, the drive back home was a Mr.Bean episode!! Just that Mr.Bean had changed the gender and is not a Brit, but a mara thamizhachi - Me!
It was a pleasant dark evening after heavy showers, and I started from Tidel to drop Kalai at Adyar. The road to Thiruvanmiyur traffic light hadn't drained and the water was sluggish with bad stench. To avoid drainage water being splashed on us, I raised the windows and switched on the A/c. Not even 1/2 the km was covered, I realized the stench was getting stronger!! Did Kalai rush to work without having a bath? May be shez got a stomach upset? Or may be it is the car's carpet that got wet in last week's rain... Whatever be it, we couldn't handle it anymore and I switched off the A/c and let some fresh air in! uphh…. What a relief!!.
I just sat back, switched on the radio and relaxed. Radio Mirchi played 'Oru maalai Ilaiveyyil neram..' and I was tapping my feet at the Cenatoph road traffic lights, waiting to join Mt. Road. Did I ever tell you, that I hadn't learnt driving with my shoes? that I drive barefoot? :( I paid for it in full today! I stamped something cold on the floor.. Howz the duster cloth this wet? I thought! and why the hell is it sticking to my foot? As it was dark, I slightly ducked a little under the wheel...and I could smell....Same bad stench... A Flash in my head...just like it would for Bruce Willis in the climax of 'The Sixth Sense'...the bad smell, A/c vent near my foot... I had stamped dog sh!t on my shoes before I could get into the car!!!
I have 10 more kms to cover! and no water in the car! the red light was going to change...10..9..8.. I just managed to open the door and scrub my foot on the road before the lights turned green. After that moment of realization, the drive became sick. I wanted to throw up, get off and was driving badly with just one thing in mind - Reach home and clean the mess. Cursed myself for not learning to drive with the shoes on. Sudden breaks, screeching noise, sharp honks and a couple of snares followed.
By the time I reached Chetput bridge, Varuna Baghwan wanted to have some fun. It started drizzling heavily - Now, do I raise the windows and drive from inside a stinking car? Or do I let the aphoslery get wet and live with that stench tomorrow? I chose the latter. Finally, I reached home and after cleaning and feeling better, it struck me, I should have bought some bottled water, but where? In Mt.Road? Nungambakkam high road? Chetput bridge? Can't really think of a road-side store in these roads on the left side! Got to check out tomorrow. And, for all those who had to live with my reckless driving yesterday, Am sorry!

Gyan #1: Talented are those who can think calmly when in deep sh!t
Gyan #2: People laugh and smirk when you are in deep sh!t. It is for you to clean it up.
Gyan #3: Don’t just curse somebody for reckless driving. May be they are in deep sh!t
Gyan #4: Learn to drive with your shoes on

A Prosaic Tribute

When was it last that you made good friends with somebody?
I did sit and think about this, .and the result was quite shocking! It is almost 3 years since I made a new friend. No, I am not living in a lonely island. Am very much in the IT industry where we all work as a team! But yet, I sincerely feel, that the ability to make new friends is inversely proportional to ones age! I have acquainted a multitude, but friends, a very few..
If making friends is difficult, Parting is painful. I always thought the term 'farewell party' is a good example of a most commonly used oxymoron. What is there to party about a parting? Even if you are living in an era of technological revolution where communication is just a click away, saying goodbye to good friends is difficult! Well, I had to do it, with a couple of 'em today - Two of my friends at work are getting off to take a different route. They have been my comrades in this big bad IT world. Right from the induction as freshers through this 3 1/2 years, an elite few got together to be a 'tea gang'. We just stuck together in rain and shine. Be it technical, practical, tactical, political - we would be of great help and support to each other! In this highly competitive environment, we are sincere well wishers of each other too! It is quite difficult to get a crowd like this... Hats off to this friendship! But this elite gang shrunk and shrunk and today was a big blow with 3 more leaving! We are just 4 now!
Though I claim to be a practical, level-headed, tough minded girl, I have to admit it took some efforts to keep my cool about these best of friends leaving! I very well know that we will be exchanging mails and stay in touch, but it never is like walking to the desk to share a joke. I didn't mean to sound sentimental, but these are words from the bottom of my heart.

Will miss you buddies!

Little Johnny wants to play….In the rain

Almost every blogger from Chennai has updated his/her blogspot about yesterday's rains and here is my two drops to it...
I got up only at 7.30 and everybody at home were talking about the rains. It was really dark and my mom had already decided that I was taking off. Dad said there is no way I could drive 15 kms and get to work. My thatha said 'Switch on the TV, lets see the floods'?! I really didn't feel like taking off, but convincing the people at home and getting to work became difficult with the heavy downpour and dark clouds. I had almost decided to settle on the couch, watch the rain, solve crosswords and laze out.
Just when I realized that we didn't get the newspaper, the power went off! So, no computer, no TV, no paper, and it is not bright enough to read a book. Amma started grumbling that she needed to grind the dough for murukku and wanted to finish some diwali savory on that day. paati thought otherwise. Just like how amma decided that I should take off, Paati thought, amma shouldn't do diwali sweets on a rainy day as this! Thatha also was grumbling about no power, no paper and told it was very irresponsible of dad not to have a transistor that runs on battery. I declared 'I have to get to work'!
Paati couldn't just believe her ears. She thought education and work is too much freedom for women. Mom got angry. Dad tried to reason out. Then the deal was made. If the driver(Narayan anna) comes, I can go to work. They were darn sure he wouldn't make it to work. Who would expect somebody to come from red hills to Kilpauk in this heavy lash! To their irony and my joy, the Narayan anna came. At around 10.40, I was off to work in my zen. Of course, with Narayan anna driving.
For the intensity of the rains/ details about flooded roads, please read other blogs. I thoroughly enjoyed my travel. To and Fro. At the beginning of the road, we'd evaluate, if my zen would make it to the end and then venture into it. In this 30 km drive, and heavy rains, there are a few things I noticed:
* Chennaiaites are seldom hydrophobic and their vehicles are partially amphibious. So what if the road is inundated? As long as the vehicle doesn't float, just hold down the clutch and the accelerator and cross the stretch
* We are entrepreneurial - People had acquired spot jobs on the road. A group of young guys would push the halted vehicles on the road for an agreed amount. They were considerate too. PTC buses are helped for free of cost
* Auto drivers are helpful, handy. To substantiate this, I should narrate a scene. A Tata indica had stopped in knee deep water(knees of a 6 footer) and 2 were finding it difficult to push. An auto driver, who came that way, put his leg out, rested it on the car and turned the accelerator of his vehicle. The car was cleared immediately
* Trees that fell on the roads were not lying around for too long. They were cleared almost immediately and hence the traffic was free flowing
* Motorists were considerate. Even in this heavy rains, they would stop to inform vehicles coming in the opposite direction about the safety in the road they just traveled
* Smart and cautious EB officials. Their timely power cuts prevented electrocution. It was a scary silent night! I realized in such weather, I miss the noise than the breeze from the fan!
* The very next day, after 40 cms of rain, life is back to normal and the Sun is smiling on Chennai!
* Chennai city Traffic police were available in most of the roads helping the public.

Call it politics or election stunt, the rains in Chennai has definitely left behind a feel-good factor!

Pottuko! We did it!

'Ayyo..naan innum mudikave illai..'

No! These are NOT the words of
-A desperate student, who didn't complete his board exam paper
-Somebody seriously ill, worrying about his/her unfinished duties
-A bride, who is called to the stage before completing her make-up
-A doctor, who, half-way thru his surgical procedure, lost the scissors
-A perplexed film director, whose movie's heroine, announces her wedding and pregnancy.
Don't imagine any further...
These are innocent words of a software professional, who didn't complete his tea in cafeteria. If it is such a naive expression over a trivial matter, why blog about it? Well, the expression is naive, but its context is not. Well, to give you a vivid picture, here's the story.
I belong to a gang of s/w professionals, who, from the Day-1 of their career, adhere strictly to schedules. They regularly meet at cafeteria to recharge with tea/coffee twice a day, and get back to work with full vigor. What started as a 'short break', short enough to complete a 4"x3" cup of tea, grew up to be a coffee-table conference in 3 years! What once was considered as a break between work, soon turned out to be work between breaks. The priorities changed over the years. In the first year, more work would demand boycotting of tea sessions. In the 2nd year, work was planned according to avoid boycotting tea sessions. in the 3rd year, work was deferred (mind you - 'not boycotted' - we are still sincere) for tea sessions.
And WHAT is discussed in these sessions? If you are a s/w professional, you wouldn't be asking this question in the first place. For the benefit of those who do not belong here, I should be answering.. Well, Everything in this universe(and sometimes about E.T too) is discussed. Technological advancements, Movies, tv, Sports, Google, Politics, Socio-economic issues, Mythology, Gals, guys, relationships...What not!! You name it..and we've discussed about it! And of course, we sometimes discuss about work too...
Today, the tea session, as usual, was at its best... after about 45 mins, when the professionals thought it was time to get back to work, One o them realised, he hasn't done what he actually came for!! He didn't complete his tea!! But, these days, thats not what we go for!! These days, We don't need the tea to re-fuel.. It's the sessions that we look forward to! and 'Ayyo..naan innum mudikave illai...' just emphasized it!
Now, Do I sound like an experienced s/w professional?

Mazha(la)i...Inimai, kulumai!

Mazhai and Mazhalai...You can never stop admiring...You'll never get bored of it..
It's quite sometime since we had a kid in the family and all of us had almost forgotten how to deal with a baby. Just then, Voila! Like April showers, came my niece(cousin's kid). Now about a year old, living in the same apartment complex, she keeps us occupied all the time!
Just over a foot tall, this little angel keeps everybody enthralled. I prefer referring her language 'mazhalai' than using its English equivalent - 'Babble'. The thamizh word is a lot poetic and meaningful. Her vocabulary is confined to only a handful of words - 'thatha'(grandpa), 'tata'(I wanna go out), 'atha'(aunt), 'mammam'( I need something to eat), 'paapa'(I/ other kids), 'aaiy'(Mostly 'I dirtied my pants' and very rarely, 'I wanna sh*t). Of late, 'aaiy', with rolling eyes and excited expression also refers to Dog (Naaiy - N). More than these words, its her actions and expressions that conveys what she wants and what she thinks! In a couple of months, we are trained interpreters cracking dumb-charades clues. She can direct us to do exactly what she wants without using any words.
The next thing I admire the most in her is the kid's expressions! It is fun to watch the kid react to many of her first encounters with nature and this big bad world! She admires crows and butterflies, tries to catch the ants and millipedes, loves to get wet in the rain, wants to hold the dog's tail, chases to the shadow of a crow and most of all, craves for spicy adult food and dapanguthu music...
I am also fascinated by her grasping and learning capabilities. It is fun to watch the kid learn with perseverance. Did you know that its by practice, that we shoot the eatables from our fingers into our mouth accurately? For a first timer, the hand does not go to the mouth directly. She made a couple of attempts - First time, on to the nose, second on the cheek, and third time, her hand swayed about, but reached the mouth finally!
I can go on and on about this...but what I need to say, our Thiruvalluvar, encapsulated it perfectly in a tongue twister couplet!
'Kuzhal inidhu, yaazh inidhu enbar,
(tham) makkal mazhalai sol kaladhaar'!

Had fun being out of place!

I had mentioned in my previous post about the FH&RA and the people who had come for it. It is the *****( 5 star) and ****(4 star) hotel owners and delegates from all over India! Definitely, a down- to-earth software professional, a cool college student, and an orthodox housewife can never fit in the scene! But we had fun!
The college student (read my brother) asked the s/w professional(read me) for a suggestion on his attire for Sivamani's concert. 'Should I wear formals? or casuals?' I, with all the knowledge acquired over the years on dress-code, gave a sly grin, and said, 'Formal? are you kidding? Go casuals dear brother!' My brother, surprisingly, for once, thought his sis was right, and chose to don his favorite hardly washed jean and a denim shirt to go with it. We reached there and voila! All the men folk were in designer suits!! The most casual attire in the crowd was 'khakis' with a solid color shirt - the business casual in the s/w world!! My brother burnt me down with his stare! Thankfully, two other men were dressed in casuals as him, but they were fellow drummers in Sivamani's troupe! The only soothing factor for my brother is that, his sis was the only gal in salwar, plaited hair and plain face! All the other young women were in trousers with their hair left lose and painted face! So we did quite stand out!
At the doorway, a few gentlemen and ladies, were chatting and smoking! First cultural shock for the orthodox housewife (read my mom). She saw them, raised her brows and exclaimed 'Don't we look out of place?!' But, I could hear her pray to her favorite Gods - 'Don't let my kids get influenced by this!!' followed by a worried look.
We went into a silent auditorium and Sivamani's drums was a real treat..Again, I had mentioned enough about the irrelevant audience in my previous post. For the kind of music - typical 'kuthu', be it a college student or a s/w professional, we wanted to get up and dance... But the audience would sit still as if they were listening to Pandit Ravishankar's sitar or Hariprasad's flute!
After the show, was the most funniest part! the dinner! A well-laid Buffet from Radisson - Obviously veg and non-veg. My mom, already had butterflies in her stomach! She was so scared of mistaking a non-veg dish. Her loyal lieutenants assured to help her out. As soon as we entered the buffet lounge, to the left, was a neatly laid table with colorful glasses of drinks. My cousin, an 8th std. kid, went to the stall, turned to us and asked, grape or apple nectar? Just then, we realized she was asking us to make a choice between, wine and beer. Told her, we don't drink fruit juice on Saturday evenings and brought her from there.
The theme of the dinner was 'Tamilnadu dishes' and on the menu, was Meen kaara kuzhambu, kozhi varuval and eraichi masala - items to be avoided by the veggies.. Mom kept repeating these names in her mind and cross-verified it with the name boards. Then, there was a 'Paalkatti kootu' It was a dish out of grated paneer which looked like grated egg.. After having a mouthful of it, mom had a doubt if that was egg!! to add to the irony, my brother, to have some fun, suggested to my mom, it looked like egg.. She almost threw up. She wouldn't trust my analogy with the name. She went to the waiter, to confirm that it was indeed vegetarian.
There was Mr.Strongs juice bar(BAR??) and they came around giving small pints to sample - color of grape and apple nectar again - Mom refused. On further enquiry we realized it was indeed grape and apple and took the pints. Got reminded of a famous tamil proverb - "panamarathadiyil..."
My brother and I had some fun with a game - The goal of the game, to identify the type of the 'madhubaanam' in people's hands and if possible, infer the 'round' the drinker was indulging himself in, by the way he holds his glass, by the way he behaves silly or walks...
After the dinner and the customary goodbye, we were ready to leave. At the exit, Mr. Strongs, were giving promotional gifts to everybody - A bottle of chamagne, red wine, whiskey :-) My brother and I were thrilled. Mom sighed. After we got it, we realized that they were just look-alikes!! It said Old Secret - COLA, Red Wine - Non Alcoholic, Chamagne - 0% Alcohol. Mom was thrilled! We sighed!
But the evening was indeed good! Was a treat to eyes, ears and mouth!

Mellifluous Thundershowers

Last week's rains had given Chennai a fresh, clean makeover, and I was enjoying my weekend lazing out, and admiring the lush green neighborhood. I had not planned anything for the weekend. I made a few attempts to grab a ticket for 'Maestro' - Illayaraja's live concert, but in vain. The weekend was quite eventful, considering that I did not have any plans until Saturday noon. Dad got an invite for FH&RA's(Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Asscoiation's) All India Convention - Golden Jubilee Celebrations. This is a 3 day convention with lectures in the morn and cultural Shows in the evening followed by good dinner from Radisson. Obviously, our area of interest was the cultural show and the good food.
On Saturday, Sivamani was performing live! I've always been awe-struck by his magical hands. I've heard him in cine-music, I've heard him in instrumental albums, but always in combination with other instruments. Being a lover of soft, carnatic genres of music, I really wondered if a drummer could treat my ears for hours with pleasing music!
It was a treat indeed. The very sight of Sivamani amidst his array of percussion gizmos of all sizes and shapes was breath-taking! And, to see him handle them and produce music out of them is amazing! The rhythm and the charm in his hands weaves a roller-coaster ride for you.. It might be easy to play Indian folk, Indian classical, western folk, western classical, heavy metal one by one - But to flow from one genre to another keeping the rhythm and back-ground note the same was astounding..
The piece I liked the most was his Afro-music with a 'Tarzan hoot'.. It really felt like hanging in the vines of a jungle with Trazan and Jane! I was also thrilled to watch him produce music by tapping his mouth! The hall was acoustically constructed, and the sound waves traveled well. The decibels were at the right level. But for a misfitting audience, the show was indeed a mellifluous thundershower, and I enjoyed getting drenched! The top brass of hospitality industry from all over India was indeed a wrong crowd. They enjoyed his music, but wouldn't react much. It was like shunning from a cool drizzle with a black umbrella on a hot summer evening. Mild claps would be the result of a complicated rendition. I strongly feel, the best applause a musician could get, is the audience involvement. That would encourage him to exhibit his talent to the fullest. This audience participation or rather the lack of it was quite disappointing. At the most Sivamani could get out of the audience was a few rhythmic claps in sync with his performance.

Tangled Knots II - Missed the Miss?

Cast : Betty, Rexx, Tony, Andy, Larry, Sam, Freddy
Betty and Rexx were best of friends. They did their school and college together, but now, have moved to different cities and had lives and interests of their own. Yet, they stayed in touch and were close buddies. Rexx lived in a different town and Betty was with a good crowd of friends in a different city. Betty was a cool socializing gal and she made lotta friends in the city but two special ones - Freddy and Sam. Freddy and Sam were so different from each other! Sam, a genius, was a practical introvert with slapstick sense of humor. Freddy on the other hand, was a party animal, an artist and fun loving. Betty and Freddy got along very well. They had lotta things in common and were very comfortable with each other. But it was Sam with whom Betty was awe-struck! She liked him so much, she wished to impress him. Betty and her friends went for a holiday trip. Betty spent most of the journey with either Freddy or Sam.
It was Betty's birthday. On this special day, she got a surprise gift from an anonymous person! The gift was amazing and expensive. A Swarovski crystal cut intricately into a caged parrot.
But who could have sent it? The gift was just signed 'Your Friend'! How will Betty find this out?!
Is it her lifetime buddy Rexx? Is it the introvert Sam? or Is it the artistic Freddy?
With the help of Sherlock Holmes and Hitchcock of her gang, Betty figured out that it was Freddy! She was elated by the reciprocation of her friendship!! So thoughtful of Freddy!! But what the naive Betty missed, Hitchcock and Sherlock smelled....This is not just friendship! They did tell Betty about it. But Betty was naive and could not/ refused to believe it. The birthday bash went fine and it was obvious to the rest of the world that Freddy was getting interested in Betty. But Betty had no clue!
Will Freddy propose? Will Betty accept? What happens of Rexx and Sam? Do they choose to be her friends? Who will Betty accept if they also choose to propose?

It's for time or my Episode: 2 to answer!

Gyan #1:
Theorem : When you give hints to a girl, it is most likely that her friends will realize your intentions perfectly than the girl herself!
Corollary : If you are interested in a girl, give hints to her friend ;-)

Commercial Break

In the TV world, commercials time more than the episode hours for a mega serial. Here, we'll have commercial breaks only between full episode runs. And it is time for one. That 'DDLJ eh kya?' is over, I would like my readers to come out of that and get ready for the next one. So, relax and analyse the commercials.. The standard of commercials in India is getting to be better. Witty, Cool, chweet, sentimental, acrobatic - what not? They all display a good amount of brain and hard work . And of course, we have the controversial ones, not so good ones and really bad ones.
Talking about the controversial ones, the one that comes immediately to my mind, is the latest Lux Ad, featuring King Khan! Lux Beauty soap which had featured India's top Bollywood Queens like Madhubala, Hemamalini, Madhuri Dixit, Juhi Chawla,Karishma, Aiswarya Rai now has a male! For the first time in 75 years of history!
So, what is the analogy behind this? What was the thought process that led to such a major decision? How did the agency dare to change the legend? What was the business strategy behind this? An analysis at these various aspects in an angle of my own follows... Lets answer the following questions! with a logic
1. Who are the target audience and prospective buyers of the soap?
Girls and Ladies
2. What is the age group in India who are choosy about their soaps?
Now: 12-35
3. Are these prospective buyers naive, uneducated and ignorant?
No
Gone are the days when Ladies believed that a beauty soap can really make them look like Hemamalini or give them that complexion. Gone are the days when the uneducated women goes to the shop and asks for Madhubala's soap or Juhi's soap. And, most importantly, gone are the days when women felt embarrassed to watch a commercial featuring revealing men. It is very, very logical of the ad agency to believe that SRK could get his prospective buyers to watch the commercial than what Kareena can!
Considering the equality in thought and behavior that women are claiming, it's more likely that a person like SRK who has a great fan following of the fairer sex could attract them as well. The most feministic mind would think, if gals can endorse after-shave lotions, why can't guys endorse beauty soaps?
Consider this scenario: Aish endorses and the ad comes up between a mega serial and a couple get to watch it. The scene at home would already be sour as the wife will wanna watch the serial and the husband will want to switch channels. But, when the ad comes up, our man will watch it open-mouthed and the wife will wanna switch channels.
1. Will the wife ever buy the soap?
2. Even if the husband buys it for her, what will she infer from this action?

Considering all the above factors, I think it is quite a brilliant idea to make SRK endorse Lux. Additionally, if the guys also buy the soap, will HLL have anything to lose? ;-)

Tangled Knots I - DDLJ eh kya?

Episode: 4
Jessi actually spotted the chemistry between Raj and Simran. She knew both of them were interested in each other but are not just saying it out..She gave them courage - Raj, the courage to propose and Simran, the courage to accept.
The proposal and the acceptance sequence can itself go for 2 episodes and can be rated 'comedy' - Yes. You read it right! 'C-O-M-E-D-Y' not 'R-O-M-A-N-T-I-C'. But am not going into the details of it. That is in no way related to our analysis on the complexities of human relationships. You might wonder if the first 2 episodes were, if this episode is and will the future episodes be? But as you already know the answer, mega serials neve talk to teh point.
Simran is a good Indian daughter and her Parents are typical Indian, orthodox parents. They love and care for Simran and had great dreams about her wedding. So, when Simran and Raj broke the news to her parents, they flipped out! They can never accept Raj. They can never accept Raj coz he doesn't have a mouche! Simran couldn't just believe it! All for a Mouche?
Yes. All for a mouche..Her parents couldn't imagine being ridiculed by their relatives. They strongly believed that guys without mouche cannot suppot their daughter life long.. Raj and Simran being good kids, decided to wait till her parents agree...
You might wonder, Why can't Raj just sport a mouche?! Well, can you imagine SRK with mouche? For some, it is by birth, they cannot have a mouche. Blame it on God! But losing your loved one for that is too much to ask for!
So, Raj and Simran decide to play the 'waiting game'... From days to months to years...It is 4 years and they are still waiting for her parents to accept.. Their careers lead them to different destinations. In 4 years, they got to meet each other on a daily basis only for about 1 1/2 years. Rest of the days, they were thousands and thousands of miles apart, but just a call away..
Now, relating to the title, will Raj be able to claim Simran's hands with her dad's nod, is for time to answer...

Wait for a new Episode soon..

Tangled Knots I - DDLJ eh kya?

Episode:2
Unlike the mega serials, all the questions of episode one are answered here....

Yes, Preity did propose...
Yes, Rani gave a strong hint. Strong enough for our naive Raj to understand
Yes, Bunty called Simran 'honey' giving her a HINT!
But how did Raj and Simran react to all this?
Amidst all this confusion, Raj and Simran met, by chance.. Right from the very first meeting, it was chemistry and cupid at work...They met in the campus and had a general chit-chat. Going back to the hostel, Simran elaborated the meeting to her friends.. Raj, had spoken about it to Preity...and to Simran's surprise, Preity came and asked her, did you meet Raj?! :-)
Simran and Raj met too often after that..Their paths crossed often... and most of it was a planned coincidence...
Now, you know what happened to Preity, Rani and Bunty....but how each one reacted to the situation sketches their character...
Preity got wild, went to Simran and said 'Beware of Raj and gang. They will use and throw you'?!
Rani was still hopeful...she said... 'Anything can still happen in the next 2 years' and talked no more.
Bunty, was a gentleman...He still was friends with Simran.
Getting back to Raj and Simran - It was getting a little obvious...Simran's friends knew, Raj's friends knew... Though Simran was head over heels in love, she did not show one bit of that, she knew it will not be accepted by her parents.. But they were still good friends....Went around the city, partied et al... Simran was naive...Raj was not... Raj was a scheming lover boy...Planned a bike ride, car drive, sang songs, did everything possible to give a hint...Simran didn't understand one bit..
Here, I should mention about Jessi, Simran's close friend...she was friends with Raj as well...
If, the Pomeranian in HAHK, made it happen for Salman and Madhuri... it was Jessi for Raj and Simran. In fact, she sacrificed one of her exams, to help Raj and Simran...

How did she make it happen? What happens to Raj & Simran?

Wait for Episode 3

Tangled Knots I : DDLJ eh kya?

Episode : 1
Cast : Raj & Simran, Simrans' papa/mama, Rani, Preity, Bunty and a lotta well wishers

Chennai Mt. Road: Simran is driving a white esteem with an 'L' board. Raj is right behind her in a white Maruti, with a group of friends - honking and over-taking Simran's car...he's on his way to a party. They are celebrating Raj's admission into one of the reputed colleges in a different city...No! he doesn't even look at her...
First day of college for Raj and he makes a lotta new friends in class...Babloo, Raj and Guddi happen to become best friends.. Raj was friends with Preity and Rani as well... Both Preity and Rani likes Raj a lot... No! Simran is no where in the college....
A year goes by...We are not sure of what Raj learnt this one year, but by then had made a lotta friends and a few enemies as well. He, for some reason, had impressed Preity and Rani so much that they are having ideas about him! and Of course, that is a well kept secret which Raj is oblivious to.
Chennai Mt. Road: Simran is driving a white esteem with a group of friends..They are on their way to a party, celebrating Simran's admission into one of the reputed colleges in a different city... Raj over-takes her car again, with Babloo and Guddi. They are on their vacation, working on their summer internship... No! he doesn't look at her again...

(What kinda story is this? Won't Raj & Simran meet?)

First day of college for Simran and she makes a lotta new friends in class.. She gets some very good friends in class and they are a gang in the hostel as well. Bunty, Simran's senior, is an all-rounder in college... The first time Simran sees him, is in the college corridor, doing a square drive. Square drive in college corridor?! Confusing?! Well, No explanations... by the way, Bunty is teacher's pet in college and everybody has a good opinion about him...
Bunty introduces himself to Simran and they become good friends...He makes it a point to meet up with Simran in the evenings near the lab and discuss for hours - about Chennai, Microsoft, Silicon Valley, voice recognition and what not?! While they talk current affairs, people around them seem to be rumoring about their affair?! Affair?! But, they are just good acquaintances. Who cares?! This rumor reaches Bunty and Simran as well. Simran just ignores....Bunty thinks deeper...and decides to make the rumor a fact!!
At around the same time, Preity thinks that she should reveal her thoughts to Raj... She is thinking of proposing to him! But Rani is cleverer. She thinks she might not be able to take the rejection and hence decided to drop hints about her feelings for Raj..
Well, Is Raj smart enough to catch Rani's hints? Did Preity propose to Raj? Did Bunty succeed in making the rumor true? Above all, did Raj & Simran ever meet?

Wait for Episode 2

Tangled Knots - The Beginning

How do mega-serials(Indian Soap) get their story?
Why are the story-lines of mega serials usually "one liners" or "two liners"?
What does it take to write a 'mega serial'?
If watching a serial a 'time killer' or the dumbest thing one can do, Imagine thinking soo much about it?! Worst, is to think of writing something of that sort in a blog!! But, I have strong story lines!! All real-life characters, characters, who are my friends, whom I have heard about...each of them exhibit the complexities of human relationships!! I have enough to write about... Enough to make another 'Chithi', 'Anni', 'En thozhi..En kadhali..En manaivi', 'Oru pennin kadhai' and what not...
But do you have the patience to read them?! Well, these blogs are more for my CUGs..People who know the character exists..People who can associate their friends with my characters...
Why am I writing them if only CUGs will enjoy? I just wanted a medium to record the complexities, characters....Write down the current 'affairs' and later look back at the history... Now,
Will it be of any use to you? Absolutely 'No'....By any chance, if it is, it is purely 'unintentional'.
Will the episodes that follow, make you cry? mmm...That depends on your EQ...the living characters mostly laugh at them....but if it still makes you feel sober, the author is in no way responsible.
Such a mega serial will always begin with a disclaimers:
1.'All the characters in the following episodes are purely fictional. If there are any resemblances to real life characters, it is purely intentional. But, the author is not to be blamed.'
2.The author reserves the right to twist the story line for various reasons... Increasing the viewership is definitely not one.

Manager's Day Out!

IT is an industry that requires continuous learning! Who said so?
You'll have to be technically good to climb the ladder faster! Who said so?
Are managers still learning? Were your managers technically good? Well, I got to find out the answers for all these questions in the hardest way possible..
What will happen if a manager decides to learn technically and picks you up to teach, coz you do a great job!
Well, on the surface, that looks like a compliment - a token of appreciation..
When a manager, who takes home 10 times your gross, actually wants to learn from you, you are elated.. well, that's only THE beginning!
I guess the above statements, if not the title, gave the required build up to explain how hard it is to be a teacher to a manager...
If the manager, was the baby, I play the role of the kidnappers, yeah plural!...had to suffer as much as the three put together did..
It all started as a simple request from my humble ex-manager - 'I might need your help in learning this',
I was too obliging, told a 'sure' right away..and added it with 'call me over whenever you need help' and later realized 'HELP' is a relative term!
For me, 'help' was answering his questions, and assisting him if the study material was not explanatory enough..
but for my manager, 'HELP' was literally baby-sitting...sitting and flipping the pages of his study material and telling him where to find things, how to drag and drop, how to right-click...ugh!
Does this remind you of your 1st std. teacher who taught you computers?! atleast, I felt like that!
If teaching was this difficult, escaping a day's class, is a nightmare...Everyday, my 1 hour drive to office, is spent scheming of ways to escape the class..with Radio Mirchi for BGM
I would come up with many reasons like, onsite calls, quick fix, emergency work request and escape the class for a day... the next day will be hell...The conversation would be:
'I had to wait for 1 hr yesterday and you didn't turn up to teach'..
'But, last minute request',
'Yeah, but you cold have told me earlier'
(in my head:'how can I anticipate a last minute request dumbo!')'yeah..am sorry'
'I wanted to finish this, but was browsing..I would have atleast gone home'
(in my head:'browsing? what do you do otherwise?!)'May be, you can go through the sessions and collect your questions'
'But, I waste time hunting for things, itz easier if you are around'
(in my head:'I am not you seceretary dumbo!')'But, the ppt is very good, self-explanatory'
'Can you spend 1 hour today?'
'!!!!!!!!' :-((((
Ironically, this ex-manager, few months back, had given a piece of advice for my colleague, who complained about his rating.
and it goes like this: 'You are out of college and should adapt to self-paced learning' at work, nobody is going to spoon-feed'
!!!!!!!
My daily prayers: oh God, Please don't make me dumb as I go up the ladder.. even if I am, let my dumbness not show, even if it shows, let it not affect others..

Treasure Trove

Pondicherry…
Better known to the world for Auroville, beach resorts, French colony and to the lesser mortals for tax-free alcohol... This little union territory turned state unfolded as a treasure-trove when I visited the place last weekend. The visit wouldn’t have been such an eye-opener had I not gone through the hassle of furnishing a house with very little funds. Especially, when you want an aesthetic look, with a lot of wood, it costs you a fortune..
The designer in me had loads and loads of ideas, but very little funds…Part of this unaffordable dream was wooden pillars, a wooden swing, and a diwan. We needed them for our living room, to recline and laze out aesthetically …After checking out the stores in the metros, we decided, living rooms do not need them after all…We can still live there and laze out in our old furniture.
Some divine soul had told dad that they sold used furniture in Pondicherry… Furniture, used by the French/Dutch of Pondy, Chettiars of Karaikudi, Mughal descendants of Karaikal, Zamindars of a better world and many other ancestors… If new furniture is very expensive, used furniture should still be expensive, but, we decided to give it a try.
Lo! Behold! (guess that is the expression for amazement in antique English) ...Suddenly, Pondicherry was a whole new(Should I say ‘old’?) world... Furniture world…Antiques....Elaborately designed, intricately carved, remarkably strong furniture…Lying there with all its serenity attained through age…They have outlived mankind and have witnessed the high and low of life – prosperity and poverty, royalty and rubble.. Pillars that once adorned mansions, cots that lulled the rich, chests brimming with silk and gems, now dismantled and at the mercy of the trader for its life and lusture.
Getting back to reality, all this, for a very affordable price. We bought a lorry load of furniture which was quite a variety – pillars, a swing, a chest, a diwan – all this for INR 28,000!! All’s well so far…But how can human mind accept satisfaction this easily?! DOUBT! and DISTRUST! crept into our minds.. If it is this less expensive, can it be genuine?
I looked into WWW for satinwood...coz we hadn’t heard about it before, it says, this is a rare durable wood...and there is an American website selling antique pillars which is around $4500 per piece!! If the pillar we bought has xylem relations with what is flashed in this website, it triggered a serious thought in me…
Like the colonial days, we are still being looted…. We are being looted not only by the East India company, but by companies from East, West, North and South now! The riches of India, is being bought for a few thousands from our struggling small scale traders, and is being sold for outrageous rates abroad…
So, if you are thinking of buying furniture, take a look at the shops in metro, then go to Pondicherry....and look at the tiny shops there.... you might not only end up as a happy customer but would really help in retaining wealth and prosperity in India…It might not be practically possible to help the traders get more money, but you can stop the riches of India from being exported…