Ganesh - Ramya: Reception

Ganesh - Ramya: Reception

My dance at bally day

My dance at bally day

Kodaikanal + Elixirs

Kodaikanal : We all knew that a trip was badly needed, and it conceptualized on a friday evening get together.Ooty was the initial suggestion but things hazed out while we were watching the Rajasthan Royal VS Delhi daredevils in ascendas giant screen. Things did not take off, untill when rajarajan took up matters. The treat that was supposed to be went off as a planned get together rather. The trip: It is a noteworthy moment to write about how each of us caught up the train in the first place and the run-up to it. The train start time was said as 10:20 in the evening, and nobody even cared to pack for the trip with that luxury of time. Then it was sheepishly said as 8:20, game-on. Santhosh decided to call off for the day, while I went of with the daily chores. No rush and it was 6, so nonchalantly I walked off from office and reached home after shopping around at 7:30. People kept calling me and I kept giving bogus reports, when it was 7:50 - I realised it is going to be a rush to the train. I came to beach station around 8-05 and had a train taking off - with a long ticket queue, I skipped the tricket queue and took the train but it never really started till it was 8:08. I got at Egmore in 7 mins that made the clock to hold its hands at 8:17. I made a call and rushed to the train. phew, it really was an adventure to begin with.

Everybody else were cozying themselves up at the wagon. There was this huge gang of boarding- high-schoolers. We just could not take our eyes off. The conversation kept rolling, was a great evening. We had a quick dinner with whatever we rationed. Seshathiri joined us at Tambaram and the stories kept rolling from the vault. Atleast myself and a couple of guys had some sleep of say 4 hrs. Woke up around 6:30 - 7 torealise the train is running late and will be about 1 hrs late in reaching the staion. Ours is a set that you could associate with a college gang, for all of us had similar humble roots. Meanwhile one of the highschool gang pairs managed to get down and play some ball game while the train was stationed. The wretched kids got some stick from the TTR .

It was the dawn of the dragon warrior, no - no our very own rajarajan aka stalin got to his hometown of dindigul. In a few snaps and jokes time took us to kodai road. This is the starting point of BSB backseat boys debate. No hassles till we reached the foothills, but within a 5 km ascent up the hill - it was half boils all over. It was racing at its very best between our vehicle and a goverment bus. We crossed the bus several times but we were unable to match the consistency of the bus. With great bit of resilience we arrived Silver falls and in a few moments we reached main Kodai.

We stationed ourselves at the guest house behind coaker's walk. Tiredness/eagerness was taking turns like switching channels between a melodious song and a live t20 match. The entire crew was hungry,and we knew there could hardly be a nap. Had a good shower in the cold water. The other guys were very reluctant to accept that I just had a cold shower. Got to a hotel and began the proceedings with a breakfast, as planned and as it panned out: the agenda was to see main Kodai in the first day. Coaker's walk , Park, Boating and what else?. We had just enough time to see things without any rush or boredom either. It was around 5,pretty tired and dusted - we got into their hard fought seats. Along the way we crossed through some interesting places. We went through a passage of a small stream with huge tree covers - had lots of clicks. I personally was not able to take my eyes of the plastics and waste thats been put up all over the place. It was pretty late when we reached poompaarai and God! weren't we hungry. A special thanks to the rangers there for the quick meal (chappathi and chicken curry)- which was DELICIOUS, pity sesha that he is a vegetarian. We finished the meal with a twinkle in the eyes and were glad to call it a day. In the night though rajarajan managed to get himself a night safari.














We had to get early the next morning to have ourselves a trek.Yeah!.. trek. Not that long a trek, but it really took a toll on us, as the path was steep upwards. Phew, finally we managed to get to this huge tank had a few interesting photo shoots and the descent was nothing comparatively. Next stop was mannavanur dam. wow! what a view it was?. Serenity was finally discovered and had a few blissful moments. Had a long walk across the lake's periphery to a puddle of shrubs which looked like a green hillock to suit its enchanting beauty. When we got back to poompaarai, we were teased with the fact that lunch got over in the nearby eatery. We rumbled ourselved to the village in search of something to eat, but it was around 3 and there was nothing much we could get. We bought ourselves lots of snacks some curd and thought of steaming some rice, when we get back to the guest house. Got to go, oops, was the call. It was late already and we had to quick start and go to Berijam. Supposedly you need lots of papers to pass take this route and goto Berijam.

We stopped at a nearby village enroute, found a real good eatery and it was just like home food, atleast for me. Back on road, we soon reached Berijam. It was about 5 in the evening and we were greeted to a near empty village. Just the kind of setting that we urban dwellers would love to be in, but the flipsyde being no electricity and the sort of creepy feeling owing to the emptiness of the village. Giving you a feeling as though the hills have eyes. Doesn't matter we had lots for company and there we were playing cricket with a wooden pole. it ended with some sledge on prakash, resulting him to hit straight to the bushes. We had nothing to do but to take a walk around the village. The entire area was quite exotic. The mood soon started to become romantic with a camp fire being raised, we had an interesting chat with Stalin's father, straight talk over how things politically are in the government sector.

The camp fire was poetic, the more so because it was a real camp fire - not something done for namesake. We burnt lots of wood and the flames were dancing in the chilly wind. The light was dying but carried a tinge of photogenic blue and it painted a silhouette around the trees.Not much sporty bunch we were, else there would have been an anthakshari or something I am sure. We soon retired to our pretty dark rooms. The local workers prepared another feast for us, this time the cooking was real neat and was wholesome. We just laid back and enjoyed the evening. For one day I am sure the lack of TV, internet and urban coziness was forgot and we were just happy about it. Every now and then during the entire trip people flipped open their mobiles to some interesting songs. We had to have a good sleep, coz the next day there was a
real long trek to be taken.

This is the mother of all treks that I have endeavored. To begin with it was 1. 8-10 kms trek from start point to end point. 2. A real wild trek, there were not many before you or after you either, we had no clue of what lies ahead. The ascent took about two hours to go there. It was like an african safari sans animals. We had to cross passages of water, prairies, steep boulders, dense foliage.. The main problem was the chilly feeling that the small leaches managed to evoke, can't bear that feeling of something lurking over your body. we had various pitstops and finally we got to this huge dam ,"ahhh! yes, atlast". We returned back had break fast and got back to main Kodai. We spent the rest of the afternoon shopping fruits, herbals, chocolates and the regulars. We managed to see some feminine green that made our testosterone tickle our brains,
while we were having some lunch. Yeah, happens every other day, wherever be it. The entire trip ended with a final trip to rajarajan's father's city residence, we managed to have a closer look at some heavy artillery.

Had a light chat, the best thing and bad thing was that we almost had too much time for everything. So finally the day ended with we signing off from Kodaikanal and the night reached with we arriving at pazhani. Did our dinner, had a few laughs and then it was finito - arrival at Tambaram, chennai. Hey, I almost forgot its time for me to start to office, catch you in my next blog.

SDLC

SDLC

நாளும் பிறந்ததா? பறந்ததா? காலமில்லை, பார்க்கவில்லை - பாகம் பிரிவரிய
ஓட்டத்தின் நாயகர்கள் நாங்கள், நேரமில்லை - நலமறிய, நட்புற
இயல், இசையோ, நாடகமோ - ஏற்றவில்லை, இயக்க இயங்க
மாற்றத்தை செலுத்துபவர்கள் நாங்கள், மாறுவதில்லை மைந்தனின் மனம்


விந்தை வினோதம், நான் மனிதன் என்னை தொடரும்
அதை கொண்டு செலுத்தும் வேதம் - மென்பொருள் கருத்துயிர்க்கும்
அந்த வேதத்தின் வேகமும் பின் வேகமும் ஓட்டமும்
மூளையை கொய்திட , எங்கள் நாட்களும் கடக்கும்

கரு, உரு , உயிர் - என சக்கரம் சுழல
எங்கே என்ன எது, எனும் இடம் பொருள் மறந்திட
என்னை எனும் நொடி, அது தூக்கத்தில் உணர
கண்கள் விழித்தும் நிற்கும் எந்த நாளும் ஒரு போல


கோடையில் மழையுண்டு, மார்கழிபோல குளிருமுண்டு
அந்த தூரலில் தூக்கம், பின் தேநிர்க்கு திரைப்படம்
குளிரும் பொழுதில் மனதின் போக்கில் உறைவதும் உண்டு
வசந்தம் வந்தால் பருவக்கால பறவைகள் ஆவோம் நாங்கள்

80s and 90s in India

80s and 90s in India

Having born in the first half of eighties, my generation saw the launch of cable TV, cartoons, WWE(WWF), POP music, internet and several other things that would make up and shape up the minds of the young minds of India in the years to come.

Let me take you through this unique experience with first hand records on music, culture, lost breeds, urban scenes, travel, TV,cinema and a whole lots of stuff.VCR and VHS tapes were huge words in those days, a TV was almost there in any middle class family but it was just transforming from the black and white cathode tubes to color televisions. Brands like dianora, solidaire and Onida were ruling the roost. In my case there was this other brand called Crown which came out with Cresida series, promoting through campaigns like Color Crown Cressida.

TV/Cinema/Music and lifestyle (fall 80s and early 90s)

I could remember the scenes as silent yet closely bound(thanks to big families). Doorsharshan was doing a great job in bringing out shows like Turning point, superman series and several other shows from BBC - National Geographic and some home made. National programme was introduced in 1982. In the same year, colour TV was introduced in the Indian market with the live telecast of the Independence day speech by then prime minister Indira Gandhi on 15 August 1982, followed by the 1982 Asian Games being held in Delhi. The 80s was the era of Doordarshan with soaps like Hum Log (1984), Buniyaad (1986-87), comedy shows like Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi (1984) and mythological dramas like Ramayan (1987-88) and Mahabharat (1988-89) glued millions to Doordarshan. Other popular programs included Hindi film songs based programs like Chitrahaar and Rangoli and crime thrillers like Karamchand .A few background music loops from those are still ringing in my ears. Some are mocked and some lost in today's scene. "Takeshi's castle" is a reminiscent of its originals - a similar programme from Germany called telematch. Didi's comedy show (Jetix) was running in DD.Nobody would miss out Oliyum Oliyum.I fondly remember people talk in conjuction with that, in similar ways with which soap serials are done these a days. Old never miss out the Thamizh news and the young ones are made to watch the same. There were a few great series and a few social awareness cartoons that still lingers(Ek Anek - surprisingly sung by Shreya Goshal). It was an era when nobody complained that there is only one channel, but out of the blue doordharshan came out with this thing called METRO channel and regional channels. METRO channel was a huge hit as it aired many songs and movies and thus opened an entertainment chapter in TV. I remember the pongal comedy pattimandram where in there was a topic of Pasu maadu VS Eruma Maadu, nattupura paatu by Dr. Vijayalakshmi Navaneethakrishnan- remember the songs- onnam padiyirangi,2aam padiyirangi. The trend of airing programmes late through the night came up and people began to sleep late, wake up late and all that jazz.

Before going into the next few phases of television and a different period, VHS tapes and VCR require a special mention. VHS tape rental was the staus quo in those days, almost anybody would have watched atleast 2-3 movies in it. In those days the VCR player would go for rounds along with the tapes, what it did along with entertainment is that it opened up the gateway to the west. People began to speak about movies like Terminator, Star trek, Home alone, Rambo,Rocky etc."Maine pyaar kiya" and "Sholay" were bought all over India as VHS tapes .It lived a short life just like today's VCD vs DVD vs Bluray, as cable TV and tamil channels burst open the scenes.VHS tapes were still made but only for communal functions. It was a lifestyle product not to mention washing machines which were prototypes in those days. Videocon came by and introduced the first generation - with tag line "It washes, it rinses, it even dries or clothes, in just a few minutes", there was this other brand which taglined - " I am taking this with me to Japan" - guess it is citizen. A special mention to rajini has to be made, it was during this period that he gained to superstardom, every damn movie will run just for his presence. Strangely in all his movies he would be named as "Raja". The music loops were boring but it would be made up by excellent sequencing and extraordinary voices (SPB and Susheela).

Jeans ang baggies /Salwar kameez would dominate in the years to come. Frocks were worn only by anglo-indian teachers and lil girls,Skirts had a natural death. TShirts and round-necked shirts came into existence. Baggies gave way to the current anti-fit trend and bell-bottoms had a hair-cut and is renamed as boot-cut pants. It was the days of Complan boys and complan girls, along with it came "Boost is the secret of my energy". Brands like Bournvita,MILO, MALTOVA etc did well. Do you guys know that the original complan girl and boy is Ayesha Takia and Shahid Kapoor. The advertisement industry with the arrival of heavyweights like Coke, PEPSI made bollywood what it is today (wiped out local colas like Kalimark, bovonto,fruitnik, goldspot) . BSA came with the revamped cycles along with Lady bird series targeted at girls. LUNA the predecessor of sunny/scooty made a simple run. Chennai was becoming a smaller place.

What metro channel and late VHS culture brought to India is Michael jackson, Bryan adams, Madonna and other big names. MJ's 80's phenomenon was grappling India only in the late 80s and early 90s. One has to say MJ made Prabhudeva what he is today.

TV/Cinema/Music and lifestyle (94+ 2000s) AR Rahman era

It was the days of Junoon,Karamchand ,Dekh bhai Dekh(an Indian version of "Mind your language" -BBC sitcom). Rewinding I remember Junoon being cast as "Pidivaatham" in tamil as well. The colorful days almost had no complaints. There is a saying called "All good things are free", and now with Tata sky - I fondly reassure myself thinking of how joyous those days were. Jain TV can be hailed as the original Cartoon network : It broadcasted very old cartoons, and thus educating young minds with fables and fairy tales. It brought about a show called "manal manidhan' which never was broadcasted - but , "Mann.. the promo was scary".

Nobody will forget those two weeks of Oliyum oliyum, where in songs from Roja were played in TV. AR Rahman just changed the way music was heard and composed. Firstly "Chinna chinna aasai" and "Pudhu vellai mazhai" in the second week. It sent chills down the spine in every sense. It was played over and over in AIR, and what a moment it was. The coming years brought in a huge chapter in Indian media, cable TV. Star Plus, Star Movies, Star Sports, Jain TV, Sun TV along with the cablewala's own channels were in the cart. What transcended down then is history.Sun TV came late into the scene -in cable, even though it was on air (It was exclusively for dish holders). Star plus was the entertainment option and MTV asia was the only music channel. Sun TV claimed fame with its original soaps like Rahuvamsam and psychedelic shows like Marma dhesam. It got everybody's attention fair and square.

Buses were rebranded as MTC from Pallavan, and 4 stroke bikes like 4s champion and 2stroke Yamaha took over from Royal enfield and bullets in the early nineties (which were superceded by splendour and subsequently by pulser). The scooters were officially scrapped off from existence. TVS 50 rallied all over Tamilnadu. Brand consciousness increased and Mount road was and partly is the hoarding street carrying movie stars as well as brands and ad campaigns. Complexes grew around mount road and attracted youth from college road - making Nungambakkan, T Nagar grew up to what it is today. The entire lifestyle thing had lots to do with IT, and the trend of big salaries. Globus, lifestyle jumped into the act and forced Naidu hall, saravana stores to reinnovate. Chennai grew as a city massively from 85 to 2k, creating many districts and making way for single family culture.Ethnic and casteist gatherings were soon shrugged off as the land rates increased. Chennai became the capital city in real sense by carrying a healthy diaspora of people from all ethnic backgrounds.

http://nonstriker.wordpress.com/2007/08/01/the-best-of-the-best-made-better/

1996 saw cricket world cup being aired and played all over India. 1998 was the year of Sachin and "The Desert Storm". Between 1996 and 2001 "Pistol" Pete Sampras ruled all grass courts. Schumacher was the God of Speed and Tiger Woods was and is the smooth criminal. Michael Jordan was flying all over the basketball court.Definitely it was the days of Titans.

Late 90s and 2000s saw POP music and band culture at their peak again. There was a band here, there and everywhere. Many a names revolved around this period and now it is in Hip hop mode. Got to say that the hype has gone down a bit. The desi fication of MTV took place and consequently VH1 was born. Suddenly India fit in the global puzzle big time.

WWF was a big craze - children who din't know about it - were clowned off, from classes. It was making its rounds as Trump cards, stickers, post cards, VHS tapes and all such memorabilias, a recent trend that i could associate it to is Power rangers or something of that range. It had a natural death when superstars from WWF went on to join WCW nitro, which did not take off that well. It was the era of Hitman VS Diesel.Preceeded by yokozuna, undertaker etc. The 2000 reincarnation saw rock VS HHH VS Stone cold raise above all, and let all hell loose. Thereafter with CAS system, the craze did not go off well with viewers.

Food/Festivities and Scenes (fall 80s and 90s)

Nobody will forget the festivities of yesteryears and how special they were. The festivities were more religiously observed and intensely celebrated. The sweets preparation and home decor will start - one week prior to the actual day. They would also be on a stringent budget and would be very much a family affair with all regrouping at one place. It is only on these days that families will be able to afford for new clothes. People will look forward to the festival very much for many such reasons that it all would make a pongal or deepavali very special. Which is not the case these a days.

Food has not changed much - but the way it has been prepared has. People are opened up to many new dishes (indian and international), though i would say fast food culture was an entirely 2000+thing. The traditional Geetha nivas, or Vasudheva bhavan or an Udipi hotel saw a slump.The reverse effect came into existence from 2002 onwards where in, people searched for authentic south indian (home made) food. Hotels like Rathna cafe, Murugan idli kadai stayed authentic, while saravana bhavan became contemporary. Pizza became a buzz word and made a grand entry with Dominos, pizza hut and pizza corner. In reality they were just not affordable. The goli soda and paneer soda were completly wiped off from the city by 2001. North Indian traditional dishes like Kachoris/samosas and their "CHAAT" stalls were well recieved late in this period and opened up another dimension. It has become a rare sight to see "Kai yaendhi bhavan" these a days. I remembered fondly of them, when I visited to a temple in AP, the stretch from our hotel to the shrine was reminiscent of yesteryears.

There is an account of people missing from Chennai in the mentioned period, those rare species are spotted here and there nevertheless.

http://chennai.metblogs.com/archives/2007/10/the_missionary_agenda.phtml