Subash's World

An incident from the 80's, at IIT Madras

2012-01-12T21:12:00.004+05:30

Now that Saarang, the annual cultural festival of IIT Madras is around the corner what better time to write about a true and an amusing incident that took place in the campus during the mid eighties, a time when Saarang used to be called Mardi Gras. I have a friend, an old timer who has made IIT M his home since his B.Tech days (now a Professor there) who can testify that this incident is no Urban Legend.

Hostel rules in those days weren't too strict. Inmates didn't have to be in their rooms on time and during the Mardi Gras season it was normal to find IITians hanging around their hostels past the witching hours.

So it is around 10:30 PM and four hostel inmates are taking a stroll back to their hostels in one of those dark and lonely roads that snake through the campus. This one in particular runs behind the newly built computer science block (built in the mid 80's) and in front of the hockey ground and tennis courts. If you were proceeding inwards into the campus from the Velachery gate, this road starts on the immediate left after the NCC building. In those days when the green and forests were thicker you would'nt take this road alone in the dark particularly if you were walking. I will never forget the incredible sight of a serpent entering a termite hill on a morning jog on that road. Now that’s another interesting story but I’ll save that for another post.

Coming back to our story, bear in mind that this was a time when cell phones were non-existent. Had they been then this incident would'nt have been so amusing. In fact it would not have taken place at all.

For sake of anonymity we’ll call our IITians, Siddharth, Adithya, Chaithanya and Pranay. As they are walking on that road, unknowing to Siddharth and Adithya, Chaithanya and Pranay have already conceived a mischievous trick on the other two.

“250 bucks for the one who can walk butt-naked for 5 minutes on this road now.”, Chaithanya bursts out.

While Siddharth, wasting no time has completely removed all of his clothing, Adithya has removed his Tee and is just about to unzip his pants. Meanwhile Pranay and Chaithanya knowing that their plan had worked perfectly well grab the clothes of the naked guy and the semi-nude guy and flee the scene. Siddharth devoid of any clothing and knowing he can no longer trust anyone grabs Adithya and clings to him, never letting him go. None of the promises from Adithya about fetching him clothes from his hostel room can convince Siddharth. Like a parasite holding tenaciously onto its
host, there was no way he was going to let go off Adithya.

So now what? The 2 plus Km stretch to the nearest hostel seemed like an endless journey ahead. The only light on the road were from the dimly lit bulbs of the street lights. Fortunately these street lights weren’t placed close to one another and there were long patches of darkness between two successive lamp posts. At this late hour there was hardly anyone on that road too. Another advantage but one far from offering a solution to the dilemma.

Siddharth pushes Adhithya to a bush nearby to discuss plans. Just as they are discussing they notice someone not very far flashing a light at them. "Are the pranksters back, calling the joke off?". This is their first thought. "Or is it another friend who having heard the story from Chaithanya and Pranay, is back with clothes? As the light comes closer to the place where they have been hiding, much to their vexation, they realize it is the security guy on duty trying to figure out what the sudden commotion behind the bush was. As he approached the bush yelling “Who’s there”, naked guy Siddharth slips out from behind the bush and takes cover behind a nearby tree. In the darkness he prays nothing nips, pricks or takes a bite at him or more importantly, his essentials. The bushes are so full of insects. Garden lizards, scorpions and snakes thrive in these bushes too. As the security guy approaches the bush with caution, semi-nude Adithya raises his hand telling him not to come any closer. "Why? What's going on there?" asks the watchman on night-duty, to which Adithay replies saying "My stomach's upset and I am easing myself out. I couldn't find a toilet nearby." A perfect lie to deter the inquisitive security guy from coming any closer and it worked. Letting the the chap take his time to finish what he started, the security guy went away. He left though puzzled at what he had just encountered. As soon as he was out of sight, Siddharth rushed back to Adithya and pounced on him like a predator. He was taking no chances and the thought of Adithya ditching him and making a dash to the hostel and leaving him alone was impaled on his mind so firmly that he he decided he was not going back naked to his hostel. Afterall he was clinging on to Adithya not only for comfort but for "cover" too.

It was then the thought of one of their seniors working late at the lab came to their mind. They could reach him as the building wasn't so far away though it was a detour from the road they were taking.

Time was ticking. Picture this. One naked guy clinging on to a semi-nude guy moving from bush to bush, tree to tree all along the stretch of the road and then running to the nearby building to take cover. Small streets, pathways, corridors and stairways where they had walked free were treated like enemy trenches. Once they had reached the building they were happy to see lights on the floor where the senior would work. A few others also seemed to be working that night. Now they had to avoid them as well. Moving cautiously they were able to scale the steps, reach the floor and get to the room. But alas, luck had run out on them! The room though lit was locked from the outside. An idea then crossed Adithya's mind. "What if we get to a rest-room and lock ourselves inside a toilet waiting for the next day.", he asks Siddharth. But then the thought of being caught naked and the prank becoming an unforgettable insult of his college life forced the words "No way!" from Siddharth. "Let's Get back.", he yelled to Adithya. With perfection and precision, avoiding any detection they get back to the trees and bushes of the road from where they had taken the detour.

Having lost the only hope of help Siddharth and Adithya's only choice left was to head back to their hostel. No small bush or tree was neglected as long as it gave cover from occasionally passing cyclists, motorists and other vehicles. Pedestrians were few but they were the worst as they were slow in passing by and chances of being noticed by them was high. It was already past midnight but it hardly mattered to our duo.

By then news of the duo had spread and inmates were all woken to witness the spectacle of the duo’s arrival. What a reception awaited the duo when they ultimately reached the hostel. It was 1:30 A:M.

A very happy new year, 2012

2011-12-30T21:45:00.001+05:30

Here's wishing all you readers of my blog, a very Happy New Year!

And My Marantz PM 57 sings again....

2011-11-25T17:21:00.006+05:30

What a solemn moment it was when Praveen of Vipul Electronics connected my loyal amplifier to the Sony CD player and the pair of Sonodyne bookshelf speakers and when I told him that I will be switching it on. With The Police's "Zenyatta Mondatta" CD inside I switched my amplifier on and it starts playing like I heard it the very first time, flawless and beautiful. After the September 11, 2001 attacks I put my hi-fi gear away in storage in California before returning to India. Later I managed to get my amplifier and CD player but not the remainder of the gear. So after 10 years my Marantz still plays beautifully. I had actually purchased it and the CD player in 1998.

It is also a moment of great joy to know that Marantz (this time the PM 6004) won the Product of the Year Award at this year's What HiFi annual awards (held just weeks ago) in the Integrated Amplifier category. There couldn't have been a better coincidence.

The Sonodynes were no comparison to the Klipsch KSB 3.1's that I used to own (now sitting in a garage in the U.S) but the Sonodynes did their best bit and I was impressed to buy a pair. Within a few days they have already gone beyond the "break-in" stage. I also managed to find the sweet-spots after some moving around and re-positioning.

Let me hope someday I'll get my Klipsch's back and my brilliant Definitive Technology subwoofer too.

Kajal wasn't here

2011-11-21T13:15:00.002+05:30

Though she is the heroine of the movie I had my doubts if she would be part of the crew that was shooting at my office. My guess was right. Kajal wasn't here. But Surya was. One guy even managed to take pics with him.

For a moment I thought I had missed a memorable moment.

Kajal Aggarwal shooting at my place of work!

2011-11-19T18:41:00.003+05:30

I am astonished at how sometimes things you love so dearly can suddenly appear so close and so soon. It was only around last year this time I was watching her in "Magadheera", so many times and now Kajal is shooting in Chennai in the very place I work? Actor Surya is here too. As I was heading in that direction today, I did visit office and the floor where the shoot is going on. Unfortunately I wasn't able to see her or Surya. Should I stay put? Wait for her like those die-hard fans waiting to catch a glimpse of their idol? The security guy at our building was telling me that the unit was going to be there for both today and tomorrow. Unfortunately I have other work to do. Oh Kajal, how close and yet how far!

A winning Rangoli design

2011-10-26T13:22:00.001+05:30

When the participants of this winning team started adding the "Champankee" flower (I love its strong fragrance) to the left and right edges of the rangoli decoration at the competition during the Diwali celebrations at my client's place, I was only thinking that they were going to ruin it. But I was in for the surprise when I took the picture. The flowers actually made it look like a carpert. It stood out from the rest of the competition. The simple idea of placing the flowers made this design unique among other entries. Click on the pics to view them full-sized.

Here were the other entries. This one was from the freshers.

In my opinion, this next entry deserved second place.

Instead this one took second place.

Why it is called the Rhinocerous Beetle

2011-09-30T08:57:00.000+05:30

Even on the last day at my home nature doesn't fail to please me. I found this rhinocerous beetle which I snapped immediately.

Here's another pic.

And in this one, the bug looks very similar to the animal it takes its "first" name from. Click the pics to view them full-sized.

Last days at my current home

2011-09-22T09:04:00.000+05:30

That portion of the earth used to be mine.

My new buyer will take possession of my home in October. Luckily I found a place in the colony just a stone's throw away from my home. Whether I'll get to live in an independent home again, only time will tell.

Chaithu is a teen now

2011-09-17T09:40:00.004+05:30

Just took this pic of him on his 12'th birthday this morning before he boarded his school bus.

He also gets his first mobile phone today.

Metallica in India, this October

2011-09-14T07:30:00.003+05:30

The Thrash-metal giant whose fans number in the thousands or maybe even millions in India is on tour and will be visiting us in October. As things stand they will be performing in Delhi on the 28'th of October and then at Palace Grounds, Bangalore on the 30'th. Tickets are being sold at www.dnanetworks.com and www.ticketgenie.com. Get them before they are gone. Am I going? Donno but have never been a fan of Metallica like some of my friends are. Maybe I'll change my mind later.

Happy Onam!

2011-09-10T08:55:00.000+05:30

Close to her 70's, waking up at 4:30 AM and arduously working on the "Pookalam" is something that my mother deserves to be commended for, when I can't do the same at my age. She was actually asking me to come and take a picture but I could do so only at around mid-day. The "Pookalam" was fairly fresh.

And here are the next gen beside Amma's Pookalam.

To all my readers, wish you a very Happy Onam!

The Hindu's poor standards

2011-09-08T08:15:00.000+05:30

For several years now "The Hindu" has been publishing gory pictures in full colour in its daily publication and today is no surprise. To wake up early morning to see blood-splattered images of torn bodies (there is a decapitated torso of a human in today's pic) is just disgustingly sickening. There are kids that read the newspapers everyday and I wonder if there is any such standards in publishing such pictures. Today's picture is on the frontpage. Oddly when Osama Bin Laden was killed, pictures did not appear on the front page. The Hindu also published a note near the photographs of the dead Osama and his aides saying that due to the gory nature of the pictures, they were being printed in Black and White and that is how they were published. Not that I wanted to view Osama's pics in colour but when leading T.V channels are following standards by either morphing or hiding gore and cautioning viewers with viewer-discretion and such, why can't a leading newspaper like the "The Hindu" also follow suit.

Chameleon hues to drive away the Monday blues

2011-09-06T11:55:00.000+05:30

Who would have thought of sighting this beautiful creature on Monday morning. My neighbour Showkath's driver got it from Somamangalam in a box. When we let it out it was not trying to make a dash into the garden or run for its life. Instead it was carefully observing its new environment with its awesome eyes and moving in almost slow-motion fashion. The eyes work independently of each other giving the creature an almost 270 to 300 degree viewing angle. Like a telephoto zoom the eyes can also be zoomed out or zoomed in. It was constantly at it. I'll post the videos later. Here's another close-up. Click on all the images to view them big sized.

Trying to make it turn red we ambitiously even put him on a plant flowering red flowers but our new neighbour didn't oblige. Earlier we had put him on a shrub with yellow flowers and then there was magic. Notice the eye socket and body color change yellow.

The creature attracted a small crowd and it had us entertained for almost an hour.

We saw it last in my garden. Wonder where it is now. Was keeping it a pet, an opportunity lost?

Very Impressive - Harmonize Projekt

2011-08-29T21:58:00.004+05:30

So what can remove the writer's block in me? A musical performance as this of course! The Rosebowl Channel (I don't know how to get that channel here in Chennai) in Kerala has been churning out performances as this a dime a dozen. Sadly you'll have to be in Kerala to watch this channel. It was on this channel that I discovered Avial many years ago. And this year they did it yet again with performances by the Harmonize Projekt.

When I read about them in The Hindu I forgot to check them out but I find every reason to include a reivew of the perfomances here. If you like cover versions then you must watch them or listen to them. They are making waves on the Internet, particularly on YouTube. Their treatments to some originals make the originals sound even better though not all their experimentation goes down well with me particularly when their innovation takes out the original flavor. But otherwise their covers only deepen the existing flavors of a song making it more beautiful and that's their magic. Kalyani Nair has a great voice and she impresses with her singing. The minimal but good support from the musicians is to be appreciated too.

Here are videos to watch, ranked from best to the not-so-best. But all of them impress, nevertheless.

Lovely slide guitar solo on this one.

Don't be fooled by this trick from Airtel

2011-08-08T10:10:00.000+05:30

If you use a smartphone and are trying to downgrade your 3G plan with Airtel, a trick is going to be played on you which may force you to not downgrade or if you have to upgrade back to your older higher priced plan, but don't fall for this trick.

Two months ago I realised I was using an average of 150 MB of their Monthly 450 plan which allows a total upload+downlad limit of 650 MB per month. So I call cusotmer service and downgrade to the 200 plan which allows a 250 MB upload+download limit per month, sufficient enough for my 3G usage. A few days after I made this change I get a call from a third party company telling me that as per information that Airtel has provided them I have already exceeded my limit by 45 MB. There was no way that could have happened. I hadn't made any unusual usage of the internet on my phone. The guy on the phone also told me that it will cost me Rs.15 per excess MB of usage. It was ridiculous. I took down his number and called Airtel. To my surprise my Airtel usage until then was just 3 MB. But the annoying part was this. Airtel tells me that I have to wait till the end of my billing cycle to find out how much my exact usage was. If that was the case how did they tell their third party that I had already exceeded my usage by 45 MB. Something was clearly wrong! I wasted valuable hours for the next three days and in vain. Finally I even stopped using my 3G till I got my bill. When the bill came I was amazed. There wasn't any significant change in charges. What a waste of my time and efforts.

I then wait for my next month's bill and I notice the change due to the downgrade. My bill slashed down by Rs.500 by moving to a lower plan which was perfect for me.

A few days after this bill arrived I again get a call from the third party saying I have again exceeded my bill by that same 45 MB amount. This time it was obvious something was fishy. When I called Airtel customer support I gave them the number of the third party and the lady answering the phone (Airtel support) even told me some marketing guys must be doing it. Just as she was saying that I could hear someone blurt out something at her end. Was it some manager telling her to shut up! The connection was terminated immediately without the usual "..Thank you for calling Airtel. Have a nice day." Really odd and something I never expected from Airtel whose service I have always enjoyed.

A boquet in the sky

2011-06-23T10:10:00.006+05:30

I was wondering what that big dash of red in the sky was, when I rode past the tree. This Gulmohar had more flowers than leaves. I am sure other than the rains it was hardly being watered. Couldn't resist the temptation of taking a picture.

Where are "I" now?

2011-06-16T21:12:00.002+05:30

Well it seems like "ages" since I touched my personal blog or any of my other blogs or writings but I have a big excuse. I have been very busy like everybody else but a little more busier, trying to sell my home and move closer to my son's school's new location which is 20km from where we currently reside. So much has happened since I last wrote but managed to squeeze in a 4-day-trip to Kerala in the thick of the monsoon there. Wasn't it beautiful to watch the rains there. Fortunately Chennai has been receiving some sharp showers too once in a while.

Hope to get back soon with tons of posts. There is so much to write afterall.

What was good and bad about Kailash Kher's concert last night

2011-03-28T09:05:00.008+05:30

It was my first visit to Mutha Venkatasubbarao Concert Hall inside the Lady Andal School on Harrington Road, yesterday.

As for the concert hall the acoustics were superb. If only the air-conditioning was distributed fairly well in all places the audience wouldn't have had to scream "AC, AC" towards the end of the show. The organizers also seemed to have done a stellar job organizing the event with lots of volunteers and security.

And now for the concert. First the good things.
Kailash was wonderful with his voice and sang with total ease and comfort. His singing was very good. His simplicity and down-to-earth openness won the hearts of the audience.

And now the bad things that actually was a big let-down.
1. Where was the drums? Though most of the songs in the evening were the slow numbers I missed his rockers. And without drums songs like "Tauba Tauba" sounded awful. The very presence of a drum kit, and the sounds that emanate from it, the crash of the cymbals, the sounds of the high-hat, the bass drum, the snares and the toms, would have altered the sound of the show. But where were they?

2. Awful lighting. - Whoever was managing the lighting was doing such a shitty job. A kid could have done better considering how many different types of lights the concert hall had. Most of the time we could hardly see Kailash's face during the performances. The band was playing in total darkness most of the time. I wonder how the stringed instrumentalists were able to see what strings and frets they were playing had they wanted to look at them.

3. A little more emphasis on the lead guitar would have made a difference too. Not that the lead guitarist had time for solos but whatever he was playing was not audible enough, particularly in "Tauba Tauba".

4. Finally Kailash failed to play some classic rockers such as "Chaap Thilak" and "Rang Rang Ma". I also wanted to hear "Daulath Shohrath".

So without the drums this concert scores low in my opinion but the modesty and the singing prowess of Kailash can never be denied.

The Kajal Aggarwal/Magadheera week

2011-01-23T18:04:00.007+05:30

I had two posts both "not very pleasant" to start the new year and I didn't want to post. But I hardly realised I would watch something so pleasant for the New Year that I am glad to write it about now.

Ever since I saw the film clip of the telugu movie "Magadheera" posted on FaceBook I have been curious about this movie. Actually on FB the person who posted the video was ridiculing the scene and so were many others. But ironically I found the sfx scene (of the climax) quite dramatic and wonderfully done. I also did watch the amazing fight scene where the character "Kaala Bhairava" takes on a 100 men on a cliff, wonderfully created using CGI.

A couple of weeks later I came across the song "Panchadhara Bomma" on YouTube and was completely blown by Kajal Aggarwal's performance (who wouldn't). A few days after that I listen to "Bangaru KodiPetta" at the Sony store and the staff there is clueless which movie it is from. What a pleasant surprise it was to find out that it was from "Maghadheera".

Thanks to Shruthi at the office, I got the HD DVD disc last Monday and I don't know when I'll actully be tired of watching the scenes and songs from the film. Though I was more keen to watch the SFX it was Kajal Aggarwal who stole my every attention.

Never have I been blown by such a performance, beauty, grace and range of emotions as Kajal's in this movie. Kajal delivers in every frame. Incredibly adorable, The Police's song "Every little thing she does is magic" comes to mind when I watch her. I was amazed by her character and her child-like charm. In many years I have never been stunned by an actress and a performance as this. Being a non-telugu person I wonder if she was acting it out naturally or if someone was telling her to do so. I can only think of the former and if it really was I must say she is a natural. Kajal was simply awesome. I wonder what it would have been to watch her on the big screen. I have watched the "Panchadhara Bomma" video countless times or to be more precise some of her expressions in that song a countless times. With a gorgeous straight from the heart smile and not to forget stunning looks she is a winner in Magadheera. She has such a happy aura about ther that scenes where she should cry or show anger seems a bit unacceptable. Her dubbed vocals were perfect too, not the nauseating tone (of God only knows who) of the girl we used to listen to in the innumerable Tamil movies.

Probably it is my state of mind, or maybe it is because I like her character and her in this movie that I am lavishing praise. However I did not find this charm in the clips of her movie videos before or after Magadheera. Her interviews where she is conversing mostly in English and other raunchy videos on YouTube where I thought she was just being exploited was a big let-down.

Kajal is also the reason I like the songs in this movie. Musically I will not say songs are top-notch. M M Keeravani does make those cliches in his music which otherwise would have made "Bangaru Kodi Petta" a smashing rocker. Actually it still can be modified with those cliched parts removed. In the early 90's I recall "Kshana Kshanam" that many of us were watching in Telugu. The song in the final credits of the Magadheera was good too and here too Kajal impresses.

On the weekend I even tried checking for a couple of Telugu channels. I did want to play the movie on my parents newly purchased LCD TV which is 1080p HD but I wasn't able to.

Man, have I been blown away by Kajal? So what?

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

2010-12-24T20:48:00.001+05:30

Will be back with more posts soon.

Sunitha Krishnan

2010-11-21T07:52:00.003+05:30

Honestly, after watching this video on my Facebook account my libido went out of whack!

A day later someone sends me a link to her blog and I cannot imagine someone living every second, minute, hour and day with a life as this.

http://sunithakrishnan.blogspot.com/

It seems as though sexual pleasure in many men is not confined to orgasm any more.

A once-in-a-blue-moon performance on Idea Star Singer

2010-11-21T07:20:00.003+05:30

After some searching I finally managed to locate that incredible performance of Kalpana on Idea Star Singer season 5 which I don't think we'll get to see anywhere in the near future.

For all those (and that includes me) complaining about the dancers on ISS this performance was the answer.

(audio is slightly out of sync)

"Vaa Machan Vaa", the original song from the tamil film "Vandichakram" had some great songs and performances. The most infamous of them was this one which featured "Silk" Smitha and introduced her to the movies.

Kalpana added her own mix and masala and delivered a stunning performance with the dancers. She literally stormed the male bastion singing SPB's number. I wonder even if some guys on Idea Star Siger could come up with a performance.

Usha Uthup and Anoop gave a standing ovation while the ego-tripping and too-afraid-to-show-real-emotion Sharath and M G Sreekumaran remained seated. Check out the comments video too.

Kerala bans endosulfan

2010-11-21T07:06:00.003+05:30

What a joy to read this in "The Hindu" after watching the dreadful programme on Children's Day.

Endosulfan is one of the most toxic pesticides on the planet and used extensively on the Cashew plantations in India. India produces tonnes of the pesticide annually and a lot of it is exported too. Endosulfan was sprayed aerially on the crops in the Kasargod district of Kerala and the dangerous poisons in the compound found its way into the soil and water and finally humans and animals. According the website http://endosulphanvictims.org/index.htm dedicated to the rehabilitation of the victims of this "chemical disaster" it was only second to the Bhopal tragedy with hundreds dying and hundreds suffering from various physical deformities and ailments, particularly children.

India is also strongly opposing a worldwide ban on the dreadful pesticide but at least in Kerala I am happy they have made a good decision.

And now, a hit for Shreya Goshal in Malayalam too

2010-10-23T21:57:00.005+05:30

The second time I watched this lovely video I couldn't forget the tune. Shreya Goshal sings Malayalam like a natural. In fact she must be the first North Indian singer to sing in most of the south Indian languages so easily and fluently. What a voice and what a song.

Mamta looks lovely too and so are her expressions. I always thought she had talent and someone had to bring out the best in her.

And for once a good song in Malayalam is not sung by Shwetha or her mother Sujatha.

Back to the daily grind

2010-10-10T08:26:00.003+05:30

After freelancing for almost three and half years I go back to a regular job. It's been a week at the new job and I don't have time on my computer at home except for the weekends. How much can I blog? Let me see. Watch this space. I am sure I'll be writing. How often is the question.

It's been a while

2010-10-03T07:21:00.002+05:30

Yes it has been while since I posted anything on my blog. Meanwhile I have found myself a new job and it will be goodbye from freelancing that I have been doing for almost three and a half years.

However the death of someone so young last week threw us all into depression. Shabarinathan was only 26. Having known him from his birth it was a life too short for Shabari. May his soul rest in peace.

Swarnalatha, a life too short.

2010-09-15T10:01:00.003+05:30

I sometimes wonder who will think of me after I die even if I were to live to a 100. Swarnalatha's was a unique voice. I still cannot forget her "Maalayil Yaaro" from the movie Kshathriyan and other innumerable hits she sang in Tamil. The song "Kunnathe Kunnaykum" sung by Chithra for the move Pazhassi Raja recently is very similar to "Maalayil Yaaro" sung by Swarnalatha. The composer of both the songs is Illayaraja.

Swarnalatha's voice will be missed. May her soul rest in peace.

Singers to watch out for this ISS Season 5

2010-09-08T10:16:00.000+05:30

No matter how hard I try to avoid Idea Star Singer, Ranjini and all the crap associated with Idea Star Singer, performances such as this one from Mridula draw me to the T.V.

The very pleasing Mridula impressed by opening this season with "Kalyana Sounanthigam". She gave another very impressive performance singing "Konjum Nilavu" too but her song two days ago, the classic "Innenikku Pottu kuthaan" was flawless.

Here it is.

Then there is the more-Tamil-speaking Kalpana from Chennai. One of her performances was worth watching as it resemebled Usha Uthup's style so very closely. And lastly Neethi, who sang with abandon in a recent performance. Somehow I am not able to find their videos though. When they are on YouTube I'll link to them.

My blog on PC maintenance goes live

2010-09-02T07:54:00.003+05:30

Trying to document my own trouble shooting and maintenance procedures with my PC's I thought it would be a nice thing to share that information to my readers.

So if you have a problem that is similar to what I have faced (chances are that you have) you may read the solutions from my posts and help yourselves.

This time I went the WordPress way.

http://thepctickingtimebomb.wordpress.com

The blog is still a baby. More posts, links to appear very soon.

Thinking of Mahabali every Onam

2010-08-23T19:00:00.000+05:30

During "Onam" time I have always wondered if the "Vamana Avatar" was really justified? In almost all the other Avatars of Vishnu there was one or more formidable villains or cataclysmic reasons for which the Avatar had to appear. Mahabali was in fact a Vishnu worshipper. Was Vamana eliminated just because he belonged to the Asura clan? Was he eliminated because the Gods were worried if
Bali would become a God due to his charitable and other magnanimous attributes? I am not able to find the single most convincing reason for which he was pushed to "pathala". If he were to be eliminated why be given the choice of returning to the Earth during Onam? A consolation from the Gods for the benevolent and noble person he was? Other than Karna, Mahabali is the other person whom I have always sympathized for their tragic fates.

Happy Onam!

2010-08-23T05:49:00.000+05:30

Wishing all you Malayalee readers a very Happy Onam!

When to use 'The' (as in thee) or 'The' (that sounds similar to "duh")

2010-08-20T18:51:00.007+05:30

This was one of those unforgettable lessons from JP, my school principal at Vana Vani.

When I went to meet her in November last year when she had come to Chennai for her knee cap surgery operation the didactic nature in her might have triggered to ask my son something. I couldn't believe she would ask him the usage of the article "the".
What surprised me even more was my son coming up with the correct answer. I might have told him but don't know when.

Anyway here is how you use "the" correctly.

The article "the" sounding as in the word "thee" is to be used before words that begin with a vowel i.e a, e, i, o and u. The as it sounds in "duh" is to be used before words that begin with a consonant.

Can you surf the internet without loading the OS on your computer?

2010-08-13T23:24:00.007+05:30

Like the Singaporean would ask, "Can?". And like the Singaporean would answer in excitement, "Can Laaaa!".

All you need is the software called Winki. Winki can be run off a disc or from a USB drive after selecting the disc or the USB drive as your first boot device in your BIOS.

The program is offered by MSI when you buy one of their motherboards. Although I didn't give it much thought at the beginning I decided to try it anyway. I didn't realise what a pleasant surprise awaited me.

If your BIOS is set to boot from the optical drive (your CD/DVD drive) on your PC, you can invoke Winki from the CD. No need of running your OS. Cool isn't it? The only gripe was that you need to enter the IP addresses of your Network, Subnet Mast, Gateway and DNS Server each time you do this. However it is possible that using Winki via the USB drive may permit saving these fields so that it is not asked of you each time you use Winki. Also your computer needs to be hooked to the internet either via an external modem or via wi-fi. If you are using a dialer on your computer to connect the computer, obviously Winki is of no use.

The internet was blazingly fast. Besides surfing the net (Winki uses Firefox) you can also view photos on your flash drive (pen drive), use the built in Skype, use one of the many Messengers, edit documents (Word, Excel and Powerpoint) using Open Office, tweak volume, set monitor resolutions, set language etc.,

Once you are done you can simply power off and you don't have to touch the OS of your computer. Neat.

Probably the most unforgettable wedding video ever made

2010-08-05T13:27:00.011+05:30

Got it via a link on Facebook. Watched it thrice initially clapping away till the end, smiling from ear to ear and with almost tears in my eyes. I've lost count of how many times I have watched it now, as I have been watching it almost everyday.

Honestly, isn't life just all about having fun!

Several million dollar marriages pale when it comes to the simplicity and creativity of this one. Considering the fact that the players and the camera person had just "one take" this video is nothing short of a masterpiece.

The video has had over 53 million views on YouTube. I dug up some info and the couple and the friends/relatives have a website at http://www.jkweddingdance.com/

As mentioned on the site, though the usage of the song on the video has become an issue, the makers of the song should consider that this video was probably the best treatment ever given to their song.

Black naped Oriole

2010-08-04T19:43:00.006+05:30

Among the manylovely birds that visit the farm next door this is one bird I have tried hard to photograph. These are extremely rare to spot but as I am used to most of the sounds of the birds around my home, an unusual sound confirms to me it is a different bird.

I have some crude shots of a better looking Oriole (where the black mask around the eye is stretched farther from the eye all the way back around the head) but this pic of the bird taken by my neighbour and bird lover, Showkath is worth mentioning and displaying here. And yes, I spotted this one too.

How Govindan Kutty fell into his own mouth-trap

2010-07-29T12:05:00.004+05:30

I don't watch the programme "Students Only" on Kairali for several reasons.

1. The host Govindan Kutty "bullshits" a lot. After introducing the cast and crew of a film, 90% of the time he is talking just crap, particularly when tries to talk on behalf of the filmmakers.

2. Some of his questions are so long and confusing that by the time you get the hang of what he is asking you've lost it.

3. His silly jokes to work up the crowd many a time just don't make it.

4. His obnoxious "Bye-Ya" at the end of the program.

In the most recent episode, "Students Only" involved the makers and cast of the Malayalam film "Neelambari". The story is based on the friendship of two girls and what happens to their relationship when a man walks into their lives and when one of the girls falls in love with him. A topic for a film as this naturally was a sensitive issue and particularly when the the venue of the show was St.Teresa's Women's College, Ernakulam.

After the initial formalities and when the discussions get deeper into the story of the movie Govindankutty resorts to some of his usual ways. This is where I started watching after Jaya asked me watch the college where she had done her under graduation, ironically, B.A in Sociology. In a college where courses both under-graduate and post-graduate courses in Sociology (that includes Psychology) are offered and studied, Govindankutty calls up two girls and asks them a couple of silly questions and concludes .."that's girls". I was wondering how they let him get away with that. He then goes on to distinguish girls and men and how girls don't do things that men do and such. Absolute rubbish. This guy is least qualified to handle such a sensitive topic. All he had to do was host the show. He had no idea of what was coming.

As part of the show students are allowed to ask the film makers questions and a couple of them ask. All the time Govindankutty is also offering his opinions in his usual inimitable style.

Then comes his nemesis. First in the form of Sethulakshmi. The girl in her pleasant demeanor was asking questions and during the conversation Govindankutty is hardly able to give a convincing answer. Then as the conversations go on Govindankutty asks her if she is a "feminist" to which Sethulakshmi politely offered her explanation. I could never find a fault with what she was saying. I was wondering on what grounds he had asked her if she was a "feminist". In fact I wonder why he was resorting to all this when it was duty of the cast or crew to answer those questions. Meanwhile the girls were wildly cheering Seethulakshmi. They were having a blast.

Check out the video below.

The second half of the show was aired the following week and Govindankutty was least prepared for what was coming. This time it was another student, Elsa. According to Elsa she was outside the hall when she was told of Govindankutty's activities and it was obvious in her tone that she was not going to take all this lightly.

It must have been a shocker for Govindankutty because she was clearly on the offensive. I just loved her guts. Elsa asks Govindankutty if he is a "chauvinist" or if he had had unpleasant experiences with other women that prompted him to call Sethulakshmi a feminist. It was obvious she didn't like the way he was treating her friends and she even admits that. I found Elsa's arguments convincing. How can a guy decide what a relationship between two girls is by just asking them a couple of questions.

Though Govindankutty tried initially to calm her with his nonsensical talk he lost his cool completely. What follows was Govindankutty's nightmare having gone totally out of control. The girls were not cheering for him like they normally no matter what he tried to convince them. He even tried winning their favour by asking them if he was right and for which collectively they shouted "No". Instead they were cheering Elsa. His poor English made it worse for him. In fact it was pathetic. The fellow couldn't understand the phrase "Familiarity breeds contempt" and Elsa had to repeat it at least thrice. Even after that when he couldn't understand, she had to explain what it meant in Malayalam. The guy was going bonkers. And when things were going horribly wrong Kairali T.V channel muted several minutes of the performance of our host who by time had gone berserk. I wonder what he was saying in those muted moments.

He then calls Elsa "chechi". I thought he was trying in vain to bring her down and he probably thought this would do it. For me this was limit. Elsa and the girls of the college should have "booed" him and walked out. Just a short while earlier he had confessed his respect and admiration for women and now this? I wish Elsa had demanded an explanation why he called her that.

He then tries his stunt that he did a little earlier, questioning two girls. He calls Elsa's friend and tells the friend to mention her favourite colour discretely to one of the crew on stage. He asks Elsa to do the same to another crew member on stage. He then asks Elsa the colour to test if she knew what her close friend's favourite colour was and vice-versa. Can you imagine! Trying to establish the strength of a girl's friendship by finding out if she knew the favourite colour of her friend. Total kitsch! Elsa's counter reactions and arguments to these actions were also justifiable.

Elsa was truly the star of the show. In the background I could see Sethulakshmi and her friends cheering Elsa and enjoying the spectacle. I am sure the girls who attended the show that day had a memorable day to remember.

Towards the end of the video check out our host cleaning his nose. Doesn't he know he's on T.V?

One final thing. This guy is going to think twice before considering stepping inside St.Teresa's again. He probably never will.

Kudos to Elsa and Sethulakshmi.

Disco Lives

2010-07-27T13:00:00.002+05:30

Lonely Planet, the international bestselling guide for the globetrotter mentions in its classic SouthEast Asia on a Shoestring that in some pubs in countries (I am not sure if it was Cambodia or Vietnam) they still play "Boney M" (remember that band?). But looking at a recent video as this one, from Brazil I am not surprised. The singer of the band (I think from Brazil) in the video actually does a wonderful impersonation of Cynthia Johnson of Lipps Inc.

If nothing works for your muscular pain, try this

2010-07-06T16:20:00.004+05:30

GAULTHERIA. Yes, you read right. Sounds like a rock band's name but that is what I picked up at one of those peaks at Coonoor in 2006 after falling for the salesman's pitch. Luckily it didn't turn out to be one of those items that quacks sell you. It has truly lived to what it is supposed to do, relieve muscular pain. If Iodex, Moov, Volini or any of those over-the-counter things don't work for your muscular pain then it is time to give "Gaultheria" a try.

Basically "Gaultheria" is winter green oil. It is dark purple in colour. As per directions mixing two teaspoons with 100 grams of warm coconut oil or gingely oil (seasame oil) makes a preperation that you can use to massage the muscle in pain. For the incessant pain in my calf muscle caused by stressing them nothing provides relief as "Gaultheria" does. If I were to apply "Gaultheria" before going to bed, the pain is gone when I wake up in the morning. Many a time I have used small portions directly without mixing with oil. In seconds your skin will feel a burning sensation which can be severe on soft and tender skin. Probably that is the reason why it is to be mixed with oil.

Caution - Please follow directions. Do not use it on tender and soft skin areas. Never use it in its concentrated form particularly on small children's skin and on areas such as the chest.

Ci Ci's Pizza, Eat all the pizza you can

2010-07-01T15:58:00.002+05:30

My friend Shaji Samuel used to tell me that it is actually interesting to sample pizza's from various pizzeria's across cities in the U.S as each pizzeria offers a distinct unique flavour and taste to their pizza. Being pizza lovers and now that it is great fun to watch the FIFA soccer with pizza dinners I couldn't help thinking and writing about a unique pizzeria in the U.S.

When I tell Chaithanya about CiCi's pizza, I discovered at Athens, GA, the very place where he was born, his mouth opens wide. Why? Because I tell him that he could can eat as much Pizza and desserts as he could for just 5 odd dollars. Yes, you read it right. Just 5 odd dollars for the buffet and you can eat all that your stomach can take. You could choose from a variety of pizzas (non-vegetarian and vegetarian) and a variety of desserts all made piping hot. If I am right in the early part of the millennium it used to cost $6.95. The menus have improved and so has the quality. New items I am seeing now are the salads and the pastas. I am not sure if they were in the menus before but I used to go only for the pizzas, not even the desserts.The buffet is free for children aged 3 and below.

As for the taste CiCi's don't rank No.1 in my list but they are good. CiCi's have been highly rated as far as nutrition and health go. You could check their website www.cicispizza.com for details.

I should also thank Professor Sridhar Sangadala (besides working as a Professor at Universtity of Georgia, Athens) he also used to have an Indian Grocery store on Prince Avenue) who pushed the "picky" foodie in me to try out CiCi's. Many a Saturday dinner was spent at CiCi's with him.

Let me see if I can fulfill Chaithu's wish of taking him there at least once or will CiCi's come to India?

Andhi Kadai, my friend Sathya's entrepreneural venture

2010-06-26T21:52:00.005+05:30

How I love it when I hear one more person eking out a livelihood living on his own terms. When Sathya called me on Sunday evening to tell the good news I was actually dining in Hotel Saravana Bhavan with my sister.

Sathya's new evening light-tiffin centre is aptly called "Andhikadai" and is located at the Nilgiri's, very close to the Anjaneyar temple in Nanganallur, Chennai.

The menu at Andhikadai's website is surely tempting. Andhikadai takes party orders too. For more details visit www.andhikadai.com

Will check it out if I am in Andhikadai's neighbourhood.

More of Alka Ajith

2010-06-23T08:30:00.002+05:30

Five days and counting. I still haven't got tired of watching her videos or listening to her songs. Here are some of the best videos.

Alka performing before S Janaki and the legend mentioning that Alka sang the song it better than she did. Incredible! She even mentions that Alka's voice is mature enough for singing for heroines in films.

"Mannippaaya", the song from "Vinnai Thaandi Varuvaaya" gets a standing ovation from the judges.

"Sahana", sung in an acoustic setting is unbelievable. Her breath control is amazing.

Duet's "Anjali" - Another fantastic performance with an incredible breath controlled "alaap" in middle of the song.

And finally the video of her selection as a contestant in the competition and another spot selection later in the competition. The typical malayalee girl with flowing long hair and looks. Singer Shalini mentioned then that she would be in the finals and so it was.

Is this the most obnoxious Malayalam pop video ever made?

2010-06-21T23:13:00.003+05:30

Thanks to Joby Staneslavose, tour manager of the rock band "Evergreen" who made a post of this video on Facebook so that I am able to mention it here.

I cannot imagine a video as this being made or should I give credit to the maker if his intention was to make the most obnoxious Malayalam pop video, ever!

DELL after sales service is tops

2010-06-19T13:10:00.011+05:30

I learn that HP is the largest selling Desktop computer in India and the world. My sister owns one and I know the pro's (less) and cons (more) of owning that PC. But here I take the opportunity to once again tell you how wonderful DELL's after sales service is. I have made one post previously on a Dimension XPS T450 I owned for a decade without any problems before donating it. You may read it here if you wish to. Although I always dream of building my next computer myself I cannot help mentioning DELL's superior service.

Way back in 2000 when the warranty period for my first DELL, the XPS T450 was just two days from expiring there was a big thunder shower in Athens, Georgia where I used to live. I was surfing the internet using a dial-up connection. The incessant rain was accompanied by constant thunder and lightning. All of a sudden there was a big flash of lightning and soon after by a big noise of thunder. The flash was so bright that I ran to my balcony to see if it had damaged anything outdoors. Power snapped instantly and it was restored to our area only after a day, a rare thing in all my yrs of stay in the U.S.A. When I switched my computer on I realized that the modem was dead. I call DELL, give them details of what happened and a technician appears the very same day, one day before expiry of the desktop's warranty and replaces the modem. Amazing! I used the PC for a decade.

I own a Vostro now and while purchasing it I was offered a 6GB memory card or a 2 yrs extended warranty option. I chose the latter. Just two months shy of expiring the warranty helped me replace the keyboard, the front bezel and the component that performs the power-on switching. Earlier I didn't wait to get the mouse replaced and purchased one myself. I was told by the DELL technician that DELL would have happily replaced the mouse. DELL even agreed to replace my motherboard when the display was giving problems. However, like I did with my earlier DELL I purchased video cards and fixed the problem myself.

Also note that without the warranty, umbrella DELL's services and spare parts can be pretty expensive.

Alka, you blew my mind!..Roopa, the world, are you watching?

2010-06-18T23:02:00.012+05:30

Would you believe if I told you that Roopa, my favorite singing star on T.V from the Singing contests from the South has been upstaged by someone almost half her age? Read on.

You can't keep track of every singer, every programme, every T.V show. Can you? For months I have hardly watched Asianet's Idea Star Singer because of the nauseatingly and IQ-reducing things they have been doing on the show. One more look at the host, Ranjini and her histrionics and I feel I am losing my mind. I also don't particularly watch singing-competition-shows of children. This is because their voices are definitely going to change over time, particularly the voices of the boys. But I was in for a rude shock when Chaithu and Jaya kept lauding a singer called Alka Ajith who had won the recently concluded Airtel Super Singer Junior 2, a Tamil singing contest. Honestly I have never watched the Airtel shows for the seniors too.

I dig Alka's videos on YouTube and I was in for a bigger surprise, more than when I did the same for Roopa's. This kid is not even half of Roopa's age and she sings like a God. Video after video I am blown away. I must say that after Roopa (a senior) who won Super Star Global 2 on the Malayalam channel Amritha I have never been floored by someone as this. Literally flawless she obliterates the competition even if seniors were to be competing. For the grand finale Alka belts out S.Janaki's "Singara Velane" with total ease and it sounds as sweet as or even sweeter than the original. The audience filled with prominent singers of our times are awestruck and give her a standing ovation. The expressions on the faces of the veteran singners are unbelievable. Just take a look at Srinivas's expressions in the video below.

I dig more info on Alka and learn that she can sing in a dozen languages. There are videos of her singing in French and Urdu and I cannot believe her diction who has learnt these songs only by ear. Alka who hails from Kerala has been singing from a very tender age and is tutored by her father who is a professional keyboardist. She has performed in over 500 concerts already. Here's another video of Alka singing an Urdu ghazal after singing a small song in French.

Any one of you who has listened closely to "Kannalane" sung by Chithra from the movie "Bombay" will realise that some studio work has been employed in the song, particularly when skipping back to the Pallavi portion from the Charanam. Chithra herself admitted to the fact that there are portions where you will lose your breadth. But Alka sings it perfectly with incredible breath control. Chithra, judge on the show during the performance was flabbergasted. Check the video below.

She does an excellent job singing "Minsaara Kanna" before the original singer, Nithyasree but here's another video of Alka singing the evergreen "Senthoora Poove". Alka lends a sweetness of her own to this beautiful song.

I pray that God bless this child prodigy with a bright future. She must head straight for the studios instead of considering more competitions particularly Idea Star Singer where I am sure they'll love to have her.

A good explanation of an impossible soccer goal

2010-06-12T06:25:00.000+05:30

I have watched Van Basten, the Dutch star-footballer scoring a near-zero angle soccer goal by bending the ball. But here's a nice explanation of one of Roberto Carlos's goals.

Avial's Nada Nada, new version

2010-06-09T08:40:00.004+05:30

With their original line-up here's a new YouTube video of "Nada Nada" I found
recently reported on Yahoo.

Band mates look much younger.

Socrates and one of the best world cup soccer quater-finals

2010-06-02T21:28:00.013+05:30

Mexico, 1986 is in my memory one of the best world cups ever. I started writing this post when "The Hindu" recently published a list of football greats including the Brazilian, Socrates. While I respect Brazil for their football I couldn't forget Socrates that year because of the undue adulation he was receiving. On the contrary I despised the player so much for his penalty scoring style. Before striking the ball Socrates would charge at the ball and pretend that he was going to kick the ball. By then, in a split second the goalkeeper would make a judgement and dive towards the side of the goal where he would assume the ball would be struck. In the meantime Socrates who charged at the ball, wouldn't actually hit the ball with his foot. Just after the goalkeeper would make his diving mistake Socrates would gently kick the ball on the opposite side where the goalkeeper had dived. Check out the video below from 1986 though it doesn't resemble the description I just gave, 100%.

At least in the video above Socrates fakes the action cleverly. In most cases he would raise his leg after reaching the ball very close, literally coming to a standstill. During the 1986 World Cup there were many who argued that Socrates should have been penalized for his penalty taking style.

But his tactic would soon find his nemesis in Joel Bats, the French goalkeeper. His trick failed him when Brazil needed it most. It was also one of the most exciting matches of the 1986 World Cup. During the quaterfinal clash with France the match had to go into extra time and later into the penalty shootout. Socrates was the first to take the penalty for Brazil and when he tried his familiar trick, French goalkeeper Joel Bats (who would later become the star of the match for the many saves he made) just stayed put. By then Socrates had lost all speed and momentum in his kick and when he kicked the ball it was easy for Joe Valt to position himself and make the save.

The match itself was one of the most memorable quarter-finals in World Cup history. France was facing three-time world champion, Brazil. Brazil were well on top in the early stages when Careca put them one up after 18 minutes. But then, five minutes before half-time, France drew level when the legendary Michel Platini scored. Brazil had a great chance to regain the lead in the second half when Branco was fouled by French keeper Joël Bats in the penalty area. The fouled player does such a poor play-acting that he is confused where to pretend his pain is. He tries to hold his knee, then moves on to his shin and then finally pretends his ankle is in pain. A few seconds later you can watch him and his team mates rejoicing when the penalty is awarded to them. Zico got up to take the kick, but Bats made up for his foul by saving Zico's penalty, his first of the many saves he would make during that match.

The match went to extra time, and France had the better of the extra half-hour. Joel also made a great save during extra time and France was not allowed a penalty after one of their players was brought down by the Brazilian goalkeeper. The next six penalties were all converted, and then Platini fired over the bar, a blunder considering how many goals he had scored off free-kicks. Brazil were back on level terms but unfortunately Julio Cesar struck the post with his penalty, and Luis Fernández then scored to put France through 4–3 on penalties.

Socrates never stepped into the world cup arena after 1986.

So You Think You Can Dance Season 5 - my choice of winners

2010-05-29T10:06:00.005+05:30

We all know that Jeanine won Season 5. Imagine, Season 6 is also complete and we in India are still are watching something that was over last August, 2009. Anyway, it is better watching something than not getting anything at all. The final is going to be aired coming Tuesday.

At the judges commented it is really sad that in the end talent has to be decided on the number of votes.

As for my choices for winners I have two dancers who I think deserved to win more than Jeanine (Winner) or Brandon (Runner-up) though both Jeanine and Brandon are good dancers.

I have two winners, one from the Girls and the other from the Boys. My choice for the girls is the stunning Kayla Radomski and for the boys - Ade Obayomi. Even Mellisa and Janette who were eliminated earlier were very good dancers.

Apart from being such a stunner Kayla's dancing is beautiful to watch. I will not be surprised if movie and other dance offers are coming her way already. Melissa was graceful too with her Ballerina experience behind her. The ever smiling and sportive Janette was very good too.

As for Ade I thought he was more professional, composed and graceful than Brandon and like Kayla, Ade's dancing is nice to watch. Brandon gives me the impression of a power-horse gymnast and not a beautiful dancer. And can Evan do anything other than his broadway routine in his solos. Choreographer Mia was going overboard supporting him and chiding Ade.

Good luck to Kayla and Ade.

Evergreen's latest single

2010-05-23T10:57:00.005+05:30

When Evergreen contacted me about reviewing their latest single I had to wait for the weekend as I was busy doing a number of things.

I thank Evergreen for sending me their song, "Sublime Chilled out version" and asking me to review it. The song is done a lot more professionally and is also better than their previous version. The music is top-notch.

You may check out the single by listening to it here or by downloading it for free from the link below.

http://www.gimmesound.com/Evergreen

Isn't she beautiful? Neha Hinge, Miss India, 2010

2010-05-02T08:09:00.005+05:30

Sometimes when I come across news on the internet about a beauty pageant I play a small game. I go through the final list of contestants and try and see if I can guess the winner. On several occasions I have been right, like this time for the Miss India, 2010 contest. Neha Hinge was my only choice and she did win the crown.

Congratulations Neha! I hope you are selected a winner on the International event as well. You are worth it.

All of a sudden, my blog looks so beautiful with her picture here.

Roopa is married.

2010-04-29T07:20:00.004+05:30

Had been to her wedding reception yesterday in Chennai. We were meeting for the first time though we had only spoken on the phone since her Super Star Global win. I went to the function early and also left somewhat early. Kuldeep, her husband, was so young, fun and lively. Also had the opportunity of meeting Unni Menon. He did recall our meeting in the train so many years ago.

Why Cricket can be converted to Baseball and soccer ditched for American Football

2010-04-25T07:30:00.004+05:30

Two of the hottest sporting events currently underway are the English Premier League and the IPL.

Have you watched soccer matches lately? Despite the exciting moments in these matches what the players are constantly doing throughout are - kicking and tripping their opponents resulting in innumerable injuries, pulling at each others clothes, play acting and using hands to handle the ball many a time deceitfully. Trying to steal the ball from an opponent or stop him resembles a fight and very rarely enjoyable game play. Is there a match without fouls, injuries (some pretty serious), yellow and red card dismissals? No, there can never be. However in American Football all these are permitted and stopping an opponent physically, bringing him down, clashing, pushing, shoving are all acceptable. Players wear protective gear and are less prone to injuries. Players can also handle the ball by hand. When you watch these soccer guys actually fight for the ball you think they would be better off playing American football instead.

Furthermore Americans cannot stand putting up with low scoring games. We know of soccer "final" matches that were goalless even after extra time i.e after two hours of play. Finally deciding the games on penalty goals or sudden death (after the penalty goals cannot decide a match) is even more ridiculous. Americans would never entertain such a thing in their games.

And talking of Cricket I have two amusing incidents to write before I go on to explain why cricket is gradually going to become baseball someday.

In the first incident my boss at my first project in the U.S.A had gone to the U.K for an assignment where he had the misfortune of watching a cricket match on T.V. From his description it looked as though he had watched a Test match. He was telling me how irritating it was to watch a guy who kept hurling ball after ball for hours to a guy with the bat and the guy with the bat did nothing to hit the ball. Once in some 10 such throws the batsman would play it defensively. It was so boring he switched to another channel. In another incident some Indian developers who were working on an earlier project were asked to play baseball at a company event. To the amusement of the spectators the Indian players were running with the bat in their hands, after hitting the ball.

Considering the latest format of cricket, the T20, which is also its most enjoyable format in competitive cricket it is already beginning to look a lot like baseball.

First of all the game has turned into a hitter's game. People want to see runs and lots of them. Gone is the grace of the laid back stroke-filled play of the test matches that would go on for days. T20 all of a sudden even made the one-day 50-overs matches (ODI) look very long. Hitting is what they do in Baseball. No defensive play.

Even the current format of the T20 game can be improved further. Here are my recommendations, which will also propel the game further towards baseball.

1. Give each batsmen one more chance if he is out for a duck or before making 25 runs. How many experienced batsmen have been sent to the dressing room after facing just one ball. Certainly these guys need a second chance. I am not familiar with all the rules of Baseball but a hitter is given at least 3 opportunities before he is called "out".

2. Let fielders, at least those who are closer to the batsmen use gloves and other protective gear. Most of us who have played the game know that the cricket ball can be a lethal projectile. Cricketers have died after being hit by the ball, notable among them, Raman Lamba who at one time played for the national team. On second thought, if a batsman were to die from a ball that struck his head isn't the bowler culpable of murder?

For most of us who have played cricket we all know at least one person who has been hurt by the cricket ball. Teeth have been knocked off, people have been hit on the head, face and other parts of their bodies and the victims also include people who were neither spectators nor players. The list of broken window panes, damaged windshields and glass cases of automobiles and other household itmes is almost endless. We all know that the cricket ball is a pretty hard object. A new ball can travel extremely fast is both difficult and dangerous to catch or field. It is here gloves can make a huge difference. As in Baseball, with a single glove even a catch at forward shortleg can be caught easily.

To retain the gleam and shine of the ball all sorts of nauseating and disgusting things are done using sweat, saliva and what not to polish it. I am not getting into the world of ball tampering but players were fined or banned for indulging in it. Nothing of this kind exists in baseball.

Considering how bowlers like Malinga are bowling (there were several other bowlers who were actually throwing the ball) it looks as though in the future more bowlers will adopt this style (again like the throws in Baseball) instead of using the conventional over-the-shoulder bowling style. The over-the-shoulder bowling style is also the No.1 cause of shoulder injury among fast bowlers.

And finally the cheering (prompted via the public address system) and the cheerleaders already resemble American games.

Sreesanth, IPL and the swearing/spitting

2010-03-25T09:20:00.008+05:30

Unless you turn a blind eye anyone could guess what the "F**" and "Be**" words are, being sworn by the players. And there's the incessant spitting by the players. Basketball is more tiring yet you never see anyone spit on the floor of the court. I guess you will be asked to go to the bench if you did. Unlike man's synthetic court in basketball, in cricket Mother Earth bears the brunt of the spitting players.

Meanwhile I really don't know why and what for Sreesanth seems to be so pissed off with almost every batsman he is bowling to. Staring angrily, facing the batsman in an intimidating stance with the ball in his hand (though trying to get the batsman run-out is the reason but it looks like he will hurl the ball on the batsmen instead) and muttering things as he goes about his bowling. In yesterday's match he was even found arguing with the batsmen. All this is not going to go well in his favour. He's already had a history of such tantrums sometimes going to the extreme (with Symmonds) and in some cases backfiring at him when he was slapped by Harbajan Singh last year. What a joy it was to watch him being thrashed the other day. 24 runs came off in just one over.

I actually like the fellow's efficient bowling style but instead of concentrating on his bowling that could make him a better bowler, Sreesanth's unnecessary and unwarranted aggression and superstitions (just check his mannerisms before each ball he bowls and check out all that luck talisman threads around his wrists and neck) is only going to ruin an otherwise promising career. Does the "santh" (meaning peace) in his name has any bearing?

Tailorbird abandons nest and eggs

2010-03-18T14:26:00.005+05:30

I waited a second night to see if it had really abandoned the nest and it sure has. It was exactly a month ago when I spotted the first egg. The eggs take only 14 days to hatch and another 14 days to the young ones to leave the nest. It has been a month now and the three eggs haven't hatched. I understand from reading on the Internet that either the eggs weren't fertilized or they might have been gone spoilt with a bacterial infection. I tried candling them and there seems to be no visible sign of any life inside. Meanwhile, the nest is just precariously hanging on to the few leaves that support it.

Here's a shot of the bird with its eggs I took one night. The eyes are a flaming orange under the flash light of the camera but it is actually more red.

Are we a bunch of beggars?

2010-03-13T17:30:00.004+05:30

We aren't but I wonder how these ads are making us look in the eyes of the world.

Just a few of the nauseatingly sick ads that are currently being run on TV channels in India.

Stitching the Tailor bird's nest

2010-03-11T10:05:00.007+05:30

Oh yes, I did and I continue to do every time one more leaf becomes dry and detaches itself from the branch supporting the nest. As of now all the original leaves that were used to build the nest have turned completely brown and have broken off from the main branch.

The nest is being supported by the adjacent leaves I have used to stitch the nest to. Contrary to popular belief touching the nest doesn't make the mother leave the nest. Actually it seems to know me and even when I approach does not fly away unless I am real close to the nest.

You can actually see the brown thread I have used to stitch the leaves at the bottom right of the image.

Here is an old nest whose leaves have turned completely brown. I wonder if this nest raised a family. For Chaithu it was a nice item for his "show-and-tell" at school.

One more thing. All this time I had been mistaking the Common Tailorbird to be the Prinia. My sister-in-law was right. It is the common tailor bird and not the Prinia. I read on Wikipedia that it takes only 14 days to hatch the eggs but this one has been sitting on the eggs for almost 21 days.

Meanwhile a sunbird also tried to build a nest in my garden. The Sunbird, a relative of the bee-humming bird, makes loud noises at it constructs its nest. The nest is more sophisticated with a hood unlike the tailor bird's nest and it doesn't stitch any leaves but instead uses branches and twigs to suspend it's nest. But even before complete construction, the nest was ransacked, probably by some predator. The nest was poorly concealed.

A video of a wild cat every poacher must see

2010-03-03T19:07:00.004+05:30

I first saw this incredible video on a link in Facebook. I am amazed at how a predator's natural instinct can undergo such a dramatic change towards its kill. With all the n'th senses man is claiming to possess how can poachers justify their merciless killing of these big cats. Even these big cats seem to possess a heart.

Only 1411 tigers left in India?

2010-03-02T13:04:00.005+05:30

China has just passed laws related to the slaying of Tigers raising questions on how that is going to impact the life of tigers in India.

The advertisement on various channels on Indian Telivision urges viewers to spread the news via blog and other mediums so here I am with my bit. But the question I want to ask is, "Will this new 'Save the Tiger project' be another fiasco?" Who can forget the disasterous first. Called "Project Tiger" in the 80's it was implemented at a time when our tiger population was even bigger. It stands decimated now.

I remember it was the 80's then and India was enjoying the early colour televisions. I will never forget Naseeruddin Shah in his baritone voice saying "Bhaag Bhaag" a zillion times on that show every Sunday to emphasize how important it is for us Indians to save the tiger. The show seemed to say that saving the Tiger would even prevent India going into economic crisis as protecting Tigers would make us protect trees and forests and by protecting trees we prevent deforestation and one thing leading to another and finally India's economy. But the horrendous thing was that when Project Tiger was on the maximum number of Tigers were being killed. It was a disaster of a project and much time had been wasted before the people behind "Project Tiger" accepted that major flaws did occur. I must also mention it was the initiative of a few dedicated and fearless Indian reporters, wildlife lovers including one intrepid lady from outside India who exposed extensive poaching under the callousness of our authorities and that the project was majorly flawed. Right under the noses of those who were supposed to be safeguarding the tigers, hundreds and thousands were being killed. Entire populations vanished. Wish to know where to? The poachers were incidentally selling Tiger parts to our friendly, peaceful, Buddhist neighbour, Tibet. A huge chunk of the animal parts also went to China where there is a huge demand for the big cat's parts used in oriental medicine that they claim is the panacea for all human health problems.

Actual footage of a function in Tibet where hundreds of revellers are shown marching and celebrating wearing Tiger skin. The footage (now available on several YouTube and Internet videos) was secretly taped and this was shown in a recent documentary on a channel on T.V.

The videos below will show you portions of the festival in Tibet, oh yes, the violence-abhoring, Dalai Lama land, where men and women are seen in tiger skin draped around them.

In the following video check out how tiger skin is stacked like carpets in a shop. Many skins are also woven to make big carpets. The notorious Tibetian celebrations are included in this one too.

Going back to China, the irony is that The Chinese have 6000 tigers in captivity though some of their tiger species have become extinct too. Maybe India should start a breeding-in-captivity program or consider having one seriously. The Chinese have also succesfully engaged in a breeding-in-captivity program for the Panda which is almost in the brink of extinction. At the rate the tiger population is being decimated in India one might find a tiger only in captivity, not many years from now.

Roopa is getting married

2010-03-01T16:15:00.005+05:30

Remember Roopa K R, Amritha TV channel's Global Superstar of the year 2008? It was a pleasant call from her yesterday when she called to invite me to her wedding on April the 18'th at Ernakulam. There will be a reception in Chennai on the 28'th. Roopa is engaged to Kuldeep Pai, a musician/singer/composer and after the marrieage is going to be settling down in Chennai!

Meanwhile Nithin Raj of Idea Star Singer fame in 2007 was in the neighbourhood and even paid us a visit. Nithin has been singing for movies and is invovled with God only knows how many projects, his latest being for the new Malayalam film, Drona.

Meeting a Legend

2010-02-17T08:51:00.009+05:30

Thanks to my neighbour Jayashree, on Valentine's day I was lucky to get a free ticket to watch the legend S P Balasubramanyam live at a concert in Kamarajar Arangam. I last watched him at the O.A.T at I.I.T, Madras, in the early 90's in an unforgettable Gangai Amaran concert. After all these years SPB sounds as young as ever. The audio at the venue was bad but SPB's voice and singing, his on-stage humour, extreme modesty and the way he was managing things on stage including the musicianas and goof-ups by his co-singers were beyond belief. The concert was almost three hours long though I didn't stay to watch the final three songs.

But I had another big reason to go to the concert when I was told I could meet him personally. Midway between the concert I had the privilege to meet and take a couple of pictures with the legend. It was not a regular big break. Instead SPB was meeting the long line of folks like a Godman giving Darshan, while taking breaks from his singing, backstage. I was sad I missed taking his autograph.

From the directions of the faces in the picture you can guess how many cameras were being clicked at any instant.

In this next picture (taken using my camera) I am hidden but it feels good to watch SPB looking at me in the eye and saying something (don't ask what he was saying).

With over 36,000 songs sung in various Indian languages, to me SPB will always be the greatest male voice from India, in film music. He has ABSOLUTELY no equal, not even someone close.

Suresh Gopi can also sing

2010-02-15T17:15:00.005+05:30

Who would have guessed this one? Suresh Gopi, known for his action movies and a huge patron of the singing contests on Malayalam Television channels singing a song during the finale of the Much Star Singer. It was a lovely sweet song, thanks to Sharath the composer. I only wish it had more bass to the vocals. It was sung well and the vocals reminded me a lot of Illayaraja's singing.

His wife seated next to actress Bhavana is all but admiration for her husband. What a delight to watch his daughter too.

Avial playing today at MCC, Chennai.

2010-02-11T07:49:00.003+05:30

Hello Avail fans in and around Chennai. Catch the band at Madras Christian College today. Tickets are priced at Rs.100. If only their lead singer was with them. Miss their original bassist too.

Who can forget Cochin Haneefa

2010-02-04T09:59:00.003+05:30

Cochin Haneefa passed away on Feb 2, just a few days ago. Starting with petty roles in films that hardly saw the light of day he made his mark in Sibi Malayil's Kireedom, which was his turning point in his career. Though initially he played the bad guy it is his comedy and character roles that both Malayalees and Tamilian's will remember. Many may not know is that he directed movies too including one of Mammooty's most memorable films, "Valtsalyam", the screenplay for which was done by Lohithdas who also passed away recently. Haneefa will be dearly missed. May his soul rest in peace.

An evening to rememeber for a lifetime

2010-01-25T11:53:00.010+05:30

Red Oak, The Checkers hotel and 24, January, 2010 are going to be etched in the memory of everyone who attended the 1985 Vana Vani batch re-union. The previous night I so exicited I couldn't go to bed till 1.00 A.M in the morning. From a class of 120 we were still able to manage 30 attendees, and many of them, who left school in the X standard or earlier. I am still reeling from the event that took place last night and I am not sure when I'll be out of this hangover. Who cared for the Shankar Ehsaan Loy concert at Saarang. We were talking so much that it was only when I went home I realised I had taken just 10 pics and one video. I even missed out covering everyone adequately. It was incredible to imagine how time had brought changes in us in 25 years. One person in particular was unrecognizable. The evening went so quick I thought we didn't have time to finish talking and sharing experiences. I did go there prepared to jazz up things and I could have, given some more time. There were identification games and people recalling past events which honestly need probably a day or more to complete. In the little time we had we even planned a strategy to make contributions to teachers and staff of our school, some of them who needed immediate help. The event concluded with dinner and drinks. Whether we will be able to meet again, stick to our plans and fulfil our goals, only time will tell, though this time the group looks more committed. However it shouldn't take another 25 years for that to happen. Some of our classmates and our teachers are already gone. We could have certainly helped them in some way or the other had we met earlier.

The pics can be viewed at the following link on Facebook

Re-union pics

Below is a small video I made. Should have taken more videos but I was so occupied with several other activities that I couldn't keep my camera busy.

Vana Vani friends, how many could you identify in the pic or the video?

Honestly I wish everyone, all over the world could have a day as this with their old school classmates.

Lorry

2010-01-21T09:17:00.013+05:30

Lorry, one of the words American's find highly amusing when we use them in their country while referring to a truck.

Here are a couple of lorries I caught on my camera recently.

The first a lorry overturned on its side pictured from inside the car we were travelling on our previous trip to Kerala.

The second an overloaded lorry carrying granite and Kadappa slabs with its rear sunk into the watery soft mud from the recent rains, in Thoraipakkam.

Sadly all the supersitious and religious things on the truck didn't ward of the bad luck. Also noticed the name "Chaithanya", same as my son's name on one of the windshields only after publishing the photograph.

Same lorry, more pics.

Other words Americans find amusing in our English are "Lift" for elevator, "Ladies Finger" for the vegetable Okra, "Petrol" for Gas, to name a few.
However the most amusing of them all seemed to be "Torch" for Flashlight. And in Singapore they'll never understand if you say "AC" for Air conditioning. Use the word "Aircon" or better still say, "Aircon La".

A rare day on ISS Season 4

2010-01-20T09:11:00.008+05:30

With the pretty Parvathy as the guest, all the four performances on Monday's night of Idea Star Singer Season 4 were stellar. In the final performance of the day when Vidyashankar sang "Ilamai Itho Itho" he requested Sreenath and Danny to join in. I request you to take a look at this video to watch Danny dance. Dance was dressed in a Dhothi and the moves he made got everyone rolling with laughing. I wonder what was on his mind when he made those outrageous moves. What a sport! Check the video to watch him in action. The video is not complete but Danny's part is there.

Vinnai Thaandi Varuvaaya disappoints, Goa has noticeable songs

2010-01-15T11:32:00.007+05:30

For Goutham Menon this is the first movie where he has dropped Harris Jeyaraj for A R Rahman but the songs are far from impressive. Of all the songs the title song sung by Karthik stands out. However take a listen to the French band, Air and the singer Nick Drake and the title song seems heavily influenced by the music of these artistes.

Check songs of Vinnai Thaandi Varuvaaya here.

Meanwhile Yuvan Shankar Raja scores some decent ones for the movie Goa. Check out "Idhu Varai" and "Valibaa Vaa Vaa", the former sung by Andrea and Ajeesh and the latter by Illayaraja, SPB and Chithra.
Check out the part when Chitra joins in.

Just do it from Chance Pe Dance. What a song/video!

2010-01-15T10:45:00.006+05:30

I watched a bit of this video on MTV and I couldn't wait to watch it on YouTube. I only wished they could have made a good longer number out of it.

Watched it a zillion times already. Shahid was good too. One dance move resembled something that Hrithik Roshan did earlier. The Harmonium sounds were the icing on the cake.

Mathilugal, What the......

2010-01-12T19:38:00.007+05:30

Ok, this post is not for kids or for those who think you aren't adult enough for a mature post.

I haven't seen this Mammooty starrer where he won a National award for best Actor but I was surprised for what I saw last Sunday. While channel skipping I caught the movie being telecast on the Doordharshan's Malayalam channel. However after just a few scenes and shots and I was running for the change channel button on my TV's remote.

I already knew the story line of the movie, about a prison inmate, played by Mammooty falling for another prison inmate, a lady who is imprisoned on the other side of the tall wall separating the men and women prison areas. In the small scene that I saw Mammooty throws a food packet to this lady on the other side. As the food packed falls on the other side the translated conversation goes something like this.

Lady on the other side says "Ouch, your food packet hit my breast".

The conversation continues for a while and then Mammootys says "When I meet you I am going to kiss your face, neck and breasts."

My son had already started asking "What is mona amma, what is mona Acha"? He had incidentally got the Malayalam word wrong while I tried to divert his attention by changing the channel. I guess he'll read this post someday but then I am sure he will be mature enough.

So much for "Mathilugal" which I am told later, is abundantly loaded with similar dialogues. A pity that such obscene things are disguised in the form of an "Art film" and being shown to the public. Wonder what the guys at censor boards do. I guess they are fooled too.

I may have a different opinion if I were to watch the movie in its entirety and more privately. But as of now I have lost that interest.

Two creative YouTube videos

2010-01-09T13:09:00.003+05:30

Creatively done by YouTube users, the first one is done using clips from the classic 2001 A space Odyssey tuned to Kraftwerk's "Spacelab".

The second one taken from several U2 videos edited to the tune of U2's "Acrobat"

Rare pics of Osibisa, when they toured Chennai previously

2010-01-07T13:16:00.005+05:30

My friend Sudhaman had these pics taken at actor Rajinikanth's house along with Osibisa and their entourage when the band was here in the early 80's.

Rajinikanth himself can be seen in one of the pics, the one on the bottom left. He is towards the right end of the snap standing between Teddy Osei (partly hidden, extreme right) and Sol Amarfio.

The most downloaded song by a female artiste in the US

2010-01-04T17:58:00.006+05:30

OvuaOvuaOw! Certainly catchy, danceable, very electronic and not without the "Oomph". Sometimes giving you that "old wine in a new bottle" feeling too. You wonder what ingredients go into making a hit these days as most of the vocals sound so modulated.

A performance that deserved more praise

2010-01-04T17:47:00.003+05:30

First for choosing such a nice song and second for singing most of the parts perfectlly, particularly the Pallavi. Shika certainly deserved more praise. Instead the judges were wasting time on her partner, ex-ISS 2007 singer, Roshan and the dancers. Undue importance and praise is being to given to ex-ISS singers even if they perform badly.

Be patient for first few minutes of the intro.

AVATAR

2010-01-02T09:02:00.009+05:30

I remember while writing a review of Peter Jackson's King Kong I discussed if there would a movie that would beat the CG FX of that movie. Truth is that there will always be a movie with better special effects and it only gets better. However there will be movies that are FX landmarks and James Cameron's AVATAR is one. Watching this surreal and amazingly beautiful movie I am amazed at the technology that has gone into the making of AVATAR. At the end of the movie it is difficult to believe you are actually in love with the animated characters. No single frame was boring or imperfect and the two hours plus did not seem lengthy at all. Frame after Framer you are simply blown away with the amazing graphics from the biggest to the tiniest of animations.

Besides the Sanskrit name Avatar, meaning re-incarnation, I found several similarities to Hindu Mythology and religion in the story. The relation to nature (the trees, animals) like the animals of the "Threta Yuga" in Hinduism where animals and trees talked, blue colour of the natives like the colour of the blue god "Krishna", their height like the denizens of the world during the time of the Mahabharatha - (10 - 15 ft) and finally natives feeling at one with the nature (animals, trees, the air etc) which is very similar to the concept of the one Brahman existing and living in all in Hinduism.

The movie is currently running in 3D Imax in some cinemas in the country. I wonder how that experience is going to be. Could be frighteningly beautiful because even a slow documentary on the IMAX I watched several years ago was frightening.

When it comes out the BlueRay disc is worth every penny and if your hardware can support 3D there's nothing more you can ask for.

P.S - One corny thing about the movie, the name given to the rare metal that the humans are mining on Pandora, "Unobtanium". Why this blot on a perfectly clean film? When James Cameroon could come up with a new language for the natives why not a better word for the metal they are mining.

Thank You, Evergreen

2009-12-26T13:15:00.000+05:30

As a token of appreciation for writing a review of their debut album on my blog Evergreen sends me their debut CD and a Tee.

Thank You, Evergreen.

A nice Christmas gift and what a nice way to begin the New Year.

Merry Christmas and a Very Happy New Year, 2010

2009-12-24T10:46:00.001+05:30

Here's wishing all my readers a Merry Christmas and a Very Happy New Year. May all your dreams come true this New Year, 2010.

Best of the new Tamil movie songs

2009-12-19T17:26:00.007+05:30

Starting with the best, Vijay Antony's reputation as a good music director will only be further consolidated with the release of the movie, "Aval Peyar Thamizharasi". He has managed to make some good numbers different from his usual repetvoire of danceable songs.

Start with the duet "Nee otha solla sollu" a song with simple but nice lyrics. Check out the Santoor tune when the song ends.
Next check out this lovely number by Malgudi Shuba and bound to be a hit, "Kol taana ranghubai".
Next come the three songs by Veera Shankar, "Oththayadi padayailai", "Madathu oli vilakku" and the best of the three, the soulful, "Aararo Aarirao" sung in a very unique style. I am looking forward to the video for this song. Vijay Antony certainly deserves credit for the composition and the way it is sung.
"Guju guju goods vandi" is bound to get popular and get fame for the kid who sang it.
"Yethanaiyo katha undu" is sweet and "Palayn kota by V Antony is ok. "Vadakka Thekka" is sung by Vineeth Srinivasan, son of popular Malayalam actor Srinivasan. Vineeth has sung some bit hits in Malayalam cinema in recent times.

I rate songs from "Payya" next best in this review. "Poongatre Poongatre" by Benny Dayal, "En kadhal solla" by Yuvan and "Thuli thuli" by Haricharan are all good.

And finally check out "Ading Ading" by Dimaan for the movie "Odipolama".

Is Idea Star Singer a Malayalam Programme?

2009-12-18T20:59:00.004+05:30

After actress Sheela commented on one of the perfomances today I was reminded of an article I wanted to write long ago. I wanted to do it when Roy, the CEO of the Confident group was giving away the award for the Idea Star Singer winners of Season 3. He commented on how ISS being a Malayalam programme had contestants singing more Tamil, Hindi and non-Malayalam songs. Much to his vexation, the contestants were singing Tamil songs even on the awards ceremony. Sheela's comments on today's show about why cannot Malayalam "adi poli" songs instead of Tamil songs be sung went un-answered.

Contrary to these programmes in similar competitions in Tamil contestants do not sing even one non-Tamil number. In fact they are not supposed to do so. Only in the non-Tamil or Other Languages round can they sing songs made in other languages.

ISS need not be as stringent as the Tamil programmes are but if the organizers want to call ISS a Malayalam show then they must curtail the songs being sung in other languages. The same goes for similar such shows on Asianet and other Malayalam channels too.

A new band that shows promise

2009-12-18T07:10:00.015+05:30

Evergreen is another rock band from the land of Avial and Motherjane and from the quality of their music it looks like they may have come to stay too. The green and fertile strip of coastland on the Indian subcontinent facing the Arabian sea may not be the rock destination of India but many of the bands from Kerala have swayed the masses. Evergreen is going to do that too.

Unlike every other new hard rock and metal act in the country taking to "Death Metal" these days, Evergreen's debut album "Beyond and Between" exudes rock and it gets better the more you listen. I don't see any rush here on the album to play blistering solo's, riffs, and thundering grooves. Instead the band takes it easy with some lovely ballads such as "Epilogue" and an acoustic number too. There are faster numbers but they don't wear you down like those "Death Metal" growls of other metal and hard rock acts burgeoning in India.

The album opens with the hard-rocker "Vengeance" clearly showcasing what the band is worth. "Vengeance", the fastest and hardest song on the album distinctly shows the band's musical tastes in the heavy sounds of the 80's, from bands like Whitesnake and Deep Purple. Saji Antony's keyboards on "Vengeance" and later on "Sublime" definitely proves this.

"From here to clarity" is mellower when compared to the opener but I was happy it wasn't another head-banger. Then comes "Altar of dreams" that begins slow but gradually moves to a faster number and it features some nice guitar work by Sunil Silvester, the band's guitarist. I don't know why an acoustic version of this song was included though it does sound good too. Evergreen could have added a new song instead. I must also mention Jagan George whose vocals are noteworthy, steering each song. His voice reminds me so much of another singer but I am not able to nail it right now.

You also get a feeling of the sounds of the 80's bands such as Journey, Toto, Europe and The Scorpions. "The Calling", "Run to the light" and "Sublime" reflect this.

"Epilogue" is a nice concluder where you'll hear only vocals and keyboards. The first time I heard this song, I couldn't help playing it twice.

Other personnel in the band are Arun and Suraj who provide all the needed bass and percussion support.

The album and ringtones are available for free download at www.gimmesound.com/evergreen. and you can catch the band at www.evergreenrocks.com where you can listen to the audio songs with better clarity and also watch some of the band's videos.

How much of their sound is going to be accepted by this generation is the question. Evergreen has a long way to go and much to learn to add novelty and variety to their music to keep their fanbase interested, but they do have the potential. Their album is cetainly worth more listens than one.

Classic Malayalam folk song on Idea Star Singer

2009-12-17T15:46:00.004+05:30

Oh yes, I still manage to watch ISS in fits and starts though I try to avoid all the nauseating parts whenever possible.

Preethi sang the beautiful "Pallivaala Bhadra" yesterday. I was reminded then of another singer from a previous show of ISS Season 3, Aarabhi who also gave a beautiful rendition. Preethi's performance was more tight and slightly improvised but somehow I'll give the innocent looking Aarabhi the award for the better performance. Here they are, the two videos. Aarabhi's performance was the first time I was listening to this lovely song.

Preethi's performance yesterday.

And Aarabhi's performance in 2008.

Such a danceable folksong, the dancers for both the songs were superb. This song could be a great candidate for Avial's next album. If only Avial could improvise and make a great version of it. Avial, are you listening?

If you are Indian, why you should visit the War Cemetery in Singapore

2009-12-11T13:15:00.001+05:30

In Singapore, the Kranji War Memorial and cemetery is a very unlikely place that you may visit but while living there in the late 90's I went there anyway. Not many people, particularly tourists visit this place but if you are Indian and have moved from India to Singapore or from another country to Singapore do pay a visit to this place.

It was both a moment of both pride and of sadness to read the names of so many Indians, (I am quite sure I read Tamil and Malayalee names too) on the stones of their graves. These brave Indians died fighting the Japanese during World War II. According to Wikipedia, there are a list of another 800 Indian names at a cremation memorial where the bodies were cremated according to religious beliefs. I missed this one. It is sure an honourable thing to know how many of our countrymen had laid down their lives for the freedom of man in another country. This could be another reason why so many older resident Indians in Singapore consider Singapore to be more Indian than any of the other races living in Singapore though I am not implying that the Chinese or the Malays do not contribute to the welfare and economy of Singapore. But I am sure that I don't recall reading any Chinese names on the cemetery. Early money lenders, teachers, labour union leaders, politicians of Singapore were predominately Indian. Singapore even had a Malayalee president, Devan Nair. The story of how Devan Nair was ousted from office and stripped off his powers are legend among resident first generation Malayalees in Singapore.

Like other attractions in Singapore the War Cemetery may not be on your itinerary list but going there can be a moving experience. Chances are that you many not find even one tourist there. The loneliness of the place and being there in the evening, when the sun was going down was an experience I will never forget.

Myself, in 1997 at the War Cemetery.

Dan Seals passed away, so did Larry Knetchel

2009-12-09T08:00:00.001+05:30

Someone who passed away a few months before Michael Jackson (exactly three months before) was Dan Seals, brother of Jim Seals of the super soft-rock group Seals and Crofts. Dan Seals did have hits of his own with group with his mate Dan Ford Coley and then after the duo disbanded, Dan had several hits on the Counrty Music Charts.

However it is his pop songs as the duo England Dan and Dan Ford Coley that I loved. One of them was their biggest hit "I'd love to see you tonight". Dan is the one who is singing and playing the guitar.

There are other songs I like such as "Love is the answer", "Who's lonely now", and "Soldier in the Rain" but my favourite will alwyas be the song "Sad to belong". Like Ford Coley put it, "This song isn't a song about cheating but how to save Alimony and child support. So marry your second spouse first..worked for me." Here are the beautiful lyrics of this timeless number written by Dan Seals.

Sad To Belong
by: England Dan

Met you on a springtime day
You were mindin' your life
And I was mindin' mine, too
Lady when you looked my way
I had a strange sensation
And, darlin' that's when I knew...

That it's sad to belong to someone else
When the right one comes along
Yes, it's sad to belong to someone else
When the right one comes along

Oh, I wake up in the night
And I reached beside me
Hoping you will be there
But instead I find someone
Who believe in me
When I said, "I'd always care."

Oh, it's sad to belong to someone else
When the right one comes along
Yes, it's sad to belong to someone else
When the right one comes along

So, I lived my life in a dreamworld
For the rest of my days
Just you and me walkin' hand in hand
In a wishful memory
Oh, I guess that's all that it would ever be

Wish I had a time machine
I could make myself go back
Until the day I was born
And I would live my life again
And rearrange it
So, that I'll be yours from now on

Oh, it's sad to belong to someone else
When the right one comes along
Yes, it's sad to belong to someone else
When the right one comes along
Oh, it's sad to belong to someone else
When the right one comes along
Yes, it's sad to belong to someone else
When the right one comes along

Also noteworthy to mention is Larry Knetchel who used to play bass for the soft rock band "Bread", passed away in August this year. Two of the bands members Jimmy Griffin(vocals, guitar, keyboards, percussion) and Mike Botts(Drums) passed away in 2005. While in Singapore I, Sathish and Suji had gone to watch Bread during their 25'th anniversary tour in 1997. And here are some of Bread's hits.

Make it with you

and, Guitar man

TANJOOBERRYMUTTS

2009-12-04T10:14:00.003+05:30

Got this in an e-mail this morning and couldn't stop laughing for a while. It actually gets better with a second and third reading.

"TANJOOBERRYMUTTS" ...
By the time you read through this YOU WILL UNDERSTAND
"TANJOOBERRYMUTTS" ...and be ready for China .
In order to continue getting-by in China, we need to learn English the way it is spoken...... ......... ........
Practice by reading the following conversation until you are able to understand the term "TANJOOBERRYMUTTS”.
With a little patience, you'll be able to fit right in.
Now, here goes...
The following is a telephonic exchange between maybe you as a hotel guest and room-service today......
Room Service: “Morrin. Roon sirbees”
Guest: "Sorry, I thought I dialed room-service"
Room Service: “Rye. Roon sirbees...morrin! Joowish to oddor sunteen???"
Guest: "Uh..... Yes, I'd like to order bacon and eggs."
Room Service: "Ow ulai den?"
Guest: ".....What?? "
Room Service: "Ow ulai den?!?... Pryed, boyud, pochd?"
Guest: "Oh, the eggs! How do I like them? Sorry.. Scrambled, please."
Room Service: "Ow ulai dee bayken ? Creepse?"
Guest: "Crisp will be fine."
Room Service: "Hokay. An sahn toes?"
Guest: "What?"
Room Service: "An toes. ulai sahn toes?"
Guest: "I.... Don't think so.."
Room Service: "No? Udo wan sahn toes???"
Guest: "I feel really bad about this, but I don't know what 'udo wan sahn toes' means."
Room Service: "Toes! Toes!...Why Uoo don wan toes? Ow bow Anglish moppin we botter?"
Guest: "Oh, English muffin! !! I've got it! You were saying 'toast'... Fine...Yes, an English muffin will be fine."
Room Service: "We botter?"
Guest: "No, just put the botter on the side."
Room Service: "Wad?!?"
Guest: "I mean butter... Just put the butter on the side."
Room Service: "Copy?"
Guest: "Excuse me?"
Room Service: "Copy...tea. .meel?"
Guest: "Yes. Coffee, please... And that's everything."
Room Service: "One Minnie. Scramah egg, creepse bayken , Anglish moppin, we botter on sigh and copy ... Rye ??"
Guest: "Whatever you say."
Room Service: "Tanjooberrymutts. "
Guest: "You're welcome"
Remember I said "By the time you read through this YOU WILL UNDERSTAND
'TANJOOBERRYMUTTS' ......and you do, don't you!

Jaya's meeting with Manju Warrier

2009-12-02T16:56:00.008+05:30

That's Rekha, Jaya's sister and Jaya with the talented actress, Malayalam cinema misses so dearly. Many of her fans still think she is going to stage a come-back someday.

Manju and Dileep visited Rekha on one of their recent trips to the U.S and thus began the friendship. When Rekha was in India this August, Manju invited her to her home. I was in Chennai at that time. Jaya went along with her sister. She was so excited after the visit, that she told me she couldn't sleep that night thinking of the meeting and the conversations they had.

Of the movies I have liked of Manju's, "Kaliveedu" will top the list. I also liked her in "Kaliyaatam". When I watched "Ee Puzhayum Kadannu", one of my favourite among the Manju-Dileep films, I told several friends that it would only be appropriate if Manju and Dileep tied the knot. Amazingly in one of Kamal's (I am not sure if it was Sathyan Anthikaad) recent interviews I was surprised to hear that it was only after "Ee Puzhayum Kadannu" that love between the two really blossomed.

U.S Passport renewal from India, now takes two weeks.

2009-11-24T17:59:00.004+05:30

If you are holding a U.S passport and are trying to get it renewed at a U.S consulate in India be prepared to give full two weeks to get it. Unlike in the past where you could get your renewed passport in a day from the consulate, this time your old passport actually goes to the U.S.A, gets verified and then gets cancelled. It is then sent along with your new passport to you in India. If there are any visas on the old passport that expire in two weeks or if you have any foreigner's registration that expires within that two weeks make sure that you are covered during the time it takes to get your new passport.

Filled with blunders, The Hindu publishes a preposterous review of Osibisa's concert

2009-11-24T09:14:00.007+05:30

If only Divya Kumar had spent a few seconds (if not minutes) to read the news item titled "Osibisa concert today" on page 2 of "The Hindu" this Sunday, she wouldn't have made that horrendous blunder of mentioning in her review published in the "Metroplus" today that Sol Amarfio was the drummer in the concert that night. It is clearly mentioned in that news item on Sunday that Alex Kwatu Boateng is the drummer. All she had to do was a "copy and paste" of that information. My 10 year old son who has been watching Osibisa's videos on YouTube could say the difference. Divya goes on to mention Amarfio as one of the founding members of the band which is true but did the young Alex drumming for Sunday's concert that night look one bit like the old Amarfio. One stop at Osibisa's official site online would have also confirmed who the drummer that night was as Amarfio's picture is there on the site.

Next comes the incredible blunder when she mentions that the opening song for the concert was "The Gong". This alone speaks volumes that she doesn't know a thing about Osibisa's music. She has mistaken the word "Dawn" for "Gong" and has mentioned in her review that the opening number was "The Gong". Little does she know that Osibisa has never made a song called "The Gong" and even if they did it wasn't the one they opened the concert with. Osibisa followed the opener with their instrumental hit "Music for Gong Gong" but that's an entirely different song. What Divya fails to understand is that in the audience are people who have been listening to Osibisa for over two decades. "The Dawn" is their first song from their very first self-titled debut album. Osibisa these days open their concert with this number. It is all over YouTube. And again, my 10 year old can recognize this number. Just a little research could have saved her review.

She then mentions that "Pata Pata" and "Watusi" as newer numbers from their latest album which is not completely right. While "Watusi" is from the recent album, "Pata Pata" is not. And why she thinks that the recent numbers aren't good is something Osibisa fans are going to question her. The recent offering is a classic. Considering an album as this coming out from a band after 40 years of its inception is a phenomenon. She could have at least sampled the audio clips available online before she wrote that line. And mentioning that the newer music wasn't good enough she writes "audience attention started waning...". Little does she know that most of the songs performed that night are literally from a "Best of Osibisa" collection most of them from the 70's and early 80's. Contrary to what she reports the excitement level of the audience only went up and literally peaking towards the end. The trickle of people who left the auditorium either have no taste for Osibisa's world class music or left for other reasons not necessarily the music.

I only wished "The Hindu" had someone edit this review or at least let someone knowledgeable or passionate about Osibisa's music write it.

Osibisa's Chennai Concert - A once-in-a-lifetime treat

2009-11-23T04:41:00.010+05:30

I screamed and sang my guts out and my hands are still a bit sore with all that clapping. For everyone who attended the sold out Osibisa concert yesterday at the Music Academy, it was an experience of a lifetime.

For those of us who missed Osibisa way back in the early 80's (If I am right, it was 1984) the concert yesterday was something Chennaities couldn't have asked for more.

My weeks long anticipation, singing their tunes, watching their videos and even getting Chaithu, Suji and her kids listen to the music of Osibisa ended in a brilliant climax last evening.

In two words - Osibisa rocked! It is incredible to believe how they can still create their magic after 40 years. One listen to their latest offering "Osee Yee" will also confirm how they can still be going on strong after all these years. The band's founder, lead singer and multi-instrumentalist (flute, saxophone, african drums) Teddy Osei now in his early 70's and barely able to walk is an inspiration on stage.

My only gripe was the audience. Unlike the concert going crowds of Bangalore the crowd seemed too sober for the music of a band such as Osibisa but that would change very soon. When they started with the usual opener "The Dawn" I thought I was the only guy clapping to that exotic irresistible bass-drum beat. "C'mon Chennai", I complained inside. Unlike a bunch of headbangers the cosmopolitan crowd looked as though they had come to watch a typical classical "Kutchery" performance. But Osibisa's magic would change all that very soon. Crowd pullers, they sure know how to engage the crowd. But even when Teddy Ossei their quintessential leader asked the crowd to dance and sing the audience seemed too lip-tied and unmoved. But in a fully seated audience I wondered if the crowd would ever make a move.

Then comes the ice-breaker, "Ojah Awake", the song that is used heavily in programmes "Kalakka povathu yaaru" on Sun TV and "Rasika Raja" on Surya TV. I think for many in the audience who have been watching these programs it would have come as a pleasant awakening. For "Ojah", Osibisa got the crowd singing. The momentum had already picked up. Osibisa then moved on to perform their other hits, "Music for Gong Gong", "Ai Kobia Yo" and for the latter they got the crowd engaged as well. The best was yet to come. When they announced their next song would be "Ragupathi Raghava" I screamed my lungs out. I was surprised even this song did not prompt the audience to sing till it hit the "Jai Jai Ram", "Sitha Ram" portion.

I had my moments too. During the quieter moments when Teddy was speaking in between the numbers I screamed "Sunshine Day". Teddy responded saying "Yeah Yeah Sunshine". Another member of the audience screamed "Sunshine Day" too and to our delight the band started the song. The crowd got to their feet leaving all inhibitions behind and sang and cheered with the band all the way through. It just felt incredible. To top that, just as the song concluded they started their next big hit "Dance the body music". Back to back the two songs were a treat.

Other hits Osibisa delighted us were "Kilele" where they got the audience singing too, the slow but beautiful ballad, "Welcome home" and another lovely number from their latest album, "Osee Yee". Other good songs I can recall are "Woyaya", "Celebration" and "Right now".

The instrumentalists took time for ample solo's though the solo's were not entirely of the pure rock or of the heavy metal genre. The drummer and rhythm guitarist also took time to display some dancing skills that got the crowd going wild. It was a delight to also watch the percussionists doing their combined solos where the audience cheered and applauded wildly.

Signing off, coming back for the encore with "The Warrior", introducing the band towards the end were all done in perfect style.

For me it was my first visit to the auditorium that Chennai is known for and it was a nice experience. The auditorium is small and the proximity to the artistes on stage is very good. The sound was impressive and I would give it 4.5 stars out of 5 rating for the concert. I would have loved Osibisa perform to a bigger audience like they did when they were here 25 years ago but this is the best a Chennai crowd could ask for.

Suji and the kids loved it. I thought it was a nice induction for Chaithu and his cousins to a live rock concert.

Now to buy the latest album online. The price of the CD's being sold outside the auditorium seemed a bit too dear, unless they had let us get the autographs on the CD by the band members.

James Cameron's next offering, Avatar

2009-11-06T18:00:00.006+05:30

After almost sinking like the Titanic he made in 1987 James Cameron surfaces with Avatar, to be released next month on the 18'th. Titanic was the most expensive movie made during its times and now Avatar repeats that feat. At $230 million it is the most expensive movie to be made so far. Check out the impressive trailer at www.avatarmovie.com

If you have a slow connection check out the trailer at YouTube.

Osibisa in Chennai

2009-10-30T09:15:00.014+05:30

OMG! I can't believe it. Osibisa is playing in Chennai as part of The Hindu's Novemberfest. I missed them when the band played in Chennai in 1984, during their glory days. The band is on a 40'th year anniversary tour. One of their players Dakua Potato is no more. Osibisa opened with Andanda Shankar's "Ragupathi Raghava" in Chennai in 1984. Will they do that this time too?

By the way if you are wondering if you have heard Osibisa before here goes. If you have been watching "Asatha Povathu Yaru" on SunTV or "Rasika Raaja" on Surya TV the music you are hearing in between the shows is from Osibisa's hit "Ojah Awake".

Osibisa's and many other African artistes and bands make Happy music. Singapore in the late 90's used Osibisa's "Sunshine Day" extensively for their "smile" campaign. Music director M.S. Vishwanathan's songs in the Tamil movies "Ninaithaale Inikkum" and "Ore Vaanam Ore Bhoomi" seemed to have been heavily drawn from the music of Osibisa particularly the keyboard music of "Dance the body music". In fact the sound of the keyboard in this song only instantly recalls these old Tamil movies shot in foreign locations.

From among other hits of Osibisa the ones I like are, "Sakabo", "Music for Gong Gong", "The warrior", and "Welcome Home".

You can book tickets online at the The Hindu, November fest's site. Official tickets go on sale only after November 6'th. But you can book your tickets online. Hurry! This time I am not missing them live.

Why you cannot watch cricket while having lunch or dinner

2009-10-12T10:39:00.005+05:30

In the U.S during Football season it is custom in many families to get friends and relatives together and have dinners (comprising mostly of Pizzas and pop) together and watch the games. Unfortunately in India you cannot do that for the single most revolting reason and that is - "spitting".

Players are spitting on the ground, players spitting on their hands and rubbing hands together (I saw Ricky Pointing do that disgusting thing in a recent game), spitting drinks after drinking them or gargling their mouths. Players chewing gum and spitting them too. It goes on without any inhibitions that you want to put away your food and take your eyes off the TV screen. It is utterly disgusting. I had mentioned in an earlier post how many Indian players were swearing and though most of them are inaudible the expletives could be clearly understood.

No wonder in Singapore you are fined a hefty fee if found spitting in public. The sale of chewing gum is also banned there considering how much of a pain it is to clean them up if they aren't disposed off properly. Wrigley's gum comes with a silver-shiny foil that you can use to dispose the chewing gum once your are done with it. I am not sure if other chewing-gum makers provide one such foil but unfortunately if the thing is not disposed off properly it can be found everywhere, from cinema seats, toilets, urinals and all those places you can come in contact with giving you such an annoying time. It's a terrible mess if it sticks to hair.

Considering how much spitting goes on here among the general public, India could make a killing if such fines were imposed here too and considering how a huge T.V audience is also watching these matches in close-up mode, I won't mind imposing a fine on spitting players too.

A delightful Hollywood Movie Soundtrack by A R Rahman

2009-10-10T17:15:00.004+05:30

In another first for an Indian Music Director/Composer, A R Rahman composes all the songs and music for the Hollywood Movie, "Couples Retreat".

Like me, if you thought "Slumdog Millionnaire" wasn't worth it, take a listen to the songs of "Couples Retreat" at the following site.

http://www.couplesretreatsoundtrack.com/

A R Rahman even sings a Tamil song and I can imagine the feeling listening to it while watching the film in the U.S or in countries outside India. The song may not play in its entirety but even a small bit is worth it. Then there is Khailash Kher lending his vocal talents in another song, an afro number and other delightful tunes. Check it out.

Two stunning performances

2009-10-09T10:55:00.008+05:30

The first is an old one performed way back in July this year by Neethu, the singer with a very unique voice on Idea Star Singer. Here Neethu is performing in the Remix round. Her Hindi though not perfect is suprisingly good for a singer singing in Hindi for the first time. A lovely performance.

And the next, Lekshmi in the judges round, recently from Super Star 2. Music director Deepak Dev was so much in awe of her watching her sing his song that towards the end he joined her on stage. This performance gave me the goose bumps.

Prinia chicks at Satish's home (two weeks ago)

2009-10-06T19:00:00.000+05:30

I am happy that they have hatched, looked after well and must have taken to flight.

Here are the pics. I was lazy to watermark them and post them.

Day 2.

Day 2, another pic.

Day 3.

Day 5.

Day 7.

Day 12 or day 13. In this final pic, the only one where I used the camera's flash you can see the colour differences of the feathers on the body of the chicks. Two days after this pic was taken I found the nest empty.

How to fix your BSNL Modem's configuration

2009-09-21T08:36:00.004+05:30

This time when I got back my Internet connection, I was wondering how long it is going to take BSNL fix everything and get me up and running. I was too naive to think that just getting back my username and password would re-establish my connection. How wrong I was. Calling customer care is/was a nightmare and the assurance that someone would turn up at my door to fix my modem was totally unreliable.

Thanks to the web, I then start searching stuff on Yahoo. After some hits and misses I was able to get to a website where the simple documentation for the HUAWEI MT800 modem was available that did the trick. When the BSNL guy called that evening I was thrilled to tell him everything was O.K. So if you want to configure your BSNL Modem (HUAWEI MT800) check out this page.

http://mp.bsnl.co.in/bb/mt800/mt800.htm

The only problem I had was with the IP configuration to be done prior to using the steps on this page. These are documented too. A link is provided before you begin the configuration steps called "Assign IP Address". Here if you don't use the right IP addresses your modem will be recognized as some other modem, with a different model number. You may have to make a note of your old IP, Gateway and DNS server addresses before you attempt to use the ones mentioned on the Assigning IP Address page. For me my old IP addresses worked. Several re-boots and resetting of the modem (before doing the configuration) helped me configure the modem correctly.

A R Rahman is back at doing what he is best at

2009-09-17T18:59:00.003+05:30

One song is already ringing in my ears. It is a superb composition called "Aaj Dhil Gusthak Hai" from the upcoming Hindi film Blue where Sukhwinder Singh and Shreya Goshal have sung the duet brilliantly. Both music and song are stylish to listen to. The rest of the songs seem ok but then I have listened to them just once.

Check the songs at Musicmazaa

My cousin's son debuts as music director

2009-09-11T21:21:00.004+05:30

Abishek, (Original name Ragesh) who works as a recording engineer at Chithra's studio in Chennai has composed 5 songs for Kalabhavan Mani's next multi-lingual movie titled "Black Stallion". Check out this catchy number which is sure to be the hit from the movie. I should also mention Rimi Tomi who provided the female vocal for this duet and who also shines in this song.

I was in Chalakudy when Ragesh recorded this song with Mani and I missed the opportunity to watch the recording though it is actually not a very enjoyable thing. You are doled in this sound proof room where you cannot get out and where just as in the world of acting, innumerable takes of different portions of the song are made. The final song is then made via a cut and paste job. I did watch an M.G.Sreekumaran recording at Chithra's studios once and decided I would never get into that room again.

Ragesh has done numerous recordings for music directors. Among several hits he has recorded one notable song that comes to mind is "Kangal Irandal" for the movie Subramanyapuram.

"Black Stallion" by the way is produced by my cousin Jagadesh Chandran whose father, my Valliyachan had passed away recently.

We need more of "eerum"

2009-09-10T19:24:00.004+05:30

Not only the "eerum" or wetness from rains that this part of India is longing for but also songs like the ones Dhaman has composed for the Tamil Movie "Eerum". Check out the lovely songs at MusicMasaa giving the feel of beautiful, eagerly awaited rain.

I'll rate Harris Jeyaraj's songs for Adhavan behind the songs of "Eerum" for this time. "Hasili Fisiliye" by Karthik is a nice one but stereotyped. The rest don't impress. Listen to the song at Musicmazaa.

"VenPanju" sung by Udith Narayan and Karthik is a lovely tune from Vidhyasagar for the movie "Kanden Kadhalai" the Tamil version of "Jab We Met". Listen to it at Musicmazaa.

Shruthi Haasan's music for her dad's latest film "Unnai Pol Oruvan" is far from impressive. One song with Blaze was OK when she sings her lines. Otherwise I thought it was nothing new and using Kamal Haasan's old vocals for two songs wasn't a good idea either.

Update on the Prinia nests

2009-09-08T21:09:00.004+05:30

It was heartbreaking to see the nest on Sunday morning devoid of any eggs or the bird. The day before I noticed a Treepie sitting on a branch of the nearby coconut tree very close to the nest. It probably discovered the nest and the eggs. Too much winds might have exposed the nest. I found only three eggs that evening. The bird was in the nest though on Saturday night incubating her eggs. However on Sunday morning none of the eggs were there. The bird was missing too. Maybe some predator harvested the eggs. Both the Treepie and the chipmunk are capable of this as both consume the eggs of other birds. If only I had laid some thorny shrubs around the nest probably I could have saved the remaining eggs. I thought they were only days away from hatching. What a sight that would have been!

The good news is that the three eggs in the Prinia's nest at Sathish's home have hatched. They might have hatched on Sunday or Monday. No sound can be heard but I could see the tiny little ones open their mouths for food. What a sight! It was like seeing God. Mommy bird is busy looking after the newborn. Wonder how many will make it. The nest is so secure that it is very difficult to take a good picture. If I am able to take a pic I will post it here.

Happy Onam 2009

2009-09-01T23:17:00.001+05:30

Here's wishing all my Malayali readers and all other readers who are celebrating Onam, a very Happy Onam!

Is it Prinia nesting season?

2009-08-31T09:12:00.014+05:30

I locate a second nest at my brother's home. The bird here has laid three eggs and is currently incubating them. Unlike the nest in my home, this one at my brother's place is made of just two leaves instead of three.

It is unbelievable to see how the nests are surviving the winds and the occasional heavy downpours.

The Prinia at my home doesn't hardly leaves its nest these days, even during the day. Here's a pic I took last night, in its nest. Ah! I managed to put a watermark in the image.