Let me at the outset clarify that i am not a great fan of Rajnikant.In fact i am an ordent admirer of KamalHasan and possibly this blog will not have sufficient space to record my appreciation of kamal's great avatars.
But that should not stand in the way of my sincere appreciation of the movie 'enthiran" and hence this post. Again i would like to make a disclaimer to the effect that whatever has been conveyed thru this post is not another advertising gimmick on behalf of "Sun pictures" who in my opinion had slightly over done their part in so far as advertisement and publicity goes, with the result some of the natural chrams of the movie, which would have been otherwise relished by a movie goer when he sees it first time,had already been A CASUALTY.
NOW COMING TO THE FINER POINTS OF THE MOVIE , let me say it as short and sweet as possible>
> The three roles played by Rajni, as "Scientist,as Robo with Constructive features and as Robo with Destructive features" are brilliantly portrayed with very deft and subtle chAnges in hair style, walking style, intonation and delivery of dialogues and semblances of Rajni of 16 vayathinele & 3 mudicchu come back with a vengence after decades.Cudos to dance masters WHO HAD PERCEIVED THE LIMITATIONS OF RAJNI IN DANCING AND STILL CHOREOGRAPHED apt movements for him in his song sequences as a scientist and as a Robo.While the dance steps itself may not be very challenging, what is to be applauded is the body movements exibited by Rajni when he is singing and dancing as a human lover and as a robo lover. The transition of feelings to Robo and its after math, the kissing by Ishwarya Roy voluntarily first and by force later are shots which are beautifully scripted and consummated.HATS OFF.
> Ishwarya Roy-Awesome is the word which comes to my mind.There is none to equal her beauty and grace in the present day cinema, in my opinion. And her dances are full of elegance and some of the dresses that she wear are so attractive to her and to her alone ( for any other actress it might have appeared to be a mis fit or even bordering on vulgarity). From the days of Jeans (ANOTHER MOVIE BY shankar) she has come a long way. But years have added to her beauty .The expressive blue eyed girl, with her natural charm as "Ulaga Azhagi" justifies her role 100%. IN FACT IT IS ONE OF THE VERY FEW MOVIES WHEREIN HEROINE is present in every frame of the movie as hero himself and not with out valid reason.Her body movements, her mannerisms and eye movements especially when she meets with Robo FIRST AND TAKES HIM AS TOY FRIEND, first, later as BOY FRIEND and still later as a Wicked Monster are something to be chrished upon by every Rasigan of cinemas.
> The story line , simple and straight.What happens when A ROBO created by man kind tries to imitate the man kind itself? MAY BE FOR "C" class audience the movie might have appeared to be a show of technology , hard to digest unless they had access to Electronic yuga.That should not however take away the credit the stoty line demands, and the credit in full measure should go to my favourite author SUJTHA (out of admiration for whom my daghter has been christened by me as Sujatha).And even his nick name RANGUSKI,(in the movie the character or name pertains to a mosquito which bites Ishwarya roy leading to hilarious movements thereafter)shines thru the screen as his writings richly deserve.Three cheers to Sujatha, Shankar& Shankar in that order.
>the movie, if it is to be voted for first half and second half respectively, in my opinion the first half steals miles over the second half. And perhaps this impact of the first half gives enough momentum for the second half.Three scenes are note worthy.The first one when the Robo is tutored by Villain to attack Rajni himself, the second one when Robo saves people from a major fire disaster and the third one when the Robo supervises safely a complicated delivery to a woman.The dialogues show the class of SUJATHA.Eg:When the Robo goes to save the naked woman taking bath from fire, the woman protests saying that she is not wearing any dress. Quips the ROBO"I ALSO DO NOT WEAR ANY DRESS'.Similarly when Rajni admonishes RObo indicating that the woman is not having any dress quips the robo"she is having life".The fact that the media glare drives the woman to commit suicide is another event which distubs the hearts of the viewer.
>SONG SEQUENCES ARE APT AND BRILLIANT.AR RAHMAN has done his home work admirably well.Technological excellence is the best part of the movie.The fight sequences are grand and new to TAMIL CINEMA. Especially the second half steals the thunder when the Destructive Robo takes over complete charge.
Some of you might rise an eye brow as to whether there are no weak links at all.Yes there are few, like the wastage of two comedians, talent of a great villain of Hindi cinema NOT BEING PROPERLY TAPPED and slightly over extended fight scenes in the second half.BUT VIEWED IN THE TOTAL BACKDROP OF STORY, SONGS,PICTURISATION AND SPLENDID DIRECTORIAL TOUCHES BY SHANKAR BESIDES THE ACTING PROWESS OF RAJNI AND ISHWARYA, THE MOVIE CAN BE CONSIDERED AS WORTH WAITING FOR ITS RELEASE BY MORE THAN 2 YEARS.After quite a length of time , interms of production value and action sequences, Tamil Cinema is really giving a tough competition to Holly wood cinemas and that is what matters most..
...
Monday, October 25, 2010
Saturday, October 16, 2010
vijaya dasami celebrations
The Hindu functions (please do not treat this as a post from a fanatic Hindu)like any other religious functions of other castes have their variety and charm.It is quite unfortunate that these functions are now being carried out more to prove that they belong to a particular caste/creed/religion etc rather than to understand the inner significance and appreciate the nuances of the same.
Possibly the persons to be blamed are persons like me who witness the transition , with out being in a position to influence them in any way..Silent spectators to the events around us. REASON IS SIMPLE. One generation previous to ours had the time , enery and willingness to stick to the laid down values, principles and dictums of their religion.No questions asked.Mere compliance. And they had their say in those days.Possibly they understood why they did certain things and why they chose not to do certain things.But the generation to which i belong to seldom asked questions. HAD WE ASKED QUESTIONS WE WOULD HAVE GOT THE ANSWERS.Whether we are comfortable with teh answers which we got is a different issue . But atleast we would have done some thing or stopped doing some thing with a reason for the same.This did not happen and therefore we blindly followed the previous generation.
Then came the present generation.A generation, with energy, high IQ levels and a tendency to ask questions on any thing and every thing, whether it be religious beliefs, whether it be scientific discoveries, whether it be the acceptance or other wise of the existence of GOD.Our generation which simply copied the earlier generation did not have convincing answers to the questions of the present generation.The result is , non compliance, diversity of thoughts, a journey which will take place only when answers are known.
It is in this back drop i sit to analyse the deep rooted meaning of Durga pooja.Whether one believes in existence of god or other wise is immaterial. Every body will agree to the existence of MOTHER, as they owe their presence in the present world to them.MOTHER is some one who has given her life, blood and life to her siblings. AS some one remarked "God can not be every where and therefore he created mothers".Some one else remarked that "there may be good or bad women around us, but all mothers are good."
Thus Durga is nothing but the manifestation of the Mother.We celebrate Durga pooja in various forms, in style. In Mysore it is Dussera, In Tamil nadu it is NAVARTAHRI,in Kolkata it is 'Durga Pooja".By what ever name you call it it is nothing but thanking the mothers.Mother has given her children the wealth of life, Knowledge and power / Her blood is the milk with which the present generation has come to stay and grow with energy.With out her love and affection life would have lost its relevance and its meaning.As one grows up the love and affection of father, sisters and brothers, near and dear, lover and wife and so on and so forth will be enjoyed. But the first point of love and affection is due to the mother .
Mother teaches confidence, makes the baby strong, fight against ailments,feed the food, gift the child with apt dresses and other valuable gifts from time to time.MAY BE THE MONEY IS DERIVED IN THE YESTER YERS FROM FATHERS, But today when the women have started ruling the world, they are capable of gifing any thing and ever thing to the children by themselves.
Durga poja MANIFESTS ITSELD AS SARASWATHI POOJA(GODDESS OF EDUCATION AND KNOWLEDGE),LAXMI POOJA (GODDESS OF WEALTH) and KALI POOJA(goddess of STRENGTH-of mind and body alike).By praying on these days to the three goddesses what we really do is to symbolically crave the blessings of all mothers in the world who made their children proud by extending comfort and affection, at all times, not withstanding their own ailments/limitations.
Mother is the symbolic epitome of "SAKTHI(POWER)" and Durga pooja symbolises worshipping all three powers which make the humans to lead the present life with happiness and peace of mind.yes, WEALTH, HEALTH AND KNOWLEDGE,three ingredients of a peaceful and puroposeful life in our material world..
LET US UNITE TOGTEHR TO INVOKE THE GODDESSES WITH OUR PRAYERS ON THIS VIJAYADASAMI DAY and offer our gifts to the living GODDESS OF THE HOMES..MOTHERS.
MAY VIJAYA DASAMI bring every one prosperity,peace of mind and ever lasting happines in all walks of life. .
ENDRENDRUM ANBUDAN
(with ever lasting love)
VISION
Possibly the persons to be blamed are persons like me who witness the transition , with out being in a position to influence them in any way..Silent spectators to the events around us. REASON IS SIMPLE. One generation previous to ours had the time , enery and willingness to stick to the laid down values, principles and dictums of their religion.No questions asked.Mere compliance. And they had their say in those days.Possibly they understood why they did certain things and why they chose not to do certain things.But the generation to which i belong to seldom asked questions. HAD WE ASKED QUESTIONS WE WOULD HAVE GOT THE ANSWERS.Whether we are comfortable with teh answers which we got is a different issue . But atleast we would have done some thing or stopped doing some thing with a reason for the same.This did not happen and therefore we blindly followed the previous generation.
Then came the present generation.A generation, with energy, high IQ levels and a tendency to ask questions on any thing and every thing, whether it be religious beliefs, whether it be scientific discoveries, whether it be the acceptance or other wise of the existence of GOD.Our generation which simply copied the earlier generation did not have convincing answers to the questions of the present generation.The result is , non compliance, diversity of thoughts, a journey which will take place only when answers are known.
It is in this back drop i sit to analyse the deep rooted meaning of Durga pooja.Whether one believes in existence of god or other wise is immaterial. Every body will agree to the existence of MOTHER, as they owe their presence in the present world to them.MOTHER is some one who has given her life, blood and life to her siblings. AS some one remarked "God can not be every where and therefore he created mothers".Some one else remarked that "there may be good or bad women around us, but all mothers are good."
Thus Durga is nothing but the manifestation of the Mother.We celebrate Durga pooja in various forms, in style. In Mysore it is Dussera, In Tamil nadu it is NAVARTAHRI,in Kolkata it is 'Durga Pooja".By what ever name you call it it is nothing but thanking the mothers.Mother has given her children the wealth of life, Knowledge and power / Her blood is the milk with which the present generation has come to stay and grow with energy.With out her love and affection life would have lost its relevance and its meaning.As one grows up the love and affection of father, sisters and brothers, near and dear, lover and wife and so on and so forth will be enjoyed. But the first point of love and affection is due to the mother .
Mother teaches confidence, makes the baby strong, fight against ailments,feed the food, gift the child with apt dresses and other valuable gifts from time to time.MAY BE THE MONEY IS DERIVED IN THE YESTER YERS FROM FATHERS, But today when the women have started ruling the world, they are capable of gifing any thing and ever thing to the children by themselves.
Durga poja MANIFESTS ITSELD AS SARASWATHI POOJA(GODDESS OF EDUCATION AND KNOWLEDGE),LAXMI POOJA (GODDESS OF WEALTH) and KALI POOJA(goddess of STRENGTH-of mind and body alike).By praying on these days to the three goddesses what we really do is to symbolically crave the blessings of all mothers in the world who made their children proud by extending comfort and affection, at all times, not withstanding their own ailments/limitations.
Mother is the symbolic epitome of "SAKTHI(POWER)" and Durga pooja symbolises worshipping all three powers which make the humans to lead the present life with happiness and peace of mind.yes, WEALTH, HEALTH AND KNOWLEDGE,three ingredients of a peaceful and puroposeful life in our material world..
LET US UNITE TOGTEHR TO INVOKE THE GODDESSES WITH OUR PRAYERS ON THIS VIJAYADASAMI DAY and offer our gifts to the living GODDESS OF THE HOMES..MOTHERS.
MAY VIJAYA DASAMI bring every one prosperity,peace of mind and ever lasting happines in all walks of life. .
ENDRENDRUM ANBUDAN
(with ever lasting love)
VISION
Friday, October 15, 2010
COMMON WEALTH GAMES
I did ponder over the title even when i started penning this blog.Whether Corruption Wealth GAMES WOULD HAVE BEEN AN APPROPRIATE TITLE?
But by giving such name i will be insulting 101 medalists who have performed and shown their talent & patriotism to this country..38 GOLDS,27 SILVER AND 36 BRONZE is the medal tally at the end of the games for India and in the process India also took the second place in the top 3 slot, beating England by a narrow margin of one gold medal.
ALL 101 WINNERS NEED OUR APPRECIATION IN TOTO.THEY HAVE DONE IT NOT WITHSTANDING THE LIMITATIONS INCLUDING THE LACK OF INFRASTRUCTURE WITH WHICH THEY HAVE TO COME TO TERMS WITH.GREAT CHEERS TO THEM FOR THEY DESERVE EVERY ONE OF THOSE CHEERS.
At the same time, what is painful is that the glory and honour that these athletes brought to India had been engulfed in the after math of corruption charges levied against kal madi (STONE UPSTAIRS!!).It is quite possible that the persons who are really the culprits will escape any punishment , thanks to the manner in which the political parties will fall head on heels to back them and the inability of the law enforcing agencies to do any thing against the wishes of the top brasses.
But the fact remains that this country can do wonders if there is only proper life line from those who are at the helm of affairs. Imagine the extent of medal tally, had our athletes got the same environment and infrastructure and support facilites as their competitors did enjoy.
THE LOUD AND CLEAR MESSAGE TO THE WORLD AT LARGE IS THAT INDIA IS CAPABLE OF ACHIEVEMENT AND ATTAINMENTS.ITS YOUNGSTERS CAN DO MARVELS TO BOOST THE IMAGE OF THIS COUNTRY.AND LET NOT THE DIRTY POLITICIANS WITH THEIR VULGAR AND SORDID ACTS OF CORRUPTION DO ANY THING TO MAR THE GLORY OF FUTURE INDIA..LET US MARCH TO 2020 WITH THE CONFIDENCE OF YOUNGER INDIA SURGING AHEAD.
But by giving such name i will be insulting 101 medalists who have performed and shown their talent & patriotism to this country..38 GOLDS,27 SILVER AND 36 BRONZE is the medal tally at the end of the games for India and in the process India also took the second place in the top 3 slot, beating England by a narrow margin of one gold medal.
ALL 101 WINNERS NEED OUR APPRECIATION IN TOTO.THEY HAVE DONE IT NOT WITHSTANDING THE LIMITATIONS INCLUDING THE LACK OF INFRASTRUCTURE WITH WHICH THEY HAVE TO COME TO TERMS WITH.GREAT CHEERS TO THEM FOR THEY DESERVE EVERY ONE OF THOSE CHEERS.
At the same time, what is painful is that the glory and honour that these athletes brought to India had been engulfed in the after math of corruption charges levied against kal madi (STONE UPSTAIRS!!).It is quite possible that the persons who are really the culprits will escape any punishment , thanks to the manner in which the political parties will fall head on heels to back them and the inability of the law enforcing agencies to do any thing against the wishes of the top brasses.
But the fact remains that this country can do wonders if there is only proper life line from those who are at the helm of affairs. Imagine the extent of medal tally, had our athletes got the same environment and infrastructure and support facilites as their competitors did enjoy.
THE LOUD AND CLEAR MESSAGE TO THE WORLD AT LARGE IS THAT INDIA IS CAPABLE OF ACHIEVEMENT AND ATTAINMENTS.ITS YOUNGSTERS CAN DO MARVELS TO BOOST THE IMAGE OF THIS COUNTRY.AND LET NOT THE DIRTY POLITICIANS WITH THEIR VULGAR AND SORDID ACTS OF CORRUPTION DO ANY THING TO MAR THE GLORY OF FUTURE INDIA..LET US MARCH TO 2020 WITH THE CONFIDENCE OF YOUNGER INDIA SURGING AHEAD.
Monday, October 11, 2010
birth day celebrations
I have often wondered and often passed stringent comments on thsoe who used to celebrate birth days.In fact i do not recall any celebrations in my house hold itself till i turned 15, of any bith days, be it that of father , mother , sisters or brother.
Perhaps my hardened stance on birth days is due to lack of celebrations of any such birth days in my younger years or perhaps it may be attributed to my own revulsion at the way in which some of the political leaders used to make it as an advertising compaign to reach their ends.
I think my first remembrance of a birth day was when my father turned 60 (Shastiapthapoorthi celebrations).And mind you i was hardly 5years old and thus the memories of this event were as temporary as a passing shadow.
The time when i realised the importance of a birth day was when i moved to my sister's house, when i was about 13years old.My sister and brother in law, in their income, which was then just sufficient to make both ends meet used to celebrate their birthdays, those of their siblings and that of mine too.Even then i used to think it as a waste of money as i knew how difficult to earn a rupee in those days.But my brother in law(in his best moods) is a person whose passion, enery and enthusiasm in such matters is sort of contagious and whether you wish or not you will be engulfed by it.
There will be invariably a visit to the temple in the morning hours, follwed by some sweets at the house, some outing to a theatre near by in the evening ,preceded by a session at a near by hotel (it used to be invariably My coffee bar near Shathi theatre in those days).The sessions at the hotel used to be fun (and at times embarassing too) as he(my BIL) used to order for a plate of bajji or Mangalore bonda(to which my wife developed an instant liking in those days and may be for the same reason i developed an instant dislike!!) and then start cutting it and distributing to the memebers of the family.(If you count it there will be atleast half a dozen members ).Obviously with the first round of distribution the tiffin is over.
What was behind that distribution is love and affection,A desire to treat in the best way possible not withstanding the limitation of resources and ensuring every ingredient is present (thogh in limited manner)to make it lively At this point of time in life when i spend hundreds of rupees on any outing and when i compare the outings i used to have then and now, and the levels of satisfaction derived,then and now, the former is a winner, hands down.
And the habit imbibed from my BIL slowly grew and as it normally happens , found its outlet when i became a lover/husband/father in that order.And slowly the pleasure of giving, rather than the pleasure of receiving started sinking in.And also the message behind such celebrations.
The birth is a god send gift to us and lease period is in suspence..In the intervening period, it is not merely enough if we have our love and our affection on those around us unless the same is given an outlet in some form, be it words, be it some gifts ...
And only very few people like my son have a gift of words to show their love and affection with out any contamination whatsoever..Those who would like to have a glimpse of his vocabulary , reach and depth may pay a visit to his blog "The endless
horizons" .
This post is not intended to have a reference to the blog, it is a reference to the
energy, love and affection that such words can show on one's birth day making him/her feel as if he/she had really done something worth justifying their living in this universe.
If that be the case every birth day is worth celebrating, for it is reiteration of values, bonding, friendship and ever lasting love and affection..AND THAT IS THE LESSON LEARNT ON THE 60TH BIRTH DAY....
Perhaps my hardened stance on birth days is due to lack of celebrations of any such birth days in my younger years or perhaps it may be attributed to my own revulsion at the way in which some of the political leaders used to make it as an advertising compaign to reach their ends.
I think my first remembrance of a birth day was when my father turned 60 (Shastiapthapoorthi celebrations).And mind you i was hardly 5years old and thus the memories of this event were as temporary as a passing shadow.
The time when i realised the importance of a birth day was when i moved to my sister's house, when i was about 13years old.My sister and brother in law, in their income, which was then just sufficient to make both ends meet used to celebrate their birthdays, those of their siblings and that of mine too.Even then i used to think it as a waste of money as i knew how difficult to earn a rupee in those days.But my brother in law(in his best moods) is a person whose passion, enery and enthusiasm in such matters is sort of contagious and whether you wish or not you will be engulfed by it.
There will be invariably a visit to the temple in the morning hours, follwed by some sweets at the house, some outing to a theatre near by in the evening ,preceded by a session at a near by hotel (it used to be invariably My coffee bar near Shathi theatre in those days).The sessions at the hotel used to be fun (and at times embarassing too) as he(my BIL) used to order for a plate of bajji or Mangalore bonda(to which my wife developed an instant liking in those days and may be for the same reason i developed an instant dislike!!) and then start cutting it and distributing to the memebers of the family.(If you count it there will be atleast half a dozen members ).Obviously with the first round of distribution the tiffin is over.
What was behind that distribution is love and affection,A desire to treat in the best way possible not withstanding the limitation of resources and ensuring every ingredient is present (thogh in limited manner)to make it lively At this point of time in life when i spend hundreds of rupees on any outing and when i compare the outings i used to have then and now, and the levels of satisfaction derived,then and now, the former is a winner, hands down.
And the habit imbibed from my BIL slowly grew and as it normally happens , found its outlet when i became a lover/husband/father in that order.And slowly the pleasure of giving, rather than the pleasure of receiving started sinking in.And also the message behind such celebrations.
The birth is a god send gift to us and lease period is in suspence..In the intervening period, it is not merely enough if we have our love and our affection on those around us unless the same is given an outlet in some form, be it words, be it some gifts ...
And only very few people like my son have a gift of words to show their love and affection with out any contamination whatsoever..Those who would like to have a glimpse of his vocabulary , reach and depth may pay a visit to his blog "The endless
horizons" .
This post is not intended to have a reference to the blog, it is a reference to the
energy, love and affection that such words can show on one's birth day making him/her feel as if he/she had really done something worth justifying their living in this universe.
If that be the case every birth day is worth celebrating, for it is reiteration of values, bonding, friendship and ever lasting love and affection..AND THAT IS THE LESSON LEARNT ON THE 60TH BIRTH DAY....
Friday, October 8, 2010
Hi,
CAUTION;LOOKS LIKE IT IS BECOMING MORE LIKE AN AUTOBIGRAPHY, SO DO NOT VENTURE TO READ IF YOU DO NOT LIKE IT..
At times i used to wonder how i have succeded all these years(ofcourse it is my own judgement and my interpretation of success and therefore if there is any difference of opinion,i am glad to welcome the same)despite my shortcomings.I list out the short comings as perceived by me and as perceived by others.
laziness
forgetfulness
shorttemper
lack of dress sense
MASTERY OVER NONE
Lack of friends
Adamantness
Weakness for home food
shortsightedness(I mean myopia)
Shortness(I mean, physical trait , only normal height and not impressive height)
Tendency to insist for punctuality from others...
List is endless. Then for fear of driving away the scant readership i hold, i refrain from describing them.
Then it struck me that i should pssibly do a soul searching to find out whether at all i have got any good qualities/traits which have possibly been sustaining me despite my weakness/shortcomings.
they are as under:
My poor memeory is the first to be voted for .It enabled me to forget the wrongs others have done to me soon and it also enabled me to fogive them.
My friends are far and few.But they are all God send gifts. THEY have always been faithful, transparent and prepared to accept me the way i am. I mean both genders.THAT ENABLED ME TO build confidence in my own self.Whether they are far or near does not matter. WHat MATTERS IS THE BELIEF that they will stand by me 100%in case of a crisis.
My passion for my studies and for my job.I will not claim to be extraordinarily brilliant in what i do.But i strive to do them as perfect as possible/within my set limitations.
My myopic sight prevented me from indulging in any thing which is possibly fraught with slightest of risks and to that extent life was smooth and flowing.
LACK OF dresssence, enabled me to bring a fort around me wherein only those who know me can freely enter and the others keep away.To that extent relationship prblems are less.
My two smart children(now adults) who never made any extra ordinary demands on me and were content with me as a father.AND THEIR BRILLIANCE IN WHAT EVER WALK OF LIFE THEY HAVE CARVED OUT FOR THEMSELVES.
My wife. my worst enemy and my best friend, who made things at home lively at every moment by doing things to my like and to my dislike all at the same time, thereby bringing a spark in the otherwise dull and dreariness which would set is after a few years of marriage.The fact that we have diametrically opposite tastes in all walks of life make it all the more better,Opposite poles attract each other ..right!!
My love for books,fiction, non fiction,biography,poetry call it by any name. And my profound taste for literature , classical dance and music,..
ABOVE ALL , THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING.THE RECOGNITION AND WISDOM WHICH CAME TO ME IN MY MID FORTIES to accept that every human being is either 100% perfect or 100% imperfect and the fault is not on them, but on the circumstances(which could have been caused by any number of factors including my own likes and dislikes )and therefore accept all those around you with their plus and minus (in totality).AS a
ZEN story goes, hatred and enmity and anger are not doing any thing to the person aginst whom it is directed but it does all the more damage to the person who is having all these feelings, Shed them , you become free and relaxed all the more.
LAST BUT NOT THE LEAST ,MY ABSOLUTE FAITH IN THAT COSMIC FORCE (BY WHATEVER NAME YOU WISH TO CALL IT) AND THE CONFIDENCE THAT I DERIVE OUT OF THAT TO BELIEVE THAT"THIS WILL ALSO PASS THROUGH" AND THERE WILL CERATINLY BE" THE SUN SHINE AND FESH BREEZE "TO BLESS MY WALK OF LIFE...
I wish my friends and others like to have this frame of mind to convert weakness into strength, challenges to opportunities, hatred to love and see how there shortcomings have themselves proved to be the source of their strength.
CAUTION;LOOKS LIKE IT IS BECOMING MORE LIKE AN AUTOBIGRAPHY, SO DO NOT VENTURE TO READ IF YOU DO NOT LIKE IT..
At times i used to wonder how i have succeded all these years(ofcourse it is my own judgement and my interpretation of success and therefore if there is any difference of opinion,i am glad to welcome the same)despite my shortcomings.I list out the short comings as perceived by me and as perceived by others.
laziness
forgetfulness
shorttemper
lack of dress sense
MASTERY OVER NONE
Lack of friends
Adamantness
Weakness for home food
shortsightedness(I mean myopia)
Shortness(I mean, physical trait , only normal height and not impressive height)
Tendency to insist for punctuality from others...
List is endless. Then for fear of driving away the scant readership i hold, i refrain from describing them.
Then it struck me that i should pssibly do a soul searching to find out whether at all i have got any good qualities/traits which have possibly been sustaining me despite my weakness/shortcomings.
they are as under:
My poor memeory is the first to be voted for .It enabled me to forget the wrongs others have done to me soon and it also enabled me to fogive them.
My friends are far and few.But they are all God send gifts. THEY have always been faithful, transparent and prepared to accept me the way i am. I mean both genders.THAT ENABLED ME TO build confidence in my own self.Whether they are far or near does not matter. WHat MATTERS IS THE BELIEF that they will stand by me 100%in case of a crisis.
My passion for my studies and for my job.I will not claim to be extraordinarily brilliant in what i do.But i strive to do them as perfect as possible/within my set limitations.
My myopic sight prevented me from indulging in any thing which is possibly fraught with slightest of risks and to that extent life was smooth and flowing.
LACK OF dresssence, enabled me to bring a fort around me wherein only those who know me can freely enter and the others keep away.To that extent relationship prblems are less.
My two smart children(now adults) who never made any extra ordinary demands on me and were content with me as a father.AND THEIR BRILLIANCE IN WHAT EVER WALK OF LIFE THEY HAVE CARVED OUT FOR THEMSELVES.
My wife. my worst enemy and my best friend, who made things at home lively at every moment by doing things to my like and to my dislike all at the same time, thereby bringing a spark in the otherwise dull and dreariness which would set is after a few years of marriage.The fact that we have diametrically opposite tastes in all walks of life make it all the more better,Opposite poles attract each other ..right!!
My love for books,fiction, non fiction,biography,poetry call it by any name. And my profound taste for literature , classical dance and music,..
ABOVE ALL , THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING.THE RECOGNITION AND WISDOM WHICH CAME TO ME IN MY MID FORTIES to accept that every human being is either 100% perfect or 100% imperfect and the fault is not on them, but on the circumstances(which could have been caused by any number of factors including my own likes and dislikes )and therefore accept all those around you with their plus and minus (in totality).AS a
ZEN story goes, hatred and enmity and anger are not doing any thing to the person aginst whom it is directed but it does all the more damage to the person who is having all these feelings, Shed them , you become free and relaxed all the more.
LAST BUT NOT THE LEAST ,MY ABSOLUTE FAITH IN THAT COSMIC FORCE (BY WHATEVER NAME YOU WISH TO CALL IT) AND THE CONFIDENCE THAT I DERIVE OUT OF THAT TO BELIEVE THAT"THIS WILL ALSO PASS THROUGH" AND THERE WILL CERATINLY BE" THE SUN SHINE AND FESH BREEZE "TO BLESS MY WALK OF LIFE...
I wish my friends and others like to have this frame of mind to convert weakness into strength, challenges to opportunities, hatred to love and see how there shortcomings have themselves proved to be the source of their strength.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Taking things for granted
Quite often in life we take things for granted.Of course we also take people for granted!!. A seperate psot about it later.
This post is to highlight the difficulties encountered when we take things for granted and how a few precautions in the normal course would be of great assistance in mitigating the same to a great extent.Let me also make it clear that the purpose of this post is not one of fault finding.
Very often we tend to assume that since we continue to handle a function/work in a particular way and since every thing is going on smoothly ,ther eis nothing to suspect the bonafides or todoubt the pitfals if any which may not be to our knowledge.Let me elaborate.
We continue to handle a bank account.WE have given the nomination particulars. We have given proof of identity. WE have given the pan numbers. We have given standing instructions for renewal of deposits or trnasfer of balances to another account.WE therefore presume/believe that tax will be properly deducted and credited , the proceeds will be automatically reinvested on maturity, and in the event of an worse scenario the nominee will get the proceeds.In other words we have taken for granted that instructions, once given will automatically be implemented by every one concerned.Far from reality.
You have to check and ensure (even it is embarassing to you and even your fine manners prevent you from doing so )that you have a confirmation regarding nomination made by you, a confirmation of updation of your instructions in the master reord of your account.Otherwise , as it happened to me , when my brother passed away and when we stepped into the bank to get the proceeds as nominee, it transpired that the nomination was not at all recorded any where and added to that the account opening form itself was missing. A fit case for reference to banking ombudsman.Still the finer qualities of gentleman, prevented from creating a scene at the bank and instead a mediocre approach of cajoling and convincing was to be taken.But some people will never listen to reasoning and that wisdom dawned after half a dozen attempts to meet the bank manager. The fact that they have lost the nomination form as well as account opening form itself would be sufficient reason to pin point that the bank was at fault.However attempts to convince them indirectly , to give comfort level to them(as after all they are protecting the money on our behalf with out allowing access to the same !!)by indicating to them that all along the account was operated by my wife(as my brother was physically challenged) and all along they have been honouring the with drawals made by her, that the account was one of the very few accounts to be opened on the inaugural day of the branch itself and that the self had been made as nominee in respect of a few other possessions of my brother (like LIC policies-fortunately these nominations were available)were of no avail.Thee were very polite(is it so..my wife fumes)but maintaining the stand that i should get a VAO (VILLAGE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER )certificate to make the claim.
Here begins the journey again.All those who happened to read this post , beware.This post is not to scare them away, but to make them understand not to take things for granted.VAO office is one in which tables and chairs will always be there, but the personnel, atleast those who can respond will be missing.Again a dozen attempts to reach them. Once you establish a contact with them, you get the wisdom that to enable them to take up your case you shold get a clearance from a THASHILDAR'S OFFICE, directing the VAO to take up the issue.AGAIN SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO THASHILDAR'S office. MANY A TIME YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO Meet them, and in case you are successful, you are put off by their initial remarks that the issue do not fall under their domain or that they are not the authorities to decide on the isssue.One has got to be extremely patient, resourceful, energetic and also dumb (outside appearance atleast ) or extremely smart to get to know who should be approached, what is to be done and hoe to handle the whole affair.Then you are given the stamped clearance to proceed back to VAO directing them to examine.
Here once again whole lot of queries (which make you understand how many things you have taken for granted 0 will be asked.This would include among other things , death certificates of your father, mother,brother, brother's wife and so on. Most of them we would not have obtained (because they seldom left any properties or they have passed away decades back) or would have been obtained and lost somewhere in dust bins.IF YOU DO NOT PRODUCE these certificates the doubts that they have will vary from your having driven away your parents to old age homes(to deny them the due share of the property !!)or having committed the murder of your brother's wife, or still further your brother having married more than once and having ditched all of them with out giving them even a penny of his earnings !!!hahaha
ASSUMING YOU ARE ABLE TO REASON WITH THEM , they will give you atlast set of papers advising you to get signature of atleast 20 people (respectable!!) of your locality certifying correctness of various particulars furnished by you (the fact that all residents of my locality have come in after a decade of my occupying that place does not matter).Once you do this exercise and revert back to their office, it would have been shifted elsewhere ,about 20-30 kms from where it was operating as the owner would have evicted them for the peanut rent that they were giving.Here again you have taken for granted that they will continue to operate in the same office !!!Then once you locate and hand over the papers (and please take a photo copy of the entire set before delivery as you can not fault them for missing it since they have not faulted you for not keeping in possession the death certificates of your ancestors), they will keep you guesiing as to the date on which you should call on them .Bettr note down the name of VAO, the name and telephone (read as cell ) number of the assistant to VAO etc as you should atleast clal them a dozen times before you can get their disposal.
After you get the VAO's disposal you are required to call upon the Revenue officials who will have his own question and answer session before finalising his remarks on the claims made by you.After disposal of the Revenue official , you will be directed to meet the THASHILDAR (whose office earlier directed the VAO to examine the case and submit the proceedings).HOLD YOUR BREATH NOW........
Thashildar WILL ASK YOU WHO HAS DIRECTED YOU TO HIM/HER as it is not within his powers/authority to give a disposal on your claim to the property....HOWEVER HE WILL BE GRACIOUS TO TELL YOU THAT HE WILL RECORD HIS INABILITY TO EXERCISE HIS AUTHORITY AND THAT HE WILL REFER YOU TO COURT TO take an appropriate approval from the court. SOOOO KIND OF HIM...
All because i have taken too many things for granted, including that my brother will outlive me!.PLEASE THEREFORE MAKE A WILL RIGHT AWAY(EVEN IF YOU HAVE NO PROPERT AS OF NOW) BEQUEATHING ALL OF THE SAME TO YOUR NEAR AND DEAR so that they will not scold you in the extreme happening, BY RUNNING FROM PILLAR TO POST..
This post is to highlight the difficulties encountered when we take things for granted and how a few precautions in the normal course would be of great assistance in mitigating the same to a great extent.Let me also make it clear that the purpose of this post is not one of fault finding.
Very often we tend to assume that since we continue to handle a function/work in a particular way and since every thing is going on smoothly ,ther eis nothing to suspect the bonafides or todoubt the pitfals if any which may not be to our knowledge.Let me elaborate.
We continue to handle a bank account.WE have given the nomination particulars. We have given proof of identity. WE have given the pan numbers. We have given standing instructions for renewal of deposits or trnasfer of balances to another account.WE therefore presume/believe that tax will be properly deducted and credited , the proceeds will be automatically reinvested on maturity, and in the event of an worse scenario the nominee will get the proceeds.In other words we have taken for granted that instructions, once given will automatically be implemented by every one concerned.Far from reality.
You have to check and ensure (even it is embarassing to you and even your fine manners prevent you from doing so )that you have a confirmation regarding nomination made by you, a confirmation of updation of your instructions in the master reord of your account.Otherwise , as it happened to me , when my brother passed away and when we stepped into the bank to get the proceeds as nominee, it transpired that the nomination was not at all recorded any where and added to that the account opening form itself was missing. A fit case for reference to banking ombudsman.Still the finer qualities of gentleman, prevented from creating a scene at the bank and instead a mediocre approach of cajoling and convincing was to be taken.But some people will never listen to reasoning and that wisdom dawned after half a dozen attempts to meet the bank manager. The fact that they have lost the nomination form as well as account opening form itself would be sufficient reason to pin point that the bank was at fault.However attempts to convince them indirectly , to give comfort level to them(as after all they are protecting the money on our behalf with out allowing access to the same !!)by indicating to them that all along the account was operated by my wife(as my brother was physically challenged) and all along they have been honouring the with drawals made by her, that the account was one of the very few accounts to be opened on the inaugural day of the branch itself and that the self had been made as nominee in respect of a few other possessions of my brother (like LIC policies-fortunately these nominations were available)were of no avail.Thee were very polite(is it so..my wife fumes)but maintaining the stand that i should get a VAO (VILLAGE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER )certificate to make the claim.
Here begins the journey again.All those who happened to read this post , beware.This post is not to scare them away, but to make them understand not to take things for granted.VAO office is one in which tables and chairs will always be there, but the personnel, atleast those who can respond will be missing.Again a dozen attempts to reach them. Once you establish a contact with them, you get the wisdom that to enable them to take up your case you shold get a clearance from a THASHILDAR'S OFFICE, directing the VAO to take up the issue.AGAIN SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO THASHILDAR'S office. MANY A TIME YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO Meet them, and in case you are successful, you are put off by their initial remarks that the issue do not fall under their domain or that they are not the authorities to decide on the isssue.One has got to be extremely patient, resourceful, energetic and also dumb (outside appearance atleast ) or extremely smart to get to know who should be approached, what is to be done and hoe to handle the whole affair.Then you are given the stamped clearance to proceed back to VAO directing them to examine.
Here once again whole lot of queries (which make you understand how many things you have taken for granted 0 will be asked.This would include among other things , death certificates of your father, mother,brother, brother's wife and so on. Most of them we would not have obtained (because they seldom left any properties or they have passed away decades back) or would have been obtained and lost somewhere in dust bins.IF YOU DO NOT PRODUCE these certificates the doubts that they have will vary from your having driven away your parents to old age homes(to deny them the due share of the property !!)or having committed the murder of your brother's wife, or still further your brother having married more than once and having ditched all of them with out giving them even a penny of his earnings !!!hahaha
ASSUMING YOU ARE ABLE TO REASON WITH THEM , they will give you atlast set of papers advising you to get signature of atleast 20 people (respectable!!) of your locality certifying correctness of various particulars furnished by you (the fact that all residents of my locality have come in after a decade of my occupying that place does not matter).Once you do this exercise and revert back to their office, it would have been shifted elsewhere ,about 20-30 kms from where it was operating as the owner would have evicted them for the peanut rent that they were giving.Here again you have taken for granted that they will continue to operate in the same office !!!Then once you locate and hand over the papers (and please take a photo copy of the entire set before delivery as you can not fault them for missing it since they have not faulted you for not keeping in possession the death certificates of your ancestors), they will keep you guesiing as to the date on which you should call on them .Bettr note down the name of VAO, the name and telephone (read as cell ) number of the assistant to VAO etc as you should atleast clal them a dozen times before you can get their disposal.
After you get the VAO's disposal you are required to call upon the Revenue officials who will have his own question and answer session before finalising his remarks on the claims made by you.After disposal of the Revenue official , you will be directed to meet the THASHILDAR (whose office earlier directed the VAO to examine the case and submit the proceedings).HOLD YOUR BREATH NOW........
Thashildar WILL ASK YOU WHO HAS DIRECTED YOU TO HIM/HER as it is not within his powers/authority to give a disposal on your claim to the property....HOWEVER HE WILL BE GRACIOUS TO TELL YOU THAT HE WILL RECORD HIS INABILITY TO EXERCISE HIS AUTHORITY AND THAT HE WILL REFER YOU TO COURT TO take an appropriate approval from the court. SOOOO KIND OF HIM...
All because i have taken too many things for granted, including that my brother will outlive me!.PLEASE THEREFORE MAKE A WILL RIGHT AWAY(EVEN IF YOU HAVE NO PROPERT AS OF NOW) BEQUEATHING ALL OF THE SAME TO YOUR NEAR AND DEAR so that they will not scold you in the extreme happening, BY RUNNING FROM PILLAR TO POST..
Sunday, October 3, 2010
A MOMENTOUS DAY AFTER 4 YEARS
3/10/2010
The sky was overcast.There were welcome drizzles.Only for a short time. But enough to create the right mind set for us to rejoice the day in full.
Yes an occasion that calls for celebration and celebration of the highest order.This was the day when my choice of a female child was honoured by the almighty, 25 years back.It was the birth day of my beloved daughter.
And we were together to celebrate the event, after a span of 4 years of seperation when she was busy and away from us with her academics first and with her career later.Yes of course, the absence of her beloved brother ,to be with us, on this day was to some extent a dampening one .But then we overcame that by talking with him atleast 3/4 times ,there by making it appear that he was there with us mentally if not physically.
And when i look back these 25 years, i have got more than one reason to feel contended and grateful.From a child (when she beat her brother in taking the first subtle step to walk) till now, it had been a colourful episode, marked by her stunningly passionate(yet underlined by a very subtle and soft undertone)escapades .The first ever memories however point out to a child always leaning and longing for her mother.BuT AS DAYS PROGRESSED THERE WERE MORE SIMILARITIES between father and daughter(as my son used to recall often) in various walks of life, including taste for chilly food and an admiration to carrer options.
Getting the state rank in economics, completing the career at college by travelling thru a rode, which was under construction (from the start of her graduation till she finished it!!), getting involved in an accident which could have proved fatal, but coming out of it with no grudges or complaints, all point out to a firm personality behind the facade of that lean outer traits and that ever ready smile on the face.It is a beautiful flower with lovely fragrance but which will not be withered by outside happenings. There is a steel of nerve and a passionate heart within ,which makes the life growing and flowing all at the same time.
You can leave a house in rambles and come back after an hour to see that every thing is in place, bright and beautiful under her care.Whether it be her willingness to extend a helping hand (or a scratching hand!!) to relieve me of the itching which develops only when i sit for my dinner, or whether it is the soothing words with which she address me and my wife when ever we are about to make an argument into a war of words, or whether it is the swiftness with which she changes her dresses (Her fondness of new dresses, Chappals ,gadgets etc ,not necessarily in that order is itself a trqat to watch), the speed with which she addresses a problem ...oh the list is endless. She is a precious child and a gift of god .
May all her wishes come true and all her dreams become a reality. To mark that special day, we went for a break fast at one of the secluded but still popular restaurant in the morning, followed by a movie(seen by her for the second time in twenty four hours, to keep us company), and then a lunch at Sangeetha . I was teasing her for a commission on taking her to Sangeetha(details are personal).
By the time we returned back home, it was a day lived in its true colours , befitting the occasion and possibly setting the right tone and a note of music to linger for ever indays to come in her future.
My dear daughter
I ADMIRE YOU,
I ADORN YOU AND
I PRAY FOR YOU &
above all
MY DEEPEST AFFECTION AND LOVE TO YOU
on this momentous day...and every day that follows..
The sky was overcast.There were welcome drizzles.Only for a short time. But enough to create the right mind set for us to rejoice the day in full.
Yes an occasion that calls for celebration and celebration of the highest order.This was the day when my choice of a female child was honoured by the almighty, 25 years back.It was the birth day of my beloved daughter.
And we were together to celebrate the event, after a span of 4 years of seperation when she was busy and away from us with her academics first and with her career later.Yes of course, the absence of her beloved brother ,to be with us, on this day was to some extent a dampening one .But then we overcame that by talking with him atleast 3/4 times ,there by making it appear that he was there with us mentally if not physically.
And when i look back these 25 years, i have got more than one reason to feel contended and grateful.From a child (when she beat her brother in taking the first subtle step to walk) till now, it had been a colourful episode, marked by her stunningly passionate(yet underlined by a very subtle and soft undertone)escapades .The first ever memories however point out to a child always leaning and longing for her mother.BuT AS DAYS PROGRESSED THERE WERE MORE SIMILARITIES between father and daughter(as my son used to recall often) in various walks of life, including taste for chilly food and an admiration to carrer options.
Getting the state rank in economics, completing the career at college by travelling thru a rode, which was under construction (from the start of her graduation till she finished it!!), getting involved in an accident which could have proved fatal, but coming out of it with no grudges or complaints, all point out to a firm personality behind the facade of that lean outer traits and that ever ready smile on the face.It is a beautiful flower with lovely fragrance but which will not be withered by outside happenings. There is a steel of nerve and a passionate heart within ,which makes the life growing and flowing all at the same time.
You can leave a house in rambles and come back after an hour to see that every thing is in place, bright and beautiful under her care.Whether it be her willingness to extend a helping hand (or a scratching hand!!) to relieve me of the itching which develops only when i sit for my dinner, or whether it is the soothing words with which she address me and my wife when ever we are about to make an argument into a war of words, or whether it is the swiftness with which she changes her dresses (Her fondness of new dresses, Chappals ,gadgets etc ,not necessarily in that order is itself a trqat to watch), the speed with which she addresses a problem ...oh the list is endless. She is a precious child and a gift of god .
May all her wishes come true and all her dreams become a reality. To mark that special day, we went for a break fast at one of the secluded but still popular restaurant in the morning, followed by a movie(seen by her for the second time in twenty four hours, to keep us company), and then a lunch at Sangeetha . I was teasing her for a commission on taking her to Sangeetha(details are personal).
By the time we returned back home, it was a day lived in its true colours , befitting the occasion and possibly setting the right tone and a note of music to linger for ever indays to come in her future.
My dear daughter
I ADMIRE YOU,
I ADORN YOU AND
I PRAY FOR YOU &
above all
MY DEEPEST AFFECTION AND LOVE TO YOU
on this momentous day...and every day that follows..
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