Stormwater Drain Reconstruction and Mosquito Menace!

Stormwater drain reconstruction was the worst project the Greater Chennai Corporation had ever carried on. The idiots who accepted contracts are inexperienced, and the people they hired are from north India. They were nothing more than random laborers; they had no concept of their worth, and executing others was also a flaw. Their labor has degraded the charm of our street, and the stormwater drain does not form a clean line, instead winding up and down like ghats. 

They started on June 3rd and have completed 80% of the project, which isn't very pleasant because it opens the door to mosquitoes. The most significant impact of this initiative was that it transformed the city into a mosquito breeding ground! We never had a mosquito problem in the summer. The time we slept with open windows for fresh air at night was quite spoiled, and every day has become a nightmare, as we only get to sleep late at night after killing countless mosquitoes. 

The breaking down of sewage pipes that cross stormwater drains to reach the main line that runs under the middle of the road was the cause of the mosquito problem. Unless we insist, when they excavate or build the concrete walls, they break the pipe and go, leaving the sewage water to do their job, and the sewage water fills the stormwater drain and breeds mosquitoes. It is not sure that they will repair the sewage line, and it may continue to flow into the stormwater drain that may not get into their concern, and there won't be an end to mosquitoes. 

Thinking along these lines, I purchased a mosquito-killing machine or lamp, as described, but the mosquitoes didn't seem to care and appeared to want just flesh and blood! The device emits ultraviolet light, which seems to lure mosquitos, and when they get close to the light, the powerful fan within sucks the mosquitos to kill with its blades or at the least traps them till they die. I wasn't impressed with the machine, but I kept it running at night to see how much it could hold to keep us asleep. 

I really wish the stormwater drain contractors would work with sense and responsibility because it is a public service, and they paid with people's tax money. Local authorities must thoroughly inspect them and severely punish them for their mistakes. I feel sorry for the Corporation commissioner, G Singh,  an honest man, to be caught between these corrupted things—a political affair—of selecting contractors who do not deserve professionalism. The local administration's chief is someone the city has never seen before, and she has no idea what she's doing rather than being a show doll!  

Sunday Photo: Austin Classic

Shot at a heritage rally on vintage cars, couple of years back held at the VGP Golden Beach parking lot on ECR.

Tribute to maestro

This week there was a delightful topic on my favorite talk show ‘Neeya Nana’ in Star Vijay, on the songs of late 80s esp. the composition on maestro Ilaiyaraaja was just blissful and it was a debate so healthy and cheerful. Everyone comes up with their favorite song of Ilayaraja and how it connected with their lives and being close to heart… it’s so wonderful to hear each ones story and ardent being an Ilayaraja fan.

I wonder how they come up with single most favorite of all time… which I couldn’t do so far even harder I tired yesterday recalling his songs, I couldn’t come up with a single song mindset, because his songs each one set a mood in itself. I need to confess his songs always been a reliable source of my solace and whenever I feel so lone or depressed his songs stimulates my sense to cherish and set away the motion into peace.

I have innumerable songs in my walkman and PC on Ilayaraja and during my days on work on publication I used to listen to his songs and it make things favorable to do so and except being unable I pushed to left the work and since then I kept enjoying his songs unlike ever. While I aware about music, AR. Rahman was there along with others but without my knowledge Ilayaraja’s songs has been my favorite and I still remember the first tape-recorded we brought and it played was ilaiyaraja’s song from Amaran and Mannan… both has super hit songs.

Ilayaraja’s songs were always heartwarming and close to heart feel and only he makes so real the nature and feel of rural into his songs.  When it comes to love he has a special place on young hearts and left to never grow old and falling in love happens each time listening to his songs, whether happy or feel so sorry his songs cherish and rapture.

Heritage Rally 2011

The Chennai-Pondicherry Heritage Rally 2011 inaugurated at VGP Universal Kingdom on 8th January was a remarkable display of vintage cars. I always wish to check such a rally which reaches me only after it held somewhere in the city and come to my sight through the TV and newspapers. Thankfully this time the newspaper carried an advertisement in advance so that I make it sure to check the vintage cars and rally.

I wake up early to not miss the chance and made a wakeup call to my cousin and got ready along with mom. We geared up at home and reached the venue in time before the rally was suppose to flag off but being postponed an hour from the actual time we had much time checking the vintage cars which are less than 40 and arranged neatly at radiant colors.

A well modified jeep that stands in front of the venue was pretty added to the show and being an 4x4 enthuse I was attracted by it and wanna go a ride in it. First we parked the vehicle outside to check whether vehicles are allowed inside, and we are glad to go nearby by parking the car inside to check our vehicles ancestors and the way they are maintained and polished looks awesome.

The cheerleaders sweeping the air with colorful pompoms and dressed in short and sweet and shaking to the vibrant of drum beats promotes the show with a charm and smile and makes fun by coming across every vehicle. Getting the whole picture of the vehicles wasn’t easy since more people visiting the event and getting nearby to flash themselves and few owners allow others to check inside the vehicle and most of them are closed windows.

The vehicles are all belong to vintage category and the dodge brothers was one of the oldest on the display and there are countable Morris and number of similar vehicles belong to various companies. The Mini Cooper, Fiat 125 S, V W beetle and Thing and Jaguar are very different and fun looking vehicles and overall I like the Austin which is small like an auto and the classic one with a royal look! (place the mouse on pictures to know the car names)

The cars are vintage and old, but the visitors are more youngsters and children coming around the vehicles interestingly and wearing up trendy. The other attractions of the show was two little kids who were so photogenic and carries a smart pose for pictures but only we couldn’t get it in right way. Two participants accompany with their Labradors, who were seems scare to the drumbeats and bark with a roar later went a breeze ride on one of the topless vehicle.

I thought will all these vehicles run up the compete rally and live up to its name and energy, but the rally flags off by the special guest (DGP Letika Saran) at last proves these vehicles are no less to others in speeding and attracting in style. We left the venue in advance and went further to check how these vintage cars carry themselves on roads by parking somewhere on the road side, and the rally wasn’t constant to follow either and the vehicles where racing like Ferraris to click somehow motion pictures.

Overall it was a fantastic journey across vintage cars and each vehicle is a model for everyone how to maintain a vehicle however old they are. In a situation of buying cars in mind of resale values… these vehicles are invaluable before money!

(Check for some more vintage cars set here)

Pets, need or not?

There is a talk show (Neeya Naana) in TV on every Sunday, which takes a topic weekly and discuss. It’s one of an interesting and best known show telecast in television, and last Sunday the debate was about those who want pets and those don’t want, argued with a reason.

What made the show special was the debate that’s very similar to what is happening in our very home and those opposed to have pets expressed what’s in my mind and recorded their voice in our means. Whoever followed the show would truly agree that whatever kept against having pets causes a lot of trouble which much isn’t cared by the pet owners and their only wish is to have pets! Being a pet home come person, I hit the very trouble everyday from her (Maya) and not alone I; even my parents and visitors get disturbed from the prime reason as barking at everything. In case there is cat or lizard on the wall, we can’t stop her from barking until they are driven away and most of all she never shut her mouth if a child is visiting home. And because of this, no child in the apartment comes near our home and just takes the backyard route to reach their homes, which is adjacent to our block.

Just like everyone, I love kids and there are many kids in our apartment, and since the scare of maya we miss the joy of children at our doorstep. When maya was pup, all the children would gather at our home in amaze and to play with her and much before, the children used to visit our home to play with our visiting uncles kids.

Except very few, no one could cross our home with no bark from her when she is tied to the gate and many of them pass in hesitation whether the dog is tied or not nor gate closed. I quite realize what we cause is a state of fear and interrupting their independence to move freely in their own apartment and creating noise. I feel so bad of the situation that I couldn’t do anything to stop this cause that create by our pet, except expressing my distress and oppose to have pet in such circumstance esp. in an apartment. The bro who brought the dog home and refused to give back and not realizing the situation, ignores the opponent and I would say the people in our apartment are very nice to not to complain about the dog and the immense noise.

Just being four of us, we can’t leave the pet anywhere and it never stayed without us, esp. she needs mom and for me there isn’t a travel without both my parents and we need to think a lot before going out anywhere and the bro who is lately ignoring in taking care of the dog, adds burden to mom’s work, but he don’t want to give the pet. Sometimes I get irritate and anger because of such irresponsible people like him, where I see many in the talk show, who don’t seems like giving much importance to mans feeling and just concern at their passion and love on dogs. There were many in the show blamed the people for being scare or not liking dogs attitude. I wonder how few people could be unmindful about others feeling and only showcase their desire for dogs.

Having pets might cause happiness and give satisfaction to mind and act as a close associate, but overall have a pet isn’t a easy thing and we need to sacrifice a lot in maintaining and taking care of their needs and being sure about others security . Having pets isn’t wrong and I’m never against it since having one in home, but we need a right situation to console everyone from causing crisis. For example ‘we are not in a situation to have a pet, as my parents are not capable of handling even myself, the dog has come as a burden to them and pets are something interesting, fun and loving only when we’re enough to handle the situation and relax to spend time and take care of them.

Not every wish get exist or completed! So wish to have pets quite depends on situation and its unfavorable for a family alike us, that’s not well enough to support a life physical and someone who’s truly depend on their parents who can’t sustain much. More than thinking about myself I always think about others and never what to give any trouble to anybody, but still I can’t bear it since I’m supported by someone, which might cause trouble to them. Again I like to say, having pets isn’t wrong and those love to have pets should think a lot and discuss with others such as house members, neighbors (if those in apartment should think serious about the crisis and almost try to avoid having pets) and close relations those visit often.

I think those go for dogs aboard or the fair ones are particularly just for show and those who are totally in love and passion for dogs could easily go on anything from country dogs. I wonder how many of them still have and go for the famous country breed Rajapalaiam! This is something shows people are more interested on fair breeds, and I don’t say it is wrong, but seeing dogs as a display dolls and just for amusement alone should change and if we treat and feed dogs rightly they are our best friends and if we train properly they are our lifesavers. The intention of having dogs should be love and reliable and not causing trouble!

WCTC - 2010

The five days World Classical Tamil Conference end on Sunday and it was held like a grand festival with everyone’s attention towards it. There were dance, music, award presentations, exhibitions, processions and symposium by Tamil experts and watched by thousands and lakhs of Tamil people gathered in Coimbatore.
This is the first world Tamil conference held after Tamil receiving classical status, which is the oldest literature among the living languages of the world. I watch the beginning session of this conference inaugurated by the President of India Pratibha Patil before the innumerable Tamil people, who come in eager to learn more about Tamil and listening expert speakers praising the language.

It’s truly honor to see Tamil experts speak in literally and foreigners interest to take Tamil as there language and do research to learn more and exhibit the classic to world. It’s truly great to realize for the first time obviously such a conference being held and inspiring many people those desire to learn and read more about the glories language Tamil.

I too listen to few symposiums spoken by Tamil experts and it feels honor to say I speak Tamil. It’s simply an eye-opener in many ways to Tamil literature and its historic path, thus one of the speakers Jagath Gaspar’s words were touching sense and knowledge and his explanations where among the best about human unity being Tamil community . He says the elaborated DNA chart says Tamil community has crossed 78 generations.

I just think while that being Tamil doesn’t separate us from being unity in humanity and where I see human is a tree and he needs a piece of land to its root to stand and being Tamil it is the language of everything and whatever grows above the soil is equal to everyone. For instance Tamil is like our homes where we could walk bare footed and stay very comfort, but stepping out isn’t same and not every place is like our home. Where society is a common place with difference in everything, and to comes across or grain experience we need to wear something in common other than Tamil. So learning other languages or giving important to one isn’t wrong and well necessary, but there isn’t a comfort place like home, where we’re ourselves.

A language is for communication and we caught up with language which comes easier for us to communicate, but I feel shame that we often communicate with combine language. Tamil is a beautiful language and when it comes out from those experts it inspires a lot to communicate completely in Tamil! It could be a tough task, but I hope if we try we could speak easily and I have an interest in learning new words and meanings that we unknown or only known in other language which is almost English.

While celebrating Tamil as a classical language, hope those however follow the conference like me might get motivate to practice fluent Tamil without influencing other languages, which isn’t less in profound or prior to other. Let’s celebrate the language, the tool of communication and development in society and relationship.

Chennai flower show

Three pretty parrots in idle greet us, while entering the air conditioned flower show organized by Lifestyle in Chennai. It was first time in Chennai and I just don’t want to miss this opportunity exist in a hot city. Even I could not get satisfy with this flower shows which was quite artificial with true flowers, I enjoyed seeing ever seen flowers. The show was enclosed by a temporary shelter, by paying rs.50 per head and rs.100 to camera we get to see beautifully arranged flowers on display in varies colors, shades and less fragrance. It disappoints to see those are just flowers and leaves grasped from hard cleaning sponges and it was truly a model flowers show. The flowers are at untouchable distance – for safe and good, but taking clear pictures isn’t enough because of dim and bright lights somewhere either and hardly for macro shots.

The centre of the attraction was the different structures made of flowers and vegetables. More than flowers the vegetable portion was beautiful, with some creatively made dragon, peacock, cranes, sailing boat and few more birds and flowers. The things made with flowers were a wonderful Taj Mahal, a cute tea cup, and funny dinosaur and bear. On the others side there where flowers kept on standing and sitting position, but a beautiful display of unique flowers and the way it was decorated adorns.

Some of those flowers I liked more were the very little amount of roses and tulips, and ever seen species like Anthuriums, honeycomb ginger flowers and Heliconias. As part of conclusion there were few flowers kept to sale and interestingly those were very attractive than those on display, but it rates much as if one tulip flower was Rs.75. For those in Chennai it’s a wonderful opportunity to spend a day, cool, leaving summer heat away for sometime sense by seeing colorful and beautiful flowers on display. The happening flower show is yet to end on May 10 which begins on May 1. Except flower show, there was a trade fair on domestic things and flowers’; including a wonderful aquarium with varies species of small and big fishes! Let see them on either posts on some other day, as I have some more to share about.

More pictures on my flickr, yet to update more further.

Indian Dance Festival 2009

My sister invites us to witnessing the Indian dance festival happening from Dec 25-Jan25, 09 in mamallapuram, so as visiting her as celebrating Pongal. Being renowned tourist place, it attracts more visitors on festival days, so decided to get there uncertainly on Saturday. On the way joins my aunt’s family and it was more fun adding to this trip. The intention was to sight the dance festival in evening and getting to shore temple after noon, but still there was crowd left by festival season and time was less, there was another idea of fishing and hook’s were brought by cousin, though time was less because most of the time spent on to conversation and what can the expectation when families get together.

After cuppa we start to walk and me on wheels towards the cheese ball, what can be than fun when walking together and those shared movements. We reached the garden come cheese ball after 15mintues walk, receiving some relatives on our way, and spent sometime on garden, around sculptures. By 6pm everyone was drive outside the complex by whistled guard, I wonder what people may do if stayed after 6pm. There are times this place was uncared and unclean, wandered by lives across anytime and excrements left over, must really appreciate the archeological and tourism department to make this place such beautification and attractive surface with grass floors and fencing around in care those unique sculptures and rock. Being so nice, we moved before those guards force.

So we moved early to catch the dance festival on stage before the Arjuna’s Penance, in backdrop of renowned carved elephants. I unaware that days events, just went like that to view a strange performance by guys in crowned head and swords in hand, uttering some odd words, coming around the stage by striking the swords on floor. After sometime I get to know through someone in crowd, it was Arunachal Dance. I just Google to know it was Arpos Dance, played by Monpa tribe in Arunachal Pradesh, about 25 dancers, wearing helmets, carrying swords and look like ancient warriors, which describe the manner in ancestors tribe to defeat there enemies. It’s also the state dance of Arunachal Pradesh. To know, everyday there was some states traditional classic and folk dances are performed in festival.

Next was our classical dance Bharatanatyam, performed by the local school students and resident children around Mamallapuram. It’s tough time later, the relatives and parents of the students take place around the stage covering the performance visibility, because we were standing beside the stage closed by wooden protection and they were entered through the gaps and mislead the guards. Finally they covered completely invisible, so we moved and bored to see not much variation in performance. It was late evening, cold weather, and back to sister’s home, having our dinner and arrived home by 9.40pm. About the festival, it expounds the classical dances of Indian states, in backdrop of glorious rock cut sculptures belong to 7th centuries of Pallava period. It’s an annual Indian dance festival organized by Tamil Nadu Tourism Department near the season to Pongal. More pictures can be seen here at my Dance Festival set.

Chennai Sangamam 2009

Before proceeding, just put on the current song at side bar, can give some feel. hehe…

The festival season is around, to indicate and by adding sugar, began this Chennai Sangamam – the traditional Tamil classic folk dance and music open festival. After successful two years of beginning, this festival ideal to develop the declining rural arts, the concept which was appreciated by everyone, that exhibits our own tradition and culture. The Chennai Sangamam 2009, which inaugurated on 10the January exists at many places around Chennai, stimulates the festival mood. In welcoming Pongal – the harvesting festival that falls on January 14th, this celebration gives a feel of nearly in traditional way. What this arts turn to be only temple festivals special in villages, which seen rarely in today’s world, this truly aware the need and significance of our unique arts. The idea comes out in supporting and raising the declining artists, and helps in discovering certain norms in public. Year by year I could think its popularity and we all began to look forward this festival around. In my view it has a bright future not alone being celebrated, and to make our existing arts to keep in active and some more in spreading to other districts, could certainly witness a growth.

Being in same city and knowing this festival, I could not make it a visit in past. But I had an interest and wish to watch those programs, which happens to be a distance vision. I get to know this time that one of the festivals open stage was setup near our familiar beach site in Palavakkam, which I happen to witness on Sunday. Well in advance took the cam in hope to see the festival sometime, it was rural beats welcomes at unexpected site to sight the festival near. I wonder to see a tall man, just walking around standing on high wood legs casually. Putting his long foot steps sounds like moving hooves… attracts. By the time we arrived, get to watch Karagattam and Poikkal Kudirai aattam, something unreal in memories so far; Kavadi aattam and Tamil folk songs singed by rural artist. It was a wonderful sense, shivering to glimpse those Tamil rural folk dance and music. We must praise those artists come across to remain our traditional style, to make us think why don’t we make it to core than sending them to verge, welcoming only western culture. It’s a pleasing feeling where no were in world has such rich and varies performing genre within a state. I think there are lots of art performances to get on stage till the festival concludes, and I hope to catch some more in coming days if possible. I know everyday there are different folk dances and music to take place, and along they conduct traditional food festival to taste the forgotten or strange. Just a day left for Pongal, there was lot of enthusiasm about the festivals, and the cymbal of Chennai Sangamam emits our sense along.

Karagattam was familiarly known by most, as they take places first and more in festivals and cultural programs. Karagam is mean to decorated vessel. So as one have to perform dance movements, placing them on head without let to fall the vessel. It’s uneasy to see how stable the vessel on head, to only active the body more or less towards music. Have seen this kind of dance in movies alone, and the one ever get out of mind is famous Tamil movie Karagattakaran (karagam dancer). The current song is Mankuyile poongkuyile... from Karagattakaran, do check for the karagattam.

Poikkal Kudirai Attam (Dummy horse dance) is a skill trained performance. It’s wonderful to see someone standing and balancing on two pieces of wooden legs, and caring a dummy horse on hip to move up and down to band music. Wearing colorful cloths hiding there legs, and wooden legs to hoof. It is unheard in the raised band music; called Naiyandi melam.

Kavadi attam is a devotional dance dedicated mostly to lord muruga. Unlike those carried on shoulders balanced by a stick and something curved like with fixed feathers on each end, what I see last evening was a stool like thing carried on head with a cone like decorated, as they roll, it revolves colorfully.

More pictures here in flickr

Some Color's

Red blue green in the skies, the super speed fighters shows we’re not only to rescue and also grant beautiful colors in u.

Colors of fires like throwing balls from the war ships standing on the sea.

The shining ships in the glomming, its brilliant clearly there just like pained here.

First-hand of Navy show

Why does it was a shining Sunday, so well thinking it could help us watching the daring display of Indian Navy along seaside of marina, but late noon closely fell under clouds soon we moving out of our house and wished for a non rainy evening. Just on the way towards marina, joining my cousin and the extend came with traffic cop words of take diversion at some places disturbs where they not help us reaching the shore than put on diversion and put on delayed, but we manage to transit on small cross streets and reached the shore along the fishing hamlets stretch. Where all we get to see is vehicles parked without a space, and something we got to park was near an impurity surrounding with disfavor fragrances, but helped to move soon as we got another place in you heed.

Because of the delay the show was already kick stated and there was this first war ship we saw was a big one where a helicopter takes off from the ships base. The waves are unusual with more waves hitting the shore, even though the navy ships supports to come close. The spot we remain looking was crowded by people from hamlet and those came in vehicles, but too more visible clearly the ships and sky wonders made by navy’s fighter flights. We could only get to watch the speeding boats, sailing ships and submarine and the flights that made skies colorful in the red, green, blue smokes and flies in hundred km’s speed in a hiss above us. It was not like other, we had to receive the flights daring closely and helicopters crosses few meters above the place we stay just rocks the scene.

This show was arranged in celebrating the national navy day that comes yearly on December 4, in memories the 1971’s attack on Karachi’s harbor and a week long programs on varies shores from November to December are arranged. In connecting this there was a show planned in Chennai’s marina beach for people to enjoy the bravo activities that we could have seen only in television and pics. It holds Governor S.S. Barnala as chief gust and the delay was also for him where they stopped all vehicles moving on the road. For me also this is the first time seeing war ships alive and totally of seven ships produces a parade on the sea, but was not visible clearly of cloudy weather and in winter season. There was this war ship moves close to shore was the only one I think to be large in size and then came the delighted and the highlight of the show at the end by late evening all ships comes with in straight line glowing at bright golden lights adorning to the event. It was winding heavily the cam was disturbed to catch the golden chariots like ships on sea.