Tuesday, December 30, 2014

New Year Greeting

I received a handwritten season greeting from my friend Chandra (of greencomotion.blogspot) along with his lovely photograph on the foggy ambiance of Chattahoochee River from US.

Following my post on Red Letter Box and my interest towards the same as well receiving letters/mail, Chandra expressed his desire to send me a card for which I felt quite pleased.  Today I received his greeting card thought a postman after long back, that I have no memory, leaving the card on the windowsills. I am glad totally! Thank you my friend

Wishing all my friends here a Very Happy and Prosperous New Year. Take care and enjoy yearlong :) 

Friday, December 26, 2014

Memories of Tsunami

Ten years has passed since tsunami struck the coastlines of Indian Ocean, following the powerful earthquake with an epicenter off the west coast of Sumatra in Indonesia; the memories of tsunami are obvious like picking up shells from the seashore. Though I haven’t affected by the deadly waves directly, I was deeply disturbed and mentally suffered followed by the development of the devastation and scattered reports on mourns to death. There were even rumors (on the advancement of sea) to leave us into panic and living not far from the seashore, it’s impossible to avoid the uncertainty prevailed.

In memory of Tsunami victims!
Memorial Icon of Tsunami in Kanyakumari
Being Sunday, we were asleep than usual and on hearing words something referred to tremor I couldn't continue lying on bed and come out to know what as my uncle asked me that I felt anything. There was an earthquake! But the tremor being so mild only those who were awake and living at certain elevation have felt the tremble and by the time I look at the street everyone where back to their places who came out in panic.  During the disaster we were staying in the first floor of our native house in Adyar, Chennai, hearing the news of tremor triggered panic even before the tsunami strike the coast or sorrow choke the throat.

My first encounter with a tremor/earthquake was in October 2001. Until then I have just heard of earthquake and know how it used to be only after seeing the Gujarat incident that happened on the same year. My expression and experience to tremor was funnier, perhaps not knowing how to react to such feeling/fear I scared so much and throw away the board on which I was painting something while sitting on the sofa. Since I was in caliper I could get out like others who rushed down as soon they felt the tremble, my mom and uncle hurried up unbuckle my shoes to lift me down. In few minutes all of us where on the street shoulder with neighbours.

My deals with tsunami were happen almost in front of the television, only my uncle was dare to go check with the Elliot Beach following the stroke with tsunami. I was staring at the television with awe, while the second longest beach in the world (Marina) enveloped in war of waves. The cars that have always seen running on roads where floated like boats in sea, with boats representing the parking lot. It was heartbreaking to see bodies being dragged to shore and people running towards the road to save their lives to avoid hitting the wall of sea.  The news channels where updated from time to time with the breakup of nature’s terror videos from across the southern countries.

Living close to coastline, I am sure each one of them would have a story to convey on their own related to tsunami whether they affected or not. During this course of tsunami, rumours were also spread to frighten us with the advance of sea levels into the landscape. I couldn’t sleep well for more than a week in panic, spending number of nights in uncertain thinking about the disaster and the visually seen in televisions/internet occupied the mind involuntarily. To relieve ourselves from the nightmare of tsunami and earthquake, we all spent the night of same in the single hall along with my uncle’s family to make not panic.

In the last 10 years I have covered 2/3 of the coastline of Tamil Nadu from Pulicat to Kanyakumari, we heard many stories related to tsunami during our journeys. While I visited Kanyakumari it was impossible to keep away the thought of tsunami and the videos and images were recollected when I sit watch the waves crashing the rocks. I felt unrest at each big wave arrive in force and the tourist boats making leap across them. Even it was fun checking some youngsters enjoy the strong waves and water splashes, something uncertain keep occupied. I also come across Manakudy, one of the worst affected villages in Kanyakumari where a bridge was washed away into the sea enclosed with number of death in the district.

The mindset was very similar even when I visited Velankanni, Cuddalore, Karaikal and Kodiyakarai along many other places aside east coast road (ECR), there are many villages in Tamil Nadu where one can find the traces of tsunami still exists reminding the one of the deadly disaster of our history. Many memories trigger while writing this post and experience with places that well relevant to the tsunami, but I couldn’t bring all of them here. I truly wish these incidents never repeat. 

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Christmas Decor @ Home

Following the star, which I started to practice from long time now.... (but the star is not same)

Xmas Star
I began to decorate tree for last few years 

Merry Christmas
Now continues with led light arrangement at least

LED decor at home
I plan to add more ornaments to my Christmas tree in years to come

Christmas Tree

Gingle Bell
Jingle bell 
Decor ball
Decor ball

Monday, December 22, 2014

Christmas Haiku

Neighbors Christmas Tree
Winter cold wraps me
while I dream snow home alone
deck my Christmas tree

There’s festive in air
bells ring loud to motion wind
stars shine unco bright.

Written for Christmas Special of Poetic Forms: Haiku (Week 7, A Repost of week 4)
------------ -----------

PS. The picture above show you one of my neighbors Christmas Tree (inside a construction office) and mine is under decor. Will post them soon

Saturday, December 20, 2014

Lingaa

I think Lingaa doesn't need an introduction. But for those still unaware, Lingaa is a Tamil film lead by Superstar Rajinikanth. The film released worldwide in number of countries is based on the construction of Mullaperiyar Dam and its master (British) engineer John Pennycuick. Lingaa has tried to recreate an era related to the construction of dam and recent issues and illusions relevant to same. The movie revolves around a small village and a Dam that acts as its lifeline has Rajinikanth in dual role, as Linga and Lingeswaran, represented the young characters of different period as grandson and grandfather.

Lingaa is a thief involves in small burglaries with his team for living and he’s resentment towards his grandfather, King Lingeswara, for leaving his successors penniless. But things being like that, he was forced to go to his grandfather’s village, Solaiyur, to reopen the temple built by King Lingeswara as it is believed that only his legal heir should open the temple. Lingaa uses this change to escape from the police for stealing a pricey necklace. But reaching there and on failure of stealing the temple’s Shiva Lingam, he transformed the environment into worshipping and also learns who Lingeswara is.

Later on the film travels back to 1930: where Lingeswara is a King of Kodiyur who on his father’s request becomes a collector in the British Government and also a civil engineer from Cambridge, plans to build a dam for the village of Solaiyur as they suffer from water problem. But the British Government’s decision to not obtain permission forced him to resigns his collector post and goes ahead to build the dam on his own and with the help of village people. But to complete the task he was forced to give-up all his wealth on the condition of a British collector to pass the orders and assist on supporting equipments.

Toward the current situation, the MP of the village tries to damage the dam for his selfish ends at the brim with Lingaa unearth his plan. The film with many star cast has done their part so well and also their performance vice appreciable. But still the film gives an incomplete feel with scenes unclear at their ends and characters failed to reproduce the connection that unrelated even to be a fiction. Obviously the Rajini’s appearance doesn't attract and isn't cheerful like watching a Rajini move. Better he retire soon or choose characters that suit him well rather discomforting himself to dance with his daughters aged or fight like an action king.

I feel the film could have been taken better, taking enough time to come up with better scenario instead recapturing or copy from old. The film was shot around some magnificent places like Mysore Palace, Jog Falls and Linganamakki Dam all situated in Karnataka. Sonakshi Sinha has tried to be innocent to her character but her face doesn't relevant to the other characters and the story that itself based on south India. The entertainment part is very less and wasn't interesting anymore but with this plot to be on period it would be wonderful if it made more on the reality platform.

 R. Rathnavel’s camera performed well, but it makes puzzle at certain sequences like the ridiculous climax fight at hot-air balloon, it’s the work of camera or graphics. Except Mona Mona, which sounds pretty, songs (music by ARR) aren't noticeable or perhaps I haven’t listen to the album until watching the movie in Drive-in. KS Ravikumar’s direction isn't such fair and many usual faces from his previous movies make sour. Overall Lingaa is an average movie which is unusual with Rajini!