Happy New Year

The year has come to an end and whatever happens in a decade seems like happen lately and wonders whenever think about the past years. It feels like we have just foot stepped in 21st century but 9 years have already pasted. This year was little tough for me and most of all it was my mind that get disturbed by my health deficiency, and best of all is traveling, meeting new friends and writing, which I think have improved and more highly is friends support in blogging.

I have thought to do many things this year, but time has passed now and only a day has left to year 2010. I know past is past and tomorrow is hope which leads our life to so many times. Let’s hope everything would be fine in year 2010!

There are 365 days in a year, but there’s no other day like January 1 we welcome so enthusiastically. Days are infinite and this day 1 is also like the other, but we give more importance to this day and it’s something refreshes our mind and shows new hope to life certainly. On this day we realize the increase of our age and it’s the only day in the world where everyone celebrates.

Moreover people from various culture, practice celebrates this day on there own tradition, but there’s no less of celebration. There’s hope whatever begins on this day continues throughout the year and let us hope and wish good things continues in our lives too. Happy New Year :)

Merry Christmas

Christmas is the most celebrated festival in the world, and I always like to take part of this festival. Other than faith, I like the fun shared through this festival all along the decorations and mood that I also celebrate the world festival.

Last year I was in valparai on the occasion of Christmas, and the churches in the municipality are decorated with lights, trees and rhymes of Christmas. It was a beautiful evening with sun setting down behind the hills and a pleasant atmosphere to sense; we were playing around the lawn even after night dawn.

Against our cottage there was a small church decorated quite simply and beautifully, and in nights the lights continued to blink. The setting of the birth of Christ still exists in my view and the whole evening was just fun. I took varies pictures of the decoration, but somehow it was erased from my cam. It certainly happened to be a winter festival and like never before.

Scared heart church, Valparai

Now, I’m driving myself into the mood of festival and trying much I can do to celebrate the festival. I wish you all a Merry Christmas and hope u all have fun. Take care :)

A take

It’s been a while I blogged I know, and I wonder how I lack interest on blogging. I have been worrying a lot about my health these days and can’t avoid thinking a lot related to my health. We have consulted couple of doctors in meantime except our family doctor and one was a general physician, whom we met mistakenly instead of meeting a chest specialist.

First our doctor had preferred overdose tablets and it happens to reflect in some intestine problem in me and so we stopped the treatment for mucus clot and took medicine for intestine to settle down to accept the medicine. After checking with chest specialist, he revised the tablets and preferred mild ones so thus he could increase the tablets how far my body accepts.

I never thought it would take much time to get cure, when I came to know I need to take medicine for about 6 months to get dissolve completely the clot. More than the cause created by my health, it’s my mind that struggled a lot to cope with deficiency and still being in touch with the same set of mind, I’m trying hard to come out of the conflict I’m going through.

I find myself wondering at my attitude, thinking what others might think about my change in mind and seeking people. There’re many times I like being lonely and found bliss being alone, but it was totally different now and I really hate like never before being inside home and being alone. I must say my parents was my great support these days, and found what interest people.

I think sometime is relation mean only for celebration and people who can never think about us in meantime, what is there in celebration alone. Keep away the thought of others, I was thinking a lot about me these days and almost forgetting about everything and people, I exist in an unreal world where worries alone. I hope to be back in normal here soon and check everyone. Take care

Update on my health

Before I go something in detail about my health condition, I thank you all from my deep heart for your support, wishes and prayers for my quick recovery. It was your comments and suggestions drive me into enough courage and thoughts to face my problem and now I’m progressing on a right path.

Without much delay I meet our doctor that day and conversed in detail about my problem and expressed my doubts and fear about spitting blood. It was all what I was thinking about and as well as agreed the doctor, wrote a list of tests to diagnose the problem and supporting causes.

It was a tough day yesterday visiting twice the diagnostics center and taking a complete test of blood, urine, CT scan, echocardiogram, ECG… to know what causes this problem. We went early morning to the center with empty stomach and took varies test, except echocardiogram for which we’re called to come by 2.pm. The center was little far away from our home and visiting twice happen to be a hard thing for us and again by evening to collect the report and checking with doctor at night, the day end at complete tiredness.

Must say the people in diagnostic center are so helpful and when there’s no power to operate life, the guys carried me with wheel chair to the upstairs for eco test and there’s a lady who was very friendly and was at beside helping us until we come and go.

The reports come out almost normal, and my heart is working well as favorable except the CT scan which identified a mucus clot in lungs, which is behind the spitting of blood while coughing. The doctor says there’s nothing to worry about it and it could be dissolved by tablets soon. He advised me personally not to fear about anything and not to believe whatever is written on internet, like many of u said here.

He’s our family doctor and seeing me from childhood, conversed with me in detail about the reports and suggested few adequate changes to get well soon. The cough that was disturbing me for the last couple of days is very less today after taking some huge tablets. He told to continue some tablets for about a month to dissolve the mucus clot as it was hardly stick to lung walls and considering my health he has given mild tablets to recover fully but little slowly. Thank you all again for your support, courage, suggestions, prayer and wishes….I hope to recover soon and feeling better now. Think I need some rest for sometime now and will do check yours when I feel good. Take care all, hugs.

Blood spit again

Continuing the scared night and life these days, from Sunday the blood happens to comes if I cough stressfully and spit. This time there is not much excess of blood, but it was thick and dark in red. Thus I’m feeling so fear and anxious about my health now.

I’m taking the same medicine doctor prescribed last time when I face such cause and when I check his clinic last night, he had just left before we arrive and I’m continuing the same medicine and today we‘re gonna visit him again. Let see what he says about my problem.

In between I searched on Google with the symptoms I go through and got to know this problem might be hemoptysis! But I’m not sure and I’m not a doctor to be right. Sometimes I get little fever and cold, and sure I will check the doctor today and get test whatever is necessary to know how comes the blood. I wish to be back normal soon and hope you all wish me too. hugs.

World Television Day

In a split second, pressing a button will transport us to a whole new milieu, time and a world; and another press of the button will bring us back right to our living rooms. This miraculous transporter is, of course, the television.

Today each and every home own a television and knowing more about the importance of information and entertainment the government has come forward to distribute free television sets and about what they give in means of politics or tricks, it helps people who are suppose to explore the world from there homes.

This is a free television set given by the Tamil Nadu Government

From the back and white to the late LCD and led, television enclose us into a world of entertainment and almost everyone watches television and learn something new everyday and keep in touch with current affairs about the world. The extension of televisions to rural and remote area excess there lives to new and modern civilization.

But where we’re heading isn’t healthy, because television excesses our duties many times and attracts our kids to face setback in health and education, and families to suffer with serials and youngsters to go crazy about cricket. There are some terms to enjoy television so that our lives can be set top box or DTH to exist clearly.

There’re times where only DD exists and watching the Friday movie on night is one nightmare we can’t forget watching in-between plenty ads. And super he-man samurai is one program I watch intend and almost never miss the jungle book on Sundays. Still I’m enjoying some programs in DD esp. news are quite impartial compare to satellite channels.

The UN General Assembly declared November 21st as World Television Day, to recognize the role played by television in decision making by drawing attention to threats to peace and security and social and economic issues. The first World Television Forum was held on November 21 and 22 in 1996 and UN invited all the member of states to mark the day by ‘encouraging global exchanges of television programs and focusing among other issues like peace, security, economic and social development and the enhancement of cultural exchange. Here we go on some facts about Television

John Logie Baird operated the first real television system in 1926.

The BBC began regular telecasts in 1930.
The first practical use of television was in Germany.

The first colour television was approved in 1950.

In 1956, Robert Adler invented the first practical remote control.

The Kennedy-Nixon debate was the first split-screen broadcast, in 1960.

The history of television in India begins with Doordarshan. On September 15, 1959, Doordarshan was set up as part of AIR (All India Radio). In 1976, DD became independent Color TV came into vogue with the 1982 Asian Games.

Up to the early 1990s, there were just two channels.

1991 saw the entry of foreign programmers, including Star TV and CNN.

In 1995, the Government of India passed the Cable Television Network (Regulation) Act, making registration of cable operators must compulsorily transmit at least two Doordarshan channels.

More than 130 million homes in India have a television set, with at least 70 million receiving cable TV.

Doordarshan continues to head the channel list – the 50-year-old network reaches 44.9 per cent of Indians.

A visit to Sai Baba Temple

Last Thursday we went to Injambakkam Shirdi Sai Baba Temple and it’s been long time since I visited the temple and it was my parents wish to take me along with them. Few years back I used to visit Sai baba temple often and most of the time it was mylapore temple, but I like visiting this temple more because of its clam environment.

Many changes have happened inside the temple complex and couple of shrines has been grown and new pavements been laid and along the spacious car parking, the temple looks more beautiful now; and peacefully located on the east coast is chirping by birds and green yards.

Every time we come around this temple, without our knowledge the streaming theme rubs our minds and conveys peace and serenity. I have some memories that always struggle to remember the debris I go through this temple and when I think back I could imagine the hardship moments I gone through in faith then. I can walk about those days, and the main shrine is elevated by few steps and climbing on it is a task for me and dad to carry, staring the steps and image in mind revolves rather, parents come after circumambulating the shrines.

The idol made of marble is east facing the sea and a huge hall to aid devotees to settle down for prayers and a lawn that leads a path close to sea. As we near to the main shrine, two women welcomed us with warm smile and offered us tea and biscuits. One of there is so kind and facing her sense me she is perhaps in some distress and I come across her smile again and later leave home with a bye. That small gesture of smile stays with me all and I could remember her visage among few strangest I never met again, but this women’s face is so familiar.

I wished later whatever she might go through get dissolved and peace prevailed in there lives. There are many crows inside the temple complex and everywhere there mess. I heard various chirps but only could see crows everywhere. There’s a small nursery and I’m not sure but anyone can devote a plant to temple it seems.

I couldn’t take my camera along with me, so i can't share any pictures of the temple! But this temple is so peaceful and pleasant to capture.

Indian giant squirrel

When I was visiting valparai, I was seeking everywhere the rare species like lion tailed Macaque, Indian giant squirrel, Hornbill... but I could only listens to a hornbill’s sound one mid-night and it was a great perceive I received!

For me who was disappointed because of not seeing any wild animals lately, seeing an Indian giant squirrel, also called as Malabar giant squirrel was a relief and great surprise came from the late visit to kodaikanal. We’re surprise to see this giant squirrel sitting on a pear tree and tasting the fruit without fear, even we all staring and clicking pictures.

It was big with long tail and grasping the branch with the front limbs along holding the pear. In combination of black and brown, it moves here and there like mongoose and remained on the tree until we left the place. The picture was taken at berijam, in kodaikanal.

Though I Love Rain

We’re amid northeast monsoon and receiving enough rain throughout Tamil Nadu! Thanks to the low pressure that stretched along the coast of Tamil Nadu from kanyakumar to mid Andhra Pradesh, almost all dams in Tamil Nadu are filled and flood warnings have been proclaimed to dwellers along many river banks.

Two guys splashing rainwater in marina beach.

After longing and craving, the rainy season arrives two weeks ago and strikes everywhere and somewhere heavily. One of the most affected places in the state that u almost knows is Nilgiris. The beautiful hill station is now under threat and damage due to mudslide last week is slowly back to normal, but the continues rain makes people worry. At least 50 people have lost there lives in mudslide and wild flood.

After two days of sunshine and heat, the rain began to last widely in Chennai from yesterday, badly affected the normal life and many low areas and streets being under rainwater, people began to blame rain for there inconvenient. It really bothers me as I love rain and I would like to say this brief disturbance is to make comfort and fulfill our need for further many days under sunshine.

A snail and leech passes against each other at our apartment complex.

I know some people who wish to stop rain and I wonder how well they hate rain from drenching and disturbing them. I love to get wet in rain, but my parents never leave me to enjoy it. There are moments that never swept from my memories and one of it was playing in rain water that stays around the streets and terrace of our house. We used to close the rainwater pipe and create a pool on the terrace along with our sister and go and play on the water after rain stops.

When everyone’s rainwater pipe flows with water, ours would drain only later rain stops and they use to think something might block the pipe. But one day our grandpa found it and scolds us, but even though we continue to do so. It’s almost fun! There’re even times catching fish from drainage canal besides the road and we’re a team of 4 then – my bro and two friends, and can be found on streets often after rain stops.

Pursuing rain and dark clouds turning the moment happier and pleasure, thinking those moderate days I’m glad to rejoice in rain unlike today’s kids that almost sit in front of small screens and lack of interest and laziness, miss the wonderful joy of soak in rain. I can’t see any kid playing on rain these days and we can hear the sweetness only in verses alone.

i enjoy playing in rainwater

There is so much freshness in breeze and pleasure weather, the time passes simply watching rain and droplets on trees. Last week I had a brief drive into the rain and sense the cool drizzle on my face and hands which I dropped outside the open window. Taking away the risk, I went on the rainwater on my power wheels and tried to enjoy the season, but somehow I can’t go on my desire due to power wheels to avoid damage.

Sathanur Dam

Sathanur dam is a wonderful place situated about 30km from Thiruvannamalai. The dam is constructed on the river Pennaiyar or Ponnaiyar that flows from the Nandi Hills in Karnataka. The dam seems like one of the important source of water to irrigate thousands of acres of vast dry lands and it has a small hydro power plant to generate electric current.

I visited this dam on my trip to thiruvannamalai last month and it seems dry almost with less water in dam. There’s a beautiful garden stretched along the dam with various things to entertain like boating, mini zoo, aquarium, crocodile farm and small flower garden with fountains. It turned dark when we reached the dam and finding the route to the dam was a difficult task for us and there’re many speed brakes on this way gives a bumpy drive and until leaving the town, the road carries much damage.

At entry we pay a little amount as fee and drive on the other side of the dam until its end and back to garden. At the end of the dam we suddenly hear a very strange noise that could make one frighten. As it was like a forest area we can’t guess what animal sounds like that, but when we come down to garden we came to know it was the dogs that created that waves altogether.

The mini zoo was something invisible except one poor peacock inside a cage and two other empty cages. The lights were on and darkness around, there was many small insects on immense began to drive us from checking other sites, but one good thing was somehow I manage to click some pictures of the garden before it turned complete dark. This is second time I’m facing such insects next to Vaigai dam in Theni and they just blow on our face and try to enter our eyes, nose and mouth to much irritate.

There were some tall trees along the road rustle to wind and few look real statues of animals and people, and notable one was the statue of mahatma on the hill above the dam. It would be a great sight to see the water flowing from the dam if there was almost water.

The dam was constructed in 1964 and it has a capacity of 7,321 million cubic feet at 119 feet high. In late 60’s to 80’s the dam was an important shooting spot in film industries and many songs have been captured here with top heroes at lead. This is a best picnic place in thiruvannamalai and on festival days this place attracts more visitors. One can really spent a good time here and best time to visit is after monsoon when there is much water to keep fountains work.

Surprising soul

In-between the non-stop rain for the last one week, we had a small break for sometime on Sunday so I thought to go out to survey our city, but it turned as a surprising evening for me. Somehow it’s not the rain or the city! It’s a person belongs to charm.

We were yet to move out and just minutes to go, Andrew come against us to completely surprise! It sensed me like ‘not sure’ when he said he likely to visit Chennai in the first week and never informed then came before me as a quite surprise put me wordless! We really became close friends in the last couple of months and I know him for sometime through Flickr.

He is a person I never seen before being such young and enthusiastic in his age of 65! I astonish seeing his many interesting photographs and lately I become a fan of his huge zoom lens! I have talked to him couple of times and I really enjoy his gossip and he used to share stories with me about his earlier life in Chennai and busy life in pune. He’s a great example for life after retirement and more like a young man he works almost and manages a huge site project in Infosys Pune. In between he travels a lot and captures wonderful pictures.

The first thing that spots him was his coat he often wears. He hugs me before I come out of surprise and he introduce me to his friends as one of his best friend and it was dream come true for both of us. Andrew hoped to meet me, even in between heavy raining and it’s just minutes that save us together and seems it won’t be a matter even we left home, we would have returned to meet this young man and I’m so much interested to meet him.

(from left) Isaac, andrew, richard, me, dad and mom, maya is sitting below.

After sometime in home, knowing we’re going out he interested to join with us and we went to Marina beach. In between his busy scheduled taking sometime to spend with us is indeed special to me. We had a photo walk inside the service road along the lately developed nature’s pool (staying rainwater) opposite to Vivekananda house in marina beach.

He brought his huge lens Sigma 150-500 mm APO-OS especially to show me, because as I said before I like it very much. He gave it to me to click, but I can’t bear it as it weights 2kg! I wonder then, how he carries this much weight wherever he goes. Along with his friends Richard and Isaac, the evening goes off with great enthusiastic and fun and they’re like very young guys teasing each other.

Usually the marina beach would be crowded immense on Sundays, but being a rainy day and a ban on playing cricket inside the beach throws off less people. It was bikers who were like taking away the charge instead of cricketers racing here and there, splashing rainwater and gushes there joy blindfold.

There were children playing on the rainwater pool and dogs enjoying in the water, some families come across while few vehicles get water washed. First time being their after almost beautification works are done on marina, it doesn’t sense any different!

Andrew shoots some pictures with his huge lens, and one of his shot on an eagle that fly’s far away was simply awe... After conveying good bye to Andrew and his friends with huge hug, we spent sometime off the pool water with cousins and left home after an hour.

தமிழகஅரசே / TN govt.

தமிழகஅரசே
முழுக்க நனைந்த பிறகு முக்காடு எதற்கு?
நகரமே நீரால் சூழ்ந்த பிறகு
முன்னெச்சரிக்கை நடவடிக்கை குறித்து ஆலோசனை எதற்க்கு?

நாட்கள் எவ்வளவோ இருந்தன
சூரியன் சுட்டேரித்தது
ஆனாலும் மெரினாவை அழகு படுத்திய அரசால்
சாலைகளையும் கால்வாய்களையும் சீர்அமைக்க இயலவில்லை

அன்றைய அரசால் கட்டப்பட்டது மெரினாவில் நீச்சல்குளம்
2004 சுனாமியால் உருவானது விவேகானந்தர் இல்லம் எதிரே
குளம்!
இன்று அது மழைநீர் சேமிப்பகம்.

இரவு முழுவதும் உறக்கம் தவலைகளின் அலாரம்
தடுமாறி ஓடும் வாகனம், தார்சாலைகளின் அவலம்
ஏரிக்கரைகள் ஆக்கிரமிப்பு, அரசு வழங்குகிறது ஆவனம்
என்று விழிக்குமோ அரசாங்கம், அதன் எல்லையோ வானம்.

Tamil nadu government
when u drenched why do u need a veil?
When city was surrounded by water
what consultations on precaution act do?

There were so many days
sun baked and fried
even the govt. that beautified the marina
can’t renovate the roads and canals.

The then government builds swimming pool in marina
2004 tsunami creates the pool opposite to Vivekananda house!
Today it was a rainwater collection.

Throughout night slumber, frogs alarm
confoundedly running vehicle, tar roads condition
lake banks encroachment, govt. presenting document
when will awake the govt., which’s boundary is sky.

City words

We all almost live in a city, we have long list of words to use and here we go by taking a word and expanding it by creating more words.

It’s very simple. Take a word from your city and think about the things related to it and write a list. The idea was captured from Jan’s blog and it’s very simple, but interesting. If you like, go and write your list and add in the comment. I have also added few links on the list that get u to my pictures that related to the words.

My word is ‘beach’

restless waves
golden sand
rising sun
crimson moon
beautiful sunset
variety of shells
sea foam
cool breeze
pavement
pedestrians
sitting platform
pretty girls
boys playing cricket
Ice crème barrow
spicy chili baji
balloon shooting
roasted corn
car parking
ticket collector
hot couples
get together
lighthouse
fishing boats
fishing nets
leaders statue
monuments
mounted police
skating floor
cafes
sundal and murukku
Aagaya Thamarai (beach plants)
small crabs
faraway ships light

பேனா / Pen / Balpen

பால்பாயின்ட் இறந்துவிடும் மை தீர்ந்தவுடன்
ஆனால் பவுஃண்டேன்
எழுதிக்கெண்டே இருக்கும் நாம் மை ஊற்ற ஊற்ற

A ballpoint dies soon ink goes dry
but the fountain
sprinkle letters forever we flow ink.

ps. somewhere the fountain links with sprinkle, so I turned word 'write' in tamil to 'sprinkle'.

The same one from Anya in dutch!

'Een balpen waarvan de inkt snel droogt
vul de fontein
schrijf letters altijd als de inkt vloeit.'

Eagle sight and lodge

The lodge we stayed in Thiruvannamalai has a wonderful view of the hill and the temple tower. The balcony close to the room has some space to breeze and watch what happens around. It was a wonderful sight of an eagle that circle above the sky for sometime, came close to view and I don’t remember seeing an eagle such closer, but later it came down to peek and took away a log and flew away towards the hill and disappeared as my eyes pursuit.

I clicked some pictures, but nothing comes quite like this at least. I feel this comes out well as it falls down close to the temple tower background. It seems the bird is nesting somewhere so it picked the log.

It also reminds me the eagle that used to circle the Thirukazhukundram hill around noon and what they say is the eagles comes down everyday to fetch the food dedicated to god and what remained is distributed as ambrosia to devotees. In this way I thought is there any story behind this eagle also?

Even we got a wonderful room to stay comfort, I like sitting on this balcony and watching the town. It’s a well equipped lodge with narrow veranda, underground parking and lift. It was just like come to ooty or kodaikanal, the room was almost cool, and it’s been long time we stayed together with our family (along my uncle’s family) and I do wish such exist.

Dad’s retirement

My dad retired from his government service as a section officer on Friday with just 5 months to go completing his service, he voluntarily retired from his public service.

He begins his carrier as a junior assistant and taking away only few promotions, he retired as a senior officer in average position. He had come across more than 28 years of service in the department of backward class and come across many opportunities that promote him to higher standard, but he refused many opportunities to avoid staying away from us.

When many of his colleagues and friends went ahead to higher officer position by taking promotions and get post in varies districts, he stayed in the same office almost and when we think it is all because for us it feels so proud and at same time anguish that he couldn’t reach a top position.

I’m so glad to read his present certification given to him on the occasion of retirement by his commissioner Kumar Jayanth IAS and colleagues describing him as a very honest, sincere and dignity person in government service and being kind enough to people who come on need and very friendly co-worker. I have seen him even on some nights being awake to do his file works and he never leaned to offers from others, but earned some good heart people in wake of being honest and kind. We’re so proud of his attitude and his colleagues comment on the way of service he followed as a paragon to others and today’s younger generation.

On Friday there was a valediction in his office and few of his colleagues and friends came home that evening to give sendoff and it was touching moment when they hold dad’s hand and wished to adieu. He got very good friends from his 28 years of journey in Tamil Nadu government service and everyone shares a wonderful and obvious relationship and more than relatives I encourage such relationships as they’re special in our lives.

There were grandparents and cousins to share their bid adieu to dad and it was a nice feel that expressed on this day and everyone wished for a farewell treat, but the moment past simple but still the demand exists from others. Hope we do something later soon… my best regards to dad.

Trip to Thiruvannaamalai

We plan to escape before sunshine, but the time spent at a marriage in early hours near chengalpet put us on delay to leave on heat. But the air condition helped a lot in relieving heat while traveling. It wasn’t a travel I was expecting for, but no way it has happens and I accepted.

There wasn’t much interesting to notice on the way, while it seems a perfect day for many to get married as there was couple of mini trucks caring dowry things. On the way to thiruvannamalai comes the famous Gingee fort, and it was a rock hill fort on the either sides of the road. The so well fortified fort is called as the ‘Troy of the East’ by the British and the great Shivaji ranked it as the most impregnable fortress in India.

We didn’t get down or stopped to check this fort, but just glanced from passing vehicle and clicked something. The time we landed on thiruvannamalai it was across 12 noon and the temple was closed and said to open only by 4.pm. So we head to lodge and finishing lunch and getting relax sometime we visited dad’s friend home in a village called nadazakananthal, about 10km from the town.

It was a typical village and not much changed from its nature. The wide space fields and roof tiled houses, retreat with memories, along the innocent children come around our vehicle in amusement. Do we need a reason to attract kids when we have a cute pet? The children were return from their school and gather around their home, and it seems they’re all his friends and always spent time with him.

Leaving there home after a cup of coffee, we visited Saathanoor dam and the temple that evening and head to bed after dinner. Waking up deliberately the next morning, we went around the Annamalai hill in vehicle and visited again our dad’s friend home were we were invited for breakfast.

The way around the hill looks somewhere green and cool, and I saw much saffron worn devotes on the way along the many small shrines. The road around the hill was empty that day and only on full moon day it seems to be crowded.

Tirukkoyilur temple tower

On the way back home, parents wanted to visit a temple in Tirukkoyilur and it was another temple with huge tower similar to Annamalaiyar temple. The road from the temple to NH47 was so refreshing with green fields and villages, and the suddenly formed clouds sent fresh breeze, in-between the heat rage.

வா மழை / Come Rain

காற்றை தொடர்ந்து
வானம் கடந்து
மேகம் திரண்டு
வா மழை

தமிழ்நாடே ஏங்கி கிடக்கு
தண்ணீர் இன்றி வரண்டு கிடக்கு
தாகம் தீர்க்க வா மழை

நேற்று வரையில் அனல் சீற்றம்
சற்றே குறைந்தது இன்று
தாமதமின்றி வா மழை

காட்டில் விளங்குகள் இருக்கு
சுற்றுப்புறத்தில் மரஞ்செடிகள் இருக்கு
நகர்ப்புறத்தில் மனிதர்கள் இருக்கோம்
வான்திறந்து வா மழை

சற்றே தெளிந்த இதயம்
ஈரமின்றி துவண்டு கிடக்கு
தண்ணீர் தெளிக்க வா மழை

இரவே இருண்டு போனாலும்
உன் வருகை எண்ணி மகிழ்வோம்
வா மழையே வா
வடகிழக்கு பருவ மழையே வா...

----- ----- -----
Pursuing wind
passing sky
cumulative clouds
come rain

Tamil Nadu is laid crave
without rain its laid drought
to fill thirst come rain

Until yesterday its heat rage
but it little decreased today
so without delay come rain

In forest there’re animals
in ambient there’re trees and plants
in urban there’re we humans
open the sky and come rain

A little cleared heart
lay withered without wet
to spray water come rain

Even the night goes dark
we rejoice thinking your arrival
come rain come
northeast monsoon rain come...

wow... the sign of Northeast monsoon begins today and caught up with fresh sense.

Majestic tower

I had been to Thiruvannaamalai this week and visited the Annamalaiyar Temple one evening and felt awe by the structure of the temple tower in sodium lights. The picture above was taken with sepia tone and I love this effort taken than with usual color tone.

It’s out of my memories when I visited a temple last and I’m glad they have put ramps across this temple entrance which allowed me to go at least inside the temple premises to view somehow structures and sculptures. But except the temple tower nothing interests me and I couldn’t view much difference inside the temple since it was dark already.

The inscription says that the temple originally dated back to at least 2000 years and might have been a simple wooden structure at that time, but the present masonry structure and temple towers date back approximately 1,200 years. The temple tower in the picture is known as East Rajagopuram (king of towers) which is to a height of 217 feet with 11 tiers and the temple with 4 tower entrances offers a grand disclosure of the temple premises.

The temple with a 1000 pillared hall and tank – which I couldn’t view clearly, were built by Vijayanagara Empire Krishna Devaraya. The most famed celebration of this temple is Karthikai Deepam festival, which falls on the full moon night of Tamil month Karthikai. The ten day event that continues on this occasion culminates on the day of Karthigai Deepam and on that evening, a huge lamp is lit on the Annamalai hill top with three tons of ghee.

Every full moon night, tens of thousands of pilgrims visit this temple and circumambulate the 15km long Annamalai hill with barefoot. The hill is approximately 1600 feet. The time we enter the temple is 8pm, and everyone went ahead to worship god and me and my cousin stayed within the premises and taking pictures.

There were a group of children sat near a Nandi (bull statue) and counting the day collection through selling flowers and few of them were taking pictures of the tower with their mobiles, and there was a cute little putting steps about, but never came near as I was waited to picture her. The distance between our room and temple was walk able distance, so I went on wheel on the busy and dusty streets and it was great time going around a family trip.

There’re some more pictures and things to describe about my trip to Thiruvannaamalai and I will do it in time before I get lose track alike.

Colorful shower

It seems empty now without noise of crackers that almost resonated for the last triple of days. It was a great day utmost watching colorful fireworks displayed at evenings and nights on sky. The day was complete with neighbors and relative’s sharing sweets and wishes, watching movies on television, special dishes and burning crackers in evening at granny’s place in suburb.

I can’t imagine a deepavali without sound of crackers and I feel it creates a festival mood. But somehow it’s a great irritation and headache to people who can’t bear much noise and it’s against animals, but still we can’t come out of sound. I felt much this time the strain of noise and it reflects in me with a great distress. It creates the mood when crackers bust at distance, but being near is loss of sense I realize. I have also decided not to buy any great sound existing crackers from now after, which I followed recent past.

It was great sight of excitement watching the fireworks displayed on sky non-stop. The fireworks shower colorful lights to delight from everywhere on the sky and it wasn’t possible to take a quite picture of any firework as it kept coming from every direction. So I pass on to video and do check the ones posted below. There were many parachutes land however and kept burning even after landing; and it really indicate the danger it might cause if it dropped on a hut or anywhere that could caught fire. It’s better to ban these types of fireworks.

More than sweets, snacks and television programs it’s completely fireworks that fills the deepavali. From childhood the firecrackers are something that bond with me and I really feel hard to loose the thread and I never think about it in meantime, but when deepavali gets nearer I get bind with it. Like the day will never return I just watched the sky and listen to the crackers sound that resonates and throb. Hope u all had a great time too...

Thanks everyone for your deepavali wishes:)

Happy Deepavali

Deepavali means something to everyone. May it be new cloths, sweets, crackers, worship, new film release or get-together; everyone celebrates the day with joy. There said many stories and belief behind this festival, but in my view it’s a festival of joy and lights and I see it as a traditional festival that brings enthusiastic and to share sweet bond.

Everyone has there part of sweet memories of celebrating deepavali at their young age, but as we grow we caught up with knowledge and occupied with varies interest, some of us miss the joy of celebrating deepavali and scatter being career wise and distance to not being together with dear ones on this occasion. I think I’m giving more importance to this festival and it’s so true that for celebrating a single day we should never disturb our routine.

I wonder how we people become wiser to stop celebrating festivals unlike our younger days and the other day I felt are we becoming lazy to bring our enthusiasm out or lack of interest to share our love and bond. May I be right or wrong, festivals are some occasion created for us to get together to share our joy and love at least, while relations or neighbors are words shrinking its meaning these days. Btw. Wish you all a delighted festival of lights and enthusiastic. Happy Deepavali!

About 7.O’Clock

One of an expected movie Peranmai is to release for this deepavali and I’m so much looking forward to watch this movie and before that the songs of the film has already impressed me. One of my favourite song from the movie is Earathaza Eazhumani… (About 7.O’Clock) and it was singed by the sweetest singer Sadhana Sargam and its so melody with beautiful lyrics to stole anyone. Here I go with the beautiful verses from the song and I hope u like it too... there is an English translation at below.

ஏறத்தாழ ஏழு மணி என் இமயை பறித்து சென்றாய்
இமயை திருப்பி கேட்டேன்
இமயை திருப்பி கொடுத்து என் கண்கள் பறித்து சென்றாய்
கண்கள் திருப்பி கேட்டேன்
கண்கள் திருப்பி கொடுத்து என் இதயம் பறித்து சென்றாய்
ஏதோ ஒன்று பறிக்காமல் இருக்கமுடியாதோ உன்னால்
ஏதோ ஒன்றை இழக்காமல் இருக்கமுடியாதோ என்னால்
ஏறத்தாழ ஏழு மணி என் இமயை பறித்து சென்றாய்

காதல் வந்ததும் பறந்து பார்த்தேன்
வானம் ஒரு துளி மிஞ்சவில்லை....
வாக்கியம் எல்லாம் கூடி களைது
வார்தை ஏதும் மிஞ்சவில்லை....
அழகே உன்னை நெருங்கும்பொது
ஆசை ஏதும் மிஞ்சவில்லை...
அன்பே உன்னை நினைத்துபடுத்தால்
ஆடை ஏதும் மிஞ்சவில்லை...

மிஞ்சியதெல்லாம்.... கௌ்வி ஒன்றுதான்.
காதல் செய்தேன் செத்துப்போவதா
செத்துக்கொண்டே காதல் செய்வதா

ஆணுக்குள்ளே இத்தனை உலகம்
உன்னை கண்டதும் விடையறிந்தேன்...
பெண்ணுக்குள்ளே எத்தனை பூக்கள்
என்னை தொட்டதும் விடையறிந்தேன்...

துடிக்கும் வின்மின்கள் எத்தனையோ
தூங்கா இரவில் விடையறிந்தேன்
கொட்டும் மழைதுளி எத்தனையோ
கொட்ட விழித்து விடையறிந்தேன்

விடையும் தெரியா.... கௌ்வி ஒன்றுதான்.

Translation in English

About 7.O’Clock you snatched my eyelids and left
I asked to return my eyelids
you returned my eyelids and snatched my eyes
I asked to return my eyes
you returned my eyes and snatched my heart
why can’t you be without snatching something
and why can’t I be without losing something

When love came, I tried to fly
thus a piece of sky doesn’t remain…
All sentences gather and scatter
thus no word remains…
Beauty when I get closer you
no desire remains…
Dear when I lay down in your thoughts
no dress remains…

whatever remains… is only the question.
I do love to die or die while doing love.

How many worlds inside men
is the answer I get after seeing you…
How many flowers inside women
is the answer I get when I was touched…

How many the throbbing stars
is the answer I get through waked nights
How many the droplets in rain
is the answer I get through deep awake

Unknowing answer… is only the question.

Life these days

I had a very bad throat these days which reflects in splitting blood put me in scare again. Though it continues for few days, I was so much worried and feared about my stage, but it was my family and doctor who gave me courage and comfort to be. Since everyone says it’s because of heat and throat infection, I was thinking beyond and wanted to test something related to splitting blood, so went ahead of complete blood and urine test, which comes out in normal, but found cholesterol little more than normal in blood.

Doctor says nothing to worry about it and little restriction on certain things could put in control. It was really a hard time for me to think something out of my health condition; a lot of things have changed in my life these days and all my interest were stopped sometime. It’s more than a week I spent time on online and blogging, I was occupied by television and doing nothing than simply sitting and splitting; and in evening sitting outside and breathing little fresh air.

The climate is so badly changed and I think it could be one of the causes that affect my throat and I was advice to drink lot of water, but still the heat is unbearable. The nights are badly affected and I go through much trouble these days to sleep, but I think these could pass easily as I feel like returning to normal. The breathing exercise helps me a lot in reducing cough and pressure of splitting, and I well realized the importance of breathing exercise more than before now. But still the trouble stays with my throat while reading, talking or even being simple.

I was in state of feeling alone these days, and I really wish to be with people a lot and I realize it now, how importance and comfort it was being with people esp. our loved ones. This mood comes often when we’re sick and it brings a great distress to mind and for this I spend sometime outside home looking at people and movements around the apartment complex and the evenings are much better than days as we get some cool breeze after sunset.

I wish to get well quite soon before my favorite festival deepavali and I like a lot this festival that falls on 17th oct. Watching and leaving fireworks on this days could never hide from me inside and even it does little injure to environment I couldn’t resist fireworks and I enjoy a lot watching it.

Maya’s new avatar

She got her hair cut last week and looks cute and different now. She didn’t allow cutting the hair on her face, so it turned her appearance and look into different style.

After the hair cut she got cotton candy like fur and I love caressing her these days and she also improved in her behavior, but still the mischievous and stubbornness bitch.

With a body like young goat and the left over beard now inspires me to call her again as aatu kutti (goat kid). Sometimes back dad passed my wheels on her tail and from then whoever pulls my wheels she used to hide somewhere and it’s one of her weakness now for us to take advantage while she behaves arrogance. But she never fears when I drive on wheels and she trusts me that I won’t strike her and always sleep beside my wheels in hope and safe.

Thekkady disaster

(taken from the boat we traveled)

The boat ride in thekkady faced a disaster today where the boat caring tourist drowned into the Mullaperiyar dam. It seems the mistake that has been followed among people is the reason for the disaster. People have forgotten where they’re traveling on and act wild in the wildness.

Couple of years back I have seen the people’s wild act while we travel alike a boat when it was near the shore in thekkady. People never think about others and rush to exit even before boat get stable. What would happen if all people run over to an edge, the boat would get pressed one side to raise other to topple. This what happen to the drown today, when people rush to either side of the boat seeing wild animals on the shore and boat lost balance and drowned.

We can’t blame people alone, because it’s the boat drivers and organizers respond to guide people on the boat before it takes off. Seeing wild animals in wildness isn’t common though and enthusiastic is usual, but we need a control or it will take over wrong. I mourn to those lost there lives and hard to think something like this in mid deep water and forest.

Golu

Golu is a decoration of dolls devoted to gods. Arranged like steps in one corner of the home, are placed with dolls of gods and few set of rituals; and beside this they create some interesting terrains like forest, hill temples, playing cricket, farming, villages... to attract people esp. children.

The golu is kept for 9 days on the occasion of Navarathri – nine nights. The women of the house who have arranged golu invite their neighbors, relatives and friends and offer varies snacks and gift little things to those visits. Sundal is the very common delicious food served at golu. Generally the visit happens in evening and thus the golu would look great glowing in enchanting decorative lights and lit lamps.

Not going deep into the custom, the homes that keep golu are followed as tradition on this yearly occasion. It’s been a decade I visited any golu. One of our relatives keeps golu every year, and this year there were three invites from our apartment homes and mom visited each home in evening and bring some things and snacks to home.

I couldn’t recall much about visiting golu, but it was a moment at our relative’s home, where I see a room dedicated to series of steps arranged from huge to small idols, with many set of moments spread on floor. There was a small gate wall separate the golu and serial lights go on and off blinking around. The pictures here show one of our neighbor’s golu.

Bonfire desire

I’m always fascinated about bonfire or campfire. Every time I visit hill stations I wish to have bonfire celebration and get warmth in cold weather.

But I never get a chance to experience the joy of sitting around the fire and mark a remarkable moment with my dear ones. Every time I ask for one, people never give it importance and try to sense what I like to feel. Whenever my cousins show me the fun pictures they took during their bonfire celebrations when they join together with there dad’s friend families, it used to strikes me with an impression why can’t I get such celebrations. I’m sure it must be a great sense of happiness and expressions of innocence while playing or having something fun around the fire along our family, friends or those who loves the share.

It was last evening in kodaikanal and dusk began to immerse. Like the day never returns, I was enjoying the cold weather sitting on the terrace looking down the twinkling lights from adobes and far away cottages, mist pass on to gloom.

While grasping the blanket, the mind began to carve about bonfire and I expressed my desire to my cousin who shares the moment. He left sometime leaving me alone and minutes later I hear roar of laughter and claps from somewhere far away beneath and I find a slight movement of flame from a distance. Been thinking about bonfire, I felt very surprise by the roar and blinking fire, I came to certain point that there was a bonfire celebration going on.

Later I indicated my cousin and uncle about the roar and fire, I expressed we need to do something now. When we asked the housekeeper, he denied doing such thing there and left. But we don’t want to miss the chance, since we no need such things in Chennai as it always burns us in heat, and thus my cousin went out in search of woods and brought some bunch of sticks and we burn it sitting outside the portico.

He then past us saying something and advised to be cautious about fire. We just sat around the fire, showing our hands on it and make warm our mass and relieve little. My dear ones are happy about doing something little to my desire and the moment last for sometime and thus we dropped some more sticks and it led glows a warm sense.

Fire step on festival

On Sunday there was a fire step on festival at my grandma’s native village Thiruvidanthai near kovalam, on ECR. It’s a yearly festival happen for 10 days on the Tamil month of Aavani (Aug-Sep). For the 10 days there would be some special festival for goddess Throwpathy Amman on each day, along with baaratham (speech on Mahabharata) and koothu (drama) in evening and nights. On this occasion, the families those could afford or traditionally following in the village, take care each day of the festival and make certain food is provided to those take part in festival.

On Friday it was our relative’s, who lives there to take care of the day and so they called us to participate in their festival. I wasn’t interested to go, but went not saying no as I like moving out and though there was none to take care of me at home. We had lunch there and elders went to temple to worship and we returned home by evening.

The last day of the festival is called 'Thei mithi thiruviza' (fire step on festival), where devotees walk on burning charcoals that spread on the floor for few feet in a rectangular shape. Those participate in this festival would go on fasting and prayer before getting down on fire.

I have seen this festival couple of times in past and it derives many people from nearby places and those native to this village. When grandma was alive she used to visit this festival often. The important festival is on the last day and they celebrate it from morning. They create three sand mounds shaped like giant and later a man dressed like goddess Throwpathy would come with a sword and strike the mounds, where pumpkins loaded with Kungumam (crimson power) are hidden. When the sword strikes the pumpkins it splashes in red and thus it indicates giant’s death, and this believed as goddess saves people from the giant.

The people come at morning would stay at there relatives place and see the fire festival at evening. The woods gathered at the front of temple would put on fire until it becomes shatter fire charcoal and couple of men with a wood would keep scattering the fire and disperse it to make certain people walk. The devotees yet to walk on fire would tie scared threads on their wrist and gather at the Nithya Kalyana Perumal Temple tank along the ECR. They keep there foots dip in the water for sometime; so thus it would feel comfort while waking on fire.

Then the devotees walk on burning charcoals with bare foot, caring neem leaves in hands and some would even carry there small children on their shoulders. The priest standing at the end of the burning charcoals would strike them with neem leaves. Before this take place, the womens in the village would make Pongal (boiling rice) in the temple and worship god.

On Sunday mom and dad went to the fire festival and clicked these pictures.

Kanthaswamy – colorful!

Even though I wasn’t well enough, I don’t want to miss watching Kanthaswamy – super hero! Here go few things about the movie.

The movie is a wonderful fantasy and similar to Hollywood super hero movies like Spiderman, Superman… and unlike these fantasy icons, our super hero Kanthaswamy helps people in need, by getting money from rich and distribute to poor.

The first thing that impressed me was cinematography! Every frame has something to admire. The songs are fantastic and very colorful to rejoice.

The director has handled the story very interesting. The series between Shyria and Vikram are hot and sweet. The costumes used by them are very trendy, similarly presented them as showcase dolls. Good opportunity for Shyria to showcase her mass and acting.

Just like passing clouds, music sprinkles unbound! Guess none needs knowledge to enjoy music and the songs in this movie makes this certain.

Something that pulls me back is the cause said to inspire isn’t strong enough in flashback and the mess-up comedies.

Glad dialogues haven’t go pages, its simple shot and sweet. But there are some complain from elders that conversation isn’t obvious.

The color tones used for Mexico and other few places are amazing. The golden grasslands and the following action scenes are great indeed! The setup of the CBI office and cat song displaces grand setting. Technically the movie leads Tamil cinema in quality and one should watch this movie in theater to get wonder and amuse.

My sweetheart rose

Though there were many beauties
none were like her beautiful
beautifully, with young petals;
and since my eyes saw her
it deny to close lids

Savor sweet those tender lips
soft and unharmed rose cheeks
she smiles innocently, opening her lips;
and pretty in pink wear
she caught up my eyes in cold weather

For women eyelids are beautiful
for flower petals are beautiful
eyelids would close, not the bloomed flower;
whatever else flowers are beautiful
whereas closed or opened its petals.

I can’t be here as well as there these days, since I caught up with cold and fever from last Saturday. Doing good only today, I will be at regular soon… taking care all! :)

பேப்பர் கவிதை/ Paper poem

பட்டம்
பணம் தந்தார்கள் பேப்பர் வாங்க
படித்ததை எழுதி பட்டம் பெற;
நானும் பெற்றேன் பட்டம்
படித்து அல்ல, பறக்க விட

They gave money to buy paper
to write what learned to get degree;
I too got the degree - kite
not by learned, but to get fly


பணம்
பணம் பத்தும் பண்ணும் என்பார்கள்
ஆனால் பேப்பர் இல்லையெனில்
பணமே இல்லை

Money does many things
but there’s no paper
no money

கப்பல்

நனைவோம் என்ற நினைப்பை மறந்து
பேப்பர் மடித்து விட்ட கப்பல்;
கவிழாமல் நனையாமல் செல்ல
குடைபிடித்து சென்ற தருணம்
என்றும் நினைவில் நிற்க்கும் கரையாமல்

Forgetting the thought of getting soaked
to fold paper to leave boat;
to sail without overturn and soak
the moment went on holding umbrella
always remain in mind without dissolving.

RIP YSR

The 24 hours of uncertain came to an end by ending YSR’s life to chopper crash into dense forest. There something strikes everyone to feel sorry about his sudden expire and it’s a great lose to nation and being an admirable Chief Minister of our neighbor state Andhra Pradesh, he deserves the honor of being consecutive for 2nd term as CM!

I was concern about news coming out from yesterday noon and put’s in anxious what would have happen to chopper that carries YRS. There were two thoughts in mind and one it might be crashed down or caught up by Naxals, but wished that nothing happens to him.

The first thing I wake to ask mom in momring was, what happens to Reddy? and she said chopper has found. But I wasn’t confine he is safe and later came to news that chopper crashed and convinced none to survive. I convey my deep condolence to his family and volunteers who follow him as a leader and to those alike me admire for his administrative.

A visit to Bryant Park

One evening we went to Bryant Park in kodaikanal and it has very nice footpaths now; to sustain smooth movement to check the beautiful flowers in clusters to various types, colors and fragrance. The Flowers on exhibit has many lovely roses on the right side, looking away the fully bloomed and damaged, the little ones draw me a lot.

The Bryant Park on the eastern side of the Lake is one important tourist attractions in kodaikanal and this park was planned and built by H.D.Bryant - a forest officer from Madurai, in 1908 and was named after him. The 20.5 acres of landscape garden has 325 species of trees including century old and conducts annual flower shows are in month of May.

There nothing attracts me like the flowers and being crowd less there’s no pressure of disturbance. The way it all arranged, simply observes. The dahlias seem so tiresome and head falls, and only to think so it was even-tide with minutes to go dusk, and looking away those purple flowers stands alike sticks, strikes me when I see it near to realize those are leaves that turns purple and pink when elevate.

The park has green gardens that elevates with few conical trees and one tree has its part to attract to take few snaps with no fair back-ground. The other side of the park has thick grass floor to play and roll, and it has some designed structures of fruits, being cut down to sit around the white pillar, painted national flag and emblem on the top. I sense much cold here with tall trees closely surrounded.

It has an artificial pond looks alike and the flowers on exhibit looks pretty cool from the higher place. The park also has glass houses that said to have saved mist to keep some flowers exist and taking photos have been prohibited here, the steps doesn’t allow me to visit though. We spent sometime chatting over there on garden and enjoying the cold weather with clouds getting together to look alike yet to rain.

There was a young couple, seems like came over to honeymoon, brought a camera man along with them and takes varies shots around the park, and comes up with some romancing shots lying on either laps. Everyone at present turns a quick look at them and few express in envy to have not such opportunities in there life at there early marriage. There was another guy lied down by facing the pillar, with hands as his pillows seems like thinking about his future and his mate sitting beside busy with cell phone.