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 :) 

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.

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. 

Christmas Decor @ Home

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

I began to decorate tree for last few years 

Now continues with led light arrangement at least

I plan to add more ornaments to my Christmas tree in years to come

Jingle bell 

Decor ball

Christmas Haiku

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)
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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

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! 

Karnataka High Court (Behind the Bars)

Karnataka High Court, in Bangalore, though the fence.

The picture was shot (from the moving car) in 2011 when I was visiting Bangalore. The red building, known as Attara Kacheri in front of the Karnataka State Secretariat (Vidhana Soudha), is a two-storied brick and stone building painted in red. The Graeco-Roman style of architecture is a structure of vast expanse with lonic porticoes at the centre and at the two ends of the elevation.  

The building constructed in year 1868 was supervised by Rao Bahadur Arcot Narayanaswami Mudaliar. I link the post for Run A Round Ranch's Good Fences

Birds watching

(pic from my archives)

Birds’ wave across the sky
while flying back to home
in magnificent unison
and silhouette version.

Like the prayer flags,
swings across Himalayas,
flocks flew through winds
flapping their wings.

Unlike the human beings,
who hustle and bustle
while come to and fro home
birds fly at peaceful hum.

No, where they set course
or ahead to and fro
against the eventide sunset
to put us on pleasant sight.

Lonely planet

A lonely planet;

where men romance

his dream girl

Imagine as hero

he prepares proposal

before playing live

Pic by Jeevan 

The only planet;

where men landed

apart ruining earth

Capture a image,

quite different perspective,

ever so spectacular. 

Short coconut palms

Pollachi (near Coimbatore) is very popular for coconuts and also called as coconut country, contributes two third of totally productivity in Tamil Nadu. I have been to Pollachi more than couple of times, while on my ways to Valparai and Topslip; I come across number of coconut groves or road traveled amid them.

The trees stands tall all make wonderful sight across the region but during my drive to Topslip, we were surprise to see short coconut palms with bunch of coconuts hanging very close to ground at the village called Sethumadai. The coconut grove was neatly fenced in thorn wires and stone poles painted in white. But actually the fence doesn’t fascinate me then, like the short coconut palms.

I link the post for Run A Round Ranch's Good Fences

My day becomes brighter

At the end of the day
my day becomes brighter
and cheerful
like kids back from school.

Am out of touch, seeing him
I give away my laps
for him to replace the space
I desire to spend the most.

Whoever hates noise
would relish upon his loudness
that resonates quite the home
in his enriched infant speech.

At his each pace - leap
there’s something energetic
that ever seems to exit
and never fails to astonish.

At the sight of my nephew
I forget what I suppose to do
and nothing becomes important
as he himself comes vital!

I have nothing to offer him -
except my love -
but he wishes to come home
make my days happier a lot. 

Note: If you get Word Verification, it is a Blogger/Google glitch! YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO IGNORE IT AND HIT ENTER! THE COMMENT SHOULD PUBLISH WITHOUT TYPING IN THEIR FIGURES!    Thanks RunARoundRanch, for the notification. 

Marudhanadhi Dam (View)

Marudhanadhi Dam in the Dindugal district of Tamil Nadu is one of the main water resources to the surrounding villages of the same. The dam is situated between the Western Ghats valley of lower Palani Hills.

During my visit to Thandikudi, I come across an overlook on the dam while travel between Thandikudi and Pannaikadu on the half Kodaikanal hills. The view (from 1400 m) was truly wonderful although there was very less water in the dam since the southwest monsoon hadn't arrived yet then (June 2013).

Karthigai Deepam @ Home and Neighborhood

Karthikai Deepam is a South Indian festival observed by Hindus on the full moon day of Tamil month Karthikai, which falls amid November and December. It is an occasion where rows of oil lamps are lit in every home and temples. Karthigai Deepam is essentially a festival of lamps and lighted lamps are considered as auspicious symbols and believed to drive off evil forces and let in prosperity and joy.

Though generally lighted lamps are important in festivals and rituals of Hindus, Karthigai Deepam is indispensable. We hold the festival of lamps yesterday at home and lit some limited oil lamps at the entrance and windowsills. A few of our neighbors had some splendid arrangements of lamps around their compound walls and stairs across our house-made feels good to the eyes and mind.

The construction office opposite our side entrance did wonderfully by lighting rows of lamps on their wooden stair and someone stood there to make sure all lamps kept burning. Our oil lamps couldn’t light long due to the wind but to my surprise, the lamps lit on the compound wall of our neighbors keep lighted. Only later mom said those are candle lamps. So what? I can’t understand the logic here.

Usually, mom used to light the lamps once Thiruvannamalai Deepam (a huge fire lamp, which is called Mahadeepam) was lit up on the hill, following a live relay on TV. Tiruvannamalai Karthigai festival is well-known, and millions of people go to the temple town to watch the Maha Deepam lit up on the hill.

Sishya School (Gate and Arch)

Sishya is a very popular school in my area called Adyar, in Chennai. Studying at this school seems to be prestigious for many (as it is believed to give best education), since the school accommodate minimum number students to facilitate balancing efficiency and quality education, with economy. From KG to Class X there are not more than 30 per Class with just 3 sections each. I know this school from my childhood days only by name and it has been described to provide higher standard of education and getting admission here does need to be   literate and wealthy parents.

Though most of students here are from luxurious background or economically fwd, I find money isn’t the prior to get a place at this school. Since moved opposite to this school, we aren’t to avoid receiving things happening with the school and the tenant who reside upstairs of this house succeed recently on his endeavour to get a place for his 3-years-old. During our occasional conversations he conveyed that he had registered for his son when he was 6 months in womb! Though both of his parents are educated and well placed at jobs with enough income they haven’t won the admission easily.

There seems to be lot of people in the waiting list, whom should have been registered in the same way (children at birth), as admission is given on first come basis for the minimum number of seats apart certain numbers that are reserved for Christian children, since the school received Christian Minority status. The school comes under the Council for Indian School Certificate Examination has been well equipped with state of the art facilities. Almost student come to this school via only cars and one could come across parades of cars coming in and out of the school, at specific times twice. It was a mild entertainment to watch different kind of cars though it cause annoy and traffic jams sometime.

It’s interesting to note that the school admits minimum number students to not to give away certain aspect of the school. They are certain about the quality of education and encourage activities that involve much physical and mental ability. The school’s ground is an advantage and being one of the big school grounds in city they conduct all kind of sports that student interest. Unlike other school, Sishya commence its first term in January and end with third term in December. The school has two vacation periods that marks with Christmas and summer in May.

I link this post for Run A Round Ranch’s Good Fences! 

My favorite season/months

December and January are my favourite months/season as it is the only time in Chennai where weather seems to be embracing and cold. Though each season has its own essence and uniqueness to cherish like the summer cool (sea) breeze, there is so much wish for cold season which is limited with Chennaites. Margazhi is a Tamil month celebrates the winter season with festivals of dance and music. The birth of December has brought cold here right now, though it wasn’t abundant like other part of the world, we enjoy the chillness followed by northeast monsoon.

One fog moment in suburb shot last year during same season

The meteorological department has been predicting rains prolong but Chennai doesn't seem to be its favourite place always, unlike it poured few weeks back. They kept announcing rain as usual in one or two days despite already dew set it. I don’t believe there’s chance for rain anymore although I wish there was, as we aren’t sufficient with rain this year there’s risk of water scarcity. I feel cool/cold in evening and early morning for last few days (and even feeling feverish by night) following dampness in weather and low pressure in Bay of Bengal. The sun wasn’t anymore hot and it feels cool even at mid-day. I also prevent sitting under the fan and almost switch off or let rotate at least number.

This is the season where I feel travelling a lot. Due to less in temperature it’s the best time to hit the road and explore places mostly on plains to enhanced cold in mountains. The Christmas, New Year and Pongal that fall during this season also make it cheerful and stimulate the mood to celebrate. It is the season I always want to wake up early morning and relish upon the chillness that we get to experience without paying electric bill or travelling sum to some hill stations. But except few occasions I ever lived up to the moment and it’s only the warmth that binds me inside the blanket leaving not the comfort being.

For those interested can check my previous posts related to December (here) and Tamil month Margazhi (here)