Kaattumalli, The Best - Viduthalai Part 1

Raja has once again proved that he is the raja (king) of music.

After a long wait, Ilaiyaraaja has composed a song at his best for the Tamil film Viduthalai (liberation) called Kaattumalli. It's not that he hasn't recorded songs in a long time, but those weren't relieving up to this point. My first listen made me fall in love with this composition, and I feel nostalgic about it, and the visuals match the track tracing through the forest.  

The song, along with the lyrics, in visual form on YouTube, makes it simple to understand and perceive. Not to mention, the song was written by Ilaiyaraja, and he has also sung the song along with Ananya Bhat. 

From the trailer, I think Viduthalai to be a different movie and sure to make an impact since it comes from  Vetrimaaran, a director for transformation. The film will give a break to Soori, who has only done comedy scenes so far, and he looks perfect for a police jeep driver-turned-constable. However, the song is the most enjoyable to listen to! 

NH 45

NH 45 is a famous National Highway in Tamil Nadu that begins in Chennai and ends at Kumuli in Kerala. It is also called the GST (Grand Southern Trunk) Road or the Chennai-Trichy Highway, a vital road to connect the southern districts of Tamil Nadu and a highway that I have traveled a lot.

(Batlagundu bypass)

Since we travel to Kodaikanal frequently, NH 45 is the shortest and easiest route for us to take. It is a single-long stretch of road from Chennai and up to Batlagundu or Sempatty, where we turn left to drive up the mountains. This road has become familiar to us, and we also got bored seeing the same landscape, locations, and bare highway. However, NH 45 has the smoothest road compared to the Chennai-Bangalore highway, and the double lane from Dindigul to Kumuli is also fantastic.

(A scenic drive toward Cumbum valley, and this is one of my favorite spots)

Actually, Dindigul to Kumuli is my favorite route, and I enjoy traveling on it for scenic views at any time because the road travels along the western ghats and fertile lands and becomes generous as we enter the Cumbum valley with its three sides of mountains. During our nighttime travels on this road, we could see the lights of Kodaikanal blinking like a bunch of stars dumped in one place.

(Chennai-Trichy highway, during a winter foggy morning.)

I saw NH 45 signs on the same road, but Google Maps assigns different numbers to this road at various points. When I search Google Maps for NH 45 Tamil Nadu, it only shows a short stretch of road across Dindigul town and another across Madhya Pradesh state. And NH 44 denotes the road from Kanyakumari to Agra, which was earlier designated as NH 7. On Google Maps, there is a lot of variation and confusion with highway numbers that refer to early numbers. 

Whatever the number, this NH 45 is unavoidable and easier to access in the southern districts of Tamil Nadu. 

Auro Guest House, Auroville

(At the petrol station)

The first thing we did when we arrived in Pondicherry was fill up our car's diesel tank because everyone knows that the price of petrol and diesel in Pondicherry is less than in Tamil Nadu, and this time per liter was 6 rupees lesser. We generally talk about Pondicherry as having Auroville as a part of it, but mostly it is located in the Villupuram district of Tamil Nadu and a little piece under Pondicherry, a union territory in India. 

Auro GP Guest House

My brother had not confirmed any lodgings until we arrived but was sure to obtain some rooms in one of the many cottages and homestays in Auroville, but I continued to look for a wheelchair-accessible place while traveling. I discovered Auro GP Guest House, which is located next to Auroville Center Parking and meets our budget and requirements. Despite its location on the main road, the guest house is calm once you enter, and there isn't much traffic on the road. 

The guest house features a long corridor with five to six rooms on each side and another five to six rooms on the first floor; the ground-floor rooms are step-friendly for wheelchair access. My nephew Kavin thoroughly enjoyed his stay; he became excited seeing the long corridor as he only started to walk; he continued to stroll up and down freely and noisily because there was no one on the ground floor. The staff is also friendly.

After checking in, we drove to a temple that my parents had wanted to see for a long time, and conveniently, the temple (Panchamukha Sri Anjaneya Temple) is only six kilometers from where we stay, on the outskirts of the Pondicherry-Tindivanam Highway. From there, we drove into the city to check out the beach and to get dinner for us, but sadly, all of the roads leading to the famous Promenade Beach were closed, just as they were last year when I visited in February. We could have (parked the car and gone in) if it hadn't been so late, but it was already dark, so we moved back to our room.

Our room

The rain began as soon as we entered the guest house and lasted until a few hours before we checked out the following morning. We couldn't think of going anywhere, and there was a constant pitter-patter of rain all night, which I had recently experienced. We reserved two rooms for us: one for my brother, sister-in-law, and nephew and another for me, mom, and dad; both rooms have the essentials, such as air conditioning, television, and intercom; and the rooms are neat and, most importantly, not difficult to mention.

When I returned to Auroville for the second time in 2009, knowing about its concept of a universal township that belongs to no one but all, I wanted to stay or live in a peaceful place where consciousness is practiced beyond all beliefs and partitions. I know it's practically impossible (for me) to dream of living there, but at least lodging in the vicinity of places that adopt peace and are environmentally green and clean inspires me to come again.

If I had planned ahead, I would have explored more of its surroundings and attempted to see Matrimandir; only after I returned home did I learn that there is an experimental house built with earthen materials in what appears to be the backyard of where we stayed. Auroville continuously hosts a variety of artworks and workshops to promote organic living and the value of preserving nature and the environment. I also recall reading articles about Auroville's use of raw materials in the construction and development of forests.

And what appeared to be another face of Auroville is Cafe. There are numerous cafes strewn throughout Auroville, and the youngsters were gleaming like stars over there; I shot a lot of sign boards along the way to share with Signs2.  

Weekend getaway to Auroville I

We went to Pondicherry two weekends ago, and it was an unplanned trip because my brother abruptly called from the gym at 9.30 pm on Friday (if you've been following my blog for a while, you know my brother owns a fitness center, aka gym, and he's also a trainer) asking if we could go to Pondicherry or Javadu Hills because he was free for two days. 

The beautiful monument at the entrance/exit of Pondicherry.

I had no intention of traveling and planned to skip if possible, but he was adamant about going somewhere, and we were still waiting even after I went to bed. He called from his room as if he had found a place to stay at Auroville on the outskirts of Pondicherry to accommodate the trip. We awoke with the same unsure mindset as he went to the gym as usual early in the morning; we considered canceling, but he arrived sooner, confirming the trip, and we had our breakfast, packed our lunch, and were out of there by late morning.

He planned to start the journey early in the morning to avoid traffic, but it was 11 when we left, and we didn't expect ECR to be crowded at that hour; nonetheless, it was free after the city limit. The road was in poor condition, or there was erosion of the upper layers in several places due to continuous rain, and the road expanding procedure slowed our progress. But we were not in a hurry and had no intention of stopping along the way; the ride was leisurely, and we arrived at Auroville in the evening. 

The day was sunny, and the sun was bright enough to dazzle; I captured some beautiful sky shots. Don't forget that we were traveling with a baby on board. This is my second trip with my nephew Kavin before the end of the year, and his travel adaption is far better than on previous trips. He enjoyed the place we stayed, but he had some worse coughing upon our return.

Though December is my favorite month to travel because of the cool weather that comes with the end of the rainy season and the beginning of winter, I have had to prevent travel for various reasons, including the lack of a travel wheelchair. We have a customized wheelchair for my travel needs, but it hasn't been finished yet, so I had to take my bucket seat wheelchair, which I use every day at home and is slightly heavier than a standard power wheelchair. 

My brother had not confirmed any lodgings but was sure to obtain some rooms in one of the many cottages and homestays there, but I continued to look for a wheelchair-accessible place while traveling.  I found a place that fit our budget and needs while still being close to the heart of Auroville:  the Matrimandir, a large golden sphere symbolizing the birth of a new consciousness.

As I already stated, I went with the flow because I didn't have time to plan anything. Even though we accommodate very close to the Matrimandir, I had no intention of visiting, seeing the golden sphere from the viewing point up to where visitors are allowed to watch quietly. 

I was inside the Matrimandir when it was still under construction roughly 22 years ago. Even then, it was quiet, and they installed a glass globe in the center of the dome structure, which glows in the sunlight. I couldn't view the glass globe because it was in an elevation position that steps could only reach. But it was an unforgettable experience; the second time, we were only allowed up to the viewing point, which I explored in my wheelchair.

I've included an image of the Matrimandir (and myself in front of it) shot in 2009 to illustrate the concept.

more on the trip in the next post... 

Palavakkam Beach and Skywatch!

It had been a long time since I visited Palavakkam Beach in ECR, which I frequented once. When we were staying in our apartment flat in Thiruvanmiyur, I visited Palavakkam Beach and spent a lot of time lost in thought; whenever I felt like visiting the beach, I would go there, and it was the quietest beach with fewer people at the time.

Although Thiruvanmiyur Beach, also known as Thiruvalluvar Nagar Beach, was close to us then, I preferred Palavakkam Beach for its quiet, private atmosphere. When we shifted to Kottivakkam, we got very close to the beach, but I didn't go as often as I would like when we stayed in Thiruvanmiyur, and subsequent house moves increased the distance. 

Palavakkam Beach, now the fourth most significant beach in Chennai after Marina, Elliots, and Thiruvanmiyur has recently gained popularity. I had only gone to Palavakkam Beach a couple of times in the previous five years, and it wasn't the same with merchants, and the crowds had increased. 

I spent much time alone when my father left me in the car to go for a walk on the beach, and I was inspired to write poems and study things happening around me. I enjoyed the Palavakkam beach for two reasons: the stunning sunset and the moon rising over the sea, casting a silvery shadow. I went to the beach on three consecutive full moon evenings with moonrise, and the couples sitting on the sand occasionally slipped under its shadow, which I photographed a few times. 

I went to Palavakkam Beach the day before Deepavali (anticipated seeing some fireworks - but only deception remains), which greeted me with nostalgic memories of moments spent there and with loved ones; the heart longs for those times, which appear like a distant shore in the sea that is unreachable. The sky, and beach photos, you see here were shot on the same day. 

Linking this post with Skywatch Friday

Ponniyin Selvan (It's not about the Film) !

Know what's the trend in South Indian social media right now? It's Ponniyin Selvan. In short, PS-1. 

When I first saw the PS-1 commercial on social media, I immediately thought of anything similar to India's PSLV (The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle). 

Ponniyin Selvan is a well-known classic historical novel in Tamil authored by Kalki that requires no introduction if you are from Tamil Nadu, India's southernmost state. It is a timeless novel that was serialized for three and a half years before being published in five volumes in 1955; now, after many attempts, the book has been adapted into a film by acclaimed filmmaker Manirathnam! 

It is impossible to shrink a five-series novel (a storyline that lasts 8 months) into a three-hour film, so the production team opted to divide the movie into two parts, with PS-1 being the first.   

I have never read such an inspiring and suspenseful historical novel. As captivating fiction, the book tells the story of the greatest king of Tamil Nadu, Raja Raja Chozan, also known as Ponniyin Selvan, and Aruilmozi Varman. I loved reading this book, or more precisely, I enjoyed traveling through it, and it takes us to numerous locations within the Chola kingdom a thousand years ago. 

I had wanted to read this book for a long time. However, I made it in 2022, and I picked the English translation of this mammoth work over the original in Tamil, which I am convinced is more emotional. I  like to read Ponniyin Selvan in Tamil to get that experience again. I've been fascinated by this story for a few months and have become familiar with the characters and wish it could go on forever since I was eager to know what happened next; the novel never lags because the scene varies. 

Even though the book is about Ponniyin Selvan (whose regime the Chozha Empire reached lands beyond the high seas), my favorite character is Vandhiya Devan, the true protagonist who carries the story on his shoulders. Mostly, it was through him we glimpse the beauty of the great Chozha country, and his role in missions was adventurous and exhilarating, adding to the fantastic visions I had throughout the subject. The narration and facts of the Chozha Empire and its clan are fascinating to read and convey the magnificence of the Chozha dynasty. However, pride comes from knocking down a country for revenge, and fighting against other kingdoms only highlights an empire's valor unless the country is in the hold of grief or oppressive rule. 

I am more engaged in this book than in any other book I have read so far, and I was obliged to reread a lot of phrases, paragraphs,  chapters, or scenarios to experience the feel or feel of the content. When I was in the latter half of the series, news about PS 1 started circulating in the media; I strictly avoided everything relevant to the film from entering my consciousness (at least until I finished reading the book) to avoid distractions from the air-drawn imagination I drew. 

Some of the places I visited in Chozha country, such as Thanjavur (the capital of Chozhas at the time of the story), Kumbakonam, Nagapattinam, and Kodikkarai, influenced my imagination. I fantasize about erasing all forms of development and replacing them with wilderness and greenery dotted with small towns and villages and contrasting them with palaces. Every time the story centers on Thanjavur, the fortification and the gateways to the Big Temple and the moat and the river that runs beside it make a magnificent mixture of fort and palaces.

The version (of Ponniyin Selvan) I read was rendered in English by Varalotti Rengasamy; I chose him because when I looked for the book, only he had the entire series of five, so I could read the novel without stopping. I truly enjoy the author Kalki's simple and direct narrative and approach to constructing a plot about the bravest and most powerful kingdom ever known in Tamil Nadu. And crowning it all is the sacrifices of Ponniyin Selvan, according to the author, are the essential component of the story that inspired him to write this magnum work. 

I'm so invested in the book that I believe I could visualize and recall every aspect of it if I decided to sit back and draw scenes without reading it, which is the novel's strength. Please read the book if you haven't already. If you don't want to read, you can watch the upcoming film (releases on Sep 30) instead. But, whether you watch the movie or not, I wish everyone read Ponniyin Selvan. 

Diamond Jubilee of Independant India and Ambedkar's India!

The people of India are getting ready to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of India's Independence on August 15. The Indian government is launching several plans to enthusiastically celebrate the 75th Independence Day, with one of its primary goals being to encourage people to raise the Indian flag at their homes, and workplaces, and change the photos on their social media accounts to the three-colored flag. 

PM Modi requested everyone to clap (when COVID outbreak) in recognition of the selfless efforts of frontline workers, doctors, and nurses who dealt with the worst of situations; the people went on a rally, beating drums! Later, he told them to light lamps in honor of their service and the lives lost in the pandemic; people set off fireworks and celebrated Diwali! Now he pleads people to hoist flags, and the ruling party is advancing, not even leaving the sea, where they have rallies in boats and employ force to sell flags in some places. 

I usually hoist the flag on Independence Day and Republic Day, showcasing my patriotism for the past 20 years, but this time the Prime Minister requested that flags be hoisted for three days in a row, from August 13–15, to commemorate the 75th anniversary of India's Independence. So far, nobody has told me to hoist the flag, and I'm doing it in my interests, so I don't need to follow this pattern.

I will stop here, I don't like to enter politics. Patriotism is something we all have in our hearts and are taught to be from childhood, as it is natural for anyone to feel a connection to their nation. Even though I don't speak Hindi, I love my country! Sorry, but the political shadow seemed to be following me. Because I am interested in both patriotism and politics, I couldn't separate the two; I am particularly drawn to the political leaders of the time who put the country ahead of their own lives and families. 

My latest read of B.R. Ambedkar, who created the Indian Constitution, impressed me with his insight, and his book, Ambedkar's India, was an eye opener for me in terms of caste and politics. 

Ambedkar's India gives a great perspective on caste and its root causes and why it needs to be slaughtered. Beyond that, and through various examples and concepts, he delivers worldly knowledge. I don't want to go into the subjects of the speeches of Ambedkar; the lawmaker of India has all the reasons to oppose the existence of caste and the importance of being independent; his consideration of all sorts of people and belief in constructing the constitution is remarkable to read. A must-read for Indians who anticipate changes within and outside of society. It's a book that reveals that he is not associated with any organization or set of beliefs for those who honor him for what he believed.

People may have different opinions on independence, but we cannot deny the truth that thousands of lives were lost fighting against slavery and tyranny under British rule to drive them away. In today's society, independence has many varied connotations, and most of the time it has been limited to one's function and terms and conditions. 

At 75 years of independence, we are still in a position to fight for our basic rights, needs, and issues; fighting (not just physically) appears to have no end until we fight for our last breath. There is no doubt we have tremendously grown as an independent nation, and it has not been an overnight development. We must never forget those who paved the way for us and laid the foundation for our country, allowing us to be ourselves and choose our careers. Though there are still barriers to certain people's development, I think education and rationality will remove those, and everybody will breathe true freedom. Happy Independence Day!

The Sky

My sky

The sky looks beautiful in uniform blue 

The clouds float in to acquire diverse shapes 

Keep the skywatching interesting;   

The birds fly into the sky like decorations

Of silhouettes against the expanse of sky;

Different hues tune the twilight sky 

To date, betwixt day and night; 

In addition to the morning, the midday sun

shines as bright as ever to wink eyes.

The night sky is a mystical splendor; 

The starry night beautifully enthralls  

Until the moon started stealing 

All eyes turned to its marble face. 

I dream of waking up to sunrise 

I haven't been a morning person, though.

Behind blocks of buildings, the sun sets.

I was left to watch its tail colors! 

One morning in Uncle's woodhouse

Several unidentified birds chirp, 

Woke me up earlier than usual. 

The natural alarm of the woods pleased the ears.

I was still drowsy and perplexed by my state of existence. 

Is it that I awoke or that I am still dreaming?

The dark shadow of night removed 

As the early light enters the room,

As beams that support a structure 

It glows as it reflects off the pine woodhouse. 

I couldn't sleep any longer when nature called. 

Because we are not bestowed on a daily basis

With beautiful tones of birds tweeting. 

Excitement pulls me out of bed.

The night cold had left me with a parched throat 

To talk in a hushed tone 

I opened the backdoor.

The song of birds fills the backyard with joy.

It gives the eyes work to spot 

Birds playing hide and seek in the wild undergrowth. 

It was a busy morning with birds. 

Before they take off on their daily foraging, 

I would try my best to capture them 

Before I have my part of breakfast. 

P.s. It's been three years since I visited my uncle's woodhouse in the Kodaikanal half-mountains, surrounded by coffee, pepper, and orange plantations. According to Facebook memories, I left for Kodaikanal today in 2019 and couldn't stop thinking about my past visits. The poem was inspired by waking up one morning to birds singing.

பட்டம் விடு/ Flying Kite

வெறுமையான வானம்

வெண்மேகம் தவிர்த்து.

கோடை விடுமுறை கடந்து

திங்கள் முதல் பள்ளிகள்...

சிறுவர்கள் மறந்தே போன

வாழ்வை வண்ணமாக்கிய பட்டம் (காத்தாடி).

மாஞ்சா எனும் அரக்கன்

கழுத்தை அறுத்ததால்

பட்டம் விடும் பழக்கம்

பறந்தே சென்றது நம்மை விட்டு.

அண்ணாந்து பார்த்த காலம்

பல வண்ண பட்டம்

வானில்  இட்ட வட்டம்.

சூரியன் பல்லை இளித்தாலும்

வெக்கை பொருட்படுத்தாமல்

மொட்டைமாடியில் நின்று விட்ட பட்டம்

ஒரு கனவு போல் இன்று

குறை கூற இயலாது

காலத்தின் மாற்றம்,  

இருந்தாலும் ஏமாற்றம். 

The sky is empty 

except for the white cloud.

Summer break has come to an end 

On Monday, classes began 

The boys had forgotten 

Kites in vibrant colors. 

A demon named Manja.

Because of the neck slit

Kite-flying customs

fled away from us.

The time spent looking up

Kites with multiple colors

circled the sky.

Even with the sun shining on its teeth,

Regardless of how hot it is,

standing on the terrace to leave a kite.

Today feels like a dream.

It is impossible to criticize the situation.

Change of time

It was, however, a letdown. 

FYI, flying kites is prohibited in most of the cities in our state following many incidents of neck slits by the special thread used for flying the kite. The thread goes through treatment of strengthening, which uses glass and iron particles so that it can cut off other kites. When such kites float in the air or the thread comes off, it slits the necks of those who ride bikes. So the government has banned flying or selling kites in order to stop those incidents. 

RGB Monday

 Colorful fishes 

My nephew (brother's son) Kavin's soft toys; since he is likely to grow teeth sooner or later, he enjoys biting things. To keep him from getting hurt, we prefer these soft toys. 

Here's Kavin, my adorable little nephew, who has started crawling. He has become a part of my happiness and a daily source of encouragement. It's amusing to watch him play, crawl, make naughty faces, and attempt to communicate. 

இளவேனிற்காலம் / The Spring

இளவேனிற்காலம் தொடங்குகையில் மைனாக்களின் கொஞ்சல்  சத்தம்!
கத்தரித்த மரங்களில் துளிர்விட தொடங்கிய இலைகள்;
மெல்ல மெல்ல விலகும் பனி
சூரியனின் வெம்மை உருகியது இளவேனி!

மெருகூட்டப்படாத சூரிய ஒளியில்  
இதமான  கடல் காற்றோடு
கிளியும் குயிலும் பாடல் படிக்க
விடிந்தது வசந்த காலம்.  

மழையை கடத்தும் மேகமாய்
நினைவுகளை சுமந்து வரும் கடல் காற்று.
வருடம் தவறாமல், மனம் இளைப்பாற  
இளமைக்கால நினைவுகள்ளோடு இளவேனிற்காலம்.

the translate:

As spring arrives, the faint sound of mynas!
The leaves of pruned trees are beginning to bloom;
The dew is gradually melting.
The sun's rays thawed the springs!

In the unpolished sunlight
With a light breeze from the sea
Parrots and Koels read the song
Spring has arrived. 

Clouds that transmit rain
The sea breeze transports memories.
Year after year, the mind relaxes.

Spring with memories of youth. 

Natural Leaf Art!

The last trace of green illustrates a Christmas tree before yellow cover.

A ripe leaf from the Indian tulip tree (opposite our home) bears a design inked in green, which gives me an illusion of a Christmas tree in an outline of green. I hope you guys agree with my perspective.

Outcome of Rain

The day is quite Drizzy and breezy with cold 

Rains for the second consequent week 

Chills down to nerves, to seek warmth  

A cup of tea worked well at this point 

To pull out the numbness through its brew;  

The weather could not be the same for long 

Cheers before it is too warm or cold 

The rain washed away the hazards in the air 

Like a mountain breeze its refreshing to breathe 

Compensates the desire for travel to mountains;  

The street full of shed leaves from the raintree 

Resembles a glimpse of the fall season 

Like the tiny leaves, life spread with happiness 

And collecting it as a pile is a mounted joy.  

P.s I share below a short photo video of recent rain and flood captured from the balcony. 

Why I am an Atheist... by Bhagat Singh

The book is quite an ideology - comprising 18 essays of India's great revolutionary freedom fighter Bhagat Singh - wrote from prison. He's a very interesting revolutionary with a different perception of revolution. A young legend with extraordinary bravery, compassion, and wise to compromise to only achieve on ideals. I never heard a revolutionary like him give significant meaning to revolution, and each letter/essay in the book is a thoughtful lesson that he shares from the four walls of the prison. Perhaps the silence and struggles he adheres to along with other prisoners make sense to speak aloud their strains, and his idea of a separate rule for political prisoners seems to lay a new track of struggle that not many had thought, I think. I recommend this book to read with an open mind, like how he respected and response to everyone despite differences of opinion. And he's unusually daring enough to write to the authority about his choice of execution.  Man, I think that no one would have been born with his courage and die out of bravery at a very young age of 23! 

Inquilab Zindabad
Long live the revolution

Motivation!

I don't think I need it. I don't think I'm looking out for it, rather seldom that to I couldn't remember though. I have many things to do - a list of books to read and movies to watch, and travelogues to write - that keep me away from the need for motivation.  If boredom stroke, let it for some time. If laziness embrace, let it hug sometimes. Be idle but never let it become your identity.

I have nothing to achieve when life itself is a challenge to fight every day. And I'm not desperate; perhaps, my life is the same to look for something separate to seek motivation. I'm optimistic to accept things that come in my way, to least complain about difficulties, but not fail to raise my voice to expound the right to resistance to passion. I dream a lot about traveling, and I push myself to travel as far as possible, and it has been the sole intention, motivation, passion, and anything that adds upon as layers conduct of course of my life. 

Nature is my eternal motivation for life, which has everything to inspire me for daily transit. The chirping birds, blooming flowers, fluttering flies, the fragrance of soil before the rain took into force, the magnificent sunrises and sunsets to the beauty of twilight, the fluffy to altocumulus clouds against the pretty blue sky. Nature is a marvel in every aspect of its exists, and as a guide, it decides my travel destinations which perhaps lead me to my destiny. 

The Nest

I wake up and sleep to see

An intricate work of nature

An exhibition of stick science

Inherited by birds by nature.

I marvel at the engineering of birds

Building their nest at such intricate

To rightly balance wind and height

And to endure storms and rain.

Each bird kind builds unique nests;

Like ravens built with sticks,

That just outreach from my balcony

The only closer encounter with a nest.

The eggs hatched into chicks

The ravens kept watching their nest

Day or night, they work together

To ensure that nowhere it unravels.

Every glance at the nest is a marvel;

Indefinable feel embrace

At the interlace of the sticks

How indifferently they couldn't build. 

சுற்றுப்புற சொர்க்கம் / Ambient paradise

காற்றோடு கவி பாடும் குயில் 

மலரரோடு தேன்  சுவைக்கும்  வண்டு 

கிளையொடு கழைக்கூத்தாடும் அணில் 

கீச் கீச் என்று மாங் குத்தும் கிளி   

அழைக்கும் சைகையில் மயக்கும் மைனா 

மறைந்திருந்து சடசடக்கும் மீன்கொத்தி  

ஆரவாரத்துடன் வந்த தவிட்டு குருவிகள் 

எல்லாம் சேர்ந்து சொர்கத்திற்கு வித்திட்டன. 

translate in eng:

The cuckoo sang with the wind 

Honey-tasting beetle with flower 

A squirrel acrobat with branches 

Mango stabbing parrot shrieks

Myna enchants in the nodding gesture

Kingfisher rattle from somewhere hideaway

Yellow-billed babbler that came with cheers

Altogether,  they sowed to heaven.

Kodaikanal Lake and Travel

Kodaikanal has been one of my favorite places ever since I visited in 1999. I had no idea how the place would look like other than learning it was a hill station like Ooty, the only other place I have visited then - two years earlier before visiting Kodaikanal. Since 2012 I have been visiting the Princess of Hill station yearly except in 2014, and my last trip was in 2019 so, it's obvious I haven't been there in the last two years.

Kodaikanal lake on a cold evening.

I really miss the place. Thanks to covid 19. Either we go to other places or not, we don't miss going to Kodaikanal, especially after my uncle established his Woodhouse and cottages in the lower hills of Kodaikanal. And needless to say, Kodaikanal has become like a second home for us, since next to our home, the longer we stay outside was only at Kodaikanal. The weather there has become familiar or adapted to us to visit any time of the year except the monsoon time where we could not explore any places due to rain and cold. 

A beautiful private boathouse along the Kodaikanal Lake.

A couple enjoying their boat ride in the lake. Glad motorboats are not allowed in the lake to keep it clean.

I have driven to many parts of the Kodaikanal, but yet there are many places to explore, and some are road-less traveled. I'm so curious to visit Kodaikanal, and other places too, and some never traveled before, when the situation becomes favorable. But the thought of Kodaikanal and travel, in general, keeps haunting me and inspires me to write more about them.

The road that goes around the Kodaikanal Lake for about 6kms

Cycling is one of the favorite activities for anyone who visits the Kodai lake, and you see some guys enjoying their ride around the lake. This is a candid shot I captured from inside the car.

There wasn't a trip to Kodaikanal complete without coming around the Kodaikanal Lake - the most favorite place in Kodaikanal. Taking a drive around the lake is a favorite pastime for me whenever I visit   Kodaikanal, and I also love spending time on the lake sipping on hot tea. The star-shaped lake is one of a beautiful artificial lake converted from a natural marshland, and it still retains its original despite the lack of cleanliness. Hope you like the lake photos I posted here.

Lake in thick mist and rain during a monsoon day in July

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A Wild Experience and Bloom

 

Captured this cute little blossom from the wilderness mixed with fear and excitement! It seems like a kind of wild daisy flower was bloomed a lot alongside the headwaters of the Bhavani River in Nilgiris, and these flowers were tiny and less than an inch in size bloomed in white as well.

The headwater of the Bhavani River is one of the wildest places I have visited (in 2011) and, it still excites me to think back. There was no one at the place when we visited as 7, not because it was a weekday or off-seasoned, but it's a restricted place and needs permission from the forest department. It's not an easy task unless a few years ago, before the forest department make revenue by turning it into an ecotourism spot.

Once entered, we are cut off from the outside world, though it was 10 years before - even now too; if trapped, we would be left to a standstill until the forest officers come to rescue. Photography was prohibited inside the forest, but we had no option, and it's impossible to resist taking photos as what we see was pristine in its beauty to the senses. Despite the warning, the officer in charge tested our truthfulness by enquiring we have a camera; later encouraged us that going inside the forest without a camera is worthless and said it's ok to carry a camera and make sure to keep it out of their officials' sight.

I never shared any photos shot from my visit to this place, not that it was prohibited but to protect nature in my personal interest. Today many photos are upload from this place, and perhaps to say after it was open to the tourist in the name of ecotourism.  This part of the western catchment area contributes a tremendous amount of water - for hydroelectric, irrigation, and drinking, which needs to be preserved from any action against its ecosystem.

There are a few more lists of places I visited that I have no idea of sharing in the future too. But I wish I could write my experience here and there.