The desideratum festival Pongal and Jallikattu

A feel good beginning for my art again.

We are ahead with energy flowing to welcome the most wanted festival of Tamilan. It’s not particular for Tamils; it’s a festival center for all common people who interest to thanksgiving the nature. The Pongal follows the solar calendar as the sun changes its direction rays, where it starts riding from southern to northern. The Pongal is intends to boiling over of milk and rice from the pot that is considered a sign of happiness and property flows in our lives. The Pongal which celebrated in Tamil month of Thai for four days from the last day of Margali (mostly Jan 14). The farmers festival on this pongal, we clean and whitewash our homes, decorate our homes with mango leaves and festoon, drawing beautiful kolams and cook pongal to celebrate with family and friends around.

Generally Pongal is celebrated at its best only in villages, where in early decorated new clay pot, taking the newly harvested rice from paddy and adding with pure milk to make flowing pongal to thanking the earth and welcoming Sun. The first day before pongal is consist of Bhogi. It’s the day to said good bye to old and enters of new in our lives; it always celebrated as burning or throwing the old thing into fire. But in todays time its better stop burring the waste things or old clothes and best is to give for non-existence. On the third day of Mattu Pongal (Bull Pongal) is thanked giving for bulls those handworks throughout the year and which was farmers friend. Taking them to bathe, painting there horns and decorating with leaves and replacing with new cord, tying bells and with colorful balloons the bulls enjoy themselves, esp. seeing other bulls.

The Jallikattu (bull catching game) happen on this day and the last day of pongal that was known as Kaanum Pongal in Tamil Nadu is world famous. Kaanum Pongal is well known for its outing and picnic with family and friends for there favorite places, in many villages people interested in going to watch Jallikattu at near there place. The Chennai Marina beach is recorded yearly for more people visiting on Kaanum Pongal. According to Jallikattu, it anticipated for an important award by Supreme Court this year whether it would be banned or to allow conducting the Jallikattu, but without cared about anything the preparation for the festival was in full fledge. The Jallikattu always happens in Madurai’s Paalameadu on the 2nd day of Thai (Jan 16) and the world famous Alanganallur the next day and followed by other districts of Tamil Nadu. The bulls are carefully trained rest of the whole year for the yearly ones game.

Bulls are feed with grind raw rice and cotton seeds and left to drink 40 litters of water twice a day to avoid fatigue and 3km of walking every day. To strengthen, the bulls were daub to grinded tamarind seeds for full night and bathed next day, that continue for three months before to Jallikattu, where it develops the blood circulation and gives a shine skin. They even used to tell, bull should not visible others, so they won’t allow none near to the bull. The most looked bull is Kangeyam bull which is the most bravery bull in all and its look itself threaten everybody, but only sad is its species are in stage of perishable. In rural sides if one was to be praised for brave they use to indicate Kangeyam bull, so far it reaches to its name. There would be only countable Kangeyam bulls to exist in Tamil Nadu and I was not sure. To make bulls intoxicate, they fill hays into clothes and create like a man like doll and get them to batter the doll to increase its anger. Because of getting training like this, these bulls are not left so easily into the playing ground of Jallikattu and in addition to train or grow a bull to play for the game they spend minimum 40,000Rs (1000$). But all the hope of these people playing, as well as developing bulls are stopped by Friday’s award by Supreme court in banning for this traditional brave game of Tamil Nadu.

Though it was a good relief for bulls from humans and threat of bull battering humans to injure and sometimes to death in game. But it was a sorrow for Tamil Nadu and mostly for the people of southern districts and Madurai to give away our traditional brave game. It’s not planned, but it happens to relate this post to my recent painting of Jallikattu above, like a man trying to control the bull. It was one more happiness I got at this year beginning of returning to my drawing side that I wasn’t touched for over a year. I was in confuse could I able to draw something again like past, but I moved to the comfort of drawing. Let me know your comments… I wish you all for a Happier Pongal celebration.

Pongal greetings.

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Have designed some greeting cards for the coming Pongal festival. These days shops lack for festival greeting cards, and was not possible to send the cards to dears. So I want to prepare cards on my own, while for most important events I did cards holding the pictures of my cousins, this time tried some new way in the style of professional greeting. The amount spend for buying a card from shop is minimum Rs.20, some quality cards at 30+, for me its only Rs.6 to 12 according to the size I develop through photo studios. What I spend is time and energy, and what earn is satisfaction on designing in wish and using own words.

I steal only some flowers and other items from net and others drew in Photoshop and pictures from my last Pongal. Except my cousins, would be glad if it was used by others. One can download the card on the size given below at every greeting.

My most favorite songs of 2007

Last year I was in great pleasure of listing too much good Tamil songs and I would like to share it with you all. I list down some songs I loved in some way it was tuned, singed, the lyrics that put me in sense and happiness… it was not an order of which one is good to the decrease of less good, but comes as it is from my thoughts. The film names were at each end of the song experience in bracket and u can check the song clicking mouse at the link in blue.

Meendum Palliku Pogalaam... (Again go to the school…)I feel it’s a best song that bring backs the memories and desires in our deep heart. The words are strong when comes from music director Bharadhwaj’s voice and it was tuned in clearly one could listen what was singed. One line that goes like “educated all forget there schools and lose in the mechanical life and those uneducated look at there school in craved to distress. I feel a pain in this line and it was like pinching me. The video of this song was so realistic showing the emotions on peoples face about there school times, living in varies places. (film Pallikodam)

Katrin Mozhiye... the song starts like asking which is the language of air, flower, sea and love. Poet Vairamuthu gives two choosing answers for air its sound or music, for flowers its color or fragrance, for sea its waves or bubbles, for love its eyes or lips. The music director Vidhyasagar penned the song in one could enjoy the beautiful lives, its languages and the nature’s creativity in this song. It was tuned in melodies with male and female singing separately where female singer Sujatha’s version was impressive. (Mozhi)

Kaadhal Konjam... its drizzling in a word! The times I was in worries I wanted this song at my side to bind, that how I adore and in love with this song. Do check the English translation of this song here I wrote some times back. Composed and singed by Harish Jayaraj and singer naresh Iyer in Tamarai’s lyrics gives an fantastic mood to forget all any other just listening times. (Pachai Kili Muthuchram)

Akkam Pakkam... after a long time I was to listen from an owner of sweet voice Sadhana Sargam in this song. Its romantic lines could melt the heart; the most adoring is cute looking trisha and her expression to wording. One could enjoy in this boat house and artificial island center of Backwater Lake in tuning to G.V.Prakash’s music. (Kireedam)

Unnarugil Varugayil... it may released in late of 2007, but it releases from my player for maximum times in recent days. Very hard to think what makes me pleasing on this song, it rarely comes that likely listening to best of moments coming closer. The action less eyes and on the smiles along with rocks of familiar places in the song are spirit watching. The young composer Joshua Sridhar who exists for only couple of films in Tamil and this is one sure to take places in the memories. (Kallori)

Unakkaga thaanea... actually what dragged me is the starting of some sweet wordings like whoever tells anything dear, I will come with you … ones u smile it’s my meaning to live, another smile it finishes my curse of lifetime…. The mild folk track behind the voice gives a style and the video feels to emollient in childish. (Katrathu Tamil)

Asaipatta ellathaium... its best are the lines of praising mother. A meaningful song about mother, tells her affection and touches could not be valued to anything that we buy. The beats are the energies of this song and one thing that stop the pull also. (Viyaabari)

Saroja Samman Nikola... first I avoided it feeling over noise, but all days listening on television and radios I found interests on its very peppy music. It’s a party song, the cricket friends of Chennai 28 plays dance with colorful glam girls. Yuvan’s music stops at some place, but it start with force repeatedly till it ends actually. (Chennai 600 028)

June Pona... The late year starts with this favorite keyboard tune of peaba peppa peaba… from the time I listen there was some imaginations how this song would be in visible. It holds some magic from the voice of Krish and Harish’s music that develops a mood of passion. I wonder that my dears have comes close towards my taste; they enjoy the song more than me. Ever time they show different thoughts in listening, but this song they shares. (Unnale Unnale)

Radha Kaadhal Varatha... I think it was a remake of an old-song where in a style of modern devotional. I love the beginning much, singer sounds sweeter the line radha kaathal varatha… beautiful composed, but I was disturbed by the English rap in-between. The musician always add the rap when it comes to remake songs, I disappoint with this idea. (Naan Avan Illai)

Yen Chellaperu Apple... what a hot and sweet like my favorite taste of lays. All credit goes to Mirchi Suchi (sema hot’u machi) and her voice that rocks. Musician manisharma has tried to give something new, but it feels like listening to Hindi’s Doom here. (Pokkiri)


Style Style... I get very little opportunity to watch this song fully clearly. An example of grand shaker and stylish Rahman’s combination in a variety place and tunes in western style. One basket sunlight, one basket moonlight, everything joins his white… the magic behind this white skin really wonders. The fast lines flows in energy and Tanvi sounds humming in cool manner, I would tell she is the spice space of this style. (Sivaji)

Pogathe... a very soft melody. Yuvan has singed this song is unbelievable, excellently done to soothing for which we were singing like in our imagination and instrument are the attractive thing, it’s the vinnai or anything I think it was a rare feel I got. (Deepavali)

Mudhal Mazhai... the first rain would give more enjoyable in the season. It was the first rain in Hariharan’s lovely voice and the poetic lyrics of Na.Muthukumar is a gentle breeze for lonely moments. Some expectation on this song, what different the director make it outstand from many rain songs in past. It starts with an unaware words as usual style of Harish Jayaraj and did a wonderful tuning the music. (Bheemaa)

Thanks for listining my favorite songs.

Year end events

It was wished to be part of Christmas when the world is celebration it. Even not much, I needed a tree with serial lights blinking, gifts hanging, bells chinking to the blowing gentle winds and the night with candle lights. There is nothing more cares me so far about Christmas, only for last few years I go with hanging start outer my home, this time I was thinking for a tree and not been prepared to buy, but I got a small tree from my grandma which she did for me getting things from shop and also a small home with ice-cream sticks. I thought myself it’s the beginning and should do bigger next time; I and cousin decorated it in green leaves for floor, drawing Christmas board and lilting candle gives cute look when all doing that.

Some more pictures here at flickr

I could only present u the Christmas pics and it was little worries I wasn’t able to share some movements through pictures of cousin sister B’day, going to village and New Year night at home. The cam was brought by uncle’s relatives so I can’t click anything at any moments we really wanted. It was a casual beach visit on sat with cousins at present, they where in half-yearly holidays and suddenly a thought comes to celebrate sister’s birthday at beach. So bro brought cake candles, snacks… in the cool pleasant dusk, with clapping hands and singing birthday lines she cut cake and it continues till night we chatting happily, teasing each other. The next day it was the sudden decision by all to spend the Sunday at grandpa’s sister village near Chennai. Grandpa and others where seated in cousin'sSumo Victa and we where taking our car following them. Dad with arm pain, we needed a person to drive the car, so a relative bro belong to the place we ahead drove the car and the noon breeze at there was totally please only we where disturbing the whole village shouting and running everywhere.

After sun behind the clouds in afternoon we went to the field belong to them, riding in wheels on the mud road for a short distance with much trees, green grasses around. First time I was there in their field, the recent rain was doing something good for the well and lakes filled in water. I was near and not to miss the opportunity seeing my relative buddy jumping from the wall into the well. I wondered what happen to him, he was at that another end of the big well when he comes out of water after few seconds. On the way we met small monkeys crossing the way… they told these monkeys use a cute way to steal thing from houses of the village. If the window holes are small for the big monkey’s they sent there kids inside the hole and order them to bring what they need. Because of this all the houses in the village have very small windows.

I find a very kind buddy there, he was my age and we spent talking throughout the way around the places. He finished his computer diploma and has a small shop in the village looking over his family and the fields. Then comes a new experience and also at risk when returning from there. It was darkness surrounds almost waiting for our relative bro to drive the car who was gone to pick the driver for Sumo vehicle where our cousins and all should come. Passed few kilometers the diver of the sumo wasn’t able to drive and he was half in sleep, so no other way to move the vehicle further. Now the only person would drive the big vehicle was our relative who drive us, but our car also need a driver, so there is no other way my bro only have to drive us back, but he wasn’t well practiced in driving a car. He hoped he could drive, but for us it makes uncomforting leaving him and the road (OMR) was fully contour till crossing the east cost road with heavy traffic jam moving slowly from 5 km before my home. First time I was very carful looking him driving between cars coming closely and I was in short dread and wishes he could drive safely without hitting anything. Cool he did a good job, we reached home, but only thing he need is to learn speed balance… his pickup was very fast, specially in cities it’s the most important thing to be careful.

New Year did not get any expectation with me, it passed another day in life watching television program. Early morning former president Kalam interview was the best one, it was the first time kalam gives interview for an entertainment channels. It was a great inspire knowing much about him, his thought ‘we should have an aim at every moment we live and moving towards it for an interesting life’ found a strength inception of this year. Again wishing a happy and interesting 2008.

I and my year 2007

Just three days left for the year 2008 to born, everyone could feel the same the year 2007 exits soon, it was like last month we celebrate the New Year at home and shared the wishes. Looking back the days come across was a nice thing to revisit the experience. It was an unusual pongal we celebrate in the traditional way of placing everything at open space in worshiping the sun and nature; to visit the nearest relative village on maattu pongal was a new experience I had to see not like the past we celebrate at my grandpa’s home here. A power I got additionally this year was my power wheel chare that took me around the places in easier way and also little stress free for my parents, but oppose to it I lost to a comfortless sleep at nights was a problem till now and the only thing is I hope to manage.

Visiting some places in my area and Adyar broken bridge is one of it I got to check when looking for a place to watch Chennai Air-Show. It was a beautiful place with back waters stays like lagoons and birds flying in groups. Another place I was visiting is Adyar Theosophical Society, after over 10 years. It’s a pleasant travel inside the tranquil place of varies plants birds… I am looking for another opportunity to enter this garden. Again a visit to the village, riding at the dry lake was a joy in it. My birthday was happen to be a remarkable and memorable one in my life, lots of greets from dear friends and family sent me to happiness and friend Narayanan Venkat’s visit to home specially on my B’day gives a great pleasure. My PC system failure in June and without internet for a month is a worst time in the year and was like helpless to contact anyone to know my situation.

Felt happy that I got a physiotherapist to check my activates, but it haven’t exist for more. He was only visited me for two day and contactless till now. There was lots of expenditure in 2007 to buy new PC, my power chair and medial treatment for grandma and dad and for other unexpected expenditure brings harder in managing the family budget. Even spending on treatments there is no further changes in the health and recent days struggle by dad for his arm and shoulder pain because of nerves jam was not consoled. Bringing to side the all other happening, the pain, suffer and emotionally hurts are waited on every day in some shapes and size. Distress was lead role in this year more for my dear parent’s than feeling my own health and relations love but not to live up to wonders neither its destiny or over expectation to help in need.

And the festivals like Ayutha pooja, Deepavali comes in some desired way, where I went to the celebration at my uncle’s workshop brought me the closer of the familiar moment at events and watching colors on deepavali was more enough comparing to past years. I met some new friend this year in blogging; those are very lovable in sharing, carrying friendship and being supportive through my life and hope they would be there and I would be here to share in coming years. With this let’s give a good bye to this year and pray for a beautiful 2008 to everyone. Be Happy :)