Pykara - Reservoir & Waterfall

Pykara is a picturesque picnic spot 20 km away from Ooty on the road to Mysore. There are two things one could do here rather simply sightseeing, taking a boat ride around the thick sholas on the Pykara reservoir or walk down to waterfalls on the opposite side of dam on Ooty-Mysore main road. I have visited the Pykara reservoir once while past the village couple of time, the water level of the lake was at bottom when I was there on a midsummer day or monsoon that suppose to begin.

I couldn't take a boat ride on the reservoir and well you no need a reason why, as u could see in the picture above I took from the road, the water and boat jetty were at lowest ever seem.  The stairs leading down to boat jetty were stared at developing a terror which really needs courage for a normal being to climb up/down.  But the sight of the deep reservoir and fenced sholas beheld into mine and being summer holidays there were number of tourist thronged the place drove through a brief forest woods.

The boat house runs by the TTDC (Tamil Nadu Tourism & Development Corporation) is a secondary yet fabulous option to who like boating in Ooty, other than the one mainstream rower into the town. There’s also a restaurant attached to the boat house and the reservoir’s maximum level were seem to measure through conceal of the soil bank. But I just wonder will the reservoir behold its spellbound reveled through its dept rather watched or riding boat at its FRL (full reservoir level).

The Pykara reservoir is also a river, which is considered very scared by Todas – the tribal of Nilgiri (Blue Mountains). The river rises at Mukurthi peak, flows through Pykara and Glen Morgan dams forms an inherent part of the Pykara hydro-electric power plant – one of the oldest in the country. Mukuthi is the second largest peak among the Nilgiri and one of my dream was touching its foothill.  

On the picture above u could see a herd of buffaloes grazing on the other side of the reservoir. Buffalos are the main livelihood of Todas, who also does crop business these days, breeding of buffaloes and milking and making butter were their source then. The buffaloes named after the Toda’s were a unique breed and genetically isolated population among the Indian breeds of buffaloes  confined to the Nilgiris. Apart Todas, other communities such as Badagas and Kotas also maintain buffaloes in small numbers.

The Pykara waterfall is another wonderful place to visit, where many Indian films shot their duets and action here. But the path to the waterfall doesn’t seem disabled friendly so I could make a visit to its roar, unlike my parents and cousins who enjoyed the scenic location. The photo beneath was captured by them. 

Brahminy Flight Show

It’s not a regular flight show that happens during national events, where air force planes fly at a terrific speed and display their daring feats. And fighter jets adorn the blue sky by releasing colorful smokes and creating various symbols. And coming down very close to ground and take off vertically into the sky. A stunt that never been stunning and delight seeing flights at touching distance. But the flight you see here was pioneer to airplane aviation and had been inspiration for man to build his own wings to fly.

It’s a flight over stunning blue sky and close to sparkling sea. A pleasure watching it peacefully took off into the sky and leaving cheerful lighter movements rather heart throbbing dare feats. And like a patrol aircraft, the flight flies over the Danish colony while spy for prey. 

This kite doesn't need any permission to fly and no one could ban it as threaten to lives. It flies fearlessly very close to land and on ocean surface, seeking its prey. Takes off to untouchable high and fly unlike many other birds flapping its wings frequently. The Brahminy Kite you see in these pictures are captured during my last year visit to Danish Fortat Tranquebar and this kite had constantly looped around the area and sometime coming close to sea. Gave me some wonderful opportunity to capture the bird at near distance and it was first time for me then to shot on birds of prey.

I think the Brahminy Kites are a resident of Nagapattinam distinct of Tamil Nadu, whereas I know Point Calimere is home to number of this species, they are well spread around the area. I found a bunch of kites  at Point Calimere Bird Sanctuary and the bird can be easily distinguish from other birds of prey as adults own a contrasting white head and breast. I also saw the juveniles who are fully browner. The Brahminy kits are no different in size compare to Back Kite and until browsing the net I though it as an eagle! 

Low flying kite

Landing over ocean terrace 

Aadhi-Bhagavan – My Vision

Ameer’s Aadhi-Bhagavan was suppose to notice for the technical background and action performed by Jayam Ravi in dual role and one of it showing bisexual or effeminate in character. The Tamil film released under the action crime genre was unrolled by ‘A’ certificate, due to some brutal violence and abundant showcase of liquor and smoke. The film began with a force of income tax raid at a VIP house in AP (Andhra Pradesh), shifts to Pattaya’s fun and frolic streets where Aadhi (Ravi) deals with a mafia group, the money he stole from the VIP by  acting as a strict IT officer – reminds Vikram in Kandhasami. 

Unlike the beginning, the remaining scenario wasn't interesting until Bhagavan (another Ravi) shows grace as a comic killer, whose girlfriend Rani accompanying Aadhi, flew to Mumbai to lead him into a police trap for rather resembling Bhagavan. Neetu Chandra as Rani does a pivotal role which is a rare phenomenon in male dominated Indian film industry; the martial artist and model turn actress delivered an outstanding performance as a pity waitress and devoted girlfriend of Bhagavan, to whom she could do anything.  At other hand Jayam Ravi exhibited a flourishing feminine mannerism and fascinate for women had well expressed his face and the smiling gesture has enhanced his comic character.

As Aadhi, Jayam Ravi wore a stylish court suite enveloping his Mafioso role. I find the most disappointing was perhaps the first half and lack of entertainment. The film’s many dialogues were a blend of multilingual changes according to cities traveled and the subtitles were sore  to read even watched through big screen – as usual the Prarthana drive-in theater. The movie doesn't show any strong reason or significance why Aadhi become a Mafioso and Rani could even die for saving Bhagavan while she well aware his affair for other girls and involve in lovemaking leaving her at living room. I know I am stupid if I seek for justice? He-he…

The most stunning overall was the chasing sequence that leads to bloodshed climax. The pursuing scenes remind me the enthralling ‘Bourne Ultimatum’ which is my favorite among the Bourne series. The film had touched many historical places of India during its course at rear end. The songs weren't significant and couldn't understand a bit. But the nightclub song at Pattaya, quite own Hindi lyrics had a good number of dance movements, other than the colorful Goan song and duet in Rajasthan desert. Music scored by Yuvan! I liked the theme Bhagavan…

Ameer’s ‘Aadhi-Bhagavan’ (Ancient God) is yet another movie, couldn't stop but compare with Hollywood grade and it only shows our attempts to resemble there rank rather uploading our own. I would give 2^nd rank to this film on Ameer’s directorial venture and the 1^st one would remain Raam – my all-time personal favorite of him.

Watch it if u were an action movies buff! I warn the first half was boring.

Solitude under moonlit night

Picture by Jeevan

There we’re sitting next together 

solely under the stunning moonlight;
admiring the silky shadow, ballet
on the surface of ocean ripples.

The cold sea breeze brushes us near
while the warmth inside embrace dear;
the moon chuckles looking at us giggle
to tickle and prattle in private privilege.

We have no idea what future beholds
even the presence of nature is unpredictable
but the moment being together, I feel
I could combat anything tries to battle us aside.

The shining florescent moon bakes
a silver sandwich, using the sky and sand
as two dark layers impound to nightfall veil
gives space for us unfolding our secret fondle.

We express desire along whisper of waves
while either of us inclines on one another
grasping the arms to crab tease or caress
in fondle beside cherish moonlit night.

Footnote:

The poem is an inspiration on the scene I captured (the photo above) at our nearby beach on Sunday. The evening was early to full moon night; I had a wonderful opportunity to capture the moon’s silver shadow falling on the sea and with the presence of a pair or couple, enhanced the scene into a perfect romantic evening. This is my second time to land upon a moonlit night where a couple come sat in front of the sea, where the silver shadow falls exactly or I come across the scene.

Exotic Flowers - bits and pieces

Kodakanal is not only a tourist destination or summer paradise; it’s a wonderful place to explore exotic as well wild beautiful flowers. Kodaikanal has one of the best climates to grow variety of flowing plants to blossom at vibrant colors, enriches the already fascinating atmosphere and gracefulness at exists. Many a time I had said Kodaikanal is one of my favorite place and among many a thing that cherish me at sense, flowers had been my enormous passion and desire to ahead there just like many other flourish my heart.

Even I feel sorry for the evergreen, mist and moisture environment being draw backed into a concrete jungle where only man could live other than any others. I still hold breathe though the remnants and hope left around the mountains in protection of nature and wildlife. Comeback to flowers, I had wonderful opportunities while staying there a good few times at different locations and each cottage or house has at least few flower plants to bloom at exotic and even the general flowers look enhance and more refreshing in vibrant colors.

The flower you see in the picture above is called 'Sweet William'. Doesn't it rely upon the essence? But there’s an interesting yet bad reputed  story behind the flower which bears a common English title, even it believed truly uncertain, Sweet William is often said to honor the 18^th century Prince William, Duke of Cumberland.  Prince William, the younger son of King George II is infamous for his generally brutal treatment on the enemies and his savage after the Battle of Culloden earned him the title Butcher Cumberland. It is also claimed that the Scots sometimes call the flower as Stinking Billy and to this day, there are many in Scotland who will not grow this plant in their gardens.

Also the English botanist John Gerard referred Sweet William, a member of the large Dianthus family in his garden catalogue of 1596, 150 years before Culloden. Sweet Williams are a hardy biennial flower that sown during mid-years, blooms in pretty colors of pink, white, red and purple.

The green flower you see in the photo below is called Sedum, a flowering plant from the family of Crassulaceae whose members are commonly known as stone-crops  The sedums are cultivated as garden plants, due to their interesting and attractive appearance. The various species of the plant differ in their requirements: some are cold-hardy but do not tolerate heat and some are quite opposite. The so pretty blue color delphinium on the photo down right is little harming to humans because of the presence of toxic in them. The plants commonly seen on high elevation areas significantly cause cattle poisoning on rangelands in western US.