Friday, May 04, 2012

Family vacation @ Familiar location

Kodaikanal has been my favorite place since I began visiting and falling in love with this so called princess of hills and u might be checking blog posts on it lately and early here and I was there again last week-end with my dear once for a family vacation. We went as families of four in two cars and it was completely fun and enthusiastic unlike ever cheerful, remarkable and memorable trip.
My families
Along with our families who are close to my heart
We booked at the CSI Retreat Center Homes which is close to the Kodaikanal Lake with lake view is a treat in itself. There is couple of individual homes and suites and dormitory available to the budget and according to the number of people and we took the Yorke House dormitory on the top of the center and thus felt more individual and enjoyed the isolation provided by the undisturbed environment and away from people.

We were quite oneness and worriless being there and together provide a platform for sharing and understanding the phase of life and it was after six year we all were together on a holiday vacation that too to the same place of Kodaikanal. We always travel or go as a vacation by 6 or 7 people what our SUV can accommodate and it was very long time wish to enjoy the holiday as a group of people very close to us either.
CSI Retreat Center home
CSI Retreat House, Kodaikanal
This time we explored a not well known and road less travelled destination on the northwest of Palani Hills and it was completely heaven site with pristine environment and freshwater lake and beside the terrace farming sleeps a pretty village alike Poombarai. Not to forget the leeches that are plenty ready to suck blood with no sense and the source provide there was bliss and solace to heart and the lake view through the winding road is an unwind sight.

Almost the vacation went off through passing mist, cold and rain and every time visiting there a change wait at phase and some places remains same and what worst was the traffic that lines the winding roads. Except staying atop the hills, the traveling was worst indeed through the heavy sunshine and only for this trip we woke up as early as 3am to avoid traveling under hot sun.
My white angel
My white angel
Will post more on the trip in detail later at further posts…

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Observation

The uncertain sky

Illuminates in illusion lights

The bright sun-shine

Drives off the dark side

The gloaming moon

Glimpse with gray shades

Thus beyond

Twinkles the stars

The concealed ocean

Ripple with immense species

Yet the transparent water

Hid by a astonishing beauty

Holding plenty of mystery

Yet to reveal and unknown

Certainly fall out inside the future.

Image courtesy: Google images

Monday, April 23, 2012

Sunset at Karaikal

Sunset at Karaikal
The sun gleam at me
through the windshield
I gaze the beauty yet to sleep
Sunset at Karaikal
The mild crimson sky
through the glowing sun
thus a gorgeous sight
Stunning sun-set
Drive away by disappointed wind
derives the sight of sunset
as gladder consolation to heart.

Footnote:

I get to capture this beautiful sunset from Karaikal beach while visiting the place last month end. Karaikal is a part of the Union Territory of India, Pondicherry. The sight of sunset was a chance brought by the strong wind which drives us from the beach shore as we couldn’t withstand the sandstorm that we ever experienced. The wind had blown away the dark clouds to unveil this lovely sunset which still fresh in mind to cherish.

Saturday, April 21, 2012

OK OK

Named after one of my favorite Tamil song from SMS, Oru Kal Oru Kannadi (OKOK) is made with an intention to make audience laughter and with the support of Santhanam, Director Rajesh has given a completely entertainment movie without much cared about a story unsure. The producer Udhayanidhi as a debut actor and along with Hansika Motwani, has tried their level best at just acting than stressful character.
 The entire movie is nothing without Santhanam and he’s has led the movie so well bringing the audience back to theater and gave a laughing treatment to everyone… but somehow at same time enjoying lot the comedy, there is a kind of repeatedly irritating. Unwisely everyone looks so white and bright on screen and the already white beauty Hansika have been whitewashed and the expressions of the lead were not so real and casual to impress.

 The director has tried to maintain his style of comedy and perhaps succeeded with the support of Santhanam and National award winner Saranya has done a beautiful role of a mother who encourages her son’s love. The music was not so impressive and felt so repetition of Harrish Jayaraj’s previous hits and unlike Rajesh’s previous movies the melodies where not soothing.

 The peppy song Venam Machan… is a good Gaana from Harrish jayaraj for the first time and the Azhage Azhage… is a duet beautifully captured the stunning deserts of Jordon and Egypt. The cinematography was pretty clear, sharp and colorful! The movie OKOK gives double guaranty for a good laughter and humor which many often miss to check between their always busy lives.

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Kodaikanal Lake

The Kodaikanal Lake is a very beautiful lake I have seen among the manmade and it gives a picturesque shape to the Kodaikanal town which lay around the lake, in the Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu, India. The charming lake always fascinates me from the time of encounter to enhance more lately, the lake holds the pretty clean picture always even thought its water state has been revealed not so good according to reports.
Kodai Lake
Upper lake view of Kodaikanal Lake
The star shaped Kodaikanal Lake is the attraction of many tourists to this hill station and it is the foremost entertainment and core part of the visitors, with activities of boating, horse riding and cycling are the part of the 5km stretch of road that goes around the lake. The pavement along the lake is a best platform for walker to take brisk walk against the pretty coldness and beside the bliss of nature and store of spring of water as a wonderful lake.
Kodai lake - calm
Pretty calm lake
The Kodaikanal Lake was created by Sir Hendry Levinge in the year 1863 after he settled in Kodaikanal as a retired Collector of Madurai; he constructed the bund to form a lake and stocked with fishes and later brought his first boat from Tuticorin. In 1890 a boat club was formed and in the following year of 1910 a new boathouse was constructed and opened to public and tourist in 1932.
Lake side abode
A beautiful lakeside adobe
Kodaikanal Lake is a freshwater lake created in a marshy where three streams flowed and it covers an area of about 24 hectares. The out flow of the lake forms a wonderful waterfall at the downstream of 8km from here is called the Silver Cascade, which flows from a height of 180ft.
Oat at lake
Rowing oar at lake
(Click each image for enlarge...)

Monday, April 16, 2012

காதல் / Love - II


காதல்... பெண்ணின் மேல் மட்டுமல்ல
அவள் களையும் கூந்தால் மீதும்; 

காதல்... அவள் கண்ணில் தெரிவது
செவியோர  பூக்கள் கதைப்பது;

காதல்... இமை இதழ்கள் பேசிக்கொள்ளும்
மௌன அலைகள்;


காதல்... காற்றில் மிதந்து வரும் இலை
இதையத்தில் இதமாய் கரைசேரு
ம்.

Translation of the Tamil version follows:
 
Love… not only on the women
on her blowing tress too

Love… what appears on her eyes
talked by her ear side flowers

Love… speaking of eyelids lips
silent waves

Love… a floating leaf by wind
pleasantly sails ashore the heart.

Image courtesy: superstock.com

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Pleasant stay at Point Calimere

The dusk turned more darker when we reached the Point Calimere, cause is not alone the arrival of night but the power cut that shutdown all aspects of this last shore (Kodiyakarai) and the only visible through candle lit light. Point Calimere is a worst experienced place for us to go through the power cut which hold to every half an hour including the regular power cuts of 3 hours in morning and afternoon… the nights are more unwind for us inside the guest house and the only source of light was the inverter that light a single bulb in each suite.
V3
First we landed at the Velliman illam, which is on the main road, to only move gladly to Thambusami Illam knowing there were no suites available at ground floor which turned gladder than regret to enjoy the isolated guest house away from the activities of man. Except the power cut, Tambusami Illam is a pleasant stay guest house where we enjoyed the cool sea breeze throughout the day blowing outside under the veranda and portico surrounded by trees.
Thambusamy Illam
The forest guest house looks glorious in the red tiled roof and painted in pale white with bordered red, splendor by the sight of peacock which is always there! When we reached this place following the government vehicle in guide of my dad’s ex-colleague from Nagapattinam Collectorate, who helped for us in booking this guest house and appointed a person to take us around… it was pitch darkness and had no idea what happening around except a blink of light from the elevated lighthouse at next compound.
Peacock
Only the next day morning we get to feel the real enhance of this guest house holds around. The sight of frequent peacocks across the compound is a treat for eyes and sense to behold the beauty almost clear and near and with bloom of red hibiscuses and fall of rip leaves blend it more wonderful.   Also called as Flamingo guest house, it has two rooms naming Flamingo and Pelican and a common dining hall, we took refrain at Pelican and my uncle’s family at flamingo.
Antenna
Thambusamy illam is a century old building built by a sea merchant called Mr. O.A. Thambusami Pillai who later donated the building to the government which took renovation in year 2000 to accommodate official visitors to Kodaikarai. The sign board and rock inscription on the wall claims the heritage and the rooms are spacious and facilitated without replacing the original doors and windows and also has open air meeting hall and umbrella sit-outs which are maintained unusable. Lol
Spacious courtyard
The guard who is appointed to take care of the guest house and visitors is so friendly and soon become familiar to share his knowledge about this place and general thoughts on things. He claims that Point Calimere is nothing but refers to the Point of southeast and Calimere is the name of who discovers this place and the seashore of Kodiyakarai is the northern part of Palk Strait that stretches across the Gulf of Mannar between the India and Sri Lanka, which is 43km from here via sea and during the war in Jaffna the sound of explosions were heard clearly claims the guard.

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Experience of Moon on Zoom

Full moon
The cold moon at sky
We spy
The uncertain shades
Experience of Zoom on Moon
The pretty white mass
In dimples cheek
Raises high above the eyebrow 
Moon sphere
The full moon sphere
Is the only reliable vista
One could visit in near future

Footnote:

I captured these shots on late full moon night, using the maximum optical and digital zoom on my new Canon power shot sx220 hs. The details were mesmerizing me as this was my first capture on moon so near and clear, latter wondering many a times seeing others magnificent capture on moon. The whole set was wonderful taking off and I added few lines along with it here!

Monday, April 09, 2012

Abstract

candle lit The crows caw in chorus

The chirping birds from woods

Sing the song of nature,

A sense of Peace

At heart reconnects

The chanting melodies

Of yesteryears prayer,

The faith disappeared

But the truth at heart

Never denies the fact

That once I was faithful.

I don’t believe in mutter

In front of a stone sculpture

The deep felt heart

Indeed gives me content.

Saturday, April 07, 2012

Bird watching in my neighborhood

Nowadays I am becoming a passionate bird watcher and looking for birds always around my neighborhood and shutting down as much disturbance to listen to their sweet chirpings. Among the many birds mist passes our courtyard and perched to the branches, there are few regular visitors and home stayed by couple of Koels and crows.
Twin sharing
Asian Koels
Mynas are frequently sighted here like there’s always one when u need and Koels flew in once food left at the compound. They even beat the crows by arriving early to finish the left over and if this continues one day instead of shouting out for crows on special days to treat with vada, we perhaps could send sweet calls to Koel.
Kingfisher
White Throated Kingfisher
As u all know already I think that a Kingfisher has been my morning visitor everyday and it’s still holding its habit and I only missing to check it outside regularly. The bird comes to perch irregularly these days except not only in the morning and I lately discovered that it was the owner of the sweet vocal that chirps aloud in rhyming.

The unbelievable me, watched it thought binocular to astonish how amazing and cute the little white throated blows out loud series of twitter.
Rufous Treepie
Rufous Treepie
The other day an unusual bird come across our sight and after a couple of takes on failure, I captured the bird when it perch a branch of Gulmohar. The bird looked different and finding its name and identity has been tough to only discover after a serious search on Indian birds.

Rufous Treepie is the name of the unusual bird and its call was something I could easily recall hearing here via the internet and interestingly the bird is a member of the crow family (Corvidae). Found commonly on open scrub and agro-forest areas, both the sexes of the bird are alike in main body color of cinnamon with a back head and long graduated tail in bluish gray and tipped in black is enhanced by white patches on the wings.

Wednesday, April 04, 2012

Point Calimere – a note on lighthouse and sea sand

Among the many beautiful things that come across our travel to the Point Calimere last week, the British lighthouse in Kodiyakarai scrub forest is one awesome sight at the edge of southeast Tamil Nadu. I waited for long time to visit this swamp island surrounded by salt pans, bird and wildlife sanctuary is home to many species of birds, animals and shrubs is a best place to experience the wildlife inhabitant.
British Light House
British Light House

Built in 1890 by the British in the Point Calimere is a 16 m round cylindrical tower with lantern and gallery; the lighthouse is painted white and lantern dome in red, said to white flash every 10 seconds. As a replacement to the 1000 years old Chola lighthouse which remains as ruin with only the bottom left today latter shatter to tsunami and recent thane cycle has forced to footstep into the sea.
Chola Lighthouse ruin
Chola Lighthouse ruin

The Chola lighthouse is erected 1000 years ago during the regime of Raja Raja Cholan and what remains now is the broken bricks and mortar on the ever so soft sand shore. The British lighthouse is old among the other lighthouses which flash could be seen up to 15 nautical miles.
Lonely in isolated pristine beach
Isolated at a pristine beach, Point Calimer

The entire trip to the Point Calimere was enjoyable and the route after Cuddalore was new for me to unexpected curves and bend of plenty but still enjoyed the winding road and come across cities and villages. The time we took to explore the places were unfavorable and its heavy sunshine during the day time and at same time very pleasant in evening and at dawn. The Point Calimere beach is isolated and the virgin beach sand is so soft and exotic to foot stand on… may be I feel it as I unmemorable when I last foot at sea sand. Wow

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Action squirrel with new Cam

Here’s a series of action by squirrel captured with my newly bought Camera, Canon PowerShot SX220 HS! It’s a quite impressive camera with quick burst and 14x optical zoom, it captures the distance objects crisp and clear to put me at great surprise and rejoice. I am enjoying it indeed :)
Action squirrel
I really missed a good deal that comes in hand while getting this camera and I don’t want to miss the chance by paying little more on it where this model is on near closing its business represented by the latest models in its series. I’m quite content with the quality of pictures from this 12 megapixel point and shoot camera with features almost double than my currently corrupted with lens, Canon PowerShot SD850 IS.

I really wished for a camera with more zooming and light weighted and while studying on this format I find canon sx220hs getting prior in many area and even though its zooming is less compared to its similar feature based on brands Nikon, Sony… Canon is much better at picture quality and high speed shutter which I lack during low light with previous one. Moreover the design and the way of handing the camera want me to go for it with least disappointment with weight adding few more grams and battery that runs out sooner than the previous one… glad both the cameras hold the same batter for me to use one as spare while traveling.
Munching squirrel!
Back in action, the cute lil squirrel was very active running here and there on the compound wall feeding on the idly left over and it doesn’t stop a moment for me until few seconds of munching… the camera acted too smart and fast capturing the squirrel never ever so clear nearby me! I’m ahead to go out testing and experience the various shooting modes it holds along extending my road trip on ECR further to Point Calimere.

Saturday, March 24, 2012

காதல் பார்வை / Love sight

காதல்...
கண்கள் பகிர்ந்துகொள்ளும் காட்சி
வசனம் எதுவும் தேவையில்லை.

Love...
Eyes sharing scene
no need any dialogue.

காதல்...
இதயங்கள் இணையும் சாட்சி
உருவம் எதுவும் தேவையில்லை.

Love...
Evidence of hearts meeting
no need any form.

Image courtesy: Google (the photo is the inspiration of this poem)

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Kazhugu - 2012

Holding the title of late super hit Tamil movie stared by superstar RajiniKanth has nothing to do with this subject, which is very different to think anyone normally about the lives of those who dare to recover the bodies of whom committing suicide by jumping off the cliff into deep valleys. Renowned for such real in incidents and point, the movie grabs the plot in Kodaikanal and along the adjoining parts of Munnar.
A couple of films old hero Krishna has led the role of recovering bodies along with the help of his friends Thambi Ramaiah and Karunas has uplifted the script with their sensible humor preventing from leading it so serious. The tough job of recovery wasn’t stressful to impressive and it was just a part of the film which deals with lives on land above the cliff and mounds. Bindu Madhavi pursues Krishna in love following his good heart and bringing above the body of her sister who jumped off the cliff.

Not well known in front, Krishna is best suited for the role whose appearance replaces a real life hero involved in the recovery job. The Pasanga fame Jayaprakash does a mystery role whose activity was no were to guess but a thin line of villain expression on behalf. Bindu Madhavi has a matured face and height and while seeking for attention she expresses right at moments.

Almost the movie moves in darkness and night mode, it lacks clear picture at background. The cinematography wasn’t much better than expected but better at behalf ending the movie where the much bloodiness hides in darkness. The BGM wasn’t impressive except the songs, where the two melodies by Yuvan and Karthik Raja were humming sort even I find hard to cope with lyrics. The pre-release ‘Aambalaikum Pombalaikum…’ is a peppy number with catching tunes and somehow true lyrics!

Bottom line:
Kazgugu (Eagle) has gasped the best aspiration for a better cinema from the usual commercial aspects and represents the limelight with darkness.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Kodai section

Before you reach the cool paradise Kodaikanal, you can’t miss few wonderful sights that come across the Ghats section while drive through Batlagundu – a town very close to the foothills of this hill station. Climbing couple of miles on the winding road holds a lovely view of the Manjalar Dam to the valley on left, which is situated by three sides of hills around, leaves you stunning with its vista.
Manjalaru Dam
Another few miles on Ghats is the Dum Dum Rock; with wide space on road, this hairpin bend holds a viewpoint to check the Manjalar Dam and the Thalaiyar Falls. Also known as Rat Tail Falls is a long thin white strip of waterfall flows across the valley, facing us to a background of black rock cliff is a nature wonder whether it flows or not.
Rat Tail Falls
Concentrating on the shape of rat tail, the falls has a low concrete wall on either side on the very edge at the top of the fall and leading to it is inaccessible except people who dare to hike to this rewarding height. For a hiker reaching the bottom of the falls is possible in the dry season following the backwater stream of Manjalar Reservoir. The falls is the highest waterfall in Tamil Nadu and third in India with 975 ft (297 m) tall is 267th highest in the world.
silver cascade 2
Silver Cascade is another beautiful waterfall comes very close nearing Kodaikanal, is first stop among its destinations and the flow of water is impressive except for its lack of pristine these days. Lately it was flood amazing! The 180 ft waterfall is caused by the outflow of Kodaikanal Lake and small stream by around.

The Kodai section will continue...

Saturday, March 17, 2012

A girl on never ending call

The distance were not so far
but between the least disturbance
I saw her caressing her open hair
and another hand hold close to her ear
helps listening to someone
to whom she whisper through her cell phone.

The always inspiring wind
went ahead like never to unwind
to stop her tress floating in air
that prevent giving clear picture of her aspect
stressed to various gestures
respond to the never hold out cell phone.

The opportunity seems not so favor
leaving her not so longer on terrace
for me to admire the beauty from courtyard
aside the evening breeze and setting of sun gleam
the girl’s sight is an additional enhance,
who was in love already with her cell phone. :D

Footnote:

Thought of a girl whom I checked lately on an open terrace... came to mind after reading a romantic poem from my friend Dawn... inspired to write it down.

Updated the Congenial song (check sidebar on right) with Azhaipaya (will u call) from Tamil movie Kadhalil Sodhapuvadhu Yeppadi. One of my recent fav, to go well with this post.

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Palani – cityscape and sky watch

Palani is a temple town in Dindigul district of TN, deriving its name from two Tamil words ‘Pazham and Nee’ which means ‘fruit you’ is renowned for Lord Murugan shrine on hillock and having it amid grows the town. Apart the arrival of devotees that keep busy this town with annual festivals around the years, Palani is surrounded by natural resources and agriculture and vegetation is a great to be sighted if went around its suburb.
Enormous valley
(click image to enlarge)
Holding the Western Ghats to its southeast, Palani is a picturesque town with frequent sight of mist capping the mountains and green slopes to its backdrop enhances with vast green landscapes of many coconut and mango groves. The main source of water to the town is the spring water that kept flowing throughout the year from Varathamanathi Dam on the foothills of the Western Ghats that lead to the cold paradise Kodaikanal.
A part of partial palani
(click image to enlarge)
The Varathamanathi Dam is built on the rocks and it’s a wonderful picnic spot with a small park and cool breeze blow down from the mountain slopes. The Shanmughanadi, a tributary of Amaravathii River runs not far from the town and the town itself has a charming tank called Vaiyapuri and if it was maintained neatly would be an invite to the town, which can be seen in the first image above.
Palani temple tower
The Palani hillock is 137.16m height and has a flight of 697 steps to climb and there are also alternative sources like cable car and rope winch to reach the top. From the hillock one can get a panoramic of 360 degree of vast plains and cityscape beneath; and the cold Kodaikanal mountains at back which is 60km by road from here.
Lift to sky
The last two pictures above are shots on sky along with the temple and bell towers, and all the amazing photo here were taken by my mother and edited by me. My parents were glad to check the temple at hillock through the winch which I was unable to board to left at plains to explore the beautiful suburbs of Palani.

Monday, March 12, 2012

அடுக்குமாடி அறை / Multistoried room

Multistoried
In a separate house
while aloof
there was a closeness;
in the multistory
while coming closer
divergence?

Footnote:

The photo captured the multistory building near the Muttukadu river bank beside the OMR, Chennai. It’s obvious that today’s multistory or multiplex complex culture has kept away people’s interaction unlike before living at independent house people shared a lot with neighbors and treat each other as family members... We miss the sharing and interaction a lot after transfer into apartments 6 years’ back... where smiling is also a rare exchange!

Friday, March 09, 2012

Aravaan – an epic unveiled

Derived from a chapter on Su.Venkatesan’s Award winning novel Kaaval Kottam, the movie Aravaan reveals the epic of ever known inhabitants of 18th century lived in southern Tamil Nadu and the practice of men sacrifice. The Aravaan is a small character appears in Indian epic Mahabharata, who scarifies himself to goddess to make, won Pandava’s on war for which he received the boon of heredity worship of Koothandavar priced by lord Krishna, who also married him to fulfill his desire by taking a women form before he killed.
The Aravaan, who was presented by another boon to watch the 18 days war of Mahabharata through his cutoff head’s eyes, has been vitally followed as heredity worships of Draupadi and to watch the custom of war, his head had been hanged at a taller post. Thus commemorating this custom, in a part of Tamil Nadu called Kuvakam, holds an 18 day festival where the transgender are married to men as Aravaan whose sacrifice hold stage to leave transgendered window.

But from this epic and custom, the movie Aravaan is quite different in depicting the story where the director’s touch has been a lot on this commercial period. Taking just 10 page facts from the novel, director Vasanthabalan has modified the picture into perfect period setting and selecting best ones for the role to enhance, but somehow lack to create feeling at back in emotion which are similar to epic television serials.

Pasupathi for his expression of reality, the role has feed him as thieving Kombuthi and Aadi at another hand has well drawn into the niches whose attitude and body language thrive. The simple action and adventure doesn’t curious but the setting was… and having a beautiful heroin, the romance and love is missing.

The detail background setting and location selection and edition are all weld well to create the period of different generation. Singer Karthik as debuted music director scores average, except Nila song nothing shines like moon. The ending was indifferent and seems like forced to end to say no need scarifies… the flashback is a great drawback to the vigorous pre-interval.

Bottom line:
Aravaan amaze with incredible period setting and costumes, location and uniform of total ingredients... don’t expect much.

Wednesday, March 07, 2012

பாடம் பட்டம் / Lesson kite

பாடம் பட்டம் / Lesson kite
(click image to enlarge)

The encircled kite on the sky
is only on the textbook now;
the kids who left the kites
graduated
how to earn money?

The ship floating in the sea
and the kite flowing in the wind
are both basically on force
even an ignorant knows
the wind direction.

Footnote:

Few kids in our neighborhood left kite late evening… which has turn into rare sight in Chennai these days due to restrictions, I enjoyed watching them leaving kite against the open ground in front of our house from their home terrace. It’s quite nostalgia and as a kite enthusiastic I had been once in their life time... we even left kites on mid summer heat from our terrace.

Along the wind, the kite floats me back in air and inspired to write this poem.

Monday, March 05, 2012

Pony ride by a little tom

The little tom seems like an ardent horse rider who enjoys sitting on the horse back. We saw him taking the horse ride enthusiastically following the couple of day’s constant visit to Kodaikanal Lake in evening while staying over there.
Pony ride by a little tom
Those in India would no need an intro on Kodaikanal which is a wonderful hill station and natural paradise in South India lying in the Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu. Kodaikanal, called as princess of hills never fails to fascinate me with its pristine, cold and misty environment. However I visit, the hunger for this summer holiday terrace treats me like never seems to end and not only as a retreat from heat, but always being best in climate and natural environment... and there’s a lot need to discover yet.
Kodai lake - quiet pleasant
Back to the little tom, he’s obviously seems to come from north India and his cute expressions and smiling face induce to shoot him while on horseback and within a hour he drew back another horse to fulfill his as much desire for horse ride. These photos were taken on the second day… and while leaving we said bye to him who shyly smiled sitting on his mother’s lap accompanied by his sister and father on the pavement aside the lake.
Little tom

PS. The header Pic is also a shot from Kodaikanal.

Friday, March 02, 2012

Late Fall

Fall
(click to enlarge)
Footnote:

Again inspired by the wind and the fall of leaves... The photo was shot near Valparai, Coimbatore and the shower of leaves was caused by a Black Langur which shook from the tree top, and just seeing us it leaped into another tree and disappeared. I created this in a calendar type and filling the space with my poem.

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

புதிய காற்று / Fresh wind

Fresh wind
Wind the new wind
blow as a breeze to lullaby;

While sunny noon
you come to feed pleasingly;

While fading evening
you sing with the birds’ poet;

While sleeping at night
embrace with moon’s coldness.

Footnote:

Right now the wind was blowing well here to soothe me to come up with this poem as a piece of embracement stimulated by strong winds. The unexpected flow was floating me in air! Hope it bears me further more :)

Monday, February 27, 2012

Koel Couple

I captured the Koels in front of my house while the couple feeding on the grains I left for birds on the compound wall. The birds were often sighted near my house... and hiding away in the bushes used to call aloud among the many twittering birds.
Koel couple
Renowned for their sweetest tone, Koel has inspired many poets to pen down; numerous songs and poems enhanced the bird enrich in calls that are distinctively loud, despite being black or gray in color. Echoic in several variant languages, Koel is hardly distinguished from crows on their first sight except peek into its crimson iris is apparently different between male and female – which has white and buff spot on its brown back and represents the hawk in appearance.
Koel couple
Koel’s were ever like lazy and brood parasite to only lay eggs on crows or host nest. Once Very popular in India as cage birds, Koel feeds even on boiled rice; is the state bird of south Indian state Pondicherry.
Koel couple

Friday, February 24, 2012

Flying disgrace

It’s a second incident within a week where disabled persons handled harshly by the airlines and pilot in India. First it was Jeeja Ghost; a 42 year old Cerebral Palsy was offloaded from a Spice Jet flight since the pilot felt she’s unfit to fly and now Anjlee Agarwal suffering from Muscular Dystrophy is forced to sign an indemnity bond to fly.

Both the women are not just disabled folded inside four walls; each work for a source towards society and achievers themselves with their inner ability and successful at work against the war disability. Jeeja Ghosh is a teacher at Indian Institute of Cerebral Palsy and as a student did her postgraduate in UK, staying along and traveling overseas many times to never suffer like this before.

In the case of Agarwal it’s not just sign an indemnity bond but the worst came as denying aisle chair to de-board, was insisted by the supervisor to take bodily lifted by four male loaders claiming that Raipur airport doesn’t have aisle chairs. What a disgust and ill-treated by the supervisor who threatened her to agree bodily lifted or will be sent back to Delhi where she boarded.

Ms. Agarwal is an executive director and asses consultant with Samarthyam, National Centre for Accessible Environments. After fight for 35 minutes accusing her of not requesting a wheel chair while booking tickets which she denied completely and thus realizing that Agarwal is not ready to give up, a Jet Airways aisle chair is brought to de-board her literally.

What a disgrace indeed denying the differently able, instead assisting and make sure they are comfort… it quite reveals the mindset of some never grown to understand how to treat others with self-respect and having a heart for those travel on their reliance. De-boarding once on-board is an insult no one can digest easily and bodily lifting a woman by four male is an abuse unless the women agrees… This should never left to free to follow again and a punishment or compensation is needed to avoid further disappointment bore to travelers alike(differently able).