Kodai 2012

The day wakeup for us about 3 in the morning and driving out of home by 5AM in two cars, it was surprise to see still the signals at GST (Grand Southern Trunk) road works out on behalf a smooth traffic flow was on the road, since the international airport is on way.  It was a pretty wonderful dawn as we passed the suburb traffic, it was only on such occasions I get to see the sunrise which was vibrant this time with colorful hues and while passing the Kolavai Lake of Chengalpattu it glitter so beautiful on water which I couldn’t capture by poor chance.

Mist spread on mountains

We had our breakfast somewhere before and near Tiruchi and lunch on the hills half way to Kodaikanal, which we usual have at Tiruchi and only this time we were earlier on hills. The sun beating heavily at the foothills went gradually rising down as our msl level rose… the mist and clouds began to cool us under its white blankets and shower later.  We had no idea about rain as we come across the day with heavy sunshine; the bags tie to the roof rails were supposed to drench escaped with mild wet cloths.

Cousin sis Deepika collects Yellow Mimosa (see the flower at last pic)

As we reached the CSI Retreat Center House beside the Kodaikanal Lake by the late afternoon enthralled me in its pleasing cold and pleasant stay environment among the woods and lawn. It was just like a home stay where breakfast and dinner were provided by the retreat center and the Yorke House allotted for us has a spacious hall and a dormitory to accommodate 20 plus people, and it was like a dream come true of staying together with dear ones under single tiled roof.

Jungle Myna

The house came entirely under our control and there are round tables for chatting and playing cards and having dinner together… even there’s a TV in the hall we aren’t interested to watch and more than it wasn’t playing gladly. Being nearby lake, dad and uncle went on their way walking after a small refresh and tea, we kept chatting and I was flashing around and found a couple of jungle mynas retreat at the lawn and there was a  dog lookalike a husky in spiky hairstyle! Lol

Spiky hair dog!

My uncle’s family is a regular visitor to the CSI Retreat Center and my cousin used to say Bison or Indian gaurs   are regular visitor to the retreat center for grazing and two days before our arrive too there were bison’s around the house, says the manager. But till we left the place staying there for 3 days, there wasn’t a bison but we saw a herd of them next to the Bryant Park’s forest area which extends beyond the CSI Retreat Center.

Indian guar captured near Bryant Park

It was a newly experience for me to sleep in a dormitory with cots one above another and it was indeed fun being together with cousins and even after lights turn off, we kept chatting and teasing like nothing. The younger once are all sent to sleep at upper berth and elders remained at the lower along with me and it was somehow warm at the lower berth since the contact with cold roof is prevented. It was quite wonderful being together and sharing our space and lean hands which I wish continues not only on this occasion alone.

Yellow Mimosa

More on the vacation is yet to continue…

Indian Summerset

Dropping temperature

sprinkle drop lets at night
bringing fresh flowers
to bloom at gleam.

The summer set’s in
but still remarkable at height
where ridges and mountains
moisture like fresh flower buds.

Footnote: Indian Summerset Lilium was captured in Kodaikanal, and the pastel pink flower was so pretty catching our attention and the flower bud looked just fresh like out of shower was impressive!

Dad’s health cause

The last 5 days were not so good for us since dad health was little ill due to diarrhea and low sugar sent us to deep distress and once the diarrhea comes to halt, the low sugar sent him to shivering and slightly moving condition. One entire night he was restless between the bed and restroom and next day he was seen physically so weak and was forced to check the nearest clinic for medication and drips of glucose which gathered him strength but it doesn’t last as soon the sugar level decreased.

It went down as not so worrisome but the stressed intestine at other hand began to twist and pain and along with this he was mentally upset due to his condition and felt sorrow for not helping me on routines. Mom was indeed forced to take care of me single handedly with her already wrist and heels problem, it was impossible for me being easy and mind kept thinking about his health and wishing for a quick recovery.

On Monday he visited our family doctor and only later his health condition becomes better and again he took blood test on Tuesday which showed rise in blood sugar level as he didn’t take diabetic tablets in the confuse state on health and the cause of drips of glucose. He went out only late evening for a short walking after 4 days of suffering from health disaster and I could seen him little energetic now and bright smile on his face, which I wish last forever…

He’s also suppose to take a cataract operation at the end of the summer which has put forth lot of worries and if it is not for the surgery which has been nothing these days in the medical dictionary  taking care of me had been the worrisome for the three of us. Since after the surgery dad needs at least a month of rest for getting remedy and only mom has to take care of me, the toughness ahead really push back me thinking how could we balance… even though we express our grief of how to manage it seems senseless and words of void and feels so hopeless when no response for others, the so called dear ones.

Blue Dawn

The blue dawn

Purple at noon

Pink in the evening,

A day life

With different phases

Of shades and coloring,

The dawn breaks

After cold dewdrops rain

A relief from clumsy

How glorious

The morning glory

In ocean blue color

Delights till sun hides

At the end of the day

Fades away in magenta.

Footnote:  The Blue Dawn is a common name for the flower belongs to the morning glory family and native to India, Blue dawn blooms in the morning and fades away in evening. It’s a climbing shrub commonly found in hill stations and it scrambles over fencing and woody plants. The flowers bloom in dark blue and while in noon it turn purple and evening in pink. The flower above was capture in the noon on a roadside fencing at Kodaikanal.

Window's pane

The moisture window glass pane by Jeevan (clicked in Kodai)

The arrival of dawn

drawn into the home
through the window's pane.

The closed windows
reflects the life outside in
through the window's pane.

The ray of sun
passes the source of light
through the window's pane

The night breaks off
silently inside the room
through the window's pane

The life wake-up inside
only begins outside the windows
which I believe strongly
even though light passes
through the window's pane.

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.

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 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

Will post more on the trip in detail later at further posts…

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

Sunset at Karaikal

The sun gleam at me

through the windshield
I gaze the beauty yet to sleep

The mild crimson sky

through the glowing sun
thus a gorgeous sight

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Rowing oar at lake

(Click each image for enlarge...)

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 கரைசேரும்.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Experience of Moon on Zoom

The cold moon at sky

We spy

The uncertain shades

The pretty white mass

In dimples cheek

Raises high above the eyebrow 

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!

Abstract

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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 :)

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.

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.

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)

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.

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.

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.

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 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...

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.

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.

(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.

(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.

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.

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.

அடுக்குமாடி அறை / Multistoried room

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!

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.

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.