Chothavilai Beach - isolated

Destination based travel is not my intention but many a time our travel happens around a point of destination, perhaps it’s the way the world chose to lead so and for me, a long distance travel couldn't be solely intended. During my year old visit to Kanyakumari, the southern tip on Indian peninsula, I explored a place isolated from rest of the world view or only few more experienced; a pristine beach with foot imprints clearly visible across the wet and dry sand shore.

Passing the Manakudy – a fishing hamlet on the west coast of Kanyakumari, a narrow road leads alongside the sea and elevated from sea level, the roar of waves were clearly resonate and sounds terrific each time it raise and fall. I hear from a passerby, that waves in Kanyakumari are usually rage and after tsunami its tendency has been disposition. Even the usual sight has been terrific; I couldn't image a giant wave like tsunami cut through the hamlet, with array of houses facing the sea and I also wonder what a life it could be to wake up and sleep expose to stunning sea. That sometime sing lullaby and identically cause shivering while sang through murderous rage – Kolaveri.

The Chothavilai Beach is about 12km from the sacred town – Kanyakumari, and it connects only through an iron bridge near the mouth of river Pazhayar, across Manakudy. The road after the hamlet takes us to the early stage of ECR (east coast road) near Chennai, passing the casuarinas and green palm trees; the beach resembles one of the private beaches off ECR. The beach seem to taken into promotion in latter years and there were few shelters and concrete umbrellas beautifying the beach front and esp. the Japanese style of roofs shelters were impressive. But lack of maintenance left few of the statues to damage.

There were only half a dozen people left ashore including a couple and their kid, the sea looked quiet vast except solo waves crush the shore every few seasons. The beach holds a pretty arch, carved with number of sea species and shells, and a watch tower to check sunrise and set. Since evening, we had a glimpse of sunset and first time on the Arabian side, the sight of sunset on sea was fantastic. Even after sunset, there was much light across the sky and as we move toward the town, the sky showcases different kinds of hues and shades, fascinated while it changes its scene from one another.

Pretty roof shelters across the beach

Expressions

The other day my nephew (Barath) came home and I had a wonderful evening along with him, admiring his little attitudes and gestures and he had grown well now being an eight month old to turn and take quick crawl to grasp anything. I first and last saw him as a four-year-old and he still hold the charm but more delightful, the kid’s each move behold my attention and he’s very clever at expressing his cute expressions and emotion.

I have no words to explain, how I am treated by his visit and watching his activities and mischief and I’m sure he will become a romantic guy in future! Lol  

Here I share another set of photos I captured during, falling in love with his enormous joy and he’s someone unlike any other child and being the youngest generation of ours, eliminates anyone cherished so far. I see a special spark in his blissful eyes that feels like no one ever behold, and his wide and watchful eyes were one such remarkable.

He’s my favorite cousin’s son of childhood and being with her were the days the most wanted and delighted. But things were different now and everyone exists into our own sphere, but the past could never resemble again.  The priorities might change but I believe the attitudes remain.

Ready for a soft punch

An expression of mischief 

Laughing Buddha

Peace

Smart look

Morning hours

Image courtesy: tumblr

Time to wake up; 

the rooster cries early morning
sun-rays rise up
before awake from deep slumber.

Array of rays
illuminates half of the sphere
down from the earth
sun sparkle like a diamond.

Each season instinct
delay in time or prior sunrise
the laziness remains
identical throughout the year.

Sweating or shivering
dismiss anything try to arouse;
sticking to the bed
dreaming ideally under the sun.

Like a dewdrop
life remains stunning under sun;
a lovely dream
passes through a silent ringtone.

Depression to depart

Man, men/women really needs some rest or rear seat ride sometime in progress of life, however serious we take our journey without some break life becomes tiresome and thinking overload sent to mental tragedy or disorder. This is not something new I am says, but the problem related to it shows many graphical sign boards these days and each hour becoming rush hours, there’s no time or least for relief and relaxation and whatever the occupation might be – IT, industrial or farmer, long working hours or days produces abundant stress.

Why I think about this because, one such prolongs hard work and mentally stress sent one of my mother’s aunt to oblivion and become so insane, which had led her to death yesterday. She is one of a kind hearted whose stretch is immeasurably in exposing love and affection towards others and a great hard worker and since being a farmer women, she always work into the fields and drive the cattle to graze every day. Not more than age of 60, she lost her consciousness almost lately exiting from the symptoms of childish and forgetfulness in recent past or less than 4 years – when I last saw her, they said that it’s all because of her contract brain, perhaps due to prolong working under the sunshine and greatly depressed.

I always love visiting her home in village near Thiruporur and you don’t need a reason because, village means a lot to me and I believe they are the unlimited source of living and there isn't a place like village, beautiful as well touch with lives. We occasionally visit their village during summer and mattu Pongal, in the company of my cousins; we enjoy spending the day partially at their fields, near the lake and pump-set – one of the fascinating things of village and fun indeed. I haven’t taken bath in their pump-set, but that used to be nostalgic observing things happening around and recollecting memories of childhood where I used to be active on the front.

What really bothers me was that we only visited her on a previous Sunday and this Sunday she’s no more. See how life become too shot and she wasn't physically ill to die, but lose her track to slip into a pond near her home at the early hours of morning when no one was wake up to see. I heard they searched for her everywhere and only by evening they found her lifeless body floating on the pond, it was really a tragedy and when we visited her on Sunday, she couldn't identify anybody and kept coming around their home. Mom was very glad that she could visit her before she expire, even she feel sorrow for her early death.  Mom used to be her favorite child to visit her often during childhood which she always cherishes, telling to me.

She survived by two daughters and sons, and both her daughters were married at age above 30 when she was nearly losing her conscious, and it seems that the main cause for her depression was postponing  of her elder girl’s marriage – who being a dark skin holder, many refused to marry her. But I should appreciate her courage, even though many eliminate her she stayed strong and their family was very supportive and there was a togetherness between the siblings which seldom seen anywhere. I hope her early departure is also good, so that she doesn't need to face discriminate and reckless treatment imposed by society and circumstance. Hope her past seize their dear ones memory forever.

Open Range

Open Range is one of the finest western films I watched yesterday, filled with fascinating sights and sounds; and the beauty of the western landscape was captured brilliantly thought the stunning cinematography. Ever so simplest story and screenplay, each characters proposes decently either and unlike any other cowboy films I watched, nothing were well-built like this and limited to significant action and gunfight.

Boss and Charley are the two main characters of the movie, taking avenge for killing their co-cattlemen and badly injured another; arrive at the nearby town waiting for the right moment to capture the marshal to put into the jailhouse and encounter his gunmen’s. There’s a mild and matured romance between the Charley and Sue – the sister of a doctor, who took care of the wounded cattlemen.

In the absence of special effects and graphics, the film engrosses and enhance through the raw and simple emotions; and the setting of the town is at base, but the conflict between the gunmen and town people were unlike bewildered. Glad the movie came up with 5.1 channels, emphasis the dynamic effects of theater and recreates a feel of live esp. the sound of battle, rain and thunder rocks! The film released in 2003 is based on the novel ‘The Open Range Men’ by Lauran Paine and was filmed around Alberta, Canada. 

The film was produced, directed and lead by Kevin Costern.

கட்டம் போட்ட சட்ட / Grid Shirt

image courtesy: Google

கட்டம் போட்ட  நிழல் சட்ட 

கடவை வழியே 

சூரியன் தீட்டிய பிம்பம்.

Grid shadow shirt,
through the gate
shaded sun image.

Kukkal – Lake and Village

It’s always exciting exploring a place, where the road less traveled and not many foots imprint the soil and cameras stole the scenery; an environment rich in flora and fauna as well pleasure where not many virtual developments take place. Remote from the tourist sight and protected by nature, Kukkal is not so far from the crowded Kodaikanal, the hill station that losing its spirit and pristine beauty unprotected from becoming a quite concrete jungle.

During my vacation at Kodaikanal, last summer, I explored this little paradise called Kukkal or Kookal on the Western Ghats Mountain range of Palani and about 32km from Kodaikanal; the place is so blissful with tranquilly lake and sleepy village atmosphere, comprising shoals and grasslands adjoining the terrace farming. Nestled near the northern ridge of Palani Hills, Kukkal is notable for the high biodiversity of the area and fascinated by frequent mist and rainfall, which account for large variations over short distance.  

Riding on the Poombarai road after certain distance, the mist began to block our way, delighted as well become obstacle going through its dense and even I have travelled on this road once, I’m only familiar with its route map in Google. :D We were traveling on two cars and since I only know where to turn, my uncle left our car to first go – even he was to Kodaikanal many a times, never know this place until I located.

The road to Kukkal is a narrow one, turning on the second left from the road to Poombarai village; the tar road seems relayed by rusted leaves and tall trees standing besides as festoon and green pastures enticing the sightseeing. The road winding down near the Kukkal Lake was very beautiful; alongside the view of the mist floating over the lake was awesome… The lake is the main stream source of the cultivation, even though it doesn’t look clean, but with overall sight of mist and mountains background it was astonishing!  Well I don’t need to say much of the lake, since my photo captured it all to you viewer’s amusement.

There was a Little Grebe swam across the lake leisurely, creating mild ripples tracks which I thought first to be caused by some insects, but only later zoom in on I realize it was a small water bird ‘Dabchick’. I spent only a brief moment on the power wheels (chair) moving on the Lake Bank or road, the mist turned abundantly gray began to rain nonstop leaving only few minutes gap before we leave the place. My cousins, who tented on the green patches opposite to lake, couldn’t withstand the density of rain and leakage in the pretty blue tent forced them to take their seats inside the car, whom enjoying the pitter patter of rain and warmth inside the tent.

Knowing there won’t be anything available to have for lunch, since it’s a remote village and except Kodaikanal there isn’t a decent eat out or affordability around the hills,  so we took ‘cooked rice and sambar’ in hand from our home stay and planned to buy chicken and make fry on spot visited. Though we enjoyed the hot spicy chicken pieces, the rain restricted us from experiencing a quite zeal and destroyed my plan of exploring the beauties around the place on my own wheels power and giving pose in front of those unlike my cousins! Lol

The lake located in a valley, has cultivation lands from its lowest to higher elevation; and except the monsoon, the terrace farming happens with the catchments of shoals around the lake, which is also a basin for Kudiraiyar River that flows through Kukkal. We rode few meters on road above the lake to check the Kukkal village; even while it was raining we tried to get a glimpse of the village that taking a nap under the mist blanket. Since being an afternoon, there was no one around to receive us but the stair cultivation and its texture were amazing, and I feel glad seeing them very close unlike the distance views of Poombarai and Mannavanur.

There’s a lot to share about this place and plenty of beautiful pictures hold to cherish this charming and fascinating location, filled with picturesque scenes; I don’t want to mess up this post writing them all in a single attempt and crowded with pictures. I captured few photos at 16.9 ratios, to get wide views on slopes and mountains and I recommend this place only for those seeks tranquilly and unwilling to spoil the pristine beauty in name of tourist. (My blog header is also belongs to Kukkal)

Thank you J

Observation

Light enters through a hollow
shadow ballet to motion of leaves;
observation might hold trouble
following the fall of sunlight.

A solo rays enters the room
illuminates hidden particles to aglow;
a radar might lose signal
tracing the light swallowed by shadow.

The winter sun brings home beam
however brighter it glows or glides;
the indirect ray radiates warmth
reflected through a mirror of Wagon R. 

December – The fascinating month

The December derives many a things to cherish; esp. the December cold is the favorable time of the year, where the Chennai infamous for its hot weather experience a sensation of cold, the dew dawn is remarkable throughout this month and beyond. During this time, the mind craves to wake up early to experience the free of cost air condition from the worldwide winter season and to be in Chennai or any other place this month cheers the warmth inside blanket, where we never want to get out of it ;)

I wish to travel a lot during this month and the dew dawn is never refreshing like anything esp. for me and if there’s a choice I will choose this month to explore places on surface and even breathing the tremble cold of hill stations. There are few travels I took during this month are most fascinating in my rides and my first time to Valparai in Dec 2008, near Kovai or Coimbatore is rejuvenating even thinking now and almost riding around the pristine mountains and stunning country sides of Pollachi and Erode is evergreen.

One pleasant evening of December, near Kanyakumari 

Last year on the same month, I was around the southern tip of India –Kanyakumari, enjoying the simple stay and travel among the wind energies and roaring rock waves with settings of sun and nip in the air were appreciably. On our way back, climbing the Sirumalai (Small Hill – which isn’t very small like the name refers) on the Natham-Dindigul main road is fascinated by its quite tranquility and rich in small banana plantation, the cold wind will enforce you to hold embrace even there was bright flash of sunlight and the couple of villages or colonies as they mention there inhabited to horseback packed products grows around the hills.

The December has something distinct feature as fragrance, stretching both the wings of hot and cold and the real odor of it could be experienced only in villages, while they produce smokes in evening to warmth as well driving away the mosquitoes that breed mostly in this month or season, after rain. The cow dung smell was something enrich during this time, where most of the houses are swish swashed to cow dung sprayed on the courtyard before drawing a beautiful Rangoli or Kolam (a design created by using flour) to flourish their homes, which is a tradition followed esp. during the Tamil month of Margazhi – which begins at the middle of December.

The music and dance has been great conjoin to December, where many a concerts and dance festivals hold everywhere across Chennai, I have no idea about the vibes it creates, but hope it has something wonderful, only those passionate about could express right. Overall, the December has an enchanting climate unlike any other month or season; I too believe each season/month has its own essence to cherish; the December has a distinct sky with glorious setting of sun, which I well observed during my Kanyakumari visit.

Firework display during Deepavali

Palm Tree Effect

From young to old everyone enjoys fireworks that blast into the sky; create an artificial florescent and colorful Rangoli in the present of dark nights and Deepavali is an occasion in India where fireworks displace enormous charming across the nation and adding more glorious to earth among the twinkling stars of universe. This Diwali I got a great opportunity capturing the vibrant firecrackers that fascinated the sights across the sky; and I spent more than an hour shooting the colorful comets at the neighborhood of Chennai – Neelankarai, at my grandmother’s sister house.

The pictures weren’t so spectacular and perfect at blossom, but I tried my best sitting on the power wheel chair with no preconscious from which side the florescent firework hold its display, clicked random from whichever direction it comes and by observing its blowup volume. It was enchanting and enthralling completely and I got to see variety of colors and designs beholding the sight and the sound cheering the festival spirit and celebration.

Following are few photos I captured from deepavali. Hope u like it!

Fireworks collage

Jellyfish 

Green Comets

Red Comets

Online frustration

Sometime speaking truth turn against us, and I had been through such moment lately and really lost being touch with someone with their decision to block, who maybe could have become an associate in future if continued to share. I don’t feel for the one’s mischance, because maybe there could be another one will fill that gap of mine or hers and for that matter that does not mean I’m going to stop speaking from heart and express the reality, but there are so many to understand and respect the feeling.

There could be some fake profile, maybe created for fun sake or purpose of sharing, concealing their identity but the matter of concern endure me to uphold the secret where I know the person personally. It feels hard to digest the matter if they are possible impossible and when time to meet each other, it feels so guilty to act like nothing and again sign in on the voucher to wither recurrent without discussing the matter.

Many a time I feel narrative but nothing comes to mind when thinking about uncertain situations around me, wherever we go the mind impound to a circumstance where deceitfulness deserves and fake notes get fascinated. I’m not suppose to complaint here, but I share a part of frustration that keep on discouraging me for a while and many a attempts become nothing in their emerging process diverting the main course and intention of others. 

A little romance

She comes in handy

when I yearn for an embrace
bind like a wind
blowing away the gap between.

The moisture air
become warm in our breath
her whisper voice
says the love to me, silently.

The gazing eyes
behold her mysterious world
trying hard to discover
a lonely planet on iris universe.

She smiles so sweet
holding mischievous at corner
trying to seduce me
against my enormous desire.

It feels so soothing
when she brushes the hair
the stimulated nerves
entice me to dream wild.

Very close to her lips
inspire me to kiss
trying hard to not imprint
but impossible after getting tempt.

Ecdysis – Snake shed scale

Every year during the rainy season, we find snakes in the open ground adjacent to our apartment and the only thing preserve either of us was the compound wall; but this time one of a snakes entered our parking lot and slithering here and there before thrown other side of the compound wall by our watchman. This was the first I saw a snake come across the compound wall, whereas I have heard my neighbors making noise about snake couple of times early, and I believe it could have come through the open gate at the entrance since there’s less chance for them climbing the plain vertical wall.

From the time we shifted to apartment in 2005, the open ground has been left unchanged with growth of wild vegetation and survival of few trees; and except threaten of snakes, it has the advantage of many esp. deriving different species of birds and insects and giving a pleasant stay environment of calm and less pollution. A year back to back too, we sighted a rat snake staying sometime along the other side of our compound wall and among the debris making its bedroom by wrapping an old bed left by someone (check the photos here).

(click pictures for enlarge to view the snake scale near)

Two days later to Deepavli, my mom found a shed snake skin or scale on the open ground along with the neighbors, and few meters from our house the snake had molted its entire scale stretching few meters in length. Some said it’s a cobra scale and it must shed during the new moon occasion but being uncertain, I compared the photos which mom captured for me, with Google images, to ensure the species.

I also learn that the process of shedding scale in snakes, which according to scientific term, known as Ecdysis (strip off in Ancient Greek), or molting or sloughing in normal usage is shedding of the complete outer layer of the skin in one layer, which is a repeated process periodically throughout a snake’s life. A snake is suppose to shed its skin once or twice a year, whereas the younger once which still growing shed up to four times a year and many a time the skin peels backward over the body from head to tail, in one piece like an old sock.

It’s said that the snake stops eating and often hides or moves to a safe place before shedding the skin; the snake wriggles out aided by rubbing against rough surfaces is demonstrated through my above pictures. The discarded skin gives a perfect imprint of the scale pattern and it is possible to identify the snake as this discard is reasonably complete and intact. 

Thuppakki – Only for firing

The hang of Kasab (the lone survived gunman of 26/11 Mumbai terror attack) and the month of November go hand-in-hand with the release of Thuppakki (Gun) is a coincident, because the movie also deals on terrorist bombing in Mumbai. The movie is a wonderful action thriller, driving Vijay on a serious platform and it would have been much better if it was drove through this genre track without derail through songs and insensitive love scenes.

The film’s highlight was the action sequences and Santhosh Sivan’s stunning cinematography, and cleverly moved scenario by A.R. Murugadoss – the director of the movie, is flashed. I feel few scenes and songs are forced inside the story to satisfy the fans of actor Vijay (I’m sure they won’t like it too) and I wonder when he will realize or lose zeal this custom of giving unchanged unflavored unwanted scenes to watch.

Nothing interesting in the movie like the action, the fight scenes are not recommended for light hearted and the exciting part was shooting a dozen sleeper cells at a moment in various places across Mumbai. The climax is a total mess up upon the anticipated and the director seems had no choice than giving up to frustration to end the movie, by escaping though a speed boat!

The songs weren’t so fair but couple of them was stylish in Madhan karky and Pa.Vijays lyrics and Vennilave is calm and beautiful song acclaim to voice of Hariharan and Bombay Jayashri and shot at Swizz. Villain Vidyut Jamwal well suits the roll of a terrorist head and being a martial artist, he deserves the combat at the climax and unlike Mattrraan, Kajal Aggarwal doesn’t hold importance in the film than adding some spicy to gun roll.

Thuppakki – Blast more than shooting.

Sunday Santhai

During my recent travel to Thiruvannamai attending my father’s friend daughter marriage, I come across a Sunday Santhai (market), where livestock’s and agriculture products are brought to sale by farmers from the surrounding villages at a public place. The Sunday Santhai is very famous among rural villages and it is the only place for local farmers to buy and sell their produce and the Santhai is also gathered on Wednesdays.

A scene near the market where an old man diving the goats to market. 

There are many Santhais in Tamil Nadu renowned for specific products and the Manaparai Mattu Santhai between Tiruchi-Dindigul highway is popular for bulls and Pollachi host the second largest market in the country doing business at coconuts and cash crops at intense. The Tamil Nadu government has also developed ‘Uzhavar Santhai’ (farmers market) in each district and little towns for the benefit of farmers to sell their products directly to consumers than middleman who exploit both as well.

We passed the market while driving towards Thiruvannamal after attending the marriage and the market was at its peak business and the place was crowded to unable to stop and take photos, so we shot few of them from moving car. Both sides of the road were parked by bikes and bicycles and we witness number of cattle brought to sell and being Sunday there are many meat and fish stalls installed allover… and there’s one of a dried fish stall above.

Big Fish

Watched the 2003 American fantasy drama, Big Fish, based on a storytelling series by a father to his son despite his distrust on his stories, he continues telling stories from the deathbed on his eventful life across young age and what interesting was the characters in the stories are extraordinary. The film’s major plot was reconciling between a father and son and the son’s attempts on mending their relationship were all dramatic and heartwarming at climax… when he reveals that whatever his father said is true and only he had exaggerated them.

The stories at flashback is radiant and have characters that are fairy tale sort and the places are all prototype and classic at viewing; and the fall of the father (played by Ewan McGregot) in love at young age with Alison Lohman is very cute and adorable. The hidden town of Spectre is fascinating with all friendly people; the circus is somehow hilarious and the show of conjoined sisters is an excellent image on graphics and the giant man (Matthew McGrory) is a show stealer.

Albert Finney’s approach on his character is award winning and his expressions through storytelling is alive and elegant; and Marion Cotillard is bewitching and her attitude and compassion towards her father-in-law is beautiful. The movie deals with the motion pictures are quite wonderful and alongside the simple screenplay were obvious reading through senses and after all, the profound between the father and son is inspiring.

The film adapted from the novel titled the same, was directed by one of a notable director Tim Burton and the film was highlighted through number of nominations award. Since I leaned this film deals with father son relationship, I want to watch it sometime and having been cherishing a strong bond with my father, I couldn’t stop giving way to the perspective by watching the movie two nights before. 

Deepavali 2012

Deepavali, the festival of lights switched off lately was enchanting like each year with dose of firecrackers, sweet, snacks and sharing... even I felt little lonely this time, the memories caught up with fire of previous years of delight, cherished. The day began for me as usual except the constant roar of bombs which kick started the explosion earlier than the allotted period (between 6am-10pm) to blast firecrackers; it’s impossible to imagine a Deepavali without noise of cracker... but maybe one day mind set to appreciate the silence on Diwali.

The day was spent partially in front of the television watching those advertisements and special programs that flashed in-between, but the interesting part was the ‘Pattimandram’ (poet’s discussion) on who helps a lot – younger ones or elder ones, in general and the speakers were all well brought up the points at discussion with a lot of sensible humor. It’s good to see many younger ones joining the discussion latterly and they all draw a greater attention and develop an interest towards their attitude on Tamil and discussion.

Like every year, the neighbors shared the happiness by distributing sweets and snacks, prepared by them or bought from the shop; I enjoyed tasting them all at great zeal and we also shared the traditional sweet and snacks – Athirasam and Murukku – made by mom, to cheers the festival spirit. I sent few SMS to friends as wishes and called out one of my best friend from Tirunelveli and it is something we usually do during either of our festivals and it was wonderful talking to him as well his mom who is so beloved and heart full of blessings for others.

It was a day I haven’t touched the laptop and switched off the television sometime after the noon and in the company of boom, mind took backspace for a moment triggering the roll cap memories and time spent together with kith and kin. In the evening we left to our grandma’s sister house for lighting some firecrackers and they live in Neelankarai – the down south of Chennai, and they hold much space for leaving fireworks and the area itself beholds a lot of firework display during Deepavali give me some wonderful opportunity to capture the colorful sky.

We spent more than an hour watching the various Arial outs bursting into the sky and illuminating the moonless night into many twinkling lights and radiant colors, which was a remarkable sight ones in a year. I well know its disadvantages and noise and environment pollution but I couldn’t stop myself enjoying the display of fireworks and this time I got a wonderful camera to shoot much pretty photos.

Will post more on the firework display later... 

Joint pain and Joint family

This week I received a supplement on orthopedics along with ‘the week’ magazine and it reveals many a causes and treatment for joint pains and knee replacement and one of the reason that doctor’s point out make me feel hit the nail on the head. Apart the active lifestyle and life expectancy, fall of joint family has been noticed by the doctors for the increase of joint pain, where one remain to take care of things independently.

I wonder how true the joints has been an important part in our lives to make a move and it should remain forever in motion with emotional cord chained within near and dear ones in family. I truly acknowledge the doctor’s perspective on joint family and I have a reason too to come to an agreement and the supplement came on time in my hand when I could feel the pain (not at the knee) of disjoint at heart.

I have experience on living as a joint family during my childhood and those days were never been same again and we were accompanying my uncle’s family (family of dad’s bro) and grandmother then. In the 1bhk house of own, we divided the huge kitchen with a barrier to make it as a bedroom for my uncle family and the arrival of aunt was very helpful at mom in sharing the household chores and taking care of us as kids.

Later my cousin born, we are forced to shift to ground floor of the house to give more space for them and even then we were like live together at through and practice and no event were celebrated at parted. There were some renovation and rebuilding take place at house in later days and we still continued to support each other at despite desperate and share common festivals and celebration and even after we shifted the location for my comfort my mind kept joint with them.

First time I feel the pain more in lately when they decided to go on individual basis on taking the custom related to Deepavali and for me the matter is not the custom or ritual related, which I don’t have faith but sharing the festival spirit and happiness. I believe the festivals are created for get together people and sharing the moment of happiness and love, but their decision to disjoint at traditional level makes me feel despair and anguish.

The sharing means not only about happiness or celebration but also involves helping each other when it comes to work or preparation of stuffs; and in a joint family there’s much chance for such tendency and if one wasn’t well the other take care to give rest for another to quick recovery. This is the natural state of a joint family and during this festival season we really miss the helping hands from our aunt, and mom solely had to prepare the Deepavali ‘sweet and snacks’ to share with relatives and neighbors.

I always wish for a joint family and it has a lot of positive aspects on life and the main reason was sharing and it may sound selfish if I say that a person with disability or old age, the joint family becomes a great backbone for their survey in case our parents or the children of old age find stubborn or struck with other chores. The joint family is one of a dream that often haunt me into the thoughts and I know it is impossible perhaps there is only way of disjoining families these day, I hope the best gift that life gives for us is the joint family – where there’s lack or less joint pains.

Diamond Ring

Pic by jeevan (sparkle ring)

Light over darkness

life brighter like clay lamps

cheer the leader of joy – Diwali!

ECR, and the other day

The other day I had a brief drive on ECR (east coast road) across Kovalam along with my cousins for nothing but just time pass and lunch and I had some photo opportunity on roadside. That day I didn’t take my camera with me so took few shots with the 3.MP galaxy player.

The Toll Plaza in ECR was the first of its kind for us to experience a paid road when it was introduced in 2002; and the road extends till few km before to Pondicherry. The toll plaza remains one of the pretty hold by itself on this fun filled scenic beach road and is decorated by few artistic stones painted on birds, butterflies and animals dividing the lanes with green mounds and decorative plants.

The ECR is a drive pleasure road for anyone taking it around to reach the many entertainment spots alongside and beyond the sculptural hub Mamallapuram and reaching French colony Pondicherry; it really needs more post to look into detail. The road is a well laid and moreover maintained properly with no bumps or jumps and taking the lane thought night was once interesting watching the roadside barriers and road stud flashed to reflectors on them.

Touching the ECR with few meters from home, the road remains as one of the most frequently used and taking away the prior when a thought of getaway exists and also the way out of city easily. The road remains free of traffic once out of city limit and it also has its share of disadvantage being exposed to accident-prone and rash driving to endanger.

On way to Kovalam beach – the other day, we come across a bunch of pups on the roadside and only the one above came alone from the group waking along the road but it was too shy to give us pose and turning back as we moved further. Kovalam beach is one of a beautiful seafront shaped in curve and called as Fishermen Cove, the southern edge has a temple and during Sunday this place is packed with people visiting the temple and shore from far and near. 

Covalong Beach

Festival of lights – fires

Pic by Jeevan (Ground Chakara)

Once in a year Deepavali 

the joyous festival time of ever
an experience of shower in fire
reverberate to thunderbolt Arial outs.

Many a myth beholds as essence
but the real spirit for us, is
to light up a rocket
and cheer while it blast into sky.

Clay lamps light the occasion
everyone holding sparkle at smile
and amuse toward the flowerpots
emitting colorful flames and florescent.

Called festival of lights
for us its forever fireworks –crackers
beginning a month early to festival
the spirit seemed unending.

Night full of daydreams
how to create a blast tomorrow
and wishing to wake up early
to join the friendly neighborhood warfare.

The tradition has a lot
engaging and embracing the spirit
relish on sweet, snacks and new attire
but nothing fascinates me like firecrackers.

மலரே / A Flower

Pic by Jeevan (Yellow Cosmos)

ஆயிரம் மலர்கள் பூப்பதுண்டு 

ஆனால்  உன்னைப்போல் ஒன்னும் இல்லை; 

புரிகிறது நீ சொல்வது
காதில் பூ சுத்தாதே  என்று!

For non-Tamil bloggers a translation is below:

Thousand flowers used to bloom
but nothing was like you;
I understand what you are saying
that to not lie around the ears!

A day travel across Thiruvannamalai

note: (bear me for the long post... hope u like my travelogue)

We planned to check my dad’s friend daughter marriage on Sunday (28/10/12) in Vettavalam near Thiruvannamalai and so we wake up early as 4am and got ready by 5 and head the road half an hour later for the 9-10.30am Mukurtham (auspicious time of wedding). Accompanying my uncle and cousin – who drive the car, we also gave lift to one of our uncle’s workshop employ and his little niece whom were suppose to go by bus to Thiruvannamalai, decided to come along with since we have much space in our SUV leftover by my wheelchair at rear.

(click pictures for enlarge)

I always love and enjoy beginning travel at early morning and this time too I had a wonderful drive through the chillness of the morning and even it’s not cold like winter, the clouded sky and dampness and tender sunshine were kissing the skin towards entice. This is the only time I could check the sunrise awake between the clouds or rise behind the mountains or buildings; it’s more cheerful than any other day since my wakeup time is usually not less than 8 o’clock. :)

The first time I visited Thiruvannamalai was 3 years back on the same month of October, and the ride were through Tindivanam and Gingee; which was partially a state highways passes through the countryside accompany by tress esp. tamarind on both sides of the road.  The road also cut across the fortified wall of the Gingee Fort which is one of the famous forts in Tamil Nadu holding a strong historical background.

Gingee fort is also called as "Troy of the East" by the British

We reach the wedding hall by 10 am, few minutes before the bridegroom tie the knot, but I didn’t check the marriage as it was happening on first floor I stayed in the car along with my cousin. Vettavalm is a small town 23km from Thiruvannamalai on the Villupuram road and thanks to my Samsung Player with GPS navigation that traced the route for Vettavalam without going to Thiruvannamalai, even thought we en route to this place about 15km by dropping the employ and his niece at Kilpennathur.

My dad and the father of the bride had been friends for more than 40 years, since their college days at Presidency and we couldn’t avoid attending the wedding as family though he had added my dad’s name in the invitation. He’s someone always be on traveling and he had traveled all over India and has friends at various level  and he’s basically a farmer but only his wife takes care of everything since he keep on traveling. His bad time he suffers from health issue now and discovers a bad sight and hearing lately which I guess must be because of his immense use of Cell Phone; and he almost addicted to phone and could not stop dialing someone anytime.

After spending more than an hour in the wedding hall, we had nothing to do then but I had a plan already which was waiting for dad’s approval and it was to check the Sathanur Dam that was about 55km from Vettavalam and 31km from Thiruvannamalai. It was less than 12pm then and we had no work to return home immediately, so proceed with the plan and the weather was still pleasant even there was a mild sunshine that day.

On the way to dam we stopped at Thiruvannamalai to get some biryani for lunch but we couldn’t find a hotel or shop that sell chicken briyani, instead there were only beef biryani everywhere which I never ate and yet won’t eat. I only wonder how come there so many beef biryani center in a town where the ‘Nandi (Bull)’ was worshipped as god’s vehicle and idol in itself... I don’t want to get into the belief but I understand the need that there are many beef eaters exists in this town. (I read somewhere that more people from Kerala come to settle here spread the beef eating habit).

Last time when I visit Sathanur Dam there was no one and we also couldn’t spend much time since we visited during late hours of evening, but this time being a Sunday many people gathered around the dam and mostly youngsters were vrooming in bikes, creating great annoy to public. The police were checking thoroughly every vehicle entering the dam complex and a special search operation had been held on youngster for liquor bottles, because during our last visit we get to see lot of broken bottles and plastic tumblers thrown at the end of dam.

The dam complex had been newly painted now and gardens were developed into much better and colorful sculptures were quite neatly maintained and a pool, restaurant and lotus pond seems added lately to attract more visitors. There isn’t much water in the vast dam reservoir and even less compared to my early visit and the dam bridges were locked by gates allowing only people through a small walk way which my wheel chair could not enter, but I spent some time on the garden taking pictures.

By 3pm we took our back home journey through Thiruvannamalai and it was a day beginning of full moon night, so the roads were blocked inside the town to leave us to go around the Arunachaleswarar Temple to reach the Tindivanam road. Thiruvannamalai is famous for the full moon stroll around the sacred hill here, receiving thousands of people every month who take a walk about 14km on the foothill road that come around the hill.

(backside tower of Arunachaleswarar temple)

When we nearing Gingee, the gray clouds formed to shower heavily and the road being a two lane and work on widening taking place alongside, we forced to retard at progress until catch-up with national highways. The ride further was smooth and interesting but as we nearing Chennai the traffic began to grow steadily before got trapped into a traffic congestion near Vandalur moving at a very slow pace for more than an hour. We reach the home by 9pm, almost taking 6 hours to come across a 210km of travel but when knowing the traffic jam near Vandalur last for 5 hours, I felt glad we escaped with an hour.

A cargo goes aground

The Neelam Cyclone that stroke the Mamallapuram, a day before day, also produced an effect on the coast towards Chennai and beyond developing a number of tree falls and sand erosions on seashores. As I mentioned in my early post, the Marina Beach of Chennai – the second longest beach worldwide – is the gateway for any effort by sea or rain on Chennai and it stands at the first place for anyone to check the status of the city.

Pool ride by a biker in marina

I visited the Marina Beach yesterday evening to reveal the effects of Neelam cyclone and found the rain and seawater stagnant on the marina beach abundantly like ever and the inner road was flooded with water for more than 3 feet high. Even the SUV like cars find it difficult to cross the inner roads and we didn't take the venture into the water which was inviting for a swim but had fun watching boys playing in water and some bikes and autos splashing and creating great ripples. I really enjoy visiting marina beach after rain to check the stagnant water and joy of splashing without disturbing others!

Later we moved to check the cargo ship that went aground near Foreshore estate, the adjacent area of marina, where the Neelam cyclone dragged the ship that was standing somewhere off shore into go aground. The road leads from marina through Nochikuppam was blocked and we had to go around the Santhome to reach the foreshore estate and ship was standing very close to shore and waves were so ferocious, crashing on the ship to reach unusual high.

The ‘Prathibha Cauvery’ is a Mumbai based oil-tanker anchored near the Chennai Port with 37 crew members on board, among which 32 are rescued through helicopters but the five who clambered into a lifeboat as soon the ship goes aground were missing, after the boat capsized due to rough waves. (According to news in evening, 4 of them were found dead ashore today). I guess it was the ship that I saw couple of months back visiting the marina beach and I also captured in photo.

The ship which goes aground near Elliot Beach, was moved into the foreshore estate yesterday and the place had tuned into a new tourist spot now for people who keep on visiting the shore to see the ship. When the news of ship gone aground spread like the force of storm, there were many gathered at the seafront to see the ship even dismissing the meteorologic warning to stay inside the house till cyclone landfall completely.

My Canon SX220 does a great job capturing the ship, enduring the strong wind even at maximum zoom!

There wasn't much crowd at marina, but the foreshore estate is flooded with human heads and people were keep on arriving and leaving as families checking the ship. The time we visited, a helicopter of the coast guards were lifting the crews or officials who come to check the ship and dropping at the shore. People were so excited to see the operation that they don’t get to see easily except if a Navy show seldom take place at Marina beach and the last time I check a ship very close was during one of the shows. 

If u look carefully, a coast guard helicopter is lifting a crew on the  photo.

Cyclone Neelam stoke near Chennai

First time experienced a cyclone in my lifetime and I have seen and heard about its intense and rage through media many a time but this is the first time in last 2 decades that a cyclone stroke near Chennai. The wind was blowing at 40 km speed across the Chennai whereas in Mamallapuram where the Neelam Cyclone crossed ashore reaching 70-80 km speed and waves rose of 20 feet height and rushing 200 meters into the land.

The cyclone which formed near Andaman Island last week began to move north-west towards Tamil Nadu and its track had been predicted well by the IMD Chennai and warned heavy showering from Monday. We gained good rain on Tuesday night and the wind was blowing very strongly yesterday till midnight and during the time cyclone landfall the blowing was heaver and the tress were all dancing ferocious to the wild wind beats.

We had no power from the noon but there was enough power in the inverter which we installed for lights and fans and we also restricted the use of inverter power since it’s a 6 hours package and we had no idea when power will resume. The television blinks no signal when we try to check the status of the cyclone and after few hours the laptop also lost power, through which I was watching the live news on cyclone and later I turned the galaxy player for the updates.

Just 10 month later the Thane cyclone left a deep sad impact on the Cuddalore and Ponndicherry, the Neelam leaves a lighter memory without causing much damage to lives and property – which I believe. The cyclone also swish-swash the Marina beach which had become the gateway for any water calamities and it also pushed aground a cargo ship (Prathibha Cauvery) near Elliot Beach and 100 trees were uprooted in Chennai.

I captured a small video with my galaxy player below on the cyclone wind taken at my courtyard.