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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Late 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.

புதிய காற்று / 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 :)

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.

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’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.

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).

RIP S.N. Lakshmi

She has passed away now but her role has been extreme and she is one of the long stood actors in Tamil cinema and even few days for her last breath she has been shooting for television serials. I wonder every time seeing her on screen, thinking how old she may be to go still mighty from playing mom to grandmother roles for many leading actors and even not more signifying roles to lead me gaze.
S.N. Lakshmi, the most dotted actor for her comedy roles and animated on the color generation front contributed 70 years of life on entertainment and art, left orphan the industry in her age of 84. The veteran actor began her career as a theater artist when she was 13, had stint to successful of encompassing 6,000 plays on stage and nearly 1500 films on silver screen.

What more we say, it’s impossible to replace her role by another and I doubt will this generation actors withstand in her part and brave enough to fight with a tiger in 'Baghdad Thirudan' has wondered many to still rethink. The mild smiling face and sacred ash smeared forehead will always remind her for foremost despite her strong mother bond roles of colorless classics and devoting herself to acting to live alone her life filled with dreams of devotion and serve humanity.

Hope she rest to peace at her native place as per her wish!

Back to future

Each step forward
takes aback
like the backup
that store current
to use further.

The future we seek
sought aback
the rushing life
buries aground
to reserve again.

In science
scientists seek aback
the world exists
where mighty research
waiting apace.

The infinite space
sails aback
the entire cosmic
where research
might hold endless.

The development
is laid back
on the destruction
where organisms
build on skyscrapers.

Footnote:

Wrote this afternoon while listening to twittering birds and thinking aback where future lies. I think there's nothing to create wonder than giving back what we take from here. Every development and technology is build for us not to destroy our sources and relationships, but easer our everyday life and bring equal opportunity to everyone to experience the life and resource spread everywhere.

Dhoni – hit the education system

The actor turn-producer Prakash Raj’s directorial debut Dhoni is not alone a movie, but a message for the entire education system that everyone needs to read, understand and help bringing change in future. This is not first time Prakesh Raj impresses with his acting, but taking away the entire script in his hand had moved emotionally to the core unlike ever to leave wet eyes and heart weighted.
He’s one of the finest versatile actors in India whom I like and admire the most, and he has a thirst-quenching for innovative and different movies that an entire family could enjoy. Now as a director has tasted the delicious fruit of the film industry that too taking away a social cause in hand had handled well both the direction and acting at same delight. However he shines on screen as a light on night and shadow at sunshine.

Dhoni, domains the middle-class life and explains their most expectation, the education which they believe and certainly the only source they could save for their children’s future. Karthik as Subu’s son is passionate on cricket and wants to become a player like Dhoni, was forced by his father to concentrate on studies which he’s not interested and unable to memorize a thing brought conflict into them that put crisis to push back at rear.

Akash as Karthik is best choice for the role of 14-years old and he himself in the age of group, acting comes casually to him and expressions where so real… and Radhika Apte as a neighbor is refreshing and smiles so cute as a smart prostitute or keep in decent role. The emotional scene in the backdrop of my favorite talk show Neeya Naana is tough and significant phase to go through deep.

The most attractive part of the movie is the music! Ilaiyaraaja’s composition was quite awesome and bliss esp. the songs and lyrics were rather obvious and meaningful to listen. Again hats off to Prakash Raj for his indeed contribution to the concept of bringing change into the education system has hit hard those critics students so far for their week performance in studies.

Education is to improve our knowledge and not in an intention of money making or fame alone and we need an education that gives special attention to students who are unable to cope up with studies in due care and affection and not hurting them deep. In other hands both parents and teachers need to act as a balance in understanding the child’s ability and mental strength to encourage and develop in what they are interested, and not everyone has an intention like becoming Dhoni, but has some talent hideaway from the common cause education that we only know about.

Dhoni – An all rounder (Prakesh Raj) wins the man of the match and receives great applauds from audience aside!

காதல் / Love

(Click image for enlarge to read)

Footnote:

When thinking what to do for this yet another special day, this poem comes to the mind which I wrote sometime before in Tamil and then translated it to English. I want to make it something different and got this sticky notes idea and went on composing... except stealing the pen from internet.

Kid’s behavior and value of lessons

Children are used to compare with divines who mean to be pure, innocent, harmless, and genuine... but few incidents happening in society quite rear at shock and something exists at western schools is at last here. Two days ago a 15 years-old student killed his school teacher fiercely with a knife within the class in Chennai has shook everyone at nook and corners of the city and country.

What the kid done is obviously condemnable and unforgivable, but consciously he’s not quite culprit and what disgusted him to take the knife is need to be revealed… obviously and rather himself admitted why he was ferocious on the teacher who made remarks on his report card and threatened to fail him. We all know it’s a common thing all teachers do to make student learn better and score good marks, but sometimes students who can’t come out of emotions end up with negative thoughts of one killing themselves or seldom dare to attempt on others.

I’m not appreciating his boldness and its quite contempt that no one should ever be stimulated by such daring thought and its astonishing how his little mind captured such cruel to kill someone. Once there used to be classes on moral science where they teach us valuable lessons on life and personal development and realization are indeed missing now, and instead computer science and mark oriented subjects took prior to keep away the taught on goodness and behavior.

Once there were great respect and equal fear were kept on teachers, and children who doesn’t obey to parents will be obedient to teachers and not that they are different now, but children are growing fast unsteadily expose to television, internet and movies are rather to any kind of activities and behavior. Parents too are forcing their children to get more marks and rank, and comparison is the worst tool they always take in hand to measure their child with other children and however their behavior are want them to place in higher order.

I’m no more to say education has become business and parents want their children to be an investment to gain profit later. Media’s influence is a lot these days on children, where they remember the rhymes are not well like memorizing the film songs… I hear from my neighboring kids while they play sing the infamous Kolaveri Di (killer rage) and Evan Di Unna Pethan... Kaila Kadaicha Sethan (Who’s your father... will be killed if caught in hand) kind of rubbish songs with killer rage lyrics has captured their attention a lot and thus applied by the kid today on his respected teacher.

In the kind of knowledge, learning, playful, disobedient and worst behaviors are rising even on children and double the latter generation needs a proper guidance by teachers as well as parents to negotiate their difficulties, disagreement and emotions. Foremost the kids are unlike before, and they have a tendency to learn and earn soon has lack of behavior and irresponsible towards elders as they think know everything but incompletely... and not all kids are under this category.

Palani – the birth place of Kavadi!

Palani is the third home among the six homes of Tamil God Murugan and it is located near the Western Ghats of Palani range in the Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu. The legend says that Murugan the son of Lord Shiva and Parvathi, got anger and came to this hillock to stay like a beggar by just wearing a loincloth when he couldn’t get the Gnanapalam (wisdom fruit) brought by Narathar.

(Palani hillock)

Palani is the name of the hill here and it has another reason to call it as in mythology that Shiva and Parvathi called Murugan as Gnanapalam Ni (you’re a fruit of wisdom) in mollifying him, thus the ‘palam ni’ later transferred into Palani. The deity of Murugan inside the sanctum sanctorum is made of an amalgam of nine minerals called Navapashanam, so whatever the anointment done on ideal is believed to get the ability to cure all disease.

(The gold plated shrine on hilltop.)

The temple on the hillock can be reached by the main staircase or the elephant path on their convenience and who can’t climb up can take the winch track or Cable car. Thai-Poosam is a very important festival celebrated here much enthusiastically yearly on the Tamil moth of Thai between the 15th of January-February and on this occasion devotees take Kavadi – physical borne to their shoulders and dance in zeal.

Traditionally, the most honored of the pilgrims whose arrival is awaited with anticipation by all are the people from Karaikudi, who bring the diamond-encrusted Vel or Javelin with them. The pilgrimage taken by many from distant towns and villages are strictly vow to abstinence and come barefooted by walk and the tonsuring is the chief traditions followed by devotees to this temple.

(The view of Idumban malai, from Palani hill)

Adjacent to the Palani hill is the Idumban malai. On the commission of Sage Agasta, the Idumban his demon disciple bore two hills of Shaktigiri and Sivagiri on his shoulder to his adobe and on the way he placed the hills aside at Palani to take rest couldn’t remove it when resumed his journey. Upon the hilltop, Idumban met a boy who prevents his proceeding began to fight fiercely, slain Idumban which ensued that he later restored to life.

Idumban who belatedly recognized the boy was his favorite deity Murugan and he wished to him that whosoever carried the kavadi on his shoulders signifies the two hills and vow to take blessing privilege by standing sentinel at the entrance of the hill. The custom of borne the kavadi on their shoulders has spread from Palani to all Murugan shrines and Idumban is the first Kavadi bearer.

(The traditional kavadi photo by Visithra)

Palani is also renowned for the delicious Panjamirtham, which means a mixture of nutrient ingredients like milk, fruits, dates, honey and jiggery and banana is the chief ingredient of this ambrosia. Palani is connected by roads and can be reached from anywhere via Dindugal or Coimbatore both are a major cities at a distance about 60kms with nearest railways stations and Coimbatore holding the airport.

Footnote:

I visited Palani in late 2010 and the pictures in the middle are captured by my mom from the hilltop, and the last photo is from by friend Visithra on Malaysian Thaipusam. Thank you for allowing me to use your photo Visith.

Down to Earth

Still fresh down to earth
because of the blown wind or
someone plucked to drop here.

Footnote:

It seems the cold likes me so much to caught often. This time something unbearable but still doing better with intense cough and blocked nose. Today is my parent’s 28th wedding anniversary and I dedicate this post to them and this photo was taken at Kotagiri and I went with a haiku poem on it, for a Friday flower post.

Kaanum Pongal and Country side

I happen to reveal a stretch of country side on the outskirts of Chennai between Tiruporur and Echoor, an adjacent area to the west of OMR that met with Mamallapuram. We took this route esp. to avoid the Kaanum Pongal rush and also celebrating the closing day of the festival seasons of Pongal by going out with family which is a practice hold by many.

This stretch has villages that still breathing the fresh air of vast paddy fields and reserve forest with many Eucalyptus trees where the village cattle’s grazing and the spread of broken glasses and water packets prove it’s a haven for boozers. The notable and feel so good was the process of farming and the fragrance that lift in air from the paddy fields and small irrigational canals with clean water.

At some places the paddy crops has grown well into golden green colors and were suppose to harvest. When machines have entered at large in farming these days, it’s wonderful to see small scale farmers who can’t afford tractors plowing with oxen and this is a best way of farming I could say where both the man and animal survives. I really worry about cattle’s losing its footprints slowing from farming as machineries representing their places, I’m sure if this continues in progress instead of natural dung, only chemical and oil substance will remain in soil as well as spoiling out heath.

As it was the next day off Mattu Pongal, we could see horn painted bulls and at some villages youngsters were playing at the fields on behalf Pongal holidays, as it is a practice at many villages conducting games following Pongal. This is the time people who left the villages on work basis gather to play games and cherish the moment with friends and families. Kanum Pongal has been well preserved this time and there were rows of vehicles and some open top arrived to celebrate the last day of pongal with lot of noise but we went quiet across the countryside and felt so nice.

Nanban - Best friend

Nanban has brought back families to theater and I could see a certain amount of people to be parked their vehicles next to another after long time to send us to back row from our usual parking in drive-in. I try to recollect when I watched a quite entertainment movie and obviously could not come to a conclusion as it is very long time after Vasool Raja MBBS and I’m sure Nanban will stay in touch for long time in memories and as long friendship is there.

The appreciation should go to the 3 Idiots who impressed the grandmaster Shanker to remake it for Tamil audients to go by emotionally touching their hearts to go with their feeling and reverberating heartbeats. The movie bears the message of all is well by massaging our hearts to make it relief whether from hypertension or stress by their laughter blaster treatment and with so much positive energies to cherish.

Being a fan of Vijay once, I hated him alike many on his indifferent and annoy way of acting latterly in movies, but this one wants me to take chance to renewal his fanfare and so was his acting. Absolutely wonderful and charming! I need to say; Sathyan topped the list by making laughter to core and wonder with his performance. His voice modulation has added an aspect to his character to do well.

First I wasn’t favorable with Srikanth’s look but he proves with his insight than being gracious but now couldn’t think of another one in his role and Jiiva done his best. Virus, called by students on Sathyaraj does fairness to his sneering dean character, and this villathi villain isn’t indifferent in expressing his scorn and Ileana as his daughter is very lean alike her name and cute in expression and sweet as sauce.

The BGM was beautiful... and songs are energetic, esp. the song on friendship and the single string solo is fabulous. Nalla Nanban is my favorite one and overcoming the feeling it causes isn’t an instant and its one best rendering about friendship. To remind the movie is made by Shanker, the grandness is touched at least by couple of songs represent the bold and beautifully and at many places the focus has been keep on Ileana’s lean hip.

Bottom line :
All is well! Nanban is a best feature on friendship. Don’t miss the fun and heartwarming feel of friendship.

விளம்பரம் / Advertisement

ஒப்பனை இல்லா அழகி
உன்னை அழுக்காகி அழகாக்குது
இந்த வர்த்தக உலகம்
விளம்பர வாயிலாக.

A miss without makeup
is spoiled to then turn pretty
by the business world
through advertisement.

சாம்பல் பூசியா வெள்ளைக்காரி
வெளுப்பானால் விளம்பரத்தில்
முயற்சி பண்ணி முடங்கிபோனால்
மாநிற மங்கை.

Gray smeared whitey
bleached by commercial
thus locked up after a try
the brown women.

Footnote:

The poem came as an inspiration via annoy of watching the skincare advertisements on television, where dusk girls become so bright and white in color in seconds which i feel quite fake and its only girls who own white skin is possible. I change the channel if any skincare ads come on and not alone skincare, the eye-care and haircare.

The photo was captured from the-week magazine, long ago, and the girl in the picture naming Neha Sargam looked very cute and impressed me to capture through macro.

Festivals and Celebration

Christmas is the initial of the festival seasons of winter followed by New Year, Pongal and yet to come Republic Day and it’s always pleasure celebrating a festival whichever way it was. Whatever the belief believed beyond any festival at its edge is happiness and it comes as a break from the busy scheduled life of everyone on behalf are suppose to take this chance to get-together with family and friends to rejoice the eve.

(Pongal kolam by mom)

I quite disappointed with the way holidays and festivals are celebrated today in front of televisions and no one is willing to go out by joining with others to make the merry joy into rejoice and it’s disturbing to see some seeking benefit for just being happy and make others feel alike. I feel that we are lost from the path of tradition that quite harvest the happiness and thanksgiving is something we all need to think about others who are behind us being a force to push ahead.

There was a time eagerly waiting for the festival greetings via post from our dear ones far away and what our technology has done today in communication is simplify to the least, but lost to touch the heart of everyone. The words have become shot and sweet but their relationships have become lack of savor and the significant of talk or text have come to least when there is plenty of ways to communicate.

(Nativity done by my grandmother)

There used to say that each individual is united as society but what’s happening these days are the individuals becoming more individual to think a lot about themselves alone and only the last though is given to society . We aren’t to blame anyone since the individual growth is rising to summit and standing on their foot doesn’t care much for others... and so the gap increased between relationships has created the distance to share the joy. Hope u all enjoyed the festival season!

(My Christmas tree)

Pongal wishes

The auspicious day on Tamils front
reliable to the source of living
is the harvest that brings home fare

The anticipation of new rays
as sun changes its way, is believed
to bring hope and prosperity into home

Thai, the month of Tamil
marks the many beginning of life
is the initial sow this Pongal harvests

By thanksgiving the nature and cattle’s
on this day of harvest, let wish
salvation reaches farmers from starvation
and by cutting off grains
happiness is invited into their homes.

Footnote:

The silver brass lamp were shot from last year's pongal festival at home.

Wishing you all a very Happy Pongal
இனிய பொங்கல் நல்வாழ்த்துகள்

Manakudy – Kanyakumari

Kanyakumari is partially a Kerala perhaps in many ways, lies within Tamil Nadu resembling a lot and has plenty of churches, and Manakudy is a fishing hamlet facing the Arabian Sea on the west coast of Kanyakumari. I wasn’t planned to visit this village but got to spend some time on its shore while on the way and back from checking the Chothavilai Beach – an isolated place away from the crowded Kanyakumari on the west coast. (More on it later)

Drive by 8km from Kanyakumari, Manakudy is parted as Mel and Keezha Manakudy which is separated by the river Pazhayar that span like a lake here, merges with the sea. Manakudy is one of the worst affected areas in Kanyakumari by the 2004 tsunami which swept away many lives and things from here, and with one of them we talked from here says the bridge that was connected the hamlets was washed away by tsunami to 500 meters into the river and pulled back into the sea.

It’s said the bridge that was made of four concrete pieces, each weighted 400 tones was washed away except for the two pieces that pushed to remain on both ends of the river. What attract me in Manakudy were the two churches each built on Mel and Keezha Manakudy which comprises the old and new and both are attracted by their colors of pale while and yellow along the spellbind architecture.

The St. Andrew’s Church painted in pale yellow is very old and closes to shore, and because of this the Church glows to golden orange in evening while sunsets on the sea. The Keezha Manakudy church is a newly built holy cross church, flashes in white and easily catches the attention. The Mel and Keezha Manakudy are connected by a temporally built small iron bridge that contain to pass MPV and the view from here was wonderful to see the waves rushing into the river and far away mountains and newly constructing bridge on the lake opposite.

The yearend, Thane

Hope it was a wonderful beginning for every one of you this year and it’s been two weeks since I posted something and I was almost away from online and because of cold and cousins visiting home and laptop problem I couldn’t get interest to post anything even got chances to do. The New Year eve went off peacefully and pleasantly at home through cutting cake at mid-night and tuning songs to share the joy and calling some dear ones on their asleep… parents did a visit to our street end Pillaiyar temple for the mid-night special worship, and it dawned for us between the crackers sound and kids screaming a lot at neighbor, wishing happy new year.

The news channels helped in understanding the joy across the country by reporting from every city’s hub about the ongoing celebration and this time we get to realize the new year eve was partially joy since it was the second day of the Thane cyclone that unturned the Puducherry and Cuddalore district to immense destruction. First time we get to see the terrific face of the cyclone and thanks to the media that reporting every aspect of the cyclone and its devastation from time to time and understanding its progress that sent almost trees to fall in this district which had been the major hub for cashew and jack fruit cultivation which is internationally renowned for these.

We can’t take it easily when people says that almost trees of cashew and jack fruit lost their places and it will take minimum 15 year to begin its next cultivation if the trees are replaced by plants now. I had been to both these places and know the wealth of the greenery and one can smell the fragrance of cashew nuts frying once across the Panruti in Cuddalore district and in decades this is the first time a strong storm windblown and make people feels that tsunami is better than cyclone that it only affects life that close to shore but cyclone strikes across the land and goes interior until it gets weak.

(mom's kolam)

The Thane also left it foot prints on Chennai’s shores creating transparent changes at the beach fronts; where waves pulled in and throwing away the sands makes it feel minimize in distance between sea and the shore. The night before cyclone crosses ashore, the wind was blowing very strong here like unlike before and we were kept checking news often the day and night on its progress. The cyclone also reminded the tsunami to too many as both the disasters happened at same period of the year-end; we all wish the New Year brings new hope to those affected by cyclone and restore back to normality soon. But the immense lose of trees is inconsolable… in the era of planting more trees to restore the environment this tragedy has increased the burden.