The New Jerusalem Church – Tranquebar

The New Jerusalem Church is one of a beautiful attraction of Tranquebar, built in the year of 1718 by Bartholomaeus Ziegenbalg, the first Protestant and Royal Missionary from Denmark to India. The church which was renovated lately to its original structure, without alteration, is yet to complete 300 years of built.

The architecture of the church is an interesting synthesis of indigenous Indian features and traditional European church building style.

The church situated on the King’s Street is a pretty follow on Town Gate; and the white coated building with red tiled roof is an enthralling sight. The church built like a holy cross in shape, holds a small cemetery within its compound dating back to 18^th century; and the Danish missionary and founder of the church Ziegenbalg is also buried in the churchyard.

Footnote:

Ziegenbalg died at a young age of 37, is the first to set up ever printing press in India at Tranquebar and published studies of Tamil language and Indian religion and culture in 1711. Ziegenbalg's prime cause is to promote Christianity in India, but his way of moving with society earned him respect of the people of all religion. (Info from the Hindu)

Life at random

Life is balanced between heat and cold

too much of anything isn’t gold.

Life begins at normal temperature
lack sunshine, and interest only grows on shadow.

Life is only comfort at a/c for some
while many leads through burning struggle.

Life isn’t intended to glow and gleam alone
a humble gloom could please contrary noon.

Our day does not wakeup without light
but for blinds darkness is a light leads eternal.

PS - Image Courtesy: Google

Ganesha and My Childhood

Picture from my archives

During my childhood days, I used to wish visiting this Ganesha carved on the rock by a small mound in Mamallapuram – a town famous for rock cut sculptures and a UNESCO WHS near Chennai, while we visiting our relatives house there. The rock cut Ganesha is very close to the Karukathamman Temple – one of our families commonly worshiped temples, in the west of the town; so, many of our visit to Mamallapuram witnessed worshiping at the temple and for me to check the Ganesha climbing on the rocks  beside the temple.

More than the rock-cut Ganesha, the quiet and pleasant environment and a small adventure of climbing on the rocks and following path track are the main that attracts me to this place; and there are also two rock cut shrines on the mound belong to 7^th century, named as Pidari Ratham and Valiankuttai Ratham. (Ratham is a word means Chariot in Tamil). Other than these, we could find a trace of red on the rocks for which my grandma used to say, ‘that it was the bloodstain of an evil man who was killed and dragged though the rocks by the goddess for ill-treated the people of the town.’

This photo was taken by mom in 2006, during one of our visit to Mamallapuram and today no one is allowed on this mound or checking the Ganesha, since archeology department has put fence across the area to protect. I really love visiting this temple, not in devotion but just for the isolation and pleasantness provide by the pond side with trees for shadow and benches to sit relax and cherish.

Ganesh used to be my favorite god in childhood and my mom used to tell till date that my hands come closed wherever I see Ganesh then.  Today the totally perception is different and I have come to believe there no god exists but I don’t deny the fact that I had great faith on god once, unconsciously. In no way I interrupt others belief on god and I respect their faith and wishes from heart for their plea get answered in some ways!

Hugo

I was watching this movie for sometime by parts until watched it quite last night; I totally impressed by the  way it filmed even I find it initially boring as it moves  slowly, the cinematography kept me appreciating and inspiring to watch it fully. Adapted from the novel title ‘The Invention of Hugo Cabret’ the movie is a 3D historical adventure drama winning a bunch of Oscars and directed by Martin Scorsese. I really wonder how fantastic would it be watching through big screen wearing 3D glasses. I hadn’t got the opportunity to watch it while it released last year.

Asa Butterfield, who plays the title role of Hugo, was mesmerizing through his acting as a boy living on the clock tower of Paris railway station and maintaining it secretly while seeking to fit his father’s automation which he believes to write a message. During his continues process of stealing parts to mend the automation, results in discovering the concealed life of very famous illusionist and filmmaker Georges Melies and his way of moviemaking and all makes us upright and fascinate.

The movie brings the whole set of old Paris railway station – Gare Montparnasse, alive and the clock tower and sight of Paris were amazing and the train crash was a great piece on the incident of past. Asa Butterfield eyes were grasping at lot than his conversation and motion, each one of them presents their course of acting very well and Ben Kingsley as the masterful Georges Melies is not challenging for the actor who lived as a Gandhi on the film titled the same.

The film also reveals the innovation in creating special effects on movies when there are no more advanced technology and birth of computers.... the manual techniques of those days are awesome and challenging. The Hugo somehow reminds me the polar express and technically the movie beholds wonder with great visual treat and sounds to listen!

Hugo is one of a best innovation and use of technology.

Inner conflict

My heart kept swelling
to emotionally breakup anytime;
my heart gets scratched
repeatedly to eternal pain.

My eyes left wet
with no warmth to wipe out;
my throat get choked
with no light moment to pass.

My mind left puzzled
with no problem gets solved;
my consciousness gets collapse
in battle with constant grief.

PS - Image Courtesy: Google