RGB Monday

Here’s RGB Monday to keep away your Monday Blues and make feel colourful and yet cheerful! And this Link-in feature invites your colourful photos with the content of RGB – Red, Green, and Blue.

Pretty colorful Merry go around at Elliot's Beach, Chennai

p.s. Beaches are my favourite pastime perhaps since we live close to sea and Elliot’s beach has many memories to share, and in our earlier days we visit the beach to enjoy the playground equipment’s like siding, seesaw, swings… installed at the beach sand. Elliot’s hasn’t been crowded then and only a part of beach was used much then, and the manually operated equipment’s like merry go around, ferry wheels aren’t available and also any kind of shops exists except the popular eatery Cozee, which is opp. to police booth. My late uncle is a friend of the owner, who’s a Singh (and he has also acted as Rajini’s friend in Basha) and he would take us there and get ice creams from the shop. Every time I pass the Cozee, the moment spent with my uncle at one of the tables there blink at my mind for few seconds. 

Backyard Babblers

YellowBilled Babblers are a frequent visitor of our backyard in the morning and evening and the birds arrive as a group of 5 or 6 squeak like squirrels or mouse until they keep away. I remember following or seeing these birds from our days in apartment, with open vegetation in front of our home, the birds forage frequently on ground and trees. Lately, I see one of the babblers, a common resident breeding bird in Sri Lanka and southern India; keep hitting the mirror of a neighbour’s window and sometime the rear mirror of dad’s bike, perhaps seeing its own reflection thinking it to be some other.

Not only babbler, I have seen bulbul behaving similarly and hope many other birds follow the same. The babblers here were shot during noon sunlight in late August and they were digging on the corners of the compound wall for forage. This species, like most babblers, is not migratory and has short rounded wings and a weak flight and is usually seen calling and foraging in groups. 

Hai dude what's up? (below)

nothing to say ya, let me find

Linking this post with SATURDAY CRITTERS

OPS, Out of the Blue

Unexpected has become the state of Tamil Nadu now, from the unexpected illness of former chief minister Jayalalitha and her sudden demise, and the grand revolution of youth andenforcement of violence and law on jallikattu, Chief Minister O. Paneerselvam’s (OPS) resignation and his open speech (last night) at the Marina beach, following his silent prayer at the memorial of Jayalalitha has kept the state furore. The almost people of Tamil Nadu is already in dispute once Sasikala, the close aide of Jayalalitha, sworn as general secretary of AIADMK and when she was selected as ADMK’s assembly president (which will let her to become CM) has intensified the against feeling. At this situation, O.Panneerselvam’s sudden visit to J’s memorial and his silent prayer for about 40 minutes and claiming that he was forced to resign the office of the chief minister has provoked the public and all social media started to flood with support for the OPS.

It’s obvious who should be behind the scene and of course, it’s the Sasikala and team. Except being a close aide of Jayalalitha, she had nothing to do with public and political scenario, but her takeover of Jaya’s house and now office is approved by none including millions in their own part, AIADMK. It’s the upper level leaders and ministers of certain groups, who celebrate her for their need and deed, lead her to these posts which she deserves not. Nowhere in their long run of friendship had Jaya indicated her to take leadership after her or gave a little post in the party and in between she was expelled from the house by Jayalalitha after she come to know Sasikala’s family had misused in name of her. Things’ being like that how the party men go behind her and propose for the post of general secretary and now CM is shameful. While there are many true party men and seniors with experience at the 45 years party, selecting an inexperienced and corrupted to lead the Tamil Nadu will absolutely won’t be fair.

More than an assistant of Jayalalitha, she hadn’t put front on anything or focused anywhere. But all of sudden she emerged as Chinnamma (small mother) and speakers of the party started to praise her for reasonless.  Perhaps this inspired her to take bold step and before all, her family was back once Jaya breathed last, and thus forced OPS (who have been appointed as CM for couple of times by Jayalalitha during the difficult situation) to resign by giving pressure via his colleagues. If this was the scene even before she took oath as CM, we couldn’t imagine what kind of attitude the govt. would hold and the state of public if she became CM. There couldn’t be a limit for the unruly things and what has been achieved through the one man army, by Miss Jayalalitha, would be collapsed due to ineffective ruling.

The Jaya’s demise continues to be a mystery even though the doctors reveal certain details, OPS has said to form a commission to enquire about her death. After the OPS opened up, the overnight meeting held by Sasikala with all MLA’s had removed him from the post of party treasurer, but he has said to take oath as CM, again, if people of Tamil Nadu wishes. After the midday meeting held at the presence of Sasikala, once again, the 131 MLA’s (who supported Sasikala for CM) has been hijacked in buses to safest places or on tourism to keep them away or meeting OPS to lean their support. Things has been going on its own, and don’t know what’s gonna happen tomorrow where they are meeting the governor and request to form a govt. headed by Sasikala. But the overall support of Tamil Nadu is for OPS, including myself who admire his simplicity and down-to-earth attitude. Let’s hope for the best. Support OPS!

RGB Monday

Here’s RGB Monday to keep away your Monday Blues and make feel colourful and yet cheerful! And this Link-in feature invites your colourful photos with the content of RGB – Red, Green, and Blue. Please add your link-in at the comment section (along with your comment)and it will be mentioned at the bottom of the post.

A colourful and yet delicious grocery shop on the outskirt of Chennai.

I shot the picture at a small town next to Cholavaram on way to Periyapalayam, in  north of Chennai. The shop seems to sell adequate for a small towns alike and what hangs over are fruits and locally produced snacks. But the baskets beneath has what I looking for the post, the RGB colors.

I always like these small kinds of shops than malls, where we get anything that a household needs and we could move friendly with the shopkeepers and was adjustable in many ways. I have purchased a lot from the grocery shops alike from the childhood, and having one adjacent to our house we could buy anything without paying but they used to have a note and collect money at the end of a week or month. And we could communicate socially with them while purchasing and they could be trustworthy because many a time our house keys are given at them to give back to family members if one exit house.

Pls. do share if you have experience with small grocery shops J

1. Devilish Angel

Cattle’s on Drive

Last Sunday we went for an outing and long drive up to Nagalapuram trekking base, across the border of Tamil Nadu to experience mountains and checking couple of dams. Once crossed the Periyapalayam, the landscape turned quite rural and into the state of Andhra, I come across many cattle’s and some in groups where drove by farmers.

During our lunch halt near a village, on the roadside, we find little groups of goats drove by the villagers perhaps on their way to or from grazing.

On our way back and close to evening, the buffaloes (below) seems to drive back to home... the picture was shot near Uthukkottai, the border town of TN-Andhra.

Linking this post with SATURDAY CRITTERS

My Pongal celebration 2017

I know it’s late by two weeks to post on Pongal, the harvesting festival of Tamils, but it’s better late than never. I think you all know about the youth revolution that took centre stage following the Pongal and though it wasn’t an easier task for people to come forward to protest for their rights and protection of bulls, the entire week was like an extension of Pongal with the voices of slogans indirectly, alongside supporting the traditional sports, emphasis the wealth of bulls and farmers. We couldn’t think of Pongal keeping away the farmer and it was farmers festival overall but we have the reason to celebrate as they are our life savers, producing food for us. Pongal festival brings happiness for farmers and Jallikattu is a part of the celebration and we got back the traditional sport in right manner.

Coming to the post, this year’s Pongal was different for me and was able to feel the mood more than latter years. Though we celebrated Pongal in the traditional way, where we lit firewood’s on the outside of the home and made Pongal (boiling of rice and milk) in the mud pot, the Pongal event conducted in our street by the backstreet boys was really uplifting. They created a friends group in name of APJ Abdul Kalam and conducted Kolam contest, running race for different age groups and couple of fun sports.  The event was started from the eve of Pongal and the Kolam contest happened at the night itself but they came to capture our Kolam (along with the others) only in the morning and we unknown who’s the winner. The boys and girls participated in the races and won gifts from the organisers and what really impressed was all showed up in traditional dresses.

But what keeps me bothering was how I missed capturing the event or at least the kids running around. The songs played in the speakers and people talking over the mike let the festival feel in the air. I put some special programs and movies on record (thanks to DTH) and moved out of the home to enjoy the festival and while things happening around; mom prepared the Pongal in the mud pot on the firewood’s and before it overflows I was with camera to capture the moment and once the rice boiled the whitest foam forms and milk is poured to restrain its flow. But it was me asked her to wait to let it overflow, though I don’t believe such thing will change things for better but this custom of overflowing keeps me going. Lol

The pot Kolam in my previous post was drawn by mom along with the above one but the coloring job for the couple of pots were given to our next door neighbour and she did it pretty colourful. We stayed awake till midnight for them to finish the Kolams, amid the troublesome mosquitoes and my cute lil friend Achu was also wakeful to give company and it was fun to be along with him. The sweet Pongal boiled in the pot was later offered to the Sun, the foremost source of energy to the entire living on earth and helps in high yield, which is a form of thanksgiving to nature and farmers who transforms the resource into edible. On Mattu Pongal, the third day of Pongal, I went for an outing on ECR and visited my great grandma’s village. I will write on it later. Follows few shots from the offering: 

The offer to energetic sun

My favorite  "ven pongal and vada"

RGB Monday

Colourful Pongal Kolam by mom and aunt

As you all Kolam is a part of our custom and it is drawn in front of the houses to create an auspicious environment. During the Pongal festival it takes a special attention and most of houses (that follow the custom) draw beautiful patterns on their doorstep and drawing pot Kolam enhance the mood of festival. Here I share couple of Pongal Kolams, and the above one was mom’s contribution and it was drawn at our home front and aunt’s (below) was on theirs in the next street. On the evening of Pongal I come around our streets to capture some colourful kolams and I would share them in future post. 

Here’s RGB Monday to keep away your Monday Blues and make feel colourful and yet cheerful! And this Link-in feature invites your colourful photos with the content of RGB – Red, Green, and Blue. Please add your link-in at the comment section (along with your comment)and it will be mentioned at the bottom of the post.

1. Devilish Angel

Youth revolution turned people for Jallikattu

Before I go into the historical revolution and ever seen frame of protest by our youth of Tamil Nadu against the ban on our traditional sport Jallikattu, I want to condemn the police for executing batons on the youth gathered on the Marina beach, where the main protest was going through (peacefully) for 6 days (from Jan 17-22). The protest first began at Alanganallur, the town famous for the valiant sport, has inspired the youth of Tamil Nadu to form a protest arbitrarily to save the Jallikattu which directly supports the native breed bulls. The protest began with hundreds of people crossed millions at the end of the day, across the state. At Marina beach (the 2nd longest beach in world) alone more than 1.5 million had gathered for the protest, which had no head to lead but the small small groups gathered at the beach were all connected through social media.

The most amazing and ever seen about the protest was it was conducted in a very stocky and self-disciplined state, where no one affected in anyways… although there was some, which were adjust by the public because of the intention of the protest. Individuals perhaps have different opinions on conduction the sport, but the overall spirit of Tamil people was supposed to support the Jallikattu as it was a cultural identity of Tamils and when the youth of Tamil Nadu come to the street to protest there was none left to prevent but rather came forward (as families) to support the cause. Even though I haven’t participated in the protest physically, my mind was quite around and I intensely supported the revolution and kept sharing things related to protest and expressing my thoughts via Facebook while  continue watching the news channels for update.

The protest conducted on the footstep of Gandhi (Non-violence) went such peaceful with dignity, trust and courage.  And also his dream and belief of independence had come true though the protest where women and young girls staying overnight without any hesitation or fear about the opposite gender who protected them like their own sisters. It is one of the greatest strength of the protest where the world looks after with awe. The protest has projected the determination of Tamil people and will power of youth and moreover the exhibition of lifestyle and the behaviour pattern of the youth and the culture of Tamils make feel pride. It seems there isn’t a youth revolution happened like this in post-independence India (perhaps with Hindi protest), where an entire state comes together to standstill to protect their cultural identity and interest.

The protest for jallikattu had touched beyond the core cause of conducting the sport! The unison inspired by the protest has set hope that we have the will to face anything that’s against the people. It couldn’t be enough how many times we put salute to the youth who achieved what they want (by non-violence) putting pressure on the state government to take immediate steps, and thus CM met PM and an emergency law is implemented to conduct the sport against the ban of Supreme court and there’s a hope the law will make the sport constant. Though the sport is already regulated by the Supreme Court in year 2007, which brought down anything displeasure related with the sport, the newly implemented law is expect to add sternness. Until the Monday evening, when the former chief justice reveals the real facts about the law, there’s an uncertain condition prevailed everywhere whether to let down or not the protest.

It’s obvious that only strong and active bulls can breed native cows which means of healthiness or restoring health in many ways.  We do hope the protest emphasis the vital of bulls and make aware the importance of preserving them among the public. Did we saved the Jallikattu or not, we disclosed a behaviour that’s impossible to bring out unless it was inbuilt through the rich culture alike Tamil. Though we united as India, any part of the country hasn’t seen such a confrontation and comfort facing the supreme power and creating a protective environment for the women in protest. No one from the political or film industry is allowed into the protest; rather those come alone on their own interest, is indeed setback to those who believed that only they could manage certain things, people taught them that it is we they are depend.

I am certain the history will never forget this occasion, though the protest has been a grand victory and was supposed to end peacefully was disturbed by the wrong attitude of the police. I don’t want go deep into the issue that made me feel bad and sad. But what happened could never bring down what was created by the youth. I think I don’t need to say more but the video below will show you the real starts… the mobile torch protest by youth during the dusk makes feel heaven on earth, where the technology and traditional inherent overshined! Hats off! 

We support Jallikattu

It’s a dream come true for me! Yes, it’s a dream come true to see our youngsters leading a grand protest against the ban on our traditional sport, Jallikattu, the bull catching  festival celebrated during the Pongal festival. People generally have a thought that youngsters are useless and careless about anything but the revolution broke today, supporting our traditional sport and rights transformed the perception, indeed. Nothing survives without struggle and here’s a voluntary movement, for not a political reason but to sustain our identity and strengthen the chord of Tamils that was tightening by the cord from the centre govt. and neighbourhood states. First time a protest (statewide Tamil Nadu) without the involvement of any political party or cine personalities! Hats off guys, I am quite with you all.

The Supreme Court has banned Jallikattu following the case filed by Peta, a foreign based animal rights organization, which reasons to ill-treating bulls. For every eye that watches the Jallikattu might think of it but the reality was the bulls are worshipped here and treated like their very own kid. Coming from a family that based on milk business and rearing cows, I know how they are treated and many a time my grandparents have skipped their meals but never cows hunger. And also haven’t attended many functions only because they have to take care of them. At villages things used to be more fine towards the wellness of cattle’s and bulls, and Jallikattu is a way of celebrating   bravery and exhibit of bovine strength. The trained bull catchers try to control them for less than a minute mostly and let free.

I don’t find any logic for the Peta to ask for a ban. They never know what’s happening behind the traditional form of Jallikattu and by banning the sports they are trying to destroy our country breeds rather protect them. No one is intend to harm animal’s esp. bulls here but one thing for certain was behind every existence there’s hard work and struggle to protect. Jallikattu is a cultural identity of Tamils and is in existence for more than 4000 years… how could we allow someone, who has any knowledge or sense about our history and tradition to seek  ban. Our bulls are one of the strongest breeds and the ban will support the destruction of our strength. Bulls are hardworking animals and if we haven’t let them play and treated in right manner, it will become weaker. Experts believe that a bull with full vigour breeds strong bovines and for that these animals must be active and endure. So protesting is the only way of protecting our rights, identity and manner of living...  

#WeSupporeJallikattu #wewantjallikattu 

Pongal and Pot

With a day for Pongal, the harvesting festival of Tamils uplifts the mood quite. Being an admirer of festivals, Pongal has a special place in my heart and the value of tradition being preserved at least during this time feels happy. Pongal is not only farmers festival but people who survive, eating their harvested grains should celebrate to thanksgiving the farmers and their close associates of cattle and the natural resources. People in cities mostly celebrate the festival (almost every festival) in front of the televisions and Pongal (boiling of milk and rice, which overflows to be believed as a favourable outcome) is also cooked on cookers rather the traditional way of mud pots.

For more than a decade we have been making Pongal on mud pots, but except couple of times on the firewood’s it was the gas stove mostly. The Pongal cooked in mud pots has a distinct flavour and I enjoy having it so much.  Though having a spacious courtyard, we didn’t arrange for firewood last year unlike 2015, as our city was going through difficult time due to floods, I have requested mom to prepare for a traditional Pongal this time. I really love to celebrate Pongal in a village atmosphere where true festival essence exists. But living in city it’s quite difficult even though I try to visit villages or travel around the countryside to capture the glimpses of Pongal celebrations on the Mattu Pongal or Kaanum Pongal, the successive days of Pongal festival that highlight bulls and entertainment consecutively.   

Among the four days of Pongal festival, tomorrow marks Bhogi Pongal where the houses are cleaned and old things are replaced by new or disposal of unused. For last few days our house has been going through much cleaning and mom and dad had taken care of the task. Though it was a difficult job for them, I really got to recover and cherish many things (that I have quite forgotten) while cleaning has left me with ideas which I think of using in coming days.  

Btw. The mud pot and stove was captured at a restaurant in Kodaikanal and it was placed on the sunshade. It was raining that time and the picture had little grains, so I used oil paint filter and it gives a nice feel. Wish you all Happy Pongal 

RGB Monday

Being Margazhi, the Tamil month of winter, I couldn’t think any other than the Kolam (a fascinating art that continue to attract people from all walk) to be apt to post under the meme, that capture the essence of colors. Margazhi is considered an auspicious month in Tamil and many religious activities take place during this time and drawing Kolam, a pattern or design that adorn the gateway, gets special attention.

Kolam is a custom followed by every house of Hindus and it’s a daily activity for many, including ours. But during Margazhi the Kolam gets a new least of joy where colors are added to the drawing and everyone try new patterns and brings out their artistic skill through the Kolam. Kolam always been my favourite thing and I enjoy watching different patterns and encourage mom to try new ones and I have also helped her getting patterns from internet. For me, Kolam is apart any belief and its way of exhibiting art and beauty. 

Here’s RGB Monday to keep away your Monday Blues and make feel colourful and yet cheerful! And this Link-in feature invites your colourful photos with the content of RGB – Red, Green, and Blue. Please add your link-in at the comment section (along with your comment)and it will be mentioned at the bottom of the post.

1. Devilish Angel 

Village farmhouse and Cow stable

While coming back from Kolli Hills, long before, we stopped at the foothills to have some tea and adjacent to the village tea shop, we found a farm house come cow stable and it captured our attention to take a look and click photos. The foothills of the Kolli Hills are quite lavish with pretty farm lands and plantations of areca and coconut palm.

Coming under Namakkal district, which is popular for poultry production, the landscape adopts   number of poultry farms that spread across the district taking care of the entire state poultry products and also supports the neighbouring states of Tamil Nadu. I really enjoyed the halt and the cow stable took back to my childhood days and happy moments spent at my grandfather’s village. My grandparents had also involved in milk business and reared cows and buffaloes until the year 2000, so the connectivity with cattle is irresistible always.

The cow stable has a typical hump of hay and I have memories of climbing the hay piles and experience itching after rolling and crawling along the hay in the grandparent’s village. They usually have a ladder to climb atop to bring down a bunch of hay, from the collected, to feed bulls. The stable has couple of cows and a calf and the untied goat kept wandering around. And he’s a great poser and it’s proved beneath!

Linking this post with SATURDAY CRITTERS

Temporary fence @ Elliot’s Beach

Few days back I was at Elliot’s Beach in the neighbourhood and found fences being erected along the sea front. 

The fence build with Casuarina woods is laid for the New Year eve to prevent people entering or swimming in water. During New Year eve, people throng the beach and keeping away all from the water is not possible and so was the fence and the fence seems to support till Pongal festival (Jan 14-16), with Kaanum Pongal as the last day, would pull crowd.  

The photos were shot two days after New Year and being a weekday there’s very less people around. 

Linking this post for Good Fences by Gosia's Looking for identity

RGB Monday (exception)

A simple yet colorful Kolam

Though I couldn’t consider this as a RGB post, because of missing of the red and blue in the Kolam drew by mom on the night of New Year Eve, I continue to post here as I think there couldn’t be an apt time rather posting now. Because it was a colourful invite for a New Year.

For those unknown, Kolam or Rangoli is a pattern drawn (in different forms) in front of the houses, which is a traditional custom followed by the people of India esp. the Kolam is a cultural identity of Tamil people and drawing colorful Kolam in front of the home is considered as auspicious and a sign of welcome during the festival seasons and events.

We were awake till 1.30 am doing nothing but just leaving few fireworks and being outside as our street was little busy with some local boys having little party at the street end and residents were checking the couple of Ganesh temples on our streets that went into light decorations for the New Year. It wasn’t a bad eve for me watching these and looking at the couple of colourful kolams of residents on my way to uncle’s house in next street. But I felt bad for not taking the mobile or camera along to capture the pretty Kolams, at least to use for my RGB post. Hope you all had wonderful Eve

Those interested can link-in their post at comment, even if u has a New Year post unrelated to RGB… Just to share the moment with each other :)

1. Devilish Angel    2. Ramya Rajesh