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

Danish Fort - Tranquebar

It was noon when we reached Tranquebar –an Old Danish colony, in the Nagapattinam district of South Indian state Tamil Nadu on an early summer month of March. Today know as Tharangambadi which means ‘land of the singing waves’ host some fascinating sights on colonial building, Danish fort and church and pretty beach of Coromandel Coast. 

(Fort Dansborg Click all images for enlarge)

Tranquebar is a place on my waiting list for very long time and what attracted me to this town was the Fort Dansborg, built along the beautiful Coromandel Coast in the year of 1620 A.D by the Danish Royal Navy Commander Ove Gedde. Tanquebar was once a flourishing trade center which continued to remain up to 19th century under the control of the British; and from the year 1977 the Danish Fort was protected as a monument by the Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology. 

We were invited into this town thought a picturesque arch gateway and one of the landmarks of Tranquebar, holding a caption of ‘ANNO 1792’ from the inside out marks the year it built. The gateway is flourished one side by the images of a lookalike king holding swords and separate swords on top end, with a dome bearing No.7.

Fort complex

The gateway leads to the main street of the colony is very small to allow vehicles only comes under LMV (Light Motor Vehicle); and both sides of the street hold pillared buildings, a colonial style of construction. The Fort Dansborg is on the southeast end of the colony and the fort is a square complex with rampart walls on four sides, which has inner side rooms used as warehouse, prison, kitchen and barracks.

A prison inside the fort

The fort has a two storied building facing the sea, which is also the main building of the fort, holds warehouse and prison to the ground floor has a vaulted roof. The first storey of the building which was once a church and lodging of the governor, senior merchants and chaplain, was now a museum exhibiting antique things collected from the period of colonial and Danish settlement in Tranquebar.

We reached the first storey of the fort through a ramp and fascinated to see the pretty blue sky and sea creating vibrant waves! The courtyard or rampart in front of the sea facing fort building has a wonderful view on the vast blue sea and sailing boats; which is also a platform to reach fort museum, and holds two iron cannons focusing on sea. Due to steps I couldn’t check the museum, but got few pictures captured by cousins and meanwhile I enjoy checking the exterior of the fort and children playing on its shore and wandering about.

Cannon pointing the sea 

There are more to share on the Tranquebar, Fort, Museum ect... So I will do it on further posts. 

The Middle of the World

This weekend I watched another movie based on journey and unlike Duma, it’s a family drama; The Middle of the World is a 2003 Brazilian movie – originally titled ‘O Caminho das Nuvens’, takes a family of seven on a bicycle journey from the State of Paraiba to Rio de Janeiro of Brazil to lead a decent earning in city. The film is based on a real event in the history of an unemployed truck driver who rode his wife and five children from Santa Rita to Rio in search of a job.

The movie begins at a T junction, where the sign reads in Portuguese meaning The Middle of the World, travels along the way from northwestern province to east for Rio, the nearly 2000 miles journey leaves the family at many hardship, event and emotional bond and desperate. The family also faces challenges over seeking on shelter, hunger, deals on adolescent; the movie make us believe that poverty is not that tough when we have great love for each other with faith.

The movie leads a path not many traveled and there are no more usual things about Brazil – pretty beaches, girls, greenery...  but a beautiful life and love for family relationship drawing against the dry northeast province. The ‘Rose’ and ‘Romao’ as husband and wife led so beautiful the movie, the young Rose was expressive, smiley, charming and singing despite fatigue over traveling. Antonia as their teenage son, was faithful to his character and expressions at defiant and desire for exploring the manhood.

The movie end at the foot of Christ the Redeemer, the iconic statue of Rio de Janeiro leaves not alone a breathtaking view, but expresses  life at redeem that not only befit to an incredible cycle journey. The locations that captured are not so enchanting but lives up to behalf and believed to be real; the movie runs for 80 minutes is a good watch under the eng subtitle that release along.

Download the movie at torrentz.eu 

Bird watching in neighborhood - Kingfisher

The white-throated Kingfisher is a regular visitor to the Gulmohar tree on the open ground opposite to our house and the branches extends into our compound. This is the first time for me to capture the one of the most beautiful birds, very closely and clearly! 

If there are few things that give me happiness and cheer often, then bird watching is something indeed and among the many birds that visit my neighborhood or the open ground against my home... Kingfisher is one of the birds that close to my heart :)
(Click images to enlarge)

Love IV

Image: google

Love is an essence of heart

sucked via thoughts;

Love is a ripe heart’s mango

tasted via pulp lips.

Love is a reliable source of life

exchange via secrets;

 Love is a hormonal change

exists via heart’s emphasis.

Buildings on Mt. Road

Last year I come across the heart of Chennai – the Mount road or Anna Salai, after long time and I got to capture few shots on the buildings that exist as one of landmarks and heritages of Chennai.  We took a drive on Sunday which is the best time to take this stretch that’s almost busy throughout the week since it’s an arterial road and even it was little crowded that day, we managed to capture few photos on the buildings from the movie car, that follows below.

LIC Building

LIC Building doesn’t need an introduction in Tamil Nadu as well throughout the country, but for others information, LIC (Life Insurance Corporation) is the Chennai’s first skyscraper and tallest building in India, when it was inaugurated in 1959. The 14 story building serves as the southern regional headquarters of the LIC India and the building marked the transition from lime and brick construction to concrete columns in the region.

The building was designed by the London- based architects on the lines of the UN Secretariat in New York City; but the withdrew of architects from the construction after 4 years of its  commence was overseen by Chennai based architect L.M. Chitale. The location on the Mount Road to construct the building was identified by Chidambaram Chettiyar, the founder of Indian Overseas Bank and the United India of Insurance, for his group’s headquarters. 

Spence Plaza

Spencer Plaza is the oldest shopping mall in India and a renowned landmark of modern Chennai (Madras). Originally built during the period of British Raj in-between1863-64, the Spencer Plaza is the first Departmental store in the Indian subcontinent, comprising India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

The building established by Charles Durant and J. W. Spencer was one of the biggest shopping malls in South Asia when it was built and the original building that destroyed in fire in year 1985 was an example of Indo-Saracenic style of architecture. The present Spencer Plaza was opened in 1991 on the same site, measuring about 10 acres and spread across a million square feet built in three phases with parking space for 800 cars.

The plaza is one of the major hangouts for the Chennaities.

Aguchand Mansion

Agurchand Mansion is a red brick stone building that date back uncertainly more than a century; and it is near opposite to the famous Spenser Plaza. The building is built by an old Madras family called Agurchands; and today the building holds quite commercial shops on the ground floor, whose number of hoardings occupies much space of the building facade, but there are no details about the Mansion, whether it’s running or not.

Tarapore Towers

Tarapori tower’s is half a km from LIC building and the large sign hosted on its terrace was one of the attractions on Mount Road. This is the first public LED display come up in Chennai, over 25 years ago or certainly longest time in survive and it usually displays time and temperature of the city.

Our drive doesn’t stop with Mount Road, and we also come across Parris and Central Station, capturing few more buildings along.  I will post on them in further posts...

Duma

I watched this 2005 adventure drama, Duma, which is a movie based on the friendship between a boy and cheetah and it is a true story loosely adapted from the book titled ‘How it was with Dooms’. The story set in the South Africa, takes us thought a wonderful journey across the dry grasslands, deserts and wildlife... filled with various adventures and revealing the beautiful relationship between a boy and cheetah.

Alexander plays the role of a fearless schoolboy, adopting cheetah as his pet and venture into the wild as per his father’s decision to leave the cheetah back at its real home. The movie wasn’t distinctive among the wildlife adventures and its dealings are very simple and lighthearted to quick pass with strong emotion shared by the boy and cheetah. The desert sailboat rides on the converted bike and cheetah chased beside the speeding bike are few exciting moments and the background score was so fascinating through the 5.1 channel.

What more enthusiastic was the cinematography, which is a real visual treat with scenes changing on landscape and wildlife are notable. The movie directed by Carroll Ballard and produced by Warner Bros also stresses the comfort at home and for the wild animal’s forest is the only place to alive and it’s impossible to exchange its base. Duma is the name of the cheetah and since the story adapts fiction its enjoyable quite unquestioning the impossibilities.

A small date

Image: google

From the day meeting you at heart

I still hold to the conversation
every night at the dreams.

The smile that struggle to untie
the emotion that bewitch
reading the love status on the lips.

Eyes conveyed the message silently
while the lips relish on the coffee
that long lost its savor.

Under the wild date palm tree
the heart shares the unfold files
converting the cool breeze into ocean current.

Footnote: A small write up on fantasy and fiction...  

Happy Onam

Photo on mom's colorful kolam

With colors of Onam,
life becomes a Pookolam
and delight of Orchids.

Wishing Happy and Colorful Onam to all! :)

Colors that I captured

Our friend Rajesh of My Indian Travel invited me to participate in ‘Capture the Colour’ contest by TravelSupermaket and here I like to share the colors in images that I captured and picking the photos randomly from the folders. The photos below are highlighted by the colors of blue, green, yellow, white and red.

Blue

This memorial is erected in the southern tip of India, Kanyakumari, in the memory of the Tsunami victims; Kanyakumari lose hundreds of lives to the tsunami that stroke the Southeast Asia on 26 December 2004. In the abstract sculpture, I could observe a hand allying the rage wave and other one holding a lamp as pleasing the wave.

Green

This is a part of Kodanad Estate, in the Nilagiri District of Tamil Nadu and this is a shot captured close to the TN chief minister’s bungalow, where she use to take rest while in office or not and coincidently she was staying there while we visited the estate and view point. But she was not in the power that time and it was the period waiting for the results of the state assembles election last year in April.

Yellow

Other day mom brought banana flower from market and it looked very pretty in color like ever seen before. The middle part was in mild pink and tip in yellow; I find it wonderful to capture. For some time now, the banana flowers have been my favorite thing on food and I wish mom cooks it at least once or twice in a week.

White

This amazing white colonial building was taken into renovation to its original appearance of what it is now from nearly destruction. The 250 years old, former Danish Governor’s bungalow in Tranquebar was taken into restoration from brick by brick by the INTACH, holding up the building’s Madras terrace roof with great pride and poise. The building which is belong to the Tamil Nadu Tourism Department with the assistance from the Danish National Museum and INTACT restore the original structure, which melds colonial features with the local Tamil vernacular.

Red

Sometime before we checked the Marry brown restaurant on the ECR, near VGP golden beach, for some spicy and crispy chicken; and while waiting on car I find the facade of the building pretty in red to capture. Marry brown is not my favorite outlet for crispy chicken and we checked it for only couple of times before KFC open its outlet in our neighborhood close to ECR.

I also pass this invitation to 5 of my blogger friends for their participation: 

Betsy

Eden

Ashok

Krishna

Linda

Poem on infant - Barath

Photo by Jeevan

His innocent smiles

baths in dewdrops rain;
His sweet gestures
console grief and pain.

His giggle sounds
a great stress buster;
His intend cry
a melting of heart.

His tiny fingers
holds hope within palms;
His little feet
an impression of soft petals.

His infant smells
a fragrance of distinct;
His watchful eyes
a phrase of instinct.

His motion limbs
fluttering of butterfly;
His crawl seeks
a pursuit of dreams.

Footnote:

 

Writing on the thought of my nephew Barath and the photo was captured by me during his visit to home.