Joint pain and Joint family

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Diamond Ring

Pic by jeevan (sparkle ring)

Light over darkness

life brighter like clay lamps

cheer the leader of joy – Diwali!

ECR, and the other day

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

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

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

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

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

Covalong Beach

Festival of lights – fires

Pic by Jeevan (Ground Chakara)

Once in a year Deepavali 

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

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

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

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

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

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

மலரே / A Flower

Pic by Jeevan (Yellow Cosmos)

ஆயிரம் மலர்கள் பூப்பதுண்டு 

ஆனால்  உன்னைப்போல் ஒன்னும் இல்லை; 

புரிகிறது நீ சொல்வது
காதில் பூ சுத்தாதே  என்று!

For non-Tamil bloggers a translation is below:

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

A day travel across Thiruvannamalai

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

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

(click pictures for enlarge)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(backside tower of Arunachaleswarar temple)

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

A cargo goes aground

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

Pool ride by a biker in marina

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cyclone Neelam stoke near Chennai

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

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

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

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

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

Simple Pleasures - Kodai

Visiting Kodaikanal is always cool and comfort since this place accompany me easily or I got to be familiar as I visited it unlike any other places and the climate is completely blissful at any time of the year. At other hand I feel sorry for this princess of hills station which is turning into concrete valleys and mountains being carved for real estate lands and natural environs polluted by carefree tourist and vehicle population had turned down this pristine town, but we can’t blame anybody as they all come to enjoying what I cherish, a little concern on its behold state will do better.

There are many places to steal our heart and sight at Kodaikanal but for better refreshment and entice one need to extend their limit out of the town and I wish only people who love and care for the nature should led so. During one of my visits to Kodaikanal I find the pretty little church in the picture above, bound to a mist environment and light blue sky behold my attention for its simple white blue structure, on the Pillar Rock Road.

Following the church, the little falls with stream like structure is another wonderful sight that come along the way near a shopping complex that sells homemade chocolates and eucalyptus balms. It seems only during the rainy season the water flows here but today it looks pathetic with plastic wrapper shattered around and growing shops on one side. It could really be a good attraction to the visitor if it was taken into cleaning and cut wild shrubs and protect from people throwing wrappers in. 

Maattrraan – moves into international platform

I wished not to miss this movie watching in theater, and went for a late night last show in drive-in, the only theater I could visit and more over the director of the movie, K.V. Anand is one of my favorite filmmaker in Tamil lately whose movies make me look forward his next venture and I feel he’s someone special in creating quite content and quality films on the mainstream cinema. Maattrraan is also a unique movie dealing with conjoined twins and we have seen many movies on twins early but this is something different for which the director has to be appreciated.  This is very interesting and amazing to see how conjoined twins survive with different style and attitude on their own with no space for personal or privacy since both stick together.... the film make a thought on the real conjoined exists.

The movie not only left with the conjoined twins but also handles a serious social subject on adulterated energy drink as alternate, the movie rides on a roller coaster of action thriller, glamour and social science and technology. As Vimal and Akhil, Surya plays the dual role perfectly and there’s nothing to say about his acting because he had lived to the core of the subject and the action sequences are stunning with merry first half and serious pursuit rear.

The director was dare to develop a story tracing back to Ukraine, revealing a real mystery flight crash and   the country’s well performance at world games by the athletes based on steroid in 80’s moves the Tamil cinema into a international platform. One important thing that leaves at amaze and spellbind was the cinematography; the director who itself an outstanding cinematographer doesn’t need much to say how well the visual performance must be... he makes everything look at the state of the art.

Sachin Khedekar as Ramachandran does a great job of father and genetic scientist, wearing a smart face of veil hiding an evil and Kajal Aggarwal holds a partially chief role alongside Surya, adding glitz and glam to cheerful; and one of the drawbacks of the movie was the early grip loose of the suspense but the director dragged as much possible tighten and loosing the thread like a kite before landing on ground. The songs were a kind of usual Harish Jayaraj flick and the intro song was fascinating with apt lyrics and the duet was remarkable capturing the wonders of Norway.

Could easily feel the hard work of each crew behind the screen and without going deep in research on the technicians and technology used off-screen I appreciate all the emphasis given from behind to behold. Overall Maattrran is a better transformation or enhance for Tamil cinema on the commercial front. 

Dream Girl

Image Courtesy: Forward from mobile

There she was 

bright flash inside the heart
a photogenic face
that ever so clearly invisible.

Her every smile;
stress the heart to squeeze
the craving eyes
that never seems stop seizing.

Her falling tress
a downfall for autumn leaves;
the rising brows
defeat all her distinct features.

Her hands gesture
is no less than vocabulary
the sleeveless arms
that embraces beauty and elegant.

Never mind what
her past holds to enroll
the only thoughts
that envision was future imparted.

Not easy so
to keep away her sight
across the lane
a delight like never before.

அலைகள் / Waves

Pic by Jeevan (click for enlarge)

இயற்கை படைத்த உன்னதம்,

அணைக்கவும் அழிக்கவும் செய்யும் 

கையில் அடங்காத ஆயுதம். 

எழுந்தும் விழுந்தும் 

ஆற்றல் குறையாத அலைகள், 

வாழ்வியலின்  மைல்கல் உதாரணம்.

கொஞ்சி விளையாடும் அலைகள் 
பாதம் தொட்டு வணங்கும் 
ஓர் பண்பாட்டு சின்னம்.

நாடிவரும் மக்களுக்கு 
இன்பம் அள்ளித்தரும் அலைகள், 

இன்றியமையாது கடல்.

Nature’s best creation,
that embraces and destroys at same
an arm, excluded of hands.

At rise and fall
the unflagging waves
are life’s milestone example.

The waves implore and play
is a traditional symbol
of touch feet worship.

The sea’s essential, waves
pays pleasure for people
who come seeking.

Northeast monsoon

Picture by Jeevan

Drops stick to array of ferns

as festoon across the doorstep
sprinkles rain water, instead of rose
like a traditional way of reception

through the perch of bird.

The light and dark green leaves
go evergreen forever in rain,
the tree soak to deep brown shade
reproduces new leash of leaves
against the fall season.

The croakers singing chorus
for millipedes to march-past,
the slow pace snails creeps
climbs on the algae walls, overall
develops into a small rain-forest.

The northeast monsoon, shower
like a trailer of Diwali release
spreading everywhere the festival fire,
even it causes drawbacks
enhances the lives of farmers behind.

Dolphin City

‘An attempt on recollecting and restoring memories’

It was a feeling of enthusiastic when my uncle announced that we are going to Dolphin City in the evening and I was on my way to barbershop for hair cut when hearing it, but couldn’t resist dreaming on Dolphins actions on the Discovery Channel, sitting to the rolling chair while scissors trim the hair. It was the time we were residing on the upper portion of my maternal grandparent house in Thiruvanmyuir while we rebuilding our own in Adyar – both were neighboring areas of south Chennai – the barbershop was in the ground floor of my grandparent’s two storied building.

From the time I get to remember things, I’m cutting hair from the same salon and even today the barber from this salon comes home to get trim my hair and bread. The one who runs this shop for years had become our family friend in the latter run and who sincerely care for me and never took money to cut my hair but I’m not sure and haven’t asked my grandfather whether he balance the pay with the rent.

It was a Sunday evening, as usual, with close family members get together at grandparent’s house and since we sojourn from the same building, it was more cheerful for us to stay connected throughout the day with dear ones. In two cars we reached the Dolphin City in the early hours of evening, which is about 43km from Chennai and 10km before Mamallapuram on the ECR (east coast road), opposite to the then famous amusement park Little Folks, who initiated the first on its kind of fun filled water park in the country.

We parked the cars on either side of the ECR, adjacent to the walls of amusement park and with great excitement we entered the park where a disappointment waits for us to learn that Dolphin show was canceled due to illness of the species but Sea Lions show was available alternatively. After discussing sometime our elders take the right decision and gladly that was not to get back home but catch-up with the Sea Lions show.

With no idea of the lions I entered the venue, which is a two storied high gallery partially enclosed and arch in shape with a blue pool in the center looking cool at us; and after waiting few minutes the black two lions emerged skating through the doorsteps behind the stage and took hold the stand up like table. I remember they clapped first with their fore flippers, following many amusing activities like playing volleyball, pool basketball, catching rings, diving into water... are all awesome; and their playful behavior, sharing kiss and splashing water on the audience on the first row were looked fun and fascinating.

After a great amusement and lifetime experience disclosed by the pool stage, we head to the artificial lake hold within the City premises which also houses a boat jetty with small pedal boats and water cycles for a leisure and pleasure ride. But my bad chance couldn't agree for a ride unlike my parents and uncle family took around the small islands created amid the lake surrounded by tranquil and I had a spicy dinner with my uncle at the restaurant located aside the lake, where cool breeze wake up to the off shore and whisper of waves embraced.

I still remember, we had noodles and chicken 65 sitting on one of the tables under the thatched roof restaurant surrounded by trees and lake beside. We also had opportunity to visit the Little Folks on the other side of road and it was already late evening and time for closing the entry, but we managed to get tickets and like the name referred it was a very little amusement park left with a sliding pool and few small riders for kids. My bro and cousin tried the sliding pool and we can’t spent much time there while there’s nothing to do and the lights were turned off we forced to head out quickly.

Footnote:

We visited the Dolphin City in 1998, that was nearly 15 years ago but I just inspired to write on the experience now... after reading one of my friend’s blog post on cities. The Dolphin City and Little Folks stopped its operation at the latter years of last decade and the dolphins were also died very soon after our visit and they continued with sea lions shows for sometime and now only the building is remain.

Postmen in the Mountains

I think the title reveal it all, but that isn't enough and there’s something much more to behold bewitch and enhancing about the film that words could mere describe. With no subtitle I watched this Chinese movie moves with light hearted emotions between a father and son amid stunning mountain scenery and remote villages, leaves a deep impact at the rear fall.

With the soothing traditional Chinese music, the movie wakes up to the misty morning among the mountains and patches of green fields; where a young man leaves his home with backpack of letters or mails on a journey as a postman at the mountainous rural areas of China. Back in memories, his father, who forced to retire due to a bad knee decided to accompany his son who succeed his job as a postman for years, on his journey exploring the routes and mail recipients.

The film embark on hiking routes throughout, walking up and down the valleys and climbing mounds and crossing rivers, the father guides his son from behind on the nitty-gritty of the job, makes him realize that it’s not just a job of distributing letters but being courtesy and generous at exhibiting friendship with villagers. There are many popup flashbacks alongside the journey sending bond waves of memories embrace with current emotions and gestures between the father and son is remarkable.

Almost light warming, damp and dew, the film beholds some visual treat and the way of nature exists was enchanting and breathtaking, while no trace of added special effects or use of technology everything sights simple and beautiful. Not to forget the German shepherd that accompanies all the ways ahead their journey emphasis with its gratefulness and as a guide signals at certain attain.

Footnote:

'Postmen in the Mountains' is a 1999 Chinese movie – originally titled as 'Nàshān nàrén nàgǒu', based on a short story set in the early 80’s, around the mountainous region of western Hunan province of China. The movie attracted me so much or I moved to core by watching it that I would recommend anyone to watch it in silence (not putting at mute) and it doesn't need any dialogue to understand where gestures speaks a lot!

நந்தலாலா... / Cradlesong...

Image Courtesy: Indian Nature Watch

கூக்குரல் காரர்களுக்கு 

காக்கை  கூட்டில் தாலாட்டு; 

கரகர குரலில்
காகம் படும் நந்தலாலா... 

ஏங்கும் குயில்களுக்கு
காகம் ஊட்டும் அமாவாசை சோறு;
பறக்கஇயலாத பறவைக்கு
காக்கை சிறகினிலே நந்தலாலா...

For the cuckoos
lullabies at crow’s nest;
in the voice of caw
crow sings the cradlesong...

For the longing Koels – cuckoos
crow feeds a new moon’s meal;
for the bird incapable to fly
crow’s feathers is the cradlesong...

PS. Inspired by the Crow Koel relationship.

இலையுதிர்காலம் / Fall Season

Image Courtesy: Colourbox

இலையுதிர்காலம் இது, உலகெங்கும் 

வண்ண மலர்கள் இலைகளாய்; 

சிவப்பு  கம்பளம் விரித்து, வரவேற்கிறது 

பருவகால பனி  பெண்ணை.

வேகாஸ் சென்றார் போல், மரங்கள் 

இலைகள் கலைந்த நிலையில்;

ஏங்கிகொண்டிருந்தன, பனி பெண்கள்
வந்து ஒட்டி உறவாட!

Its fall season everywhere
where colorful flowers as leaves;
stretched its red carpet to welcome
the seasonal snow women.

Like went to Vegas, trees
go naked without leaves;
longing for the snow women
to come stick hold and intimate!

A part of outing and nuclear power

This is a post on the remaining photos from my last outing on ECR in August and it’s been nearly two month I went out of home except couple of time to watch movies and beach visits, since dad got cataract surgery in the middle of August. For more than a month mom was the only person to take care of me quite and so it wasn't easy for me to think of going out and giving much trouble to her but I have a great company of birds and wonderful weather around.

I hope you all remember my visit across the Kalpakkam Township – a quiet green residential area of Indira Gandhi Atomic Power Station and it has a beautiful backwater lake and small calm lagoon delta to unwind. It was mid noon when we come around the backwater channel that divides the township and it has a well laid platform aside the lake to stroll at leisure in evening. Wish I could be there again one evening experiencing the unwind moment and whisper of waves.

There are many paddy fields on the way to Kalpakkam and they are all evergreen in light and dark shades compare to the growth of stalks. When people are protesting against the Nuclear Power Project in Kudankulam, Kalpakkam stands very close to the farm lands setting an example of unchanged environment and greenery against the thought of Atomic Power Stations will spoil the environment and threat livelihoods.

I think the protest in Kudankulam is unnecessary and when many experts expressing their vows that the Power Station is fully protected, there is no mean for continues protest. Everyone knows that Nuclear power is harmful but there’s a way for handling everything at safe and there isn’t certain that only the nuclear power would destroy lives than anything else. We move only by hope kept forth and there’s risk at every turn, so could we stop traveling and progressing in life?

Wish government take steps to clear their unsecured feeling and peace returned to Kudankulam and Idinthakarai!

YMCA Building

Last year I come around the core area of Chennai, the so called Mount Road, Central and Parrys and got to capture some remarkable buildings and landmarks of Chennai; and one among them was the YMCA Building. Young Men’s Christian Association building is an architectural marvel located on the NSC Bose road in Esplanade; and it was the first building to be built in Madras at the request of then Governor Arthur Have-lock in 1900.

YMCA Esplanade is the oldest branch of the Madras YMCA, established in year 1890 by an American Secretary Mr. David McConaughy in the South Indian State of Tamil Nadu. YMCA is a Jaina-Jaipuri style of building, began its work in 1895 was completed by a donation of $40,000 by John Wanamaker, the then Post-Master General of the US. The building was designed by G.S.T Harding and it is one of the oldest heritages of Chennai – the then Madras.

Crow adopts Koel Chicks!

Yesterday I heard unusual chirping or screeching from outside and I moved to check what was happening on but I saw an amazing scene I ever seen or known before.  There was a Koel Chick perched to the Gulmohar tree in front of our house and a Crow sitting next to it; and apart wondering from where this Koel chick came all of sudden with no sign of it emerging around, I puzzled by their behavior.

First I felt very sorry for the Koel chick thinking that it got trapped by a crow and was struggling to escape from its piercing bite; but only observing carefully I found that the crow was treating the chick. It was the scene continued even today with another male chick joining the feast, but their behavior doesn’t look so kind for me even  I watch closely that the crow drop its beak into the chicks mouth holding something.

I couldn’t come out of amaze after coming across this sight and as I know Koels or Cuckoos lay their eggs on crow’s nest but the behavior of crow truly mesmerize me with its attitude toward the Koel chicks and feeding them as their very own. For just the reason of eggs found on their nest, how come the crow adopt the Koel chicks or is it the color that resembles the crow took them easily under their shelter, crows simply seize me to amaze.

It is told that Koel chicks grow very fast, so it took some time to confess me that they are not the adult Koels which reside among our neighborhood. There are couples of paired Koel in our area that they all rarely come around together, but I got to capture them at many occasion and this is first time for me on their chicks. I couldn’t capture the moment of crow feeding the koel and the photos above were on the male koel chick – mouth widely open, which was the only indication, identified me the chicks.

Mother

Everything comes under one word;
without her there’s no sphere.
Bears forever under eternal shower;
love, even in bitter cold weather.

The owner of ever so soft cushion;
her bosoms feels the comfort at home.
Ever chanting word at pain and trouble;
she’s a magic wizard to disappear the fear.

The founder of fond and affection;
who’s foremost lover of any living species.
The only familiar face of unknown;
holding breath for fetus to inhale in womb.

An instinct intend to love and care;
where no one can stand against her wisdom.
A genuine by birth to behold infants;
a mystery only she can understand.

PS - Image Courtesy: Google

Autumn, gloom and gleam

Bright sunshine

blossoms at morning
waking up the flower buds
bathed in fresh dewdrops.

Animation of birds’
bees busy at seeking nectar
crickets played around
putting aside the tranquility.

Autumn arrives
as colorful as cheerleaders’
sounds of crushed leaves –
from the departed trees
lets new lease of lives set in.

Enveloped by gray clouds
lightening as indicator
unexpected showers in evening
produces a lovely weather.

Hues of sunlight
developed into a rainbow curve
as a gateway to getaway
into cloud nine.

PS - Image Courtesy: Google

Mahatma Gandhi Memorial

(Click image for enlarge)

Mahatma Gandhi Memorial is constructed on the seashore of Kanyakumari - the southern tip of India, where his ashes were kept for public view before immersion in the sea on February 12, 1948. The Gandhi Mandapam is built in Orissa style of architecture and designed in a way that the rays of the sun falls exactly on the place where the urn was kept through a hole on the roof, on his birthday of October 2^nd.

The beautiful Gandhi Memorial completed in 1956, is situated as a memorial to the Father of the Nation; and its central shape is 79 feet high representing the age of the Mahatma. The memorial was transferred to the administrative control of the Public (Information and Public Relations) Department from Public Works Department of Government of Tamil Nadu in the year 1978.

Footnote:

We visited Kanyakumari last year end and I could only view the beautiful exterior of the memorial from road, since there are few steps leading down the entrance. I capture few photos on the memorial but due to lens problem then I couldn’t get a clear picture, so borrowed the first one from my cousin and the 2^nd one was the only better I could take, with mom and grandma standing in front of the memorial.

Eyes

Eyes, the most beautiful aspect on face
exposes enormous expressions.
Eyes, one of a mysterious on earth
beholds immense secrets of life.

Eyes speaks the truth, almost rather
than our words phrases.
Eyes the power source of love
with no wires it interconnect hearts.

PS - Inspiring eyes from: Google

Sundarapandian

Sundarapandian is a love and friendship based rural entertainment capturing the anger and frustration in love, alongside humor and sentiments leading the families to theater. Sasikumar plays the lead character and himself produced the film was directed by his late associate Prabhakaran and the movie is a kind of his usual embark on friendship cruise.

Lakshmi Menon as heroine is a lovely homely debut to Tamil cinema and her innocent smile and mischievous sights are sure to strike your hearts and she also expressed a good acting. The Parotta comedy fame Soori creates wonderful humor and Appukutty’s love interest on heroine was just freak and funny but he gains overall sympathy by run over by a bus and brings a brake to the fun journey.

The movie was shot almost around the Usilampatti town of Madurai district, and when it comes to movies based on Madurai it’s rare to look out of violent and anger; but Sundarapandian was much better than the previous movies except climax at bloodshed. The songs and music weren't imposing but the hero introduction song was pretty and peppy and other songs were a part of fair series.

Bottom line:

Sundarapandian is a family entertainment flick with dose of friendship notes.  I’m sure Sasikumar receives many female fans follow the film and so was his acting supposed to be.

Bird watching in neighborhood – Yellow Billed Babbler

Among the many birds that visit our courtyard or neighborhood, Yellow Billed Babbler is most frequent and almost every day I sight these birds or hear their loud shrills. They arrive as a group of six or seven, kept squeaking and foraging by tiny flights.  

The birds present can be noticed by their distinct noise produced by their overall chattering and chirping sound; go on the ground or on low branches for forage while one of them perches to high branches as sentinel. The common resident of the south Indian peninsula and Sri Lanka, Yellow-billed Babbl looks almost gray in color with light gray shades on head and belly.

The birds also called as White-headed Babbler is fed on tiny insects and grains and locally we call this bird as ‘Thavuttu Kuruvi’ in Tamil, which means Barn Sparrows.

Vibes of Life

Life is based on constant heartbeat

where unruly might end at accident.

Life is so precious and quite large
to retreat once ashes dissolved.

Life is so different in many ways
but we all are similar at somewhere.

Life has various vibrations
but the heart beats are same.

A photo captures a moment
to ever last uncertainly.

PS - Image Courtesy: Google

Mobile computer

Day by day technology only making easier the communication and computing and devices were becoming least in weight from kg’s to gm’s... and the operations has become simply and fast and adequate for anyone to understand and use. Before I began to use computer 12 years ago I had plenty of dreams on the device and the days waiting for it to get assembled at home were indescribable and feel of something great wanted.

In more than 10 years of using computer and internet, the last two year were only been different in operating the system and content with speed. Not so greatly distinguished, the communication and sharing remain same but least satisfied on using the device in person and set free from the fixed desktop to wireless laptop as couch comfort and now lately adds the mini tab making the social network friendly and entertainment.

I was looking for a Smartphone lately but couldn’t get a decent one in least price and expectation, so bought a Samsung Galaxy Player 5.0, an android based handset which only lacks phone option of the Smartphone’s. The versatile handset has a brilliant 5” LCD screen for clear view on letters and large virtual keys for typing comfort... the player has a long standing battery to withstand as a quite eBook reader and player of music, HD videos and games.

The intend for the smart player was the GPS enable and Navigation which I wish will help through my travel and connect with internet on hot spots. It has a better 3.2 MP Camera and camcorder with front VGA for video chatting and alert on email and message from time to time... there’s more to explore and use as mobile computer. 

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