Tree houses @ Top Slip

While my visit to Top Slip at the Anamalai Tiger reserve near Pollachi, Coimbatore, I got to see tree houses where man could stay and enjoy the wildlife tourism. The tree houses are houses exactly built not on top of trees but comprise of wood and wood related materials and built at an elevation in support of pillars and tree trunks. Other than tree houses, there is a bamboo hut and number of tiled roof houses to accommodate tourist, and while coming around we saw two foreigners leisurely taking rest by sitting at their bamboo hut portico.

The tree houses were surrounded by woods of teak and eucalyptus and since it was autumn the leaves were crushing down to wind and being afternoon, the silence and cool breeze carrying us through woods. We stayed at the Bison Lodge, opposite to the tree houses across the road to Parambikulam after failed seeking accommodation at glass house (due to some renovation work), on a hill top with meadows all around. The bison lodge is a cement roof house, situated at a T junction and very close to meadows with better chance of watching animals that come to feed on grasses.

The Bison Lodge is built in 1959 at the elevation of 744 meters above MSL - which was carved on a stone on the wall of the house, is a series of 5 suites with 2 beds at each. It was an experience stayed at this place and going through strange silence at night and uncertain noise to tremor, and to add fear, we brought our pet dog along with us (we would be the only pet owners in the world to bringing it to wild) because dogs are favorite prey of leopards. Waking up to dawn we find bison dung left at front of the house; making it clear their present and perhaps it may be the reason why the house is named after Bison due to their frequent visit and being close to meadow.

Bison Lodge

My first meeting with tree houses was at Pondicherry, when we visited to Chunnambar boat house on the road to Cuddalore in year 2000. Those tree houses were climbed only through rope ladders and they were little ones just for kid’s adventure and fun. I really want to be at Top Slip some other time with advance booking on glass house to have more such adventure thrillers. The only problem I think with tree houses are, they have narrow and steep steps which is hardly possible for someone to support me to stay. 

வர்ணிப்பு / Describe

கேட்டவார்த்தைகளும் கவிதையாகும்

உன் குரலில் கேட்கும் போது;

துயரமும் துவண்டு போகும்

உன் கூந்தல் கோதும் போது.

கால்கள் நடனம் ஆடும்

உன் கை வளையல் ஓசைகேட்ப;

இதயதுடிப்புகள் மாறும்

உன் காது வளையம் அசைவுக்கேற்ப.

சத்தமில்லா சங்கீதம்

உன் கை அசைவில் அரங்கேறும்;

வரிகள் இல்லா பாடல்

உன் இமைகள் போடும் தாளம்

வர்ணிக்க வேண்டும்

உன் இதழ்கள் உச்சரிகும் அழகை;

தவம் நிறைவேறும்

உன் பார்வை படும் நேரம்.

Translation follows: i tried my best translating my Tamil poem into English.... even i am not that good in it. but i don't think i could convey the feeling exactly how it is in Tamil. Hope u understand J

Bad words become poem
when hearing from your voice;
Distress itself will get upset
when fingers through your hair.

Feet tap to dance
respond to your bangles din;
Heartbeats transition
respond to your ear loop motion.

Noiseless music
is debut in your hand moment.
Song without lyrics
bounces rhythm in your eyelids.

It begs to describe
the beauty in your pronouncing lips.
The penance fulfills
the time your vision fall on thee.

PowerShot Sunday - Fossil Tree

The fossil tree trunk displayed at the Ooty Botanical Garden, is from 20 million year old rocks. The trees carried by rivers and deposited in inland lakes were transformed with replacement of the woody matter by silica give rise to fossil tree trunks.  The fossil tree was presented by the Geological Survey of India, from the National Fossil Park in Tiruvakkarai, Villupuram district of Tamil Nadu.

Race against time - awareness on organ donate

It all began in year 2008, when a doctor-couple decided to donate their 15-year-old son’s all functioning organs, after doctors declared him brain dead following his motorbike accident at the outskirt of Chennai.  The organ donation took a new leash of life in the state. The incident turned as an eye-opener for many, has witness drastic increase in number of organ donations lately and moreover the films (Traffic and Chennaiyil Oru Naal) made on this real-life incident has taken a step further enhanced the level of awareness on it.

There are number of movie made for entertainment but only few film releases on social concern, like Traffic and CON that communicate the struggle of transplanting heart, not by surgery but transporting in time. Unlike any other organs, heart can’t keep for more than 30 minutes after it has been removed from the body. But in case of Hithendran - the only son of the doctor-couple, the donor and recipient being part of different hospitals within Chennai at 45 minutes driving distance (considering the number of volume in traffic at city) the heart reached the hospital in astonishing 11 minutes.

The challenge in transporting the heart has been commissioned by the city traffic police; diverted the other vehicles on the route and turned all the traffic signals green. As a result, the heart reaching on time and saved the life of a nine-year old girl, who was being treated in a private hospital in Chennai as recipient of heart. This is a system practiced by the Chennai City Traffic Police, called Green Corridor.  Apart its precious help in transporting heart, Chennai has a reason for patients seeking treatment for heart because of the condition that the government machinery is highly efficient here.

In fact the Tamil Nadu government has the most streamlined transplant programmers in the country, by making the organ donation process transparent and setting up stringent rules for private hospitals, has drastically brought down the instances of organ trafficking in the state. From October 2008 to April 2013, 55 hearts and 362 heart valves have been donated and transplanted in the state. 18 lungs, 310 livers and 623 kidneys have also been donated and subsequently transplanted, in addition of 526 corneas and a case of skin donation.

The heart transplantation is usually done on patients whose life expectancy is seven days to a few months in a priority recipient, who is below age of 60 to maintain a maximum survival benefit and improvement in quality of life. The donor and recipient should also match with blood group and size of heart and even after surgery, the patient have to be on medication life long, so that the body doesn’t reject the new organ. But with certain patients, the rejection comes down after two-three years of surgery to reduce medicines.

Heart is one of the precious organs on body and source of living; and to donate, one really needs a heart in itself. Being a doctor couple, the Hithendran parents understood the wealth of life and it is not an easy decision to take anyone but their sacrifice has inspired and impressed a lot alike. It’s so good to see the awareness of organ donate taking a deep root into our heart and lives. Thanks to those realized the worth of life and spread the message through media, which has greater responsibility where people watch it closely. It seems taking care of our health does not only help us sustain but by donating we live beyond death supporting someone to survive.

ஒற்றுமையில் இந்தியா / India in solidarity

இந்தியா விரிசல்கள் நிறைந்த நாடு

மாநிலங்களாக பிளந்து கிடக்குது.

மனதில் நிலைகொண்ட நடுக்கம்

இனவாரியாக பிரித்து வைத்திருக்கிறது.

உதட்டளவிலே இந்தியன் !

கொடி ஏற்றும்போது உள்ள ஒற்றுமை

தண்ணீர் என்றால் தள்ளி விடுகிறது.

மழை ஒன்றுதான் வழி என்ற நிலையில்.. 

India is a country full of cracks
had split into states.
The tremors in the state of mind
had separated by ethnic.

Only on lip level, Indian!

The unity when hoisting the flag
pulled down when it comes to water.
Rain the only state of route. 

Footnote:  

India celebrates its 66^th independence day tomorrow.  Thinking how united we are inspired to write something.

Some experiment with photography

Wonder what it is? A bamboo hollow! I tried to capture an image through the hollow (the bamboo used as handle in jute bags) but got this one J

I arranged the toothpicks in a manner within its cylindrical box, which impressed me to capture.  

Candle light shot on a powerless night, before inverter installed at home.

Here are some of my old toy cars, parked in a circle on the table for shoot. I used to play with cars long back and these are remaining from the collection of many then. Each of these cars was bought for Rs.10 and some cars which used to looks same often end up fight between us (me, bro and cousins) in guess of stealing each others cars. 

A Drive to Dolphin’s Nose

During out stay in Kothagiri, we drove to the Dolphin’s nose - a popular places of interest near Coonoor, on the Nilgiri District of Tamil Nadu. It is an awesome viewpoint with a panoramic view of the vast expanse of the Blue Mountains, but to our great disappointment, the entire view was concealed by blanket of mist by that time. Dolphin’s Nose (click here to see how it look exactly) is an enormous rock formation that is entirely unique and the protruding rock formation looks exactly like what it is named after, a dolphin’s nose.

Well over 1,000 meter above sea level, the spectacular spot is 10 km from Coonoor. But for me the best part of visit to this viewpoint was within the way in itself.  The narrow road to the dolphin’s nose was mysterious since surrounded by mist; the road expands to the lush green tea estates and encloses to thick vegetation and trees produces a sense of passing rain-forest. The most fascinating on this route was, the small streams or natural springs creating mini waterfalls and winding roads making each and every turn exciting.

Coonoor-Dolphin's Nose road passing through fog

As it was time of summer vacation, the vehicles were frequent on either side missing bumper kisses at narrow escapes. We couldn't stop anywhere on the road to take photos or spent time on views, except for few seconds on the mini falls (see below). Wading through mist and traffic, we end at the view point and waited sometime for unveil of beautiful view hidden by mist scarf. But the beauty beneath doesn't seem to respond a bit rather hold her blanket too tight and unwilling to wake up from sleep even it was suppose to be noon. J

The cousins, who accompany us, had been to this place few times and familiar with views, pointed on certain things but it was a clear picture of white to me. While on a clear day, one could see the awe inspiring Catherine Falls with its continuing stream several thousand meters below. There were row of shops near the viewpoint, offering variety of Teas, Homemade chocolates and fancy things… the ambiance of mist and tea plantation was inspiring to have our share of cheers via Tea. I ever tasted tea out of regular one and ginger tea, but like you expect I haven’t tried anything out of usual.

On our way back and again wading though the mist and traffic, we though to check the other two spots - Law’s Fall and Lamb’s Rock - taking the cross road, but someone instructed us that these places too experience similar mist, so it’s  not worth visiting at that time. We drove to Coonoor for lunch, before back to Kothagiri. 

Roadblock: Coonoor - Dolphin's Nose road missed in mist

Smile

Smiley ball from Jeevan

Smile is something everyone bears, which enhances our face more bright and beautiful. Smile is a foremost aspect, break the silence between strangers and a friendly conversation begins at the wake of smile.  Fake or real, no one could identify with smile so easily and if we began to research we will lose a precious aspect doubting each and every smile. But it’s obvious when someone smiles they embrace the environment. Smiles have a healing power, even on desperate I believe a smile could cheer up for a moment or while in longstanding distress.

Smile is a wonderful thing helps managing, when we doesn't have an answer to query or hide something that we don’t like showing off in face. I have been going though something close to the second one and smile is my only tool today, I try to sweep away the raw feeling of hurt and gushing emotions. Smile is something living without is difficult esp. to survive with utmost hardship, smile is a vital element.  I would like to see people smiling however despite life, because the bits and pieces of smile are hope for tomorrow. J

Mettur Dam at brim!

The largest water basin of TamilNadu, the Mettur Dam has crossed the full reservoir level of 120 feet on Sunday night has widespread smile across everyone face. Just like a newborn baby, the over inflow of water in Cauvery River creates a celebration mindset across the state esp. the districts of delta which were left to drought for the last two years. The dam was last seen touching its maximum level of 121 feet in 2005 has took 8 years to behold a certain look, thanks to the southwest monsoon and heavy rainfall in the catchment of Cauvery lifting the water level that had gone down up to 15 feet in June.

The dam crossed 100 ft last week after two years gap, following Krishnarajasagar and Kabini dams releasing surplus water of 90,000, the outflow had reached over 1,00,000 cusecs. Also with the increase in discharge, the power generation by the Mettur Hydro power station has reached the maximum of 250 MW. Meanwhile people were issued warning through beating of drums in interior villages and people living along the water catchment area to move to safer place. It is just the monsoon and heavy rainfall in Karnataka that made possible filling up the Mettur Dam rather receiving the share of water in Cauvery.

In its 79 years of history, this was the 38^th time the dam has touched the full reservoir level. The Mettur Dam is one of the largest and oldest dams in India and it is constructed in a gorge, where the Cauvery River enters the plains.

I have crossed the Mettur Dam less than half a dozen times and explored it once after its Platinum Jubilee celebrating in 2010. The first image was captured from a view point, on the hillock adjacent to the Mettur Dam which supports the dam at one end and the other one was shot from the opposite side, overlooking Ellis Park across the Mettur Dam and less amount of water released through upper shutters. The water level was about 75 feet then! I have number of photos on the Mettur Dam and things to share which I will do later soon.

Turned 28

July 31^st I turned 28! Yes, it was my birthday and I wasn't feeling at all and thought to think about that day.  Though it usually used to be another day in my life, rather sometime celebrate it plainly cutting off a cake once cousins gather at home. Nowadays I don’t find any reason to celebrate birthday rather it just mark my date of birth, this special day doesn't make anything special or become a turning point in my life, instead, keep in touch with others via birthday wishes. As you all know, for less than a month now after dad fell off his bike, life has been tough and troublesome (even it is a part of our everyday life) it turns worse in latter days. Like a lady worrier, mom battles everyday stretching her to the edge of exhaust to preserve our life not get worse.

Though it may bore hearing on it again and again but the toughness continues to battle on us and passing each day has been an experience of age. Mind continues to concern on things how to reduce or prevent even a particle adding to the turban of the lady worrier. J I couldn't come out thinking about my birthday and usually I don’t give much important to my birthday and don’t care people remind it or not (but I thank those remember this day to call me). I too know when my dear ones birthday falls, but I used to forget quite until someone reminds me on that day. I too wish for those well being always and I don’t mind forgetting to wish them on their birthday. Dad’s health is responding well after continues on medicine and injections, and once the wound is healed he will be ready for tie up on his ankle crack.

Mariyan - The Immortal

As usual the expectation leads to deceive, but not quite because I anticipated nothing much despite hype created by AR Rahman music. Mariyan is absolutely wonderful movie however it lacks energy or feel boredom, the essence of love uplift the story as deep as ocean and vast dry landscape of Africa produce an embrace of romance and adventure. The film opens to cheerful Sonapareeya (song), sails on the overseas of love, romance and struggle to reunion parted by a strange ordeal in Africa.

The film is based on a real-life incident of three immigrant oil workers from India being kidnapped in Sudan and how they managed to escape from being hostages. Dhanush played the lead character called Mariyan - which means ‘a man who never dies’; hails from a fishing village in  the southern tip of India goes to Sudan on contract basis to work in a construction site, to provide financial support to his ladylove. On his successful tenure and backpack to home, he is caught by the Sudanese terrorist, along with two of his co-worker were dragged through unknown terrain demanding money for their freedom.

Apart his great venture across terrible landscape of Africa and chased by merciless terrorist following brutal attacks… the film deals with caressing love and romance at initial half. Parvathi is paired with Danush; pursue him with love affair until he reveals back his hidden love, take us on a beautiful voyage of elegant love and natural expressions of Parvathi.  Dhanush has undergone a great ordeal from bottom of sea to drought prevailing desert or landscape of Africa, delivered a performance of absolutely tamed fishermen and strong ability beholding lean body.  

The film also has a scene of fishermen’s body washed ashore expose to Sri Lankan firing. Dialing a phone to his ladylove, from the custody of terrorist instead calling his company for their release is something showcased the depth of love but not so interesting! AR Rahman’s music has assist advancing the feature, which has been one of the prime aspect make watching pleasure… Neetru Aval is a beautiful song fascinated with love, but I disappointed with Kadal Raasa Naan… for which I expected it to be more savor and cheerful, but it fall into sorrow.

The film directed by Bharat Bala - who produced the acclaimed Vanda Matram video composed by AR Rahman - could have make it more interesting and serious the second half rather leaving it obvious to guess. Cinematography was handled by Marc Koninckx; captured the emotions more graceful and amazing underwater scenes.  Mariyan somehow lacks entertainment but good watching for the performance of Dhanush and elegant love scene. 

Evening delight

The setting of sun
leaves behind a brilliant trace
of hues and reflection
enough to delight our evening.

The flight of birds
following the last ray of light
on their way back home
engrosses the backyard sky.

The shades of nightfall
gracefully grease down the earth
before darkness swallows quite
the evening delight in twilight.

Footnote: 

The picture was shot at my great grandmother’s native village and this was a view, so fascinating  from our relative’s backyard. 

PowerShot Sunday - Fresh Carrots

Here are a couple of photos I shot at Kukkal, a terrace farming village on Kodaikanal hills. We find few farmers washing their unearthed carrots dumped near the Kukkal Lake and after finish washing using the lake water that exit though a small shutter. The carrots are loaded into jute sacks and left on the road side for loading in a truck. These photos are shot last year, when I visit Kukkal first time and even we visited this place in June there was similar showering. 

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Life continue to sail on single oar

Though you know life has been tough at my side since dad skid off bike, it continues to row with single oar called mom. The intense of struggle doesn't seem to lack anyway and only grown too much but sails on certain path with hope to see light at the end of land. Nearly fifteen days after the bike skid, we discovered a hairline fracture at dad’s ankle which an x-ray couldn't find initially and such fractures are visible only though the MRI scans. Dad also bears wound at the ankle, so we can’t go for any treatment or bandage for the fracture immediately and being a diabetic patient it perhaps take long time for healing. Both the wound and fracture needs equal attention, but now the concern is given quite to the quick recovery of wound… because a leg injury is the worst threaten for diabetic patients and leaving it carelessly will lose the foot.

He’s advised to take complete rest for more than a month or six weeks for the hairline to disappear but it seems to take some more weeks to relive fully even after he feel good. So until then life going to be tough and I couldn't guess anything right now but I know nothing is easy even beyond certain limit. Mom going through really difficult phase and hardship, a single woman handles almost everything with no help from any other. Everyone regret certainly about our situation and could understand somehow what a difficult it would be but no mind to lean help, and ones who have mind couldn't support because of their inability.  I was quite moved when my grandfather felt he couldn't help us in anyway who truly depend on grandma, because of his age related disorders. I could only hope even I lose it immense times. Thanks for all your best regards and wishes on my latter post!

Encounter with Emu

I ever seen an Emu in real until encounter it in Jamunamarathur, on the Javadu Hills, near Vellore. I visited this head village of Javadu Hills in January and spent a night at the BDO (block development office) guesthouse here while exploring the places around. I find the Emu being fenced between the BDO guesthouse and office, and there are two emus but only one came closer showing its majestic being the second largest bird in the world by height, it stands close to man shoulder.

As soon we arrive only the emu invites us, grabbing our attention toward the small gate that keeps away the bird entering the guesthouse. We don’t know what it would eat when thought to feed something; one of the jeep drivers told to give grasses that grown beneath our feet. Amazingly this was the first time I saw a bird munching grasses. Initially we scared to lean our hands across the gate but also the way it grabs the grasses was wild, it was calm when my cousin caress his head with a fear.

It also feeds on curd rice we dropped near the gate; but the Emu wasn't comfortable picking food from flat surface using its large beak. The bird survives on some grains from the blow which is nothing but an empty flower pot and the fencing wasn't large enough for the great bird to wander. I guess emus entered Tamil Nadu in 2006, for meat and reproduction purpose and many company were launched to promote this business in fancy names and immense advertisements dragging number of farm land owners to invest at their companies. But the business wasn't fair and before it flourish, raised down due to rose of defraud complain on many companies.

Footnote:

Emu is the largest bird native to Australia after its ratite relative, the Orstrich. The soft-feathered, brown flightless bird reaches up to 2 meters in height. The long necked and legged can travel great distances at a fast, economical trot and if necessary can sprint at 50 kmh. Emu are opportunistically nomadic and may travel long distances to find food; they feed on a variety of plants and insects, but have been known to go for weeks without food. (Source wiki)

Beauty of night

Picture by Jeevan (street light while raining)

The beauty of light
illuminates at night
when the bright sun
let way for led bulbs.

The beauty of stars
illuminates the dream
irrespective of age
transport to infinite space.

The beauty of moon
illuminates night gloom
stared at solitude
console grief n sorrow.

The beauty of night
illuminates in darkness
causing fearsome n lust
in absence of light n illusion.

PowerShot Sunday - Lush Green Field

This picture was shot near Krishnagiri while riding on NH 4 - Chennai-Bangalore highways. It was about 5.30 pm, the sun that was supposed to settle down illuminates the already enrich in green paddy fields, background to palm trees and mountain. I edited this picture to wide angle to avoid the roadside barrier but I couldn't keep away the wires and I think it doesn't bother much.

ஈரம் / Wet

காற்று புகாத இடத்திலும் ஈரம்
மழை, ஊசியாய் இறங்கும்!
மண்ணின் மைந்தர்கள்  தாகம் தணிக்க 
இயற்கை அமைத்த தண்ணீர் பந்தல்.

Air-tight places wet
Rain, needle down!

Quench thirsty sons of the soil

Natural water canopy set. 

Single-handedly

For less than a week now, the fight has been intense on base level transforming into different shapes and size with one lack of hand, work has been intensified due to overload and density. A bike skid has just jammed not only the ankle of father but disturbed the balance of my life cycle at basic level. Mom take things single-handedly transferring me at various stages from tough to toughest and rough to roughest, helping hand at everyday business with life and daily achievement of nothing but yet living the moment to fullest. There is a long gap between twenty seven and forty eight, but irrespective of age and energy she makes certain that my days are comfort and I know it is a passing moment and life would be better once dad’s ankle was healed. I don’t know what I should or suppose to expect or express now, but I feel like fought unlike ever forcing someone to the edge of stress. 

The pain, anxious, struggle and trouble are there at everyday life, but a simple smile and small happiness uplift to various high like a chugging mountain train, the motion of life enhance by burned tiny charcoals of chuckle and smile. It was a state of nonetheless, nevertheless and despite, no matter what, whether, anything or everything life has been forward march toward the end of the day hoping for a better tomorrow. There’s no dream about future, only certain phases communicate the distance.

The essence doesn’t lack a bit

Wow! I don’t know how to express my happiness and enthusiasm over meeting this very young man at the weekend, who is just 17 - read the age number in reverse. Hahaha… yes, of course 71! But unlike anyone in his age, he is energetic, cheerful and charming who I ever met someone like him until four years back which led to an unforgettable memory that always cherish in mind. I am so glad the moment come alive once again this weekend at home without a bit lack of essence.

Yes, I meet one of my dearest friend, the one and only Andrew. I don’t know people following this blog remind my post (here) about our first meeting at home that drives us to Marina. I’m so delight to say that no one would have led their life so happy and cheerful like him, dedicated to friends flourish with smile and make surrender anyone with his shooting phase using bazooka kind of camera lens. I was dragged toward him actually because of his marvelous photos… but once connected I more liked him for his attitude and spirit that would stimulate anyone surrounded him to content joy.

I would count the time spent with him (even it was less than 45 minutes) were the moment so refreshing, joyful and ever enchanting… forget almost anything bothered me and rejuvenated along with him upon his uplifted spirit. As soon he entered our house, the atmosphere - so dry and unchanged - took a roller costar ride of laughter and amusement and making it as favorable, I conjoined with him enjoying the moment while still not coming out of wonder how delightful he was taking chances to ease everyone.

We introduced through the Flickr and spoke over the phone few times before embraced alive, we continue being in touch with Facebook. His embrace was something healing, quite warmth and bears abundant nourishment for a healthy lifestyle. Even hours later he left, his fragrance of perfume and cheerfulness continue to occupy the ambiance of house, haunting irregularly. He also shared with me some of his fabulous photos he shot while his flight encircled Chennai before landing at airport.  

He had visited our house only once and I also haven’t conveyed the message of shifted home, but he confidently came over to give me surprise and called from a place close to ours for direction. Wow! I just don’t know what to say, I am so glad to have a friend truly devoted to friendship. I love you my friend… if you read it. Cheers :)

Powershot Sunday - Green Marsh Hawk

Green marsh hawk is a very common dragonfly I shot not so long ago but I thought of sharing it now. It is one of a difficult shot I shoot, while the dragonfly was hopping from stem to stem on the rose plants potted at home.  It is a yellow dragonfly with a green face and eyes mottled with black, transparent wings with tinted yellow and thorax in greenish yellow with black stripes and broad black rings on green abdomen.

உறவு / Relation

google image

கடலை தொடர்ந்து, காற்றை கடந்து 

உறவு கொள்ளும்  வானம்!

மேக வாயிலாக, தன் நன்றியை 

முத்தச்சாரலில், முத்துகள்ளாக பதிக்கிறது.

Subsequent to sea and passing air
to hold relation, the sky
thanks through the clouds
pressing as pearls in shower of osculation. 

Runaway Train

Following the ‘Sky Fall’ other day, I watched the ‘Runaway Train’ in the weekend at home-theater. Almost I enjoyed both the films, sky fall sounded like the best James Bond film ever made or I seen - I am not a James bond fan and haven’t watched many on its series, but I feel sky fall lives close to perfectness and straightforward. Daniel Craig performance was really good and he proved to continue to fall in mind as James Bond. Runaway Train is another interesting movie directed by Andrei Konchalovsky, the 1985 adventure thriller is based on story of two convicts escaped from a prison in Alaska, and boards a train that goes out of control.

Manny and Buck, who escape through a sewer pipe using Buck’s position as laundry collector in prison, took a freezing cross-country hike to board a train that runaway after its engineer suffered a heart attack. Only after a collision that badly damage the lead engine to accelerate to dangerous speed, the convicts aware the situation and along with Sara, a locomotive hostler on board, they attempt to stop the train by disconnecting the MU cables, apart the railroad heads decision to derail the train to avoid major accident. The warden of the prison chases the train via helicopter to catch the convicts before it collide.

The opening scene of the train sound marvelous and its progress at great velocity takes on an ever adventurous train ride across desolated snowy Alaska. Jon Voight as Manny, portray two different faces: Vicious, while asserting dominance over Buck (Eric Roberts) and hit him hard to scramble outside the engine and sensible, when decided to face dead by uncouple the lead engine, leaving Buck and Sara safely behind. Even Rebecca’s part was very little her expressions were expensive! The music really put on a vibrant stream when the train moves esp. the final notes on violin or some other instrument was awesome. Cinematography was another wonder indeed ruled the scenario!

Firefly

Image courtesy: gettyimages

A firefly
flies across night sky
burning its bum

Triggering a light
enough for
invisible particles

Following its flight
is a real life fantasy
and indeed fun.

Footnote:

I had a wonderful time watching the fireflies during my stay in Thandikudi - a village on the Palani or Kodai Hills, last month. We spent a whole evening and night without power but had fun time with cousins and cool weather for comfort, we saw the fireflies flashing around us. I couldn’t remember when I saw the fireflies early but this time was memorable, having them closer, I wonder how much wondrous we miss by using spotlights everywhere hiding the magic that happens in darkness.

We tried to catch them, but they are on their ways across valleys and ridges, and following them is impossible.  So we stayed away admiring the beauty blink in darkness. 

Powershot Sunday - St. Stephen’s Church, Ooty

“St. Stephen's Church in Ooty is one of the oldest churches in the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu. Stephen Rumbold Lushington, the then Governor of Madras, who keenly felt the need for a church in Ooty exclusively for the British, laid the foundation for the church on April 23, 1829, to coincide with the birthday of King George IV. St. Stephen's Church, consecrated by John Matthias Turner, Bishop of Calcutta, on November 5, 1830 was opened to the public communion on Easter Sunday of April 3, 1831. It came under the Church of South India in 1947.” - Source Wikipedia.

Footnote:

The picture was taken in 2011 during one of my visit to Nilgiris and I haven’t gone inside the church, but just shot it while waiting at Ooty collector’s office parking lot to get permission to drive through Avalanche forest. St Stephen’s Church is on the road to Mysore from Charring Cross.

Master checkup - an ever undergone trouble!

I took a master health checkup two days back in a clinic close to our house and suppose to find out that almost everything is normal except slightly increase in blood sugar and indication of BP (blood pressure) in ECG. Though the results are not unfavorable, I had tough time going through one of the test (abdominal ultrasonography) to which I was instructed to drink plenty of water until my tank get full. It wasn’t difficult actually to drink more water, but to control without passing urine until the test complete was quite a struggle and terrible task.

I drank about 1.5 liters of water an hour before we are suppose to be there and as soon we enter the clinic, the bladder began to urge for a release but there was no symptom of call for the test. We waited for half an hour; the receptionist doesn’t have an answer whereas only saying doctor will come soon… wait for five minutes. There were two more five minutes gone and the doctor hadn’t arrived. I was going through severe trouble in bladder or abdomen and don’t want to take the risk of mess up with pants. It was a moment I couldn’t think of anything, lying on the bed next to the scan instrument, the attendant asked to think about what I like more (to divert the  pissing thought)… I could only say the hell!

It was I who want to take the master checkup to confirm everything is fine on basic terms of health (dealing with MD is a different matter), it’s been a year and a half I took a similar one, which confess the diabetes and I know someone who is in sitting position always could invite side effects and with the aid of diabetes anything is possible. I am trying my best in controlling sugar (don’t believe him, he ate half a cup of palkova - a sweet made of milk and sugar - two days early to test) and was regular with medicine and physiotherapy seems to cause an effect only to sustain.  

The abdomen scan doesn’t last more than five minutes but I was going through immense pressure enduring urine and I was only back to normal with everlasting pissing. Sigh! Later I went taking chest X-ray and ECG and following a meeting with doctor and physical exam, I was advised on certain terms to follow and regular check with BP as he find it abnormal. I could only think it is because of intense pressure I went through the abdomen scan had resulted in blood pressure and a mild symptom in ECG. I know it was worth going through the trouble but I don’t know whom to blame - the doctor who came late or I drink water early - anyhow there wasn’t any problem gracefully. J

Picnic at setting of ‘I’

During our vacation come travel to Kodaikanal last month, we took a drive up to Kavunji - a terrace farming village on the far western end of Kodaikanal on the Palani Range of Western Ghats. First time going beyond Mannavanur, exploring the country sides of Kodaikanal; we picnicked on a patch of green adjacent to the Kavunji government school, facing a scenic foreground. As soon we land, a rock like structure caught our attention, alongside a gateway and fencing in raw woods fascinated to know what they are.

But I was sure it was not a real rock and thought it should have created by the students as a school project. And when one of us went neat to touch and see in curious, the watchman of the school (that shut for vacation) shout from a distance, warning, not to go near the structure as it may fall down. Being a kind old being, he came near clearing our doubt on the structure reveling that it was a setting of Tamil film ‘I’ from the renowned director of grandeur, Shanker. The rock made of wood and cardboard causes a natural setting of rock at about 25ft in cone shape.

Actually it doesn’t wonder me but the background it beholds was picturesque and stunning. The days for us in Kodaikanal were so cold like ever and expose to sunlight seems a pleasure, brought us under the open sky for lunch on a patch of green. There was enough light and shadow in turning off brilliant blue sky to passing clouds, carries some warmth and chillness around the landscapes. I saw this lonely raw wood bench left aside the settings of ‘I’ as photogenic, I recommended our families to take photos by sitting on the bench as I hope it deserve beautiful photography - covering a part of step farming and Sholas.

The elder man also lean us water for washing the plates and instructed to use the dustbin to put waste things. At this far end remote village, someone truly care for environment simply impressed me and I hope he is much wise what even city dwellers don’t follow right? We spent more than an hour relaxing and taking group photos standing in front of the setting and simple fascinating countryside background. Among the many, I just love the photo I composed on the wise man before leaving, stood strong in my mind and posing so cool.

Preserve nature

Instead of blaming each other we need to learn lessons from disaster. However powerful we are can’t beat certain things and nature is foremost and if we try to overtake it will end at accident. I don’t believe in god exist but consider nature is the preparation of everything; and idols are nothing but a man made natural formation in shape of men, women and symbols he sees sacred. It was terrible reading different stories each day on the Uttarakhand flash-flood and landslide that buried number of lives, livelihoods and dwellings. I spent some time on the Google maps tracing the routes to Badrinath and Kedarnath, and find it quite awful that the roads were winding thoroughly beside the river Ganges for nearly 300 km.

I don’t believe people who went there were quite contributed to devotion, but tourist in name of pilgrimage to enjoy holiday in Himalayas. It’s simply the bliss nature holds there drags tourist to these remote places despite tough condition in weather and landscape, putting risk at each pace across the mountains and valleys. No wonder, I do wish meeting nature at its farther and I think it’s the facilities that want us to go there and moreover its man’s mistake laying roads deep inside the nature resources inviting devastation himself.

I have traveled across almost mountains and ranges in Tamil Nadu and some of the routes were challenging without proper roads, hire me to unspoiled nature and forest environment. There is nothing fascinates me in this world like nature and at the same time I care for its stable… and thinking on this lane, some time latter in days I decided not to write or post picture on places that are enrich and raw in  environment. Thus, I avoided posting on some wonderful places that I loved visiting however pristine, pleasure and exciting it was, I want to keep it away from public view thinking it may preserve damaging the nature wonders.

I too feel that I am doing injustice to others by not unfolding the folder of pictures and lack of description about the places that I relish a lot with nature at best. But I think not many would be hidden for long, as I get to know that one of a place that I think nature’s summit has turned into Eco-tourism. The government is promoting anything available with nature exist but I hope they preserve it as well quite. 

PowerShot Sunday - Muttukadu Lake

This picture was shot two years back, before the construction of a small bridge across the backwater lake, adjacent to Muttukadu Bridge, to bear pipe’s carrying drinking water from the Seawater Desalination Plant in Nemmeli, to support water scarcity in Chennai. I have crossed the Muttukadu Lake number of times but ever got a picturesque moment or scene like this where the lake shares the sky blue.

I lightly touched the contrast to just highlight the blue tone and I was totally impressive with the outcome in image and alive as well then. I indeed disappointed with the look right now and after the construction of bridge, the sight was almost interrupted and water wasn't clean due to unclear soil and sand that block the inflow of sea.

Muttukadu is a famous tourist spot and boatyard on the ECR (east coast road) toward Kovalam or Mamallapuram. 

P.S. Btw. Goodbye to Google Reader… going to miss the wonderful and easiest tool that assist me following blogs, from the beginning. First time I shifted the blogs (to bloglovin) and there are many alternates but I don’t think anything could be comfort like reader. 

Magic of rain

Image courtesy: 123rf.com

Magic of rain
in droplets grain
plays splash game.

On earth bed
it kiss and intimate
reducing innermost heat.

Droplets sperm
shatters everywhere
producing immense offspring.