Boring

A word I hear frequently uttered by the young world these days is “boring”! Though I haven’t met many people uttering the word, but the posture of some of the young people in my family circle and the way they spell it out gives me a perception that many should follow this pattern.  Nowadays, I think not many are ready or interested to spent time with others (in person) unless it’s relevant to gadgets someway. But I think they are enriched with knowledge and we can learn many things from them if they like to share with us. But they are ready with their word (bore) at the tip of their tongue, to spit, stopping us at a word without letting a chance to complete the phrase.

Though today’s young people (in their teens and 20s) are sophisticated and open to everything, and yet get things easily, their world somehow seem to be confine with abundant or shrunken to get lost interest quickly as they don’t have to wait for anything. I think the young ones these days have no patience to listen to anyone anymore and exhibit indifference in attitude when treating others. Their advanced knowledge works well only on dealing gadgets, and when it comes to relationship and sharing they lack density. I see the reason behind them to utter boring is lies within the definition of the word meant uninterested. 

During my days of growing (as teen and youth) I don’t remember using the word or felt alike often when the kids in current time period  grumble a lot about it. Though I have just come out of the layer, I sense a lump difference in activities and expectation. Even I lost the mobility I have been active throughout my life in some ways and interested to do so many things and interact with others to keep myself occupied and learn something. But the word (boring) come from the tender lips make me frustrated and when they feel bored even not completing a quarter century (and still at the beginning of their life) I wonder how could they become fruit bearer.

Today’s young ones expect everything to be instant like washing hands as soon eat away or wipe in napkin to crumple away, and go plainly on the recommended (which seems coping with others) rather selecting the custom way where they could witness hope, and a distinctive feel and inspiration to keep travelling without changing a layer for the other. And I am saying this because they have to understand what their passion is and interested to do, because choosing things on recommend doesn’t meant to suit them. 

An old boathouse

The boathouse located at one of the corners of the Kodaikanal Lake (which resembles the shape of a start) is a pretty one and capture my attention every time I come around the lake during my visits to Kodaikanal. I think it is an old boathouse and perhaps abandoned now, as I ever seen it operated like the other boathouses that gather crowd.  But what I like more about this boathouse was its hut like structure that in a way look alike the traditional houses of China.

The Kodaikanal Lake has been fenced throughout (to keep away the public polluting the lake) and these are photos shot from the car, so I couldn’t avoid fence hindering the boathouse. Hope I could get a detail photo on the boathouse in my next turn. 

Linking this post for Run a Round Ranch's Good Fences

Prohibition of liquor is possible, quite?

A plea for prohibition of liquor in our State (Tamil Nadu) has been there for long and one of the leading political parties has prohibition as their main policy and demanding for it quite long time. But in last few years other political parties too took flag against the sales of liquor, which was done through Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) – a company owned by state government.

Very lately the main opposition party (former) leader promised to bring prohibition in the state if they are back in power, perhaps if they win the 2016 assembly election. But it was like a manifesto that supposed to release with the intention of election, the issue become too serious with the demise of Gandhian Sasi Perumal, during his protest to shut a TASMAC shop. He has been protesting in favor of prohibition for long period on the principles of Gandhi – particularly on the idea of nonviolent resistance.

Now almost political parties and various institutions in Tamil Nadu has leap into the issue and urges the state government to implement the prohibition immediately. Some going to the extreme took the issue in their hands to break through and putting fire to the TASMAC shops in the suburbs. Its obvious liquor/alcohol is ill to health and many families suffers because of the head of the family becomes a drunkard and destroy all the economy and hope, his family got on him towards their future.

No doubt, prohibition is must! But implementing immediately is quite impossible I think. I also wonder how people, even with great wisdom believe that closing the liquor shops will stop people from drinking. I know if there’s availability people used to it constantly but what if a road blocked? Isn’t there any other route to reach the destination and in this case to get the feel of intoxicated? People don’t think from the mind of drunkards or those addicted to alcohol. It’s not easy for them to stop consuming alcohol suddenly which is somehow possible only in the case of occasional/social drinkers.

I know people who live on the purpose of only drinking and seem to be intoxicated always. Even a day or two without drinking put them into troublesome and feel anguish and perhaps there are chances of attempting suicide if they are quite out of control. But it does not mean that we have to let them drink forever (and die soon), but it’s a social responsibility to bring them out of the habit and as a initial step in reducing the number of consumption of liquor, the government and social organisations should encourage those who want to come out of addiction and give treatment through rehabilitation centers for free of cost.

On other hand the government should also take step in reducing the sale of liquor rather targeting how to increase the marketing. There has been constant growth (of about 20 percent) at the sales of liquor, from the financial year 2002-03, which proves that those consume liquor has been increased, even though the price could have rose apparently we could not deny the fact and crowd we see in front of the liquor stores. The govt. should come up with creative ideas how to prevent people going blindfold behind liquor bars and also develop an alternate source (parallel) to balance their fiscal lose if they implement prohibition, in a slow and steady progress.

Although it’s good to see people (esp. students) come together with great force and protest against the liquor sale and urging the government to shutdown the shops. Instead shouting and taking violence in hand people should think in silence and try to understand where the problem lies and what the ways to prevent drunkard from drinking. I personally feel the film industries and films especially are encouraging indirectly the drinking habit through the scenes of drinking. I find almost films made in recent years have a scene or two that remind liquor even those who want to give up.

There’s a singer come lyricist called gana Bala, who write songs that praise liquor and habit of drinking. Wish he stops writing such songs that encourage alcoholics and inspire non-drinkers to the habit. Let whoever comes to the power, promise whatever they want to but make certain the prohibition has been implemented at right method and manner that does not let in illegal booze and other drug items that affect the lives of drinkers to worse. 

RGB Monday

Remote in hand, I was thinking what to post for my new found series. But I got the idea at the moment looking at the remote. And here I got the colors in a single click.

The buttons in the remote and in array of red, green and blue... although yellow interrupt the row I find it apt to the series. The TV remote is one of the objects we handle daily at home. 

30 + Things

July 31^st I turned 30. But I feel nothing turned out to be like people emphasis about the number . For some time now, I consider age as a matter not (instead being a fact) when everyday becomes a record. I think age is only for the body but sometime even despite the fact, and to be stunned someone’s active used to be. For example APJ Abdul Kalam! When I see people complain tedious at very young age, Kalam’s energy level and active lifestyle until his last breath (at age of 84) amaze me and reinforce by belief that age isn’t a matter or barrier until we are sufficient with energy/power.

My favorite chocolate cake... but i felt more choco in it 

Birthdays aren’t special anymore these years and the day passes like just another except getting attention from family and friends to be greeted. For last few years I had no celebration on my birthday and I also stopped anticipating as I feel nothing turns out if I celebrate or not the day. Last time I celebrated my birthday (with a cake) was in 2011 and after that I don’t have a reason or thought to celebrate. This time too I wasn’t in intention of celebration, but my brother arranged for a cake and since our grandparents are at home this time we decided not to miss the chance.

As u perhaps knew my grandpa wasn’t well and after discharged from hospital, he was at our home and supposed to stay until their new home (which is under construction) is ready. Two months have completed now since grandparents moved into our home and grandpa shows great improvement in health and activities after going through (and continue to do) physiotherapy and taking insulin injection for sugar. He put steady and fast pace in walking these days and being affected by Parkinson’s he struggles speaking a word or two and experience loss of memory sometime but wasn’t anything serious to complain. 

A dream hero and a true leader...

My painting on Kalam when he turned 75 in 2006

APJ Abdul Kalam doesn’t need an intro and children/students celebrate him as hero, who inspires everyone to dream. Being a rocket scientist, I see him as a true leader who guided the country on the right path with an anticipation that is quite selfless. It is rare for a country with billion populations who entirely love and admire an individual beyond their variation and unity in diversity.

I am uncertain in which way I admire him the most (as a rocket scientist or missile man, a transformer of dreams or president of India, or perhaps his various aspects and schemes) but the concept of India 2020 impressed me lot and want to follow his path. India 2020 is the first book I read (with interest) apart the school text books which I read in a compulsion or without passion. He showed me a way to explore things through books, even though I started reading books actually to improve my English it was his book initiated the habit.

Just like everyone, his simplicity and down to earth attitude (even at the post of higher position and first citizen of nation) make me feel incredible and proud to live in his era. Among his many pursuits of dreams, the 2020 project is a wake-up call for the entire nation to work hard to fulfill his dreams where lies our bright future. What really bother me was, whether India becomes a developed nation or not in 2020, he should have lived to encourage us until we reach quite a position.

He had touched almost all the areas and wanted to develop everything equally (with a vision for tomorrow) because a development gets a full form only if it was balanced. Although he’s a scientist dealt with deadly weapons and missiles, he’s gentle enough towards every human being as he himself being so, he’s more concern about environment and want to bring a transformation in agriculture using latest technologies. His Go Green campaign that began in Tamil Nadu with an intention to plant 10 million saplings is a great initiation, which I see as a balance to various destruction we do in name of development.

Agriculture being my favorite subject and villages being center of its state, I like the way he look into the concept of agriculture and the need to develop the villages, he quotes:

My true labor will give life to my village

our villages elevates, our families will get good prosperity

our families lived well, our state will rise

our state elevates, our country will evolutes as a fertile nation

we work hard and develop our village, state and nation.

As a teacher he has reached students that any other leader or educationist would have done. Teaching being his main intention as he believes giving education is the best way to make someone realize his dreams and he sowed the seeds in students for the future nourishment and he understands the fact that taking anything at earlier gives good result. Not everyone gets the chance to die while doing what they love and respect to do so... at the age of 84, our youngest hero passed away while on his course of teaching (delivering a lecture) to students at IIM Shillong on a livable plant.

Good bye Kalam, we will follow your track and bring alive your dream. 

RGB Monday

(Today's object is tractor)

Red tractor, but the color has been fated! The picture was captured from the moving car on Grand Southern Trunk Rd across Theni, during my travel to Cloud Mountain.

Green tractor on the Girivalam (coming around hill) road of Tiruvannamalai! It is the road (that comes around the Annamalai Hill) where abundant of people take walk on the full moon day and they believe doing it brings peace to mind and also enhance fitness.

Blue tractor on the Palavakkam beach and it is to use to pull boats that come to shore after fishing and they charge certain amount for the job. 

PS. Tractors always fascinate me for their ability to handle any kind of terrain and many a time I wish to go for a ride on tractor. I and my cousin used to discuss how wonderful it would be to modify a tractor into a passenger car, so that we could travel anywhere without a care about road. 

Overcast at Kasimedu Fishing Harbour and Cloud Iridescence

The weather for last few days has been pleasant in Chennai during the evening with rain clouds overcast the sky and seldom showering here and there to lighter downpour. The days are hotter than usual to become a natural geyser to produce hot water but as it enter the evening the weather dramatically turn into gloomy and cool.  The situation was similar when I cross Marina beach a day back (in evening) with a plan to drive up to Kasimedu fishing harbor for a chance as we mostly turn back with Marina.

The sun was shining bright when we moved out of home but on the way we saw gray clouds climbing up the sky from the west against the setting sun and for a moment on the beach road we come to cease across a colorful sky (cloud iridescence) showing up above the clouds. As we cross Parry's corner it becomes darker and windy and when we enter the fishing harbor it was about 6 pm and the concrete pier was empty unlike my previous visit on a Sunday last year. There was police standing at the entrance of the harbour but they didn’t pay attention to us as we drive inside.

 

We drive partially into the breakwater and stood there sometime almost watching the clouded sky and feeling the fresh breeze and whisper of silent waves of sea. The harbour wasn’t busy that time and some fishermen were working on their nets at a corner and being 6 in evening we didn’t take risk of driving all the way till the end of breakwater to be warned by someone. Later the cop come in jeep indicated us to move away and we left the harbor to wish to come back some other day in a day time.

(All the photos were captured using S4 mini smart phone - 8 megapixel)

Fence around Fern House

The picturesque house surrounded by colorful flowers

The Fern House in the Ooty Botanical Garden is home to many ferns and orchids. This house (established in 1894) is dedicated to W.C. Mc. Ivor, in whose response the Garden has been developed to this stage from the then a patch of vegetable garden and wilderness of Shola and shrubs and the lower part as a swamp traversed by deep ravines.

Mr. Ivor who had his training at the Royal Botanical Gardens, was able to transform the steep slopes into walks and terraces, lawns and flower beds for growing choice selection of plants. He also improvised ways and means by which he could reclaim the lower part of the garden and converted into undulating and sloping lawns with pockets of ponds left at convenient places to add chart to the landscape.

Linking this post for Run a Round Ranch's Good Fences

Kaadu (Forest)

The Tamil movie I watched last night at home theatre is obviously based on the title Kaadu (forest) and the lives and way of living adjoining same. The movie wasn’t much interesting to watch, but I did plainly for the message it carries on forest conservation and the important of preserving the forest. The film shot in and around Dharmapuri, one of the most backward and drought prone district in Tamil Nadu, captured at its natural state.

Begin with a note dedicating to all nature lovers and forests activists, Kaadu makes it path clear and wants to point out the mindless behaviour of man toward deforestation. Even though the movie comes under usual drama, the main plot deals with Velu, who collects firewood in the forest and sells to the people in his locality. Being a believer in nature, he makes certain not to cut a single tree or plant in the forest to preserve it for future generation.

Velu’s friend Karuna, who aspire to become a forest officer couldn’t cope up the bribe that is needed by the selector. In desperate he smuggle sandalwood and get caught but he request Velu to replace him so that his dream don’t ruin. Velu in jail, Karuna becomes a forest officer by impressing the DFO and tries to take over the forest for his personal gain by removing the people of the forest. Velu on bail, fight against karuna, and smugglers on other hand, to save forest and its people.

Directed by newcomer Stalin Ramlingam, Kaadu ties to capture the views of people closely associate with forest and what/how it suppose to be and seen. The film travels on socio-political scenario (that well detail the lifestyle of the people in forest) has great remarks throughout, touching topics such as eco-conservation, unemployment and corruption in government engine and the important to rely on roots. Captioned as forest, the film doesn’t show any animals but stressed the need of them to be in the forest than in zoos.

Vithartha as Velu in the role of a rural man is apt, as he had done many similar roles in his carrier that began in Myna and his transformation into rebel is also convincing. The film also conveys communism at its fair bit, Samuthirakani in the role of political prisoner, with a mandatory reference to Che Guevara, spell out neatly the need to fight for one’s right. For a movie with great idealism, the romance and comedy comes as a flipside spoils the real cause of watching.

The film also indirectly mark the late encounter of red wood smugglers or loggers in AP, whom were mostly gone from nearby districts of Dharmapuri. Although the movie ends with message, it wasn’t sharp hitting rather it should be as it make mandatory that forest guards should be truly admirer of nature and forest activist to protect it entirely. And if we continue neglect forest and keep ravage, the after effect would be drastic that humankind would not survive. 

RGB Monday (doors and frames)

Red door frame of a Christian shrine in Mamallapuram.

Green door and window of a house in village near Thandikudi, on the lower Palani hills (Kodai hills)

Bluely painted door and windows of an incomplete home in Valparai... though unfinished I find the sight very pretty to photo shoot. The house was neatly arranged with flowerbed on both sides of the blue frame.

Countryside Fences, Ooty

These photos are capture while driving from Ooty to Avalanche, during last year vacation.

The crops cultivated above seems to be Carrot and Cabbage

One of the villages along terrace farmlands - the road to avalanche is almost passes through it and at every corner there's something to behold yet beautiful view.

 Linking this post for Run a Round Ranch's Good Fences

3 Quotes Challenge

Destination Infinity (Rajesh) tagged me to take up the ongoing quotes challenge across the blogs. Following DI, I decided to post all the quotes in one post, skipping away the rules of posting three quotes on three different days. Though I don’t have a collection of quotes and certain to be favorites but I just read and pass away to rarely save quotes in device. So I decide to write my own quotes or thoughts, however you perhaps take.

"Comfort keep us confine and put into coffin very soon compare to hard workers who sustain longer and better survive."

"My belief that the best is yet to come keeps me going."

"Fear is unavoidable when strolling in unsafe landscape. Though courage is something one needs to battle the evil surrounding rather sitting ideal in fear."

I’m not tagging anybody and interested may take on their own.

Btw, these are rules of this tag, if you like to follow:

1. Post one of your favorite quotes (different quote on each day) on three consecutive days. The quote can be from your favorite book, author, or your own.
2. Nominate 3 bloggers to challenge them.
3. Thank the blogger, who nominated you.

RGB Monday

Red bicycle frame – shot at Palavakkam Beach

Green Motorcycle – belong to one of my old neighbors, while residing in apt.

Blue Baby Stroller – obviously from the same Palavakkam beach

Papanasam – My POV

Papanasam doesn’t need an introduction (at least to the readers from India – the movie has been remade in all southern Indian languages and in Hindi as Drishyam) is a good family pack and to say in a line it’s about a family that commits a crime and how the common man (the head of the family) protect them from law. As a protagonist, for Kamal Haasan, the movie is another milestone on his performance and to add mileage was his access to Tirunelveli accent. But for me the tone reminds Poovaragan, one of the 10 roles he had done in Dasavathaaram with same courage.

Apt to the title, the movie was shot in and around Papanasam and Tenkasi in Tirunelveli. Though it is a remake of Malayalam version and also directed by same (Jeethu Joseph), I sense an imitation of Malayalam while watch the movie – perhaps because of some important roles done by actors who come from Malayalam. Being led by real life partners, Gauthami and Kamal, their intimation has works well in the movie and also exposed beautiful and the tendency, when protecting the children, is quite natural and look normalcy.

Although the movie’s progress was predictable, there’s something grips beyond suspicion esp. the scene where the family undergoes a trail/torture by police would cause an impact on heart. Niveda Thomas and Esther Anil (as the children of Kamal, who’s called Suyambulingam – a self born Lingam, which resemble the character that developed on self) performance is also appreciative and the way they control the emotions and achieving what needed is simply superb! But I was intensely watching will they mess up anywhere.

Another character that impound us is IG Geetha Prabhakar (Asha Sarath), as a ruthless woman police officer with utmost grim to bring out the truth behind her missing son and going silent in ending, when Kalam indirectly confess his sin, is an impression along with the scene. Ghibran music is very sensible, although the movie has only couple of songs it conveys the pain and intimacy at poise. The entire theme and background is effective!

The most interesting part was how the protagonist tries to hide away the evidences by recreating his own and make believe others; including the police (which might sounds overload) is an excel. But I sense rather being a messenger the movie comprehend thriller. The screenplay is quite drastic and with excellent actors/performers we can’t expect more. Glad I watched the movie in theater with great applauds and apprehend.

Leading down to falls

Thirparappu Waterfalls in Kanyakumari is a popular tourist spot in the district which I visited at the end of 2011. I was glad the authorities had built ramps all the way down to the falls for me to enjoy the drizzle at close distance. The water falls from a height of nearly 50 ft, seems to flow with great force for around 7 months in the whole year.

The waterfalls seen behind the garden

Here is a couple of photos took while leading down to the falls... there is a ramp as well steps to reach the waterfalls. For those take the steps, interesting has rails that resembles the fence made in bamboos, which was actually designed in iron/steel. 

Linking this post for Run a Round Ranch's Good Fences

Poriyaalan (Engineer)

Poriyaalanis a Tamil movie I watched this weekend at home theater and the film released in 2014 has a gripping story that explores the life of a civil engineer who aspire to become an outstanding builder but entangled by the dark side of real estate and loan shark. Next to IT field or perhaps in a way surpass the real estate and building constructions have grown a lot in attempt to touch the sky although sometime the buildings fall!  But keeping the message in limit, the movie develops into a thriller.

Saravanan is a dutiful engineer, working at a construction company decides to start his own and for his budget he could get plots only far away from the city. So with the guidance of his friend, who works under Sundar – a merciless loan shark and goonda, they decide to use his money, as he gone to jail, and replace it before he comes out of prison.  In the meantime, they got a nice plot (within the city) from a middleman and complete the registration.

But when they try to promote the land for construction, they learn it belongs to someone else and Shahstri, the middleman, made away with their money. And to make the situation worse, Sundar comes out on bail earlier than expected. What will happen if he comes to know his money was used without his knowledge? And when they learn he’s not just after the money but the women in their families. Could they track down the middleman before it is too late?

The movie begins from the middle; goes back and then front with one friend breakdown for their lost money and fear to be killed by the loan shark. The almost new faces give refreshing look to the scenario with lighter emotion which is more than enough for this kind of movie. Notably the two friends – Saravanan and Prabhu, acting, esp. towards the matter of love, when Prabhu come to know his friend romance his co-sister has been dealt decently and maturely when Saravanan confront his love in front of her father.

Though there isn’t a need for a track of romance, it only put us on intent to know what unveil next and helps the movie run for about 2 hours rather ending 20 minutes earlier to be quite thriller.  The songs aren’t memorable except Gana Bala’s usual song on alcohol! Mohan Raman, as Shastri had done an unexpected role to the finest and outshines as a realistic broker whether to believe he’s good or bad until his escape to Goa.

I find the vital of the movie has been voiced well from the stand of Saravana: that those landmarks are mostly buildings/structures built by a civil engineer and the design of future is also in the hands of same. The movie put us upright throughout, have a strong story and screenplay (written by NH4 fame Manimaran) and was directed by Thanukumar, a debutant and former assistant of Vetrimaran. Unlike VIP, which deals with obstacles during a building construct? The Vetrimaran team has spotlight into the area of real estate and loan shark that grips in every possible way. 

Indru Netru Naalai (INN) – A Travel though Time

First thing I felt coming out of the theater (drive-in), watching the film Indru Netru Naalai (today yesterday tomorrow) was, how creative our filmmakers are? Following TEOA, here is another movie based on science fiction which takes us on a fun ride through time travel. Though many films have come up on this concept, this is the first time the Tamil filmdom has experienced such and the team has also succeed in their mission.

A scientist from the future (2065) sent a time machine to the current year and it lands at the hands of two friends (Vishnu and Karunakaran) and an inventor during an accident. When the inventor falls into coma after an electric shock, the friends take away the machine and use it for their astrology business – Karunakaran being an astrologer; they recover things people have lost by going back in time using the time machine but make believe others it’s quite astrology and earn enough.

During one such travel to past, they make a mistake without their knowledge and it saves a gangster from an encounter who’s targeting the father of Mia George, who is in love with Vishnu. Understanding it later, they decided to correct the mistake by going to the past but landed in trouble even before the time machine broke away with no option to go further. How did they handle the situation is something sustain the eagerness till ending.

The film is quite an entertainer and behind the scientific notion it’s the realistic comedy-drama that put forth the entire sum. Not that the concept of time travel doesn’t work, but without a good story and screenplay even with a subject travelling to space seems to work not well. I would say anyone asking me about the hero of the movie is the story and though the artists/actors are equally important (like everyone given their best here) the story is perhaps one of the finest in recent past.  

I remember seeing couple of movie in past on time travel but I was uncertain about my understanding of the concept until watching INN. The director (Ravi Kumar, a debutant) has simplified the function of time travel and that too watching in our regional language the understanding becomes easier. The invention of time machine is also simple, cool and uncomplicated for viewers to get a fair idea.

Among the performance, the character of Vishnu and Karunakaran was outstanding and their lack of star status helps us easily relate and involved in the story. For a sci-fi movie, the visuals usually used to be mysterious and high tech, but except the beginning and things relevant to machine everything seems to be realistic and happen to be in real. The travel in past to granny age is something bring back the old charms lively which have been seen as images alone.

P.S. Thanks to our fellow blogger Rajesh, if he hadn’t written about this film I would have missed a great amusement. He has started to watch movies on first day first show, but I watched this movie last day last show hence the film was suppose to leave the theater for next release.  

A private beach house off ECR

While driving past few private beach by-lanes on ECR, I find this house and the gate (perhaps made of planks or steel) prettier to capture. The house was outstanding from the many others structures through the traditional kind of architecture and exterior that carries red brickwork. The hip or gable tiled roof is another interesting aspect of the house that has arch windows and portico and balcony supported by pillars.

The other sides (above and below) of the same house

Linking this post for Run a Round Ranch's Good Fences