Giving dimensions to aesthetics...
Stunning... that what looks so simple and natural to the viewer involves so much of efforts. It does indeed make a difference when you watch the shots after knowing what goes into the shot. Aesthetics at its' best... when you get to understand the foundations!
Friday, November 23, 2007
Pleased as punch!
What do u do when your friends take the pains to CALL/MSG/SCRAP to let you that they found your blog worth a read??
Am the world's happiest blogger today!
P.S- Never mind if the actual post received no comment. NO comment! :)
Am the world's happiest blogger today!
P.S- Never mind if the actual post received no comment. NO comment! :)
Thursday, November 22, 2007
An hour and twenty minutes.
The cold made me tighten the jerkin around me involuntarily. And that's when I sensed the once-familiar, tall figure stride towards me. Within a second, before I could decide whether to flash a smile or ignore him as a mirage, he came and sat next to me. A weak 'hi' was all I could manage. I closed the book in hand. As a sudden after thought, I intentionally let the book suffer further humiliation by letting it slide down. He was quicker and retrieved it for me and flipped it to expose the cover. A slow smile spread over his face as he remarked, 'So, reading 'To kill a mocking bird' for a record 740th time, huh?' .
'Perhaps', I chuckled. He still remembers my favorite book, I thought, after all these years... 8 years is not really long, I quickly said to myself. Especially when he had known me for 15 years prior to that. Remembering the chronological details this accurately bothered me. Have i been counting the days, I asked myself...
Later when Sandya asked me how it felt to bump into an ex boyfriend after 8 years, she regretted asking me that because I could give her no conclusive reply. I didn't expect him to materialize there in a land of strangers, in a transit airport. A terrorist attack would have been less shocking.
Courtesy demanded that I ask him something so as to carry on the conversation. 'So, what have you been upto, how's your family? And what do you do now?', I asked...
'Family's great, we are expecting our first child in a couple of months. And I take it that you haven't been to India for a long while. Someone with your acumen wouldn't have missed spotting my growth there', he said.
'Congrats', I smiled and offered my arm. Of course, I didn't expect him to remain the playboy he had been back then but him saying it casually had a note of finality about it. But then, he was 29 now. He went on to ask a barrage of questions. I was extremely cautious about my answers, not revealing much. My answers were diplomatic and lacked any kind of emotion and sentiment. He probably decided that I had indeed become quieter, less flashy and altogether different in the interim years.
We had coffee together, obviously I let him pay. We spoke about his parents and siblings for I had known them pretty well. We talked of school, college and of other such rhetorical topics. Not that I was bored with the conversation. Not that I deemed it an unfortunate incident- the chance meeting. It was a moment of melancholy, I decided later.
As quickly as we had met, we had to part. If you call one hour and twenty minutes, quick. The inevitable moment arrived- we had to exchange numbers, addresses and other contact details. Of course, we did exchange cards. I fastened the backpack around my shoulders, shoved the book into one of its' deep pockets and began to leave.
I walked through the long passage, not looking back even once. I kept flipping the card between my fingers which held it... And when I knew that he was nowhere in vicinity, I threw the card into one of the bins in the airport. And began my upright stride and did not slacken until I reached my plane. Throwing that card away was probably the only sane thing I had ever
done, with regard to that issue.
And the only favor he ever did to me was never trying to contact me. To this day.
'Perhaps', I chuckled. He still remembers my favorite book, I thought, after all these years... 8 years is not really long, I quickly said to myself. Especially when he had known me for 15 years prior to that. Remembering the chronological details this accurately bothered me. Have i been counting the days, I asked myself...
Later when Sandya asked me how it felt to bump into an ex boyfriend after 8 years, she regretted asking me that because I could give her no conclusive reply. I didn't expect him to materialize there in a land of strangers, in a transit airport. A terrorist attack would have been less shocking.
Courtesy demanded that I ask him something so as to carry on the conversation. 'So, what have you been upto, how's your family? And what do you do now?', I asked...
'Family's great, we are expecting our first child in a couple of months. And I take it that you haven't been to India for a long while. Someone with your acumen wouldn't have missed spotting my growth there', he said.
'Congrats', I smiled and offered my arm. Of course, I didn't expect him to remain the playboy he had been back then but him saying it casually had a note of finality about it. But then, he was 29 now. He went on to ask a barrage of questions. I was extremely cautious about my answers, not revealing much. My answers were diplomatic and lacked any kind of emotion and sentiment. He probably decided that I had indeed become quieter, less flashy and altogether different in the interim years.
We had coffee together, obviously I let him pay. We spoke about his parents and siblings for I had known them pretty well. We talked of school, college and of other such rhetorical topics. Not that I was bored with the conversation. Not that I deemed it an unfortunate incident- the chance meeting. It was a moment of melancholy, I decided later.
As quickly as we had met, we had to part. If you call one hour and twenty minutes, quick. The inevitable moment arrived- we had to exchange numbers, addresses and other contact details. Of course, we did exchange cards. I fastened the backpack around my shoulders, shoved the book into one of its' deep pockets and began to leave.
I walked through the long passage, not looking back even once. I kept flipping the card between my fingers which held it... And when I knew that he was nowhere in vicinity, I threw the card into one of the bins in the airport. And began my upright stride and did not slacken until I reached my plane. Throwing that card away was probably the only sane thing I had ever
done, with regard to that issue.
And the only favor he ever did to me was never trying to contact me. To this day.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Friday, November 16, 2007
K.K.Nagar to Postal Colony.
I took 12G to my friend's place today and the bus had a poster on it about the Ramar Palam. It said 'Indhu Madha Veri pidittha Paarpana Kottamae, Ozhiga'. Isn't it high time they stopped playing the same game to garner votes?!! Forget the caste remarks, it's the same cud they have been chewing for eons...
I can never come to a clear stand whether I am theist or atheist. Yes, I am rational but I also realize that mankind needs a central fulcrum to develop. And that fulcrum is religion. I like to see Hinduism as a way of life. But, I'd do what is expected out of any civilized person- I'd not intentionally hurt peoples' sentiments. How do our hypocrite politicians define atheism? Would they ever hurt the sentiments of Christians and Muslims??? Would they speak a word against Christ and The Prophet, and expect to remain alive the next minute?!!
I can never come to a clear stand whether I am theist or atheist. Yes, I am rational but I also realize that mankind needs a central fulcrum to develop. And that fulcrum is religion. I like to see Hinduism as a way of life. But, I'd do what is expected out of any civilized person- I'd not intentionally hurt peoples' sentiments. How do our hypocrite politicians define atheism? Would they ever hurt the sentiments of Christians and Muslims??? Would they speak a word against Christ and The Prophet, and expect to remain alive the next minute?!!
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Follow Up!!
I have been thinking about my DOUBT raised in the previous post- why not insure marriages?! But come to think of it, isn't marriage in itself an insurance?!!!!!
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
DOUBT!
One question that's been nagging me for a long time, seeing many divorces in progress -
Can a marriage be insured?!! If so, how is the marriage valued?
No slippers please ;)
Can a marriage be insured?!! If so, how is the marriage valued?
No slippers please ;)
Life's hardest problems!
5) Having to make decisions. How I wish I never had to decide anything. Life'd be great if someone gave us an If or Else case stmt-program; do this if this happens, else do this.
4) Accepting life, the good, bad and the ugly. I wonder if we ever think that life's great in our good times. But, we never lose an opportunity to rant about our bad fortunes.
3) Standing by your decision firmly, whatever happens;even when you feel the whole world thinks you are wrong.
2) Having to say 'NO'.
1) Having your heart scream something when your lips say say something else. Managing to salvage your pride with a tight upper lip only to let it quiver when licking your wounds in private.
4) Accepting life, the good, bad and the ugly. I wonder if we ever think that life's great in our good times. But, we never lose an opportunity to rant about our bad fortunes.
3) Standing by your decision firmly, whatever happens;even when you feel the whole world thinks you are wrong.
2) Having to say 'NO'.
1) Having your heart scream something when your lips say say something else. Managing to salvage your pride with a tight upper lip only to let it quiver when licking your wounds in private.
Mishtake!!!
The sports arrtcle I mentioned in the previous post was Rohit Brijnath's and not Nirmal Shekar's. Sorry! Here it is.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Leave Sports Writing to Men!!
Who the hell is Nandita Sridhar,who has written a pathetic excuse for a column in the Hindu sports page today?! Am not fueling male ego, but it just doesn't make a good read-a woman's sports column. It sounds like a paradox to me. What's up with Nirmal Shekar and Dinakar? I can still recall a certain paragraph Nirmal Shekar had written during the World XI Vs Australia match down under, about one particular over bowled by Mutthiah Muralidharan. THAT is what I call writing! If any of you stumble upon it, do give me the link!
The Metrosexual Man!
I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw an ad today for a men's fairness cream from Shahnaz Hussain. Yes, you read it right, it's not a men's shaving cream but a fairness cream! The ad was the only dampener while watching the India-Pak match today. As such, every Caucasian in this world is going to roll on the floor laughing if we debate whether who's fairer- Kamal Haasan or Shah Rukh Khan. Worse is the countless number of womens' fairness creams that promise fairer Kareena Kapoor kind of complexion in one tube. But,worst is this- Surya and Shahrukh Khan campaigning for fairness creams!!!!!!! Whatever happened to the age ol' romantic girls' fantasy about tall, DARK and handsome hunks who'd spend the morning cutting vegetables or read the papers rather than layer their faces with fairness creams, moisturizer,sunscreen and toner?(And if I'm, wrong with the layering order, forgive me-am not too dexterous with the art of making up. I'll ask my men friends about it).
There was this odd looking guy in a PTC bus I took to the Mount road,the other day. He was trying every other antic to gain attention from a bevy of b'ful girls. Much to his chagrin, the girls only gave him a look of sympathy. FOR, he was bejeweled all over- ear studs, jerkins that'd be of use in a wintry Siberia, miniature cycle chains on his wrists, maattu sangli's dangling around his neck with pendants the size of his wallet. I couldn't help but sympathize with him for his wooing efforts.
Why don't men remain men?!!!!
Forget all this, my neighbour gave me an eyeliner pencil for this Navaratri-am still wondering what to do with it! I do really want to use it. I googled, watched a video that showed the technique. I swear half the pencil lies in the form of wooden shavings,in the dustbin- thanks to my attempts.. I'm still trying!! My living room stands testimony to such earlier attempts with a lipstick- only difference is, I tried it on the wall! My house was being painted and I thought it'd be a good idea to use up the lipstick. The painter flew off the handle saying the dye was not coming off. Mom followed suit... After some 5 coats of paint, my attempt at vandalism still remains. Every rainy season, the writings on the wall appear clearer.
And finally, if you are wondering what I kirukkified on the wall, it's
"I'LL BE THERE FOR YOU, WHEN THE RAIN STARTS TO POUR
I'LL BE THERE FOR YOU LIKE I HAVE BEEN BEFORE"
Poetic justice, they call it!
There was this odd looking guy in a PTC bus I took to the Mount road,the other day. He was trying every other antic to gain attention from a bevy of b'ful girls. Much to his chagrin, the girls only gave him a look of sympathy. FOR, he was bejeweled all over- ear studs, jerkins that'd be of use in a wintry Siberia, miniature cycle chains on his wrists, maattu sangli's dangling around his neck with pendants the size of his wallet. I couldn't help but sympathize with him for his wooing efforts.
Why don't men remain men?!!!!
Forget all this, my neighbour gave me an eyeliner pencil for this Navaratri-am still wondering what to do with it! I do really want to use it. I googled, watched a video that showed the technique. I swear half the pencil lies in the form of wooden shavings,in the dustbin- thanks to my attempts.. I'm still trying!! My living room stands testimony to such earlier attempts with a lipstick- only difference is, I tried it on the wall! My house was being painted and I thought it'd be a good idea to use up the lipstick. The painter flew off the handle saying the dye was not coming off. Mom followed suit... After some 5 coats of paint, my attempt at vandalism still remains. Every rainy season, the writings on the wall appear clearer.
And finally, if you are wondering what I kirukkified on the wall, it's
"I'LL BE THERE FOR YOU, WHEN THE RAIN STARTS TO POUR
I'LL BE THERE FOR YOU LIKE I HAVE BEEN BEFORE"
Poetic justice, they call it!
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Varungaalam inbam endru nigazh kaalam koorum kanne...
Nigazh kaalam koorum kanne...
How true, i wonder!!
Melancholy, thy calls for the search of the soul!!!For a long long time, it was some kinda
habit to rant out to my diary every Diwali eve. And I'm still carrying out the self-formed, senseless tradition with this blog, i guess!! Anyway, HAPPY DIWALI,folks!!
Nigazh kaalam koorum kanne...
How true, i wonder!!
Melancholy, thy calls for the search of the soul!!!For a long long time, it was some kinda
habit to rant out to my diary every Diwali eve. And I'm still carrying out the self-formed, senseless tradition with this blog, i guess!! Anyway, HAPPY DIWALI,folks!!
Sunday, November 04, 2007
Saturday, November 03, 2007
Murphy strikes.. Again!
Wanted to jog today,so woke up early... only to find it raining! Lazy me snuggled back into the blanket!
Friday, November 02, 2007
Plagiarism or inspiration?!
What's the difference between plagiarism and inspiration in the world of films? I think Nayagan is an inspiration from Godfather while Vetri Vizha is an attempt of plagiarism! Here's a list of LESSER KNOWN tamil movies and the corresponding English movies from which they have been copied/inspired. I trust your skills of discretion to come to a conclusion.
Whistle - Urban legends.
Manasukkul Matthappu - One flew over the Cuckoo's nest.
Naalaiya Manidhan -Bride of Frankenstein.
Moodu Pani -Psycho.
Julie Ganapathy -Misery.
Vaa Arugil vaa -Child's Play.
Kuzhandhaiyum Deivamum- The Parent Trap.
Makkal En Pakkam - Rage of the Angels (Sheldon's book).
Time - While you were sleeping.
SooraSamharam -Witness.
Ghajini -Memento.
Vetri Vizha -Bourne Identity.
Mazhalai pattaalam-Yours,mine and ours.
MayaBazaar(95)- Ghost.
And here's de welcome addition from Mr. Connoisseur:
Pachai kili muthu charam - Derailed
Shanthi Nilayam - Sound Of Music
Vegam -Cellular
Panchathandiram-Very bad things
My dear maarthaandan-Coming to America
Magalir mattum - 9 to 5.
Anbe sivam - planes, trains & automobiles
Avvai sanmugi - Mrs. Doubtfire
Nammavar-Lean On Me
Tenali - Patch Adams
Vettayadu vilayadu-Red Dragon
Arunachalam- Brewster's Millions
Whistle-I know what you did last summer
Rishi has the climax from Nick in Time
Vaaranam aayiram-Character
Asuran-Predator
The Life of David Gale story is similar to Virumandi
Ayirathil oruvan - Captain Blood
Well, if you don't remember Manasukkul Matthaappu,it's the Prabhu,Saranya and Sarath Babu flick set in a mental asylum where they electrocute Prabhu.
Naalaiya manidhan and Adhisaya Manidhan are movies similar to 'The Bride of Frankenstein'- the former has Ajay Ratnam transformed into an inhuman form after death; the latter has Gautami being chased around by the ghost or whatever you call it.
Makkal en pakkam-remember the Ambika,Satyaraj,Rajesh starrer where Ambika plays a lawyer, Satyaraj-a gangster and Rajesh as a corrupt politician...
Soorasamharam has Kamal Haasan and Nirosha in the lead.
Whistle - Urban legends.
Manasukkul Matthappu - One flew over the Cuckoo's nest.
Naalaiya Manidhan -Bride of Frankenstein.
Moodu Pani -Psycho.
Julie Ganapathy -Misery.
Vaa Arugil vaa -Child's Play.
Kuzhandhaiyum Deivamum- The Parent Trap.
Makkal En Pakkam - Rage of the Angels (Sheldon's book).
Time - While you were sleeping.
SooraSamharam -Witness.
Ghajini -Memento.
Vetri Vizha -Bourne Identity.
Mazhalai pattaalam-Yours,mine and ours.
MayaBazaar(95)- Ghost.
And here's de welcome addition from Mr. Connoisseur:
Pachai kili muthu charam - Derailed
Shanthi Nilayam - Sound Of Music
Vegam -Cellular
Panchathandiram-Very bad things
My dear maarthaandan-Coming to America
Magalir mattum - 9 to 5.
Anbe sivam - planes, trains & automobiles
Avvai sanmugi - Mrs. Doubtfire
Nammavar-Lean On Me
Tenali - Patch Adams
Vettayadu vilayadu-Red Dragon
Arunachalam- Brewster's Millions
Whistle-I know what you did last summer
Rishi has the climax from Nick in Time
Vaaranam aayiram-Character
Asuran-Predator
The Life of David Gale story is similar to Virumandi
Ayirathil oruvan - Captain Blood
Well, if you don't remember Manasukkul Matthaappu,it's the Prabhu,Saranya and Sarath Babu flick set in a mental asylum where they electrocute Prabhu.
Naalaiya manidhan and Adhisaya Manidhan are movies similar to 'The Bride of Frankenstein'- the former has Ajay Ratnam transformed into an inhuman form after death; the latter has Gautami being chased around by the ghost or whatever you call it.
Makkal en pakkam-remember the Ambika,Satyaraj,Rajesh starrer where Ambika plays a lawyer, Satyaraj-a gangster and Rajesh as a corrupt politician...
Soorasamharam has Kamal Haasan and Nirosha in the lead.
Iruvar...Mani and the viewer!!!!
Am watching Iruvar this afternoon! Just the right movie for this moment. I always consider this as one of the best movies I have ever seen. And I'm not pleased with myself for having caught the movie midway. I admit am not too interested in politics but still this is one movie that stirs interest in laymen too. Guess only Mani can combine biography, aesthetics and ilakkiyam this effectively. The cast selection could not have been any better- the subtle portrayal of Mohanlal vs the histrionics of Prakashraj is an ideal match.
Prakashraj's voice appeals more than his acting,especially in the recital of his eulogy to Anandan!
I was at my wit's end trying to place the oh-so-familiar voice of Kalpana(Aishwarya Rai). Had to wait for the credits to roll out since Google offered no result. The voice belonged to Rohini.
What interested me most in the movie-
First and foremost, Rahman's music.
Literary content- right from the lyrics of Narumugaiyae to the eulogy.
Recreation of the old filmdom-the 60's,70's...
AND most importantly, the director guts for having chosen this storyline!!!!
Prakashraj's voice appeals more than his acting,especially in the recital of his eulogy to Anandan!
I was at my wit's end trying to place the oh-so-familiar voice of Kalpana(Aishwarya Rai). Had to wait for the credits to roll out since Google offered no result. The voice belonged to Rohini.
What interested me most in the movie-
First and foremost, Rahman's music.
Literary content- right from the lyrics of Narumugaiyae to the eulogy.
Recreation of the old filmdom-the 60's,70's...
AND most importantly, the director guts for having chosen this storyline!!!!
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