The recent decision of the Supreme Court, allowing jallikattu to be held is nothing less than shameful. Worse is the fact that certain 'Tamil' channels portray the verdict as a victory of some sort. The origin of this extremist 'sport', if you can call it that, traces back to a very THEIST legend - an epidemic broke out in the village of Alanganallur and the people, desperate for a cure, prayed to the local deity and offered a blood sacrifice. Miraculously (or un-miraculously) the epidemic stopped. From then on, the local people believe that if a drop of human blood does not smear the village Earth, the deity will wipe out the entire village. Hence, the annual event of 'Jallikattu' is held to make sure that there is bloodshed.
Now, I have just one doubt- If this root of jallikattu is publicized, complete with the THEIST origins, will the 'TAMIL' channels still support the verdict?????
Or, had the origin already been well known,would they have taken a completely different stand, calling it a completely 'Irrational', barbaric act of gore??? Would they have organized processions protesting the issue in their usual style-slipper garlands around idols, burning effigies...
Am wondering...
Altogether, orre comedy in the name of politics!!
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Sunday, January 13, 2008
The Phoebe Buffet in me...
The other day, I was happily munching my sandwich in the cafeteria, with my friends around me. And when I bit into it, my friend stared at me quizzically and asked me if i eat eggs. Only then did I realize what she was getting at. I ordered for a vegetable sandwich but I had been given an egg sandwich. Having never had boiled eggs before, I didn't know what it'd taste like, I ended up munching the sandwich happily, thought the white bits were soft cheese flakes... I did finish it even after knowing that it was egg. I do have eggs-in the form of cakes and other bakery products. I have had omelets too. But that's not the issue... I wonder how many times I had been given chicken puffs and egg sandwiches before when I had asked for their vegetarian counterparts. And I know I wouldn't have known the difference.
A few months ago, a Bengali gentleman asked me how it was 'possible' for people down south to remain vegetarian all our lives. I laughed it off. My mom didn't find it funny!
Come to think of it, I remember a small story on 'Young World' about a man walking along a beach. He throws back into the sea, all the jelly fish(or some sea organism i can't recall the name of) he can get hold of, that get stranded on the shore during waves/tide. Another man who watches him, comes to him and asks,"You can't throw all the fish back in... What difference is it going to make?". He throws another jelly fish into sea and answers,"Yes, it does make a difference to that single fish I threw in just now".
If the world slaughters just one animal less because I am vegetarian, I am indeed a happy person!
A few months ago, a Bengali gentleman asked me how it was 'possible' for people down south to remain vegetarian all our lives. I laughed it off. My mom didn't find it funny!
Come to think of it, I remember a small story on 'Young World' about a man walking along a beach. He throws back into the sea, all the jelly fish(or some sea organism i can't recall the name of) he can get hold of, that get stranded on the shore during waves/tide. Another man who watches him, comes to him and asks,"You can't throw all the fish back in... What difference is it going to make?". He throws another jelly fish into sea and answers,"Yes, it does make a difference to that single fish I threw in just now".
If the world slaughters just one animal less because I am vegetarian, I am indeed a happy person!
Thursday, January 03, 2008
National waste!!!
What can you say about a bunch of engineering graduates who can't differentiate 'kernel' and 'Colonel'????? 18 years of education, a few lakh Rupees, much more... And people think kernel has nothing to do with nuts, that it's a word that was coined only because of the evolution of Operating Systems! Welcome to the world of Software Engineers!!!
Send these people back to class six!!
Send these people back to class six!!
Sunday, December 23, 2007
CTS!!
Yes, finally I have joined CTS. After having spent around 6 months at home, it does look a little tiring, but whatchado! First day of work was spent filling form after form after form! By the end of the exercise I had signed close to 50 times and written down my address an equal number of times. I reckon my last signature was nothing close to what my signature is actually
supposed to look like! And writing the date in the American format was yet another trying experience. It just doesn't come to me naturally!!! Altogether, it was a nice experience.
Anyway, I have learnt the art of attending interviews,preparing for recruitment drives and most importantly-Getting jobs, in these vetti months. Come to think of it, I haven't been that vetti.
supposed to look like! And writing the date in the American format was yet another trying experience. It just doesn't come to me naturally!!! Altogether, it was a nice experience.
Anyway, I have learnt the art of attending interviews,preparing for recruitment drives and most importantly-Getting jobs, in these vetti months. Come to think of it, I haven't been that vetti.
Friday, December 07, 2007
Comedy Kalyaanam!
We have all grown up reading/watching 'Washington il Thirumanam'. And here, I present Beachaangarai il Thirumanam'...
Yesterday, a second cousin of mine got married. And the wedding was held in a beach resort. Yes, you read it right, it was a beach resort with a pool, landscaped gardens, lawns, a thatched roof in the midst, the sea lashing a few meters away... Yes, scenic indeed! But, there was one minor flaw- Varuna Bhagawan chose to bless the couple too. Rain just poured down with all its might, the small thatched roof acted as the wedding pandal- it was full of homa fumes inside and just outside,it was raining haaaaaaard! The tent-like shamianas around the 'pandal' offered little protection and the guests, especially the ladies adorned in their best saris were looking like chickens caught in a drizzle. Straight-from-the-salon hair started bunching up in the rain. Yours truly was smart enough to get a seat that looked dry but as minutes passed by, drops of cold rain started falling through the shamiana and every drop caused a shiver down my spine!! It felt like ice flakes were falling all over my back and the nape of my neck. I covered my head with the sari even though people gave me funny glances, only to find themselves doing the same in a few minutes! The oonjal ceremony was held when the rain had reduced to a bearable drizzle. The maangalya dharanam ceremony was even more hilarious- the bride, after changing into madisaar came to the 'pandal' with an umbrella held atop!!! And people were wondering if she were going on a kasi yatra instead of the groom!!! Most of the crowd hit on the dining hall because that was the only place that a non-leaky roof overhead. Soon enough, the dining hall had become full too. I demanded for the Kasi yatra umbrella but luckily the rain had subsided by then. The reception was to be held in the open lawns. I wished them luck and started before the next downpour ;)
Yesterday, a second cousin of mine got married. And the wedding was held in a beach resort. Yes, you read it right, it was a beach resort with a pool, landscaped gardens, lawns, a thatched roof in the midst, the sea lashing a few meters away... Yes, scenic indeed! But, there was one minor flaw- Varuna Bhagawan chose to bless the couple too. Rain just poured down with all its might, the small thatched roof acted as the wedding pandal- it was full of homa fumes inside and just outside,it was raining haaaaaaard! The tent-like shamianas around the 'pandal' offered little protection and the guests, especially the ladies adorned in their best saris were looking like chickens caught in a drizzle. Straight-from-the-salon hair started bunching up in the rain. Yours truly was smart enough to get a seat that looked dry but as minutes passed by, drops of cold rain started falling through the shamiana and every drop caused a shiver down my spine!! It felt like ice flakes were falling all over my back and the nape of my neck. I covered my head with the sari even though people gave me funny glances, only to find themselves doing the same in a few minutes! The oonjal ceremony was held when the rain had reduced to a bearable drizzle. The maangalya dharanam ceremony was even more hilarious- the bride, after changing into madisaar came to the 'pandal' with an umbrella held atop!!! And people were wondering if she were going on a kasi yatra instead of the groom!!! Most of the crowd hit on the dining hall because that was the only place that a non-leaky roof overhead. Soon enough, the dining hall had become full too. I demanded for the Kasi yatra umbrella but luckily the rain had subsided by then. The reception was to be held in the open lawns. I wished them luck and started before the next downpour ;)
Thursday, December 06, 2007
Jenma Saabalyam Adaindhaen!
Attained Jenma Saabalyam yesterday. Finally attended Sanjay Subramaniam's concert in Narada Gana Sabha. And wow.. am left speechless! There are always questions raised about Carnatic music reaching the common man. The common man should have listened to this concert. It reached me, an amateur Rasikaa. That is all I can say.
P.S- one chinna doubt, I wonder if Sanjay Subramaniam can sing if his hands are tied up!
P.S- one chinna doubt, I wonder if Sanjay Subramaniam can sing if his hands are tied up!
Monday, December 03, 2007
Find of the month!
Though I'm sure this blog will not be updated until the end of the Maargazhi season, am not any less enthusiastic about finding Sikkil Gurucharan's blog!!!! But, I should also warn you not to enter the profile with very high hopes. He is, as we all know, much more comfortable with the mike than with the keyboard!
So, while he is driving between sabhas, we'll read his blog! First,it was Mani's son's Orkut profile and now it's my favorite vocalist's blog! ;)
So, while he is driving between sabhas, we'll read his blog! First,it was Mani's son's Orkut profile and now it's my favorite vocalist's blog! ;)
Friday, November 23, 2007
Understanding aesthetics...
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!
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!
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
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