A Torture called "Bheema"
It was a freezing friday evening. Friday night show movies have become a kind of routine here in Chicago. I had two options last night, one was "Bheema" featuring "Seeyan" Vikram and the other was "Kaalai" featuring "Little Super Star" Simbu. Having watched couple of dumb scenes from Simbu's best movies earlier, i decided it was safe to stay away from "Kaalai" and decided to head for "Bheema". Little did i know that i would be facing the worst torture in my life that night...
First, as i approached the ticket counter, the guy selling tickets spoke in Tamil and asked me "How many?" with a wry smile. I was so glad to hear someone speak in Tamil here, but only later i realized that the smile indirectly was at the "five bakras" who had come to watch this movie.
And then the comedy of errors! We entered the theater and took our seats. As the movie started, we were all puzzled! Why does the movie doesn't start with the titles? What is Raghuvaran and Prakashraj doing right in the beginning? Why does Vikram get so angry with Raghuvaran? Above all, why is the audience so silent? Didn't they get puzzled with the start? No whispers? No gasps? We turned back and asked the couple behind about this weird start and they told us that we entered the theater post-Interval! We just rushed out of that hall and we realized we had entered a wrong hall! Atleast those 5 minutes should have given us an indication of the horror facing us and we should have made our way out. Sadly, the $75 we had paid for the movie guided us to the correct hall and forced us to sit! The movie started and for the next 3 hours, it was a pain that i had never faced before in my life!
We were told that it was an action movie, but within the first 10 minutes, there was so much of laughter in the movie! They way Vikram expresses his interest in Prakashraj makes me feel that this movie is perhaps the Tamil version of "Brokeback mountain". But enter Trisha! Here is the confusion, why would a good looking, well educated girl fall for a pistol weilding rowdy, just because he fell on her one night? Why does she chase him as though she has never seen a male in her life? Like this, there are so many unanswered questions. By the time the screen gets frozen for interval, almost the entire audience just jump out from the seats and run out! I heard some of them even started vomiting inside the rest rooms!
Post interval, Raghuvaran, who was supposed to be a big shot, who has some 100 goondas working for him, gets lifted from his home overnight and is moved to some unknown location in Kanchipuram! What the f*** is this? Does the director think the audience are fools? Why the hell Prakashraj and Vikram dont kill Raghuvaran when they had him on his toes?
Whats funny (well, the entire movie is fun, this is probably one of it), is that almost all the goondas carry a gun, but they still end up beaten up by some rod or wooden piece. Why cant they use the gun when Bheema is around? The movie gets funnier(by this time people are almost standing on their seats and laughing out loud) as Aashish vidyarthi enters the scene as police commissioner from Mumbai. He wants to set up a special task force and the next scene we see a team of five guys, just dressed up as "Anbu chelvan's" team from "Kaakha Kaakha".Everybody in the theater wonders whether they missed the other spoof elements in the movie and start wondering where all this was heading to! Prakashraj gets to do a bit of romance, thank god, he didn't have a song sequence! The only saving face of this movie is the climax, which was much different from most tamil movies. But ultimately, it was such a stupid climax which didn't fit the other pieces of the movie. It looked as though the director framed the climax first and asked the assistants to write the rest of the story.
The movie got over at 1.30 AM, as we walked out of the theater, the -15 deg C weather outside was so pleasant that we stood for sometime to gasp some breathe and then we rushed to the car. This was perhaps the worst movie i have ever seen in my life, in theater. Aag perhaps comes a close second! If you want to know how it feels to have your head sliced by a Guillotine, watch this movie!
For once, i am happpy to be alive!
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Time to change
There are certain conversations, at the end of which you feel that the other person has grabbed your neck, slapped you couple of times and then make you realize the bad side of you. I just had one such conversation (via chat) very recently and it hit me just too hard.
My dear friend, thanks for pointing those things to me. I promise i will change.
There are certain conversations, at the end of which you feel that the other person has grabbed your neck, slapped you couple of times and then make you realize the bad side of you. I just had one such conversation (via chat) very recently and it hit me just too hard.
My dear friend, thanks for pointing those things to me. I promise i will change.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
The Deal
"You still refuse to convince me Hikachi"
Nodd picked up a Heineken before settling down in his leather recliner. He kinda liked to negotiate with someone in that position. But this time, even though a lot was at stake, he continued to be in his own laidback style while talking to his prospective "partner in crime".
"I have no reason to convince a asshole like you, Nodd. You were the one who were interested in me"
Hikachi hit back with a stern face. Hikachi's parents had settled down in Bronx when he was 2 years old. He looked very unusual compared to other Japanese kids in that locality, he was tall, muscular and handsome. The environment in which he grew up made him strong, both physically and mentally.
"Ok, Ok, Atleast talk about what you have done in the past, that has made you so ffffffamous in the underground"
Nodd was not in a good mood. It was very reasonable to be like that, when one is just out from the prison.
"Well, I am an expert with firearms and defusing bombs. Last year, i sneaked past 20 cops to get the Heiza diamond and..."
"But you still got caught by snoooooooooop, loser!"
Nodd's eyes were still closed, he continued to be in the "floating position", with a beer on one hand and cigarette on the other.
"That was because i was cheated by Akaido and i dont expect my future partners to be a snob like you"
"Whoa, whoa, chill out kid, mind your words!"
"You want my credentials, right? I cracked Wurd's maze and I still hold the key to break it under 10 seconds. I didn't reveal it to Akaido just because he didn't allow me to cross the Bridge of Ataca, while we were playing as a team in the World Cyber Games finals. Else we would have won the tournament. And you know that experts struggle with Wurd's maze"
Nodd opened his eyes, for the first time, there was fear and joy in his eyes. Here is a kid, who knows to crack the toughest part in "Counterstrike" game in under 10 seconds. This was something Nodd struggled with, before going to prison for illegal possession of firearms. With the tournament less than 10 days away, it was too good a deal to let go. But being the runner up of the tournament for 5 consecutive years, Nodd felt this is the best chance for him to hold the winner's trophy. And the cheque, of course.
"Done deal, see you at the underground at 5 tomorrow."
"Ok Nodd, but we will still play the druglords side and share the prize money 50:50. Else, no deal"
"Cool man, its 50:50 ok, and we are still the bad guys, chilloooo..."
As Hikachi walked past the door, Nodd gave him a wry smile, trying to remember where he hid his second pistol, before getting arrested by the police.
--------------------------------------------------
Dedicated to all those fans of diablo and AOE, who really tested Logitech mouse and my patience during my wonderful college years...Hey psychos, you guys still rock!
"You still refuse to convince me Hikachi"
Nodd picked up a Heineken before settling down in his leather recliner. He kinda liked to negotiate with someone in that position. But this time, even though a lot was at stake, he continued to be in his own laidback style while talking to his prospective "partner in crime".
"I have no reason to convince a asshole like you, Nodd. You were the one who were interested in me"
Hikachi hit back with a stern face. Hikachi's parents had settled down in Bronx when he was 2 years old. He looked very unusual compared to other Japanese kids in that locality, he was tall, muscular and handsome. The environment in which he grew up made him strong, both physically and mentally.
"Ok, Ok, Atleast talk about what you have done in the past, that has made you so ffffffamous in the underground"
Nodd was not in a good mood. It was very reasonable to be like that, when one is just out from the prison.
"Well, I am an expert with firearms and defusing bombs. Last year, i sneaked past 20 cops to get the Heiza diamond and..."
"But you still got caught by snoooooooooop, loser!"
Nodd's eyes were still closed, he continued to be in the "floating position", with a beer on one hand and cigarette on the other.
"That was because i was cheated by Akaido and i dont expect my future partners to be a snob like you"
"Whoa, whoa, chill out kid, mind your words!"
"You want my credentials, right? I cracked Wurd's maze and I still hold the key to break it under 10 seconds. I didn't reveal it to Akaido just because he didn't allow me to cross the Bridge of Ataca, while we were playing as a team in the World Cyber Games finals. Else we would have won the tournament. And you know that experts struggle with Wurd's maze"
Nodd opened his eyes, for the first time, there was fear and joy in his eyes. Here is a kid, who knows to crack the toughest part in "Counterstrike" game in under 10 seconds. This was something Nodd struggled with, before going to prison for illegal possession of firearms. With the tournament less than 10 days away, it was too good a deal to let go. But being the runner up of the tournament for 5 consecutive years, Nodd felt this is the best chance for him to hold the winner's trophy. And the cheque, of course.
"Done deal, see you at the underground at 5 tomorrow."
"Ok Nodd, but we will still play the druglords side and share the prize money 50:50. Else, no deal"
"Cool man, its 50:50 ok, and we are still the bad guys, chilloooo..."
As Hikachi walked past the door, Nodd gave him a wry smile, trying to remember where he hid his second pistol, before getting arrested by the police.
--------------------------------------------------
Dedicated to all those fans of diablo and AOE, who really tested Logitech mouse and my patience during my wonderful college years...Hey psychos, you guys still rock!
Sunday, January 06, 2008
Jerry McGuire mission statement
As i was channel surfing last night, i hit upon a channel that was playing Jerry McGuire. This was a movie that i have heard a lot about, but never really had a interest to watch, mainly because of the Tom Cruise factor (IMHO, he sucks). Since i had a lot of time at hand, i decided to watch the whole movie and i am glad i watched till the end! There are a lot of moments to treasure, lot of quotable quotes and some great performance by Tom Cruise and Cuba Gooding Jr.
The movie starts off with Jerry writing a mission statement for his company. Anyone who is in a job or who will be starting to work, must read this mission statement! Its titled "The Things we think and do not say". Read it here:
http://www.thisisawar.com/PurposeJerry.htm
I am sure it will trigger some thought among some of you! Let me know what you think about it.
As i was channel surfing last night, i hit upon a channel that was playing Jerry McGuire. This was a movie that i have heard a lot about, but never really had a interest to watch, mainly because of the Tom Cruise factor (IMHO, he sucks). Since i had a lot of time at hand, i decided to watch the whole movie and i am glad i watched till the end! There are a lot of moments to treasure, lot of quotable quotes and some great performance by Tom Cruise and Cuba Gooding Jr.
The movie starts off with Jerry writing a mission statement for his company. Anyone who is in a job or who will be starting to work, must read this mission statement! Its titled "The Things we think and do not say". Read it here:
http://www.thisisawar.com/PurposeJerry.htm
I am sure it will trigger some thought among some of you! Let me know what you think about it.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Humanitarian touch!
Ok folks, if you are expecting an entry on AI/robotics/motion sensors etc. you are on a wrong page! I wanted to talk about the real "Humanitarian touch" which we miss these days! After a very long time, i saw someone (a lady, for all those guys who want some twist/punch in the entry) actually care for others(not relatives or friends, but lets say strangers for the moment) without any selfish motive. She has really impressed me!! Here is the full story!
This incident happened couple of days ago. I had been to the administrative office to meet their staff, to discuss about some procedures. Normally, I pass by the office almost twice every week, but this is the first time i actually went inside their office room. I met the office staff and explained my issue to them. They gave me all the required details and i thanked them for helping me out. Just behind me there was this lady who was patiently waiting outside for the time i was inside. Once i was done with my work, i came out of the room and while i was checking the notice board for updates i hear that lady wishing the administrative staff on the occasion of Diwali. The staff wished her and asked her whether is there anything else for which she wanted help. She replied saying she just came all the way to that office just to wish them Diwali and ask them how they celebrated it. I was totally floored!! I had been in that office for nearly 20 mins, talked to them only about my problems and totally forgot the fact that they had come to the office on a holiday (It was Diwali day, when i went there). I was just ashamed of myself, i didn't even wish them Diwali, where was the humanitarian touch? In our day to day life, we just miss those little things, we care only about our welfare and we have lost the quality of appreciating/wishing others when they do well. In most IT companies here, if the office Cafeteria serves some dhal without salt or under cooked rice, every Ram,Rahim and Ray jump over to the feedback book/bulletin board to criticize the caterer. But some other day, when the caterer serves awesome Sambar or tasty Palak paneer, no one goes forward to appreciate the hard work behind it! We all crib if the IT team delays your tape recovery, but have we ever congratulated them for managing the network well or processing service requests at a record speed? Most of us know only know how to criticize and condemn, we have lost the quality of appreciating others, when they do a good job.
Today, in my office cafeteria, after picking up the tea from tea counter, i appreciated that caterer for serving wonderful tea all through last week. He was overjoyed and was all smiles till i left the counter. Inside my heart, i just appreciated the lady, whom i saw the other day, for opening my eyes and i just wished that she continues to be like that forever.
Ok folks, if you are expecting an entry on AI/robotics/motion sensors etc. you are on a wrong page! I wanted to talk about the real "Humanitarian touch" which we miss these days! After a very long time, i saw someone (a lady, for all those guys who want some twist/punch in the entry) actually care for others(not relatives or friends, but lets say strangers for the moment) without any selfish motive. She has really impressed me!! Here is the full story!
This incident happened couple of days ago. I had been to the administrative office to meet their staff, to discuss about some procedures. Normally, I pass by the office almost twice every week, but this is the first time i actually went inside their office room. I met the office staff and explained my issue to them. They gave me all the required details and i thanked them for helping me out. Just behind me there was this lady who was patiently waiting outside for the time i was inside. Once i was done with my work, i came out of the room and while i was checking the notice board for updates i hear that lady wishing the administrative staff on the occasion of Diwali. The staff wished her and asked her whether is there anything else for which she wanted help. She replied saying she just came all the way to that office just to wish them Diwali and ask them how they celebrated it. I was totally floored!! I had been in that office for nearly 20 mins, talked to them only about my problems and totally forgot the fact that they had come to the office on a holiday (It was Diwali day, when i went there). I was just ashamed of myself, i didn't even wish them Diwali, where was the humanitarian touch? In our day to day life, we just miss those little things, we care only about our welfare and we have lost the quality of appreciating/wishing others when they do well. In most IT companies here, if the office Cafeteria serves some dhal without salt or under cooked rice, every Ram,Rahim and Ray jump over to the feedback book/bulletin board to criticize the caterer. But some other day, when the caterer serves awesome Sambar or tasty Palak paneer, no one goes forward to appreciate the hard work behind it! We all crib if the IT team delays your tape recovery, but have we ever congratulated them for managing the network well or processing service requests at a record speed? Most of us know only know how to criticize and condemn, we have lost the quality of appreciating others, when they do a good job.
Today, in my office cafeteria, after picking up the tea from tea counter, i appreciated that caterer for serving wonderful tea all through last week. He was overjoyed and was all smiles till i left the counter. Inside my heart, i just appreciated the lady, whom i saw the other day, for opening my eyes and i just wished that she continues to be like that forever.
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Midnight musings
First of all, i welcome myself back to the blogging world! I guess i had a long enough break and am ready to restart :)
Last night, after some amount of channel surfing, i ended up with Sun TV that was showing "Aalavandhan" (Kamal Hasan movie, 2001). Though i admire this movie a lot, the only thing which the director screwed up was the climax! You cannot have a 20 minute action sequence as a climax for this wonderful movie, it just spoils the entire movie and the audience would just start walking out of the theatres after a 5 minute chase! Except the last 30 minutes of the movie, the movie goes pretty well, tracing the lives of two brothers who take entirely different route after a terrible fate separates them (a good lesson here for impact of probability on lives, Nandhu quotes it well as he tells his brother Vijay "Had the coin fallen on the other side, you would be inside the jail and i would be with your girl").
The most interesting aspect of the movie is the way it uses cartoon sequences in places where the story becomes a bit violent and gory. This is perhaps the first movie in Indian cinema to use this technique of story telling. Quentin Tarantino, one of my favorite story tellers, uses this technique in Kill Bill-I (much later in 2003, where he uses Manga style animation to depict violent scenes). Do let me know if some other movie prior to this has used a similar technique to depict violence!
My favorite quote in this movie: "Nyabagam, that's the word"
Gethu's favorite quote: "Silanthigal Pengal...Aangal Poochigal"
First of all, i welcome myself back to the blogging world! I guess i had a long enough break and am ready to restart :)
Last night, after some amount of channel surfing, i ended up with Sun TV that was showing "Aalavandhan" (Kamal Hasan movie, 2001). Though i admire this movie a lot, the only thing which the director screwed up was the climax! You cannot have a 20 minute action sequence as a climax for this wonderful movie, it just spoils the entire movie and the audience would just start walking out of the theatres after a 5 minute chase! Except the last 30 minutes of the movie, the movie goes pretty well, tracing the lives of two brothers who take entirely different route after a terrible fate separates them (a good lesson here for impact of probability on lives, Nandhu quotes it well as he tells his brother Vijay "Had the coin fallen on the other side, you would be inside the jail and i would be with your girl").
The most interesting aspect of the movie is the way it uses cartoon sequences in places where the story becomes a bit violent and gory. This is perhaps the first movie in Indian cinema to use this technique of story telling. Quentin Tarantino, one of my favorite story tellers, uses this technique in Kill Bill-I (much later in 2003, where he uses Manga style animation to depict violent scenes). Do let me know if some other movie prior to this has used a similar technique to depict violence!
My favorite quote in this movie: "Nyabagam, that's the word"
Gethu's favorite quote: "Silanthigal Pengal...Aangal Poochigal"
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Reason
- Laziness
- Lack of Time
- Lack of Motivation
- Frequent interruptions
- Lack of Interest
- Boredom
- Too preoccupied with things around me.....
A Million reasons for not blogging in the last few months...Atleast, i know that i will resume blogging...Maybe in a week or a month or a year or a decade...
~Amen
- Laziness
- Lack of Time
- Lack of Motivation
- Frequent interruptions
- Lack of Interest
- Boredom
- Too preoccupied with things around me.....
A Million reasons for not blogging in the last few months...Atleast, i know that i will resume blogging...Maybe in a week or a month or a year or a decade...
~Amen
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
World Cup Fever
The following dialogue happened in cricket crazy India, just days prior to Cricket World Cup.
Me(watching TV): Wow, Ind vs Nederlands World Cup practice match!!
He(munching snacks): Does Nederlands have a cricket team?
Me(with a 'you-must-be-a-weirdo' look): Yes, it does have one
He(still munching snacks): Is it also a part of the cricket association IC..SE? IC..ICI??
Me(with a stern face): That's ICC
He(with a puzzled look): Oh yes, ICC.
Sigh!
The following dialogue happened in cricket crazy India, just days prior to Cricket World Cup.
Me(watching TV): Wow, Ind vs Nederlands World Cup practice match!!
He(munching snacks): Does Nederlands have a cricket team?
Me(with a 'you-must-be-a-weirdo' look): Yes, it does have one
He(still munching snacks): Is it also a part of the cricket association IC..SE? IC..ICI??
Me(with a stern face): That's ICC
He(with a puzzled look): Oh yes, ICC.
Sigh!
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
A Short Story
Feb 14,2007 10.20 AM
Thangamma was on her way to "Arulmigu Sidhi Vinayagar" Temple after finishing her routine household chores. It was her routine every Wednesday, for the past 35 years. The orthodox city in which she lived had changed a lot over the last few years. Red balloons and flower bouquets decorated the sides of the street, which once used to be lined up with audio cassette shops playing T.M Soundarrajan's latest work on Lord Muruga, inundated with the smell of rose garlands and Vibudhi packets hitting the nostrils of pedestrians with ease.
"It’s all the effect of kali kalam amma", quipped Muthiah, the lone garland seller near the entrance of temple to Thangamma.
"Yes, the good times are over. Give me one archana thattu, of course with good coconut. I will pray to pillayar for the betterment of the minds of the youth"
Muthiah carefully picked up a coconut among the hundreds spread in the backyard, knocked it carefully with measured force, so as to evaluate the condition of the coconut. He then packed it along with a fresh rose garland, two bananas("Give me ripe ones, not the ones that look like dead rats"),few incense sticks("Don’t give the broken ones"), few strands of the holy "arugam pul" ("Its Pillayar's favourite") and a betel nut for courtesy sake.
Muthiah gave the archana plate to his customer for twenty years, with a respectful bow.
"I hope the coconut is good, I don’t want to see a decayed coconut inside the Sannidhi"
"It’s the best coconut available, 20 Rupees amma"
"What? It was only 18 Rupees last week, how did it increase by two rupees?"
"There were no flowers left amma, everything sold off to some big shop for valandan day"
"Every time you give me some reason or the other and extract extra money, Pillayar paathupar"
She snatched the plate from Muthiah and went inside the temple, after touching the holy steps with utmost devotion.
Subramania Sastrigal was waiting for Thangamma. He knew her routine pretty well, so he waited every Wednesday until 10.15 AM, so as to perform the special archanai for the welfare of her family.
"Ennamma, why are you late today?"
"There was no power in the house, so had to dry the clothes outside"
"Seri, I will start the archanai now"
Subramania Sastrigal started reciting the holy slokas with utmost care. He knew that if he made a mistake in the recitation, he would be caught red handed by a lady who knew all the slokas by heart. After reciting the usual Ashtotram and Vinayagar Agaval, he took the coconut out of the archanai thattu and hit it against the granite rock that lay next to Sannidhi door. As the coconut cracked into two hemispheres, Thangamma could spot something unusual in one of the pieces.
"Amma, Thenga azhugirukku"
"What, Muthiah told that it is the best coconut available and even I verified it, how can it be decayed?"
"Don’t worry Amma, it happens sometimes, nothing to worry. Please get me another coconut and I will continue the pooja"
Thangamma panicked, she knew it meant something wrong. Decayed Coconut definitely spelt bad omen.
"What wrong did I commit? I have prayed sincerely everyday, I never skipped Sankatahara Chathurthi Vratham or Vinayaga Chaturthi pooja, is Pillayar warning me about some impending danger?"
"Nothing bad would happen amma, it is just that he would be happy with a little more bhakthi from you
he will always protect those bhakthas who are sincere. You will do well, don’t worry"
Thangamma was not convinced by Sastrigal's reply. Two years ago, Mangalam had a similar experience at Sidhi Vinayagar temple and her house got robbed the very next day. Will my house also get robbed? Should I warn the Police and neighbourhood?
Feb 14,2007 6.30 PM
Sundaram started laughing loudly upon hearing the story from Thangamma that evening.
"Warn Police and neighborhood just because Thangamma tried to offer a decayed coconut? People will brand you a fool and send you to Kilpauk Mental hospital"
Thangamma was not amused with her husband's comment.
"How can you be so insensitive to my feelings? It definitely means some impending danger and Pillayar wants us to be careful"
"If something has to happen it will happen. Just try to forget the decayed coconut incident and face the reality. Dont keep narrating this to everyone around you, especially to Raghavan.He will definitely make some comments which you cannot bear. Can I get some good filter coffee now?"
Feb 18,2007 4.10 PM
"Ouch, it’s damn hot!" screamed Raghavan as Danny tossed a piece of Veg puff to Raghavan. Raghavan and Danny have been friends ever since they met in a Railway reservation counter, six years ago. They went to the same college and are now working for the same Multinational Company. With a six figure salary and no real commitments, life couldn't be much better for both these young Turks.
"How about watching Eklavya now?", Raghavan asked Danny, as he finished the last pack of potato chips.
"Yes machan, but the next show is at 4.30. If we miss that, we have to wait till 8.30!"
"We can reach the Multiplex by 4.30"
"Dei, Is it humanly possible?"
"Indha Raghavan solran, indha Raghavan mudikkaran, I will make it possible!"
"Ok, enough of Rajnikanth style, prove it dork"
Raghavan started his mighty Yamaha 250 cc bike and Danny jumped on to the pillion.
"5,4,3,2 .....And ONE!"
Raghavan's bike cruised past many other bikes and cars in the busy M.G.Road traffic with ease. The mighty Yamaha roared past the traffic signal in the nick of time. Danny heaved a sigh of relief.
"Had we got caught in the signal, you would have bitten the dust"
"Who? Me?? You still haven't seen my best"
Raghavan pushed the bike to its limits, for a moment Danny thought he was flying in the busy lanes of the crowded city.
"Shit! Why is this Innova guy not giving space for overtaking?"
"He doesn’t know that Raghavan is driving the monster behind, let me give him some driving lessons"
Raghavan moved to the right, close to the road divider and pushed the accelerator to zoom past the giant four wheeler. Had Raghavan known that the driver of Innova was just out from Styx pub, he wouldn't have made that manoeuvre.
Feb 18,2007 8.00 PM
The Doctors in the casualty ward were surprised, rather shocked to see an accident victim, come out of it without even a single fracture. Raghavan was tired of narrating the sequence of events for the nth time, but still he continued doing so. He was awaiting his friend Danny, who had gone for an Ultrasound test, just to make sure all his internals were fine.
Raghavan got a breather of space and he immediately called up his home. He got impatient by the second ring, after the third ring, he could hear the sweet voice of his mother Thangamma.
"Amma, I am alright now!"
"I know da, God is great, all my prayers these years has protected you from such a danger"
"I was wearing a helmet and Jacket, only those protected me"
"You still don’t believe the divine power, wont you? Listen, I want to tell you something that happened last Tuesday"
"Leave all that, I forgot to mention about something that happened today. As we crashed into the car, the very next moment, I realized that I was on the road and the bike was on top of me. I started screaming aloud for help. Suddenly, there was this guy waiting for his bus, he jumped amidst the traffic and pulled out the bike with a single hand! He guided me to safety and got me some water to drink. He then lifted Danny and helped him into an Auto rickshaw. I got into the same Auto rickshaw and reached the hospital. Only after we reached the hospital, I realized that I forgot to thank him. Without him, I am sure we would have been run over by some vehicle coming from behind, in that traffic"
"You didn’t tell me this today evening! Anyway, did you at least ask his name?"
"No I didn’t talk to him, but as he lifted Danny, I could see his Company Identity card that displayed his name- R.Ganapathy"
Tears started flowing down Thangamma's eyes, she knew that her prayers didn’t go in vain. She turned back and glanced at the Murugan Stores wall Calendar, she could see Vilayattu Vinayagar smiling at her with a reassuring look.
Feb 14,2007 10.20 AM
Thangamma was on her way to "Arulmigu Sidhi Vinayagar" Temple after finishing her routine household chores. It was her routine every Wednesday, for the past 35 years. The orthodox city in which she lived had changed a lot over the last few years. Red balloons and flower bouquets decorated the sides of the street, which once used to be lined up with audio cassette shops playing T.M Soundarrajan's latest work on Lord Muruga, inundated with the smell of rose garlands and Vibudhi packets hitting the nostrils of pedestrians with ease.
"It’s all the effect of kali kalam amma", quipped Muthiah, the lone garland seller near the entrance of temple to Thangamma.
"Yes, the good times are over. Give me one archana thattu, of course with good coconut. I will pray to pillayar for the betterment of the minds of the youth"
Muthiah carefully picked up a coconut among the hundreds spread in the backyard, knocked it carefully with measured force, so as to evaluate the condition of the coconut. He then packed it along with a fresh rose garland, two bananas("Give me ripe ones, not the ones that look like dead rats"),few incense sticks("Don’t give the broken ones"), few strands of the holy "arugam pul" ("Its Pillayar's favourite") and a betel nut for courtesy sake.
Muthiah gave the archana plate to his customer for twenty years, with a respectful bow.
"I hope the coconut is good, I don’t want to see a decayed coconut inside the Sannidhi"
"It’s the best coconut available, 20 Rupees amma"
"What? It was only 18 Rupees last week, how did it increase by two rupees?"
"There were no flowers left amma, everything sold off to some big shop for valandan day"
"Every time you give me some reason or the other and extract extra money, Pillayar paathupar"
She snatched the plate from Muthiah and went inside the temple, after touching the holy steps with utmost devotion.
Subramania Sastrigal was waiting for Thangamma. He knew her routine pretty well, so he waited every Wednesday until 10.15 AM, so as to perform the special archanai for the welfare of her family.
"Ennamma, why are you late today?"
"There was no power in the house, so had to dry the clothes outside"
"Seri, I will start the archanai now"
Subramania Sastrigal started reciting the holy slokas with utmost care. He knew that if he made a mistake in the recitation, he would be caught red handed by a lady who knew all the slokas by heart. After reciting the usual Ashtotram and Vinayagar Agaval, he took the coconut out of the archanai thattu and hit it against the granite rock that lay next to Sannidhi door. As the coconut cracked into two hemispheres, Thangamma could spot something unusual in one of the pieces.
"Amma, Thenga azhugirukku"
"What, Muthiah told that it is the best coconut available and even I verified it, how can it be decayed?"
"Don’t worry Amma, it happens sometimes, nothing to worry. Please get me another coconut and I will continue the pooja"
Thangamma panicked, she knew it meant something wrong. Decayed Coconut definitely spelt bad omen.
"What wrong did I commit? I have prayed sincerely everyday, I never skipped Sankatahara Chathurthi Vratham or Vinayaga Chaturthi pooja, is Pillayar warning me about some impending danger?"
"Nothing bad would happen amma, it is just that he would be happy with a little more bhakthi from you
he will always protect those bhakthas who are sincere. You will do well, don’t worry"
Thangamma was not convinced by Sastrigal's reply. Two years ago, Mangalam had a similar experience at Sidhi Vinayagar temple and her house got robbed the very next day. Will my house also get robbed? Should I warn the Police and neighbourhood?
Feb 14,2007 6.30 PM
Sundaram started laughing loudly upon hearing the story from Thangamma that evening.
"Warn Police and neighborhood just because Thangamma tried to offer a decayed coconut? People will brand you a fool and send you to Kilpauk Mental hospital"
Thangamma was not amused with her husband's comment.
"How can you be so insensitive to my feelings? It definitely means some impending danger and Pillayar wants us to be careful"
"If something has to happen it will happen. Just try to forget the decayed coconut incident and face the reality. Dont keep narrating this to everyone around you, especially to Raghavan.He will definitely make some comments which you cannot bear. Can I get some good filter coffee now?"
Feb 18,2007 4.10 PM
"Ouch, it’s damn hot!" screamed Raghavan as Danny tossed a piece of Veg puff to Raghavan. Raghavan and Danny have been friends ever since they met in a Railway reservation counter, six years ago. They went to the same college and are now working for the same Multinational Company. With a six figure salary and no real commitments, life couldn't be much better for both these young Turks.
"How about watching Eklavya now?", Raghavan asked Danny, as he finished the last pack of potato chips.
"Yes machan, but the next show is at 4.30. If we miss that, we have to wait till 8.30!"
"We can reach the Multiplex by 4.30"
"Dei, Is it humanly possible?"
"Indha Raghavan solran, indha Raghavan mudikkaran, I will make it possible!"
"Ok, enough of Rajnikanth style, prove it dork"
Raghavan started his mighty Yamaha 250 cc bike and Danny jumped on to the pillion.
"5,4,3,2 .....And ONE!"
Raghavan's bike cruised past many other bikes and cars in the busy M.G.Road traffic with ease. The mighty Yamaha roared past the traffic signal in the nick of time. Danny heaved a sigh of relief.
"Had we got caught in the signal, you would have bitten the dust"
"Who? Me?? You still haven't seen my best"
Raghavan pushed the bike to its limits, for a moment Danny thought he was flying in the busy lanes of the crowded city.
"Shit! Why is this Innova guy not giving space for overtaking?"
"He doesn’t know that Raghavan is driving the monster behind, let me give him some driving lessons"
Raghavan moved to the right, close to the road divider and pushed the accelerator to zoom past the giant four wheeler. Had Raghavan known that the driver of Innova was just out from Styx pub, he wouldn't have made that manoeuvre.
Feb 18,2007 8.00 PM
The Doctors in the casualty ward were surprised, rather shocked to see an accident victim, come out of it without even a single fracture. Raghavan was tired of narrating the sequence of events for the nth time, but still he continued doing so. He was awaiting his friend Danny, who had gone for an Ultrasound test, just to make sure all his internals were fine.
Raghavan got a breather of space and he immediately called up his home. He got impatient by the second ring, after the third ring, he could hear the sweet voice of his mother Thangamma.
"Amma, I am alright now!"
"I know da, God is great, all my prayers these years has protected you from such a danger"
"I was wearing a helmet and Jacket, only those protected me"
"You still don’t believe the divine power, wont you? Listen, I want to tell you something that happened last Tuesday"
"Leave all that, I forgot to mention about something that happened today. As we crashed into the car, the very next moment, I realized that I was on the road and the bike was on top of me. I started screaming aloud for help. Suddenly, there was this guy waiting for his bus, he jumped amidst the traffic and pulled out the bike with a single hand! He guided me to safety and got me some water to drink. He then lifted Danny and helped him into an Auto rickshaw. I got into the same Auto rickshaw and reached the hospital. Only after we reached the hospital, I realized that I forgot to thank him. Without him, I am sure we would have been run over by some vehicle coming from behind, in that traffic"
"You didn’t tell me this today evening! Anyway, did you at least ask his name?"
"No I didn’t talk to him, but as he lifted Danny, I could see his Company Identity card that displayed his name- R.Ganapathy"
Tears started flowing down Thangamma's eyes, she knew that her prayers didn’t go in vain. She turned back and glanced at the Murugan Stores wall Calendar, she could see Vilayattu Vinayagar smiling at her with a reassuring look.
Friday, February 16, 2007
And Justice for all..
Nearly four weeks after i blogged about the airing of 'racial' Ad in Neo sports, I&B Ministry has now issued a showcause notice to the private broadcaster Nimbus. This adds to the endless list of woes that Nimbus has been facing over the last 2 months. Almost every private broadcaster, especially the ones related to Cricket feeds, have faced very similar issues, be it revenue sharing model or feed sharing model. Are these the residual effects of License permit raj?
Nearly four weeks after i blogged about the airing of 'racial' Ad in Neo sports, I&B Ministry has now issued a showcause notice to the private broadcaster Nimbus. This adds to the endless list of woes that Nimbus has been facing over the last 2 months. Almost every private broadcaster, especially the ones related to Cricket feeds, have faced very similar issues, be it revenue sharing model or feed sharing model. Are these the residual effects of License permit raj?
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