Rain of Happiness*

What gives you a high?

2012-02-04T19:43:00.000+05:30

It all started with a random lunch-time conversation, after a particularly heavy pizza party at work. We were stuffed, satisfied and generally at peace with the world – you know the feeling, don’t you? – and got talking about other things that gave us a similar high.

Somehow, after that conversation, I’ve been thinking a lot about things that satisfy us the most. This list – what I call the ‘High list’ (wanted to say Orgasmic, but no) – can probably be the best tool to know more about a person’s personality.

Anyway, will cut the complicated psychoanalysis and present my own list of things/moments that make me happy – in no particular order:

- Food. Good food. Nothing like a satisfying meal to achieve world peace.

- Chocolate. Any time of the day. Any mood I am in. Sure shot happiness drug.

- That first touch of water on my feet at the beach.

- Applause for my performance. Be it speaking, singing, acting or whatever else. Yes, it feels good when you’re appreciated.

- Laughter. You know that moment when you have laughed all you can and can’t laugh anymore?

- A sip of chocolate milk shake after a long drag of hookah. Whatae.

- Work. Doing things I love doing and being so completely engrossed in it that I don’t know where all the time went.

- Sharing a moment of silence with a friend and realizing how lucky you are to have them.

- That first smile after a long crying session.

- Getting that perfect photograph with the light, frame and moment captured exactly the way I want it, after repeated attempts.

- Yamuna Kalyani and Chandrajothi.

- Singing along with the sisters and pretending to be carnatic rockstars.

Will add more as I think of them. What’s your list?

Goals 2012

2011-12-31T17:11:00.001+05:30

List of things I want to have accomplished by this time next year. Will make earnest efforts to get there, with all of you chugging me along.

Find a job I like.
Make money.
Stop biting nails.
Buy a car.
Travel to at least 5 new places, Hampi being one of them.
Make better music.
Starting writing that book.
Become fitter.
Understand my friends.
Know my enemies.
Learn to say No.

Phew! Now for the difficult part - putting that into action.

Happy 2012, everyone. And no, the world will not end.

How I became a Vijay fan and how it changed my life

2011-11-08T19:52:00.003+05:30

I used to hate Vijay. I mean really, hate him. I couldn't stand his films. Nor could I sit through them. Torture, is equivalent to watching a Vijay film without getting up to put dum during interval. How can I not hate him?

We're talking Vijay here. That undescribable human with extra-ordinary powers of sensational movements, superamazing stunts and extremely tear-jerking sentiments, all of which are entirely (read ENTIRELY) imaginary. This rare human features in feature films featuring all his extremely imaginary superpowers, of which a whole new species called 'Vijay fans' are fans. Why, I could not understand.

And so life went on with this hate-hate relationship between me and Vijay and his fans. I abused him, they abused me. After such a period of prolonged outrage, I started making fun of him, thanks to my sarcastic gene, funny bone and what they call the Thanjavur nondu, And man, was it fun!

From status messages, SMS forwards, chain emails, plot analysis, Vijay-gounder marana kalai videos, posting pictures of films wherefrom his plot was brutally CCP-ied, I did it all. At a point of time, I had gotten addicted to this.

And then - I started watching his films.

Quite honestly, they are a phenomenon. Nothing makes any sense at all. None of it. And what is even more fascinating, is you will never know why you are clapping along with his fans. Or laughing uncontrollably. You will not know why you are whistling at that horrible 'intro song' which is the same in all his films. But you will do it. I did it. Maybe because I have that tamil gene that whistles at any hero's introduction. I don't know.

It thrilled me to join that species of Vijay fans, who are all much wiser than us self-proclaimed intellectuals. We expect reality in cinema and get disappointed. They expect cinema in cinema and are happy.

That's when you realize, that life is not about Martin Scorcese or Satyajit Ray or Mani Ratnam films. Life is about that crass and silly pleasure derived from watching one big meesa vecha body builder being beaten up by our puny hero. Life is about believing that a rich super figure ponnu can fall in love with our pichakaara hero. Life is about the belief that you can become panakkaaran in one song. Even though none of it is even remotely possible.

Vijay movies are about believing in the impossible. They are about that thought you get while watching him do one of the impossibles on screen - " 'Tha ivanaalaye mudiyum na, ennala mudiyaatha?"

I am a proud Vijay fan today.

I don't know.

2011-10-28T17:32:00.002+05:30

Dew on my glass window,

Drops down to say hello.

The blinking cursor winks,

I don't know. I give up.

Somebody walks in

Calls me a friend

And then they walk out

I don't know, I give up.

There is nothing to be done

but always something

I must do it all

I don't know, I give up.

I remember a smile,

A hug, a kiss for a while,

And then suddenly it's gone,

I don't know, I give up.

Excitement, fear,

Love that I hold dear,

I refuse to feel them

I don't know, I give up.

Maybe I'm whiner,

but mom calls for dinner

I must finish up

I don't know, I give up.

Unbowed, till the end

2011-09-30T17:49:00.003+05:30

“It's the little things citizens do. That's what will make the difference. My little thing is planting trees”, is how Dr Wangari Mathai described her phenomenal Greenbelt Movement. A movement that has planted more than 40 million trees across Africa and given employment to thousands of African women. She was a woman who brought to my mind a picture of vivacious energy, that mad drive to do right in the world and that warm glow of love for nature. All this from just reading about her and seeing her pictures.

Wangari Mathai after receiving the
Nobel Peace Prize in 2004

Dr. Wangari Mathai was a woman of many firsts. Born on the first of April, 1940, she was the woman from East and Central Africa to earn a Ph.D, the first African woman to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize (in 2004) and finally… just after her death, she was the first African woman to trend on twitter.

Known to the world as an environmentalist, Dr Mathai was also a teacher, politician and human rights activist. She spoke up for the women of Africa on various issues and was particularly known for taking to the streets with the mothers of many political prisoners and demanding their release. She led high-profile efforts to halt construction of a skyscraper in Uhuru Park, an oasis of green in Nairobi and to stop the grabbing of forest land by cronies of the then-president Daniel arap Moi.

She made lots of enemies this way, our Mathai. The government did not like her guts. Se was beaten, jailed, vilified and evicted from her office. The landlords were too scared to rent out their space for her offices. So she promptly moved all her staff (more than 50 people) to her home in the city. Her husband divorced her, because she was “too strong, too stubborn and too successful” for a woman.

Like it remains for all to see, it is obvious that none of that could stop this daring woman. She took it all head on, fought her way through and left a trail behind in whatever she did. She proved to the world that a woman from a little town in Kenya could stand up and demand that the world take notice. It is only fitting that her autobiography (published in 2006) was called Unbowed: A memoir. Because that is how she remains till today. Unbowed, in spite of all the struggle, obstacles and political vendetta. In spite of a divorce, ovarian cancer and ultimately, death. Wangari Mathai remains. As an inspiration. As an unseen energy within women worldwide. As history that has been rewritten. Even in death, she stands. Unbowed.

Shiva.

2011-08-10T18:01:00.002+05:30

Just completed reading - Immortals of Meluha by Amish Patel. I picked it up from flipkart after much hype and expectation. I was going to read the story of Shiva. Shiva, the eternal destroyer, brought down to human form, weaved in through a complicated matrix of plots with wars, loyalties, clans, cultures, friendships and romance. To be honest, I was excited. And at the end of the book - utterly disappointed.

The writer was an amateur, lacked research (suggested that Manu, the father of Man, came from Tamil Nadu) and was not great in his language (did people living a thousand years ago use the word 'terrorist'?). But my biggest problem with Amish Patel is the way in which he took my great war hero as his central character and completely squished all the life out of him. Shiva. He who has no begin or end. He who cannot be measured even by the Gods themselves. He who cannot be understood, except by those who love him.

Whether Shiva is God and whether God exists, is a debate. But that this character lives in many Indian hearts and inspires them constantly, is fact. Shiva energizes, inspires and runs the daily life of many men and women in this country. The Shiva of the story is a fierce warrior, a common wild tribal and wears tiger's skin. His servant's name is Nandi and his wife is Sati. Yes it all fits... but he doesn't quite feel like Shiva. Not to me.

Maybe Amish interpreted Shiva differently and he is free to do so. Just that it doesn't cut it with me. For this is my Shiva. Who lives in my mind. A part of me. Shiva to me, is an energy. A faith. A fit of anger. A dance of joy. A contradiction. Duality.

Shiva, to me, represents the intriguing duality of this universe. Ferocious and tranquil, handsome and rugged, angry and compassionate, wild and civilized, violent and gentle, powerful and static, positive and negative. A warrior who can make peace, a master who doesn't hesitate to serve, a man who shares half of himself with a woman, a commanding father who bows to the knowledge of his son. A man whose dance is so full of power and beauty that just seeing it can kill a living man, or rise the sleeping dead.

Shiva is a leader who commands respect yet doesn't demand it. A general who can drive his forces into a complex matrix of activity, yet remain calm inside. A tribal who doesn't care for vanity and is yet so full of beauty. A manager who runs everything around him, without moving an inch. An undertaker who is feared, yet indispensable. An assassin who kills to protect. An enemy who is willing to be your friend.

A dominant lover. An outrageous flirt. But a man that truly loves his woman.

A husband that cannot exist without his wife, for she is the energy that drives him.

A father who lets his children learn by experience and never underestimates what they know. A teacher who is willing to learn. An arrogant dancer. A friend in need.

The scorching sun who gives life, The destructive lightning that brings rain, The strong wind that gives our oxygen, The wild river that cultivates farms, The raging fire that cooks our food.

My Shiva, is the balance of nature. And I refuse to accept Amish Patel's.

Dear Government, Wake up.

2011-07-29T19:02:00.003+05:30

The Most Used Word in Media Award for the month of July must go to ‘again’. Blasts shook the city of Mumbai – again, the Home Ministry took the ‘everything is under control’ stand – again, there were angry reactions all over the media – again, and we have forgotten all about in a couple of weeks – again. Only for those who lost their lives in the blast, there will never be another ‘again’.

After the 26/11 attack in Mumbai, the government launched itself into the process of tightening up national security. The National Investigation Agency was created and a specialized quick response force called Force One was raised, apart from several Special Task Forces. These efforts help in quick response post the attack but nothing seems to be done to actually avoid such terror.

The Ram Pradhan Committee gave several recommendations after the 2008 attack, the most important one being quick modernization of our police forces and removal of the huge red-tape that exists in the intelligence and security departments. This still remains a distant dream and so does proper co-ordination between Centre and State in handling intelligence inputs. Several patrol boats were bought in a hurry to beef up coastal security after 26/11, but most of them lie docked in an unused state

Accusing Pakistan of aiding cross-border terror is useless without first putting our own security systems in place, as we learnt from the wanted-list fiasco. It is true that public memory is short-lived and that seems to be convenient excuse for government inaction. Maybe this time we will not forget. Definitely not when elections come up.

P.S: This is the editorial @kafeelm, @jarus812 and I co-wrote for our college newsletter. We are first timers, so please feedback. Working on getting the entire paper online soon.

Ice Vandi?

2011-07-20T19:43:00.000+05:30

I had a thought. Because I am movie maniac.

How would it be if many movie maniacs got together and watched movies? Regional Cinema, World Cinema, Short films, Documentaries - you name it and we love it.

The idea is to gather a bunch of people here in Chennai, book tickets to a new flick, watch it together and then sit around discussing the movie over coffee.

For movies that don't currently run in cinemas, we will have to figure out a way. Maybe one of our homes or a any public spot that'll help us? At the worst, we'll have to agree to watch a movie before meeting day so we can discuss it. :D

And the thought doesn't stop there. What if we could document our discussions and put up the collective review of a movie on a common blog? Sounds good to me. And this helps @yeskarthik's project too. Quiz him about it. :D

Those interested, comment here/tweet me/email me/FB msg. Meanwhile, you can also join this Ice Vandi facebook group.

Oh - and why 'Ice Vandi'? It's the name of a similar club @bluinq had started sometime ago, but never took off. I loved the name and thought why not revive it. It's still not final - would love to know what y'all think.

Please pass the popcorn! ;)

Love, Memories and Eternal Sunshine.

2011-07-11T23:11:00.000+05:30

Joel Barish. At the end of the movie, I fell in love with him. Not with Jim Carrey, mind you, but Joel Barish. Because, I felt like Clementine Kruczynski (Well, let’s forget the surname for now - for the purpose of this article). I identified with Clem. I am Clem, in many ways. Not as attractive as Kate Winslet, but very like that character - Impulsive, weird and happy-go-lucky. Don’t be surprised if you see me with blue hair some day.

Okay, wait… before I continue into that world of Eternal Sunshine – this is supposed to be a movie review. I didn’t think twice about which one to choose (Pulp Fiction was a strong contender, but between Tarantino and Carrey – well). I’m actually writing this for a college assignment but something as close to me as this movie – thought I might as well put it up here on my blog. I hope to God my prof won’t mind.

Where was I? Blue hair, yes.

So the story begins on Valentine’s Day when Joel wakes up and decides to bunk work. He doesn’t know why, but he feels like going to the Montauk beach. And there he meets Clementine. Oh my darling, Clementine.

Cut, and you find out that Clem has erased Joel from her memory (through a company that does this for a living, weird doctor, drug-using assistants and more). To take revenge and bring peace into his life, Joel does the same. But while the procedure is underway, he realizes he doesn’t want to remove her after all – as that would mean the end of their life together forever. He realizes he still loves her and wants to remember her.

How Joel and Clem work together inside his brain (yes, inside his brain) to get them both back together forms the rest of the story. But the story is just not about Joel and Clem. Little stories of love are woven into the plot – each with its own emotions that get revealed at the right time and place. The climax warms your heart and makes you smile and maybe even a tear peeks out. Oh, and did I mention it makes you want to fall in love?

The best part of the movie, to me, was Jim. (Anyone who is reading this blog and knows me a little would know I he is the only hero I drool for). This movie, however, isn’t your routine Carrey-antics type. No slapstick, no tom-foolery, no ‘Spooookyy!’

Joel is a quiet guy, shy and withdrawn. He never makes the first move. He likes to live a routine life and does not do anything instinctive, out-of-place or remotely weird. No WAY Jim Carrey can do that role, right? Yet it is the very fact that he did it, looked hot doing it and pulled it off, makes me adore him more. One of Carrey’s best performances.

And of course, there’s Clem. Kate Winslet beats herself. Cute, Charming, sometimes very obviously irritating, lives life her own way and – my favourite trait – absolutely random. One moment she’s there, having a drink and the next, she wants to go down to a picnic on a frozen river. Oh, that scene down there on that frozen river. My favourite scene in the movie. I want that moment in my life, one of these days. Perfectly picturized, with apt dialogues and precise acting from both of them. Kate is jumpy and excited, while Jim is more subtle yet funny and oh-so-lovable.

The screenplay has been written by a genius. The back-and-forth narration initially confuses you but then, that is what makes this film so beautiful. Imagine having to show on-screen, the process of someone deleting their memory and the events that go on inside his brain. Imagine having to combine two entirely different film genres - Romance and Science Fiction.The screen-writer has done the task flawlessly, but it couldn't have been done without the editing and the visual effects team.

When I watch those scenes repeatedly, it becomes clear just how many discussions would have happened on that editing table and just how many ways they would have discussed to tell us a few seconds of the story. All that, has definitely paid off.

One other important element that really delivers the story to us on a plate – is the music. Draws your attention at certain places, but mostly it just blends with the story. It puts that smile or that tear in your eye or that little smirk – just when the director wants it.

Nothing too special can be said about the cinematography – and I think that’s the way it should be. No obvious hey-look-at-this-shot type of angles, No Look-at-me type of on-the-face shots.

If at all I had to say something negative about this film, it would probably be that it drags a little bit in the middle – when you haven’t yet understood what’s happening and the central characters (Joel and Clem) seem just as confused as you are. Though we do realize that this was essential after the revelation in the end, one can’t help but feel a bit restless about the slow pace of the movie.

To bring this long-winding monologue to a close, I’ll tell you the real reason why I picked this film to write about. This is the movie that convinced a non-believer like me, that magic exists in this world – and that it is called love.

Some mundane details:

Movie name: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Directed by: Michel Gondry

Screenplay: Charlie Kaufman

Cinematography: Ellen Kuras

Editing: Valdis Oskarsdottir

Studio: Focus Features

Release year: 2004

Genre: Romance, Sci-fi

Ten Reasons Why You Shouldn't Marry Me

2011-01-07T08:39:00.000+05:30

Okay, this was written in a fit of rage plus anxiety, when trying to come to terms with the fact that my family was starting to speak the M-word already. My simple way out is to ask every potential match to read this blog before making a decision. :D

So, here we go Mr. Potential Match - Ten reasons why shouldn't marry me for your own good.

10. I go to Vijay movies on release day
9. I refuse to go on a diet
8. I hate salwar kameez
7. I love Tasmac
6. I love people who love Tasmac
5. I swear.
4. All my friends are boys.
3. I am a boy.
2. As of today, I have a girl friend.
1. Fcuk Off, Asshole!

Two Men and a TomBoy.

2010-12-04T22:51:00.000+05:30

1 message received.

I'm at pondy bazar like now now now, should i pick you up up up?

And so they met outside her house and drove off in four wrong lanes before finding the right way, even with her showing the way.

"Nan Geography la weak nu theriyum la machi?", winked Sunny, laughing pointlessly as they usually do.

___

Like you've guessed by now, Sunny and Sakkarai are Best Friends and are on their way to meet their Best Friend -

"Soori Deeeii!", she screamed without any iota of civil behaviour. Everyone at the crowded traffic signal turned except him. Suriya, the third alter ego.

___

When they'd finally parked [their bikes], hugged and kissed [Sunny and Suri - they liked to play gay], they caught up with each others' lives over food and drink. Sunny the carnivore grabbed his KFC bucket, while the two virginitarians settled for chocolate shakes.

Now, let's allow them to do some catchup, while we get some background. These are the people we are dealing with here -

Sakkarai : Called Saka, 21, studies journalism but doesn't know what to do with life. Size XL, Tambrahm Tomboy. Status Single.

Suriya : Called Suri, 23, another software engineer but wants to be bigger things. Typical Iyer, Big Dreamer. Status Committed.

Sunny : Called Sunny, also 23, 'works for an MNC' but proudly joins Saka in the dont-know-what-to-do-with-my-life club. Cinema-addict, Shopping-addict. Status Eternally Complicated.

So, where were we? Oh yeah, Chicken and Chocolate shakes. And they caught up.

___

Suri : (excited) I'll probably be giving my first stage appearance next month!

Saka : What dates did you say again?

Suri : 5th and 6th

Saka : (checks calendar) Ah, good. I'll be here in Chennai!

And she squashes all his attempts at showing off by launching into details of her Nth travel plan and ..erm, showing off.

Sunny : Athan machi thinking... if I should spend so much money..

Saka : You mean, 'waste' so much money, right? (assumes a matter-of-fact expression) not worth it machi.. honestly, so much for just one day?

Suri : You mean, one 'night', right?

[All three ROFL]

Saka : Don't call it a relationship!

That was the nth time she was saying it. And the nth time Sunny was breaking up with someone.

Ccan't blame you really... for wanting to keep it going. After all she spends so much on you!

Suri smiles wickedly, while Sunny nods in genuine agreement.

But hey, chuck it, the bitch doesn't really deserve you macha.

Another often repeated dialogue of hers, to make him feel good about being the bastard that he is.

Saka & Sunny : You Gotta listen to this da!

Saka : This is why Kamal rocks!

Sunny : WHAT, he is The Man!

(Song plays from mobile)

... கண்ணோடு கண்ணை கலந்தாள் என்றால்? களங்கம் உள்ளவள் - எச்சரிக்கை!

உடனே கையுடன் கை கொர்தாளா? ஒழுக்கம் கேட்டவள் - எச்சரிக்கை!

ஆடையை களைகையில் கூடுதல் பேசினால்? அனுபவம் உள்ளவள் - எச்சரிக்கை! ...

Suri : WHAT, onnume purila! :O

Sunny : WHAT, Dhum adichutu polam da'

Suri : Yei, I'm already late da (probably the most used sentence of his life). Gotta leave soon.

Sunny : WHAT, Don't do this ra!

Suri : WHAT po da. (to Saka) Machi, are you coming?

Sunny : WHAT, Don't go di!

Saka : WHAT he is dropping me! I gotta go with him.

Sunny : WHAT, you are NOT going! (grabs her hand and doesn't let go)

Saka : WHAT!?!

Suri : WHAT! (pulls her other hand)

All there : WHAT! :D

[All three ROFL]

So the dhum did happen and so did Masala Kadalai and roadside relationship advice to Sunny (yet another regular feature in all their meetups). And when they finally decided to go home, Suri was an hour late for his next appointment - again.

(WHAT Continues..)

Hay Hay Hay!

2010-11-25T20:04:00.001+05:30

“We are here to make some noise. We are here to make nature’s noises that often go uheard. This noise is the sound of all the dried up little streams, the increasingly faint roar of the Indian tigers, the chirping of a thousand birds, the cough of an asthma, a warning of impending danger and more than anything else – a call to action”. Thus began our talk at the Hay Festival, Trivandrum, an amalgamation of writers, thinkers, musicians, film-makers and scientists from around the world who had gathered to foster the exchange of ideas.

Six International Climate Champions from South India – Mathews Vincent from Cochin, Pradeep P S from Trivandrum, Supreeth S and Hita Unnikrishnan from Bangalore, Ashokha Varshini and Shruthi KN from Chennai, were invited to attend the Hay Festival and give a talk on climate change and the ways in which we climate champions are working towards a better earth for all of us.

We began our show by making a lot of noise that got the crowd wondering and going on explain about the unheard noises of nature. We then went on to perform a small skit - the story of how many species of birds in New Zealand were wiped off the surface of the earth, because they were too busy living good lives to notice the dangers around them. Many species of birds in New Zealand are now extinct, because they could not adapt themselves to the sudden predators that came to live with them. With humans and climate change, it is turning out to be the same story. We are ignoring the dangers and are too busy to notice that the earth is changing.

Each of the Champions then told their own stories - of how each of them, in their own way, contributes to making a small little change in the community around them. While Supreeth advocated cycling as the clear solution to pollution, traffic jams and obesity, Hita urged everyone to save as much power as possible with her own personal experiences thrown in. Mathews had several stories to tell; from his green projects in college to his newly started green business while Pradeep reminded the audience of the richness of their own state Kerala and its sacred groves. Ashokha spoke about the role of media in tackling climate issues and how every individual can spread the word through social media while Shruthi signed off with a call to action with the ICCommit. She invited the audience to take up small green commitments that would make them more eco-friendly and sign on our banner as a mark of their support.

It was heartening to see a lot of the audience including a few celebrities, queue up to sign the banner, as well as express their interest in working for a greener earth. The Hay Festival proved to be a great platform for the Champions to showcase their work, as well as garner more support for the huge cause that we are all a part of. Many thanks to the British Council and the Hay Festival for making this happen.

Oh yeah, the festival ended with some crazy music by the crazy man, Bob Geldof. Hats down, sixty-year-old-dude!

Mincing no words anymore.

2010-10-01T17:49:00.000+05:30

I'm not mincing words anymore. I have had enough of the Indian Media, the Indian government, the Indian Politicians and the so-called religious leaders' versions of what the Ayodhya verdict means (Calling it a verdict might be a bit too much, actually. It is just a judgement - which is subject to further appeals). Most of the comments I have been hearing are either biased, pseudo-secular or completely lack understanding of the issue at hand. So here is my two cents, not so much meant for anybody's particular benefit as for me to let off some steam.

First off, stop calling it a 'Secular' verdict. Secularism is a concept that is largely misunderstood. Though there are different versions and different definitions for secularism all over the world, the basic gist of it all is that the State (or the government) does not interfere with the religious affairs of it's citizens. And that's it. It does not mean that any religion gets special treatment because it is a - to use the political term - minority. It does not mean that just because you are secular, one religion has to sacrifice what it rightfully owns in order to pacify another.

Now, the judgement. It clearly says that the site under dispute is, in fact, the birthplace of Lord Ram. The judgement reinforces what the Hindus have known and believed for centuries now. It has been proven scientifically (through archeological surveys) that the place contains evidence that the historic events of the Ramayana did indeed happen in that spot. You can find the report here. The site was a Hindu temple thousands of years ago, on the ruins of which a mosque-like structure was built in 1528 (exactly who built it, is still being debated). One of the judges has also observed that the Muslims did not use it as a mosque (for regular prayers and such). The place was largely deserted and not used for any specific purpose, though a ruling by the British administration in 1859 had denominated two separate areas for Hindus and Muslims to worship. (FYI, Wikiperdia provides an easy & compact timeline of the issue).

Now, since it has been established beyond doubt that the site is in fact sacred to Hindus, where the 1/3 partition come in? Why should there be a mosque in a place that has clearly been proven as a sacred Hindu site? Because somebody during Babar's time built something they should not have built in the first place? (in Gounder's style, "Bedramaax light'eeeh than venuma? Ramar porantha edathulayee than masoothi kattanuma?"). A real 'secular' verdict would have been one that is based on facts, with no influence of any religion - be it majority or minority. The 3-way split is like telling you that I own 1/3 of your house, because I have been forcefully occupying it for the last few years. Would you take that as 'justice' ?

Islam is a beautiful religion, that stands for peace and unity of all human beings. They do not have the concept of idol worship or extensive rites and customs like the Hindus. All that a musalmaan needs is a small patch of land and his prayer mat to be one with Allah in prayer. So, why it would it be a problem if the government alloted some other land (maybe even larger than the 2.7 acres) to build an extensive mosque in Ayodhya? Why should the muslims be confined to 1/3rd of the already small area, when their religion shows the way to things much greater than a petty land dispute? Does the judicial system of this rate muslims in such a low manner?

Religious freedom and equality does not mean having to split everything by three. It means giving to one religion what is rightfully theirs. The three-way split is a joke and rather, an insult to the muslim community. It is as degrading as throwing out leftovers, just to keep them pacified.

A local laundry man in Chennai (who is also a muslim), shooed off reports who tried to get his opinion on the verdict, with "We are not at all disappointed, it is you journalists who are making this an issue. Now if you will please leave me along, I have to deliver this suit by tomorow"

Mohammed Hashim Ansari, an elderly muslim who has fought legal battles since 1961 has said in a statement, “This is now a closed chapter for me, Hindus should be allowed to build their temple (in Ayodhya)". And that, my friends, is the real spirit of Islam, the real spirit of India, the real spirit of religious tolerance.

Indian Muslims would gladly give up their one-third for the construction of Ram Mandir - it is certain Bakras (what did you read that as? ;)) in the media and certain pimps who can't stand religious unity that are talking otherwise. And I'm going to say this, without any fear of what the world might think - Today, I dream of the day when a Ram Mandir built at the site. And a grand mosque built at another site nearby, which will be thrown open to public at the same hour. That day will see Hindus and Musalmaans praying together, like they have been doing for ages, for each other's peace and prosperity. That will be the day that sees the end of religious politics and the bastards that sit in power and think they know what the citizens want.

What the citizens what is peace (as we have shown clearly by our conduct on judgement day), and peace there shall be. Jai Shri Ram!

Learning Music

2010-09-25T18:08:00.000+05:30

I'm not a great singer, but I love to sing. I'm not a music expert, but I learn fast. I will probably never be a performer, but I enjoy my music. I totally do.

Learning music is never towards a goal. The learning itself, is the reward. As the teacher sings with perfection, and brings out the best in you.. your voice begins to open up, feebly at first and then strongly, resonating with the liquid perfection of the master's. And then he lets you go. You pick it up and to your surprise, surprise yourself with a good rendition. Ah, that joy.

If you don't get it, let me explain.

You have a hard day at work, come back home tired after an hour's travel in the worst possible traffic in the universe (Ever wonder how we are always stuck in the 'worst' traffic?). Your head is filled with honking horns, blinking monitors and some random filmy song that was playing on your iPod. As you slump down on the sofa, your dad invites you to sing (he is your teacher). Reluctantly, you agree.

As you sit down and make your voice resonate with the Sa-Pa-Sa, you are half refreshed. Then begins the Yamuna Kalyani. Flowing like a river, you take in the raaga, with all it's force, freshness and little gurgles as it crosses over pebbles. Just as the pallavi ends, you can't wait for more. The next stanza enthralls even more - takes you to the very birth of a river, as she trickles out of a tiny space. Slowly getting stronger, she flows out first as a stream, then gets stronger. And then more stronger. She waters fields, crosses mountains, breaks banks. Then you begin to see the little golden fish jumping up and down, the kingfisher waiting for the right moment to strike, the buffaloes lazing about taking a bath, the deer that have come down to have a drink. And finally you traverse back into the first few lines.. Ending with a simple yet pleasing note - like a glass of cool water on a summer day.

Haven't you by now forgotten everything else in the world but the amazing beauty that music makes you see? That little something that comes out of nothing, those random images that you see through your ears and that note of emotion that finds a place in your voice - that, my friend, is music. :)

That's what learning music is all about - being human, being peaceful.

P.S: I don't know what I've tried to write in this post. I sat down after a music lesson and just let the words flow. Do let me know what you think.

Having a Cold

2010-09-17T13:58:00.005+05:30

Today, I ask you Lord, to throw any adversary you can think of at me, but never again, this damn cold. Ever given extra thought to what that 'common cold' can do to you? It not only makes your nose run so hard it could win a marathon; it changes your entire life.

Suddenly, you can't eat what you want. You can't buy soft drinks, ice creams and all those chocolates that suddenly appear twelve times tastier. Instead, you have to buy no less than 7 extra rolls of tissue paper.

You can't sit in office without irritating your colleagues with a *snort snort* every few minutes. You annoy them even more when you request them, with your flum-dripping nose, smelly handkerchief and *achhoo* saliva dripping mouth, "Do you mind if I switch off the A/c for a while?” Imagine what being a constant annoyance at work could mean. It can affect your team, your morale, your work atmosphere, your productivity, your share of your colleague's lunch and so much more. But try asking for leave because you caught a cold, and they say, "Come on, it's just a cold". Just a cold? It could cost me my job, goddamnit!

If you're a student though, colds can be fun. At least, for your classmates. It is afternoon, the room is warm, the boring lecturer is droning on to glory and everyone daydreaming with glazed eyes. And then, suddenly, "Acchoo!” There is a muffled mutter of 'Excuse me'. In the next two minutes, "Achoo Achoo" again. Now everyone's attention is focused on you. They are glad for the change - even sneezing sounds better than the lecture. The lecturer glares at you and goes back to his notes. He begins to speak again, "So, as I was saying, the most important concept you need to understand today is" - "Aa... Aah... Aacchhooo!” Now the class is in splits. "I'm so - *achhooo* - sorry, sssir" *acchooo*

Sleeping is a nightmare. If you sleep at all, that is. To start with, the A/c is switched off. Your delicate body that was accustomed to sleeping at 18 degrees centigrade refuses to sleep in the 30 degree nights of Chennai. And then there are the mosquitoes that use the non-a/c nights to the maximum and threaten to leave you anemic by morning. Then of course, there is the cold itself. Your nose either runs rivers down it (like Mumbai in the monsoons) or blocks itself up (like the Cauvery dam). Net result - you either need to keep awake all night trying to wipe goo off your face Or, you die of suffocation.

What cannot be cured has to be endured they say. But the thing with colds is that you have to endure them till they decide to cure themselves. Colds have character. Sometimes I can almost hear them mock at me when I pop in a pill, "You think you can kill me with that? What a joke, Haha!” Well, say what you want, this is one character I'm never gonna be able to make friends with.

All the owners of running noses in the world, I'm with you in your struggle against this horrible disease! See a doc, Stay patient (in both senses) and May the Lord bless you with the virtue of endurance. Amen.

A Rubik's Cube

2010-09-14T16:13:00.006+05:30

Happy. Seem to have finally found the most important missing piece - No, pieces. There are two of them. Two, but yet seen as one. And then they make three. You really can't figure this out, but hey, you don't have to.

Life was plain, boring, loveless and lifeless (well, not that depressing, but relatively, all of them would agree) until this great discovery. They brought freshness into life. It was surprising how they survived without each other all these years. That perfect understanding, the beautiful comradeship, the inside jokes, the outside jokes, the in-between jokes, the dreams that were dreamt together, the abuses fired at each other, that look in the eye, an invisible communication and a moment of understanding followed by explosive laughter.

Friendship was defined. Happiness was re-defined.

Love was expressed. Completeness was felt.

And then lost.

Suddenly, it all doesn't seem to fit. The pieces don't fall in place together. Is it just too much friction that's worn the edges out? Have the pieces changed shape over time? Maybe the purpose of the machinery has now changed - which means the parts should be changed as well? Time to realize that one piece just can't stay in the same place as the game progresses? Ah, it's getting too technical.

Well, the real answer probably is that this is not mechanics. The pieces, unfortunately, have minds and characters of their own. They have their own worlds and their own dreams that don't always need to fit together. Maybe it's time to accept that this is all that there is and move on.

But they can't. Well, atleast, one of them can't.

There is a yearning for the times when they clicked together, there is longing for what now seems to be lost. There is also hope for the future, there is also an urge to move on - for moving on is not difficult. Many more puzzles are waiting to be completed. But the question is, will this puzzle ever be complete? Strangely, it is not even a puzzle. It's just a cube. A colourful, confusing, fascinating and unsolvable Rubik's Cube. :)

Oh, and I forgot a most important possibility - This might all just be my imagination. A rude inception.

Life does not exist.

2010-09-10T21:41:00.000+05:30

It's an illusion,

they told you it was life.

You're stuck in your own head,

knocked out with a knife.

There is no such thing as love,

and definitely no turtle dove;

There is no heaven to look upto,

and sure as hell, no hell too.

They said you've got lovely friends,

Trust me they're but all dead-ends;

No one wants to be bothered with you,

In this world there is nothing that's true.

All you got is your stupid self,

to figure out and finally quit;

Live or die, love or laugh,

no one really gives a shit.

So get on with it, do want you want,

And first stop reading this pointless rant!

Peace.

2010-09-10T12:38:00.003+05:30

Even as I write this, almost all my facebook friends are changing their statuses to 'Eid Mubarak' - irrespective of religion.

"Don't forget to bring your Kozhakkatais too", says this friend of mine, when I ask him to bring Ramzan delicacies for me.

Somewhere in Tamil Nadu, a Hindu girl and her mom are fasting for Ramzan. No, they are not converts. They are Hindus, but observe the Ramzan fast strictly.

Somewhere in Mylapore, a 'Bhaai' sells clay Ganesha idols for Ganesh Chathurthi. He sells them with respect and reverence.

Somewhere in New York, Bopanna and Qureshi are gearing up to play at the US Open Finals.

Somewhere in Pakistan, a boy is greeting his Indian friend online.

But Yet,

somewhere in America, a church wants to burn the Holy Koran.

somewhere in Dubai, Hindu symbols are banned.

somewhere in India, politicians are giving "colours" to terrorism. People died, goddamn it. Does it matter what religion they belonged to?

As you celebrate your festivals this year, Pray. Pray hard. Pray for Peace.

Spread the love, Condemn the hatred. Let Peace Prevail.

Wish all of you a blessed Ramzan and a happy Ganesh Chathurthi :)

_______________________________

"There is only one religion, though there are a hundred versions of it."

- GB Shaw

Our Climate Change talk at Smile NGO’s Annual Celebrations

2010-08-23T15:01:00.003+05:30

The rain gods blessed us, cars splashed mud on us and the auto driver cursed us, as my team and I arrived at the Sivagami Pettachi Auditorium, Alwarpet to give a brief talk on climate change and environment issues at the tenth annual celebration of the NGO Smile Foundation. Keerthi, Sharan, Mohan and I. We were ready. The boys were a little nervous - but raring to go.

We began with a story. A conversation between a grandma (yes you guessed right, that was me) and grandson (Sharan, a little guy with big dreams) – taking place in 2050. The grandson demands a story and the grandma promptly begins the story of the Paati, Vadai, Kaka and Nari. The story moved with much applause and laughter from the crowd, highlights being – when the grandson demanded what “vadai” was and the grandma explained the recipe of ‘Vadocin’ – the tablet substitute for Vadai in 2050, when the grandma imitates how crows from different countries cawed in response to another of her grandson’s queries, when the kakas flew to Copenhagen for a Conference of Kakas (CoK) and when everyone realizes that by the fights end at CoK, the vadai has gone bad and useless.

The story was followed by a brief talk by Keerthi (a fellow climate champion), connecting the incidents of the story with the present climate situations and highlighting the need to act. Later, the team spoke about our individual experiences in combating climate change and about what we can do as individuals to save our mother earth.

In the end, I wondered aloud if anyone in the audience had been convinced by our talk. Murmurs followed. I then asked if anyone wanted to come on stage and make a commitment to protect Mother Earth. We couldn’t handle the fight for the microphone.

That was our curtain call. :)

I hope and pray that all those people who promised to protect the earth were making true commitments. I would love to see those promises implemented and more people going the green way.

Three Cheers to my team for being the best. Three more to SMILE for the initiative. Let’s have some greenery, please!

That's me being the Grandma.. ;)

Keerthi doing her bit.. :)

Let there be light!

2010-08-12T21:52:00.001+05:30

One of those feeble attempts at poetry :

Life is dark and dull without you,
Come to me, dear ray of light;
Life is sad and cold without you,
Come to me, my ray of hope!

Come to me from far away,
Hit me like a storm..
Or be the gentle sunbeam,
And hold me in your arm..

Come my sunshine, remove the darkness;
For where there is light, there is always love..
And where there is love, there is life :)

- Aska

The Best month of my Life

2010-08-07T15:25:00.001+05:30

Yes, an update after ages. That means it got to be so close to my heart that I finally shed my laziness and got down to doing this. I know you’ve figured this much from the title, haven’t you?

So what made July 2010 the best among the many best months I’ve lived through? I’m going to do this in pointers (they teach us to be precise, you know) or you might end up having something of a novel to deal with (which will in fact be better than the twilight series, but why take chances?).

Enough intro. Plunge straight into content.

• Living with 4 french people and teaching them to eat the Indian way
• Realizing that at the end of the month, they eat more spice than you
• Getting used to having beer and wine in your refrigerator (considered ‘abacharam’ in our tambram household)
• Learning French, Bulgarian, Chinese, Kannada, Spanish and I-don’t-remember-what-language-that-was-but-I-know-how-to-say-hello-in-it.
• Organizing football tournaments and editing environment newsletters in the same breath
• Becoming an International Climate Champion.
• Having a complete blast at climate camp in Delhi
• Meeting people and realizing what has been missing in my life all these days – them!
• Booshirike Boys \m/
• Learning Srilankan nursery rhymes
• Someone thinking you're SriLankan because you speak Tamil so well :P
• Sobfest 2010 at the Nizamuddin platform
• Constituting new Climate Awards – Hulk, Bulk, Dope, Girly, Tintumon and Malabar Bit Viper :D
• Coming back to Bangalore and missing Delhi more than Chennai
• Staying awake till 2 am
• Staying awake till 2 am and talking to your best friends
• Staying awake till 2 am and trying to cook your midnight snack
• Trying to cook all your meals
• Trying to cook all your meals and missing mom.
• The usually to-the-point dad saying “What else?” on the phone and you realize he misses you too much.
• Making presentations to college students on climate change and being shocked when they surround you for your email id at the end of it.
• Building homes for the poor – yes, actually building.
• Building homes for the poor with volunteers from all over the world.
• Playing swimming pool volleyball after a hard day of building.
• Reclining on that hammock and talking to Pangali and Tintumon.
• Dancing to kuthu songs all night.
• Making foreigners dance to kuthu songs.
• Singing Maalai Neram with Vivin for Pauline’s Birthday.
• Singing Maalai Neram all the time.
• Coming back home after a month, ringing the doorbell at 5.30 am to find mom waiting with steaming hot filter coffee.
• Love.

Okay, Obama Won. Now can we mind our business?

2008-11-09T11:29:00.004+05:30

History has happened again. Barack Obama, the man who rhymes with Osama, the man with the dark skin, the man who was born to an affair between an Amercian mother and a muslim father, the man whose middle name is 'Hussein', the man who lost a place in the House of Representatives 8 years ago, the man who is America's offical President-elect today. Sounds amazing, yes.

The policies and politics of the United States have been a matter of interest to countries all over the world, especially so when the nation is on the brink of creating history. India and its media are no exceptions. Splattering Barack's picture all over the front pages is all fine, but giving suggestions on the breed of dog he should choose? Isn't that taking it a little too far? I can swear i saw atleast one article on Obama in every column of the newspaper on 5th November (maybe he didn't get into the sports pages, but they say he's a basketball player so he might very soon).

What is Obama's grandfather's name? Where do his daughters go to school? Is his wife a good cook? What is his height? What's his favourite holiday spot? How does his wife call him? Any Indian journalist will probably have the answers. I don't think any Indian election was ever covered with as much fervour as this US election, or any Indian leader given as much mileage by the media as Barack Obama has been.

We all know he is a phenomenon in the world today, but what is he to my maid servant? What is he to the farmer who is eagerly expecting the rains? What is he to the child who is begging on my street? To the girl forced into prostitution in Mumbai? His victory might indirectly affect these people - yes. But the media need not give the space to Obama's daughter's school teacher, which would rather be given to discussing the lack of teachers in Indian schools. The President of another country - even the USA - is not more important than fighting the evils that abound our own.

Let's hope Obama does something about the media as well! ;)

To Mom, with hate

2008-06-06T15:10:00.005+05:30

Everyone around me seems to love their moms. They are all busy getting her pink-flowered mother's day cards, chocolates, flowers, what-not. And there are the others, who say they don't need a day to show their mom some love... bah!

I, fortunately, don't belong on either side, for I hate my mother. What? Astonished? Shocked? Feel like shaking me back to reality? Or perhaps giving me a good whack? Whatever you might think, you can't change the way I feel about her. You see, it would be easy for me to love her, like all you losers do, thinking of all those so-called 'sacrifices' she made for me, if only they were sacrifices, and if only she made them for "me". (Oh please, if you can't lose that shocked expression, stop reading!)

One, they can't be called 'sacrifices'. She was only doing them because she was hoping that I would grow up one day and pay her back. She was doing it only because she can tell people someday, how she "suffered" to bring me up, while I don't care a damn about her. I'm not for this shit about 'unconditional' love. Everyone expects something from us, mothers are no exceptions. Two, she wasn't doing them for "me". She was doing them for her daughter, whom she gave birth to, and thereby, was obliged to bring up. She was NOT doing it for "me", as a person. She was doing it just because I happened to be born from her womb. What difference does it make, you ask? It probably doesn't make any difference when you are toddler, but when you happen to grow up and start having opinions and attitudes and thoughts of your own, you want to be loved for who you are rather than who you were born to, right?? I, as a person, don't feel loved and hence I do not love.

How do expect me to love a mother who doesn't understand me one bit? I really envy all of you out there who have perfectly caring, understanding mothers. I've heard many friends say that their mothers are their best friends, and how I loathed them. If only my mother made an honest effort to understand the mind of her 16-year-old, whose well-being she says, she cares about so much.

Is it wrong, for a teenage girl, to expect her mother to give advice on how to deal with boys? Is it wrong, for her to poster her walls with a poster of John Abraham (so what if hez topless?) and expect her mother to understand a childish celeb fancy? Is it wrong for her to wear sleeveless tops? Is it wrong if she speaks her mind when her mother's cooking goes a little on the wrong side? Is it wrong if she wants to be alone in her room for sometime? Is it wrong for her to expect her mother to understand that her grades are falling because she is distracted by a guy in class and is putting in earnest efforts to overcome it? Is it wrong for a little girl to be happy on certain days and moody on others, just when she is trying to cope with changes in her body? Why is it that my mother never seems to remember how it was when she was my age? If my mother cannot understand these simple things, when all she does is scream at me when I make a confession(instead of appreciating my honesty, like the ideal mothers do in the movies), when we are as different as chalk and cheese, when she looks at me as a vent for all her work and family pressures, how can we ever be 'best friends'?

Face it, people. Not all mothers are angels. There are mothers who sell their daughters to the flesh traders for meagre sums, there are mothers who send their daughters to work so their son can study, there are mothers who whip their children for the silliest mistakes, there are mothers who never make any effort to understand their children, there are mothers who are just too pre-occupied to notice that their child is feeling suicidal because of lack of love and there are mothers who throw their babies in trash cans. Dare to call them angels?

I know what you are going to say now. You want me to be thankful that my mother is not guilty of any of the acts mentioned above. Yeah alright, I'll be happy that my mother feeds me thrice day, what if I'm deprived of love? No problem. (Missed the sarcasm? Go and celebrate mother's day!)

P.S.: Before you post a comment here about how I should really understand my mother, be warned - this is not about me - though some parts, I confess, are derived from experience.

I just wanted to bring out a a frustrated misunderstood teenager's take on Mother's day. And honestly, she does have a point somewhere, doesn't she?

TNIE !

2008-01-09T14:24:00.000+05:30

ok readers... i know i havent bin here 4 a long time... and im not apologizing :P

this post is to let u know tht my big dreams of being a journalist are beginning to take shape already :)

I'm an intern at The New Indian Express for 2 weeks here .. one of my articles appeared in print! u cn read the article in the image below :)

i suggest u try to dwnload the image n thn read, it ll help ur eyes :)

i ll be back with a detailed post on my experiences at the indian express.. as soon as i can :P

jus wait a little bit longer ok? :)

cheers!

Madras in Mylapore

2008-01-07T16:40:00.001+05:30

(My article which got published in City Express, on Jan 8, 2008)

THE usually bustling North Mada Street slowly settled down to the festivities, as the clock approached 3.45 p.m., at the Mylapore Festival by Sundaram Finance from January 3 to 6.
What began as a simple kolam contest 13 years ago has today grown into a four day celebration of tradition.

The usual smoke belching cars and bikes were replaced by women gearing up with their bowls of flour, little children trying their hands at wavy designs, relatives hissing instructions along the sidelines, lensmen clicking away and, what’s more, foreigners and tourists posing next to their favourite kolams!

Nearly 140 participants took part in the event (including a lone male crusader, for the first time) from 10-year-old Bhavana to the 74-year-old Vaidehi, who participated with zest in spite of her shaky hands.

“This is my tenth year of participation in this event, and I always come back as it is punniyam (virtuous) to draw kolams near the temple,” says Vaidehi, who comes all the way from Gudunvanchery every year to be a part of the Mylapore Festival.
Prizes were given to 15 best entries, adjudged by Gayatri, a researcher on the origin and patterns of kolams.

Just as the kolams were being given their final touches, the drumbeats began. The next attraction of the Mylapore Festival was the Kokkalikattai (Stilt show), a traditional performance in which men walked and danced on top of long sticks attached to their legs.
As the performance moved through the streets, the stunning stunts and sheer energy drew a lot of applause from the crowd.

Many other cultural programmes like Bharatanatyam, Kolattam, Puli vesham and Kaliyattam entertained the audiences through the evening. A documentary featuring the sights and sounds of Mylapore, its current problems and possible solutions, was also screened for the public.

The ‘Food Street’ that was set up satisfied many eager taste buds with delicious Kozhakattais, lip-smacking Kuzhi paniyarams and other South Indian delights. The fashion-conscious teens and artistic adults were not disappointed either, as the ‘Art Street’ set up by the fine arts students of Stella Maris College and others showcased beautiful beads, bracelets, pots, vases, bags and other accessories.

One could also get his/her portrait done in less than 15 minutes, get his/her name engraved on a single grain of rice or a key chain or even get gorgeous mehendi designs done. For book lovers, there was a bookstall set up near the temple tank, offering books at discounted prices, alongside the ‘Crafts Bazaar’ presenting the wares of Women Self-Help Groups.
The ever-popular ‘Kutcheri in the Park’ at Nageswara Rao Park added to the festive mood.
Heritage Walks around Mylapore were an added attraction this year, bringing out its rich culture and ways of life.

“This may as well be starting point for different parts of the city to come up with their own fests, displaying their own distinct culture,” said S Prabhu, PR Manager, Sundaram Finance Group. Well, Chennaiites are definitely not complaining!

College!

2007-08-21T21:15:00.000+05:30

"The golden gates of school life are forever closed behind me, and now I enter the thorny wilderness of college..", thus spake Ashokha Varshini, on her school Farewell Day. Oh, how she laughs over it now! Once upon a time, she thought nothing would be equal to the comfort school gave her, there would be no greater joy in the world than skipping nasty class test right under LP's abnormally large nose... how silly all that seems today. Just one week into college, and she already knows that she is facing five great years full of great fun, lots of learning, loads of competition, what not! What an adventure, she thinks.

So how exactly is college life for her, you ask? Here is what she thinks, written under different headings, to make it easy (no, not for you, but for her :P)

Campus : Lovely. Just as I enter the campus, I can hear the birds singing to me, the crickets taking up their own sweet tune and the big bulging frogs croaking their welcome, hidden amidst all the greenery. And then there are the deers, the monkeys (oh yeah!) and beautiful butterfiles fluttering by. Of course, there is the canteen (four of them, actually), ready to serve you the yummiest delicacies at the cheapest prices. Great place to spend 5 years of your life!

Friends : So far so good. The five "last-bench girls" (Beena, Elzi, Aska, Nivi, Sanga) are having a Rocking time... we call our gang 'BEANS' (dont ask me why, thats the only proper word we could make out of the first letters of our names! :P) and we've broken a good many colg rules already! The guys are getting better by the day.. nice bunch.. some of them are a little shy though. I've found some really nice people to spend a significant part of my life with, and i'm sure our friendship is going to continue beyond the confines of Anna University... forever.. and ever.. Let's rock, people!!

Teachers : Well, what should I say? They're okay, I guess. Some boring, some interesting, some strict, some really friendly. Just what one would expect. No surprises here. English ma'am rocks, though :)

Seniors : Now, this is surprise time! They're cool, no super-cool :) After all the big lectures I got from my college-going friends on how I should behave with my seniors, how they would pick on any chance to rag, how they expect a lot of respect, how exactly I should respond when they ask something..blah..blah.. My seniors surprised me. Seriously. Never seen a friendlier bunch of people. You rock, guys! (You'd rock even more if you arranged a fresher's party though *sigh*)

Bottomline : I'm loving college :D

P.S.: But I still love school... sometimes, its better to be that silly school girl again, u knw :)

It is 1.35 am, 14th April 2007...

2007-04-14T18:56:00.000+05:30

I'm lying awake in bed... I can't get back to sleep..!Darkness surrounds me on all sides, everyone at home is fast asleep and I dare not make a sound. I can hear a cricket creeking somewhere... I can hear some papers fluttering on my table. Hey, was that a rat in the kitchen? I did hear something...

It's amazing, isn't it? All those sounds were around me all the time... I just don't notice the little things of life everday... I just don't realize the pleasure of listening to that cricket or just mulling over these thoughts in my mind with nothing to disturb me. I am getting too busy... Or am I?

I'm still pondering over the answer... but before that, my eyes are getting heavy.
I better get to sleep before I lose it all over again!

That One Night...

2007-04-13T20:06:00.000+05:30

She had had a really bad day. She came back home tired, worn-out, depressed and angry with the world. After a half-hearted dinner, her bones begged her to hit that comfortable feather bed... but her mind refused to sleep. She dwelt uncomfortably on the day's events... recalling that angry voice, her mother's tears and her total helplessness. She twisted and turned for what seemed like hours, but sleep evaded her. She finally decided that he was her only choice. His consoling words, his soothing voice, his encouragement - they were all that she craved for at that moment. She had spoken to him once in the evening... it seemed like so long ago.. just when the troubles were beginning to surface. They had both been a little too preoccupied back then, and she had pressed that fateful "NO" on her mobile a little too early than usual. She hurried out of bed and almost ran to the telephone. She dialled his number... and waited.

One ring. Two rings. Three rings... She let it ring on... but the sleepy "hello" she expected never came. He must've slept, thought she. But that didn't put her off from trying again and again and again....

As she waited endlessly for him to answer her call... the day's happenings came back to her more strongly than ever. She had gotten herself into a nasty mess with a superior... one that, at its worst, could spoil her entire reputation. If only she had kept her big mouth shut! She cursed herself for her foolishness. But what angered her more, was that people she thought were friends had betrayed her. Their true color had been exposed at the time of adversity... and betrayal, is something the human mind did not accept easily. As these thoughts ran through her... she began to get angry with him. How dare he sleep peacefully while his best friend lay sleepless? Nevertheless, she kept trying. She was desparate to hear his voice - that was her only medicine now.

Medicine... ah! How that word haunted her. Even as she entered the house back in the evening, her father had complained that mom wasn't well. She had taken her mom to the hospital... and had waded through many streets and many more shops, before she finding the right medicine. Her mom had had two attacks already... she was worried sick. And still, he hadn't picked up the phone.

Now, she was really angry with him. She was his best friend!! How could he do this to her? How could he sleep, when she was so miserable? After all this trouble, now her best friend had turned his back on her... This was too much for her poor self to take. It was almost midnight. She decided to call him one last time. She dialled... and let it ring twelve times before hanging up.

She was tired. She hated him. How could he? She understood that he had been sleeping... but that didn't console her in any way. He had let her down when she needed him the most... As she cried herself into an uneasy dream... every tear that fell on to her pillows, told them how she missed him that night.

FRIENDS...

2007-04-12T14:06:00.000+05:30

They are amazing, aren't they? When you are feeling down in the dumps, when the whole world seems to be against you, when the funds are low and the debts are high, you want to smile but have to sigh... Friends are just a phone call, an e-mail or a simple SMS away! They make you smile, blush, cry, shout, scream, Sing, Dance (even if you are as good at dancing as...umm..me! :P), laugh till your eyes are filled with tears and most impotantly, they make you LIVE! Friends are essential for making life what it's meant to be...

Friends are people I'm really passionate about and i thought all those lovely creatures who make my life better deserve a post entirely to themselves! :) If I ever wanted to talk about all my beautiful friends on this post... well, you'll still be reading it when you are eighty. So, i'll try to fit in as many as i can... To those who might get left-out - I'm really sorry, Love you loads.

Now... I don't know where to start!! :S

In some ways, my first ever friend was a guy called Sriram... we were playmates when we were barely three... I still remember his promise that he would take me out to visit the 'Vandalur Zoo' one day... but yea, well, it was never to be. I have NO idea how he looks now, or where he is, but I heard he got a baby sister who got named after me! (yea, exactly! how cuuute!! :)) Sriram, I don't know where you are... but you are remembered! :)

There is a place in this world where all of go for "gaining knowledge" and "wisdom" and so many other things we might never end up gaining... but what all of us most definitely gain are - you said it, Friends! And you're right again, that place, is called School! My school has given me a gr88 set of friends... who are almost like family! Lovely Delicate Darling Laksh, My Bubbly Sweetheart Aishu, Cool and calm.. the silent mishchief maker SARS, Hyper Hema (sorry de, had to do that! :P), That Honest Dharmaraj-reincarnate Divya, Naughty Nandu (had to do that too!), (Hair-)Stylish Ms.NPS Koolgirl Koki, Pathetically Impressive Ishu, Partner-in-Crime ever-energetic Sharanya, Beautifully Sweet Ru, The Darling of Ragas and Talas, (Na)Dhari... oops..I'm running
outta adjectives! :P

Life will never be complete without those 45-minute (thats the minimum!) tele-chats with Laksh, those silly stupid fights with Hema and Aish or Saranya's idiotisms interspersed with those burrpss..!Nandu...omg.. Those out-in-the-terrace-on-a-starry-night walks, loong Vetti Chat Sessions, Lime juice at that rickety potti-kadai, Evening strolls through almost every by-lane in Gopalapuram with Divi n her, FoodWorld, Greenland - you name it, we've done it! Nandu's really special, coz whatever fix I get myself into, she's just a shout away. (She lives above me! :)) When you live with a person 24x7, you just can't help loving them. :)

Okay, Okay... I'll talk about guys. There really isn't much to say here... they are only just a handful. There are Bala, Shiva, KP, Vivek (he shares my bday!) and a few others who are faithfully in touch.. others, well... we fell apart. There was a certain Sanjeev, who was my friend for certain two months...and then, God knows what happened... we haven't spoken after that. (Yes, I can hear some coughs). There is also this Buffoon called Prashanth, supposed to be my senior.. maan, believe me, hez the craziest fellow in the whole world. There are also two other guys in my life.. who need a very special mention. Both, interestingly, started out as E-friends and turned out to be best real-life buddies..

Sriman - That sweet kid who is a Software Engineer, the first person to recognize the second part of my name... and Ashok - the cool as cucumber Infy King[;-)], my favourite punch-bag! It's just sooo amazing when I look back and think that these guys were complete strangers to me roughly a year ago... Now, life would be just soo incomplete without them!

And then there are my newest set of friends.. the VOY gang - Ro, Noor, Huda, Ash, BM, Sauda... these guys ROCK!! Let's rock the world together, ppl ! :D

This post is getting too long already... so I must get to the wind-up... Sorry to anyone I may have left out. I'm now getting ready to enter a whole new phase of my life.. one that I have very little knowledge about - College. I know I'll be making friends there too, but guys, herez the Tribute - All of you have made my life more beautiful and I am not going to thank you at all. I'm going to stay in your life as long as I can and keep messing things up like I normally do - that's a promise. :D

Three Cheers to all of you!!!

aska, the journalist!

2007-04-02T10:48:00.000+05:30

hey everybody... this is to let you guys know.. askaz busy being a journalist nowadays! :D

I'm associated with an NGO called NalandaWay (yeah, thats the place that introduced me to UNICEF, in case ur wondering..) and I'm doing some articles for the new website that they've launched. That's the background :)

So, how is it being a journalist, you ask? I can sum it up for you in two words - "fun-filled WORK" (the capitals are here for a reason). Sometimes, you just have too much work to do and trust me, some of it is boring. Big time.

It's greaaaaaaaaatt funnn to interview people and get to know what they're upto.. (especially if you are talking to down-trodden children who so eager to express themselves! :)) But on the other hand, when you have listen to the interview all over again on tape and make a transcript or article out of it... aagh.. sometimes, you just don't feel like it.

But I think the nature of this particular assignment makes it even more interesting than normal journalism as you have explore into the minds of various people and bring out their problems. We are looking at identifying the problems of different people... we're looking for 'spice'.. we want controversies. :D

So, I think this..err.. i don't want to call it 'job'. That, i think, is too boring a word for what I'm doing. :) This adventure is something that I'm truly enjoying, with all the back-breaking work, deadlines and the total exhaustion I experience at the end of the day. :)

Now you probably know why I havent really been in touch with many of my friends or why my blog is getting updated this late... and with this boring a post.

That's all that aska has for you today. She has lots of things in mind which she wants to write about.. just give her time :)

Until then, Cheers! Keep Smiling!! :)

P.S. : visit www.eastsidestory.in if you are interested... its an NGO full of very nice people.. FOR very nice people! :)

Sweet Kid Vs. Spoilt Brat

2007-03-27T22:45:00.000+05:30

You know the type, don’t you? The kids who get top marks in class, the kid who is always found with his/her nose in the textbook, completes all the homework three days in advance, the one who readily gobbles up the advice given by parents and teachers without a single flinch or sign of irritation. (And “realizes that its all for good”..!), obeys and respects his elders, has never heard of the word ‘F**k’, doesn’t know what ‘hangover’ means coz he/she has never had one… talks on the phone for a precise 5 minutes, eats whatever mom gives.. even if that includes broccoli..(Yea, you’re getting the idea, aren’t you?). They are the ‘civilized’ and ‘cultured’ youth, according to the elders and their idea of having fun is probably limited to watching Cartoon Network the whole day! : P They’ve never played a prank on anyone their whole life, they never speak to strangers and they are the best material for being the so-called Teacher’s Pet!
In short, they are ones who get that affectionate pinch on the cheek from every uncle, aunt, next-door neighbour, or cousin’s friend’s brother’s wife… with nice and long…“WHAT a sweeeeeeeet kid!”

And then, there is the other type. (: D)

They are rebels in their own right. They’ll ask you what ‘homework’ means, they are the essentially last-benchers and they aren’t exactly on top of the merit list, though they’re really bright (sometimes :P). They’ll be the first ones to “BOO!” you from behind the door; the ones who think teachers are lesser mortals. They all live by a simple philosophy – “Live for Today, Plan for Tomorrow, Party Tonight!” :D
They can never stand advise, they talk on the phone ALL night (erm, I’m sure u guessed who they talk to!), they love their pizzas and burgers, and would flinch at the sight of ‘Molagu Rasam’. Their favourite channel is probably the one with the diamond on top and they’d use words you wouldn’t really want me to write in here.

Now, I have to be honest here and admit that both the above cases are exaggerations. :-)
Those paragraphs written above are merely comic relief. :-) What follows is the real thing.
If you wanted to find someone who satisfies everything I’ve written up there (i mean both cases), chances are that you’ll be as successful as the Indian Cricket Team.

But I think this is Exactly the kind of discrimination adults tend to make. If a girl scores well in class and listens to her elders, she is “sweet” and a “good girl”. If the same girl wants to have a sleepover or tries to color her hair, she’s been ‘spoilt’..(mostly by ‘bad friends’!!)

Why can’t people stop this business of branding? Why can’t children be children? How is it that Only a child who scores well, talks less and behaves like a puppet is ‘good’?? Come on, children aren’t judged by what clothes they choose to wear or what food they choose to eat. It’s time for adults to take a fresh look at things. Not all class-toppers make civilized citizens, after all.

Okay... here we go!!

2007-03-27T13:50:00.000+05:30

Welcome.
Thanks for reading the first bit of non-sense that i'm posting... :-)
Let's hope I can keep this thing going regularly..!
I've NO idea how a blog should..err.. read like.. so im jus gonna go on with what i think i should do (which is what i usually do, and which normally amounts to a lot of useless stuff :P)
So, Get ready to enter a new world of blogging - aska's way!! :D

Cheers,
aska