Memoirs

Good things about being in London

2010-07-01T02:11:00.000-07:00

It's a cosmopolitan, you get to see all kinds of people: Indians, Chinese, Sri Lankans, Punjabis, Pakistanis, and hardly any Britishers. Hehehhee...:-)
Normally, friends who travel to U.S, pass by London to change flights, so you get to meet them. :-)
Public transport is very good. I love the trains, tubes, buses, cycle-rickshaws, etc.
You get to see amazing cars, especially in central London.
Fashion and clothing: simply amazing. I normally spend more time observing the way people dress more than talking to my husband when I go out. :-)
The eating hang-outs and cafe's remind me of Bangalore. I simply love this feeling.
It's nice to walk on the pavements, especially with my baby buggy.
Every place has been made suitable for babies, people with prams, and old people, which makes traveling extremely convenient.
It's any day better than Delhi! :-)

There are a few bad things. But why crib now. There's much more time for all that!

Back!

2010-06-30T02:49:00.000-07:00

Finally, after a long hiatus of almost a year and a half, I am back to blogging! Yippie! Have been wanting to do this in quite some time now.

The first thing I did was to read my previous post. My last year was indeed very eventful, and probably the most memorable year of my life. My baby boy was born on the 30th of September. Life seems more meaningful now. I am enjoying motherhood and it's a beautiful phase of my life. My music found another new dimension for expression. I sing so much more than before now, to my baby. :-)

I shifted base from India to UK now. Another huge transition in life, which seems to be working well for me. More to come.

Lots of love and cheers.

Happy New Year

2009-01-11T04:51:00.000-08:00

It's chilling cold in Delhi and to my surprise, I am finding myself getting comfortable with the weather here, as years have passed by. I would crib a LOT about bad weather here, all the time. But not anymore. I was at home, Bangalore last month and this trip was again activity-packed. I enjoyed the trip, except that I could not go out too much with mom. Each time I go home, I get so much love from my people, I feel so overwhelmed and so special. God is really kind to me in a lot of ways and I love life for all it's given to me. It's the beginning of the new year and I have a very positive feel about this year, that things are going to be much better this year. Why and how? I don't know, but I feel that. Looking forward to challenges, opportunities, and changes. Let's see how it goes. Signing-off for now.

I am mesmerized with Vijay Prakash's voice

2008-11-08T23:44:00.000-08:00

I heard Latt Ulljhi, Sulljha Ja Baalam in Music World the other day and I asked the shop keeper what album was that song from and who was the singer, and he said that's from Yuvvraaj, and without thinking twice I bought the Music C.D. That was the effect of Vijay Prakash's voice. The song is in Abheri or Bhimpalasi in Hindustani. He's sung the song so beautifully, that it was probably the first time that I bought an A.R.Rahman's album for the voice of the singer and not for A.R.Rahman! Surprising isn't it?

Vijay Prakash's voice is not new to our ears. We have heard him in Sa Re Ga Ma:
http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=_3T6u5-jhsY&NR=1
Listen to the alapana in Mohana (Bhupali) raaga, how he ends with the Thillana - thaka tha jhanu dheem tha, tha, jhanu dheem tha dheerana...it's amazing.

Listen to Kavithe from Gaalipata:
http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=NYtAT0z4Jkk

Listen to Sooni Sooni from Cheeni Kam or Pal Pal Hain Bhari from Swades. Although these songs did not have too much of an impact, Vijay Prakash has taken the crown finally with this classical song from Yuvvraaj. I am totally into it at the moment. I am sure lots of people are, already! He is from Karnataka I believe...:-) Anyways, me really proud of this singer.

Enjoy the song at the moment, it's absolutely mesmerizing:
http://www.raaga.com/channels/hindi/movie/H002891.html

Lay-offs

2008-11-08T06:48:00.000-08:00

How are we expected to react to lay-offs? The U.S team I used to work with, got laid off yesterday. I mean, it's all 'doomed'...I wonder how they are all taking it. And guess what, we are all thanking our stars that our asses are well on the office chairs! It is a weird situation. The managers are trying to cheer us up, telling us to look at what we have achieved so far, and be happy that the company still thinks that we are employable. Oh yes, there comes the famous talk of employment vs employability. Well all that apart, I still feel a little unethical to remain insensitive and move on. But I guess, that's the way to live in today's world. I am not cribbing about it, but I find it strange. If I fail to move on, then I am left behind. It's a bloody rat race out there. And we are all just moving without looking back. It tires me at times, but I really want to be a part of it, so much so that I want to lead the race. When will that time come? I am now reading 'Ignited Minds' by Abdul Kalam, it's such an inspiring book; especially now because my morale is a little down because of professional and personal sinusoidal waves..well ups and downs I mean. More to come...bye for now.

Ways to compensate

2008-11-05T00:04:00.000-08:00

Is this the only time of the year that I feel happy? I wonder...

When I look forward to going back home, I try to find reasons why I feel so happy and there are many. I feel closer to myself. I feel extremely happy about being just me. But why so...what is wrong with the way I am today, I wonder again. At the moment, I am only a part of me, but the complete me is when I am at home.

For me, the biggest change in life was when I left my home, my parents and family. Although most people say that women get used to the fact that they are now somebody's wife, or daughter-in-law, or sister-in-law, ....I still feel that it the biggest void that one cannot fill in life. Whenever I see my husband being so happy with his siblings, his parents, I feel happy for him. I feel happy to be a part of his family. But I so badly miss my family. After so many years of marriage, I still have this one complaint about marriage. There's nothing to fill the void of missing your family, there's no love to compensate the love you get from your parents.

Probably, that's the reason God gave woman the power to give birth - to compensate what he takes away. May be that's the only way God decided to compensate love in a woman's life by giving her the power to deliver a life, to be a mother. When I will be one?

Preethiya Bengaluru

2008-05-07T02:42:00.000-07:00

The more I go to my hometown, Bangalore, the more I fall in love with the city. For very obvious reasons, that I was born and brought up there? No, not just that. I have been to several places in India and abroad. Compared to most of the cities that I have been to, Bangalore is the best city so far. For the people, who you love at times, and you hate at times; for the traffic that could almost choke you every now and then; for the bad and bumpy roads; for all of these and more - there's something so good about the city. The places, the hotels, the hangouts, the crowd - everything has a class of it's own. I can't wait to see the city having a cool metro running all through. However, I hope the greenery remains intact.

Why do so many outsiders live and thrive in Bangalore? It is because the people are accommodating and soft-spoken. In every small way, I have observed that people try to help each other. Ofcourse, there will be a section which is really bad, but in general the crowd is nice. The food joints, pubs, cafes are simply great. It feels great to see the kannada movie industry doing very well. I simply love some of the kannada songs from the recent music composers like Mano Murthy. The FM radio channels are very good. Most of the youngsters are very smart and know a lot about technology. Bangalore is hip-n-happening, in every way.

Bangalore can definitely boast of very good schooling and education compared to most of the towns in India. You need not even think of going elsewhere until you complete your education in this city. You have all possible opportunities to pursue. Bangalore has some great shopping places, although crowded most of the time, the choice and variety is good. Ofcourse, inflation is an issue in this city. Blame it on IT or politicians, Bangalore is expensive. The minimum auto charge is Rs.14 now! And we can see some great looking double-decker buses in the city now. I simply love the city. While people maintain traditional values, the culture and heritage seems to be intact too. The city has lots of budding young talented singers, musicians, artistes, actors. The music concerts, the dance concerts, plays, drama, fine arts, movies, keep the city going. Alliance'de Francaise and Max Mueller Bhavan have paved way for several international alliances and join to be part of city's pride. Vidhana Soudha and Vikasa Soudha take the crown, standing in the middle of the city. Chinnaswamy Stadium and KSCA are the cricket hubs in the town. I can't express how much I love walking on M.G Road, Brigade Road and in Cubbon Park.

I feel proud of the city and it's people. The only city that has splendid weather all the time which brings a smile on your face as you welcome each day. The only place where I look forward to be all my life, close to my people, my friends and my home. I love Bangalore. :-)

May I Have Your Attention Please?

2008-03-07T11:28:00.001-08:00

What exactly do you see in this picture? A group of kids? They all look like students from a class room? Precisely, a government school?

Wrong!

See carefully…

There are only GIRLS in this group

The girls are of different age groups

They are not the students of a classroom or a school, but they belong to Sharanya, a children’s orphanage.

The only similarity you can see among all of them is that they are all smiling and ask why? Because I had just given them lots of chocolates, before I clicked the snap, and the little girl in pink frock, right in the front, was the happiest of them all. It was beautiful to see the children smile and talk and even sing!

I am NOT writing this article for you to read and comment, but I want you to help. Sharanya is a children’s home – that houses orphans, or ‘special children of God’ like what I call them. These children don’t need anybody’s sympathy but they need your attention, time and financial support - to evolve into educated and civilized individuals tomorrow, probably with even better thoughts and opinions than what most of us have today.

The orphanage is in Bangalore, R.T Nagar. Anybody willing to spend some time can go and visit this place. Please think about it and see to what extent you can contribute. I can always help you with ideas, since I have been associated with the group in some time now. But it will be great if you can go and see the place on your own. Please write to me and let me know your thoughts.

Also, I would like to bring to your attention that why only girl children dominate these orphanages? Why is it that only female infanticide is rising so high in our country today? Read this:

The states of Punjab, Haryana and Jharkhand have the worst sex ratios in the country. According to the 2001 census, there are only 874 women with respect to 1000 men in these states. The national average was 933.

Isn’t this a serious concern? Especially among the illiterates and the poor? These people worship Goddesses. But when it comes to giving birth to a girl child, parents step back. Why?

Because of illiteracy and poverty?
Because parents don’t have enough money to get her married when she grows up?
Because parents don’t have enough money for her dowry?
Because, today, even if parents spend on her, she will not be able to return anything when she grows up or even be there to take care of her parents, since she will be married off?

It could be any or all of the above.

In this post, I am going to share my thoughts on Dowry. To a great extent, I blame our traditions and our society. Most parents believe in proving their potential to the society by flaunting wealth when giving away their daughters during the marriage ceremony. The richer they are, the more they flaunt. Also, the biggest mistake they commit is giving dowry, may it be in the form of gifts / jewels / whatever. This culture has evolved so much and getting a girl married becomes the greatest challenge in a man’s life. So much so that today, in the North India, among Brahmins, if a girl is unmarried till 30 years for whatsoever be the reason, a fixed dowry of 25 lakhs – minimum is what the parents need to be prepared for. This is true, and I am telling you out of what I have seen very closely. Some families feel very disappointed when their sons fall in love and marry a girl, because their rights to demand more from the girls’ parents goes down, although it does not get evaded completely.

I spoke to some women. They feel that it is the only way they can instantly make place in the boy’s family and it is important that they bring wealth from the father’s house. May be in olden days, women were not working and earning for themselves. But today, times have changed. Although not all women are capable of coming out and facing the world alone, women are smart enough to manage to voice their opinions and there are plenty of ways through which they can build upon their skills and make money. It is really a matter of shame that till today we see such serious issues prevailing in our society. We do have our legal system in place. But the only thing is people are not aware of this and they fear to come out and voice their opinion.

Today we need more people to come out and stand up for what is right. We need more women who believe they can make a difference. Thanking God everyday for what we are and who we are is not enough. We need to think that since we are in a better position today, so why not work towards helping for a cause? We need to work against female infanticide and dowry. We need to think of pulling the left behind. When I got married, although my parents were not too happy, I very clearly told them not to encourage any such demands and they kept my word.

So people, please give it a thought and come forward to help. It matters. You will feel the difference within you. When you help others, you will feel that your existence is not just mere existence, but it meant something to someone, somewhere.

Pls: If you want to contribute for Sharanya, write to me or get in touch with them directly.

Simran Thirai!

2008-03-06T21:13:00.000-08:00

I was so surprised to see my favorite actress - Simran - back on T.V this week! That too on Jaya T.V! I was just browsing the channels and caught this serial on T.V.
I must say a lot of things about this:

Simran - It was a pleasant surprise to see her!
Characters in the serial - Simran - as a girl next door, simple, college-going, voracious reader, lover of books, serious and yet confused about marriage - portrays the character very well. Her body language, style everything seems very casual and impressive.
Simran, I believe has lost a lot of weight to work on this serial. I somehow felt that she was still looking fat, especially in that Maami look in the title song and the orange fire-brigade kind of outfit in the same title song. After being known for her great personality, dancing and acting, Simran excels in everything except her old looks. Her face seems puffy and she needs to look thinner...:(
Simran's Clothes - Are very contemporary. She wears nice and simple salwar kameez, she looks the best in them. Rest, she is mostly sporting jeans and long kurtis, and stoles, that are very much in fashion these days. Most of her kurtis seemed like Westside products. However, I felt she can look much better had her clothes designer worked more on this aspect. She needs to wear more flowy outfits to look thinner and stylish. She has looked so good in most of her films and her clothes have always been very good, mostly enhancing her figure. If she has put on weight, then, to cover her fat, more flowy synthetic garments can be used with a lot of prints. That's what I felt, rather than cotton stiff kurtas for her.
Title song - The lyrics of the song is good and the way it is shot is also very good. The composer of the tune has tried to give the song a very modern and English feel, something like Jillendru Oru Kaadhal title song, Poo Pookkum Osai song - kind of effect. But I felt it was okay. Chinmayi has tried her best.
Simran's family members - The constantly pressurized father, the ever-grumbling mother and the naughty sister - are excellent. One thing I was disappointed was the actor playing opposite Simran as a lead. This guy needs a hair-do so badly. He is so shabbily dressed. I felt a better looking, or atleast a better dressed guy should have been chosen to play opposite such a wonderful actress.
One more thing I was excited about was - it is being shot in Delhi! There are scenes shot in front of India gate, Vinayagar temple, etc where I go normally and it was a treat to watch. The father-daughter chemistry in the serial is also very good.

Overall, the serial has just begun and seems interesting.
Share your opinion if you happen to watch this. Since I love Simran, I will continue to watch this...

I loved Jodhaa-Akbar

2008-02-27T02:10:00.000-08:00

The more I watch Jodhaa Akbar, the more I seem to fall in love with it! I loved the movie for several reasons:

For portraying our Indian culture so beautifully...

For portraying love so beautifully...

For portraying religious tolerance so beautifully

For the palace backdrop, scenes of Agra Fort / Amer Palace...

For the clothes and costumes...

For the spectalular elephant-taming scene...

For the background music...ARR has used one specific BGM for every character in the movie. I noticed that he has used the Dil Se kind of BGM - to create a feeling of fear for Akbar's foster mother's character. It is very similar to the BGM of Dil Se. The BGM he has used for Jodhaa-Akbar's sword fight scene is fantastic. The BGM when Akbar teases Jodha is amazingly sweet. The last few lines of Mann Mohana that is used when Akbar walks in the palace after seeing Jodhaa for the first time and gets smitten by her beauty, is beautiful...I loved the gujrati group jingles that is used for Jodhaa when she enter's the Moghul palace for the first time with her ladies group, and also the one when the ladies enter the lunch room carrying the gujrati dishes to be served to the Emperor...Some of the BGMs used for the war scenes were very similar to the ones used in the serial on DD - Tipu Sultan - that old TV serial if you remember...?

For the songs...

The song In Lamhon Ke Daman which starts so beautifully with Sonu's voice, where the chorus comes in like as if 'breaking the ice' between Jodhaa Akbar is beautiful...I somehow feel, Shreya could have been better with Sonu for this song...

Khwaja song with dancers performing the Sema dance (see

http://www.geocities.com/ee_adnan/mevlana.html), the Turkish dance is simply beautiful, especially the way Akbar goes into a state of tranquil with the energy he feels within him is amazing...One thing I felt was ARR could have used 2 additional voices in the song for the chorus part, since it is picturised among 3 singers...nevertheless, I was satisfied.

Mann Mohana, as expected is a complaining song of Jodhaa to her Lord Krishna (when she says - Kaanha Suno Naa...) the song traverses through several events of Jodhaa's life in the movie - 1. When she complains to God when her marriage gets fixed with Akbar and she expresses her sheer disappointment. 2. When she goes to Agra leaving her father's house 3. When Akbar agrees to her demands with so much dignity, that she is taken aback 4. When she prays in the Moghul palace and Akbar lands in front of her as she seeks the Lord to reside in her eyes. 5. When Akbar is mesmerized with her beauty...its a lovely song and ends in a similar way like how Satrangi Re in Dil Se ends with a haunting flute piece...I am in love with this song, although Shreya Ghoshal has not sung this song...Bela Shinde is equally good.

Marhaba - I thought the song had too many people cramming up the dance area and the use of the word Marhaba did not fit in the choreography well...however, the top view of the dance looked nice. An okay song I felt, which could have been shot more neatly.

Jashn-E-Bahara: The song starts when Akbar asks the priests about 'Jannat' (I guess, that scene was not quite clear) and they say, 'Jis Dil Mein Mohobbat Ho, Usse Jannat Kehte Hain' and Akbar goes, 'Bahut khoob'...it is again shot in bits, but a very nicely done song. Portrayed a lot of dignity with Akbar's character. Javed Ali's voice is excellent. The slow version of the song wherein Javed Ali has sung without any BGM, just plain vocals is excellent....and this plays as a background when Akbar and Jodha have split, and they miss each other in their respective homes...

Certain observations: Akbar is mostly dressed in Cremes / Greens and sports huge neck pieces and sharp side-locks, looks very hot...Jodhaa dressed in beautiful hues of Yellow/Orange/Red and Green...looks surreal. Interestingly Jodhaa sports a bindi throughout the movie, including the sword fight scene and it is a typical kumkum bindi and not the dark colors available today, what I mean to say is that they have kept every detail as authentic as possible, and if you notice she does not have nail polish at all...Ash has dared to look so simple yet so gorgeous...with such chunky jewellery...I wonder if India was ever so affluent in the past...

I loved the Rajasthani paintings that are used in the movie to show Akbar / Jodhaa - when Amitabh Bachhan starts / ends the narration.

I did not enjoy the war scenes much...not my cup of tea...:-) I dont enjoy watching fights / violence so I shall not talk about that. Also, I did not quite enjoy the Maha manga part in the movie...was quite unnecessary and inspired from Saas-Bahu tale I thought...

I am sure I will have more observations if I get to watch the movie again. For now, watch Jodhaa Akbar. It is a very good Indian movie.

India alias Hindustan?

2008-02-01T03:01:00.001-08:00

This post is not meant to create a war against religions, but yes, it is meant to stir some thoughts and calls for an action. Read on…

Although we have a huge Hindu tradition in India, we also have other religions thriving in our country since centuries. Here is my case study on the rapidly emerging Christian culture in rural areas of Northern India. The religion is fast growing, without drawing much attention from the educated masses, but targetting the poorer sections. This might be true for several other places in India. However, this post is purely my experience.

My observations started when I visited an old church in Moradabad, a small town near Delhi. I saw the kind of people who visited the church and confirmed from others that most of the people were converted Christians, from just one or two generations. Some were very recent converts. As I noticed more and more people coming in, my question was - Who are these people? Where do they come from? Why did they convert to Christianity? You may wonder why I had to visit the church...I have my own reasons for it.

After having seen around 40 - 50 families in the church, I saw that, these people were Indians on the first place. They belong to the not so called upper class in India or the middle class. They were the poorer lot who were mostly dwelling on 3 professions – preaching in church, teaching in schools and nursing in hospitals. They were not well educated. They seemed far behind in thinking and living styles. I just compared the contrasting lives of a person living in Delhi, and a person living in this place. The difference was so drastic. Why was that so?

The place – Moradabad, has 2 emerging societies of people, one society which has brass exporters and industrialists living in huge bungalows and the other society - mostly Muslims and Christians living in very poor conditions, in small houses of dingy areas. These places had meat shops, bazaars, cyclists, rickshaws, garages, markets, buzzling with noise. Interestingly, the place has a couple of English schools and colleges, left by the Britishers. These were the typcial British schools, red color tall buildings. There were some houses with typical British architecture; resembling the houses probably in any street in London; some were even built within the school/college campuses. What I noticed was, most of the Christians, the converted Christians who belonged to this village, were living in these houses only. Some buildings were British hostels that are now converted into homes of several families, acquired illegally, again leaving you with a lot of questions in mind. They had names like Mr.Smith, Mr.Massiah, Mrs.Massey, which sounded O- so - British, but you see them and you realize, they are very much Indian. These people had some reason for conversion and what was that? While this seems to be a very controversial question, no Christian in this colony would agree if I pointed at them and told them that it was for certain facilities like money, education, shelter, etc. that they converted to this religion. All they say is - they are true believers of the one and only God, their God who rules everything and everyone. Why are these people saying this?

I planned to visit the church in the village again. I sat through the cermon. What did the Pastor speak? All he said was, all other religions and Gods are meaningless, the only true God is ... and he was addressing the masses, which were mostly non-educated, but were all Christians ofcourse. The Pastor said it was his duty and the duty of the Christians to convert people in India to Christianity, so that Christianity becomes the most popular religion in India as well. I was listening, with patience. After a heavy heart and a lot of thinking, I wanted to talk to someone to get the real picture. So I went up to a couple and asked them why they converted to this religion?

The husband said, he belonged to a poor Hindu family and him and his wife always had trouble when it came to religious Hindu rituals. Last year during Navrathri, the husband had to leave early to work and his wife insisted that he did his religious practices and then left home. The couple ended up having a big fight. He was very upset and so there after, he decided not to believe in "Devis and Devtas" (that's exactly what he said!) and he consulted a Christian missionary and after that, him and his wife and son have all converted to Christianity!

I was curious to see what that Pastor was upto. So I visited the Pastor's house - the same pastor who was preaching about Christianity in the Church. He was obviously living in one of the old British homes; his house was lavish, he had the latest computer, printer, mobile phone and great interiors! Probably the only house which I thought was lavish in comparison with the other Christian homes. Where did all the money come from? Definitely not from the villagers who visited the church, and definitely not from the amount they collect from people during every cermon. Where else was the source of income? I tried asking some church members – secretly, about the funds they receive and the salaries; Trust me, it's very meagre. Then how is it that the Pastor had so much financial funding?

All I asked myself was - Who is spreading the wrong word of God and selling religion in the name of God? For how long will we continue to succumb to the British left overs? It is a shame that even after 50 years of Independence, India has not succeeded in providing education to people. While a certain part of the society is continuing to grow rapidly, a certain other part is still left out and ignored completely. People are taking advantage of this situation yet. Most villages in North India (U.P, Rajasthan, Punjab) are hounded by Christian missionaries, who take up individual villages as personal projects. They target the poor and the downtrodden to convert them to a different religion, give them an English name and promise education for children in their schools. What these people also do is that, they open schools and educational institutions that have special quota for Christians only. I know of JMC College in Delhi, which has a special preference for Christians only. So much so that even if the admission seeking student has 40% marks and is a Christian, the student wins a seat hands down. This is similar to the SC/ST quota that we have today.

Where is all the money coming from and who is responsible for this situation? My due respects to Christianity and Christians and the good Christian Educational Institutions in India, but I feel helpless when I see the ignorant masses being lured with something wrong. I want to do something about this. I am still searching for an answer, for an action.

Thanks RK for helping me with this write-up.

Stranger in my car

2008-01-26T00:44:00.000-08:00

It was a very busy day at work and I had a terrible head ache. I decided to drive back early, and also planned to buy some plants from the nursery to add on to my plant collection at home. (by the way, I love plants and I simply love my collection at home!) So I was driving back home. I pass by this village, very rural area basically, crowded roads, all sorts of people and animals on the road. I was just behind a bus that suddenly stopped. I braked and I was waiting till the bus moved and THUD came a noise from behind and my car just bounced and moved a bit!!! I was shocked!!! Somebody had hit my car from behind!!! I freaked out and got down from my car and to see it was a maruti behind that hit my car. Not realising what to do, I rushed inside and locked all the windows first and kept my hand bag in the back seat. By then all the villagers crowded our cars. I took my phone and got down and shouted at the driver and I was desperately trying to reach someone but the phone had no network...it was absolutely useless and whom do I ask for a phone next was the question....by then I had to move my car aside since there were other vehicles on the road, and freak...my car wouldn't move and there was a lot of noise when I accelerated....the bumper got damaged totally and the it touched the tyres scraping off the rubber from the tyre when I accelerated...I freaked completely...then came the stranger...

This guy who was in the maruti that hit my car..:-/ came to help me and he manually pulled the metal bumper that was scraping the tyre. He said he would bear the entire cost coz it was his driver's mistake and he asked me to drive down to a service station and that he would follow in his car...being in Delhi, trust me to trust his words....!!! I quickly noted down his car number, asked his to get the license and took his card, by then the driver had run away....!!! :-( This guy told me to relax and asked me if he can come in my car so that we can drive down to the nearest service station...:-( Not knowing what to do, I acted like as if I was talking to my husband on the phone and updating him the information and said okay to this guy and I was so scared....!!!! Then I just kept quiet, and drove down quickly. But this guy wouldnt keep quiet at all, he kept talking about his property business and that he was not a thug and would bear all the expenses...bloody hell I wouldn't care, until I was safe...I really donno why I had to take him...with me...then I reached the service station, got a person to gauge the damages and expenses and the matter got sorted out easily. We had to wait in the service station for a while coz this guy did not have any cash on him and he had asked his associate to bring the money that he promised to pay up. I waited calmly (although I was so confused and worried) and it was so cold that evening (the temperature here reached 2 degrees in the evenings and even below that) and suddenly this guy asks me if I wanted to have some tea...I was so stressed out that tears just rolled down my eyes...by then the service station guys gave us both some tea...and finally I got everything sorted out and the guy left and since the service station was closed the next day and the car was in a working condition, they asked me to bring the car after a day and they would repair it. I drove back home finally.

After I came back, I was so stressed out that I just drank two glasses of water, sat down and prayed to God first, for bringing me back safe, for giving me the courage to handle everything alone, and for keeping me alive. The stranger in my car was indeed a nice person and I was very lucky to be safe that evening.

Every experience in life is such a big teacher and God really is watching. There is a strong power that guides you. At times, life is not fair, yet it is beautiful and we need to accept that, come what may. There ends my Friday's experience...my first road accident, which I will never forget...

Cheap Thrills!

2008-01-16T03:17:00.000-08:00

You are listening to film songs on online radio at work and suddenly 'suttum vizhi chudare' starts and you act like as if it is the first time you are listening to it and feel like its the eternal bliss; although you have the same song in ipod, mobile phone, office PC, laptop, music CD and also movie C.D at home!

We have multiple sources of music these days and yet hardly find time to make use of them and listen. Listening to simple radio definitely is thrilling! You can listen to all sorts of songs, some are lovely, some are yucky, but atleast there's variety, and no RJ's ofcourse to blabber rubbish in between playing songs.

Here's the link:
http://www.tamil-media.com/radio.php

Sweet Indulgences

2008-01-13T08:32:00.000-08:00

This post is dedicated to my Appa.

Every day at home, after school, I would wait for my Appa in the evenings coz he would come home with a bag full of sweets and I would eagerly ask him - Ivatthu yaava sweet thandhidhira pa. I would feast on them and carry some in my lunch box the next day.

Everybody asks me why and how I know so much about sweets, their names, their variety, where they are available in Bangalore and what each sweets stall is famous for...all the credit goes to my dad.

If you want to grab on some famous sweets from Bangalore, then here's a list of the famous sweet stalls that I know:

Jalebis and Badami Puri - Gundappa Sweets in Majestic.
Gulab Jamuns / Dhum Root / Chandrahaar - Bhagatram Sweets on Commercial Street.
Mysore Pak - Sri Venkateshwara Sweets, Avenue Road, Gandhi Bazaar.
Holige - Subbammana Angdai, Gandhi Bazaar / MTR, J.C Road.
Horlicks Burfi - Shri Krishna Sweets, Basavana Gudi.
Badami Halwa - Hotel Samrat (Chalukya), High Grounds.
Badam Milk / Jamun / Petha - Asha Sweets, Malleshwaram.
Chum Chum / Boondhi - Pai Sweets Stall, Vasanth Nagar.
Rasgulla / Kheer Kadam / Soan Papdi - K.C Das, Church Street.
Kesri Bhath - Janardhana, Race Course Road.
Kaju Burfi / Honey Dew - Banaras Sweets, Chickpete.
Chiroti - MTR again, and Kannada Weddings...:-)))

Hope this was enlightening...:)

Ending this post with a sweet little wish for all of you,

Happy Sankranthi

Ellrigu Sankranthi Habbada Shubhaashayagalu.

Me Back!

2008-01-05T12:03:00.000-08:00

Wish you a very happy new year!

I am feeling good to be back...Where was I all this while?...:-) Very much around, but away from blogging...

Changes, changes, changes...around...and the fast running time is making me wonder where we are all heading to..each week just flies in a jiffy...I am surprised at the end of it all...that so many things have been happening..

A friend once asked me, "where are you? there's no music around" I still wonder at that statement. It makes me smile, makes me confused, but makes me happy that someone connects me to music in their thoughts...

After a good satisfying trip to Bangalore, here I am, all set to start all over. While I was traveling back from Bangalore, I was feeling bad to leave my city, and although I have got used to seeing my amma cry whenever I leave, it still hurt...Various thoughts crossed my mind and I quickly redirected my thoughts to reality and there I was in the flight sitting next to a very quiet girl. I was not surprised when she told that she was from Bangalore as well. (She was quiet you see...:-) Delhi girls talk a lot than required...;-)) I took a short nap and woke up to my shock that the girl next to me was sobbing like crazy...I was in a fix - should I ask her if she needed any help or not...I thought let me distract her and started a very general conversation. All she said was she had a very troublesome married life and she did not like Delhi, she wanted to settle in her hometown. I felt sorry for her. But that is life. Everybody has problems. So I did not try and console her. Instead I told her about a few things that could help her keep herself happy. And later when I got back home I still kept thinking about people everywhere. Every person I come across these days has issues in life. Earlier, I would always think that it was really sad and abnormal to have troubles in life. Now, issues dont bother me much. I sense a change in myself, my approach for life and my reactions to situations. I am growing and I can feel it.

Change seems to be the constant factor of life and I am running faster to catch up with time.

"Hey this is not fair!" said A R Rahman in Delhi!

2007-11-18T06:53:00.000-08:00

This is exactly what ARR told us (his fans :-)) when he was performing live in Rajouri Gardens yesterday in Delhi, when some of his (senseless) fans were recording his performance, inspite of strict restrictions imposed on recording the performance. These rules were printed on the tickets that were sold out to more than 5000+ crowd cheering ARR in the cold evening of 17th November, 2007. He very subtlely told people, "Hey this is not fair, you guys will record and upload it on Youtube! A channel is doing complete coverage of this video, so please don't do this". Most of the front seaters stopped recording, however, most dint.

What an evening it was, to see AR Rahman live, it was like a dream come true for me. After the quick travel in Metro, we reached 10 minutes late to the venue. I could hear Hariharan and Sadhana Sargam, singing Roja Janeman...I wanted to go flying to my seat, but couldn't! As soon as I went in, I saw a huge grand stage with A R Rahman written on it and I was totally amused! Then I hunted for A R R and there he was, with the Synth, in a white Sherwani! I was completely in awe! There was Hariharan on stage performing, my favorite singer and it was simply great to watch such great people on stage and hear them perform so flawlessly! Hariharan sang Vaaji Vaaji with Madhushree. Madhushree sang Vaaji Vaaji with the chorus part having hindi lyrics, whereas Hariharan stuck to complete tamil. Madhushree also sang Kabhi Neem Neem very beautifully, and very effortlessly, and ARR's interludes were splendid, I was screaming like never before when he started to sing! It was complete hysteria with the masses when he sang Dil Se Re..., Humma Humma (in tamil), Dum Dara Dum Dara from Guru (I fell in love with ARR when he sang this with Chinmayi). The surprise song was Thee Thee from Sivaji! I was totally high listening to him sing, and I was singing along with him, only to have really shocked sardarjis turning around and giving me really funny looks as to who is this singing in Greek/Latin with ARR! North Indians have no clue about any of the South Indian languages - any South Indian is a Madrasi in the North and any South Indian language is Tamil for them! (pronounced as Taaaaamil, here! :-)) But that dint stop me, I was cheering away to glory, throughout. ARR's second outfit, a dark purple kurta was very good and simple. He was composed and pleasing on stage, always had a smile. The highpoint of the show was when ARR sang Jodha-Akbar's Marhaba Marhaba! It was mindblowing!!! The twist to this was, he ended Marhaba with O oooo from Rukkumani Rukkumani and then jumped to Veerapandi Kottayile! and ended the fusion there! Was very interesting! Then came Hariharan, who enthralled all of us with Yunhi Chala Chal along with Kailash Kher (who went gaga about Delhi, since he hails from the North!...well...:-)) Hariharan also sang Chanda Re with Sadhna Sargam, Tu Hi Re with Chitra - extremely well, unbelievably well I must say! Then there was a classical zapper with HH, Chitra, SS and another singer (who sings and even resembles Sukhvinder Singh, I dont know his name) - Ghanan Ghanan from Lagaan, they sang the song in style, with lots of harkat in raag Malhar, and switching to Ghanan Ghanan, it was a treat to listen to them! HH sang Bharat Mujhko Jaan Se Pyara Hain from Roja and also the melodious Aye Haiyrathe Aashiqui with Sadhna Sargam. Sadhna Sargam performed her Chupke Se from Saathiya, and Chitra sang Kehna Hi Kya extremely well! Not to forget the spark of the night, Naresh Iyer with his Roobaroo and Paathshaala, driving the Delhi audience crazy! Chitra sang Ik Onkar followed by Thodi si dhool meri (the Rang De Basanti title track) along with the singer I dint know...:-( If anybody happens to watch this show on any channel, pls let me know his name. However, what took me by surprise was this singer from Aasma (the pop band of Channel V), Neeti who sang Barso Re, Maiya Maiya, Chandralekha - along with Tanvi, and Ni Main Samajh Gayi (Taal) and she sang very well, she had a very good stage presence.

Also, Rehana sang the song Chhaiya Chhaiya, female part - very well.

There was an additional treat waiting for us, Shauk Hain from Guru, by Soumya Rao. ARR announced to the audience that unfortunately this song was not included in the audio CD but was in the movie, so Soumya performed the song and it was very good.

ARR's Pray for me brother and Vandemataram were superb! Shivamani's percussion was awesome and stylish.

On the whole, the concert was GREAT! The climax is still not over! We knew that we missed the last Metro and took an auto to get back home, and we just started moving and there was this cop who was stopping our auto and just in front of us, we saw a huge long white taxi, a BMW and ARR sitting alone in the back seat!!! We screamed!!! We tortured the auto driver to follow the car just to catch another glimpse, and in the rush, a fat sardarjji had to fall in front of our auto and block our way! We were so ruthlessly enticed with the BMW that we asked the auto driver to still follow the car just to get another glimpse of ARR, but the car took the other route :-( We had to go the other way....Sigh....

However, it was and is and will always be a memorable experience, all my life! Three cheers to ARR and his fantastic music.

Check out Chinmayi's blog, for a review about the concert, from the horse's mouth! :-)

http://chinmayisripada.blogspot.com/

Just figured from Chinmayi's post that the unknown singer's name is Aslam Khan. I am wondering why Chinmayi does not mention about the singer, Neeti from Aasma...:-) Anyways, you can get info about Neeti at: http://in.news.yahoo.com/071115/32/6naqj.html

Jealous? :)

2007-10-15T03:51:00.000-07:00

http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IE420071012075349&Title=Features+-+People+%26+Lifestyle&rLink=0

I am waiting for this!!!

Food for thought...

2007-09-25T04:13:00.000-07:00

In the international arena, Delhi - the capital of India boasts of showcasing Indian culture to the world. Being a music enthusiast, a core Carnatic music lover, mention the word Carnatic and the Delhi folks look at you strangely! Apart from areas like Rohini and very few places in Mayur Vihar, haunted by lot of South Indians, and not to forget the Tamil Sangam and the Kannada Sangha that organize Carnatic concerts once in a blue moon, Delhi seems very 'thanda' when it comes to this form of music.

Here's a short story about my experience in Delhi.

Having learnt Carnatic music constantly, since childhood, my thirst to learn more always kept me motivated. I consider myself blessed, for having Meera Mam as my Guru throughout. I moved to Delhi after my marriage. My hunt for a music teacher started 2 years ago in Delhi. I did not want to stop practising and all I needed was a good teacher who can hone my skills further. After a lot of enquiry among people, searching on the internet, visiting all possible sanghas, I found a teacher with great difficulty. I was very happy. In the first class I realized that she could not even sing Hamsadhwani correctly. She would start in Shuddha Dhanyasi and land in Panthu Varali. She was too lazy and would refuse to explain swaras for her own compositions, which in reality were copied from older krithis. How can I call such teachers as Gurus? She did not even know enough about music, but was teaching a lot of students. I was completely disappointed and I quit.

After a while, I heard a lady sing in a Temple. She was great! Being a musicologist, a lecturer in Delhi's Music School and hailing from a family of very famous musicians, this teacher was excellent, but very biased. She was greedy when it came to money, and to her, rendering carnatic music in 'tamil' style was called singing and not any other style. I wondered if I had made a mistake telling her that I hail from Bangalore. What is this bias about regions? Or was I that bad? I lost my confidence to a great extent when she de-motivated me. I stopped singing for a few months, almost 2 months! That was the longest period till date that I never sang. I again quit music. But I learnt a lot from this experience.

After that, I again found another teacher, who is quite okay. I am currently practising with her. Although I am not too happy, as long as I am singing and singing correctly, its fine.

Why am I saying all this? My experiences taught me a lot which I thought was very important to pen down.

Lesson 1:

Acceptance is important. Why can't our minds accept certain things? Ask yourself. Sometimes, the attitude of being extremely critical, unwillingness to give way to people who want to explore, bias towards language, believing that only traditional south Indians have legal right over Carnatic music, has created a mind-block among common people that only the older generation or the very orthodox clan (like brahmins, iyers, iyengars, etc) are entitled to listen, learn and enjoy this form of music.

Lesson 2:

Music is an art. It needs dedicated people, time and money to flourish. While we have people and we can make time, we also need to think about money. Musicians should be paid what they deserve. Today, we see a trend among singers like Unni Krishnan or Sudha Raghunathan or Vasumathi Badrinathan perform more concerts abroad than in India? Is it because there are not enough rasikas here? Definitely not. Apart from their own reasons, monetary benefits draw people out of India. I donot want to debate about this topic since I believe that until 1 Dollar = 45 Rupees and 1 Pound = 70 Rupees, this trend will always exist. When software engineers can migrate and earn more, why not musicians? However, music in India needs money and more enthusiasts. With so much of revenue, can't we have good music schools in all the metropolitan cities atleast? A thought that needs a lot of action.

Lesson 3:

How can we contribute towards music?

Lets not boast about knowledge, let knowledge find its own way to unleash.
Lets not be greedy and make business out of music. It is important to make money, but let us encourage doing this the right way and be ethical.
Lets not be biased about music.
Lets not make music only ours, lets learn to give and learn.
Lets allow people enter the fraternity and explore, it is about letting music live.

While my search for a good music teacher still continues in Delhi, I hope I could induce some thoughts on how to value a divine art form that needs dedication from us youngsters, so we can take it ahead and not let it fade away.

Shri Krishna Janmashtami

2007-09-02T06:10:00.000-07:00

Shri Krishna Janmashtami has always been a very special festival for me. As a child I loved the tale of Shri Krishna's birth. Thanks to my grandpa and to the famous Mahabharata episodes on the television every Sunday, that I got familiarized with Shri Krishna's stories - from his fascinating birth, his tantrums with mother Yashoda, his teenage valor, his love stories, the Radha - Krishna chemistry, and his skillful planning in the Mahabharata war, everything is very exciting. Not to forget, the innumerable compositions on Lord Krishna by a whole genre of the Dasas and Musicians, who have contributed greatly in spreading the word of the Lord.

At home, I would always attend my music teacher's concert, mostly in ISKCON every year. It's happening this year too. Do attend if you are interested! :-) As a tribute to my music teacher's tremendous efforts to download a peanut size of music in me, I would like to remnice and list down all the Krishna krithis I know till date, and that I would probably cherish singing all my life. So here comes the elaborate list of songs...in chronological order of learning:

Pillangoviya chelva krishnana yelli nodidhiri - Raga Mohana - this was the first devaranama I learnt, probably in 1991, just before my music exam.
Bandhanene Ranga Bandhanene - Raga Shri - this is a very nice devaranama with a lot of rythmic words like kini kini, jhana jhana, dhudu dhudu - true hit among kids, always.
Hari Neene Gathiyendhu - Raga Shanmukhapriya - another devaranama, a tough one to learn and sing.
Paarthaaya Pratibhoditaam - Shloka from the Bhagavadgita - this contained five extracts from the Bhagavadgita, that we sang for an invocation in Adarsha Bhavan.
Bhaktajana Paalaka Bhakti Sukhadaayaka - Raga Hamsanandi - my music teacher set the tune to this devaranama, hence will be one of my favorites.
Ganamurthe - Raga Ganamurthe - the famous keerthane
Saamanyavalla Shri Hariya Seve - Raga Charukeshi - again a devaranama - an easy one which I always sing when someone asks me to :-)
Baaro Krishnaiya - Ragamalika (Raga Maand, Bilahari, Kamavardhini, Sindhu Bhairavi) - I love the way we begin this with the Shloka - Ksheeravaaridhige Shri Lakshmi Bandhanthe - in Raga Hamsanandi and then switch to Maand!
Maiya Mori - Raga Charukeshi - by Surdas, very common one again.
Indendu Vachithivira Alaga Nillu Veedhi Kaadhu Pora - Raga Surati - Love the way my sister used to perform for this telugu composition.
Yadhuvamsha Tilakana Veshavidhene - Raga Khamach - this is an Anthapurageethe composed by kannada poet, Sri. D.V.Gundappa, famously called D.V.G. This song begins with a beautiful shloka, on Lord Krishna and his mesmirizing looks. Makes me forget the world when I sing this.
Dasa Dasara Maneya - Raga Hindola - by Kanakadasa. We start this with an Ugabhoga! Dasanaguvudhakke esu janmada sukruthavo. Please read my post on Ugabhoga for more information :-)
Rajuvedale Joothamurare Kasthoori Ranga - Raga Thodi by Sri Thyagaraja - a great krithi.
Vyarthavaayithalla Janmavu Saarthakaagalilla - Raga Hindola - by Kanakadasa.
Baalagopala - Raga Bhairavi - By the great Dikshitaru as we fondly call him :-)
Yaariddharenaiya Neenilladhenagilla - Raga Ahir Bhairavi (or Chakravaka) - set to khandachhaapu taala, this raga has helped me identify a lot of film songs. :-)
Gopiya Bhagyavidhu - Ragamalika (Behag, Hamsadhwani, Hamsanandhi, Kaapi, Sindhu Bhairavi) - starting from baby Krishna's bathing, the way mother Yashoda enjoys dressing him up, worships him, tells him stories, feeds him, and puts him to sleep - everything is described so beautifully in this composition by Sri Purandaradasa. Its a very beautiful song and my favorite again.
Baalakrishnam Bhavayami - Raga Gopikavasantha - by Dikshitaru.
Bantanaagi Baagila Kaayive - Raga Shubhali - a Panchamavarjita raga - I find this one tough to sing.
Jagadodhaarana Aadisidhaleshodha - Raga Hindustani Kapi - made even more memorable by the great M.S.S.
Hari Kunidha Namma Hari Kunidha - Raga Yaman - my baby nephew enjoys this whenever I sing.
Daasana Maadiko Yenna - Raga Naadhanaamakriya - a beautiful song, quite a common one.
Narayana Enniro - Raga Behag - I fell in love with Behag after this. :-)
Nagumomu Ganaleni - Raga Abheri - which carnatic musician will not know this? :-) But do listen to great Sri Balamuralikrishna speak on this song explain the meaning, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0z6go0iYtU
Andinda Naa Ninna Nere Nambideno - Raga Abheri again!
Deenana Dukha Harana Deva - Raga Basanth Bahar - by Surdas
Dhrishti Ninna Paadadalli - Raga Mohana - again a Purandaradasa Devaranama
Neene Ballidhano Hari Ninna Dasaru - Raga Purvi Kalyani - this is my favorite devaranama by Purandaradasa, very tough, very good.
Aadahodhalle Makkalu - Ragamalika (Khamach, Kamavardhini, Hindola, Kalyana Vasantha) - this is a recent one for me.
Jo Achuthananda - Raga Kapi - a beautiful beautiful song to put you into deep sleep, you must listen to M.S.S render this. I learnt this after multiple multiple hearing and practise. Its in telugu and set to khandachapu tala, an Annamacharya composition.

Well! There ends my exhaustive list! Apart from the above, I also like Alaipayudhe Kanna and Kannalane from Bombay...:-)

If you notice, the Hari Dasa Movement contributed a lot to such innumerable songs on Lord Krishna, especially in Kannada. They hold a prominent place in every concert till date. My knowledge of ragas increased to a great extent through Devaranamas.

If you have any favorite songs on Lord Krishna, do let me know. Also, try and visit the Krishna temple in Udupi, once in a lifetime. A beautiful place with a lot of historical significance.

Wish you all a happy Janmashtami festival. Pray well and Eat well.

Curiosity Killed the Cat!

2007-08-19T08:04:00.000-07:00

Being a core Carnatic lover, I try to spread some music around, wherever I go. In the process, I am also learning constantly and now getting a lot of exposure to Hindustani music. I have always thought that Hindustani is very different from Carnatic. Different it is, but the similarities are in abundance which I am discovering slowly. In fact, I am actually falling in love with this form of music too since I am able to relate to it a lot. I happened to listen to one of Bhimsen Joshi’s abhangs a couple of days ago. I caught the raga which was none other than Valaji. What we call Valaji or Valachi in Carnatic is Kalavathi in Hindustani. And with no second thoughts, I started singing the krithi Jalandhara Supeethaste in my mind. I was reminiscent of my childhood when I learnt this song with so much interest and the raga just sat so deep in my mind and heart that from somewhere it just popped up that day. Somehow, this was not enough for me for the day. I started my research on the krithi and the raga. (that’s why the title of this post is..! :))

The krithi – Jalandhara Supeethasthe by Sri Muthaiah Bhagavathar is a very interesting krithi on Devi Parvathi. What does the krithi mean? You can definitely find the meaning in lots of websites. But what does Jalandhara mean? And how is it related to Parvathi? So here is the story:

Jalandhara was a demon king who misused all his boons and powers to capture the world and scared the Devas. He grew very powerful and there was no one to fight against him and defeat him in Satyaloka and Vaikuntha. So he went to Kailasa to fight against the powerful Lord Shiva. Mrs.Parvathi’s husband Mr.Lord Shiva was annoyed with Jalandhara’s over confidence. Lord Shiva took the form of an old man and tricked Jalandhara by asking him to lift a chakra (which is the famous sudarshana chakra) above his head and test his strength. Jalandhara tried this and with great difficulty got the chakra on his head and the chakra cut his head and his body into pieces! So this is why the krithi starts with one of the achievements of Lord Shiva, and continues in Parvathi’s praise in the rest of the krithi!

Coming back to Valaji.

Valaji is a simple pentatonic (audava) raga with Sa Ga Pa Dha Ni swaras. When you go on singing the raga, it somehow leads to Shri Ranjini and Abhogi. I was shocked and doubted my swara kalpana. However, if you read the article in http://www.carnatica.net/special/raganubhava-saj-report.htm you definitely get the similarity – between 3 ragas actually: Valaji, Abhogi, and Shri Ranjini.

I finally concluded the following:

The relation between Valaji and Abhogi, being that, the grahabheda from Ma to Ma in Abhogi lead to Valaji.
The relation between Abhogi and Shri Ranjini being that, they are janya ragas of 22 melakarta, Kharaharapriya. While Abhogi is considered as Kumara (male) raga, Shri Ranjini is considered as Sthri (female) raga. These two ragas combine to form the Ardhanaareeshwara raga – Jayamanohari!

I was convinced in the end that my analysis was not so wrong. Afterall, Valaji is somewhere related to Abhogi and Shri Ranjini.

Isn’t music amazing? The science of music is complex, powerful, and deep. The more you discover its strength, the more you want to learn. Anyways, that’s my feeling. Hope you feel the same too!

Magic in the midnight

2007-07-28T11:39:00.000-07:00

It's midnight and I am listening to Meenalochani in Purvi Kalyani raga, its just so beautifully soothing....music is magic...if I am ever born again, my wish is to be born only for music, nothing else...no bondages, no relations, the only bonding should be music....wow...

Sometimes I wonder, all the great people like Sri Thyagaraja, Purandaradasa, did they ever have any desire in life apart from music and devotion...they would have faced so much of critical acclaim from their own people in those days, for denouncing their bondages, their families, their personal responsibilities, all in the name of God. Do you think that would have been a kind of escape mechanism or was it truly because they knew what they had in them and they wanted what they truely wished and they were lucky to attain moksha through their karma...I bet they did...how would it be if I become one like them? :) Wow...another dream...Every bold step taken towards doing something unconventional has always had people criticize you. That is because you are stepping away from being ordinary. How many of them come out successful? I think most of them do.

If one purvi kalyani can trigger so many thoughts and desires in me, what do you think all the ragas do to me...? God definitely knows...:)

I think I need some sleep now.

Good night.

Lasting memories that hurt now - miss you Vikki

2007-07-19T10:37:00.000-07:00

Had I known that this would be your last mail, Vikki....

Dear PPL of the world
Hii.Hope you ur good.I am Traveling to Barcelona End of the Month to pursuemy higher studies in Innovative Hotel Management for ayear so temporally i will be living in Barcelona from sep 12 to Jan and In Holland from Jan to sep. So well any one of u should be on traveling plz do stop by . Right now i am at 3500 mts above sea level inManali man its so so cool and will be riding my Bike to Rothang pass Leh Ladakh.Shimla...from day after.The ride from Delhi to here was beautiful lookin forwardf or more snow peaked mountains, Streams over flowingon to the roads ..dry desert of Leh and the Coolsummer Breeze at 5500 mts .. its kinda of raininghere. But tonight's Sky looks promising its so beautiful with Stars twinkleing ...its the first timei have seen them twinkle so clearly . MY Pulsar 150 isridin smooth but my Butt and Back not so kool..haha...well but i am sure its all worth it .Will try and send some pics ....stay kool and keep itreal.
God Bless
Take care
lots of love
Vivek aka vicky

That's my dearest friend Vikki for you. He mailed this just four days ago and he is no more now. He was in Leh for a trip and on his way back, he met with an unfortunate accident yesterday and left all of us, devastated. I sent him such a long mail after reading this. I dont know if he even read it. After knowing him for more than 7 years and sharing all those good times, in college, java city, brigade road, bistro, his jayanagar house, goa trip, how can I forget rex, my marriage, our family get togethers, and suddenly if I even think of going to my hometown and not meeting Vikki anymore and gossipping about the rest of the gang, swearing in our native language, I get shivers all over. Vikki is one of us. Will always be. Love you and miss you. I hate to believe what everyone says. I know you are with me.

Ugaabhoga

2007-06-24T06:44:00.000-07:00

Ugaabhoga - Those few lines that are sung before a devaranama (sometimes) or little compositions on its own, in kannada are very interesting chunks of discussion.

Ugaabhogas have been part of Carnatic music since centuries. Ugaabhogas were composed by Haris Daasas like Vyasaraya and Purandaradasa during the 13th century. What is interesting about Ugaabhogas is that they are simple and short in -construction, they are easily comprehendible, they talk about bhakthi, mainly hari bhakthi, very typical of the strict madhva community, they talk about life, the essence of life, about the importance of being associated with God and not with materialistic desires that ultimately lead us nowhere in life, and most of all they are raga based. Like how Hindustani has Abhang, Javalis, etc, Carnatic has Padha, Sulaadhi, Ugaabhogas and many more forms that add variety and vigor to the music form on the whole.

A small example is Dasanaguvudhakke Esu Janmada Sukruthavo - Raga Hindhola – by Purandhara Dasa, considered as the Father of Carnatic Music. The lines are as follows:

Dasanaguvudhakke esu janmada sukruthavo
Bhaasura ravi koti shreesha sugunavantha
Naasharahita ninna daasara daasyava
Lesaagi kodu kandya purandhara vithhala

Here daasa is pleading to God to allow him to be his disciple and give him that little right of slavery. Set in raga Hindhola, when this piece is typically sung before devaranama, Dasa Dasara Maneya, Dasaanu Daasa in Hindhola again, it is a feast for the ears.

Another example is Thumbida Maneya Mele Thulasidhalavanittu – Raga Kambodhi . A very interesting piece that talks about the variety of kannada compositions written during the 13th century, written by Sri Vyasaraya himself, humbly speaking about Daasa dharma and how Hari bhakthi has elated him to deliver these lakhs of compositions. Here is the script (may seem difficult to pronounce since it is kannada written in English):

Thumbida Maneya Mele Thulasidhalavanittu
Hari samarpithavendhu horage bandhu
Thraasu thoogidha kaiyige
Thaala thamboorigala melavannalavadisi modhadhindha
Vyasarayara manthropadesha padedhu
Lalitha kannada nudiya lakshopalaksha
Padha, sulaadhi, ugaabhoga nidhiya rachisi
Sarala sumadhura sangeetha saraniyindha
Sulabhavaagiye haribhakthi sudheyanunisi
Daasa dharma dhivyopadhesha gaiyidhu
Suramuneendhraamsha sambhootha
Sujanavinutha shree purandhara dasa sadhguruvarenya

While the Hari Dasas triggered the Bhakthi movement during the 13th century, their contribution towards carnatic music, their urge to reach out to common man, and the kind of success they received for their marvelous efforts and contributions is seen even today, when me, you or any third person tap feet to those great devaranamas like Thamboori Meetidava, or Pillangoviya Cheluva Krishnana, or even Vyarthavaayithalla Janmavu Saarthakaagalilla. The message that every composition carries to common man is what is to be identified and appreciated.

Here I end my post on Ugaabhogas, bowing humbly to all those noted personalities who filled music with life and who are continuing to fill my life with peace and divinity.

Do feel free to add on to the post.

Nitty gritties and more on 'Sivaji - The Boss'

2007-06-23T23:29:00.000-07:00

I am sure that most of you have already watched the movie. For those who have, you can relate more to what I have written here. For those who haven't yet, may be you should first watch it and then read. Just to be on a safer side that is. This is not about the whole movie coz I am sure lot of people have varied opinions on the same and thousands of reviews have been written already. I have written about what I observed. Not to hurt anybody's feelings or sentiments. :)

Songs in the movie:

Balleilakka - If only the choreographers had realized before the making of the song how tough it was to dance to such a fast paced number and yet lip sync correctly. For all the expectations that I had from such a superb song, the visuals were disappointing. Seemed like poor Rajini was forced to run as fast as he could and twist his hands and shake his legs faster than ever in those extra-ordinarily bright costumes. The Sadugudu part is so badly shot and each time Nayantara said 'Sattennu sollu', twisting her head - all of us, including Rajini himself would've been clueless. The only thing nice about the song is Rajini's spirit that makes the song worth watching. The efforts made to hunt men (side dancers) with huge ghatam like tummies and body paint pots, rajini's face, and tiger's face is commendable. I am sure they did not have a tough time finding such men in and around tamil nadu...:) Hey that's just a joke. Relax.

Vaaji Vaaji - This is one spectacular song that anybody would appreciate. The marvellous settings that looks like a palace, outfits of Rajini like an emperor, the vibrant colors of the palace that change with the costumes of the side-dancers (hehe), Shreya's Apsare kind of costumes, everything is simply spectacular, one song I just loved watching.

Style - Along with Oru Kudai Sunlight, Oru Kudai Moonlight, there is also Oru Kudai Lakme Rose Powder on Rajini's face. I thought Rajini looked aweful in his pink face which looked like as if he had developed a skin disease or something. It was just awful to watch Rajini turning white. Well the whole song itself was like a pun, but inspite of the context of the song, I think it was not good enough. Some costumes of Shreya, like the denim skirt which almost gave her a 'O so Bipasha' kind of a look, rest of them were too jazzy. Sometimes I wonder if the only theme of choosing dresses for Shreya was total waist exposure and deep-necked blouses. In almost every song she has worn low-waist long fish-cut skirts and deep-necked blouses. She looks good and dances well, so that pays for all the efforts. She also carries them well. So that's acceptable by me. I am sure for all the men, it is more than acceptable. :)

Sahara Pookkal - I imagined it to be shot something like Pudhu Vellai Mazhai in Roja, since the song spoke so much about nature embedded in romance. But the song was shot in very artificial looking glass house kind of sets, with Shreya having lots of shining make-up like kutti shining silver bindis all over her body, wonder if that was supposed to personify Sahara Pookkal...:( May be I will like the song if I watch it many more times and get used to it on Sun T.V, Jaya T.V, Raj T.V, am I forgetting any other T.V? :)

Athiradi Kaaran - A song out of the blue! I liked ARR's singing and the costumes and look of the song. Must watch is the way a pistol flies from Rajini's right hand, shoots the villain and comes back to his left hand! :O Nice peppy dance number, very arabic kind of feel, something like Maiya Maiya.

Sahara Pookal (slow version) - They have used this part for Shreya's first scene, the song sounds beautiful in the background, very typically shot, heroine walking in half saree in temple (wearing lovely color-combination half-saree), singing in temple, I loved her silver anklets.

Wondering why I did not comment much on Rajini's dressing and clothes? I thought his clothes were fantastic in the movie, all the formal shirts, blazers, trousers, emperor-like outfits, funky outfits, long coats, everything he has worn was very stylish and very well done. Manish Malhotra has definitely done a great job for Rajini.

Guess I covered all the songs.

Certain other observations that I made:
- Raghuvaran (playing a doctor) wearing a super white blazer to a construction site. :) Agreed he is a doctor, but...
- Kadhal Rojave and Kannalane played in the background when Rajini comes to meet Shreya in her Musical Instruments shop, this is called re-cycling music :)
- Shreya does not have a mookuthi (nose studd) before marriage, but has one during and after marriage :) Making a Wife-Style Statement there?
- Rajini showing Shreya some stock of medicines almost like a medical shop in his room, and almost 3 year old babies frocks for their baby! Very farsighted? :)

Over all, movie is okay, anything for Rajini's Acting and Style. Definitely a Super Star with Super Natural Style! Watch Sivaji and do feel free to add on to what I have written.

Raincoat

2007-05-24T21:43:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I was watching this movie – Raincoat – a brilliant story according to me, based on a novel by O Henry made into a movie.

There’s this character of a village woman Neeru, who is very young, has an affair with her childhood lover Mannu for almost 8 years. Barely educated and a little crude in behavior, Neeru always dreams big – of being rich, having lot of servants to take care of her house, car, jewels, lavish life. To quench her thirst, Neeru ditches her childhood lover and heeds to circumstances ending up in an arranged marriage to a rich guy. Neeru is convinced that her parents are also happy about this. Her lover is young, a struggler, yet to start making money and he gives up too since he feels helpless.

They meet after a 6 years of gap, Neeru lives in a city with her husband and Mannu comes from his (and her old) village to her city. Mannu’s situation is pathetic. He is a total loser. He is a failure in his job and he desperately needs money. So he comes to meet a friend in the city to borrow some money and ask for help from his other friends who could help him financially. He carries a letter to show to all his friends that better explains his situation, so that they can read it and help him out. Mannu is unmarried yet. He is depressed and miserable. His friend feels very sad for him and lends him some money and recommends more friends from whom he could go and borrow more money. In the process, he decides to meet Neeru and her husband and God knows what struck him to check her well being after such a long hiatus.

Mannu comes to Neeru’s big house. He is taken aback to see her in a very pale condition after years and they end up having a long conversation, since Neeru says her husband is away, in Japan on a business tour. In between their conversation, the door bell rings. Mannu asks her if he can open the door. She shudders and says it must be some troubling neighbors and refuses to open the door. He is surprised at her strange behavior. He also notices that all the windows are closed and the house is very dark. She says that since she feels cold and it is rainy season, she keeps the door shut always. Her living room where they are sitting is full of handsome furniture. He is not able to understand the situation exactly and feels confused. They get back to their conversation. Both of them camouflage their identities estranging themselves from reality telling each other tales about their dream lives, like as if they are living lavish lives at present. She says that her husband is very rich, keeps traveling abroad, she has servants, jewels, lavish life and she is happy and gets bored coz of excessive pampering. He says he is a very successful businessman, running his own television company, very rich and happy in life. Both of them can clearly see that they are lying to each other, but both don’t want to give up in front of each other. They don’t want to regret that had they been married to each other, situations would have been different or rather better for both. In between the conversations, she asks him for Tea and he says okay. She goes to her kitchen and makes Tea for him, singing loudly in the kitchen trying to show like as if she is really enjoying making Tea and hence loving her house, her married life, daily routine, etc. He observes that and feels happy that she still has her childhood habits. They again get into conversations. Not willing to regret and not ready to accept, they both lie to each other more and more and portray happiness in their individual lives.

In between there’s a twist. She asks him for lunch and he agrees. She says, she needs to go out and buy food for him since she is lazy to cook and the servants are on leave. She leaves him inside the house. He is sitting and smoking in her living room. She has left to buy food for him. Suddenly the door bell rings again and a man pops in. He claims to be the landlord of the house. Mannu ends up having a conversation with the landlord, only to discover that Neeru and her husband are big time into trouble, the house rent was not being paid from almost a year, Neeru’s husband is a fraudulent businessman who has debts to pay, an alcoholic who comes home only late nights to escape from debts and people, to top it, they both give their living room for hire to a furniture shop fellow who keeps his furniture every night and takes them back to his shop next morning, which is why their living room looks so lavish. The landlord is pissed off coz of this illegal business and says that he has filed a case in the court and will be throwing Neeru and her husband out of the house soon. The landlord asks him to see the rest of the house apart from the living room, so as to make him aware of the actual situation. Mannu hesitates initially but then takes a look at the house – which is extremely filthy, barely anything that is in a usable condition, not even a proper vessel in place and is taken aback. Shaken by this harsh reality, he decides to pay her house rent with the little money he would’ve borrowed from his friends. The landlord is more than happy to get 3 months rent and moves out. Neeru comes back with food and serves him. Mannu eats and stealthily leaves the house rent receipt and a letter for near the sofa, stating that he has paid the rent.

They depart. After returning, Mannu finds something in his raincoat pocket. Neeru would’ve kept her (very few) marriage jewels in his raincoat since she ends up reading the letter from his raincoat – the same letter which he had carried to his friend’s house requesting for money. She realizes that he is in dire need of money. And there ends the story.

Nice isn’t it? Kept me thinking for long.

Neeru could've given her jewels to her husband as well, but she dint.
Mannu feels extremely bad for Neeru, and does the least he could for her, without even thinking twice.
Neeru still felt jealous when Mannu mentions about a lady secretary in his office.
Mannu feels terribly guilty when the landlord tells him the reality and also mocks at Mannu for being a loser, who could not get his lover, and instead trying to show his concern after she has landed in such a soup.
Neeru's immature materialistic ambitions did not lead her anywhere.
In the end, Neeru is still as helpless and unhappy as Mannu.

Every woman has desires, different kinds of desires. Some pursue them diligently, some get trapped blindly. Either ways, struggle will always be there in different ways. Sailing through the storm and again charging up to face the next storm is what life is all about. :)

Happy weekend!

Songs of Eternity – All for Cheeni Kam

2007-05-16T03:43:00.000-07:00

I must say that Shreya Ghoshal is one lucky singer who has got to sing some of the classic compositions of the great Ilayaraja in his upcoming so called musical comeback in Hindi films – Cheeni Kam. With Tabu looking so aesthetic, Amitabh looking so stylish, the dialogues sounding so witty, the songs being so full of romance, I wonder how the movie will turn out to be! Reviews say that this is a comedy cum romance between a 64 year old chef and a woman in her early 30’s, with the love factor not being deliberate! I have always had a fetish for movies that weave around conversations full of quick wit, sarcasm, humor, banter, and coy bundled with romance to die for. :) One such movie that I comes to my mind is ‘As Good As It Gets’ starring Jack Nicolson and Helen Hunt. What a movie!

Coming back to the Music of Cheeni Kam

The title track – Cheeni Kam Hai aka Mandram Vandha Thendralikku – should I say anything about the song? The tune is an unrivaled masterpiece. While IR has retained the essence of the song to a great extent with a change in the music in between the paragraphs (anupallavis) and a very teeny-weeny modification of tune in the anupallavi ending - probably to suit Shreya’s voice range, unlike how SPB could stop at very high notes. Shreya’s voice and the sensuous beats haunt your soul. This has a pathos version as well that sounds okay.

Baatein Hawa Hai Saari aka Kuzhaloothum Kannanikku – Somehow I cant get over Radha running in between the lush green trees in white saree. However, this song has 2 versions – one with Amitabh’s sarcastic anecdotes, and one without. Believe me you if you are the one who loves men with husky sophisticated voice, this is one man who will bowl you over completely! Again the music in between the paragraphs (anu pallavis) is different and new. Sounds nice. I like this song.

Jaane Do Naa aka Jotheyali (from kannada movie Geetha) – A blockbuster hit song in Kannada way back in late 80’s, this song is still the favorite among most of the people when asked about romantic favorites. That’s the magic of this song. It is my favorite song too, though I have my own reasons for it. Again a priceless masterpiece by IR. In Hindi, the lyrics sound very apt and very good. I like this song the best, among all the three. Shreya’s magic mantra that worked for Jadoo Hai Nasha Hai in Jism seems to be working in this as well. Surely to become a hit number.

Rest are all BGM’s that sound very melodious. If you want to feel nostalgic and if you are curious to see how IR has cleverly managed to use his best compositions so judiciously to impress the Hindi audience, do listen to the songs. Definitely worth a listen.

Adiya, thanks for the inspiration! :)

Born singers

2007-05-15T00:48:00.000-07:00

For those who think they cant sing, have no regrets, we all are born singers, well versed in ragas! All of us have sung in Bilawal Raga since childhood!

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you– Did you know that this is in Bilawal raga aka Shankarabharana? And similar is the tune of our National Anthem – Janaganamana. Most of the nursery rhymes belong to this raga category. The notes are easy to be played on keyboard, since it is the Do Re Mi Fa notes. I call it quite an English raga. :)

Throwing some light on Bilawal raga

Bilawal is a Hindustani Raga, a typical morning raga. It belongs to Bilawal Thaat (like our Melakartas) and consists of complete seven notes that are all shuddha swaras. It is equivalent to 29th Dheera Shankarabharana Melakartha Raga in Carnatic.

MSS celebrated friendship in her old age by cutting cake!

2007-05-14T02:23:00.000-07:00

Here is a very cute event from MS Amma's life, found this somewhere while browsing:

Apart from music, M. S. is known for her many good qualities. The late Sri K. S. Mahadevan (KSM), a music critic, wrote in his book about how M. S. valued friendship.

To celebrate 50 years of friendship with KSM's wife, M. S. and her husband T. Sadasivam had ordered for a cake with inscription 'Kunjamma and Chinnani - 50 years of friendship'. The baker erroneously wrote '60' instead of '50' - that was a different story. But Kunjamma (M. S., as she was affectionately called in her family) maintained the friendship till her last days.

Now isn't the so sweet? With whom will I celebrate this kind of friendship in my old age? Just wondering....:)

Thillana - Raaga Dhanasri - Sri Swati Tirunaal

2007-05-11T01:04:00.000-07:00

Like adding a twist in a tale, carnatic musicians add twists in concerts by singing varieties like the abhang, javali, ugaabhoga, or even a thillana. Although the Thillaanas are pre-dominantly used for dance performances, they are purely enjoyable in music concerts simply because of their coalescence with rhythm (taala).

A common thillana rendered by famous musicians including M.S.S is Geethadhunikuthaka in raga Dhanasri, a hindi composition of Sri Swati Tirunaal, the well known connoisseur of music, post trinity period. Bowing humbly to this great musician, here is a little write up.

Sri Swati Tirunaal

It is known to everyone that Sri Swati Tirunal was a linguist well versed in 13 languages. Adding to his brilliance was his sound knowledge of both Hindustani and Carnatic music which is seen in his wide variety of compositions that includes:

Thappas, dhrupads, abhangs, thumris – the classic Hindustani / north Indian variety
Keerthanes, swarajathis, javalis, padams – the typical flavours of Carnatic south Indian music.

A great devotee of Lord Vishnu, most of his krithis ended with ‘Padmanabha’. He flourished Hindustani ragas like Behaag, Kaapi, Hameer Kalyani, and plenty more in his krithis.

Raga Dhanasri

Dhanasri is a Hindustani Raaga. It is an afternoon raga sung between 1 and 4 PM. The time is specific here since Hindustani music strictly follows the time theory – that a particular raga should be sung at a particular time only, although in Carnatic we don’t follow this strictly now.

The scale of Dhanasri is:

Sa Ga Ma Pa Ni Sa
Sa Ni Dha (very rarely used) Pa Ma Ga Ri Sa

This may seem very close to Abheri in Carnatic (20th Melakarta) except that in Dhanasri, Daivatha ‘Dha’ is seldom used and that is the main difference between the two ragas. Else the notes are very similar. Dhanasri in Hindustani belongs to the 10th Thaat.

Going back to 13th century period, where ragas were considered as males – husbands, and related ragas as raginis or wives, called the popular Raaga – Raagini system of music, Dhanasri is considered as ragini of Malkauns, a Hindustani raga. This is a raga of longing for love, typically depicted by a woman missing her lover.

Thillana Geethadhuniku Thaka

The song talks about a woman performing dance recital. The words, “Naach Rahe Gori, Tha Dhi Thai, Thom Dhi Thai” in the Pallavi means that.

The Anu Pallavi has 2 verses.

Verse 1 – “Baaje Payal Kaho, Jhanan Jhanan” – giving you the feel of the sound of paayal (anklets/ghungroo/gejje) through words like “Jhanan Jhanan”. Simply beautiful.

Verse 2 – “Thaan Gaave Thaka Tha Thai Tha Thai” is full of rhythm.

The Charana - “Padmanaabha Tumhaari Leela, kya kahoon main, saawaro, thaap sankat haranayo, soha mhaaro tumaharo” – lovely flow of words by Sri Swati Tirunal. He is talking about the greatness of Lord Padmanabha, and requesting him to take away all the pains, and confessing that Padmanabha is the ultimate happiness. This is followed by the Jathi – Tha Dheem Tha Dheem Dhirana…..

Geethadhuniku is bliss. So next time please listen more carefully.

Pls feel free to add on any other explicit information you come across on the krithi or the composer or the raga. Will be glad to accept your comments.

Pls do not misuse this information anywhere else since this purely belongs to me and only me.

Happy Weekend!

Onne Onnu Sollanum

2007-05-09T02:58:00.000-07:00

Un Mughatthai Paarthu Sollanam, Thanimayi Konjam Kidaikka koodaadhaa.......:) What a high energy song from Kaaka Kaaka (Ennai Konjam Maatri...), just perks me out of all the blues and makes me energetic! Especially while driving my car, this is THE SONG that I enjoy the most! Waiting for those days soon..............:) I am going home! :)

By the way, in Jaya T.V - SPB's show - last week one girl literally murdered this song and made it seem so lifeless. Why is it that people dont realize that apart from singing a song, they need to feel it. Being able to present the mood of the song is so important, but some people just dont get it! :(

My research on Dhanasri is on....:) will be back soon.

Dharu

2007-05-03T01:52:00.000-07:00

Today my friend and I were discussing about musicians in olden days who were appointed in King's court. Like, for example Harikeshanallur Sri Muthaiah Bhagavathar, who was in the court of Sri Krishna Raja Wodeyar. It is said that Muthaiah Bhagavatar visited Mysore during the Dasara festivities when he was about 50 years old. He gave a couple of concerts at the palace and earned the benevolent attention of Sri Krishna Raja Wodeyar. He secured a position of a prestigious musician in the court. During this time, HMB composed a Dharu in praise of the King's mother, equalizing her goodness to that of Goddess Parvathi. This is none other than the famous Maathe Malayadhwaja Paandya Sanjaathe in Khamach Raaga, Adi taala. From here my thoughts started pondering in varied directions.

What is a Dharu?
A Dharu is a varnam format that typically consists of Swara, Jathi, and Saahithya - all in one, along with the usual pallavi, anu pallavi and charana. The swara-jathi-saahithya pattern normally follows after anu pallavi followed by the charana. Sri HMB is supposed to be the first among musicians to come up with this pattern.

What is the significance of a Dharu?
While a dharu gives ample scope for a musician to sing and tests his swara, jathi, saahithya gnana, thaala is an important aspect to it since it is a varnam on its own. Also, dancers use Dharus for performing since the saahithya is filled with bhava, ample scope for Abhinaya - a very important aspect for dancers.

What is the difference between Dharu, Padha, and Thana Varnam then?
Categorizing varnams based on thaala - like Adi taala and Atta taala varnam, may not be completely correct since there are varnams in Jhampe taala, Khanda Triputa, Roopaka, Tishra Eka, etc.

A Padha varnam is the one that consists of saahithya throughout - meaning, consider what we sing these days, for example, Ninnukori - in Adi - Mohana Raaga - Has saahithya in pallavi, followed by chitteswara, and charana where we sing 2 lines of saahithya and then jump to first charana composed only of swaras, sing the saahithya, and continue till we complete the 4 charanas. However, a Padha varnam consisted of saahithya in the entire charana as well! So, every charana has saahithya, and this format was sung in olden days. Since it was rich in saahithya, mostly conveying feelings of love (i believe), it gave lot of scope for abhinaya hence for dance performances too! Padha varnams are also called Chauka varnams / Ata varnams.

As music developed, it got customized and polished and we sing what we sing today - Thana varnams!

So that is the difference.

Have I learnt Dharu?
Yes I have learnt Maathe many years ago, and I have also sung this for my sister's bharatanatyam rehearsals (only), :( with my music teacher ofcourse :) since I was a little kid then. Trust me, with accompaniments like the nattuvangam, this krithi is a total bliss to sing!

There ends the tale of Dharu.

I also learnt that to compose varnams / thillanas one needs to have very good mridhangam knowledge. This increases the laya sense and is useful in composing varnam. In fact, Sri Muthaiah Bhagavathar had also trained under Vidwan Sri Narayanasamappa of Tanjore in mridangam. He possessed an accurate knowledge of rhythm which explains the excellence of his tillanas and dharus.

If you notice, among the trinity, Sri Thyagaraja and Sri Muthuswamy Dikshitar have composed keerthanes/krithis but not varnams, as known to me. Whereas, Shama Shastry has Swarajathis to his fame. So somewhere he must have had a deep knowledge of mridangam or the kelvi gnana.

If you come across any contradicting or complementing information, pls feel free to comment.

I will next speak about Swati Thirunal and his Thillana in Dhanasri in my next post!

Chimney Sweep!

2007-05-02T01:45:00.001-07:00

Did you know that a Chimney Sweep is one among the lucky charms? Especially in places like Austria, Germany, Hungary, Italy, France, U.K, Chimney Sweeps are considered auspicious omen of good luck especially when you meet them on New Years day or when they visit a house to chimney sweep!

I really did not know this until I received a ‘Petit Ramoneur Sabogard’ – A doll of a chimney sweeper, a petite girl carrying a rope and a ladder – a surprise gift from France! I was told that it is considered as a lucky charm. I was surprised. Now I simply love this doll and I tried to get some history behind this.

The chimney has been a part of family life since the early Romans first realized that it was better to live in a nice, fire-warmed home than in a chilly one. They needed a way to funnel off the smoke the fires caused. Centuries later, in medieval times, fireplaces were invented to heat individual rooms and provide a safe place for indoor cooking. Folks soon learned that fireplaces and their chimneys needed a cleaning once in a while. A house full of soot and fumes isn't healthy. And so, chimney sweeping developed into a necessary profession. And a good one. People liked having the chimney sweep pay a visit. He brought clean, fresh air back to the home. Sweeps are associated with hearth and home, and thus domestic bliss. Chimney Sweeps became a sign of good health and prosperity.

In Vienna, there is a Chimney Sweep Museum itself! There are people who get trained for almost 6 years to do chimney sweeping!

Here's one such lucky charm! But the one I have is much better! ;)

Some philosophy…

2007-04-30T22:16:00.000-07:00

Anger is a feeling, an expression. It has become a very common expression I can say. Lot of factors contributing to this could be – loneliness, frustration about not getting something you desired, ego, irritation, desire to please others but not being successful, low trust factor, low confidence, insecurities, all these things are very common in today’s life. Some people feel very proud to tell that they have a very bad temper and some men especially find it very manly to be hotheaded.

Lot of people including myself are moving towards spirituality, trying to get rid of stress and anger. I have a friend in the U.S and she says that every night she sleeps listening to some philosophical talks of a Swamiji and it helps her get a sound sleep. Another friend uses blogs to let free her stress. Each one is desperately finding ways to let out their inner self coz they don’t have anybody to listen to them.

Life is always hectic for most of us and the Rat Race syndrome has got on to us. As a child and even till today, one thing that shakes me is when someone expresses anger or raises voice. Being brought up in a very calm atmosphere, disturbances did not have much scope and were very few. And today if I look at myself, I am listening / facing these nuances almost everyday. Why? Is God making up for all these days? I really wonder. Sometimes I don’t know how to handle this, how to react to this, and I feel numb. Does this happen to you as well? I am not requesting for an Anger Management talk here, but just want to know if this is as common as what I am assuming it to be?

Handling temper is very important. Not many people realize that every action has an impact. If one does several good things but has a very bad temper, all the good things take a second stand and only the bad things stay afresh and take time to heal. If one does not know how to have self control over his/her own actions, then what have you achieved in life? There are ways to control anger, self-introspection, good hobbies, music especially to relax your soul, good disciplined routine, etc.

It is not good to be too impulsive and express anger always. We need to think before reacting coz there are people who may depend on us or who look up to us. Feeling more responsible and aware of our own self will help to make us mature I guess.

Your time starts NOW!

2007-04-20T02:34:00.000-07:00

Here's a quiz. These are some of my favorite romantic one liners from some of my favorite tamil movies. If you can guess the movie names, hats off to you :)
Start!

Kaiyaale aditcha adi valikkile, nee kannaale aditcha adi valikkidhu di
What are you doing to me maaya? (easy one? :))
Indha nimishathilendhu nee yennoda sotthu
Nooru jenma yen kooda, podhuma?
Nee azhagha irkuren nu nenakkile, aana yedho aayida poghuthu nu bayamma irku

More to come! Enjoy this weekend timepass! :)

- A genuine movie buff ^_^

Deciphering Janani Ninnuvina

2007-04-18T23:29:00.000-07:00

Janani Ninnuvina is a famous beautiful madhyama kaala keerthane in Reethigowla raga, Mishra Chaapu taala, composed by Sri Subbaraya Shastri.

The first time I heard MSS sing this; I fell flat on the ground. What a beautiful krithi and what a voice!

I wanted to sing this one too. All I had is the windows media file. I needed the script. I did not want to look at the English versions available on the internet. I wanted to do this on my own in my mother tongue. :)

So I first listened to the song several times to check if I can do this. Since I have never learnt a krithi this way, meaning, I normally learn from a teacher and only film songs/light music and some devaranamas through tapes or any media, this was my first experience with respect to a full fledged krithi coming from MS Amma. Normally I copy krithis from my music teachers’ book and all I have to do is just plain copy every note and sing it correctly. But now I had to do everything my own!

Thanks to Adiya for giving me the mp3.

Here it started.

First I thought, I know reethigowla and this should not be tough. Then I turned on the song in my ipod, opened my book and started penning down the saahithya in my mother tongue. I just realized that learning this way was equally exciting, though I missed my Meera aunty. Then after a few lines I realized I should mark the taala also now! And to top it all, it was Mishra Chaapu! Though I have learnt a madhyama kaala krithis in Mishra Chaapu (Maamava Pattabhirama(Manirangu), Kamakshi (Bhairavi)), when I started marking the taalas for this on my own, I realized how tough it was! Every note fell out of one complete cycle and I had to do it very carefully. I would’ve listened to each line 20 times to get the taala markings right! Phew that was one helluva job!

I sailed through Pallavi and Anupallavi.

Now came the chitteswara. I was in a maze now. Almost felt like Abhimanyu caught in Chakravyooha, unable to escape! How do I decipher this now, the taala went haywire when I sang the swaras and the swaras went haywire when I put the taala! I just knocked my head and realized that all I had to do is, split the beats into Thriputa taala pattern what we learnt in Alankaarams! Wow! I felt like a hacker hacking some password! So I wrote down the swaras in Thriputa taala style and it exactly fitted the bill! Wow! I wrote the charanam with ease after this and here I was! Ready with my dream script!

I am now learning the song part by part, directly from MS Amma! Let me tell you one superb advantage of learning this way (from ipod) – you can rewind and repeat the lines as many a times as you want till you get it right! Can you do this with your music teacher? Never right?

Take advantage of technology and do learn music. Never give up. :)

Flat culture

2007-04-18T22:37:00.000-07:00

Whenever I think back about my childhood and my grandparents house and summer vacations in their house, I remember lush green plants, trees, awesome fresh environment, muddy floor outside the house cleaned with cow’s dung and fresh rangoli, a cow shed with lots of cattle inside, walk a few steps from the house, we see beautiful amazing huge green paddy fields, we would walk through the plants, purposely walk on wet muddy puddles, play in the fields, wash our feet in the clean kutti streams that ran through the fields and it used to be so awesome and so close to nature.

Today most of us are adapting to the environment, hectic life, lifestyle, hi-tech science, and what not and if not all, most of us are ending up living in flats/apartments. We hardly have any greenery in our houses and the only green we can boast of would be some few pots that we have planted – just to give us a natural feeling of being close to nature. If at all we have some greenery or trees around the flat, then that can be considered as a blessing or boon these days. I sometimes wonder when we have kids and grand kids, what kind of memories will we be able to give them? Of our congested flats that look like mere match boxes, the congested roads the minute we step out of the house, the few green plants in our houses which may or may not have survived till then and what about the place to play? On the cemented ground / artificial man made commercial parks? Ofcourse practically speaking, everything has its own reasons of growing population, survival of the fittest context.

Sometimes I pity the upcoming generations, they will definitely miss a lot of things in life what we saw and would want to give them. But how far can we succeed in this? Is the Flat culture really creating a FLAT culture? I wonder…

What turns me on?

2007-04-16T04:21:00.000-07:00

The three notes sa pa sa' that emerge like magic when I run my fingers on the strings of the thamboori.

What does it do?
Allows me to identify my inner self instantly, imbibes seriousness and devotion (bhakthi) towards an unknown power, calms me down immediately, makes me think, makes me feel positive, works like magic on me!

I am sure it happens to a lot of people who know music and who respect and love music. The power of music is amazing.

Thanks to my Amma for all her efforts and patience to identify my interest at an early age and giving me the love of my life, thanks to Meera aunty for her belief in me that I could sing, and all her support so far which I know for sure no other music teacher would have had putting up with all my tantrums, thanks to Paramasivam sir for those encouraging words when I used to learn from him, and thanks to Memoirs for re-loading the magic on me and for tolerating me always.

I hope I never let these people down ever.

My career and how did it start?

2007-04-12T02:53:00.000-07:00

No not actually in the IT industry after my graduation. It started way back after I completed my standard 11. I was on holidays then and suddenly I got a call from my school teacher, Miss Rani. She needed help. She had to go on an urgent vacation and hence wanted me to supervise class 10 kids in their Final Exams. I openly agreed and I was excited! It was a week’s job, morning 9 – 4 PM. It was a great experience to be back in school and meet all my teachers again and share some good memories of school days. My Subbu Sir (Maths cum Class Teacher in High School) was so glad to see me back and also told fellow teachers that I had scored 100 in Maths in 10th. I used to be a strict teacher and move around, it was fun to see students and bully them. But trust me being a teacher is a very responsible job. It is not easy. To tell you the truth, I love it.
Then after Miss Rani got back, she called me up and asked me to meet her. I said okay. When I met her, she asked me if I enjoyed the experience, I said, yes very much. She offered me Rs.500. I refused, but she said, this is for your work. I had to accept. That’s my first salary. The most memorable one. Felt great that time.

Then after that, I finished my graduation and was loitering around, taking up GRE and TOEFL. Those days I was so jobless. And one fine day I met a friend who offered me a job again as a teacher for NIE – Newspaper In Education, a programme run by Times Of India wherein teachers (usually trained ones) conduct various workshops for school children and visit different schools. She told me that I had to take up Math Workshop and they would pay me Rs.250 per class, for 50 minutes and I may have 4 to 6 classes per week in different schools. But traveling was at my cost. I again agreed instantly and took some tips on how to plan. I surfed the internet to analyze the maths level of middle school kids, 5th – 7th standard and prepared math puzzles on charts – using K.G. Cardboard and Sketch Pens. I used lot of drawings since that attracts kids and I used to carry them to those schools. It used to be so much fun. Initial one or two classes I was little scared since I did not know how kids can cross question. Some classes used to be so noisy to handle. But I did manage to get their attention. Once I got used to their questioning it was fun. Kids are brilliant these days and they ask very good questions and teaching helps you learn so much. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I made around 1000 rupees per week then, worked for around 3 months and dragged another friend from college into this. He took Vedic Mathematics workshops. He also got addicted to this, not because of money but because of the good experience with children. We would share a lot of incidents and it was so much fun. The funniest was when kids ask you for autograph in the end of the class.
Sometimes I still wonder if I should take up teaching as a profession. In my music classes also I used to love teaching and writing notes for kids. Probably comes more naturally for girls. But the kind of satisfaction you get is different and nice. May be one day when I get really fed up with this IT industry I will switch to teaching.

Handsome cops, perfect packages

2007-04-11T03:09:00.000-07:00

They are strong, they are powerful, they are sensitive, they beat up all the bad guys who trouble girls, they have style, suave, they say the right things at the right time, they are just so perfect, and to top it all so good looking that you forget the fact that they are cops and start fantasising like your ever wanted super heroes.

Their characters are so well packaged with all expected qualities we look for in men, that we literally fall in love with them! why do directors do this? :(

I am taking about Surya - in Kaaka kaaka and Vikram in Saami. Hehehe!

Read this somewhere

2007-04-09T23:17:00.000-07:00

Some lessons we learn only through pain and failure. It's likely
that as a child your parents told you not to touch a hot stove.
But you probably learned by being burned. Sometimes we only learn
the value of something... health, money, a relationship. .. by
losing it.

But why? :(

No one knows.

Accept and move on...

Cooking with MSS

2007-04-04T22:33:00.000-07:00

Last night I did a wonderful thing (which I realized after doing :)) - turning on MSS melodies on my ipod while cooking! As the krithis proceded one after the other, I felt so ecstatic and I cooked with complete energy, passion, like as if I was high on music. Cooking never felt so good - as much as listening to krithis - identifying raagas in between - adding chilli powder to the dish - linking similar ragas - forming swara combinations - singing loudly - probably even cooking loudly since I could not hear the sounds of the vessels or plates or anything except MSS's voice - imitating some aavarthas - imagining MSS's dedication - adding salt to the dish - tasting the dish - evoking Rama in between - was fantastic! Try it.

To quote once again - there's no life without music. There's so much to hear!

Love Birds in my house

2007-04-04T22:11:00.000-07:00

My little kitchen has an opening for exhaust fan, yet to be installed :) However, it is currently the lovers joint for two pigeons that always sit there together. Initially I loved watching them. Although at times I used to find all the jars fallen on the shelf coz of these love birds flying in and out of kitchen, I thought its okay...But guess what! Yesterday I went back home after work and at the door itself while entering the house, I could hear water flowing out from a tap. I rushed inside thinking that there's something bad that has happened. I ran inside and saw that the kitchen tap was open and water was flowing out nonstop. The water filter was tilted on it, probably that was due to wind I thought. While I closed the tap and as usual trying to keep the jars in place (assuming that the love birds would have come in again), suddenly something popped from behind that jars and just flew past my head! I screamed in horror like as if some murderer came to attack me! I was so petrified and numb for a few minutes, my eyes filled with tears not knowing what to do I just stood there to see that one pigeon that was sitting inside the kitchen just flew out. I cooled down a bit and I was so angry at them.

I slowly got back to arranging the jars while I found something white behind a masala dabba, guess what, it was an EGG!!! A pigeon's EGG!!! I was astonished! I was happy. The birds kept looking inside the kitchen from the exhaust outlet like as if they were so helpless. I felt so much for the mother pigeon and then I thought let me wait and see what they will do. I just turned off the light and quietly stood behind the wall and watched. Slowly the mother pigeon entered the kitchen and tried to move the egg, while the father pigeon kept a watch at the door. Its amazing to see the behaviour of birds, so human like. Then the pigeon could not carry the egg and it still lies in the kitchen. They waited at the exhaust till it became dawn and flew away. I have left the kitchen open so they can take away the egg today and will close the outlet in the evening.

That's the story of love birds in my kitchen!!! :)

Pancharathna Krithis

2007-03-30T03:56:00.000-07:00

Singing pancharathna krithis for Thyagaraja Aradhane along with my music teacher felt great this year. This was on Jan 07, 2007. So I must say, 2007 KICK Started for me! Just felt like penning down some fond memories attached to each krithi that I have learnt :)

Endharomahaanu - This was the first pancharathna I learnt. I think I was 14 years then. Seeing the length of the song itself made me faint. However, those days my learning skills were very quick and I learnt it soon and when I sang in front of my relatives at home, they applauded me so much! I felt like one maha singer that time!

Dhudukugala - This is the second one, I found this a little tough although I picked up later and almost made me cry when I used to listen to meera aunty sing. O by the way, during the aradhane, they started of in such a low shruthi, 4.5 to be precise, that I picked higher octave and sang in contrast! :)

Jagadhanandha kaaraka - I took really long to write this down, college days your not used to writing too much, my speed reduced considerably! :) Not to forget the song in Anniyan - Iyengaaru veetu that picks after the first charanam! Incidentally, this happens to be the first song I sang in front of a student, who wanted to know how krithi is sung based on swaras.

Saadhinchane - I love the way Balamuruli has sung this. But this is such a lovely song, I used to always feel it is in Saama until I realized it is Aarabhi! :( Hope meera aunty is not reading my post! :) I used to practise late nights after work and trouble everyone at home singing the same few lines atleast 30 times till I got it right! :)

Kanakanaruchira - People have this belief that a teacher should not teach varaali to the student, either the student will stop learning or some hindrance will come up. Meera aunty never believed in that and taught me this one as well although I have not learnt this completely till date, I just know half half. :( Hope I complete this soon...does this mean, what people say is true? Will figure out soon!

Keep singing and keep enjoying music. Its worth anything and everything in life!

Happy weekend!

On Rama Navami

2007-03-22T03:45:00.000-07:00

The 9th day of Chaitra Maasa is Rama Navami, the birth of Lord Rama. The most auspicious day for Hindus. For us, we do pooja at home to Lord Rama and Seetha’s deities, read Sri Rama Sahasranama and go to temple and 99% attend a music concert in Rama Mandir. Mostly Meera Aunty’s concert or any carnatic concert. Not to forget paanaka, gulp down 3-4 glasses at a time! I love to sing Rama’s krithis and Devi’s krithis. While Rama’s krithis makes me fall in love with Rama, Devi’s krithis give me an unprecedented strength within. For Rama Navami, here’s the list of my known Rama’s songs learnt since childhood, been singing till now, and still love to sing:

1. Ramachandram Bhavayami – Raaga Vasantha
2. Raama Nee Samaanamevaru – Raaga Kharaharapriya
3. Maamava Pattabhirama – Raaga Manirangu
4. Ra Ra Rajeeva Lochana – Raaga Mohana
5. Brocheva – Raaga Khamach
6. Jesinadhella Marachitivo Raama – Raaga Thodi
7. Sri Rama Chandra Krupalu Bhajamana – Bhajan in Yaman
8. Deva Devam Bhaje – Devaranama in Hindolam
9. Raama Raama – Devaranama in Thillang
10. Seetha Kalyana – Suruti
11. Jagadhanandhakaraka – Pancharathna – Naata
12. Endharomahanubhavulu – Pancharathna – Shri

Not to forget:

13. Nepogadakunte - Shubhapanthuvaraali

14. Needhayaraadha - Vasantha bhairavi

15. Bantureethi kolu - Hamsanaadha

16. Khelathi mama hrudaye - Atthaana

17. Bhajare maanasa - Abheri

Should I include some fusions?

-> Mama Mama Shri Hari Rama? :) Tempting!!!

Well that’s for my Rama Navami to my Lord Rama. Will I be able to sing this year? Only Lord Rama knows. :)

Happy Rama Navami. God bless you.

Stressed?

2007-03-22T00:27:00.000-07:00

I see stress all around, whomever I meet, whomever I talk to, and including my own self, STRESS is THE word buzzing everywhere. We imagine that our life is so horrible and everyone is enjoying their lives except me. But wait and look around, each one has their own set of problems. And then, there's no time for us to unwind. What to do?

Slow down and enjoy things that really matter to you in day to day life. Sometimes your outbox feels squeezed and shut with all the 'to-dos' pending in the inbox. It's time to simplify life. That's the only way to do things that you like, reading, traveling, music, exercising, friends, etc. Look for ways to simplify daily chores by organizing your day better, or even changing some old habits by simply saying 'No' or even by asking for help. Slowing down helps you balance your physical, mental and emotional health. So slow down and take a chill pill. Relax and enjoy life.

Admirer

2007-03-21T02:39:00.000-07:00

Every evening when I get out of office and walk to the bus stop, I see him waiting for me. He waits so patiently everyday till I arrive. I feel good inside and chuckle to myself, although I try to ignore him. I sit inside the bus and open the curtains; he’s still waiting and starring at me. I joined my hands and told him to get lost and the bus started to move. He started to follow me! God he is truly so daring. I shut my eyes to avoid seeing him, he still wouldn’t go. I turned my face on the other side, he still waited and looked at me through the window with love. While we continued to play hide and seek, he started to set in the orange clouds promising to come and see me again tomorrow, leaving beautiful colors in the sky especially for me…cant wait to see him again in the evening! ;)

My trip to Agra

2007-03-19T03:23:00.000-07:00

I visited Agra over the weekend. We drove from Delhi to Agra, the Delhi – Agra highway is a simply super(b) 3.5 hours stretch and you land in Agra. An old city with a lot of history behind, ruled by the Mughals, starting from Babur > Humayun > Akbar > Jehangir > Shahjahan > Augrangzeb, once the capital of India during Akbar’s reign, now famous for Taj Mahal, is an interesting city today.

Buzzing with cyclists, cycle-rickshaws, tongas, autos, tones of two-wheelers on dusty dry roads, with old forts and buildings on one side, and chauffer driven camry, Honda city, safari, endeavour, Mercedes on the other hand with firangs inside sitting stylish, dying to get to Taj Mahal, was an interesting sight! Right from the beginning, you get to see street-side shops selling the ever-famous Pethas (pumkin burfis soaked in sugar syrup, yummy!) – kesar petha, coconut petha, gulab, khas, angoori petha, wow wide range of sweets and lots of hotels, including pizza hut, mc donald’s, udupi hotel and dasprakash on the stretch that leads to Taj Mahal. Seemed like tourism is a main business in Agra. The streets are filled with handicraft bazaars, esp the Sanjay Palace, Maal Road areas.

On day 1, we headed to see the world famous Taj Mahal, with mixed reviews ringing in my head, from tones of people, saying its dirty, turned yellow now due to pollution, Yamuna is so polluted, Taj has lost its charm, blah blah…we reached the Taj entrance. They have battery operated buses that takes us to the gate which is about 1.5kms away from the parking. These buses charge only Rs.4 per head accommodating around 15 people per trip. At the entrance, we pay around Rs.15 to enter and foreigners pay 5$. Having bought the ticket, we went inside, the entrance is dark like you enter a cave and as you walk out towards light, you see a magnificent white building almost like the full moon in the night sky, taking you from real to tranquil state and making you speechless…I shot pictures non-stop, took around 10-15 pictures at the entrance itself. You are hounded by tourists, photographers who bug you to let them shoot your picture and that’s very tempting. So we did that as well, posing in some ridiculous postures, although I refused to hold the head of Taj and take snap! God! That’s embarrassing or what!!!

Walking among loads of tourists, I withdrew myself into my shell and so did my thoughts. I started walking and stepped on the marble stairs went up stood in front of the Taj Mahal and it was breath taking. The flooring, designs, the optical-illusions the walls, the roof cutting, the calmness, silence, white purity, is so peaceful in its own way. Just go there to sit calm for a few minutes, forget Mumtaz forget Shahjehan, just enjoy the place in your thoughts and dreams, what you love to be, what you love to do, and even probably hum your favourite song!

Kaatradithu adaivadhille kaadhal adhu dhaan
Saatchi ennu nirkiradhu tajmahal dhaan…

Day 2 we went to Agra Fort, the fort of Akbar the great, from where Shahjehan used to see Taj Mahal from his prison. It’s beautiful. You feel like you have gone back to history. I felt like a queen walking in my own palace and I kept describing which part was my bedroom, my sitting room, my music practice room, my evening walk area, my playing area, etc etc. I felt so good! Reading little notes on the marble blocks right from Memoirs (oops! My blog name carved on Marble in Agra Fort!!!) of Akbar to Aurangzeb’s cruel regime was interesting.

On the way back, we bought some foot wear, since Agra is famous for leather, saw some superbly woven hand made carpets that were highly expensive ranging from 7K to 8K for a 6x4 feet carpet. Not to forget the tongue tickling chaat – aloo tikki, gol gappa, gulab jamuns, pav bhaji on sadha(r) bazaar.

Stay in Holiday Inn was pleasant.

Was a good and pleasant experience. Masala Tea on the way back in the road-side dhaba added more masala to the trip! Hail Taj Mahal!!! Hail Agra!!!

Excerpts from "Being A.R.Rahman"

2007-03-18T21:32:00.000-07:00

Happened to watch this programme on CNN IBN on Sunday, around 00:00 hours, an interview of ARR (which I hope was not relaid before). Here are some of the interesting lines:
Interviewer: How do you unwind from your routine?
ARR: Music itself is like unwinding activity all through. One whole lifetime is not enough for it, where is the time to unwind from music?
Interviewer: You manage your music business on your own, you know so much about copyrights, distribution, etc, how do you do that?
ARR: If you dont do that, you get conned in the film industry. I am a father now and I have to think on those aspects. Its a switch-on - switch-off mode.
Interviewer: People say that ARR's music is still innocent as a child...
ARR: I enjoy what I do, else it wont reach out to you. The times when I dont do that, it shows in the music.
Interviewer: Of late, you are using a lot of your own voice...top ones - Dil Se, Swades and then for the first time Shehnai was used in the song in different style - other then the usual marriage scenes..and bgms
ARR: In a way, its nothing better than delivering your own baby, so that's the feeling I get when I sing my own songs and yes, people also like it. Swades was composed when I was in U.K. I was just watching out of the window and these tunes came to my mind and I decided to use Shehnai in the song.
Interviewer: You sing a lot of tamil songs in your shows, hasn't that been talked about?
ARR: Yes, I do that. Lot of Tamil audience enjoyed that, while Hindi audience did not enjoy much, but I do that even now, I perform in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu, so its like National Integration, and people like it.
Interviewer: About religious lines..some XYZ writer said, having Mohammad in a name gets recognized like you are from a terrorist background, so how do you see that?
ARR: Yes, people ask me if I am Tamil, Srilankan, etc, but every religion / sect has had its own phase, at one point it was Christians, I guess now it is Muslims, but it is all temporary and I hope and aspire it will be fine.

It was a simple sensible talk, and very very interesting. For those who missed it, may be you can get it somewhere on the internet.

Hero Pen!!!

2007-03-13T21:27:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, to write something at work, I just took out this old gel pen and like the way we shake an ink pen, I did that and started to write. After finishing, I closed the book and just noticed to my shock that all my fingers were blue in color. There was ink all over!!! Three of my fingers completely stained by ink! I felt so good to see that after aaaaaaaages...!

In childhood, we were not allowed to use ink pens in school till we reached middle school. Using ink pens was as good as holding a piece of jewel for we girls. I used to always eye my akka's pens and meddle with it, till she scolded me to not touch her pen...:( From 1st to 4th standard, we used to use pencils (ofcourse, in that also tonnes of range, natraj, camel, flora, fauna, what not! not to forget pen pencil heheheh!!!). Then the minute we finished 4th exams, pen hunt will start from end summer holidays itself. In the initial days, we would get ordinary ink pen - screw / unscrew types, fill ink with one tube, one huge nib that would always leak and stain paper, hands, uniform! everyday filling ink, showing off in school used to be major activity. Ofcourse, we would carry ink rubber, chalk piece, blotting paper, God! Then after reaching high school, we would get legacy pens, used by akka for 5 years. This pen was the HERO pen! What a feeling it used to be. My handwriting used to be great then! I remember, during exams, we used to get these answer sheets that used to be of such poor quality. Whenever I tried to erase something written using my hero pen, the paper used to tear and then there would be a kutti hole in the answer sheet...hahahah!!! Superb childhood days.

In 10th standard public exam ended that tale of hero pen. I never used it after that. But having ink on my fingers felt great! Try it! :)

Madhusree vs SS

2007-03-13T02:22:00.000-07:00

I keep listening to a lot of songs sung by Sadhana Sargam (SS). Once in a while when I listen to Madhusree's voice, suddenly it feels like Sadhana Sargam's voice.

SS has sung great songs from several years. ARR gave major songs to SS like Snehidhane (alaipayuthe), Kalai Dhinam (new), Swasame (thenali), Karthik Raja's Un Perai Sonnale (Dum Dum Dum), which are excellently sung by SS and ofcourse many more great magical numbers. Of late, ARR is using a lot of Madhusree's voice in several songs, mostly hindi and some in Tamil also. If you notice, Mayilirahe (Ah Aah), Kabhi Neem Neem (Yuva), Pal Pal Hain Bhari (Swades), Ek Lo Ek Muft (Guru). Somehow I am not at all convinced with Madhusree's singing. I feel ARR could have used SS for all these hindi songs including Mayilirahe which I feel got spoilt although Naresh Iyer is marvellous. Wonder why ARR is sidelining SS. He may be experimental, exploring new voices, etc. He gave lot of songs to Swarnalatha once upon a time, for example in Karuthamma - Porale Ponnu Thaayi, to Kummi Adi in JOK. Swarnalatha sounds great in all these numbers and ARR's choice of voice is commendable. But wonder why ARR uses Madhusree so often. At one point ARR experimented with Nithyashree's voice as well in cinema. Thank God he gave her pure classical based songs and stopped with just a few. Nithyashree is great and my due respect to her classical singing. But again, I felt her voice did not suit playback singing very well.

Whenever I listen to SS's songs, it never leaves me with a bitter feeling, somehow Madhusree's style is not that impressive.

Maaya

2007-03-09T03:41:00.000-08:00

Hatthira bandhare dhoora nillu yennuve,
Dhoora hodhashtu hatthira iddhanthiruve
Manassina prathiyondhu maathannu kaddhu keluve
Horage thalli haakadhanthiruve
Neenu nijave maayave?

Prathidhina poojisuva aa devaralli ninna kaanuve
Obbale nadeyuvaagalella ninna neralannu muttalu oduve
Muttidhare yelli nanna kaiyannu hididhukolluveyo yendhu hedharuve
Bhayadhalli matthe hindhe noduve
Neenu nijave maayave?

Baalina sihiyalli, kanneerinalli neeniruve,
Hrudayadha sangeethadhalli neeniruve,
Thegedhu haakuva manassenagilla,
Yedheya midithavannu kelisuva dhairyavilla
Ee sihi novalli naraluva shakthiyilla,
Neenu nijave maayave?

Mounadhalli aathmavanne muttiruve,
Maathinalli manassannu keralisiruve,
Innyaava janumadhallu bayasadha aaseyaagiruve,
Prakruthiya niyamagale vismaya, adharallu nanna bimbave,
Neenu nijave maayave?

Pleasures of this season

2007-03-01T22:56:00.000-08:00

The last four months back home was a great learning phase for me. Here are the little pleasures from my daily life that made me feel good.

As soon as I take bath in the morning and get ready for pooja, Amma’s tension to keep the pooja things ready – the way she cuts jasmine garland into kutti pieces…:) so that I could do that pooja soon and light deepa quickly and don’t get late to work. :) . I find that very sweet. :)
Idly –sambhar tiffin with Appa every evening while driving back from work in his antique Fiat, where appa used to bring the plate to the car itself, without even letting me step out of the car, and that superb filter coffee. :) my all time favorite! What a feeling!
My music teacher telling a visitor that I am her oldest student and I sing well. :) Wow! A compliment that came from her mouth, though not directly to me felt great! :)
Driving new Alto listening to FM in Kannada.
Eating prasadham in the stairs of Raama Mandir with Amma.
Relishing hot chilli bajji in Malleswaram Market, yummy!!!
My little nephew telling me so innocently that he will fly with me in the aeroplane to Delhi. :)
Varun teasing me that he will find me a suitable guy to date who will spend lavishly on me! Cheap! Yet funny! :)
Riding my old Scooty in full speed, yet hardly reaching only 40 kms/hr! :)
Watching Mungaaru Male in Majestic, Sagar theater with Akka and Amma and listening to people's whistles and claps and dances for every song sequence, dialogues, etc, felt so good and at home, as compared to the lousy movie watching in U.K's luxurious theaters. :)
Realizing that Appa was such a child when I shouted at him to take care of his health and he just kept nodding his head. :)
The first sight of my new born niece with her irritated and angry expression, exactly like my sister’s face, was mesmerizing. :)
My childhood friend holding my hand and telling me, “God! When did you become so mature?!!!” :)
My nephew sitting on my left lap when I am practicing music and listening with complete patience – came to me as a shock initially, but now I feel proud of him and his interest!
My brother calling me up during riots and asking me if I have reached home safe or if I need to be picked from work. :)
Laughing with Appu, almost rolling of the floor when we saw our specially chosen gifts brought from Kenya, by none other than our tribal queen – Shalini and remembering our black magic days!!! :)
“What time do you need a call?” :) Will that ever happen again? :)
An old friend coming to hospital to see me with freshly prepared Mosambi juice, which I gulped down in seconds! Ooops! :) Dint realize until she told this to another friend the next day! :)
Shopping for Sankranthi in commercial street with Varun…:) managing to get a car parking also!
Watching the watchman starring at me while scrutinizing Sakshi apartments, 2nd floor and sharing old memories with memoirs. :)
Winning free Valentine’s gift in Lifestyle! :)
Driving around in Bangalore and passing by the same road where once upon a time I would wait and wait for buses or autos…:)
Music class every Saturday morning, what a pleasure! Gives me the ultimate moksha feeling! :)
Seeing my nephew eagerly waiting to be carried as soon as I enter the house from work! :) Simply relieves from all my tensions.
Stealthily reading my 3 year old nephew’s panchatantra tales in the night with greater interest and speed than ever before! :)
Watching my sister’s mother-in-law (who is 80 years old) clapping her hands for almost every krithi of MSS in my car! May be even I will end up like this one day! :) Will I? :)

I wish and only wish that all the people connected to me in one way or the other, stay happy, healthy, and peaceful all their lives.

Motherhood

2007-03-01T21:58:00.000-08:00

After going to Art of Living session last evening, there was definitely a feel good factor and calmness set in me. Listening to Sadhinchane by Balamurli I drove back home with a lot of thoughts on my mind. I went home and was happy to see everyone. I had a good dinner and helped in some house work and was about to crash on my bed. My sister suddenly called me from the room and told me to baby sit her new born son for the next thirty minutes since she was busy with some things. I said okay…since I was tired and it was 00:00 hours already!

My new nephew is a sweet little angel, he is chubby, he is adorable and just too cute almost like a little stuffed toy. The minute she left the room he started crying and I was suddenly woken up from my world and all my senses got activated in a jiffy! I just checked his nappy and it was wet! Phew! I said to myself and started changing his nappy although he continued his crying session. As soon as I finished that and took him in my hands and kept him on my lap, he quitened down immediately and shut his eyes!!! I was shocked and relieved too. Thank God he kept quiet! And then slowly I started humming Gopiya Bhaagya, a raagamalika, starting with behaag, and I kept observing his expressions, I got so immersed in him that I even finished the 4 paragraph song so quickly without even realizing! It felt beautiful…it is an inexplicable feeling to have a baby sleeping in your arms in peace. Motherhood must truly be a blessing is what I felt.

Lately Lightly

2007-02-25T21:00:00.000-08:00

He and She are friends. He lives abroad. He wants to buy an ipod. Sends an sms to She in the midnight.

He: Hey, what is your choice, red or black ipod?
She: (Aiyo, now only he had to ask this question...my currency is over...what to do...? Idea!!! bulb bulb...Akka's phone lendhu sms pannidren, picks akka's phone and replies! :) ) Hey, black is common, red is my choice! :) I am sms'ing from akka's phone...(She hopes that He gets the hints not to reply back)
He: (promptly replies to akka's phone :( ) Yahoo!!! (gmail.hotmail) I also thought of the same color, I am cooking carrot onion sambar with ARR, IR, M.Murthy...
She's akka: Hey, I guess you got a reply from someone...who is this? gmail.hotmail? Is it 'He'?
She: (feeling like hitting her head to the wall) O yes, let me see show me...
She reads the reply... "gmail.hotmail"...thinking to herself, enna annpuranga...onnum puriyiliye...mm...anyways, let me tell him straight now...
(Types an sms again to He)
She: Hey, thats great! I am sms'ing from akka's phone, dont reply to this, i dont have currency in my phone, lets talk tomorrow. (full confidence that He will understand english this time...:) Goes to sleep after handing over the phone to akka)
He: (again sends an sms) O is it, looks like you are sleepy, good night, else you are welcome to have lunch with me! :) (feeling very happy)
Beep....rings Akka's phone again...
She's akka: Hey, what is this, yet again another reply...dont finish my currency by typing international sms'es...what is this carrot sambar story happening?
She: (Jumps out of bed is maze! Has He's brains gone for a walk??? Beep.....another sms by He on She's phone....)
He: Aiyo by mistake I pressed reply and sms went to akka's phone i guess...sorry yaar...
She: !!!!

Pls: Thanks to PrabhuKrishh He-She series...:)

Mungaaru Male

2007-02-20T00:25:00.000-08:00

The title says it all - the pleasant rains and lightening, in the dark clouds....it is also the name of the latest kannada movie, that is apparently a big hit.

Mungaaru male has various shades to it - it is pleasant, romantic, chill, soothing, and also melacholic...nature has so much of influence on us, our emotions, our moods, our being and our existence, this is just one such instance. Nature is not constant and so is life, everything keeps changing, time to time, having an influence in our lives, and taking us forward. Sailing in thoughts I started to wonder what love was all about? Is love eternal or is sacrifice eternal? Does love and sacrifice go hand in hand? Why is it that when you love someone you expect so much and when you sacrifice your love for someone, you feel better than anything else? which one is correct? Are these two faces of the same coin or are these just delusions? Is love bounded by geographical constraints, physical presence, relationships, commitments? Who can determine one's inner feelings? How can anybody know the hidden feelings inside? Why do we compromise and move on in life? We live one life, is it worth the compromise? Why do some people touch you so deep? What is that one thing that needs to happen that can change everything in life? Probably walking in mungaaru male I will one day get an answer to my questions...

Is it that easy?

2007-01-31T00:59:00.000-08:00

I met a friend yesterday. She is my childhood friend. We were meeting after long. She was very excited to see me. I immediately felt that she had something to tell me. Her face was glowing and she was seeming very happy. I was wondering what had happened to her and was very curious. She said she wanted to tell me about something exciting that has happened in her life from the past 7 days! I said okay and we rushed to her room. Before I even said something, she said, "I am in love" and my eyes widened and I was getting really curious and she continued, "with a man who is 38 (13 years older to us) and is a divorcee". I was confused and I said, "okay...So what next?" and she says, "it was a 7 days affair and I am over it now, but he still has hopes about me and I still love him". I am again confused. I asked her one question "why?" She said, "Out of desperation, I wanted to explore myself and convince myself that even I can fall in love and even I can have someone in my life, and somebody can actually fall for me". I was shocked!

Is it that easy? - is what I asked myself first.

Both of them, the man and my friend are well aware of each other's feelings.
I asked her, "So you are his first friend after his divorce?". She says, "No, he is actually my best friend's ex-boyfriend, she left to the U.S and now he is my boyfriend, I've known him from the last 9 months". Now my head starting aching, and I asked her for re-explanation and this is the truth!
I asked her, "so you think what you are doing is right?"
She says, "No, my best friend and him had an understanding that they will not continue after she leaves to the U.S So that affair is over 7 days ago, when she left and he is interested in me and he is a GEM of a person". I said to myself, "phew!!!! gem of a person, well ya right, again is it that easy???!!!"

She asked me, "what do I do?".
I said a straight "NO".
She said, "well ya, that's true, it cannot work out, but he is a gem"

We had to say bye to each other by then.

I came with a big GEM hangover and the question still ringing in my ears, "Is it that easy?"

Ungal Choice!

2007-01-02T21:46:00.000-08:00

I just caught upon one of the episodes of Ungal Choice last week on our great Sun TV!
Previously called Pepsi Ungal Choice and now Aachi Masala Ungal Choice...Still cant believe the programme moves the same way from the past 12 years!
Pepsi / Aachi Masala Uma: Hello...
Caller: Hello, Pepsi Uma va?
Uma: (???) aama inga, naa Uma dhaan, sollunga yaar pessirdhu...(Uma ignores the Pepsi/Aachi masalapart very well!)
Caller: Naa Vaidehi from Nungambakkam pesren, aiyo enakku nambave mudiyile hahaha...
Uma: (Laughs) appdiya, sollunga ma, enna pannringa neenga
Caller: Aiyo, uma enakku nambave mudiyile...12 varshama unga number try pannite irkiren...
Uma: (vere veleye illiya!!!) aiyaiyo..appdiya...try pannunga, pannite irunga...
Caller: Ippo dhaan unga number kadchirku, enakku rombo sandhosham...nambave mudilinga (echo effects)
Uma: hahaha..sollunga ma, unga t.v volume konjo kammi pannringla..endha song venum?
Caller: Naa Nungambakkam le oorga business pannren..yen sister kitte pessunga..
Uma: sari kudunga
Callers Sister: Hello Uma..hahaha...haiyo enakku nambave mudilinga...
Uma: (surprisingly she's still smiling and as pleasant as ever!!!) haha..sollunga ma, enna pannringa
Callers sister: Yen peru Sivagami, Naa 12th padchitirken...enakku ungale rombo pudikyum...
Uma: rombo thanks. ennakkum ungle rombo pudikyum..(???) cheri sollunga ma endha song venum...
Callers sister: enakku ghajini lendhu suttum vizhi...yen friends kaaha dedicate pannren, chandra, meena, gobika, pavadharini, tasneem.
Uma: kattayama...ungalkaahavu, unga (oorga) sisterkaahavum, indha song, paarunga..

End of the show:
Uma: Enna nerghale, lines innum try pannikite irunga..keep trying keep on trying, adittha vaaram sandhippom. Happy Pongal. nandri.

It's amazing with the way she still carries the programme with the same charm! Following the success of this programme, I guess Sun TV came up with Sun Music with 24 hours nonstop callers for song requests with XYZ vj's...Ungal Choice wins among all I guess!

Idly Chutney :) Filter Coffee

2006-09-19T03:45:00.000-07:00

I just realized something this morning! The simple combination of Idly + Coconut Chutney + Strong Filter Coffee is so blissful! Call me a glutton or a bakasuri, but good food definitely gives satisfaction! Now the actual story behind making this simple breakfast is that:

When you cook idly, do not put the cooker whistle, let the dough cook in plain steam for super soft idlis!
When you cook chutney, make sure the salt and chilli quantitites is appropriate, else the entire taste goes for a toss!
When you make filter coffee, the milk + dicoction proportion should be accurate for a good coffee!

Everything in life needs brains and efforts, else it goes for a waste! - A simple learning from my amma's cooking!!!

Coffee Day? Naa....h!!!

2006-07-07T03:38:00.000-07:00

It was another day in my hometown and I decided to meet a friend in Coffee day the same evening.

Somehow on the way to coffee day, I was wondering if we should actually go there, since its so common and not happening. I reached early and I was waiting. I called my friend and he was in Food world, opposite coffee day, buying grocery! Well!!! He said, he had come in early and made use of the waiting time to shop for his house. Sensible fellow.

Anyways, after a ten minutes wait, he arrived with loads of carry bags filled with groceries. I was tired just looking at him. Well he’s a big guy, and looked like he enjoyed carrying the load and doing the balancing act! We found a place to sit. The seats were too low and the distance between us was quite a bit. We started to talk but could hardly hear each other coz of the loud hip hop playing in the background. Now is this what you call a cool evening? Quite a turn off.

Suddenly, something struck to my mind. I told him that there’s a temple nearby, should we visit? He agreed in a jiffy. He’s a nice guy, not a fuss. We checked-in his luggage :) at the security close by and we decided to walk to the temple.

It started getting so good. We walked all the way, beneath the trees on quiet roads, talking to each other, discussing a lot of things. My friend is a quick walker, so I literally had to run to match his pace! Well, I managed somehow! :)

Talking about our varied experiences of life and some common friends stuff, we reached the temple. We could hear bhajans. Leaving our footwears in the counter, I washed my feet and hands and headed inside, towards Lord Anjaneya’s deity. My friend followed me quickly. I prayed and so did he. We went round the temple took teertham, stood in the queue for some prasadham. Then we sat down at a place and hogged on the prasadham, which was a few scoops of hot tasty pongal. Was simply superb! We kept talking and discussing things. We washed our hands, collected our footwears and headed back.

On our way back, I showed him my school, my childhood playing areas, the roads that I have walked almost 10 years of my life, and finally my friend realized that I was panting a lot and he decided to slow down a bit. We came back chatting under the cool winds of the trees…

We checked-out his luggage and headed back to our destinations…feeling good about the whole evening conversations and discussions…

All in all, it was a wonderful experience to go to a temple that evening, with a friend, on calm roads without any noise, praying in the temple, and gulping up the prasadam. Neither did we strain ourselves, nor did we shell out any money, nor did we sit idle on a couch, tolerating the so-called hi-fi techno crowd and not to forget, the cigarette smoke and the loud (almost deafening) music!

Try it out next time. After all, how many of us visit temples more often than coffee hang-outs?

So now, say coffee day…naaa……….h!!!

There's something about Kalyani - definitely not the 'K' factor :)

2006-07-05T01:41:00.000-07:00

A complete blend of raaga, thaala, shruthi, dhwani (voice), uchharane (pronunciation) and dhyaana (conciousness) results in good singing.

However, there are some raagas that give you the 'feel good' factor when you sing, of which one of my favorites is 'Kalyani'. Being a sampoorna raaga, it is a tough one to sing. But the way swara combinations can be made in this raaga, is simply superb. The swara sthaanas are such that it allows you to express emotions in rendering the raaga. While music itself is a way of expression, Kalyani is very close to my heart.

Being a core carnatic music lover, this is just to share one of my experiences.

Check out more information on Kalyani - Ilayaraja - Tamil Songs - Raaga usage at:
http://hawkeyeview.blogspot.com/2004/06/ilayaraja-and-kunnakudi-vaidhyanathan.html

by another fan of kalyani...:-)

Every morning, watching through the bus window...

2006-07-05T01:18:00.000-07:00

I kickstart my day with my bus journey every morning. Watching outside the window, i switch on my ipod, i start sailing in thoughts.

Through the window - I see my house, my parents, i hear conversations between my mother and father, i listen carefully to three little girls who are playing together and giggling loudly in cheer, i smell rice getting cooked in the kitchen, i smile to myself coz these are the fond memories of home, that has just passed and i have such precious moments to cherish...

Then I realize that i am moving ahead in life, each day is a challenge to face, each moment is a life to live...

Isn't traveling an amazing experience? :)

Have you realized?

2006-06-30T01:17:00.000-07:00

That nothing stays for long in life? Each good moment never repeats itself? Combine life with energy and live every minute to savour the real flavor of life. That's the way to live.