Archive for » 2010 «

People Come and People Go… That’s Sad, But that’s Life!

Sunday, September 12th, 2010 | Author: Vivek

As much as we may wish it weren’t so, a plain fact of human relationships is this: People come and people go!

Someone that we have loved with all of our hearts one day can, quite literally, vanish from our lives the next. Not necessarily from death. Not even from rancor. Sometimes simple circumstance can take a best friend(s), a lover or a family member right out of your hands, never to be seen again. That’s sad. But that’s life.

There are times that I lie in my bed and just think of all the people who have wandered away from me. I remember all of the people that I have wandered away from. And then I wonder, will there ever be a time when they might reconnect? Not just for a ‘blast from the past,’ but a real reconnection, a rejoining, a resumption of the friendship routine as if the split had never happened. Probably not!

When I left Chennai, I left so many good people behind. I left a true family of friends with the absolute belief that nothing would change, that we would continue to talk and visit and share a rare closeness of heart. Of course, that didn’t happen and even though they are there, and are in touch, the friendship is not the same, it has evolved! Distance, time and space created an inevitable chasm between intention and reality.

This is all part of Life. People come and people go, satisfying a need for love and companionship in your life, or teaching you something you need to know. Luckily, a few people will stick around for a lifetime. But most are just here for a season. Maybe two. And that’s OK, because even though the physicality is gone, the love you created remains. Always.

Rajinikanth and Amitabh Bachchan

Thursday, September 09th, 2010 | Author: Vivek

Hope all Rajini fans will enjoy this funny story…

Rajinikanth was bragging to Amitabh Bachan one day, “You know, I know everyone, Just name someone, anyone, and I know them.

Tired of his boasting, Amitabh Bachan called his bluff, “OK, Rajini how about Tom Cruise?”

“Sure, yes, Tom and I are old friends, and I can prove it” Rajini said.

So Rajini and Amitabh Bachan fly out to Hollywood and knock on Tom Cruise’s door, and sure enough, Tom Cruise shouts — “Thalaiva!!! Great to see you! You and your friend come right in and join me for lunch!”

…Although impressed, Amitabh Bachan is still skeptical. After they leave Tom Cruise’s house, he tells Rajini that he thinks Rajini knowing Cruise was just lucky.

“No, no, just name anyone else” Rajini says

“President Obama”, Amitabh Bachan quickly retorts …”Yes”, Rajini says, “I know him.”

And off they go. At the White House, Obama spots Rajini on the tour and motions him, saying, — “Rajini, what a surprise, I was just on my way to a meeting, but you and your friend come on in and let’s have a cup of coffee first and catch up”.

Well, Amitabh Bachan is much shaken by now, but still not totally convinced. After they leave the White House grounds, he implores her to name anyone else.

“The Pope,” Amitabh Bachan replies …”Sure!” says Rajini, “My folks are from Italy and I’ve known the Pope
a long time”.

Rajini and Amitabh Bachan are assembled with the masses in Vatican Square when Rajini says, “This will never work. I can’t catch the Pope’s eye among all these people. Tell you what, I know all the guards so let me
just go upstairs and I’ll come out on the balcony with the Pope.”

And he disappears into the crowd headed toward the Vatican… Sure enough, half an hour later Rajini emerges with the Pope on the balcony.

But by the time Rajini returns, he finds that Amitabh Bachan has had a heart attack and is surrounded by paramedics. Working his way to Amitabh Bachan’s side, Rajini asks him, “What happened?”

Amitabh Bachan looks up and says, “I was doing fine until u and the pope came out on the balcony and the man next to me said,

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“Who’s that on the balcony with Rajini?”

Click here for the Source!

Personal Privacy Disclaimer

Thursday, July 15th, 2010 | Author: Vivek

Do not assume that you know everything there is to know about me simply because you read my weblog on a regular basis. Any judgements you make will be based on the information I have provided you about myself, which is probably vague, incomplete or embellished. Whatever opinion you form on me as person, or my life as a whole, is definitely an illusion. Remember, you are the reader!

Also, check out the Disclaimer.

Nadiye Nadiye Kadhal Nadiye

Tuesday, June 01st, 2010 | Author: Vivek

This song compares the various forms of water-bodies like rain, rivers, lakes seas and ocean with the various aspects of a woman – as a daughter, wife, mother etc. One of the most beautiful lyrics i’ve come across.

Dheemthananaa Dheemthananaa Dheemthananaa Dheemthananaa
Dheemthananaa Dheemthananaa Dhiranaa
Dheemthananaa Dheemthananaa Dheemthananaa Dheemthananaa
Dheemthananaa Dheemthananaa Dhiranaa

Nadhiyae Nadhiyae Kaadhal Nadhiyae Neeyum Pendhaanae
Adi Neeyum Pendhaanae
Onraa Irandaa Kaaranam Nooru Kaettaal Solvaenae
Nee Kaettaal Solvaenae

{oh river you and women are same…. one or two?…i can give you a hundred reasons if you ask for…}

Dheemthananaa Dheemthananaa Dheemthananaa Dheemthananaa
Dheemthananaa Dheemthananaa Dhiranaa
Dheemthananaa Dheemthananaa Dheemthananaa Dheemthananaa
Dheemthananaa Dheemthananaa Dhiranaa

Nadandhaal Aaru Ezhundhaal Aruvi Ninraal Kadalalloa
Samaindhaal Kumari Manandhaal Manaivi Petraal Thaayalloa

{If you walk you are a river, a waterfall if u fall and if you are still thou are ocean… when she matures she is a woman, upon marrying a wife and if she gives birth becomes a mother….}
(Siru Nadhigalae Nadhiyidum Karaigalae
Karaithodum Nuraigalae Nuraigalil Ival Mugamae) – 2

{small rivers, the river touching the banks and on touching the banks arises the bubbles from splashes of water and these bubbles are as beautiful and reflect the face of the woman…}

Dhinam Moadhum Karai Thoarum Ada Aarum Isai Paadum
Jil Jil Jil Enra Sruthiyilae

{on hearing this even the rivers will sing the song of joy…and the hymn will be the hymn in which the nature sings…}
Gangai Varum Yamunai Varum Vaigai Varum Porunai Varum
Jal Jal Jal Enra Nadaiyilae

{the ganges will come, so shall the yamuna, vaigai and ponni singing and walking in a rhythm…}
Dhinam Moadhum Karai Thoarum Ada Aarum Isai Paadum
Jil Jil Jil Enra Shrutiyilae
Gangai Varum Yamunai Varum Vaigai Varum Porunai Varum
Jal Jal Jal Enra Nadaiyilae

Kaadhali Arumai Pirivil Manaiviyin Arumai Maraivil
Neerin Arumai Arivaay Koadaiyilae

{on separation you will realise the importance of lover, and the importance of wife upon her death, similarly you will realise the need of water in the summer}
Vetkam Vandhaal Uraiyum Viralgal Thottaal Urugum
Neerum Pennum Onru Vaadaiyilae

{the colours arise when shyness shines on the face and colours melt when fingers touch her; the scent of women and the water is similar…}
Thanneer Kudaththil Pirakkiroam Oahoa
Thanneer Karaiyil Mudikkiroam Oahoa
{we are formed in a pot of water(the womb) and do the last rites on the banks of water (as per Indian traditions)…}
Thanneer Kudaththil Pirakkiroam Oahoa
Thanneer Karaiyil Mudikkiroam Oahoa

Dheemthananaa Dheemthananaa Dheemthananaa Dheemthananaa
Dheemthananaa Dheemthananaa Dhiranaa
Dheemthananaa Dheemthananaa Dheemthananaa Dheemthananaa
Dheemthananaa Dheemthananaa Dhiranaa

Vanna Vanna Pennae Vattamidum Nadhiyae Valaivugal Azhagu
Ungal Valaivugal Azhagu

{oh colorful woman and the circling river – your curves are equally beautiful}
Hoa Mellisaigal Padiththal Maedu Pallam
Maraiththal Nadhigalin Gunamae, Adhu Nangaiyin Gunamae

{the way woman learns music synchroniss the voices, hides the rough voice and speaks sweetly, in a similar fashion does the river cover the rough surface of the landmass and makes it look even and beautiful…. covering all flaws is the nature of women as well as the rivers…}
(Siru Nadhigalae Nadhiyidum Karaigalae
Karaithodum Nuraigalae Nuraigalil Ival Mugamae) – 2
Dhinam Moadhum Karai Thoarum Ada Aarum Isai Paadum…
Gangai Varum Yamunai Varum Vaigai Varum Porunai Varum…

Dheemthananaa Dheemthananaa Dheemthananaa Dheemthananaa
Dheemthananaa Dheemthananaa Dhiranaa
Dheemthananaa Dheemthananaa Dheemthananaa Dheemthananaa
Dheemthananaa Dheemthananaa Dhiranaa

Thaenkaniyil Saaraagi Pookkalilae
Thaenaagi Pasuvinilae Paalaagum Neerae
Thaayarugae Saeyaagi Thalaivanidam
Paayaagi Saeyarugae Thaayaagum Pennae

{oh water you become the nectar of the flowers, the juice of the fruits and milk in the breast of a cow, in a similar fashion the women takes form you become a child to a mother and a mat to the husband and mother to a child…}
Poonguyilae Poonguyilae Pennum Aarum Vadivam Maarakkoodum
Neer Ninaiththaal Pen Ninaiththaal Karaigal
Yaavum Karaindhu Poagak Koodum

{in these ways woman takes different forms and if river wishes it can wash away the banks the banks while woman if wishes can wash away all the stains…(the bank and stain is called karai in tamil are homonyms) and both if determined can do anything…}
Nadhiyae Nadhiyae Kaadhal Nadhiyae Neeyum Pendhaanae
Adi Neeyum Pendhaanae
Onraa Irandaa Kaaranam Nooru Kaettaal Solvaenae
Nee Kaettaal Solvaenae

{oh river you and women are same and i can give you a hundred reasons if asked for to prove that you are similar…}

Dheemthananaa Dheemthananaa Dheemthananaa Dheemthananaa
Dheemthananaa Dheemthananaa Dhiranaa
Dheemthananaa Dheemthananaa Dheemthananaa Dheemthananaa
Dheemthananaa Dheemthananaa Dhiranaa

Source of Lyrics: http://bit.ly/bg4jA0
Source of Transaltion: http://bit.ly/cZ88
VF

An Expensive Learning Experience

Thursday, April 15th, 2010 | Author: Vivek

Note: This is a Personal Blah Blah Blah. I jus’ wanted to analyze what went wrong today and get it off my mind.

Today, I am feeling really miserable. I want to hit something very very hard, but don’t want to hurt my hand! I have been giving a series of exams to obtain a certification called APICS CPIM (Certified in Production and Inventory Management). I gave my first exam last year in May. It was pretty easy and didn’t require much preparation, maybe because I had taken a class which taught me all the basics. Then I kept postponing the idea of giving my second exam for quite some time. Finally, decided to give in December 2009. Finished my semester, studied for a day or two and cleared the second exam too. After this, I went back to India for the winter holidays.

After returning from the vacation, I decided I will write the 3rd Exam. Took up a date in February, again studied for a day and wrote the exam. This time around, unlike the last two times, lady luck refused to stand by my side. Failed the exam by a mark. Felt bad. But I didn’t want to give up. Registered for the 4th exam, coz I can’t give the 3rd exam for a month. Postponed it twice, due to Spring Break and stuff. Then, finally gave it today morning. With more preparation than the last 3 exams. Guess, I studied for 3-4 days. Read all the chapters once, attempted the practice questions and all. But it was not enough. Failed the exam, miserably, by 6 marks. It proved me that I had under estimated what was in store. It feels so very miserable to fail. Feels like I am so incapable! Failing once can be accepted, twice is really bad. Maybe I am rushing it. But, it has been a year since I started and I didn’t want to delay it further. I still feel rushing it was not a mistake, but the lack of preparation was. I needed this failure. Learnt very valuable lessons, though costly lessons.

Laziness has done its damage. My concentration capacity has deteriorated very badly. I am getting distracted so easily by anything and everything. I am unable to stop myself from doing more than one thing. My mind flutters everywhere, it wants to do 100 things at the same time. I know, multi-tasking has its own benefits, but for the moment I think it is better if I train my mind to concentrate completely on one particular thing. I am going to avoid being on FB or even GTalk, logged in all the time. I have blocked FB and Orkut, so that I can use my time constructively and get rid of the addiction. Hope this time around I change my bad habits and prevent them from doing more damage. Hope something good happens soon. At this moment, it still feels so miserable.

Angaadi Theru

Saturday, April 03rd, 2010 | Author: Vivek

As always let me begin with the Trailer of this Movie:

The movie revolves completely around one of Chennai’s busiest market streets – the Ranganathan Street in T.Nagar and hence the name Angaadi Theru which means ‘Market Street’ in pure Tamil. The Movie is directed by G Vasantha Balan and produced by Ayngaran International. It stars Newcomer Mahesh as Jothilingam aka Lingu, ‘Nijama thaan Solriya’ Anjali as Sermakani aka Kani, KKK Fame Pandi as Marimuthu aka Mari, Director A Venkatesh as Karungali and many other new faces. Brilliant acting by everyone, especially the actress Anjali. Her eyes speak everything.

‘Angadi Theru’ celebrates the triumph of human spirit over overwhelming odds, and the kindling of hope in the midst of all the pain and misery. It tells the story of the workers, the sales people in the shops of Ranganathan Street. It is like tracing the story of few random people whom you will come across in those busy streets, blowing it up and making a movie out of it. Though the story parodies a particular store in T.Nagar, I would say it is the same case with many other shops in India. Especially because there is not much of an opportunity in the interior parts of the country, people come to the cities and take up low paying jobs. The employees are exploited from early morning to midnight, and they too bear all this because of their helplessness. They need the money, the job, to survive. The exploitation is similar even in the IT companies, but people are in a better bargaining position than those shown in the movie.

The movie’s technical brilliance is something which you will not be able to appreciate at the first viewing. The film has such an engaging screenplay, that you will not be able to digress away from the story. You can’t notice any flaws with the cinematography, editing or the music as you would probably be very busy following the details depicted on the screen. The scenes are impact oriented and consequential – You will be simply occupied with the emotions that engulf you with every scene that is exhibited. The music too is Good and I liked the songs after listening to it for a few times and understanding the meaning. Jayamohan’s pithy lines lend a natural feel and deserve a special appreciation.

Verdict: A Must-Watch for those who appreciate Good Cinema.

Vinnai Thaandi Varuvaaya?

Monday, March 01st, 2010 | Author: Vivek

Let’s begin with the Trailer of the Movie: Click Here

Vinnaithaandi Varuvaaya is one long flow of emotions and events. As the tagline says (“A different love story, yet again!”) it is a different as well as an interesting story about falling in love, the emotions, the confusions, and the innumerable roller coaster sensations associated with it. The movie title “Vinnai Thaandi Varuvaayaa” means “Will You Cross The Skies And Come To Me? and is inspired from the lyrics of the song ‘Vennilave Vennilave’ from Minsara Kanavu (Sapnay). Gautham Menon is the writer and directer of Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa. In this movie, Silambarasan Rajendar plays the main character as Karthik. Trisha Krishnan plays the role of Jessie. Academy Award winner A. R. Rahman is the music director of the Movie.

Our Hero is Karthik, a Mechanical Engineer (yet again!) who dreams of making it big as a Movie Director. And our Heroine Jessie, a Malayaali Christian is an IT Professional. Karthik falls in love with the gorgeous Jessie at first sight, similar to Surya’s Love at First Sight for Meghna in the director’s previous movie Vaaranam Aayiram. He comes to know that she’s a year older than him, but still proposes her. Jesse doesn’t want to pursue the love, as she doesn’t want to hurt her conservative father, who is against love. But she is courageous enough to break away from the marriage arrangements made by her family. Karthik is thrilled by this development but Jesse wants more time to convince her father. The film drags on with no significant happenings but it takes an artificial break when Jesse decides to break the affair for an unconvincing reason, which as my friend Srivats explained, showed the character’s indecisiveness and uncertainty about choosing love over family. The rest of the movie deals with what happens to them and their love. And we also have a twist in the climax.

I wondered what the title Vinnaithaandi Varuvaaya (Will you Cross the Skies for Me?) implies. After watching the movie, I guess it is about Jessie’s reluctance to come into the life of Karthik, crossing the distance between them, because she can’t decide what to do.

The dialogs and the execution of scenes are top-notch. Simbu and Trisha perfectly fit in the Characters. Simbu has given us a nuanced performance, never seen from him before. He steals the show with what I would call, an underplayed overacting! Trisha looks her ravishing best, in Saree. Good Job by Nalini Sriram as the Costume Designer. Chinmayi has lent her wonderful voice to Trisha which needs a special mention for the exact Tamil and Malayalam accents. Love her Voice! ARR’s music is one of the main reasons to the much acclaimed hype. Music has been the greatest asset of the movie right from the beginning till the end. The re-recording and the background score are really amazing. Though, I didn’t like the songs initially, I am hooked to it now.  Cinematography by Manoj Paramahamsa is Brilliant and is a Visual Treat to Watch. I didn’t see Gautham Menon giving his trademark guest appearance in the Movie, though he had given his voice to the rugged brother (bad casting here!) of Jessie. Did any of you see him in the Movie?

Verdict: On the whole, the Movie is a Must-Watch (atleast once ;) )!

To sum it all up in a few words, I am quoting Sudish Kamat here: Well Written & Performed, Stretched & Indulgent but very Romantic!

Irani Kovil

Thursday, January 14th, 2010 | Author: Vivek

Irani Kovil (18th Jan 2010)

Irani Kovil is located in Iraniyur (10.2284°N 78.6504°E) near Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the 9 Kovils of the Nagarathars, built around 1278 A.D. And I belong to this Kovil. This Kovil is dedicated to Arulmigu Aatkondanathar and his consort Arulmigu Sivapurandevi. It lies 24 kms from Karaikudi. This Nagarathar temple is a magnificent piece of South Indian architecture.

Here is a Story about the Temple which our Ayya told us when we were kids. Lord Vishnu killed Iraniyan after attaining the form of Narasimha. After killing Iraniyan, no one was able to calm Narasimha’s fury. It is said that Lord Vishnu worshiped Lord Shiva at this Temple and only then he was able to regain his calm self. And hence this Name for the Temple. Apt to the story, I feel so calm, peaceful and happy when I am there at the Temple. It is one of the most Serene Temples in the World.

Inside Irani Kovil

This is a dedication to one of my most favorite Temples in the World!