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Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Tamizh Movies

I revived watching Tamizh serials after coming to Bangalore. Initially it was new: later I found out the characters shouting their dialogues instead of speaking out . Movies except Rajini, Kamal, and late 70s all were new to me. I did not have the interest to watch, later I found out I have not watched many Shivaji films.

I left madras life in 77 and in between when I came for short visits, I had watched Thappu thalangal’,’[தப்பு தாளங்கள் ] manal kayiru’, [மணல் கயிறு] ‘moonram pirai’[மூன்றாம் பிறை in theatres.

Even now I prefer Hindi to Tamil movies, because I cannot stand the dialogue delivery of esp. the comedians like Senthil, Goundamani and Vadivelu. Though Vadivelu has the body language, his is cheaper way, I had to put a sorry figure in front of my students when they came to visit me at home. I was watching one of the movies where these people were in half pants and lungies that too not worn decently.

They may be representing the villages, trying to impress people, whatever excuses one gives; at times they come out with third class jokes which make you laugh at their taste.

Like everywhere, the middle aged heroes, running around with the daughter’s age girls looks stupid and out of context! Vivek is at his best due to the intellectual dialogues he delivers, sometimes he is also too loud. Whatever it could be no one can beat Cho, and Nagesh’s time. Later years even V.K.Ramaswamy started shouting his dialogues. In ladies no one but Manorama, Manorama, and Manorama… only .Kovai Sarala was only interim. I would advise Oorvashi for a comedian role. She is fantastic.


Coming to the Stunt and fighting scenes, my heart bleeds when I see so much of wastage done while shooting the fight scenes.

I happened to meet some stunt men who were going to Chennai with me in Navajeevan express in Second AC in July1997. They visually brought the fight scenes in front of my eyes and as usual, I started expressing my anguish. Some of them risking their life / sole bread winner/ some do not have insurance, had to take risk while doing stunts.

It pains me to see so much of vegetables, fruits, plastic buckets, pots and bangles, cold drinks etc wasted just to highlight the hero’s heroism! Is it necessary for the producer indulge in huge wastage, the irony is the very side artistes might have to work hard to lay their hands on the things they destroy while doing the scenes. There are so many who do not get even a small meal for one time- not a square meal but a circular meal! - The amount can be circulated among the needy. Just because a hero fights, he cannot be called a leader, just to prove that he cares for others he has to bring large scale destruction!
The stunt scenes are not at all believable.

Most of the present day movies [I do not watch movies, this is purely from the trailers which is shown on TV.] have a lot of violence due to computer graphics, matrix, I do not know. There is no need for any vamps in films because the heroines play the dual role, there is hardly any acting involved. Songs but for dappan guthu [டப்பாங்குத்து ] and remix, very few music is praise worthy and worth listening.

From the days I have been watching movies, all the rape scenes will have the heroine wearing either sari or skirt-blouse, half skirt. However ultra modern the heroine is , on this day, she has to be in any of these types of dresses only. So that the director gets the chance of focusing on many different angles, selling the movie, the heroine becomes a commodity.


There are so many heroines available in the market, and ready to shed their shame, clothes, and respect at the drop of the hat. We cannot blame them; it is the easy name and fame which makes them do so. Hardly any lesson is taught in the movies. I do not know where this will lead us to?

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Where is Bangalore?

Bangalore, the garden city, once upon a time was famous for its all season in a day, is gradually declining thanks to the urbanisation swallowing lakes, the introduction of Metro, increase in pollution caused by the numerous vehicles.

This bangalore where I was born some 54 years ago, occasionally visited during holidays, was onec a place of shivering cold even in '77, When I visited last before my 1998 visit. This bangalore was green with avenues, chilly weather, was liked by all.

Even in '98 I did not see such drastic changes when compared to what I see and know of Koramangala now. Many independent buildings have given way for multiplex complexes, stores and flats. The 80 feet road was never a scare for crossing but it is a nightmare!.

Earlier I have crossed the roads on my own and now after reaching 50s I do not feel ashamed of holding my husband's hands while crossing the same roads!. Had it been 25 years back, I wouldnot have held his hands. The fear of dying with mutilation grips me and all I want is a dignified instant road death!. I always carry one of my ID with me when i go out even for a walk, lest I am put in the morgue unidentified.

Maximum number of malls, Retail stores, software companies have made Koramangala a rich place, making life difficult for middle class people .

BBMP has to work a lot to make it a place worth living and commuting. So many signals were installed, thanks to World Bank roads were widened and asphalted.. Mr. Ramalinga Reddy MLA, contributed a lot for the upcoming of his constituency.

It is like seeing your child grow, to see Koramangala develop so well. I remember taking many small cross roads even during day time was scary, but with so much of people moving around and the terrific traffic has left little place for pedestrians like me who prefers to walk if it is around 3, 4 km within the area.

But the chaotic traffic on the roads creates a hazardous noise and air polluted environment, which takes its toll on the commuters. There is mad road rage, violation traffic rules, impatience, too many one ways inspite of wider roads, until and unless we follow the policy which recommends the adoption of measures that restrain the use of private vehicles in order to reduce congestion, nothing can be achieved.

There is no pedestrian friendly roads, authorities turning a blind eye for the illegal encroachment of foot paths, all add up to the commuters woes.

To manage congestion, the best way is to include higher parking charges and congestion pricing.

A start can be made at the primary level.Unless the stick is wielded- nothing, nothing will come out of it. The police is the only arm of the state allowed to wield the stick ruthlessly. What is needed above all in Bangalore is enforcement .There is total disregard for law on the part of the public. No one cares for any rules any longer , the autos rule the roads, the autodrivers take the cake.

Things will certainly improve substantially once people realize that there is a price to pay (and it’s a steep one at that) if you break the law. Remember- there are many ways to skin a cat.

Short stories from Mails.. Know Each Other


Know Each Other

One Friday a Maths teacher asked her students to list the names of the other students in the room on two sheets of paper, leaving a space between each name.

Then she told them to think of the nicest thing they could say about each of their classmates and write it down.

the students left the room, each one handed in the papers.

Later,the teacher wrote down the name of each student on a separate sheet of paper, and listed what everyone else had said about that individual.

On Monday she gave each student his or her list. Before long, the entire class was smiling. 'Really?' she heard whispered. 'I never knew that I meant anything to anyone!' and, 'I didn't know others liked me so much,' were most of the comments.

No one ever mentioned those papers in class again. She never knew if they discussed them after class or with their parents, but it didn't matter. The exercise had accomplished its purpose. The students were happy with themselves and one another. That group of students moved on.

Several years later, one of the students was killed in 'Kargil' war and his teacher attended the funeral of that special student. She had never attended Funeral of a serviceman before. He looked so handsome, so mature.

The place was packed with his friends. One by one those who loved him took a last walk. The teacher was the last one to bless .

As she stood there, one of the soldiers who acted as pallbearer came up to her. 'Were you Sanjay's math teacher?' he asked. She nodded: 'Yes.' Then he said: 'Sanjay talked about you a lot..'

After the funeral, most of Sanjay's former classmates were there. Sanjay's mother and father were there, obviously waiting to speak with his teacher.

'We want to show you something,' his father said, taking a wallet out of his pocket 'They found this on Sanjay when he was killed. We thought you might recognize it.'

Opening the billfold, he carefully removed two worn pieces of notebook paper that had obviously been taped, folded and refolded many times. The teacher knew without looking that the papers were the ones on which she had listed all the good things each of Sanjay's classmates had said about him.

'Thank you so much for doing that,' Sanjay's mother said. 'As you can see, Sanjay treasured it.'

All of Sanjay's former classmates started to gather around. Arjun , one of his classmates, smiled rather sheepishly and said, 'I still have my list. It's in the top drawer of my desk at home.'

Prithviraj's wife said, ' Prithviraj asked me to put his in our wedding album.'

'I have mine too,' Rashmi said. 'It's in my diary'

Then Deepali, another classmate, reached into her pocketbook, took out her wallet and showed her worn and frazzled list to the group. 'I carry this with me at all times,' Deepali said and without batting an eyelash, she continued: 'I think we all saved our lists'

That's when the teacher finally sat down and cried. She cried for Sanjay and for all his friends who would never see him again.

The density of people in society is so thick that we forget that life will end one day. And we don't know when that one day will be.

So please, tell the people you love and care for, that they are special and important. Tell them, before it is too late.

Remember, you reap what you sow. What you put into the lives of others comes back into your own.

The best way to avoid disappointmaent


One day a fisherman got up very early in the morning.There was not enough sunlight to get into the sea.He saw a pack of stones to pass time.
He started throwing the stone into the sea.While having the last stone in the hand, the sun came up then he saw that the stone was a diamond and all the stones he threw were diamonds as well.
He felt for his misfortune of throwing all of them into the sea...
Moral of the story:


Do not get up early in the morning....

Monday, September 28, 2009

Short stories from Mails.. The Other Side


The Other Side

As long as a problem is present, there is always a solution to it, not necessarily in one way, there may be many ways.

I am reminded of a story

A Father was reading a magazine and his little daughter every now and then distracted him. To keep her busy, he tore one page on which was printed the map of the world. He tore it into pieces and asked her to go to her room and put them together to make the map again.He was sure she would take the whole day to get it done. But the little one came back within minutes with perfect map... When he asked how she could do it so quickly, she said, "Oh... Dad, there is a man's face on the other side of the paper... I made the face perfect to get the map right." she ran outside to play leaving the father surprised.

There is always the other side to whatever you experience in this world. This story indirectly teaches a lesson. That is, whenever we come across a challenge or a puzzling situation, look at the other side... You will be surprised to see an easy way to tackle the problem. Approach may be different but the solution is the same, way of seeing things may be different, but the net result is the same.

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Austerity

Austerity is the ‘in’ word now. Thanks to the UPA govt, every where you find heated discussions on this, why should I leave behind?

It is actually a show off, to be too liberal in spending and there is nothing wrong in being simple and humble. Frankly speaking, somehow I do not approve of some famous personalities flaunting their wealth. It may be true that they have got it after a lot of struggle. That doesn’t mean they have to display wealth. I disapprove two things; one is public display of love and second wealth. Both irritate me only inhuman people can do so. They make me embarrassed.

India is a developing country and we as citizen have to make it a happening nation. Unnecessarily people spend lakhs of rupees on their children’s marriage and birthday parties.

Wealthy ones celebrate their on, two year old’s birthdays in a grand manner when the young ones do not even know what is happening. In the name of parties so much money, food is wasted. Imagine many small kids do not even afford to get one square meal a day. The best way for these people is to utilise the money for orphanages, ashrams, among poor.


I remember, at the time of my daughter’s marriage, we four unanimously decided to say ‘no’ to display of vegetable carving. We felt when so many poor people might not even have seen vegetables; it is sheer waste of them as well we can do without that.

Next is piling up so many unwanted things at home when you do not require them, there are many who might require them badly. They may be utensils, wrist watches, clocks, belts, shoes, bags, clothes, furniture, and utility items. When you feel you have not used them for a long time, they have become redundant, best is to dispose them to the one who will use them. We keep piling things in the name of sentiments, which is of no use.

When my children were 3, 4 years old, other kids in the campus would come and tell in the noon that they are celebrating their birthday in the evening. Immediately I had to rush to the nearby shop, get some sketch pen set, pencils or something which is useful. At times, we ran out of things, I ended up giving small cups and plates as gifts. Children like true children did not feel like giving but what can I do if I am told in the last minute?

That time we decided [even otherwise personally I do not like to get any gifts], when it came to our kids, we insisted that friends bring no gifts. [I encouraged personally made greeting cards this encourages creativity]

Initially they were disappointed, ofcourse there is always a solution, so we explained to them that whatever they expect their friends to bring would be gifted to them by us, we encouraged return gifts to all the kids who attended the birthday party.

I baked cake; biscuits, chocolates and namkin were brought to give the children, pencils, foot rulers and erasers were given as return gifts.

Once they reached senior classes, biscuits and chocolates were replaced by idli, dosa and vada chutney, sambhar. This continued till they were in class twelve. Once they came to college, it was upgraded by giving treat, gifts etc.
So , the lesser you display your wealth it is better for you as well others around you.

May rage !!!!

Marriages are made in heaven. Made for each other. And blah... blah…
Marriage was a sacred institution of marriage with a man and woman leading a fun filled, full life.
What about today? The scenario has changed completely.

Olden days, people were getting married at a young age when they do not even know the meaning of marriage. Elders see the boy and girl and match their horoscopes and finally they get married.

Emotional security, obedience, trust, a lot of given and take, mutual understandings were the pillars and a strong base for them running the household.

Parental guidance paved the way for smooth relationship, knowing each other well, their weaknesses and strengths provided a platform for understanding each other well within the family.

Joint family taught them living together, tolerating each other’s presence, patience, deciding in a group, team work, division of labour.

Children considered their elders as role models, so they behaved properly.
They abided by the unanimous decision; the brickbats never saw the light of the day.

With great difficulty the couple had time to spend together; this lack of time bonded their relationship stronger. Many times it was always the weaker sex – the woman yielding to the supposedly stronger sex. But they hardly noticed or had the grudge, went on with their life as fish takes to water.

Coming to present scenario, the young ones are brought up in a nuclear family with either ‘we two-ours two’ or ‘we two ours one’. This concept itself defeats the whole purpose of a family.

Hardly any time for the family or each other, with the invasion of TV and computers in the bedroom, it has become all the more ‘latch –key parents’ or’ kids’. This is quite common with DIG- double income group with kids or no kids. [DIGNK]

Here the kids learn arrogance, non-cooperation, impatience, dis-obedience above all no values for elders, or own parents. They are more concerned with the materialistic values, with disrespect for the society and nature. The quick money gives them the perception that they can get anything quickly!

Lack of role model, friends circle and the society are the factors responsible for their behaviour. One can’t blame them totally; partially it is their parents who fail in their duty of bringing up their child with values.

This attitude is carried over once they become a husband / wife.

Current trend is today marriage, tomorrow divorce. It has become so easy to change partners as they change dresses. The main reason behind is financial independence which drives them to take this step, secondly lack of tolerance between couples.

Though earlier without knowing much about the partner, marriages were surviving, but it is not the case so, coz you know too much about your partner, and familiarity breeds contempt.

The work pressure, equal working hours, the deadline to complete the target, the commuting time swallows most of the time leaving less time for the couple to spend together. The little time goes in catching up sleep and hardly there is any interaction. Where is the marriage taking them upto? They would have found out when they were courting they were much happier.

The social obligation of calling on parents, in-laws, attending functions eat up a lot of time. All they can communicate is thro’ mobile, tracking each other’s whereabouts, fulfilling the gap of conversation.

In the name of space and privacy, they give up living together with their in-laws; end up with less time for each other. Who is responsible?

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Mad(e) for each other

Ah, what a wonderful pair!!

This is one type of reaction when we attend a marriage reception, and it automatically comes out from our mouth.

Some do make a really made for each other in complexion, height, build, overall personality, but some it will make you heave a sigh,’ oh God!’.

I remember, once there was a person who had a love marriage, hosted a dinner party for his colleagues. Many at least a 10% people who attended did not take part in the dinner, just handed over the gift after a brief hello. They skipped the dinner. The reason was simple, though it was a love marriage, whoever came out said,’ Love is really blind!’

The groom really looked like a prince charming with a beautiful height, wonderful complexion, and sharp features. Next to him was the look alike of Shiva Dhanu [those who know the suicide killer of Rajiv Gandhi] no way a match for him, she was short, dark and with the teeth seen. Many could not digest the love pair as for them they are no match in any way.

Some later expressed their opinion and he being a Brahmin openly said that his parents did not approve of his choice, for that matter anyone who could have a common sense and sensible would have thought for a second before deciding. I am not sure till today whether he had any visitors at his home after marriage, whether they are happy even now.

(I would like to clearly say one thing that I am totally not for any caste or colour, but when one chooses one should also see to some extent the overall
impression he / she is going to present.)

You can quote Amithabh- Jaya jodi, Rajnikant-Lata, for contrast, MSS –Sadasivam for proper match.

Normally for the Amithabh type we call ‘guilly –danda’, for Rajni type-‘pachcharisi-ellu’, for MSS type ‘deiveega’ Jodi.

Coming to the offspring, it is strange and funny to see them. They may be a combination of both or only one. Sometimes one gets the complexion but a dull face, the other may be dark but with good features. God is great; He creates with some kind of balance in them. Some resemble exactly the parents and you do not have to swear to vouch for their birth.

As per my daughter, it is always the second child who is fairer than the first one, she had taken a survey with the family and friends circle. Her bad luck in my house it is the other way around, with my son fairer than her. One cannot call her dark but wheatish. According to her a boy does not need to be fair, but she has chosen a fair husband, and her daughter is fairer than her husband.

Finally, at the end of the day it is the quality of the spouse which is going to help in the harmony of the family.

Friday, September 25, 2009

Wake Up Basu !

Ramaswamy aka Raman in his late forties did not know how to talk about the marriage in his house to his son, Baskar. Baskar is doing his intern in Stanley medical and he stays in a hostel. Baskar’s mother, Visalam left this world due to fire accident when Baskar was just 8 yrs old.

Fortunately, Raman had his parents and Anna, manni with him. It was a joint family. He never once experienced the difficulty in bringing up Baskar. His brother had only two daughters. Every one in the family showered affection.

Now, his elder brother and manni have gone to live with their daughters in States, with aged mother with him in 'Kallidai kurichhi', he thought the best way to help his mother is to bring the’ Lakshmi’ in the house.

He has expressed his wishes to the local kalyana tharagar and he has brought many horoscopes with the photos to him. He randomly selected a few and narrowed it to three best after consulting his mother. His mother pestered him to talk to Baskar about this.

His mother is of the opinion that ‘shubasya seekram’is the best; before the start of 'margazhi '[Dec 15 th to Jan 14 th] Raman should get the green signal from his son so that the marriage can be performed by ‘thai’ month.


Somehow after mustering courage, Ramaswamy set out to Chennai on an auspicious day with the photos and details of the prospective brides in his bag.

Here I have to tell you about Baskar. He was pampered a lot but not without the values being incorporated. He was made to understand by his grand parents, the trouble and the hardships his father has to under go in bringing him up. Raman was damn sure that Baskar will not say no to his proposal.


Baskar is the 'acchhu' [resemblance] of the thatha – Venkittu and he is Patti’s pet, he has never said ‘no’ to Patti. Patti poured mother’s love over him and both have become friends.

Raman reached Baskar’s hostel un- announced and so his room mate opened the room for him to wait for Baskar.

It was a surprise for Baskar when his room- mate Vipul told him about his father’s arrival, coz in the past 5 years his father has come only three times, it is almost a year his father had come last. He would visit Chennai, whenever he had to attend a function.

After completing the class, Baskar came to his room. He found some thing strange and unusual calm in the room, normally his father would talk about Patti and the eatables she has sent and other family matters.


With the concern in his voice,' Enna appa, are you not feeling well?’’

‘m….m... nothing like that, Basu. How are you? How is your study going on?’

‘Fine appa, nothing to worry, with this year, I will almost be free. Enna appa suddenly this time?’

‘Actually, Patti and I were talking for quite some time, but I do not know how to start this topic’.
Appa, tell me and be frank, do not prolong this suspense, could you come to the point directly, instead of beating around the bush?

‘See, Patti is also getting old, with your perima, perippa not in
town; we are finding it difficult to manage the house’.

‘So, what? Is this not happening for the last six months? And it is nothing new!’

Who said so? But now we feel the difficulty with all the festivals in line. You are also nearing thirty; we feel the need of a ‘gruha lakshmi’ who would take up the responsibility of running the household, taking care of you, me and Patti.

‘But, appa’……..

[Cutting him half way…] ‘See Basu, I give you a week’s time. I have sat with Patti and narrowed it to three ‘varans’ and photos are also there’.

‘But do not sit over it, the sooner the better’. ‘We have to have the GLC arranged, and further finding a suitable muhurtham is also difficult’.

‘Appa don’t you think it is too early’? I have to decide about my future’

‘Kanna, Patti and I decided thinking about what is good for all of us’.

‘But appa, I have my compulsory rural duty in six months time, how is it possible? Neither can I take her nor can I leave her’! ---------------

‘Appa, this is something funny, why should I marry in the first place if I am going to be away from her’?

‘Who is asking you to marry’? ‘I am just asking you to help me in selecting your ‘chithi’ for me’. And I am talking about my second marriage!!!! Hi folks,

Baskar is still unconscious, Pl wake him up!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Abhimanyu Tutorials

[This piece was written in 1991]


‘That sounds nice and fits too’

‘Not a bad idea’.

This is what I got as an appreciation to a reply. When I was walking with my colleagues to attend a kitty party, one of my colleagues asked me for help to suggest a tuition teacher for a senior KG child to train for getting admission in class one.

I laughed at the way she had put the things before me and replied.
‘Tell the parents it’s too late, as my friend is ready to take tuition only to
expectant mothers. The mother can come during the day time, rhymes, lessons and sums will be taught personally as well as with an audio cassette glued to the tummy. I‘ll call it a ‘Abhimanyu Tutorials’

Fees will be fixed later. But I did not anchor my thoughts of conducting tuition classes in a big mansion, with servants at my beck and call.

Now a days, this is the only way to earn money. My husband always gives a piece of his mind by disturbing my peace into pieces when he curses his fate of selecting a life partner with an English Literature background.

‘What‘s the use of language, good for nothing,’ ‘English remains English.’ ‘If only you had been a maths graduate!’ (I could sense he would have been proud of an owner of multi-storeyed housing complex. What else can he do but heave a sigh!



I just can’t blame him. His nature is of accounting. He has the aptitude to multiply two, three digits in no time. It is his poor luck that neither his wife, undoubtedly, nor his two products are good in maths or for that matter any calculation.

I am the weakest, sometimes I do say,

’ I am like a politician; you should never ask me to account for the money you give me to spend’. He can never compromise as he feels it is birth right and it is there right in his blood.


There is a saying in Tamil’’ Vathiyar pillai makku’, ‘Vaithiyan pillai noyaali’, ‘vakil pillai kutravaali’. [A teacher’s child a dullard, a doctor’s child patient, a lawyer’s child a criminal]

It is true according to my husband that for my children ‘kanakku’ is always kashtam’. [maths is difficult.]

Whenever this topic sprouts, my son will add fuel to the fire and fan it by saying, ‘Amma , you know, in our tuition teacher’s house if you just break the wall, you will get not bricks, but you guess, what will you get, Currency notes!’

It is cent percent correct, the way I hear people charging one to seven hundreds a month, per subject from KG to college, the day is not far off when one can see many tutorial classes out-numbering the regular schools and colleges rather than schools.

I am quite sure, if given a chance, my husband would wish to have maths graduate as his life partner than a Literature graduate, who can throw only pots and pans in alphabetic expressions and not algebraic expressions. Maths is his world, numbers just fascinate him, and with figures he goes mad!

Computer Literacy.......................,

In 1997 before I was engaged, I did d a stint with 3 things, typing, shorthand and veena classes. All with the same family friends. All was good for 3 months. I did the typing class with the last sis, veena with the second one, short hand with both the second and third sis. The eldest happened to be my tutor in college. Mostly alternate days I had to attend these classes.

So typing initially was not problem, shortand was like my left hand job. [Deftly I cld do] Veena I had my athai’s veena at home specially brought for me from Sastri Nagar to Tambaram Sanatorium. All I did was to come and play them at home not only this, I had my amma’s song book , so with the little knowledge of carnatic music I know, would play in veena at home . I acted smart in veena class, naturally the teacher did not like neither could she tolerate my smartness.

In the mean time I got engaged and married in 25 days.

So a type writer was never a dragon for me. When the PCs were introduced, it was not at all difficult for me, unlike the first timers, I do not have to literally look for the letters. This familiarity came handy when I attended the compulsory computer class in school. Later we were to prepare ppt for the items we were to teach. I conveniently took a colleague who had PC at home so we could do some home work and could present a presentable one on ‘Child Labour’.

Learning to mail was the problem, opening the account was done for me by my colleague, and later I became an expert in sending ‘NO’,’ NO’ forwarding umpteen mails to jam my friends and relatives mail boxes!

When I was in Anand, I did not know much about browsing but learnt to play a lot of games.

After settling in Bangalore, I literally troubled Arjun, my son for each and every thing. First for using the mail, how to forward the mails received and deleting the unwanted text portions, later the use of cc, bcc, the directions given in mails. Once I joined some groups, I did learn by trial and error method.

The best part was down loading songs from Sangeethapriya site. It took me some time to understand and follow the instructions given by my son. When he taught me, I wrote down in my diary and in his absence I tried them, when ever I had encountered the problem, I would disturb him and ask him. His friends started teasing him for running a ‘call centre’. Same for burning them in CDs for listening.

One thing I should say, that initially he was impatient, later he understood the pain in the neck will not leave him. It was an advantage for him coz later I have helped him in down loading movies in Bit comet for him.

In a short time I have learnt, uploading photos from digital cameras, attaching them, etc. In my free time I browse a lot of news sites and Tamil sites, blogs and even small information I try in net.

One does not need any books, everything you get by browsing in the net. Here I am building my blog, designing the pages, layout and incorporating jpg. I know how to convert to jpg and also to make a movie from the handycam, upload from a camera, I am a very computer friendly person.

All that cost me was time and trial and error method . Nothing comes without hardwork and interest!!.

I contribute a lot to news papers’ letters to the editor columns, local news week.

I have joined some groups and actively participate in their discussion.

The only thing which I am yet to understand is the margin alignment in MS Word, till now I could neither get the feel nor anyone is ready to teach me!.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Hindi

The way I learnt Hindi is self tutoring, After my graduation, I was at home when I was trying for a job .Thanks to MK the then CM , we could not learn Hindi in school. My brother did from Hindi Prachar Sabha. His books and study materials were lying, so out of interest, I decided to give a try. Lo! I found not much difficulty, hence my stint with the Hindi language. I went for flat letters without ‘matharayens’. [in tamizh’’ kaal vaanguvadu ‘’]
With my butler Hindi, when I went to Raipur, I used the book ’Learn Hindi in 30 days’ and I religiously followed it. I would observe my husband’s Hindi and followed to the core. I never had the opportunity of conversing with the maid as I had an orderly given by office. Somehow I learnt and it helped me in Anand.

Thanks to the Hindi movies, I picked up a lot. The funny part is now when my son and daughter correct me, they really pity their tutored days. (by me ofcourse).

Now they are ashamed of my Hindi, they pity themselves for being tutored by me. The truth has to come out and they really keep correcting even now esp. my daughter. I do not feel bad, coz the Tamil language does not have some sounds, for us it is the same letter for diff. sounds.

The secret was I would purchase Hindi Digest for Bal Barathi--] prescribed text books in CBSE,] and read it at my pace and when they come, I would ask them questions and verify the answers from it.

The second thing was both are good in by hearting i.e. learn by rote. This has helped me when I ask them to read; they would start and stop in the last line.

Thirdly , the English version text book of S.S bore similarity to its counterpart Hindi book, they had to write the SS in Hindi language. I always bought the eng. Version read it in advance to teach them in Hindi by explaining in Tamil.

I enjoyed the sayings in Hindi; I constantly tried to find out the equivalent in Tamil, and English.

I was once an entertainer in the staffroom for my 'muhavares 'and proverbs because sometimes I would do melapropism.

Monday, September 21, 2009

Childhood

How many are proud of saying
Watched the empty sky at night
Studded with stars-farming birds
Animals, flowers?

Dirtied hands with cow dung
Mopped the ground, swept with
Broom, sprinkled water?

Jumped the compound wall
Climbed the trees, played
‘I spy’, plucked flowers?

Lying on your back in the open terrace
Talking to your siblings, counting the dots
In your mother’s sari, [stars- sky]
Trying to fold your father’s dhoti.


Asking riddles, smelling the night
Experiencing the stillness in the air.
With the chirping of the birds
Announcing the birth of
Beautiful dawn?

We’re gifted folks
The new generation misses all
These small minute things.

The multi-storeyed buildings
Ever threat to safety has snatched
The beauty of a village.

These petty ‘ashas’; go to villages
Experience for a day, you will be blessed
With a nectar of Indra Log!


March 22, 1998.

Village BeautyPageants

India is rich with Sushmita
Aishwarya and Diana
Without make up, bikini, ramp
Cat walking.

Go to villages, beauties laden
With pots, one upon the other,
Hands swaying to the hips
Ah! What beautiful bellies
Not one Miss Title holds
A candle! Why not expose
These rich hidden bellies?
Look for greener pastures!

1998, march 22,

Punishments

Have you ever been punished by
Your teacher? Have you been?
Beaten in the knuckles?
Kneeled down in front of the class,
Last row in the assembly?

How did you feel?
Ashamed, guilty, repented?
None of these!
I only wanted a magic wand to see
The teacher takes my place
In the hot sun.


Corporal punishment solves no problem.
It brings arrogance, indifferent and
Haughty -rude behaviour.

Punishments- handle with care!

1998 poem, march 22

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Nick Names

Nick names are more funny and sometimes they have meanings sometimes not. One is short form of the full name like Subbu, Mani, Rangu, Gangu, Chinnu, Babu, and Balu and for girls it is Janu, Banu, Sugan, Sugu, Raji, Hari, Mali, and Susi etc.

The other type is meaningless like Bablu, Paappu, Ghattu, Chotu, Nannu, and Dolly.

The third is what I keep Sometimes as per the person’s look, character, activity and taking into consideration so many other factors. The first one I remember is ‘’ poikkal gudhirai’’,[பொய்க்கால் குதிரை ] one of my cousins used to wear pavadai, chokkai like midi ,it resembled as if she was going to play with the gudhirai.

A person with a big head for a small figure is called ‘’ anbulla alli’’: those days .In ‘Rani’ Tamil magazine, there was a column for the Q & A. One of my tutors in college had try to put her hair strand on her forehead, it resembled the cyclonic version of trees drawn in magazines, so she is cyclone, whoever sat in the front row of another lecturer in the class was multiply blessed coz of the spit coming out when she spoke, so she is Waterfall Venkamma. [a character in Raja Rao’s novel Kanthapura]


The one who plonks and does not easily move around is ‘idichha puli’, one who does not go leaving your place is ‘’kammbaliyil ottina chiklet, ’one who keeps blowing his own trumpet is DPTB [donkey patting on the back], verbal diarrhoea for one who keeps on talking and does not end a conversation.

I remember my paternal grandma keeping people names like ‘kona kkanni’, ‘saichha kanni’,’ vayadi’, and’ ulagalanda perumal’ [for tall ones]’ kettle’ for the angry ones, ‘ engine’ for a chain smoker, citizen [ tamizh kudi magan for drunkards . Some family members will be fat and fleshy, so they are Dunlop families.

AMMA - an epitome of patience., amma this is to you

''Chingari'' –true to her pet name my mother is always beautiful and as R.K. Narayan says in his novel about his grandmother, she is a versatile woman, always wearing the 9 yards sari in a proper manner. She is liked by all for her humour and being nice with any age group, unbiased nature, broad mind, and above all no ‘ingittu- angittu job’

Born in a big family, brought up by a young widowed mother, Amma was given basic education and lessons in singing, cooking, drawing/ sketching, stitching, knitting, embroidery, sewing and handicraft. She can speak Tamil, English, Hindi, Kannada, and Telugu. She got a handsome spouse as well.

Amma has inherited some from her mother, firstly her will power- she is a strong woman. She never grumbled, showed her anger, made any complaints, we cannot quote or recall any incident where she used harsh words or scolded any of us, using abusive / unparliamentary language. To some extent I think many of us are like her. But I can vouch for me as I don’t believe in using them or for that matter taking out my anger with some one.

She was a good’ one-measure ‘I mean ‘orpadi’ to her sisters-in-law. She did her job of a daughter-in-law well. She knows the’ sambiradayam ‘so she is often been called as walking encyclopedia. 

Apart from giving birth to 10-2=8 of us, she brought us well as good human beings. We specially 4 daughters till now are never jealous of each other. She brought us with utmost care that we do not know the word’ jealousy’. I am not able to recall any thing which ignited jealousy amongst us. All are treated equal so also the sons. She taught us, the girls, to stitch [hand as well as in the hand sewing machine,] embroidery, fabric painting. We, specially the girls, and in boys my first younger brother- inherited the habit of reading from her; I have not seen other brothers reading habit: we are all voracious readers once upon a time, and I have never seen appa reading except for ‘Kumudam , ‘vikatan,’& news papers.

My daughter has inherited her reading habit. Actually reading gives a variety of knowledge and exposes to language and culture. I remember in Sivaganga, we would bring the book from the lib in the morning and all [at least 3] would sit and finish by noon, borrow another for the evening and this would go on. Mostly they were’ Ponniyin Selvan,’ by Kalki and we would recall the dialogue and have a big elaborate review with amma, we have read both Eng and Tamil books.

She was the one who introduced us to’ word building.’ She had made us write Eng. alphabet in a small bits of papers and taught us to play word building in holidays, apart from this, we had guessing games with word trains, when amma, appa, , Nagamani  mama, mami and Kalpalathika   visited Anand in 1990- we were going to Dwaraka by a matador and we all played this word train. It was a memorable journey.

She had the time table ready for our holidays about what we were supposed to do with some house hold chores, thus helped her out in easing her burden, and some time for us to do what we wanted to do. This has really made us understand her difficulties and we did whole-heartedly. We did not complain or murmur. My son keeps saying this: whenever amma comes and he says no wonder I am like my mom.

Appa is gifted to have a wife like amma who took complete control of the house except the control of appa’s ANGER .She could save and manage the house hold expenses so well that she got her daughters married. I know at the time of my marriage appa had almost gone broke. The GLC on 1st, engagement on 5 Th and the marriage on 27 Th of the same month.

Unlike these days there were no ATMs; appa was not prepared well for the marriage. Appa never questioned amma about her way of running the house. Amma, the credit goes to YOU only. You are great! And simply superb!

Amma could always look around for appa’s help in caring for us, from applying oil on our head, heating hot water in ‘vennir thavalai, drawing water from well, washing utensils, sweeping the house, ‘’’ kaai garigalai aayiradu etc.

Both were generous in treating stream of guests in Tirunelveli, Sivaganga, we are proud to have parents who could give us whatever we needed, and also the ability to stand for injustice, and be vociferous. More than appa, we looked to amma in our studies.

Many times whenever amma prepared any ‘norukku thinni, she would not keep for her or with such a big family, it is not possible for her to keep aside some. There I enter and hide some, but it is now I realize that it is true mother’s spirit. Very tastefully she would make’’ Athirasam, kai murukku, poli, urad dal jilebi for us. We learnt poothodukkiradu, mavukkolam, izhai kolam, slokam solvadu eating all vegetables, being active wherever we go in helping people around.

As far as I know, she always purchased the same set to all her daughters/ daughters-in-law or the same amount. If she does a thing to one, she does the same type to others. This is in gold or any items. She is well organized. Many times she had to pack things on transfers. She did it so well that we never had to scratch our brains. At the time of marriages- she mentally planned and started storing things for people coming to the hall, and things for sambandhis, things to go to the bath rooms [mugs, soaps etc.]

As my Patti Mannimma used to say—Kannu partha kaii seyanum. We, by observing her have learnt a lot. This is called as hidden curriculum. This was helpful to me coz, when I had to pack alone 80 % from Rajnandgaon [MP] to Anand ,Guj , and total shifting from the NDDB quarters
to our own flat in Anand, and again back to Bangalore alone.

I planned a table and started packing things during 2nd and 4th Saturdays, Sundays from July to send the materials by oct1st week to Bangalore. I had to keep some things for our living [daughter and self] from Oct to June. Now when I sit back and think, I just could not believe myself as to how I could do it alone!! This I should owe to amma only.

So also at the time of my daughter’s marriage. I kept every thing arranged to take to the mantap writing addresses, sending invitations to all friends and relatives, single handedly. The father, son and daughter all took leave on the 9th, 8 Th for the marriage on 11 Th! Definitely amma is responsible and the credit goes to her.

Amma, because of her knowledge of Hindi, could make up and manage the north Indian auditors when appa was in SBI service. They were mostly put up upstairs and appa could do with English. Whenever she was at madras, appa as he was the invitee, would take amma to the party hosted by the Governor.
She reared the cow Surabhi, so that Patti could fulfil her wish of ‘’GODHANAM’’ She took a great care of it and later the calf ‘’ Narayani’’. They were given as dhanam to the’’ sakata puram ‘’mutt, east Tambaram.

We all were brought up with the morning Ragi. / Wheat kanji or milk. Nobody had the habit of drinking coffee, but after marriage everyone has become a ‘’modakudiyan’’ except me. Till now I take milk only.
When we were in Tirunelveli many relatives visited. First it was my maternal uncle Kichhi mama, Patti Mannimma, , Mythili chithi, her 3 daughters, then Babu  periappa, Patti, athai, and cousin. Second athai Lali , her kids, appa’s cousins, mother’s sis, her children all visited us.Amma showed a very great hospitality inspite of her own big kudumbam.

Recently on 16 th of August, 2009 she celebrated her 80 th birthday completion with except one son and daughter-in-law all of us four daughters and her sons -in-law, three sons , three daughters -in-law and a few grand kids in tow had a get together at home , ofcourse we missed appa much he was in SMF in the ward. Her younger sis came and read a poem on her.

Afew of the cousins came and took her blessings .
Amma you are simply great!. What we do to you is peanuts to what you have done to us. We pray god to give you enough strength, good health to you.

Dedicated to my parents. Amma Appa



We call our parents appa, and amma only, where as appa is ‘neenga’, amma is ‘nee’ which itself says amma is close to us. .We are gifted to have them as our parents, the most beautiful and wonderful pair together! We feel proud that they are so beautiful. A good pair for each other
Appa commanded immense respect in whatsoever place was he and people were so impressed by his straight forwardness and good nature.


Appa is a terror to everyone in the family his name is ‘Gangu ‘short form of Gangadharan it sounds like a gangster’s name , but very kind and loving at heart. His looks with look alike of Shubas Chandra Bose, very serious stern and scary but he is like a coconut very tender inside.
As far as I know him he was always a Hitler who was very strict with us just opposite of my amma. His rolling eyes when he conditioned us would frighten us.

As a father he was strict and firm with us in all ways. Firstly he wanted to give us a healthy life, Periodical castor oil drinking on Sundays in turn to clean our systems, Oil bath on Sundays with’ poondu rasam’ was a regular feature.

When we were in Tirunelveli, we were forced to take spoonful pure Cod-liver oil, and we were not supposed to move from the place for 5 min. Definitely a BIG NO to pickles. What we did was to take a full ‘nellikkai ‘[goose berry] and chew it after food, it so happened [and it was very clear that children are always children;] we were caught once when he found the seed in the’ mutram’ in Chengam, and the rest is history.

In Chengam we were forced to wear colorful sweaters [green with mithai pink, blue with orange full sweaters] to school. As he was the Bank officer we had the privilege of watching the movie by sitting in the balcony, and going to the theatre in a bullock-cart. The cost of the ticket was 75 paise only.


We are eight children born to them-with two boys in between dead; otherwise we would have been ten! The irony in appa’s life here was he was made to be the Chief Guest to a Family Planning Programme and my first younger brother was acting in the drama.


When we were in a joint family, he was the one mostly who would put us’ sadam pisaindu’. We had a tough time if any one of us was hurt. We had to sit close to each other and a majority of time it was the knee injury only and it was invariably my elder brother. Being girls was a blessing in disguise as we had the skirts to cover up our injury, lo, boys no escape or relief. But we were very co-operative in this regard; we would adjust ourselves so well it was not detectable.

Some times appa’s genuine care of preparing the rice mix with ‘sambhar, rasam ‘would make us lose patience. The reason was not only was he particular with the mixing but also making a ball out of it to give us. He would not like to see not even a drop of morsel of rice or any thing on the floor. Next is water, no one was allowed to drink water in between meals; a glass of it was kept for emergencies only.

Thanks to him I still have the habit of not taking water at the time of meals, which has been proved healthy. But appa’s habit of adding water to all items in the plate is an exception only for him. During winter it was’ paal sadam’ compulsory for all. If some one else other than him doing this for us, we could take the liberty of not only talking at the time of food but also we could say no to them if we did not like the food.

It was a regular to finish lunch by 12.30 or so on Sundays. After food we would help in chores, and later we were packed like sardines in periappa’s room by appa. Both periappa and appa preferred the room to be dark and would use the bed sheets as’ purdah’. We would only wait for them to fall asleep one by one in sign language signal each other and stealthily escape. Some times we were lucky some times some of us would be caught and no escape; we had to sleep. You must be wondering where we were going or what was the’ Thalai pogira vishayam.’ It was only to spend the noon the way we like it. For appa playing means nothing but getting hurt and spoiling health.


Aduvum thappi thavari kannaku kettal pochu, appavukku X vachhi than solli thara theriyum aanal schoolil X vachhi kidayyadu, the point is he would never come to the point, all we had to do was to send SOS to amma in the kitchen. Some how the message would reach amma and she came to our rescue by asking all of us to come for dinner. The only option left was to ask my elder sis not in the presence of appa.


After my maternal uncle the first person to have a car was Appa when we were in Tirunelveli in1969. He had a black ambassador car- OSV, MSV 1459 initially we hired a driver Ratnam. That car had made many trips to kanyakumari, tiruchendur, kutrallam, manimutharu, Madurai, papanasm and suchindram Sivagangai, Tirupathi, Bangalore and Madras.

It was a nightmare to us if appa had to drive, not because we had no trust but it was because he would take his own time to start and would not speed. Many times when we had to take the town route to reach the temple and the roads were narrow. Sometimes small boys from nowhere would cross the road. Appa irritated, would stop the vehicle and call those boys and scold them, then only he would start the car. On highways he had gone in 7o km speed. Many days he had dropped us to school, firstly dropping my younger brother in St. John’s and us in Sarah Tucker School. We were mostly late but the Head Mistress never punished us but we had felt bad. Appa was famous those days. We always had big houses in the area. He never went on his own whether it was admission, or anything for that matter. He had many office assistants who had done it happily.

Any good movies, esp. K.R.Vijaya, Padmini, Sowcar Janaki, Shivaji, k. Balachander and so on, we all went after the seats were reserved in balcony. We would eagerly wait for the soft drinks to be served to us. Some times we had told Muthukrishnan [peon in SBI, later appa made him a clerk] to tell appa to send us for movies, he had picked us and dropped us home. Appa was a respectable person in the society; the ladies who were filling water in the street once sighted appa- went inside and only after appa entered inside the house they came out.
He has helped many people to get employment in SBI, those days with his mere recommendation.


He is a good son to his parents-- never took the side of wife or kids in front of patti, an obedient younger brother to his brother and elder sister , an affectionate elder brother to his younger ones, scary mama to his nieces and nephews. He never once spoke ill of his brothers or sisters or any relatives. He has accepted them for what they are. He knows there is no use in grumbling or finding fault with others. If at all he wanted to say he has said in the presence of the person, not giving room for gossip.


He is good at soul and never cursed or wished bad for anyone, believed in destiny. Because of his good heart and pure soul, we, his children, could come up in life on our own if not millionaires at least are able to live a comfortable life. He was mocked for bearing many children those days. I can understand how amma might have felt when people around talked about this. I am happy that he is taken a good care of by his children especially his daughters-in-law.

At times he is adamant and nothing can be done because he is like a child in many ways, sticking to what he feels.

He has self tutored himself to astrology and is consulted by many kith and kin. It is good that appa to my knowledge never had any hobbies but has planned a nice retired life. It is one way good that considering his hearing loss he could devote much of his time to reading thus utilizing his valuable time for his interest. Maximum he used to read ‘Anantha vikatan’ ,’kumudam’,’ kalki’ but later he started reading more of 'jyothidam 'related books.

In spite of his tennis elbow and vertigo he kept straining his health, which is not advisable at this age. His loss of hearing doesn’t deter him from saying’ no’ to serials. He plans his ‘parayanam,’ and ‘sandya vandanam ‘as per the timing of the serials.

BUT - at 86 -now he is really sick [today 20 th of Sep. 2009], twice he has been saved by God after going critical. We, his children, all have spent some time with him whenever he was admitted in SMF. I pray that he keeps good health; gets to see my nephew’s marriage in November, he has fixed the date, and is eager to attend also. Hope God hears our prayers, and also God should not make him suffer!

Saturday, September 19, 2009

TV serials contd.,

In Tamil serials, all the characters know only one thing that is to shout to deliver the dialogues, or drag and pause to deliver them. In either way you lose interest, and it always woven around the female characters and all the husbands are hen pecked and have no voice at all. It is always extreme either you have hitlerian husband material or totally surrendered husbands!

Coming to the house in serials, I remember an independent bungalow [in ECR?] which came in ‘SAHANA’ in Jaya TV, had appeared in’ Anandam’’ Sorgam’ and one more serial which succeeded the 'Anandam' in Sun. Recently maybe 6 months back in' Kolangal' also. The funniest part is the upholstery, they do not even change it, and for 3 years they had the same light blue, yellow combined ones in the hall. Though I do not watch whenever I came across people watching I never forget to see this. Frankly speaking I watched 'Sorgam', 'Shahana', and Kolangal' with breaks in between – [new to Bangalore and Tamil serials in noon] the house which appeared in 'Anandam' is shown in Kolangal.

The mega serials are like Draupadi’s sari with never ending episodes, the director some times drags due to TRP but ends up in a dilemma in concluding the story coz he himself is confused and caught in the maze of characters.


Regarding the NEWS, telecast it is always throwing accusations and mud slinging, it is interesting to watch Jaya and Kalaignar news: they never come out in open what is their party’s contributions to the state or even the MLAs and MPs achievements for those who elected them. For a change why do they not show their good things did for the state people rather than blaming the others? A bad work man blames the tools.

Friday, September 18, 2009

Arrows of Death - poem

I am the chosen ONE. Arrow of death,
In-flight reaching me. Here I am walking
In the Royal road to Heaven.
I am an instrument in the hands of
GOD, His own work, His own way.


I wiped away my tears from my eyes,
No sorrow, no crying, no pain. He
Broke the umbilical Cord- I flew
Only with my simplicity and purity
To the other unknown world!

He relieved me of my people.
With sweet coated words, and actions
Insulted and cheated me.
I found fault with others,
Failed to find my own.

Failed to love plants, air, wood,
Creatures, birds and animals,
Loved only ME, I’ve paid folks,
Cry not, love all.
The arrow of Death might be reaching
You any time!

May. 1996

Mind- Swifter than Air

What a peculiar thing
Never stable, ever swaying
Never ready and steady.

Expects goody- goody things
Flies everywhere with wings
Fastest of all is mind.

Yearns for fresh air, if the wind is cool,
The wind is breeze, if it is violent,
The wind is squall.

Friends butter words of praise,
Foes utter words of criticism,
Why can’t be the other way?

Aims for good things to happen,
So selfish, but store
Bad things for others.

Sees evil in others.
Mere reflection of oneself,
Don’t find a wise companion.
Walk like a lonely elephant
Rather, to walk with a fool,
Fall into a pool.


Life is a flower:
Loses its charm and colour
Withers, and gives room for another.

Mind – Search for your tree,
Sit under the shadow of peace,
Don’t migrate or hibernate.
Be steady and firm
No wind can change the mind
Swifter than air
Not to get into a snare
In your forest of mind.

Where is Life?

Where is life?

Life is a heaven
If you plant seven
Saplings in your street,
As if giving a treat.

Trees are friends
Help you in distress
Like a mistress.

Learn to be unselfish
Like tall green trees
Give you shade, breeze
Pleasant memories.

Raise your voice
Against felling of trees
Cut off ties with
Man who cut off trees.

Give swish, swish breeze
Are your friends
Mourn for their death.

Imagine life without
Chirping of birds, flowers
Glowing in the sunlight
Soft sounds of water flowing
In the rivers. Sky filled with music
Air spraying perfume.

Educate the environmental
Rapist, the values of trees,
The changing seasons,
Discarding of robes,
Arise, awake, raise
Your voice against
Felling off trees.

Jan 1996, poem

Thursday, September 17, 2009

On TVprogrammes

I started watching TV programmes from 1987, the time we purchased a colour set. Earlier we were watching sometimes at our neighbour’s black and white TV set. I was more interested to know about the Tamil prog, but we could get only DD1, and national channels. I do not remember any other channels.

Ghar Jamai was the programme which we watched, followed by Nukkad, Circus, Fauji, Bharat ek Khoj. We had weekly twice movies on the local campus cable. Mostly Hindi movies were played, sometimes English. That is how one, I could watch Hindi movies and two- picked up the language. I enjoyed KaderKhan’s dialogues [lots of sayings and proverbs] liked Govinda’s and Mithun’s dancing style, Amithabh’s dialogue delivery. Those were the days of Rekha, Sridevi, Jayaprada, meenakshi, Neelam and Farah.

As a family we watched almost all the movies. In actors, it was the days of Sunny Deol, Anil Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor, and Sanjay Dutt. My favourite heroines are Rekha, Sridevi, Hema malini, Nutan and Madhuri, actors Dharmendra, Amithabh, Sashi Kapoor, Rishi and Anil Kapoor.
Later, Ramayan started, our neighbours started assembling in our house on Sundays.

Coming to what way are the TV prog useful I would say, they exposed to so many good things unlike these days where you can surf so many channels and pick and choose the type of prog; one wants to watch.

Currently you have so many options of the service providers and so many types of set available. Though the providers propagate about the number of channels, I do not see any logic coz you can watch one channel at a time!

At present I face the problem, my preferences clash with the timings of two three channels and I am at a loss sometimes, have to decide on the priority as per the episodes contents.

Reality shows have occupied the channels and they are too much and too similar, suddenly you find yester years and current film personalities all around with their faces puffed up and hair dyed, wrinkled hands and using the same vocabulary for the comments as judges. To top it all film promotion takes the cake and walks off.

South VS North

Southern channels have the dubbed version of any one language serial going on for years in other regional channels and here ofcourse you do not find any thing funny, but it sucks when you watch a southern regional movie being dubbed in Hindi or vice versa. Totally the language and culture [though it is the same country] living style, clothes differ. In both soaps the woman will turn out to be the villain of other women in the serials, and the mothers –in –law invariably rich ones will be harsh, cruel and bitchy, the poor ones very homely, timid.

It is a delight to watch Ekta’s soaps; I like them for the costumes, interiors, and settings. One thing in her serials is the characters will always be dressed up and at the drop of the hat ready to take the car and go out minus purse, mobile phones and suddenly you would find them having all with them- how is it possible? The doors are never locked: anyone can get in and go. All the hospital scenes will be taken from the same set, a set of doctors keep exchanging the serials as the case of actors and actresses. The houses,villas will be repeated in many serials especially when they show the long shot of the villa.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

My history

I remember my early days in TAMBARAM; Railway quarters. This palatial house even now occupies my dream. Such a huge splendid house, with the 'Vasudeva kudumbakam'. It accommodated so many people.

We could encounter a variety of people, snakes, plants events etc.

As per my memory, the first neighbour was a husband wife and their mad daughter, who on full moon times would howl in late evening and without any second thought we peeped into their house by jumping on the ‘தண்ணி தொட்டிஸ் [water tanks ]‘[Thinking of this now I am ashamed] but it was a great fun those days.
Initially we were going to Christ King elementary school; just on the other sides of the playground, Boys after class 5, were shifted to Corley high school. Those days we had only one teacher taking up all subjects. Jayalakshmi, Chellam happened to be my aunts’ classmates. Jaya living at kadaperi, Chellam, one street behind 'anjaneyar Koil 'Street, a lot of mango trees at her house. Because of their friendship we had the privilege of taking part in school functions like dance and drama.

During my brother’s பூணல் [upanayanam] new clothes were purchased; we had our Annual day function also at the same time. I was taking part in a dance prog, jaya teacher asked me to get a nice ‘பாவாடை தாவணி for it. Unlike the present day gen. parents, kids, I did not have the guts to ask at home. So conveniently I took leave. It was the day of special function; jaya teacher had sent a girl to find out the reason for my Un- announced non-negotiable leave. Exactly I don’ remember the reason but the next day I did, I was the girl for edubidi. [Running errands]

Come ‘margazhi masam’, - Dec 15 th to Jan13 th, we needed poosani poo [white or yellow pumpkin] for 'gobi 'tradition where a flower is kept in a small cone made out of cowdung, on the rangoli designed in front of the house। All we used to do was to get up early rush to the jopad patti [gudisai] row of huts close to Durga stall to steal the ‘பூ [ flower ] and ran without looking back। Now I repent we never had marathons those days, had it been there, we would have set record for P.T. Ushas to beat us!

When we were all together when most of the first generation were together esp. elders we would have some free time to play.
All work and no play make jack a dull boy, Could we be far behind! You name and we had played the game. Gilly danda, goli, cricket, LONDON, statue, I spy,' மல்லிபு மல்லிபு
- மெல்ல வந்து கில்லிபோ' ; categories will you please, names of flowers, exchanging labels of match boxes for one ‘goli’ அடிக்கரடு' 'ஆடு' புலி', 'கொலை' கொல்லையம்' முந்திரிகை etc . [Tamil names all the games we played]. ,

Just a mention of appa’s name, [all P.T. Ushas boys inclusive] we won’t even see who was left behind, very keen in saving our skin, and would rush home. My grand mother aka Patti would be the first person to react and comment: என்ன' கங்கு' வரான'?!’[Is gangu coming’ shortened name of my father] One thing we should appreciate Patti here she co-operated well with us.

The reason house full of many kids. What all they needed was some respite from the 'kaachu kattal '[from our shrieks and shouts]. She would keep quiet. We, as good kids, would resume our studies. Some times we had missed this running. We helped the left one, who invariably boys, who would be playing away from the vicinity. By opening the back yard door and signalling had saved our kith and kin. “Today it is you, tomorrow who knows,” this is our policy!


Hardly had we got the chance to wear or have anything new, the reason so many members in the age difference 1, 2 years, so it was always, passing the parcel whether it was books/notebooks on rotation or dresses.


My first in hierarchy uncle taught us the art of bargaining, my grandmother – art of delegation of work and fulfilling her desires, and keeping everyone under her control.


While seeing people off at the TBM Rly Stn, the entire family would assemble, and free of platform ticket. Is it possible now?


I was born in Bangalore, but brought up in madras in a joint family, with my periappa’s family and paternal grand mother. All I remember about my early childhood is living together, eating together, and sharing the chores and other things like dresses, snacks, and jokes together. This has given a platform to get into the habit of adjustment, patience and taking things as they are. All the girls in one school, the boys in an Eng.medium schools, but we never had any complex we were all one. We waited for festivals for the food treat, and the festive mood, I do not remember anytime grumbling or brooding over the burden on our shoulders. Each one’s worked is specified and sometime or other we adjusted here and there.

Actually joint family trains you well and you can face any type of adjustments in future, you won’t find more members a pain in the neck. A lot of give and take takes place, you are moulded into a good human being with the exposure to ups and downs.

For Teachers from one of them

Teachers are the ultimate key to educational adaptation and school improvement. Teachers are under constant scrutiny of the triangle i.e.; parents, society and management. There is a demand for accountability of the teachers in the overall development of their students. The teacher too is accountable, provided justice is done to him/her in evaluating his/her work. A word of appreciation injects a great deal of enthusiasm in a teacher.

A teacher may be assessed both inside and outside the classroom as his /her commitment is directly correlated to hopes, dreams, aspirations and opportunities, all of which have to be exhibited. Moreover, the teacher has to bear a dignified relationship with colleagues working together for a common cause or working in isolation.

Unlike a factory or a business house, a teacher produces non-tangible products.

The following can be taken into consideration:
Maintenance of record so Innovative instructional material. Demonstration of stimulating lessons. Accepting unsuccessful attempts and improving upon for the next. Covering the course without pressure on pupils. Having a stock of interesting activities, exercises, competence in work. Adequate classroom discipline. Lessons giving a feeling of general effectiveness. Good rapport with pupils, parents.The feedback can be derived from coordinators, a sample of pupils and parents, apart from the random physical verification of notebooks, test papers and classroom activities, experiments etc.

Regarding the teacher in general, some work hard to be a 'good' teacher, while others teach particularly for earning a living with comforts and perform their duties mechanically.
A teacher can be assessed on the following: An enduring commitment to the profession. Accepting constructive criticism and thereby improving upon.
At ease with colleagues.At ease with parents and students in general.
Dealing effectively with disciplinary problems.
Not panicking during moments of difficulty.
Mixing with colleagues and get help in times of need and vice-versa.
Maintaining a balance between demands of work, family and personal interests.
At ease in relation with the department head and the principal.
Coping with ease last minute assignments.
Positive attitude towards interference.
Spending extra time beyond school hours for completing tasks.
Finally, sticking to the ethics of the teacher.

Every coin has two sides so also one's career. When one looks for rewards, one should also be prepared for punishments where it is inevitable. An oral warning in a friendly manner is considerate, when at the same time, the scolding must be sent across as effectively even as a word of praise. In spite of the warning, if the act is repeated by the teacher, withholding of the perks, facilities, will of course be appreciated. (Praise in public, reprimand in private.)

A teacher is adjudged by the manner of instructions. The teacher's influence on the scholastic achievements of pupils is one of the yardsticks for better monitoring of the professional. If he/she is available, efficient, satisfied, the influence will be more on pupils, and many will succeed even in most difficult situation. It lies in the hands of the management to make the individual teacher to feel and cherish an impression that he has achieved something worthy of his earnest efforts with positive acceptance. With this feeling, he can weave a web of success around him.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

ANGER

Always Negative Generated Ego Rules ---- ANGER


Anger is one of the worst forms of expressions. It harms the one who gets angry than the angered. He is the first victim by generating anger, who loses total control of himself and his emotions at that time overrules his sense.

Why do people get angry in the first place? There are so many inside and outside factors which trigger anger. When something not of their wish / choice, undesirable happenings occur, without rime or reason one gets annoyed, or the effect of previous incident makes one angry.

It could be one has to face humiliation, face obstacle, insults, become a scape goat and thus become a victim of anger. Some think they have every right to get angry, but do not think so of others. Is it that they are privileged to do so? It is really impossible to control anger, but it is possible to get angry, however the degree can be minimal.


The opponent has no control over the other one’s anger, the best one can do is to avoid confrontation and do not respond. If you can’t change people’s attitude, either you change or take it as it is.

To overcome anger, in the first place, one needs to find out the reason for getting angry within oneself. Ask some questions like is it necessary and am I going to get the desired result, is the situation going to improve in what way.

The best method is once you know that you are sensing the danger of anger try to put off your actions or words for a few minutes, divert your mind from the trigger, remain calm and cool.

The more important thing is to introspect one’s action after getting angry. This is very essential for one’s future. Act in haste, repent in leisure goes the saying and there is no use in crying over spilt milk! Surprisingly one can find out that one could have very well avoided the show -down.
There is always a solution and the best thing is to explain calmly and with patience to the other person and who knows one can be the Example for overcoming anger! Free yourself from this MAD ANGER.