Ripples
27 Apr 2011 4 Comments
My Life, akin to the clear, still water of a lake
Like a stone thrown, you created ripples
Which did not abate long after you had sunk to the depths
I am trying to restore calm for now
And hoping that, someday
May you be nothing more than
Another insignificant stone,
Lying forgotten among my depths.
Image Courtesy: Jami Gomez
Moving on
20 Mar 2011 4 Comments
in Magpie
He knelt in front of her grave and placed the bouquet of flowers on it. He had carefully asked for violet flowers, since she had mentioned that violet was her favourite colour during a casual conversation.
He felt sorry for her. He had done the same thing to so many women. None of them had died. In fact, even when they accidentally ran into him, they were most cordial. Some of them even introduced their husbands and children to him.
He was not sure if he was to be blamed. He was positive that he had not done anything wrong. His reverie was interrupted by the shrill buzz of his cell phone. “Doctor, there is a patient who just went into labour- a complicated case. The junior gynaecs are not able to handle it. Could you please rush to the hospital?”. He quickly rushed to his car. Sophie, who had died during childbirth yesterday, did not occupy his thoughts anymore.
For this week’s Magpie
The Omnipresent Doctor
10 Mar 2011 10 Comments
“From the past two days, I am having stomach pains Amma”, Kumar complained over the phone to his mother.
“What did Lata cook recently?”, his mother shot back.
“Forget that. Lata gave me some pills yesterday. Still no relief. Please suggest some kai-vaidhiyam (home made medicine)”, Kumar pleaded.
“Ask her to boil some cloves of garlic, then add it to some milk. Drink the milk with the boiled cloves, you will feel better immediately. Now, how can you expect your highly educated wife to know all this?”
Lata smiled sadly when she heard this conversation. A husband who left very little to his mother’s imagination, even though they were geographically miles apart. A mother-in-law who never lost an opportunity to demean her. I must be blessed indeed, she thought ironically.
She wondered what his reaction would be, when she told him that the pills she had given him the previous day contained garlic.
For this week’s Magpie (though I am a bit late)
Feel my love!!!
13 Feb 2011 2 Comments
in celebrations, music
I have been wanting to list my favourite romantic songs for quite some time now. What better occasion to do it than on Valentine’s day. Here goes:
1> Pyaar Hua Ikraar Hua- Shree 420
When I think of an eternal love song, this is the first one which comes to my mind. A sensual song shot in the rain, wonderful chemistry between the lead actors and simple and sweet lyrics.
2> Yeh Chaand Sa Roshan Chehra- Kashmir Ki Kali
I have always loved Shammi Kappor’s antics in all his romantic songs. This one is my favourite, because the beauty of a woman is described so nicely in this one (which woman can resist a guy praising her beauty?)
3> Pehla Nasha- Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar
Feelings associated with first love beautifully described in this song.
4> Oh Oh Jaane Jaana- Pyaar Kiya Toh Darna
Waiting to meet his beloved, I liked the theme. This song gave me my first glimpse of a shirtless Salman 
5> Tujhe Dekha Toh Yeh- Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge
Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol share a great onscreen chemistry. This is a timeless song, with great lyrics.
6> Suraj Hua Maddham- Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham
Another beautiful song describing the feelings when two people are in love. Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol and the locales make it a visual treat as well.
7> Jashn-E-Bahara- Jodha Akbar
Love this song for the situational lyrics. It shows the pain of being together, yet not belonging to each other.
8> Na Tum Jaano Na Hum- Kaho Na Pyaar Hai
Another beautiful song describing the feeling of first love. I still remember, this film was such a sensational hit, some of my friends watched it 3-4 times, only for Hrithik Roshan 
9> Pehli Nazar Main- Race
I started liking Atif Aslam’s voice after listening to this song. I feel his voice has a raw feel to it.
10> Tera Hone Laga Hoon- Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani
Hated the movie, but loved this song. Atif Aslam rocks again!!
This list is definitely not exhaustive. I have listed just a few of my favourites here. Also, I wanted to list romantic songs in other languages too. But could not do it due to lack of time. Will definitely list them in my future posts.
Happy Valentine’s day folks!!! Spread the cheer
P.S- This post is dedicated to that special someone who is out there somewhere (I believe in fairy tales that way). When the time is right, may our paths cross.
2011- The roadmap
06 Feb 2011 4 Comments
Since I felt it is too late to name this post as New Year resolution, have put it under a different name 
Listed in order of importance:
1> Professional growth- In March 2010, I took my first baby step towards a better career. I am really ashamed that I have not capitalized on that lucky break which I got and have been kind of dormant for around 10 months now. In 2012, I see myself in a better job role, maybe at a better place. So this year, I am going to work towards the same. I am not sure of the results, but whatever it may be, I will be satisfied that I did the best I could.
2> Decent cooking skills- I believe cooking is a life saving skill, comparable with first aid. So I intend to work towards developing the same. If not a great cook, atleast a reasonably good one. Also, not to take 2 hours to make rasam for 2
3> Devotion- Reciting the Vishnu Sahasranamam gives me peace of mind and I want to be learn it by heart, so that I dont have to depend on a book or a cassette anytime I want to recite it. Learning it by rote would also boost my self confidence, since I come from a non Sanskrit background. I know I can do it, just need the right boost.
4> Better Time Management- Usually on weekends, I end up doing nothing, just relaxing at home. I want to spend the time more effectively, reading meaningful books, exploring the city or doing small chores at home. So that I don’t feel that I wasted my time.
5> Better Stress Management- Even after 2 years in this industry, I am not good at handling stress. I usually end up spoiling my health and peace of mind, sometimes those of my parents too. So, will try my level best to keep my professional and personal life apart- make sure they don’t overlap.
6> Pay more attention to my health- I have always taken care of my health only when the occasion arose (read when I fell ill). Hope to do “preventive maintenance” from now on
7> Read more books- I am going to be occupied with honing my technical skills, so am looking at reading more technical books related to my work. Having said that, I do wish to have some time for quality reading in other genres as well. Hope I manage my time well (back to point 4)
Should wait and watch as to how I fare
Manmadhan Ambu
30 Jan 2011 2 Comments
If anybody asked me to review this film, I would use only one word- Pathetic.
Am so glad I did not watch it in the theatre. I had expected to see some good one liners and great comedy. But, I was so disappointed. What were you even thinking, Kamal Hassan?
Having said that, I liked the Neela Vaanam song. Good attempt by DSP.
Not fair, Ms Jessie!!!
07 Nov 2010 3 Comments
I finally watched Vinnaithaandi Varuvaya two weeks back. I had heard loads about this film, mainly that the chemistry between the lead actors was sizzling and also, about A R Rahman’s music. Also, when people remarked that Simbu had acted in this film instead of overacting (which is what he usually does), I thought I should not miss it.
According to me, the movie was an average one. The plus points were the music (almost all the songs were good) and the chemistry between Simbu and Trisha. There was nothing new about the story line. It is just the usual love story, peppered with some sensual scenes and classy music. Simbu and Trisha have acted reasonably well. It was worth a dekko. But I was totally disappointed with the climax. It left me feeling angry and I am here to vent it out as a post.
Before you read any further, this post contains spoilers about the climax of the movie. So if you have not yet watched the movie and have intentions of doing so in the future, please do not read further (I do not want to be accused of being a spoilsport)
If you are reading this, you may be aware that that Jessie ditches Karthik in the end and moves on. I found this ending absurd and ridiculous to say the least. When two people fall in love, they should have the courage to remain devoted to each other through thick and thin. Love is not only about the roses, it is also about the thorns. When Jessie did not have the guts to remain devoted to her love till the very end, she should not have encouraged Karthik. I admit that she was initially hesitant to get involved with him, but it was very clear that eventually she also fell for him and encouraged his love. Why did she then back out in the end? Just because her father threatened to kill himself? Such reactions from her father were expected and she should have been able to convince him.
In life, many of us do not get what we covet. If we fail to get the college of our choice, we can compromise and settle for the second best. But not so in case of love. Because unlike the former scenario where only one mind and heart is involved, here we have the feelings and sentiments of two people at stake. We have the right to compromise our own feelings, but definitely not play around with those of others. If Jessie knew that her father could not be convinced, she should have had the sense to dissuade Karthik’s overtures from the very beginning.
Many people regarded Jessie as mature, but I feel that maturity is all about making choices and decisions in life and sticking by them, come what may. In that way, Jessie comes across as someone who is immensely confused and weak.
I would have better appreciated an incomplete climax even(like both Jessie and Karthik shown waiting for their parent’s approval till the very end).
Leaving you with my favourite song in this film:
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
30 Sep 2010 2 Comments
After reading Ice Station, I was looking forward to reading more fast and pacy books, but not by the same author. Then my friend suggested that I take up The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Though it is not an action thriller, it comes under the genre of crime fiction, which is pretty close.
Michael Blomkvist is a financial journalist and co-owner of a magazine, Millenium. He has been convicted of libel against renowned industrialist, Hans Erik Wennerstron. Though Michael is convinced that Wennerstrom has swindled money from the government, he is unable to prove it. He resigns from his role at Millenium.
Henrik Vanger is the head of the dynastic Vanger Dynasty. He is 82 years old and has been tormented for 40 years by the disappearance of his grand niece, Harriet who was supposed to head the Vanger Corporation. He believes that she has been murdered and is convinced that some member of his family is the murderer.
Lisbeth Salander works for a security agency and has a photographic memory. She is a genius computer hacker. She has her own way of dealing with people and shows a strange lack of emotional attachment.
Henrik Vanger hires Mikael to investigate the murder of his grand niece. Lisbeth joins him mid way through the investigation. Will they be able to uncover the truth which has been hidden for almost 40 years?
Unlike Ice Station, where the characters lacked depth, a good 250 pages of the novel are devoted to the characterization of Michael, Henrik, Lisbeth and a few more members of the Vanger family. I see this as a smart move by the author, Stieg Larsson, since this is the first novel in a trilogy and Mikael and Lisbeth are the main characters in the other two books also.
The plot slowly begins to unravel after 250 pages. If you are the impatient type (like me), who can’t wait that long for the story to begin, I would still advise you to wait. Because the plot was worth waiting for. And once Michael delves deeper into the mystery of Harriet’s disappearance, there is no looking back. The novel becomes gripping and the ending is completely unexpected and takes you by surprise.
I felt that the first part of the book was too long and could have easily been trimmed by at least 50 pages. But having said that, I found that the book had all the aspects of a good crime novel. A very good read. I am looking forward to read the sequels.
P.S: Some of the crime descriptions in this book are dark and slightly graphic. I would not recommend it to people who are uncomfortable with vivid descriptions of crime.
Ganapati Bappa Morya!!
25 Sep 2010 4 Comments
in celebrations, parents, society
Last year’s Ganesha Chaturthi celebrations were bummer. Both my parents were down with Chikungunya and I was working late almost everyday due to project deadlines. Tempers were on the rise. Every year, our preparations for the festival would begin at least a week in advance. Last year, we were contemplating whether to bring home an idol till the previous day of the festival. Even though I had a leave on that day, there may be a possibility that I would have to work from home. Also, what would we do for the neivedhyam part? Amma had so much pain in her joints, that she was unable to even hold a glass full of water, how would she knead the dough required for the kozhakattais? Though I assured her that if she could instruct me properly, I could make the kozhakattais, she was not convinced. There were two reasons for that – First, at the speed with which I cook, I would be able to prepare the kozhakattais only at 3 in the afternoon, which would be too late. Second, if there is an important call from office, I may leave everything mid way and rush to work, from which point, she would have to complete the work. On the other hand, we have been celebrating the festival every year religiously. How could we give up suddenly? What if we incur the wrath of the elephant faced God?
So, finally we set out to buy the idol on the evening of the previous day. Due to the joint pain, both my parents were so impatient during the shopping, that we wrapped it up in a record 45 mins. On the day of the festival, I recited whatever shlokas I knew and fruits were offered to the God. Amma frantically prayed to God to forgive any misgivings and promised that she would prepare kozhakattais next year.
Come 2010!! This year’s festival was a huge hit. Both my parents were in robust health and I was also relatively free, having moved to a different project. We got an unpainted idol this year (eco-friendly). Amma made kozhakattais, vadai and payasam. Appa asked me to do the pooja since he was not able to read the tiny letters in the pooja book. Come evening, my sister and clan joined us. We went to see the diamond studded Ganesha in our locality and were left awestruck at the brilliance of the idol. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves at the Mela nearby. Our thoughts when we immersed the idol were - God, please give us the strength to welcome you in a similar or better way every year.
The festivities in our locality continued for three days. On the last day, there was a grand procession of the idol, followed by fireworks, which were a feast to the eyes. I am posting a few pictures here.
Ice Station
07 Aug 2010 2 Comments
I have read all the books by Dan Brown and found most of his books impossible to put down. His books are page turners. Even though his books are at least 600 pages each, I have always found them impossible to put down once I have started reading them. I usually end up lapping up each of his books in maximum 3 days flat (often annoying my mother so much that she sometimes grabs the book away from my hands)
Now before you wonder if Dan Brown wrote a novel which you people may have missed, let me tell you Ice Station is a novel by an Australian author, Matthew Reilly. If Dan Brown’s novels can be called page turners, then I can call the Ice Station as a page skipper. In many places, I found myself impatiently skipping one page or two to read what is happening in the plot. Nail biting suspense takes a new meaning in this book. Each page has a new twist, a new plot. The feeling of reading this book was akin to watching a suspense thriller at the edge of a seat in a theater.
Synopsis: Scientists at the Wilkes Ice station in Antarctica have made an incredible discovery. Buried beneath layers of ice, is a discovery of immense value and potential. Lieutenant Shane Schofield (Scarecrow) and his team of marines (12 in all) arrive at the station to secure the discovery till the arrival of a larger US troop. There are ruthless military forces from France and England who will go to any extent to secure this discovery for their respective nations. Besides dealing with them, Scarecrow and his team also have to deal with the many challenges of the freezing weather and dangerous sea animals. They also have to identify and eliminate the traitors in their own team who are hell bent on eliminating all the people who know about this discovery.
I would recommend this book to people who are looking for a riveting, light and entertaining read. The language is easy and most of the technical devices used (military weapons, aircraft) have all been explained clearly so that it would form a picture in your mind as you read. This is something which I appreciate about the author.
Scarecrow comes across at a very intelligent, brave man. He cares about his team and makes a good leader. His team members respect his judgement. Other than Scarecrow and Fox, most of the characters lack depth. But I would not take it as a serious negative, since the book is an action thriller.
A Hollywood movie based on this book (with the right screenplay and direction) would do very well at the box office
